Flying. 16:13.

it looked insignificant and minuscule from so far up. the airplane window framed the spectacular view. brightness flooded through, an intrusion of luminosity inundating through the confinements of the curved shape. a semi-circle of magnificent light.

radiance.

perfect.

the colours dazzled her, elation reaching every corner, every particle, of her excitedly quivering body. roma grinned widely at the expanse of hues, smiling pleasantly to herself. the clouds looked almost touchable; within her reach. if only she could reach her arm out the window and feel the infinite mass between her fingers.

if only she could stay like this. floating and forgetting.

tiny dots of buildings could be seen from their vantage point. glimmering in the afternoon sunlight, as if the elemental forces were smiling. happy. she certainly was. the city was shimmering, covered with love and light. a reflection of her widely-beaming features.

they left monaco beneath and behind them. left the others behind, too. the drama and complicated aspects smothered in this new-found bliss.

maybe it was wrong of her, to be so attached to this. to feel nothing but pure joy. after everything that had happened--all of the events that had transpired--she'd mystified with this feeling that she felt at the bottom of her thudding heart.

telling her that everything was okay. going to be okay.

it's okay.

all of the admissions and confessions merged into one; merged into something that seemed real. it was this something that made her say yes, agree to running away with him, without even thinking properly, with a glimmer of promise and hope in her eyes. his mouth had worded nothing but sense and gravitational depth.

it was the way she was, she guessed. his smile could make anything better.

he'd apologised. told her she was beautiful. she'd blushed and accepted. maybe she was stupid.

love was perhaps too strong a word.

always.

roma was brought back to reality at the touch of baekhyun's warm hand. she smiled down at their conjoined limbs, as baekhyun's fingers interlocked with hers, sliding in and filling the gaps slowly. drew her attention away from the window and her incomprehensible thoughts.

she turned to him. no-one else mattered. the busy airplane seemed like nothing to her; all the people, everything--didn't matter at all.

smiled. like the beaming sun.

baekhyun grinned at her, once he caught her staring. roma blushed, but didn't turn away, eyes drawn to every perfect aspect of his face. his eyes were glimmering, just like the city, like beacons of bright light in her darkness. the curve of his nose was dimmed by the ever-so slight remains of bruising, his skin somewhat discoloured with deep purples and blurred indigos. it added a fearful but edgy look to his visage.

full lips pouted, as she reached up to remove the hair that had fallen across his creased forehead. baekhyun continued to grin, leaning down to try and kiss her. roma batted her eyelashes, turning her head down, giggling nervously to herself as she nuzzled into his shoulder. unaware of the world around her.

he looked so attractive. she couldn't understand it to herself, as she braved a look upwards. his grey t-shirt strained against his muscles, his strong arms evident despite the restraints of his clothes. so fucking gorgeous. baekhyun laughed at her as she continued to stare, as if in a trance.

stupid. definitely so, so stupid.

"what are you doing, love?" he asked, chuckling lowly, gently grabbing hold of her chin, making her face him directly.

roma felt her cheeks redden at the beautiful hold of his eyes. if she hadn't have been sitting down, her legs would have given way.

"nothing," she sounded out slowly, puckering her red lips. "just enjoying the view." her eye dropped in a clumsy but meaningful wink.

it was true.

she blushed again, nonetheless.

stupid, stupid, stupid.

baekhyun laughed at her, throwing his head back against the seat. he shook his head, still chuckling, in disbelief.

"so am i," baekhyun returned, winking down at her properly in response.

roma brought her hands up to her face, to hide her embarrassed expression. she giggled, too.

baekhyun ruffled her hair playfully, tousling the strands that had fallen heavily across her eyes.

she turned away, back to facing the framed window. baekhyun wound their hands together again, leaning closer to her shoulder. a few blissful moments passed. the streaming skyline aligned the effervescent glow of the universe; radiated with a deepened orange, setting sun of the afternoon.

it was weird. like heaven. roma swore she could stay like this forever and ever. sunshine and perfection; in this chronic state of peace and serenity. the beaming sky only elevated her sentiments.

roma heard the flight attendant announcing that the plane was soon to land. it seemed too soon and sudden, but roma relaxed.

the airplane parted the clouds, and roma was somewhat brought back to the reality that she was living, turning around to look into baekhyun's eyes.

i love you.

all she thought.

and she knew it was wrong. to feel so attached to him after everything that had occurred. the sincerity in his eyes, and the promise in his deep and meaningful words swayed her completely. erased her mind of any painful memories. allowed her to just breathe. live. enjoy the moment.

after all, that was all that she wanted.

he smiled just now, as she glanced his way for the millionth time. that familiar crooked grin played on his red lips.

roma breathed heavily.

he tucked a loose piece of hair behind her hair.

he won't say it back.

she smiled lovingly.

they landed. roma felt that same tingle of fear combined with excitement make its elongated way down her spine. she gulped down the lump in her throat.

baekhyun squeezed her hand one last time before undoing his belt and starting to grab their bags. roma shook her head, adjusting herself to their new destination, before collecting her hair at the nape of her neck and putting it up into a ponytail.

it was all a bit of daze. her legs felt wobbly and stiff from sitting down so long, and baekhyun had to help her up gently, smiling as she stumbled in her tired state.

"you okay?" he asked, warm breath fanning across her face, as she practically fell into him.

he grinned widely.

"y-yes," she giggled, holding onto his strong, muscular arm for longer than she needed you.

it was humid. the loud, jarring noise of the rumble of the jet engine blasted her eardrum as they climbed down the steps. the sun cast a bright yellow, illuminating glow across the sky. the runway was practically lit-up with the beam of the ever-lasting glow.

airplanes rushed.

the airport acted as a gateway into something new. something that made roma's heart beat, and the palm of her hands all clammy, and her chest heave up and down in an excited manner.

city scent of vibrance and streaming cars hit her. she breathed it all in.

baekhyun clutched her in his protective embrace.

roma went through the motions with an idiotic grin plastered across her face. she clasped her hand with his tightly; not wanting to let go.

the sun beamed.

blurs of light.

happiness.

//

Berlin. 19:34.

dimmed, sun-setting streets, their magnificence intensified by the number of people strutting past the window. everyone talking and walking with purpose and conviction. roma heard the sound of a tram in the distance. faded but ever-present scent of cigarette smoke and railway steam floated through the air;

roma took it all in with a deep and carefree breath.

baekhyun's hold never seemed to cease, his fingers lightly holding hers from across the table.

just like it all was before.

love, again, seemed like far too strong a word. and, of course, roma knew that she was naïve and stupid and all of these things, but she couldn't help but let the thought pass through her mind.

this inclination and adoration couldn't be explained any other way. the setting sun that cast a glorious shadow across the jutting edges of his beautiful face only made attempting to disregard her feelings harder.

he could leave. and he could, and roma supposed that she knew that. young and inexperienced like she was; she merely submerged those thoughts by pretending that the hazy atmosphere was a safe haven in which baekhyun's warm hand rested on top of hers, and in which she felt repletion and nothing but a calm devotion to her surroundings.

berlin was cool; edgy and interesting. more suburban, with a downtown city area that coloured the streets a metallic grey. everything seemed to be happening; the tall, metal and silver buildings towered above them. a place she'd never experienced before. beyond her imaginations.

beer tasted warm and welcoming at the back of her throat. lips formed a casual, pouted shape. she was full; baekhyun had ordered their food, surprising her with his knowledge of german.

baekhyun was looking around pensively, but mostly, every time she averted her attention from the sparkling sounds and fascinating people, she'd notice him staring at her. and she'd blush, turning her attention back to the window.

like nothing had happened. like nothing had changed: everything was all the same.

happy. happy just passing time in comfortable silence, because he was here. with her; looking at her like he cared again. dangerous.

"why are we here?" roma enquired, but with a soft and comfortable smirk lighting up her face.

baekhyun had just lit a cigarette, the flames encapsulating the ends of his lips, framing his mouth. smoke billowed out heavily, spiralling above his head.

roma watched on, waiting patiently for his response, her eyes drawn to the fluidity of his movements. a slight tremor and shake could be seen in the way he held the cigarette between his long fingers.

she wanted to hold his hands.

"i used to live here with my friend," baekhyun said, bringing it to his lips once more.

"oh, really," roma replied simply. she looked around briefly. "i like it here."

she was attempting to make conversation, because a slight hint of awkwardness was still evident in some of their movements and words. being alone again for the first time in what had felt like an eternity.

"i'm glad," he smiled back, the simple gesture lighting up his features. his actions were so casual and elegant, as he lifted up his drink, bringing it gently to his lips and taking a tentative sip.

"it's so cool," she sighed, looking around once more. appreciating the gold-studded view; the sun splashed dashes of shimmering colour onto the buildings, the bronzed reflections reverberating through the city streets.

"it's a very cool place. i wanted to come and visit my friend, and wanted to bring you with me," baekhyun mentioned, stubbing the end of his cigarette into the ashtray.

her insides warmed.

roma just beamed. baekhyun made her feel so comfortable and at ease. made her forget.

she forgot what a mess she looked: all tangled hair and blotched skin, eyes blurred and skin sunken, dark bags rimming the edges of the sapphire. and then there was baekhyun; practically shining in the sunlight, his full, pink lips parted and his eyes sparkling vibrantly.

"i thought we were just going for a little holiday," roma joked, giggling to herself as she watched baekhyun respond with a wide grin, bringing her head to rest heavily in her hands.

"that," he began, "and that i wanted to make it up to you."

he entwined their hands and arms slowly. roma took a deep breath; responded by gently stroking the ridge of his thumb.

he was staring intently at her. roma wanted to tear her eyes away, but couldn't. beautiful.

"i promise i will," baekhyun said again.

she grinned. love. took another fleeting glance at her view from the window. the city invited her.

she believed him.

//