"I'm so proud of you!"

Officer Chung had told Yoongi he needed to come down to the station to fill out some forms, and Yoongi had called Jungkook to come with him as Namjoon was at work.

"Thanks," Yoongi said shyly.

"I would've supported you no matter what you chose to do, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping that this would be the route you'd choose."

Yoongi sighed. "It took a lot. I've still got a nagging thought in the back of my mind that maybe it's not right."

"Don't listen to that, Yoongi. Listen to your heart. It deserves to heal, and I think this may be the next step - maybe even the final step - to allow it to do that."

Yoongi nodded. "Thanks, Kook."

Jungkook stopped, an unreadable expression settling his face. "Kook?"

Yoongi's cheeks flushed. "I-Is that okay?"

Jungkook smiled. "I like it."

Yoongi returned his smile. And because Yoongi's smiles were rare these days, Jungkook felt a tug at his heart that he was the reason one had appeared.

"You ready to go?"

Yoongi nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

When they arrived at the station, Officer Chung led them to a small office.

"Thank you for being willing to come here, Mr. Min. Is there anything I can get you? Water? Coffee?"

"No, thank you," Yoongi replied timidly. Being at the station made him nervous.

"Okay. To get started, I just need you to fill out these forms." He slid them across the table to Yoongi. "Then, I'll have a few additional forms for you to sign, and we can get right to business."

Yoongi nodded, looking over the forms. "Um, do I have to fill this part out?" he asked, gesturing to a section asking him to detail what had happened. "Don't you already have all the information for this?"

Officer Chung looked apologetic. "Yes, we need that section filled out. If you'd like, you can make it brief. I'll attach your statements from your therapist to the form. But we need you to fill that part out in order to confirm that the statements are accurate."

Yoongi took in a shaky breath. "Okay."

Jungkook watched, feeling useless, as Yoongi filled out the forms. He indeed kept the section about what had happened brief, only writing a few sentences. It took quite a while for Yoongi to finish up the forms, but Jungkook waited patiently, doing his best to be a calming presence for him.

Once he was done, Yoongi passed the form back to Officer Chung, who then had him read over the other forms and sign them. And then, after all was said and done, Officer Chung gave Yoongi some news that hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Mr. Lee will remain detained as these forms are processed. After that, however, a judge can decide to allow him to bail out as - "

"Bail out?!" Jungkook almost shouted. "Like, he would be out of jail? He would be free?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Officer Chung said. "There's nothing we can do about it. It's the way the system works."

Tears had immediately sprung to Yoongi's eyes at that news. "B-But what if he comes after me?" Yoongi asked, barely above a whisper.

"One of the extra forms you signed was an application for a protective order against Mr. Lee. We will get it secured before he has the chance to bail out. Once it's in place, we will be able to provide surveillance outside of your apartment often."

"Often?" Jungkook asked incredulously. "Not all the time?"

"Unfortunately, we cannot provide permanent surveillance at this time. Again, this is all up to the judge, though. He or she may not allow him to bail out. The protective order and plans for other protections are just in case he is allowed to do so."

"I feel sick," Yoongi suddenly said. "I-I need a bathroom."

Officer Chung quickly escorted Yoongi to a restroom, where Yoongi proceeded to vomit the entirety of the contents of his stomach. Once he was done, and had slumped against the wall of the stall, Jungkook was beside him, pulling Yoongi into his arms.

"It'll be okay," he said softly. "We'll make sure you're safe."

Yoongi didn't say anything, simply staring straight ahead of him. Jungkook's chest constricted. He didn't know if his heart could handle watching Yoongi go through despondency again.

"C'mon, let's go get you some water."

Yoongi allowed himself to be pulled up and led out of the restroom. Jungkook continued to lead him until they had made it back to the office, where Officer Chung was waiting with a bottle of water.

"Sorry," Yoongi whispered.

Officer Chung waved his apology away. "You do what you need to do. I know it's not easy to hear all of this."

"So, what happens now?" Jungkook asked.

"Well, we file these forms and wait. We should have answers to all of our questions within 24 to 48 hours."

Jungkook nodded. "You'll call as soon as you know?"

"Of course," Officer Chung promised.

When they made it back to Yoongi's apartment, he dropped onto the couch and immediately burst into tears. Jungkook, once again, was at his side in a flash, pulling him into a hug.

"Don't leave me," Yoongi begged, grasping at Jungkook's shirt. "Please don't leave me."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Yoongi. I promise."

"I can't... I-I can't...I can't do this!" Yoongi wailed.

"You can and you will," Jungkook assured him. "You're so strong, Yoongi. You're strong and brave. I know you can handle this. And you'll always have us by your side."

"I don't wanna be alone," Yoongi moaned. "I told you I'd be okay, but I don't wanna be alone!"

Jungkook shook his head and pressed his hand gently against the back of Yoongi's head. "You won't be," he promised quietly. "You'll never be for as long as you need us to be here."

Yoongi began sobbing again, and Jungkook simply held him, content to be the reassurance that Yoongi needed. He waited until Yoongi had worn himself out to the point of beginning to doze off against Jungkook's shoulder. His grip on Jungkook's shirt slackened, and Jungkook gently laid him down on the couch, situating him and then covering him with a blanket. And then, Jungkook sighed as he pulled out his phone and group messaged the other guys with the news.

-

Rage. That was the best word Jungkook could use to describe all of the responses to his message. Every single one was full of unadulterated rage. Even Namjoon's, which was surprising. Namjoon always kept a level head, even when upset.

It wasn't long until Jungkook got a private message from Namjoon.

Namjoon: I'm coming home now. I can't stay here any longer knowing Yoongs is going through this.

Jungkook: I understand. I'll be here.

By the time Namjoon got home, Yoongi was still asleep. Jungkook was sitting at his feet, wanting to be close whenever he woke up.

"How's he been doing?"

"Not great," Jungkook admitted. "But he's been asleep for quite awhile. I didn't want to wake him."

Namjoon nodded as he collapsed into a chair. "What are we gonna do, Jungkook?"

Jungkook shook his head sadly. "I don't know. Pray the judge doesn't set bail, I guess."

"I just... How could that even be an option, after everything he's done? He's dangerous. And I wouldn't put it past him to try to find Yoongs while he's out."

"I agree," Jungkook said. "I think we need to come up with a plan, in case he does get out. Yoongi should never be left alone. And I think it would be best that he always have at least two people with him, instead of just one."

Namjoon nodded again. "That's a good idea. Strength in numbers. And I know Yoongs would feel more comfortable that way, too."

Suddenly, Yoongi began to stir. Jungkook and Namjoon waited anxiously as he woke up. "Hey, Yoongs," Namjoon said as Yoongi sat up.

"Joon? I thought you were at work."

"I got off early," Namjoon said. "How're you doing?"

Yoongi shrugged. "I've been better."

"It's gonna be okay, Yoongs."

Yoongi simply shrugged again.

"Do you want me to message the others to come over?" Jungkook asked. "They all want to see you."

Once again, Yoongi shrugged. Namjoon sighed as he realized Yoongi was going to retreat into himself again. "Go ahead and message them," he told Jungkook. "I think Yoongs will feel at least a little bit better to know he's surrounded by lots of people who love him."

At Namjoon's words, Yoongi looked down and began fiddling with his fingers. Jungkook pulled out his phone and texted the group chat.

Less than an hour later, the room was filled with all seven of the friends. Some of them tried to reassure Yoongi, but he had gone silent again.

Although Namjoon hated to talk about Yoongi as though he weren't there with them, he wanted to let the other guys know of the plan Jungkook had come up with. As he was explaining, they all began nodding.

"We can definitely make that work," Jimin said.

"Yeah, definitely," Taehyung offered.

Namjoon nodded. "Thank you, guys."

"Of course," Hoseok said. "Yoongi is more important than any other plans."

"You don't have to do this."

Startled, everyone turned to Yoongi. He'd spoken so quietly, they almost hadn't heard him.

"I don't want to be a burden."

"You are the farthest thing from a burden, Yoongi," Jungkook said. "We are going to do this for you, and we're going to do it happily. Like Hoseok said, you're more important than anything else we've got going on."

Yoongi shook his head, but said nothing further.

"In fact," Taehyung said suddenly. "We're all going to spend the night here tonight. We want to be with you, Yoongi. No burdens...just friends being with friends. Okay?"

Yoongi looked up and at Taehyung. "Okay," he whispered.

"We'll all sleep in here together," Hoseok said. "That way you can be assured you're not alone."

Late the next morning, everyone startled awake to the sound of a phone ringing. They eventually realized it was Yoongi's, and he took in a sharp breath as he saw who was calling. He picked up the phone and put it on speaker.

"Mr. Min? This is Officer Chung."

"Hi," Yoongi said, barely above a whisper.

"First, I wanted to let you know that your forms have been processed and were turned into a judge. They are going to proceed with the charges. Unfortunately, the judge did decide to grant Mr. Lee bail. He will be on house arrest until the trial – "

"Trial?" Yoongi asked.

There was a pause. "Yes, this case will be going to trial."

Yoongi's face paled.

"The judge also granted you the protective order against Mr. Lee. If he ever comes near you, he will be arrested and bail will be revoked. He will wait in jail for the trial."

Yoongi swallowed hard. "Of course," Officer Chung continued. "we don't expect that to happen. As I said, he will be under house arrest, and will have an ankle monitor. If he steps outside of bounds, it will alert us and we will immediately arrest him."

"Okay," Yoongi said, still very quiet.

"Are you alright, Mr. Min?"

Yoongi shook his head, but said, "Yes."

"Everything will be okay," Officer Chung assured. "You have all the support of the police department. Never hesitate to call me if you have any questions or need anything else."

"Okay," Yoongi said again.

"We'll see you soon. Goodbye, Mr. Min."

Yoongi shakily hung up the phone. He looked around at his friends as tears filled his eyes.

"Yoongs," Namjoon said. "Tell us what you're thinking."

Yoongi took a deep breath. "I'm scared."

Namjoon nodded. "That's understandable."

Yoongi looked up at Namjoon. "Joon..." he began.

"I know," Namjoon said, as if he had telepathy. "But we'll all be there with you."

"I didn't know – "

"I know, Yoongs. I didn't think about it either."

"What's going on?" Jimin asked, concerned.

Namjoon sighed. "We didn't think about the case going to trial. This means Yoongi will have to see Chul again."

Everyone's eyes widened. They hadn't thought of that either. "We will be there," Hoseok said fiercely. "For as long as it takes."

Jungkook placed a hand on Yoongi's arm. "We've got your back," he said gently.

Yoongi nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly.