Penelope's POV
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I could breathe again, feeling heaps better and slightly more rejuvenated.
Everything felt lighter, different, everything made sense.
The great outdoors really was great for the soul.
I looked over at Haewon, she was focused on the road, a frown on her face.
She caught me staring, surprisingly choosing to stay silent.

We listened to the radio, paying special attention to the news bulletin and traffic updates. So far so good, should be smooth sailing from here on out.

Haewon seemed distant, distracted. I felt partially guilty. I knew it was probably due to my confession in the park earlier; however, I felt so much better thereafter. I felt lighter, at ease and grateful for the reassurance and love she always throws my way even if sometimes I don't know what to do with it.

Haewon's voice breaks me out of my reverie.

"Hey...Do you maybe want to make a quick stop at the boys? You haven't seen them in forever" she asks nonchalantly. That's exactly what I need right now. To be surrounded by good, positive, hard working people. To be with him. It would be the perfect start to a good day.

"Yes please. I'd love that". Excitement coursed through my veins. I'm a few short minutes I'd be reunited with Taehyung and the boys. Their work ethic and professionalism and perfectionism would definitely rub off on me. It would give me a clearer perspective and fresh start. But who am I kidding, more importantly, it would give me the perfect opportunity to spend some time with Taehyung without having to feel guilty about it ( I hoped).

Haewon called Jin announcing we'd be arriving soon. Ever so prepared, he was up and ready.

Minutes later, we were greeted by the very handsome face of Mr World-wide handsome himself.

"Good morning. You two are out and about early this morning" he says looking between the two of us.

There was something very intimidating about Jin. Eventhough he was easy going and childlike, there was a certain air about him, one I didn't want to cross. He was such a father like figure it was hard not to bow down in fear.

"Had to get this one out of the house" Haewon says cocking her head in my direction.

"Ah , yes. Your big project. Taehyung-ah can't stop gushing about it. " He says looking proudly at me. I smile in return. My heart fluttering at the thought of making him proud.

Before heading up, I grab my flowers. Jin eyes it suspiciously but says nothing. I would arrange it once we were inside.

Reaching the condo, we were greeted with a pleasant, hunger inducing smell. It smelled of freshly brewed coffee, eggs, bacon, and baked bread, the whole shebang. Breakfast fit for Kings.

Namjoon and Hoseok insist I join them for breakfast which I happily oblige to - I mean how couldn't I?

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Namjoon ,Hoseok and I eat breakfast together. We're engaged in an animated conversation before Hoseok asks about the flowers. He laughs as I rely out story. He tells me one of his own that has me crying from laughter. My stomach aches. Even Namjoon is tearing up.

"Who are the flowers for?" Hoseok asks, looking over at it.

"They're for Taehyung. Just a special something, something different" I mutter, feeling silly that I was giving my boyfriend flowers and not the other way around.

"Awww" they coo. Making me blush. Laughing at my reaction they cheer me on. Offering their support and services. Calling their bluff I rope them in and we spend another half hour laughing and messing around before we finish the bouquet. We beam at the bouquet proudly, Namjoon even starts fake crying much to the amusement of Hoseok and I.

How the 'Maknaes' didn't manage to wake up through the rowdiness and laughter, baffles me.

"Do you think I could go up now?" I ask, tying my ribbon and discarding the offcuts.

"Sure. You don't have to ask" Namjoon laughs at me.

"I could walk with you if you want?" He offers. Nodding, we bid adieu to Hobi who waves us off, promising to see us later.

It's quiet, eerily quiet. Namjoon and I walk together, side by side in silence. It's a comfortable silence. I smile up at him and he returns it with one of his own.

I loved his smile. It was so captivating. It looked so good on him, I wished he smiled more often.

He chuckles at me.

"Here you go" he says gesturing to the door. "Let's hope he hasn't locked his door"

My heart sinks and my smile drops, I hadn't thought about that. Carefully turning the knob, it clicks and opens. I sigh in relief. Turning to throw an excited thumbs up at Namjoon Hyung who chuckles down at me, returning my thumbs up with one of his own.

He mouths 'good luck' and waits for me to enter before walking off.

Classical music fills my ears. Everything is in order except for a pile of clothing olaced neatly in the corner of his room. Taehyung is curled up in a ball with a pillow, snugly cocooned in his arms and between his legs. He looks adorable. Innocent. Peaceful.

Even in this sleepy comotose state, he was perfect, with a swollen face glistened in a light sheen of perspiration, he was mesmirising.

I tip toed over to him, making sure to capture this moment. I snuck a few pictures of this beautiful being. He stirred as I inched closer to him but lucky for me remained fast asleep. On my knees, I moved my face closer, inching closer and closer. With a featherlike touch, I brush my lips against his pink pouty ones. He immediately opens his eyes.

"Penelope?!" He calls out, groagily ,startled by my sudden appearance. It lasts about a nanosecond before he grabs my hand, dragging me down beside him. He throws his leg over me and his arm captures my waist.

I giggle against him. As he snuggles in closer. Tightening his grip.

Managing to squirm around to face him, I cup his cheek. He melts beaneath my touch, placing his hand over mine. He opens his eyes.

We stare deep into each other's eyes. His presence intoxicating. He stares a moment longer, unwilling to look away.

There was only one way to break his gaze.

I move closer and his eyes widen ever so slightly but he doesn't budge.

"Oppa!" I whisper seductively.

His eyes widen and he groans in embarrassment, burying his face in his pillow. That was exactly the reaction I wS hoping yo illicit.

I giggle, kissing his exposed cheek.

He pulls himself up, looking adoringly at me.

"When did you get here? " He asks but continues to talk to me regardless. "I missed this, I missed you" he says lifting himself up and saddling me, hovering above me.

Bringing my arms up, wrapping it around his neck, pulling him closer, until we're inches away.

He bobs my nose with his , looking deep into my eyes, scanning my thoughts. His forehead resting against mine. I watch with fascination as his pupils dilate. His pulse quickens beneath my fingertips, syncing with my own.

This was normal, this was safety, this was home... This was needed.

He tilts his head slightly, bringing his face closer to mine.

Our lips graze lightly against each others. It's soft, but firm, purposeful. It was more than I had gotten all these months together.

As I'm about to pull him against my chest, he pulls away, shaking his head. He's on his feet in seconds.

"I'll be right back" he announces before stalking off leaving me heaving, and confused.

I lick my lips, swinging my legs off the bed. Confused. My heart slowing down, my breathing normalises.

Where did he run off to? I briefly wondered before something catches my eye. My eyes fall on a glistening, golden picture frame. In it are pictures of the two of us. It's a collage of us two. We're laughing, happily side by side. I suddenly remember all of these moments perfectly. In the beginning when things were new, fresh, exciting, less complicated.

In one picture he has his head on my shoulder, he's asleep as I admire the view outside, we had gone on a little roadtrip with the boys and some of the girls. He looked so peaceful, and well rested, just like I was.

I have the frame in my hands now, tracing the frame, brushing my fingers against the glass, wishing I could go back, and touch and feel it just one more time, appreciate the finer moments.

He returns, bare faced and beautiful. Fully awake now. He stops short as he notices me over at his desk.

Our eyes meet and he smiles , walking over to me.

"Those were some of my favourite pictures" he remarks smiling down at the frame still in my hand. He laughs as his eyes land on a picture of us pulling a funny face, Jimin is in the background doubled over, he attempted to photobomb us but got caught up in our photoshoot that he couldn't help but laugh. I could hear his laughter in my head. I smile thinking of that day.

Taehyung takes the picture frame from me, placing it on his desk. He pulls me close, resting his head on the top of my head. It's slightly awkward for him as I'm a lot shorter than he is but he makes it work.

He smells my hair, inhaling and exhaling deeply, letting out a satisfied sigh. Mentally thanking Haewon for forcing me to shower this morning - I eased into him even more.

"I've missed you so much Penelope" he groans against me, squeezing me. My arms rake up his back, sending shivers down his spine, he chuckles but makes no attempt to pull away.

"I missed you more" I reply, pulling away slightly. Looking up at his beautiful face, he's staring at me adoringly, his eyes filled with passion, with light, with an intensity I had never seen before.

His eyes flicker to my lips, instinctively I lick my lips, preparing for what I hoped would come next.
With my hand behind his neck, I pull him closer. I couldn't stand this anymore, I needed more, i needed him. I needed this close proximity.

He doesn't fight it, his lips crash against mine, it's soft, firm and tastes of toothpaste. Moving in unison, our lips dancing against the other, moving in sync. My heart beats in my chest, thumping against my ear drums. I couldn't think straight, all I could think about was this, was him, our lips and how soft and sweet he tasted, how despite the urgency, he remained gentle, caring, caressing.

I break away, breathless, my knees weak. A kiss that took my breath away. A first. He matches my sentiments as he looks about ready to pass out too, leaning against the desk, he supports our weight. We're panting in each others arms. Coming to, we look at each other, he smiles down at me endearingly before giving me a familiar peck against my lips, cupping my face, he trails kisses all along my face, making me laugh.

He stops and I watch as his eyes land on the Wilting and forgotten bouquet of flowers on his desk.

"What's this?" He asks surprised, reaching over me and picking up the bouquet. His eyes sparkle with wonder and delight.

"Did you make these?" He asks, looking down at me.

I nod, beaming up at him - pleased by his reaction. He returns my smile with one that light's up his whole face, it would put the sun to shame.

"It's beautiful" he says proudly, kissing me one last time. He moves away from me.

Placing it in an empty vase he takes from the top of his cupboard.

"Knew it'd come in handy" he offers, smiling once more as he places the flowers in the vase. He looks at it fondly before taking his phone, snapping a picture. Before long we're taking selfies with my rose arrangement posing with the bouquet.

Laughing we head to the kitchen hand in hand , I'm singing his verse from Boy with love

Your every picture
내 머리맡에 두고 싶어 oh bae

To which he laughs, dancing along. His dancing makes me laugh but only eggs us on as we sing and dance like nobody's watching. I loved this. Carefree, easy going moments. We needed more of this. We needed to laugh and take it easy. We needed to be the calm to each other's storms.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Close to noon, everyone had gathered in the lounge. Namjoon had called a meeting with the boys, to go over their schedules for the next few days and what was on the agenda for the day.

Back to reality. It made my heart sink. Initially I had wanted to see them in action, professional and to the point, getting shit done. In their element... But I had been having fun with Taehyung, laughing, singing and dancing, focusing on him, on us that I had forgotten all about the outside world. Here we were a rude awakening. Nothing stays the same. Good things come to an end too.

Sneaking a peak at Haewon, she's looking at me. A look of understanding , foreboding, dread. We would have to leave soon. I didn't want to and neither did she. I could tell by the look of longing plastered on her face.

Through it all, I was glad I didn't have to face this challenge and trail on my own, that I had someone I loved dearly go through this with me with complete and utter understanding and shared sympathy. It made things a lot easier.

"We better go" Haewon says to me as Taehyung joins us, handing me a bottled water.

"You don't have to, it's nothing formal" Jin interjects hoping to convince us to stay. I hoped it worked. I didn't want to leave but I couldn't be selfish. I wouldn't.

Taehyung grabs me. Hoisting me up in the air.

"You're not going anywhere!" He states stubbornly.

It catches me off guard but I can't help but laugh at his neediness. It's adorable. And so welcomed. I hear laughter around me but I'm closing my eyes, taking a mental note, a mental picture of this moment and placing it into my mental filing cabinet. I would remember this moment forever. It didn't mean much to anyone else but it did to me.

He meant everything to me, moments like this were rare but I learned to love and appreciate being with me whenever I was fortunate enough to get the chance.

To my surprise Taehyung places me in his lap. It's a first, then again, today was filled with a lot of firsts. Suddenly I remember we have an audience and I'm flustered, blushing profusely. I don't fight Taehyung, it's pointless.

As soon as we're all settled, Namjoon starts, addressing the room. Haewon and I melt in the background. She's seated beside Jin, hand in hand, she looks happy and relaxed. Pleased to be by his side. It makes me smile. If anyone deserves happiness it was Haewon. She was a gift to the world. She had a heart of gold and it showed. I squirm against Taehyung but he ignores me.

"We have to leave soon, we're booked for dance practice and then booked for studio time. If there's any spare time, let's try and interact with ARMY today. " Namjoon suggests scanning the room.

Everyone voices their approval, Taehyung the loudest of them all. I smile, I loved how much he loved others. How much he loved ARMY. How he would go above and beyond for the fans. It was a sight to see. Seeing him laugh with them, talk to them, surprise and entertain them, I loved having a front row seat to that, to seeing him make such a difference in their lives. Seeing their friendship grow. I couldn't put into words how much I adored him for it.

Tapping his forearm, signalling to him that I want to get off. But he shakes his head stubbornly.

"No. No. No! You can't go anywhere" he says burying his head in my back.

What was going on with Taehyung. He was never THIS needy or clingy. I loved it though. I loved feeling needed. He missed me. I knew that much and I hoped he knew I felt the same way too. I didn't care who was watching, I would do anything for this man, be anything, be anywhere... There was nothing I wouldn't do to make him happy and keep it that way because he deserved it too. He definitely deserved that and so much more.

Turning in his arms, I look at the man I've grown accustomed to, at the man who was changing towards me, in a good way. He was changing towards me, for the better, he was less guarded, more open, free, at ease, all the things I wanted him to be he slowly became...

I wanted to be his peace. I hoped I was to him what he was to me.
He looks up at me, his eyes pure, innocent, scared? Was he afraid I'd reject him? What was that fleeting look in his eyes? His mouth opened slightly, was he going to say something?

I hoped he knew just how much he meant to me, how important he was. I would never do anything to hurt him... Not intentionally anyway. I'd never ever reject him. Never ever ever EVER. I wanted him. I needed him.

He stares up at me, into my eyes. We say nothing but I feel everything, I feel the intensity in my fingertips. It courses through my veins. I hoped he felt every emotion I was feeling, the electricity, the desire, the admiration and appreciation, I hoped he felt it all.

I press my forehead against his in an attempt to regain consciousness and myself. In an effort to tell him that I was there, for him, for us, for it all... He closes his beautiful eyes, breathing in, his grip tightens around me and I fight the urge to moan against his lips. I wanted to be closer to him but now was not the time. We were in sync. On the same wavelength, I knew it, I felt it and so did hem he felt the pull and so did I.

"Ahhhhh so cute!" Hoseok comments across the room There's a string of agreement and hopeful wishing. Why? Why do I forget myself and my surroundings when I'm with him? Why do I forget myself? Why? I'm shy and embarrassed having forgotten where we were. I hoped I hadn't embarrassed him. The thought makes me blush. Unable to face the others, I do the most knowledgeable thing - bury my face in the nape of Taehyung's neck. Hoping he takes one for the team this time. Taehyung chuckles against me but wraps his arms around me once more, kissing my cheek. My heart flutters. Why was he so perfect? So loving today? What changed? I wasn't complaining though. I loved it. I loved this side of him. He adjusts us
, refusing to let go of me, he makes us comfortable, completely unphased by the attention as he turns his attention back to the group who don't push it.

I sneak a peak at everyone. They're focused in Namjoon. Haewon looks at me, smiling deviously, she mocks me by throwing kisses my way. Oh God. I didn't care or mind it though. As long as Taehyung was happy , I was happy
Placing an arm behind his back , holding him, the other on my lap, I snuggled against him. My head against his chest.

It was warm and comfortable. I listened to the beat of his heart. It was strong, reassuring, the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard, well aside from his voice of course. The rhythm of his heart puts me into a soothing trance. I tired to fight it, I really did. Wanting to savour and enjoy and actually embrace this moment but I couldn't... With his intoxicating smell, alluring presence, the vibration of his chest as he laughed or spoke, the firm hold of his arms around my waist and the beautiful lull of his heart... I felt myself falling deeper and deeper faster and faster into a calm, tranquil, much needed sleep. In the arms of the man of my dreams.