AUTUMN KICKED HER legs up, causing the swing to lift her higher in the air. taehyung paused in his steps to savour the beautifully simple and serene scene before him. his lips unwittingly curved up, admiring the way she moved with a subtle grace.

he reached down, fingers wrapping around the camera he always had with him. moving it up to his face as he switched it on, he focused until he had the right angle. his finger pressed down on the button and he smiled again.

it was truly amazing just how perfectly she fit in with the background. russet jacket over a pumpkin orange dress that fluttered over her thighs as she swung back and forth, almost blending in with the colourful leaves that flitted their way through the wind before settling on the ground. big fro of corkscrew curls bouncing up and down at every pendulum shift she made.

her eyes shut and head tilted back, she seemed at peace. she still hadn't noticed him yet, so he kept staring unabashed, taking in all that he could while he had the chance.

his heart did all sorts of leaps and tricks, going wild as it usually did whenever autumn was involved. he wanted to get closer but he didn't want to interrupt her serenity just yet. it was familiar. wanting to let her know how he felt and possibly crossing the line between them but too scared to pop the bubble of safety they'd created for themselves.

another furtive picture and her eyes shot open. he froze as they instantly fixated on him like she already knew he was standing there. her perfect dentition made an appearance as her lips parted in a welcoming smile. "were you sneaking pictures like a stalker again?"

his smile was shy, his feet taking him to where she sat, swinging her legs. "it just looked... really nice." he offered, taking a seat in the swing next to her. she turned to him, amusement glowing on her face. "honestly, if we weren't friends and i didn't know how your favourite type of photos are serendipitous candids especially of nature..." she trailed off.

"you know me so well." he let a small smile tickle his lips, kicking the sand with his left foot. "of course i do. i know everything there is to know." she grinned, confidence trickling out of her words. "not everything." he mumbled, resting his head against the chains that held the seat of the swing up.

"hm?" her head tilted, eyes full of curiosity. "nothing." he replied with a shake of his head. "what are you doing out here this fine fall sunday?" he swept over it quickly, changing the subject before she tried to dig deeper.

she swung slowly, the heels of her brown brogues digging into the sand. "i couldn't get any inspiration inside, so i thought maybe the fresh air and colourful death of nature could bring me some." her gaze was focused on the patterns of the sewing on the leather shoes. "is the new script not going well?" he couldn't hide the worried note in his voice.

he was well aware how much this job meant to autumn. doing what she loved and watching it come to life, all the while being paid for it. it didn't really have any downsides. but that did not seem to be the case at the moment.

she let out a heavy dramatic sigh. "i don't know." she answered forlornly. "nothing i write seems to come out right. i've hit the backspace so many times, i honestly don't know how it isn't jammed yet." she looked up at him again, lips pursing in a pout. "tae, i think i'm in a rut. this is the worst case of writer's block i've ever had."

taehyung pressed his lips together, thinking of how best to console the girl next to him. something caught his attention in that moment. something small and interesting flittering towards them. "hm?" his eyes rounded with fascination.

the black spotted red insect came to rest on autumn's arm. "it's a ladybug." excitement seeped into his deep voice, hand automatically going for his camera. autumn glanced down, surprise evident on her face. "they're lucky." he moved cautiously, trying to get a good picture.

he watched with curiosity as it crawled over autumn's arm comfortably. "i think she likes you." he remarked softly, successfully taking a few pictures. she beamed up at him. "i must be extra lucky today." she leaned down and he watched her mumble something he couldn't decipher to the bright insect.

suddenly the ladybug fluttered away almost as if it was in a hurry. taehyung's eyes followed it until it disappeared beyond his vision. "what did you say?" he turned back to the woman next to him.

her smile was knowing and playful as she looked up at him. "i asked her for a little favour, a wish if you will. and i told her something important in exchange." her fingers laced through each other, gaze fixed on the part of her arm where the ladybug had made itself comfortable.

taehyung stared at her and a thought occured to him. he must have had many ladybugs land on him when he was younger to have been lucky enough to meet the girl swinging easily before him. but he must not have asked them for the right things. because autumn's heart wasn't his.