"The trial has to be today?"

"Jungkook, I made it the last day possible. So yes, it has to be today. Please stop complaining and just get this over with. Be strong Jungkook." Jin hyung had gotten on his suit, along with Taehyung and Jungkook. "You know everyone will be there, so just...be good."

"I'm going to be silent and in the background, while ignoring everyone until it's over."

"Maybe you should not do that, and maybe be a little less childish?" Taehyung was fixing Jungkook's tie, taking the matter seriously.

"I don't want to be there, why should I act like I want to?"

"Common courtesy?" Jin smiled.

"Don't play word games with me."

"Caught me red handed."

Taehyung smiled at the familiarity of teasing and bad puns. "Come on guys lets go." Jin nodded and teleported them separately to the trial.

"Ah, okay, too many people, I'm staying close to the farthest wall until it begins." Jungkook walked away immediately, looking around, avoiding people and press. He didn't want to speak to anyone currently, since he's already straining himself. He hadn't eaten a real meal since Jin cooked for him a week ago, and he had been running more. At least he took a shower last night though. Jungkook walked towards the wall he promised himself he'd be at, to find himself disappointed when someone else was already there.

The person looked at him, making both of them open their eyes in surprise, before Jungkook turned tail and fled. "Jungkook! Jungkook, hold up, wait! I want to talk to you!"

Jungkook ran away from the girl, trying to blend in with the crowd, trying to find another conveniently insignificant wall to hide against, but she was persistent. She tracked him, following like a fox as he darted away, passing Jin hyung who was talking to press and laughing, and Taehyung who was involving himself with another group at the moment. So many people...

Jungkook ran to the men's bathroom, before hearing her yell after him. "Don't run away from me! I just wanna talk!"

Jungkook hid in a stall, feeling like this was highschool all over again, as he heard voices.

"Jimin...you can't keep crying, otherwise you'll never be able to get through the trial."

"Hoseok hyung, I-I'm sorry, but can you not tell me to s-stop crying? You're not helping."

"Jimin, just get your shit together. You can do it. He's gunna be here of course, and you're strong enough to talk to him. But if he doesn't want to, don't force him. Give him all the time in the world."

"But I just wanna fucking love him again..."

"And you will. Just...one day."

"Yeah, sure. He'll never forgive me and-  ow!" Jungkook heard a smack. "That hurt!"

"Stop crying like a fucking baby! Stay positive! You have a soulmate, and he's kind. Give him time, and karma will come around, and things will get better. So shut the fuck up, and get ready for the trial." Jungkook heard Hoseok leave the bathroom.

"S-sorry you had to hear all that, whoever's in here..." Jimin spoke softly, sniffing having stopped. The door opened again, and Jungkook heard her again.

"Jungkook, I swear to god, if you don't come out right now, I will write more about you. Just because I'm a journalist doesn't mean you have to run away from me, you brat."

"J-Jungkook?" Jimin's voice made Jungkook's heart lurch.

"Yeah. Have you seen him? Or did he do some weird magic and find a window to climb out of again."

"You know him?"

"Yeah. I'm his ex...um, before he found out he liked guys. Journalist now, and I've interviewed him a lot. But seriously, where is he?..."

"Oh...I'm his ex too. But I didn't see him come in here. Sorry."

"Damn, guess we have something in common. Why are you here for the trial?"

"Why are you in the men's bathroom?"

"Good question. Sorry, I'll leave now." She left, the door proving it, before Jungkook sighed in relief, and agony. Unless Jimin leaves, he'll have to face him.

"Jungkook..." Jimin spoke carefully and quietly. "Please come out...I want to see you even if it hurts..."

Jungkook felt pain when he spoke his words, but he knew he wouldn't get out of this one without feelings getting further hurt. "Can...we not do this? I don't want to..."

"See me?..."

"I don't want you to see me."

"Kookie..."

"You've lost that privilege. Just...please...I don't want us to see each other."

"Jungkook...I want to see you. I don't care if it hurts, it already hurts. I just..."

"No."

"Jungkook, I want to see you before the trial..."

"No."

"Jungkook..."

"Go."

"Am I so terrible you've reverted to one word answers?...look, I know sorry isn't enough, but I am sorry. I want...just let me love you again..."

"I don't think you deserve it anymore. I gave you me. But you...took it and didn't do anything with it, and that's also why I'm upset. I gave me to you, and you didn't return yourself to me. This isn't a one way street, so no. You don't get to love me again. After the trial, we're done."

"Jungkook, I'm sorry-"

"No. Stop. Just stop. I want you to go."

"Okay Jungkook...I still love you though...even though you've never said it back in person..."

"Jimin...it's worse...because I did love you."

"Jungkook...why...why are you doing this to me?! I want to try again and you're shutting me down! I want to see you, and you're denying me! I want to make amends, and you're fucking turning me down. Am I really that terrible?"

"No...I'm terrible. Stop loving me."

"That's your wish? You want me...to stop loving my soulmate?" Jungkook could hear Jimin's voice breaking.

"That's what I want."

Jungkook heard the door open and close.

~

"...and he used his powers on me to get what he wanted. He told my neighbors the same thing so that the neighborhood was empty so he could do whatever his plan was, except I only  remember..."

Jungkook watched the other people on the stand, having had to go first, his tears already being cried. Jungkook watched everywhere that wasn't Jimin, although he could tell Jimin was staring at him the entire time. And finally it was Jimin's turn to go up. The judge asked him questions, and he answered, but Jungkook wasn't really looking or listening. He was just staring at Jimin, who looked thinner, more tired, and un-groomed. Jungkook looked down, since Jimin was looking right at him the entire time. He didn't look up until Jimin spoke after a long pause.

"I didn't expect Jae to have such an impact on the people closest to me, especially the people I love. I only take hits for people important to me, and I don't regret having stood up for Jungkook. I will never regret anything I've done for Jungkook." Jimin's words were directed at Jungkook in front of all of the press and people, but Jimin didn't care as he looked directly at
Jungkook.

Jungkook looked down.

The trial ended, Jungkook still not really paying attention or completely there. Namjoon and Hoseok had tried talking to him too, but they stopped once they saw how messed up he was. They patted his back as they left, with Jimin long gone.

Jungkook got back to his house, and flopped on his bed. He didn't want to move. He didn't care anymore. He saw Jimin and he felt like his world was about to crumble. It seemed Jimin wasn't doing well, but he could tell that Jimin couldn't tell that he wasn't doing well as well. He should be happy! The biggest issue of his entire life, his biggest fear, his biggest problem...was successfully in jail forever! And...Yoongi hyung had done something, but he was unsure of what.

And not only that, but Namjoon had invited him to his music studio with Yoongi hyung and Hoseok too, so he even had something to look forward to. Except...the music he wrote was always about Jimin...or with Jimin included. Maybe it'll be alright though. He'll give his songs to Hoseok to maybe change the lyrics a bit so it's less obvious. For some strange reason, Jungkook cared about Hoseok's opinion, and took his comments to the heart.

But here Jungkook was. Doing nothing. Spending his days at his job, then back home to run, or practice his fighting techniques a little too much. But all will be well soon. Jimin will take his request seriously, and he'll be okay again.

"I'll be okay. I promise me. I'll work hard at making music with Namjoon, Yoongi and Hoseok hyungs. I'll be just as good as them, for them." Jungkook smiled at the thought, as he fell asleep, having skipped his meals again, and not caring to change out of his suit and tie.

~

"Jungkook, this is amazing! When the hell did you have time to make it?"

"I've had a lot of free time lately."

"Well I'm proud of you! This'll be really good, I'm positive."

"Thank you Hoseok hyung. And you'll perfect it?"

"Are you shitting me? It's already perfect! Wait till the others hear it, they'll love it too."

"What if they want to change something to it?"

"Then I will beat them. This is pure beauty, you understand that yes?"

"It's okay I think..."

"Shut up. It's an absolutely beautiful piece of art that I wish to spread with the world. But first Namjoon and Yoongi hyungs."

"I want to find a better beat to it though..."

"If you don't think it's complete yet, then that's okay. But if you like it now, then it's perfect. Until you say it's perfect, then it's not perfect yet."

"Such confidence. I wish I had your confidence Hoseok hyung."

"Hey, I only have confidence cause I know there's so many people who back me up no matter what."

"Well..."

"So you shouldn't be unconfident since we all love and support you."

"I know, I just don't want to talk about this right now. Music, not me. That's what's important."

"You are a priority as well, I want you to know that." Hoseok gently punched his arm playfully. "Get your hopes up high, we'll carry the cloud. You've gotta trust us a bit more, we won't let you fall."

Jungkook smiled. "I like that analogy."

"Do you even know what an analogy is."

"Aww, come on! I'm not dumb, I'm just not the brightest tool in the shed."

Hoseok laughed. "I know, I know, just teasing ya." Hoseok put his headphones back on, leaving one off, Jungkook doing the same, as they listened, and re-listened to Jungkook's creation. They both jumped a little when the door opened to the studio, Namjoon and Yoongi with coffee and tea, along with snacks.

"And I'm saying that there's no way a mutant dog would win against a mutant cat. No way."

"What the fuck are you guys talking about."

"Forget it, here's your guys drinks." Namjoon handed them over, the others thanking them.

"And we brought snacks cause I was too lazy to get a real meal."

"I relate to that Yoongi hyung." Jungkook spoke as he reached out and snatched the snacks, digging into them immediately.

"God...I'm so happy." Namjoon looked at them all.

"Yeh? Why?" Yoongi questioned.

"Well, I got Hoseok out of his depression, Jungkook out of his shell, and you out of your destructive hole. I think that's a pretty well done job on my end."

"Oh shush you sap. Just take a listen to Jungkook's song." Hoseok took his headphones off to give to Yoongi with a smile, dimples showing. Jungkook gave Namjoon his.

The silence as the two sat and listened gave Jungkook anxious stomach butterflies.

"Holy fuck." Namjoon smiled.

"That's good. Change the tempo slightly and bam. That's a hit." Yoongi smiled too.

"Knew it." Hoseok smiled with the rest of them, as Jungkook's growing smile appeared.

"Good. I'm almost ready to call it perfect."