The weather wasn't cooperating. Lynn had planned on making it to her campsite before the snow hit. But she got a later start than she had wanted - her fault - and the roads she had mapped out were closed - not her fault.
The snow fell quickly. She had to stop her vehicle at the base of the mountain. No way she could hike to the campsite alone with all her gear.
As she kicked her tire in frustration, a smiling man with doe eyes appeared.
"Looks like you've got trouble," Jungkook observed.
"With a capital T," Lynn replied automatically.
Jungkook chuckled. "You're an idiot for trying to make it up there." He leaned against his car and crossed his arms over his chest. His mouth twitched into a smirk as he looked at the SUV's front tire again.
Lynn sighed in exasperation. "I know I'm not going to be able to get my vehicle up that road," she admitted.
"Me neither." Jungkook shrugged and turned away from her. "But we can take your stuff if you need us to."
That was a tempting offer. She could just leave her gear in their care while she hiked down. But then she remembered what Bambam said about safety being more important than supplies when traveling alone. And she didn't have any other options. So she told him yes.
He gave her a thumbs-up. Then he walked around to the back of his car and grabbed one of the spare tires hanging off the back. When he came back, he held it by the rim and set it down next to her SUV.
"Thanks," Lynn said gratefully. She took the tire from him and rolled it over to her SUV.
She climbed inside. When she reached for the key to turn it on, she noticed a note taped to the steering wheel.
'Don't worry.'
Her hands shook as she opened the note. There was no name or signature, but she knew who it was from.
'We'll bring it up for you.'
I love them so much. They're always watching out for me. I don't deserve this kind of loyalty.
Maybe if she hadn't been such a bitch to everyone...
She shook her head and drove away from the mountain.
***
It took them two hours to get to her campsite. The snowfall was heavier now. She kept her headlights on low. It would help her see better when they had to cross the ruts in the road.
They parked in the field beside her SUV.
"Why did you want to come?" Jungkook asked as he stepped out of his vehicle.
"So you guys can carry everything up and wait for me here," Lynn replied.
He nodded and led the way towards her campsite.
"Hey," she called.
Bambam waved to her. He sat on the hood of his car, reading something on his phone. He smiled at her as she approached.
"Didn't expect to see me again!" Bambam said.
"You shouldn't have left without saying goodbye," Lynn muttered.
"I only intended to be gone a few days," he explained. "I figured you'd be fine on your own."
Lynn rubbed her temples. "And I would have, except I got stuck in the mountains."
His grin widened. "Well, welcome back. Good thing Jungkook brought the spare tire."
Lynn nodded her thanks to him. Then she looked at Jungkook. "Do you mind helping Bambam carry some of my gear?"
Jungkook nodded. "Sure."
After they loaded Bambam's car with all her gear, they made their way to the campsite.
When they arrived, Jungkook went around to the back of her SUV. "I'll let you two figure out how to put the tent up," he said.
Lynn watched him go. She thought she heard him mutter something under his breath about idiots.
Bambam clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Let's get these things inside."
She nodded and followed him inside.
***
The whole process of setting up the tent was a pain in the ass. The poles weren't properly secured, and they kept falling apart. After ten minutes, they finally managed to get it up.
They were exhausted. They ate a quick meal. Then they crashed.
Lynn slept fitfully. Something nagged at the back of her thoughts. It couldn't be her imagination.
Was Jungkook plotting something? What kind of something? Why would he do that to her?
She tried to shake herself awake. But she felt too groggy. Her eyelids grew heavy again.
***
She woke to the sound of footsteps outside her tent. She looked up and saw Jungkook staring at her through the open flap.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"This is my campsite, so I should check on you," Jungkook replied.
"How long have you been here?" She sat up and pushed her hair out of her face.
He shrugged. "Not long."
"Are you spying on me?"
His lips curled up into a half smile. "No."
"Then why are you here?"
"To make sure you're okay."
"I'm fine! I mean..." She shook her head. "I'm fine enough. I just didn't sleep very well last night."
"I can tell." He stepped closer to her. "If you ever need anything, I'm right here."
Lynn stared at him. "Do you think I'm a threat?"
Jungkook shook his head. "Of course not."
"Good. Because I'm not. I don't know what you're thinking, but I promise you I'm not planning to hurt anyone. Not anymore."
Something flickered across his expression. "I believe you."
"Thanks."
"You can stay here as long as you need to." He walked towards the edge of her campsite.
Lynn crawled out of the tent. She stood up and brushed off her clothes. Then she walked over to him.
"There isn't room for both of us. You'll have to leave."
"Why?"
"Because I want to be alone."
"Okay." He nodded and disappeared back into his vehicle.
Lynn didn't dare to hope that he'd change his mind. She was surprised when he came back a couple minutes later with a shovel and a metal cup filled with water.
"Here," he said.
"Thank you." She accepted the cup and took a sip of the warm liquid.
"I made you dinner," he added.
"Thanks for that too."
He grinned at her. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"You too."
***
The next morning, Lynn woke up early. She ate a granola bar for breakfast. Then she checked the weather report.
It had stopped snowing overnight. The roads should be clear by now. Hopefully, she wouldn't have any more problems getting home today.
She packed her things up. Then she checked the time. It was 9:00 am.
"I'm going to hike down and meet you guys at the bottom," she called.
"Alright." Bambam replied.
Lynn started walking down the road towards the campground.
***
When she reached the top of the mountain, she found Jungkook waiting for her.
"It's good to see you again."
"And you."
"How'd you know I was coming?"
"My instincts."
"Your instincts are pretty sharp," she mused.
"So are yours." He walked over to her.
"Yeah, I guess so."
They shared a smile. Then he took the shovel and helped her dig out her SUV.
Once they got her vehicle unburied, he offered to take her gear. She accepted.
He carried her bags up the mountain. Once he reached his car, he opened the trunk.
"What are you doing?" Lynn asked.
"Hoping you'll follow me, actually."
Lynn followed him to a small clearing near the forest line. He sat her bag down on a tree stump. Then he took off his backpack and placed it beside hers.
"I'm glad you came," he said. "Now we can spend a little time together."
Lynn swallowed hard. "Oh yeah?"
Jungkook leaned forward. His lips brushed against her forehead.
Lynn froze.
His lips lingered against her skin. His tongue traced her earlobe. Lynn shivered.
Jungkook pulled back. His eyes met hers.
"I missed you," he murmured.
"Me too."
His lips curved into a smile. "I'm glad you feel that way."
***
They spent the rest of the day exploring the area around them. They found several caves that would work as shelter from the rain.
Bambam joined them later in the afternoon. He showed them where the best fishing spots were.
At dusk, they decided to start cooking dinner. They gathered wood from the woods and built a fire.
While they waited for the food to cook, Jungkook took out his phone and set it on the ground.
"Is your battery low?" Lynn asked.
"Yeah." He nodded.
"Can I use it?"
"Yes, of course."
Lynn plugged her charger into Jungkook's phone. Then she placed her phone on the ground next to it.
Ten minutes passed. Then Jungkook's phone rang. Lynn picked up Jungkook's phone and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me."
"Hi, Yoongi," Lynn said into the phone.
"Hey, Lynn."
"Are you guys done eating yet?"
"Almost."
"Good."
"Why?"
Lynn smirked at Jungkook. "I've got an idea for dessert."
"Oh really?"
She nodded.
"Give me a second. I'll be ready soon."
"Okay. Bye." Lynn hung up. "Ready to eat?"
"Yep."
Lynn grabbed her phone and turned it on. She texted Yoongi:
'I'm making gyoza. Want some?'
Yoongi sent back a reply:
'I'm so there!'
***
Soon after, Bambam and Jungkook arrived with their gear. They dropped it off beside her car. Then they sat down on the ground.
As they chatted, Lynn finished assembling the dumplings.
When she was done, she handed them out to everyone. The rest of the meal consisted of rice, vegetables, and soup.
