"So, to use the keypad you have to program your own password into it, and then once you do that it'll ask you to re-enter the same password in order to lock it again, okay?"
"Sure" Taehyung replied.
"Also, I've replaced the escutcheon and the broken hinge, but I won't charge you for that".
"Ahh, thanks man" Taehyung said.
Jennie watched him interact with the apartment complex maintainance man, Joe out of her peripheral and she couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips as Taehyung chatted causally to him about his work hours and whether he was busy or not. Joe packed his tools and Taehyung closed the door in his wake before standing at the end of the kitchen island, eyeing Jennie up and down as she put the frying pan on the hob.
"I don't think anybody will be getting in here again" he said after a pause.
"I hope not" she replied. "I've learned not to hold my breath in situations like this".
"I can promise you they won't get back in here, Jen".
Jennie shrugged. "We can't be naive about this Tae. I've been around people like this my whole life, I know what they're capable of".
"Those people" Taehyung countered, approaching her slowly with outstretched arms, "won't hurt you anymore".
"I admire your confidence".
"Someone has to be".
Jennie pushed the handle of the frying pan inwards before turning round to face Taehyung with knitted brows. She crossed her arms.
"So you wouldn't blame me if things went to shit again, then?,"
Taehyung sighed. Jennie frowned at him, daring him to respond.
"What happened that night was a legitimate response to having the police show up at your door, Jen" he said. "How else am I supposed to react?"
Jennie stared at him. "There you go again".
"What now?"
"There's no point in both of us being scared and helpless in situations like that, Tae. You said it yourself last night, that there is no point in getting angry over something that's out of our control". Jennie chewed the inside of her mouth, wincing when she tasted blood. "Where's the man who pushed that gun into my hands the night Kai was murdered and told me it was going to be okay?"
"And look what happened the second you left my sight?"
The pan began to spit behind Jennie. Taehyung stared at her imploringly, mouth downturned. Anxious, Jennie began to fidget, eyes darting across the kitchen island, avoiding Taehyung's gaze completely.
"Despite all.. that, you made me feel like it was actually going to be okay after all, and that's when I knew I could trust you, that I ..." she trailed off, putting her back to Taehyung as she threw ingredients into the sizzling pan, busying herself with the task of cooking the breakfast as a distraction from the uncomfortable conversation taking place around her.
Taehyung wrapped her up in a tight hug from behind.
"That you what?" he asked.
Jennie hesitated. "Nothing"
"Tell me".
"Not now", she muttered.
He sniffed loudly in lieu of a response. Reaching around her he turned the dials on the oven to switch the flow of gas off, and Jennie lifted the pan onto the countertop, the smell of burning batter and bacon filling the air as she served it up onto two plates.
"You have to understand that I'm an outsider in this situation so it'll take me time to grow accustomed to how you used to live, of the dangers that come with that" he said, voice low. Jennie wormed her way out of his hug, tossing the dirty pan into the sink with a loud bang. Taehyung flinched at the noise, a flash of irritation masking his face at the sudden interruption.
"Breakfast is ready" Jennie said, glancing at him briefly.
"We need to have this conversation Jen".
"We already have", she quipped.
"I don't think so".
"I know you're trying, Tae, okay? I know you are, and I appreciate it, I really do, alright?" she snapped.
"I'll protect you next time" he replied. "I swear to you".
Jennie slid his plate towards him, before stabbing her meal with the fork, letting the metal grate against the surface with a squeal.
"It's not about that, Tae" she said, over a mouthful.
He looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"I need to know you're on my side" she added.
"I am".
"Okay, well then our first port of call is finding weapons, like we discussed".
Taehyung nodded, taking her request into consideration.
"I don't have a gun license, but I know somebody who does".
