Chapter 09.1

Right since morning, everyone was waiting for something alertly in the living room. Tiffany could see Taeyeon sighed so many times and had been staring at the door cautiously every second. Yuri was there as well and she was sitting in the living room having her morning coffee that Yoona made. It was the first time that Tiffany met with Yuri…and she really did have this strong aura that unconsciously intimidated the officer. Both Taeyeon and Tiffany were sitting at the warm cozy couch until there was a sound that caught all three criminal’s attention immediately. The officer swore she heard nothing until the doorknob turned. The door slowly opened and revealed that warm delightful puppy smile across the young girl’s face. She did had bandages around her limbs just like Taeyeon, and that second she swore that Taeyeon just sprinted off from the couch and rushed towards the girl immediately.

“Taeyeon!”

She rushed in as well and threw her arms around her tightly when Taeyeon went into her arms. Tiffany watched the scene that the two girls hugged each other with utter worries for one another. She knew how much Taeyeon worried about Moonbyul after that incident…and the only thing that would hinder her to go out to search for Moonbyul would be the deal she had with Tiffany.

“Dammit…you crazy puppy! I seriously want to kill you.”

“Hehe~ Sorry…but I’m alright! I brought someone with me too!”

“Huh? What?”

“…Taeyeon.”

That second, that familiar voice, Taeyeon saw this soft pink-haired woman came in through the door and she slowly let go of her arms. Moonbyul knew what kind of feeling was running through the mouse girl’s brain and she slowly stepped away allowing the newcomer to approach in. She finally stood in front of Taeyeon with that smile of sentiment before she spoke to her again.

“Hehe, I’m back.”

“Y-Yongsun …!”

“Yongsun!!”

“Yoona unnie, it’s been a long while isn’t??”

The house became much livelier right after both of them returned back. Tiffany could see everyone’s bond and feelings for one another, it was one huge family reunited by heart, not by blood. Even though Tiffany was an outsider, she could feel that comfort by just being around them. She was smiling just by witnessing the family bond right before her eyes. However, right in the middle of their moments of reunion, Moonbyul had such a sharp eyes that caught Tiffany standing from a distance away from everyone. The young excited child jumped towards her and stared at the officer with such a fascination.

“Ah! You’re Taeyeon’s princess!!”

“Moonbyul!? Shut up!!”

“Eh?”

Moonbyul got so excited and it just made Taeyeon mad. Obviously she seemed to hate it when anyone said that Tiffany was having any sort of close relationship with her. Or either she didn’t want to admit any of it at all. It seems things weren’t working well and so Yoona spoke up to introduce the officer to both Moonbyul and Yongsun.

“This is Hwang Tiffany, she’s Taeyeon unnie’s girl.”

“You too, SHUT! UP!!”

It seemed Yoona and Moonbyul were picking on Taeyeon regarding her girl, which just made the mouse madder. Tiffany couldn’t help but to giggle out while witnessing the playful argument with each other. Yongsun turned her eyes to Tiffany and stared at her for a short while before it caught the officer’s attention. Both women stared at each other for a short while before Yongsun let out a smile for her. It did surprised Tiffany slightly but then before she could say anything, Yoona gathered everyone together as she had prepared hot chocolate. Everyone sat at the dining table as Tiffany helped Yoona served the hot mug of chocolate before they sat down together. The officer passed the mug to Taeyeon whom was beside her but the mouse didn’t thank her anything, as usual. Yoona saw that and she couldn’t help but to pick on the stubborn girl.

“Oi unnie! Don’t forget to say your thanks to Tiffany~”

“…Ugh, shut up.”

“It’s alright. It doesn’t really matter to me.”

“Oh come on Tiffany shi!”

Yoona whined with how the officer protected the stubborn mouse, but it just made both of them looked cute and sweet in a way. That was the first time Yuri saw someone that cared for Taeyeon and it was just like what Yoona told her. It seemed this officer would be the only person that could reach down to Taeyeon’s wounded heart…and amazingly Taeyeon wasn’t pushing her away either. The leader seemed to have more interest on the raven-haired woman even more…on this officer that could possibly touch Kim’s true self.
 

-

Moonbyul and Yongsun did have a long day travelling back to the hideout and she did brought most of her stuffs along as well. Obviously the puppy was just so excited and Yongsun were busy with unpacking her stuffs to the old room where she used to share it with Moonbyul. Now the young puppy had to move her stuffs back to that old sweet nostalgic room so to live with Yongsun as closely as she could. That left both Taeyeon and Tiffany alone again, and the youngster wasn’t in a mood for going out either. The older one went back to her room and forced the officer to follow her in as well. However, no words were uttered and the young thief didn’t lock the door too, which that gave Tiffany a heads up.

“Sit.”

Taeyeon sat down on her bed and Tiffany did as she asked, but didn’t know what Taeyeon wanted at all. She just sat there in silence while waiting for what the older one would order her to do. But instead she threw in a question she wasn’t expecting, especially from Taeyeon.

“How can you be so calm here? Especially in the enemy’s base.”

“Huh? What is this all of the sudden…”

“Answer.”

“…I guess I don’t have a anything to lose.”

“What about your family?”

Taeyeon seemed to be curious and kept asking the officer in order to solve her curiosity. That was when Tiffany sighed and decided to tell the story to the thief after she had told to Yoona about it few days ago. She didn’t exactly have a family to go back to anymore…only but her father. Her mother died by her heart disease, while her older sister died in mission while saving the victim from a serial killer. She told every bits of detail of the story about her two beloved family members while Taeyeon sitting and listening to her silently. In that dark room, only Tiffany’s voice echoed and continued on without knowing how long it had been ever since they were sitting here. However, Taeyeon didn’t say a word to interrupt her, only had that grumpy poker face on as usual… while she crossed her legs and rested her elbow on her legs. The time felt so short when Tiffany’s story came to an end and finally she turned to the mad-looking girl.

“…The only person I have left is my father, but after all these things happen I have too many doubts in him.”

“…”

“What I believe is justice is evil…everything is so different. All I know I feel at peace when I’m here, I love how everyone is like a family here.”

“…Everyone is a family.”

“It is. Reminds me so much back when Michelle and mom is still alive.”

“…”

“The old me would want to get rid of all the evil and injustice in my way. But things change, making my kind gentle father into a heartless man.“

Tiffany told Taeyeon about her conversation with her father before she was held captive in that cell-like place. Her father wanted to revive the SuperSoldier project in order to reduce the pain of losing Michelle on that night of the mission. He kept telling her how this project would save the lives of the officers that risked themselves in the field to protect civilians. She didn’t agree to accept his motive, she had a very bad feeling about it… human-experimenting project was never something she would support or agree to commit herself into. How many lives would be gone from it? She didn’t even want to know what actually happen in that laboratory. And so, Tiffany finished telling her story to Taeyeon, but then it seemed Taeyeon had something in mind…something that she wanted to ask her but didn’t dare to ask yet.

“Nothing to lose huh?”

“You can say that. I don’t have anything to go back to either…not with my father being so heartless like this.”

“…How did you like me anyway? After all the things I’ve done to you.”

Taeyeon finally threw in that question that seemed to be lingering inside her heart. Obviously that caught Tiffany off guard, as it's a kind of question she never expected to come out from Kim’s lips at all. But it wouldn’t be surprising that she would be curious about it, she didn’t understand how did Tiffany loved her to begin with and did all these selfless acts for her without asking anything in return, only but to protect her and wished for her safety.

“I wonder the same thing. How did I fall in love with you…”

“Tch, masochist.”

“Hey! Cut it out, you just don’t understand love.”

“How can I understand it? Love is just pointless.”

“Maybe it is, all I know is that it made me stuck with you…and I bet you must be so sick of me right?”

Tiffany was expecting a yes or some sort of agreeing statement from Taeyeon, however, she got that silence and a soft grumble instead. Slowly diverting her eyes to the young thief beside her, she wasn’t even looking at her and diverted her face away from Tiffany to avoid that eye contact.

“…Isn’t as horrible as I thought to be.”

“Huh?”

She sighed again, and stared forward towards that table in front of her with those eyes wandering off somewhere. Her mind seemed to not be with herself and she stared forward calmly while thinking that she’s just mumbling to herself, but not to Hwang.

“Being with you…isn’t as bad.”

Tiffany wasn’t sure she heard the words right or not but she was shocked. She gasped and blushed at the same time. She believed that she misheard what Taeyeon said but those words kept repeated in her head continuously. It was something that no one would ever expected to come out from Taeyeon…after she had been treating Tiffany like her pleasure toy and a tool for revenge. She stared at Taeyeon from the side and said those calm eyes staring forward as if she wasn’t acting as her usual self. Was this Taeyeon’s real side? Little by little…Tiffany slowly unlocked more doors as she proceeded down to reach the young stubborn girl’s heart.

“T-Taeyeon…?”

The moment she called her, it was like she was out from the trans and snapped back to reality. She didn’t realize what she said and she seemed to be surprised herself. That poker face returned back quickly and that coldblooded character returned again. It really did look like she had multiple personalities…but Tiffany could tell that it was from one single person, every side that Taeyeon showed…it's a part of Taeyeon’s character.

“I’m glad that you’re not annoyed about me, I thought you did. ”

“…”

“You asked, how can I still have feelings for you after everything you did right?”

“…”

“Now I have my answer to you.”

Gently, Tiffany grabbed for Taeyeon’s hand and held it gently with care and love. Her actions did made the thief surprised and stunned, but at the same time she was waiting for an answer from the officer. She didn’t want to interrupt right now since this was the question she wished for an answer.

“Weirdly, being with you makes me feel so calm, peaceful, and happy. It feels like I can be myself all the time without holding back….and I know for one thing.”

“What?”

The raven-haired took the younger girl’s hand and kissed her hand gently with utmost love. It immediately caught Taeyeon’s attention to her immediately. The arrogant mouse stared at Tiffany without blinking; she was still shocked with how much the officer gave her feelings to her. Without any conditions at all…Tiffany gave everything to her, body, heart, and soul. The more that Taeyeon witnessed this pure feeling…the more she felt lost and shocked.

“Your kindness can be so rough and cold…but it always protected me. By the time I realize again…I fell in love with you already.”

“…”

“Thank you, for always taking care and protect me.”

“Tch, shut up and stop blabbering all the stupid craps.”

“It might be a stupid crap to you, but it’s not to me.”

Taeyeon just felt more annoyed after Tiffany stayed persisted with how she was a kindhearted person. She sighed with a grumble that she high likely couldn’t convince Tiffany after she had decided what to believe. Just as much as Tiffany learned about Taeyeon by being with her…unconsciously Taeyeon did learned something from the officer through time as well. However, that was when Tiffany decided to throw this big question with the thief…and hoped to hear the answer from her.

“What do you think of me?”

“W-What?”

“Answer me, what am I to you?”

Taeyeon was completely caught off guard and her voice stuttered slightly. She had a short eye contact with Tiffany for a short while before she avoided it. That was when she still remembered that the officer was still holding her hand, and she pulled it back. The moment they seemed to reach each other, the bridge seemed to break off and Taeyeon just closed the door that prevented Tiffany from reaching her.

“…All for revenge, you're my essential tool.”

“You’re not answering my question. I want to know…do you hate me?”

“…”

“Taeyeon, answer me.”

Tiffany demanded her, and as the deal settled, she had to listen to what the officer asked her to do. It seemed Taeyeon started to dislike this deal she offered to Hwang. The arrogant girl stared with anger and sighed once again with annoyance, Tiffany only stared at her while waiting for an answer.

“…I despise you. You’re just a toy to me, nothing else.”

She had a solid call on what is Tiffany to her, and only silence was between the two. The arrogant mouse believed to see that sadness in those eyes when she caught a glance of her, however, she saw that vague smile across her face. She didn’t understand what was behind that smile. Then she heard a soft sigh from Tiffany before she looked down onto her hands that did held Taeyeon’s hand.

“…I’m glad.”

“Huh? What?”

“It means, if anything happens to me…I won’t be a burden to you in any kind of way. I guess its good at times to just be partners of benefit, is it?”

“…I told you I hate you, and you’re glad with it, this doesn’t make sense.”

“Truth is something that can’t be avoided and I rather hear it than to be deceived by lies. Thank you, it made me felt relieved.”

However, Taeyeon was just mad. In a normal case, she would be satisfied with how things went right now. With how Tiffany was madly in love with her and was happy to know that Taeyeon hated her. Despite all these things went according to her way and plan, she felt her heart sank for some reason. She was annoyed, frustrated, and wounded. She couldn’t understand why she was having these complicated feelings towards Tiffany, but hearing her reason that Tiffany was glad to know that Taeyeon despised her just made her more worried than usual. It made her felt that Tiffany would be doing something ridiculous as if she had nothing to lose…and with the intensity of the situation right now, anyone could die if anything went wrong. What if something happened to her? Now that Taeyeon had put some thought into it…. her mind just went blank and clueless what to do.

“…You’re just purely annoying.”

Taeyeon pushed Tiffany down onto the bed and pinned her down while she stared at her with those ferocious eyes. She was mad, frustrated, and annoyed. However, Tiffany only stared back with those calm gentle eyes. She still had that tenderness and kindness that she had for Taeyeon. The more Taeyeon saw this the more she was annoyed.

“I hate your persistence. I hate your eyes.”

“…Do hate it. I don’t want to have value to you.”

“You’re insane…you’re too insane.”

“Because I have nothing to lose, Taeyeon.”

“…”

Taeyeon was stunned and bit her lips. Suddenly, Tiffany her cheeks with her hands before she pulled her down to kiss her temple. Wrapping her arms around Taeyeon tightly and embraced her tightly to her heart…she smiled with relief and happiness. To make felt happy was not only about having Taeyeon returning her feelings…but it was to have chance to protect her. She wanted to end all of these revengeful feelings that Taeyeon harbored. She seemed to have plans in mind, and didn’t have any intention to tell anyone about it either.

“The fact that I love you is the truth.”

“I’m not asking—”

“Taeyeon, I love you.”

“…”

The silence between the two of them remained and Taeyeon didn’t resist the hug at all. Only allowing herself to sink into that warmth that was given to her, she closed her eyes and rested on her body. She didn’t have the reason to not resist to it…or maybe she didn’t put a thought on it at all. She just let herself go with the flow that was leaded by Tiffany. Even though the officer had said that Taeyeon was always bluntly honest despite how rude she was, this time the young thief wasn’t so sure she was telling the truth…or a lie.
 

-

Later through out the day in the late afternoon, Yongsun had to pick up some pills from Seohyun and so she invited both Taeyeon and Tiffany to come along as well. Yoona had a list of things that she wanted them to pick up as well as Taeyeon needed to get her usual pills for her concussion. So they headed out together with Moonbyul leading the group’s way. The young puppy girl was always cheerful and played around with the coldblooded mouse for the whole walk while the two ladies were behind them. It was like a moment of miracle in a way that all of the four of them came together and walking peacefully like this. That was when Tiffany had a chance to get to know about Yongsun a little more… who was another victim for the human-experiment project, the SuperSoldier project. Both did had a talk and Yongsun eventually knew that Tiffany’s father was the man responsibled for Kim’s massacre as well as reviving the SuperSoldier project after Moonbyul demolished everything 11 years ago.

“It must be hard on you to have these things happen…especially led by your father.”

“…Yeah, and how weird that fate brought me to meet you Taeyeon and everyone.”

“It’s funny isn’t? Life can be so cruel…as much as it can be a gift.”

Tiffany could see Yongsun was looking towards the younger puppy. She smiled with that beautiful eyes hinted with such tender and loving feeling she had for Moonbyul. As the officer watched her, she eventually realized what did Yongsun meant by life could be gifted…for Kim Yongsun, it was because she was able to be with the one she cared the most. That was when the officer turned to look at Taeyeon from behind, after all these horrible things that happened…she was more than grateful that she met with Taeyeon. She didn’t regret any of those moments at all. Maybe Tiffany was granted a priceless gift to her life after all…

“…Yeah, life is certainly gifted.”

Both ladies enjoyed their time chitchatting while they walked along the path to the pharmacy. It didn’t take that long for them to arrive and it was quite a surprise to see a group of guest coming…she couldn’t hold back her shocking expression when she saw Moonbyul and Yongsun together once again. Also, there was this girl that she didn’t know came along as well, and she looked quite similar to Yongsun in a way.

“Whoa?? Such a huge group of visitor today!”

“It’s been a while Seohyun. I came to get the usual pills.”

“My usual pills as well.”

Taeyeon added and the pharmacist went to prepare it after she took Yoona’s list of medications as well. All the four ladies kept with the chitchatting inside the shop while Seohyun quietly eavesdropped on their talk. It was usually both Taeyeon and Moonbyul being loud as usual…but livelier than usual, which nostalgically brought back memories of the old times when she used to be with everyone at the dark alley.

“Will you stop bothering me already!?” Taeyeon yelled as she pushed Moonbyul away, but failed in vain.

“No~ I miss you so much Taengoo!” Moonbyul tried to cling onto her all the time but the annoyed mouse would always push her away.

“Yongsun can you take her away from me??”

“Aw~ But aren’t you two cute? Don’t you agree, Tiffany shi?”

Yongsun turned to Tiffany and she was giggling while watching the whole childish fighting scene between a mouse and a puppy. She nodded firmly as she couldn’t help but to agree with Yongsun about how cute they were.

“Hehe, yeah.”

“Yah! Shut up you…!”

Taeyeon glared and pointed her finger at the officer, and never uttered that name out at all. Not even once. She never uttered Tiffany’s name before ever since they were technically living together. However, it didn’t matter to Hwang at all because they were partners for benefit after all.

“Go away Byul! Go to Yongsun!”

“But I miss you! Aren’t you worried about me?”

“Ugh! Shut up!!”

Seohyun glanced at all the four of them and could only remember the old days she was and back then it was BoA, Yuri, Yongsun, and Yoona. Just the four of them at first and the family slowly grew bigger and the new generations had taken care of the family while the older ones slowly quit their criminal life. She could tell Taeyeon seemed to be different from before…she became softer than before and she showed much more of her emotions on her face. Also, she couldn’t help but to be curious with this lady that was with them…she was certain she didn’t know whom she was, but if she recalled properly she saw her in the officer outfit before…

“Your name is Tiffany is it, unnie?”

“Ah? Yes?”

It caught Tiffany’s attention before Seohyun approached the group with the bag with all the pills that the group needed. But then she couldn’t let her curiosity dropped down yet. How could an officer be in the enemy’s group like this as if they were friends? Something was odd, and Seohyun needed clarification. She went straight to the point without hesitation. Despite she left the group, she was still concern of her family.

“Aren’t you an officer?”

“…Yes, I am.”

“How and why are you here?”

“Too long to explain.”

Taeyeon cut it short and didn’t wish to explain further. However she clarified with Seohyun that Tiffany was not a threat to everyone, if she did anything rash to bring risk to anyone of us, she would end her life with her own hands. However the fact that Taeyeon was serious about killing wasn’t a big deal to her…but it was the matter that Taeyeon did have trust on her on regards that she wasn’t a threat. It wasn’t as surprising for Tiffany and Moonbyul after she knew about Tiffany’s origin, and Yongsun already knew about how the officer was just a tool for Taeyeon’s revenge. However, in that intense atmosphere, Moonbyul just suddenly broke the whole tension with her insanely innocent reply.

“She’s Taeyeon’s princess! It was so fun breaking into enemy’s base for her!”

“Will you shut up for once Moonbyul!?”

“Oh? Tell me about it your adventure then~”

Seohyun had that innocent smile across her face as she asked Moonbyul for all the details instead. If Taeyeon couldn’t be bothered to tell her anything, this innocent puppy girl should be able to tell everything she needed to know. She did made a right call and she had a chance to listen to the whole epic journey that the mouse and puppy done to rescue the princess from her evil father. It was just like the story came out from some anime and it just made everyone stunned with surprise. As Tiffany finally hear the story from Taeyeon’s side, she couldn’t believe what did both young girls do to rescue her. The mouse could just face-palmed herself while she let this whole fantasy rescue plan run wild.

-

“Oh wow, that’s one heck of a plan…you really outdone yourself Taeyeon unnie.”

“Ugh…you don’t have to remind me of that.”

Taeyeon just sighed and Tiffany was standing behind her with Yongsun while fidgeting her fingers. Yongsun could see the officer blushing slightly and looked down onto the floor. She could tell from her reactions how did Tiffany felt towards Taeyeon. It was more than enough for her and no questions were needed. So pretty much the business was done at the pharmacy but they had some short talk with all the young girls from her family. At least Seohyun wasn’t asking anything further from Tiffany anymore, but she pushed on a topic that seemed to have a huge impact on both Taeyeon and Tiffany…

“Are you not done with this revengeful thoughts? Taeyeon unnie, this is enough, it’s been 20 years! How long are you going to keep this cycle of death and revenge on??”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Yes its not, but too bad I still care you like my family.”

“…”

“Stop this stupid revenge. Don’t you have your sister? Isn’t she alive out there right now? Instead of revenging…go to your sister and live happily with her.”

“You know I can’t, not after all the things I’ve done so far. It’s too late.”

“Unnie, its never too late. I believe everyone in the family is willingly to fight by your side to overcome this—”

“Enough Seohyun. This is my problem, my business, and mine alone.”

Despite Seohyun tried to lecture and teach Taeyeon to stop the revenge, the stubborn mouse couldn’t bother to listen to her. After Tiffany listened to this debate going on back and forth, the more it pained her heart. She understood where both Taeyeon and Seohyun were coming from, but at the same time she sided with the older pharmacist. Revenge wasn’t an answer to Taeyeon’s pain relief, it would just bring her more pain…Tiffany wanted Taeyeon to stop this revengeful cycle she’s going to continue after her father had started. Both Yongsun and Moonbyul just remained in silence without uttering anything, they sure had their own opinions regards this but they decided to not mention it.

“Oh well, glad to see you chumps again. Take care and see you later.”

“…Thanks anyways Seohyun.”

Taeyeon nodded softly before the group of ladies decided to head back to the dark alley. They were walking out from the pharmacy for a short while until Tiffany suddenly felt a little pull from Yongsun before she moved her head over to whisper against her ears. That made the officer’s eye grew wide with surprise, she wasn’t expecting this and she diverted her eyes to stare at the Yongsun cautiously. Only that soft smile appeared across her face before she went up to Moonbyul’s side. She wrapped her arms around the young girl’s waist and rested her chin on Moonbyul’s shoulder. That sudden approach from Yongsun just made Moonbyul’s heart skipped a beat and her face blushed slightly. Her soft sedating voice just made her cheeks burned even more.

“Byul, can we have a moment?”

“S-Sure~! Whatever You wanted!”

“Hehe, then do you mind excuse us?”

Yongsun turned to both the mouse and the officer with that calm smile and for certain that Moonbyul would agree with her. Taeyeon just shrugged it off and was fine with what both Moonbyul and Yongsun wanted to do. The two went away for their private time but before that Yongsun turned to Tiffany and gave that smile to her. She seemed to know that Yongsun was doing this intentionally to separate out from the two of them. It just reminded her what Yongsun whispered into her ears before she went off with Moonbyul.
 

Yongsun: …You could only reach her, please.

Both of them were standing there without any clue of where should they go. However, that was more than enough time for Tiffany to decide what she should do with Taeyeon in their private moments. She spoke up and it caught Taeyeon’s attention immediately.

“Can we go to the park? That same park we went before…”

“It’s not that far away, fine then, better than going back to home right now.”

“…Thanks.”

Without further ado, Taeyeon leaded the way since Tiffany wasn’t familiar with the road around here and didn’t know the way to the park she wanted. However, despite they were able to have their time together, there were no words uttered while they were travelling to their destination. Tiffany had been putting a lot of thoughts of what to do after they arrive at that park and wondered what she should say to the arrogant stubborn girl. Taeyeon didn’t even bother to listen to a respectful woman like Seohyun at all…but not only just Yoona, but also Yongsun seemed to have some faith in her as well. Despite the pink-haired woman just met her…she seemed to be a very clever to realize the slight changes in Taeyeon, which was caused by Tiffany’s influence… it made the officer wondered why these people did have so much faith in her. Tiffany wasn’t even sure of herself that she could reach Taeyeon or not…but there’s no turning back after all the things she had went through. She needed to charge head on and take all the risk…
 

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i am tired