YN'S POV:

After finishing the couple sack race, everyone collapsed into the shade, catching their breaths. My chest heaved, my legs felt worn out, and every ounce of energy had drained from my body, but at least all that effort had paid off. Because we won.

Taehyung and I won second place in the couple-sack race.

A proud smile lingered on my lips as I wiped the sweat from my forehead. Taehyung, however, seemed far from exhausted. In fact, he was strangely energetic today; almost like a completely different person compared to the grumpy, sulking version of him from yesterday.

It was as if he had made up his mind to dominate every single game here.

Yesterday, he had been all huffs and pouts. Was it because he couldn't participate? Maybe, because of missing out on the three-legged race and losing all three rounds of tug-of-war with his team.

But today?

Boom. He woke up first. Got ready first. Came downstairs first. And then, with zero hesitation, shoved Jimin aside from his host position and started announcing the games himself. The audacity. The determination. For a man who never even cared for games in the first place, he was suddenly treating this entire event like a championship.

It was amusing, but honestly, more than that, it made me happy. When he sprained his leg, I thought he'd be out for the rest of the trip. But then, like some sort of miracle, by the time we reached the beach after completing the games by evening, he was up and running-flying kites, joining the barbecue, acting as if the sprain had never happened.

And today, when we played as a team, it gave me a sense of determination too, as if we can win everything together.

I had wanted this for so long-to experience things with him outside of our usual zone, to have memories beyond just the ones we made at home.

That's why, when he asked me to come along on this getaway, I didn't hesitate to say yes. Taehyung really wasn't the type to go out with a bunch of people just to play games, but it felt like he was making a little effort from his side, so I readily took another step ahead.

Because deep down, I hoped that maybe, just maybe, this trip would change something or everything. That maybe I'd get to experience new things with him while we're not our regular selves but actually under the tag of a couple.

And I could already feel it happening.

Taehyung jogged toward me, two bottles in hand-cold drink and water. His shirt clung to his frame, his hair damp with sweat, strands sticking to his forehead under the golden sunlight.

He stopped right in front of me, tugging the straw out of one bottle before handing it over.

"Thanks," I murmured, offering him a small smile before taking a sip.

My gaze drifted to him just as he uncapped his own bottle-only to tilt it back and pour the cold water directly over his head.

Holy. Moly.

My throat dried up faster than the drink in my hands. The way the water cascaded down his sharp jawline, trailing over the curves of his throat before disappearing beneath the damp fabric of his shirt-it was downright sinful. His hair, now drenched, clung to his forehead, droplets trickling down his temple, glistening in the golden sunlight.

I swore time slowed for a second. Or maybe it was just my brain malfunctioning because I could literally hear music in my ears.

I sucked in a breath, gripping the bottle tighter as I unintentionally blew inside the bottle through the straw. Why does he look so majestic? Unreal?

And worse? He had no idea what he was doing. No awareness of the absolute destruction he was causing me.

He tilted his head back, rubbing a hand through his wet hair, eyes closing briefly in satisfaction. The movement made his Adam's apple bob, and dear lord, was that even legal?

I exhaled shakily, trying to tear my gaze away, but my body refused.

Look away, Y/N. LOOK AWAY. No. I don't want to. Damn woman! You wouldn't like the consequences!

And as if on cue, my mind, against my will, replayed the dream I had this morning...

_________

Dim lighting. A small, enclosed space. His face inches from mine, shrouded in shadows, but still, I could make out the sharp cut of his jaw, the heat in his gaze.

His breath ghosted over my skin. Hot. Teasing. My pulse hammered erratically.

Taehyung's hands gripped my waist, pressing me between him and the wall of wherever the hell we were. I gasped seductively.

A black compression shirt. Tight. Hugging every sculpted muscle of his torso. My throat tightened as his fingers trailed down my chin, tilting my face up to meet his heated gaze.

"It's so hot" he whispered.

"And yet you're this close" I murmured, my own voice-why was my voice so seductive?

His eyes darkened. "Fuck it," he groaned before crashing his lips onto mine, pressing me harder against the wall. His grip on my waist tightened, his touch searing.

A moan slipped past my lips-

____

"Y/N." A deep voice yanked me back to reality. I choked on my drink.

"Uh- yes what?-uhh wait, sorry-did you say something?" I coughed violently.

See, you see, you filthy Kim Y/N, you're caught!

"Where were you lost?" His head tilted, amusement curling at his lips. "You were staring?"

I choked again. "Staring? No. Wait, I wasn't- that sounds-I was just thinking about something" I stammered, flustered beyond belief.

Act casual, Y/N. Act like you didn't just hallucinate about kissing him.

"Thinking about what?" he mused, his tone far too entertained for my liking.

"Heat" I blurted.

His brows lifted. God, Taehyung, please... My mind flickered back to my dream. His lips. And my lips. Heat. Oh god. This heat.

"Yes, heat. The sun. It's too hot" I fanned myself desperately.

"The sun is always hot, Y/N" he mocked coming closer.

Before I could react, he closed the distance, hands landing lightly on my arms. In one swift motion, he turned me around, positioning himself between me and the sun, his tall frame casting a shadow over me.

"Better?"

My lips parted, heart slamming against my ribs as I stared up at him, observing me with awe in his gaze. Now, how do I tell him... it was never the sun?

"Ready for the next game, everyone?" The announcer's voice boomed from the stage, drawing everyone's attention. Conversations died down as we turned toward him, curiosity buzzing in the air.

"Our next game is... a treasure hunt!" he announced dramatically. A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd, followed by an eruption of cheers.

"We will have two teams-Team A and Team B. Each will follow different clues leading to a key... to this box." He gestured to an ornate wooden chest on the stage, a sly smirk playing on his lips.

"And inside it," he continued, pausing for effect, "is a crisp $1,000!"

My jaw practically hit the ground. A thousand dollars? My head snapped toward Taehyung, my eyes wide with disbelief. That was free money. Easy, effortless cash just waiting to be claimed!

But while I was barely restraining myself from jumping in excitement, Taehyung only blinked, processing the information like he'd just heard today's weather forecast. He gave a single, indifferent nod, as if a thousand dollars was pocket change. Which, to be fair, it kind of was for us. But still! Free money is free money.

The announcer's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Let's start this!"

I exhaled sharply, rolling my shoulders back in determination. I. Am. Winning. That. Treasure.

The teams were quickly divided. We were Team B-me, Taehyung, Jimin, Fatima, the director of the food department, and a few employees with their partners. Team A, on the other hand, had the same number of people, all just as eager to claim the prize.

With the sharp crack of a gunshot, the hunt began.

The group surged forward into the forest, weaving between towering trees and crunching over dried leaves. The air buzzed with energy, everyone determined to get ahead.

"Alright, listen up!" I called, trying to bring some order to the team. "Let's spread out and search separately. If anyone finds a clue, we'll meet right back here!"

Everyone nodded in agreement before splitting up, their footsteps fading into the dense woodland.

I wandered deeper, scanning every possible hiding spot-beneath rocks, inside bushes, behind tree trunks. My fingers trailed along rough bark as I stepped over a fallen branch, eyes darting for anything unusual.

Then, something caught my eye.

A small parchment peeking out from a hollow in a thick oak tree. With excitement, I reached inside and pulled it out, unfolding the aged paper. The writing was scribbled in an old-fashioned font, almost poetic:

"The one that rises but never sets, its golden touch where morning rests."

I frowned, reading it over and over. What? A riddle? I tapped my chin, trying to decode its meaning, but the more I thought, the less sense it made.

Taehyung's deep voice suddenly came from behind me. "Did you find something?"

I turned, startled, clutching the paper like it was a secret diary. "Yeah, but I don't get it"

He took the paper from my fingers, his eyes scanned the words, and then, just like that, he smirked.

"It's the sun" he said smoothly, his voice dipping into a low, knowing tone.

I blinked. "Huh?"

"The answer to the riddle" he explained, folding the paper neatly. "The sun rises but never sets-at least, in a metaphorical sense. And the clue tells us to look where 'morning rests'... which means east."

I stared at him. How did he just... figure that out so easily?

A slow, involuntary smile curled on my lips. God, that was hot.

He glanced at me, catching me completely zoned out. Before I could regain composure, his fingers suddenly curled around my wrist and my breath hitched.

"Come on" he murmured, already leading me forward through the thick of the trees. The warmth of his hand-firm yet gentle-sent a shiver straight to my heart. Oh. Oh, no.

I bit my lip, trying to control the ridiculous smile threatening to take over my face. But the way his grip tightened slightly, the way he navigated us through the forest without letting go-it was doing things to me.

We moved swiftly toward the east side, where, just as Taehyung predicted, another hint was waiting for us-tied carefully to a tree branch with a red ribbon. It felt almost too easy for him. He barely needed a second glance before tugging me forward again, leading me toward the next clue like he was built for this.

And, as if fate had orchestrated it, we kept finding one clue after another, piecing together a trail that led us deeper into the woods.

At one point, we ran into our team, who had also gathered a few hints along the way. We circled up, spreading out the clues on a large rock, trying to make sense of them.

Correction: They were trying to make sense of them.

Me? Oh, I was too busy short-circuiting. Because Taehyung still hadn't let go of my hand.

It wasn't even necessary anymore. We weren't rushing through trees or navigating the forest floor. And yet, his fingers remained firmly laced around mine, his thumb occasionally brushing against my skin absentmindedly.

How was I supposed to focus?!

I tried. I really did. I even nodded along, pretending to understand whatever the hell Jimin was talking about. But my brain? Gone. Empty. Fried.

Okay, let's be rational. If he lets go, I'll be able to focus. That's all.

Right?

...Right?!

I swallowed hard, glancing down at our intertwined hands. His grip was so natural, so casual-like it was the most normal thing in the world. Meanwhile, I was over here losing my entire mind.

What is happening to me?! Is there something in the air? Is it the adrenaline? The thrill of the game? Or is it just... him?

Oh my God.

Everything about him was turning me on. The way he solved those clues effortlessly, the way he took charge, the way he-God help me-held my hand like he owned it.

My hormones? A mess. My self-control? Hanging on by a thread. We haven't even confessed to each other, and here I am, spiraling into feral insanity.

I need a doctor. Or a priest. Maybe both. Or... maybe just Taehyung finally kissing me senseless?

No. Stop. Bad thoughts.

I shook my head violently, trying to shake the overwhelming attraction crawling up my spine. But then his thumb grazed over my knuckles, and just like that-I was gone again.

Jimin clapped his hands, bringing everyone's attention back to the clues. "Alright, so we have five hints so far. Let's start piecing them together before the other team beats us to it."

Fatema nodded, smoothing out the papers we had collected. "We should look for a pattern. The clues have to connect somehow."

I bit my lip, forcing myself to focus. I needed to stop thinking about Taehyung's warm hand wrapped around mine or the way his fingers occasionally tightened when he shifted. But how could I, when every tiny movement sent a rush of heat up my arm?

Focus. Focus. Focus.

Jimin read out loud, "A golden eye watches from above, but its twin hides below. Follow the reflection and you'll know where to go."

Taehyung hummed beside me, his voice deep and contemplative. "It's talking about water."

Everyone turned to look at him.

He glanced up, eyes flickering with thought. "A reflection means we're looking for something near a water source. A lake, a pond, or even a well."

Wow. I hated how effortless this was for him.

Jimin snapped his fingers. "There's a small lake just west of here! We passed it when we first entered the forest."

A murmur of agreement spread through the group. I finally found my voice. "So... that's where the key is?"

Taehyung's thumb absentmindedly rubbed the side of my hand, and I had to swallow back a very unhinged noise. Sir, please.

"Possibly," he mused. "But I don't think it'll be that easy. We should move before the other team catches up."

Everyone nodded, and just like that, we were off-moving toward the lake with renewed urgency.

Taehyung's grip on my hand didn't loosen. If anything, he adjusted his hold, intertwining our fingers fully now. And I swear, my soul left my body.

I could barely breathe, let alone process the fact that we were currently on a treasure hunt. My thoughts were nowhere near the prize.

I tried to play it cool. I failed.

The group reached the lake, the shimmering water reflecting the afternoon sun. The air buzzed with excitement as we scanned the area, looking for anything that could be hiding the key.

Jimin squinted at the clue again. "It said, 'hides below.' That must mean it's buried."

Fatema groaned. "So, we have to dig?"

"Looks like it" Taehyung muttered, already rolling up his sleeves.

And then-he did something so casually hot that I nearly, physically melted.

Without hesitation, he slid off his Rolex, the expensive metal gleaming under the sun, and handed it to me. Then, his phone followed, cool against my palm.

"Hold these" he said simply, voice low, eyes focused on the ground. This wasn't affecting him at all.

I, on the other hand, was suffering.

My fingers curled around his belongings as I nodded, pretending like I wasn't about to combust. Then, as if the universe wasn't torturing me enough, he crouched down, folded his half sleeves and started to dig with bare hands.

His muscles flexed-every movement making his forearms strain, veins visible against his tanned skin. The dirt clung to his hands, but he didn't care. He worked with determination, his brows furrowed, jaw clenched.

It was unfair.

Jimin and the others followed suit, their hands joining in the search, but my eyes were locked on him.

The way his fingers gripped the earth, the tension in his shoulders, the sheer strength in his movements.

God, why was this attractive?

I bit my lip, shifting on my feet. Not now, Y/N. Focus.

Fatema huffed beside me, shaking off the dirt from her hands before nudging me with her elbow. "Aren't you gonna help?"

I blinked, still clutching Taehyung's Rolex and phone like they were sacred artifacts. Oh. Right. Digging. The treasure hunt.

Before I could even process a response, Taehyung beat me to it.

Without even looking up, his voice came out deep, firm, and absolutely unfair-
"Not my wife. She hates getting her nails dirty."

Excuse me?
My brain flatlined on the spot.

Fatema let out an incredulous laugh.
"Do you think we're kindergarteners obsessed with playing in the mud?"

Taehyung finally glanced up, one brow raised, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Sounds like your problem."

"Wow, Y/N, I'm jealous," Fatema muttered with a dramatic eye-roll, stabbing her fingers into the dirt with more force than necessary.

Jimin clutched his chest as if wounded, gasping theatrically.
"Sweetheart? After everything we've been through?"

"Oh please," she scoffed.

"Oh really?" Jimin leaned in for a kiss, his lips puckered in mock-pout. Fatema pushed him away, playful but firm.

He chuckled, sticking close anyway, brushing off her swats like they were nothing. Taehyung just shook his head at them, amused but silent, his focus still on the dirt. And me? I just sat there, holding his things, feeling completely useless and weirdly in awe, watching their chaos and our quiet.

Then my eyes shifted to him again.

He was calm. Collected. Digging like he's done this a hundred times before. And suddenly, I was back in time-

That day in the garden.
The lily seeds from Grandma.
How I whined, so dramatically, about getting my freshly manicured nails dirty. I wasn't even talking to him, really. Just whining into the air like a diva. But he had looked at me, wordless, and taken the hand shovel from my grasp.

"Go inside," he had said gently. "I'll do it."

Back then, I hadn't understood. I didn't see the quiet love tucked in that simple act.

But now, watching him casually shield me from dirt even in a joke-remembering my smallest complaints like they mattered-I realize it.

He listens. Not just hears, but listens-as if my words are worth remembering.
As if every version of me, even the overdramatic, nail-obsessed one, is precious to him.

And that?
That's the kind of love that roots deep. Like lilies in spring.

Then-

"I got something."

Taehyung's deep voice cut through the noise.

Everyone immediately froze.

He dug deeper, fingers wrapping around something solid. With one strong pull, he yanked it free-A small wooden box, covered in dirt.

We won.

The group erupted in cheers, clapping and laughing as Jimin patted Taehyung's back. "Man, you really saved us there!"

Taehyung dusted off the box, easily flipping the latch open. Inside, nestled in velvet lining, was a golden key.

Victory.

Jimin whooped, grabbing the key and waving it in the air. "Suck it, Team A!"

Taehyung exhaled, stretching his arms as he finally stood up, his hands covered in dirt. He turned to me, his smirk lazy and knowing.

I cleared my throat, desperate to compose myself. "Here, your stuff." I shoved his Rolex and phone back into his hands.

Taehyung took them, slipping his watch on with ease before glancing at me, his expression shifting back to that signature, smug confidence.

He smirked. "See? There's nothing The Kim Taehyung can't do."

I killed the urge to roll my eyes at him.

This man was cutely hot.

_______________________

After celebrating our win and distributing the prize money among the team, we headed out to the local market. The resort manager had mentioned how lively the area gets during spring, calling it "the pride of the town"-apparently a secret gem for both locals and tourists. So yesterday, the girls and I planned to take a break from competitive chaos and explore the neighborhood instead.

It wasn't too far, so we decided to walk. The cherry blossom trees arched over the road like pink clouds, their petals dancing in the air with every breeze. I clutched my $200 and scanned the path ahead, mentally planning how to spend it on something meaningful. Something cute.

The road was peacefully empty, except for the stream of couples walking hand-in-hand or cycling slowly, stopping occasionally to snap pictures under the gentle shower of petals.

I sighed, the kind that held just a pinch of longing.

Why didn't I bring my camera?

This scenery practically begged to be captured.

My eyes slid toward Taehyung. He walked beside me, a casual god in a black tee and joggers, his tracksuit jacket slung over one shoulder. His other hand held his phone up, probably scrolling through messages, completely oblivious to the soft romance floating around us.

Two whole days into this trip and not a single picture with my husband. Tragic.

But then a thought hit me, sudden and brilliant.

Why not buy a camera with the money we won?

"Um... Taehyung," I asked, tilting my face up toward him, "do you want to buy something with this money?"

He looked up from his phone, lips twitching into a half-smile. "No."

I raised a brow, pleased. "Then can we please buy a camera with it?"

"You want to buy a camera?" he echoed.

I nodded eagerly.

"Okay," he said, simple and sure.

That was it. I squealed inside. With a surge of excitement, I half-jogged toward the heart of the market, leaving him behind-and then stopped dead in my tracks.

My jaw dropped.

The road we entered wasn't just a marketplace-it was a full-blown local festival in bloom.

"Woah... it's a local festival" Fatima said behind me, awe softening her voice.

My inner child burst through the surface.

Colorful flags fluttered overhead, the streets were lined with little shops: flower stalls, handmade accessory booths, sizzling food carts, vibrant clothes hanging like treasure waiting to be found. Some people wore traditional hanboks, laughing with friends, lovers, or families. There were photo booths and claw machines, vintage game stalls and prize wheels.

I took a slow, delighted twirl right in the middle of the crowd. My skirt flared around my legs like I belonged in a Studio Ghibli scene.

This was magic.

And for the first time in ages, I felt like a kid in a dream I didn't know I missed.

"Taehyung-" I turned back to call him, but froze mid-step.

He was standing a few feet away... camera in hand, aimed right at me.

I blinked. "Whose camera is that?!"

Without missing a beat, he turned and casually snapped a picture of Jimin, who was mid-bite into a dango stick.

Jimin flinched, "Yah!"

Taehyung tossed the camera back to him like it weighed nothing. "He wanted a picture," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked toward me.

Then he simply said, "Let's buy a camera" nodding toward the row of shops, and I-without argument-followed him.

We stepped into a cozy camera store, the warm lights bouncing off sleek lenses and display cases. It smelled faintly of metal and new plastic.

"Show us a camera in the $200 range" I told the shopkeeper politely.

"Show us the best one" Taehyung said at the same time, sliding his black card across the smooth glass without even looking at the models.

The shopkeeper smiled knowingly and nodded.

I turned to him with a frown of protest. "It's just a camera."

"Exactly," he said, voice low and certain, "it's just a camera."

I knew what he meant. I pressed my lips together to hide my smile, heart doing a little flip, and turned away to look around the shop-pretending like I wasn't melting inside.

As we stepped out of the store, a brand new $400 camera in hand-with absolutely no bargaining-I opened my mouth to finally argue with Taehyung, but a voice called out before I could speak.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kim, let's wear traditional costumes!" Jimin shouted from across the alley, waving before vanishing into the nearby store like an excited kid.

I frowned, turning back to Taehyung. "Seriously, we could've bought a cheaper one."

"But we didn't" he said calmly, not even glancing at me. "We bought a better one instead."

I groaned. "But $400? That's a waste."

Click.

The camera shutter went off, catching me mid-sulk. Taehyung turned the screen to face me and smiled.

"Is it still a waste if my wife looks like this?"

I blinked, lips parting slightly, not knowing what to say.

He lowered the camera and sighed lightly before stepping closer. "It's my right to spend on my family," he said softly, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "And you, Mrs. Kim, don't get to stop me from doing that."

My cheeks flushed instantly-burning, in fact. It wasn't just what he said, but how he said it. Calm. Unbothered. Sweet, almost. His eyes didn't waver, and his voice had this quiet authority that made me... forget what I was even sulking about in the first place.

My mind went blank.

My heart didn't.

Just then, Jimin's voice thundered from across the street. "YAAAH!"

I jumped in place.

"Am I your personal assistant?! My wife is calling for Yn! If I have to shout again, you're both dead-" he yelled, his hanbok half undone as he stomped back into the shop dramatically.

Before Taehyung could say or do anything else, I spun on my heel and bolted towards the dressing store like an anime character escaping a love confession.

The moment I stepped into the dressing store, I was swept into a whirlwind of silk fabrics, delicate hairpins, and the excited chatter of staff bustling around me. Before I could even catch my breath, I was ushered into the women's section and wrapped in layers of elegance.

When I finally stood in front of the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

The hanbok was the softest blend of blush pink and ivory, layered like petals of a spring bloom. Gentle embroidery traced cherry blossoms along the sleeves, each thread shimmering faintly under the light. I tugged nervously at the ribbon tied around my waist, the bow slightly askew.

"Do I look weird?" I asked Fatima, who was already dressed and beaming at me like I'd just walked out of a fairytale.

"You look like a Disney character," she said dramatically, eyes wide, "but better. Taehyung is going to combust."

My heart skipped a beat, I chuckled softly.

Minutes later, we were called out, and as I stepped into the open courtyard, my breath caught mid-air.

There he was-Kim Taehyung.

Dressed in a deep midnight blue hanbok adorned with silver accents that shimmered like stardust. The fabric draped elegantly over his broad shoulders, flowing like royal robes. He stood with his hands in his pockets, casually talking to Jimin, exuding calm confidence.

But then-his eyes found mine.

He paused. Mid-sentence. Mid-breath.

His gaze roamed, slow and intense, from the crown of my head to the hem of my dress. My breath hitched. I looked down, fiddling with the sleeve of my hanbok, not knowing where else to look under the weight of his eyes.

He moved.

His footsteps were soundless, but the space between us shrank until he was right in front of me. I glanced up hesitantly-and he smirked, tilting his head ever so slightly.

"Should I kneel, your highness?" he teased.

My eyes widened in shock, warmth crawling up my neck.

He chuckled softly, clearly amused by my reaction, and reached forward. His fingers brushed my waist as he gently retied the ribbon that had slipped. "There. Perfect."

I swallowed, lips pouting slightly from nerves. My heart was racing, and I couldn't decide if he was utterly unaware of the chaos he caused within me-or if he knew exactly what he was doing and enjoying it-or this was all normal and I was only one overreacting. Either way, he was getting bolder. Especially today. Too bold. And it was slowly unraveling me.

"Let's take a group photo, y'all!" someone called out cheerfully.

"Yes, Mr. Kim just bought a very expensive camera, let's not let it go to waste," Jimin teased, grinning.

Taehyung rolled his eyes but turned to me and held out his hand.

I stared at it for a beat-confused, hesitant-before slipping my hand into his. Firm, warm, grounding.

Everyone began to gather. As we arranged ourselves for the group photo, Jimin started handing out delicate white mogra flowers.

"This is a sweet tradition, y'all" he said. "Tucking a flower behind your left ear means you're taken. And since our whole theme is couple related, we're all doing it."

I took one of the flowers and looked up at Taehyung.

Without a word, he leaned down slightly, tilting his head to offer his ear.

Gently, carefully, I tucked the mogra behind it, my fingers trembling just a little as they brushed against his skin. He held my gaze the entire time, his expression unreadable-but his eyes? They held something unspoken.

"You're taken" I whispered, unsure if he even heard me.

But, what's even the issue even if he hears it? It's the truth. Pure, white, ultimate truth.

A small smile touched his lips. "So are you."

Before I could process why did he even reply, he reached for the flower and without any warning tucked it behind my left ear.

His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary, before he unexpectedly cupped my left cheek, holding me there.

"You look gorgeous, Y/n"

Then the shutter clicked.

And just like that, a fleeting moment turned eternal.

I blinked, suddenly aware of the world again. The sound of laughter. The flash of the camera. The air. Everything.
I turned stiffly toward the lens, trying to remember how to breathe.
But his hand... it had only just left my skin, and I swear I could still feel the warmth of his touch burning through me.

Taehyung didn't move. His hand now rested lower, but his gaze stayed. Still on me. Like he was memorizing the shape of me, the softness, the color of my expression when I blushed just for him.

Smile, I told myself. Just smile. Pretend your legs aren't melting like jelly.

I composed myself with a practiced breath and looked straight at the camera propped on the stand. Everyone was laughing, getting into position, their arms flung over each other like it was just another fun photo. I posed too-casual, normal, like nothing had happened.

And there it was: a normal picture. Finally.

But inside? I was anything but normal.

My hands trembled slightly as I lowered them, the chill of missing his touch spreading across my cheek. My knees felt unstable, barely holding me upright, and I was terrified that if I leaned even slightly, I'd collapse into him-into whatever spell he was casting over me today.

What was that?

Was it... just him being Taehyung? Effortlessly charming. Dangerously magnetic.

Or was it something else?

Because when he said I looked gorgeous... he meant it. I felt it. In the way his eyes softened, in the way he touched me like he wanted to memorize me.

My lips parted as a thought pushed its way through the noise: I want to kiss him. Senseless. Madly. Just kiss him, once, right now.

Even if that was a bad thought; it wasn't. Even if I didn't confess my love for him. God, I don't even know anything anymore.

But I was so patient. So careful. Pretending like none of it was getting to me-like I wasn't breaking apart with every glance he gave me that screamed of unsaid things.

I deserved atleast one kiss for that.

This-whatever this was-Romance or restlessness. A constant ache lodged in my chest. Every time he looked at me like I was his. Like he was mine. Like we didn't need confessions because our hearts were already tethered in some unspoken vow.

It was overwhelming. Wild. And utterly beyond my control.

And for some maddening reason, I couldn't even name what I was feeling. Was I confused? But I knew I loved him. I knew he loved me too. So what was the confusion for?

Did I need to hear it out loud? A confession?

Maybe.
Maybe not.

Maybe I was just terrified.
Because this was my first. My first everything.

I'd never felt something so all-consuming before, and now that I had, I didn't know what to do with it. The thoughts. The fear. The joy. The want.

But even in the whirlwind of confusion, I knew one thing clearly-
I wanted this.
All of it.
The chaos. The aching. The tenderness. The fear. The fall.

Because when I looked at him, all I saw was the man I trusted with every inch of my heart-the man who held it gently, like it was something sacred.

And somehow, in this love, I bloomed. Like a wildflower, messy and breathtaking. And if this love was wild-

Then I wanted to grow with it.
With him.
Always.

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