Min Yoongi

"Any updates on Jimin's attacker?" I asked Hoseok as soon as we settled down in the waiting room.

"Who was he? Was he the one sending my dad threats? Why did he go after Jimin?" All the questions that must have been tormenting Soomi these last few days suddenly came pouring out all at once.

"Woah, slow down. I'll get to all that," Hoseok assured, gesturing at her to calm down.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly, a strained smile on her face. But I couldn't blame Soomi for her anxiousness to gain answers. Now that I was less distracted and getting a better look at her, I noticed the dark circles forming under her eyes and her abnormally pale complexion. I could easily detect the worry written all over her face.

Because I felt that same draining combination of worries and fears, and it was all for her. But after what happened earlier, confusion and regret added themselves to the mix too. It wasn't supposed to go like that. I was supposed to set up boundaries. I was supposed to figure out how I actually felt.

But everything just happened too fast, too soon.

Focus. Now's not the time to think about it.

I shook myself out of it, attempting to bring all my attention back to Hoseok and the urgent matters at hand.

"Well, things would've been a lot easier if he was still alive," Hoseok began. "We'll have to wait and identify the man first since we didn't find anything on him that would link us to any leads or his identity. The forensics team is already working on it, and once I receive the report, I'll be able to investigate further on his involvement. But from what I've heard from Prosecutor Park, all the threats and messages have gone awfully quiet recently. So if all goes well, he might very well be the man behind it all, and this mess of a case could finally be coming to a close."

I tilted my head back, allowing relief to wash over me as I closed my eyes. They'll be safe. Soomi will be safe. Though it was difficult wrapping my head around the idea that things could end like this, a bit of weight still lifted off my shoulder at the potential for it.

But it all came crashing back down on me as soon as my gaze fell upon her, seeing the uncertainty in her expression.

"What's wrong, Soomi? This is good news," I reassured.

"I know, it's just...I don't think it's gonna be that simple." The hesitation in her voice evoked an uncomfortable anxiousness. "There's something I haven't told you."

My heart seemingly skipped a beat in nervous anticipation from these words.

"It was the night we went to the club," she began, eyes flickering over to Jungkook. "There was this strange guy that came at me—"

"What? Why the hell am I just hearing about this now?" I questioned in disbelief, my growing anger aimed at Jungkook. How could he not tell me this happened?

"Wait, wait." Jungkook panicked, hands held up in surrender. "I honestly didn't know anything about this. She was completely fine when I found her."

"So what you're saying is you left her alo—"

"Yoongi, it's fine. The guy didn't do anything," she quietly spoke, attempting to calm me down. The soft tone in her voice and her light touch as she brushed her fingers against my hand seemed to do the trick. I let out a heavy breath, restraining myself from saying any more as I saw her shoot Jungkook a slightly apologetic look.

"And you people complain about my ability to do this job," Hoseok scoffed while rolling his eyes. It took every ounce of restraint I wasn't already using not to lash back, but I reminded myself that I was not in the right place to cause a huge scene.

"Soomi, you were saying?" I quickly broke the silence that followed Hoseok's snide comment, deciding not to give it any attention.

"Right, umm, it's not really the man himself that's the problem. It was this, umm, tattoo on his neck." I narrowed my eyes as she said this. A tattoo? As if she could sense the confusion from all of our faces, she cleared her throat before continuing. "I think I saw the same tattoo on the man that attacked Jimin. I'm not entirely sure, a-and I don't know if it means anything, but I thought you should still know."

"Plenty of people get similar tattoos. It's probably nothing special." Hoseok jumped in before Jungkook and I could even react as I was still thinking over what all of this could mean.

"Yeah, I know. But still, the tattoo was pretty unique-looking..." Soomi's voice trailed off into a timid mumble as I could see her begin to doubt her observations.

"What did it look like?" Jungkook asked.

"I-I'm not even too sure what it was. It was abstract, and I-I didn't get a good look," she admitted, "but it kinda looked like...like smoke? And I think the shape resembled wings? Umm, or maybe they were vines and leaves. I don't know..." No one said a word as she finished her description. I racked my brain for any significance the symbol may hold, but after a few seconds, my mind still drew a blank. "You know what, just forget it. It's probably nothing important. Besides, I might've seen things wrong."

"No, if it's bothering you, even just a little bit, then we'll look into it. Won't we, Hoseok?" I turned to see him mutter something inaudible under his breath, clearly still reluctant to believe that this held any importance.

"Sure, whatever," he grumbled, "and I'll have the forensics team note anything about a tattoo on the report."

I had to suppress the urge to smile as I saw Soomi's entire face lighten up and her tensed shoulders relax. It was as if the weight of her worries lifted from her chest, at least momentarily, and all I could think about was making sure it stayed that way permanently. All I could think about was how I wanted her to open up about any of her struggles or doubts because seeing them diminished sparked contentment within me.

"Guys." A breathy voice ripped my attention away from Soomi, and I turned around to see Misa looking out of breath and a bit dazed. I didn't know what to make of her expression or whether I should be worried or not. But then the corners of her lips finally curled into a small smile.

"Jimin's awake."

⋆⋅✯⋅⋆

Park Soomi

"Jimin, thank god you're okay!" I couldn't hold myself back from running over to his bedside and pulling him tightly into my arms. Tears glossed over my eyes, but for the first time in forever, it wasn't because of fear or sadness. It was from the overwhelming feeling of disbelief. Disbelief that light was finally starting to shine through all the shadows and darkness. Disbelief that I could actually feel such comfort after so many days of other pent up emotions.

"Mmm, not so tight. Recovering from an injury over here," he weakly teased, and I loosened my embrace with an apologetic grin. "Aww, don't cry, sis. I'm alright." He reached up to wipe away a tear, but the gesture only made me choke up even more.

I smiled lightly as I examined his face. He was still far from his normal, healthy self, but he wore that same old eye smile. And that alone was enough reassurance that he was going to be alright.

"No one else got hurt, right? Everyone's okay?" Jimin tiredly asked as he scanned all of us in the room, and it simply amazed me how he could already think about others at a time like this. It made me realize even more how much of a tragedy it would've been if the world lost a guy like him.

"Don't worry. Everyone's fine. I just got a minor cut, but it will heal up in no time," Jungkook reassured. "But, umm, can't say the same for the guy who attacked you. He died before we could bring him in for interrogation"

"Well, at least he can't come back and hurt anyone," Jimin said. "At least it's all over now."

For the first time since entering the room, I felt my smile falter. It's all over now. I kept my mouth shut, struggling to keep my expression the same. I didn't want to say anything to ruin the moment or to shatter the hopes that visibly shimmered in his eyes.

But those words immediately struck a nerve, and I could feel all those same shadows engulfing the short-lived light.

Because deep down, I knew this was far from over.

——
{a/n}
Sorry for the shorter and less eventful update, but at least Jimin's awake! And I'm excited for what's coming up!

Also, little life update, I'm moving to my new apartment tomorrow! I'm really excited hehe and to those who read my mb, I'm happy to say that I tested negative for COVID :)

Let me know how you're doing too! 💜