A/N - This was a long one, I almost cut it shorter at one point but it all needed to happen in one chapter so here you go. I wanted to get it out today since I'm aiming for a chapter a week of the Campervan chapters until those are all played out and have no editors so please excuse any mistakes!

Chapter 8

We had eventually made our way to the campsite we'd booked, arriving when it was midnight, giggling like naughty school children as we'd plugged into our space, trying to be super quiet. Thankfully there was no-one nearby so we weren't really in danger of waking anyone up. It had been tempting to stay in the park, falling asleep wrapped in each others arms but it wasn't a legal overnight spot and I really didn't want Tae to make the news by being found at 2am, illegally parked up in his love van. So after we'd spent some time enjoying the bed, we dressed again, almost undressed again before turning into responsible adults and heading to our overnight stay.

Now, the sunlight was waking us, early morning Summer heat already starting to permeate through the metal of the van. Tae stirred next to me, groaning a little at the light, never fully having adapted to waking at a normal hour after his job meant he often slept until lunchtime. The groan quickly changed to a pleasant hum as he kissed into my hair before stretching next to me, relaxing his limbs.

"Good morning yeppeo," he said, wrapping himself around me.

"Tae, it's too hot," I grumbled a little, not really meaning it as I turned into his arms.

"It was hot last night but you weren't complaining then," he grinned, kissing down my neck.

"That was a different kind of heat and either were you," I retorted.

"You weren't complaining but you were being loud."

"Taehyung," I growled, embarrassed as I remembered, hiding my face against his chest.

"No, no, jagiya," he said, reaching to tilt my chin up so he could look at me, placing a sweet kiss on my pursed lips. "You know I like it when I can hear what I'm doing to you. We don't always get the chance to be that free."

"Well, we have a few more days too," I said, thinking we'd likely make very good use of those moments. It wasn't that we always had to be intimate to keep the spark going. It was simply that we couldn't not be intimate when the chance arose, the spark was constant, always lit ready to ignite. But the next few days also held some big conversations. I knew we would be OK talking about it all but it was still daunting to think about.

"When do you want to leave here," Tae was asking, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Never," I said, curling into him.

"Sounds perfect to me aein. Although, we might miss BugBug," he smiled against my face.

"Definitely would miss Sophia. And I'm looking forward to glamping with you."

"Sitting in an outdoor bath, under the stars, just the two of? I'm looking forward to it too," he said, brushing his lips against my throat. My eyes drifted closed as my head fell back against the pillows while his lips continued tasting me, gentle hands slipping under my t-shirt. We weren't in a hurry to leave so staying here, in this bed with Tae right now was all I could think of as we sat up, slowly shedding our clothes and enjoying the early morning together.

It didn't take long to decide which of the six glamping spaces we wanted. They were all beautiful but one had a panoramic view that Tae couldn't take his eyes off so that was where we dropped our bags, messaging the owners to let them know which we'd picked. They'd given us a quick tour on our arrival, showing us the common areas; bathrooms, dining area and large kitchen where we could cook our own meals if we wanted. There was a piano in the dining area and Tae opened the lid, testing the keys before smiling at me as a few notes flowed through the room. There was something about his look that made my insides flutter and I couldn't imagine never feeling that again. It seemed to always be there when I was around him. He'd told me he played a little and I could picture us in winter, sitting in front of the fire, listening to him play. Something to dream of doing together one day. They would deliver fresh eggs and other breakfast foods each morning to the dining room for us to cook our own breakfast. It felt like our own private little slice of perfection, the view breathtaking and the man next to me carrying my heart wherever he went.

We held hands as we walked out to explore the rest of what they had on offer. The double bath tubs were out in the forest, tucked inside a tin shelter, away from sight but pointing at the valley spread out in front. It was rustic and I turned to see what Tae thought. He had a funny look on his face and I laughed. "We don't have to use them."

"No, I was just thinking. Do we have to wait until dark or can we use them now?"

"Oh well, we can use them whenever you want. But at night time, we can see the stars. It will be beautiful, sometimes you can see the milky way."

"OK. But a shower now then instead?"

"Are you wanting to get wet oppa," I asked, knowing what I was leading us to but knowing he'd started it.

"I'm wanting to get you wet, yes jagiya," and he pulled me against himself, holding my waist firmly in his huge hands. Standing up on tiptoes, I rested my hands on his shoulders as I leaned in towards his ear.

"That shouldn't take long," I whispered, mouth brushing against his skin and he growled, hands coming up my sides, circling as they did. His thumbs settled on the top of my shirt, skimming against my breasts before he took my hand firmly in his, walking quickly towards our glamping pod, locking the door behind me and pushing me onto the bed. Fire in his eyes and mouth hanging slightly open as he leaned over me, this Tae was dangerous and I was definitely up for it as he set about devouring my skin with his tongue.

Never have I been so comfortable with a man and so ready for him constantly, I thought as I stretched a little, working the kinks out of my spine. We'd dozed after our bodies had been satisfied, surfacing now for a late lunch. Heading to the kitchen, we stood side by side, chopping vegetables and sprinkling kisses against each others lips, his hand coming to knead my back as I stretched. Even though I was head over heels smitten, I kept continuing to fall further and further in love with him. As Tae popped a piece of tomato in my mouth, he finished tossing the salad, walking into the dining area to put it on the long table set up to easily seat 20. But for the next few days it was just us.

Watching him leave, I turned the steak off in the pan, transferring it onto a board to chop for the salad. Resting it and myself for a moment, I leaned back against the counter, wiping my hands on a cloth. When I closed my eyes, I could see him smiling at me, constantly looking like he was thinking of something mischievous. I was trying to soak up as much time as I could, as many memories as I could store. When he was serving his country, for long months at a time, that was all I had.

When my eyes flicked open, he was leaning against the doorframe watching me, grinning.

"Were you thinking about us," he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What makes you think that," I blushed a little, turning to chop the steak into strips.

I heard his footsteps as he approached, anticipating the hands around my waist that came, securing himself to me. His chin rested on my shoulder as he watched, letting go for a moment to steal a piece of meat, humming his approval before linking his hands again.

"You were smiling and you licked your lip at one point."

I cleared my throat as I rolled my eyes. He was obviously feeling cocky. Maybe the multiple rounds of intimacy in the last 24 hours had gone to his head.

"I might have been thinking about lunch, I have worked up an appetite."

"Sorry but I'm not sorry about that," he said, kissing the bare skin that was exposed on my collarbone. My hands paused as I felt his warmth before finishing the last of the slicing.

"I'm not either and yes, I was thinking about us oppa."

"Good," he replied, reaching for the steak and my hand as we walked into the dining area, sitting side by side on the long bench that ran the length of the table.

"Do you talk to your friends about us," he asked as we tucked into our salad. I'd mentioned them a few times, my closest friends, the ones who had stuck by me after Matty passed away. Other friends had cared, I knew they did but their busy lives hadn't held the space to walk with me as grieved. The few who did were treasured but I didn't see them as much as I'd like.

"Only a little bit and not as anything more than telling them you were someone I care deeply about, without saying your name."

"Why have you not told them everything then," he asked, brow furrowed a little.

"Because, just like at the start, you were reluctant to share me with your members. I'm loathe to talk about you with my friends as I want to protect us. I trust that they won't say anything to the media but for now, it's enough my family know everything. Well, not everything," I grinned with a wink.

"You mean you don't talk to your mother about what goes on in the bedroom?" He was smiling so I knew he was just teasing.

"No! Abby just a little, you've met her and she asks lots of questions. You can guess a little is still probably too much for her to know. Why, do you talk to your appa?"

"Yes," he replied calmly, pouring us a drink.

"Taehyung! What do you say?" I felt flustered at the thought. Culturally I thought that would be taboo.

"One time you left the room and he could see I couldn't stop smiling as I watched you. He only asked if it was different with a western woman and I told him it was different with you and I didn't think it was because you were from another country but just because it was you. I explained that you were freer than I was used to, once you let your guard down."

"Freer," I asked, cheeks definitely more red than pink.

"Yes," he said, putting down his fork, reaching for my hand and sandwiching it in his as he turned more to face me. "You need to remember, I don't have as much experience as you think, despite what work I'm in. And noone else has been western. But, people are reserved where I come from and it's nice that you're not. Like I've said before, it's a big boost to me when you're expressive and... loud."

"Oppa! You haven't told your father that, have you?"

"Not in those words jagiya but he understood. I'm sorry if it embarrasses you. I wanted to tell someone who wasn't my members and I'm very close to my father. They don't need to know that about us, I'd never be able to take you to see the members again if I did. The teasing would be a disaster. And appa didn't expect details so I didn't give him any, just that we were very, very good together."

I grimaced and rolled my eyes away from the smirk on his face. "Well, that is the truth. We are," and I leaned back to kiss him briefly. "I will tell my friends about us, when I'm ready. They'll love you, if you wouldn't mind meeting them?"

"I trust that whoever you introduce me to will have our backs. You are a very smart woman Marley."

"Thank you nae sarang," I answered as we began to clear up.

"Shall we eat out tonight," he asked, following me to the kitchen.

"Like out at a restaurant? Isn't that risky?"

"The staff here said earlier that there is a bar in town and that they serve food. It will be nice not to cook. Anyway, isn't the town only a few hundred people? They probably won't know anything about me."

"OK but if we're going to do that, you can't go in disguise. Those are actually more obvious than you realise, especially in a small place like this."

"Whatever you think is best," he said, filling the sink with water, starting to do the dishes and I planted a kiss on his cheek.

"What was that for," he asked, cheeks rising in a smile.

"You're my everything," I said and he paused and turned the water off, drying his hands.

"Your everything," he asked, grabbing me and pulling me against himself.

"Yes, you and Sophia," I mumbled against his chest where I was firmly pressed.

"And you're mine," he answered, pulling back to take my face in his hands, eyes locking with my eyes as he did. The feathery light kiss that brushed my lips was enough to set things ablaze again and the gentle touches gave way to deeper ones.

Eventually I pulled away, before things could escalate past the point of no return. "Dishes and then, a board game," I asked, pointing towards the dining area which held a shelf of leisure options.

"Ha, you're funny," he replied, turning from me to continue the cleaning.

"Dishes and then a walk," I said, reaching to dry some of the things he was washing.

"If the walk is to our room then yes."

"If the walk is in the forest," I asked and he groaned.

"You like exercise," he said and I laughed.

"Not as much as you," I winked, reaching into the water and flicking some bubbles at him. His wet hands descended on me, tickling his way up my body, leaving watery patches on my clothes and drawing giggles from my lips.

"Oh I think you enjoy that as much as I do jagiya," and wove his fingers into my hair, turning my giggles into sighs, the water going cold as our mouths spent the next few minutes studying the nuances of our bodies.

We did end up walking, hand in hand through the trails that surrounded the farm the glamping pods were housed on. It was the kind of peaceful walk that storybooks create, the farm animals calling to each other in a distance, sun overhead but not beating down on us harshly, the forest boughs keeping us cool and sheltered. At the end of the trail, a seat was set and we rested, taking in the view.

"It's beautiful here," I said as the breeze washed over us, my head resting on his shoulder as we relaxed. His arm was draped over my back and I rested my hand up to touch his, linking our fingers.

"It is, thank you for bringing me here," he replied, pressing his lips to my head.

"These whole few months with you are a dream Tae," I replied. "Soon, when I have to hold onto memories instead of your hand, I'll have lots to remember."

"Don't," he said softly. "I can't think of that now."

"I don't want to either. But I know it's coming."

He turned so we were facing each other. "I'm not ready," his face clouding as he held both my hands in his, caressing them with his thumbs.

"I'll never be," I answered, knowing when it did come, I would be a mess.

As we stared at each other, hands linked, eyes tracing, I was drawn back to our time together in New Zealand, when we'd sat in these same positions in the hotel after my massage. It felt so long ago, the feelings so new back then. Our love had definitely grown and become clear but some things were very much the same. I still got butterflies every time he looked at me.

"When the time comes, we're going to be OK," I said, attempting to reassure both of us with my words.

"Yes," he replied, "because we've already built what we need to get through it."

I nodded at his words, knowing we already had a solid foundation. It wasn't just infatuation or physical attraction. He had captured me completely with his sweetness and patience. Everything he did when I was around told me he loved me and he made sure I knew it with his words as well as his actions.

We kissed again, leisurely, intensity there but no frantic desperation. We knew we had a few more days alone and could afford to take it slow. And like each time we kissed, I could taste his love on my tongue when we stopped, relishing the feeling that gave me as we stood up. We sunk into each others arms for a long, perfect moment before I reached for his hand, guiding us back down the track.

As we walked back to our pod to get ready for dinner, we passed the outdoor baths again. "Shall we have a bath together after we get back tonight? You weren't thinking we'd stay for long at our meal?"

"We can stay for as long as you'd like," I answered, squeezing his hand. He stopped walking and tugged me to a halt.

"Or not go at all," he asked, raising his eyebrows and wiggling them.

"We don't really have any food to cook for tonight oppa. Unless you just want to eat ramen again?"

"I always want ramen with you," he winked and I rested my hands on his chest, leaning in to him.

"I know Tae, so do I," brushing lips for a moment. "But I do like to leave our room to eat real food for a change."

"You know what I mean," he grinned against my mouth.

"Of course I do, I learned that one early on jagi."

"That's an important one to know," he said with a smirk, kissing me quickly again before we carried on back to the room.

Dressing together into casual clothes, I helped him pick what to wear that was his most inconspicuous option. "Are you sure jeans and a t-shirt is OK," he asked, pouting a little as he looking in the mirror, running his hands through his hair. He lightly rubbed across the scruff of his 5 O'clock special and I could see him thinking about whether he had time to shave.

"Keep it," I said, pulling his hand into mine.

"Because you like it?"

I rolled my eyes. "I like whatever you do so it's not that. You just look less like V with the facial hair. And yes, it's not a fancy restaurant, it's a pub. Jeans and t-shirt will help you blend in and it looks good. Maybe a baseball cap?"

This wasn't his favourite way to dress, much preferring labels and comfortable pants but no-one dressed like that in rural New Zealand so people would be sure to notice and then it could get uncomfortable really quickly for the both of us.

"If you think so. You look beautiful by the way," he commented, bringing me in for a hug. I also had jeans and a simple top on, hair tucked up in a messy bun. To me, it was just a normal way to dress but I appreciated that he liked to tell me as often as he could so I'd know he thought of me that way. It was still surreal given the circles he travelled in but when he looked at me, with that certain look in his eyes, he made me believe it.

"Thank you Tae," I answered, blush warming my cheeks a little. "So, I'm hungry, lets go."

"Yes, the sooner we eat, the sooner we can come back here."

I laughed. "Lets enjoy ourselves though. We don't get to eat out often."

"Of course, I'm just being selfish to want to have you to myself while I can."

"Don't worry, I feel the same way love," I replied, as we climbed into the van, heading to the local pub.

It wasn't crowded, music playing in the background and only a few locals leaning on the bar or sitting at the tables. It wasn't the kind of place that came to take your order so we grabbed a few menus on our way past, sitting at a table tucked into the back so we could decide what to eat. For tonight, I'd be the one to order things, going up to the bar to let them know. That way, Tae had more of a chance of just blending into the background. I scoffed at that in my mind. His whole aura wasn't one that ever let him fully blend in but we were going to give it our best go. The fact there were so few people here and that they were all over a certain age meant we could mostly relax.

"We had steak for lunch but this one does sound good. Maybe I'll get a burger though," glancing at the typical pub type food listed.

"I'll get the same, this one," he indicated. "And for a drink, some kind of soda."

"OK, I'll be right back," I said, reaching for my wallet, heading to the counter. I knew he didn't enjoy this part because it looked like I was the one paying. It didn't bother me, the account we used was one we'd set up together for this trip. Mostly his money, some of mine, a small compromise when he'd wanted to pay for everything. The money card would never run out, I knew he'd seen to that and I reached for it as I ordered, settling the bill.

The drinks were brought to us quickly and we hooked our ankles together under the table, kicking back as we people watched, drinking while we waited for our food. It was a very chill place, the town being so small it was likely just somewhere the locals went to have a catch up with mates, music not the kind of domineering volume you'd find in a nightclub but a volume you could actually talk over. When the food was delivered, we dove in, appreciating someone else cooking for us for a change. In my normal home, I cooked almost every night but Tae ordered in meals when he was back in Korea, never really touching the kitchen. This campervan trip had definitely taught him how much time cooking took but how enjoyable it could be when done with someone else. Tonight though, we both enjoyed the simple food, prepared by someone else and the meal sped by.

"This is really good," Tae said, sounding surprised.

I laughed. "You mean, even in the middle of nowhere, when it's not a Michelin star restaurant, the food can still be delicious?"

He paused before putting another mouthful in. "Do I sound, hmmm, what is the word? Like someone who has too much money and looks down on things?"

"Snobby? No you don't but I do know you have fancier tastes than me and fancier than you'd find in a small country town."

"I don't mean to sound that way. It's just burgers can just taste like burgers you know but everything here is really nice. I do want to take you lots of nice restaurants one day though."

"I think it's because you've worked up an appetite oppa," I flirted. "And yes please. Simple is nice but I do like dressing up for time to time."

"It's a date, many dates. And that's your fault that I'm this hungry," he countered, resting his cheek in his hand and staring fondly at me.

"That's our fault," I replied, reaching to take a little sauce of the corner of his lip, licking it cheekily off my thumb.

He hissed a little at the contact before giving a small laugh. "I'll never complain about that way to exercise," he said, putting another fry in his mouth and I grinned back.

"Neither will I. Another drink," I asked and he nodded as I rose.

Walking to the bar, I ordered another couple of drinks and leant on it, waiting for them to be poured. I turned to smile at Tae and noticed a man approaching, walking into the path of my smile and returning one as mine dropped a little on my face. I hoped he hadn't thought I was smiling at him but when he headed towards me I realised he did.

"Are you from around here," the man asked, setting his drink down as he leaned onto the bar next to me.

"No, just passing through," I said, smiling briefly again before turning back to see if the bartender was heading my way. He took a step closer and I could see Tae over his shoulder, Tae's eyes laser focused on what was happening.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

"I'm fine. I'm actually here with my friend so I'm all good." I didn't say boyfriend. Not because he wasn't but I didn't want to say anything that would draw his attention to Tae in case he recognised him. The man was closer in age to me than the other people in the bar, clearly had just arrived so hadn't seen us sitting together and was just trying his luck. I wasn't interested but I also didn't feel the need to be rude because that would be more memorable and not the way to try and blend in.

"I could buy her a drink too," he asked, turning to search for who I was referring to.

"Him," I said firmly, "and we're both fine. But thank you."

By now Tae had risen from his chair and was coming over as my eyes grew wide. I had wanted to avoid this, any interaction could be exposure but he was determined, I could see it in the way he strode.

"They're ready then," Tae asked as he reached between us and took our drinks from where they'd just been placed on the bar. He didn't look at the other man, just positioned himself to speak only to me, effectively blocking the man from my vision.

I could hear as the other man huffed then he spoke. "Have a good night then," and turned to walk away. I followed Tae back to our table, sliding into place and reaching for my straw.

"I didn't like that," Tae said, frowning as we sat down and he took a sip to calm himself, then another.

"I know you didn't but I was fine, he was harmless really, everything was under control." I slid my hand onto his thigh, rubbing it to reassure him and he rested his on top.

"I do know you're capable. I'm sorry if that felt like I stepped over the line."

"You didn't overstep, I appreciate that you were taking care of me. He was being a little over friendly but I would've just walked away if I felt too uncomfortable."

"He wanted you, I could see it in his eyes."

"I don't know about that Tae but either way, there isn't anyone else that I want but you."

"He did but I'm the one who gets to go home with you," he whispered into my ear, eyes locked on the man who had found a table and sat down.

"Not just home, I'll go anywhere with you oppa," I replied softly, taking his face in my hand so his eyes locked with mine instead of looking anywhere else.

"Lets go back now then. I'm still wanting a bath with you," he said, as he leaned in as if to kiss me then remembered where he was. "The sooner the better."

Rising from my seat, I gulped down some more of my drink as I reached for my bag, my other hand reaching to take his. "Now is good," I smiled.

"Now is great," he replied voice rich and thick, giving my hand a squeeze. "I enjoyed the food but I'm ready to be alone. Kaja."

My insides did the flutter they always did when he used that tone. A little forceful, a lot deep and the right amount of insinuation. So I closed my eyes briefly to steady myself before looking back into his eyes, biting my lip. "Yes jagiya, lets go," and I saw him swallow, pleased I could also still make him pause before he squeezed my hand again.

"Now," he said even more forcefully than before and I found myself being pulled gently out the door, towards the car and the into the still of the night.