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Stigma

CHAPTER 12 - STIGMA

Y/n preferred not to remember her childhood. It brought her good memories, and that was something she didn't feel she deserved. Regardless, when sitting on your ass and doing nothing for several hours was the only option you had to entertain yourself, naturally, memories were going to come. She hated that. But she also couldn't stop it, so at times, she let it in.

She saw flashes. Her father's smiling face, her walking into her first job interview, the first time she ever failed on the job. Those colors stuck out the most, and she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was what she valued most. Her father, her job, and failing. Three things she couldn't live without. She hoped success would be a thing she craved, but in this moment, she felt failure was a more accurate depiction of her.

"What if the rescue doesn't come?" Tae asked, his voice nothing more than a mumble. A shell of what it used to be.

Last night, they were taken by the group, and this morning, they were being held captive on the beach. Y/n wasn't sure how to react to any of it. Only good news: by the end of the week, if there was no rescue and the group of men would kill them, at least Y/n wouldn't be on her period anymore. She'd have more blood on her pants than actual clean fabric, but at least she wouldn't have to die with a shitty cramp.

Speaking of, Y/n went to the water without answering Tae, him following right away. The others only noticed when Tae got up and followed her, Y/n dipping into the water to relieve the sticky sensation swirling inside her. Tae went in with her, halting when he was next to her. She stared out at the wreckage peeking out from the water, a sigh passing her parted lips.

"I don't know," she said, brushing her hand by his. He took it, holding it tightly. When their fingers entwined, tranquility coursed through her veins. "But for some reason, it feels like we already were."

He didn't question what she meant, he only shook his head, turning to gaze at her merely a few moments later. "What if we die here?"

"Since when are you a pessimist?"

"Since our situation required one."

She placed a hand on his cheek, him letting out a breath and leaning into her touch. "Actually, I think quite the opposite, Tae. I think the situation needs an optimist. Someone like you."

"Or maybe we need to be realistic."

Y/n couldn't allow him to think that way, so she pulled him closer, pecking his nose. His eyes expanded, the eyelashes there fluttering. Funny, Taehyung was like a Disney prince in her eyes. By that she meant he was not only handsome, but a sweet man as well. And no sweet, genuinely good man should be moping and drowning in his own sorrows. Y/n grinned to ease his worries, and it worked: his shoulders relaxed.

"I have no regrets, Tae. No matter what, we accomplished something here. We survived as long as we could. I'll miss my life, the family I wish I had, and my job. But at least I got to unlock something in myself I didn't know was there. I hope I did the same for you. I doubt I did, but I can hope. If I could ask you to do one thing, it'd be to not give up hope yet. We still have so much more time left. Do you trust me?" she asked.

Taehyung gave her a small, almost sly smile that had her heart jumping in her body. "Not even a little bit."

"Good boy."

"Don't give me a boner, you're on your period."

"At this point, I wouldn't even care. Maybe we should fuck in front of them, what do you say?" she asked, Taehyung's mouth struggling to form words. Heat crept up the back of his neck and ears, him chuckling as if that would ease the situation. "What's wrong, Tae Tae? You can kiss me in the river, but as soon as I mention period sex it's a turn off?"