Run.

32

"Jungkook...I love you."

His dark, doe eyes widen, your sudden seriousness taking him by surprise. His lips part slightly.

"And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." You say quickly, the silence making you even more nervous. Your heart pounds, cheeks flushing as the vulnerable words leave your lips.

His face softens, that winning smile reappearing, as bright as the sun. He takes a step closer, pulling his hand from yours only to bring it up and cup your face gently.

Your heart flutters as he leans in slowly.

You close your eyes.

"Yah, where did you two-" Taehyung's voice rings out, sending you jumping out of your skin. Without thinking, you shove Jungkook away from you, your already-throbbing arm screaming at the sudden exertion. You double over, gritting your teeth as you clutch your wounded arm.

Taken off guard, Jungkook stumbles backwards, tripping over a fallen branch and tumbling to the frozen ground. You look around wildly, spotting Taehyung standing several feet away. He covers his mouth, eyes wide as saucers as he looks between you and Jungkook, who grumbles as he climbs to his feet.

"Oh come on, not again" Jungkook groans, brushing the snow off of himself as he glares at Taehyung.

You and Taehyung start talking over each other at once.

"I didn't see anything!"
"Nothing happened!"
"I'm so sorry!"
"We weren't doing anything!"
"I should have announced myself sooner!"
"I just had something on my face I think, nothing happened!"

"Yah! Do you both want to attract the attention of everything in the forest? Why are you yelling?" Jungkook calls over the both of you. He puts his hands on his hips, looking at you and Taehyung and shaking his head.

"You!" He looks at Taehyung, who jumps slightly, still looking shell-shocked. "Yes, I tried to kiss her. It's not a big deal, and really shouldn't be a surprise at this point. And you." He turns his attention to you, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've really got to stop pushing me when Taehyung comes around. He knows how I feel about you, so there's no reason to shove me away from you. Now, lets all just move on, shall we?" He looks between you one more time before turning and marching in Taehyung's direction, grumbling the whole way.

You scurry after him. He passes Taehyung, who quickly moves aside for the grumpy ebony-haired man. He looks at you, eyes still stretched wide.

"You heard him. Lets move." You shrug, trying desperately to act unbothered, but your flaming cheeks betray you. He nods, finally lowering his hands from his mouth. You both turn, hurrying after Jungkook, who blazes ahead.

You all move quietly through the woods, the crunching of snow the only sound breaking the silence. After awhile, you finally reach the spot where the others are stopped. They found a small cluster of trees that offers a little more protection than the clearing you were in before. They all stop and look as the three of you approach.

"Finally! We were starting to get worried. What happened to you guys?" Namjoon asks.

"Nothing!" You all say in unison, a little too quickly. The boys exchange confused glances, eyebrows furrowed.

"Um...ok" Namjoon says slowly, clearly debating whether he should press the issue or not.

"So um, who has the gauze? I'm definitely still bleeding over here." Jungkook speaks up, trying to move past the awkward moment.

"I have some. Come here, Kook." Jin starts rummaging in his bag, pulling out the gauze as Jungkook makes his way over to where he stands.

"Kook, how are you feeling? You sure you're not craving some brains?" The oldest asks as he starts to work on the youngest's wounded shoulder.

"Ha-ha, very funny" Jungkook responds, voice dripping with sarcasm, but he can't hide the smile dancing across his lips.

The others laugh too before starting on their different tasks. Some begin cleaning their weapons, others checking supplies, or just taking a moment to rest. You start walking over to Jin to ask if he has any more gauze, but before you get there, a voice calls out.

"Y/n." You turn to see Minho holding up a roll of gauze. You smile somewhat hesitantly before walking over.

"Sit down - I can help check your arm." He says softly, patting the spot next to him. You oblige, sitting sideways so that your wounded arm is facing him. You grimace as he starts peeling away your bandages. Without warning, he scoops up some snow, using it to wipe away the dried blood caked on your arm. You yelp, jerking your arm away.

"Yah! What was that?" You say indignantly as he laughs lightly.

"Sorry. I figured if I warned you, you would probably tense up. I needed to clean the blood off so I could see the wound better." He says, reaching out and gently taking your arm again. He twists it slightly so he can see the other side.

"Ok, the good news is it looks like there's an exit wound. The bullet went straight through." You look at him quizzically, raising one eyebrow in question.

"I don't know, they always say that in tv shows. It seems like a good thing to me." You both laugh. Your heart lightens, thankful to be laughing with your friend again. He starts wrapping your arm up with the clean gauze.

"So...you and Jungkook.." He says slowly, eyes fixed on the bandages. You freeze, whole body tensing up.

But not because of his words.

"Guys, do you hear that?" Jimin says, looking around quickly.

Everyone goes quiet, listening intently.

The sounds bounce off the tree trunks, reaching your group.

Running feet, too many to count, drawing nearer.

And finally, the snarls.

A/N
Unedited.
Happy Saturday! Sorry if this chapter is a little boring. I feel like we needed a (mostly) simple, light-hearted chapter after what just happened. I did a surprise update earlier this week, so please make sure you go check that out before reading this one, or it will not make sense. As always, please don't forget to vote! 💜
- m.