Chapter 53

KTH POV

The next day on Instagram were posts about our trip to the ice museum, the man having given the note to his daughter.

"Best day of my life! Dad works at the Seoul Ice Muesum and Kim Taehhyung came in tonight! This is the note he left, signed and thanking me for being ARMY. Dad told him I was ARMY and that he was my bias, I can't believe it happened!"

There were comments saying how lucky she was under and a few questions including was he alone. I held my breath as I read what she said.

"Dad said he was there without any other members but he was with security and they weren't allowed to take photos. But I don't care about a photo, I have this that I can keep for the rest of my life anyway!"

I let my breath out, relieved that K-ARMY knew how to keep their word. Not that the father was necessarily ARMY but he had kept his word not to mention Marley and Sophia were there too, at least, that's what it appeared on social media which was what was important. I showed Marley to put her mind at ease. It was early in the morning and Sophia wasn't awake yet, we were curled around each other, comfortably scrolling through the internet. She knew that Yoongi had a thing for cats so kept showing me memes and tiktoks of cats and kittens, asking if she should send them to him. I thought it was cute and told her so as her eyelashes tickled my cheeks. I was in love with the little things about her, long eyelashes and trying to connect with my friends added to my ever growing list.

The night before, I'd stared at the picture of the three of us for a long time as she lay resting against me in the car. I knew it screamed family, it couldn't be posted anywhere online without drawing huge attention but I was happy to relegate it to my private collection. But it's what I wanted more than anything. If I closed my eyes and pictured my life five years from now, I was still in BTS but we didn't travel as much and I was married to Marley, two more siblings having joined Sophia. More siblings if I pictured 10 years from now. I hadn't shared that with Marley although she knew I wanted children. I was sure she had plans of her own and eventually, our plans would align. When the time was right. Leaning over to kiss her forehead, I'd felt her snuggle in, her head lolling against me and felt incredibly content.

Now, as I browsed this morning, I turned my body to the side so Marley couldn't see my phone, having noticed a link that took my breath for a moment. Clicking, I scrolled, knowing I would need to head into the company early and that I'd likely have some phone calls shortly.

"Sasaeng have come under fire for threatening the life of Kim Taehyung from Kpop band, BTS. Comments under a recent photo of Taehyung posted on Weverse have led a lot of ARMY to report the remarks and set up a petition for extra security surrounding him in the upcoming promotions. The comments include derogatory words about his talent, looks and lifestyle as well as death threats. This is not the first time a member of BTS has been targeted in this way but it is always a concern for the members of a group and their fanbase. HYBE could not be reached for comment at this time."

"That's a cute picture of you, what's the article about," Marley broke into my thoughts and I threw my phone down in a moment of panic. She looked surprised, glancing from the phone to me and back to the phone. "Are you OK?"

"Yes, yes, of course," I said, attempting to distract her with my mouth on hers. That usually worked and did for a few minutes. I could feel a little heat between us but I wasn't fully into it and she wasn't responding like she normally would.

"Tae, oppa," she said, pulling back, "I'm not silly, that wasn't a normal reaction to looking at your phone. Has something else come out about us?"

I sighed. This was the part of my life I really wanted to keep from her, not wanting her to worry. But it would come out more over the course of the day and it was better coming from me. "OK, try not to get worried." Straight away her eyes went wide but she nodded and sat up, facing me crossed legged on the bed. "It happens from time to time and we're always safe, the company takes care of us but, some people have said they'd hurt me." I heard her intake of breath and grabbed for her hand, squeezing it tight as I quickly continued to speak. "It's OK, we're always OK. There was a really horrible time when they were saying things about Jimin. We were all very worried but we learned a lot and when it happened again, no doubt it will in the future too, we had good things in place to keep us safe. That's why security is always so high, they really would jump in front of a bullet for us. Not that they'll need to of course," I finished in a rush when I saw her eyes widen and eyebrows shoot up. There was silence and I rubbed her hands with mine, staring into her eyes which were blinking several times. "Say something aein."

"OK. If you say it will be OK."

"It will, I'll always be with people. But it will mean I need extra security, just until it blows over. I don't feel unsafe but I do know that my family will see it and worry, and my friends so today will be busy. As well as practising I will have lots of phone calls to make."

"You don't need to apologise for that Tae. I can't imagine. And I'm honestly not OK about it, I don't say that to worry you more. I'm just telling you the truth. It doesn't make sense that fans would say things like that."

"Sasaeng aren't fans, not really." I sighed. "They are people who get crazy ideas in their heads about who or what we are as people and then live out those ideas. I don't take what they say seriously but it can be a bother. And I do worry for those around me. That's why I'll protect you with as much security as we need and however is the best to keep you safe. If it means us travelling separately to get the same place, I'll do that to keep both you and Sophia away from all of this."

I pulled her into my arms and she fell against where I lay, warmth reminding me we had each other.

"You're not saying anything jagi," I said quietly.

"I'm trying not to panic," she replied, causing me to pull away enough to see her face.

"Please don't worry nae sarang," I said, seeing her eyes fill with tears. "And please don't cry!"

"I can't help but worry Tae. I'm leaving soon and you'll be here dealing with this on your own. I don't want to go now."

"You never wanted to go," I answered, gently kissing her.

"That's mostly true. I'm missing my family but I never want to leave you. And especially now."

"What could you do if you were here though love? You can't jump in front of a person for me."

"I could and I would," she said stubbornly, blinking the tears away, a fiery look in her eyes.

"Can't is the wrong word. You don't need to jump in front of someone for me, that's what security is for."

"I know they're very good at their job but now I'm stressed."

"Shall I help you unstress," I asked, running my hand down her side and seeing the instant reaction flit across her face.

"De-stress?"

"Do you feel like correcting my English right now or...," I asked, pressing my mouth to just under her ear, feeling the quickening of her pulse under my lips.

"Definitely correcting your English," she answered, closing her eyes and tilting her head back a little as my lips grazed down her throat, my own body reacting at the small sigh coming out between her teeth.

"OK then," I answered, pulling away with a smirk and she flicked her eyes quickly open, meeting mine and rolling them when she saw I was grinning at her.

"Oppa, are you going to finish what you started," she asked as she lay back, blinking up at me. Running her fingers up my arm, where I was balanced while I looking down at her, her leg fell out of the blankets, exposing most of her thigh. I couldn't help but smile, lowering myself slowly towards her, falling in love a little more.

Afterwards, as she lay in my arms, before Sophia stirred, she spoke. "I know that was to distract me. I'll still worry, that won't stop."

"I know and that would be the same if you were here or there so just know I'll follow everything needed to keep safe."

She mumbled into my chest. "I love you, please be OK."

"I will jagiya, I'll come home to you soon, please don't worry."

"You'll come home to me? That sounds perfect," she replied, stretching as Sophia opened the bedroom door.

And even though I now had more social media things to balance today, extra security to think about and my girls leaving soon, I couldn't help but smile when Sophia bounced up on the bed, throwing her arms around my neck and saying "Hello TaeTae." Because it, strangely, already felt like it was a good start to the day.

Marley POV

The goodbye was in his apartment, no chance for an airport drop off given the tightened security following his death threats and our leaked photos. Next time we'd see each other was when he flew to New Zealand so we could travel together and that was a few months away. I was hoping Christmas and the lead up to that would make the time go fast and I was looking forward to seeing my family again but this departure felt the hardest, crying into the pillow after he'd gone to sleep the night before, not wanting to make it harder for him. He already felt bad that we hadn't been able to go see a lot of the things he wanted to show me but I'd reassured him I'd be back and there would be time in the future when we didn't have the same kind of restrictions.

He leaned against the wall, holding my hand and rubbing it as we stared at each other, Sophia playing with Yeontan at our feet. The car was only minutes away, a company car and security travelling with me to the airport at Tae's insistence. He'd wanted to hire security back home for me too but I knew that wasn't necessary. Maybe, in the future, there would be need for something like that but for now I wanted to enjoy my freedom.

"I'll call as often as I can nae sarang," he said softly and I nodded, smiling because I knew that was true.

"Part of me is excited to get home," I answered. "Of course, the part that will miss you is sobbing uncontrollably inside right now but I'm kind of excited to go looking for a campervan. That means the next part of our adventure can start kind of soon."

"You know you have the final decision on any of that. I've told you what I'd ideally like to travel in and you choose something that works for the three of us Marley. I'm going to be dreaming of that when I'm away from you."

Reaching down, I touched his ring and my matching one, rubbing mine a little. "I touch this every time I think of you. Don't be surprised if there is a spot worn away next time you see me."

He laughed. "I do the same so maybe they'll match again in a few months."

"It will go fast," I said out loud, trying to convince myself.

"It won't but we'll be OK," he answered, being more realistic than me.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"Not in the last 10 minutes," he said, a small smile for me before lowering his lips to mine again. There was a sadness in the kiss that I didn't want to dwell on. I knew if I thought too much it would make me cry and I couldn't let that happen until I was in the car.

"Mama? TaeTae and Tannie come on the plane?"

"Not this time baby girl," I answered, watching as she sat down on the ground and folded her arms.

"I not go."

"We have to go Sophia, the car is almost here."

She threw herself backwards and burst into tears, Yeontan jumping back at the sudden noise, going to hide on the couch. Tae sat down next to her and reached to pick her up but she promptly rolled to hide her face from him, pressing her hands against her eyes to block him out. He looked at me over her tiny form as I crouched next to them both, sighing as I took in the scene before me. I knew this whole thing was harder on her than she was showing but this was very out of character for her and I actually wanted to throw myself on the ground next to her and join in with her tears.

"Sophia Bug, I will miss them too and we will see TaeTae soon, I promise." She snuffled and kept her face buried. "Did you know he's going to come stay at our house, just like we stayed at his? And we can take him to the park, go to the beach, won't that be fun?"

Her snuffling was subsiding a little and Tae gingerly reached his hand out to rub her back. "You know BugBug," he started, "we're going to get a special van that we can sleep in and go lots of places together. And, I can bring you some treats when I come to stay."

Her head popped up, eyes wet and angry looking. "I not like treats."

"Not even the sweet cakes that Eomma and Papa made for you?"

She paused and stared at Tae, sizing him up. "No TaeTae, I not like treats."

"OK then," he said, "I won't bring any of those. Or the crackers you like. Or the candy Kookie gave you."

She was looking a little worried now, her defiant tearful look replaced by concern. "I like dat candy."

"You want me to bring the candy from Kookie when I come? OK, I can do that."

She sat up and kicked her legs a few times, testing to see how angry her body still was. "Can I have a hug BugBug," Tae asked and she shook her head.

"OK, can Yeontan have a hug," he asked next, picking Tannie up and bringing him over to her. She stood up and pet him a few times, careful not to ruffle his fur too much, just like Tae had shown her. Then she looked up at him and held her arms out to be picked up which he did, swooping her into his embrace. "Love you TaeTae," she said, muffled into his hug as he held her close.

"I know you do and I'll miss you until I see you again."

"With Kookie's candy," she asked and he laughed.

"Yes, with Kookie's candy," he answered as his phone beeped and I knew it would be the car saying it had arrived. "I'd almost be sulky if I didn't know how good that candy tasted."

I knew he was making a joke to avoiding saying a proper goodbye but I wouldn't let him. "I know it's time to go."

"Yeah," he said quietly, not putting Sophia down but reaching for me to join them.

"I'll text when we're at the airport."

"And when you're on the plane?"

"Yes, and when we land, back at home," I chocked out the last three words, swallowing to keep my emotions in check.

"I'll count down the days. And watch out in interviews, I'll find a way to say hello."

I knew he would, Tae was someone who stuck to his word, another thing I loved about him. So I leaned into his embrace as he held us both close, Yeontan squirming between us all and yelping to be put down. As Tae dropped him carefully to the floor, Sophia next to him, he held me tightly, not quite ready to let me go yet.

"Can I just keep you here forever," he whispered into my ear, sending my heart dipping with the sadness in his tone.

"As much as I'd love to say yes, we both know it's not quite the right timing oppa."

"I know but I can dream about it being soon, can't I?"

"We both can," I answered softly. "And when it is the right time, we'll both know."

His kiss was the reply I got, sealing our final moments together, seared into my lips. And as the car pulled away, towards the airport, towards home, my heart ached but I kept it together for Sophia's sake, focusing instead on one hour at a time until he was with us again.