“Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes. But it's the only thing that I know... can make us feel alive.” - Ed Sheeran 

OC- Min Yuki

Sigh.

Taehyung sighed deeply for the nth time this morning, and it was really starting to bother Jimin.

It was a sunny Saturday morning at the store and Jimin was busily stacking some canned goods on aisle six, which gave him a good view of Taehyung who was currently manning the cash register. He frowned when he noticed how Taehyung just sat there in front of the cashier; fingers idly tapping the buttons of the machine. It was so unlike him to just sit there, considering Taehyung was a hyperactive one, and would usually be up and running about in the store; getting his hands on anything and everything he could help out with.

"Here are some more boxes. Deliveries just came in." Jimin ignored Hoseok as he dropped the box by his feet, before standing up straight and rolling his shoulders. Noticing Jimin's silence, Hoseok looked over at him then followed his gaze. His eyes settled on Taehyung by the cashier, looking out the store's display window.

"What are you looking at Jimin?"

Jimin jumped slightly, not noticing Hoseok's presence till then. He crossed his arms and answered, "Did you notice something different about Taehyung?"

"Um…” he wondered, seeing that Taehyung still had orange hair and was wearing the same old store uniform. “Well he’s kinda quiet, I guess? But maybe he's just tired. Heard he's got that job—"

"No... this is different." Jimin insisted. "He's too quiet and I could practically hear his brain working from here."

"O—kay..." Hoseok shrugged as he switched his gaze to the subject at hand once again. Taehyung was now playing with the candy jar; picking them up with a sigh before returning them into the jar once again. It went on for several times before Taehyung finally gave up on it and moved to fix some boxes of mint which he thought didn’t need fixing in the first place.

Hoseok turned to Jimin and clapped him on the shoulder. "Well as much as I would love to analyze our friend over there and figure out what's wrong, I have some deliveries to sort. And so do you." He pointed out. "So just ask Taehyung what's wrong already then get back to work."

"How could you—our friend is in distress! You heartless—"

"My wallet is in more distress and we all need to earn a living, Jimin." Hoseok rolled his eyes before motioning his head towards Taehyung. "Maybe he's just bored."

"Bored? This is Kim Taehyung we're talking about."

“Yeah, but we're humans and we get bored sometimes. No matter how hyper we can be." Hoseok pointed out before grabbing the empty box by Jimin's feet. "Just ask him if it bothers you so much."

Jimin glared at the older slightly, annoyed that he was right, before making his way to the cashier.

"Hey Tae."

Taehyung didn't answer and Jimin grew more worried. He reached out and snapped his fingers in front of him, causing the orange-haired boy to jump in surprise.

"What?" Taehyung looked at him in a daze but it only took a couple of seconds for recognition to dawn on his features. "Oh. Hey, Jiminie." He smiled.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

"Never better." He shrugged, his smile widening.

"You sure?"

"Why'd you ask?"

"Because you've been staring out the window for like... well for like a long time like you're in some kind of Adele music video and you've been really quiet." Jimin stated in rush and Taehyung felt his cheeks flush at his words. He honestly didn't even notice he was spacing out. "You're a little out of it, I could tell. Are you sick?"

Taehyung shook his head. "No...no. Just... thinking."

"Thinking?" Jimin scrunched his nose. "About?"

"Why do you wanna know?"

Jimin looked offended by his answer. "Because we're bro's? We share everything? You, me, bff's for life?" He squinted his eyes. "Or am I just nothing to you?"

Taehyung chuckled before reaching out and ruffling his hair. "You're so cute Jiminie."

Jimin had been his best friend since they were in kindergarten. They've been inseparable since; growing up and experiencing everything together. Jimin was there when he got his first ear piercing as Taehyung was there for him when he took his first driver's test. They basically grew up attached to the hip and that’s why Jimin could tell when there was something bothering his best friend.

"And you're weird."

Taehyung frowned at the term. "Am I really?"

Jimin paused, sensing the wariness in his friend's tone. "Well, not in a bad way. You're just quirky, I guess?" He held his shoulder assuringly. "And that's okay! Everybody loves you for it!"

"Oh. Okay..."

"Is something bothering you?"

Taehyung bit his lip before answering. "I...I'm okay."

"You don't sound so sure—"

"I'm just thinking. There's this girl—" he stopped when Jimin suddenly gasped like the air was right out of him. "What?!"

"Kim Taehyung. Is having. Girl problems." Jimin closed his eyes then opened his arms wide in a flourish. "Someone hold me, it's finally happening."

"Wow thanks, Jimin." Taehyung scoffed as he threw a piece of candy his way, hitting Jimin square in the chest. "You're a true friend."

"I'm kidding!" Jimin chortled as he half sat on the counter. "I got excited, okay? This is like the first time. Okay, shoot. I have fifteen minutes before Hoseok scolds me for taking too long on this self-proclaimed break, so spill."

Taehyung smiled bashfully, feeling his cheeks heat up just by the thought of Yuki. "So you know how I'm taking care of this girl—"

"Yuki, right?" Jimin asked and Taehyung nodded.

"Awww, that's cute!" Jimin grinned, his eyes turning into slits. "It's like another Cinderella story. Except you're not as pretty as Cinderella—“ Jimin laughed as a handful of candies hit his chest once again. "Hey! Don't throw food away!"

"Are you helping or insulting me?"

"I was kidding! Jeez! Fine, you're as pretty as Cinderella."

Taehyung rolled his eyes before sighing, "I'm just… I wanna do something for her but I don't know what."

"You mean like for a date?"

Taehyung flushed a deep shade of red. "N—n—not really a date. Maybe... a friendly hang-out?"

Jimin scoffed, "That is a date, Einstein."

Taehyung whined, burying his face in his hands and Jimin is beginning to think that his friend seriously likes this girl. Like for "reals”

"I'm so…aargh!” Taehyung growled in frustration and Jimin looked at him in pity. He has never seen him like this before. "I don't know what to do!"

"Hey hey...chill bro.” Jimin rubbed his back assuringly. "I'm here, okay? And I'll help you through this. Every. Step. Of. The. Way."

"Really?"

"Yeah! I'm gonna help you make Yuki fall in love with you!"

"Jimin, shh—"

"Operation make Yuki love Tae is a go!" Jimin shouted and Taehyung wished he could bury himself in the deepest trench in the world because an old lady just passed by and gave them a weird look.

So much for being normal, he thought.

~~~

"Good morning!"

Yuki jumped slightly, turning her chair around then relaxing upon seeing a familiar flop of orange hair entering her room in a cute knitted sweater.

"Good morning, Tae." She said as she smiled wider when she saw a cute little happy face emoticon design knitted on his right pocket.

Taehyung smiled back as he removed his scarf and Yuki had to avert her gaze because his grin was blinding. He looked at her with kind eyes and she couldn't help the blush rising in her cheeks upon remembering how he looked at her the same way back at the house when they were sitting by the grand piano.

"What's on our agenda today?" Taehyung asked as he approached, then leant casually on the desk beside her.

"The usual?" She said flatly, though she couldn't help but smile at how he addressed it as 'our agenda'. "Watch movies? Read?"

"Do you want to know what I think we should do today?" Taehyung asked playfully as he sat by the edge of her bed so he could level his gaze with hers.

Yuki smirked, "I'm not sure if I want to know."

"Oh come on." Taehyung grinned, his body practically shaking with excitement. "I have great ideas!"

"Your last one involved going down the hill...with you on roller skates and me on this wheelchair." She rolled her eyes. Taehyung pouted and Yuki bit her lip to keep from chuckling. He was being too cute for his own good.

“Okay, maybe my ideas are a bit extreme at times—"

"A bit?"

"Okay a lot. But this time, I swear! It's a really good one."

Yuki looked at him and sighed, already convinced. She was unsure as to why it was so easy to give in to him when her own brother Yoongi could barely convince her to go out the garden for tea.

"What do you have in mind?"

~~~

Taehyung drove them to the city, stopping by a small shop at an unfamiliar street. It was quite secluded with only a few coffee shops and retail stores lining the curb, with a few people walking on the side street. As Yuki stared out the window, she felt anxious at how they were out in the open like this. There was a reason why she never left the house...

She didn't like being seen in her state.

"Taehyung I think we—" she stopped when Taehyung suddenly opened her side door with the brightest smile ever and she found the words dying on her lips.

"Come on!” Taehyung said as Adella made her way down the van to set up her wheel chair. Yuki looked at it warily but was distracted instantly by Taehyung’s genuine excitement. "There’s someone I want you to meet!"

~~~

Yuki was wheeled into a store and the first thing she noticed was the smell.

This was definitely a pet store, she thought as she saw shelves of animal necessities like food, toys, and other play things like a cute sofa bed for puppies and cat castles. She let her eyes wander to the cashier where there was a glass box containing a Guinea pig, and right beside it was a cage where a blue parrot was perched on a wooden stick.

"Hyung!"

Yuki looked up and saw a boy in a white tee, probably around Taehyung's age, bounding up to him and giving him a big hug. Taehyung chuckled then let go to ruffle the boy's hair affectionately.

"Yuki,” He then looked at her as he placed an arm around the boy. "This is my friend Jungkook. He owns the place."

Jungkook smiled at her and Yuki noticed how much he resembled a bunny with his cute overbite. "Hi," he waved shly. "Jeon Jungkook. It's nice to meet you."

"You too."

"So? Are they ready?" Taehyung asked excitedly.

"Who's ready?" Yuki asked curiously but Taehyung only glanced at her with a mischievous grin.

"They'd been waiting for you guys." Jungkook smiled before motioning them towards the back door. "This way."

~~~

Yuki couldn't get the smile off her face the moment she entered the room. A dozen dogs came bounding towards her, and nuzzling against her feet. She laughed as one dog leant forward on her chair, tongue out and eyes sparkling. Yuki had never wished so hard for her arms to be able to move so she could pet them.  

A giggle filled the air resounding like bells, and when she looked up, she saw Taehyung kneeling on the ground with dogs practically trying to suffocate him. The initial feeling was envy, considering Taehyung's body could fully function and he could touch, pet, and play with the dogs all he wanted.

But then he smiled...

And Yuki would rather sit on her chair and watch him all day with that beautiful smile on his face. It was oddly satisfying.

"Surprise!" Taehyung cheered then laughed as a Golden Retriever lunged at him, causing him to fall on his . Yuki laughed as he did, and she felt a warmth spreading in her chest that made it almost hard to breathe.

Taehyung stood up and walked towards her. "Well come on, I want you to meet everyone." Yuki smiled as she let Taehyung wheel her to the middle of the room. She hated having people do that for her (with the exception of Adella) considering she has always been independent and the chair was motor controlled so she could handle wheeling herself, thank you very much.

But she never seemed to mind when Taehyung did it. There's something nice in the way she would feel him behind her; his voice wafting though the air as he spoke about his favourite books, and even some fun memories with his family and friends. Some were nonsensical—yet wonderful things and each day she would learn something from him and in turn she found herself giving pieces of herself to him little by little. Little things from her favourite type of flowers to why she had a slight obsession with handwritten notes.

“They’re more…” she tried to explain while Taehyung answered for her:

“Romantic?”

“Sincere.” She corrected and Taehyung gave her a grin, as if prodding her to admit it. “Okay, fine it’s much more romantic too."

Each day, she got to know him more and discovered that Taehyung was a literal ball of sunshine. She liked the way he was always a tad bit more cheerful than most people she had ever met.

"Okay so here's Andy, and Cody, and NiNi—" Taehyung went on listing the names of the dogs as he pointed at each of them but Yuki was barely paying attention for she was too distracted with him and how he said each name with much love and adoration. Yuki felt petty for actually feeling jealous of a dog—

The moment the realization hit, she choked on her own spit and coughed.

"Hey… hey, you okay?" Taehyung asked worriedly then asked Adella to get some water. He rubbed her back gently and Yuki tried her hardest to avoid his gaze because she couldn't help the blush rising in her cheeks.

"Fine," she said before letting Adella help her with the water. “… Just swallowed something."

"You're not allergic to dogs are you?"

"What? No...no! I love dogs. I… my family actually, we used to have a Labrador."

"Oh?" Taehyung grinned. "I don't think I've ever seen—"

"Hunter," she said and there was a nostalgic tone in her voice. "He already passed when I was ten. He was my dad's dog... So it was old age, you know?"

"Oh..." Taehyung frowned. "I'm sorry."

"He died with people loving him." She said with a small smile. "So his death wasn't really a sad one. I mean yes we're sad he's gone but he didn't get sick or anything... he got old and passed peacefully in his sleep. I remembered, he said goodbye to me. It was a day before and I was practicing the piano," she swallowed, suddenly feeling a lump in from the memory.

"... And Hunter just came up to me and sat by my feet, listening to me practice. I don't know, I guess I just felt..." She paused when she felt something soft against her cheek. Yuki looked up and saw Taehyung looking at her in concern as he wiped her tear with his thumb. She didn't even notice she was crying. "Sorry."

"Don't be. It was a sad memory. You're allowed to cry."

Yuki chuckled slightly while sniffing. "Most people find crying a weakness. I'm such a baby, sorry."

"I beg to differ." Taehyung said thoughtfully. "Crying shows vulnerability. And not everyone could be vulnerable in front of people. It takes courage, Yuki." He smiled at her. "So don't ever be sorry for crying. It only means you're brave enough to be honest with yourself which most people can't even do."

Yuki looked at him, wondering how on earth he could say things like that. Things that could make her pause and just think... Really think while her heart beats rapidly in her chest. Taehyung came into her life like a hurricane: unexpected and bringing chaos into her quiet and lonely world...

But now she realized, he came more like a rainbow: brightening every corner and crevice of her life after the storm.

"Here she is."

They both looked up as Jungkook came inside, holding a black and white fluffy dog on a leash. By the way Taehyung practically beamed and jumped in excitement, Yuki knew this one was special.

"Yuki, this is Ellie! She's a Border Collie."

Yuki looked down to smile at the dog, only to frown slightly when she noticed something weird about the way she walked...

Her eyebrows furrowed when she discovered that one of the dog's hind legs was missing and she was limping as she walked towards them with her tail wagging excitedly.

Taehyung, however, welcomed the dog in his arms; hugging and rubbing behind its ears. He was so engrossed with playing with Ellie it was like he forgot about the world and it was just him and the dog.

Yuki would be lying if she said she didn't feel just a tad jealous.

"Taehyung found her." Yuki glanced to her right when she heard Jungkook's voice beside her. "She was roaming the outskirts of the city alone with an injured leg. Taehyung brought her here to be cured but the infection had already spread and we had no choice but to cut it off. The disease would've spread even more if we didn’t. It was lucky Taehyung got to her on time."

Yuki watched as the dog fetched one of the balls, running fast despite her disability. Taehyung clapped happily and praised the dog when it retrieved the toy. "So… it's his dog?"

Jungkook smiled as they both stared at Taehyung who was completely enamoured by Ellie. "Not exactly. Ellie lives here even though I often tell him to take her home already. But hyung wouldn't do it. Says he couldn't afford to take care of her." Jungkook glanced at her. "I love having Ellie around. She's a smart dog and helps me around a lot. But it's different if she had a family to call her own. And she's only ever so happy when Taehyung comes to visit."

Yuki frowned, seeing how much Taehyung completely adored the dog and how much it made him smile. A light bulb suddenly lit up in her head though she wasn’t really sure why she would consider it in the first place...

“Say Jungkook, can I ask you a favor?"

~~~

Taehyung woke up feeling extremely energized Monday morning. He wasn't sure what made it so, but he was feeling really good from the moment he got out of bed to the time he prepared packed lunches for his younger siblings. Usually his father did that, but Taehyung was feeling hyperactive and needed something to vent it all out or else he just might burst into song and dance.

An hour and a half later, he was already on his bicycle riding towards the mansion. The weather was getting colder as the quiet Autumn approached and Taehyung couldn't be happier considering it was his favorite season. He watched as the trees danced with the wind; its leaves already turning into shades of brown and orange.

Soon, the mansion came into view and Taehyung waved at the security guard by the gate to let him in. He rode towards the lodge at the back, now feeling a little anxious.

Ever since that day he played the piano for Yuki, everyday has been a struggle. For his heart, specifically; considering how it would burst into rapid beats by merely looking at her. He liked her so much he could hardly get himself together…so much his palms would sweat and his breathing would turn shallow, like he was panting from a long run, every time they talked.

It was amazing what a single person can do to you. But Taehyung, though terrified, loved the feeling. Every little bit of it.

Parking the bicycle near the shed, he went towards the lodge with a slight skip in his steps. He opened the door to the house and jumped when she was suddenly face to face with Adella.

"Oh! Good morning, Ms. A." Taehyung greeted and the woman smiled at her warmly.

"Good morning, Taehyung. You look chipper today."

"Always am, mam." He grinned and Adella patted his shoulder.

"She's in her room. I'll just have to fetch her breakfast in the kitchen so go on in and keep her company."

"Okay."

"Oh and Taehyung? Careful when you enter the main hall, yeah?" Before Taehyung could ask why, she already left.

He shrugged and continued to the main hall, only to have himself jumping in surprise as something warm and fluffy lunged at him.

"What the—" Taehyung's eyes widened when a familiar set of eyes looked up at him, paws firm on his stomach with its tail wagging furiously.

"Ellie?!" He knelt down grinning as he ruffled the dog's hair, scratching behind its ears. "What are you doing here, girl?"

The Border Collie just barked in response, making Taehyung smile.

"I see you've met my new roommate."

Taehyung looked up just in time to see Yuki wheeling out of her room. She was wearing simple jeans and a gray sweater that's a little bit too big on her, while her long hair (though he preferred it let down) was tied up in a messy bun.

In Taehyung's eyes, she couldn't have looked more beautiful.

"Hey." He said, a little breathless. "What do you mean—"

"Ellie needed a home." Yuki said. "And after meeting her last weekend, it was obvious that she already found a home in you."

Taehyung tilted his head to the side, unsure where she was getting at.

"Look at her tag, Taehyung."

Taehyung knelt down once again and discovered that Ellie had on a nice leather collar. He looked at the silver dog tag and saw Ellie's name embedded on it.

"The other side."

Taehyung turned it over and gasped slightly when he saw his name written on it; signifying his ownership.

"You..." He mumbled, feeling a sting behind his eyes.

"Don't worry. I already handled all the papers.” she smiled and taehyung could barely get his head around the situation; too surprised and… happy. "She’s all yours, Tae.”

Taehyung was about to speak up but she continued, "And even if you don't want to take her home... she can stay here. I'll—I'll take care of her, feed her, anything. My family would gladly welcome her here."

Taehyung couldn't understand the storm of emotions swirling within him and all he could do was stare at Ellie as if by doing so he could sort it out and find the best words to respond with.

But all he did was actually tear up.

"Hey, Tae—“ Yuki said, wanting so badly to hold him.

"I'm sorry," he sniffed before more tears could escape. "What you did… This is—" he took a deep breath. "I don't know how—I shouldn't be crying."

"Hey… it's okay to cry. You said so yourself, right? The same goes with happy tears."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Yuki replied.

"Why did you do this?" He suddenly asked and Yuki was rendered speechless, unsure what to answer.

"Because… she makes you happy, right?" She finally said and Taehyung looked up at her with such gentle eyes that it made her heart skip a beat. "Because it makes you happy."

Taehyung smiled and approached her then, kneeling down in front of her chair. He placed his hand over hers and said, "Thank you." He then kissed her knuckles which made Yuki's heart race. "Thank you, Yuki."

Yuki smiled, watching the happy tears welling in his beautiful eyes and wondered how something so little: like buying a dog from a pound—have made her feel so satisfied.

And happy.

Maybe that's how it is, she thought as she watched Taehyung hold onto Ellie like she was the best thing in the world. When you make the people you love happy.

And at that moment, Yuki realized that she was in trouble of falling in love with her quirky orange-haired friend.

That is… if she wasn't already.

~~~

Yoongi woke up and made his way to the lodge, wanting to take his younger sister out to the garden for some breakfast.

He knew Yuki hated it but he never stopped trying to get her out of that damn room to get some sunlight in her. And today, he was feeling persistent and he was going to force her to eat out even if it means he had to pout his way through it. An embarrassing thing to do on his side, but Yuki always gives in to his ‘pouts’; said he looked weird and she would do anything to make him stop.

"Yuki?" He called the moment he entered the lodge but was met with no response. The place was quiet which was odd considering he would always hear either the hum of her television in her room or the coffee maker as Adella would always brew some in the morning.

Yoongi went to her room and knocked once on the door.

No response.

"Yuki—?" He turned the knob and pushed the door open, only to find the room empty with her bed already made.

"Where in the—" before he could panic, the sound of laughter reached his ears. He turned to his right and walked towards the window, before pulling the curtains aside.

What he saw surprised him.

Out in the garden was Yuki and Adella, sitting down with what looked like breakfast on the table. Then a bark sounded and Yoongi switched his eyes toward the left just in time to see Taehyung running—being chased by a black and white dog. The dog had three legs and was limping but looked healthy and playful nonetheless.

Another laugh sounded and Yoongi smiled upon discovering that it came from Yuki. He crossed his arms and sighed, watching them from the inside and thinking how it's been so long since he had heard Yuki laugh.

A real laugh.

Taehyung walked towards the table and trudged a whole glass of orange juice, making Yuki smile even more (if that was even possible).

"Well what do you know." He chuckled slightly before turning away, feeling comforted that for once, his sister didn't look so gloomy…

In fact, she looked very happy.

She looked alive.

~~~

Taehyung was pacing the main hall late at night, talking on the phone with Jimin in a hushed tone.

"Just go and ask her out, Tae Tae! It's not that hard!" Jimin said on the other end while Taehyung looked at the door to Yuki's bedroom, trying to keep his voice down for he knew she was already resting.

"You try and be in my shoes, Jimin!” he hissed. "Mr. It’s-not-that-hard! I could barely look her in the eye!"

"Just tell her this: Hey Yuki, I'd like to take you out to dinner. See? Simple! What are you so afraid of?!"

"I'm afraid it might come out as: 'Hey Yuki, I love you."

“Oh wow. You got it bad bro..."

"You think?!" He hissed as he ran a hand over his face. "Jiminie~"

"Relax. Everything is going to be fine. What do you have planned by the way?"

"A dinner