In the Dead of Winter || •PJM• ✔️

Jungkook's Dilemma

Day 805

Jungkook stretches his aching limbs, a yawn ripping itself out of his throat. Another day of torture. Hopefully no injuries this time, though. Regardless, Namjoon and Taehyung talked a lot yesterday. That was according to Y/n. Something about Taehyung coming up with a plan to go visit one of his old friends. Or multiple old friends. Jungkook isn't sure. And quite frankly, he doesn't care.

Following his daily routine, Jungkook showers, shaves, and changes his clothes, trekking to the nurse's office in time to see two people already in it. Katherine is here, but that's no surprise. The surprise is Julia is present as well, a scratch on her leg. She's wincing, her calf throbbing, specs of blood covering her skin.

"I fell," Julia says, Jungkook brushing it off. Katherine hands the bandages and disinfectant over to him, going through the cabinets to find whatever the fuck she's looking for. Jungkook doesn't question it, instead kneeling and dabbing the wound with the disinfectant. It's not serious, just a scratch, but one that needs to be treated nonetheless.

"How does it feel?" Jungkook asks, Julia shrugging.

"It's fine. How are you holding up?"

"I'm far from the most mentally unstable here, Juju. Exhibit A: You."

"Haha. I meant after Louis and the surgery." Jungkook freezes, Julia wincing. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I just wanted to know how you were holding up."

"I know I need to start doing surgeries again. Did you fall on purpose so you could lecture me?"

"Katherine paid me."

"Paid you with what?"

"An extra bag of chips." Jungkook blinks, Julia throwing her hands up in defense. "I'd do anything for a bag of Doritos."

"You weren't supposed to tell," Katherine says, coming back over with a bottle of water. She hands it off to Julia, who thanks her. After Jungkook's done dressing the wound, Julia senses the awkwardness and takes off, closing the door behind her. Jungkook glares at Katherine, who sighs. "Listen, I know you don't want to hear this, but we need you back on surgeries. I'm not nearly as good as you. I can't imagine how you're feeling Kook, but after that attack, they could come back at any moment and try this again. That means more gunshot wounds. We may have more than one, and you'll have to do it no matter what."

"God dammit, stop being smart," he mumbles, rubbing his temple with his fingers. She doesn't reply, choosing to watch him do his thing. He swivels on his heel and departs without a word, her monologue dancing around his mind. He goes out to the front instead, the fresh air burning his lungs and clogging his nostrils. Ves and Sky are running around like the kids they are, Jimin and Namjoon speaking near the front gates, pistols in their hands. Taehyung, the new guy, is speaking with Fiona. Wait, Fiona? Why Fiona of all people? Does he have a death wish or something?

Jungkook approaches the pair, Fiona and Taehyung shifting to face him. "Mr. Jeon, nice to see you," Fiona says, Jungkook dipping his head in greeting. "You hear the news?"

"What news?"

"That answers that. Jimin is putting together a team to go to the softball fields not far from here. It used to be a ground for tournaments before the apocalypse. According to Mr. Kim, one of his ultra smart friends is there and might be willing to help us rebuild."

"Well," Taehyung says, sighing, "he's a bit... grumpy, for lack of a better word."

"Great, another Ves, but this time older."