Shadow Dancing | K.TH

Our Happily Ever After

I'm glad I stay awake this time.

Jungkook's eyes storm over when he sees whatever's throbbing on my neck, his posture stiffening. Lips pursed, he gently lifts my body and shifts so I would be comfortable.

"V—" I rasp, surprised that my voice was failing me. I was still wheezing for air, and my throat felt like something was blocking the words from coming out.

Jungkook looks over, and the fury in his eyes gets worse. I don't know whether to interpret that as he clenches his jaw.

"V hyung— Hoseok hyung will be able to get him back on his feet. I can't believe you did this, Noona. You could've waited."

Nothing comes out of my mouth when I try to speak, so I just shake my head. I shake it harder when he sighs, eyes looking dazed and tired.

"Tzuyu," Someone says, voice deep and pained. Rough hands run over my face, fingers gently caressing my neck.

"Tzuyu."

"V!" Hoseok says, his voice urgent. "You shouldn't be standing! Let Jin and Yoongi carry you— your ankle is freaking shattered, for heaven's sake."

"Tzuyu."

"Tzuyu."

I want to speak, but I can't.

"V." I'm glad that his name is so simple, easy to breathe out. There's so many things I want to say— apologies for causing him pain, scolding for letting him do this to himself.

I want to tell him that I'm fine, that I'll be okay. That he should stop worrying, and worry about himself.

"She can't speak," V says, his voice thick and afraid. "Hoseok hyung! She can't speak!"

He sounds so vulnerable that it makes me want to cry.

"Don't worry," Hoseok assures V, who seems like he's completely panicking— completely out of his emotionless zone. "Her voice will come back, and the bruises will fade. V, you're the one with the torn shoulder and the broken bones."

"She can't speak." He whispers, burying his face into his hands like somehow this was all his fault.

How did he even get there?

I didn't want him to think like that, blaming what had happened on himself. It was entirely my choice that I'd chosen to interfere— my choice I'd chosen to follow him.

But, I think angrily.

Stupid voice.

Instead, I take his hand in mine, gazing at him meaningfully. My heart nearly shatters when he avoids my eyes, his own glance meeting the floor.

"Hey." I breathe. "Look at me. Right now. In the eyes, Kim Taehyung."

It hurts to talk, and my voice sounds like someone's strangling me, but it does the job as he looks up, stunned that I'm ordering him around.

"Here, Jungkook." I say, intending to get two of my feet on the ground. Jungkook is reluctant, but he eventually sets me down completely.

"It's not your fault, okay? Besides, my voice is coming back right now," It was already much better to talk, like the blockade in my throat was temporary. "Not your fault, got it?"