As weeks passed, Tae and Ariana’s bond deepened, their connection growing stronger with each shared moment. It became a regular sight to see the two together, whether they were running errands, working on the bakery, or simply spending time in quiet corners of the mansion. Ariana had begun to trust him more, opening up to him about her fears, her past, and even her dreams for the future. Tae, in turn, was patient and kind, always ready to support her without pushing her too far too soon. It was a slow, steady progression, but it felt right to both of them.

One afternoon, as Tae and Ariana sat in the kitchen, surrounded by the heavenly scent of freshly baked goods, they found themselves laughing over a batch of croissants that had turned out slightly burnt.

“I swear, these ovens have a mind of their own,” Ariana said, shaking her head in mock frustration. “I checked the temperature twice, but they still came out darker than I wanted.”

Tae grinned, taking a bite out of one of the croissants. “Honestly, I think they taste great. Plus, it just means they have a little extra crunch.”

Ariana rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. “You’ll eat anything I make, won’t you?”

“Guilty as charged,” Tae chuckled, reaching for another croissant. “But seriously, I’m not complaining. You’re an amazing baker.”

Ariana’s cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she glanced away for a moment before giving him a playful nudge. “You’re just saying that because I’ve been feeding you nonstop.”

Tae leaned closer, a teasing glint in his eye. “Or maybe I’m saying it because it’s true. What can I say? You’re pretty amazing in general.”

Ariana was about to respond when they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps entering the kitchen. Turning, they saw Jungkook and Bella stroll in, arm in arm, with smug smiles on their faces.

“Well, well, well,” Jungkook said, his tone full of mock suspicion. “What do we have here? Tae and Ariana alone in the kitchen, looking all cozy.”

Bella grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Is this what you two have been up to all day? Sneaking around, eating croissants and having secret rendezvous?”

Ariana blushed, trying to laugh it off as she stood up. “It’s not like that, Bella. We’re just… baking.”

Jungkook exchanged a knowing glance with Bella, his smirk widening. “Oh, sure. Just baking. I’m sure that’s all you two are doing when no one’s around.”

Tae rolled his eyes, playfully swatting Jungkook on the arm. “Don’t you two have anything better to do than tease us?”

Bella feigned innocence, shrugging. “We’re not teasing, we’re just observing. It’s hard not to notice how close you two have gotten lately.”

Jungkook nodded, crossing his arms. “And let’s not forget the little moments. Like when I saw you two on the terrace last night, gazing at the stars. That looked pretty cozy.”

Ariana felt her face heat up, but before she could respond, Bella walked over to her, draping an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Ari. We’re happy for you guys. It’s just fun to see you two being all cute together.”

Tae groaned, shaking his head in mock exasperation. “You two are the worst. We can’t have a single moment without you teasing us.”

Bella smirked, nudging him with her elbow. “Hey, it’s only fair. After all, you’ve been teasing us for months. Payback’s only natural.”

Ariana couldn’t help but laugh, despite her embarrassment. She had seen firsthand how Tae liked to tease Bella and Jungkook, especially when they got a little too affectionate in front of everyone. He would make cheeky comments, always managing to get a rise out of Jungkook, who would chase him around the mansion in retaliation.

But now, the tables had turned, and Tae was on the receiving end of the teasing. Ariana found it amusing, especially seeing how flustered Tae could get.

“Well, you’ve earned it,” Jungkook said, grinning as he leaned against the counter. “It’s only a matter of time before we start seeing you two getting all lovey-dovey like Bella and me.”

Ariana’s blush deepened, and she tried to change the subject. “Okay, okay, enough about us. How are you two? Have you been terrorizing the rest of the house with your PDA?”

Bella laughed, giving Jungkook a playful shove. “Oh, you know us. We like to keep things interesting.”

Jungkook waggled his eyebrows, giving Ariana and Tae a wink. “Don’t worry, though. We’ll give you two some tips on how to keep things spicy once you’re ready.”

Tae let out a dramatic groan, rubbing his face with his hands. “Please spare us the details.”

The room erupted in laughter, and the four of them spent the next hour bantering back and forth, the teasing lighthearted and full of affection. It was moments like this that made Ariana feel like she was truly part of something special—a family that accepted her with open arms, flaws and all.

As the afternoon wore on, Jungkook and Bella eventually left, leaving Tae and Ariana alone once again. The kitchen had grown quiet, save for the sound of the ticking clock and the gentle hum of the refrigerator. Tae turned to Ariana, his expression softening as he leaned against the counter.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle. “I know Bella and Jungkook can be a bit much sometimes.”

Ariana smiled, shaking her head. “No, it’s fine. I kind of like it, actually. It makes me feel… normal. Like I’m just another part of the group.”

Tae’s eyes softened, and he reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You are part of the group, Ariana. You’re family. And we’re all here for you, no matter what.”

Ariana’s heart swelled at his words, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest. She had never expected to find this kind of support, especially after everything she had been through. But here she was, surrounded by people who cared about her, who made her feel safe and loved.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “For everything.”

Tae smiled, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad I get to be here with you.”

They stood there for a moment, their hands still intertwined, as a comfortable silence settled between them. It was in these quiet moments that Ariana felt the most at peace—when words weren’t needed, and all that mattered was the connection they shared.

But before the moment could grow too serious, Tae’s teasing grin returned. “So, do you think we should start plotting our revenge against Bella and Jungkook? They’ve been getting a little too cocky with all their teasing.”

Ariana laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, absolutely. They deserve it.”

Tae’s eyes lit up with mischief. “I’ve got a few ideas. We could set up a little prank—maybe something harmless, but enough to keep them on their toes.”

Ariana’s smile widened, her mind already racing with possibilities. “I like the way you think. Let’s do it.”

And just like that, the two of them were back to their playful selves, planning their next move against the couple who had been teasing them all afternoon. It felt good to laugh, to let go of the heaviness that had weighed on her for so long. Tae had a way of making everything feel lighter, of bringing joy into even the simplest moments.

As they continued to plot their prank, Ariana couldn’t help but glance at Tae out of the corner of her eye, her heart swelling with affection. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but somewhere along the way, Tae had become someone she couldn’t imagine her life without.

And as they laughed and schemed together, she realized that, for the first time in a long time, she felt truly happy.