(Y/N) POV:

"Now isn't this a sight." Voice lilting, resonating with the playful gleam in his eyes as he rakes them slowly over me, hands busying in straightening me up to draw me closer to him, fingers make a twirling gesture.

"Hands on the bedpost~" drawling and suggestive, lips curved with mischief as he tilts his head. Drawing my eyes to the row of sparkling gems and delicate earrings that dangle at his lobes, catching the light that streams past the windows.

"My my Jimin... your betrothed waits somewhere for you, I have a fiancé soon to be husband banished somewhere and all you can think of is getting your hands on me?" Even as I let his hands steer me around, my hands clutching at the bedpost before peering back at him. Watching the wicked delight on his face, features sharp and lethal for a moment in their mischief.

"Of course... all the scandal happens before you become taken. There is the possibility I came here to whisk you away from the altar." He teases, knuckles brushing down the length of my spine, the heat of his touch seeping through the thin fabric, feel it against my skin.

"A getaway... now who's the bandit?" I tease, laugh turning into a sharp inhale when his fingers wind into the corset strings and tug, bodily yanking me back with the force, head falling forward as I draw in a shuddering gulp of air. Head turning to see his lips curve up with a grin, the surprise of the sudden yank and force leaving me momentarily breathless.

"You've caught me... my plan is to whisk you away before you become a Kim." He teases playfully, fingers moving deftly to continue lacing me up, pressing close to brush a kiss to the curve of my ear. His words drawl and brush against skin, coaxing an instinctive shiver to skim across my spine. I can feel his lips curve up with amusement, feel his nose brush skin before he presses a softer kiss to the back of my head.

"Aren't you going to become a Kim soon?"

"Maybe Namjoon wants to take on my name one day. Become a Park... besides there's no rush... what's waiting when we have forever?" voice lilting and pleased, tinged with a softness and affection that always imbues his tone whenever Namjoon comes into conversation.

"It took Tae forever to propose and you never told me that he asked you for your contact to the blacksmith for the ring..."

There's a grin in Minnie's words even as he continues to thread the lacings through the corset, hands dragging lower to settle on my hips before turning me around, eyes sparkling, and lips curved up with exuberance. Glossy lips and pearly smile and mischief in his eyes.

"I get to be a part of your secret planned proposal and I won't help your pretty boy? To make my sweetheart's heart thud just that much quicker?"

I reach out to let my hand brush gently against the dangling earring at his lobe, drift to cup his cheek and feel him immediately tilt to it, smile warm and proud.

"You've always made my heart thud quick... pretty pretty Mimi."
"Charmer... now you're making me want to steal you away. If I was a bandit there'd have been no way Kim would have his precious jewel." Lips quirked with fondness and affection, eyes glittering as he lets his hands drag from my waist to reach for the front lacings.

The same deftness in his touch as he easily helps me lace up, eyes dragging observantly over me before the corset pushes up my cleavage, curved swells slightly hidden by the soft lace, throat bare for the decolletage and jewellery that I'm yet to wear.

"If you were a bandit maybe there'd have been nothing for Tae to steal away~" I laugh, watching as his eyes glitter with amusement and happiness, the glow of elation warm and enticing, his earrings dragging my eyes to them once more as he shakes his head fondly at me.

"Now I really might just whisk away the blushing bride all for myself... careful with your mouth beautiful." Words ringing with teasing nostalgia, playful in the way he's always been before he turns me around, drawing my hands in his and leading me away from the bed.

Hands careful as he reaches for layer after layer, slowly building me up to be the bride I'm going to be. Delicate skirts drawn over and secured at my hips, hands smoothening out the ruffles and meticulously arranging them, thin layers of fabric all beautiful and fragile. My eyes drift to the full length mirror adjacent to the bed, watching with a stinging sensation steadily building in my eyes, a nervousness tightening my stomach and a clenching aching yearning in my heart as I watch warm familiar eyes drift and catch mine.

Watching our reflection as his hands pause at my sleeves, hands skimming over fabric to settle on my shoulders before he settles his head there, tilting to mine, eyes bright and lips curved wide.

"Aren't you quite the beauty my love?"

There's only earnestness in the soft murmur, nothing but tenderness as he watches my eyes glimmer.

Hand reaching up to clasp his, squeezing briefly before skimming down his forearm.

"I love you Mimi." I whisper, voice hushed and quiet, dragging my eyes away from the mirror to peer at him, watch the same emotion reflected back at me, his eyes sparkling as he looks at me, leans close, nose nudging against mine before drawing me close, lips pressing to my forehead. Lingering there, arms banding around my waist to cradle me close, a smile curving against skin before he lets his lips press once more to my hairline.

"I know baby. I love you too. But today... you're marrying the love of your life who craves you with every breath. And one day I'll marry the man who I steal the literal breath away from." A soft giggle as his arms hold me a fraction tighter, lips curving up as he presses another kiss to my hair.

"I'm so happy for you. But we're not each other's fairy-tale love sweetheart. You found your bandit, I found my sweet healer. And yet despite it all... I would relive it all over again with you. I'd relive our story before we found our happy endings."

My heart aches as I curl closer to the man who's been my entire world for near two decades. For the man who helped make my world grow a bit larger, for other people to be a part of it too.

And I know that for the rest of my life I'll love the man I grew up with.

The man I share everything with.

The man who'll soon start the next chapter of his own life.

But for now... for now he gets me ready for mine.

I tilt my head to his, hand drifting up to cup his cheek, fingers skimming over soft skin, leaning closer to press a kiss to his cheek.

"And when it's your turn I'll be there to get you ready. To make Joon's heart stop."

His lips curve into a warm exuberant grin, pecking the tip of my nose.

"Well first the honour goes to Tae. If he doesn't get palpitations... I didn't do anything right." Voice firming with resolution, drawing me closer to him for a tight squeezing embrace that chases away the tight stiffness from my body, the two of us melded together, the nervous knots in my stomach unravelling.

Because at the end of it all nothing between us changes.

And there's a lingering taunting mischief in the coy lilt of his words as he brushes his lips against the shell of my ear before he turns.

"Besides tell Tae the offer still stands. To spice up his relationship..." eyes narrowing when I stare at him, before they crinkle into half-moons, cheeks curving up with a contagious mischief.

"Who needs drugs when there's a whole Park Jimin?" I laugh, amusement seeping into my tone as I turn back towards the mirror, watching as he winks at me, lips curving into a teasing, proud smirk all too knowing and satisfied in his own right, his own thoughts.

"Oh honey I am the drug." And his hands squeeze my waist briefly before turning to reach for the dress, for the beautiful piece I haven't even gotten to see properly. For the piece that Jimin spent his time decorating and embellishing, in making it that much more.

But the amusement and teasing falls away, a hushed reverence falling his expression as his hands skim delicately across the fabric, drawing the flared layers and fitted bodice over me, cinching it tight and secure. Hands drifting and skimming over me with the same motion of fluttering butterfly wings, fleeting and featherlight... never settling too long in one place.

And when our eyes meet, when they drag slowly and unrushed over my reflection there's a shaky awe and quiet that falls over the two of us, air sparking with the ringing realisation of just hoe much more today is, eyes drifting with an unhurried exploration of the bride I'm slowly becoming. Image changing in the mirror, layers building me up, fitting to me to make me the figure of Tae's dreams. In the same way somewhere else in the house he too is getting ready and silently I wonder whether he feels the same nervous flutter of excitement and anticipation, wondering what he's wearing and whether his own being thrums with impatience of finally turning our engagement to a wedding. To solidify the vows that hang suspended in the beautiful ring encircling my finger.

"Baby~ I haven't seen you in forever... where's Taehyung hiding you away these days?" Mimi exclaims, eyes brightening when he spots me, slipping off the bar stool to hurry to me, reaching to encase me into his arms, smile wide and infectious.

I draw him into my arms, winding them tight around his waist and squeezing, his own arms bracketing my body and tucking me to him, soft cheek and earrings brushing against my side before he dips his head to fondly set his head onto my shoulder, feeling his lips move slightly when he speaks.

"You look well. All pretty pink and radiant." Voice a soft lilting coo and when he draws back to appraise me, his eyes linger at my cheeks, forming half moons before he leans in to brush a kiss to my cheek, then the other, knuckles grazing my jaw gently.

His eyes flash as his gaze over me continues lower, lips quirking at the marks across skin that my dress cannot hide, panning down my throat and collarbones and peeking past the décolletage and neckline, head tilting with his examination.

"Having too much fun to see me it seems." Words wry and faintly teasing, turning to steer me towards the front of the tavern, to our usual seats, hand reaching out to take mine and lace them together. A casual familiarity as he intwines our fingers together, squeezing as he leads me to the stools, head dipped with grand gesture as he helps me sit, drawing my hand to his lips to brush a kiss to my knuckles when he freezes.

Hand stilling where it's holding mine, eyes frozen on me, in particular the ring encircling my finger, lips parting with surprise before he draws my hand up closer to his gaze.

Thumb brushing over the tiny gems encrusting the band, eyes drifting up to peer at me.

"This is new... something you want to share beautiful?"

Lips twitching as they tug upright into a wide knowing grin, exuberance pooling into his features, excitement dancing in his eyes but he waits with an electric, shaking enthusiasm. Body seemingly wracked with excited jitters as he peers at me, eyes shining and overspilling with giddiness.

"Tae proposed." Voice hushed and giddy, the same exuberance overwhelming in my own voice, unable to dampen down the thrill that raises my voice, gripping back at his hand just as tightly, tugging him closer to me, lips curving wide in an unrestrained grin. Stretched wide and cheeks aching as his hand draws mine closer, peering at the ring with a similar buoyancy, tugging me closer to him until I'm bumping against him, his hands falling away.

Gripping my cheeks and peppering kisses across skin, between bright giggles that spill out of both of us, arms winding around his nape when his drop to my waist, squeezing tight before he spins me around, giddy circles and skirts whirling and flaring out, hands gripping at him for purchase.

"My sweetheart's engaged. A taken woman. Oh he finally did it! I wondered when the ring would be finished!" lips pressing eager kiss after kiss to my cheeks, head tilted up to mine, eyes fond and radiant with joy for me.

And as he sets me down, my hands still clutching at him, I realise something he's said, brushing back hair, his eyes tracking the glint of my ring, body brimming with eagerness as he looks at me.

"You knew?"

"I didn't know he proposed but I knew he intended to. As if my soulmate's love would not tell me." He shakes his head, laughing when I swat at him, hand catching mine, resting against his sternum as he leans close, eyes glinting with warmth and mischief.

"Mimi! You know how long I've been waiting!"

He laughs, fingers gently angling my face to his to peer at me.

"So why do you think when he told me I told him to get a move on... maybe a threat to steal his sweet precious jewel for myself might've been motivation... who knows?" he lilts, eyes shining with tease.

"You'll never stop will you?" I laugh, hands tugging him closer, his nose nudging against mine fondly.

And automatically his hands fall to my waist, tugging me closer.

"Never... I'll always keep him on his toes." He vows with a laugh.

And then his head turns to the front, voice pitching louder.

"Jungkook-ah get us a tankard of ale and some fruit liquor. We're celebrating the day and night away."

"Our (Y/N) is a taken woman."

"You look beautiful (Y/N)." Hands steering me towards the dresser, standing behind me as I sink down, fingers curling against the wood as I peer at him before tilting my head back, catching the faint glossy sheen to his eyes that his hands immediately bat away, trembling lips curved wide before he reaches for the brush, determined to help me dress and get ready every step of the way, jewellery sitting waiting for me to put on. To adorn, shining trinkets and gems that Tae specifically bought for the wedding, his own gaze glittering and shining as he watched my hands take them, cradling them with a careful tenderness before tugging him closer to kiss him.

It's impatience that has me fidgeting and Minnie half scolding, half amused as he threads pearls through my hair, pinning it away from my face to highlight the glittering jewels that drag my eyes to my ears and throat. Hands bare save for the ring.

"Stay still darling." He laughs, fingers stilling at my temple, brushing a strand back.

"Someone's eager." He muses warmly, eyes delighted as he peers down at me, body half curved over me.

"I want to see Tae already." I complain.

"Patience pretty girl."

And as he readies me, he lets me ready him too. Carefully leaning into my space to let me dust a glittering sheen across his face, his skin glowing as we lean into each other's orbits, the same warm familiarity as we help each other. My hand drifting to reach for the coloured rouge when he takes it from me.

"You're going to leave his jaw on the floor." I muse, head tilting back as he leans close to brush colour onto my lips, fingers carefully dabbing the deep tint in, his hair perfectly arranged, slightly growing out.

Watch as reddened lips curve up into a grin, head tilting as he peers at me, gaze narrowing.

"That's the very least. If our clothes aren't on the floor within minutes of having him all to myself then I might have to up my game."

I lean out to curve my hand around his wrist, tugging him closer.

"You don't need game to woo Namjoon to get into his pants..."

He beams.

"Already been in them plenty." He finishes with a laugh, eyes appraising me as he draws back, setting down the light powders and cosmetics.

Hands careful as he sets the veil in my hair, securing it before drawing back, fingers skimming over the fragile fabric.

Eyes sparkling as he holds my gaze.

"There. Ready. The most radiant glowing bride anyone will be lucky to see. And Tae will be the luckiest man alive to marry."

He leans in close, lips lingering at my temple, smile pressed to my skin as he curves an arm around me, holding me to him, letting my hands wrap around his waist, head carefully resting against his torso.

"Thank you Mimi."

"For you (Y/N) anything."

The nervous anticipation returns in amplified intensity, a tightness in my body and butterflies swarming wildly in my stomach, hands trembling as I smoothen them over my bodice and skirts, eyes dragging to the mirror over and over.

Unable to believe that the reflection that I see is my own, feeling the tremors in my body, eyes drifting to the ring on my finger and then slowly dragging to the painting on the wall.

Feel a mix of giddiness and affection as I look at the painting hanging over our bed, eyes stilling on it.

"Stay still little jewel! I can't get the shading right if you keep moving!" Tae laughs, hand stilling as he peers at me over his easel, a boxy grin tugging at his lips. Amused and wry as he stares at me.

I tilt my head, fingers sinking into my hair as I look at him, letting my throat arch, watching with a growing smile as his eyes fall to observe the motion. Gaze darkening as they linger at the expanse of my throat, scattered marks of reds and purples, gaze dipping lower where the sheets threaten to slip, my hand curled into them. Keeping them tucked against my chest.

"But then you don't look at me~" I complain, smile growing wide when his lips press thin, fingers curling tight around the brush.

"You said that last time and the time before... that's why the painting's taking so long." He refutes, but there's nothing but pure unadulterated desire, heady and intoxicating as he stares at me and the carnal want in his eyes drag me in to devour me whole.

"Maybe you're making excuses... you haven't started the painting yet have you?" I question, eyes narrowing at the quirk of thinned lips, a smile tugging at his clamped mouth as he raises his brows at me, paint stains on his wrist, for once bare of the bracelets that usually adorn them.

"Maybe all I want is to keep you in our bed forever. Body bared and pleasured." Voice low and smooth, dripping with molten honey, pupils dilating as his tongue unconsciously wets his bottom lip, sweeping across it as he stares at me, time suspended between the two of us. Hanging frozen around us, encapsulating the memory of this too into our minds, the easel the only barrier between the two of us, between the weight of his gaze and his physical touch skimming across the expanse of bared limbs and marked skin.

"Well I'm not complaining... I just didn't think I'd have to lie still for so long. I'm getting hungry." I complain half-heartedly, watching as he sets down the paintbrush, hands absently swiping over his apron as he shakes his head at me.

"Why didn't you say? I'll get you some food. Do you want tea? Juice? Some wine?"

"Whatever you'll have. Do you want me to get up?" I ask, fingers drifting to pull the sheet off when he darts forward, almost sending the easel cluttering to the ground. Hand steadying its wobble as he stares at me incredulous and wide-eyed.

"You don't move! I'll be right back." Before he hurries away and leaves me still clutching the sheets to my chest and staring at the open doorway, the sight of his broad shoulders and long legs burned into my eyes as I wait for him to return.

The day has already steadily dwindled to afternoon, the strongest rays of sunlight that had been streaming into the bedroom's curtains now fading, casting softer glows around the bed, the drapes pinned away and silk sheets caressing bare skin, clothes long since discarded.

It's been days and I've spent most of the time out of clothes, nothing save for sheets against skin until they're pulled away when he sets down the paintbrush and allows the same paint-stained hands to pan across my body, mapping me to him, a new canvas for him to colour and paint in pleasured release.

And my head begins to droop onto my hand, sinking down to recline into my arm and the pillows scattered around, mindful to not disturb the positioning of the sheets too much as I wait for him to return. Head turning automatically to face him when the sound of quiet footsteps sound against the wooden floor, hands bearing a tray as he moves to the bed.

Sinking down on the same silk sheets he'd fussed over in arranging hours prior.

"I'm sorry that it's a really long process... I really want to do a good job on the painting." Voice softer as he peers at me, fingers bringing a piece of fruit to my lips, skin still slightly damp where he's washed the paint off his hands.

I lean closer to him, lips parting to take a bite of fresh bread as I smile.

"Don't be. I want the painting. As long as I'm the only woman you've ever painted like this." I threaten, eyes narrowing playfully at him, his head dipping closer to press a kiss to my hair.

"The only woman I've ever brought home, the only woman I've loved, the only woman I'll ever paint like this. The only man who gets to see you like this." A low possessiveness lacing his words, eyes glittering as he watches me take the bread before sitting up slowly, the sheets slipping low momentarily.

His gaze darkening as he tracks the movement.

"You know seeing as you're all complaints we could leave it here for today. There's no rush." He drawls, hand skimming across my cheek before cupping my jaw, lips chasing mine when I press a soft kiss to his lips, surging forward with an impatient sound. Hand angling my mouth to his, lips bruising and hungry and melding with an aching want.

"I don't know whether I'm lucky I get to commit this sight to memory and canvas. Or too impatient to ever finish this painting without wanting to add to the marks. To pleasure you until the same sheets are ruined."

"Why don't you do both? I'm in no rush to leave the house. Why would I when my fiancé is right here?"

He narrows his eyes, glinting playfully before he tugs me closer, drawing me to him.

"Then the complaints?"

"Maybe my fiancé... my soon to be husband Lord Kim should keep his eyes on his betrothed a little while longer. Maybe he'll find another canvas for the paint~"

His hand sprawls over my torso and drags me back against him, bare forearm banding across my front, head tucking against my shoulder.

"Don't tempt me Mrs. Kim. Maybe when I've put the painting away you'll let me get the sheets dirty with you."

I reach a hand out to press against the expanse of his chest gaping past the open buttons and loose drape of the shirt.

Let my fingers skim across his chest and settle there.

Let his hand tilt my face to his, mouth moving slowly and unrushed against his, teeth teasing at his bottom lip, revelling in the small muffled hiss against my lips.

Moving to straddle his hips, sheets falling away, bare body pressing to the front of his loose clothes, fiddling with the neckline before tugging him closer.

"Have your wicked way Lord Kim."

"It's finally done... I'm done." Tae declares, face splitting into a wide boxy grin, paint-stained fingers letting the brush clutter from his lax grip onto the floor, brushing a hand over the unruly curls that lie clustered in front of his eyes. He's long since given up on trying to manage the curls, the silk bandana unable to contain the strands of wild curls that brush over his forehead, obscuring his view enough that some strands are streaked with paint where his fingers have impatiently pushed them out of the way.

His breeches hang low on his hips, the buttons only half done, drawing my eyes over and over to the v-line disappearing underneath the fabric, gaze stilling on his hipbones. There's no shirt covering the large broad expanse of his torso from sight or imagination however and there's a splatter of colour where a dollop of paint had fallen, the vibrant hue a glaring siren tugging my eyes over and over to drink him in indulgently. Sleep long since faded and dwindled to full alertness as I run appreciative eyes over broad shoulders and thick arms, corded with muscle and golden skin stretched taut over sinew, nipples pebbled and stiff and waist tapering in.

As immersed he'd been in the painting, in the burst of inspiration that had struck as we'd been readying ourselves for bed, the same heavy inescapable pulsing jolts of attraction had my gaze fixated on him. Unable to look away from the curve of his arms that shifted slightly as he painted, eyes drifting to me every now and then to recapture a detail, to commit it to instant memory and transfer it to the large canvas.

This time there's none of the brimming impatience, none of the teasing fire to draw him close, to distract him, a burning determined fire lighting his eyes and sparking an aroused heat as I watch him devoted and focused, hand moving assuredly and unfalteringly over the easel as he paints me. His small low murmurs of my name, quiet gentle warning when my thighs rub together, shifting slightly the longer I watch him, body instinctively and automatically reacting to him. A visceral bodily reaction as my body's kept in a constant state of semi-arousal as he paints me with such intensity that I ache and wait with suspended anticipation to feel the same confidence and assuredness of his hands panning my body.

He's slightly dishevelled, a brightness in his eyes that can't go ignored or missed with how much they glow with pride and satisfaction as he appraises me. Looks at me and lets his gaze drift to the painting, finally content with the captured image he finds.

The cool breeze that had fluttered past open windows lingers as weak faint streams of early dawn begins to cast its glow into the room.

The dawning day brings with it a slither of warmth that ghosts along my skin, body shifting under the sheets slightly before I let myself stretch out and recline in the cocoon of silk sheets draped over my curves, sinking down at his say-so, eyes fluttering as I curl into the warm rays that faintly streak our bed.

"Finished with your masterpiece?" I smile, watching his grin tug wider as he nods, carefully wiping his hands clean on a washcloth, streaked with paint-stains.

"You my jewel are a work of the gods. A one in creation... of course I was to take my time trying to capture you."

"Aren't you quite the charmer... you don't need to sweet talk your way into our sheets." I tease, fiddling with the hem of it, playfully tugging it aside briefly, a flash of curves that has his gaze darkening, the flushed pride morphing into something appreciative and solely fixated on me. The painting sitting forgotten as he drinks me in.

"No? Open invite for me?"

"Just for you my Lord Kim." I lilt, watching him take a few steps close, my eyes dragging over his torso, marvelling over the golden expanse of skin, of the scattered marks littering his torso and the jut of his hips, to the slither of skin where his breech buttons sit open.

Gaze drifting to take in the long length of his legs, each step assured and confident, steadily making his way to me.

But even so he doesn't immediately sink down onto the bed, his fingers reaching for the remaining buttons, curls wild and messy and half held back by the silk bandana hastily tied up, eyes molten and heavy. Their weighted intensity travelling over the slithers of skin he can see.

And it's only now, only now without the easel constricting my view that I can see that he'd been working with the same pooling desire that has made my body ache and shift with need for him, the slight strain at the breeches, the stiffness of his pebbled nipples and the way his throat bobs, swallowing heavy at the sight of me.

Just as steadily been getting worked up.

"Come to bed Tae..." I murmur, hand stretching out for him, watching his larger one slip into my palm, fingers curling around me as he squeezes before taking the last few steps to still in front of me, leaning close to press a lingering, heated kiss against my lips.

"Let me thank you. For being my muse." He whispers against skin, fingers curled against my jaw with a possessiveness as he lets a knee sink down onto the bed, half-kneeling over me as his lips drag slowly, mapping their path with slow burning pleasure.

His hand reaching down for the buttons, slowly drawing them open, a low sharp hiss punctured with the scrape of teeth at my ear lobe, when my hand ghosts along the straining fabric, skimming across skin, revelling in the small buck of his body moving forward. Chasing the barest touch.

So worked up.

"Anything for you my artist. My bandit. My love. My Tae."

In turn his loose grin curved wide, eyes sparkling with affection and love, the unrestrained shining warmth entangling with desire, leaning closer towards me.

Unable to resist the same heady enthral that binds us together, the same gravitational tug that keeps us in each other's orbit, unable to bare the possibility of being anywhere without, anyone but him.

"You've been so good for me. All these days waiting for me... the least I should do is return the favour with interest." Teeth dragging across my throat, words drawled low against my skin.

My hand drags down his front, mapping golden skin under my touch, curling closer to him, head arching at the drag of teeth and tongue across my pulse, the brush of his curls against skin sparking a sensitivity, skin burning where the slightest of his touch, his body crowding against mine. Fingers brushing over one stiffened bud, hearing the hiss of breath against skin, the sharper pressure of his teeth sinking in and the hand that's settled beside me, moving to clutch tightly at my thigh, hand sprawled over it and fingers digging into softness.

Fingers slowly working the aching stiffness to sensitivity, his head curving closer, mouth pressing shuddering kisses to the crook of my neck, slowly pressing closer and closer until the sheets have long since pooled into my lap, baring my torso to him, his hand slipping upwards to drag leisurely over my waist, drifting up to brush his knuckles across the underside of my breast, the sparking heat of his touch stirring the tendrils of arousal to wind around me, snare me in the heady desire that's mirrored in his gaze when he peers at me. Eyes half-lowered, lashes fluttering against skin and irises darkened with unadulterated want. Gaze pinning mine, the air crackling with charged tension, a quietness that's shattered by a soft exhale slipping past my lips, parting as his fingers slowly inch up, grazing across my breast, tugging and slowly working the bud to a stiffening peak, relishing in slowly heightening the sensitivity as his fingers continue to coax out soft quiet sounds, nail dragging sharply across the peaked tip, lips tugging up, a crooked grin spreading across at the flutter of my eyes, back bowing as my chest curves into the touch, sparks of heat fanning across skin, panning out from where his fingers continue to mercilessly tweak one nub then the other to an aching fiery pool of liquid heat, fingers curling into silk sheets and hand reaching out to tug him closer, teeth dragging across his collarbone, fingers melding to the swell of his bicep. Muscles firm and unyielding under my touch, gripping him tighter, lips sinking into skin to muffle the sharp cry when his fingers cruelly twist.

"See? You make such pretty sounds that it was almost not worth it having you splayed across the sheets untouched...It almost felt like I was sinning by having you in bed and not pleasuring you. Let me make amends." He murmurs, a vow and promise spoken into skin, his lips lowering over the curve of my breast, mouthing at skin with a languid unrushed pace that the sharp blistering need of his fingers do nothing to soften, pleasure lancing at skin as his teeth sink in, tongue and lips sucking and colouring a blooming reddened mark into flesh.

"Tae stop playing."

His lips curve up, smile pressed to skin, tongue lathing over the aching sting before his lips lower, dragging down to tug a stiffened bud between his teeth, nipping sharply, tongue slowly soothing over the sting that he administers, the pleasure and the pain both. A heady intoxicating mix that makes my blood sing to his ministrations, his hands playing me to his tune, coaxing bubbling whimpers past my lips, hand curling around his shoulder, nails digging in tight that the low groan against my skin is muffled and rough.

"You're wearing one too many clothes, bandit... take them off." Hand dropping to tug at his breeches, fingers slipping past fabric to graze against skin. Fingers inching slowly closer, relishing the tightening grip, warning as his hand clamps at my hips, teeth and tongue sucking a harsh darkening mark into skin, low groan that sends heat pooling in my core, body gravitating closer.

"Whatever my jewel wants." He murmurs, lips curved as he draws back, a slow languid smirk tugging at his wicked mouth as he leans back, fingers hooking into the waistband to slowly peel them off his legs, watching me in turn watch him, gaze fixated at the sight of him being bared to me.

A wicked sharpness in the gleam of his eyes as he doesn't immediately crowd closer to me but leans back. Hand propping himself up whilst his other curls around his length, the drag of his palm and long fingers around him as he slowly pleasures himself. Keeps me rooted to the sight of the stiffening ache he teases us both to, small hisses and grunts of breath low and raspy as he thrusts and rolls his hips into the sheath of his own fist, fingers bare for once of all the rings that bejewel them.

And no matter how many years it's been, every single instant is just as intoxicating and enthralling, every moment, every touch, every kiss still brings a rushing searing heat that burns hotter and fiercer with time. Even now, his eyes drink me in, trailing over my body with an impatience, flickering with desire when his gaze settles to the marks blooming across my chest, buds stiffened and burning, sensitive and swollen with his ministrations. Gaze dipping lower and when it lingers at where the sheets pool on my lap, in silent demand they settle there, darkening gaze when I draw the sheets off. Silk skimming across skin before I sink back, a quiet exhale at the intensity his eyes hold, his teeth sinking into his lip but unable to bite back the shuddered moan when his hips buck forward, chasing his touch and I settle against the pillows, back arched and legs splayed open. Crooked to let him see the way arousal has slowly worn me down over hours, a slight tremor to my thighs in sensitivity when I chase friction, some pressure to alleviate the tightness steadily building low in my core. His eyes burning as they settle on the apex of my thighs, at the stained proof of just how much I'm worked up too.

A low hissed curse tumbles past his lips. Eyes dragging up to meet mine.

"Been worked up so much? Sweetheart, why didn't you say... why didn't you say how much you needed me?" Hand falling away before he leans forward, a predatory stance in the way he moves closer across the sheets and pillows, slowly advancing on me. There's a hunter's gleam in his eyes, hand reaching out to brush across my calf, palm dragging over skin as it trails upwards, fingers curling into my thigh and squeezing. Hands suddenly tugging, sprawled over my thighs and angling them open wider for him, the slope of his back and the sight of dark messy curls barely contained by the silk bandana as he looms closer, eyes wicked and dark, burning with fiery need and pooling desire.

"I would give you the world if you asked... every jewel, every treasure for you little gem. I'll give you everything... just use those pretty lips and tell me." He lilts, head ducking lower, hair brushing against my abdomen, hands loosely curling into the sheets, yelping when he suddenly yanks, hands gripping possessively at my thighs, settling into the space between them, splayed and leaning closer, lips slowly marking their way from the curve of my hip, down to my thigh, teeth and tongue dragging slowly, revelling in the small shift of my body as I arch into the touch, hand reaching to anchor myself, entangling in dark curls, winding my fingers into silken softness, drawing him closer and closer.

His name tumbling past my lips prayer and plea both, aching for him, back arching at the first brush of his lips at my core.

"You. Give me you. Everything you have to give."

The flick of his tongue is slow and unrushed, lips tasting spilled pleasure on his tongue, branding the taste over his wicked smirk.

"With pleasure my muse."

"Are you really fantasising about your husband to be when we're minutes from leaving?" Mimi laughs, eyes delighted and mischievous when he catches sight of the slight flush in my cheeks, eyes dragging away from the painting, lips curving up at the sight of the ring on my finger, the centrepiece of the art that automatically anchors my sight there.

"You're an incorrigible, certified menace Park Jimin." I laugh, lightly swatting his side.

Watching as he laughs, eyes vibrant and shining, an ethereal vision that glows and shines and sparkles with both radiance and happiness. Full lips curving into a crooked grin.

"And you love that about me. Now princess... how about we get you your bandit?"

Arm held out towards me, watching with tenderness as I slip my hand through the crook of his elbow, hand curling against his arm as he turns to gesture to the door.

"I do..." I murmur, words cut off when his head turns to peer at me.

"Save that for the vows to Tae. Are you trying to seduce and capture a taken man Mrs-almost-Kim?"

I tilt my head to him, lips stretched wide into a giddy smile.

"I couldn't dare dream of it-" I start.

A faint pause lingering between the two of us.

"Would it work?"

His laugh is infectious and rings out through the silence of the house, leading me carefully towards the stairs, stepping away to hold his hands out to me. Gaze glinting and playful.

Helping me take one careful step of the other as we descend. My hands carefully lifting the hem of the skirts, careful to not trip... not that the sharp alertness in Mimi's eyes even dare let me consider the possibility or entertain the fear.

Because he's there.

"For all the years I've loved you beautiful... I've always begged to dream of our happy ever after.

Voice softer, more serious.

"But just because I'm not your happy end doesn't mean that if you ever need me, need a glittery, pretty knight in armour I won't be there. We just play different characters in each other's stories sweetheart."

"And..." he murmurs as we walk towards the door, his hand drawing it open.

"I think I have my work cut out seducing and stealing. It seems your pretty boy bandit is far too adept at it."

Beyond him I can see a carriage waiting at the end of the cobbled path, his fingers curling tight and lacing together with mine, helping me lift the hem as I take the first step out.

"I think he's learnt and grown well... I think we've both grown. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

The place we've chosen to marry is our favourite picnic spot, a small green space rich with vibrant flowers and a hidden gem tucked away on the outskirts of town, the weather breezy and warm, carriage rolling up towards to where I can already see the space set up.

An outdoors wedding and as I peer past the heavy drapes, I can feel Mimi lean over to do the same, excitement alighting his features, his gaze brightened with approval and pride as he takes in the small marquee we approach.

"Looks like the boys all worked well. I don't know how Tae managed to keep you away... I don't know how Joon, my sweet green giant hadn't found it before." He admits, awe in his voice as the carriage comes to a still, hand immediately reaching for the handle.

"You stay here baby. I'll check if a certain groom is out of the way before I take you inside."

I nod, watching as he carefully clambers off, moving towards the sound of voices and faint music, a warm giddiness seeping into my bones as I sink back carefully, letting the curtains flutter and fall shut again, silence surrounding me.

Encasing me with the realisation that only hours keep us from being a wedded couple.

Long minutes stretch by and the click of heels against gravel has my head turning, fingers fiddling with the hem of the drapes when a familiar low baritone voice rings out.

Mischievous and playful. Body starting as I peer at the door.

"An abandoned carriage with precious cargo~ now why does this seem familiar?"

My lips curve up, body unconsciously tilting forward.

"If it isn't my wicked bandit." I lilt, eyes drifting to the door handle, heart clenching tightly and fluttering with excited anticipation.

"Hey beautiful." Voice softer and gentle. Warm and low, sweet trickling honey that floods me with warmth, feeling soft and fond all at once over him.

"Hi Tae baby... how're you feeling?"

He sighs, low and dismayed.

"All alone and abandoned... made homeless since Jiminie kicked me out of my own house."

I laugh, fighting the urge to tug the curtains back and to peer at the pouty dismay I can hear in his voice.

"You were in bed with me this morning! And that's why you got kicked out. Mimi wasn't going to let you see a single detail..." eyes warily trailing to the door handle.

Hearing the gravel crunch as he shifts on his feet.

"And yet he made the mistake of leaving the carriage? Of leaving my precious jewel on the other side of the door. For me to steal away." Voice drawling and low, deep baritone filled with mischief and promise.

"Don't you dare Kim." I laugh, hand darting forward to clutch at the handle, hear the rattle of the door as I lock it and the low protesting whine of complaint.

"Open the door."

"No! it's just until everything's set up. Mimi will be back any moment."

"Or will he get distracted by Joon and that means I can sneak in quick, and he'll never know?" he bargains, voice low and coy and persuasive, thick with charm and insinuation.

The nervous butterflies flutter with a familiar attraction, the same dizzying effect he always has.

"...no! You're the one who wanted our wedding to be perfect down to the last detail. I'm afraid you'll have to wait Lord Kim."

There's a few minutes of silence and my fingers almost loosen from the handle, almost reach to tug the drapes out of the way to peer outside, to see if he's gone.

Then his voice low and promising, reverberating with a headiness that snares me in ever familiar coils of heat.

"But I have something for you. Won't you open the door my love?"

I feel my resolve slipping away, crumbling in face... in the near vicinity of my bandit, restraint melting away bit by bit, chipped away by the suave charm in his voice.

His voice alone has my wariness ebbing away, fingers curling into the handle when there's a sound of rushing footsteps on the gravel.

And incredulous laughter in Mimi's voice.

"Step away from the carriage Kim Taehyung. And I'll give her that."

"Jimin-ah I'm tired of waiting."

He laughs, the sound tinkling and ringing with amusement.

"You've had her years, you've waited hours. I'm sure you'll survive mere minutes now. So... get to the altar Taehyung-ah and she'll see you there."

"...will you give her this from me?"

There's fondness in his tone and the quiet crunch of gravel as footsteps retreat.

And when the door opens, Mimi peeks in, eyes crinkling when he sees my hand hastily retreat, lips quirked up at him.

And when he tugs the door open wide and steps properly into view, I can see that he's holding a bouquet, carefully cradling it in his hands, rich vibrant flowers in full bloom carefully arranged and bound together. Delicate flowers in varying shades all wound together with ribbon.

He holds it to me once I've stepped out of the carriage, eyes drifting over the greenery, trying to peer past him at the marquee, not catching sight of Tae nor of the others.

But the sound of music filters out stronger and louder, joyful and full of life.

Hands carefully cradling the full bouquet, gaze skimming over the flowers with a fond ache when I realise, when I look at it and just know. Every stem, every flower, the ribbon and the soft baby blooms are all Tae. He made the bouquet.

He made my bridal bouquet.

He chose every flower, every colour, every bit of it for me, with me in mind.

"He's something else isn't he?" Mimi asks, arm proffered to me to begin the small walk from the carriage to the marquee, to the dais and the altar that awaits inside. The veil is drawn over my face, filtering the world out,

Where Tae waits inside.

I can't fight the smile that stretches wide across my lips.

"He really is."

The piano music tinkles

The wedding march begins playing when Mimi nods brightly at Joon, the two of us hovering just out of immediate sight.

Mimi's other hand reaches out to settle over mine, resting over where my fingers curl against the crook of his elbow, his head leaning against mine, lips trembling slightly before they tilt up at the corners.

"Ready." He whispers.

Both asking and confirming.

That this moment, this beginning, this end, this next step... he's ready. He's ready to walk me to it. He's there for every step of it, he's there for me through it all.

He's ready.

And it's terrifying.

Terrifying for the newness to something I've cherished and loved and protected for years, but that fear, that terror is lessened because Mimi's there supporting me through it all. Because from the moment our lives entangled, the moment we crossed paths-he's been my protector since. And he holds me with the same tenderness of our entire lives leading us here and of the same optimism and hope carrying forward, eyes glittering and burning fierce full of love and joy for me as he tilts his head briefly to me.

"Thank you (Y/N)." voice quiet and low, soft and hushed.

I let my lips briefly ghost along his cheek.

"Thank you Mimi."

For every single moment of my life spent with him, for every single moment of my life to come with him.

For everything.

And unspoken he understands me. And I understand the weight in his words.

And together we take the first step into the marquee, one hand curled around the bouquet and the other feeling Mimi's hand still settled on mine, one step after the other.

Slowly moving down the aisle, nervousness growing, senses buzzing and hyperalert, so careful to not step on the sweeping hem of the skirts, to trip and stumble, feeling slightly conscious under the fixed gaze of all our friends.

"You look beautiful baby. Slow steps, there's no rush." Voice low and grounding, radiating a calm I desperately need and unconsciously tilt the slightest towards, hand curling around the bouquet, eyes steadfastly fixed to the front, gaze settling on Tae.

See that his gaze has been transfixed on me, posture tall and confident but his hands fidget. Fingers fiddling with the cuff of his jacket, my gaze drinking him in.

And I find when I focus on him.

And just him, the nerves slowly dissipate, gaze roving over him with a starved ache, committing every single detail to memory, taking him in with fresh eyes, with an intimate familiarity and yet still there's an anticipation, a newness that doesn't fail to bring a buzz to my veins. Excitement and nerves making my fingers tremble slightly.

Moving closer and closer, his gaze unwavering and shining, face aglow with awe and admiration, the sight of him slightly obscured by the veil but he still looks breath-taking.

The sight of him still makes my heart pause and skip several beats, eyes roving over the fit of his suit admiringly, lips curving wide at the sight of wild unruly curls tied back with a ribbon, the weight of his gaze still penetrating and sharp, bypassing the veil and despite the small obstacle, holding my eyes to his without fail.

A boxy grin tugging at his lips, Jin standing alongside him, eyes warm and shining.

There's nothing but pure happiness in the space as I approach Tae, steps coming to slow as I stand beside him, turning to face Mimi.

His hand squeezes mine before falling away, drawing my veil up the slightest so I can peer at him without the lace clouding my vision.

I lean close to press a kiss to his cheek, hand cupping his jaw, lingering for a few moments as I hold him close, a soft shakiness in his breath that doesn't go unheard.

Caught immediately by me as he tilts closer, hand squeezing my waist gently.

"I love you soulmate."

"I love you too." He murmurs, voice carrying a faint tremor and my fingers catch the first tear that trickles down his cheek, quickly brushing it away. One cheek then the other, gently thumbing under his eyes.

A quietness hovering between the two of us before he draws my veil down and takes my hand, turning so the two of us turn to Tae, extending my hand out towards Tae's outstretched palm. Settling my hand in his, his hands coming to cup both of ours, smiling when our fingers entangle.

"Keep loving each other until the end of the time. Keep being each other's strength and shield. And always be happy."

Blessings and wishes and nothing but pure sincerity and love for the two of us as he smiles, eyes shining and sparkling with unshed tears.

And this time his words don't waver, this time he contains the tremor.

This time he lets his hands fall away before stepping away to the side, sinks down into the seat beside Joon.

He's done his part.

He's taken me to the next step of my life.

And walked with me there.

And the hand holding mine, the man beside me is the one I'll take that next step with.

To every end.

With Kim Taehyung.

---------------

The priest's words have barely left his mouth, vows spoken and rings exchanged, hands still encased in each other's when I feel my veil being lifted, see his hand drawing it up and away .

And finally see him.

See him without the veil, without walls between us and see him.

See my Tae... see my husband.

See brown eyes deep and warm and sparkling with joy, lips curved up as he looks at me, a softness to his lips and a tenderness as his hand cradles my cheek, angles my face to his.

Nose nudging against mine gently as he leans closer, body crowding against mine with a single step. Body looming over mine, suddenly towering and imposing and invading every sense with just him. Feeling his fingers gently tilt my face up, his lips a hairsbreadth away from mine, eyes drifting to the deep pink curve of his mouth.

"Lady Kim." He murmurs softly, a quiet murmur of the new title, my lips curving up before I reach out to curl my hand around his forearm, resting against his sleeve as I lean close at the same time as him, lips slotting together, a soft unrushed warmth pooling between the two of us. Slow languid ease and familiar intimacy, lips curving up against his at the loud cheering hollers, fingers curling tight into fabric, his thumb brushing against my earring, dragging slowly against skin as he leans closer. Crowding against my senses with a buzzing electric pulse of heat and love and attraction, mouth mapping his to mine, tongue briefly sweeping over the seam of my lips, teeth dragging against my bottom lip. Groaning impatiently when Jin's voice rings out amused and full of laughter.

"Ease up tiger."

Hand slipping to curve around my waist possessively, tugging me closer, hand sprawled wide.

Mine. The gesture speaks for itself, unwilling to let his lips part from mine, a slow simmering hunger that melds our lips together, chasing the faint soft groan against the seam of my mouth, drawing away when the cheers ring louder, his fingers tightening reflexively. Refusing to let go before he slowly relinquishes his grip, pupils slightly dilated, and gaze darkened, peering at me through lowered lashes.

The intensity of his stare makes the butterflies return full force, hand reaching up to cup his cheek, smiling when he leans into the touch, tilting his head to brush his lips against my palm, fingers loosely circling my wrist.

"Mrs. Kim. Lady Kim. My wife." He murmurs quietly, voice tinged with awe, a low rasp that sends sparks across my skin.

"Lord Kim. My Tae. My husband." I echo, drawing closer to brush my lips softly against his once more, drawing away and turning to face the others, cheeks flushed with warmth and giddiness, turning in the circle of Tae's arm and feeling him lean closer to press against my back.

See the bright joy in our friends' faces, lips curved wide and eyes shining proudly.

Let my eyes drift over them, see that Yoongi's joined Kookie from the piano and stands by his side, a soft gummy smile on his face, eyes dark and crinkled with a gentle exuberance. Standing beside the man whose smile stretches wide, nose scrunching when he meets my eyes, laugh lines crinkling slightly.

Eyes drifting past them, taking in the joy alight in Hobi's face, Jin moving quietly to stand by his side, hands entangling. And then finally... finally my eyes come to settle on Joon and Mimi. Heart aching at the tears spilling down pink cheeks, full lips quivering and trembling as he curls into Joon's side, his own eyes shining with welling tears and pride.

His face unshielded and full of emotion, fingers curling into Joon's sleeve, tears trickling down his cheeks even as he turns his head to peer at me, smile warm and full of love.

Fingers drifting to catch quickly spilling tears that streak down his face, hiccupping as he shakes his head, earrings jangling, dabbing at his cheeks with the ruffled hem of his sleeves.

"Mimi..." I murmur, taking a half-step forward when he quickly shakes his head, peering at me.

Eyes glowing with pride even as they sparkle with welled tears.

"I want you to always be happy. Both of you." He says as he steps forward, hands cradling my cheeks first to press a kiss to my forehead before he draws me into a tight squeezing embrace, cradling me to him, my head burrowing against him, eyes stinging.

Clutching back at him just as tightly.

"You got me here. I promise to be happy." I whisper.

His hand carefully cradles the back of my head, drawing back to tilt his head to mine, forehead resting against mine.

"Always. Always be happy." Fierce and unwavering in his words.

I nod.

And then his hands are unwinding from me, drawing back to draw Tae into a tight hug, the friendship and bond between them strong and unyielding.

Thick as thieves now.

And I don't get to see what he says, don't get to hear because two large hands gently take mine and Joon carefully draws me into an embrace, soft dimpled smile greeting me.

"Congratulations sweetheart."

"Thank you Joonie."

Leaning into him as he hugs me close, arms wound around me in a sweet protective embrace.

"Wedding bells for you soon?" I ask quietly, hushed and smiling.

His dimples deepen, eyes soft and shy as he nods quickly.

"Soon." He mouths, the word warm with promise before he lets the others move forward.

Friends surrounding us as they move close to congratulate me and Tae by turn, Tae moving back beside me, arm curved around my waist and tucking me against his side, the smile and bright giddiness heard in his voice, the tenderness in his touch, the unwavering intensity of his eyes fixed on me even if I move away.

My husband.

A label finally given to the man who means my entire world, the man I will spend every moment of my life with.

Hand taking mine as he leads me to the centre, arms falling to my waist and tugging me closer, eyes brightening and smile boxy when my arms loop around his nap, fingers playing with the curls against skin, tugging gently.

"May I have this first dance sweetheart?"

Head dipping to mine, curls brushing against skin, hands drawing me closer and closer to him, lips brushing against mine in soft invite.

"Of course. It'd be my greatest pleasure."

-----------------

His hands fall to my waist, settling into the curve as he draws me closer, a slow sweet song playing as he leans his head closer to mine, face angled as he brushes a slow, lingering kiss to my lips, unrushed as we stand still. No haste to start dancing, bodies gravitated close as I lean into him, hand brushing over his jacket lapel before curling my fingers into it. Tugging him closer to me, tongue brushing against his lips, the faint taste of wine still lingering, his mouth parting in easy, eager compliance, hands sprawling wider and gripping me tight, feeling the pressure and heat of his touch even through the layers, a soft groan muffled against his lips.

The drag of his teeth against my lips, tongue soothing over the faintest sting before his tongue sweeps through my mouth, chasing mine, fingers clutching tighter, cradling me to him; a tenderness and aching love that is in his touch, in his body pressing closer, hands drifting upwards to skim across my back, slipping to cradle the back of my head, fingers curled against my nape, sinking into hair as his mouth chases mine. An aching plea to remain close, my fingers trailing upwards before brushing against his jaw, drawing him closer, uncaring of the music that continues to play, the song that we're meant to dance to. There's nothing save for him, his body pressing closer, tilting to me.

Lips swollen and slick, branded with the feel of his mouth against my own still when he draws away, eyes dragging down my face and drinking me in, roving over with a slow burning intensity that makes heat flush my cheeks, feeling simultaneously cherished and yearned for with the weight of his gaze.

"Lady Kim... you look beautiful." Voice hushed and quiet, the murmured compliment hovering between the two of us, his head tilting to rest against mine, eyes reflecting the same admiration and reverent awe I feel looking at him.

Eyes slowly drifting over his features, over dark eyes trained on me, peering at me from lowered lashes, the honeyed golden warmth of his skin and the stray, wild curls that brush against his jaw and temples, softening the sharpness of his jaw, ears glinting with a row of jewels, all of them varying and different, some dangling to graze against his jaw or neck, inviting my eyes to drag lower. Lingering at reddened lips soft and inviting, his throat glittering with jewels and delicate chains, the generous neckline letting my eyes settle on the ruffles of his shirt and the fitted material of his jacket and waistcoat.

"You look dashing Lord Kim. My rogue in finery."

The curve of his lips stretch into a grin, eyes dancing with playful mischief as he leans closer, eyes flickering to my lips.

"I could be a simple gent, but I doubt there's much fun in that." He lilts teasingly, gaze drifting lower steadily, drawing me in, committing me to sight as he takes me in, hand settling on the low of my back, eyes glinting with a playful gleam. Warm and enticing, reeling me in to him.

"No fun at all. I wouldn't have had a fraction of the adventures, of the love, of the world you've given me Kim Taehyung. I would be lost if you'd never found me."

The playfulness ebbs away from his expression, a seriousness in his dark eyes and a soft tenderness in the curve of his mouth as he shakes his head, the movement making the earrings glint, curls brushing against skin as he leans in closer. Gaze tender and sincere.

"You're my tether (Y/N), my reason to live for someone. And I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives having every adventure. I can't wait to fall more and more in love with you, all I am is yours little jewel. Your bandit. Your Tae."

My hand brushes against his cheek gently, angling his jaw to me to brush a soft kiss to the inviting curve of his mouth, lips brushing lower to drag unrushed against skin.

"To the rest of our lives my husband."

"To the rest of our lives my darling wife."

----------------

"How about we retry that first dance now?" I ask, watching the smile on his face grow as he nods, eyes alight as the same music begins to replay, his hands drawing mine to his shoulders before his own fall to my waist.

"My apologies sweetheart~ I got a bit distracted." Grin boxy and endearing, face alight with joy as the two of us begin to sway slowly, bodies naturally curved close, his hands assured and guiding, curled against the dip of my waist as we move across the floor.

"I'm equally at fault... I can't keep my eyes off you." I admit, gaze lingering on the curve of his smile, already achingly impatient to press a kiss to his mouth, to the inviting fullness of his lips already mussed and stained with my rouge. Swollen and reddened with pressure.

"I couldn't breathe when you were walking down the aisle. I don't think I've ever felt so nervous. Wondering whether this vision, this woman was mine. That she was walking towards me." Voice softer, hands drawing me closer, the two of us turning slowly, the air crackling with a magnetic charged heaviness, hand moving to skim up and down my side. His other moving to take mine, large hand encasing mine, the two of us moving seamlessly across the floor, skirts whirling and brushing against his legs.

"Your woman." I echo softly.

See the giddiness in his expression.

See the same boxy smile and dark eyes blur when he draws my hand closer, twirling me around, my body turning into the circle of his arms, pressed closer as he guides my body to spin, skirts fanning out around me. The movements drawing our bodies closer and closer until we're pressed flush against each other and in time to the slow music he guides my body to his. The lines and curves of our bodies melded to one another, hands skimming over his arms before winding around his neck, dragging over the curls brushing against his nape, fiddling teasingly with the ribbon.

"It took Jin forever to tie that up. He'll be heartbroken if you undo all his efforts."

My eyes drag down his front, over the layers of fabric and jewels glinting on honeyed skin, drifting over the open low neckline and the endless buttons and ties.

"Would you be terribly opposed if I undid all your efforts? To look so handsome and pretty for me... would you mind if I wanted you out of them later?"

His grin turns mischievous, the sharp glint in his eyes as his hands drift down my side and back, settling against my waist and tugging me incessantly closer, leaning in to me.

"Careful little jewel... you're seducing a married man."

My lips quirk upwards.

"And I'm a married woman. A taken woman bandit mine."

"That makes you all the more breath-taking." He murmurs, voice dropping lower.

"You're mine Tae. And I'm just thinking that later I would love to ruin the efforts taken to look so pretty..." I lilt quietly, words trailing off, breath hitching when his hands clasp tightly at my waist before he lifts me, spinning in a slow circle, head tilted up to peer at me, grip tight and secure and burning the imprints of his sprawled hands through fabric.

"Then by all means ruin me. Ruin me beyond any salvation but yours. I'm all yours, every breath, every moment, every instant."

My hand rests against his shoulder, clutching at him when he lowers me down, breath caught in my throat and heart thudding quick. Exhilaration pulsing through my veins, an electric headiness from both his touch and his words, from his gaze that pulses in the air between us.

"I can't wait to undo every layer then. To make you mine beloved."

His smile deepens, presses against my lips, mouth soft against my own, unrushed as he steals a moment to just hold me close, mapping me out under his touch, bodies swaying slowly, his hands drifting up and down my sides, dragging lower briefly. Touches remaining chaste even as his lips move with a burning intensity that devours me from the inside out.

"I have nowhere else to be but your arms and our bed. I've got to make you mine in turn too sweetheart. Fulfil every single vow and promise to love and cherish and spend the rest of our lives giving you nothing but happiness and pleasure." Words low and drawling, heavy with promise.

"So if I ask you for somewhere other than a bed?"

His eyes glint with hunger. Something sharp and predatory pooling in them.

His eyes alone stir a familiar pooling heat that sears through my veins, my head tilting as I look at him.

"I promised to obey didn't I? I promised to..." he whispers before leaning in closer, lips brushing against my ear, words low and quiet.

Hushed and sinful.

Fingers curling tight into his shoulder, breath hitching at the dark promise that spills past his lips, dragging lower to press against skin.

"And I intend to be very thorough in keeping my every promise."

TAE POV:

A tap on my shoulder draws my gaze away from (Y/N), head turning to peer at Jimin, his eyes crinkled into half-moons as he looks at the two of us, cheeks flushed with warmth and wine, lips stretched wide into a smile.

"If you don't mind Taehyung-ah, can I have a dance with your blushing bride?"

My hands linger at her waist, steps dithering, unwilling to let go immediately, finally having her in my arms after the whole day spent apart.

The same sparkling eyes and curved grin that'd been present when he'd unrepentantly shoved me out of my own room to hide away (Y/N). The same sparkling eyes bright and warm as he looks at me now, smile widening as he notices my hands curl a fraction tighter, drawing her towards me, chasing the warmth of her body.

"Do I have to? Right now?" unable to hold back the petulance from creeping into my tone, his smile growing as he tilts his head.

"Pretty please? My first dance with the now wedded Lady Kim?" voice lilting and soft.

And even though I want nothing more than to draw her closer, to keep her in my arms, talking to her, dancing with her, spending every moment with her, I let my hands draw away, reaching up to cradle her cheeks, pressing a kiss to her lips. Kiss-swollen and red, cheeks pink and warm under my touch, her hands curling around my forearms and only loosening when I lean away,

Already aching to press closer.

"You're not kissing her goodbye Tae. It's a dance. She's right here. Just yearn for her... at a distance." Jimin laughs, already taking her hand and drawing her closer to him, hand wrapping around her waist whilst the other gently cradles their intertwined fingers before drawing it to rest on his shoulder.

Head tilting back to peer at me.

"There's a line of people waiting to dance with the newly wed bride so why don't you grab a dance with Kookie? Or Joon~ there might be quite a wait."

"Wait a minute-you asked for a dance."

"And now she's mine. Pretty lady will you oblige me with a dance?"

Head dipping into a low bow, smile warm and pressing to her knuckles before drawing her close as she nods, hands settling on each other with practiced familiarity, their smiles soft and tender.

His hands skim across her side before settling at her waist, falling into step with her almost immediately as the music plays, a tinkling piece that's unlike our first dance but giddy and exuberant, a celebratory piece that Jimin guides her faultlessly through, already moving across the floor, in step and sync with one another.

A glass of wine appears in front of me and as I take it, I turn to peer at who it is, smiling back at the dimpled easy grin that greets me, following him to the tables rather than hovering on the floor, watching as Jin and Hobi move to dance too. Their voices and laughter loud and hands straying playfully.

A light fizzing giddiness that seeps into the air, thrums alongside the music that plays, quartet cheery and uplifting.

"Congratulations Tae-ah..." Joon's voice is low and happy, radiating pride and fondness as he reaches for a glass for himself, holding it to me in toast, clinking against mine before he takes a small sip, his gaze drifting and smile deepening as he watches (Y/N) and Jimin.

Even from here, even without hearing what they're talking about, there's no mistaking the radiance in their smiles and the intimate familiarity of their bodies so attuned to one another as Jimin spins her, eyes crinkling as her skirts flare out, her face aglow as she laughs, head tilted back.

And it's only now, only now that I'm sitting and looking can I truly admire and take her in from a slight distance. Can take her in with overflowing affection and awe, the nerves now abated, the dizzying rush of emotions of seeing her walk down the aisle to me, of seeing her as my bride moving step by step to come to still beside me that I can appreciate her in overwhelming entirety. Unable to tear my eyes from her, fixated on the ethereal vision in white, fabric clinging at her bodice and floating around her waist downwards. Jewels and pearls glittering subtly on her skin and hair, accentuating her features.

She commands the dress and the jewels, adorns them like a second skin. Adding to their radiance on her rather than they dragging attention from (Y/N).

And she's my wife.

"How'd I get so lucky Namjoon?"

"You stole away your jewel." Teasing and low.

"Pickpocketed her." Lips quirking up in agreement as I draw the glass to my lips, leaning back into the chair as I watch the two of them, fondness for the way the two laugh, heads tilted close and talking, slow steady movements as they move in time to the music.

A natural ease between them, her hand cupping his cheek as she leans to brush a kiss there, brushing her hand over his arm. Soft, quiet affection.

"Are you leaving town for your honeymoon? Travelling?"

I shrug my shoulders, fingers curling loosely around the wine glass's stem, drawing it to my lips to draw it to my lips, eyes dragging over the swish of her skirts, the curl of her hair brushing against her nape, skimming down her back, the veil fluttering as he spins her around slowly, the gesture exaggerated and coaxing laughter from the two of them before she mirrors him. Their bodies tilting close and half-stumbling into each other.

"Namjoon I don't intend on leaving my home. Why would I? I have vows to uphold and a wife. I don't want to share her. I'm going to be selfish. I'm going to cherish every single moment of privacy I can get."

There's a smile in his words when he speaks and moves to sit beside me, dimples deepening as his gaze follows mine.

"Duly noted... but you know... you've always been like that. Coveting your little jewel. Hiding her away for just yourself." He teases, eyes shining with mischief and warmth.

My lips curve up, eyes drinking in the sight of (Y/N). Marvelling over her radiance, over the way her smile lights up her face, leaning close to hear something Jimin murmurs to her, his lips brushing her ear, swaying contentedly with her, the two of them relishing in being in each other's presence, a natural undeniable connection as they unconsciously read each other's bodies.

And as I watch Jin is the next to move to her, the aura around the three of them burns with a fierce love and devotion and closeness that's read so easily even at a distance.

At the sight of Jin, at realising and knowing, that all these years he'd been there for her before I did, that he would love and cherish and protect her with the same unwavering fierceness he's always had for Jimin and (Y/N).

His hand extending out to her, dipping his body in a sweeping bow, lips curved up with a bright fondness, leaning to brush a kiss across her cheek.

"I'm happy that our friends love and cherish her so much. That everyone put in so much effort and time in making this wedding special." I murmur, tilting my head to look at Joon, eyes drifting past to see the way Kookie, Yoongi and Hobi are a small distance away.

Every single one of them had gathered together, with unwavering support, with unmoving insistence to help, all of them supportive and happy for us.

And in the marquee, in this small private wedding there's their touch, their love in everything. Their feelings, their love, their consideration in the details big and small, from the flowers to the decoration to the entire marquee.

"Your worlds always overlapped without realising Taehyung-ah, now they've merged entirely. In every way." Voice soft and when he drains his glass, there's already the others moving close to us, Kookie's eyes shining and warm.

"If you're done pining Tae... I'm sure you won't mind if I dance with her?" eyes teasingly mischievous, having full well witnessed my antsy pacing earlier, having heard me grouch and grumble and try head back to our bedroom, trying to catch glimpses of her before she walked down the aisle. He'd also heard the tail end of my conversation with Jimin, catching me empty-handed sans my bride when I'd never managed to sneak into the carriage.

My body's already rising off the seat, shaking my head as I step forward.

"Give Yoongi a whirl around the floor Kook-ah, Hobi can you whisk away your betrothed. I'd love my wife back." I gesture, tilting my head to the two of them.

I want to spend the rest of my life holding her, stealing her away. And I'll never tire of it.

---------------

I extend my hand out towards (Y/N), eyes shining as she takes mine, palm sliding into my grip and fingers clasping me as she takes a step forward, moving to step down from the carriage, head ducking out when she yelps at the sudden airborne movement. My hands clasping secure around her waist and lifting her up, unable to help the smile that stretches wide across my lips as her skirts flare out, twirling her around before setting her down, arms winding around her from behind.

"Welcome home Mrs. Kim." I murmur, lips brushing across her shoulder, skimming over skin slowly, unrushed as I let them linger, feeling her lean back as she turns to peer at me.

"I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing that." She confides, lips quirking up at the corners, still radiant and breathtakingly beautiful, her hand coming up to cradle my cheek, drawing me closer, nose nudging against mine as I look at her, rooted by the happiness of her gaze, snaring me in their depths, inviting and warm.

My lips brush against hers, tasting her on my lips and tongue, feeling the shape of her mouth branded against mine, lips slotting together with an intimate ease of our bodies having committed to memory and touch the shape of how the two of us fit together, hand winding around her waist tighter, drawing her into me, lips chasing hers, my fingers skimming against her side before sprawling against her back. Groaning quietly against her mouth when she tries to draw back slightly, tugging her to me.

"No escape now sweetheart. You're stuck with me for life." I lilt, eyes drifting to her lips, untiring of tasting them, of chasing them over and over, reeled in towards her and gravitating to her, unable to resist the snare of her presence.

"What a predicament... I think I'll survive though." She teases quietly, hand drifting to clasp mine where it's settled on her waist.

It's late, it's quiet and it's a hushed air that encompasses the two of us, makes the air crackle and fizz with a burning, slowly bubbling anticipation. A giddy intoxication for her, for finally having her alone as she kisses me slow, drawing me back to her, cradling my face and angling her mouth to mine, the slick heat of her tongue brushing against my lips before meeting my own, a quiet moan muffled against my parted lips.

Lips swollen and reddened and aching, sparks where her fingers drift to gently skim across, thumbing at my bottom lip, her eyes darkening when my teeth and tongue drag against skin.

"Planning on starting the honeymoon outside the house? Not letting me indoors Lord Kim?" title playfully lilted. Voice soft and slightly ragged, a breathless quality to it that sparks the flickering embers, the simmering heat from the entire day of pining and aching for her and not being able to steal moments away with her, the same embers now pooling into liquid fire that courses through my veins. The same silently buzzing crackling want that'd been in silent exchanged glances, lingering eyes and bodies pressed close in the carriage, the same heaviness entangling the two of us, in the press of our bodies gravitating impossibly closer. Lips brushing against hers, teeth sinking in slightly into her bottom lip, tugging at it. Tongue brushing over her bottom lip.

"Oh I don't know... I wouldn't be opposed. I wanted to start the honeymoon the moment you said I do." I laugh. A bubble of laughter spilling out to entangle with mine, tingling, swollen lips when she clutches at my front, my hands banding across her thighs and back as I disentangle from her only to lift her up, cradling her to me.

Grin stretched wide across my lips as I walk down the stretch of path from where the carriage had been to our front door, (Y/N) scooped against me, lips brushing against her temple when she peers up at me. Feeling an indescribable glowing contentment when she winds her hands around my neck, tucking herself closer to me, her head resting against my chest.

"Sweeping me off my feet again?" she says in warm fond jest, eyes peering up at me.

"A gentleman always whisks a lady into his arms when she swoons. A bandit doesn't wait for an opportunity. He creates them." I declare as we reach the front door, eyes drifting to hers, lips curving into a deep smile when I see her gaze hasn't wavered.

"The keys are in my pocket beautiful." I murmur, voice dropping lower as I look at her, refusing to let go of her, refusing to even entertain the notion of setting her down, relishing in holding her close. Cradling her tighter to me as I let my eyes indulgently drag across her. Never tiring of looking at her. Her hand slowly reaches inside my suit pocket, fingers and palm dragging unrushed against my chest briefly before she reaches her hand in to draw them out.

"Going to let me down to open the door?"

I shake my head at her, feeling the ribbon tying my curls back already slacken, curls brushing against my skin, grinning at her. Proud of the woman in my arms, proud that finally I have my wife all to myself.

"Customs are made to be followed Lady Kim. I have to carry my bride over the threshold of our house." I lilt, voice dropping lower, gaze drifting over her face. Recommitting the sight to memory over and over since I'd lifted the veil, had first set my eyes on her without anything hindering my gaze. Head tilting to the door as I hold her, watching as she draws away slightly to unlock the door.

A profoundly different feeling surrounds the immediate familiarity of our home as I step through, heels clacking against the wood. Door nudged shut with a boot as I look at her, leaning closer to brush a kiss across her lips, her hands settling to wind around me again, keys clattering onto the floor. Lying forgotten as she tilts to me.

Tilting her face to mine, hands wound around my nape, fingers dragging slowly down curls and skin, lips moving slowly against mine. Finally in the quiet of our home, away from everyone else. Finally alone. And the slow unrushed kiss, the drag of my mouth against her own, fingers curling tighter around her as I draw (Y/N) impossibly closer, her hands clutching at me to draw me nearer is an unspoken vow following the ones we spoke earlier. A promise to love and cherish and devote, a promise and wish to be just as irrevocably in love forever as we are now. For every kiss, every touch, every moment together to spark an aching rightness that I feel as her lips chase mine. Head tilting to mine as we draw away.

"Welcome home little jewel." I whisper again, the door shut behind us. The house encasing us in its four walls, capturing this moment, the two of us to linger long after us. The memory burning into my mind at the dizzy exhilaration I feel reflected in her gaze as she looks at me.

Everything simultaneously changed and unchanged, same and yet not. How it's always been with just a bit more.

"Welcome home Tae honey." She whispers back, eyes steadfastly holding mine.

Silent unspoken warmth seeping into the crevices of the empty house, and restoring life and light back into it.

The quietness of the cottage after a day of celebration sinks in slowly, body cradling her tenderly to me, eyes fixated on her, drifting to kiss-bruised lips before I lean closer to press smaller pecks against them, nose nudging against mine. Addicted to her, to her lips, unable to stop kissing her. Unable to stop slotting our mouths together with the unspoken echo of forever vowed against the seal of each other's lips.

No rush. Just a finality sinking in over the two of us.

"Going to hold me like this all night?" (Y/N) murmurs, hand brushing across my cheek and jaw, trailing against the earrings that glint at my lobes, dragging her gaze down the column of my throat.

I feel my lips quirk, eyes holding hers, her expression open and inviting. Reeling me in quietly. Heady invitation in the crackling silence that hovers between the two of us for a few moments.

"Got to carry you to our bedroom my lady~ I am nothing if not a man of honour." Eyes glinting as I look at her, smile tilting crookedly as a small smirk tugs at my lips, just as bruised and slick with her mouth branded to mine as mine is to hers, gaze lingering on the mussed, ruined state of her pretty mouth. A primal spark of pride and satisfaction at knowing the same rouge she painstakingly applied earlier is now spread across my own lips, a visible claiming mark. Hers. Her wicked mouth soft and curved in sensuous invite.

"Does that mean you'll be nothing but a gentleman towards me? And do nothing untoward?" She lilts quietly, fingers playing with curls, tugging gently, watching my expression raptly, head tilting down towards her. There's a tinge of mischief lacing her words, eyes fluttering as she bats her lashes playfully at me, adopting a coy and demure expression.

But not for a single instant do I see a blushing bride all flustered and shy. See the wicked quirk to her mouth and the amusement in her body language, the way she eyes me as if contemplating her next move, the faux demureness a front that dissolves readily with the knowledge that the woman I love, the woman I've just married is nothing short of a wildfire; bold, untamed and consuming in her entirety.

Her breath hitches when I begin to take steps towards the stairs, hitching her higher against me, hands pressed tight against fabric, desperate to fist my hands in and tug the layers off. To lathe my attention and hands over the planes of her body without the barrier of fabric barring the two of us. Impatient and hungering for it. Her hands reflexively tighten around me, fingers curling against my nape, nails pressing to curls and skin, a dark want to feel her nails drag across skin, clawing for purchase later.

"Oh no sweetheart. You didn't marry a gentleman, you married a bandit. And I didn't marry a demure innocent maiden I'm having my wicked way with... rather we made our promises to be shameless and unrestrained." I tease. Our own vows and promises and laughter entangling with matrimony.

Not just marriage but a promise to cherish everything we have been, everything we've grown with, everything we've built, everything that we are. Vows to uphold each other and our happy end whatever it takes. To be there for the mundane normalcy of being irrevocably in love and dizzy with it.

"I married a rogue." she teasingly confirms.

I grin proudly at her, unabashed and preening at the label.

"The worst." I confirm.

"Going to take care of me? Now and for the rest of my life?" her voice turning softer and low, quiet in the hushed anticipation that clouds our senses. A soft warm vulnerability and love entangling with the electric desire and want that simmers between the two of us. My lips brushing against her hair, expression turning tender as I look at her. At odds with the rasp in my voice as I walk through to our bedroom. The words drawled against her temple.

Going to take care of her the same way we've always taken care of each other. Going to take care of her just as devotedly, just as wholly, with every bit of me. Because she's my story, she's my happy end, she's my centre of gravity.

"Every second. Every breath." I vow, eyes glinting, hands careful and slow as I lean over the bed, curved over her as I set her down, eyes dragging over the length of her body, over my bride, slow and unrushed as I commit her to memory. Commits the sight of her under me, arms still wound around me as I draw her closer, hands unwinding to cup my face and tug me closer, lips chasing mine over and over for the haze of pleasure and euphoric affirmation that the rest of our lives will be like this. That this woman is mine in every way, tongue brushing against the seam of my mouth and granted entrance immediately. Chasing hers with a soft groan as I taste the faint taste of fruit and wine on her tongue and lips, a sweet headiness that makes my head swim pleasantly. The curl of her tongue against mine, sweeping through the crevice of my mouth, deep and claiming and possessive.

Her hands tug me closer until I'm looming over her, crowding against her, the brush of fabric against skin, her fingers tugging at curls, skimming lower to trail over my jaw to angle my mouth to hers, lips slick and swollen with the brand of her touch, our lungs shuddering when I draw away.

Committing to memory over and over every instant of this day, of this night as my eyes rove over her with a slow hungering intensity, tenderness pooling alongside arousal in her eyes, mirrored in my own, my lips reddened with her mouth, imprinted with the shape of it moulded to my own. My head ducks lower to mouth at her jaw, dragging my lips slowly from her lobe downwards, teeth tugging gently, before they skim lightly against her throat, nose brushing against skin. Overwhelmed with her scent that momentarily consumes me.

"You look beautiful (Y/N). You always look so beautiful but today... I couldn't take my eyes off you for a single instant. I couldn't bear to." I whisper, a hushed reverence in my voice, lips dragging lower and lower, fingers curling into her waist, lowering further into her, half curved over her body.

"I didn't think I'd hate my veil so much. When I couldn't see you." She admits, voice light and tinged with a frustration, her eyes drinking me in indulgently now.

Gaze appreciative and slow, raking over me with a familiar heated intensity.

"I could see you smiling when I stumbled on the words." I accuse, her laugh ringing out loud and amused.

Hand placating and coaxing, lips twitching into a smile.

"It was endearing. That for the years we've been together you still got nervous making the same vows again." Voice softer.

"Is that why you didn't waver?" voice quieter and curious, hands squeezing her waist, hovering over her.

Admiring her, the firm strength in her voice, in her vows still faintly echoing. So easily summoned to mind.

"I was just repeating everything we already have. Just giving it an official title but you've been mine for years already."

There's an aching warmth entangling alongside the desire that suffuses into my veins, making my skin buzz with contentment and want.

I'll never stop wanting.

"You know... you're more than anything I dared dream. You're a beautiful dream I never want to awake from."

And yet it's in waking I spend every living breathing moment with (Y/N), it's with her that I finally find that my dreams aren't limited to the night.

She is my dream.

And one that even if the night fades and I awake, she's still there. Tangible and real.

Just like she is now.

Settled under me with a familiarity and comfort that seeps into our skin.

Leaning closer and closer until I'm crowded against her, her hands dragging across my shoulders, mapping me out under her touch before they slip lower down my jacket, pushing the open lapels back, pushing fabric off my torso, her gaze rooted on me as I lean away to shuck it off impatiently, her hands drawing herself upright, pushing herself up off the mattress. Reaching out to curl her hands around my arms, brushing over shirt sleeves, drifting over the fabric, gaze rapt as she lets her eyes drag over where the fabric drapes and where it clings, nails trailing over my biceps. The touch isn't directly against skin, but I can feel the bubbling need in every touch, can feel my own need stir, eyes dark as I look at her, watch her every movement.

Touch indulgently exploratory, slowly drifting closer and closer to my chest, fiddling with the buttons of my waistcoat.

"Right now... right now you look both like my deepest, darkest dream Tae and my wildest vision come true. You look like everything I've ever wanted, awake or asleep... you are everything I'll ever want." a rough breathlessness in her voice that makes every inch of my skin buzz and itch with overwhelming desire as she draws herself upright to stand in front of me, my hands dragging against her sides to grip her hips, eyes tracking her movements as she slowly undoes the buttons. One by one.

Drawing it off me, layer by layer, her lips curving up with amusement and tease. Fingers fiddling at my front, eyes narrowing at the constant repetition of having to undo one after the other.

"And I thought all I ever heard you do was complain about all those layers." (Y/N) muses, hands dragging upwards from my abdomen to my chest, mapping the breadth of my body with hands that know every inch of my body, my eyes catching onto her hand. At the sight of her engagement ring and the matching wedding band glinting on her finger. Her hand resting against my sternum, feeling my heartbeat under her palm.

My pulse quickens, a sharp intake of breath at the sight of her hand.

"Through good and bad, sickness and health, better or worse... I promise to stand by your side through every moment, I promise to be your support, your shield, your sanctuary. I promise to be yours with everything I am." my hand taking hers, drawing it up to slide the wedding band onto her finger, settling it secure against the engagement ring. Eyes holding hers, shining with a fierce sincerity, pooled with love, a small tremor in my hand as I hold hers, drawing it up to brush my lips across the rings at first and then her knuckles.

"I promise to cherish and love, to protect and support. I promise to be your shelter and your safety, your escape and your haven. I promise to love you beyond my last breath." she says, voice strong and level, reaching for the wedding band to draw onto my finger, taking my hand in turn, the ring the only one glittering on my hand, fingers bare save for it.

I stare at the ring with admiration, because this ring, this sole band means more than all the trinkets in the world, this ring I'll cherish with my life more than the countless jewels that I've always chased.

"I thought you should know the troubles I go through trying to get to you." I grin, content to watch her hands draw over my torso, fingers inching up to circle a nipple, the fitted material clinging to my chest, seeing as it stiffens under anticipation, under the slow dragging movements of her finger moving closer and closer, hand sprawled possessively over my front.

A small hiss bubbles past my lips when her nail drags over fabric, over the pert bud, the drag of fabric against skin, double the stimulation, her lips twitching at the quiet sound, at the way I tilt closer, arms bracketing her and hands gripping her tight. Tugging her to me until our hips are flush, her hand settled between us, drifting to fiddle with the laces and buttons, toying with them.

"I don't know... I wouldn't mind taking my time~" she lilts, my lips twisting into a glower. Hips bucking forward, rutting against her, gaze darkening as I hear the teasing amusement in her voice. As if today wasn't enough torment.

Though several layers of fabric bar skin from skin, there's no denying the stiffness that presses to her core, my hands drawing her closer, the drag of my hips against her own intentionally slow and drawn out. Letting her feel just how much I ache, how much I'm already wound up.

Letting her see the hold she has on me, the impact she has on me. The way restraint unravels me and I need and want and crave her.

"I've been desperate to steal you away from our own wedding reception. Every single time I tried someone wanted to dance with you, every single time I wanted a kiss, I wanted to hide away with you... there was always something stopping me." I groan words low and rough. Voice rasping against her skin, fingers digging in lower, tracing her curves with the broad sprawl of my palms.

"You've been awfully patient then Tae. Learning restraint?"

I groan against the crook of her neck, lips mouthing at skin, tasting her on my tongue, letting my teeth drag across the sensitive skin, delighting in the small shudder that wracks her body as she grips at me, her fingers teasing and tormenting, dragging a broken groan from the depth of my chest when she slowly teases one bud to a stiff sensitivity then the other, the brush of fabric against skin a torturous stimulation.

"You wicked tease."

"Your tease." She lilts, fingers inching lower to tug at fabric, drawing the shirt out of my breeches, her hand slipping underneath to drag over skin instead, the heat of her hand sprawling against my front and inching upwards, drawing with it the shirt.

My hands move to aid her, working the buttons and laces, tugging at them to open the shirt, drawing it up and off my torso, chains glittering against my sternum and her eyes dark and glittering with a sparkling intent.

The fabric falls to the floor, discarded readily for her and now her hands move unhindered against skin, reaching up to loosely brush across delicate thin chains and sparkling gems, inching back towards the stiffened buds already pert and stimulated by her touch, the barest drag of her fingers and nails coaxing a sharp hiss past my lips, head tilting back when her lips and tongue and teeth replace her hand, tongue slowly circling closer and closer, wet slick heat against skin. The drag of teeth sparking a pleasurable ache that makes my body get steadily wound tighter and tighter. Arousal almost painfully lancing at skin before it sinks deep, buzzing through my veins.

In unspoken response my hands drag from her waist to her front, eyes dragging over her dress... not entirely sure where to begin, where to reach for, eyes drinking in her figure in bridal white.

"Jimin helped you dress didn't he? I bet he helped choose all these layers to make it harder for me. Always wearing the most fiddly clothes." I groan, teeth dragging against my bottom lip when in silent wicked response her mouth drags across skin, teeth scraping and sinking in, intent to leave the first mark of the night. The same frustration now seeping into my own gaze.

Her lips quirk against skin.

"I thought you liked the challenge. Of fighting with your self-control. I thought I'd give you something to always moan about other than my name." She lilts, voice teasing and low, my fingers skimming across her front, inching higher and higher over her bodice before reaching for the delicate flowers and sheer fabric that hides the curves of her cleavage, delicate fabric skimming over skin, my hands dragging over the fabric before my hand begins to pluck every small flower, every bud fluttering to the ground as I discard the white-petalled flowers. Slowly draw them off her, fingers skimming fleetingly over the sheer fabric that sweeps over her cleavage, hand inching lower to reach for the first of the row of pearl buttons. Unclasping one by one, fingers fiddling with the tiny button, jaw clenching at the difficulty of getting them open, other hand gripping her hip tighter, tugging her closer to me.

"Sometimes... sometimes my self-control vanishes (Y/N). If I wasn't so attached to the dress, it's neckline would be in shreds." I promise, words drifting lower, head ducking closer to brush my lips down her throat, over her collarbones, mouthing at skin, feeling her fingers drift to curl against my side, clutching tightly as she lets out a soft exhale.

"But I spent so long in prettying up for you." She lilts, voice full of joy and laughter, unrestrained in the way amusement makes her features glow with satisfaction, watching my hands try navigate her dress.

Mouth drifting lower and lower, the sheer fabric brushing against skin, my fingers hooking into the fabric and tugging at it, drawing it lower to let my eyes graze over the curved swells of her cleavage, letting my lips skim over them. Teeth playfully nipping before my lips brush over the same spot, body curling closer to hers. Hand moving to steadily undo button by button, the dress gaping, loose around her shoulders when I finally raise my head, appraising the sight of her in the glow and shadows of our bed chamber.

Her lips are swollen, mussed and ruined with kisses, her eyes dark and burning with desire, trained on me, a weighted charged energy crackling between the two of us.

There's a quiet burning in her eyes as she watches me, breaths soft as my hands drag upwards, mapping the dip of her waist and the curves of her chest before finally reaching the loosening sleeves, pushing the fabric off. Rewarded with more and more of her being bared, the fit of her corset clinging tight against every line and curve, inviting my gaze to drift across her front.

There's nothing but charged electric desire that makes my senses swim, overwhelmed with the stimulus of her. Of (Y/N) standing in front of me, eyes mirroring my desire and reflecting them back to me and her hands reaching to aid me, letting the fabric slowly pool around her feet, carefully stepping out of her dress, her hand curled against my forearm.

"Equal now?" voice quiet and warm with tease.

But I can't tear my eyes away.

Breath catching in my throat, swallowing hard, not daring to blink for fear that the hauntingly alluring sight of her will turn to wisps of dreams and fantasies.

"You're breath-taking (Y/N)." voice strangled and rasping.

Her smile grows, curving wide across her lips, taking quiet steps towards me, drawing my hands in hers before leading them to the curve of her hips, head tilting back as she looks at me.

"Always so full of praise aren't you Tae? You know...I had a seamstress create this specially for tonight. Specifically for you." She confides conversationally, words turning hushed and heavy with molten want, my gaze dipping to drag over the curves of her body, at the sheer lace that clings almost obscenely to her body. The white of the fabric encasing every sensual line and curve of her limbs with an ethereal sinful grace.

My mouth dries, hands gripping her hips before skimming lower to trace the outside of her thighs, lowering down onto my knees before peering up at her.

Half-lidded eyes peer down at me, fingers skimming to brush curls away from my face, reaching back to draw the ribbon tie off, hair no longer held back.

Wild and untamed and brushing against my jaw and her eyes glow with giddiness, knuckles skimming from the side of my face down my jaw, her breaths quiet and shaky with anticipation when my hands drag from her calves upwards.

"I have many thanks to give. But right now... I want nothing more than to worship every inch of you. To fulfil every vow, every custom, every tradition and every promise."

"Such as?" voice curious and inviting, gaze drawing me in.

"There's a tradition I didn't want to share with our wedding party. Something I held back from. Something I've waited all night for."

Fingers trailing higher, slowly dragging my nails across the outside of her thighs, over her stockings and garters, eyes drifting from the apex of her thighs to where the layers of fabric cling to the curve of her hips to where the stockings are held up by her garters. Encasing the curve of her thighs, wound around them.

"What I wanted to do was drag your dress up and take off your garters. But I'm selfish. I didn't want to give a show. I'm selfish, I wouldn't be satisfied until I was pleasuring you with my tongue afterwards." Voice guttural, hoarse with desire.

But my hands make no move to begin to undo her garters, to undo the ties keeping her stockings up, letting my head draw closer, lips brushing over the lace band encasing her thigh, mouth lingering.

Her fingers sink into my hair, entangling into curls as she keeps me anchored to her, her nails dragging slightly across my scalp, curling with anticipation, hips bucking forward.

A soft groan tumbling past her lips.

"Possessive bandit. You've never been good with sharing." The words roughly exhaled, a faint tease lingering at the end of them, her fingers curling tight into my curls when my mouth parts, teeth dragging over the soft flesh of her thighs.

"I want to do everything right by you. Can't miss customs and tradition. And why share the one jewel I covet most in the world?" I murmur, teeth nipping at skin, drifting upwards to where the garters and stockings are hooked into silk.

The drag of my tongue, teeth and lips slow, hands sprawled over her thighs, keeping her rooted in place, feeling the small tremors in her body, feel her hips buck restlessly, back arching at the pressure and heat of my mouth at her hip before I let my mouth slowly descend. Tracing the lines of the garter with my lips, tracing them with my mouth against her skin before my teeth grips the flimsy fabric between them.

Dragging my mouth lower and with it my teeth drag the garter down her thigh, slow and indulgent in coaxing out every single quiet breathy sound that in our room seems to be amplified.

Nothing save for breathy whimpered exhales and my name shuddered out as my teeth and lips take the time to leave a scatter of kisses and marks down supple flesh, hands gripping her tighter, aching to brand her body with my touch.

Moving from one thigh to the next, teeth slowly dragging across skin, feeling her fingers curl tighter, drawing me closer, a shakiness to her hand as she clutches me closer, the heady warmth of her body, the softness of her thighs parting, the restlessness to her body.

And when I've drawn off one garter then the next, fabric pooling around her legs I let my hands tug her closer, her body stumbling forward, hand gripping at me for purchase, fingers reflexively tightening in my hair and the sharp tug sparking a pleasurable spark of pain that fans into molten warmth, groaning against the apex of her thighs, head tilting closer to her.

Sinking back onto my knees as I look at her, fingers drifting to play with the hem of the fabric that clings tight to her thighs and hips, brushing across skin but not moving to drag off the offending article of clothing off... yet.

"You know it's custom to throw the garter?" she asks, voice rough and shaky.

"Oh I'm not throwing away your wedding garters. They're mine now." Possessiveness seeping into my tone.

Not this pair of garters.

There's a hungering gleam in her eyes and an impatience in her hand, trying to coax me closer, hips bucking forward when I lean forward, lips pressing to fabric, directly to the apex of her thighs, a sharp hiss of breath as my fingers ghost along her centre, dragging over fabric that bars me from her.

Fingers skimming over her centre, dragging over her core, thumb brushing over her nub over fabric, the rough swipe of my touch making her breath hitch.

The drag of my name from her lips shakier and needing.

Hands slipping to curve around the back of her thighs, palms sprawled possessively over skin before gripping tightly, rising up to stand, drawing her bodily to me, hoisting her against me, fingers pressing tightly into soft flesh, anchoring her to me, her legs winding around me as she clutches at me, hands moving feverishly from the planes of my shoulders to cradling my cheeks, angling my mouth to hers, impatience in the open-mouthed kisses, breaths stolen and shared and lips moving against hers with a bruising want to brand the taste and shape of my mouth against hers.

Moving towards the bed to lower her down against it once more, sinking back onto my knees once she sprawls back, her arms propping herself up as she watches me, hands drifting from the back of her thighs to sprawl across the inside. Yanking them open and settling in the splayed space I make for myself between them, lips brushing against the soft sensitive skin, a small tremble in them as my mouth inches upwards, her body half-risen off the sheets.

Mouthing at her core over fabric, pressing slow kisses as my hands inch upwards to drag the fabric down and off, a bubbling anticipation brewing in lidded eyes, lips mapping out a trail of kisses on the inside of her thighs, lingering to sink my teeth into skin, the broken groan that shudders past her lips as she peers down at me, mouth parted as her breath wavers, thighs trembling as I suck a mark into skin. Taking the time, devoting it to leaving marks blooming on skin, thumbing at deep red marks that flush with colour, a low moan rumbling from the depths of my throat at how she keens at the pressure, fingers digging in tighter to keep her thighs pinned open.

Eyes drifting from the scattering map of marks that map the path of my mouth towards her core to look at her, gaze pinned on the way her breaths shudder, on the way I can see her chest heave, contained in the corset and shift and body clenching under slow intent ministrations.

"Keep your legs open for me little jewel. Don't close them until I say." I murmur, voice gravelling and the words hovering in the air, hands curling tight into her thighs before my mouth inches towards her core, her hips bucking up as my lips ghost along her core.

"Then take care of your wife Taehyung. Take care of me as you always do." She grits out, teeth digging into her bottom lip, lashes fluttering as she waits for me, hips shifting restlessly on the sheets, a low throaty moan tearing past her lips when I acquiesce, silently answering by letting my lips settle to taste her, hand slipping away to slowly circle my fingers around her nub, trailing down to tease before two sink in, her hips arching up at the dual simulation of my fingers working themselves in and out in slow, languid thrusts, curling and sheathing deep before drawing out, tongue flicking to taste honeyed arousal that spills out to stain my mouth, drunk on her, on the words that have spilled past her lips, her hips chasing every touch, hand reaching to tug me closer, fingers entangled in my hair and tugging me closer, every shuddered sound, every keen, every whimper as I chase the pleasure of pleasuring her, hand curling into her thigh as I feel it tremble, reflexively trying to close, keeping me encased between them.

Hand palming and gripping at soft flesh, coaxing her pleasure to wind tighter and tighter, her hips bucking towards my lips, tongue and fingers, reeling out

Teeth dragging and tongue flicking to chase the arousal that stains my lips, groaning against her as her fingers tighten in my hair, a sharp bite of pain entangling with the heady pleasure that pulses through my body at hearing her unravel at my touch. Hand palming and gripping at soft flesh, coaxing her pleasure to wind tighter and tighter, tongue and fingers thrusting and curling, moan muffled against the apex of her thighs. Her hips buck towards my touch, thighs trembling as she reaches the peak of pleasure I draw her to, my name tumbling past her lips, her hand gripping at me as she twists for reprieve from the constant stimulation, thumb drawing slow circles onto skin, mouthing at her as her back arches. Her thighs tremble, tightening where they remain pinned open, soft trembles as I draw her legs over my shoulders, slowly easing her down from her high, lips slick with arousal dragging down her thighs pressing lingering kisses against skin.

The tightness in my breeches grows, uncomfortably stiff and straining against the fabric, hips rutting against air as I buck forward, groaning against her marked thighs.

"I will. I always will sweetheart."

Drawing myself upright, standing at the threshold of the bed, watching as she sinks back, chest heaving for breath, her fingers shaking as she reaches for the laces, unsteady hand drawing it open as she sinks back, hair still perfectly in place, bridal jewellery glittering at her throat, ears and hair. Face flushed slightly and lips bitten where her teeth had sunk in.

My eyes drag down her front watching as she slowly draws the corset loose and with it draws in a deep shuddering breath, letting it fall open as she sinks back, the thin sheer shift doing nothing to hide or clothe her torso, her chest rising and falling with uneven inhales and exhales.

Body sinking back to settle against the sheets, arms trembling as she props herself up slightly, drawing herself back onto the bed, thighs open and splayed, letting me marvel at the myriad of marks scattered across skin, inner thighs marked with teeth and tongue, still slick with her arousal, a soft whimpered groan as her legs rub together.

"You always tease." She complains, the slick heat of her lips parting as she looks at me.

"I've never heard complaints beautiful. In fact if anything you seem to beg when I tease." Voice low and heavy.

"If anything you'll be doing the begging tonight." Words confident and assured, a predatory heat in her gaze as it drifts down my torso, a heated intensity that I can feel graze against my feverish skin with the impression of her hands trailing over skin.

Still feeling their phantom touch ghosting along skin, mapping me to her palms.

Her eyes tracking the movement of my fingers as I reach for the buttons of my breeches, hissing in sensitivity at the tight confine of the fabric, groan low and needy when my hand skims over my length, making quick work of dragging the breeches off. Palm dragging around myself, fingers curling loosely as I thrust into the loose fist of my own hand, pleasure lancing painfully at skin at the sight of her gaze transfixed on me, watching with dark heady eyes as I pleasure myself, hips rutting into my touch, desperate to alleviate a fraction of the painful longing and need that coils the pressure tighter in my gut, eyes roving over her body with an overflowing ravenous want.

"Game on." I challenge, eyes dragging over her figure settled on our bed, the sight so familiar, so intimately recognisable. And yet the want is always the same, always burns more than the last. Spiralling the two of us into an inferno we gladly burn and be engulfed in.

The same fire seeping into her tone, molten honeyed appeal dripping off her tongue.

"I've waited all day to put my hands on you Tae... and you're pleasuring yourself?" voice wrecked and drowning in desire. Heady intoxicating lust.

Her hands drag over the slip, the final article of clothing that keeps our bodies from being entirely flush skin to skin, her hands dragging across her curves as she divests herself of it, her body unmarked saved for the smatter of marks at her throat and the deepening red marks at her thighs and the darkening stain of my fingerprints I can see slowly forming on her thighs, swallowing heavily at the sight. Her hand drags slowly across the inside of her thighs, retracing the path of my own hands, her body shuddering with sensitivity as her fingers skim teasingly to where my fingers had dug in, a bitten moan as her fingers seem to mirror my touch. The same pace my hand takes, hips rocking forward into them, the same languidness her hand takes skimming over her thighs, inching closer and closer to her centre.

Body advancing forward, reeled in towards the hypnotic tug of (Y/N)'s body sprawled over our sheets, her breath quickening when my hand unfurls from myself, hand skimming over her calves before I lean forward, body hovering over hers. Clambering onto the bed and settling in the splay of her thighs, hands crooked under her knees as I lean forward to press a bruising kiss to her lips, groaning into the heat of her mouth when her hands immediately skim over me, trailing over my arm and the other winding around my neck, drawing me deeper into her.

The slow buck of her hips against mine, swallowing the low broken sound from my throat, tongue sweeping against mine, kiss messy and rushed and spilling with vanishing restraint as my own hips rut against her core, slick arousal staining my skin, hands settling into the sheets, settling on either side of her, body propped up over hers.

Mouth pliant to the slow burning heat hers coaxes to sink into every crevice of my body, her hand coaxing me closer, unable to bear the slightest distance between our bodies.

And gravitating to her, tethered to her with a force that'll never be given a name, never truly explained in words... reeled in by everything (Y/N) is, unable to resist her, my body leans into hers, chest brushing against hers. Stiff nipples grazing my skin, the same drag of skin against skin makes a groan rumble at the back of my throat, against the swollen heat of her lips, against her tongue that sweeps through the crevices of my mouth and claims it with quick possessive thrusts.

Hips slowly grinding against hers, sharper bucking movements when her hips rock up, pushing forward into the touch, legs winding around my waist, sealing me to her, to the space between our bodies that closes with every feverish tug of her hands skimming over my body and mine on hers.

Hand dragging up the curve of her hips to meld to the dip of her waist, dragging upwards to tug soft moans against the shuddering ache of our mouths, fingers drifting higher to angle her jaw up, lips parting with shaky exhales tearing out my throat, lungs raw and burning. Intoxicated on her scent, on her, steadily losing myself entirely to her.

"If I ever don't put my hands on you- consider me a broken man." I huff against her throat, lips dragging lower to her collarbones, teeth and tongue working more marks into her skin, hips bucking forward in rough grinding circles, aching for her, desperate to drown myself in the noises that spill past her lips, her hand brushing against my nape, nails pressing tight at the drag of my mouth marking a map across the lines and curves of her body.

Mapping every inch of her with every inch of me.

Her hands skim over my shoulders, voice breathless and trembling with desire and love, pupils blown wide and gaze heavy when my head tilts to hers, eyes rooting each other, transfixed with the sight of the other and of the reflection of myself in her gaze.

"Broken? Not malfunctioning? Not needing the right touch to reset you?" she jokes playfully, her eyes bright with mischief, hands flitting over me.

My laugh is muffled against her skin, grinning against her body.

"That'll do the trick." I assure.

But there's a softness in her eyes when I raise my gaze to hers, amusement melting away to give way to quiet tender appreciation.

Silent unspoken declarations of love hovering between us.

Understood with a glance, understood without having to say as the air shifts.

There's a vulnerability pooling between the two of us, the promise of forever sinking into skin as I draw myself up, propped on my hands as my body cages her in, drinks in the sight of her gaze trusting and open and giving.

"You know... every day I wish for something." I admit, her eyes silently beckoning me to continue speaking.

"Every single day I want to live selfishly. Every single day I wish to be greedy with you. To lose myself in you over and over. I always wish for us. For every day to be happier than the last. I won't ever forget how happy I am today. How happy you made me." I confess quietly, voice rough and hoarse.

In silent response her lips brush against my jaw, fingers cradling my cheek, drawing me over and over to the welcoming invite of her body, her lips, her hips arching up as she rocks against me, slow circling grinds that spill desire from our mouths from one another. Groaning her name into skin as I slowly sheath myself in her, drawing myself in slowly.

Every moment dragged out and suspended between us before I sink in entirely, stilling with my name exhaled against my jaw, her hands settling on my shoulders.

A slow unrushed drag of skin against skin, hips rolling deep circles into her as I draw back before rocking forward once more, her legs tightening around me, drawing me deeper into her, every thrust, every buck of my hips punctuated with shaky breaths and murmured words, lips finding their place on the canvas of her body.

"I love you Tae."

"I love you (Y/N)."

Her breaths shudder against my skin, her lips dragging down my throat, teeth sinking in sharply to bite down the moan that reverberates against my skin at a deeper thrust, groaning wetly against her collar, hands fisting into the sheets beside her head, chains falling forward, her fingers tugging sharply, mouth messily pressing kisses from my jaw to the corner of my mouth.

Ragged pants muffled against my lips as she rocks her hips back, meeting each thrust for thrust, hips rocking up to sheath me deeper, teeth nipping at her lips, sinking in sharper as my hips draw back, teasing at her before bucking forward in a deeper thrust, bodies flush with one another.

The open splay of her thighs invite my hand to drag across the inside, gripping tight as I draw back, eyes raking over her slowly, thrusts turning sharper, deeper, rougher despite my intent to go slow.

Every movement stirring an inferno to sear through my veins, setting my body alight with an unquenchable raging need for her, arousal burning hotter as she grips at my shoulders, nails dragging down across my back, bitten moans and murmurs of my name pressed to skin as shaky, overwhelmed cries.

The earlier glittering radiance to her body has morphed into a sinful apparition of desire's incarnate, skin gleaming with exertion and cheeks flushed and dilated pupils holding my own wrecked state captive in them, trapping me in the confines of her body.

There's a sharp blooming sting where her teeth sink into my shoulder, thin trails of heat where her nails drag their path down the plane of my back, stirring the dizzying rush of ecstasy to an overwhelming height.

"Now who's a biter?" I question, eyes narrowing at her, lips parting as her teeth drag slower, purposely letting the sting sink in, lips twitching against skin before she draws back, amused laughter pooling alongside lust. Entangling together.

Eyes meeting mine challengingly.

"I don't hear you complaining when you wear shirts to show off my claims." Proud and confident, eyes unflinchingly confronting my gaze, failing to suppress the grin that tugs at her lips, hand dragging down my side, nails trailing over skin.

Knowing just how well to make my body respond, a confidence in the words she speaks and truth in her stare. Daring me to refute a fact.

"Why not flaunt what's a gift?" I murmur, groaning against her skin, mouthing at the smooth expanse of her body, desperate to leave countless marks against lines and curves, head ducking lower to draw the stiff bud between my teeth, tongue flicking over its pertness, the swells of her curves painted with pleasurable want, the heat of her body stirring my own to a roaring fire.

For all the years I've spent exploring her body, every single instant, every single moment sends electric jolts skimming over my body, her own a livewire that only makes the desire coax my body to hers, lost in the noises torn past her lips, in the sight of her undone by my touch, her body a tapestry of love and lust both. Of desire and adoration, of vows and promises laid into her skin with my lips.

Oaths pressed to every line and crevice of her body with my own.

For the years I've known her, I still lose myself to her every single time.

"Mark me up then Tae, let me show off your claims." She murmurs, hands trembling where they cling to me, her back arching up at the slow, deeper grinds of my hips rocking into hers, dragging out the precipice of pleasure we both spiral towards with reckless abandon.

Aching to bury myself as deep as I can, hands drifting lower to clamp onto her hips, tugging her further into me, every sharp slam met with the trembling shake of her hips, her hair ruined, falling down around her, pearls and small gems scattered across the pillows and her hair, her eyes glowing the brightest.

"Always." I vow.

The glowing gleam of perspiration on her body, limbs taut with pleasure, back bowed off the bed, thighs clenching around me tight, sheathing me impossibly deeper, a broken litany of our pleasure hanging over us, teeth and tongue messily clashing, lips trembling as she grips me tight, nails digging in hard enough to leave their marks behind with the heat that licks at my spine.

The peak of her pleasure spirals me towards my own, her body arching under mine, lips pressing to my throat and a broken moan of my name, thrusts turning rougher and messier, losing myself to the same blistering pleasure that sends crashing waves of ecstasy over my body, back bowing as I curve over her. Hips rocking slowly in slow grinding circles as we both chase the constant peak of our release, lips brushing against her shoulder, pressing a line of kisses across the slope of her shoulder to her throat.

Muttering her name over and over into her skin, her very name my vow to love and cherish her.

To fulfil every promise with every breath I breathe.

To continue loving her so I will never know anything else.

Body curving closer at her incessant tugs until I'm lowering myself carefully onto her, hands skimming over her trembling thighs, squeezing gently as I settle on her, limbs loosely entangled before I settle onto my back, arms drawing her with me so that she's settled on top, her uneven breaths grazing my collarbones, her hand lazily brushing against my forearm. Still buried deep in her as I hold her, lips brushing against her temple, tasting the faint tang of salt, fingers reaching to slowly card through her hair.

Drawing the loose pins from the unravelling intricacy of her hair, fingers immediately sinking into curled strands to cradle the back of her head, pins scattered across the bed, guiding her head closer to mine to press a lingering kiss to her lips.

Her cheeks are flushed with colour as she looks at me, tilts her face to mine, a smile curved against my jaw as she lets her lips skim across briefly.

Hand tracing nonsensical shapes and lines down my arm before reaching for my hand, entangling ours together, the rings on our fingers glinting in the low warm light of the room.

Married.

Each other's in every way and more.

"I'm surprised you held out so long... I did half expect a risqué rendezvous at the wedding." She teases before her voice turns softer, lighter.

Tender and affectionate.

"I can't believe you chose our favourite picnic spot." She murmurs, eyes sparkling with warmth, lips curving up into a giddy smile, her hair brushing against my skin, cheek pressed to my collar.

"How could I not? Why have a stuffy church wedding when I can marry you in one of our favourite spots?"

She smiles against my throat, teeth nipping playfully.

"Well then the tavern seems to be a favourite too. Why not have open taps for drinks and marry me on the finest cleanest table you could've found?"

"And share the moment with drunkards-I am a man of class (Y/N)!" I refute, mock-glaring at her, smile tugging wide across my lips.

"We fell in love in a brothel. Very classy." She deadpans, laughter crinkling her features, amusement pooling in her eyes as she traces her hand across my torso, skimming slowly, fingertips lingering at where scars once were.

The scars are no longer there but the memories are.

And everything that brings us to this moment, to this happy end is years of rebuilding, restarting afresh and not taking a glance back at the dark messy roots that wound our fates together. But that doesn't mean they're forgotten. They're shadows that linger behind us, but don't intrude forward into the new life we build step by step.

"Can't say we're anything short of unique." I shoot back, lips tugging wide at her laughter, bubbling loud and unrestrained and free, eyes bright with mirth and she shakes her head at me.

Hair tickling skin as she hums in agreement.

"Can't argue with you there."

Silently our hands settle against my chest, my eyes drifting to the sight.

"I don't think I can feel my legs just yet." She admits, words quiet and laced with a dismayed disbelief, eyes reproaching and shining with experience.

"Baby you could spend your entire life as a pillow princess, and I'll live a happy man."

She scoffs lightly, eyes dancing with delight.

"I don't take anything easy bandit. Not even sex. There's no pleasure if you don't work for it."

I let my hand skim lower to playfully pinch at her hip, her yelp muffled against me as she tries twist away, laughing as she rolls onto her back, sprawled across the bed beside me, limbs half-draped on me, head tilting to peer at me.

And in her eyes I can see the challenge and mischief in them.

Just like yesterday, just like how today will end and tomorrow will come.

A playfulness and thrill in chasing each other's pleasure and holding the cards close to our chest until it's time to show them.

And her eyes twinkle with the promise of many aces held close to her.

Inviting me to try find out exactly what they are.

(Y/N) POV:

With Tae, time dissolves. Night and day merges and hours are lost within each other, futile to try calculate how long has passed since the door first thudded shut behind us and our bodies tilted to one another. How long it's been since our hands first found purchase on one another.

How long it's been since I've lost track of everything but him.

Transfixed and rooted to the weight of his gaze, to his limbs entangled with mine and breaths hurried and shuddered, mouths chasing each other's, finding reprieve on each other's skin, hands familiar and roving over each other with a practiced knowledge of how to make the other unravel fast.

With Tae the world begins and ends with him, everything else ceasing to exist save for the orbit of our bodies drawn to each other's gravity, tethered to one another, my hands desperate to map out the lines and planes of his body under them. To refamiliarize, relearn, reacquaint myself with a body I know better than my own.

"Getting tired?" I ask, hand skimming down his sternum, feeling the erratic pulse thrumming under my touch, his stomach clenching as my hand drifts lower, fingers trailing over spilled release, his muscles reflexively tightening under my touch.

Hips bucking up impatiently, dark eyes lidded, and pupils blown wide, irises consumed with the pure lust and want that pools in his gaze, curls mussed and clinging to his temples and jaw.

There's a gleam in his eyes that meet the fire burning in mine with an inferno searing in his, the same liquid, molten arousal seeping into every inch of skin, coaxing the pool of heat low in my gut to flare.

"Depends what you're asking for." Voice a low hoarse rasp that I can feel as if pressed directly to skin, my body instinctively shuddering at how wrecked he sounds.

"Too tired to keep going? You're spent Tae... quite literally." I murmur, fingers drifting against his hipbone, trailing lazily and slow, watching as his hips shift in restless ache.

I don't know how long he's lain there, surrendering himself to my touch, eyes dark and snaring and yet the softness of his mouth is lazy and soft, enticing in its hazed smirk. The same smirk melting against my mouth, ragged pants of breath muffled against my tongue, hands gripping me to tug me closer and acquiescing their grip at my soft murmur to let me take care of him.

The same hands that'd been curled against me, falling back, sprawled against the sheets, gaze dark as he tracks my every movement, fluttering with pleasure and teeth sinking into his swollen lips as he futilely, needlessly tries to bite back the rough groans that sends desire crackling over my skin.

And yet even as I utter the words, pose the question to him, lips brushing softly against skin, trailing down the v of his hipbone, mouth and tongue brushing against his length, fingers curling around him, his body is so readily responsive still, hardening under my ministrations, the throaty moan that ripples past his lips and the rasped confidence in his tone.

Lips curved with a faint glimmer of amused confidence as he appraises me, eyes darkening at the sight of me curved over him, hand skimming over his thighs to make a crook for myself to settle between. Kneeling between his invitingly crooked legs that sprawl wider with unspoken, blatant invite.

"Sure about that sweetheart?" a cocky tease in his tone, the corners of his mouth quirking up as he lifts his head to peer at me, dark eyes both simultaneously pleading and demanding for more, the tension in his arms visible in the curve and bulk of muscles and veins

And even propping himself up on his arms to appraise me, to watch with molten heat in his eyes distracts me, hand stilling around him, fingers reflexively curling at the sight of the tension visible in his arms. In the taut swell of muscles and veins over thick forearms and curved biceps.

My hand draws him into a fist, palm dragging up and down, coaxing the arousal to a stiffening peak, head dipping to taste him on my tongue, his taste heavy and heady, tongue flicking over the tip before I let my mouth sink around him.

Eyes peering at him through lowered lashes, his hips rocking up in shallow thrusts into my mouth, lips lax as I let myself sink deeper around him in lieu of answering immediately, hands skimming over his thighs, mapping the taut muscles under my touch, tongue dragging across. Swallowing heavily around him, breath feeling caught and suspended in my throat.

Relishing in the burn in my throat as I draw myself up, lips lax as I draw in deep gulps of breath, eyes still holding his.

"Sure you didn't take Mimi up on that offer for some help in going all night?"

His eyes flash, a glowering heat burning in the dark depths of his eyes as he stares at me.

Confronts me with the deep scowl that twists swollen lips as he looks down at me, fingers reaching to brush against my cheek, the gesture gentle before his hand roughly entangles into my hair, tugging to force my neck into an arch, drawing me up.

"I don't need drugs to keep me going." Words drawled out and lazy, dripping with self-assuredness but the half-hearted glare melts from his face when a bubble of laughter spills past my lips, the sound hoarse and rough to my ears but it tugs a reluctant grin to melt across his face.

"No? just me? I work just as well as a drug?" I tease, arching into the tight curl of his fingers at my words, his hand entangled in my hair, cradling the back of my head with a carefulness regardless of the rough gesture.

"Exactly baby."

----------------

The dark glint in Tae's eyes greet me as my head falls back, the weighted intensity of his stare captivating and rooting me where I lie, limbs splayed and pinned open, thighs stretched obscenely and kept that way, the marks darkening to mottled reds and purples lay a visible trail his mouth had taken inching upwards closer and closer to my core.

My back arches away from his chest, hands gripping at his thighs, breaths ragged as he continues to work his fingers in and out of me, steady thrusts and the slow drag of his thumb against my swollen nub.

His other hand drags across my side, lips brushing praise and kisses to skin, teeth and tongue leaving a scattering trail of marks where they can reach.

And as he leans closer I can feel his arousal pressed against my back, can feel the groans shudder against my back, his curls brushing against skin.

Words low and rough. Praise groaned into skin as I arch back against him, senses swimming, lost in the constant waves of pleasure and haze his body drags me further into. His touch knows how to make me fall apart, thighs trembling and body going taut, shuddering under the ministrations of slender fingers that continue to play me to his wishes.

Drawing me closer and closer to another peak.

And through it all, through the constant haze of it all, he holds me close, cradling me against him.

Steadying me through the ecstasy.

-----------------

With Tae time loses meaning.

But it also gains its worth.

Time that means nothing, melting away during rest and sleep lingers around us even as we wake.

Time has meaning because of the man I spend it with.

Time hangs still with every slow kiss pressed over the slope of my shoulder, suspends to capture the moment and root it in an infinity at the brush of his hand skimming from my waist to loosely sprawl over my front.

Time lingers in the way the low rumble of his words do even as his lips move to find their next destination, dragging slow and indulgently across skin, curls brushing against my nape and the press of his body against mine.

It fades and rushes away without us, the two of us entangled in bed, limbs intertwined, and bodies cradled by each other, a sleep warmth that coaxes us to remain sprawled in the sheets together, lazy in waking, lazy in the slow exploration of the paths our bodies took hours prior, fingers dragging across marks and skin, recommitting it all to memory once more.

But this time with time staining each touch, a memory of the time past, a memory of the time spent together unrushed quietly basking in each other's closeness and the time that will continue to function alongside us, when we'll finally draw ourselves up. No rush because all the time in the world is in our clasp. And we hold onto it just as I hold him to me, hand brushing through curls, drawing him closer to share the heat of his body with my own. Time will wait for us.

But if it doesn't... then it doesn't matter.

Because this moment hangs suspended over us. Capturing us in our own eternity.

"Good morning Mrs. Kim." Tae mumbles against my skin, lips brushing a kiss to my shoulder, drawing the sheets higher around us, attempting to cocoon both of us, his body pressing closer, the flutter of his lashes lazy against my skin, slow flutters and the deep rumble of his voice gives away how drowsy he still is.

Every day brings the same intimate familiarity, sinking back against the arms holding me, head turning to burrow against him more.

Every day is the same but the new title, the faint warmth that seeps into my bones, that melds to the two of us as I curl against him, tugs my lips up in a smile.

Lips brushing against his collar.

"Morning husband mine." Lips curving up at the smile I can feel pressed against my own skin, giddiness suffusing into skin to settle in the same way we do.

"Goodnight." He mumbles in response, eyes fluttering against skin, smile curving up loose and sluggish and hands cradling me closer with no intent to let go. To hold me as the two of us sink back to sleep again.

The faint press of his wedding band against skin, a reminder that despite nothing changing... everything's changed.

(AND SCENE! FOR PART 1 OF THE EPILOGUE!! THERE'S GOING TO BE A SECOND PART... AND MAYBE A THIRD BUT WHEW!! 25K WEDDING CHAPTER!! ENJOY~ @Midiiplier I HOPE I WON THE CHALLENGE!! GAHHHH! HAD TO REWRITE SOME CHUNKS TO MAKE IT ALL FLOW AND FIT AND GOT RID OF STUFF I WASN'T WILLING TO BUT SACRIFICES IN THE NAME OF VICTORRRRRRY! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED SEEING THE WEDDING, WRITING IT WAS EMOTIONAL COS!! I ADORE THIS STORY AND LOVED WRITING THIS SO IT FEELS LIKE THE FIRST STEP! TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE!)

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3