Soulmates in Disguise

Threads of Affection

As the boys headed back to the van, fatigue etched on their faces, Ria and Moni handed out sandwiches and burgers. The van’s interior was a haven of relative quiet compared to the raucous energy of the concert hall.

Ria took a seat next to Tae, who had slumped into the seat, leaning heavily on her shoulder. “Ahhhh, I am so drained,” he murmured, his voice filled with exhaustion.

Ria gently patted his back, offering comfort. “You did amazing out there, Tae. You should be proud.”

Tae let out a long sigh, his head resting against her. “Thanks, Ria. I’m just so tired, but it was worth it.”

She glanced up to see Jungkook sitting in the seat directly in front of her. Their eyes met, and they exchanged a small, knowing smile, a silent acknowledgment of the shared experience.

Moni settled next to Jimin, who was already diving into his burger. “Jimin, you were incredible tonight. I couldn’t take my eyes off you,” Moni said with a grin.

Jimin looked at her with a playful smirk. “Really good then? Well, of course, no one can remove their eyes off me.”

Hobi and Suga, who were seated ahead of Jimin, turned around with exaggerated, bombastic looks. Jimin chuckled, unable to contain his laughter at their reactions.

Tae, still leaning on Ria’s shoulder, glanced up at her with concern. His voice was soft and gentle. “Are you okay now? What exactly happened? Tell me, please.”

Ria cupped Tae’s face, her expression serious yet reassuring. “I’m fine, really. I just missed my father. I might try to visit his memorial this weekend.”

Tae’s eyes softened, and he reached up to hold her hand. “Ria, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were struggling. If you need anything or if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

Ria squeezed his hand, feeling the warmth of his support. “I know, Tae. Thank you for always being there. It means more to me than you know.”

Tae smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m your fiancé; it’s my job to be here for you. And I promise, no matter what, I’ll always support you.”

When Ria and Tae finally reached home, Tae, overcome by exhaustion, collapsed onto the sofa without a word. Within moments, he was sound asleep, his body utterly drained from the evening’s performance.

Ria, having changed into her pajamas, emerged from her room and found Tae still on the sofa. She quietly approached him and pulled a blanket from a nearby closet. Gently, she tucked him in, her movements soft and careful not to disturb his rest.

As she sat beside him, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The image of Jungkook's eyes from earlier lingered in her mind, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. She wondered why Tae had sacrificed so much for her, and why his sacrifice had seemed to be tied to Jungkook's gaze.

Why had Tae been so willing to go to such extremes? Why did he have to suffer because of her? And why did Jungkook’s eyes hold such a mysterious significance in this moment? Ria felt a strange mix of confusion and guilt.

She touched Tae’s face gently, her fingers brushing against his skin. She had always known Tae to be fiercely protective and willing to do anything for those he cared about. But seeing the vision she had—the extent of his sacrifice—made her realize even more how far he was willing to go for her.

She felt a pang of guilt, knowing she didn’t love him in the way he might have hoped. Her feelings for him were deep and caring, but they weren’t romantic. The weight of his sacrifice and her own inability to reciprocate his feelings made her feel torn.