Tae POV

Tae – Hey Hyung and Jungkookie

Hobi – TaeTae! Still loving New Zealand Taehyungie?

Jin – Have you hugged any sheep yet?

Tae – I haven't but I've been enjoying it too much to worry about baby animals

Hobi – How is that sweet baby Sophia?

Tae – Not with us right now, we're having some time away alone together but she's the cutest thing. She comes to me when she's sad almost as often as Marley now so I've definitely grown on her.

Jimin – Bet you're making the most of that time alone TaeTae

Tae – No comment

Jin – So that's a yes then. Good for you!

Tae – I'll send photos of where we are staying at the moment, you'll be jealous

Hobi – Well, it's Winter here so it will definitely be better than here

Tae – We have an entire camping place to ourselves but it's unlike any camping place you can think of. We had baths under the stars, remember the stars we saw when we were here last? So beautiful. And we're cooking together and I feel so relaxed, ah, it's amazing

Yoongi – You're cooking Taehyung-ssi?

Jimin – You're thinking about cooking? I'm thinking about the outdoor baths!

Jin – Listen to you. You can't stop yourself from talking about it all

Tae – And I don't want to stop. I think we turned a corner last night

Jimin – Is that some kind of weird sex thing

Tae – Hyung!

Jungkook – What have I missed?

Namjoon – Just Jiminie being himself

Jimin – But you like me like this right?

Tae – We do but you could maybe tone it down when we're talking about the woman I plan to marry

Hobi - !

Jin – Was that an announcement?

Tae – No no, you'll all know when I'm ready to do that but I just know

Yoongi – Good for you Taehyung-ssi

Jungkook – We all like her Taehyungie hyung, she's good for you

Tae – Thank you Kook, I think we're good for each other.

Tae – I have to go, she's asleep next to me and I want to make us breakfast

Namjoon – We need proof of that or it didn't happen, send photos

Jimin – Of her asleep in bed hyung?

Namjoon – No, of the food Jimin-ah. Wah, you!

Tae – And I'm out

I smiled to myself as I put my phone away, glad I'd managed to catch them all when they were awake, some starting their day in service others not yet gone to bed. I was missing them but not so much when I had this view. I lifted up on my elbows, looking at the light coming through the windows, illuminating the valley floor as it spread it out in front of us. And then I turned to the view on my left, Marley fast asleep next to me. It was our last day here before heading back to Sophia and we wouldn't sleep in for long but while she was relaxed like this, I wanted her to sleep for at least a little bit longer so I could surprise her.

Instead of using my hand like I wanted, I traced her face and down her body with my eyes, her leg flung over the top of the covers. She was barely covered in one of my t-shirts and some tiny sleep shorts after we'd finally decided sleep was important last night. There was something extraordinarily sexy about Marley wearing my clothes, maybe her claiming a piece of me made me feel more like we were interwoven together. Not just our bodies, but everything about us.

Resisting the urge to place a kiss on her cheek, I slid sideways, carefully leaving the bed, grabbing clothes and heading to the dining room without waking her. My plan was to make her breakfast in bed if I could get it done before she woke up. It was still really early, a time I used to go to sleep not wake up but I hoped I'd tired Marley out enough that she would sleep for a little longer. It would be simple food, I was no chef but she appreciated the little gestures and I wanted to do everything to let her know she was my all.

As I left the bathroom, still pulling the sweatshirt over my head against the early morning chill, I ran into the accommodation owner bringing the breakfast foods over.

"Oh, good morning, lovely day," she said, putting the foods onto the kitchen counter as I followed her in.

"Ah yes, good morning," I answered, running my hands through my hair, attempting to tame it a little. I'm sure my state of half dress was nothing new to her here. I'd read the visitors book while having lunch the other day, a lot of couples came here for a few nights on their honeymoon and I could see why. It was peaceful, private and romantic. The perfect recipe for quality time together as we'd definitely discovered.

"There should be plenty of eggs there for you both and the milk came fresh this morning."

Even in my half awake state I nodded my thanks. "It has been wonderful," I replied.

"Oh good, I hope you've been able to relax and enjoy everything here."

"We have," I answered, hoping averting my eyes wasn't impolite but since we had been really, really enjoying everything on offer, I didn't want that to show in my eyes or for a blush to settle on my cheeks.

"We know it's your last day here so we've included a bottle of wine to say thank you for being such wonderful guests. We haven't heard a peep out of you and we wanted to say thank you for how you always tidy up after yourselves. We don't always get such respectful guests."

Her accent was different from Marley's and I had trouble understanding everything she was saying but I did understand the gesture and thanked her for it.
"Of course, thank you for the wine and the breakfast food has always been delicious," I said, bowing as I took it from her hands.

"Good to hear, enjoy your last day," she said, leaving me to it and I walked to the stove, getting the eggs and toast ready for our breakfast.

As I cracked the eggs into the pan I thought about the wine. I'd had a few drinks since I met Marley but not around her and we'd never had a drink together considering her past. It wasn't a hardship for me to not have alcohol when we were together, I had never been a big drinker to start with but I did wonder in passing what kind of drunk she was. I knew she'd be cute.

Humming to myself while I cooked, my hips moving a little as the smell of the eggs wafted through the kitchen. The night had been adventurous and I was definitely hungry after burning off lots of energy.

When the food was ready, I carefully plated it up, carrying it back down to our pod, Marley still curled up in bed. I quietly put the tray on the small table near the window, walking back to the bed and sitting carefully down. I smoothed back her hair and she stretched like a cat as I placed a kiss to her forehead, parts of me twitching as she moved her limbs against the bedding. It was always incredibly sexy to watch and I could definitely have acted on the feelings but our food would get cold so I tucked that aside for later.

"Good morning baby, I made breakfast," I said as her eyes blinked open, a smile spreading as soon as she saw me.

"It smells amazing nae sarang," she said and I warmed at her words, slightly gravelly first thing in the morning as she sat up, sheets falling to the bed. I couldn't help myself, diving at her neck to press a few small kisses lightly onto her skin and she wrapped her arms around me as I did, closing her eyes again.

"What's this in aid of," she asked against my neck and I loved how her breath and eyelashes tickled my skin and made me want to crawl back into bed with her at the same time.

"It's our last day here and I wanted to enjoy every minute of it with you, starting with cooking you breakfast."

We were leaving early the next morning, aiming to be back to Sophia before lunch, both missing her more than I thought was possible although I'd also miss the solitude of this place. The time here had recharged me like nature always did. Sleeping in the campervan was an adventure and I loved the time the three of us had together but the time for just the two of us was so important. Especially locking down those chats that we'd needed to have. Not to mention we could be as loud as we wanted here without worrying about waking anyone.

Before I got side tracked going down that track in my mind again, I climbed off the bed, tugging her to come with me and she stepped lightly onto the ground, long legs displayed just for me, wrapping her arms around me to stay warm. It meant we hobbled over to the food like penguins but who cares what we looked like when I had a beautiful woman attached to me, the woman I wanted to spend forever with. Even just saying that silently in my head made me want to break into a grin and do a happy dance but I held it in, tucking my hands over hers as we arrived in front of the large window.

"I ran into the owner when I was in the kitchen, she thanked us for coming with a bottle of wine."

"Oh that's nice of them," she replied, leaning back against me before I pulled her chair out for her, sitting down opposite. She reached for the knife and fork, cutting into the eggs on toast, raising her eyebrows with an approving nod as she swallowed her first mouthful. "It's delicious Tae, gamowo."

"Of course jagi. And we could take it back to your parents as a gift," I continued, biting into my own food and sitting back, looking out at the view. She was quiet as she chewed, the silence beautiful. I had no idea that sitting eating food in silence could feel so good but everything I did with Marley just felt like it was right. Is that what true, real love was?

"We could always drink it," she said after a little bit and I must've looked very surprised as she laughed a little. "I know I said I don't drink anymore because of Matty and I haven't since then. But we're not going anywhere tonight are we?"

I shook my head, taking in this new information. "We'd talked about going to look at the cliffs and maybe the hot pools today but nothing tonight."

"Shall we do that, go out today and see all the things we want to see? Then we can get dinner and bring it back here to eat, maybe have a wine while we do? If we drink it early enough, I'll feel OK about us driving tomorrow. I don't miss drinking alcohol but part of me is curious what you're like when you've had a few."

"Funny, I was wondering the same thing but we really don't have to Marley. I understand why you don't drink." I stroked her hand with my thumb, looking into her eyes as I spoke and she put down her knife and fork, using her finger to wipe a crumb from the corner of her lips.

"I know I could go forever without drinking again. But part of me feels like doing that means that anytime alcohol is brought up, I'll remember. If having a little drink from time to time, safely at home, can begin to exercise those demons, maybe it will be better in the long run?" Her eyes were a little sad as she talked and I squeezed her hands so she'd know I was there with her.

"I'll do whatever you want jagiya," and I brought her hand up to my mouth, kissing her knuckles as she smiled at me. It was a sweet look, one of the many I loved and something about the trust in her eyes made my heart grow again.

"I love you Tae," she said, blinking away a few tears that sat at the bottom of her eyes and even though I wanted to leap up from my chair, pull her onto my lap and hug away any pain, I knew she didn't want me to, taking a big breath instead as she steadied herself.

"So first stop the cliffs," she asked, changing the topic and I smiled with a nod, looking forward to another day in her company.


Several hours later, we dragged our bodies into the pod, both flopping on the bed. We'd driven around the area, stopping at a few locations that were in tourist guides, taking photos, having a picnic before we'd gone to the hot pools, spending a few hours in a private pool, soaking and talking. Even after all these weeks spent solely in each others company, there was still so much to talk about. We were now so relaxed that I felt incredibly tired and could've easily had a nap if we weren't already planning an early night.

We'd stopped at the local pub again, this time getting our meals to go and they were sitting in containers waiting to be eaten.

"Shall we eat oppa," Marley asked and I groaned a little, not wanting to move. She laughed at me.

"Was that a no then?"

"I'm ready to sleep," I answered, rolling onto my back and looking up as she hovered a little over me. Then again, maybe I wasn't ready for bed after all and I pulled her down against me, wrapping my legs around hers to hold her close.

"Tae, this doesn't feel like sleep," she giggled and the sound was musical, causing me to grin. Even though we could easily have turned this into some other kind of hugs, I sat up instead, dragging her with me.

"OK, food and then bed," I replied, kissing her cheek and we walked over to the little table, getting everything ready.

Walking over to the wine, she held it up. "Shall we," she asked and I shrugged.

"Sure," I answered, trying to appear nonchalant, knowing this was actually a big deal for her. Reaching onto the small shelf above the table, I took down two wine glasses and set them next to our waters. Taking it from her hand, I opened the bottle and poured a little into each glass, going easy on how much. I really didn't want this to be too much for her, trying to make it as easy at possible. Moving the food from the containers onto plates so it looked slightly more civilised, we began to eat our steaks, enjoying the food after a long day out in the fresh air. I reached for my glass, taking a sip and putting it back down after having another mouthful. New Zealand wine was well known and it was one that hit my palate right but I didn't comment, focusing on the food instead.

"They do know how to cook a great steak," I said as she nodded along, reaching for her wine glass too, having a small sip before putting it back. She hesitated as she pursed her lips together then ate another mouthful and I let out the tiny breath I'd been holding. So far so good.

"Where are we going after we pick up Sophia?"

"We're going to head up North, I want to show you where we holidayed every year as a child, it's beautiful," she answered after swallowing, reaching for her glass again.

"Everything here is beautiful so it sounds perfect. Is that the beaches you were telling me about?"

"Yes and it's near a National Park. If we're brave we could walk some of it."

"Will Sophia be OK with that," I wondered, her legs were very short after all and mine got tired after lots of walking. While we could carry her in our arms and on our shoulders for some of it, I wasn't sure walking for hours with a small person on my back sounded like much fun.

"We don't have to go far. The first bay is only half an hour in and then they're about every half hour after that. We can stop whenever we want and each beach is gorgeous."

"I'm looking forward to it," I answered, eating again as I noticed she'd almost finished the small amount I'd put in her glass. Reaching for the bottle, I put a little more in each of our glasses. If she didn't want to finish her drink, she didn't need to but I was trying to make it as easy as possible.

"I was talking to the members a bit this morning," I said, smiling as I remembered.

"Oh, how are they all? I bet they miss you."

"They're the same as always, teasing me but I know it's because they love me."

"Of course they do," she replied, "everyone does."

I did my tata face at her comments, knowing she thought it was cute. We'd come a long way since I'd given her a tata keyring, here in New Zealand, all those months ago. She'd made a point of trying to learn as much as possible about my life, made a little easier by the amount of videos she could watch online. She still had tata attached to her keys even now and it made me happy that I could put a smile on her face with my expressions.

"You're so cute," she said, hand resting on her cheek, eyes all gooey.

"Why thank you my love," I answered with a bow of her head.

"So, so cute," she said, reaching for the bottle and pouring the rest of it into each of our glasses. I tried not to react, noticing a tint to her cheeks and a look in her eyes, the alcohol beginning to hit her system. I hadn't had as much as her so far and was enjoying watching it play out, the flush in her cheeks a pretty colour. I suspected she was a lightweight when it came to drinking.

"I think you're cute," I said, raising an eyebrow, watching and enjoying.

"No, you are," she said with a giggle.

"Marley, are you feeling OK," I asked, trying to hide my smile.

"I feel great," she said, cutting into her steak, scrunching her nose at me. Oh my goodness, she was delightful.

"Baby, do you want some water?"

"Sure," she answered, reaching for her cup with a gulp then putting down her knife and fork and staring at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm just very fond of you," I answered, unable to hold back my smile.

"Oh, fond of me? Is that like you're very fond of Yeontan?"

I laughed. "Actually, I love Tannie."

Pouting, she frowned. "You love Tannie and you're fond of me?"

"Jagi, you know I love you, I tell you every day, multiple times a day."

"Tell me now," she said, pout still on her face.

Standing up with a grin, I walked around the table, taking her hands, pulling her up next to me.

"Aein, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I want to be with you forever, I've told you that. Having you and Sophia in my life is exactly what I've always wanted and needed. I love you, your lips," and I kissed the pout on them, "your beautiful eyes," and she closed them, hiding them away as I kissed the eyelids. "Your sweet, sweet, scent," I said, nosing along her neck and jaw and she sighed out a breath, eyes still closed but pout gone.

"So you love me as much as Yeontan then?"

"Maybe even a little more," I whispered with a smile, claiming her lips again.

"Oh, that's big love," she said against my mouth and I couldn't help the laugh that came out at her words. She was a little bit tipsy and here, safe with me, I was loving it.

"Big love huh," I asked as she reached for my hand, tugging me towards the bed.

"Show me you love me," she said, tone dripping with desire, fire in her eyes and I gaped a little at how intense she looked.

"Show you? Jagiya, we're still eating dinner."

"You don't want me," she asked, pout returning to her lips.

"I always want you," I answered quickly. "But they do say not to exercise so soon after eating."

"That hasn't stopped us before," she said, raising an eyebrow and I knew I wasn't winning this one, as if it was a battle I cared about losing. Tipsy Marley was a minx, more forward than normal and I was loving it.

"That's true. Saranghae Marley, really."

"Saranghae oppa," she answered, dropping my hand, lifting her top over her head and tossing it to the side. At that point my brain stopped functioning, my body kept propelling us forward to the bed and I didn't care about anything other than the moment. Although I did stop briefly to send a thank you in my head to the owner for her gift. It certainly added an experience to our trip, one I was very much enjoying.