Collection of TaeNy Oneshots (TheDonkatsu Collection)

Reset - 3

(Chapter 3)

The music stops just in time for her to hear the faint beeps from her door.

She takes her earphones out and saves her work.

The door opens with a click and she turns her head to see Tiffany walking inside her apartment. She instantly smiles. "Hi."

"Hey..." Tiffany takes off her shoes and closes the door behind her. "I got food."

"Oh?" Taeyeon turns off the piano and stands up. "What food?" She approaches Tiffany and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

"Pork soup." Tiffany continues to put the plastic bag on the dining table. She then starts taking bowls and utensils from the cabinets while Taeyeon takes a peek in the plastic bag.

"Nice. Thanks." She's about to give Tiffany another kiss when the latter makes a sudden turn on her heels to get another spoon from the drawer.

Taeyeon holds back a sigh. She busies herself with taking the containers out of the bag.

They've been together for almost a year but Taeyeon knows that Tiffany has been different lately. It's like she's slowly but surely growing weary of everything.

They never go out on dates anymore – always staying in because Tiffany's always tired and Taeyeon never wants to demand too much. Even when they did go out on dates, Tiffany wasn't one for public display of affection so the most they did was stealthily hold hands.

And the most they did in private was kiss. Tiffany never said 'I love you' and Taeyeon didn't mind, at first.

Taeyeon wants to take things further, of course, but she never brings it up because she knows of Tiffany's reluctance. They can't even make out for too long because Tiffany would usually put it to a stop.

She knows it's just a matter of time before Tiffany gives up. Even though they enjoy their time together, deep down Taeyeon knows Tiffany can't change. She tries not to think about it and just savor as much as she can but reality catches up. She has started to cry herself to sleep every few days because it still hurts even though she had known of the consequences. She has had a taste of having Tiffany with her and she doesn't want to let go. She doesn't want to go back to days without being able to hug Tiffany or kiss her cheek or simply quietly cuddle in front of the TV. She needs to see her smile and hear her laugh every day. It's an addiction Taeyeon knows she can't live without.

And yet, as she stands there watching Tiffany scooping rice into the bowls and setting the table, she knows that it's inevitable. The person she loves isn't happy. The person she loves doesn't love her back that way no matter how hard she tries. The eyes that used to twinkle brightly when they talk or hang out have grown dim and blank.

Taeyeon walks to the fridge to get the drinks while clenching her jaws and suppressing the sinking feeling inside. She contemplates on the best time to talk about this as she looks at Tiffany who's taking a seat at the table.

"Something wrong?" Tiffany asks when she notices Taeyeon just standing in front of the fridge with the tall bottle of cold tea in her hands.

Taeyeon shakes her head. She places the bottle on the table and sits down.

Tonight's dinner is a quiet one. The only words exchanged are casual small talk about their days and with every passing silence, Taeyeon knows the ending is nearer than she had thought.

She loses her appetite halfway through and just sits there with her glass in one hand – watching Tiffany eat.

Tiffany feels the eyes on her but chooses silence. She's not sure what to say or how to react. She knows that her growing doubt and reluctance don't go undetected. She knows that Taeyeon's fully aware of what's going on. And she feels guilty. She has practically forced Taeyeon into this and now she's the one backing out slowly but surely. She has overestimated herself and Taeyeon's the innocent victim of her selfishness. She gulps – suddenly losing interest in her dinner even though she was feeling very hungry because she had skipped lunch thanks to the hectic day at work.