✧･ﾟ: * twenty-three *:･ﾟ✧

Madeline wakes up feeling the most comfortable and well-rested than she has in a while. Her forehead is pressed into Taehyung's chest, her nose brushing his shirt. Her cheeks flush when she realizes she's hugging him like a freaking koala bear, her arms around his torso and her legs over his. She's excused from humiliation if she did this during her sleep, right?

She decides she wants to make breakfast before he wakes up, if only to start paying him back for everything he's done for her. Making breakfast is the absolute least she can do, so she might as well start there since she's perfectly capable now.

She gently removes his arm from her waist, carefully trying to slide out of the bed. He shifts slightly, a frown forming on his lips, but he doesn't wake up fully. She throws her hair into a bun, not bothering to get dressed quite yet as she makes her way to the kitchen. She isn't even sure they have much to cook. They'd gone to the store when they first arrived, but Taehyung has been trying to cook breakfast every morning she's been with him.

She finds some eggs left, half a loaf of bread with barely any butter in the fridge, and a little bit of pancake mix left over.

She starts preparing it, though, going somewhere to eat would be easier and probably taste better. She wants this to be special, as cringeworthy and cliche as that sounds. She wants to finally start giving back to him now that's she normal again.

She finds two glasses, rinses them out, then uses the last bit of orange juice since there isn't anymore coffee or tea. She prefers orange juice, but she hope Taehyung doesn't mind drinking it. She sets the glasses on the table for two, proceeding to grab plates to put the eggs on from the pan. She's puts a few pieces of bread in the oven to toast on low heat.

In the midst of scraping eggs from the pan evenly onto the two plates, she suddenly freezes when two arms snake around her waist from behind. Is this how time with him is going to be spent from now on? Always cuddly? She's definitely okay with that, you know, if she ever sees him in person again.

He puts his chin on her shoulder. "What are you doing?" He doesn't speak as slowly anymore with his English, which somewhat makes Madeline feel like a proud mom.

"Making breakfast," she answers, heat in her cheeks as she continues what she's doing, as if having an extremely attractive man snuggling her from behind is completely normal and not totally distracting.

Taehyung moves away, leaving her unadmittedly upset. She can see now that he's sleepy, probably still partially asleep, as he makes his way to the table and sits down. He lay his head down on his arms, watching her with heavy eyes.

She laughs. "You look like a tired baby."

"I am."

She laughs harder.

She decides she agrees, though. As clingy as he was last night, a "baby" is definitely a most fitting title.

When the toast is finished, she fixes their plates neatly, then carries them over. Taehyung digs in the second she sets it down, so she takes it as a good sign that she hadn't completely failed breakfast despite their low ingredients. There's hardly enough syrup for the pancakes, but their limited food doesn't alter their moods at all.

Madeline is in the middle of biting a piece of toast when Taehyung calls her name. She glances up, the piece of bread between her teeth. He's holding his phone up, the camera sound going off before an amused grin breaks out on his face.

She gapes at him. "Why would you do that?"

"I need picture," he says, turning his phone around for her to see he's on her contact name, the monstrosity of a picture as her display.

She frowns. "You're going to think of a pig every time I call you now."

He laughs instead of sympathizing with her distress. "No, no," he argues. "It's cute, jagiya."

She quirks a brow. "What does that mean?"

"Hmm?"

"You said something just then," she says, and his eyes widen slightly when he remembers whatever it had been. "Is it bad?"

"Ah..." His cheeks flush and he looks down at his plate. "Not bad but..." He bites his lip, trailing off. She can't tell if it's because he doesn't know how to explain it or if knowing how to explain it is why he's quiet.

"You can tell me," she says, her curiosity sparked now. "I want to learn."

He purses his lips, then murmurs. "Jagiya is 'baby.' Is that okay?"

It takes a minute to sink in for some reason. She's never had any kind of pet name before. Her mother only ever calls her "sweetie" sarcastically or belittling. But being called baby by, well, someone who looks like Taehyung...

It's her own cheeks that heat up now. "Y-yeah," she stammers. "It's okay."

Luckily, her phone rings from the bedroom before she has to endure any more blushing. She gets up, knowing the only person who would call her. She sighs dreadfully, but answers nonetheless.

"Hi, Mom. Shouldn't you be asleep?" she murmurs, walking back out into the mainroom so Taehyung isn't sitting alone.

"I couldn't sleep after our last phone call. I just want to know when you'll be home, Maddie." The desperation in her mother's voice makes her stomach knot.

"Actually," she says, "I have a flight tonight to head back. So... you'll see me sometime tomorrow night."

"Really? Oh, I'm so relieved to hear that. The house has been too quiet with you gone, and I can't sleep or eat because of all this guilt and... Maddie, I'm just ready to see you. I'm ready to start over, okay?"

Madeline pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, a lump suddenly in her throat.

"What are you doing right now?" her mother asks, striking small talk.

"A-actually, I was eating breakfast." Madeline inhales a deep breath, blinking away the stinging in her eyes.

"What time is it there?"

"About nine. Which means is way too late back home. You should go try to rest, Mom. I promise I'll be back tomorrow."

"I won't be able to sleep," her mother chuckles. "Lisa visited yesterday. She was wondering where you were and why you haven't called. I'm surprised you didn't tell her."

"I didn't tell anyone," Madeline admits. "Did you tell her? About the operation?"

Madeline had told her mentor, Lisa, once about the operation. Lisa had told her it was merely a fantasy idea, and that there's no cure to blindness once your sight is fully gone. Madeline never gave up hope, though, and now she's grateful for that. She'll have to tell Lisa right when she gets back. Lisa deserves her eyes, too.

"No," her mother responds. "I figured you would want to."

"Yeah, I will."

"What are your plans today? Are you still with, you know, that man?"

Madeline rolls her eyes. "Yes, Mom. You don't have to say it like he's a pedophile. He's only three years older than me."

"Still, Maddie, you have no idea who he really is."

She's spent two straight weeks with Taehyung, twenty-four hours a day, and sure, she doesn't know everything about him, but she'd like to think she knows enough to know who he "really" is. A soul far too kind and generous; the type of person the world needs everyone to be.

"Well, it's been two weeks and I haven't been brutally murdered so... I'd say I'm safe."

"Madeline, don't talk like that!"

She chuckles, shaking her head. "You should really go lay down, Mom."

"Fine, but only because sleeping will make the time go by faster."

Then, for the first time in years that actually feels genuine, she and her mother exchange "I love you's" as a goodbye.

***

Currently, Taehyung and Maddie are sitting on the subway that will take them to the nearest beach. The weather is perfect outside for some time in the water, and it's something relaxing for a change, rather than walking around the town and returning to the hotel with blistered feet. He thought a beach day could be fun, and Maddie hadn't disagreed when he mentioned it.

She's wearing the bathing suit she had when the two went kayaking under a t-shirt and some jeans. He has on swimming trunks and a plain white t-shirt, his sunglasses perched on his nose. He's excited, if he's being honest. He hasn't been to the beach to actually swim in months. The last time he was on a beach, it was for a music video and it was far too cold to get into the water.

Maddie confesses to him that she's never been to the beach. Not once in her life. Even when she had her sight before, she said she lived too far away and her mother would never take her. Taehyung feels a responsibility now. He has to make this beach day fun.

When the subway stops, the two have to walk a little ways to actually get to the boardwalk. Maddie is looking at anything and everything, her lips parted as she takes in the bright blue of the sky, the waves crashing on the shore, the people crowding the walkways in a variety of outfits. There's games further down the boardwalk, like an outside arcade almost.

"Everything is so colorful," she murmurs, her grip on his hand tightening. "I forgot how bright the world is."

Taehyung smiles fondly at her delight, veering her towards the stairs that lead down to the beach. They stopped by a store after leaving the hotel for some towels and sunscreen, but that's all they have. That's all they need, he thinks.

Having her with him is more than enough.

There's quite a bit of people on the beach, but everyone is nicely spaced out so it isn't feeling too cramped. Taehyung picks a spot near the water, just where the tide is out of reach of their towels. He lays the towels out neatly, fighting against the breeze for a moment or two before being able to accomplish it.

When he straightens up, Maddie is chewing her lip, her arms crossed against her stomach, her eyes scanning the never ending ocean.

"Are you scared?" he asks, frowning.

Maddie looks back at him, shaking her head. "No, not scared. Just... it's so big. I mean, obviously I've seen pictures of the ocean and stuff, but in person... It's beautiful."

"Yeah," he says, staring at her while she turns back to the waves. "It is beautiful."

"You have the sunscreen, right?" she asks.

"Eh? Oh! Yes, yes. Sunscreen."

He turns around to get it from the bag, rummaging through it a few moments. When he turns back around, his eyes widen and he swallows the sudden lump in his throat. Maddie had taken off her clothes so she's just in a bathing suit, as one does at the beach, but Taehyung still isn't used to seeing any girl in a bikini, much less one he's currently falling for. It took him off guard, that's all, and maybe-sort-of made him a little self-conscious.

She isn't the skinniest or the fittest, but the smoothness of her skin and her curves make her undeniably beautiful. An abrupt image of him tracing his hands along them makes heat creep up his neck, reddening his ears. He blinks, as if he can erase the image, averting his gaze.

"Are you okay, Taehyung? Did sand get in your eye or something?" Maddie asks with concern, tilting her head to look him in the face.

"I-I'm fine," he replies, rubbing his eyes to fit the cover-up. He can't admit how creepy his thoughts are.

"Are you sure?" Suddenly, her hands are cupping his cheeks, her eyes looking into his with immense concern. He stares back at her, his breath shortened. She has such stunning eyes. And now knowing that she can see him with them makes his heart beat fast.

"I'm okay," he murmurs. "Want to swim?"

She scrunches her nose. "I hope the water isn't cold."

To distract himself and to not waste the day, he grabs her hand, tugging gently, as he begins jogging towards the water. She's hesitant at first, and he remembers how she said she didn't like running because she couldn't see. She can see now. She must realize this, because she ends up being the one tugging him.

The water splashes up on their legs, a bit chilly but nice with the hot sun beating down on them. Maddie gawks at the crystal clear water, spotting a small fish swimming nearby. Her reaction is that of a child's, her eyes widening, an awestruck "wow" leaving her lips. He hadn't thought about the visuals for her. How amazing it may be to see an ordinary fish racing by, how captivating waves could be crashing around them. Watching her is making him appreciate the sights he sees on a routinely basis.

Being with Maddie is forcing him to realize how much he truly takes for granted. Having been with her for a couple of weeks now, he's never felt more grateful in his entire life.

Startling him, bubbles begin to float in front of his face, scattered all along the ocean. He looks for the source, finding a young girl with pigtails blowing them in every direction, the brightest grin on her face. Kids flock to her, jumping up happily to pop the neverending bubbles, all of them laughing joyously.

He turns back to Maddie, who's trying to hold a bubble in the palm of her hand. It pops when her skin makes contact, some of the soap splattering onto her cheek. He laughs as she wipes it off with a frown. Before he can process it, water is spraying into his face, the result of Maddie gliding her hand through it. He raises his eyebrows at her after rubbing the water out of his eyes.

She quirks a brow back.

A splashing war breaks out between them. Taehyung tries not to shove too much water into her face because he doesn't want it to go up her nose, but Maddie could care less about his wellbeing. He finally gives up retaliating, and instead goes in to force her surrender. She tries to swim away from him, but her laughter and the waves slow her down. He catches her around the waist easily, pinning her arms to her sides.

"Okay, okay. Truce?"

He pauses. Racks his brain. Then clicks his tongue. "Eh?"

She giggles. "Truce. It means, like, a tie. We stop fighting."

He spins her around to see her face, confusion on his own. "Fighting? We are not fighting, Maddie. Fighting is bad."

She grins so big, he begins to think she's laughing at him. "No, Taehyung. We're play fighting. Like, playfully. We're not actually fighting."

"There is good fighting?"

"Sort of, I guess. We're just having fun," she clarifies. "Does that make sense?"

He nods slowly. "So... you are not mad at me?"

"Mad? Of course not. Play fighting is like teasing."

"Teasing," he repeats, knowing the word. "Okay, okay. I get it."

She smiles. "You know, if I was mad, you'd definitely be able to tell."

"I don't want you mad... at me."

"It's hard to be mad at you, anyways."

"Hard? Why?"

"Because... you're kind of adorable."

When he catches the word "adorable," and actually knows the meaning, it's his turn to grin big. Call it childish, but he won't ever get enough of hearing Maddie call him "cute" and "adorable."

A bubble kills the moment, popping on Taehyung's nose.

Maddie bursts out laughing while he screws his face up, trying not to let the soap get into his mouth.

She wipes the soap away, then slides her arms around his neck, clasping her hands. He hadn't realized he was stilling holding her around her waist until then. He doesn't know what's gotten into him. He's never been this touchy—this... lovey—with anyone that isn't his group members before.

He likes holding Maddie, though. It's comfortable. Natural. His hands always find some sort of way to hold onto her.

She rests her chin on his shoulder, her lips by his ear. The peace coursing through him is abruptly ended when she whispers, "I'm really going to miss you, Taehyung."