"Hey babe, look!" I excitedly tap Taehyung's shoulder and point out of the cafe's window at one of the big, red double-decker busses drive by that I've only ever seen on movies.

Both Taehyung and his parents chuckle at my child-like reaction as they sip on their drinks and Taehyung eats his lunch. We all sat in a dimly lit small cafe with wooden tables and chairs and old-looking brick walls. The sky was gray and it was cold outside, but it made me feel like I was living inside of a Harry Potter movie.

"I see it." He smiles and pulls me in closer to him. "We'll also go see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and whatever else you'd like to go see."

My bright smile combined with my tiny shriek of enthusiasm must be contagious since all three of them are now smiling back at me.

"It's been a while since we've seen those things." His mom says with another sip of her latte. "This will be fun!"

"How many times have you been to London?" I ask her before taking the bite of food Taehyung is offering me.

"We've been to London many, many times." She replies as she looks at me and then up at her husband.

"More times than we can count." His dad chimes in. "I've been thinking about opening a restaurant here as well. What do you think, Ava? Do you think it would do well here?"

I raise my eyebrows and look up to the ceiling as I think hard about the question being presented to me. While I'm no businesswoman and I don't know crap about owning restaurants, I don't want to give just a yeah, sure...why not kind of reply.

"Well, in my short time in London, I haven't run across many Korean restaurants...or at least authentic-looking ones. And while it may be a risky move with it being a type of food that the locals aren't used to, the culture shock may be just what they're needing in order to spark their curiosity. Coming from someone who used to never try new cuisine, I can personally tell you that once they give it a shot, they're sure to come back for more. However, I do suggest that you look into the busier neighborhoods. Particularly ones that have a decent amount of tourism. That's where I could foresee business thriving the most. At least until word gets out about how amazing it is, then you could expand into other areas as well." I smile and nod at my own thoughts.

I notice Taehyung's shocked and impressed face and see his parents looking at each other with similar expressions.

"That was well thought out and executed in such a short amount of time. I'm impressed. If you ever decide to change careers, let me know." His dad smiles at me and looks at Taehyung with an approving nod.

"Thank you so much, but as Taehyung can tell you, art is where my passion lies," I say with pride running through me like an ocean wave rolling in through the tide.

"It's true. I've never seen anyone's eyes light up like hers do when she sees artwork." Taehyung stares at me in a way that makes my heart swell up with intense love.

Staring at his pink, velvety smooth heart-shaped lips, I'd love nothing more than to place just one tiny kiss upon them.

Just one.

Not a full make-out session or anything. Just a little smooch.

I force myself to look away and politely smile back at his parents to shake myself of the thought. Taehyung reaches down to grab the cloth napkin placed in his lap and slyly runs his hand over my thigh instead while casually chatting with his parents about something I can no longer hear.

Both of his parents get up and start to walk away from the table. His dad stops by the counter to order another coffee to go while his mom makes a beeline for the restrooms.

I look back at Taehyung who has his eyes glued to his dad and as soon as the moment is clear, he wraps his large hand behind my head and pulls me in to sear a quick kiss upon my eager lips.

"They adore you." He says quietly once he pulls back and pretends nothing just happened while my eyes flutter back open from the surprise encounter.

"You think?" I shake my head to get myself back together.

"I know." He bites his lip and looks back over to make sure the coast is clear before quickly pecking my lips once more.

Throughout most of our sightseeing as a family, Taehyung would pull me aside or sneakily plant kiss upon kiss on my lips as if we were two adolescent children playing house on a elementary school playground. As much as I'm terrified of getting caught by his parents, it's that same adrenaline rush that has me anxiously waiting for him to do it again.

We've lived together. We have sex...plenty of sex. We've done other activities, but something about these innocent and forbidden bits of affection makes me feel like it's the most dangerous and exciting thing.

"Your father and I are exhausted. We want to go back to the hotel and rest. Did you two want to continue sightseeing?" His mom turns to look at us both, narrowly avoiding seeing us pull away from Taehyung's last chaste kiss.

"Sure. I mean...if you want to, Ava. I'm not tired or anything." Taehyung cooly responds, giving me a wide eyed expression when both of his parents look at me in hopes to telepathically get his message across.

"No, I'm not tired either. I don't mind staying out longer." I sweetly smile to his mom and dad.

His dad raises his hand to call a taxi cab and turns to Taehyung just as his mother was getting into the back seat.

"You have your credit card, right?" He asks his son who's impatiently waiting for them to leave.

"Yes sir." He confirms with a pat at his pant's pocket.

"Okay good. You make sure to take care of Ava. Your lady shouldn't have to pay for her own things when you're around." He tells him.

"I know, dad." He does he best not sound too anxious.

Ah...so that's where Taehyung gets the whole constant need to pay for everything. Apparently that's something that's been taught to him his whole life.

"Taehyung always makes sure I'm okay." I reassure him that I'm in good hands.

He nods and tells us to call if we're going to end up being out too late and reminding us that even though we're both in college, that they're still parents and want to make sure we're safe. After promising to call, Taehyung finally eases his dad into the taxi cab with his mom. We both wave as they drive off and watch the yellow car disappear into the distance on the opposite side of the road that I'm used to seeing cars drive on.

He scoops me up in his arms with pure excitement for our alone time and spins me around with his boxy smile and squinted eyes being the only thing that I could see while the rest of the world blurs around us. The sun had already set on the day and nightfall quickly approached us. The moonlight peaking through the clouds casted a glow that I knew would become engraved into my memory.

He sets me down and holds my cheeks into the palms of his hands, deeply kissing me while a few random people walking by whistle and cheer us on just to tease us for our public display of affection. The sounds made us both laugh, breaking us from our little bubble.

He wraps his arm around me and begins walking down the long stretch of the London street. "One day you and I will go on a trip together. Wherever you want to go. I just want to make you happy."

I smile up at him, the sunset becoming one with the hue of his skin. "You do make me happy. But babe," I stop and grab his hand to turn him to face me, "don't think that I need to live in a huge mansion or travel the world or have millions of dollars to be happy with you. We could live in a simple house with our three kids and two dogs with the only vacation we take is to the beach. I'd still be the happiest woman alive."

"You mean that?" He says just loud enough for only my ears to hear.

"Of course I do. You're enough. Not your money or anything like that. I didn't know about your wealth before. It was never a reason for why I fell in love with you." I raise my hand to cup his cheek and his face turns into my palm right away.

"Do you not like that I buy you things or that I want to give you more than a simple life?" A sudden sadness begins to dance in his eyes.

"I love that you want to give me a great life...that you want to give yourself a great life and I love all of the gifts you've ever given me. Just don't think that I need that in order to be happy with you." I explain with a smile, hoping to coax one back out of him.

I didn't mean to rain down on his parade or to make him feel like I don't appreciate what he's done for me. He was just so excited to be able to spend some time with me and now he looks like I just told him that I'm unhappy with him.

That's not what I meant at all.

"I'm afraid if I don't that you'll leave me. That you'll find a man who can do more for you. Be better to you. My dad always told me that I'm a man and that I have to provide for my woman so you wouldn't have to worry." His hand touches the back of mine, my thumb still caressing his cheek.

"That won't happen." I say as if I'm comforting a child.

"It happened with my ex." He quickly reminds me.

Again...

"Here we go." My hand falls from his face and he scrambles to catch it.

He kisses my knuckles gently. "I just...I just don't want to fail you."

"Stop that. Stop comparing me to her. I'm not a gold digger or fucking stupid." I scowl back at him.

"I never said you were." He says just above a whisper, his eyes widening with worry.

"No, but it's like no matter how nicely I try to tell you that you don't have to worry about money being an issue for me, that I don't need it or that I won't leave you just because of it, you bring her up almost every damn time." I step back and look at him, my brow knitted while crossing my arms.

I'm not jealous of her in the least, but it irritates me how he doesn't let that past go. That was years before us. Why is it what her dumb ass did my burdens to now bear?

"I'm sorry jagi." He says grabbing my hand again and pulling me into him, forcing me to wrap my arms around his waist. "Just what happened hurt me...hurt my pride more than anything really."

He holds my hands firmly around his waist while he talks to me, refusing for my body to be even an inch away from his.

"I get that but you have got to quit comparing a past before me to what we have together. I know I don't have any past relationships, but I know I wouldn't blame you for their actions if I did or basically assume you would do the same thing to me. That's not fair to me or you. Do you get where I'm coming from?" I ask with wide eyes.

He nods. "I do. I never thought about it like that, but I get it. I understand where you're coming from."

As I look back up at him, I see a hint of fear inside of him. I don't say anything for a minute as my eyes roam through his milk chocolate eyes, the adorable freckle on his nose and his pink heart shaped lips.

"Could we just walk around for a while?" I let a smile curl up at the corner of my mouth.

"Anything you want. Forever yours?" He pokes out his bottom lip and leans down to hover his mouth over mine.

"Forever yours." I press my lips to his, a small sigh escaping him in the process.

I grab his hand and begin walking through a busy shopping district. The gray brick paved road was lined with tourists and locals alike. Iconic red telephone booths where prevalent on many of the corners, standing out from the neutral tones surrounding it. Booths with many different kinds of goods littered the walkways as we strolled through.

I stop to watch a street artist paint at a furious speed. The pouring of the paint, scratching on the canvas and sloppy brush strokes had me intrigued on how the hell this would turn out looking okay.

"I figured you'd like this. Have you ever seen a street artist?" Taehyung whispers next to me.

I shake my head. "No, it's my first time." I stand on the tips of my toes to whisper into his ear as he leans down to assist me. "I don't think it's going to look very good."

He chuckles and tips his chin towards the artist. "Just watch."

In a matter of mere minutes, the artist was able to transform a colorful mess into a beautiful picture of Tower Bridge at sunrise.

My mind is officially blown.

I look up to Taehyung with my mouth hanging open. He fondly looks at me with an I told you so grin as I grab his hand and lead him away, rolling my eyes at his cockiness.

"That's one thing about you I absolutely love." He smiles down at me as we pass by another street artist.

"What's that?" I ask without really paying him much attention while I tried to figure out what was being painted this time.

"That look in your eyes when you fall in love with any kind of art." He wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on the top of my head as I continued to watch.

"I just love that you can take something as plain as a canvas and transform it into anything you want it to be. It's one of the few things you have ultimate control over in this life." I watch the artist finish the painting of The Last Supper and applaud them for their work.

We walk over to an area where lots of different foods and picnic tables where spread about. I point out a funnel cake and get excited. It had been at least a few years since I've had one. Taehyung orders for us while I go find an empty table for me to rest my aching feet.

Slow music was being played through a large speaker and some couples and children began dancing together as if we were at some festival instead of an outdoor market.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around to see a large hand being held out for mine, "May I have this dance, miss?"

Taehyung smiles sweetly and raises his eyebrows at me in anticipation when I still hadn't taken his hand.

"Mm...I don't know, my boyfriend might catch us." I wink and he chuckles at my response.

"Well then we just need to be extra careful to not dance too close." He pulls me up with a bright smile and guides me to the makeshift dance floor where the rest of the crowd is.

After wrapping my arms around his neck, he places his hands at my waist. Staring into his eyes felt like I was looking directly into the stars. An entire universe that I knew could swallow me whole, but at the same time I felt safe here. I feel loved and cherished and content in his dark irises.

"You have that same look in your eyes right now." He grins at me.

"Because I'm staring at the prettiest piece of art I've ever seen." A smile creeps across my face as I begin to blush at my own corniness.

"Oooh...running game on me. Tsk tsk...that's what I'm supposed to say." He jokes as he grabs one of my hands to spin me out and back into his arms.

I shrug as I wrap my arms back around his neck. "It's not like it's a lie."

"Why don't you paint? I know you can. I saw you do it when I took you to that paint class." He tilts his head at me resembling a confused puppy.

"I'm not that good. I'm better at looking at art and selling it than doing it."

"I think you're really talented. You should give it a shot. Even if you don't sell it or anything, maybe it'll be good therapy." He says just as the food vendor calls out our number and he walks me back to the picnic table before going to collect the food.

The words he said to me instantly made me think about Ethan. Art was how he dealt with his pain and trauma of his own life and it's still how he deals with it to this day. As much as I'd like to say I don't have pain from my abusive and toxic relationships with my parents, I really should admit to myself that I am hurting. Admit that I do need to find a way to heal and a way to not hold it in.

Maybe he's right. Maybe I should start painting to somehow get it out. If I had the money, I'm sure I'd see a therapist, but I'm not about to mention that to Taehyung or Uncle Kim. They'd just end up paying for my sessions and then that alone would end up having to be another conversation to have with my therapist - the guilt of letting someone take care of me when I've always been the one to take care of everyone else.

"What's wrong?" He asks setting down the funnel cake in front of me and placing his burger in front of where he sits.

"It's nothing. Just thinking about what you said. About how painting might be therapeutic. I think you're right." I smile and pull off a piece of the sugary treat.

"If you do, I'd love to see them. But only if you want me to. I know it'd be personal to you." He reaches out and lovingly rubs his hand over my arm.

That night in the hotel, I couldn't sleep. Maybe it's just overstimulation from the day, but I knew I didn't want to sleep alone. Instead of trying to fight it for another hour, I pull out my phone and send him a quick text.

Are you awake?

Taehyung 💙:
Just got out of the shower and
laid down. Everything ok?

Instead of responding, I get out of my bed and slide on some slippers to sneak down to the other end of the hall.

As I pass by his parent's room, my adrenaline soars and I begin to briskly walk towards his room, praying the whole time I don't get caught and end up looking like some kind of whore.

I knock on Taehyung's door a few times, bouncing in place with anticipation for him to hurry up and answer so that I can get the hell out of this hallway.

"Who is it?" I hear him call out, but I can't yell out my name. Instead, I just tap on the door again.

He hesitates for a second, probably trying to look through the peep hole, but I'm not even sure if he can see me.

As the door finally opens, I hear another door down the hall towards his parent's room begin to open and my heart feels like it has officially fell out of my chest. Basically charging him, I push my way inside to safety.

"Babe?" He questions moving out of the way.

I take a deep breath and giggle once the door closes behind me. "Sorry, I didn't want to get caught."

"No, that's fine, but are you okay? You didn't text me back." He grabs both of my hands as he walks backwards towards his bed.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just didn't want to sleep alone tonight."

He smiles and lays down in the bed, scooting over to make room for me.

I lay down with my back to his front while he wraps his arms around me and happily gives me a squeeze.

"Won't you get in trouble if I fall asleep in here?" I ask as I feel my eyelids begin to grow heavier.

"Gongju, I would risk my whole world for you. If I get in trouble, I'll survive." He chuckles and kisses my shoulder.

"Saranghae." I whisper as I drift off to sleep.

"Saranghae jagi." He smiles against my shoulder and nuzzles into my back.