I woke slowly, the world coming back to me in soft pieces. The first thing I felt was warmth. Not the kind that came from blankets or sunlight but the kind that came from another person. My cheek was pressed against something firm and warm and steady. It rose and fell in a slow rhythm that made my body relax before my mind even caught up. When I finally opened my eyes I realized I wasn't on the couch anymore. I was in my bed. And I wasn't alone.
Taehyung was lying beneath me his arm wrapped around my waist his other hand resting lightly on my shoulder like he had been holding me even in his sleep. His breathing was deep and even and his face looked peaceful in a way I hadn't seen before, not broken Just calm. Resting like someone who finally felt safe enough to let his guard down for a moment.
I blinked slowly trying to remember how we ended up here. The last thing I remembered was the movie playing softly in the background and the warmth of his arm around me as I drifted off. I must have fallen asleep on him and he must have carried me here. The thought made my chest warm in a way I wasn't prepared for.
I shifted slightly and his arm tightened around me instantly— not in panic, just instinct. His eyes opened a moment later dark and warm and still heavy with sleep. He looked down at me and for a second he didn't say anything. He just stared like he was trying to figure out if this was real or if he was still dreaming.
"You're awake" he said his voice low and rough from sleep.
"Yeah" I whispered. "What time is it?"
He turned his head slightly to look at the clock on my nightstand. "Nine."
"At night?" I asked.
He nodded. "You were out for a while."
I groaned softly and buried my face in his chest again. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"It's fine" he said. "You were tired."
I lifted my head to look at him. "Did you carry me here?"
He didn't look embarrassed or shy. He just nodded once. "You were uncomfortable on the couch. I didn't want your neck to hurt."
My heart did a strange little flip. "Thank you."
He shrugged lightly like it was nothing. "You don't have to thank me."
We stayed like that for a moment just looking at each other in the dim light of my room. His hand brushed my back slowly almost unconsciously and I felt myself melt into him again. But then he blinked and sat up a little his expression shifting back to that calm composed version of him that always made me feel grounded.
I sat up slowly, stretching my arms over my head. Taehyung watched me with that quiet, steady gaze of his — the one that made me feel seen without feeling exposed. He sat up too, leaning back on one hand, the other resting casually on his knee. Even half-asleep, he looked composed, grounded, like nothing could shake him.
"It's Friday," he said. "No school tomorrow. We can stay up if you want."
I smiled. "Yeah. I'd like that."
"You wanna shower?" I asked. "I can get you some clothes."
He hesitated for a moment like he didn't want to impose but then he nodded. "Okay. Thank you."
I went to my dresser and pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a loose t‑shirt. They were big on me but they would probably fit him. When I handed them to him he took them carefully like he didn't want to wrinkle them.
"I'll be quick" he said.
"Take your time" I replied.
He left the room and I sat on the edge of my bed listening to the sound of the shower turning on down the hall. It was strange how normal it felt having him here. Like he wasn't a guest. Like he belonged. I didn't know what that meant or what it was supposed to mean but the thought didn't scare me. It felt right.
When he came back his hair was damp and pushed back from his face and he looked softer somehow but still strong still composed. The clothes I gave him fit better than I expected the shirt hanging loosely over his shoulders the sweatpants sitting comfortably on his hips. He looked at me with a small almost shy smile.
"Thank you" he said again.
"You look comfortable" I said.
He nodded. "I am."
We sat on my bed again, facing each other. The room was quiet, but not awkward. Just peaceful. He leaned back on his hands, his posture relaxed.
"Tell me something about you," I said. "Something normal."
He raised an eyebrow. "Normal?"
"Yeah. Not heavy. Just you."
He thought for a moment. "I like drawing."
I blinked. "Drawing?"
He nodded. "I used to draw a lot when I was younger. Before everything got complicated."
"What do you draw?"
"People. Places. Things I see. Things I imagine."
"That's really cool," I said. "Do you still draw?"
"Sometimes," he said. "Not as much as I want to."
"You should draw more," I said. "You deserve to do things that make you happy."
He looked at me for a long moment, something soft flickering in his eyes. "You say things like that so easily."
"Because they're true."
He smiled a little. "Your turn."
I thought for a moment. "I like baking. When I'm stressed or bored or just want something sweet. It makes me feel calm."
"What do you bake?"
"Cookies. Cakes. Bread sometimes."
He nodded. "I'd like to try something you make."
My cheeks warmed. "I can bake something tomorrow."
"I'd like that."
We talked like that for a while, trading small pieces of ourselves back and forth. Favorite colors. Favorite foods. Childhood memories. Things we liked. Things we hated. It felt easy. Natural. Like we'd known each other longer than a few days.
Then there was a soft knock on my door.
"Unnie?" Nina peeked inside, her stuffed rabbit in her arms. "Can we watch a movie?"
I smiled. "Yeah where's minsu?"
She looked at Taehyung, then back at me. "Can Taehyung come too?" She asked running to his lap completely ignoring my question
Taehyung smiled softly. "If that's okay." He said softly wrapping his arm around her
She nodded eagerly. "Yes."
Minsu appeared behind her. "Can we play games too?"
"Sure," I said. "Let's go to the living room"
We all went downstairs, and the living room filled with the kind of warm chaos only siblings could create. Nina grabbed all the blankets she could find and made a giant pile on the floor. Minsu turned on the console and started arguing with Nina about which game to play first.
Taehyung watched them with a small amused smile, his posture relaxed, his eyes soft He sat beside me on couch The kids finally settled on a racing game and handed us controllers. Taehyung took his like he'd done it a thousand times, and when the game started, he was instantly good at it. Not just good — amazing.
Minsu stared at him in disbelief. "How are you so fast?"
Taehyung shrugged. "I've played before."
Nina giggled. "You're cool." Taehyung smiled and put his hand out for a high five which Nina put all her energy into.
We played for a long time, switching between games and movies and snacks. The room was filled with laughter and shouting and the kind of warmth that made everything else fade away. Taehyung fit into it so easily — helping Nina reach the snacks, letting Minsu win a round without making it obvious, sitting close to me with his arm brushing mine every now and then.
At some point, Nina fell asleep on the blanket pile, her rabbit tucked under her chin. Minsu yawned loudly and stretched before settling down too
"I'm tired," he said through yawns
"Goodnight," I said
"Goodnight, hyung." He murmured
Taehyung hummed softly in response the house felt quieter but not empty. Just peaceful. Taehyung looked at me, his eyes warm in the soft glow of the lamp.
"They're good kids," he said.
"They like you," I replied.
He looked down for a moment, then back at me. "I like them too."
We sat there for a while, just looking at each other. The silence was comfortable. I leaned against him slowly, and he wrapped his arm around me without hesitation, pulling me closer. His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder.
"You're warm," I murmured.
He chuckled softly. "So are you."
I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into him. His thumb brushed my arm slowly, soothing. The room was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the TV and the steady rhythm of his breathing.
"You're tired again," he said softly.
"Maybe," I whispered.
"You can sleep," he said. "I'll stay."
I nodded and curled closer to him, my head resting on his chest, my hand resting lightly on his shirt. His arm tightened around me just enough to make me feel held. The warmth of him, the softness of the blankets, the quiet of the house — it all wrapped around me like a cocoon.
I fell asleep like that, wrapped in his warmth, held in his arms, feeling safe in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.
And Taehyung stayed awake just long enough to brush a strand of hair from my face and whisper something so soft I almost didn't hear it.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Then he closed his eyes and rested his cheek lightly against the top of my head, holding me as if I was something precious.