Genre: Fluff + Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Your night terrors have plagued you since childhood, but somehow Taehyung makes it all better.
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You bolted upright, a scream lodged in your throat.
The room was shrouded in darkness, which only elevated your panic. In your chest, your heart was thudding violently, and you could feel sweat beading on your forehead. You tried to calm down, but to no avail. Your breathing only quickened, and you were becoming lightheaded.
It was like you were underwater–the sounds around you were muffled and your body felt too heavy.
"Y/N?" Taehyung mumbled, his voice raspy with sleep. In your panic, he sounded far away. The sound of your rapid breathing was beginning to drown everything away. When Taehyung finally took in your state, he repeated himself frantically. "Y/N, are you okay!?"
Taehyung jumped to your side, cupping your face with his large, warm hands. He turned your head so you were looking him in the eye.
"Hey, focus on me," he instructed calming, his deep, slow voice sending waves of calm throughout your body. "You're going to be alright, Y/N. Just breathe with me."
In your semi-conscious state, you still managed to copy Taehyung's movements. You listened as Taehyung inhaled slowly, and you did the same. When he exhaled, his breath tickled your nose. You followed in suit, scrunching your nose at the sensation.
Eventually, when your breathing slowed and your panic subsided, Taehyung lowered you slowly back onto your bed. Once he joined you, he pulled the thick covers over your bodies, surrounding them with warmth.
Instinctively, you rolled over so you were partially lying on Taehyung's chest. His arms moved around you immediately, and he began rubbing circles into your back.
His chest started to rumble as he sang quietly to you, his sonorous voice enveloping your senses. Soon, you were submersed in Taehyung, and you began to drift back to sleep felling safe in his arms.
Before sleep claimed you completely, you heard Taehyung stop singing.
"I love you," he whispered, even though he knew you wouldn't remember it in the morning.
You woke to a tickling sensation against your lips. As your mind caught up with your body, you became aware of Taehyung tracing your features gently with the pads of his fingertips. Slowly, you opened your eyes.
Taehyung's face was only inches away from yours. His lips were tipped upwards in a gentle smile, and his eyes were fond as he looked at you. In the morning light, his tanned skin was glowing.
"Morning," he smiled, his voice deeper than usual.
"Guh mernin," you mumbled back, your speech muffled by Taehyung's thumb, which he was using to trace your lower lip. His other arm was pinned underneath you, you came to realize, and your legs were tangled together with his.
"Did you sleep okay?" Taehyung asked, his voice light but edged with concern.
"Mhm," you replied, your eyes slipping shut again. They opened when realization dawned on you. "Oh my god, did I have another night terror?"
"Yeah, but you calmed down pretty quickly," Taehyung said, his tone placating. "Don't worry about it.
"I'm so sorry," you groaned, grabbing Taehyung's free hand and threading your fingers in between his. "Did I scream? I know they're scary to watch."
"I get more worried than scared," Taehyung laughed. His eyes fluttered shut, his long lashes fanning against his golden cheeks. His mouth pulled down into a slight frown. "At the end of it, I'm just glad you're okay. It's upsetting, though, that one day I might not be able to calm you down."
You pressed a gentle kiss to the hand you held in yours. "I can't remember what happens, but I know that I always feel safe with you," you smiled. "I'm so grateful, you can't even imagine, Tae. When I was younger, I'd never sleep through the night. I'd always wake up scared. But now, when I wake up with you beside me, I feel completely at ease."
Taehyung pulled his hand from yours and enveloped you completely in a hug. His large frame smothered yours, and you couldn't help but laugh. Taehyung smiled, too–you could hear it in his voice when he spoke.
"I love you so much, Y/N," Taehyung whispered. "I'll always keep you safe."
"I love you, too," you replied, your voice almost lost since you were pressed against the crook of Taehyung's neck. "And I trust you."
In moments like this, wrapped up in Taehyung's arms and his ceaseless affection, you weren't sure where you ended and where Taehyung began. All you knew is that, somehow, Taehyung had made your heart his home, and his embrace was yours.
Word count: 767 words