SHADOWS OF THE FALLEN

The air in the penthouse was quieter tonight. No gunfire, no urgent calls, no bloodshed. For once, the world outside their walls didn’t seem so dangerous.

Jennie stood by the large window, gazing at the city lights flickering in the distance. The events of the past days had been exhausting. Finding out Minho’s betrayal, sending a brutal message to Irene, and preparing for the next phase of their war—it had been too much at once.

Her arms were loosely wrapped around herself, lost in thought, when she felt a familiar presence behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Taehyung.

His warmth seeped into her skin before he even touched her, his presence always a quiet force, steady and unyielding. Without a word, he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.

Jennie sighed, leaning into him. "You’re quiet again," she murmured.

Taehyung hummed, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Just watching you."

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "You do that a lot."

He smirked, his breath warm against her neck. "Maybe because I like what I see."

Jennie rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide the small smile playing on her lips.

For a while, they just stood there, wrapped in each other’s warmth, looking out at the city. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable—it was peaceful, a rare moment of stillness in their chaotic lives.

Then, Taehyung moved. His lips brushed against her bare shoulder, a featherlight touch that sent a shiver down her spine.

"You should rest," he murmured.

Jennie turned in his arms, her hands finding their way to his chest. "And if I don’t want to?"

His deep brown eyes held hers, something unreadable flickering in them. Then, without answering, he lifted her into his arms effortlessly, carrying her toward the bed.

"Taehyung!" she gasped, but he only smirked.

"You’re going to rest whether you want to or not."

Jennie let out a huff but didn’t protest when he gently placed her on the mattress. He kicked off his shoes before climbing in beside her, pulling her against him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She traced a finger along his jawline. "Sometimes I forget you're the same man who makes me want to throw things at you."

Taehyung smirked. "You love it."

Jennie scoffed. "I tolerate it."

He chuckled, his fingers brushing through her hair. "Keep telling yourself that."

She was about to retort, but before she could, Taehyung leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. It was different from their usual heated exchanges—this was slow, tender, filled with something unspoken yet understood.

Jennie sighed into the kiss, her hands sliding into his hair. Taehyung pulled her closer, holding her as if he was afraid to let go.

When they finally parted, he rested his forehead against hers.

"We don’t get moments like this often," he admitted.

Jennie nodded, her fingers playing with the fabric of his shirt. "Then let’s make the most of it."

With that, she curled into him, their limbs tangling as they lay there, basking in the rare warmth of simply being together.

For now, just for this moment, there was no war, no revenge, no betrayals.

Just them.

---

Jennie shifted slightly, feeling the steady rhythm of Taehyung’s heartbeat beneath her cheek. His arms were still wrapped around her, warm and secure, as if he had no intention of letting her go.

"You’re comfortable," she murmured, her voice laced with drowsiness.

Taehyung chuckled softly, his fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on her back. "Are you saying I make a good pillow?"

Jennie hummed. "The best."

He smirked. "You should say that more often."

She scoffed but didn’t move away. "Don’t push your luck."

For a while, silence enveloped them again, but it wasn’t empty—it was full of unspoken emotions, a rare serenity in their usually chaotic world. Jennie had grown used to living on the edge, always ready to fight, always prepared for betrayal. But here, wrapped in Taehyung’s arms, she allowed herself to let go.

"You’ve changed," she whispered, her fingers lightly brushing over his chest.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Jennie lifted her head slightly to look at him, her gaze soft. "You used to be colder, more closed off. I remember when you barely spoke to me… when all you cared about was revenge."

His jaw tensed slightly, but then he sighed, his grip on her tightening. "Maybe I still care about revenge," he admitted. "But you… you make me care about other things too."

Jennie felt a warmth spread through her chest, her heart pounding just a little faster.

Taehyung brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his gaze searching hers. "I don’t know when it happened, but somewhere along the way, you became the only thing that mattered more than revenge."

Jennie swallowed, caught in the intensity of his words. She had spent so long trying to be strong, trying to build walls around herself just like he had. But now, those walls didn’t seem to matter.

She cupped his face gently, her thumb grazing his cheek. "You matter to me too, Taehyung."

Something flickered in his eyes—something raw, unguarded. He leaned in, capturing her lips in another slow, lingering kiss. Jennie melted into him, her fingers tangling in his hair, holding onto him as if he were the only thing keeping her grounded.

This time, when they pulled apart, she rested her head against his chest again, feeling his heartbeat match hers.

"I wish we could stay like this," she murmured.

Taehyung exhaled, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "We will… someday."

Jennie closed her eyes, allowing herself to believe him.

For now, just for tonight, they had this moment. And that was enough.