Beauty and the Broken

37|𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬

The days after Jungkook's death passed in a haze for Aera. The emptiness that consumed her heartfelt was unbearable as if her very soul had been ripped apart. She stayed quiet, lost in her thoughts, her mind replaying his final moments again and again. It felt surreal-Jungkook, the one who had been her constant, her family, was gone.

Taehyung stayed by her side through it all. He watched as Aera struggled to come to terms with the loss, her grief weighing heavily on her. She had built her world around Jungkook, and now that he was gone, the ground beneath her felt unstable. He didn't push her to talk or to heal faster. Instead, he gave her the space she needed, silently offering his support.But amidst the grief, something had shifted in Taehyung. Jungkook's dying words echoed in his mind, urging him to take care of her. It wasn't just a promise to a friend; it was a responsibility that now felt intertwined with his own feelings. Taehyung had always admired Aera from afar, but after everything they had been through, he realized how deeply he had fallen for her. The weight of his emotions pressed on him, though he knew it was not the right time to confess his love.

One night, a few days after Jungkook's funeral, Aera sat in the living room of the apartment, staring at an old photo of her and Jungkook. The memories felt bittersweet-there was warmth, but now it was tainted by sorrow. Taehyung entered the room quietly, watching her from the doorway.

"Aera..." His voice was soft, careful not to break the fragile silence between them.She didn't look up, her fingers tracing the outline of Jungkook in the photograph. "I miss him," she whispered, her voice raw with emotion."I know," Taehyung replied, moving closer and sitting beside her. "I miss him too."They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of their shared grief hanging in the air. Aera's hand trembled as she placed the photo on the table, finally turning to face Taehyung."You were right, you know," she said, her voice strained. "He kept everything from me... the truth, the pain he was carrying. And now he's gone, and I never got to tell him how much he meant to me."

Taehyung reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "He knew, Aera. He always knew."A tear slipped down her cheek as she shook her head. "I don't know what to do without him."Taehyung's grip tightened slightly, his eyes soft as they met hers. "You're not alone, Aera. You have me... and I'm not going anywhere."Aera's gaze faltered, searching Taehyung's face for something-comfort, reassurance, anything to ease the pain in her heart. And in that moment, she realized how much Taehyung had been there for her too. He had quietly stood by her side, offering his unwavering support, even when she hadn't noticed.

But could she allow herself to lean on him? To trust him with the pieces of her broken heart?

Taehyung's thumb brushed lightly over her hand, and something in his touch made her heart stir in a way it hadn't before. It was different from how she felt about Jungkook, but it was something-something warm, something real.

"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered, her voice barely audible.Taehyung leaned closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "You don't have to do it alone."There was a vulnerability in his words, and for the first time, Aera saw the depth of his feelings for her. It wasn't just about protection or loyalty-Taehyung cared about her deeply, in ways she hadn't allowed herself to see before.

Her heart felt conflicted, torn between the grief of losing Jungkook and the confusing emotions that stirred whenever she was with Taehyung. She didn't know if she was ready for what was happening between them, but one thing was clear-she couldn't face this pain alone.Leaning into his embrace, Aera allowed herself to break, her sobs quiet but filled with the weight of her loss. Taehyung held her close, his arms wrapped protectively around her, offering her the comfort she so desperately needed. He didn't say anything more-words felt meaningless in the face of such grief-but his presence spoke volumes.

As the night wore on, Aera's tears subsided, and she remained in Taehyung's arms, the silence between them no longer heavy but filled with unspoken understanding. In his embrace, she felt a flicker of hope, a small reminder that life could continue, even after such a devastating loss.But beneath it all, Taehyung's own heart ached-not only for Jungkook but for Aera. He could sense her inner conflict, the way she struggled with her emotions. He knew it wasn't the right time to push for anything more, but he couldn't deny the growing love he felt for her.He had fallen for her-completely. And though the timing was wrong, and the circumstances were cruel, he hoped that one day, she might see him not just as someone who was there in her darkest moments, but as someone who could love her fully.

As the first light of dawn broke through the windows, Taehyung gently shifted, careful not to wake Aera. Her breathing had softened, and she had finally fallen asleep against his chest. He watched her for a moment, his heart swelling with a quiet, aching love.He would wait for her, no matter how long it took.---