Chapter 22: Chapter 20

Forbidden Love... Kenan Yıldız & Y/NWords: 5801

Learning to Be Together

For the first time in what felt like forever, Y/N felt... happy. Truly happy. The kiss she shared with Kenan the other night was still fresh in her mind, a moment she replayed constantly, feeling a flutter in her chest every time.

She wasn’t just leading her team or managing her hectic life. She was finally allowing herself to be a person—someone who could laugh, smile, and even fall in love.

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Their First Official "Date"

Two days after their conversation, Kenan texted her.

Kenan: "What time are you free tonight?"

Y/N: "Rehearsals finish at 8. Why?"

Kenan: "Pick you up at 8:30. Wear something comfortable."

Curious but excited, Y/N agreed. When Kenan pulled up outside her building, she hopped into the passenger seat, her nerves buzzing with anticipation.

Y/N: "Where are we going?"

Kenan: smirking "You’ll see."

He drove them to a quiet park on the outskirts of the city, a spot he had discovered during one of his runs. The air was cool, the stars twinkling above, and Y/N couldn’t help but smile as he pulled out a picnic basket.

Y/N: laughing "You really went all out, didn’t you?"

Kenan: shrugging "I wanted to do something special."

They sat on a blanket under the open sky, eating sandwiches and fruit as they talked about everything and nothing. Y/N told him stories about her group’s chaotic rehearsals, while Kenan shared funny anecdotes from his training sessions with Barış and Arda.

Kenan: "Barış actually fell during practice yesterday. He tried to play it off like it was part of his ‘strategy.’"

Y/N: laughing "I can’t believe I missed that."

Their laughter echoed in the quiet park, and for the first time, Y/N let herself relax completely.

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Small Moments That Meant Everything

Over the next few days, Y/N and Kenan found small ways to spend time together despite their busy schedules. After a particularly exhausting rehearsal, Y/N found a bouquet of her favorite flowers waiting for her at the studio, with a note attached:

"For the hardest-working leader I know. Don’t forget to take a break. – Kenan"

She smiled so much her cheeks hurt, her heart swelling with affection.

The Goal Celebration

Later that week, when Kenan had a late-night game, Y/N stayed up to watch it on TV. It had been a tense game, and Kenan’s team was pushing hard for the win. Y/N sat on her couch, glued to the screen as the clock ticked down. When Kenan finally broke through the defense and scored a stunning goal, she shot up from her seat, cheering loudly even though no one else was around.

On the screen, Kenan didn’t just run to celebrate with his teammates. Instead, he turned to the camera and kissed his wrist—a subtle gesture that made Y/N’s heart skip a beat.

She froze, realizing what he was doing. It was a gesture they had joked about once—how soccer players sometimes dedicate their goals to someone special.

"That’s for you," she thought, her cheeks warming as the commentators talked about Kenan’s composure and skill.

When the game ended and Kenan’s team secured the win, her phone buzzed.

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The Message

Kenan: "Did you see it?"

Y/N grinned, already typing her reply.

Y/N: "You kissed your wrist. Was that... for me?"

His response came almost instantly.

Kenan: "Of course. Who else?"

Her heart swelled, and she clutched the phone tightly, smiling like an idiot.

Y/N: "You’re amazing."

Kenan: "Only because I had the best reason to play my best."

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A Casual Afternoon

One Sunday afternoon, with both of them free, Y/N invited Kenan over to her apartment. Rosé and Duru had plans, leaving them with the place to themselves.

Kenan: looking around "So this is where the magic happens, huh?"

Y/N: laughing "If by magic you mean endless rehearsals and arguments over who’s doing the dishes, then yeah."

She led him to the living room, where her guitar rested against the couch.

Kenan: nodding toward it "Play me something?"

Y/N: "You always ask me that."

Kenan: "Because I love hearing you play."

Rolling her eyes but smiling, Y/N picked up the guitar and started strumming a soft melody. As she sang, Kenan leaned back, watching her with an expression that made her heart race.

When she finished, he reached out and took her hand.

Kenan: softly "You’re incredible, you know that?"

Y/N: blushing "You’re biased."

Kenan: "Maybe. But I mean it."

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Teasing and Comfort

Their relationship wasn’t all soft moments, though. They quickly fell into a rhythm of playful teasing that made every interaction feel lighter.

Kenan: "You know, you’re pretty bad at bowling."

Y/N: gasping "Excuse me? I almost beat you last time!"

Kenan: smirking "Almost isn’t winning."

Y/N: narrowing her eyes "Fine. Rematch. And when I win, you owe me dinner."

Kenan: "And if I win?"

Y/N: "Then I owe you dinner. Either way, I’m eating."

Kenan laughed, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Kenan: "Deal."

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A Quiet Night Together

One evening, after a long day, Y/N found herself curled up on the couch with Kenan, her head resting on his shoulder as they watched a movie. She felt a peace she hadn’t known in years, her worries melting away in his presence.

Y/N: softly "Thank you for being patient with me."

Kenan: looking down at her "You’re worth the wait, Y/N. Always."

Her heart swelled at his words, and she tilted her head up to kiss him, the warmth of his lips against hers making her feel more grounded than ever.

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Ending Note

Y/N and Kenan were learning how to be together, balancing their chaotic lives with small, meaningful moments that made all the difference. They weren’t rushing anything, letting their relationship grow naturally. For Y/N, it was the first time in a long time that she truly let herself feel happy—and she wasn’t going to let fear hold her back anymore.