Paramedics burst into the club and immediately saw the crowd that had gathered around the restrooms. They pushed their way through as the crowd began to clear a path. Luckily, they had two stretchers. Mirae and I watched as Daeun was hoisted onto one of them. Seokjin was by her side when they left.

There were gasps as Haneul was brought out of the restroom. There was blood everywhere, and many people turned and looked at me. I just stared. Mirae began shaking as they passed us, and all of my attention went to her.

"It'll be okay," I assured her. "Don't worry."

As soon as the paramedics were gone, police officers filed in. They painstakingly began taking statements, beginning with Namjoon, Hoseok, me and finally, Mirae. I admitted what I had done. I was placed in handcuffs and Mirae immediately began sobbing again. They waited to take me anywhere until Mirae was able to finish her statement, however. The police did go ahead and take me to the station, but before they booked me, they put me in an interrogation room.

"We understand that your actions were an act of self-defense on behalf of your girlfriend, yes?"

"Yes."

"Don't you think you went a bit overboard?"

"No."

The police officer raised his eyebrows.

"This is not the first time he has sexually assaulted her," I explained. "The last time he did, he drugged her and tried to rape her. He was stopped by her friends, but I have no doubt that tonight, he would've finished what he started then."

The officer's face softened. "I did see that he had a previous complaint about sexual assault. I didn't know it was your girlfriend who had filed it."

"There should be statements in that file from the other guys you interviewed tonight, too. And me."

"It never went to trial - "

"Because you all said there wasn't enough evidence," I spat bitterly.

The officer sighed. "It's not always up to us."

"But this is, right?" I held up my cuffed hands. The officer sighed again, then reached across the table and unlocked the handcuffs.

"I'm not going to book you tonight. I'm going to release you into your parents' care. But I have to file a report. When the gentleman who assaulted your girlfriend - "

I snorted derisively. "'Gentleman'."

"When the boy," the officer corrected. "wakes up, we will need to interview him. If he decides to press charges, we'll have to bring you back in and book you."

"That's fine," I said calmly. "I'll be waiting."

~~~~~~~~~~

The drive home was quiet. Neither mom nor dad said a word. When we got home and into the house, however, mom pulled me into a hug. Dad placed a hand on my shoulder.

"What you did was wrong, Yoongi."

"I know, dad."

"But I'm proud of you."

I smiled a small smile. "I may have gone overboard," I admitted. "But I'm not sorry."

"I understand."

"If they arrest you again and this goes further," mom interrupted. "we will support you."

"Thank you."

She squeezed me tighter. "Let's go pick up Mirae. She went home with Hoseok, but I talked to her and she wants to come back here tonight. She wants to be with you."

I sighed, relieved. I had been worried I'd scared her too much for her to want to see me anytime soon.

"I love her so much, mom," I said, tears forming in my eyes. "I had to - "

"I know," she said quietly. "And don't you apologize for it."

~~~~~~~~~~

When we got to Hoseok's house, I ran to the door, knocking quickly. Soon, Hoseok answered, Mirae by his side.

She launched herself at me, hugging me. I ran my fingers into her hair, pushing it away from her face as I held her head between my hands. I bent down and kissed her. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, though her eyes betrayed her supposed confirmation.

"It's okay that you're not," I said, and she slumped against me.

"Take me home," she said quietly. "Please."

I nodded, then looked over her head at Hoseok. 'Thank you,' I mouthed.

He nodded. 'Good job,' he mouthed back.

I led her toward the car, and after opening the back door for her, got into the passenger seat. Mom had insisted on sitting in the back with Mirae. When she slid into the seat, mom immediately threw her arms around her. I watched as she melted into mom's arms. I knew then that as much as she needed me, she also needed a parental figure to assure her she was cared for in that way. She needed a mom.

When we made it home, Mirae immediately insisted on taking a shower. "I need to wash him off of me," she told me quietly, tears in her eyes. I nodded.

"Take all the time you need."

And she did. She was in the shower for quite a long time. When she eventually emerged, I noticed her skin was red and raw, as though she'd scrubbed it hard. I swallowed thickly. I couldn't even begin to imagine what she was going through.

"Are they going to take you back to jail?" she asked quietly as we sat on my bed.

"I don't know," I admitted as I took her hand. "They have to see if Han - he - will press charges."

"He didn't against Jungkook," Mirae said. "Maybe he won't against you either."

"I hope not. But even so, if he does, I'm prepared to face the consequences."

"Yoongles," she continued quietly.

"Hmm?"

"You didn't have to do what you did - "

"I know."

"But thank you." She squeezed my hand that she was holding tighter. "I was so scared," she admitted. "Thank you for saving me."

"I should have protected you," I said quietly. "I'll never forgive myself - "

"What else could you have done? Joon and Hobi are feeling the same way. And none of you should."

Suddenly, her phone chimed with a text notification, interrupting us before I could say any more. She picked it up and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Daeun's awake," she said. "She has a severe concussion, but she'll be okay."

I too, felt relieved. "Let's go see her."

"Tomorrow," Mirae agreed. "Let's let Jin have his time with her tonight."

I nodded, then pulled her into my arms and laid us both down. "How about you and I just get some sleep for now?"

She sighed heavily. "That sounds like a great idea."