Tiffany cracked a smile at the memory of Taeyeon. She didn't even realize she had started crying, hastily wiping her tear stricken cheeks with her sleeves. It has been a week since she saw Taeyeon. She missed her and the lack of her presence churned at the pit of her stomach, revoking all the emotions she had suppressed. The loneliness and the silence returned tenfold, pounding loudly in her ears and threatening to tear her from the inside. 

Tiffany lifted her hand out of the barrier; there was a searing pain that spreads throughout her body and made her nauseous. What happens if she surpasses the barrier? It would be great if she could end this misery, she chuckled bitterly. 

"Tiffany!" 

Taeyeon's voice broke Tiffany out of her reverie. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she welcomed Taeyeon with a smile. Taeyeon broke into a run upon seeing her. She stopped, the realization struck and Taeyeon's arms tangled awkwardly by her side. There was a grimness that hung between them.

"Taeyeon," Tiffany tried her best to put on her brightest smile. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I missed you." 

It surprised her. Tiffany's eyebrows raised high as she stared at Taeyeon who hung her head low. She saw the trembling that started from her shoulders and spread throughout her petite body. 

"What's wrong?"

"I miss you, that's all."

"Talk to me." Tiffany insisted, her voice gentle as she stood before Taeyeon and gently run her hands down the curves of her hair. 

"She knows," Taeyeon's voice quavered, "They know about you and-"

"It's alright," Tiffany understood. It would be a lie to say she wouldn't mind- her heart was shattered but she couldn't blame anyone. If she had to put herself in Juhyun's shoes, she would most probably have thought that Taeyeon was insane. There was an unfairness that she felt- Taeyeon unworthy of such misery that Tiffany had brought and given to her. 

"It's okay," Tiffany whispered, more so to ease the increasingly growing ache in her chest. 

"I'm sorry," Tiffany did not hold back the smile despite her own tears when Taeyeon lifted her head. It was endearing to see Taeyeon so vulnerable; her eyes wide and glossy with tears. 

"It's not your fault, Taeyeon." Taeyeon nodded forlornly instead and Tiffany wrapped her arms around her, hoping to convey her understanding. Tiffany persuaded Taeyeon to go to bed earlier that evening, staying at the foot of her bed. Tiffany listened to the steady breathing that filled the room, hovered closer and knelt to level her gaze with the serene sleeping face.

"Taeyeon," Tiffany whispered, delicately caressing her cheeks, "Is it okay to make you my everything? To think that I died so that I can meet you?"

"I don't want to burden you but it seems like you're the only one who makes me feel better in this despair."

"Tiffany," Taeyeon whispered with her eyes still closed. Her eyes fluttered opened, locking them with Tiffany. With the moonlight illuminating her porcelain skin, her lips curved upwards slightly and her brown eyes bored into Tiffany's; Tiffany let her tears flow freely.

"You're awake?"

"I'm sorry. I was so caught up that I..." Taeyeon reached out to let her thumb gently swipe the tears away from her cheek. Tiffany could almost feel her radiating warmth, pressing against Taeyeon. 

"How are you feeling?"

"It's a bit late for that, Taeyeon," Tiffany managed a chuckle. Tiffany saw the guilt in her eyes.

"Horrible." Tiffany honestly admits, "I don't feel good."

"I'm here now. Thank you for keeping your promise." Taeyeon smiled and Tiffany pulled back to place a gentle kiss on Taeyeon's hand that lingered in the air.

"I really like you," Tiffany breathed carefully, cradling her feelings in her palms like a delicate jewel. Taeyeon shifted so that Tiffany could lie down beside her.

"Your feelings are heavy. It's a burden."

Taeyeon felt the weight of her words- it was haunting her again and her chest clenched at the memories that resurfaced. But wasn't Taeyeon like that too? Without her knowing, she had started to rely on Tiffany. Taeyeon wished she could tell Tiffany how much she had wanted to see her. Taeyeon wished to tell Tiffany that without her, Taeyeon wouldn't have experienced such emotions. Taeyeon wished to bring Tiffany out of a date, hold hands and share an ice-cream like couples do. Taeyeon wished that she could introduce Tiffany to her friends.

There was so much she wished for but Taeyeon knew that Tiffany is a figment of borrowed time. 

"I want to accept them," Taeyeon whispered and she was rewarded with a charming eye smile. Taeyeon had a small smile on her lips as she kept her gaze on Tiffany.

"Tiffany?" Taeyeon could still see the uneasiness behind the gold speckled eyes. 

"Kiss me."

Tiffany's gaze dropped to her lips, drifted back to Taeyeon's eyes again and her lips again. She leaned forward and Taeyeon's eyes fluttered closed. Taeyeon could almost taste it- Tiffany's breath on her lips; it was so soft, so warm. There were remnants of strawberry lipgloss and the faint aroma of coffee that clings on. Taeyeon was greeted with a bashful smile from Tiffany; even in the moonlight, her cheeks radiated crimson. 

"How does it feel?" Tiffany coaxed and pressed her forehead against Taeyeon's, "How does it feel when I kiss you?"

"I like it."

Taeyeon let Tiffany pressed her ear against her chest. Tiffany slipped her fingers between Taeyeon's -the rhythm of Taeyeon's heartbeat quenched her tender heart.