Break The Silence

"Don't take this pendant out no matter what." Taehyung restricted in firm tone, as he carefully tied the cross pendant across Jimin's neck.

Sitting on the bed, Jimin looked up at Taehyung, confused but obedient. He grabbed the pendant and observed deeply, to his sight it looked an ordinary piece of jewelry, but as it was given by Taehyung, so he decided to wear it properly.

"Okay, but why?" Jimin asked curiously. It was the first time when he spoke by himself in a last month, ever since Taehyung met him.

Taehyung softly smiled, "This pendant will protect you from Jisun." He answered.

Jimin glanced up at Taehyung, his fear of Jisun still lingering in his chest. But just as quickly as it appeared, the fear faded away. With Taehyung standing beside him and the pendant now in his possession, Jimin felt a sense of calm wash over him. He was at peace.

"I like this pendant." Jimin said.

Taehyung's smile widened, he gently ruffled Jimin's hair, "Now take your medicines and let's sleep, you must be tired." He said.

Jimin nodded.

Taehyung handed Jimin a glass of water and his medicine, his voice gentle but firm. "Take these first." he said, watching to make sure Jimin followed through.

Jimin hesitated for a moment before taking the pills and swallowing them with a sip of water. Taehyung nodded in approval, his expression softening. "Good. Now let's get some rest. You've had a long day."

Jimin placed the glass on the bedside table and lay back on the bed, his fingers instinctively reaching for the pendant. Its presence soothed him, and as Taehyung pulled the blanket over him, Jimin felt safe. For the first time in a long while, he thought he might actually sleep peacefully.

Taehyung settled himself on the bed, and watched Jimin sleep peacefully. "Did you enjoy the day?" He asked.

Jimin's curious eyes met with Taehyung's again as he hummed the answer. "Hmm." His mind recalling all day, he spent in painting, observing each and every object like a curious child.

"Do you have anything in your mind like what do you want to do next day?" Asked Taehyung, as he softly patted Jimin's head.

For Taehyung, it was important to help Jimin return to a normal life. He decided to reintroduce simple, everyday activities, watching movies, playing games, or spending time together painting. These moments were meant to distract Jimin, giving him something to focus on other than Jisun and the fear that lingered in his mind.

Jimin paused to think, but no clear thoughts came to mind. His expression suddenly shifted, turning quiet and solemn.

"Let's watch a movie together." Taehyung suggested.

Jimin's eyes beamed with excitement. "Okay." He said.

After making sure Jimin fell asleep, Taehyung quietly left the room and walked downstairs. He found Kyungmi in the kitchen, making herself a cup of coffee. Kyungmi had brought the pendant, and Taehyung restricted her to go outside at night, as it was late.

"Coffee at this hour?" Taehyung asked with a small smile, leaning against the doorway.

Kyungmi glanced up and chuckled. "I couldn't sleep."

Taehyung stepped closer and opened the cabinet, pulling out a bottle of wine. "How about we share some wine instead? It's been a long time since I've had a drink."

Kyungmi hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Sure, why not? It does sound better than coffee." She expressed her agreement.

A part of her still wanted to be with Taehyung, despite living alone for years she still yearned to live those long nights again, when they'd talk with each other for hours, she missed those long walks in winter morning, the never ending conversation, that would sometimes turned into a debate. The weekends and the dinners, Kyungmi suddenly began to missed each moment she spent with Taehyung.

The situation wasn't any different for Taehyung, ever since he saw Kyungmi, he desperately wanted her back in his life. He thought for a long time today, and finally assuming all the possibilities, he decided to give their relationship a second chance.

Lots in his thoughts, Taehyung grabbed two glasses and placed them on the kitchen counter. After a long time, he looked calm and composed. Lately, his OCD had also disappeared and having access on Jimin made him more relaxed.

"Let's juts assume it's a small celebration of Jimin's freedom." Taehyung said, pouring the liquor into the glasses.

"Let's do something for him." Kyungmi suggested, she grabbed the glass and they softly clinked together.

Taehyung nodded, "After whatever you revealed everything Mr. Min Yoongi revealed, I strongly believed something more darker happened that night." He said suspiciously.

" I just wish Jimin tells us everything, but I think he needs some more time to trust on us." Kyungmi said.

"Hmm! I'm positive about this." He said.

Taehyung gazed at Kyungmi, enjoying bitter sweet taste of liquor. His dark eyes softening as the corners of his mouth lifted into an alluring smile. The way the warm kitchen light reflected off his face made her heart race, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself. She felt a sudden warmth in her cheeks, her fingers tightening around the glass of wine.

"Kyungmi," Taehyung finally broke the intense silence that spoke more than words. "I know I've made mistakes… and I hurt you. And of I speak honestly, I regret letting us drift apart." His gaze remained fixed on her, as if he was searching for the right words. "I thought that by focusing on everything else, work, responsibilities, even Jimin, I could avoid facing what I lost. But the truth is… losing you was my biggest failure."

Kyungmi's breath hitched, and she dared to glance up at him, her eyes meeting his. "Taehyung," she said softly, her voice almost trembling. "We both made mistakes. It wasn't just you. I… I wasn't patient, and I didn't understand what you were going through. But I missed you, too. Every day."

A small silence lingered between them as Taehyung set his glass down and took a cautious step closer. "I don't want us to keep living in the past," he said, his tone hopeful yet hesitant. "Do you think… we could try again? Start fresh?"

Kyungmi's lips parted as she stared at him, her mind swimming with old memories and new possibilities. She felt her heart ache with both fear and longing. Slowly, she nodded. "I'd like that, Taehyung. I'd like that a lot." She said boldly, without any hesitation.

Relief washed over his face, Taehyung reached out to gently take her hand. His thumb brushed across her knuckles as if reassuring her. "This time, I'll do better," he promised. "For you, for us… and for Jimin."

Kyungmi smiled, her grip on his hand tightening slightly. "We'll do better, together."

Taehyung smiled softly, his dark eyes brimming with a mixture of hope and warmth. He stepped even closer, his hand still holding Kyungmi's. For a moment, neither of them spoke, their breaths mingling in the quiet kitchen as the distance between them disappeared. Slowly, Taehyung reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering as his fingers trailed down to her cheek.

Kyungmi's heart raced, her gaze locking onto his. She could feel the heat of his breath, the intensity in his eyes that seemed to pull her in. And then, without hesitation, Taehyung leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender yet passionate kiss. It was slow at first, their emotions spilling into the moment, years of longing and regret melting away as they gave in to each other.

Kyungmi's hand found its way to Taehyung's chest, clutching his shirt as if grounding herself. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss with a fervor that spoke of all the words they hadn't said. The taste of wine lingered on their lips, adding a bittersweet note to the raw passion they shared.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads rested against each other, breaths mingling once more. Kyungmi's cheeks flushed as she looked into his eyes, and Taehyung smiled, his voice soft but filled with determination. "This is where we start again."