(double update since i've been gone 2984 years. i swear i'll never earn your forgiveness, but i hope you enjoy nonetheless xx)

✧･ﾟ: * thirty-seven *:･ﾟ✧    

It takes Madeline a moment or two to remember where she is when she wakes up the next morning, head on Taehyung's chest and arm thrown lazily across his torso. His own arms are wrapped around her waist, keeping her tucked in close, his cheek pressed atop her head. For a minute, she just lays there, soaking in the moment. For a minute, she forgets this moment won't last forever.

She can hear the other members beginning to move around out in the kitchen. Sighing, she starts to detangle herself from Tae, stretching her arms above her head. When she goes to remove his arms from her waist, he groans.

"Stay," he murmurs groggily against her ear, nuzzling his head into her neck.

Her heart melts and she can't say no, smiling to herself as she runs her fingers through his hair. He resituates, his head falling onto her collarbone, his arms still around her, though, he's now in more of a fetal position curled into her.

"You're such a baby," she laughs softly, but she isn't complaining in the least.

He hums in reply, his thumb tracing circles under her shirt against her hip bone.

A few minutes later, she smells something delicious coming from the kitchen. "Okay, I'm hungry, you must detach now."

He huffs, ignoring her.

She grabs his arms, scooting away as she attempts to pull him off. He makes a noise that sounds like a toddler on the verge of a tantrum, tightening his grip. She laughs despite herself, inching closer and closer to the edge of the bed. Suddenly, he hauls her close, flipping her over himself as he puts her back to the wall, rolling over to face her so she's trapped. After she catches her breath from giggling, she opens her eyes to meet his, watching her.

She pokes his chest. "I'm hungry."

He kisses her forehead.

"What time even is it?"

He kisses the tip of her nose.

"Taehyung," she tries to say sternly, but grins when his eyebrows raise, mock hurt on his face.

"You don't want to stay with me?"

She pretends to contemplate. "Hmm... Food or my boyfriend... I think--"

He presses a gentle kiss on her lips to stop her sentence, just soft enough for her to feel the softness of his lips on hers.

She tries to fight her smile as she says, "No, I still choose food."

He gasps, proceeding to dig his fingers into her ribs without warning. She squirms, her voice rising as she begs him to stop, her laughter louder than she cares to admit. He's laughing too, finally stopping the torture with a final kiss to her cheek before he rolls out of bed, tugging her with him.

He pulls her into his arms, his hands clasped at the dip of her lower back. "I want to show you around today."

She smiles, squishing his cheeks so he looks like a fish. "I'd like that."

He playfully swats her hands away, looking as bright as she's ever seen him. "Come on. It smells like doenjang-jjigae."

She raises a brow. "Whatever it is smells delicious."

He grins. "Soup. Jin-hyung likes to make it."

She nods, following him out the room. She's going to have to get used to all the cultural differences, food being one of them. She's never had soup for breakfast before, unless she had a sore throat or was really sick. She isn't against trying new things, though, and if anything, she's very excited to learn.

When the two emerge, the rest of the group is piled in the kitchen, looking away quickly as if they'd been caught. She figures her squeals and laughs were loud enough to expose them and she blushes. Taehyung, however, happy as ever, beams at all of them with polite "good mornings" and proceeds to look over Jin's shoulder as he cooks.

She slides into a stool next to Namjoon, the one she feels most comfortable with as of now. She'll open up eventually, right after she gets some basic Korean under her belt. She stills feels like all of this is too unfair for them.

"How did you sleep?" Namjoon asks kindly.

"Great," she says honestly. "I was exhausted."

He nods understandingly. "It was a long flight for sure. And out for dinner after. It takes it out of you."

She's about to reply when Jin swats at Taehyung's hand when he reaches for a spoon to taste test. He shouts something in Korean at the younger that makes Madeline grin without even knowing what he said. Jungkook is right after, though, trying to sneak a bite while Jin is distracted with Taehyung. The elder ends up snapping at both of them, the two hurrying off giggling like little kids.

It helps her relax.

It's a nice breakfast, too, all of them exchanging little words, but when they do speak, she notices they try to communicate in English so she can be apart of conversation. It makes her feel even guiltier, but she stops herself from telling them they don't have too; they give her small smiles whenever they complete a sentence, and it warms her heart, nearly makes her cry. She's not sure she deserves such hospitality.

After breakfast, she goes to Taehyung's room to get dressed and brush her teeth. Right after she rinses her mouth out, Taehyung knocks on the bathroom door. She opens it to see him in some track pants and a t-shirt. Very casual to go sightseeing, but she supposes keeping it low-key is best anyways. She's not sure how crazed Korean fans are, but after seeing the American ones in the airport, she's not sure she wants to know.

However, the frown on his face has her faltering. "What's wrong?"

He sighs, rubbing his forehead. "I'm sorry, Maddie. I will have to show you around another day. I forgot about practice and--"

"It's okay," she cuts him off, plastering on a smile. "I know you're busy, Tae. You don't have to skip out on things for me."

"But I feel bad because you deserve to see everything."

She remembers hearing him say things like that when she couldn't see at all, when he would piece his broken English together to form descriptions for her. She can't be mad or upset when she remembers who he is.

"It's fine," she says with a small laugh. "Really. Some other day works too."

His gaze lingers on her like he isn't quite convinced. He knows her too well.

"Go," she nudges him, smiling. "It's your job. I understand."

He pulls her into his chest, kissing the top of her head. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she replies, albeit her smile is weaker now that he can't see it.

"What will you do?" he asks, worried about her being alone for who knows how long in this apartment.

She shrugs. "I'm sure Sage is about ready to kill me for not calling her yet."

He smiles, but his is strained too. He gives her a small nod. "I will be back soon."

"I know."

He kisses her. She keeps the smile on her face until she hears the front door shut.

***

It isn't his fault and she knew this was going to happen. She knows his schedule well enough at this point to know it's chaotic and busy and he hardly has time to sleep. She knows his job is more important, as it should be, and that the two probably won't see each other much except for nights, as she's used to with Facetime or calling him. It's always been like that--little time to talk and see each other--but they've always made it work.

Madeline is sitting on the couch, her knees to her chest on Facetime with Sage as she thinks about all of this. Tells Sage about all of it. She's already made twelve laps around the kitchen and tried the television, but nothing is keeping her attention.

It's only been thirty minutes since he left.

She's already breaking from boredom.

"Well, try writing something!" Sage suggests. "You're an English geek. Write a book."

Madeline sighs, throwing her head back. "I physically can't write right now. My brain is lagging."

"Get an e-book?"

"Hello, my brain is fogged. I can't read right now."

Sage huffs. "Well, girl, I don't know what to tell you. He never said you can't go outside, you know."

"Yeah, but..." Could she really survive maneuvering the city on her own? She managed well enough blind, she supposes. But besides, she really wanted to do it with Taehyung. It's his home after all. She wanted to be with him when she saw it.

"Just find, like, a library or something. Oh! You could practice your Korean there!"

Madeline scrunches her nose. "I guess... I don't think I'll be able to focus, but at least I'll be trying to be productive, right?"

"Duh. But I still hate you, you know. You called me when you were alone. I love you and all, but Facetime is really to see the members, you know?"

"Wow, you really changed the subject."

"I miss Namjoon."

Madeline rolls her eyes, smiling.

"I miss BTS, actually."

"I get it, Sage."

"But I really miss Namjoon."

"Didn't he just post on Twitter?" She swears she got the notification for it right before they left.

"I miss him already."

"Okay, I'm leaving now."

Sage sighs, pouting. "Fine. I'll go watch Namjoon fancams to keep missing Namjoon until I've hit rock bottom of missing Namjoon."

Madeline blinks at her. "I don't know why we're friends."

"Tell Namjoon I miss him."

"Okay, bye."

Madeline is giggling when she hangs up, though.

But then she's back to square one, frowning as she looks around the luxurious apartment. She debates with herself back and forth for a while before huffing, getting to her feet and marching determinedly for the door. She refuses to hesitate as it shuts behind her, sealing her into the hallway and away from safety.

She clicks her tongue, wondering if she's made a mistake, but then forces her feet down the hallway to the elevator.

She's outside, still wondering if this is going to end horribly.

She's Googling the closest library, really wondering if she screwed up when she sees it's about a twenty minute walk away.

Nevertheless, she continues on, taking in her surroundings as she goes. It's a bit nippy outside, so she tucks her hands into her sweater. She looks up at the tall buildings, glances at the cars whizzing by, offers friendly smiles to fellow walkers who pass her, though none of them really return her gesture. The breeze tousles her hair and she finds it calming to be out here, any lingering doubt of leaving slipping from her mind.

The library greets her with silence and the smell of paper and dust, such a familiar smell that she finds herself smiling. She walks up to the front counter where a petite woman sits, her hair in a bun and her wing-linger definitely sharp enough to cut.

"Excuse me," she starts, searching for the few Korean words she does know.

But the woman replies in English smoothly, "How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for some language books... to learn Korean?"

A kind, appreciative smile makes its way onto the woman's face and she nods, typing something before saying, "Second floor, shelves 6-7."

"Thank you."

She's scanning the shelves, realizing the woman gave her numbers for the shelves because the letters are in Korean. She sighs, hating that she doesn't already know at least the alphabet when Taehyung is practically fluent already mainly for her. She doesn't deserve him, not in the slightest.

She gathers four books, one on the alphabet and how to draw the symbols and their different meanings. The rest focus on piecing together sentences and phrasing, the proper and improper ways to say things, and so on. She finds a table near the window, setting her books down with a determined smile. She sees a rack of notebooks, pens, and other school-related materials, and grabs a pretty blue notebook and a pack of three pens. She'll pay for them on her way out.

About half an hour into her study session, she's rubbing her forehead in defeat. Her brain just can't absorb a second language. At least four of the symbols relate to others in sound, and she can't quite get the placement of them down. In the middle of rewriting "how are you" for the zillionth time, there's suddenly a shadow beside her.

"Excuse me," a deep voice says.

She jumps, too enthralled in the book to realize someone was next to her. She looks up at the man, a dimple in his cheek when he smiles at her.

"Sorry," he all but laughs. "Didn't mean to startle you. I was just going to ask if I could borrow one of your pens."

"Oh, sure, yeah. I mean, they aren't mine." She scrunches her nose, sighing. "I mean, they will be. I haven't paid for them. But I will! I'm not, you know, stealing. I just..." She trails off, wanting to crawl under a rock.

He chuckles, the sound rather pleasant. "Don't worry. I don't plan on reporting you to the library police."

She offers him a strained smile, holding out a pen.

He doesn't take it, nodding to her book. "Learning Korean after you get to Korea, huh?"

She rubs her temples. "Wanna know something worse? My very Korean boyfriend and I have been dating almost a year, and I still don't know any."

He laughs, sliding into the chair opposite her. She's too frazzled to really notice or care. "I get it. A second language is hard. I could help you, if you want?"

She raises a brow. He clearly is Korean, but he speaks English so well she didn't really imagine him speaking both. Ignorant of her to think, she knows, but she's very distraught and tired right now.

And very disappointed in herself.

"I'm an English teacher, actually," he tells her, noticing the look on her face. "I moved her about two years ago to teach English to Korean high-schoolers."

"Wow," she says. "That's really awesome of you."

"Yeah." He smiles a bit shyly. "I'm Erik, by the way."

She shakes the hand he holds out. "Madeline."

"So, what are you stuck on?"

She frowns. "All of it?"

The smile he gives her is actually comforting, and soon enough, two hours have gone by with him guiding her through the pages. She's able to say and write "how are you" in Korean as fluently as she can in English, along with a handful of other phrases. She's so happy with her progress. She can't wait to surprise Taehyung when she gets home.

Speaking of, her phone lights up with his picture as the phone call comes in.

"Ah," Erik says, almost to himself. "Thought I recognized you from somewhere."

Frowning at this, she pauses answering. "What do you mean?"

He shrugs. "The media has been all over you two. I thought you looked familiar when I saw you sitting here, but I wasn't certain. So... that 'very Korean boyfriend' is a superstar, huh?"

Madeline blushes, his tone almost condescending. "Do you have something against BTS?"

"Oh no," Erik says with another of his charming smiles. "Definitely legends, for sure. Hating on them would be ignorance at its best. You just seem too... honest. To be with someone like him, anyways."

She completely forgets Taehyung is calling, squinting at Erik now. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He holds his hands up defensively. "I'm just saying Korean companies are brutal. I'm surprised they even let you two go public, even if it was accidental. But those kinds of scandals are always good popularity and--"

"You think my boyfriend is using me for, what, media play?"

"I didn't say that--"

She gathers her notebook, pens, and four textbooks that she plans on checking out, already walking away from the table.

"Madeline, wait!" He catches her elbow, face full of apology. "I'm sorry, okay? That came out wrong. I just mean you should be careful, yeah? It's not fun and games for these companies. It can be really harsh."

"I think I can handle it."

"You're right. It was my mistake. Let me make it up to you, okay? We can keep studying, too."

She eyes him a long moment, contemplating this. She can't deny that he did really help her catch on quick, and it would be nice to have an official tutor so she can keep improving.

"Fine," she grinds out after a minute or so, still not completely convinced by him.

He sighs in relief, grabbing her notebook off her pile of books and a pen out of her hand, scribbling his number on the corner of a page. "Coffee tomorrow morning? I know this really quiet cafe that has lounge chairs we can use."

She nods curtly, spinning on her heel before he can stop her again. She checks out and pays for the notebook and pens with the little money she has on her card, then pulls her phone out her pocket as she's walking out to call Taehyung back.

"Hey," he answers. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry. I was in the library."

"Library?"

"Yeah, I thought..." She blushes, even over the phone. "I'll tell you when I get home, okay?"

There's a pause before he says, "Okay. We are taking a break so I thought me and you could get lunch."

That puts a pep in her step, her pace quickening. "Definitely. I'm on my way."