Chapter 21 - With you again

Marley POV

When I arrived at the airport the next day to check in, I was told of the business class seat he'd booked for me. Considering I'd been thinking it would be a normal flight I was very happy when I sat down and saw how comfortable the seat was, sending him a message straight away to thank him.

TaeTae

I wanted to fly you first class but they didn't offer it on that flight. Hopefully it will be OK though

Marley

I've only ever travelled economy so this is a massive upgrade, thank you Tae xx

TaeTae

It's selfish, I want you to arrive as happy as possible. If you sleep on the plane, we'll have more time together

Marley

Closing my eyes now xx

Getting off the plane in Sydney, I felt the nerves kick up a notch at the thought we were only hours away from seeing each other again, from being able to wrap up in his arms. I knew he wasn't going to be able to pick me up from the airport, instead organising for staff to meet me at the baggage claim area and drive me back to the hotel. It was a nice surprise to see Choi Ji-ho waiting for me, a familiar face and smile making me feel a little calmer. "Welcome Miss Marley, Taehyungie will be very, very happy you've landed."

"It's great to see you again. Just Marley is fine and thank you for picking me up."

Grabbing my bag for me, he indicated to follow through the nearest doors as a black SUV pulled up to collect us. Climbing in the back, Ji-ho getting into the front with the driver and I realised that I would be doing the trip alone. I wondered how often Tae sat in a car, alone with his thoughts, staff giving him space. That sounded both peaceful and lonely, watching the world go by from a restrictive bubble.

I was already checked in so they walked me to my room once we'd pulled up to the front. Bowing and leaving me to settle, I sent a quick message off to Tae to let him know I was at the hotel.

TaeTae

We're in makeup, getting ready for an interview but it's here in the hotel so once that's done, I'll come straight to you. Maybe in an hour?

Marley

I can't wait to see you again xx

TaeTae

I am willing the time to fly xx

I decided it was best to have a shower and change out of what I was wearing. When I'd known I wouldn't be seeing him straight away, I'd opted for comfortable travelling clothes. It wasn't a super long flight but planes are always unpleasant. It turned out that flying business class wasn't a bad way to fly at all, but I still wanted to put on fresh clothes to see him. Once I'd finished dressing and checked myself over multiple times, I paced around a bit, looking at all the parts of the room. It was a suite, bedroom separate with a lounge opening onto a great view. I opened cupboards, eyed up the very inviting oversized spa bath, sat down, stood up, paced again. This waiting was making me nervous.

Picking up my phone, I decided to Face-time with mum and Sophia before she went to bed. It was a good sign that when the call connected, I could hear happy laughter in the background. "Hey mum, just calling to check in and see how everything is going?"

"You arrived safely then? And a nice room where you're staying?"

"Yes, easy flight and I had a car waiting for me. The suite is great," I answered, spinning the phone around to show her. "It's quite spacious."

"And have you seen your gentleman friend yet?"

I laughed. "No, he's working right now but I'll see him soon I think," looking at my cellphone to check the time. He'd given me a rough idea of what the plans were that day but after conversations we'd had, I knew things usually didn't go to schedule as much as they tried to.

Sophia jumped onto mums lap and proceeded to tell me all about the baking she had been doing with mum. "I make cookies," she said. "Not like Uncle Kookie," she giggled and I laughed along as mum looked confused.

"That's one of his colleagues;" I explained. "He's sweet and funny and Sophia thought he was very entertaining."

"So she's met his friends and likes them. You like them. You like him. Where is this going?" she asked.

"I wish I knew mum, it's definitely complicated but these few days should at least make things a little clearer in my head. At least, that's my plan."

There was a knock at the door and I looked up from my phone with a start, butterflies began to dive around inside my stomach. "Hang on, I just need to go answer the door."

Walking over, I peered through the keyhole and saw Taehyung standing in the hallway, bag in hand, rocking on his heels and running his hand through his hair. He seemed fidgety and I looked down at my hands which were also feeling tingly and paused, taking a deep breath and then another as I pressed a hand to my stomach in a futile effort to calm myself. Swinging the door open, our eyes met and his hand stopped running through his hair, falling to his side instead. I bit my lip with a smile and his face broke out in a huge, answering one.

"You're here," he said, the beautiful accent falling from his mouth.

I nodded, a little stunned by his appearance. I knew he'd come straight from an interview held in the hotel, he was dressed in very expensive clothes, some make up on and looking flawless. I looked down at what I was wearing and was grateful I had at least had the time to change out of my travelling clothes. He went to speak again but I put my finger to my lips and pointed inside. He looked confused so I stepped closer to whisper in his ear.

"I'm on a video call with Sophia and Mum," and he nodded going to follow me quietly into the room as I took his hand but I stopped in my tracks just inside the door and spun on my heel to face him. He stopped abruptly in surprise at my change of direction and I seized the opportunity to grab his shirt and pull him to me, finally kissing him hello. His eyes grew big, eyebrow arching up. And then his arms reached to gently pull me against him, his lips a smile against mine and the way he kissed me back made me think he had missed me as much as I had been missing him.

When we broke apart, he pulled my hand up to his mouth, quietly kissing it before tucking it into his side. "See, I was only borrowing the kiss," he whispered and I was reminded how charming he was as my insides spun and combusted. He was grinning at me and I lead him into the room, the door swinging closed behind us. I leaned in to whisper to him. "I don't think Sophia seeing you today is a good idea. She'll want to come play with you if she does." He nodded and waited off to the side, perched on a chair as I went back to the video call. Sophia was climbing down off mums lap, bored by the wait and I spoke to her. "Are you going to go play Sophia?"

"I watch Cocomelon Nan?" she asked and mum nodded, helping her down. "Love you bug," I called as she walked out of shot.

"She's doing very well with you being away Marley, we'll get along fine the next few days. You use this time to have lots of fun and work out if this guy is worthy of you."

I tried to cut her off as she spoke but didn't quite manage, glancing sideways to see that Taehyung had heard and was watching my reaction.

"Ah, thanks Mum, I'm sure it will be eye opening."

"Be safe, do you have protection?"

Mum!" I exclaimed, face flushing and not making eye contact with Tae at all. "You do remember I'm an adult don't you?"

"I know love but I will always want you to be safe."

"Yes, I know, thank you, Got it. I'll go now. Give her a kiss for me please?"

"OK sweetheart, call me tomorrow."

"Will do, love you mum," and the call disconnected. I breathed as I schooled my face into a calm mask and turned towards him. He was smiling down at his phone.

"Your mum loves you a lot. You have a wonderful family, I'm glad you're close, I'm very close to my family too. My papa is someone I look up to."

"Family is the most important to me. You remember I have a sister?"

"Ah yes, she gave you that interesting book," he smirked.

"Hmmm, yes that one, she is a character but she's also one of my best friends."

"What did she think about you coming here to see me?"

"She was supportive. In fact, she helped me shop for new clothes since I haven't really had the motivation to do it the last year."

"She sounds like a good sister."

"The best."

We stared at each other, his teeth resting on his bottom lip as we shyly smiled, momentarily lost in being together again.

"I'm very happy you're here. I've been counting down the time," he said, touching my hand. As always, there was a zing when he did.

"It's like a dream to come see you. The room is amazing too, thank you." I jumped off the couch, remembering I had something to give him. "They gave me two room keys at the front desk so this one is yours to use. Anytime," I finished, feeling shy.

Reaching to take it from me, his face lit up with a smile. "I'll be using it. Anytime," he finished, wiggling his eyebrows and then looking away. "Shall we order room service for dinner? I'm feeling very hungry," he continued, standing up to strip his jacket off and slinging it over the chair.

I leaned back on the arm of the couch, the smile not leaving my face as I took in his silk shirt tucked into his pants, the scrunched down shoes comfortable for feet that didn't want to wear them, his loosened tie. Then I shook myself out of a daze as I looked up and saw his lips pulled together in a contained smile. "Oh, yes, food, sure," I answered as we both tucked up close on the couch to browse the menu together.

During dinner I caught him looking at me quite a few times and he caught me doing the same, looking shyly away when we did. I think we were both soaking in the fact we were back in the same place. The crazy thing was it was only just over a week since we'd been together and it felt like months. We'd eaten slowly, constantly distracted by conversation and each other.

"So, what are we going to do while we're here?" I asked, the empty dishes pushed to the side, my legs hooked in with his on the couch.

"I don't mind as long as we're doing it together," he said as he massaged my hands in his, warmth radiating up my arms.

"Does that mean quality time is your top love language, have you done that test?"

"I have and it's not, that comes second. My top one is physical touch," he said with a smile and cute shrug, looking down to where his hands worked on mine.

"Makes a lot of sense," I replied.

"What are yours?"

"Quality time first, physical touch second so very similar to you. Interesting." Inside I was thinking how compatible that made us, each wanting to spend a lot of time together and be close while doing it. It gave me a good insight into what would help me connect with him too. Apparently he would want a lot of physical connection, that was already clear because once we'd started holding hands, we hadn't really stopped. But I know there could be more and in the back of my mind I constantly wondered when I'd be ready to take things further and if I was making him wait for too long. I didn't want to rush it though, it was important that it happened the right way and naturally, if it was meant to last.

Looking at my phone, I realised it was getting late. "I didn't realise the time! Talking to you, it just goes quickly."

"Yes, we should put pyjamas on," he said as we walked into the bedroom.

"I don't usually wear pyjamas to bed," I answered following after him and he turned to raise his eyebrows at me, pursing his lips tightly together in a suppressed smirk.

I clicked straight away on what I'd said and smacked him on the arm. "I mean I wear trip t-shirts to bed normally, ones from places I've travelled, you've seen that." I deliberately omitted the part where it was usually just a t-shirt and panties though when no-one was around as everything seemed to provoke a reaction in the both of us and I couldn't handle it at that moment.

"So you brought some travel t-shirts to sleep in here," he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Ah... not exactly," I stammered out, thinking of the lingerie that was tucked away in my suitcase, maybe never to surface. Or maybe it would if he kept looking at me with those eyes. I swallowed.

"Oh, interesting," he replied, noting the flush to my cheeks. "Looking forward to seeing those sleeping clothes then I think."

I straightened myself up primly and looked him dead in the eyes. "At some stage, if you're lucky," I retorted and turned away before I could get lost in his eyes again but he had other ideas, grabbing me and throwing me onto the bed, tickling me and I succumbed to his touches, giggling into the mattress.

Surfacing for breath a few moments later, he smiled as he tucked a stray piece of hair out of my eyes and behind my ears, grazing his fingers along my cheek as he did. He leaned in for a kiss then caught his lip in his teeth and went to say something before stopping himself and rolling off the bed as he reached for my hand.

"Shall we get ready for bed then?"

"Oh, you're staying here?"

"Unless you don't want me to?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

"I'm very much looking forward to cuddling up to you tonight," I replied, pecking his lips softly as I pulled a t-shirt and leggings from my suitcase. The lingerie was tucked under everything and I brushed against it briefly with my hand, feeling the softness as I rifled through, looking for what to wear. I paused and shook my head, not tonight but it definitely was a possibility, one that my mind was slowly exploring as more of my walls came down.

We talked well into the night, curled up with each other. I explained how Sophia had told the preschool teachers that TaeTae slept in bed with Mummy and they'd said they were glad I was dating again, thankfully not realising who he was. He told me that he was getting scolded a bit by the hyung for zoning out so often, but they were mostly joking because they were happy that Tae was happy. They called him their happiness pill and everyone noticed when he wasn't himself.

It felt like we had fallen straight back into being comfortable with each other as we'd talked but also that there was an element of restraint as we reacquainted ourselves, settling for holding each others hand, laying close together and kisses that were irresistible but not too intense. He'd had a concert the night before and had a practice and a concert tomorrow so we were aiming to not have a late night, reaching over to turn the bedside lamp off when I saw it was already past 1am.

"I don't want your hyung to be more annoyed at us if you don't get enough sleep. And we have a few more days, we should say goodnight Tae."

His arms wrapped around me pulling me close. As my head settled against his chest, I leaned up, pressing my lips briefly to his throat. I felt the thrum of vibrations as he murmured "Goodnight jagi," his skin taut against my mouth as I relaxed into his embrace, feeling safe. I was already feeling like I'd come home as I closed my eyes and gave in to the jetlag.

KTH POV

Jimin had teased me all day as I continually checked the time. Staff had been glad when we sat in photo order for the interview. On the edge meant I was often off screen as they focused on Namjoon answering from where he sat in the middle because truthfully, my heart wasn't in it so my face was blank for most of it. When the interview was over, I hadn't waited around to remove my makeup like the other members, I was out of there leaving behind smirks and voices teasing as they called after me while I bolted.

I swung by my room and grabbed the small bag I'd packed earlier in the day. Once I got to her room, I wasn't planning on leaving it unless I had work so I was prepared hours before I needed to be. When I knocked on her door a few minutes later, I didn't realise how jittery I felt, unable to stay still while I waited for what felt like forever in the hallway. But when the door swung open and I saw that Marley was actually here, in front of me, my whole body relaxed, instantly calm. And when she launched herself at me, pressing her mouth to mine, I couldn't help but smile as her eagerness to connect matched my feelings, being reminded again by the way her full lips slid across my mouth, a gift to all my senses.

She took my hand as walked into the room and something felt different as our fingers linked. I realised her rings weren't there. Glancing at both her hands I saw she had moved them but didn't say anything. My mind was telling me it was a sign she was letting herself begin to move on, that was something personal she didn't need me bringing up. But I noticed and it mattered to me because it meant that just maybe, she saw a future for us.

The evening had flown by, catching up on our missed time. By the time we'd climbed into bed, I'd been able to give back the kiss I'd borrowed, many times over, our bodies constantly drifted towards each other. Each time our lips met, I didn't want to pull apart. Every one felt different, setting the blood pumping through my whole body, my heart constantly on a roller coaster. When she'd blushed talking about the sleeping clothes she'd packed, I wanted to keep pushing, to see the colour rise some more as it was very enticing. And then when she said I'd be lucky to see them, I had to stop myself from saying that I really, really hoped so. We had kept the intimacy low key, it didn't quite feel like the right time for her to take it further although, if I was looking for signs of things moving in that direction, I could find them pretty easily in the way our bodies moved when we were together.

When we'd talked about love languages it reminded me of how we matched, maybe that was part of the reason we had become so comfortable so quickly. Knowing she valued touch and time together as much as I did made me wonder what we could book to do here while she was in town that would strengthen those connections between us. Everything had to be secure and private so our photos weren't all over the internet. I didn't want that for us when our relationship was just beginning.

She fell asleep tucked against me, exhausted from jet lag. I'd had a few days to get used to the timezone change so lay awake for a little longer, the lingering feeling of her lips on my throat still zinging through my body. I closed my eyes absorbing her heat as she rested on my chest, her hair tickling my nose as I leaned in to breathe in more of her. I carefully moved it to the side, pressing my lips against her forehead. She felt small curled in my arms and, although I knew she was an incredibly strong woman, I wanted to protect her from anything that could come our way. And I knew it would, it was just a matter of time.