A Crowned Heart

{11}

The night sky, once clear and calm, had quickly darkened with ominous clouds, casting a shadow over the palace grounds. Y/N and Taehyung, who had just found a brief moment of peace in the secluded garden, now found themselves in the midst of an approaching storm.

A distant rumble of thunder echoed through the air, and within moments, the first raindrops began to fall, light at first but quickly turning into a torrential downpour. The cool rain drenched them both in seconds, soaking their clothes and chilling them to the bone.

"We need to find shelter," Taehyung said urgently, glancing around for a place to hide from the storm.

Y/N nodded, shivering as the rain continued to pour down, drenching her hair and clothes. "Where can we go?"

"This way," Taehyung replied, taking her hand and leading her through the garden. They ran together, their footsteps splashing through puddles as the rain hammered down around them.

After a few moments of searching, Taehyung spotted a small pavilion hidden among the trees. It was old, with a thatched roof and stone walls, but it provided the perfect refuge from the storm. "In here!" he called out, guiding Y/N inside.

They hurried into the pavilion, shaking off the water as best they could. The inside was dark and musty, but it was dry and offered some protection from the rain. Taehyung quickly checked the surroundings, ensuring they were safe and alone.

Once satisfied, he turned back to Y/N, who was standing in the middle of the small space, her hair dripping and her dress clinging to her body. She shivered slightly, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth.

Taehyung immediately shrugged off his outer coat, moving to drape it around her shoulders. "Here, take this. It's not much, but it'll help keep you warm."

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude as she pulled the coat tighter around herself. "Thank you, Taehyung. You've been so kind to me."

Taehyung smiled softly, his eyes warm despite the storm raging outside. "You don't need to thank me, Y/N. I'd do anything to keep you safe."

They stood there for a moment, the sound of the rain pounding against the roof of the pavilion, creating a rhythmic backdrop to their quiet conversation. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their little haven.

Taehyung took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Are you okay?" he asked gently, his voice filled with concern. "You've been through so much tonight."

Y/N nodded, though her expression was tired and vulnerable. "I'm okay now... because you're here."

Taehyung's heart swelled at her words, and without thinking, he reached out and pulled her into a comforting embrace. Y/N melted into his arms, resting her head against his chest as the warmth of his body chased away the chill of the rain.

They stood like that for a long moment, the closeness bringing them both a sense of peace and safety. The storm outside raged on, but within the pavilion, everything felt calm and still.

Taehyung gently rested his chin on top of her head, holding her close as he spoke softly. "I won't let anything happen to you, Y/N. You mean too much to me."

Y/N's breath hitched at his words, and she tilted her head up to look at him. Her eyes were filled with a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and something deeper, something she hadn't fully allowed herself to feel until now.

"Taehyung..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Taehyung's gaze softened, and he brushed a damp strand of hair away from her face. "You don't have to worry about that, Y/N. I'm not going anywhere."

Then, in a tender and protective gesture, Taehyung leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. The touch was soft and lingering, filled with unspoken promises and a depth of emotion that words couldn't capture.

Y/N closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his kiss and the safety of his embrace. In that moment, everything else faded away—the storm, the fear, the uncertainty. All that mattered was the comfort of Taehyung's presence and the growing connection between them.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the storm outside began to ease, the rain slowing to a gentle patter. But inside the pavilion, the warmth of their shared moment lingered, a quiet testament to the bond they were forging, one that would carry them through whatever challenges lay ahead.