JOON POV:

When I wake, it's to an empty bed. Save for the rumpled sheets and discarded blankets there is no-one else there for company. One glance at the clock tells me that it's not that late. Just past 10. But for Yoongi hyung to already be up, that was a surprise.

After changing and showering, I walk down to find all of them, except for Hobi, Jiminie and Jin hyung, lounging around on the couch.

"Where are the others?" I ask and Yoongi hyung turns from where he's lounging in Kookie's lap, gaze lazy and body loose and relaxed from under the soothing ministrations of Kookie's hands which card through his hair and massage at his scalp.

"Note said they'd be back soon." He drawls out, voice heavy as though he is about to drop off to sleep any moment now.

I join him on the couch, placing hyung's legs on my lap. On the opposite couch is Tae who's scooped (Y/N) onto her lap, bearhugging her from behind, his arms resting around her in a hold that's both loose and firm.

I can see the waves of protectiveness radiating from him, he's still on edge and honestly, I don't blame him. (Y/N) smiles at me from where she sits, lips curling up.

"Morning oppa." She pipes up, voice loud and cheerful. Too cheerful for the time if Yoongi hyung's grumble anything to go by.

"Morning (Y/N)-ah." I pipe up, feeling my own lips tug upwards, naturally responding to the beam of sunshine she's emanating. She's much calmer, much more relaxed than yesterday. Having removed or rather replaced the unwelcoming touches of Choi with our own allowed her to settle, the disgust had bled out of her aura, quickly ebbing away.

After Tae had gently brought her t-shirt back down, her eyes had become drowsy and relaxed- mind and body both letting go of the burden she'd been holding and the pain in her mark fading. It had been quick work of getting ourselves into bed, Kookie and (Y/N) latching onto each other in the centre of the bed before falling asleep. They'd need time to heal, and we would help them.

(Y/N) POV:

When I'd woken up I didn't expect for the bed to be near empty, Tae now occupying the space that Kookie had been sleeping in, eyes wide and alert as he looked down at me, gaze warm as his long fingers came to gently drift and skim over my face, tracing over my skin with a feathery touch.

My hand comes to rest on his chest, flat against the steady strong thumping of his heart. His fingers continue to map and trace my face, gently moving them with a slow intensity, eyes focused as he does so.

There's something worrying him, I can tell from the way there's a storm of emotions in his eyes, the slight stiffness to his body and the way the bond between us is flooded with a barrage of emotions. I want to help him, ease the pain.

"What is it Tae?" I say quietly, looking up to meet his eyes.

I'm afraid he won't open up, that he'll push the pain away inside and let it sit heavy in his heart. I don't want that. Don't want him to try and push it away.

It's several quiet moments later when his breath shudders out, as though it has rattled against his lungs, forced its way out of his throat.

It's a sound that makes my own heart clench.

My eyes are still meeting his, but I don't think I'd be able to look away if I wanted to anyways, there's always been something so hypnotic, so entrancing about them.

But then those same eyes, fill with tears, tears that well up and fall, falling to the side and soaking the pillow. My hand rises from where it rests on his chest, to wipe them away but they continue to fall in quick succession.

"Tae..." is all I get out before he opens his mouth to speak.

"Yesterday was horrible, I feel so, so guilty for seeing my phone later with the missed calls, it hurt so, so much (Y/N) when the bond started screaming in pain. It felt like I couldn't breathe, that I was slowly being burnt alive, that the flames were slowly engulfing my mark...and I was helpless and all I could do was suffer." He gets out between sobs, breaths coming in sharp pants.

"I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost either of you. it felt like my soul was getting torn apart." He breaks down, and I draw him quickly to my chest, allow his tears to soak my t-shirt and dampen my skin, he's hurting. I run my hands through his dark tousled hair, slowly carding through it and slowly massage at his scalp. My fingers come to rest at the nape of his neck, gently massaging at the skin.

The heart-wrenching gasps he let out as he cried tore at me, and as much as I shared in his grief, I needed to be his pillar of support at the moment.

I don't know how long it was that he lay there, head muffled as he cried but all I could do for now was let him get it out, it was better than letting it fester away inside.

When he raised his head, my heart spasmed in pain when I saw his eyes lined with red and puffy from crying, face stained with dried tear-tracks and his lips wobbling.

"I know I can't wipe away those feelings Tae, I know I can't turn back time. But I will be here with you reminding you that it'll get better. You're not alone." I say, hoping that my words get across how badly I want to reassure him, how I want to be his comfort.

When he's calmer, eyes still red and face still blotchy with tears, I slide out of bed and hold my hand out for him.

"Take my hand Tae, I'll never let go." I promise, waiting until his hand is sliding into my own and our fingers are tightly intertwined and locked together.

It's a promise. One I'll keep forever.

----

When Tae pulls me down the stairs, I can distantly hear the sound of the shower. We quickly showered and changed and Tae was already waiting for me when I got out.

His grip on my hand is comforting and strong, a solid presence even if his touch is gentle and tender guiding me over to the couch and scooping me up into his arms.

I can still feel a sense of unease in him, it transfers across the bond but if this is what it takes to help ground him, then I am more than glad to help him.

His hold on me is strong, arms effortlessly picking me up to gently place into his lap, coming around to wrap me in a protective embrace. We silently bask in each other's presence, draw on each other for strength, for support.

When the others come down, they sit on the opposite couch, gazes tender and understanding as they notice the way Tae is holding me. Kookie is quick to guide Yoongi oppa's head onto his lap, gently playing with his hair. Joonie oppa rests Yoongi oppa's legs on his lap, hands absent minded massaging his calves.

It's soft and domestic. It gives me a peek of what life promises me.

I smile at them before Tae's arms are tightening, silently asking for attention again.

I can't help but coo over how adorable he is.

I twist so I'm facing him, legs on either side of his waist. I reach up to run my hands through his hair, his head eagerly dipping to give me better access. I can hear a few fond chuckles from behind me but Tae's eyes are smug and bright as he shoots them a smile over my shoulder, head dipping back down.

His hair is  gorgeous, unrestrained dark curls which bounce around his face. Silky dark locks which curl and I am enraptured as I wrap them around my fingers before they slip out of my grasp. Both of my hands come up to play with the strands, fingers nimbly making small plaits out of a few locks. I gently twist and braid them, heart pounding and lips stretched into a grin at the way some of them hold and keep shape. I hum pleased with the way his hair is perfect to play with, he raises his head, face radiant with happiness, he's glowing with joy.

I brush the locks that fall over his forehead, trace the outline of his face in the same way he did to me earlier.

My fingers reverently trace the arch of his brows, the slope of his nose, the angles of his jaw and the curve of his lips. He's so beautiful, it makes my heart ache. But his soul is even more so...impossibly radiant.

He surges up to bring our lips together in a slow heated kiss, lips sliding over mine, his tongue and teeth staking their claim on me as he brings me closer in a kiss that is like fire, flames that lick over my lips, heat left behind and one that grows in intensity and strength. I lose myself in the way his tongue slowly explores my mouth, teeth which nip gently at my lips and the feeling that is solely him.

We part our lips, I see the heat in his eyes, know it is in my own. But it's not a heat of just desire and need. It's the heat of knowing he holds a piece of me in him and I do in me. It's knowing that our souls are so tightly intertwined with each other, with the others. It's the heat that comes with a warm embrace.

And when the other three come bustling through the door, smile at us and quickly bustle about to drop kisses and hugs that I twist around, so I can lean up to accept the affection they give. It's easy and natural being with them. All of them.

And that's when I know...I am falling in love. Not with one. But with the seven who each hold a piece of my soul.

JIMIN POV:

I reach up to pull (Y/N) out of Tae's arms, smiling when he groans and protests but Hobi hyung is there, swooping in to silence those complaints with his affection; which he smothers Tae with.

"Morning baby." I whisper, brushing a soft kiss against the shell of her ear, revelling in the way her body naturally shudders in response.

"Morning Minnie. Where did you go?" she answers, the nickname which slips of her lips melting me. I briefly contemplate whether or not I should tell her. But in the back of my mind I know they know and that it's nothing to hide.

"Just a small visit to the station, nothing to worry about." I reply, arms still looped around her as I guide her towards the kitchen, the others not too far behind.

"And..." she breathes.

"And...when you're ready, I am going to be behind the beautiful girl who is so bold, so strong. And be there for you no matter what you decide to do." I reply, stopping so I can cage her between myself and the counter, spinning her body around so she's facing me.

The sun that filters through the window, encompasses her in a golden glow, lights up her beautiful features to me and I know what I'm seeing. I see an angel. An avenging angel who has the strength and power and confidence to rise stronger than before.

There's no hesitance nor fear on her face. Just resolve. An iron-clad will.

And seeing and knowing the survivor and fighter she is, pushes me further into the web of everything that is her. Sends our bond thrumming with love and pride for her.

Our final soulmate.

(HOLD YOUR HORSES! IT. IS. NOT. OVER. JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE IN CASE AY OF YOU FREAK OUT...I'M NOT READY TO FINISH, THERE IS SO MUCH THAT STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN SO YOU CAN SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE FLUFF FOR NOW MY LOVELIES. HOW WAS IT? SOME SOFTNESS? SOME TEARS? BUT I LOVED WRITING THIS CHAPTER, IT WAS THAT SLOW SOFT FLUFFY STAGE OF RECOVERING TOGETHER THAT I WANTED TO GET ACROSS. AND I HOPE I DID! YOU GUYS HAVE DONE IT! REACHED 200K READS AND 10K VOTES...WOW. I AM MIND BLOWN AND HIGHLY EMOTIONAL ALREADY AND YOU ADDED TO IT. I WANT TO SEND A MASSIVE HUG TO YOU ALL FOR BEING MY PILLAR OF SUPPORT!)

What makes life beautiful, cherished is the people you spend it with. Let each day become a memory forever captured in the lens of your eyes and held in your heart.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3