Red and Violent ✔️

Chapter 24: Backlash against Jungkook

You and Jungkook resorted to his bed once you arrived to the hotel. It's like a silent pact now that you sleep next to each other. As you were drifting into sleep you heard Jin's voice whispering.

"Are you crazy? Do you want to get yourself killed? Is that what we get for covering you and Namjoon's asses?" He seemed furious. The meds were too strong for you to fight back. You were silently put to sleep as you heard, "Sejin won't let this slide.."

Next day was a haze. You woke up for your morning routine. Jungkook was too hasty you guys didn't get to kiss as you go. Jungkook tried to cover his bruises before he left off. The moment he entered the arena Hoseok was waiting for him, his hands crossed.

"Are you fucking serious?" Jungkook brushed it off and walked past him. "Jungkook, you know you don't get to act like that with your elders."

"Hyung, I know I did something wrong, it wasn't her fault, so please, don't take it out on her." He said politely.

"Tell that to Sejin." Hoseok said guiding him backstage.

Sejin was waiting for all of them because Jungkook wasn't the only one to be blamed. Once he got in the room he saw Sejin seated as he's making a call, tensed and ready to rant. The moment he saw everyone getting in he stood up and excused himself from the call.

"Sit down, please." He said, not even waiting for anyone to talk. "There's one thing I don't understand. Namjoon, you're the leader! You should know best. You made everyone lie for both of your sakes to be able to have fun with your girls. That's one thing, Namjoon... but Jin? Really?" he addressed him now then got back to Jungkook and Namjoon.

"That was the most stupid move you'd do. Going in the streets with no security. No one knowing your whereabouts. Not even me?!" All of them were sitting down in submission and understanding.

"And now to the maknae," he shook his head, "do you think I don't see your bruised eyes under your makeup? Am I a clown to you? You know how much damage control we'll have to get through to cover for your ass? The theories your fans will start, the arguments, the scandals, and not to forget, your relationship can be in danger! I haven't slept all night to be able to cover for your futile mistakes. Your media head was informed to take the least pictures of you and to film you the least." He said meaning you and Eun Ae as you got in.

You looked shyly into Jungkook's eyes.
"Miss Kaesolin, Miss Eun Ae" he motioned for you to sit as he dismissed the members except for Jungkook and Namjoon. You felt like a kid awaiting a scolding.

"You guys won't meet outside the premises of the hotels. No such thing as even meeting in the hotel's bars for a drink alone. If you keep sneaking out as kids, you'll be treated as kids. I hope I made myself clear. Now, please go. We have a concert."

The rest of the day was mainly you in a bad mood. You did your job the way you should. You anticipated the fan cams and hoped that the make up team would cover everything perfectly. As the day passed and the concert started, you could sense Jungkook's and Namjoon's low energy. The concert went by as usual, some mistakes were made but nothing serious happened. You couldn't get to see Jungkook in between the acts.

When you got to the hotel you went to Jungkook's room even when he didn't call you. As you knocked he opened the door with tears in his eyes and his face shot up red. He walked straight to bed. He sat taking his knees into his hug. You sat next to him and held his hand. You were too afraid to ask if something happened because you know something did. He took his phone and showed you the articles.

"Jungkook performs in the Sao Paolo concert in what looks like a bruised eye."

"Jungkook looked like he had a fight before the Sao Paolo concert."

"Jungkook looking like a thug for his Sao Paolo concert, is it the reason he messed up his choreo?"

You read tweets mostly antis attacking him. ARMYs were worried. You fought the tears because you had to be strong for him, now.

"I'm sorry," his voice shook as he tried to take his breath. "It's all my fault. Everyone will hate me, now. I can't take all this. This is too much." He seemed to be struggling with his breath so you took his hands and started counting for him to breathe as you did.

"Focus on your breathing," you counted, "one.. two.. three.." he tried his best to follow your counting but he seemed to burst in more tears.

"It's my fault, Jungkook. I am sorry." You knew that your apology was useless. It meant nothing in the explosive reaction of damage you've been a catalyst in.

As his head was on his knees he put his hand on your neck and pulled you in to be in proximity with his head. You could sense his breath against your face. He, too, could feel your breath against his cheeks as you talked. It calmed him down, your nearness— Your mere existence by his side.

"No one will hate you, honey. You're loved the way you are. There are people who'd kill for you. I would kill for you. I'm here, honey. This mistake will never define you." You paused between sentences taking deep breaths.

"I am sorry. I really am. Just breathe." You massaged his back still nuzzling your face against his.

"Don't be sorry." He said. "Just be here." He said sniffing. You put him between your legs and bear hugged him. Like a baby cub in his mother's protection. You felt like you wanted to protect him from the spears thrown at him, trying to take him down.

You hugged him tighter as you felt his breath stabilizing. You kept kissing his soft hair and fixed it after you were done. Soon the door was ringing so you stood up to open. It was everyone. They were holding what seems to be food.

"We knew you'd be here! We got you food." Taehyung said as he rushed in and started opening up the boxes.

Hoseok went straight to Jungkook and sat next to him and started talking with him sweetly. They filed in one after the other and it was soon a full house. He started smiling as Jimin made jokes.

Your heart warmed up at the scene. They were all beat up because of the concert but they made sure to be there for their baby brother. As you were appreciating the scene your thoughts were interrupted by a sweet delicate voice,

"Noona? Your food will get cold." Jimin said asking you to sit with them. You sat down next to Yoongi. Feeling home.

"Wanna talk?" He said calmly.

"I made a huge mistake." You said filled with guilt. Knives stabbing your heart with remorse.

"You both did." He said not trying to butter you up. "He's old enough to take the blame for acting irrationally. Plus, you two are slowly getting to know each other. This isn't a good land to grow any seed of young love and you two are doing your best. You can't blame two people for wanting to be together, right? It's okay, Kae, this too shall pass. We're here for you both, and you're there for each other." He smiled. His words were honest and sincere and it sent a flow of safety in your being.

"Everything will be handled anyways so you two don't have worry. Just get off social media for now." Jin said as he slurped up the ramyeon.

You glanced at Jungkook to find him already looking at you. His eyes were red and puffed up but he was smiling at you. You smiled at him back and you closed your eyes trying to send him a kiss just using them.

He understood what your were doing so he reciprocated. You scanned your eyes to see Eun Ae and Namjoon holding each other close. You giggled.

Tomorrow was a shoot for the RUN series and it's going to be aired on 3 separate episodes. Today, however, you got the taste of the family quality time you, almost never, had. No ominous thoughts took over. You just enjoyed the jubilance in the air driving off the sulking fear. You laughed to Hoseok's reaction to the tasty dessert. The churros were really nice, indeed. This, in its entirety, is nice. If nice was a word to do what you feel justice.