Chapter 28

Marley POV

I was incredibly warm when I woke the next morning, Tae draped over my side and I smiled at how he was attached to me. The night had been intense, a whole new level of intimacy and all I wanted to do was stay in his arms. It was our last day together and my heart already hurt at the thought of having to say goodbye tomorrow morning. But for now, I soaked in the warmth, remembering how we'd clung to each other during the early hours of the morning.

Tracing his arm lightly with my finger, I willed my hands to memorise the feeling of his skin, glad he was dead to the world so I could have a moment to take everything in. I couldn't see him well from this angle so I just snuggled in close instead and closed my eyes as I remembered.

The day in the park felt so long ago now yet only yesterday at the same time. Tae being patient, his interactions with Sophia, our first tentative kisses until everything from the last few days. Each step had unlocked something inside of me, brick by brick my inner walls were coming down and it was terrifying. I'd given my heart up to one of the most complicated people on the planet, at least as far as having a relationship goes with his job and the distance making it difficult. Tae himself wasn't complicated. He was being as transparent as he could which had made me trust him more than I thought I could after just a few weeks. There was no 'falling' anymore, I had definitely fallen for him and I knew I was in love. How that had happened so quickly I didn't know. Right time, right pace, right person? It was overwhelming in a good way but I had no idea how to tell him that I felt more than I could easily explain with just one word.

Eyelashes fluttered against my skin and he stretched, his whole body elongating against mine as he said a soft "Good morning."

"Morning oppa," I answered, feeling his mouth smile against my shoulder. "Jal jasseoyo?"

He propped himself up slightly on his elbow, running his hand through his hair. "I like it when you call me that. And I slept very well thank you. How are you this morning? Things got ummmmm... I'm not sure of the words, but last night was a lot."

"Intense? Passionate? All consuming? Steamy? Incredible?" I answered, cheeks flushing at the memories.

"I don't know most of those words but your face says it all, even if you can't meet my eyes when you say it."

"There are some things I can't say while I look at you but yes, all those words are how I felt about last night. I feel connected to you more than ever."

"I do too," and he leaned in to kiss my neck. "It was a very, very nice surprise to see you standing at the door dressed the way you were." He nuzzled the skin along my jaw and I closed my eyes again, enjoying his lips before he pulled back. "I do have a question about last night though."

"OK, is this one I want to look at you for or look away while you ask?"

"Well, I would hope you can look at me when you answer but I understand if you don't want to answer at all," he said.

"Well, that's clear as mud," I replied. "Ask away, honesty right?"

"Yes please as I really want to know this, I am very curious." Taking a breath he did bury his head in my back as he spoke. "Clearly I enjoyed what you were wearing last night."

I smiled, cheeks feeling more than a little warm as I remembered many very specific snapshots of what had happened last night. "Well, yes, that was noticeable and I did too. But, that's not a question."

"What I wondered is, do you like to dress up, is that something you would do again?"

"It's not that I really love doing it exactly," I said slowly, trying to think of how to explain it. "Mainly because it's not something I have done very often so I'm not confident dressed that way."

"You're beautiful and you were perfect last night. I think you should be very confident as it was better than I could've hoped for."

"Thank you Tae," my cheeks tinting pink at his words.

"All the time, not just when you were dressed like that. Or undressed like that," he laughed. "I just wondered if maybe there were other things you would like to wear."

"Oh wow. Do you have special requests then?" I asked, rolling onto my back and grinning up at him.

"More of the same please, the clothes were very, ah, pretty." I laughed at his choice of words then stopped when he continued. "And you know all about 50 Shades so something with ties?"

"Woah there. You want me to wear a tie or you to wear a tie or to use a tie as a tie?"

He was cracking up now, his embarrassment from earlier gone as he worked out my words. "Once, in an interview, I said I should only wear a tie to bed. Namjoon just about lost it."

"That would be OK with me," I said, leaning in to kiss him.

His eyes lit up. "So a tie and more like last night. I am enjoying making a list."

"I already have more like last night but actually less like last night because that was pretty tame."

"Tame?"

"Hmmmm, lets just say the rest of the outfits have less fabric and more skin."

He stared, his mouth open slightly and I stretched up to kiss him as he grabbed me, rolling us over so I was looking down at his face which looked stunning as he gazed at me like I was his sun. He reached up to tuck hair away from my face. "I am very excited to hear that Marley," and he pulled me in, starting our day off how the night had ended.

"You are a Goddess," Tae said, laying back with flushed cheeks.

"I think that's a bit extreme," I replied, still warm from earlier.

"I think it is very true, you're beautiful. I wish you could see what I see when I look at you," he said, trailing his finger along my side.

"There are definitely things I don't like about the way I look," I answered, glancing away from him in embarrassment. Didn't everyone have those few things about themselves that they'd change if they could? Although maybe not Tae as he was the perfect definition of a Greek God.

"Like what?" he asked, linking fingers with me.

"You want me to list them for you?" I asked, surprised.

"Well, it can't be a very long list as to me, you're perfect," he replied, kissing my bare shoulder.

"Well for a start, I don't really like my shoulders actually, they're too wide."

"I love them if you haven't noticed?" and he kissed his way along my collarbone as my brain stuttered at the L word.

"Hmmmm," I said, half disbelieving and half distracted by his mouth. "I like my legs to a point but not all the way up." He raised an eyebrow and lowered himself down my body, my breath hitching as he found my legs, nibbling along my thigh and higher, his nose pressed against my skin.

"Where do you stop liking them, I'll show that part extra attention," he said against my leg. My eyes closed and I had to regulate my breathing before I spoke again, my eyes bright and I'm sure his contained a twinkle. "

"What you're doing is fi-fine," I stuttered, his breath warm on my skin. "But now that we we're on a roll, I'm not very fond of my breasts," I continued, trying not to grin as I said it.

He burst out laughing, clutching his stomach, the low rumble causing a chain reaction in my body as my face flashed into a matching smile which I contained as best I could.

"You can't be serious because I am very, very fond of them," he answered when he'd stopped laughing.

"Well, they don't look the way they used to look before I had Sophia."

"I think it's amazing that you can feed a child from your body. That's a beautiful thing. And," he finished, setting out to reassure me, "like I said, I'm very, very fond of them."

He ran his hands over my curves, pulling me in for a make out session that left my lips and body tingling.

We got out of bed just before 11am, deciding that brunch before his early afternoon interview was the way to go. He'd gotten up first and I'd watched him walk away as he went to the bathroom, wearing just boxer shorts, his back and legs bare and more than a little attractive. When he was out of sight, I rolled onto my stomach, burying my face in the pillow, smiling like an idiot. The last few days had been amazing and I was so smitten that they needed to invent a new word for it.

Climbing off the bed, I reached for his shirt, pressing it to my nose to inhale his scent then slipping it on and buttoning it up. It sat just below my butt and I decided it would do especially as it made me feel close to him.

When he walked into the lounge and saw me sitting on the couch, curled with my feet under me, he short circuited, pausing mid stride. "Ahem," he said clearing his throat as he leisurely strode towards me, "my shirt looks better on you than me."

"I highly doubt that Tae," I said smiling as he leaned in for a kiss before pulling me up and spinning me to check it out. His little head bob side to side, like he was dancing to music in my head, was very endearing and he pulled me in close once I'd done a 360 degree turn, biting his lip in satisfaction.

"You're definitely wrong this time jagiya," he said tenderly as I ran my hands up his spine, landing to settle in his hair. Our lips gravitated to each others again, like they seemed to do all the time, his taste constantly on my tongue.

"This is going to be hard", I said as Tae pulled me so we sat next to each other on the couch. He had his arm around my shoulders and I was tucked in, comfortably close, absentmindedly beginning to play with the buttons on the shirt he'd put on.

"What is?"

"Last time we were only apart for a week and I was unhappy. This time it could be a month or more."

"It can't be more, we'll have to make a plan so we know what to look forward to otherwise I will be miserable to be around. I've asked the managers to let me know about upcoming breaks and they said they'll get back to me. Sometimes our schedules move around more than we'd like."

I pouted and he ran his finger over my lips. "This look? That is exactly what I'll be doing when we are apart."

"You'll look cute even then," I replied.

He blinked and showed me some aegyo which I laughed at, affection for him spreading to every part of me.

Our brunch arrived and we settled in to eat. "Do we have time for another dance competition before you go to the interview?"

"You want to try and win this time?" he asked, sassily.

"Or maybe I just want to see you dance."

"Buy a concert dvd," he said, popping some meat in my mouth with his chopsticks.

"So that's a no to a dance competition then?"

"I am more than happy to beat you again but much more happy to watch you dance too."

"Game on," I answered with a smile.

Of course he'd won again, feet moving at an incredibly fast pace, forcing me to admit out loud that he was the best dancer I'd ever seen. Pressing a kiss, then a few more to my lips at the door, he'd just left to get ready for the interview and I knew I had a few hours before he'd be back. I'd missed talking to Sophia yesterday, she'd been in bed when I'd surfaced from a Tae haze and I felt guilty that I'd left it more than 24 hours to talk to her. She was still the most important person in my life even if Tae was starting to feel like he could quickly become essential, like oxygen.

"Hey mum," I said as it connected, smiling as she fumbled to position the screen so we could see each other. "Was Sophia OK with not talking to me yesterday?"

"She is missing you but has no concept of time so she's actually fine. If she talks about you, it's easy just to say you'll be home soon, she seems perfectly happy here. She's playing in the garden with Toko at the moment, I'm sitting on the deck watching her. Abby bought the boys round yesterday so she was busy anyway."

"Oh, that's fun. Did Abby say anything?"

"If you mean did she explain in great detail exactly who Tae is and show me lots of photos, then yes."

I felt a little embarrassed that I hadn't explained to mum properly who he was but I hadn't wanted to worry her as I knew she'd think of all the worse case scenarios.

"Yes, I did assume she would talk about it with you."

"Do you want to talk about it with me too?" she asked.

"Only to ask what you're thinking?"

"I'm thinking his lifestyle could mean he is a player and he'll hurt you and I can't see that again."

"He's not like that, in fact, none of the members are like that. They're all genuinely nice guys and Tae is amazing mum."

"I can see in your smile that you really like him and I trust your judgement. I assume you're having a good time then?"

I smiled even more and blushed a little. "Absolutely."

She pursed her lips together. "And you're being safe?"

"Yes mum, oh my goodness!"

"It wouldn't be the right time to have a baby darling."

"I am very aware of that mum. We haven't even worked out exactly what we are yet so that would be less than ideal given who he is. Don't worry, that's not on my radar and we are being safe. He is very attentive and caring and careful. He handles me like I'm the most precious thing to him."

"Oh, you're in love with him." It was a statement and I blinked, nodding. "Have you told him?"

"Neither of us have said it yet but I want to."

"Do you think he loves you back?"

"His actions say that we're very much on the same page but until I hear it from his mouth, I won't believe it and maybe not even then."

"Why don't you believe it could be true, you are an amazing person Marley."

"There are millions in the world in love with him, so many of them better suited."

"But he wants you."

"Apparently."

"You're wearing a huge smile, sitting in a hotel room, talking about a man who flew you to be with him. He has chosen you Marley."

"For now," I said quietly.

"Do you doubt that it could go anywhere?"

"How can it, we live in different countries, I can't think about moving and his job means he can't either."

"One step at a time. Start with letting him in completely and see where it goes. And you know I'll be here for whatever happens. Abby will too although she will likely drive you insane in the process," she laughed. Sophia ran into the room, obviously finished playing in the garden for now.

"Mama," she shrieked, a barrage of words in a short space of time falling from her mouth, most of which I couldn't understand.

"Hello my beautiful girl, did you have fun playing with Toko?"

"Yes mama. And Zach and Jojo."

"Aunty Abby came over yesterday with Zach and Joey to play? I bet that was fun."

She nodded. "Mama come on plane?" She asked, her little face pressed close to the screen and I longed to hug her again.

"Mummy will be on a plane home tomorrow and I'll come get you from preschool, OK baby?"

She nodded again. "TaeTae on plane?"

And my heart dropped a little. "Yes baby, TaeTae will go on a different plane but not to come see us."

"OK," she said and I felt a little relief as she got sidetracked although my heart still twanged at her words. "Cookie nana?" she asked, food more important than a lot of other things to a three year old.

Once mum had handed her a snack, she went to play with Toko again and I smiled, thinking that the one solace to having to leave Tae was definitely being back with my family.

"Thank you mum, this trip has been much needed."

"I can see on your face that it has been a good thing for you so enjoy the last day and night together Marley. And you know, these things always work out they way they are meant to."

"I sure hope so because I don't think I want to let him go."

"You might have to for a little bit but you know you will come back to each other if it's meant to last."

"Thanks Mum, that's what I'm counting on. Saranghae, that's I love you in Korean. I figure I need to start learning more words to talk with him."

"And that one is very important. You will say it at the right time. Love you darling."

"See you tomorrow," and we signed off, my mind firmly back on Tae.

KTH POV

The makeup staff did a good job of covering up the marks Marley had left on my collarbone this morning and of not mentioning it, polite as always. My shirt mostly covered them, only one slightly exposed if I moved too suddenly. I had smiled to myself in the mirror, remembering, as I hadn't noticed them early, Jungkook smirking back at me when he'd seen them too. An eyebrow went up and he opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it, given how many extra sets of ears were in the room. In the end, he settled for a low "nice," so only I heard, grinning at me. I couldn't help grinning back as it had indeed been very nice.

The interview went well, quickly covering all the normal questions we got asked, discussing our new music and it was fairly streamlined so we would be back in the two hours I'd told Marley we'd likely be. There was only one question that always made us pause, by now we should be used to it and I was grateful that Namjoon was there to answer on our behalf.

"So, what do you do about dating?" the interviewer had asked.

"We have a very busy schedule year round that keeps our days full," he'd answered, sidestepping.

"But you have partners?" the interviewer persisted.

"ARMY are the ones we love. Saranghae ARMY," he replied holding up finger hearts and we'd all done the same, calling out Saranghae and doing various hearts with our body.

I'd held my hand heart near my face, drifting my fingers to my cheek, an M sliding down. I didn't know if they'd show it but I always wanted to acknowledge Marley in interviews now, it was one way I could let her know I was thinking of her no matter where we were in the world.

As we cleaned off our makeup, I was in a hurry to get back and asked to go in one of the first cars.

"I'll go with you Tae," Jungkookie called as we walked down the hallway, catching up to sling his arm around my shoulder.

"So," he started as we walked, "the dinner tonight should be yum."

I laughed, food was very important to Jungkook. "We're looking forward to it."

"I love the way you say 'we', it sounds very together."

"It feels very together," I answered as we waved to a few ARMY outside the TV studio as we climbed into the waiting car.

"It seems like things are progressing?" he asked, buckling himself in.

"Are you asking for details Jungkookie?"

"I wouldn't do that. But you know I'm currently single Tae, let me live through you for a moment at least. I saw she'd left behind signs that looked like you had a lot of fun?" he said with a smirk.

I reached up to touch my neck, dragging my hand across my collarbone and resting it there as I remembered the night before. "It was very intense."

"Oh wow, your face when you said that, obviously good intense though?"

"Amazing intense," I answered, lost in my thoughts for a moment.

"Taehyungie hyung, you zoned out," he laughed, slapping his hand down on my leg. "It seems to be moving very quickly."

"We are definitely making the most of every minute we have together. You know when you just get lost in someones eyes or they laugh a certain way and you stop breathing? I feel like my breathing stops constantly."

"So you love her?"

"I really do but I haven't told her yet."

"Are you planning on doing that before she leaves tomorrow?"

"Yes, I keep thinking it has to be at the perfect moment and I hope that it happens that way but it does need to be before she goes. I don't want to tell her over video call. Last time when we didn't say some things to each other, it left us both unsure of where things were going. I want to be very clear."

"You're going to be in trouble with Hobi the next few weeks," Jungkook said as we pulled up under the hotel.

"Why, what have I done?"

"It's not what you've done yet but you are going to be so distracted when we're dancing that you're bound to make mistakes."

"I'm a professional Kook, it's not like we haven't all been away from loved ones before."

"Ah but I have a feeling she's not just a loved one right?"

"She's not just a loved one, she's everything to me right now," I answered as security opened the door for us and we stepped out.

"Woah, Tae, like she could be the one?" he asked in a hushed voice as we stepped into the elevator.

"I don't know about that but I definitely want to explore if she could be."

He slapped my back with a grin as we got out on our floor. "OK Tae, have fun 'exploring' some more."

I rolled my eyes at him but couldn't keep the smile off my face because that's exactly what I intended to do.