still you | baekyeon

Chapter 28

Baekhyun's gentle touch stirred Taeyeon from her slumber, prompting her to open her eyes. As she looked up, she found him gazing down at her with a warm smile. "You're awake," he whispered softly, his lips tenderly brushing against her forehead.

It felt like one of the best mornings she had experienced in a while.

She shifted her gaze to the window, the daylight subdued by the drawn curtain. The room was dimly lit, indicating that the sun had risen.

"You woke me up," Taeyeon playfully pouted.

"I apologize if I did," Baekhyun replied with a chuckle. "How was your sleep?" His fingers continued to comb through her hair in a soothing manner.

Nestling her head against his chest, Taeyeon found comfort in his touch. She cherished this fleeting escape from the complexities of her reality.

Their fingers intertwined, and she watched as they were woven together, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat.

"It was peaceful. No dreams, no disturbances," Taeyeon answered, her voice serene.

"That's good to hear," Baekhyun responded, his hand shifting to rest on her arm. "Taeyeon, may I ask you something? Just for now, can you hold off returning to your previous feelings of disdain?"

Lifting her head, Taeyeon met his eyes inquisitively. "You mean, not revert to the Taeyeon who harbors animosity toward me?"

Baekhyun nodded, and she nestled her head back against his chest, holding their hands together. It was a tranquil moment she wished could linger a little longer.

"What's on your mind?" she asked, curious.

"I wonder how long you plan to keep up this veneer of kindness towards me," Baekhyun admitted.

Tilting her head slightly, Taeyeon pondered his question. "I can't say for sure. Perhaps this won't last indefinitely. One day, I might wake up and find myself resenting you once again. But for now, I'm permitting myself to coexist with you in this state."

His touch shifted from her hair to her arm. "I'm bracing myself for that day. If you're being courteous to me merely due to my recent act of rescue, then please don't. I'd prefer you treating me as you would normally."

A sly smile appeared on her lips. "So, you want me to treat you as if everything is ordinary? Alright." With that, she rose from the bed, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his confusion evident.

Taeyeon's grin widened. "Home."

About to turn away, Taeyeon found herself abruptly pulled back and ended up falling onto Baekhyun. His hands kept her in the awkward position they found themselves in. "Don't," he whispered, breaking the tense silence.

With their faces incredibly close, the potential for their lips to meet was tantalizingly close. "Push me," Taeyeon challenged, her voice tense.

Stuck in this position, she couldn't easily extricate herself. His grip prevented her from rising. "You just woke up, and your breath smells like marshmallow and cotton candy," he chuckled lightly.

Frustration brewed within her, causing her to clench her jaw. "You pervert, let go of me," she snapped, her teeth gritted.

His grin widened, and he disregarded her demand, choosing instead to close the distance between them. Before she could react, she felt his lips press against hers.

Taken aback, she was momentarily frozen, unable to move or react. His eyes were shut as he gently kissed her lips. Still, she remained motionless.

Sensing her shock, he broke the kiss, leaning back against the pillows. His intense gaze locked onto hers. Silence hung between them, neither of them speaking a word. "Baekhyun—"