Chapter 36 - SILENT MORNING

🌙 The Morning After — Silence & Stares

You woke up late because last night you argued with Tae for almost an hour.

You stepped out into the living room of the penthouse…

And everyone—Tae, Jungkook, Jin, and Yoongi—was already there.

All four looked at you in different ways.

Tae → avoiding your eyes, jaw tight

Jungkook → concerned, soft eyes following you

Jin → smiling knowingly, like he had understood everything

Yoongi → casual, but his eyes said "don't overthink yesterday"

You walked to the kitchen, poured water, and suddenly—

Tae spoke.

Tae: "I have a meeting. Don't wait for me."

His tone was flat. You froze.

Y/N: "…Okay."

He walked past you without a glance.

🌧Jungkook Follows You to the Balcony

You stepped out to the balcony to breathe, and Jungkook quietly joined you.

He didn't speak for a minute.

Just stood beside you, leaning on the railing.

Finally—

Jungkook: "Are you okay?"

You nodded though your throat felt heavy.

Y/N: "Tae is overreacting."

Jungkook: "He's jealous."

You turned sharply.

Y/N: "But it was just truth–dare—"

JK smirked.

Jungkook: "He doesn't care about the dare.

He cares because it was Yoongi-hyung.

Someone he knows you're comfortable with. Someone who could be a real rival."

Your heart skipped.

Y/N: "There's no rival. I just—"

Jungkook: "—want to breathe?"

 (soft laugh)

 "Yeah, I know."

He gently tapped your shoulder and went inside.

And somehow, that little gesture made you feel lighter.

💔 Jin Finds You Alone

Later, when you were sitting on the couch scrolling mindlessly, Jin came to sit beside you.

He didn't ask questions.

He simply handed you a bottle of vitamin water.

Jin: "You did nothing wrong. Don't let guilt eat you."

Your eyes softened.

Y/N: "Tae looked… hurt."

Jin: "He's not hurt. He's scared."

You frowned.

Y/N: "Scared of what?"

Jin's voice dropped to a whisper:

Jin: "…of losing you before he ever gets to call you his."

Your breath caught.

You didn't expect that from Jin.

He stood up and patted your head lightly.

Jin: "Talk to him when he calms down. Not now."

🔥 The Confrontation — Tae Comes Home Early

Evening.

You walked into the hallway, and suddenly—

Tae was standing there, jacket in hand, staring at you.

You froze.

He walked toward you slowly.

Not angry.

Not cold.

Just… tired.

Tae: "Can we talk?"

Your heart thumped.

Y/N: "…yes."

🩶 REAL CONVERSATION — No Drama, Just Truth

You both sat on the edge of the bed, not touching.

Tae ran a hand through his hair.

Tae: "You kissed Yoongi."

You stayed silent.

Tae: "I know it was a dare. I know it wasn't romantic… but—"

He looked away.

Tae: "I didn't like it."

Y/N: "Tae… Yoongi is a friend.

Just like Jin. Just like JK."

Tae nodded but didn't look convinced.

Y/N (soft): "Why does it bother you this much?"

He took a long breath, then said the real truth:

Tae: "Because when I look at you… I don't see a friend anymore."

Your heartbeat stopped.

Y/N: "Tae—"

Tae: "Don't say anything.

I'm not forcing you to feel anything.

I just… wanted to be honest."

He finally met your eyes.

Tae: "And yesterday, seeing you kiss someone else…

even as a dare…

broke something inside me."

Your chest ached.

You whispered:

Y/N: "I didn't know you felt that way."

Tae (quiet sad smile): "I didn't want you to know."

He stood up to leave…

…but you held his wrist.

Both of you froze.

Y/N: "Don't walk away like that."

He looked down at your hand on his wrist.

His voice softened:

Tae: "Then don't give me reasons to."

The air between you turned heavy… warm… electric.

But neither of you crossed the line.

Not yet.

🌙 A Night That Changes the Equation

You both ended up lying on the bed, facing each other, talking softly.

Not flirting.

Not fighting.

Just… understanding.

Tiny things.

Warm things.

Real things.

You laughed at his silly stories.

He teased you about your messy hair.

Your fingers accidentally touched twice.

Both times he didn't move away.

By the time you both fell asleep side by side…

something had changed.

Something silent.

Something fragile.

Something new.

The next morning felt different.

Not dramatic…

but softly shifted.

When you opened your eyes, the first thing you saw was—

Taehyung.

Sleeping right beside you.

Facing you.

His eyelashes long, his lips slightly parted, hair messy in the cutest way.

You blinked twice.

Your heart made a stupid little jump.

You weren't cuddling… but the distance between your faces was barely a few inches.

You could feel his warm breath on your cheek.

You whispered to yourself:

Y/N: "Why does he look so peaceful… Tch."

But your whisper woke him.

His eyes opened slowly, hazy with sleep.

Tae (voice deep & morning-rough): "…you staring at me?"

You instantly turned away.

Y/N: "N-no. You were blocking the sunlight."

Tae smirked sleepily.

Tae: "Liar."

You grabbed the nearest pillow and hit him lightly.

He chuckled, stretching like a cat.

Tae: "I haven't woken up like this in years."

You paused.

Y/N: "Like what?"

He angled his face toward you.

Tae: "Next to someone I feel comfortable with."

Your chest tightened.

🍯 Tiny Fight Over the Blanket

You both got up to leave the bed, but Taehyung wrapped himself in the entire blanket like a burrito.

You tugged on your side.

He didn't move.

Y/N: "Tae! Give me the blanket, I'm cold!"

He shook his head dramatically.

Tae: "Not my fault you didn't claim it earlier."

Y/N: "You're impossible!"

He smirked and kept rolling until he fell off the bed.

THUD.

You burst out laughing.

Y/N: "That's karma."

He glared up at you like a fragile wounded puppy.

Tae: "You're supposed to check if I'm okay."

You shrugged.

Y/N: "Are you?"

Tae: "No."

So you tossed the pillow at him.

Tae: "…you're mean."

And somehow, this tiny stupid fight felt better than all the tense days before.