Laughter.

I always thought of the colour yellow whenever I heard laughter. Like now, as I lie next to Taehyung watching videos and reading memes, listening to his laugh, laughing along, feeling the vibration off his chest, it was like music to my ears, like sunshine... Like the colour yellow.

He made me laugh until I cried, you know, the belly aching, silently crying kind of laughter, where you're so hysterical it's hard to breathe , you can't make a sound because it's just so funny??? I loved those kinda laughs. Ab inducing laughter. And i had them. It was a given whenever we were together.

"Penelope!" Taehyung laughed as I tickled him. Feigning innocence I looked at him, a ghost of a smile on my lips.

"St- stop it." He laughs. "I can't. I can't!" He breathes , moving away from me. He's holding his stomach.

He looks happy, relaxed, at ease. I missed this. I missed us. I longed for these moments, for longer moments like this.

"What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" He asks looking at me inquisitively. The look on his face tells me he's genuinely curious.

"You" I smiled shyly. He was always on mind when I wasn't occupied or busy with whatever it is I get busy with.

"Me? Tell me more" he teases , sitting across from me. Our knees touching.

"I like seeing you like this. Smiling, laughing... Happy" I nod. Happy looked good on him.

He smiles a heart stopping , inside melting, hair rising smile that makes me weak. I could get lost in those eyes. His big, beautiful, twinkling eyes. His whole face lit up, so much so it was hard not to mirror his smile.

A big, beautiful, boxy smile just for me.

He says nothing, but pulls me closer, our hands intertwined.

He's about to say something when there's a knock at the door. We both groan in annoyance. Looking at each other, he chuckles, standing up.

"Who is it?" He asks. His back faces me and I admire his frame. His tall, slim, masculine frame.

"Jimin!" Yells from outside the door. Taehyung turns around dismissing him.

"Just ignore him, he'll go away" he says as he throws an arm around me dragging me down with him.

I laugh. They were so cute. I loved them together. I playfully slap Taehyung on the chest. He chuckles but makes no move to get off the bed.

Freeing myself from his grip, I make my way to the door.

"Hey! Are you sleeping over?" Haewon asks as soon as the door opens.

"Bu-what-Jimin?" I stutter, confused. Was he not just here a few seconds ago?

I peak out the door, no sign of Jimin, just Haewon. She ignores my question and taps her foot impatiently.

"Well?" She asks tapping her leg and raising her hand as if to speed up the process.

"Uhm... I'm not sure. I don't think so... Why?" I ask drawing out the question. I never knew with Haewon sometimes. She was very unpredictable.

"I want to sleep over. Jin asked me" she says smiling as she looks at me for approval.

An evil smirk spreads across my face.

"Ahhhhh Jin asked huh?" I tease, poking her sides.

She laughs, brushing me off.

"So are you spending the night too?" She asks again. She seemed pretty adamant.

Turning to look at Taehyung who was preoccupied on his phone, I turned my attention back to Haewon. Shaking my head.

"No. I'm not" I say.

"Okay..." She says hesitantly, looking over at Taehyung.

Sighing she finally speaks up.

"I'll take you home later, I can get a change of clothes that way too" she mumbles to herself.

"You sure you dont just want to share Jins clothes?" I tease her, as she blushes but says nothing.

"Come find me when you're ready" she says turning around and walking away.

Closing the door, I watch Taehyung. He's typing away on his phone. I stand there for a few minutes in silence. Long enough for him to notice.

"Earth to Penelope" he says waving his arm in the air.

I walk over to him. Our eyes meet and we smile at one another.

"I'm hungry" I blurt.

He looks at me for a second before laughing.

He nods appreciatively, his lips thinning as he tries to stifle his laughter.

"Let's go" he says grabbing my hand and pulling me up to with ease.

I'm excited.

"Do you have anything in mind?" He asks looking down at me, we're still holding hands.

"Hmmm... Jajangmyeon" I say licking my lips. My mouth salivating at the thought.

He tightens his hold on my hand, chuckling to himself.

"That's my girl" he whispers down at me.

I can't help but feel giddy, I'm almost hopping with excitement. I liked that. I liked being his.

"Now, let's get you some Jajangmyeon" he says rubbing his hands together.

*_*_*_*_*

I don't think I had ever eaten that much in my entire life. My belly felt right, stretched to capacity. I felt heavy, bloated, pregnant. The thought made my rub my belly.

"You know what I like Penelope?" Taehyung asks looking at me. We're sitting in the kitchen, across from one another. He's resting his head in the palm of his hand, lazily signing the marble counter top with his other.

"What?" I ask, my eyes fixed on his beautiful hands.

"I like that you eat so well, that you're not shy" he says looking up at me adoringly. I felt every word. A weird compliment, but still a compliment.

Taehyung sensing my confusion and hesitancy elaborates.

"It's not a bad thing. It's a good thing... Trust me" he grabs hold of both my hands. Looking into his eyes, it's full of adoration. It'd be hard to dispute anything he said with a look like that.

Hours had passed, we had watched a movie, played a few games and now we were curled up on his bed. I could barely keep my eyes open. It didn't help the fact that Taehyung traced patterns along my arm with a feather like touch.

"Penelope... Don't fall asleep" he moans against my hair, tightening his hold on me.

"Shhh! I'm not! " I say breathing in deeper, and moving in closer. Well as close as possible.

We were silent, I felt myself drifting off again.

"You're doing it again" he teases in a singsong voice.

"Doing what?" I ask confused.

" You make a moaning, humming sound right before you fall asleep" he says against me.

I'm so tired, I don't argue. Instead I sit up. It's 10:39 pm.

"It's late. I better go" I say, stretching.

"Do you have to?" He groans, stretching his long limbs, yawning. His yawn makes me yawn.

"Yeah. I definitely have to" I giggle. Leaning into him, I kiss him on the lips. It takes him by surprise because he looks down at his hands.

He stands up, and follows me to the door.

"Oh! Here you are. I was just about to come find you. You ready to go?" Haewon asks looking at me.

"Yes" is my simple reply. As much as I loved being around Taehyung, I could use with a good night's rest.

"I'll meet you out front in 5" she says walking off.

Taehyung is quiet.

"I'm sorry Penelope" he says as we make our way to the elevator.

"What for?" I ask confused.

"For not asking you to start the night, I'm just... I'm not there yet. It's not that I don't want to be with you all the time... It's just, I don't want to rush things -"

I hug him. He was so thoughtful, so considerate.

"Don't apologise. I understand" I say against his chest. He relaxes on my arms and wraps his arms around me.

As much as I Loved being around him, enjoying his company, making memories and all that relationship jazz. I wasn't ready either. I wanted to take things slow, do things right you know?

"How did I end up so lucky?" He asks incredulously, kissing my forehead. My favourite kind of kisses and he knew that because he planted one after the other.

"Ew. Get a room" Haewon says as she joins us, Jin in tow.

"Ah. Taehyung-ah, you're here too. " He says, slapping his back lightly as he reaches Taehyung.

"Yes" Taehyung replies smiling at his Hyung respectfully.

"Are you joining us for a little drive?" Haewon says, looking over her shoulder at the pair.

Taehyung seems taken aback but shrugs and goes along with it.

"Wait... You're sleeping over?" He says looking at Haewon. She raises get eyebrow at him.

"Uhm. Yea. That's what I spoke about when I came to your room earlier"she says in her isn't it obvious voice. Very sassy.

He looks confused. I couldn't blame him. Then again, he was busy on his phone, he could have just missed out on our conversation.

He looks at me then at Haewon. His lips pouting as he tries to form a coherent sentence.

"But then, Penelope, you'll be all alone." He ponders over this.

"Penelope is a big girl. She can take care of herself. She's sleeping alone all her life and she's been alone in that apartment a few times" Haewon says reassuringly.

I nod in agreement. But Taehyung doesn't seem convinced.

"I don't like that" he says, sinking against the elevator rail. His arms are crossed against his chest. He's defensive.

"I'll be fine" I smile reassuringly at the man before me. He was so cute for caring so much about me. I stroke his arm affectionately. Hoping to bring about some comfort.

I really was fine sleeping alone. I'd do it whenever Haewon worked the nightshift. It made no difference to me.

"You're with me now... Things like this shouldn't be fine" he mumbles, still pouting.

I cup his cheek, looking deep into his eyes.

"I'll be fine Taehyung. I promise"

The drive home, he hadn't let go of my hand once. My hand felt sweaty against his but any attempt to let go of his hand would only result in him tightening his grip.

We pulled up to the apartment. Haewon leaving me behind and running off in the opposite direction.

Taehyung looked worried.

"Why don't you spend the night too? I can spend the night with Jimin-" he says but I cut him off.

"Taehyung, I will be fine. I promise. If anything happens - God forbid- you'll be the first one I'll call" I'm trying to reassure him but it seems almost futile.

Jin sensing Taehyung's unease steps in.

"If you want, we can pick Penelope up early tomorrow morning and she can come back to the house and nap with you?" He suggests looking at Taehyung.

He's deliberating. He looks at me and then at Jin. Finally sighing, he concedes.

"But very early. Like 5am early"

I'm about to protest when Jin shoots me a look.

"Like 5am early" I accept. Looking at the slightly satisfied look on Taehyung's face.

Haewon is back and panting.

"Oh. You're still here" she says throwing her bag at me.

Ignoring her and dodging her bag with ease, I kiss Taehyung on the cheek again before wishing everyone good night.

"Don't walk me to my apartment! You'll never leave if you do" his shoulders sag but he takes a step back. He looks disappointed, almost hurt. It takes everything in me but to change my mind.

"It's only a few more hours Taehyung" I say smiling reassuringly.

"I'll text you as soon as I'm safe inside" I turn and run towards the door, greeting our doorman.

Haewon doesn't wait for me to get into the elevator, she drives off as soon as I'm inside.

Sighing with relief. I make my way home. It's warm and cosy but a little bit empty with Haewon around.

I turn off some lights while I turn on others. Making my way to my room, I undress and change into my pajamas making sure to quickly remove my make up.

Once in bed, I grab my phone. There's a message from Tae.

"Are you safe?"

Giggling, I text back quickly.

"Safe baby. I'll see you as early as 5 am. Are you safe?"

"Yes. We're home. I'll see you as early as 5am. Sweet night Penelope"

"Sweet night Taehyung"

"I miss you already" he texts back.

My God, how was he so perfect. With curled toes and the biggest smile on my face, I texted back.

"I miss you more."

And just like that, I drift off into a sweet, peaceful slumber where I was reunited with Taehyung only this time, we never had to say goodbye.