Forbidden Step-Love🔞 | KTH

Chapter 2

The morning sun peeked through the blinds, painting stripes of gold across your eyelids. You stirred, the remnants of a restless sleep clinging to you like cobwebs. As you opened your eyes, the events of the previous night flooded back - the shared grief, the comforting embrace, and the lingering touch that sent shivers down your spine. A blush crept up your cheeks as you recalled the tenderness in Taehyung's gaze and the forbidden spark that danced in his eyes. It was a spark you couldn't quite define, a flicker of something new and confusing nestled amongst the raw ache of grief.

There was a knock on your door, soft and hesitant. "Come in," you mumbled, your voice thick with sleep.

The door creaked open, revealing Taehyung with a hesitant smile on his lips. He was dressed in a casual shirt and jeans, a stark contrast to the somber attire he'd worn the past few days. A basket filled with fresh fruits and colorful pastries sat in his arm, a silent offering of hope and cheer.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said, his voice a gentle murmur. "Did you sleep well?"

You sat up in bed, pulling the covers around you, suddenly self-conscious under his gaze. "Good morning, Dad," you mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

He chuckled softly, the sound warm and familiar. "I figured you could use a little pick-me-up today." He gestured towards the basket. "Fresh croissants from your favorite bakery, and I even managed to snag some of those berries you love."

The sight of the basket, filled with the promise of a delicious breakfast, brought a small smile to your lips. Your mother used to surprise you with these treats on tough mornings. The memory, bittersweet yet comforting, tugged at your heartstrings.

"You shouldn't have," you said, your voice barely a whisper.

"Anything to make my favorite girl feel good," he said, his eyes twinkling with a familiar playfulness. "Consider it a bribe. How about we skip the usual breakfast routine and have a picnic in the garden? Just like your Mom used to do on gloomy days."

The mention of your mother brought a lump to your throat, but this time, it wasn't just grief. There was a flicker of warmth, a spark of joy she used to bring into your lives, and a sliver of something more - a hesitant hope that maybe, just maybe, life could start feeling a little normal again.

You hesitated, torn between the comfort of the familiar routine and the unexpected cheer Taehyung offered. His playful suggestion stirred something within you, a yearning for a simpler time, a time before grief had cast its long shadow on your lives. You looked down at your hands, unsure of how to respond.

Sensing your hesitation, Taehyung walked further into the room, the basket still held gently in his arm. He stopped beside you, close enough for you to feel the warmth radiating from his body.

"It's completely up to you," he said softly, his voice laced with a concern that sent a flutter to your heart. "We can stay in if you'd prefer."

You stole a glance at him, his kind eyes filled with a genuine desire to see you smile. The air crackled with unspoken emotions, a strange undercurrent that made your cheeks flush.

"No," you blurted out before you could overthink it. "The garden sounds lovely. Actually," you continued, surprising yourself with your boldness, "could you help me spread out the blanket? Maybe under the old oak tree? It was Mom's favorite spot."

A flicker of surprise crossed Taehyung's face, quickly replaced by a warm smile. "Of course," he said, his voice husky.

Together, you walked out to the garden, the basket held between you, your fingers brushing accidentally. A jolt of electricity shot through you, sending a shiver down your spine. You snatched your hand away as if burnt, the unexpected intimacy leaving you breathless.