YOU, ME, & SHE • |KTH AU| •

twenty

The end of summer festival is in full swing as Taehyung and I arrive.

Colorful lights are strung up everywhere and the yummy smells of fried foods waft through the air.

Taehyung figured it'd be the perfect place to cheer me up after days of being cooped up in my room, dizzy and lightheaded. And it's just be the two of us, like he'd promised, so I'm extra thrilled.

"Where to first?" He asks, excitedly bouncing on his heels.

I scan our options - goldfish scooping, ring toss, buckets of candy apples. "Let's start over there, I love those strongman hammer games."

We make our way through the crowd, dodging strollers and teenagers dancing to some Kpop band.

Upon reaching, I flex jokingly at the strongman. "Watch the master at work." And then I swing with all my might but the bell barely lifts an inch.

Taehyung throws his head back and lets out a hearty laugh. "You need to use the right technique." He says, and then he takes a turn with unbelievable ease, sending the weight sky high. The game operator hands him a giant panda prize with a flourish. "For you," he bows dramatically, passing it to me.

"Why, thanks!" I say with a big grin, hugging the panda tight.

We continue on, stopping to grab mini donuts dusted with powdered sugar. I take a big bite, getting sugar all over my lips.

"Good, right?" Taehyung says through his full mouth, reaching out to brush some sugar off the corner of my mouth.

I nod slowly, my skin tingling pleasingly from his nearness. "Let's go over there!" I chirp, abruptly turning away to hide my reddening cheeks.

The next booth invites us to bob for apples, another of my favorite shows.
I leave with my hair dripping but an apple clutched between my teeth. I take a bite as Taehyung and I stroll down the midway, the juice running down my arm. "This is fun,"

"Yeah?" Taehyung agrees, munching on his own apple.

As we turn the corner, I slam hard into someone.

"Hey, watch it!"

"I'm s-" Wait a minute - that voice. I step back so I can take a proper look, and my mouth goes slack.

"Vivienne?"

The pink haired girl looks me up and down, eyes widening in shock.

"Narae?!... Damn, looking good, girl! Looking good..." Her eyes scan me up and down once more before settling on Taehyung. "And who's your friend?" She purrs, stepping close to him.

"Um, this is Taehyung," I mumble, unease creeping up my spine. I've got to get him away from this bitch right now.

Vivienne smiles wider, noticing my discomfort. "Taehyung, huh? Nice to meet you. Narae and I used to be, uh, roommates. Such... interesting times."

"Really?" Taehyung says happily, curiously glancing between Vivienne and I.

I shoot her a warning look but she ignores it, playfully reaching for the strings on Taehyung's hoodie. "We go way back, Narae and I. We used to be quite close back when we were in prison."

I drop my eyes to the ground and keep them there, my heart sinking. How could this perfect evening have gone so wrong so fast?

Vivienne cackles with glee. "Well, don't let me interrupt your... date," She drawls. "Hope we meet again, ex-cellmate." With a smirk and wink at Taehyung, she saunters off into the crowd.

I can't take it anymore - I drop my giant panda and take off running, Vivienne's ruinous words replaying in my mind.

My breaths come in choking gasps as I sprint from the festival gates, ignoring Taehyung's calls behind me.

Stumbling at last in the grass, I collapse against a large oak tree, hugging my knees to my chest.

That bitch. That fucking bitch. With just a few sly lines, she's ruined everything, everything, everything.

I can't breathe, can't think - all I see is the disgust and betrayal that must have been in Taehyung's eyes. How am I going to explain myself out of this mess?

"Narae, where are you!" Taehyung's voice calls in the distance, but I squeeze my eyes shut, wanting to disappear. Soon though, I hear his footsteps approach through the leaves.

"Leave me alone!" I scream without looking up, my voice shrill. But he comes and sits next to me.

"Please, talk to me," Taehyung says gently, laying a hand on my shoulder.

I shake my head violently. "What are you still doing here?! Why are you associating yourself with a fucking ex convict - go away!" My words are broken by sobs now as the panic takes full control of my body.

Strong arms gently pull me against a solid chest. "I'm not going anywhere," Taehyung's calm voice and heartbeat start to slow my racing pulse. "You don't have to tell me anything, but I'm here for you. Your past, that life, all that doesn't define who you are to me."

These words are my undoing. I cling to him desperately and cry out all the fear and shame. Taehyung simply holds me close, rubbing my back soothingly.

Ironically, as my tears start to subside, the sky opens up with a downpour.

Taehyung swiftly sweeps me onto his back before the mud begins. "Hold on tight," He says over the pounding rain.

I cling to his shoulders as he carries me through the storm. Soon this fancy looking hotel appears through the sheets of water. Taehyung sets me down in the ornate lobby and strides to the polished reception desk. "We need a room for the night, please..."

After everything is settled, Taehyung guides me to the elevator, concern etched on his face as he watches me shivering. Our room is spacious and warm and homey, a total sanctuary from the rainstorm going on outside.

"Go change - you could catch a cold." Taehyung points me to the bathroom and then at a fluffy robe.

When I emerge a few minutes later, I find him sitting on the king-sized bed, also changed into a robe. He slowly spreads out his arms to me, his face open and free of judgment. New tears blurring my vision, I go and join him on the bed.

As we snuggle under the covers together, I burrow deeper into his chest, muffling my sobs with his robe.

I'm officially in love with him.

I drift off wrapped in Taehyung's embrace, feeling safe and protected for the first time in years.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Taehyung gazes down at Narae's peaceful but tear-stained face, feeling her steady breath on his neck.

Gently, so as not to wake her, he smoothes back some stray hairs that have stuck to her damp cheek. Her skin is so soft...

With time, he will win her trust. He will make her feel comfortable opening up to him without fear of judgment. Seeing the cracks in her cheerful armor today has only deepened his curiosity to find out who she is under the facade.

How did she end up like this? So guarded, so wary?

A wave of protectiveness washes over him, and he presses a featherlight kiss to her forehead. "It's okay now, Narae. I've got you..." He whispers.

A/N: Uwu, I can't with him... 😍😭 A sprinkle of votes and comments will make this story sparkle. Can I count on you? 💜