Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 26 - jealousy

Namjoon sat in the passenger seat, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over at Jungkook, who seemed to be engaged in a light-hearted conversation with J-Hope. The stranger was smiling, his usual skittish demeanor temporarily gone as he complimented Jungkook's singing, and Jungkook… well, he was smiling too. Laughing even. The two of them seemed to have found a connection so effortlessly, something Namjoon had struggled with since day one.

He clenched his jaw, the faint trace of jealousy curling in his gut. He wasn’t used to this—feeling left out, feeling like the outsider. For so long, it had just been him and survival. Trust was a luxury, and Namjoon had spent years hardening himself against the possibility of it. But seeing Jungkook so easily slipping into conversation with this stranger, this man who had once threatened them, stirred something uncomfortable inside him.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows through the trees as the jeep rumbled over the uneven path. In the distance, the outline of ruins began to appear—broken structures jutting out against the dimming sky, indicating the remnants of yet another city they would have to scavenge through. But as they got closer, Namjoon made a quick decision.

“We’ll stop here for the night,” Namjoon said abruptly, his voice cutting through the soft chatter. “Too risky to enter the city with night falling.”

Jungkook glanced at him, his expression curious but trusting. He didn’t question the decision, and that was something Namjoon appreciated—Jungkook never pushed back when it came to their survival. But it didn’t ease the quiet tension that had built up inside him, watching how easily Jungkook got along with J-Hope.

They pulled the jeep off the main path, hiding it behind the trees and thick brush that lined the road. The ruins weren’t far off, but they were far enough to be safe for the night. They’d explore in the morning, when daylight would make it easier to avoid any potential threats.

As they set up camp, Namjoon’s gaze kept drifting toward Jungkook. The younger man seemed more relaxed than Namjoon had seen him in days—his guard was down, his movements lighter, almost like he was beginning to feel a bit of comfort in this harsh world. It unsettled Namjoon, though he couldn’t quite figure out why. Maybe it was the fact that Jungkook was letting himself open up to someone else so easily, while Namjoon still wrestled with the instinct to stay closed off. Or maybe it was because, deep down, Namjoon had started to care more about Jungkook than he had ever planned to.

The fire crackled softly as they all sat around it. J-Hope kept to himself for the most part, sitting a little farther back, but occasionally throwing glances toward Jungkook. He seemed grateful to be alive, but also cautious, as if Namjoon’s earlier threat still lingered in the back of his mind. Namjoon was actually surprised he didn't complain about being tied up, not even once.

Night fully settled in, and with it came the sound of the distant city—creaks, echoes, the occasional crash of something collapsing in the distance. It was unsettling, the quiet tension of waiting for something to go wrong. Namjoon’s fingers twitched, his gun never too far out of reach. He glanced at Jungkook again, who seemed content enough, though there was a subtle shift in his demeanor now that the adrenaline from driving had worn off.

Jungkook broke the silence first. “We’ll head into the city at first light?”

Namjoon nodded. “Yeah. It’s safer to see what we’re getting into. We don’t know what’s waiting for us in there.”

J-Hope, who had been quiet for most of the evening, nodded in agreement. He was fidgeting, clearly uncomfortable despite the brief respite they had from danger. It didn’t go unnoticed by Namjoon, who watched the stranger carefully.

"We’ll be fine here for the night,” Namjoon said, his voice low but steady. It wasn’t a comforting statement, but more of a fact. He wasn’t worried about their safety in this moment—he was worried about what came next. The ruins were always unpredictable, filled with dangers both seen and unseen.

But his thoughts kept drifting back to the way Jungkook had smiled earlier, the way he had relaxed in the presence of J-Hope. Namjoon hated how much it bothered him. He shouldn’t care. He shouldn’t care that Jungkook was talking to the stranger like they were old friends, like they hadn’t just spent days struggling to survive together while trusting no one but each other. But he did care. And that was the problem.

As the night dragged on, Namjoon forced himself to stay focused. He couldn’t afford to let these feelings cloud his judgment.

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Poor Joonie feels left out (⁠´⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠.̫⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠'⁠)