Sincerely | k.th.

36. Housewarming

Taehyung's Point of View

***

The brisk, winter air stung me as I opened the door to my patio but heat from the embers that whistled in my outdoor chimney silenced the chill on instant.

Stuffing my hands into my pocket, I walked over to Jimin and Namjoon who sat in discussion while Hobi and Kook manned the grill and assisted Jin and Yoongi. I took a seat on the couch adjacent to them, staring at the blaze warming me this late February night.

The days are nearing an end and time has given up on me just like everything else has.

I hope Kye hasn't.

I wonder what Kye is doing right now. Is she safe and warm? Is she alone or with someone? Maybe someone else is keeping her...yeah Taehyung do that. Keep driving yourself mad with this sort of thinking.

Worse. It's been getting worse today because I know what will happened tomorrow. I have found myself opening her diary every few hours reading and then reading again, wishing it was some sort of time portal to transport me back to her.

I just want to be with her again. I want her to save me from this God awful nightmare that I can't seem to be awakened from.

"Tae, should I pick you up tomorrow or will you ride with Yoongi?" Jimin wondered.

Gaze still fixated on the fire, I could feel a mild aggravation crawling beneath my skin and creeping into my stare as it narrowed against the flames. I could hear Namjoon mumbling something to Jimin while they both waited for me to answer.

"You can get me. You already know what time to be here." I mumbled.

"Tae..."

I shut my eyes tight, lightly shaking my head before I got up and walked back into the house.

This is so frustrating!

Being with my friends should be helping me but I know I'm just hurting them by being dismissive and silent. Kye has inhabited my thoughts so much today I've sworn a million times over that I've manifested her. Images of her next to me and smiling when on the surface I was alone. I'm hallucinating her and it's driving me mad.

Breathe Tae, just breathe.

The heaviness in my chest clouded my thoughts and I just knew my heart was beating itself to a pulp inside it. My perspired hands were shaky and with each jagged breath I exhaled, I felt tears building till they streamed down my face. My hand clutched to my heart as I kept chanting to myself to breathe.

Finally I was beginning to release a calmed breath.

Lifting my head and letting the tears flow freely, released some of what I was holding in. I felt a little better but this pain cannot be easily erased. I know that I will have to find a better way to deal with it.

With one final deep breath, I brushed my cheeks with the back of my hand to clear my face from the evidence of my breakdown. Gathering my bearings, I turned around to see Hobi coming toward me.

"Hey, food is ready."

I nodded. "Good, cause I'm a little hungry." I smiled, hoping to offset his apparent worry harbored in his voice.

"Look Tae, this is tough for all of us but for some reason, I'm not worried." Hobi shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Euna doesn't seemed to be and I don't know if I should be happy or scared."

"I know, it's bothering me as well how calm she appeared when I talked to her earlier today."

"Then why should we be worried?" Hobi wondered.

I walked toward Hobi and patted him on the back. "Come on. Let's eat."

After dinner we sat around, catching up on our week but for me it seemed like I was learning a month's worth of information. I've been a ghost to my friends.

"Taehyung..." Hobi started, "...tell us about Kye. We really want to know how the trip was."

My stare was on Hobi as every one gazed at me. The most they knew was about the demise of my trip. I never got a chance to tell them the fun I had with Kye.

"She's really beautiful Tae." Jin spoke.

I raised my brow, curious on how he knew this. I've never showed them a photo of her. "And you know this how?" I questioned.

All stares fell to Yoongi who shrugged before taking a sip of his drink. "What? They were curious."

I curved my stare on his nonchalant reply.

"We want to hear from you. Tell us about the trip." Jimin pressed.

Another image of Kye came to mind and this time it made me smile. "I surprised her like I said I would and she was shocked of course to see me but she didn't question me. We sailed, rode horseback and went parasailing. Hawaii is beautiful and the trip was great. The freedom felt nice. She felt nice..." I trailed as the memory of our kiss under the stars visited me for a brief haunt. "It was fun and I miss it. I miss her." I lowered my head, scoffing at myself for revealing the slight vulnerability.

"At least we know now she's really real." Jungkook teased.

A low eruption of chuckles echoed between us. "Really? Years of me talking about her and now you believe she's real?"

Namjoon shrugged. "I mean we just thought you were making it up cause you were lonely. It wasn't like we really saw you with that many girls. If it wasn't for Yoongi's confirmation..."

"Wow, wow, wow! I can't believe you guys!" I shook my head and couldn't help but laugh myself. It made me think of Kye and how she told me her brother didn't believe her. Funny, how we are miles away and the ones we are closest to think the same of us.

"So, what do you think will happen after tomorrow Taehyung? Do you think your friendship will survive this?" Jimin asked.

All stares now fell on me but mine drifted between Hobi and Yoongi. What a hard question this is? I winced at the title of friendship being used to describe me and Kye after our confessions. Friendship was a great beginning but I want her as my lover, my wife. The one I come home to and wake up to.

Heart thudding hard but slow against my chest as they waited for me to answer but I don't know myself. I can only hope that fate grows listless from the humor of my pain and allow redemption from my mistakes and misfortune.

"I don't know what will happen or how to answer that but I will do my best to deal with whatever occurs."

There was an eerie silence after my statement but I didn't expect an immediate reply. What would there be to say?

"We will do our best to help." Jin spoke. "I still say you should send her my way. I'll take care of her for you since you know, I am her favorite." His cheeky grin glowed in the shadows of the fire.

"Huh? How do you even know her?" Hobi asked.

"Because I opened my big mouth and told him that he was one of her favorite actors."

"I mean can you blame her?" Jin chortled.

Shaking my head at him, I grinned to myself thinking how would Kye react if she knew how close I was to Jin. His mother and mine are best friends and he's been like a brother to me for as long as I can remember.

"Forget it Jin. We are close but not that close. Kye is mine."

His jovial smile was now replaced with a sly grin as his head tilted toward me. His brow lifted in absolution. "As long as you believe that then of course she's yours."

♥️♥️♥️

Cupid 💘