synopsis: you never thought love could be so easy — until taehyung. six months into your relationship, you feel worlds away from the past version of yourself.
pairing: taehyung x reader
genre: fluff, tiny bit of angst (but not really)
warnings: discussions of a past toxic relationship, unwanted contact from said toxic ex, hints of jealous/protective bf taehyung, they’re so in love, we’re ending this series short and sweet!!!
you curl up on the couch, legs drawn beneath you, your body naturally gravitating toward taehyung’s side.
the last rays of the setting sun spill through the large windows, coating everything in a soft golden hue. the light glows against his skin, casting shadows over the angles of his face, and for a second, you just stare. he looks like a painting—timeless, beautiful, yours.
you rest your head on his shoulder, and he welcomes the weight without a word, adjusting slightly so you’re tucked in closer. his arm wraps around you effortlessly, his fingers trailing through your hair in slow, affectionate strokes.
each touch draws you deeper into that safe, familiar space only he can create. your shoulders loosen, and you let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh.
“you’re quiet today,” he murmurs, his voice a low hum near your ear. “everything okay, baby?”
you smile, eyes fluttering closed. “yeah. just… being here with you. it feels good.”
his fingers pause in your hair for a moment before he leans in, pressing a kiss just above your temple. “i agree,” he murmurs, “you’re my favorite place.”
the words settle in your chest like a warm drink. you chuckle softly, turning your face into his shoulder. “you always say things like that. sweet and completely unfair.”
“unfair?” he repeats, amused. “you’re the one who looks at me like that and expects me to function normally.”
you lift your head slightly, meeting his gaze. “like what?”
“like i’m the best thing since sliced bread,” he grins.
“you are,” you shrug. “i didn’t even know i could feel this way until you.”
there’s a pause between you—quiet, thick with meaning. he swallows like your words went straight to his chest.
he leans closer, resting his forehead against yours. “me too. and that scares me, sometimes,” he admits in a whisper.
your brows draw together. “why?”
“because i want to keep you this happy forever,” he says. “and i’m scared of what i’d do if i couldn’t.”
you soften, lifting your hand to his cheek. “then don’t worry. you do. every single day.”
he smiles then, slow and full of something deeper than joy—devotion. “okay. good. because i love you, and i want to spend a long, long time loving you.”
your eyes sting at the edges, but you blink it away, laughing gently. “you’re such a sap.”
you nestle against him again, content and whole. but as your body relaxes, your mind wanders—just a little, just long enough to cast a brief shadow over the golden light.
you think about the past. about the man who used to hold this spot in your life. about how he used to make you feel small with smiles that didn’t reach his eyes and apologies that always came too late.
“you know,” you say quietly, “i used to think love meant always being on edge. like if i didn’t give everything, i’d lose everything.”
taehyung doesn’t speak immediately, but his arm tightens around you.
“he made you feel like that?” he finally asks, his voice low and unreadable.
you nod. “i never knew which version of him i was going to get. the sweet one with the promises or the one who disappeared when things got hard.”
“no,” you agree. “he didn’t. but for a long time, i thought i didn’t deserve better.”
taehyung pulls back enough to see your face, his fingers gently tilting your chin so you meet his eyes. “don’t ever say that again.”
you nod. “i know better now.”
he studies you for a long beat before whispering, “i wish i could go back and pull you out of that. show you what real love looks like.”
you smile. “but you already did.”
just then, your phone buzzes on the table beside you. you don’t even have to look. you already know.
with a resigned breath, you reach over, glance at the screen—your ex, again—and swipe the notification away. you toss the device across the sofa with no emotion. no second thought.
“was that him?” taehyung asks softly.
“yeah,” you say, placing the phone face-down. “another ‘hey’ like nothing happened.”
taehyung is quiet, but you can feel the shift in his energy. his jaw tightens. his hand stills on your back.
“he’s never going to get the version of you that i get,” he says firmly. “the one who laughs with her whole body. who talks with her hands when she’s excited. who believes in love again.”
you look up at him, tears stinging your eyes again—but these, too, are happy. “i didn’t think i’d ever be that girl again.”
“you always were,” he says, brushing his thumb under your eye. “you just needed someone who didn’t make you doubt it.”
you wrap your arms around his middle, burying your face into his chest. “i kind of hope he sees it now. everything he lost.”
“oh, he sees it,” taehyung says with a small smirk. “guys like him always do. right when it’s too late.”
you let out a laugh, muffled against his shirt. “petty.”
you tilt your head up. “you know what the best part is?”
“i don’t care what he thinks. not anymore. he’s just… noise.”
taehyung grins and kisses your forehead again. “you’ve come a long way.”
“and you’re my peace,” you murmur, eyes closing.
he holds you tighter, his voice soft and steady. “then i’m never letting go.”
a/n: thank you all who read this series <3 i so enjoyed writing it and i hope this short and sweet conclusion wrapped it up nicely. i love this couple soooo much and hope you do too! as always, let me know any feedback you may have!
