heart of ice 「 KimTaehyung * Y/N 」

Chapter 22: Unbreakable Bonds

The morning sun seeped through the curtains, casting golden hues across the room. Y/N stirred slightly, her body sore in the best possible way, a reminder of the night before. Her fingers curled against the silk sheets as she blinked, adjusting to the light. The warmth beside her remained constant, and when she turned her head, she found Taehyung already awake, watching her.

He was propped up on one elbow, his dark hair slightly tousled, his eyes tracing every inch of her face as if memorizing her all over again. There was no arrogance in his expression, no smug satisfaction—just something deep, something raw, something that made her heart skip a beat.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.

Y/N swallowed, suddenly feeling shy under his gaze. "Morning."

A slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, though her heart pounded in her chest. The intensity in his eyes made her feel vulnerable in a way she wasn't used to. Last night had been unlike anything they had ever experienced before. It wasn't just passion; it was something deeper. Something undeniable.

Taehyung traced a gentle line down her arm, his fingers featherlight. "I meant what I said last night, Y/N."

Her breath caught. She knew what he was talking about. The proposal. The confession. The shift between them.

"I won't push you," he continued, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand. "But I need you to know that I'm not going anywhere."

Y/N bit her lip, her mind racing. She wanted to believe him. And a part of her did. But fear still lingered, whispering doubts into her ear.

"I just... I don't want to make another mistake," she admitted softly.

Taehyung's gaze darkened, but not with anger. With understanding. He shifted closer, his fingers tilting her chin so she had no choice but to look at him.

"I was your mistake before," he said, his voice low. "But I won't be again."

Her lips parted slightly, stunned by his certainty. Before she could respond, Taehyung leaned in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss against her lips. It wasn't demanding, wasn't desperate. It was a promise.

Y/N melted into him, her hands sliding up to his shoulders as she kissed him back, pouring every bit of uncertainty and emotion into the moment. Taehyung responded by pulling her even closer, as if trying to erase any remaining doubts between them.

When they pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers, exhaling softly. "Stay with me today."

Y/N hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Okay."

The slow smile that spread across his face was enough to make her heart race all over again.

The rest of the morning was unlike anything Y/N had ever experienced with Taehyung before. There were no arguments, no tension—just a comfortable ease between them as they spent the day together. Taehyung cooked breakfast, surprising her with his skills in the kitchen, and they ate in quiet companionship, stealing glances at each other like a couple experiencing love for the first time.

At some point, they ended up in his home library, where Taehyung sat on the couch, flipping through a book while Y/N lay stretched out beside him, her head resting on his lap. His fingers absentmindedly played with her hair, the gesture so natural that it made her chest tighten.

"Do you always read business books?" she teased, tilting her head to glance up at him.

Taehyung smirked, setting the book aside. "Not always. But I have to keep up appearances, don't I?"

Y/N chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't think anyone would question you if you read something else."

He hummed thoughtfully before reaching for a different book from the shelf, handing it to her. "Then read to me."

Y/N blinked in surprise. "What?"

"Read to me," he repeated, leaning back comfortably. "I just want to hear your voice."

Her heart fluttered at his words, but she didn't argue. Instead, she opened the book and began reading, her voice filling the quiet room. Taehyung listened, his fingers still playing with her hair, his breathing slow and even. It was intimate in a way she never could have imagined.

And for the first time in a long time, Y/N felt like she belonged somewhere.

That night, as they lay in bed once again, wrapped in each other's warmth, Y/N realized something. She wasn't afraid anymore. Not of him, not of this. Not of the love that was growing between them.

Because maybe, just maybe, Taehyung wasn't just the man she had once despised.

Maybe he was the one she had been waiting for all along.

And maybe... she was finally ready to stop running.