Chapter 38 - LITTLE ROMANTIC

🛏️ Late Night — Sharing the Same Bed Again

You finished washing up first.

When you walked into the bedroom, Taehyung was already there, sitting on the bed, hair still damp from his shower, wearing a loose black T-shirt.

He looked up when you entered.

Tae (soft): "Come here."

You hesitated.

He noticed.

Tae: "I won't bite."

You rolled your eyes.

Y/N: "You almost kissed me twice today."

Tae: "That's not biting."

Your cheeks heated instantly.

You threw a pillow at him and got into bed.

He got in too—

but this time, instead of staying on his side…

he lay closer.

Not touching.

But close enough that you felt his warmth.

The room was dim, only the night lamp glowing softly.

You stared at the ceiling.

Then at him.

Then back at the ceiling.

He chuckled.

Tae: "You're overthinking."

Y/N: "No I'm not."

Tae:

"Yes. You are. Your eyes move like insects."

You gasped.

Y/N: "Did you just compare me to an insect???"

Tae: "A cute insect."

You smacked his arm.

And he laughed.

A real, deep laugh.

The kind that makes your stomach flip.

🌙 The Truth He Never Said Before

The laughter faded.

Silence filled the room again.

Then Taehyung turned on his side, facing you completely.

His voice dropped lower.

Tae: "Can I tell you something?"

Your heart skipped.

Y/N: "…okay."

He hesitated for a long moment.

His eyes were gentle.

Tae: "When you left for New York… I thought I'd lose you."

Your breath caught.

Tae:

"I told myself I didn't care. That we were married by pressure. That you didn't feel anything."

He swallowed.

"But every night… I kept checking my phone. Waiting for your message."

You didn't know where to look.

At him?

At the blanket?

At the wall?

Your voice came out small.

Y/N: "Why didn't you ever say that?"

His eyes softened.

Tae: "Because you were chasing your dreams. And I didn't want to be the reason you stopped."

You blinked away the sting in your eyes.

He reached out slowly —

and brushed a strand of hair from your face.

His fingers were feather-light.

Your heart was anything but.

🔥 You Get Jealous for the First Time

Just when the moment was getting deeper, Taehyung's phone buzzed.

He checked it.

A girl's name flashed on the screen.

 "Minseo (PS)"

You didn't mean to react.

You really didn't.

But your stomach twisted.

You turned your face away.

Taehyung caught it instantly.

Tae (shocked smile): "…Are you jealous?"

You glared.

Y/N:

"No."

Tae:

"You are."

Y/N:

"Shut up."

Tae: "She's just my personal assistant now. Nothing more."

You didn't respond.

He scooted closer.

Tae: "Y/N…"

Your name on his lips felt more intimate than the whole day.

Tae: "Why does it bother you?"

His voice was teasing but soft, almost hopeful.

Your cheeks burned.

Y/N: "…It doesn't."

He smirked.

Tae: "So if she calls me tomorrow asking for dinner plans—"

You slapped his chest.

Y/N: "Try it and die."

He burst into laughter.

Tae: "Okay, okay. I get it. You're jealous."

He paused.

"But… I like it."

You hid your face under the blanket.

💤 Accidental Cuddling — But Not So Accidental

You were facing away when the blankets shifted.

Taehyung moved closer…

closer…

until his chest pressed lightly against your back.

You froze.

Y/N: "Tae?"

Tae (sleepy voice): "Hmm."

Y/N: "You're hugging me."

He hummed.

His arm wrapped around your waist.

Slow.

Secure.

Warm.

Tae: "I know."

Your heart thumped so loudly you were sure he heard it.

You whispered:

Y/N: "Tae… what are we doing?"

He buried his face in your neck.

His voice was warm brush of breath.

Tae: "Falling… slowly."

Your eyes widened.

You swallowed hard.

Y/N: "Tae…"

His hold tightened just a little.

Tae (whisper): "Let me stay like this. Just tonight."

You didn't say yes.

You didn't say no.

You simply let your fingers rest on his arm—

a small answer

but the loudest one ever.

🖤 The Line That Leaves You Speechless

Just when sleep was pulling you in—

Taehyung whispered one last thing:

Tae: "If love comes to you slowly… I'll wait at every step."

Your breath stopped.

You didn't move.

You didn't speak.

You just felt his heartbeat against your back.

Steady.

Warm.

Certain.

For the first time…

You weren't scared.

The room was still dim, the fairy lights glowing softly as everyone recovered from the chaos of the truth-and-dare game. Tae was unusually quiet… and Yoongi kept avoiding your eyes after that accidental kiss during dare.

You sat between Jungkook and Jin on the sofa, the atmosphere no longer loud, but… charged.

Suddenly Jin clapped his hands, "Okay! Everyone calm.

Let's cool the mood before Tae explodes into a philosophical speech."

Tae rolled his eyes but said nothing.

Jungkook leaned toward you, whispering,

"Y/N💜… are you okay? You look tense."

His voice was soft, genuinely worried.

You nodded, but your heart was still racing — partly from the kiss dare, partly from Tae's reaction.

Yoongi finally spoke, clearing his throat.

"It was just a dare, okay? Don't think too much."

But he didn't look at you when he said it.

Tae finally stood up.

"Let's go home," he said quietly, eyes fixed on anything except you.

Jungkook exchanged a look with Jin — one of those "Oh no, he's jealous but pretending he's not" looks.

Jin sighed dramatically.

"Great. The night ends with tension. I love my life."

OUTSIDE – The Parking Lot

You and Tae were walking ahead, the rest trailing behind.

"Tae…" you said softly.

He didn't stop walking. "Yeah?"

"It was just a dare."

"I know."

But his voice… sharp. Too sharp.

You gently tugged his sleeve.

"Tae, look at me."

He stopped.

And finally — he looked.

His eyes weren't angry.

They were hurt.

"I wasn't angry about the kiss," he said.

"I was angry because… I felt like I didn't know how much it affected you. You didn't look surprised. You didn't look uncomfortable."

He swallowed.

"You looked… normal."

You blinked. "Tae… Yoongi is just a close friend. You know that."

"I know."

He sighed.

"I just… didn't like watching someone else that close to you."

You felt your chest tighten.

"Tae… do you really think I'd want anyone else?"

He didn't answer.

So you stepped closer.

Really close.

Your voice barely above a whisper.

"Tae… I only want you."

His jaw clenched.

A moment.

Then another.

And finally—

His hand slowly reached for yours.

Warm.

Gentle.

But firm.

"Let's go home," he said again.

This time… much softer.

IN THE CAR – WITH THE OTHERS

Jungkook watched you both get in with laced hands and grinned.

"So… everything sorted?"

He wiggled his eyebrows.

Tae glared.

"Drive."

Jungkook winked at you.

Yoongi, seated at the back, cleared his throat.

"For the record, no one died from a dare kiss, okay?"

Jin snorted. "I don't know, Yoongi. Tae almost did."

Tae groaned loudly, covering his face.

You laughed — the tension melting.

Yoongi smiled slightly, relieved.

The ride home felt peaceful again.