NIGHT
The moonlight bathes the Kim apartments in a soft, silver glow as Taehyung rushes into Namjoon as he stands by his car, ready to enter his house.
But before he can get inside, Taehyung barrels into him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
Taehyung his voice filled with emotion "Hyung... I can't thank you enough. You came just in time. I don't know what I would've done without you."
Namjoon chuckles softly, patting Taehyung's back, though his expression remains serious. "You don't have to thank me, Tae. I did what I had to. We're family-brothers. We look out for each other, even when things get messy."
Taehyung pulled back, looking into Namjoon's eyes "I won't forget this, hyung Ever."Namjoon nods, but before he can respond, Taehyung's phone buzzes in his pocket.
He checks the screen-it's Ria.
His heart sinks, remembering how hurt she looked during the meeting. He answers the call, trying to steady his voice.
"Ria...?"Ria answered coldly, her voice laced with hurt "Taehyung, I don't even know what to say to you right now. After everything that happened today, I... I don't know if I can trust you."
Taehyung's face falls, his heart heavy with guilt. He walks away from Namjoon, needing privacy for this conversation.
"Ria, I swear, I wasn't part of any of that. I had go to know this yesterday my parents were planning to take over your father's company. If i knew it before I would never-"
Ria cutting him off, her voice trembling with emotion "How do I know that, Taehyung? How do I know you're not just another part of your parents' plan? Do you have any idea how betrayed we felt? How could you stand still and let them do that?"
There's a long pause, and Taehyung feels her words cutting into him like a knife. He takes a deep breath, trying to explain, but the weight of her pain makes it difficult.
"Ria... I didn't stand by. I've been fighting them. I had to make moves behind their backs just to stop them from going through with this. Namjoon and Seokjin-what they did was because of me. I couldn't let them destroy everything you and your father worked for."
She is still hurt, but softer now " Why didn't you tell me, Taehyung? Why did I have to find out this way? It felt like you were hiding something from me, like I was just another part of this... business deal."
Taehyung's heart clenches at her words. He knows he's let her down, even if unintentionally. "I was scared, Ria. Scared that if I told you, you'd walk away. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and the thought of losing you-because of them-it's too much. I didn't want you to see me the way they are. I didn't want you to think I'm just like them."
There's a moment of silence. Ria's breathing steadies, and she can hear the sincerity in his voice. Her anger begins to melt away, replaced by the lingering hurt.
Ria said softly, but still firm "Taehyung... I'm not your parents. I'm not going to judge you for what they do. But if we're going to be together, if we're going to make this work, you can't keep things from me. I need to know what's going on, especially when it comes to my family."
Taehyung closes his eyes, her words sinking in. He realizes how unfair that's been. "You're right, Ria. I should've told you everything from the start. I promise, from now on, no more secrets. If something's wrong, you'll be the first to know."
Ria's voice softens, though there's still an underlying vulnerability. "I just don't want any misunderstandings between us, Tae. We've both been hurt by people we trust. I don't want to lose you over something like this."
"You won't lose me, Ria. Not now, not ever. I'll fight for us-for you. I don't care what it takes."There's a long pause as Ria processes his words.
Slowly, her voice loses its edge, filled now with only exhaustion and a deep longing for things to be okay.
"Just... don't shut me out again, okay?"
"I won't. I swear. I'll always come to you first. You're the only person who makes this life worth living."
Her heart softens, the sincerity in his words finally breaking through the last of her defenses.
"Okay... just don't make me regret trusting you."
Taehyung with a hint of a smile in his voice "Never."
They both stay on the line for a moment, listening to the silence between them, a silent understanding passing through the distance.
Finally, Ria speaks, her voice much lighter now.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow. Goodnight, Ria."
As the call ends, Taehyung lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He walks back toward Namjoon, feeling lighter, but knowing the path ahead is still fraught with challenges.
But at least now, he knows he won't have to face them alone.
Namjoon watches as Taehyung approaches, a knowing look on his face.
"Rough night, huh?" Namjoon said teasingly.
"You have no idea."
Namjoon grins, clapping a hand on his younger brother's shoulder."Don't worry. You'll figure it out. You always do."
Taehyung smiles faintly, but his thoughts are already on Ria and everything that lies ahead.Taehyung quietly to himself "I hope so."
YOU ARE READING
Darkness Between Us
Fanfic"I thought I was content-proud of my achievements. But deep down, there was a void. An emptiness that no amount of success could fill. The loneliness was my only constant companion. My conversations were superficial, my connections fleeting. I was s...
