Taehyung steps inside the 7 eleven and heads for the snack aisle, eyes slowly moving over the selection on offer.

Why was picking a snack for your girlfriend so daunting.

He could go for the strawberry double dip pepero or maybe she would like the strawberry choco pie.

Taehyung picked up both snacks, brow furrowed. Maybe he should just get them both, or was that too much?

It was the sudden vibration against his thigh which drew Taehyung out of his strawberry snack dilemma, he placed both items back on the shelf and reached inside his pocket to retrieve his phone.

Why was Jimin calling him?

"Everything okay Chim?" Taehyung answered, eyes back on the snacks.

"Of course everything is okay, does something have to be wrong for me to call my best friend?"

Taehyung smirks. "What do you want?"

"Rude much, was just checking up on you. I know that you're taking Y/N to meet your parents today, it's a pretty big deal for you especially as you haven't been back there since Jin....well you know."

Taehyung knows, of course he knows.

"I can't say that I'm looking forward to it, there's been a few times on the drive over here that I almost turned back but I can't Chim."

"Have you talked to Y/N about how you're feeling?"

"She knows the situation, she's aware that it's the first time I've visited home since Jin died and as always she's been nothing but supportive. I just can't fail her now, she's come so far and I'm so proud of her and now it's my turn to do something that scares me. I can't let her down Chim, I need to do this."

"I know you don't want to let her down but you also need to be honest with her, I don't know Y/N like you do but from the time that I have spent with her something tells me she would be pretty upset if you didn't tell her what was going on. It's okay to be scared, it's okay to want to turn back if you're not ready to face it yet. Why don't you speak with your parents, ask them to meet you guys somewhere for dinner instead? That way they still get to meet Y/N and you don't have to go back home, especially if you're not ready."

Taehyung doesn't want that, turning back now will only slow down his recovery.

He understands and appreciates Jimin's concerns, he also knows Y/N will support him and go along with whatever he ultimately decides but he can't keep turning back.

Y/N was terrified the day of getting her tattoo, even went as far as locking herself away in the bathroom and needing Jungkook's trusty tin to calm her down enough to reappear again.

If Y/N can go through all that, so can he.

He doesn't have Jungkook's trusty tin or a bathroom currently to hide himself away in but maybe Jimin is right, maybe he just needs to tell his girlfriend how much he's actually struggling with this.

"I'm not going to turn back Chim, not now but I promise I'll speak to Y/N about how I'm feeling."

There's a sigh on the other end. "I just worry about you, just don't push yourself okay?"

"I promise I won't, I'll call you later okay?"

"Okay Taetae, love you."

Taehyung smiles. "Love you too."

He ends the call, slipping his phone back in the pocket of his slacks.

"What has you furrowing your brow?" The voice is gentle as are the arms wrapping around his waist from behind.

"I thought I told you to stay in the car, that I would be the hunter gatherer and bring you back snacks." Taehyung smirks, hands coming to rest over Y/N's as she chuckles.

"Yeah well you were taking too long, then I looked inside and you were doing your confused face so I thought I would come and help out."

"My confused face?" Taehyung chuckles, turning around to face his girlfriend.

"Yeah, you kind of furrow your brow like this..... and then kind of pout out your lips, kind of like this." Y/N does her best confused Taehyung face, brow furrowed adorably and enticing lips pouting out.

"Wow, okay....so that's my confused face huh?" He grins, eyes so fucking fond as her pout grows.

"Hm! S'cute." She keeps her lips out in the most ridiculous pout, words coming out in a lisp.

"Fuck you're adorable." Taehyung laughs, fingers coming to gently pinch her cheeks.

"What snack do you want by the way? I was stuck between pepero and choco pie, both strawberry." He holds them both up, at least getting Y/N to make the decision is one less thing he has to worry about.

"Aw is that why you were doing your confused face? You couldn't decide which I would like best, aren't you adorable." Y/N teases, giggling as she places a kiss on his soft lips.

"First you make fun of my confused face then you laugh at my snack dilemma, no treats for you. I'm getting myself some water and going back to the car." Taehyung feigns offense, turning on his heel and walking away.

"No, I didn't mean it! Don't be a grump, I'll even share with you." Y/N grabs both snacks, shuffling after Taehyung with a genuine pout this time. "Taee....eeek." She squeaks out in surprise, legs wrapping around Taehyung's waist as he lifts her.

"I could never be grumpy with you, we should pay for this and go before that cashier kicks us out. I don't think he's very happy, now that's one hell of an angry face don't you think?" Taehyung copies the face of the angry cashier and Y/N buries her face against his neck to hide her giggles.

The two pay the annoyed cashier and head back to the car.

"So how much longer until we get there?" Y/N asks as they settle back inside, opening her choco pie and breaking it in half.

"Erm, roughly about...." Taehyung checks his watch, thanking Y/N as she offers him half of the snack. "....an hour, if the traffic isn't too bad."

"So, are you feeling okay?" Y/N wasn't sure if she should broach the subject at first, if Taehyung wanted to discuss it then surely he would but for some reason she feels like he's been hiding just how much this is truly bothering him and she doesn't want that.

Taehyung pauses, swallowing.

"There's been a few times where I wanted to turn around and go back home and not because I don't want you to meet my parents because I do.....I'm just terrified of going back home."

Y/N shifts in her seat, eyes on Taehyung as he picks at the chocolate on his pie.

"What about it terrifies you?" Her voice is gentle as are the fingers which prize the snack away from his own.

"I think the thing that scares me the most is expecting him to be there, expecting him to greet me with a smile....like nothing bad ever happened. He died in my arms Y/N, in my arms.....in our treehouse and that's all I can think about....that's all I can remember whenever I think of going home." Taehyung's voice wavers, the lump in his throat painful as he swallows.

"If you're not ready for this then we don't have to go, I won't think any less of you. It doesn't mean you've failed me or yourself, it just means you need time....but if you still want to go then I promise you that I won't leave your side. I will be there, I won't let you go Tae I promsie."

Taehyung smiles, forehead coming to rest against Y/N's.

"I don't want to turn back, I want to do this but please be patient with me and forgive me for anything I might say or do whilst we're there. I tend to let a little darkness in whenever I think of home, just stay with me....just do all the things you do that always guide me back."

Y/N kisses his nose and breaks off some of the choco pie.

"I'll always guide you back, now have some strawberry choco pie." She lifts it to his lips and chuckles as he opens his mouth.

"I love you Y/N." He whispers.

"Yeah, I love you too....not as much as this pie though....man it's delicious."

Taehyung laughs. "Wow, that's the third time you've insulted me today."

"Get used to it buddy." She teases, pushing more pie into his mouth before he can retaliate.

Yes he's terrified, terrified of going home and facing his demons but with Y/N by his side....the demons can only keep him down for so long.

((Updated! I decided to add this little chapter because it was on my mind, a little fluff and some romance between out favourite couple 🥺💜 Taehyung opening up to Y/N, preparing himself for what's to come. If you enjoyed the chapter hit that star button and please leave me your thoughts. Next chapter, Taehyung is finally home BUT will everything go as planned? 👀))