My Sniper System in a Zombie Apocalypse World

Chapter 163: Greedy or Selfish

"I’m going to be selfish too," Jaxon said calmly. "And I’m going to keep all of you with me."

Elaine’s brows furrowed deeper as she shook her head slightly. "Jaxon, that’s not selfish. That’s just... greedy. You can’t just ’take’ everyone like that. That’s not how it works."

"Why not?"

"Because... that’s not how things are supposed to be, it’s not normal," she said firmly.

"I’m not normal," he said, meeting her eyes directly.

Elaine’s lips pressed together. "I love you, Jaxon. And I want you for myself. It hurts just thinking that you could love someone else the same way."

Jaxon stayed silent for a moment. Then he asked, "Do you hate that I love my family?"

"No," Elaine answered right away. "That’s different. They’re your family."

"...Na-rin is part of that too," he said softly. "And so are you."

Elaine’s eyes trembled slightly. "That’s not the same. We’re not just family... we’re lovers, aren’t we?"

Jaxon held her gaze, then spoke calmly. "Lover, friend, partner... to me, family goes beyond all of that. It’s not about labels. I can be anything for them. Someone who stays by their side, no matter what. Someone who won’t leave... ever."

Elaine frowned, trying to make sense of it. "What...? Isn’t family just... family?"

Jaxon shook his head slightly. "Not to me. I grew up without one. Everything I am now, it’s because of the people I call my family. So if I ever had to choose between the world and them... I’d choose them every time. That’s just how I see things, and that won’t change."

Elaine fell silent, staring at him, unsure how to respond.

"Elaine," Jaxon called softly, pulling her attention back. "You don’t have to figure it all out right now. And don’t worry, I see you as part of my family too."

A small grin formed on his lips. "So you’re stuck with me now, forever."

"That’s not even what I’m worried about," Elaine muttered, pouting slightly.

Jaxon let out a quiet chuckle and pulled her back against his chest. She didn’t resist, settling into him as his arms wrapped around her a little tighter.

"Do you really dislike it that I see my family that way?" Jaxon said.

Elaine hesitated. "...I don’t know," she admitted, closing her eyes as she hugged him tighter.

Everything felt confusing. Her thoughts were a mess, and her chest ached knowing the man she loved could love someone else too. It wasn’t something she ever imagined for herself, not something that felt normal. And yet, even with all that, she knew she cared about him too much to walk away.

Jaxon was quiet for a moment, then his voice turned gentle. "Then I’ll make sure you understand someday. I promise... I’ll love you with everything I have."

"Hmph." Elaine let out a small snort and turned her head away, though she didn’t let go of him. After a pause, she spoke again. "Even Hae-in likes you. Are you going to make her part of your ’family’ too?"

"She likes me?" Jaxon asked with an innocent face.

Elaine gave him a look. "Don’t act like you don’t notice. Everyone can tell... except her."

He chuckled under his breath, then leaned closer, his voice soft near her ear. "I love you, Elaine."

Elaine’s expression softened, though she still looked a little troubled. "...You really are unfair," she murmured, closing her eyes again.

"Get some sleep," Jaxon whispered.

Still wrapped in each other’s arms, the two of them slowly drifted off together.

.....

Time passed quietly, and before anyone realized it, night had already settled in.

The military had been on full alert for hours, watching the distance with tense eyes, but strangely, nothing came. No infected showed up, and even the drones sent out earlier returned with nothing to report. Still, no one relaxed. Guards rotated through the night, and most people couldn’t sleep, tension keeping them wide awake.

Deep into the night, when everything seemed still, Jaxon suddenly opened his eyes.

He did not move right away as his gaze sharpened, as if he was listening to something far beyond the walls. Then gently shook the blonde in his arms. "Elaine, wake up."

"Mmm..." Elaine stirred, her voice soft and groggy. It had been a long time since she’d slept this peacefully, and part of her didn’t want to wake up.

"What’s going on?" she murmured, barely opening her eyes.

"They’re here," Jaxon said quietly, his tone serious.

That was enough to wake her. Elaine’s eyes snapped open, the sleep fading instantly. "The infected?"

Jaxon gave a slight nod.

Her expression hardened at once as she pushed herself up from the bed. "We need to tell the others."

The lingering thoughts from their earlier conversation flashed through her mind, but she forced them aside. Right now, there were more important things to deal with.

The two of them quickly got out of bed, and Jaxon moved first toward the door. He reached for the handle and opened it, but the moment it swung open, he paused.

Na-rin was right there. Her hand was still raised, frozen in mid-air, as if she had been about to knock.

The two of them stared at each other for a second. Then Na-rin’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Oh, Na-rin, need something?" Jaxon asked casually.

"You... why are you inside her room?" Na-rin asked, her tone a mix of confusion and disbelief.

At that moment, Elaine stepped closer to the door as well. The second she saw Na-rin standing there, she stiffened.

"Na-rin... this is..." Elaine started, but her words trailed off.

Her mind quickly flashed back to what Jaxon had told her earlier, that Na-rin already knew about their first kiss. Her face immediately turned red again, and she felt her chest tighten with embarrassment. She wanted to be honest about her relationship with Jaxon, but not like this, not like she had just been caught in the middle of it.

Na-rin stayed silent, her eyes shifting between the two of them. Elaine opened her mouth again, trying to explain, but the words just would not come out right.

The silence stretched heavier with each passing second, until Jaxon finally let out a small sigh. "Are you two going to keep staring at each other, or what?"

Both girls blinked at the same time.

He then looked at Na-rin, his expression turning serious. "The infected are coming soon. Go inform the others and gather everyone downstairs."

Na-rin’s face changed at once, and she gave a quick nod. Though her eyes lingered for a brief moment on Elaine, who stood beside Jaxon looking flustered and unsure of what to say.

With a quiet sigh, Na-rin seemed to let it go for now. She turned without another word and hurried off to call the others.