Jinkook Short Stories: Echoes of Love

7

The tension in the apartment had finally begun to ease. The quiet, tentative understanding between Jungkook and Jin felt like the first fragile step toward healing. But as they tried to navigate their complicated emotions, a new storm was brewing on the horizon-one neither of them had anticipated.

It started with a phone call.

Jin was in the kitchen, the sound of clinking dishes filling the room as he absentmindedly washed last night's plates. Jungkook was in the living room, sketching quietly. The soft hum of normalcy between them was abruptly shattered by the buzzing of Jin's phone on the counter.

Jin glanced down at the screen, his entire body stiffening when he saw the name flashing across it: Sanduel.

Jungkook looked up from his sketchpad, immediately sensing the change in Jin's demeanor. "Everything okay?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.

Jin hesitated, then reached for the phone, his hand hovering over it for a moment too long. "It's... someone from my past," he muttered, picking it up. "I'll be right back."

Jungkook's chest tightened as he watched Jin disappear into the bedroom, the door closing softly behind him. He had never heard Jin mention anyone named Sanduel before, but the way he had tensed at the sight of the name told him all he needed to know-this wasn't just a casual acquaintance.

In the bedroom, Jin pressed the phone to his ear, his heart pounding. "Sanduel," he said quietly, his voice strained. "Why are you calling?"

"Jin," the voice on the other end was familiar, smooth, and laced with a desperation Jin hadn't heard in years. "I need to see you. We need to talk."

Jin closed his eyes, leaning against the wall as old memories flooded back. Sanduel had been his first serious relationship, the person he thought he'd spend his life with-until everything had fallen apart. It had been over a year since they had spoken, since Jin had finally walked away from the toxic cycle they had found themselves trapped in.

"There's nothing to talk about," Jin said, his voice firm despite the surge of emotions. "We ended things a long time ago, Sanduel."

"Please, just hear me out," Sanduel pleaded, his tone shifting from desperate to insistent. "I made a mistake, Jin. I was wrong, okay? But I can't stop thinking about you. I need you back."

Jin's stomach twisted. He had heard this before-the promises, the apologies, the declarations of love that always came after the damage had already been done. But there was something different in Sanduel's voice this time, something darker, more unsettling.

"I'm not going back to that," Jin said firmly, gripping the phone tighter. "I've moved on."

There was a long pause on the other end, the silence stretching uncomfortably. When Sanduel finally spoke again, his voice was lower, colder. "You haven't moved on. You're just pretending. You think I don't know about you and Jungkook?"

Jin froze, his heart skipping a beat. "How do you know about that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I have my ways," Sanduel said, the smugness in his tone unmistakable. "But that's not why I'm calling. You see, Jin, there's something you don't understand. I've changed. I'm not the person I was before."

Jin frowned, confused and on edge. "What are you talking about?"

"You think you're safe with Jungkook," Sanduel continued, his voice dripping with malice. "But you're wrong. He can't protect you. No one can."

Jin's breath caught in his throat. "What are you saying?"

There was a chilling laugh on the other end of the line, and when Sanduel spoke again, his voice had an eerie, almost otherworldly quality to it. "I'm not the same because I'm not alone anymore. I've found something... stronger. And I'm coming back for you, Jin. You belong to me."

Jin's blood ran cold. He could hear the change in Sanduel's voice, something sinister lurking beneath the surface. It wasn't just Sanduel talking-something else was there, something dark and possessive.

"You're crazy," Jin whispered, his hands shaking as he clutched the phone.

"Maybe," Sanduel replied, his voice unnervingly calm. "But you'll see soon enough. I'm coming for you, Jin. And when I do, you won't be able to resist."

Jin hung up the phone, his heart racing. He leaned against the wall, trying to steady his breathing. Whatever had happened to Sanduel, it was no longer just about their broken relationship-something far more dangerous was at play.

The door creaked open, and Jungkook stepped in, concern etched on his face. "Jin? What's going on?"

Jin looked up, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. "It's Sanduel," he said, his voice trembling. "He... he's different. And he's coming for me."

Jungkook's expression hardened, the protective instinct rising in him immediately. "What do you mean? What did he say?"

Jin swallowed hard, trying to find the words. "He said... he's not alone. That something's happened to him. He's... possessed, Jungkook. He thinks I still belong to him."

Jungkook's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with a mixture of anger and concern. "He's not getting near you," he said firmly, stepping closer to Jin. "Whatever this is, we'll deal with it. Together."

Jin nodded, though the fear still gripped his chest tightly. He knew Sanduel-knew how manipulative and relentless he could be. But this? This was something entirely different. And the thought of facing it alone was terrifying.

Jungkook gently cupped Jin's face, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You don't belong to him," he said softly, his voice steady. "You're with me now. And I'm not going to let him take you away."

For the first time since the phone call, Jin felt a small sense of relief. He leaned into Jungkook's touch, letting the warmth of his presence soothe the fear gnawing at him. "I don't want to go back to that," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"You won't," Jungkook promised, his voice resolute. "I won't let you."

As they stood there in the safety of each other's arms, Jin knew the storm wasn't over. Sanduel-whatever he had become-was still out there, waiting, lurking in the shadows. And soon, they would have to face him.

But for now, in this moment, Jin found comfort in knowing he wasn't alone.

Thanks for standby 🙂