A World of our Own | K.TH *COMPLETED*

Fainting

I open my eyes to the slightest dip of the bed— immediately alerted that a certain someone is trying to avoid an explanation after fainting so suddenly like that. Not to mention scaring the life out of me when he did—

"Hey!" I mutter drowsily, reaching out to close my fingers around the back of his shirt. "Come back here and tell me what the heck happened to you."

"Go back to sleep, Tzuyu." He murmurs, his voice deeper and richer than usual. Was that his morning voice? Or was I just hallucinating again? "You look like you need some more of it."

At his comment, I lick my lips in self-consciousness as my features instinctively downturn into a childish pout. "Are you calling me ugly? Do I have puffy eyes?"

"No." Through my clearing vision, I see him bend down over me as something soft and warm brushes over the surface of my forehead. "I'm saying that you look exhausted. You're still in pain, Tzuyu. It's not a bad idea to get more rest."

"I'm fine," I reassure him, widening my eyes to make it seem like I look more awake and alert. "But you're not. Tell me what happened— I'm not letting you go until then, Tae."

He glances at my tightly fisted hand, closed around firmly around the soft material of his shirt. When he sees my grip get even tighter, he tilts his head at me, his voice very, very serious.

"You do realize that I can just take the shirt off?"

Instantly, I swallow nervously. Why does he have to sound so convincing— like he actually meant what he said? Quickly, I climb off of the bed and carefully keeping him in place, shift my fingers down to his wrist instead.

My lips turn into a triumphant smile. He couldn't take off his wrist, could he now?

Tae blows out a breath, a bit of frustration and another bit of adoration mixed into the overall amusement in the tone of his voice. "You're stubborn, aren't you? Why won't you believe me when I told you I was perfectly fine?" Then a brief look of hurt crosses his face, darkening his skin with shadows. "Do you not trust me?"

His skin now feels hot against mine, in stark contrast to the unnatural coolness before. A slight blush colors his cheeks as I try to search for more signs that give away his secrets.

"I do trust you, Tae. But sometimes— sometimes I just feel like you need to let me take care of you." At my softened voice, he eases my fingers from his wrist. His touch is surprisingly so light and careful for a person his size—
but I'd already experienced how gentle
he could be when he wanted to.

And how destructive, as well.

"Make me something." He nods toward the kitchen, indicating for me to cook. But while other people wouldn't realize the true meaning behind his words, I do. He really just wants to change the topic from his fainting episode, but he probably knows I'll just continue to bring it up until he gives me what I want. "I'm hungry."

I pretend to be shocked into silence, eyes wide and lips hanging open. "Me? No, of course not! Why can't you— you know I'm terrible at cooking!"

An easy smile lights up his face as he taps my nose. He'd been smiling a lot lately— which also meant I could get a cardiac arrest earlier than planned. "I let you use me as your pillow in your sleep. I don't even let my mom do that to me— you should be grateful."

This time, I'm actually shocked. I did not. How could he say something like that when he was the one squishing me to death?

"Are you sure you don't have amnesia or something? Because I clearly remember you were the one using me as your personal teddy bear. Do you know how many times I had to push you off just to get some air? I could've died from suffocation."

He arranges his expression so he looks clueless, and I hate that he does such a good job at it as well. "I don't remember that— you're just making that up."

I bite my lip in frustration. It is true— and the growing blush on his ear proves it. But even though we both know that I'm right, he will never admit up to it, even if someone held him at gun point.

"Rock paper scissors, then!"

"No." He refuses, the word a deep growl from his throat. It vibrates the air, sending sparks shooting up the length of my spine. "I always hated that game. Let's play basketball—"

My mouth falls open with shock. "Uh, no. Even a newborn could see that you're going to win— and that I won't stand a single chance. I've never even played the game in my entire life!"

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Rock paper scissors! I don't get why you're so set on not doing one simple game?"

"No," he repeats, voice even firmer this time. "That's ridiculous. Absolutely out of the question— and don't even think about bringing it up again."

I'm starting to get annoyed with his hate for the game. It's the simplest thing anybody could ever play— and it would've probably saved a whole lot of arguing and time if we'd just done it from the very start. Not to mention that he'd be cooking— I was a legend at the game, which was mainly the reason why I'd suggested it in the first place.

"First to touch the ceiling."

"No! That's stupid— you're so much taller than me! Unfair."

"Faster run time?"

"Nope. First to tie hair into ponytail."

"That's the most dumbest thing I've ever heard."

Finally, my patience reaches its end, and I decide that I might as well kill two birds with one stone. I recall the hesitation he showed when I asked his reason for fainting, and his reluctance to answer.

"Last to faint."

Then I kiss him straight in the lips, moving too quickly for him for him to get a chance to push me back. At the sheer feeling, my traitorous feet tangle up against each other, causing me to fall backwards.

His large hands grip both of my shoulders, keeping me steady for a split second before he collapses against my body. When I break the kiss and struggle to escape from underneath him, I realize that he's fainted again.

So he faints every time I kiss him?

His head lolls limply as I press my palm against his flushed forehead. A soft sigh escapes my lips as I move my hands to his warm cheeks, and then to cool his neck.

Damn it.