Later, while the hall dims for the award presentation, Taehyung leans slightly toward you.
He speaks softly, not looking at you, eyes on the stage.
Taehyung:
"y/N…"
You blink.
He rarely uses your real name like that.
You:
"Yeah?"
Taehyung (quiet, almost vulnerable):
"Tonight… when you walked out of the dorm… I forgot how to breathe for a moment."
Your heartbeat stops.
He continues, voice low:
Taehyung:
"And I didn't like that actor talking to you. I don't even know why. But I didn't."
You swallow harshly.
You:
"Tae…"
Before he can say more, lights brighten and applause erupts.
Moment over.
But you're not okay.
And neither is he.
Your fingers brush his on the shared armrest.
He doesn't pull away.
The gala finally ends, but the after-party is where all the real chaos begins.
Lights dim. Music thumps.
Idols and actors are everywhere, laughing, drinking, gossiping.
You walk in beside Jungkook and Taehyung.
But the moment you enter…
a group of male celebrities turn to look at you.
Not subtly.
Not politely.
OPENLY.
One of them — a rising sensation, known for his bold flirting — walks toward you confidently.
Actor #2 (smirking):
"You look even more stunning up close. I didn't get a chance to say hi earlier."
You politely bow.
"Thank you."
Before you can stand straight, he leans a little too close.
Actor #2:
"Can I get your number? Maybe we can hang out sometime."
You blink, taken aback.
Before you even process—
Taehyung appears behind you like a silent thunderstorm.
His hand doesn't touch you,
but the warmth of his presence is unmistakable.
Taehyung (flat but dangerous):
"She's busy."
Actor #2:
"Oh? Are you her manager?"
Taehyung:
"No. But I know she's not interested."
The actor raises a brow.
"You sure? Let her answer."
You open your mouth—
but Jungkook suddenly slaps his hand on your shoulder.
Jungkook:
"YES. She's very busy. With us. The whole entire night."
He grins suspiciously wide.
Actor #2 shrugs and leaves, a little irritated.
As soon as he's out of earshot, Jungkook whispers:
Jungkook:
"You're welcome. Also, Taehyung, you're jealous so loudly I can HEAR it."
Taehyung:
"Jungkook. Don't."
Jungkook:
"Bro, you're staring at her like someone just stole your puppy."
You elbow JK lightly.
"Stop exaggerating."
Jungkook:
"No, but really— you two need to talk."
Taehyung is silent.
Too silent.
You peek up at him.
His jaw is tight.
His eyes are darker than usual.
He's clearly bothered, but trying to hide it.
💫 Another Twist — A Female Idol Approaches Taehyung
While Jungkook goes to get drinks, a beautiful female idol with long black hair approaches Taehyung.
She smiles sweetly.
Idol:
"Tae! It's been so long."
She touches his arm lightly — a little TOO lightly.
Taehyung smiles back politely.
You feel something twist inside your chest.
The idol glances at you.
Idol:
"And you are…?"
You bow.
"Y/N."
Idol (smiling):
"Cute name."
Then she turns back to Taehyung, flipping her hair.
Idol:
"You should come hang out with us. My group is having a private table."
Taehyung shakes his head politely.
"I'm with them."
She looks you up and down, subtly judging.
Idol:
"Oh… with her? Interesting."
You stiffen.
Taehyung notices immediately.
Taehyung (cold):
"What's interesting?"
The idol blinks, taken aback.
"Oh—nothing! I just didn't know you brought… company."
Taehyung's voice drops lower.
Taehyung:
"She's not 'company.' She's with me."
The idol's smile falters.
She excuses herself quickly and walks away.
You stare at Taehyung.
You:
"Tae… you didn't have to say that."
Taehyung:
"I did."
You swallow.
🔥 Jungkook Returns — and Pushes Everything Further
JK comes back with drinks, sees the weird tension, and decides to make it worse.
Jungkook:
"What did I miss? Did someone flirt again? Who? I want names."
You and Tae both glare at him.
Jungkook smirks:
"Well… since you two are being all intense and staring into each other's souls… let me help."
He loudly claps.
Jungkook:
"Tae-hyung-ah, take her to the rooftop."
Taehyung chokes on air.
"What?! Why?!"
Jungkook:
"Private place. Quiet. No cameras."
(leans in)
"Perfect for talking… or confessing."
Your heart stops.
Taehyung turns red.
Taehyung:
"Jungkook. Stop."
But Jungkook is on a mission.
Jungkook:
"You like her."
"You get jealous."
"You acted like a protective boyfriend all evening."
"You literally said she's 'with you.'"
You whisper harshly,
"Jungkook!"
Jungkook:
"Both of you are blind. FIX IT."
Then he physically pushes Taehyung a little closer to you.
Taehyung sighs, defeated.
He runs a hand through his hair… then looks at you.
Really looks at you.
Taehyung (soft, hesitant):
"Do you… want to go outside for a bit?"
Your throat dries.
But you nod.
"Yeah."
🌌 Rooftop Scene – The Wind, the Silence, the Everything
You both step out into the cold night air.
The city lights shimmer below.
It's quiet.
Only the distant muffled music from the party floats through the door.
You lean against the railing, trying to calm your heartbeat.
Taehyung stands beside you, hands in his pockets.
For a moment, neither of you talk.
Then—
Taehyung:
"I… wasn't planning to ruin your night."
You look at him.
You:
"You didn't."
He shakes his head.
Taehyung:
"I did. I acted weird. Jealous. Annoying. And I don't even have the right."
You stay silent.
He continues, voice lower now:
Taehyung:
"When other guys talked to you… I felt something I shouldn't."
"…Something I can't explain."
Your chest tightens painfully.
Wind blows softly.
Your hair brushes his shoulder.
He finally turns to you completely.
Taehyung:
"Dristy…"
The way he says your name—
slow, warm, trembling—
makes your knees weak.
Taehyung:
"I don't know what's happening to me."
"But I know I don't want anyone else near you tonight."
"Not because I own you… but because…"
(he exhales shakily)
"…because I want you close to me."
Your breath catches.
You whisper:
"Tae…"
He steps just a little closer — not touching, but close enough that you feel his warmth.
Taehyung (softly):
"Tell me I'm not imagining this. Tell me you feel something too."
The night goes silent.
Your heart is loud.
The rooftop is quiet.
Only the hum of the city fills the air.
Taehyung's words still hang between you:
"Tell me I'm not imagining this. Tell me you feel something too."
Your heart is pounding so loudly you're scared he might hear it.
You take a small step back.
Then another.
You break eye contact.
Your voice is shaky but firm.
You:
"Tae… I need… time."
His expression freezes.
You swallow.
"I'm not saying no. I'm not saying yes. I just… need space to breathe."
The hurt flashes in his eyes—
quick but deep.
You turn and walk toward the door.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
Your hand reaches the doorknob—
A warm hand grabs your wrist.
Firm. Desperate. Shaking just a little.
You stop breathing.
Taehyung (voice low, breaking):
"Dristy… don't walk away from me."
The way he says it—
not commanding,
not angry—
but pleading.
It hurts.
You slowly turn around, your wrist still in his hold.
He's closer now.
Too close.
His eyes look darker than the night sky.
Taehyung:
"Every time something gets hard… you run."
(soft, trembling)
"You did it in Paris. You did it when the scandal broke. You did it when you left the company."
"…and now you're doing it again."
You whisper,
"Tae, that's not fair—"
Taehyung (interrupting):
"It's not fair because I don't want to lose you again."
Your breath stops.
He slowly loosens his grip but doesn't let go entirely.
Taehyung:
"I know you don't love me."
"I know our marriage wasn't your choice."
"I know I should stay quiet."
He looks down at your wrist in his palm…
Then back at you.
Taehyung:
"But I can't pretend anymore."
He takes a shaky breath.
Taehyung:
"Do you have any idea… what it does to me when someone else looks at you the way I do?"
Your chest tightens painfully.
You whisper,
"Tae… people are watching… people are talking—"
Taehyung:
"I don't care about people."
His voice is low, almost a whisper against the wind.
"I care about you."
You shut your eyes for a moment, overwhelmed.
You:
"Tae… please. I need a moment."
Taehyung:
"Then stay."
"Stay for one minute."
"Just… don't leave like this."
He steps back, giving you space but not letting go of your wrist.
You exhale.
Slow.
Shaking.
A minute passes in silence.
He finally releases your wrist gently.
But not before brushing his thumb across your skin—
a touch so soft it burns.
Taehyung:
"I'll wait for your answer. However long it takes."
"But please… don't push me away anymore. Not tonight."
You meet his eyes.
He looks scared.
Hopeful.
Vulnerable in a way you've never seen.
Your voice barely comes out.
You:
"Let's… go back inside."
He nods.
And for the first time tonight…
you walk back into the party together.
Side by side.
Not holding hands—
but something between you has changed.
Something undeniable.
Something terrifying.
Something beautiful.
The after-party slowly empties, and you finally return to the hotel.
Your feet hurt.
Your head feels heavy.
Your heart… even heavier.
You tapped your key card and opened the door to your room—
quiet, dim, peaceful.
You expected Taehyung to go to his own room down the hall.
But he stops at your door.
Hands in his pockets.
Shoulders a little slouched.
Eyes uncertain.
Taehyung (softly):
"Can we… talk properly?"
You hesitate, but you step aside.
He enters slowly, like he's afraid of crossing some invisible line.
You close the door behind him.
The air feels different now—
warmer, heavier.
You sit on the edge of the bed.
He sits on the couch.
Distance… but not really.
Silence stretches.
You finally speak.
You:
"Tae… I didn't run because of you. I ran because I don't understand myself."
He watches you quietly, careful, like he's studying every blink.
You continue.
You:
"You're my husband… but we didn't choose each other.
You're my friend… but suddenly you feel more than that.
And I don't know how to handle all of this."
He nods slowly, absorbing every word.
Then he speaks—
soft, steady, heartbreakingly honest.
Taehyung:
"I don't expect you to love me back."
"I don't expect anything from you."
"I just… I want you to stop pushing me away like I don't matter."
Your throat tightens.
You:
"You do matter. That's the problem.
If you didn't… this wouldn't hurt so much."
Taehyung leans forward, elbows on his knees.
Taehyung:
"Then let it hurt."
"Let it be confusing. Let it be messy."
"But don't shut me out."
You look away, because the intensity in his eyes is too much.
He stands up slowly and walks closer.
Not too close—
just a few steps.
Enough.
Taehyung:
"If I'm crossing a boundary, tell me and I'll step back."
"But if I'm not… let me stay here."
Something in your chest breaks open.
A long silence settles between you.
Finally, you whisper:
You:
"Why tonight, Tae?
Why do you suddenly say all this now?"
Taehyung lowers his gaze for a moment—
like he's debating whether to tell you the truth.
Then he looks up again.
Taehyung:
"Because when that actor flirted with you…
I realized how scared I am of losing you."
"And when you walked away from me on the rooftop…
I felt something I've never felt before."
You swallow.
"What?"
His voice is barely above a whisper.
Taehyung:
"Lonely."
Your breath catches.
Without thinking, you say softly:
You:
"Tae… come sit here."
You move slightly, making space on the bed beside you.
He freezes.
His eyes flick from your face to the empty spot next to you—
like he's afraid it's a dream.
Taehyung:
"Are you sure?"
You nod.
He sits down slowly, leaving a respectful distance.
But the bed dips under his weight, bringing you closer anyway.
Your shoulders almost touch.
Almost.
You whisper:
You:
"I don't know what this is between us."
"I don't know where it's going."
"But… I don't want to avoid it anymore."
Taehyung exhales shakily—
a breath he wasn't aware he was holding.
He speaks quietly.
Taehyung:
"So… what do we do now?"
You turn your head slightly toward him.
You:
"We take it slow."
"We talk more."
"We spend time like real people, not just a business CEO and a PS."
Taehyung looks at you gently.
Taehyung:
"We already started today."
You smile faintly.
A very soft, tiny silence follows.
Then—
He leans his head back against the wall, closes his eyes for a moment, and laughs softly.
A tired, relieved laugh.
Taehyung:
"You scare me, you know?"
You blink.
"Me? Why?"
He opens his eyes and looks straight at you.
Taehyung:
"Because you make me feel things I thought I'd shut away forever."
Your heart stumbles.
You turn your gaze away.
Your voice barely holds steady.
You:
"We'll figure it out. Together."
He smiles.
Not the CEO smile.
Not the polite smile.
A real one.
Soft. Small. Beautiful.
Taehyung:
"Together."
He stands up slowly.
Taehyung:
"I'll let you sleep. You have rehearsal tomorrow."
You nod.
He walks toward the door—
but stops.
Turns around.
His voice is low, gentle, warm.
Taehyung:
"Goodnight, Dristy."
Something inside you melts.
"Goodnight, Tae."
He gives you one last look—
still full of unspoken emotion—
then leaves the room quietly.
The door clicks shut.
And you sit there…
heart racing…
smiling without realizing.
Because tonight…
something shifted.
Something real.