"One step at a time?"
"Yeah, that would be nice."

"I'm fine Joon, why are you worrying soo much?" Mishil whined, a small smile adorning her lips.

Namjoon was fussing over their fit bits which somehow ended up not beeping after another 15 hours.

Almost a whole 24 hours had passed since they last healed and now Mishil could barely stand on her own feet.

She fell asleep and Namjoon lost track of time in the studio.

And now the leader was freaking out!

"Even if I was busy, you should've reminded me Mishil! Now, look at you." He held her hand tightly while fixing the fit bits.

"I'm sorry! You were busy at the studio so I thought it'd be alright for some more time. And then, I just happened to fall asleep. I'm sorry." She said, smiling softly.

"Why are you even saying sorry? It's not your fault. It's their fault." Namjoon gave a particularly vigorous shake to the fit bit. Taehyung and Hoseok sitting in the room watching the soulmates winced at the fate of the poor fit bits.

"Be careful Hyung! You might end up breaking-"

*crack*

"It....." Taehyung sighed as the fit bit cracked and broke.

This Hyung never learns now, does he??

"I heard something break- KIM NAMJOON, NOT AGAIN!" Jin yelled, walking in. "I'm sorry Hyung! But they were already broken. We needed new ones anyway." Namjoon scratched his neck, embarrassed. He had broken a lot of things in his lifetime, but never in front of Mishil.

"No you guys didn't." Yoongi entered the room, picked up the broken fit bits, and inspected them around for a while.

"They just needed new batteries." Yoongi held the broken fit bits by the tips of his fingers, "But now you guys need one for sure!" He snickered, disposing of the broken things in the dustbin.

"God of Destruction strikes again" Mishil snickered, not being able to resist the urge to tease her soulmate, very much well aware of his destructive abilities. The rapper blushed and then scoffed, playfully glaring at her.

"She isn't lying in any way Joon! And you better not let her out of your sight until you guys get new fit bits." Hoseok tutted, nodding at the soulmates. "Yes, Hope-ah!" Namjoon saluted, lacing his fingers with Mishil.

As time passed by, Namjoon got more and more comfortable with Mishil. Watching both of them made Taehyung hold onto hope. That no matter what the circumstances, soulmates would find a way.

Since the day he got bonded, his time has mostly been dedicated to knowing his bond and his soulmate.

Soo-Ah was like that one forbidden book in the depths of the oldest shelf in a library. She mostly remained quiet and despite Taheyung's efforts, she refused to let the man in.

Which, honestly hurt but Taehyung understood. He wanted to find his soulmate and keep them close. After all, he was yet to wrap the situation around his head. And Soo-Ah never wanted it. They'd get there. But what to do with the pain coursing in his system? .

The man bit his lip, trying his best to muffle the groan of pain but who was he even kidding?

"Taehyung-ah?" His thoughts were interrupted as he looked at his best friend. His brows furrowed and his usually smiling eyes now searching and worried. Ever since the bonding, Jimin's been extra protective of Taehyung. Even though Taehyung had tried his best to return to his pre-bonding self, he could not deceive Jimin. He saw through Taehyung's facades all the damn time! It was Jimin, after all.

It was oddly comforting. Having a best friend who knew what was bothering you even before you voiced your thoughts. Felt like someone paid attention to you. And wanted you to be happy.

"Yeah, Jimin-ah?" Taehyung smiled slightly, a futile effort of assuring him. The dancer knelt in front of his best friend, taking the bonded arm. Just over the elbow where Soo-Ah's arm brushed, tying the soulmates together.

"You need healing." He decided after inspecting the bruises. Taehyung bit his and nodded, not being able to deny it anymore. But the only one who could help him was who knows where.

A glint went across Jimin and Taehyung knew that he'd rather have kept the pain to himself.

Angry Jimin scared him. Jimin practically threw Taehyung on the bed before calling for Mi Eun and the other members. Taehyung was too tired to even protest! He had ignored the need to heal for way too long.

Mi Eun softly placed a cool towel on his forehead and Taehyung felt a straw being placed against his lips. Cracking his eyes open, he saw Sora's worried face, holding a cup of cold water with a straw.

"Slow sips Taehyung-ah." She brushed the hair out of his sweaty forehead. "You should've told us before." She silently tutted, making the younger boy crack a tired smile.

"Look at this guy! He's almost drained out of energy and he still finds you funny, Eunnie." Mi Eun teased softly, wiping the sweat off his brow.

But it was hard to miss the worry in her eyes. 'Great Kim Taehyung!' He scolded himself, internally. 'You have the whole company worried about you.'

Jimin walked in, talking to Mishil and Namjoon Hyung while a worried Jungkook followed behind them. He whispered into Mishil's ears and everyone saw her expression visibly darken.

In all these months of knowing, everyone had seen all sorts of Mishil but an angry Mishil? Not yet. And by the looks of it, it wasn't a pretty sight, at all.

"I'm gonna go somewhere." She said, her voice steely. "Should I-" She shook her head cutting Namjoon off. And then looked at him and said, "I don't want you to see me angry, just yet. I'm afraid I might scare you away." That earned a laugh from all of them. "I'll be fine Joon. Don't worry." Namjoon still stood up, placing a chaste kiss on her temple. The onlookers could swear that Mishil's stiff posture relax the slightest bit. The soulmates exchanged a soft smile before Mishil was finally out.

"PDA much?" Yoongi rolled his eyes, "Oh shut up!" Namjoon snapped back, avoiding eye contact. 

Taehyung had a feeling that whatever she was going to do would not be a pretty sight to watch.

Soo-Ah typed away on her laptop, insanely busy. Or at least, she tried to be. The report she was typing was not due before 2 weeks but she needed an excuse to stay longer in the office.

Why? So that she could avoid her soulmate.

Because that's what her frazzled-up mind told her was the best to do. She was not dumb to not notice Taehyung's efforts of trying to establish some level of relationship between each other. Because like it or not, they were tied together if they wanted to survive.

But Soo-Ah just stubbornly refused to let Taehyung in. Even if it meant her bearing the pain for the major part of the day. She did not want a soulmate and she wanted to keep it that way. Even if it meant being in pain.

What Soo-Ah did forget that was someone was going through as much pain as she was. Maybe much more than she was. Because his job mostly consisted of performing on stage and hours of dance practice and working out daily. But a certain 164 cm woman was stomping into Soo-Ah's office, just to remind her of that. And boy, did she seem angry!

The door banged open and Soo-Ah looked up to see her livid best friend, stomping into her cabin. "What did I say about coming here unannounced?" She said, her voice tired. But deep down Soo-Ah knew why her best friend was there.

At least a part of it. "Cut the shit!" Mishil snapped, shutting the laptop.

"HEY! I WAS WORKING ON SOMETHING!" Soo-Ah protested, glaring at Mishil. "On something that isn't due before, let's see, the next 15 days," Mishil said, making Soo-Ah fall short of words.

"How did you-" "Ian." Soo-Ah's boss. 'That traitor!" Soo-Ah fumed internally but kept her composure in front of Mishil.

"So what? I'm just staying ahead of work. And that's none of your business." Soo-Ah knew that she was gonna regret this later but, she was not going to give Mishil that satisfaction. She knew that she was being a brat but anything to not see Taehyung.

"What you do is none of my business, of course." Mishil banged her hands on the wooden table, making Soo-Ah jump slightly. Angry Mishil was scary as heck Mishil and Soo-Ah just had to trigger her anger.

"Give it a rest Mishil! How hard is it for you to get that I don't want a soulmate?! Not now, not ever!" Soo-Ah raised her voice now. "Min Soo-Ah, what you wanna do with your soulmate status is not my concern. But I will not allow you to hurt an innocent man because you're being a god-damn chicken! Deal with the pain all you want! Avoid Taehyung, I DO NOT CARE!"

Now Mishil was yelling! "But I am not letting you leave Taehyung to suffer just because you couldn't care less about your health! I've tried getting you out of it and it hasn't worked so I'm done trying!!! But you are not hurting Taehyung because you couldn't give two fewer shits about your well-being! Just to refresh your memory, Ms Min, the soulmate bond works two ways." Mishil's nostrils flared as she angrily reminded her best friend of this crucial fact.

"You might not want a soulmate and bear the pain rather than have your soulmate; that's completely your choice. But what about Taehyung? He's in this bond as much as you are. Kim Taehyung is in as much pain as you are." Soo-Ah stared at Mishil, her lips parted, realization slowly dawning on her. What the heck was she doing?

"Did he ask to be in pain? Did he agree to bear the pain? And let me remind you, Min Soo-Ah, that guy performs like a machine for a living! So for once, stop deciding for him and heal the man. Because the last time I checked, the poor man was as pale as a ghost and was barely able to open his eyes."

No words were exchanged and they did not stay in that cabin for 5 more seconds. Soo-Ah rushed out of the room, ignoring the pain in her hand, tears brimming in her eyes.

As Mishil practically swerved and drove through the streets towards the BTS dorms, Soo-Ah could only curse herself at all the languages. For being selfish, for making a decision that should have been for two people to decide, and for blatantly ignoring Taehyung and only thinking about herself.

How could she have been stupid? The car had barely stopped at the driveway, as Soo-Ah darted out of the car and up the stairs, not even looking at the elevator.

"Where is he?" She panted out, sprinting into the dorm. "His room," Sora said, and Soo-Ah winced at how disappointed she sounded.

She messed up big time! The lights in Taehyung's rooms were dimmed as he lay on his bed, Jimin by his side.

At the sound of Soo-Ah's arrival, he looked up at her with cold eyes. That made Soo-Ah flinch slightly.

"Heal him, please." He requested, before walking out of the room. And his tone made no effort in hiding that he was mad at Soo-Ah for only thinking about herself.

Soo-Ah softly seated on the bed, wiping the sweat off Taehyung's head before lacing their fingers together. They were touching from the shoulder to the tips of the fingers and Soo-Ah tried her level best to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

His pale and sweaty face made her heart clench as she whispered apologies to him.

Why was she always hurting this man? Who had been nothing but patient and understanding with her? He did not deserve this. Then why her, of all people, destined to be with him? He deserved better. And she was doing nothing but hurting him.

"You came..." His deep, sleepy voice drawled off as he cracked open his eyes. Soo-Ah's eyes brimmed with tears and there was no way she could stop them.

She flipped to her side and for the first time in who knows how long, she started sobbing in front of someone, holding onto Taehyung's hand.

From his young years, Taehyung had always seen his father grow anxious when his mother was sad or distressed.

He couldn't simply figure out why your soulmate's emotions could be strong enough to affect you; a completely different individual.

He remembered some imprinted in his mind. "Soulmate bond is like sharing souls. You owned a part of your soulmate's soul and they owned a part of yours. So when they were hurt, you'd find yourself sharing their pain. That however depends on how much you are devoted to your bond. Soulmate bonding is exhausting but it's for you to decide if you want to go through this exhausting journey or not. Is it worth the pain? That's your decision. But just know that if you decide on it, you won't be alone."

Now Taehyung could understand the actual depth of his father's words. Hearing Soo-Ah's heart-breaking sobs clenched his heart as she tightly held onto his hand. That's when Taehyung realized that Soo-Ah did not dislike him. Nor did she mean to hurt him. She was scared. Of falling, of trusting. She was scared of letting someone break down her walls, for whatever reason might be.

"I'm sorry! I am so sorry! Forgive me, I did not mean to hurt you." She sobbed, burying her face in his shoulder. And Taehyung did not hesitate for once as he hugged her tight. She felt soo small in his arms, and soo fragile.

That was when Taehyung decided. He was not going to give up on this girl. He was not going to give up on this bond. He was going to break down her walls and let himself in. Even if it meant, him breaking down. His large hands ran down her hair, squeezing her frame from time to time, repeating the same words over and over again, like a mantra.

"It's alright. We're okay. I'm okay. It's alright."

Was it truly? Who knew? Even if it wasn't he was going to make sure that they were okay. 

Hello, there you beautiful people! How have all of you been?

I have been busy but I managed to find some time to update this one chapter I owed you all.

Bonded is Namjoon and Mishil's story, through and through. And a story like Taehyung and Soo-Ah; deserves its own book. So here you have it. 3 Chapters, the foundation chapters of; 

Breaking Down. 

a spin-off to Bonded.

Taehyung and Soo-Ah's story.

Anyway, see you soon my dew drops.

I'll see you guys in the next update.

Till then,

Stay safe.

Love you.

Fay