Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 35 - apologies

Namjoon sat in the dark, damp basement prison, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. His wrists ached from the rough ropes digging into his skin, but that discomfort was the least of his worries. He glanced over at Jungkook and J-Hope, both of them equally tied and confused, but there was nothing he could do. Suga's men had been relentless, taking them by surprise in the dead of night again and dragging them back to the headquarters.

Now, they were locked up with no explanation, no idea what would happen next.

Jungkook had been quiet since their capture, his trust in Namjoon evident in the way his eyes would occasionally flick over to him, as if seeking reassurance. Namjoon had tried to give him that, tried to hold onto some calm, but in truth, his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the encounter with Yoongi, or Suga earlier. The cold, almost hostile way his childhood friend had spoken to him after all these years still stung.

Just as Namjoon’s thoughts were spiraling again, the heavy door creaked open, and two gang members walked in. Without a word, they grabbed Namjoon, dragging him to his feet. Jungkook shot him a worried look, and Namjoon gave him a subtle nod, trying to ease his nerves.

"I’ll be back," he whispered, though he wasn’t sure if he believed it himself.

The men hauled Namjoon out of the basement, his body protesting against the rough treatment. They led him up several flights of stairs until they reached a heavy wooden door. One of them knocked, and a familiar voice called from the other side.

“Bring him in.”

Namjoon’s stomach tightened as the door swung open, revealing Yoongi standing in the center of the room.

The men cut his ropes, shoved Namjoon inside and left, the door slammed shut behind him with a deafening thud, leaving him alone in the dimly lit room with Yoongi. His hands had been untied, but the raw marks left from the ropes still stung. His blood was boiling, a storm of frustration and confusion raging inside him. Without thinking, his body moved before his mind could catch up.

He charged at his old friend with full force, fists clenched, adrenaline surging through his veins. The other barely had time to react before Namjoon’s hands were on him, shoving him hard against the floor. The impact sent a dull thud through the room, but Suga didn’t make a sound. Namjoon pinned him down, one knee pressing into the man’s chest, his breath coming out in harsh gasps as he towered over him.

"Is this what you wanted?" Namjoon growled through gritted teeth, his hands gripping Suga’s collar tightly, shaking him slightly as if that would shake some sense into him. “You threaten me, tie me up, and drag us all here—what the hell are you doing, Yoongi?”

But something was off.

Yoongi didn’t fight back. His body was limp under Namjoon’s grip, his expression cold but calm. He didn’t push Namjoon away, didn’t resist or even flinch as Namjoon hovered over him, seething with anger.

Namjoon’s breath hitched, his movements faltering as he stared down at his old friend. Why wasn’t he fighting back? Why wasn’t he defending himself? The fire in Namjoon’s chest burned hot, but his grip on Yoongi’s collar loosened as confusion flooded in. This wasn’t the gang leader he remembered from just half a day ago. He wasn't threatening him, fighting him. Hell, this wasn't even the Yoongi from his childhood! His old friend would have never let himself be manhandled like that, especially by Namjoon.

Instead, Yoongi lay there beneath him, eyes half-lidded as if he had already surrendered to whatever fate was in store for him.

Namjoon’s hands froze, the weight of the situation finally catching up to him. He could feel Yoongi’s shallow breath under his knee, but there was no fight in him. No struggle.