TAE POV:

I carefully scan the room, taking in the equipment piled up onto the floor and waiting to be used, I take in the empty walls, the fact that it is void of any furnishings and anyone save for myself. A quick glance to the windows, one in the ceiling and the others around the room show that they're void of curtains. Perfect. Now all I need to do is wait for Yoongi hyung to return with (Y/N)- if the first part of the date is done well, then this second part should go smoothly too. But even as I leave, closing the door behind me, I can't help but nervously glance at what lies inside and fervently pray that (Y/N) likes this. And with all my hopes and fears piled high onto my shoulders, I leave- locking the door, even though if the house wanted to; no-one could enter anyways.

GYEOMIE POV:

I stir the spoon in my tea, metal clinking against the ceramic mug- mindlessly, constantly whilst my eyes remained glued on the scene in front of me, lips twitching with amusement at what unfolds in front of my eyes.

When I had returned home last night with Youngjae hyung dropping me off- stealing a kiss in the hallway and then reluctantly letting go, I had entered to the familiar sounds and smells of (Y/N) cooking- and it had been long enough, two whole days, since she'd cooked for me and I was more than ready for this. She'd turned with a soft smile, hands clad in oven gloves as she brought a steaming pot to the table, gesturing for me to sit down before she began piling food onto my plate. I could only beam and tuck in eagerly, but after I'd noticed the almost nervous way she'd been examining me, I knew something was up.

What I didn't expect was her to sorrowfully whisper how bad she felt for not spending more time with me, with the coven and it had all made perfect sense. She was in her very soft usual way, feeling way more guilt than she needed to be, but even so had clung to my arm and looked at me with glistening eyes- mouth spilling her worries that the coven didn't want to see her anymore. And that was it. I couldn't have her passing the night away with worries and tears so I told her to grab her bag and to go. We were going to the nest, to put a stopper in this before it mounted inside her and eventually burst- in what I knew from experience would be a very tearful ordeal.

If Jackson hyung was surprised that I was entering the nest not two hours after I had left, he made no comments about it- just smiled and gestured with his arms wide open for a hug. But when (Y/N)'s smaller frame tentatively poked out from behind me, eyes almost nervously falling on him, all had been forgotten and my mate had bounced to his feet with a joyous expression and a loud exclamation of '(Y/N)' bursting from his lips as he rushed forward to sweep her into his arms for a bear hug.

His loud shout had drawn the others out in curiosity but their faces had lit up at the sight of her swaying in Jackson hyung's embrace as he rocked the two of them, smiles spreading across their faces and had all eagerly bustled around her, so eager and ready and willing to shower her with love.

But when she'd turned out of the hug and saw the rest of them hovering around her happily, I saw her lip wobble dangerously and that was it. She burst into tears. The suddenness of her crying shocking everyone into action as they all burst into a worried fussing, hovering over her- eyes glinting red with protectiveness over a threat to her happiness that they couldn't yet see.

And it took lots and lots of cuddles, a long chat- interrupted only by loud reassurances from my mates, cups of hot chocolate, blankets and everyone reassuring her that her guilt was unfounded for her to finally drop off to sleep- tear-stained face leaning onto JB hyung's arm, face finally relaxing once she'd given into the exhaustion.

Which brings me to the sight in front of me now. Which is incidentally the others rushing in their haste to be the ones closest to (Y/N). it's comical how I can see the determination making their eyes flash red and them using their speed to their advantage- which consequently only results in Youngjae hyung and Bambam crashing into each other- toppling if it hadn't been for their quick reflexes. And hilariously enough, it's Jinyoung oppa and Mark oppa who with their calm demeanour and misleading casual gaits snag the seats either side- drawing her happily into their arms.

But I'm happy and relieved to see them just enjoying each other's company- because I know that even if they hadn't voiced and expressed themselves with the same likeliness- the others had been missing her too, in fact just the other day I'd seen them complaining petulantly about it. How her scent wasn't as strong in the nest because of her time now being divided between seven more people. But seeing her come home with flushed cheeks and bright eyes just told me just how much she was enjoying spending time with them- and I couldn't hold that against her. I knew just how deserving and worthy of love she was, she deserved to be showered in it unconditionally.

And when her phone rang, startling her before a smile spread across her face I knew it was one of them. And when she giddily got to her feet- all of us were happy to let her go, because finding her mates was something that added happiness to her life; and that's all we had ever wanted for her.

She squeezes us all into tight hugs before leaving, considerable strength in her smaller frame and pecks our cheeks.

"See you oppas! I'll visit more!" she calls over her shoulder.

And it takes a moment of realisation that she's already rushing through the door and so I dart after her- the others fondly laughing as I hop on the spot, pulling my shoes on and calling out for her.

(Y/N) POV:

When Yoongi sends me a good morning text, it's longer than his usual daily ones and in it is a shy request of whether he could take me somewhere. I type back a question 'is it a date?' expecting a refusal or reluctance to admit but seconds later the confirmation comes through.

'It's a date'. And the words warm me and make my stomach flutter with nerves- the direct affirmation throwing me off. But even so, I'm excited as I rush home to change in the suggested 'casual and comfy clothes' Yoongi had sent through minutes ago.

Honestly he could take me nowhere or anywhere and I'd be happy just because I'll have gotten a chance to spend some time alone with him, hopefully be able to learn more about him; such crucial important details such as what's his favourite ice cream flavour, his favourite pastime, what's his preferred sleeping position. So much to learn still.

And when I've finished showering and changing, minutes later there's a knocking at the door and before Gyeomie can even rise from his spot on the couch, I'm already hurrying forward to open the door. I meet Yoongi's shy gummy smile with one of my own and he's slightly fidgety, as if he's nervous, and it's both reassuring and sweet so I reach over to gently grasp his hand. Which both stills his movements and makes his smile less shy, spreading wider across his face- eyes crinkling slightly.

"Bye Gyeomie." I call over my shoulder as I grab my bag, relinking our fingers as we walk out. He silently opens the passenger door for me, waiting for me to slide in before closing the door and moving around to the driver's side. After he glances over to make sure my belt is on, he starts the car but doesn't begin driving- and I can see him dithering slightly from the corner of my eyes but before I can turn he suddenly leans forward and I can feel his soft lips press against my cheek in a gentle kiss. And somehow the brief contact has my cheeks heating, the warmth that had fanned out through my body from that touch alone already has me pleasantly fidgety and excited to see where he wants to take me.

"So I learnt from the maknaes that you like art. A lot. So I wondered if you wanted to go with me to the new art store just on the outskirts of town?" he asks, fingers drumming nervously against the steering wheel- eyes darting to look at me, worrying his bottom lips between his teeth as he awaits my response.

The fact that he'd learnt it from the others meant he'd asked, went forward to find out about my likes- rather than it being something he'd heard or suggested because he knew I studied it. It makes me feel warm with the mental image it conjures of Yoongi sitting the maknaes down and his own unique style trying to figure out what I enjoyed.

"I'd love to! Do you do any art?" I ask, twisting slightly to face him, eyes drawn to his side profile, seeing the way his lips curve up in a wry smile.

"I'm not the resident artist but I do enjoy it as a pastime. But I find myself turning to writing and producing songs more." He says, and it's clear that he's sharing a personal intimate aspect of his life to me, bringing me in closer to him.

"Music is the art of expressing the soul. I'd love to hear sometime. If that's fine." I say, fingers fiddling with the seatbelt.

We reach a traffic light and so he turns to face me, giving me the full intensity of his stare- a look that's both hopeful and bright.

"You'd want to? Then I'd love for you to hear them someday." He says, words full of promise.

And just like that the car journey somehow passes away in no time at all. Slowly learning more about each other's interests, more about the role he has in the coven, what sort of bondmate he is. And slowly but surely I find myself enamoured with this person who is willing to do anything for the happiness of his mates. I see my beautifully strong mate who despite having suffered is still bringing joy to people's lives- both as a mate and as a person spreading hope through his music.

----

He intertwines our fingers as I come around the car, lacing them together as we walk in and he lets me gasp and marvel and tug him excitedly from one corner to the other, fondly watching as my hands trail over paints and papers and supplies- taking in the artistic décor of the shop. I note him easily and casually picking up things he's seen me linger over, adding them to a growing basket.

And when we reach the till and I see several more items piled high, I grasp his sleeve telling him he doesn't need to buy so many; they'll go unused and to waste.

Yoongi gently frees his wrist and captures my hand.

"They'll all be used, I promise. None of them will be wasted, we have a few artists in the coven. And besides, I like treating you and the others." He says, expression turning shy when his confession elicits a bright smile and the urge to hug him, which I do- leaning back to kiss his cheek.

"You're such a soft sweetheart." I murmur.

And whilst he doesn't flinch or back away from the endearment, his ears do slightly become an adorable shade of pink, lips curving into a pleased smile.

And when he drives us back to the nest, the car journey is not filled with conversation but secretive glances we both dart to each other, flushing when our eyes meet heatedly- his own flashing red at times. And even though there's silence between us, the space is covered by the way our interlocked hands rest in the centre- never parting.

Not even once.

----

The nest opens to provide entrance to a warm hallway, pleasantly comfortable, as if the house has anticipated my coming and provided a warmer interior- that doesn't set me into chills like it had the early few days when I'd first visited. And like usual there's a pair of comfy, cushiony house slippers awaiting me- before I had borrowed one of the others' spare pairs but I'd visited the nest one week and found a pair of slippers in my side, and each time I'd visited there had been different colour and design variations of them.

We're both holding bags and as if sensing the slight strain it's putting on us, a small table slides forward from it's place against the wall, making it easier to dump them onto the dark rich shade of wood.

And before anything else can happen, Tae comes rushing down the stairs, dressed in a loose tee and cargo shorts, face split with his beaming boxy smile as he throws his arms around the two of us, drawing us close for a tight squeezing embrace.

"You're back! I've been waiting ages!" he whines cutely, leaning back to press a peck to Yoongi's lips and then mine, smiling sweetly at the two of us. His hands slide down to grasp our hands, tugging us behind him excitedly.

"Let's go!" he says eagerly.

I twist to see the table still laden with our bags.

"Don't you worry your pretty head jagi, we'll get to those bags soon." Tae's deep voice calls, head turning to shoot me a secretive, knowing smile- his wink making the breath in my throat to hitch and the butterflies in my stomach to return in full force.

And I wonder just what he has in store for the two of us.

(THAT WAS LITERALLY ALL BUILD UP AND NOTHING ELSE HAHA! HOW WAS IT? WELL ACTUALLY IT WAS A DATE BUILDING TO SOMETHING DEEPER AND I HAVE A LOT OF STUFF IN MIND FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER HEHE- SO STAY TUNED AND SEE HOW THE DAEGU MATES SURPRISE THEIR BABY MATE! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS MY LOVES AND CAN'T WAIT TO READ YOUR THEORIES! STAY SAFE!)

DYNAMITE! THEY LIT ME UP THAT'S FOR SURE...IT'S A TUNE I WANT PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL WHICH WILL BE HAPPENING STRAIGHT AFTER THIS UPDATE. THE BOYS REALLY BRINGING A MESSAGE OF LIGHT IN THESE DARK TIMES.

Remember that wherever you are, no matter how dark life may seem there are people who will be the light for you, bringing you happiness- just as BTS did with this song.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3