Stand by Me

Chapter 42

Ten hours of heated debates, presenting evidence, and witness testimony passed before the jury finally left to deliberate. Jin and Namjoon had both testified on behalf of Yoongi and on the recent attack with Jimin. Jimin testified for two hours on both his attack and Taehyung and Jungkook's murders. He took to the stand once the trial was ready to close to make his appeal. He pleaded for justice and cried before the court as he begged for the jury to bring him safety after years of living in fear and depression. He begged for Yoongi's life, imploring the jury to let his boyfriend finally return home where they can live in peace once again while the real murderer is locked up. 

After Jimin's passionate plea to the judge and jury, the jury adjourned for their deliberation. Jimin, Jin and Namjoon stood and watched as they filed out quietly and their wait began. Jimin grabbed Jin's hand, clasping it tightly as the officers led Hoseok back to his holding cell. Hoseok was walked right in front of them and as he passed, he sneered and smirked at Jimin. Jimin squeezed Jin's hand tightly, refusing to flinch or shy away in front of his attacker. He held his gaze steady and swallowed back his encroaching fear. As soon as Hoseok left the room, Jimin felt his chest ease and he finally took a breath. He licked his lips, chewing on his lower one anxiously as he made his way over to Yoongi. 

Yoongi was already turned and leaning against the fence separating them, arms extended as he welcomed Jimin into a tight embrace. Jimin squeezed him desperately, blinking back tears as he ran his fingers through Yoongi's silky raven locks one more time. "I love you," He rushed the words out, aware of their limited time. 

"I love you too, baby. We got this, okay? I'll see you as soon as the jury comes back. It won't be long. Stay strong for mem baby." Yoongi whispered frantically, his voice anxious despite his confident exterior. The seconds slipped away from them as the officers cuffed Yoongi once more. 

Jimin bit back his tears as he nodded. He placed his hands on Yoongi's cheeks, memorizing his features one last time before they parted. He stepped back slowly, watching as the officers led Yoongi out. Jimin reached a hand back and Jin grabbed it, steadying him with a gentle squeeze.

"It won't be long, Jiminie. We only have to wait for the jury now." He tugged Jimin's hand gently and he finally followed. The trio dawned their masks and left the courtroom, slipping out a side exit once again to avoid the hoard of reporters out front of the courthouse. 

The trio left the courthouse and their wait began. They had been instructed to wait at home rather than in the courthouse for a verdict. One hour turned into two then three then eight. By the time morning rolled around none of them had slept a wink nor left their phones for more than a minute as they waited for the fated call that the jury had come to a decision. Jin and Namjoon managed to coax Jimin into eating dinner, but neither Jin nor Jimin could hold down food with the anxiety that coursed through them both. They sat together on the couch talking about anything other than the trial. Any mention of it felt like it would set in a guilty verdict in motion. 

Then finally in the ninth hour, Jimin's phone buzzed on Jin's coffee table. Jimin leapt off the couch, snatching up his phone and mashing the answer button repeatedly until the call connected. Jin jumped up from the arm chair, leaning in close to Jimin as he waited with bated breath. 

Jimin held his breath as he listened, gasping when he finally heard the words he'd been longing for. Tears began to fall down his cheeks. He whispered his thank yous and goodbyes before he hung up. His phone slid from his fingers, falling onto the couch as sobs choked his throat.

Jin's eyes widened slowly in realization and he turned, leaning down the hallway. "NAMJOON! WE NEED TO GO! THEY HAVE A VERDICT!" He screamed.

Not a minute later Namjoon came running down the hallway, his belt still hanging unbuckled around his hips as he snatched up his car keys and put on the closest shoes he could find. Jin wrapped Jimin in a hug briefly before shoving Jimin's shoes into his hands and getting his own shoes on. Jimin hurriedly put his shoes on and grabbed his phone, running out to the car. Jin followed with Namjoon locking the house up behind them. Jin jumped into the backseat with Jimin and the pair buckled up as Namjoon took the driver's seat. He neglected his seatbelt as he sped off, slamming the gas pedal down to get them to the courthouse as fast as he could.