"You're the only Ray I wish to ever fall on me,
for you were the only beam who preached my leaden sea."

It hasn't been too long since Rae moved to Seoul. Taehyung, feeling just about the right time, asked her out one eve. Albeit through text.

He did believe such things shouldn't be done over texts. But, feeling it would be easier for her to think it through comfortably. And, he wouldn't have to hide his vulnerability if rejected—he consciously chose to text.

However, his face lit up instantly as the tense from his temple subsided. The hour late reply fortunately turned out to be a 'yes'.

He didn't want to waste the moment in virtuality. Hence, the next thing he did was to invite her out on a date at the soonest convenience.

She, presuming herself to be busy with classes the following week, agreed on the weekend. More importantly, Rae was equally as excited to make it official.

.

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D-day evening

.

.

As Taehyung was leaving the dorm, Jungkook tailed him out before he exited the gate.

JK : Let's go together, Hyung.

TH : You know where I am going, don't you?

JK : Yeah, yeah. (-in a chunter-) "She said yes, and now it's celebrate-time. Wo-hoo~" But!  Don't worry, I am not going to invade your privacy.

TH : Like I would let you do that.

JK : (-fakes hurt-) Hyung~

TH : (-teasingly-) Yes?

He was going to say he was the baby brother, but soon realized that he hated to be called just that.

JK : Forget it. I mean, I have a meeting in the same restaurant as you. So, why not go together?

TH : All right, Sure! So, whom do you have a business with, CEO Jeon Jungkook? If may I ask.

Jungkook grinned at his address and change of tone, and happily played along. Totally getting into the character himself.

JK : You may. She is an International client and I cannot afford to be late. Afterall, I have the CEO reputation to maintain.

He proudly gave off CEO vibes as he slightly stuck out his chest to stand more manly. Taehyung hit his puffed out torso with a chuckle.

TH : You punk!

He went to his normal posture with a grin in return to Taehyung, as they both start on their way to their destination in a cab.

TH : (-curiously-) So, when did Kev-ie come here?

JK : Huh? Oh, she arrived this morning.

TH : (-nods casually-) By the way, what are you both, like actually?

JK : (-big clueless eyes-) What? (-gets a little upset after realizing-) Ay, why do everyone think the wrong way? We are just friends. And if it's anything more, it would stretch to "good friends" only.

TH : Yah, don't be so sulky. I am just concerned that you know your relations well. (-linking his arm around the younger's shoulder-) I promise to never pair you again unless you tell me otherwise.

JK : There are not gonna be any otherwises.

TH : All right, all right. Roger that, CEO Jeon.

Jungkook couldn't but end up in a chuckle. Taehyung sure knew how to cheer the little bun for they weren't together for nearly a decade in nothing.

Soon they reached the place. They parted ways inside the restaurant, as each singer went in their reserved private rooms.

Taehyung saw the clock nervously. It was five minutes prior the time they decided to meet.

With each passing minute, the anxiousness and excitement took all over his body and face— which had a frozen smile.

He stood up as she finally arrived, dressed up the prettiest she could bring out from herself.

RAE : Am I late?

TH : Nah, it's just a minute. Besides, I was too early. (-goofy smile-)

Rae chuckled and they settled down with smiles.

RAE : I never knew you are this strict with time.

TH : Me neither. It's like knowing myself better when I am with you.

RAE : (-grins-) Well, I can tell you love some good cheese.

TH : (-nose scrunch-) Good for me.

They continued their elegant and classy date, not permitting either of them to be real with each other. A sense of formality still castled them.

With the arrival of food and them just concentrating on it rather than talking, made it even harder to breathe through.

Taehyung feared the evening he imagined to be the best first date ever might end up being the worst. Therefore, he rested his cutlery and broke the silence eventually.

TH : Alright. So I wanna be clear on this before we commence into this new relationship.

She nodded with a smile asking him to continue.

TH : Rather than The Kim Taehyung of BTS, I wanna be just Taehyung to you. Although, I have a fame on the outside, but I am also any ordinary human being just like any other guy. So, I don't want you to treat me any different. I would like to date you being Taehyung and not "V".

RAE : (-smiles-) Well, I agreed to date the guy I met on the day which I hated to remember the most. The day(date) when my dad left his wife with his one year old daughter.

TH : I am sorry...

RAE : (-humming in denial-) Don't be. Meeting you then was the best thing to ever happen on that date. And I remember I met an ordinary Korean guy named 'Taehyung', definitely not V.

Her words brought a smile on his face. It worked like an icebreaker as they could slowly ease into the evening. Merging their comfort zones making a home for themselves to be in together. With comfort.

The actual date started to sprout its wings as they warmed up with these few formal talks. Taehyung resumed his dinner once again.

TH : Ray, I was thinking if we can confirm dating through our agency. I don't want things to take a bad turn getting us into false rumors.

RAE : (-a little serious-) How about we wait for some time before we do that?

TH : (-slightly concerned-) And why do you say that?

RAE : I don't want to gain unnecessary attention on the very first day in the foreign University I am going in. I ain't ready for it yet. Some Armys are scary.

TH : (-holds her hand with a chuckle-) Scary people are Saseangs(creepy obsessed fans) who just claim to be Armys. Honestly, they scare us too, but that's okay untill true Armys are with us. (-smiles-) And do you think I am gonna let you alone and do nothing to keep you safe?

She passed on an uncertain smile, making Taehyung chuckle again.

TH : What is it exactly?

RAE : I can understand Sasaengs, they are just straight obsessed with you all. But, a few armys do take it to heart when they hear news like this. Trust me, I have read a plenty of Fanfictions.

Taehyung almost choked, at how unbelievable and casual it sounded coming from her.

TH : You read what!

Taehyung leaned back laughing hard, although not letting go of her hands. Thanks to his arms being long.
As he finally grew stable, hunching Rae might be feeling like a joke, he leaned in back to his normal posture.

TH : You read Fanfictions? That much in love you were with me?

As Taehyung trying pursing down the bouts of laughter, Rae slapped his hand and frowned. She crossed her arms across her chest, reclining to the chair. Her voice, unamused and slightly annoyed.

RAE : Stop with the laugh already.

TH : (-tries to be understanding-) Okay, so how did you end up reading those?

RAE : YouTube recommended me some and I was curious to know what happened there. (-flushing the debate-) But that's not the point!

TH : Then what is?

RAE : It is a reality in itself how Idols end up breaking apart, because of unwanted attention. Aria eonnie, too, had to face such nasty comments. (-mentally freaking out-) And I don't have the thick skin and stability to face the same.

She landed her hands back on the table which Taehyung gently held again.

TH : (-in a soft voice-) Alright, calm down. If you don't want, it won't happen. Your happiness and feeling secure is all I wanted.

Taehyung tried to calm her down by caressing the top of her palm. He noticed some tears welling in her eyes at his gesture and words.

RAE : I don't want us to end things like Jimin Oppa and Aria Eonnie did.

TH : Shh. We won't. (-pecking her hands-)

She, gulping her tears in, smiled sweetly to him. Rae wanted to look pretty instead of an ugly mess, she feared, her tears might do to her face.

He, holding her hands with one hand, stretched out the other to caress her soft cheeks.

TH : (-with affection-) You look beautiful~

She chuckled following some sniffs, trying hard not to let the tears flow out.

Compliments at the start of the date was a clichè date procedure, but he knew exactly when to place it. The time when it has more meaning, and can bring a smile on her face when she wants to cry.

Gradually, time advanced to the moment they had to part ways—before going out in the public. Separately.

They stood facing each other looking down at their held hands without any verbals.

TH : Come here. (-pulls her in a hug-) Next time, don't stop your tears. It might ruin your eyeliner, but then I will ruin your lipstick to make it even.

Rae, blushing at his tease, hit Taehyung lightly. It pulled out a grin from him as he hugged her more securely.

TH : And that Oppa thing. That should only be to address me.

RAE : (-releasing the hug-) But, Jimin Oppa allowed me to call him that.

TH : Yeah, but I am not.

Before she rebelled against that, he hugged her back and changed the topic.

TH : Could we not leave just yet?

RAE : (-lightly dabbing his back-) We had a great time. And it is special only if it has an end.

Taehyung, releasing her from the hug, smiled at her innocence. It was too late to maintain the decency of the first date for he couldn't resist her gradient plum lips intimidating him. He stole a quick kiss leaning in, making her freeze.

The singer pulled back and chuckled at her surprised and stunned face.

TH : (-finger-taps her nose-) I will go first. Be safe!

He, without a wait, left with a smile securing his mask around his mouth—knowing for a given that she wouldn't reply him.

"Do they have penalties for stolen kisses, 'cause I wanna loot you of them."