Bound by Fate

Chapter 25: Bonds Tested in the Dark

After three days of peace and quiet in the secluded house, Namjoon's soul, RM, slowly receded, allowing Namjoon to regain control of his body. The sudden shift made Namjoon blink a few times as he took in his surroundings. The room was filled with warmth from the morning sun filtering through the curtains, and the smell of food wafted from the kitchen.

Namjoon stretched his stiff muscles, shaking off the lingering effects of RM's presence. He felt lighter and a bit more at peace after RM's care for Jin, though he wasn't entirely aware of the events that had unfolded during the past few days.

His feet carried him to the kitchen, where he saw Jin, dressed in a simple shirt, humming softly as he worked at the stove, flipping what looked like pancakes. Namjoon stood at the doorway for a moment, watching Jin with an inexplicable ache in his chest. He seemed so peaceful, so content-something that Namjoon had rarely seen before.

Just as Namjoon was about to call out to him, Jin's voice broke through the quiet atmosphere. "RM, what do you want?" Jin asked with a soft smile, not turning around as he felt arms sneak around his waist.

Namjoon's heart lurched painfully at the mention of RM, and the warmth he had felt a moment ago was quickly replaced by anger. A deep, possessive anger boiled up inside him. He had warned Jin before about RM, told him that RM was a part of him, but still separate, and dangerous. Yet here was Jin, casually calling RM's name, allowing him to touch him so intimately, as if Namjoon didn't matter.

Without warning, Namjoon's grip on Jin's waist tightened, his fingers digging into his skin. The surge of emotion was too much to control, and before Jin could even react, Namjoon teleported them both into the bedroom. The room spun around Jin, and in a flash, he found himself thrown onto the bed, Namjoon looming over him, his face dark with fury.

Namjoon pinned Jin's wrists above his head, his weight pressing Jin into the mattress. His breath was harsh, hot, and filled with barely suppressed rage. "If you let RM touch you like that," Namjoon growled, his voice low and dangerous, "then you'll let me touch you too, right?"

Jin's eyes widened, his heart dropping at the sharp accusation in Namjoon's tone. The hurt from Namjoon's words stung deeply, and for a moment, Jin couldn't find the strength to reply. He realized with a sinking feeling that Namjoon had no memory of the night they had spent together, the night filled with love and vulnerability. He didn't remember how much they had shared, how much Jin had let himself fall deeper into their bond.

Swallowing his own hurt, Jin masked his emotions, his voice calm but firm. "Namjoon, I'm just weak. RM was taking care of me while you were...gone. It's nothing like what you're thinking," Jin explained, his eyes meeting Namjoon's with sincerity. "He's just another part of you."

Namjoon's anger faltered, guilt creeping in as he realized he had overreacted. Jin's words echoed in his mind-he's just another part of you. And yet, the jealousy had gripped him so fiercely. How could he doubt Jin like that?

Releasing Jin's wrists, Namjoon sat back, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice filled with remorse. "I shouldn't have...I just-"

Before he could finish, a disturbance in the air caught his attention. A ripple of energy, faint but unmistakable, tugged at his senses. His protective barrier around the house had been disturbed. Namjoon's eyes narrowed as he quickly stood up, his guilt momentarily pushed aside by the need to investigate.

He moved toward the door, and as he stepped outside, he was greeted by the sight of Taehyung and Jimin standing at the edge of the barrier, their faces filled with worry and exhaustion. Taehyung, in particular, looked distraught, his usual calm demeanor replaced by panic. Without waiting for Namjoon to speak, Taehyung's voice rang out, desperate and filled with urgency.