Just Be

Stay

Note:
In this chapter, there is an alternation of P.O.V between Jin and Jungkook;

Jungkook POV

The sun was nearly gone, the sky painted in shades of orange and pink, casting the perfect mood for the upcoming luau. Everyone was excited as we headed back toward the house to get ready. Sand clung to our legs and feet, and I could feel the tiredness from the day setting in, but the thought of the luau energized me.

"We should all shower and change before the party," Jimin suggested, already brushing off some of the sand. "I can't be looking like this for the luau."

Tae laughed, shaking his hair free of sand. "Yeah, no one wants to smell like the beach all night. Let's get cleaned up."

Yoongi, always more relaxed about appearances, yawned. "As long as I'm not the one starting the shower line. Too much effort."

Hobi clapped his hands, full of excitement as always. "Great! While you guys get ready, I'll get started on the fire for the luau."

We were all about to head inside when Hobi paused, his eyes lighting up like he'd just remembered something. "Oh! Almost forgot. The lady in the last house down the street keeps extra firewood. My mom told me we can grab some from her if we need it. I'll need someone to help me get it."

"I can go," Jin volunteered immediately, stepping forward with his usual warm smile.

Of course he'd offer to help, I thought, feeling my heart race a little. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to go with him. "I'll come with you, hyung," I said, not even giving it a second thought.

Namjoon, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly perked up. "I could—"

But before he could finish, Hobi cut in, grinning. "Actually, Namjoon, why don't you come with me to get more drinks for the luau? We could probably use a little extra."

Namjoon's face faltered for just a second before he regained his usual calm composure. "Right, yeah. Sounds good."

I shot Hobi a grateful look as Jin and I started walking toward the path leading to the lady's house.

The walk to the house was short, and we chatted casually about the day and how excited Jin was for the luau. When we reached the small, cozy house at the end of the road, Jin knocked on the door, and we waited for a moment until an elderly woman opened it, her face lighting up with a friendly smile.

"Hello there!" she greeted, her voice warm. "What can I do for you two?"

Jin, always polite and composed, took the lead. "Good evening! We're staying at the Jung's beach house nearby and having a little luau tonight. My friend, Hoseok's mom mentioned you might have some firewood we could borrow?"

The woman's smile widened. "Oh, of course! I've got plenty of firewood. Just give me a moment." She disappeared inside for a second and returned with a few bundles of wood wrapped in cloth.

As she handed over the bundles, she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked between me and Jin. "You two look so alike. Are you brothers?"

The question caught both of us off guard. I felt my heart skip, and I glanced at Jin, who turned pink almost immediately.

Jin laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, no, we're not brothers. We're just friends."

Something about that answer made my chest tighten. Just friends? I don't know why, but the words stung a little. The way Jin brushed it off so easily didn't sit right with me, even if he didn't mean anything by it.