That was the catalyst.

Yoongi began taking better care of himself. Showering regularly, making himself food, no longer staring empty-eyed at the wall - these things suddenly became the norm. He still rarely spoke. Just quiet words and small sentences here and there.

But to Namjoon, it was like he was a chatterbox. After weeks of silence, Namjoon reveled in every word that came out of Yoongi's mouth.

He and Jungkook still swapped days of staying with Yoongi; they weren't sure if he was ready to be by himself yet. They were discussing this one day when Yoongi appeared.

"I'll be okay, but I like it when you're here."

And then he turned and walked away. Jungkook and Namjoon stared after him. Once they heard his bedroom door close, they high-fived.

"Let's test it," Jungkook said.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's order a pizza or something, and go together to pick it up."

"I dunno," Namjoon said, unconvinced. "It's kind of sudden and – "

"I think we should try. We'll order from somewhere near here, so we won't be gone long."

Namjoon sighed. "I guess we could try."

A couple of hours later, Namjoon approached Yoongi's room. He knocked and then, after a few moments, opened the door. Yoongi was sitting up in bed, wrapped in his blanket, as was typical, and looking at his phone.

"Hey, Yoongs," Namjoon said softly. "Jungkook and I are going to go pick up a pizza. Do you want some?"

Yoongi looked up. "Sure," he said quietly.

Namjoon smiled. "We'll be right back. Call if you need anything, okay?"

Yoongi nodded as he looked back down at his phone. Namjoon silently sighed in relief.

As soon as they returned from getting the pizza, Namjoon rushed to Yoongi's room and found him in the same position he'd been in before they left. Namjoon smiled.

"We're back, Yoongs. Come get some pizza."

Yoongi obediently put down his phone and followed Namjoon into the living room. He picked up a plate and placed a slice of pizza on it. Then, he did something that shocked both Namjoon and Jungkook. Instead of sitting in his usual spot at the far end of the couch, he sat in the middle, right next to Jungkook.

Nobody said anything, but Yoongi seemed to be more relaxed than usual as he silently ate his pizza. Namjoon turned on the TV and they all turned their attention to it. After awhile, Yoongi set his plate down and sighed.

"Thank you," he said very quietly, looking at Namjoon. Then he turned and looked at Jungkook, indicating his words were meant for both of them.

"I know I've been a handful lately, and I'm sorry. But thank you for sticking by me."

Neither Namjoon nor Jungkook knew what to say. After a few moments, Yoongi stood up and, after putting his plate in the sink, disappeared into his room again.

-

It was only a few days later that Namjoon found himself in Dr. Kang's office with Yoongi, who had finally decided to leave the apartment. He had missed many appointments with Dr. Kang due to his despondency, but he'd finally agreed to seeing her again.

"How have you been, Yoongi? I've been worried about you."

"I'm sorry," Yoongi replied. "I...I was having a really hard time."

"It's okay," Dr. Kang said. "So, 'was having'. Does that mean you're doing better now?"

Yoongi glanced at Namjoon, who smiled encouragingly. Then he looked back at Dr. Kang and nodded.

"I'm so glad to hear that," she said. "Do you think you're at a place where you are able to move on a bit?"

"A bit," Yoongi confirmed. "I think."

"Yoongi, take all the time you need. You shouldn't rush yourself."

"I know," Yoongi replied. "But I really am feeling better."

He looked at Namjoon again, and Namjoon took that to mean he could speak if he wanted to.

"He's really improved leaps and bounds," Namjoon said. "It was bad for awhile, but the fact that we're here right now is a huge step for him. He's doing pretty great, considering."

Dr. Kang smiled happily. "I'm really proud of you, Yoongi. You've been moving through some of the stages of grief. It sounds like you're close to acceptance."

Yoongi looked up at her with surprise. "Grief?"

"The death of a relationship - a love - is going to be grieved. It's very normal for people in your position. You're doing well handling it."

"I don't feel like I am."

"Slowly, but surely," Dr. Kang said. "In your own time."

Yoongi nodded.

"I wanted to let you know, Yoongi, that I spoke with the police officer who gave you his card. His name is Officer Chung. They are close to completing a case against Chul, especially with the information I gave him from our sessions. But, they need you to press charges in order to move forward."

Yoongi's eyes widened. "I-I don't know if I can do that."

"It's something you need to take some time to seriously consider," Dr. Kang said. "You don't have to make a decision right away."

"I-I'll think about it."

Dr. Kang smiled. "That's all we can ask you to do. Remember that in the end, no matter what you choose to do, you are making the right decision for yourself; whatever is best for you, and only you know what that is."

Namjoon couldn't help but be frustrated that Yoongi was considering not pressing charges, but he knew that Dr. Kang was right. Only Yoongi could make this decision. No one else should pressure him either way, and so he knew he needed to keep quiet about it.

Yoongi nodded at Dr. Kang. "Thank you."

She smiled. "Will I see you next week?"

Yoongi nodded again. "Yes, I'd like that."

"I'm so glad. Take care of yourself, Yoongi," she said as she handed Officer Chung's card back to him. "Don't make any decisions until you're ready."

-

"Hey, Jungkook, can I ask you something?"

Jungkook and Yoongi were hanging out at the apartment, watching movies when Yoongi suddenly spoke. Jungkook looked over at him.

"Sure, what's up?"

Yoongi took a deep breath. "Have you ever been in a relationship?"

Jungkook was surprised at the random question, but answered.

"I have," he said. "I dated a guy in high school."

Yoongi blinked. "A guy?"

"Yeah," Jungkook said. "I'm bisexual."

Yoongi was shocked. He hadn't been expecting that. He felt his cheeks begin to burn.

"That's cool."

Jungkook chuckled. "Anyway, the relationship didn't last too long; a little under five months."

"Why?"

"He cheated on me," Jungkook said with a sigh. "I caught him in the act."

Yoongi frowned. "That's terrible. I'm sorry."

Jungkook shrugged. "It was hard at the time because it was my first relationship. But I got over it in time. I mean, I'm not gonna lie, there are still times I think back on it and get angry. But, I don't let it consume me anymore."

Yoongi nodded in understanding. "Do you think I'll ever make it to that point?"

Jungkook turned so he was fully facing Yoongi. He looked at him seriously. "Yes, I really think you will. It will be a hard journey, just as it already has been. But you'll get there, Yoongi. You're strong and resilient, even though you don't feel that way right now."

Jungkook was surprised to see tears fill Yoongi's eyes. "You really think so?"

"I really do."

And then Jungkook did something that neither he nor Yoongi was expecting. He moved closer to Yoongi and pulled him into a hug. Yoongi froze.

"I believe in you," Jungkook whispered. "And I'm proud of you for how far you've already come."

Yoongi relaxed in Jungkook's hold after his words. "Thank you," Yoongi whispered back, tears finally falling.

Jungkook could feel his shoulder getting damp, and he squeezed Yoongi a bit tighter. "It'll be okay, Yoongi. Someday, it'll be just a terrible memory, instead of a terrible reality." He felt Yoongi nod against his shoulder.

"I hope so."

-

A few days later, Yoongi made an unexpected phone call.

"Yoongi?"

"Hey, Jimin."

"What's up?! How are you?"

"I'm okay."

"Do you need something? I'm free right now. Do you want me to come over?"

"Could you?"

"Yeah, of course! Just give me about ten minutes!"

"Okay."

And true to his word, Jimin was there in almost exactly ten minutes. He was so excited that Yoongi was feeling up to talking to him. He'd missed him.

"Thanks for coming over," Yoongi said.

"Yeah, it's no problem!" Jimin replied. "I'm always here for you."

"Thanks," Yoongi said again. Then, he took a deep breath. "I wanted to ask you something. You were the first person to hear...what happened. And I was wondering... Was it really bad enough to put Chul in prison for it?"

Yoongi watched as multiple emotions flashed across Jimin's face.

"Yoongi, I... I'll tell you how it made me feel. Horrified, helpless, angry, disgusted, sad. Those are just a few words to describe it. All I wanted to do was throw open the door and pull you out of there. I cried, I felt numb, I felt weak."

Yoongi just stared at him, waiting for an answer to his question.

"Yoongi, I can't tell you what to do. And I'll support you no matter what you decide. But yes, I believe Chul deserves to rot in prison because of it."

Yoongi's eyes widened slightly. "Yeah?" he whispered.

"Yeah."

Yoongi slumped back against the couch a bit. "It's just... I don't know if I could handle being the reason someone's life was ruined."

"Again, Yoongi, I can't tell you what to do. But do you want more of my opinion?"

Yoongi looked at Jimin for a few long moments before he nodded.

"You wouldn't be the one to have ruined his life. He'll have done that to himself. And after the way it's ruined your life since he was arrested... Well, he'll deserve it."

Emotions began to swirl in Yoongi's eyes without specificity. Then, a few tears fell from them.

"I think I know what I'm going to do."

"Yeah?"

Yoongi nodded. "I just wanted to get your opinion, since you were one of the people who witnessed it firsthand."

Jimin also nodded. "Walking away that day was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm so sorry I didn't do anything."

"But you did," Yoongi said quietly. "You told people who could help."

Jimin stared at Yoongi. "It kills me to know you continued to be hurt in the time it took for the police to get involved."

Yoongi suddenly reached out and took Jimin's hand. "I survived, though. I'm okay."

"Are you?" Jimin asked. "I've been so worried."

"Well, I'm physically okay. And I'm on my way to being mentally okay. And I think I know what I need to do to make progress toward that."

Jimin squeezed Yoongi's hand. "I'm so glad."

And the next day, Yoongi made another phone call.

"This is Officer Chung."

"This is Min Yoongi. I would like to press charges against Lee Chul."