FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT| JJENINII

13

The first thing Jennie became aware of as she drifted back to consciousness was warmth—an unfamiliar warmth that surrounded her like a cocoon.

For a moment, still half-asleep, she thought she was dreaming. But then the realization hit her, and her eyes fluttered open.

She wasn't alone.

Taehyung's arm was draped over her waist, his chest pressed against her back, the steady rhythm of his breathing brushing against the back of her neck.

His hand, large and warm, rested lightly on her hip, holding her close. Her heart skipped a beat, her mind racing to catch up with the situation.

She lay completely still, her body tense as she took in their position.

At some point during the night, they had gravitated toward each other, limbs tangled beneath the sheets, and now, here they were, wrapped around each other in a way that was far too intimate for what their relationship was supposed to be.

It was an accident, Jennie told herself, trying to calm the flutter of panic rising in her chest. They must have shifted during the night, and this was just how they ended up. Nothing more.

Her thoughts swirled in a thousand directions. Should she move? Slip out of bed before he woke up? Pretend like nothing had happened? Her pulse quickened, and she was just about to shift away when she felt him stir behind her.

His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her in closer. Her breath hitched as she froze, eyes wide, her mind screaming at her to stay perfectly still.

And then, in a voice thick with sleep, she heard him murmur, "Five more minutes... Jennie."

The sound of her name, spoken so softly, sent a shiver down her spine.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her body going rigid.

Had he just said her name?

She felt his breath against her hair as he shifted slightly, his grip on her relaxing just a fraction. 

But the way he said her name, like it was something familiar, something comforting, sent her mind reeling.

He's still asleep, she realized after a moment, forcing herself to relax.

His breathing had evened out again, and his body was slack as he fell back into the depths of sleep. He hadn't been conscious when he whispered her name; it had just slipped out.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to quiet the thoughts swirling in her head. She needed to get a grip. This wasn't real—what they had, this entire engagement, it was all for show. They had rules and boundaries, and this... this crossed them all.

But then why did it feel so right?

Jennie exhaled softly, her heart thudding in her chest as she lay there, trying to make sense of the confusion messing with her head.

Five more minutes.

She lay there, her body still as her thoughts spiraled, the warmth of Taehyung's presence both comforting and confusing.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she slowly, carefully, began to shift. She didn't want to wake him—didn't want to deal with the awkwardness of explaining how they'd ended up in each other's arms.

 Gently, she began to untangle herself from Taehyung's hold, moving slowly to avoid waking him. His arm tightened briefly, as if his body instinctively sensed her leaving, but he didn't stir beyond that.

Finally, she slipped out of bed, pulling the blanket up to cover him as she stood.

Jennie looked down at him for a moment, her heart still thudding against her chest.