FIRST DO VOTE!!! PLEASE 🥺

“What happened?” Y/n asked softly, her eyes brimming with worry as they landed on Jin.

Jin exhaled a heavy sigh, running a hand through his already tousled hair, the action betraying his frustration. “Well... we got into a fight. I was trying to knock some sense into his head, but I think I may have overreacted.”

Y/n’s brows furrowed, her concern deepening. “Overreacted? What actually happened? You and Taehyung rarely fight…”

Jin’s shoulders slumped as he scratched the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze. “He told me why you two broke up, and I lost it. I lashed out at him for being such a fool.”

Her heart clenched at the mention of their past, but she steadied her voice. “Why would you do that, Oppa? It’s been three years. I’m over it now.”

Jin’s raised eyebrows and sharp glance challenged her words. “You’re not over it, Y/n, nor are you over him. If you were, you wouldn’t have been so hurt yesterday when Taehyung said he didn’t like you.”

“Oppa…” Y/n’s voice trembled slightly, her defenses rising. “It’s okay. I’m really over it, so—”

“Y/n-ah,” Jin interrupted gently but firmly, his hands settling on her shoulders, grounding her in the moment. “How long are you both going to keep lying to yourselves, huh?”

Her shoulders sagged under the weight of his words, her head bowing in resignation.

“You both need to understand something,” Jin continued, his tone softening but laced with earnestness. “Weakness is a part of being human. It’s okay to feel vulnerable. But what you two are doing right now—this stubbornness, this silence—it’s only hurting you both. And deep down, Y/n, you know I’m right.”

Y/n lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She gave him a small, sad smile. “What’s the point of me knowing that, Oppa? Taehyung doesn’t think that way. To him, showing weakness is like admitting defeat. So, I let him live the way he wants, because at the end of the day... it’s his life, his choices.”

Her voice wavered as she smiled wider, masking her pain. She turned toward Taehyung’s sleeping form, her eyes softening as they traced the serene lines of his face. Walking over to him, she gently ran her fingers through his hair, her touch light and reverent.

“But don’t worry, Oppa,” she murmured, her voice filled with quiet determination. “I haven’t given up on him, and I won’t. No matter how much he tries to push me away... I know that one day, someday, he’ll understand. He’ll realise that having weaknesses is okay.”

Jin followed her gaze, his expression a mix of admiration and pity. He stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on her head and ruffling her hair gently. “You’re such an angel, you know that?”

Y/n snorted lightly, rolling her eyes at him. “I’m not an angel, for heaven’s sake.”

Jin chuckled, shaking his head. “No, Y/n, you are. If it were anyone else in your shoes, I doubt they’d be as patient or as forgiving. Most people would’ve walked away from him by now. I just hope this idiot”—he gestured toward Taehyung, sprawled on the couch—“realises how lucky he is to have you before it’s too late.”

Y/n glanced at Jin, a playful glint returning to her eyes. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is a compliment,” Jin replied, rolling his eyes.

A soft laugh escaped her lips as she watched him retreat toward the door. After he left, she turned her full attention back to Taehyung. His face looked peaceful, his long lashes casting delicate shadows on his cheeks. His lips were slightly parted, soft snores escaping with each even breath.

Y/n’s heart swelled as she crouched beside him, her fingers moving on their own accord. She reached out and brushed her index finger across his cheek, marvelling at the warmth of his skin. A pang of longing shot through her chest, the kind of ache only unspoken love could create.

In that fleeting moment, she allowed herself to hope, to believe that one day, the man who looked so vulnerable in his slumber would awaken to the truth she had always known: that love and weakness could coexist, and that in her, he’d always have a safe place to fall.

Taehyung shifted slightly on the couch, his peaceful expression undisturbed as he turned to his side. His hand reached out instinctively, capturing Y/n’s in a firm grip. The unexpected gesture drew a small gasp from her lips, her breath hitching at the sudden contact. She stared at his sleeping face, her pulse quickening. Slowly, she tried to free her hand from his hold, careful not to disturb his slumber. But as soon as she began to withdraw, Taehyung stirred, his brow furrowing slightly. Y/n froze in place, unwilling to risk waking him.

A resigned sigh escaped her as she realised the futility of her efforts. It was late, and the exhaustion etched on Taehyung’s face tugged at her heart. Gently, she manoeuvred herself onto the couch beside him, succumbing to the situation. His grip on her hand didn’t falter, leaving her with little choice. Though she knew she would regret this moment of closeness come morning, Y/n decided she could face the regret later.

As she settled into the limited space, Taehyung shifted again, this time wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. Her face pressed against his chest, his steady heartbeat thudding in her ear. Y/n’s eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching as a flurry of butterflies erupted in her stomach.

For a solid minute, she wrestled with herself, debating whether or not to reciprocate the embrace. Her hands hovered hesitantly before she finally gave in, wrapping her arms around him with deliberate care. She nestled into his warmth, her head resting against his chest. In his sleep, Taehyung’s arms instinctively tightened around her, as though afraid she might disappear. Y/n found herself smiling softly, a rare sense of tranquillity washing over her.

In his arms, the chaos of her mind quieted. Every worry, every doubt seemed to fade away, replaced by the steady rhythm of his breathing and the comforting weight of his hold. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt safe, anchored.

But as she lay there, her thoughts drifted to the past, to the pain she carried silently. Y/n didn’t blame Taehyung for breaking up with her three years ago; she had accepted his decision, even if it had shattered her. Yet, there was one thing she could never forgive—the way he had called her his weakness. It stung every time she recalled it because, for Y/n, Taehyung wasn’t her weakness. He was her strength, the force that kept her going when life seemed unbearable. Why couldn’t he see her in the same light?

No, Y/n wasn’t weak. She had spent her entire life proving her resilience, enduring hardships that would have broken others. She protected herself when no one else could or would—whether as a child fleeing a broken home, as a young woman surviving on the streets, or as an agent completing dangerous missions. She had never relied on anyone to save her. She had fought, endured, and survived on her own.

So, she despised it when others looked at her and saw weakness. She hated being viewed as fragile or incapable, as though her femininity and stature defined her limits. Y/n had shattered those stereotypes time and time again. She may have been small in size, she may have appeared delicate, but everyone who had ever crossed paths with Kang Y/n knew better. She was a force to be reckoned with, someone not to be underestimated. Even Taehyung, in his moments of clarity, had often told her how strong she was.

Yet, for all his admiration of her strength, he remained blind to the truth that weaknesses and strengths could coexist. That the things we love most, even if they made us vulnerable, could also make us powerful.

Y/n sighed, her gaze drifting to Taehyung’s face. She traced his features with her eyes—the sharp lines of his jaw, the curve of his lips, the long lashes that rested against his cheeks. She had tried to change his mind, to make him see what she saw, but Taehyung was stubborn, his beliefs rigid. So, she had let him be, hoping that one day, he would come to realise just how wrong he had been.

Her voice barely a whisper, she murmured, “You’re hurting my heart too, Tae…”

And yet, even in her pain, she couldn’t bring herself to let go.

♥︎⠀————⠀♥︎⠀

Taehyung groaned as a sharp, pounding pain throbbed in his head. He squinted, his voice raspy and laced with the remnants of sleep. “Why on earth does my head feel like it’s been run over?” he muttered, his brows furrowing as a low sigh escaped his lips. Slowly, he attempted to sit up, but something – or rather someone – kept him anchored.

A weight rested against him, and as he glanced down, his breath caught. There, nestled against his chest, was Y/n, her head buried comfortably against him. Her arms encircled his torso in a loose but firm embrace, her breathing soft and steady.

Taehyung blinked once. Then twice. Then thrice. What in the world...?

His heartbeat thundered against his ribs, his cheeks flushing crimson as if set ablaze. Instinctively, his hand reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered for a moment, his gaze softening as he watched her serene expression. There was an undeniable fondness in his eyes, but the sudden realisation of his actions snapped him out of his trance. Wait—what the hell am I doing?

His internal panic escalated as incoherent curses tumbled from his lips. Without thinking, he shouted, “AHH!” and in his frantic state, pushed Y/n off the couch. She tumbled unceremoniously onto the floor with a dull thud.

“Bloody hell,” Taehyung mumbled, sitting up abruptly. His wide eyes darted to Y/n’s still form, lying flat on her face. Panic surged through him as he scrambled to the floor beside her. “Y/n…? Oh, God, tell me you’re not dead!” he pleaded, gingerly poking her arm as if she might shatter.

Before he could spiral further into a panic, Y/n shot up suddenly, clutching her forehead with a wince. Her face contorted in pain as she turned to glare at him. “WHAT is your problem, Kim Taehyung?! Why the hell would you push me like that?” she snapped, her voice laced with exasperation.

Taehyung, startled by her outburst, spluttered in defence, his cheeks still painted red. “W-Why were you clinging onto me like that?! That’s weird!”

“Maybe because you were holding onto my hand and refused to let go!” Y/n fired back, crossing her arms as she glared at him.

“Stop lying,” Taehyung retorted, his voice defensive as he rolled his eyes. “I’d never do that.”

“Oh, really?” Y/n shot him a disbelieving look, mimicking his tone with a mocking, “I’d nEvEr dO tHaT.” She huffed and added, “For your information, you did, Taehyung. You can even check the CCTV footage.”

His expression faltered, confusion flickering in his eyes. “I… did that?” he asked, pointing to himself incredulously.

“Duh,” Y/n replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Taehyung groaned, running a hand through his hair as a wave of embarrassment washed over him. “What else did I do...?” he muttered, his voice hesitant.

Y/n smirked mischievously, her mind spinning with the perfect opportunity to tease him. “Oh, what didn’t you do, Kim Taehyung?” she began dramatically, leaning forward. “You held my hand like this...” She grabbed his hand and wrapped it around her wrist, her movements deliberate.

Taehyung’s eyes widened, his pulse quickening. “A-And then…?” he stammered, his voice betraying his nervousness.

“And then,” Y/n continued, her tone serious as she leaned closer, placing her hands on his shoulders. Their faces were mere inches apart, and Taehyung’s heart hammered uncontrollably in his chest. “You pulled me closer like this...” she whispered, pressing her chest lightly against his.

Taehyung’s breath hitched, his cheeks burning furiously. “T-Then what happened…?” he asked, his voice barely audible as his gaze stayed locked on hers, completely entranced.

Y/n bit her lip to stifle her laughter, keeping her expression stern. “Then...” she began, reaching slowly for the glass of water on the table behind him. Before Taehyung could process what was happening, she splashed the water directly onto his face.

A startled gasp escaped him as he reeled back, utterly drenched. Y/n burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she doubled over. “Oh my God, you should’ve seen your face, Tae!” she managed to say between fits of giggles.

Taehyung blinked, water dripping down his face as he stared at her in disbelief. His jaw dropped as he wiped his face with a hand. “YAH, KANG Y/N!” he shouted, glaring daggers at her.

Still laughing, Y/n stood and stuck her tongue out at him. “Relax, nothing happened. We just cuddled, that’s all. But honestly, messing with you was too fun to resist!” With that, she darted towards the door.

“KANG Y/N! HOW LONG DO YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN?” Taehyung bellowed after her, but she had already disappeared.

He sighed heavily, slumping back onto the couch. His hand instinctively pressed against his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he muttered to himself, glaring at the offending organ. “You shouldn’t beat like this.”

WORDS- 2310