"Jungkook, you're immune!" Namjoon shakes him slightly again, urging the news to sink in. Jungkook simply blinks, doe eyes wide in disbelief as he stares at his leader. A small, slightly crooked smile slowly lifts the corners of his mouth.
Everyone is still for a fraction of a second.
As the realization finally settles, the stillness shatters, the feeling of overwhelming joy obliterating everything else. Everyone rushes to the youngest in a mad scramble, throwing arms around the still-shocked maknae. Not a single eye is dry as the group embraces.
You're not sure how much time has passed when you all finally break apart, wiping eyes and smiling from ear to ear. You reach for Jungkook's hand, intertwining your fingers and squeezing tightly. His dark eyes find yours, squeezing your hand back as his lips form your favorite bunny smile.
Someone clears their throat. You turn, spotting Minho. "I hate to break up the moment, but we really should move out of the open. We're really exposed here." He says, not meeting your eyes. You feel a sharp, inexplicable twinge of guilt as you watch him.
"He's right" Namjoon says, wiping away the last of his tears. "Lets find a more sheltered area to patch up Jungkook, and check y/n's wound."
In the momentary, world-shattering chaos, you had pushed aside the pain from your arm. Now, as the adrenaline wears off, the pain rears its ugly head, demanding your attention. Everyone agrees that its time to move, shaking off the intense rollercoaster of emotions and focusing on the road ahead.
"Follow me." Namjoon says calmly, turning and heading back into the trees. The boys fall into their well-rehearsed formations, following behind with their weapons raised. Minho takes one last look at you before following suit, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes, but its gone before you can identify it.
Jungkook squeezes your hand again. "Come on, lets go."
He pulls you along behind him, never letting go of you.
As you trek once again through the snowy forest, the sun continues to rise, painting the world golden. You breath in the cold air, truly admiring the beauty of your surroundings for the first time.
"I think this is the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen." Jungkook says softly, mirroring your own thoughts.
"Me too." You murmur, glancing over, watching the way the light kisses his cheeks. The shine of his inky hair. His steady, soft breaths, which you now believe to be the most wonderful sound you've ever heard. You smile to yourself, returning your gaze to the trees ahead.
You're thankful.
Despite the monsters, Boss Kang and his cronies, the cold, the searing pain in your arm, the unclear future.
Despite everything, you can't help but feel thankful in this moment.
Next to you, Jungkook sighs dramatically, rousing you from your thoughts. He shakes his head and clicks his tongue, as though he were extremely disappointed.
"What?" You chuckle at the look of feigned seriousness on his face.
"Oh nothing. I just can't believe you didn't say it, even when I was about to turn into a zombie." He sighs again, even heavier this time. He pokes your ribs with his free hand. You swat it away playfully.
"Didn't say what?" You ask innocently, knowing full well what he means.
"That you love me too." He juts out his bottom lip, pouting as he glances sideways at you.
You laugh at the cute expression. "In my defense, it was a very tense moment and I wasn't exactly feeling very articulate."
"But still, I said it.." he mumbles, pout deepening. You stop walking, forcing him to stop too. He turns to you, eyebrows raised in question. You take a deep breath.
"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.