DESTINED LOVE

Chapter 36

Double update cause why not....😉😉

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Kook stirred slightly, his body still heavy with sleep. He shifted, only to feel something warm and solid against his leg.

Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he looked down-and his breath caught in his throat.

Tae was there, asleep on the floor beside the bed. His head rested against the mattress, his face turned toward Kook, his lips slightly parted in soft breaths. One of his hands had slipped onto Kook's leg, resting there as if he had reached out for him even in sleep. His other arm was tucked beneath his head, supporting him uncomfortably.

But what made Kook's heart ache the most was Tae's face. His eyes were swollen, his cheeks blotchy-like he had cried himself to sleep.

Kook's fingers trembled as he reached out hesitantly, brushing against Tae's hand. His skin was warm, but his grip was weak, like he had been exhausted beyond words.

His heart clenched painfully. Why was he like this? Had he been crying? Had he stayed here all night?

Kook swallowed the lump in his throat, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Hyungie... why are you like this?"

Kook sat up slowly, careful not to disturb Tae's fragile sleep. His fingers brushed over Tae's hand resting on his leg, tracing the faint lines of his knuckles. Tae had always been gentle, even in his sleep, but this-this was different.

His swollen eyes, the way his body was curled against the bed as if he didn't want to leave, the lingering traces of dried tears on his cheeks-it all made Kook's heart tighten.

What happened to him?

Why did he look like he had been hurting?

Kook hesitated before brushing Tae's hair back gently. "Hyungie," he whispered, his voice softer than he intended.

Tae stirred slightly, his brows furrowing at the disturbance. His grip on Kook's leg tightened for a second before loosening again, like he was holding on to something in his dreams.

Kook felt something break inside him.

He had seen Tae drunk, sleepy, irritated-but never like this. Never this fragile.

He took a deep breath, hesitating before shaking Tae lightly. "hyungie, wake up," he said, voice laced with concern.

Tae let out a soft groan, shifting against the mattress before his puffy eyes slowly fluttered open. His gaze was unfocused at first, dazed from sleep, but the moment they landed on Kook, something shifted.

Panic.

Pain.

Guilt.

Kook's brows knitted together as he watched Tae's expression change in mere seconds. He was about to ask what was wrong when Tae quickly sat up, rubbing his face with his hands as if trying to hide his state.

"Hyung," Kook called softly.

Tae froze for a moment, his fingers curling into fists before he let out a shaky breath.

"You're awake," Tae murmured, his voice hoarse like he hadn't spoken for hours.

Kook nodded, watching him closely. "Why were you sleeping on the floor?

Tae blinked a few times, still trying to shake off the sleepiness. He rubbed his eyes and mumbled, "I just... I just couldn't sleep." His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.