from afar | baekyeon

Chapter 25

Kim Taeyeon gazed at her enigmatic boyfriend, his figure sprawled beside her, his arm holding her close against his bare chest as they lay naked under the warm cocoon of blankets.

"Why did I fall so deeply in love with you?" she murmured into the air, her voice carrying a mixture of wonder and bittersweet emotion. Her fingers traced delicate patterns on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breath beneath her touch.

Her eyes remained fixed on him, captivated by his presence. It was a gaze that could linger for eternity, a study of every contour, every detail that made up the man beside her. Yet, deep down, she knew this couldn't last forever. She shouldn't let it.

Despite the chill of the December night and the snow falling outside, their bodies generated an intimate warmth that enveloped them, erasing the physical coldness from their minds.

Earlier that day, Taeyeon had mustered the courage to reveal the feelings she had kept hidden for five long years. Their conversation had led to an intense moment of physical connection, a passionate release of emotions that had been suppressed for far too long. Neither of them had any regrets; instead, the encounter had only intensified the emotions they felt for each other.

But Taeyeon understood the boundaries all too well. Despite the facade they were maintaining - pretending to be a genuine couple for the public - she knew it couldn't evolve into something more meaningful. They had agreed on this arrangement, this upgrade in their relationship status, to protect themselves from further scrutiny and judgment. Their love was real, but the circumstances were far from ideal.

As the weight of her feelings overwhelmed her, silent tears began to trail down her cheeks. Taeyeon, typically strong and composed, found herself allowing vulnerability in this private moment. She wiped away her tears with her bare hands, her resolve to maintain a distance wavering momentarily.

Lifting herself slightly, she leaned over him, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was far from a mere brush. It was a tender, passionate connection that lingered for a breathless span of fifteen seconds. The taste of him, the warmth of his mouth against hers, ignited a whirlwind of emotions within her.

Baekhyun stirred, roused from his slumber by the sensation of lips against his. His eyes fluttered open, met hers at such close proximity, and he could do nothing but surrender to the moment. However, before he could fully respond, the kiss ended, leaving him in a state of surprise and anticipation.

"Babe..." Baekhyun's lips curved into a tender smile as he looked at her. Waking up to the sight of the woman he loved never failed to bring a sense of joy that swept away the worries that often clouded his thoughts upon awakening. In this moment, it felt like all problems had been washed away, leaving only the two of them in their intimate cocoon.

Taeyeon returned his smile, albeit a bit fragile. The mixture of emotions swirling within her was evident in her gaze. Despite the warmth of their connection, she knew that she should leave before their feelings entangled them further. She had made her decision, and it was one she intended to stick to.

As she began to rise from the bed, she realized that her movement had revealed more of her body than she had intended. A hint of regret swirled within her, prompting her to recline back onto the bed. It was a moment of vulnerability, but she would rather be vulnerable than create an awkward situation.

"I think I should be on my way," she mused aloud, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as she resisted the urge to look at him. She turned her back to him, as if to shield herself from the emotional turmoil that was threatening to surface.

Yet, it didn't take long for his arm to encircle her waist, his lips pressing soft kisses against her shoulder. The sensation sent shivers down her spine, and she closed her eyes briefly to regain her composure. His voice, husky and filled with a quiet longing, broke the silence. "Can't you stay for the night?"