~The Next Day || 13:30~

This isn't going to end well, it never does. Jimin killed Chaeyoung. That's the basic fact. Granted, she was a horrible monster of a person, but they know he killed her. Jin gulps at the realization, but there's not too much he can do. Anya is standing by his side as always, holding his hand. "Do you have any bright ideas?" Jin asks.

"I wish. For the first time in a while, I feel so... powerless."

They go quiet for a few moments, staring at the courthouse. "Should we go in?" Jin mutters.

"The trial started an hour ago, you don't think they're done yet?"

"This is the biggest case in years, this isn't something that ends in ten minutes. On one hand, there's a lot of outcry against Jimin. On the other, everyone understands why he did it," Jin explains. She nods in understanding, turning to look at him.

"There wasn't anything you could do. You know that, right?" she asks.

Jin looks down at her, meeting her eyes. "That's just it, Ani. I did nothing. Not a single thing. This whole time I've done nothing. Absolutely nothing."

"What could you have done?" Anya asks, genuinely curious.

"Anything other than nothing. I stood and watched. I didn't try hacking, I didn't give a statement, I didn't even do any research on Chaeyoung I just... watched." Jin lets out a small huff. "I don't get it. Why is it always us?"

"I don't know," Anya replies.

"Will we ever get to settle down? Live normal lives?"

"Do you... do you want that?" Anya asks, giving him a curious look.

Jin takes a moment to think about it. "With you, yeah. I want to relax with you. Live our lives and see where it leads us."

"You really see a future in us?"

"I waited how long for your cute ass to get home?" Jin asks with a small chuckle.

Anya smiles. "Fair. I didn't really look at it like that."

"Anya Forester, the famous scientist, the one who saved Jeon Jungkook, the one who has more knowledge than anyone in the crew... and you didn't look at it like that," Jin teases.

"Shush," Anya replies, laughing. "Now come on, we should probably go watch, don't you think? Support our boy?"

Jin shrugs. "I think so, but maybe two more minutes?"

"You're so lazy."

Jin frowns. "More like I don't want to see the results. We already know he's not getting away with this no matter what."

"It's possible. The public love him," she says.

"Not right now, they think he's a possessive murderer."

"We'll prove them wrong. Jimin loves Y/N and killed Chaeyoung because she deserved it. He's not possessive. Hhe's a bit of a murderer, but it's something we all would have done."

"Doesn't change that he killed her," Jin says.

"Y/N killed her father in cold blood, she got away with it."

"Yeah, only problem is that we don't have Kai anymore..." Anya frowns, glancing down. Jin can't help but feel bad, that was so insensitive. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I know you two were close."

Anya shakes her head. "Sure, but you're not wrong. We don't have Kai. Maybe the new leader or the Council will see Jimin's worth."

They stay quiet for another few moments. "Do you miss him?" Jin asks.

"Who?"

"Kai."

Anya takes a moment, then lets out a shaky breath. "Everything I loved about that Moon is gone. Alice, my lab... Kai. I miss them all the time. I miss Ganymede. I'm so homesick, but there's nothing waiting for me there. It's like, I want to stay here with my friends, but I also want to go home. It's such a complicated feeling."

Jin nods in understanding. "You may find it hard to believe, but I feel the same way."

"Really? Kim Seokjin is homesick?"

"You'd be surprised. I have nothing waiting for me there either, but a part of me misses it."

"Kind of hard not to miss it, right? You grew up there. There's a certain sense of loyalty to your home," Anya says.

Jin can't help but agree. "Yeah, something like that." There's not much more to say, so they both go back to staring at the courthouse.

They're mostly stalling so they don't have to go inside. They're terrified of the results. Worst case scenario, Jimin is sentenced to death. Best case, he's sentenced to several years in prison. Unless a miracle happens and the new leader or a person in power decides to free and pardon him. Jin really doesn't want to walk in just to see the judge announce that Jimin's being sentenced to death.

"Can we sit?" Jin asks. Although Anya is shocked, she doesn't reply. Actually, she does, just not with words. She initiates, going to the ground and letting the grass brush by her. Jin takes a moment, admiring her beauty before doing the same. He sits next to her, sighing as he gazes down at the building. It's almost like it's taunting him, telling him to go inside. Telling him that if he doesn't, he'll regret it.

Truthfully, if Jin doesn't go watch the trial, he probably will regret it. But that doesn't stop him from sitting here with his girlfriend, for at least a little bit longer. This is absolutely insane to say the least. They just got Jimin back, losing him again, this time maybe permanently, would completely destroy the crew, but that's what's going to happen. There's no avoiding it anymore. Jin can't run from this.

"I think I want to sit here until the trial is over," Jin mutters.

"I understand, I know this can't be easy."

"Not in the slightest," Jin replies with a dry chuckle. "I was nothing, you know that? I didn't have any life, then suddenly all these people came out of no where. I saw them on Sturgeon, and something in my gut told me to help them. Thank God I did. If I didn't, who knows where that would have led me. Now I'm free, and most of that is because of Namjoon and Jimin."

Anya softly smiles. "You too. For having the courage to help strangers."

Jin returns the smile. "Yeah, me too, but I wouldn't be who I am without this crew, Jimin in particular. He was always the one who showed me kindness through it all." Jin pauses, nudging Anya. "You too of course, but through the beginning part I mean."

"I get what you mean. It's almost like he shaped you?"

Jin hums. "He shaped me." They sit in silence for a few moments, Jin's eyes falling to the ground. "If we lose him..."

"We won't," Anya says.

Jin sighs. "But if we do, what happens then? We won't be able to fight without Jimin. We have Jungkook and Seulgi, sure, but we need Jimin. If surviving without Namjoon was practically impossible, how do we do it without Jimin?"

"Yeah... that's a fair point."

"I wish I could describe how much he's changed, and I don't even know all of it. By the time I joined the crew, he just became Captain. But he was still so much different. He's my commanding officer, and he's the only one I ever want to listen to again. Being under his command it, I don't know, it makes me feel proud. Proud of this crew, of Jimin, but most importantly, who I am now."

"Love, it's a crazy thing, isn't it?" Anya asks with a small chuckle. "It changes you, sometimes in a good way, sometimes bad. But it always changes you." Anya pauses, glancing at Jin. It's safe to say he stares back, falling into her eyes. "You got it in the best way possible, and it's an absolute honor to watch you change and evolve, Seokjin." Ha, the full name. She always says that when she's either really serious or in a really teasing mood.

"I love you, Ani," he whispers, unable to help himself.

Her eyes light up. "I love you too."

And just like that, their lips touch, and all their problems melt away...

~13:30~

"Be careful, we don't know what he's hiding," Jungkook mumbles, which Tae nods to as they approach the house. Jungkook can't help but wonder how the hell their lives went from somewhat looking up to... this. They went from having Jimin freed, Chaeyoung gone, and Jungkook alive to now Jimin's on trial and everyone's scattered around. The only good news is that Jungkook has a good feeling about this mission. He kind of has to, otherwise Jimin's doomed.

They approach the house Hoseok gave them. The assistant's name is 'Anthony Martello'. Easy enough. Jungkook knocks on the wooden door, him and Taehyung sharing a nervous look as they wait. After ten whole seconds, the door opens, and a tall man waits for them there. No like, really tall. He's taller than Jungkook.

"Can I help you?" his low voice asks, hitting Jungkook's ears like a brick.

"Are you Anthony Martello?"

Almost instantly, he goes to close the door. Taehyung's enhancements glow as he shoots his foot out, stopping the man from closing it on them. "Are you Anthony Martello?" Taehyung calmly repeats, giving the man a forced smile.

"Who's asking?"

Jungkook scoffs, pointing to his face, "Google it, bitch." Taehyung shoots Jungkook a small smirk before turning his attention back to the man.

"Just us. Chaeyoung's assistant, right?" Tae asks.

The man slowly opens the door. "It's not safe to talk out here. How did you find me?"

"We have a friend. You're aware of the Moonchild crew, right?" He nods. "One of our members is very good with hacking and tracking. That's how we found you."

Without another word, Anthony steps back, letting them in. As soon as Jungkook steps inside, he grimaces. It smells like rotten cheese, and the place is a mess. Chipped paint, disorganized shoes, clothes thrown everywhere. This place is a dump. Normally Jungkook would be cautious about entering a stranger's house, but he has Taehyung with him. Not only is Taehyung a strong ally, but he also has enhancements. Those definitely help, especially since Jungkook lost his. Yeah, his body's still in pain from that, but it's nothing compared to what the red enhancements did to him.

"Why do you want to talk to me?" he asks, guiding them towards the small kitchen. There's black and white checkered floors, a single lightbulb hanging in the middle of the ceiling, a crappy wooden table in the middle of the room.

"Chaeyoung. We need to talk about Chaeyoung. You took the data chip from her that night, right? When she died?" Jungkook asks. He nods. "Why didn't you call in her body?"

"I did," he replies. "That's how the police found it. I took the chip and called the cops."

"You didn't stick around to give a statement?" Taehyung asks, raising a brow as the man sits.

"I couldn't, I had to get the chip to her office without anyone knowing."

Jungkook sits across from him, Taehyung sitting on Jungkook's side. "Why her office? Why not just play it yourself? It was rigged to broadcast to every screen in Binghamton. Impressive. I know from experience that that's not an easy task," Jungkook says, sneering at his own words. The broadcast he rigged to display on every screen in the solar system. Illegal, but worth it. It was an emergency.

"Chaeyoung gave me direct orders. She told me only hours before it happened that I needed to leave it in her office. She never told me why. If I were to guess, it's because she didn't want the police fiddling with it or finding out she rigged it. She probably wanted one of you to just plug it in and let it play." Jungkook grits his teeth. So, they played right into her hand, huh? Oh well, what's done is done. Now they have to fix it.

"What about all her files. She seems like the type to have backups. Security camera footage, lab reports, audios, messages. Do you have any of that?" Jungkook asks, Tae nodding in agreement.

"What do I get out of this?" he asks, shaking ever so slightly.

"You save an innocent man's life."

"Jimin isn't innocent, he killed Chaeyoung," he says, but Tae shakes his head.

"Sure, but Chaeyoung tortured him for weeks. Tell me you wouldn't do the same." Anthony pauses, considering this.

"I was her assistant for two years and never noticed anything was wrong. God, how? I could have stopped this whole mess before it even happened. She never told me anything about Jimin's chip, or anything like that..."

"Help us and you get your chance to make this right. My crew is suffering because of her, because of what she did. If you have those files, we need them. They're our only chance at making everything okay," Jungkook explains.

Anthony goes still, considering his offer. "Okay... yeah, what you're saying is true. She always kept three backups of everything. She was a data hoarder for the longest time, why do you think she always has so many holograms around her?" he asks with a dry chuckle. Jungkook shrugs. That's a fair point. "She told me to take everything and hide it. Truthfully, I never hid it. I kept it with me. I have everything in this house."

"And you can give us what we need to show what happened to Jimin?" Tae asks.

"Everything's labeled, I can move it onto one data chip to make it easier."

"Please," Jungkook replies.

"Alright, but I don't know how much this is going to help."

"What do you mean?" Jungkook asks with furrowed brows.

"Well, regardless of his reasoning, Jimin still killed Chaeyoung. They'll still give him a sentence."

"But maybe not as severe of one," Tae says.

"But a hefty one nonetheless. He won't just get a year or two, it'll be in the double digits."

Jungkook groans, standing and kicking the chair away. He places a hand on his temple, squeezing his eyes shut. "Fuck this is bullshit," he murmurs. "How are we supposed to get Jimin out?"

"Prison break and run from the planet?" Tae asks.

"I admire your courage, babe, but if we get caught, suddenly we're all in prison and that's the last thing Jimin would want for us. Come on, we know him." Tae sadly sighs but can't disagree.

There's silence for a few beats, then, the man clears his throat. "There's only one way you can get Jimin out without any harm." Jungkook turns to him. "It's not easy."

"I don't care, tell me it and I'll find a way," Jungkook says.

Anthony bites his lower lip, shaking his head. "You're going to have to go to the Weapon's Administer."

"Huh?" Tae asks in confusion.

"He worked closely with Jimin, right?" They nod. "He personally knows Jimin's worth. Losing the Commander of the entire Earth military would be a huge blow. Commanders aren't easily replaceable. Finding a decent candidate could take weeks, and Earth doesn't have that. If you make your case to him, maybe he'll make a case to the Council for Jimin's pardon."

Jungkook's face falls. "What are the odds he makes a case for us?"

"If you show him the evidence and tell him the benefits of having Jimin around are, at the very least, he might put off his sentencing until after the war."

"We can work with that," Tae mutters.

"If we can just buy him time, we can figure out the rest in between," Jungkook adds.

"You have to move though, these appeals could take more than a minute," Anthony says.

Jungkook nods. "We need to get moving, Tae. Jimin's trial is still going on right now."

"You still have some time, even if he gets sentenced, you can get him out at any time with a pardon." Jungkook and Taehyung nod in-sync as the man stands, brushing off his white shirt. "Alright, now, let me show you all the files." Anthony leads the two out of the room, but Jungkook can't help but fall into his thoughts. Jimin is such a strong, caring man. He's the last person who deserves it. Jungkook bites his lower lip, following Tae and Anthony.

This is absolutely crazy. So fucking crazy...

~13:30~

"You need him. Mars won't speak to any of our leaders, but they're willing to speak to Y/N and Park Jimin. Just those two. You need him here!" Jimin's attorney argues. The judge stares him down, the prosecution doing the same. Jimin keeps his head lowered, not wanting to hear any of this. All he wants is the verdict. He knows he'll be found guilty, the question is how badly will this hurt? Is he going to die? How much jail time? Who even knows any more. "Chaeyoung deserved a death penalty! She tortured this crew for weeks on end, murdered an innocent man in her office, and who knows what else she's done behind closed doors."

"There's no proof," the prosecutor says.

"How about the thousands of witnesses who all heard the same thing? The crew and Jimin arguing over a chip inside his head."

"And he denied it."

"And now he's saying it's real. Hm, I wonder why." Jimin's defense attorney is pretty passionate about this case, he'll give him that. The man is very eccentric, which is honestly the only thing keeping this case alive. If they had evidence against Chaeyoung's crimes, this is a whole different case. "Look at the hospital records. Jungkook got hospitalized early due to stress of the highest degree. Y/N had to be treated for her throat. She claims this was caused by the chipped Jimin. The records line up with what the crew is saying!"

"And Park Jimin killing Chaeyoung lines up with what she said," the prosecutor says, glaring right at Jimin.

Jimin doesn't look at him. He keeps his eyes on the table he's sitting at while the two men hash it out. Jimin takes a moment, then gains the courage to look up. However, he still doesn't care about what's happening in front of him. He turns around, instantly finding Y/N in the crowd. She's sitting with the audience, her eyes watching the prosecutor. She can feel his gaze, her eyes flickering over to meet his. Luckily, she was bailed out and allowed to witness the trial.

'I love you' he mouths. She sniffles, nodding rapidly. 'I love you too' she mouths back. He tears up, nodding rapidly. The two look at each other for a few more moments before Jimin sighs, knowing he should probably pay attention at least a little bit. So, he turns back around and stares at the case, seeing no progress has been made yet. That's to be expected. This isn't something that magically gets fixed in a few minutes. This takes a long time. There's a lot of evidence to get through.

"Does Mr. Park have anything he'd like to say for himself?" the judge asks, leaning back in his chair. Jimin wants to scream how he was tortured for weeks. So, he does. Except without the screaming.

"Every day... for three whole weeks," he mutters.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" the judge asks, leaning forward to hear him better.

"I was forced to watch my friends suffer for three weeks," Jimin says, louder. The entire room goes still at his words. "I was threatened and forced into submission. She threatened to kill the love of my life, my Y/N. I had to let her put that chip in me. She had our address, same with the rest of the crew's. If I didn't do what she said, they'd be dead or hurt or maybe even worse. Maybe they'd end up like me. Chipped and forced to watch as the device controls your actions. I tried to break free every single second of every single day. Do you have any idea how painful that was?"

There's even more silence. Jimin scoffs. "I'm not talking painful as in 'wow that sucked, thank God I don't have to do it again'. No, I'm talking my own girlfriend saw her father in me. Her abusive father, and it's all because of that chip making me do and say things to her that weren't actually from me. I'm scarred for life. Every night since I've been free I've had nightmares. Y/N's had to hold me while I cried. Do you have any idea what that's like? Chaeyoung damaged me. She actually did. The things she did can't just go away. I had to watch as someone moved my body and made me slap her." Jimin takes a small breath. "So yeah, what I did was fucked up, but what she did was even worse. She murdered me. She really, truly did."

The judge takes a moment, then sighs. "Where's the evidence? Lab reports, videos, audios, the chip itself?"

"You think the leader of Earth isn't capable of covering her tracks?" Jimin asks in disbelief. "I have had my two best men working on her and they've found almost nothing except that data chip that got me here."

The judge slowly nods, turning to look at the jury. They look conflicted to say the least. On one hand, if there was evidence to back up Jimin's claim, Chaeyoung would be hailed a monster. On the other, Jimin killed the most powerful person in the solar system in the middle of a war. Mars would kill for a chance like that, and Jimin knows that by killing her, he weakened Earth's chances of winning the war. This isn't just an average murder case.

Does Jimin feel bad about killing Chaeyoung? Not in a million years. However, that doesn't stop him from hating the results. He wishes there was a Kai on this planet, someone willing to step up and give Jimin a break. Cut him some slack for once. He's done how much for the solar system? How many lives has he saved? How many wars has he fought in? How many people has he killed that were unarmed? Oh right, one. The one person who was a monster. A torturer. She deserved it more than any of the Martians do, even over the sick and twisted leaders who wanted this war.

Jimin grits his teeth as the judge clears his throat, turning to look at him. "Moving on to the next portion of the trial. I'd like to call witnesses to the stand." Jimin slumps in his chair. Great, witnesses. Witnesses to Jimin being chipped. He doesn't even care anymore. He straightens the jacket to his suit, smoothing out his blond locks, and folding his hands on the wooden table in front of him.

This is going to be a long, long day...

~14:23~

Time seems to go slow as a voice rings out in the room. This is it. The verdict. Everything comes to a stand still, absolutely everything. Jimin's breath gets caught in his throat, the suit he's wearing starting to feel sticky as the walls close in around him. Everything is falling apart, isn't it? He gulps, glancing up to pay attention to the words. His vision feels hazy, his hands clammy, his heart trying to escape his body as the words leave his throat.

"We the jury find the defendant, Park Jimin, guilty of first-degree murder." Jimin knew that was coming, they all knew he'd be found guilty. The question is the sentence. The judge needs to give him his sentence.

"Mr. Park, if you would approach the podium please," the judge says. Jimin shakily stands, peeking back at Y/N. She seems terrified, meeting his eyes with a pleading gaze. She looks so lost. So powerless.

He stops in front of the podium, looking up at the judge blankly. "Mr. Park, after reviewing this case thoroughly, along with the jury's verdict, I have come to a decision on your sentence. The court acknowledges this is your first offense, the court acknowledges the evidence used against and for you in this trial. The court finds the verdict reached by the jury valid, and agrees with it. Due to the violent circumstance and intention of the murder, the jury recommended the strongest punishment possible." Jimin lowers his head, tears swelling up in his eyes. "The court agrees with this recommendation." Jimin's breath leaves his body as he squeezes his eyes shut.

"The court sentences Park Jimin to death."

Jimin's head whips back up, eyes nearly bursting out of their sockets. "What?!" he screams, two officers grabbing him as he squirms. "N-No! No!" he cries, but the judge keeps talking. Jimin doesn't care. Every single cell in his body is screaming. His lungs burn, his throat clenching, his tongue dry. The judge is saying so many other words, but he can't hear them. All he can hear are Y/N's cries behind him. He turns and looks to see her trying to run to him, but she's being held back.

"You can't do this!" she screams, trying to claw her way out. Finally, the judge finishes his statement, so Jimin decides to look at him.

"May God have mercy upon your soul," he says, emotionless.

Jimin trembles, turning back to Y/N. "I love you! I love you so much!"

She sobs, nodding. "I love you too, please don't leave me!"

He pants, the officers trying to drag him away. "D-Don't let them do this! Please Y/N! I'm so scared!"

"Stop!"

Jimin goes still, as do the officers. Three new figures walk into the room. Jungkook, Taehyung... and the Weapon's Administer? Jimin softly smiles, peering at Jungkook and Taehyung with hope. They nod, giving him a reassuring expression. Jimin sniffles, standing tall as the Weapon's Administrator comes forward. He trots all the way up to the podium, nodding to Jimin, who nods back.

"Mr. Blaine, may I ask why you're here?" the judge asks.

"Everything the crew said was correct. I have all the proof on this file." Mr. Blaine holds it up, handing it to the judge.

"Get me a hologlobe," the judge grumbles. Almost immediately, a hologlobe is given to him, and he plugs the file in. He expands the screen to fill a lot of space, everyone staring at the hologram. Jimin leans forward, trying to see every detail.

First, it's security camera footage from Chaeyoung's office. His eyes widen as she pulls out a pistol and guns down an innocent man. "The original clip. The one we were shown was edited to make it look like he tried to shoot her. Jose Belcourt was not a Martian spy, he was simply there for a meeting and got caught in the middle of a bad situation. Next is footage taken right from her lab. Yes, she has a private lab. As you can see, this is the process of the chip being inserted into Jimin's head."

Jimin winces at the footage, not wanting to go back there. He hangs his head and stares at the ground. "Next are the dozens of lab reports talking about the chip and its behavior. She was keeping personal data entries for her workers so they can create more. She was planning on modifying these chips and using them on everyday people." There's silence in the crowd as Jimin looks back up. "So yes, Jimin did kill Chaeyoung, but I strongly believe what he did was justified."

"Believe? You believe? With all due respect, this information doesn't change that he killed an unarmed woman."

"She killed him first," the Administer blankly replies. "Which is why I have made my case to the Council. They believe it is best to pardon Park Jimin and his crew of all crimes. This crew has saved more lives than we can count, led our military, and was tortured by our leader right under our noses for almost a full month. If Chaeyoung was here right now, the Council would be giving her the death sentence instead. I command you to release Park Jimin. He will be leading our military as Commander Park and going to meet the Martians when we set up the arrangement. Is that clear?"

"Y-Yes sir," the judge stammers.

"Release him," the Administer says. Almost instantly, the officers let Jimin go, and he cries out in relief. He runs over to Y/N, who meets him halfway. She jumps into his arms, and he spins her around, crying even harder. He spins her around for another few seconds before setting her back on her feet, closing his eyes and burying his head on her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry. I love you. I love you, baby," he whispers.

Her hand strokes his hair, nodding against him. "I know, Min. I love you too. It's over, okay? You're going to be okay." Jimin has the overwhelming urge to drop to one knee right here and now, but he chooses not to. A courtroom of all places. Yeah, so romantic, Park Jimin. So romantic. He chuckles at his own thoughts, pulling back. He can't help himself: he kisses her. If he can't propose, he'll kiss. Compromise.

She kisses back, the kiss sweet and gentle. He smiles, pulling away after only a few seconds. His hands cup her face, "I'm never leaving you again. Ever. I can't live without you."

She sniffles, nodding rapidly. "I'm holding you to that, you still owe me that date." He laughs, pressing his nose against hers. He waits a few seconds before sighing and pulling back, gazing at the Weapons Administer, Alex Blaine.

Jimin gives Y/N a quick squeeze before heading over to him. The crowd is cheering, relieved Jimin is free. Yeah, he shares that feeling. He's never felt so much relief in his life. He offers Mr. Blaine his hand, and the man eagerly shakes it. "You're a good man, Jimin. Whatever you need, I'm a phone call away," Mr. Blaine says.

"I can't thank you enough, sir."

He shakes his head. "Between you and me, fuck Chaeyoung. I would've done the same thing. And don't thank me, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them." Alex points behind him, causing Jimin to turn. Jungkook and Taehyung.

He cries, rushing towards the pair. "Come here you bastards!" he calls. They laugh, forming a group hug. "I love you two, you know that, right?"

"I'd sure hope so, we just saved your ass from death," Jungkook cheekily replies.

"Shh, I'm sure I'll return the favor one day."

Taehyung grunts. "Oh boy, let's hope it doesn't come to that." They bro-hug it out for a few more seconds before Jimin pulls back and smiles.

"Seriously... thank you. Thank you so much. I knew I trusted the right people."

Taehyung and Jungkook smile at each other before turning to Jimin. "We didn't even get distracted," Jungkook proudly says.

"Really? No quick blowjo-"

"We're in public and this is being livestreamed," Taehyung says with a huss, interrupting Jimin.

He laughs, shaking his head. "Got it, got it. You guys didn't even get distracted. Wow, you guys must really care about me if Jungkook calmed his horny self down."

"Still being livestreamed," Tae says.

"I'm not that horny!" Jungkook protests, pouting.

"Babe... yes, yes you are."

"Can we have a single conversation without mentioning sex?" Jimin asks, raising a brow.

"The three horniest members of the crew are right here, what do you think?" Jungkook blankly asks back.

"Fair. Anyway, as you said, this is being livestreamed, so let's not mortally embarrass ourselves anymore, okay?" Jimin says, and the two eagerly nod in agreement.

"Let's get out of here?" Tae says, looking around at all the people.

Jimin's breath nearly leaves his throat. They're all staring at him and clapping. They're showing their respect. The smiling faces around him makes his heart beat faster. They're just as relieved as him, if not more. So, this is what it feels like. What real love feels like.

"You bastard, don't I get a hug?" a male voice calls, rushing into the main area. Jimin glances up in time to see Jihyun rushing towards him.

"Jihyun?!" Jimin asks, not hiding the surprise in his tone. His brother comes up and hugs him, making Jimin laugh and hug back.

"I heard about the trial. I can't believe you're back. It's really you, right?" Jihyun asks.

He hums, giving Jihyun a squeeze. "It is. I'm so, so sorry for what I said before. I swear to you, none of it was me."

"I know, big bro. I would never hold that against you. You know that, right?"

Jimin sighs, then nods. "How did I get so lucky? I have the best brother in the world."

"I was about to say the same thing," Jihyun whispers back.

Jimin pulls back, the entire world an afterthought as he stares into his brother's eyes. "I'm really glad I have you back, Jihyun," Jimin says, softly smiling. Jihyun returns the smile, placing both his hands on Jimin's shoulders.

"I've missed you more than you could know."

"I highly doubt that," Jimin teases, giggling with his brother.

"Now, come on, we have a lot to talk about," Jihyun says, motioning Y/N, who's still cheering and crying.

"We do?" Jimin asks, puzzled. Jihyun waggles his eyebrows, holding up his left hand before moving the ring finger. "Not in front of her!" Jimin says in a hiss, grabbing his hand and lowering it.

Jihyun snickers. "You're impossible, big bro. Now come, let's go."

Jimin is still confused. "Go where?" Jihyun gives him a precious look.

"Home."