Chapter 6

Marley POV

When I stretched and woke at 630am the next morning, I listened out but Sophia was still asleep. Reaching for my phone, I clicked on the texts, grinning as I read the three messages he'd sent while I was sleeping.

"My smile won't go from my face."

"I'm trying to sleep but it's hard when I want to see you."

"My eyes are tired but my brain keeps saying Marley."

It is unbelievable that he'd be thinking of me like that. I had done some more very detailed and enjoyable research online and his photos were exquisite. In all of the magazine shoots he'd done, he looked like a model. The weird thing was, in person, without all the make-up or dripping in jewellery and high fashion, he was just as gorgeous. I looked down at the t-shirt and leggings that I'd slept in, my hair felt like it was all over the place. I was not his equal and I was painfully aware of it. But he still messaged me like I was someone that mattered and I was blown away by him each time he said something that made my heart sing.

"Hopefully you got to sleep, you need energy for the stage for tonight. You occupy my mind too in a really good way."

I guessed that after messaging at 2am, he should still be asleep this early so I quickly went to shower before Sophia woke up. As I washed, he was all I could think about and the concert was on my mind. I'd get to see him as V and I was looking forward to a live version of what I'd seen when scrolling youTube. I was also glad to have all day to decide what to wear, my nerves a little high. I felt like there had to be some kind of turning point so I'd know what to make of all of our interactions. Because I was confused and unsure whether to be excited for 'us' or not. 'Us' didn't make any sense so I couldn't wrap my head around it. I concentrated on getting myself looking my best, it was important to me to make a good impression in front of his friends.

Mr Muscles knocked on my door again at 9am and I opened it to a bow and a smile. "Miss Marley, these are for you."

"Thank you, I appreciate you bringing these to me."

He nodded and bowed again, starting to walk away and then he turned back. "Kim Taehyung smiles a lot these days," he said and raised his eyebrows at me with another smile and turned back to the car.

My hand went to my chest, the envelope tucked against my body at his words. Was he saying I was the reason? It had only been a few days, it couldn't be that I was changing his world like he had already begun to change mine? But if I was even part of the reason to put a smile on his face, I was glad. He worked so hard, they all did from what I'd seen online, I wanted him to be happy.

Shutting the door and opening the envelope, I pulled out 2 tickets and a note attached to the top. "I'm glad you can see me on stage today. I want to show you all of me. I'll look for you both while we perform and please come see me after. Love Tae."

Now more than ever, I was looking forward to the concert. I really wasn't sure what to expect but if it meant I got to see Taehyung again, even from a distance, it was going to be a very good day.

The sound of thousands of chattering fans surrounded us on all sides but V hadn't disappointed with the passes. We were right on the side at the front of the ground floor, barriers and then the stage in front of us with only 10 minutes until the concert was meant to start and my stomach was in knots. Sophia was blissfully unaware of what was going on but she loved music and was full or energy, having thankfully had a long nap that afternoon in preparation for the late night.

There were videos playing before the concert, songs to sing along to and then a video display started and the cheers were off the charts. I guessed by the way the lights changed that it was the precursor to the concert actually starting, grabbing Sophia's hand and swinging it in excitement. My heart started beating faster and I looked around at the crowd, the people all around me jumping up and down and shrieking. Definitely a good move to bring ear muffs for Sophia to wear and then my focus was back on the stage as the set began to slide apart and the volume escalated again.

As they appeared into the lights, my mouth dropped open. All seven of them looked amazing and as each appeared on the big screen, I was captivated but I really only had eyes for one of them. When Taehyung lit up the screen, I cheered along with the crowd, staring at the simply beautiful man who took my breath away. In his element, he strode across the stage and into formation for the first song, his energy high and his pelvis on fire as he danced. I was definitely enjoying watching it all.

Gazing up at the stage, I was mesmerised. Sure, I'd done a looooooott of googling in the last few days and had seen clips of their concerts on YouTube but this was something so much more than that and so incredibly, indescribably fabulous to be there in person for! Sophia was having the best time, her little ears covered with the headphones but alternating between dancing in front of me and jiggling around in my arms when she wanted to be picked up. Every time one of the band walked our way, she'd wave her little hand enthusiastically at them but in a crowd, it was easy to go unseen. Until V headed our way for the first time. Because in that moment he was V and not Tae, dancing and strutting his way over, looking like the performer he was.

I could tell he was looking for us but also trying not to be obvious. The first time he walked past and noted where we were with a nod, smile and eyebrow lift in our direction and then the second time he made sure to stay around our area, his eyes flicking over our part of the crowd constantly, trying not to rest on us for too long before he had to move away to a different part of the stage. I missed him the moment he was gone, how could that be? But I rolled with the feelings and enjoyed every moment, thinking it couldn't get any better. Until when the camera found Sophia and she filled the screen.

To be fair, she was being super adorable at that time, jumping up and down and doing some kind of mini concert that only she was dancing along to and that's when the camera stayed on her. Jimin noticed as he went past and glanced at the screen, smiling and turning to try and find which camera was shooting at the time, pointing it out to RM as he walked past. Other members noticed them all looking at the screen while free-styling and broke out in smiles and Vs eyes lit up, his head pivoting to where we were standing. Pretending it was by chance, he danced over our way and engaged Sophia from stage in a little jive which the crowd went wild for as she copied and waved enthusiastically, recognising him. Our eyes locked briefly and his smile was the widest I had seen yet. Then on his way back over he seemed to say a few things to other members in passing which lead to some broad smiles and pushing and they made the effort to come over and do a little moment in front of where we were, enjoying Sophia and, if I wasn't overthinking, checking me out with the way their eyes drifted towards me.

Not long after that, staff came over to me and I leaned in to hear as they asked "would the little girl like to go on stage for a few minutes? The band asked as they wanted to dance with her, she is so adorable." Turning to Sophia, I asked "Do you want to dance up there with the people who are singing Sophia? Tae is dancing too." She jumped up and down, nodding excitedly. No fear from this girl something I'd always loved about her personality. I nodded and he beckoned for us to follow, clearing a way for us to walk past the other ARMY nearby. Taking us to some steps backstage, we walked up into the wings and I saw the action from another angle, blown away. For one, there were people everywhere, rushing around with headsets on and for another, the band was right in front of me as I watched them from the back.

V was on the other side of the stage but I could see Jungkook jogging over to us. He quickly exited the stage and crouched down in front of Sophia, bowing to me briefly as he did. "We dance?' he asked her and she giggled a yes in reply, easily taking his hand and skipping onto the stage. I could see them as they headed back towards the others and I could hear when it was captured on camera as a collective 'awwww' seemed to emanate from the crowd.

Pointing to a screen, one of the staff showed me where to watch without having to crane my neck to see what was happening. Her little headphones popped on her head, Sophia was surrounded by Jimin, Jungkook and J-Hope as they did a few moves and tried to see if she would copy. Being a three year old, she didn't but instead galloped around in circles before swaying a little and galloping again. Jungkook kept hold of her hand so she wouldn't go near the edge, imitating her as he did, his face lit up with huge smiles and she seemed happy enough to be in front of thousands of people, completely at ease with the fact that everyone she came in contact with loved her.

Then she looked sideways and tried to shake off his hand as she noticed V jogging towards the group. Breaking away, she ran the last 10 metres, hurling herself at him and he caught her up, his smile huge, much to delighted shrieks from the crowd. Leaning in against him, she tucked her thumb in her mouth and looked like she was always meant to be there. I knew how she felt, I wanted to tuck myself into his chest too and the realisation hit me hard. He leaned his head on hers in response, eyes closed for a minute as they did a small, quiet sway together, the image captured in full on the huge screen. Jimin had caught up to them and placed his hand on her head, stroking her hair and breaking the moment. V was a professional and continued with his performance, seeming to just modify the moves slightly to accommodate holding her.

After a few minutes, he carefully set her down where she looked around at the crowd and her eyes seemed to get big all of a sudden at all the people, quickly grabbed his leg and holding on. Charmed, he smoothed down her hair and crouched to her height looking her in the eye as he said something to her. She started to shake her head at him and I gulped in panic. This looked like the start of a tantrum. In front of the world. Gritting my teeth to see what would happen, V swooped her up again and flew her through the air like an aeroplane, whispering to her to and she immediately started waving to the crowd as he flew her across the stage towards me. As they arrived, I smiled hugely at his flushed cheeks and the sweat causing his hair to curl slightly in waves. They were giving it all in this concert. He dropped her in front of me with a grin, giving her a high 5 before turning and flashing a smile and a wink just for me and running back to the stage.

I was charmed and Sophia was jumping around, saying "TaeTae made me a fly." The evening was going better than I'd thought it could but I looked around, unsure what to do next. Was I meant to go back to my place, the lights had dimmed and I didn't want to trip on stairs. The staff member who had shown me the screen came over. "Would you like to watch the rest of the concert from here or go back to your place in the concert?" she asked and I looked at the backstage area. Sophia would likely begin to tire before the night ended and I could tuck myself against a wall here to rest if that happened.

"I'll stay here please," and she guided us over to a good view of the stage and the screen, finding a chair. I set Sophia down on the chair and held on as she stood, continuing to dance to the music.

As that part of the set finished, the band started to race off stage to get ready for the next. On our side J-Hope, Jin, Jimin and Suga all went past, puffing and beginning to take off some layers but each took a moment to bow to me before giving Sophia a high 5, thumbs up or a pat on the head. She was loving the attention and I was enjoying seeing the members up close. It didn't escape my notice that they each gave me a longer than necessary look with a smile when they bowed, what had Tae said about us or was I reading too much into it?

The rest of the concert flew by, the energy levels of the members off the charts and my head buzzing with the noise, the view, the emotions that were swirling. Tae tended to need to exit the other side of stage when they came off to change clothes but the one time he did come past, he stopped and a makeup person began to dab at the sweat gathered on his neck and face while he paused. He was wiping at it too and looking a little shy or maybe embarrassed but to me, it was incredibly attractive and I itched to get closer. He kept his distance and I knew he was in a hurry so we settled for a quick hand squeeze where he briefly linked fingers with me as he bowed and continued racing to the dressing rooms.

Sophia sat on my knee about 2/3 of the way through and was fast asleep as they began to do their end farewells. I listened, captivated to each of their English thank you messages, the humble good wishes and love for ARMY coming through each word even when they stumbled over the pronunciation of the words. I know I had been in my own bubble the last year but how had I missed this band in the years before that? Each member connected to the others and their fans in a way that my heart was loving. Whatever happened with Tae, I was ARMY for life.

As the concert finished, the members all went off stage the opposite side to me and I felt a little lost, the buzz out the back more relaxed but still a little chaotic. Tae had asked to see me after but I wasn't sure where to go. I was wondering if I should be brave and ask someone where to go to find him when a staff member came up and bowed to me. "Kim Taehyung has asked that I show you back stage to where he is. He is waiting for you."

My heart started racing again slightly as I thanked him and stood up, juggling Sophia and my bag. The staff took my bag from me with a smile and I followed them through a few corridors and into a large room full of people all packing up for the day. My eyes found Tae immediately and I walked towards him, thinking that somehow, my life felt like it had already begun to change and he was the centre of it all.