Eclipse of the Chronos || JJKx Reader ✓

23: The Cost of Trust

The hum of the pod grew steady again as it shot through the dim tunnel, but Y/n’s mind was far from at ease. Seokjin’s voice still echoed in her thoughts, a shadow lingering over every second. The faint glow of the emergency lights illuminated her and Jungkook’s faces, casting sharp contrasts in the otherwise cold, mechanical surroundings.

“Seokjin’s alive,” Jungkook said, as if to remind himself as much as her. His hand remained on hers, the warmth from his touch grounding her, even though a whirlwind of emotions churned within.

“Yeah… he’s alive,” Y/n murmured, though it brought little comfort. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, that they were moving forward but deeper into a web of lies. What was Seokjin hiding from her? And why had he asked them to stay away?

Jungkook glanced at her, concern deepening in his expression as he noticed the distant look in her eyes. He squeezed her hand, pulling her gently back to the present. “We’ll figure this out. Seokjin’s a genius, and he’s playing a dangerous game, but we’ve come too far to lose now.”

His words were meant to be comforting, but Y/n couldn’t push aside the gnawing doubt. What had Seokjin meant by “you’re in more danger than you realize”? Was the threat only external, or was there something else at play—something even closer to her?

She shifted slightly, pulling her hand away from Jungkook’s as her body temperature spiked once again. Lately, she’d been feeling strange bursts of warmth coursing through her, leaving her flushed and uneasy. It wasn’t just emotional turmoil—her body felt like it was heating up from within, and she wasn’t sure why. She brushed the back of her hand across her forehead, hoping the cool surface would help alleviate the odd sensation.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asked, watching her closely. His eyes scanned her face, brow furrowing as he noticed her discomfort. “You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine,” Y/n lied, trying to brush it off. But her body betrayed her as she shivered, though not from cold—her skin felt too warm. The tunnel, already stifling, seemed to press in closer around her, making it hard to breathe.

Jungkook’s concern deepened, and he leaned closer, gently pressing the back of his hand against her forehead. His eyes widened slightly. “Y/n, you’re burning up. You’re probably running a fever.”

Y/n pulled away, uncomfortable with his touch, but more so with the words he used. Fever. It wasn’t the first time she had felt this strange sensation, but this was different. It was stronger, more intense, and now Jungkook had noticed.

“I’m just… stressed,” she muttered, trying to dismiss the concern. “A lot’s happened.”

Jungkook didn’t look convinced. “You need rest. We’ve been pushing ourselves hard, and you’ve barely had a moment to recover. When we get out of here, we’ll find somewhere safe where you can lie down.”

Y/n opened her mouth to argue, but she couldn’t deny how exhausted she felt. There was a strange heat pulsing beneath her skin, and it wasn’t just from physical strain. Something deeper, something mechanical perhaps, was shifting inside her. But she couldn’t let that worry Jungkook. Not yet. Not until she figured it out herself.

“Alright,” she finally said, giving in for now. “Once we’re somewhere safe.”

Jungkook’s expression softened, relief flooding his features as he settled back into his seat beside her. The tension between them eased, though it left Y/n feeling more vulnerable than before. She hadn’t wanted him to see her like this—fragile, uncertain. But in his presence, the weight of her burdens felt just a little lighter.

For a long moment, they sat in silence, the rhythmic hum of the pod filling the space between them. Y/n’s mind wandered back to the Seokjin hologram, his distant words, and the unanswered questions surrounding his true situation. They had come to rescue him, to bring him back, but now it seemed he was deeper in danger than ever.

Jungkook leaned back, his arm draped across the back of Y/n’s seat. His presence had always been a strange comfort to her, even when they’d first met in this chaotic war. He was steadfast, unshakable—a constant in a world that had otherwise fallen apart. Though his face was set in a grim expression, there was a quiet strength in him that Y/n found herself drawn to. He had risked everything to help her find Seokjin, and now, even in the face of an unknown enemy, he refused to back down.

“How did we get here?” Y/n whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She wasn’t asking for a literal answer—she knew exactly how they’d ended up here. But she was overwhelmed by the weight of everything that had happened, by the grief, the lies, and the uncertainty of what came next.

Jungkook turned his head to look at her, his gaze softening. “We didn’t have a choice, Y/n. We couldn’t just stand by and do nothing while they took Seokjin.”

“But we failed,” Y/n said, her voice breaking. “He’s still in their hands, and now we’re on the run again. What if we never get him back?”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, and he turned toward her more fully, his hand moving from the back of her seat to gently rest on her arm. “We haven’t failed yet. Seokjin’s alive, and we know more now than we did before. This is just another step. We’ll get him back, Y/n. I promise.”

She looked at him, the sincerity in his eyes tugging at something deep within her. Despite everything, Jungkook hadn’t lost hope. And as much as she wanted to let the grief consume her, his unwavering resolve gave her a small spark of hope as well.

“Why do you care so much?” Y/n asked softly. She hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but the words slipped out before she could stop them. There was a moment of silence between them, and she feared she’d crossed a line.

Jungkook’s hand lingered on her arm, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. His gaze softened even more, something deeper flickering behind his dark eyes.

“Because you care,” he replied simply. “And I promised I’d help you. I don’t go back on my word.”

Y/n felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the fever—or whatever it was—that had been plaguing her. She turned her head away slightly, trying to hide the faint flush that crept up her neck. For a moment, she let herself forget the danger they were in, the uncertainty of Seokjin’s fate, and focused only on the steady presence of Jungkook beside her.

But as the pod continued its journey into the unknown, Y/n couldn’t help but wonder how long she could keep hiding the truth—not just from Jungkook, but from herself. The heat surging within her, the mechanical ache she felt growing stronger with each passing day… something wasn’t right. And sooner or later, she would have to confront it.

For now, though, she let herself lean into Jungkook’s warmth, grateful for the brief reprieve.