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Nia clasped Taehyung’s hand tightly in hers as they walked down the street.  Today was a cool, crisp day.  There was no wind, so the cold wasn’t unbearable in the slightest.

“Remember when we used to go on walks during the winter?” Taehyung asked. “Sometimes it would snow, and you hated it because it would get too cold to walk and we’d have to stop at a café to wait it out.” He sighed and let out a sad laugh. “I wish we hadn’t had more than eight years stolen from us.  I miss being so young.  So…carefree.”

Nia stared up at him.  She knew they’d gone on walks.  But she couldn’t remember walking with him down any street.

“Maybe someday…I’ll remember everything.”

“Hey,” he pulled his hand from her grasp and put his arm over her shoulder, pulling her into his side as they continued to walk. “You’ll remember eventually, don’t worry.  And just think, a few months ago you couldn’t even remember me.  Not for who I was eight years ago, anyway.”

“I know.  But it’s tough.  Because I know there’s so much I don’t remember, and those memories are important.”

“Why don’t we make some new memories?  You’re so focused on regaining your memories, but you shouldn’t be living in the past anymore.  I’m here again, aren’t I?  Shouldn’t that be all that matters?”

She looked up at him with glossy eyes. “But, Tae!  You don’t know how much it hurts!  I can’t remember-” her words caught on a sob, and his eyes widened in guilt. “I can’t remember so much still.  And I need to remember.” She grabbed his arm and tugged it off her shoulder before running off.

Taehyung stood there for a moment, his heart breaking.  He hadn’t meant to make her cry.  That wasn’t what he’d intended at all.  He’d wanted to comfort her.  He quickly chased after her.

“Nia, wait!”

But she kept running.  So, he chased her.  For three whole blocks.  Then she stopped abruptly, bending over to lean her hands on her knees.  Taehyung caught up to her quickly.  He could hear her soft sobs, and he could tell she was out of breath.  He reached over and ran his hand down her back.

“I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to make you cry….”

She glanced up, and he saw her tear-stained cheeks.  It broke his heart all over again.  He opened his mouth to apologize again, but she straightened and threw herself into his arms before he could speak.  He stumbled back a bit from the force before wrapping his arms around her.

“I-I’m sorry…I’m overreacting.  It’s just…” her voice trailed off.  And he waited silently for her to continue.  She stayed silent for a few minutes besides her soft hiccups, so he simply held her and rubbed her back.

“My parents…” she started.  He could tell she was hesitant.

“Th-they told me that my memories weren’t important.  When-whenever I’d ask about anything…they’d just say it wasn’t important.  I didn’t n-need my memories back.  My life was good enough….”

She buried her face in his neck and started sobbing again.  He frowned and continued to rub her back. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled again.  He didn’t know what else to say.

After another long minute of just standing there, she whispered, “It’s not your fault.”

He sighed and bent down to pick her up, hooking his arm under her knees before hoisting her up against his chest.

“No…Tae, I’m too heavy….”

“Nonsense.  You weigh nothing.  We’re going home.”