Taeyeon blushed a little, averting Tiffany's eyes as she pushed the bathroom door open. Tiffany mirrored her expression, shyly clearing as she moved aside to let Taeyeon through. 

"Go-Good morning," Tiffany whispered. Taeyeon looked at her and clasped her lips into a tight line.

"Give me some time," Tiffany's smile flickered at Taeyeon's words. Wordlessly, she nodded and breeze away, leaving Taeyeon to quietly retreat to her bedroom again. 

"Taeyeon- ssi," Tiffany whispered as she knelt before Taeyeon, "Please don't cry." 

Taeyeon whipped her head up in surprise.

"You're here?"

"I didn't leave. I was worried about you," Tiffany admitted and confusion contorted Tiffany's features when she saw fresh tears streaming down Taeyeon's face.

"I'm sorry," Tiffany reached out and Taeyeon scrambled back, keeping herself at an arm's length away from Tiffany, "Give me some time. Can we talk tomorrow?"

Tiffany nodded, lingering for a few extra minutes with Taeyeon under her watchful gaze. She was about to maneuver out of the door when Taeyeon's strangled voice broke the silence of the room. 

"Wait," Taeyeon didn't look at her, "Stay. Don't go."

Tiffany kept her distance that night while Taeyeon hurried around the apartment before washing up. She crouched at the corner of the room hugging her knees that night and watched Taeyeon succumbed to a slumber. Ensuring that Taeyeon had fallen asleep, Tiffany snuck closer and snuggled against her warmth; carefully wrapping her arms around the vulnerable brunette as she closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.

Taeyeon sighed, twirling the pen between her fingers as she stared blankly at the ceiling. She definitely couldn't get any work done if she doesn't solve the problems that were bothering her. Was it her habit of running away surfacing? Or is this her subconscious escaping the problems again? She blushed; her vulnerability was something she has never shown anyone before. It was new for Taeyeon- to find comfort in another and learning to lean on Tiffany.

"You can come out now," Taeyeon finally decided and almost immediately, she regretted it when Tiffany stood with a sheepish smile before her. 

"So," Taeyeon said anyway, "We need to have an agreement."

"Before that," Tiffany interrupted, shooting her hand upright, startling Taeyeon, "I want to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"I'm sorry," Tiffany fiddled with the hem of her white shirt, "I'm sorry that I didn't keep my initial promise of giving you space. I ended up suffocating you and unknowingly invading your space because.... because it was nice to finally have somebody to talk to."

"I know," Taeyeon bit her tongue, "I want to apologize too. This is your house, and I shouldn't make you feel uncomfortable staying here."

"I'm dead, so it shouldn't matter." 

"Don't speak that way," Taeyeon chided and Tiffany averted her eyes to the floor instead.

"What I really wanted to say was, we have to live properly and to the best we could for the remaining months."

"I can agree to that."

"I have issues- personal ones," Taeyeon realized it was as hard to admit that as to someone pointing it out. "But we are the same. We need comfort and someone to open up to. Let's try to understand each other better."

"I can do that. Can I say something too?"

"Sure."

"I want us to be honest," Tiffany stated, "If you need time alone, if you're upset about something, if I did anything that makes you unhappy- I want you to be honest. We need to learn to converse and live truthfully so that we can be comfortable."

"Okay," Taeyeon agreed and felt a weight off her shoulders. She was feeling lighter already- it was definitely worth it to face a problem heads on and not run away for once. It was odd how she found comfort in that mesmerizing smile, brown eyes and trembling hands. 

"What are you doing?" Tiffany stood awkwardly before her and Taeyeon dropped her gaze to the hand in front of her. 

"Uh, handshake?"

"Really? I thought you already did something more than that last night?"

"Wait, what? " Tiffany flushed crimson, "You were awake? I thought- no, no, I meant sorry! I just wanted to comfort you and-"

Taeyeon chuckled and waved her hand nonchalantly despite the faint glow of pink on her cheeks.

"It's fine. So handshake?"

Taeyeon bit her lips and stretched her hand out. Tiffany blinked, a smile donning her features and jut out her pinky instead. 

"Let's do a pinky promise instead because handshakes are too formal. Even if you can't feel it."

Taeyeon shook her head and muttered about being 25. Tiffany laughed as Taeyeon clenched her fist- her pinky hooked against the translucent figure. 

"Promise," Tiffany proudly announced and Taeyeon smiled. 

"I'm thankful."