Bound by Fate

Chapter 50: Into the Maze

Namjoon and Jin ventured further into the thick forest, surrounded by towering trees and the sound of rustling leaves underfoot. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the dense foliage as they walked. Neither of them knew the way out, their sense of direction lost among the tangled paths. Jin glanced at Namjoon, his face showing a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Do you think we're lost?" Jin asked, his voice soft but edged with worry.

Namjoon glanced around, scanning the surroundings. He didn't want to admit it, but they had been walking for hours with no clear idea of where they were. "Looks like it," Namjoon replied with a sigh. "We'll have to make camp for the night."

As the sky darkened, they found a small clearing, a perfect place to rest. Namjoon immediately took charge, gathering long leaves and sturdy branches to make a makeshift tent. Jin watched with quiet admiration as Namjoon skillfully weaved the materials together, creating a simple but effective shelter.

"I didn't know you were so good at this," Jin teased, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Namjoon chuckled, shaking his head. "I've had practice. You never know when you'll get lost in the forest."

Once the tent was done, Namjoon used his power to ignite a small fire, the flames flickering to life with ease. The warmth from the fire spread through the clearing, and they both sat inside the tent, the crackling flames creating a peaceful ambiance around them.

Jin glanced at the fire, then back at Namjoon. "So... you have powers?" he asked, his tone more curious than surprised.

Namjoon nodded. "Yeah, I've always had them. I just... don't use them often."

Jin tilted his head, smiling softly. "I thought you were like me—without any powers."

Namjoon leaned closer, a playful glint in his eyes. "Moon, don't worry. I'll protect you with my powers."

Jin's smile widened as he looked away, trying to hide his blush. "Hmm," he hummed, shaking his head with amusement. "You're so confident."

Their conversation flowed easily after that, light and playful. The night air was cool, but Namjoon made sure to shield Jin from the cold with his power. Though they slept on opposite sides of the tent, Namjoon secretly used a protective barrier to keep Jin warm throughout the night.

Morning arrived with the first rays of sunlight filtering through the trees. Namjoon woke up early and ventured into the forest, picking a few fruits for their breakfast. By the time Jin stirred awake, Namjoon had already gathered enough food to share.

Jin sat up, stretching his arms and looking around. "Did you find anything to eat?"

Namjoon grinned, holding out a handful of bright red fruits. "Breakfast is served."

Jin took one of the fruits and bit into it, savoring the sweetness. "You're good at this survival thing," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with admiration.

Namjoon shrugged casually, but inside, he felt a warm glow from Jin's praise. "I try," he said with a smile. "Come on, we should get going. We need to find our way out of here."

They resumed their journey, but the forest felt like a maze, with no clear path in sight. The further they walked, the more disoriented they became. The trees seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, and the underbrush made it difficult to navigate.

Yet, despite being lost, Namjoon and Jin found solace in each other's company. As they walked, their conversations grew more relaxed, and the distance between them seemed to shrink. It wasn't long before their hands brushed against each other, and for a moment, both paused.