Y/N's POV:
"Hold your head high," Ji-Ho says. "You too, Jin. I know you two aren't having the best day, but you need to appear confident when you walk to the courthouse doors."
You and Seokjin held hands and walked out of your apartment building together like nothing was wrong. Forcing yourself into autopilot, you were able to smile and wave at the crowd, leading him to the vans at the bottom along with Dal, Mr. Song, and Ji-Ho. Neither of you spoke a word to each other, but remained tightly holding each other's hand the whole way.
The five of you are now parked outside of the courthouse and there's only a few hundred feet between you and the doors, but there's massive crowds on either side of the walkway. Ana, Sena, Hoseok, and Namjoon are in the van behind yours.
"This time, no smiling," Ji-Ho continues, looking down at his watch. "We need to come across as serious and focused. Don't answer any questions, I will do all the talking."
"Are they in there?" you ask nervously, and you don't even have to say their names for everyone to know who you're talking about. Jin's thumb gently smooths over your knuckles.
"They are," Ji-Ho answers. "I encourage you not to engage. They'll be looking for any and every opportunity to cause problems with the case, so the less contact, the better."
"Okay," you nod, anxiously looking down at your lap. You've seen Sung-ho and you're not very scared of him anymore. If anything, his existence just exhausts you. But neither you nor Jin have seen Ma-Ri since the stabbing.
"Bug," Seokjin says softly, and you finally turn to meet his eyes. You know he's been burning holes into the side of your face but you've been too nervous to look at him. The warmth in his eyes makes your throat clench and your heart squeeze. "I really am sorry for my comment earlier. I'm not tired of you, and I never will be." You have to break eye contact and look up to the ceiling of the car to blink back tears. "I know we need to talk about the Yumi situation more," he continues, "but you're my other half. You're my person and we'll get through it."
"Okay baby," you say shakily, squeezing his hand tighter. "Let's just get through the next few hours and we'll figure it out together."
He nods, and your eyes flutter closed as his lips press gently to your forehead. "I love you, Bug," he says between another soft kiss.
"I love you too," you breathe out, and you're already feeling one hundred times better. You and Seokjin won't be shaken over some silly selfies and poor communication.
Dal steps out and you can already hear the crowd. He slides the van door open and Ji-Ho steps out first, followed by Mr. Song, and then you and Seokjin. It's 2:30pm, plenty of sunlight outside, but the flashes from so many cameras are almost blinding regardless.
There's multiple shouts from the crowd, and you and Seokjin keep your heads held high, confidently walking up to the large brown doors.
"We will not be taking any questions at this time," Ji-Ho says, walking while staying calm, cool, and collected with his black Ray Bans and perfectly gelled back hair. "My clients would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who's supported them through this difficult time."
You're all still walking to the doors, being led through by six different security guards. There's only about twenty feet left before the steps into the courthouse when you hear a shout from your left.
"Kim Seokjin is a rapist and a liar!!"
Pure hatred and disgust wash over you, and your head snaps in the direction of that repulsive statement. The voice was so loud half the crowd heard it, and you know Seokjin heard it too. You lock eyes with the chubby older man that clearly screamed those words, and you lunge for him immediately.
Seokjin grabs your elbows, barely holding you back in time. "Say that again you ugly fuck!" you grit through your teeth. The man's eyes widen and he seems to shrink in size.
"Bug, you-"
"What?" you scoff, still glaring at the random man. "Don't want to say it to my face? Fucking coward." Camera shutters and murmurs are pretty much the only thing you can hear anymore, but you couldn't care less. You want to claw that bastard's eyes out.
Dal takes over for Seokjin since it probably wouldn't look very good if he forcefully dragged you away in front of others right now. You fight against Dal for a second before he literally picks you up off the ground and throws you over his shoulder.
"Let me go!" you yell, but it's pretty useless to fight against Dal Jang. You end up giving up and he carries you to the doors, but you can still see the man in the crowd. "I better not see your stupid face again!" you yell, pointing right to him. "Apologize on your knees!"
Suddenly you're walked into the courthouse foyer and the doors are slammed closed behind you. You're frozen in place with your arm still stretched out and pointing, and you keep your eyes laser focused on the wooden doors a few feet from you, knowing you're about to get your ass chewed out.
"Are you done now?" Dal chuckles, patting the backs of your thighs.
"No," you say, dropping your arm down. "I want to kick his ass."
He bends forward to set you down on your feet and you immediately run around to stand behind him, clutching onto his arm and peaking out from his shoulder. Your brows furrow down when you see Ji-Ho crouched down, clutching his stomach. He almost looks like he's trying not to throw up before he's bursting into laughter.
Everyone's frozen solid as he doubles over, tears forming in his eyes from laughing so hard. Your eyes meet Seokjin's and you can't tell if he's going to cry or burst into laughter along with Ji-Ho.
"That was incredible," Ji-Ho finally chokes out, wiping a tear from his eye. "Oh dear god. [Y/N] you are as unpredictable as ever."
"I..." you pause. "I'm not in trouble?"
"No," he chuckles, standing back up to his feet and dusting his black slacks off. "I was not expecting anyone from the crowd to say something like that. Your reaction was warranted. I can't wait to see the memes they make out of you."
You let out a long exhale, pressing your hand to your chest. "I couldn't help myself. I don't know where a little pea sized man found the audacity to say something like that."
Your breath hitches when Seokjin swallows you into a hug. "Thank you, Bug," he breathes out. His arms are trembling slightly, and you know that statement must've affected him. Even the strongest people would get hurt from something like that.
"I've got your back, baby," you giggle, patting his back a few times. "Even when I want to sucker punch you."
"Noted," he chuckles, pulling back to cup your cheeks. His lips press to yours a few times, making you feel light and giddy.
The air gets still and you feel multiple sets of eyes on you with Seokjin's lips pressed to yours. He must feel it too because he pulls back and you both look over at the group of people on the other side of the large foyer. You're protectively pulled into his embrace when your eyes fall on Ma-Ri who's glaring at you with so much hatred it makes your skin crawl. Sung-ho is to her left with his arm wrapped around her waist.
Seokjin's strong arms hold you tightly, and while you and Ma-Ri are exchanging glares, you know he and Sung-ho are sharing equally vicious scowls as well.
Ma-Ri's wearing a long white dress with a flashy pearl necklace and white flats. Your eyes almost roll to the back of your head since she's wearing a color that symbolizes purity. Sung-ho's in a white button down tucked into navy blue slacks, and his hair is slicked back with round glasses sitting on his nose. It's as if they're trying to paint themselves as victims with their outfits too.
"Let's go," Ji-Ho says, steering the two of you in the opposite direction. "Our room is over here."
Seokjin moves his arm up over your shoulder, keeping you glued to his side as you start walking the other way. It's only a few steps before you're at a door leading into what looks like a conference room, but you can feel their piercing gaze on the back of your head all the way until the door is closed behind you.
"Well that was uncomfortable," you exhale, taking the seat Dal pulls out for you.
"Are you okay?" Jin asks, taking the seat next to you and cupping his hand over yours that's resting on the table.
"I'm okay," you nod. "Are you?"
"I am," he smiles softly. "Seeing them actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."
"Good," you grin. "They're not as intimidating as they think they are."
"Alright, we have about ten minutes before we go in," Ji-Ho says, running his hand through his hair. "Seokjin, you will come walk with me to the stand. [Y/N] you will take a seat behind the railing with Dal and Mr. Song. Ana and the rest will be in the row right behind you."
You nod, and Seokjin gives your hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Neither of you will need to speak until after the recording," he says, rummaging through his briefcase. "Even if someone yells and calls him a rapist, you have to sit there silently, [Y/N]. The judge will throw anyone disruptive out of the courtroom."
"Fine," you huff, pushing your lip into a pout. Seokjin leans over and presses his lips to the side of your shoulder.
"We will present the recording, and the judge will ask you to swear under oath that you had no knowledge of the microphone. Just answer his questions honestly, and keep it to 'yes/no' answers. Do not explain anything."
You nod, bouncing your leg up and down from nerves. The last time you were in this courthouse, a random judge threw you in jail for two months, turning your life upside down. Seokjin notices your anxiety and scoots his chair right next to yours, wrapping his arm around your shoulder. "It'll be different this time," he says softly, running his hand over your hair. "You're not alone anymore. I'm not going anywhere."
"Thank you," you mumble, looking down at your lap. It's hard not to think about the way your stomach sank when you heard that verdict almost nine months ago. The only one in your corner back then was Ana, but she couldn't openly support you that much or the crowd would eat her alive too. The judge barely listened to anything you said, and you were dragged out of the courtroom in cuffs while random strangers celebrated your downfall. Jail was awful, but that was the first time you've ever felt so abandoned and alone in your life.
"It's time," Ji-Ho says. "Seokjin's right, [Y/N]. You're not alone and everything will work out just fine."
"Okay," you say shakily, standing up from your chair. Dal swallows you into a long hug before switching back to bodyguard mode. He leads the lot of you through another door and into a large courtroom, but luckily it's not the same one you stood in nine months ago.
You all enter through the side door, and there's already rows of people inside. The walls are made of a mixture of tan and brown wood, and two different government officials sit at the front with the judge's middle seat still empty. There's two brown desks with black chairs and monitors on either side of the courtroom, the left side being Seokjin's and the right side being Ma-Ri's.
Your eyes land on Ana on the second row and your chest floods when you see more people than you thought there would be. Your closest friends are in the second row and the third row sits the rest of the BTS members, along with Chaewon, Chaeryeong, Felix, and Bang Chan, all of them giving you a thumbs up. You give a small smile and wave, feeling so grateful to have so much support.
Jin was right. You're not alone this time.
Glancing around you check for Mr. and Mrs. Kim but they don't seem to be present. She'd called you this morning to let you know they'd be watching from home, since this whole thing is being broadcast live. She said she didn't think she could handle her two sons standing there in such a situation, and you told her it was completely okay to stay home. She made sure to let you know she and Mr. Kim fully support you and Seokjin. You can't even imagine the anguish they're going through right now.
Before Seokjin lets you walk past the desk, he stops you to wrap you in a big hug, and you melt into him for a few seconds. He pulls back, cradling your face in his hands before pressing a light kiss to your lips.
"I love you, Bug," he smiles softly, making your heart melt.
"I love you too baby. You've got this."
He nods and lets you take your seat next to Dal, and Ana cheats and runs up to sit on the other side of you. The cop standing to the side notices but lets her anyway, probably thinking he can score brownie points with her. Taehyung must've noticed him flashing a smile because you can feel the anger from two rows away.
Ana takes your hand in hers and you flinch when the doors open again, Ma-Ri and Sung-ho walking in behind a team of lawyers. Sung-ho gives her a small kiss before taking the seat in the first row a few feet from your right, sitting down next to an older couple.
"Who are they?" Ana asks quietly.
"I don't know," you shrug. You're wondering if that's her parents. You'd heard they cut her off a while ago but maybe things are different now. Seokjin seems to be avoiding eye contact with them.
The air is heavy and thick, and Ji-Ho and Seokjin are whispering something at the table in front of the railing that separates you from them. Awkward silence fills the room for a few minutes until the door opens back up, and a large man walks in, dressed in a black and maroon gown over a white button up and blue tie. He's quite tall, maybe around Seokjin's height, but looks like he's in his mid fifties, with a round face and a receding hairline.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen," he says stoically, taking his seat and flipping through a binder in front of him. "I am Judge Man, let's all try to behave like grown ups today, okay?" Ji-Ho said this judge is a bit of a hard ass but he believes in justice. He was chosen for this case because it's unlikely either Seokjin or Ma-Ri could ever sway him in any sort of bribery.
"Miss Chang Ma-Ri is pleading not guilty in the name of self-defense against Mr. Kim Seokjin," he states for public record. "The crowd may be seated."
Everyone takes their seats; only those in front of the railing remain standing.
"I will give you all a warning now, you are not here to plead your case," Judge Man says sternly, scanning his eyes over the room. "This is a pretrial to determine the defendant's captivity until the official trial is held." He lifts his hand towards Ji-Ho and Seokjin, signaling for them to begin.
"We request that the defendant be held in captivity without the option of bail," Ji-Ho says confidently. "She has already proven herself a flight risk by fleeing six and a half months ago. Law enforcement was not able to locate her until she willingly came forward."
Judge Man looks over towards Ma-Ri's table and her head lawyer rustles a few papers around. He's a taller, slender male in his mid thirties like Ji-Ho but his face is a little chubbier. Unfortunately Ji-Ho has heard of this man and he's got a pretty high success rate as well. He must be getting paid a fortune for this.
"Miss Chang is not a flight risk and will see this trial through," he states. "She was initially fearing for her life, but has found the strength to fight back against her abuser."
Your eyes roll and Seokjin's probably just did too.
"How brave of her," Ana huffs under her breath.
"It's great that she's had a change of heart," Ji-Ho says. His voice is smooth and professional but everyone can sense the heavy sarcasm. "But that proves nothing. She could up and leave at any moment, especially when she loses."
"My client hasn't ever had so much as a traffic violation," her lawyer says, unfazed by Ji-Ho's comments. "She didn't have to come back but she did, knowing the heavy scrutiny she would face."
"I'm sorry Mr. Park," Judge Man says to him, "but Mr. Lee is correct. Your client has a history of running and evading law enforcement. That is not something tolerated in my courtroom."
You're trying not to get ahead of yourself but there's a flicker of hope within you at that statement. This judge is actually going to make decisions off principle and fairness, which is not something you had nine months ago.
"We understand your honor," Mr. Park nods. "My client understands she has lost the peoples' trust, and will do what she can to rectify her reputation. But she cannot enter a jailhouse in her current state."
"[Y/N], the previous defendant, was sent to jail and held in captivity without bail," Ji-Ho says angrily, but his speech still remains respectful. "It would be a gross miscarriage of justice if favoritism was shown to Miss Chang."
"I would agree," the judge nods, looking back over towards Ma-Ri's table. She seems very calm considering the fact that she could be thrown into Seoul's jailhouse today.
"My client is currently with child," Mr. Park says, and your food threatens to come back up when you see Seokjin tense up. "We do regret what Miss [Y/N] had to suffer through, but my client will also be treated similarly. Please see exhibit A."
There's a large television on the wall by their desk, and a photo of you is put up on the screen. It's from your medical exam before your release, and there's bruises all over your face, arms, and abdomen.
Hot fury courses through you at the sight of your beaten and bloody body. These photos are public record, so it's not surprising that they're being shown, but it's a bit ironic how they're being used. The man solely responsible for those injuries is sitting just a few feet to your right, and he has the audacity to use them to his advantage.
Tears of frustration well in your eyes and Dal wraps his arm around you as Ana squeezes your hand.
"This is what Miss [Y/N] experienced in jail, and Miss Chang cannot afford to put her body in danger like that," Mr. Park continues. "My client is willing to do whatever is requested by the court to prove she is here to stay, so long as her unborn child is unharmed."
"This bitch is actually using her child as a scapegoat," Ana grits quietly through a clenched jaw. You're a bit baffled at Ma-Ri's blatant disregard for anyone other than herself. Your eyes are focused on the back of Seokjin's head, and your heart aches at the thoughts that are probably running through his mind. You'd give anything to switch places with him right now.
"We are willing to provide proof of conception and Miss Chang is willing to undergo routine check ups to prove her condition."
"Not her lawyer calling her baby a condition," Ana whispers, making you gently elbow her to be quiet. This situation sucks but you're definitely glad to have her whispering in your ear.
"We request she be moved back in with her parents, along with Mr. Kim, who— ah, I mean Mr. Kim Sung-ho, for clarification, who is the father of her child."
Your blood boils at that unnecessary clarification, and you can also feel the anger emanating off Jin's fellow bandmates behind you. As relieved as Seokjin must be that the kid is not his, it easily could have been. You're hoping he's doing okay, because if the roles were reversed you know you certainly wouldn't be. Having to keep quiet is proving to be much more difficult than you thought it would be. You'd give anything to run up there and swing on that smug attorney, smacking the arrogance right off his face.
"Chang Ma-Ri is a violent criminal who nearly took the life of a high profile celebrity, fled the scene of the crime, lied to the police, falsely accused an innocent civilian, then disappeared for six months to run from punishment." The atmosphere shifts as Ji-Ho's statement rings through the audience's ears, and he takes a wider stance, crossing his arms over his chest. "None of that is alleged. She confessed to those crimes, whether it was in self-defense or not. No one in the history of our judicial system has ever been allowed to walk free after committing half of those crimes." The audience fills with whispers and murmurs, and your heart feels like it's going to beat out of your chest.
"You cannot disregard my client's claim of self-defense," Ma-Ri's attorney barks at Ji-Ho.
Ji-Ho eyes him up and down like he's stupid. "Unfortunately for you, your client confessed, and mine did not. And let's not forget she also drugged my client to sleep for almost seventy days. Allegedly." He puts heavy emphasis on that last word, since that's the only part she didn't admit to.
"Enough," Judge Man sighs, writing something down on his paper. "Though I do agree with you, Mr. Lee, I cannot disregard the life of an innocent child due to its mother's negligence."
"Your honor," Ji-Ho says calmly, but there's definitely anger in his voice. "Negligence and hostility are two very different things."
Judge Man chuckles and shakes his head. He's probably used to hotshot attorneys and their attitudes like Ji-Ho. "I hear you, Mr. Lee. I will choose my words wiser. But my statement still stands."
Your stomach sinks. Ma-Ri probably got pregnant on purpose, and it's about to pay off for her. South Korea is not like the west. They place importance on family and life, and they're going to use it to their advantage.
"Miss Chang," he says sternly, looking her right in the eyes. "Your actions have been repulsive as of late, and if there is any ounce of funny business from you, I will not hesitate to throw you in jail. You will follow all of my rules to a T, do you hear me?"
"Yes, your honor," she nods, and the sound of her voice makes you want to scream. Ma-Ri's trying to appear meek and quiet, and it's making your stomach turn with how she's still playing this innocent act even though the judge seemingly sees through her bullshit.
"Chang Ma-Ri, you will be placed under house arrest in the care of your parents until your trial against Kim Seokjin," Judge Man says. "You will wear an ankle monitor and are not allowed to take one step off the property. You will receive weekly doctor visits from a government appointed medical professional. They will closely monitor your pregnancy and take blood samples to check for any alcohol or drug use."
"Thank you, your honor," Mr. Park nods, and it takes everything you have not to jump up and slap the grin off his face. It's taking everything you have not to scream. Ma-Ri will never experience the torture you endured at her hands. She will sleep soundly on a nice comfy mattress while some nights you had to sleep on a cement floor.
"Your honor," Ji-Ho says, pulling out a thick folder. It looks like he's moving on from Ma-Ri's captivity, and that must mean there's nothing else he can do. He probably already knew they'd use this tactic. "I would like to add additional charges to this case."
Ma-Ri's lawyers are clearly caught off guard, all of them tensing and looking at each other with furrowed brows.
"More charges against Miss. Chang?"
"No sir," he shakes his head. "But it is related to this case. Due to Miss. Chang's 'negligence', one of my clients sustained heavy emotional and physical damage during her time in jail."
Mr. Park looks at Ji-Ho like he's insane. They signed an agreement stating this topic was off limits.
"What the hell are you doing?" Sung-ho asks angrily, standing up from his seat.
"Order," Judge Man growls, slamming his gavel down.
"But your honor, he-"
"I said order!" he yells, making Sung-ho flinch.
"Mr. Kim," his lawyer says under his breath. "Sit down." He turns back around to face the judge. "I apologize on his behalf, Judge Man. He's in a state of emotional distress."
"Do not let it happen again," he says angrily, and Sung-ho takes his seat again. "I will have you thrown out if my courtroom is disrupted again."
Ji-Ho moves along as if nothing happened. "Please see exhibit B," he says, pressing the remote to the television on his wall. "I have a recording of Kim Sung-ho confessing to hiring inmates to torture and beat [Y/N] while incarcerated for Miss. Chang's crime."
"Objection," their lawyer barks just as expected. "Entrapment. He cannot use this against my clients."
"Neither parties in this recording were aware of the microphone," Ji-Ho says calmly, but you're not feeling too calm. This is it. This is what will determine Sung-ho's fate. Right now is when you'll find out if he can be punished for hurting you, and your two friends on either side of you squeeze in closer. "Kim Sung-ho willingly confessed to [Y/N] of what he did to her, and showed no remorse for his actions."
The whole audience starts to whisper and Judge Man has to slam his gavel down a few times to control the volume. "Is your client willing to testify, under oath, that she had no knowledge of being recorded?"
Ji-Ho turns around and gives you a cocky grin. "She is, your honor." He turns back around and Seokjin puts his hand behind his back, smoothing over his Calcifer keychain, letting you know everything will be okay. "Once you hear the recording, it will be clear that neither party was made aware of a microphone, therefore it is not considered entrapment."
"Alright," Judge Man nods, crossing his arms over his chest. "You may play it, and I will decide if it can be used as evidence in your case."
"Thank you, your honor," Ji-Ho smiles.
"You'd better know what you're doing," Sung-ho hisses under his breath, just loud enough for you, Ana, and Seokjin to hear. You're fighting for your life not to throw up, but your shoulders relax slightly when Seokjin turns to face his older brother.
"Oh trust me," Seokjin snorts quietly, eyeing him like he's an idiot. "We know exactly what we're doing." Sung-ho stiffens as an arrogant smirk dances across his lips, and half of you wants to cry while the other half of you wants to rip Jin's clothes off.
"You're going down, bastard. I'm never letting you hurt me or my family ever again."
*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*
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A/N: Chappy 95 ~
This chappy is double my usual word count. So you're basically getting two chapters in one.
Praise me appropriately.
It's because I suck at finding a good place to end chapters. I want to pause wherever it'll cause my readers the most pain.
Don't act like you don't like it. You all keep coming back. Little masochists.
Tell me what you like & dislike about this chapter.
And then vote or Dal accidentally falls onto some train tracks.