Epiphany

Only love can set us free.

Jin's POV

"Seokjinie!"

I heard Tae playfully called my name so I looked up from the book I'm reading.

Tae is currently picking shells and stones for his sand castle. He waved at me when he noticed that I'm looking at him.

"Let's eat!" I shouted. Our cook, Mr. Lee, were done preparing for our lunch.

"I'll finish my sand castle first"

"Okay"

I smiled on how carefree he looked right now. It reminded me of the old Taehyung I met in highscool.

If only I have the power to turn back time, I will do everything to protect Taehyung from the monster that broke him.

I didn't get how a person can even think of breaking someone as beautiful as Taehyung.

I made the right decision to take Taehyung here in our private resort in Gwancheon. I know that we both need our own healing time. We're too busy these past few months to have an alone time.

And, I miss Taehyung so much that's why last night is a bit intense.

I felt butterflies in my stomach at the mere thought of it.

"Are you blushing Jin? What are you grinning about?" Tae asked in an accusing tone.

It seemed like he too, haven't recovered from last night since he's still limping a bit.

"It's just the heat. I'm not thinking something inappropriate" I defended myself which made my cheek burned in embarassement.

Tae glared at me until he can't hold his laughter anymore.

"Pfft"

Tae have this particular laugh, it's not loud but he's laughing with his whole body. His shoulder shooked and he threw his body with total abandon.

"You should see your face Jinie. You looked so guilty" he said, wiping his tears from laughing too much.

I looked at him in awe.

I realized how Taehyung's beauty can be blinding when he's beaming with happiness.

----

"Tae, where are you?" I called but I didn't hear any response.

It's too dark and I can barely see where I'm going.

"Tae" I pouted. I wanted to see him. I needed to see him.

I felt Taehyung's hot breath fanning behind me. His lips brushed on my nape that sent shiver down my spine while his arms were wrapped around my shoulder.

"I'm here"

Taehyung's big hands covered my eyes and whispered. "Follow me"

When total darkness enveloped me, I felt that my surrounding changed and there's an eerie silence that I can't even hear our footsteps.

When Taehyung removed his hands, there's a faint light coming from where we are standing so I can only see his silhouette.

I'm scared.

I reached out for Taehyung's hands but he's no longer beside me.

"Tae!" I called again but this time, he didn't answer.

When I turned, he's standing behind me.

He looked so sad.

I walked towards Taehyung to cup his cheeks and leaned down to kiss him. Our lips barely touching and he didn't respond with his usual warmth. I brushed my hands to his back to urge him to kiss me back but then, I felt something sticky in my hand so I pulled away to check it. To my horror, my hand was covered with blood.

Taehyung's blood.

I cried out as I tried to stop Taehyung from bleeding.

He went limp and we both fell on the ground.

"Tae! Don't die! Don't leave me please"

This can't happen. It can't be real.

My heart stopped when Taehyung whispered something behind my ear.

"You made me bleed, Jin"

---

"Jin!"

A nightmare?

I was covered it both tears and sweat. My breathing is uneven and Taehyung's worried face are so close to mine.

I reached out to touch his face.

"Y-you're not bleeding"

"I'm fine. Why would I bleed?"

I felt relieved.

It is just a nightmare. It's not true. Tae is here. I assured myself.

Tae held me close and let me cry in his chest. I can't still shake the guilt and fear that my nightmare brought me.

What will I do if something bad happened to Tae? What if he's in danger because of me?

I will never forgive myself.

"Don't ever leave me, Tae. Promise me"

"I promise, Jin. I will protect you"

And as always, I believed in Taehyung's words.

--

The next day, Tae woke me up with kisses.

"Time to get up, Sunshine" Taehyung said when I opened my eyes.

He's playing with the strands of my hair that covered my forehead while leaving light kisses on my whole face.

"We're you able to sleep last night?" I asked and reached out to trace the dark circles under Taehyung's eyes.

For the whole night, Taehyung held me while whispering assurances to help me fall asleep so I don't think he had even a wink of sleep.

"I'm fine. I had fun looking at your sleeping face Jinie. You looked so innocent in your sleep contrary to when you're awake" Taehyung said playfully but I didn't respond to his teasing.

My expression are still grim since I can't shake off the image of Taehyung bleeding to death on my mind.

I lowered my gaze. "I'm sorry"

Taehyung cupped my chin. "Why are you saying sorry Jinie?"

"I--I don't know. I just felt that I need to apologize to you"

An unknown glint flickered on Taehyung's eyes but it dissappeared immediately.

"Don't believe in your nightmares Jin. You shouldn't blame yourself for the things you didn't do. You brought too much happiness in my life and that's what really mattered"

Tae intertwined our fingers and tears started to fall from my eyes again.

His words made the promise ring that clung on my neck felt heavier.

I will never allow anyone to get hurt because of me again. I will protect Taehyung at all cost. Even if it means I need to sacrifice myself in the process, I'll do it.

"Jin" Taehyung pulled me back from my thoughts. He called my name with too much gentleness it made me gasp.

"What is it, Tae?"

"You asked me before, what is fear for me"

"Yes. And you told me it is a chain that bind us. I believe that's true. Fear can keep us from moving forward" Like what it is doing to me right now. I lowered my gaze.

"But you know what, Jin? I realized something"

Taehyung took my hand and look straight into my eyes.

"Only love can set us free. Your love set me free"

My heart thrummed inside my chest.

"For a long time, I let my pain and fear control me. But you're right. It is not my fault. From now on, I wanted to face the present head on"

"I-I'm still terrified, but I will not let my past control me anymore. I still have a long way to fully love myself, but at least I can start by forgiving myself"

I cupped Taehyung's cheek to plant a gentle kiss on his lips.

Why did he always say words I badly needed to hear?

"Thank you, Taehyungie" I whispered.

--

We've spent the whole morning with long talks and more cuddles. I felt like a big weight has been lifted out of my chest.

Taehyung is really my superhero. My Anpanman.

I'm humming while preparing our dinner for tonight. Taehyung are still in the shower so I decided to reward him with my own cooking.

"Young Master, a letter arrived this morning" Mr. Seo, our butler in this private resort, informed me.

I already told them not to call me Young Master in front of Taehyung. I don't want him to feel awkward.

"Thank you, Mr. Seo" I took the letter and he bowed to excuse himself.

After Mr. Seo left, I inspect the letter first. It looked like a regular letter so I opened it.

No one, aside from my members and our Managers knew where we are right now so I'm curious who can be the sender.

When I opened it, there's a picture inside and a note.

My heart stopped beating when I saw Taehyung's picture inside. He's standing in front of his locker in our old school and he's holding a box with a ring.

My tears streamed down from my face when I realized when this picture was taken.

It was the day Taehyung invited me out for a dinner since I'm graduating in highschool. I never thought that that day, Taehyung was about to propose to me.

I took out the note and read it.

You know where to find me. I'll be waiting for you tonight.

PS. I had fun ruining your doll

-Kim JaeHwan

My body shook with rage while memories rushed in my mind. I remember Him now.

A/N: Sorry for waiting. Here's the full update now.