Hana walked into the gym, her body still aching from the previous day’s work at the hospital, but she was determined to keep up with her workout routine. Normally, Jungkook would be there, guiding her through her exercises with his playful yet firm demeanor. But today, he had other commitments, and instead, she found herself alone with Tae.

It wasn’t the first time she had worked out with Tae, but it was the first time they were alone together in this setting. Tae was different from the others. He had a quiet intensity about him, a calmness that contrasted sharply with the playful energy of Jungkook. As she walked over to the weight section, she saw him standing there, waiting for her with a small, welcoming smile.

“Hey, Hana,” Tae greeted her, his voice smooth and comforting. “Ready for today’s session?”

Hana nodded, a bit of nervousness fluttering in her stomach. “Yeah, let’s do this.”

Tae led her through a series of warm-up stretches, his hands occasionally guiding her movements. His touch was gentle, but it sent a spark of electricity through her body each time their skin connected. She tried to ignore the feeling, focusing instead on her breathing and the stretch of her muscles.

But it was hard to ignore Tae. There was something about him that was magnetic, drawing her in with every glance, every subtle touch. His voice was a low murmur as he talked her through the exercises, always calm, always encouraging.

“Let’s start with some weights,” Tae suggested after the warm-up. “I’ll help you with your form.”

Hana nodded, grabbing a pair of dumbbells. She began her routine, feeling Tae’s eyes on her, watching her every move. It made her hyper-aware of her own body, of the way her muscles strained under the weight, of the sheen of sweat starting to form on her skin.

“You’re doing great,” Tae said, stepping closer to adjust her stance. His hands gently pressed against her back, guiding her into the correct posture. “Keep your back straight and focus on your breathing.”

She followed his instructions, feeling his presence behind her, steady and reassuring. His hands lingered a moment longer than necessary, but she didn’t mind. There was a comfort in his touch, a sense of security that she had started to crave.

As they moved on to different exercises, Tae continued to assist her, his touch becoming more frequent, more intimate. He stood close behind her as she did squats, his hands resting on her hips to guide her movements. The proximity of his body to hers made her heart race, but she forced herself to stay focused.

“You’ve really improved since we started working out together,” Tae remarked, his voice low and filled with genuine admiration. “You’re stronger than you think, Hana.”

Hana blushed at the compliment, grateful for the praise. “Thanks, Tae. It’s all thanks to you guys helping me.”

Tae smiled, and for a moment, his hand lingered on her lower back, sending a shiver up her spine. “We’re just giving you a little push. The strength was always there.”

As they continued, Tae’s touches grew more confident, more assured. He would gently correct her form, his hands sliding over her arms, her back, her waist. Each touch was electric, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. Hana found herself responding to him in ways she hadn’t expected—her body leaning into his touch, her breath quickening whenever he was close.

At one point, Tae suggested they switch to the treadmill for some cardio. As Hana ran, Tae walked beside her, his pace leisurely as he kept her company. They talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing easily as the minutes passed. Hana found herself laughing at his dry humor, her earlier nervousness slowly dissipating.

When they finally finished the workout, Hana was flushed and out of breath, but she felt good—better than she had in a long time. Tae handed her a towel, his eyes lingering on her as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

“You did really well today,” he said, his voice soft as he watched her.

“Thanks,” Hana replied, smiling up at him. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Tae’s eyes darkened slightly, his gaze intense as he looked at her. “I’m glad I could help. You’re doing amazing, Hana. I hope you know that.”

Hana felt her heart skip a beat at his words, the sincerity in his voice making her feel warm all over. “Thanks, Tae. That means a lot.”

There was a moment of silence between them, the air thick with unspoken tension. Hana didn’t know what to say, the intensity of his gaze making her feel vulnerable in a way she wasn’t used to. But then Tae smiled, the tension breaking as he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Let’s cool down,” he suggested, his touch lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.

Hana nodded, following him to the mats where they began their cool-down stretches. As she moved through the motions, Tae stayed close, his presence comforting and steady. They didn’t talk much, the silence between them comfortable as they focused on their breathing and stretching out their muscles.

When they were done, Tae helped her to her feet, his hand warm against hers. “You should be proud of yourself, Hana. You’ve come a long way.”

Hana smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over her. “I am, thanks to you.”

Tae’s smile was soft, his eyes warm as he looked at her. “Anytime, Hana. I’m always here if you need me.”

As they walked out of the gym together, Hana couldn’t help but feel a little closer to Tae. He had a way of making her feel special, of making her feel seen in a way that was different from the others. And as they parted ways, she found herself thinking about him more than she expected, her mind replaying the gentle touches, the encouraging words.

Tae was becoming someone important to her, someone she trusted. And little did she know, that trust was exactly what he—and the others—had been counting on.