Saved || A Jungkook fanfic

25.

Jin's plan, against all odds, actually worked.

Somehow, after lying our way into one of the most powerful corporations in the country, we managed to find Jungkook.

Unfortunately, Jin conveniently forgot to include the most crucial part of the plan: what the hell we were supposed to do when we actually found him.

I remained frozen on the floor, my body locked in place, my eyes wide and unblinking. I hadn't seen Jungkook since our fight—since I saw a side of him I never wanted to see again. I'd spent the past few weeks marinating in self-loathing, throwing the world's most elaborate pity party, drowning in guilt for hurting everyone around me.

Everyone, including myself.

But the one person I couldn't bring myself to hate was him.

And now, here he was, standing just a few feet away, staring at me with an unreadable expression. His expensive suit fit him like a second skin, highlighting every muscle I admired from up close and afar. A storm of emotions flickered across his face, but my mind couldn't process them—I was too consumed with the damage I'd already caused.

I should have come to him sooner. Selfish. Always so damn selfish.

Jin extended a hand, helping me up. The moment I stood, my head spun violently. Too fast. Too much. I stumbled forward, but before I could hit the ground again, strong arms caught me, steadying me.

Jungkook.

I knew it was him before I even looked. His presence had quickly become an anchor in my life, and even now, with the weight of our past dragging behind us, I could feel that familiar pull.

He let out a small sigh before jerking his chin toward the two sharply dressed men behind him.

They nodded, bowed, and quickly excused themselves, leaving the three of us alone.

Jungkook's gaze flickered to Jin before settling back on me. A few strands of hair had fallen in my face, and without hesitation, he brushed them aside, his touch far gentler than I deserved. "How the hell did you guys even get in here?"

His voice.

It washed over me like a warm tide, melting away the tension in my limbs for a fleeting moment. That voice had carried me through so many dark nights, keeping me tethered to the world when I wanted to disappear.

And now, here it was again, pulling me back from the edge.

"You know, you really need to get better security for—Ailene!" Jin's voice rang in my ears, but it was too late.

A fresh wave of dizziness crashed into me, and the last thing I saw before my vision went dark was Jungkook's startled expression.

~~

"I just hope she's okay."

His voice was softer this time, laced with something unspoken. Worry? Guilt?

I wasn't sure.

I could feel the warmth of his presence beside me, the slight dip in the mattress where he sat. The steady beeping of a heart monitor echoed through the hospital room, blending with the low hum of the air conditioning.

Physically, I felt fine—no pain, no lingering dizziness—but mentally? I wasn't ready to face him yet. I wasn't ready to see the hurt I'd caused reflected back at me.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Jungkook," Jin's voice came from somewhere near the window, his usual playfulness dampened. "The doctor said she was just dehydrated. No concussion. But, man... she was a wreck without you."

A long pause. Then, more quietly, "I've never seen her like that before. Not even with—"

Jin cut himself off, but I didn't need him to finish.

I already knew.

Jungkook exhaled sharply.

"Ails, I know you're awake. Stop fucking around."

I mentally groaned. You've got to be kidding me.

My eyes snapped open, immediately locking onto Jin, who sat in the chair with his arms crossed, an unimpressed expression plastered on his face.

"You're such an ass," I grumbled, my voice hoarse.

Jungkook stiffened beside me, like he hadn't expected me to actually wake up, and my gaze flickered to him briefly before I turned back to Jin, who was still smirking like he won something.

"Oh please, remember when we used to fake being asleep when your parents checked on us? And you were always the one to break character? You've never been good at this."

I ignored him, licking my chapped lips and searching blindly for water.

"Here," Jungkook said softly, already moving from the hospital bed. He poured water from a pale pink plastic pitcher into a styrofoam cup, handing it to me carefully.

"At least this pitcher is plastic," Jin muttered.

Jungkook's hand almost missed the cup. I coughed awkwardly, avoiding both their eyes.

"Well, now that I've broken the ice, I'll give you two a chance to talk," Jin said, standing. "But if I come back and find you two fighting again, I swear, I will use whatever sharp objects I can find in this hospital as a weapon."

And with that, he was gone, shutting the door behind him.

The silence stretched between us.

I took slow, measured sips of water, using it as an excuse to avoid looking at him. But I could feel his gaze on me—steady, unrelenting. When I finally mustered the courage to glance his way, I took him in properly for the first time.

His tie was gone. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing the ink that swirled over his right forearm. His dark hair was a little messy, like he'd been running his hands through it too much. The first few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing the smooth skin of his collarbone.

Even exhausted, he looked unfairly good.

Before I could overthink it, he reached out, wrapping his arms around me. His warmth surrounded me, the familiar scent of him wrapping around my senses like a cocoon.

"I was so worried about you," he murmured into my hair, voice tight.

My fingers twitched. Then, hesitantly, I curled them into his shirt, gripping him like he might disappear if I let go.

"You have no idea how scared I was," he continued, his hold tightening. "I thought I killed you."

I huffed out a small, wet laugh. "Okay, that's a little dramatic."

"I'm serious," he muttered. "I thought I was about to be locked up for manslaughter."

I shook my head, a soft smile breaking through the exhaustion. "Jungkook... I don't deserve you."

His body tensed. "Don't say that, Ails."

"I hurt you," I whispered. "I was selfish. I was so caught up in my own past, my own feelings, that I never stopped to think about yours."

He pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his hands cradling my face, thumbs brushing over my cheekbones. "Just say it."

"Say what?"

He exhaled. "Say it, now."

My pulse pounded. My hands clung tighter to him.

Falling was terrifying.

But sometimes, you have to leap.

"I love you, Jungkook."

And sometimes, falling can be fun.

Author Note: (2025)

Wow, it took 25 chapters to get an I love you. In fanfic time that's like an eternity. 

Hopefully you're enjoying this story.

Let me know what you think in the comments!