Till death do us part [ j.jk × p.jm ]

chapter-59

The car hummed softly as Namjoon drove through the city streets, his focus on the steady flow of traffic. Jungkook sat in the passenger seat, his posture stiff, eyes fixed on the road ahead. As he shifted slightly, a sharp jolt of pain shot through his side, making him hiss under his breath.

Namjoon glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, his hands steady on the wheel. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with concern.

"I'm fine," Jungkook replied curtly, his gaze unwavering. The shortness of his response made it clear he didn’t want to dwell on it.

Namjoon wasn’t convinced. "You don’t look fine," he said, his tone soft but firm. "You should’ve waited for me yesterday. You didn’t have to go in alone."

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, and he shook his head, his voice steady but resolute. "I couldn’t wait. Every second I didn’t act felt like I was wasting time. If something had happened to Jimin while I was standing around, I’d never forgive myself."

Namjoon didn’t press further. He understood Jungkook’s stubbornness, but it didn’t make him any less concerned. After a moment of silence, he changed the subject. "Why are you so set on going to the hospital? What do you expect to find there?"

Jungkook finally turned to glance at him briefly before looking ahead again. His voice was lower now, almost contemplative. "I need answers. I need to know why Yoongi did this. What he wanted, what he thought he’d gain. I need to understand his mind if I’m going to make sure this never happens again."

Namjoon’s brow furrowed as he considered Jungkook’s words. "You think he’ll talk to you?"

"He will," Jungkook said firmly.

Namjoon nodded slightly, focusing back on the road. "Just... don’t lose your head in there. Whatever he says, don’t let him get to you."

Jungkook didn’t respond immediately, but his silence carried the weight of his determination. "I won’t," he said finally, his tone flat but resolute. "This isn’t about him. It’s about protecting what’s mine."

Namjoon sighed again, knowing that once Jungkook had made up his mind, there was no turning him away from his path. The rest of the ride was filled with a tense quiet, the unspoken weight of their mission hanging in the air.

The car pulled into the hospital’s parking lot, the engine humming softly before Namjoon turned it off. He sat back for a moment, his hands still on the steering wheel as he glanced at Jungkook. The younger man’s expression was stoic, but the tension in his jaw and the determined glint in his eyes betrayed his inner resolve.

Namjoon broke the silence first. "You sure about this?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with concern. "I can go with you, you know. Yoongi’s not exactly predictable, and with the way you're—"

Jungkook shook his head sharply, cutting him off. "I’ll handle it alone." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to Namjoon, meeting his gaze. "This is something I need to do myself. He’s not your problem—he’s mine." He opened the car door and stepped out, wincing slightly as the movement sent a twinge of pain through his ribs.

Namjoon watched him walk toward the hospital entrance, his stride steady despite the clear discomfort he was in. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, muttering under his breath, "Stubborn idiot. Just don’t do anything reckless."

The moment Jungkook stepped into the hospital, the sterile scent of antiseptics hit his senses. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead as he made his way to the reception desk, his expression hard and unreadable. A young nurse behind the counter glanced up, offering a polite smile.