Beyond The Friend Zone [Taekook]

Friends Beyond Fear (19)

Night had descended upon the forest, casting a deep, enveloping darkness that seemed to stretch endlessly around the two boys. They sat side by side beneath the towering tree, the weight of helplessness growing heavier with each passing moment. The silence was only broken by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant, haunting cries of nocturnal creatures.

Jungkook's stomach growled loudly, a reminder of the gnawing hunger that had been clawing at him for hours. He frowned, rubbing his belly in discomfort.

"Taehyung, I'm hungry," he mumbled, his voice tinged with frustration.

Taehyung sighed, his eyes scanning the shadowy landscape around them. "There's nothing I can do." he replied, his voice carrying a note of helplessness that matched the heavy atmosphere.

Jungkook pouted, slumping further down the rough bark of the tree, his eyes reflecting a mixture of despair and frustration. "When can we get out of here? Do you think they're even looking for us? I can't hear anyone calling our names."

Taehyung turned to face him, his expression softening as he tried to offer some reassurance. "I'm sure they're looking for us now," he said firmly, though a flicker of doubt lingered in his heart. "We’ll be fine."

Jungkook studied Taehyung’s face for a moment, searching for any hint of doubt. But the confidence in his tone was enough to brighten his spirits. Jungkook’s smile slowly returned, his eyes lighting up with renewed hope. "You’re right. And because you’re here beside me, I’m not that afraid anymore!"

The corners of Taehyung’s mouth lifted slightly, touched by the sincerity in Jungkook's words. The connection between them, forged through shared struggles, seemed to grow stronger in that moment.

Suddenly, Jungkook pushed himself up from the ground, his eyes darting around their surroundings as if he had just thought of something.

Taehyung, always cautious, stood up as well, his body tensing as he prepared to pull Jungkook back if danger lurked nearby. "What is it?" he asked, his voice low, alert.

"We can’t just sit here and wait for them to come and fetch us," Jungkook declared, determination lacing his voice. "Who knows how big this forest is? What if by the time they find us, we’re already skin and bones? We should find something to eat first. I remember seeing loads of berries on some of the trees we passed earlier. We can pick them and eat."

Taehyung frowned, his instincts kicking in. "Are those berries safe to eat?" he questioned, his concern evident as they walked towards the trees.

Jungkook shrugged, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Maybe," he said nonchalantly. "But I’d rather risk my life than stay hungry."

Their footsteps brought them to the edge of a steep cliff, where a tree filled with vibrant berries stood tantalizingly close. Taehyung quickly grabbed Jungkook’s arm, pulling him back just as he was about to step too close to the precipice.

"There’s a cliff ahead," Taehyung warned, his voice tense as he glanced down the steep drop.

Jungkook’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of the cliff, gulping nervously. "Y-you’re right... It’s so dark, I almost didn’t see it..."

Taehyung’s gaze remained fixed on the treacherous edge as he considered their options. "Let’s find another tree to pick berries from. This one’s too dangerous," he suggested, hoping to steer them towards a safer option.

But Jungkook shook his head stubbornly, his eyes locked on the abundance of berries high in the tree’s branches. "There are loads of berries on this tree," he pointed out, his voice tinged with excitement. "Let’s not waste time looking for another one. As long as we’re careful and keep our distance, we won’t fall."