Two strong arms are wrapped around me as I open my eyes just after sunrise and am greeted with the beautiful colors of soft pink and orange. It is amazing to experience how the weather adapts to our situation, last week when there was a storm between us it was cold and rainy and today it is cheerful and colorful, just like my inner self.

I feel happy that Jungkook and I have clarified everything between us and that he has openly told me about his past. I hope it also helped him to feel lighter and to know that he is not alone. Even though his past caught up with him and even prevented him from running away, it must have been a relief for him to let out the memories that had stung him like poison.

I forgave him the moment my own tears flowed through the pain, I can understand him better now even if I will never be able to feel what he felt. What his father did to him is unforgivable, he literally stole the best years of his youth. Time is very important in this life because it's something you can't turn back and it slips from between your hands like they're a sieve. You have to hold on to it well and I don't think Jungkook can forgive his father so easily for causing him so much pain, even though he's a person who can't hold a grudge against anyone for long.

I forgive Jungkook with all my heart. I saw the sincerity in his eyes when he apologized. Countless times.

I feel Jungkook's arms tighten around my waist as he hugs me from behind, making me a little spoon. He nuzzles his nose into the crook of my neck, murmuring something in his sleep until he lies still again. This is something I've missed. Having him close to me, waking up next to him, and being able to take in his scent. A couple of weeks of sleeping alone have felt like torture, but I'm glad that's over now.

6:24 am is what the clock on the wall reads and I sigh because I should be out of bed and getting ready for work. However, it is a relief that today is Friday, thankfully, so I can spend the next two days in peace with Jungkook. I slowly try to loosen his arms around my waist without waking him up, but he tightens them around me even more, pulling me closer to his warm body.

"Jungkook?" I call out as I tap his arm so I can get out of bed. "Baby, I have to go to work."

"Just five more minutes," he murmurs, his warm breath hitting the back of my neck and a shiver runs down my spine as I almost can't make out the words.

"I have to get up now though or I'll be late for work. I need to take a shower, I feel sticky." I protest and a sweet whine sounds in my ear before his arms loosen around me and I sit up. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, but when my foot makes contact with the floor, I wince in pain and gasp.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Jungkook's voice rings out beside me, concern evident in his voice as he takes my face between his hands. I shake my head and bend down to pick up the object that stabbed me in the foot.

"I'm fine. I just stepped on this stupid perfume bottle." I laugh, trying to make him feel better, but instead, sadness appears in his eyes after he lets his gaze roam all over the bedroom floor. I feel his mood suddenly drop and guilt washes over his features. He sits back on his heels before running a frustrated hand through his messy hair.

"It's okay, I'll clean this up real quick," I say and just as I'm about to stand up, Jungkook grabs my hand and stops me from going any further.

"I caused this mess so I'm going to clean it up and you can hop in the shower meanwhile," he argues and when he notices I want to talk against it he looks at me with demanding eyes, making me press my lips into a straight line and nod my head. "Here are your slippers. Be careful when you walk over the shards."

I grab my pink slippers, which he holds outstretched in my direction, and then carefully walk across the floor, the shards somehow making satisfying noises. Once in the bathroom, I free my body from Jungkook's shirt and look at myself in the mirror after letting the water run to warm it up. There lies that expression on my face as I observe my naked form.

The emotional exhaustion has long since been wiped away and its place has been taken by relief and an uncontrolled smile. I see life back in my eyes and my skin glows brightly.

After taking my shower, I head back to the bedroom with a towel wrapped around my body and see that Jungkook has cleaned up most of the mess. He is in the process of putting the shards he swept up with a broom into a bucket to throw away later. I smile at him and get a soft smile in return before running to my dresser to arrange clean underwear and clothes for the day.

I drop my towel and slip into my underwear and just as I'm about to hook my bra, I catch a small glimpse in the mirror that managed to survive Jungkook's outburst as he purposely tries to avoid looking in my direction. He busies himself with other things and I can see him grumbling under his breath. After I put on my pants and blouse I walk up to him and take the broom out of his hand, looking deep into his eyes.

"Hey," I whisper as I bring a hand up to cup his cheek. "I don't want things to get weird between us."

Jungkook and I never had a problem being nude in front of each other. Although I was very shy about it at first, over time he has managed to make me feel confident and not hide anything from him. But I guess having not spent time with each other for a long time, the situation in general, and everything that happened yesterday must make him feel weird.

"I don't want that either, but I can't help but think that I ruined the bond between us. I'd feel like an ass pretending nothing happened," he says in a small voice, his eyes darting between mine as I slide my thumb over his soft skin.

"It's going to be okay, you just have to trust me and promise to let me in. Okay?" I ask a small smile finding itself on my lips. I don't know when I turned into such a calm person, but since I've been with Jungkook, my patience and love for people seem to have increased and that amazes me. He makes me a better person.

"Okay," he breathes, placing his hand over mine, which is still cupping his cheek. His eyes lose themselves in mine and a sparkle reflects in his. An idea pops into my head, something that could make us like we used to be.

"I have a place in mind that my grandma used to take me to. How about I come back from work a little early today and we leave everything behind for the weekend together?" I ask, and his features instantly take on a joy that he doesn't try to hide. "Just you and me. What do you think?"

"I'd love that." he smiles. "But are you sure? I don't want to stress you out because of your work. I know you've been busy lately."

"I'm sure," I assure him before placing a small kiss on his cheek and starting to gather my purse for work. "Go ahead and start packing your stuff and make sure to bring warmer clothes. It's still September, but it might get cold because the place is high up."

"Okay. I'll pack you some clothes, too, since I don't have anything else to do."

"Thank you. See you later." placing a kiss on his lips, I hurry out of my apartment because I'm already a little late.

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Hands intertwined on the console, light music playing softly in the background, Jungkook and I are talking about random things as we watch from the window of his car as our surroundings change from a hectic city to quiet countryside. The green of the trees is vibrant and the meadows are adorned with various flowers. The sun is shining and making everything look much more alive.

At first, it took a little longer to build up the conversation with Jungkook because he keeps apologizing about everything, but after three hours of driving, he was able to open up and we were having normal conversations almost like before.

"You have to turn left here."

Showing him the direction to drive, we enter a small road that is paved but still humpy. At the end of the road, we can already see the mountain lodge, which is well known from my childhood. I came here very often with my grandma because she loved nature, but my parents didn't bring me here after her death and I didn't come myself. This is my first visit after years.

Parking the car next to the few others, we both get out of the car at the same time and Jungkook runs to the trunk to get our small luggage out before reappearing next to me and looking down at me.

"It's beautiful here," he remarks, turning his head in all directions as he takes in the scenery.

"Right?" I ask, and he nods his head. I was skeptical at first about whether Jungkook would like it here, but I thought a little silence with very few people around would help him sort out his thoughts and come down. Besides, then I remembered our first date at the lake and all the times in the park and realized that Jungkook prefers such places more than crowded areas.

We make our way to the mountain lodge before Jungkook discovers a meadow full of lambs and approaches the fence, which prevents the animals from running away. He stands very close to the fence and the sight of him trying to bring a lamb closer by stretching a hand forward is so adorable that it melts my heart. I giggle when Jungkook starts imitating the sounds the lambs make.

"Do you want to hold it?" an old man's voice sounds from a few feet away from us, making our heads turn in his direction.

"May I?" Jungkook asks with excitement.

"Of course, young man." the old man smiles as he opens the small wooden door in the fence and approaches with a small lamb in his arms. He carefully places the lamb on Jungkook's arms, who smiles so big that all his teeth are on full display.

"Look, baby!" He exclaims with excitement, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's so cute and so soft!"

I melt at the sight playing out before my eyes. Jungkook holding the little lamb in his hands, his unique laugh ringing in my ears, and his hair flying around in the wind. He looks like a small, innocent child holding an animal on the farm for the first time and it makes me kind of sad.

The view is endearing, but knowing the background story, it is sorrowful at the same time. I wasn't wrong the night Jungkook sang for us, that according to my observations he values even the smallest things and can be happy because of it. It also explains to me why Jungkook is so playful and can be like a child at times, despite his looks and charisma.

"It's really very cute." I laugh as the lamb tries to lick Jungkook's face and he tries to hold it away, high-pitched laughter echoing in my ears. "But you're cuter."

"You think I'm cute?" he asks, his eyes twinkling and I nod, brushing the hair covering his eyes out of his face, which immediately falls back into place.

"Come on, let's check in." I suggest and he hands the lamb over to the old man before picking up our luggage, which he had placed on the ground, and we walk to the mountain lodge holding hands.

It's not too big, probably only accommodating a small number of guests, but it's also not too small that you'd feel weird or lack privacy. The rooms are all far enough from each other and also have a balcony that looks out onto the scenery. The fresh air that fills our noses is full of a woody aroma mixed with freshly cut grass and various flowers. It brings you peace when you come here.

This is also the reason why many of the guests escape from the city on weekends, to have peace from work and relax for a few days. My grandma and I came here because she liked to spend time with me, a cup of tea joining as we both just enjoyed the peace and fresh air.

After getting our room keys, we take the elevator to the top floor and quickly find our room, as there are only 5 rooms on this floor. Opening the door we are greeted with a wooden interior, a large kingsize bed standing right in the middle of the room. The walls are stone, a small TV is hanging on the wall in front of the bed and the floor to ceiling windows brighten up the whole room. It has changed a bit, becoming more modern than I remember, but considering the last time I was here as a kid, it's not surprising. It's still warm and inviting like it was back then.

We change our clothes and slip into something more comfortable before looking at each other questioningly about what to do now. We agreed before coming here that we would not look at our phones and ignore all calls and messages unless they are very important. Not that Jungkook and I would play with our phones when we are together, but this weekend we just want to be together. Just us.

"Should we go down to the restaurant for dinner or order to the room?" I ask as Jungkook looks around the bathroom and then plops himself down on the bed.

"I'd rather order to the room. I just want to relax with you," he says as he stretches out his legs and arms on the bed before leaning against the headboard. I pick up the phone which is on the nightstand next to the bed and order us both something delicious to eat, Jungkook meanwhile looking at me with a soft smile which I mirror.

"Come." he breathes, stretching his arm in my direction and calling me to join him on the bed. I scoot over to him and he immediately takes me in his arms, his soft heartbeat audible as I lean my head against his chest. "Cuddle with me."

I'm glad that the things between me and Jungkook are getting better with every passing hour. We are not weird with each other, something I feared before we came here. The last few weeks have been very challenging for both of us, but what matters is that now we can spend time together, away from all the problems. Because time is the most precious gift one can give to a person.

"Thank you." he sighs, placing a lingering kiss on my hair before breathing in my scent deeply and hugging me tightly. "Thank you, for everything."

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A/N: I hope you liked this chapter♥️
This chapter was shorter (2.6k words) compared to the others (3.5k to 4.5k words) What do you prefer? Shorter or longer?