DESTINED LOVE

Chapter 38

The cool morning breeze brushed against Kook’s skin as he shifted slightly, feeling something—or rather, someone—warm beside him. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he was confused. The sky above him was still a soft shade of dawn, and instead of his bed, he was lying on the balcony.

Then, he felt an arm wrapped tightly around his waist and the slow, steady rhythm of breathing against his neck.

Kook turned his head slightly and smiled. Tae was still asleep, his face peaceful, lips slightly parted, and his messy hair covering his forehead.

Kook let out a soft laugh, remembering how they ended up here. They had talked for hours under the night sky, teasing, laughing, and whispering things neither of them had ever said out loud before. At some point, wrapped in each other’s warmth, they must have dozed off right there on the balcony floor, tangled in a shared blanket.

Kook traced his fingers lightly over Tae’s hand, which was still resting on his waist. He sighed contentedly, letting himself sink back into the embrace.

Tae stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent before snuggling closer. "Mmm… Kookie, stop moving," he mumbled sleepily.

Kook giggled. "Hyung, we slept outside."

Tae cracked one eye open and smirked lazily. "Best sleep ever." He tightened his grip around Kook, burying his face into his shoulder. "Let’s stay like this forever. Because you can't resist me and I know"

Kook blushed but didn’t deny it. Instead, he reached up, threading his fingers through Tae’s hair. "Maybe I do."

Tae grinned against his skin. "Then let’s sleep five more minutes."

Kook sighed, but his heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. "Fine… but just five minutes."

Of course, five minutes turned into an hour. But neither of them really minded.

After some sleep~~~

Kook stirred slightly, his face scrunching up before he blinked his eyes open. The first thing he saw was Tae, lying beside him, staring at him with a ridiculously smug grin.

Kook groaned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Tae hummed, tilting his head. "Just admiring my little moon who kissed me first last night." Kook, still half-asleep, froze. "Wha—Hyung! No, I didn’t!"

Tae gasped dramatically. "Oh? So, you’re saying I imagined it? The soft, sweet kiss? The way you held onto me like I was your everything?"

Kook sat up in panic, face burning. "You kissed me first!"

Tae propped himself up on one elbow, smirking. "Mmm, I don’t remember it that way." He reached out, lazily brushing Kook’s messy hair out of his face. "But I do remember how red you turned afterward. Just like right now."

Kook slapped Tae’s hand away, burying his face in his palms. "Hyung, stop teasing!"

Tae chuckled, leaning closer. "But you’re so cute when you’re flustered, Kookie~" Kook peeked through his fingers, pouting. "I hate you."

Tae gasped again, placing a hand over his heart. "Hate me? After what we shared under the stars? After the love of my life kissed me senseless?"

Kook groaned. "I DID NOT KISS YOU SENSELESS!"

Tae just laughed, catching Kook’s wrist easily. "Oh? So, you’re saying you didn’t hold my face like this—" He gently cupped Kook’s cheeks, thumbs brushing over them.

Kook stiffened, his heartbeat going wild. "Hyungie…"

"And you didn’t look at me with those big, shiny eyes, leaning in like this—" Tae tilted forward, their noses barely touching.