"I look at you and I feel my world stop and begin at the same time."
~*****~
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"Thank you for bringing me here."
Jungkook chuckled at the way Chaeyoung's eyes shone like a toddler given a candy. They walked through the popular New York's botanical garden, the air feeling crisper and smelling sweeter. The smell of freshly watered soil penetrated their nostrils the moment they entered, the earthy smell calming them down.
Petrichor.
That's what Chaeyoung told him the smell was called in english. That was a beautiful name for a beautiful smell. They were surrounded by the most exotic flora, and it was no surprise Chaeyoung was oozing with excitement.
"I thought you'd like it ms roses are rosie." He laughed out as he almost whispered it in her ear in precaution of not being heard. Witnessing Chaeyoung turning red under her black mask was worth the slap she gave on his arm.
"Not you too, my members tease me about it too."
"Well oddly your obsession with flowers completely fits in with your personality."
"Really? How so?"
"They're beautiful and unique. They symbolise and convey love, passion and emotions without trying. You're a lot like that Chaeyoung. You give more than what people put in, without expecting anything in return. You need to be taken care of as well so you bloom the fullest."
Maybe it was how he said it while he looked into her eyes or the way his voice got deeper, but the look in his eyes was something that caught her off guard. The garden could've caught fire and Jungkook wouldn't have noticed.
Chaeyoung's cheeks felt hot.
How does he say these things? Does he want to kill me?
"Well.. You... you are beautiful and unique as well." She stuttered her way into words. Her brain had stopped processing. He always said something extremely kind about her in every conversation and she would stutter, making up her mind that she would try to be more expressive now. Reaching her pinky forward to test waters, she held his pinky finger, raising her head to now look at him. He looked.. stunned. But in a good way. His eyes crinkled as he smiled and adjusted his hand to cover her whole hand now.
They stared at each other for some time until Chaeyoung squeezed his hand, and said in her softest voice, "Let's see the remaining garden before it closes."
He nodded. Hand in hand, they went ahead to watch the entire botanical garden, taking many pictures as they progressed. Laughing at the jokes they made but not letting go of their intertwined hands.
Chaeyoung pouted as they exited the garden promising herself she'd be back here some other time. Walking towards the parking Jungkook told her how hectic his schedule get henceforth and she felt guilty for keeping him here at the time he was supposed to be resting. Jungkook noticed the look on her face as she looked at the ground.
"I'm happiest I've ever been with you at this moment. So please don't you start feeling guilty."
"I'm the happiest with you, too. Thank you for this brilliant date."
"It isn't halfway over yet."
Sitting in the car they drove towards Central New York now. As Jungkook parked the car he explained why they were here.
"Since we both are such avid eaters and rarely come to New York, why not make the best out of it. I cancelled our restaurant booking so that we can have a whatever and everything you can eat mukbang. This street has few of the best reviewed restaurants so we can go crazy."
Chaeyoung reached over to his side undoing her seatbelt after he'd parked the car now. She adjusted herself so that now sat in lap hugging him tight.
"You're the BEST has anyone told you that." She kissed his left cheek as she again hugged him tight. Jungkook seemed to be frozen at her sudden action. Gaining some consciousness, he wrapped his arms around her drawing her closer.
"Oh, thank you baby." He whispered as he rested his chin on her shoulder. She drew away a little to look at him. He was perfect. Placing one hand on his cheek stroking it with her thumb. Paying extra attention to spot where his mole was under his lip. Jungkook leaned in closer, his breathe now mixing with hers. He looked into her eyes as if asking for permission. When she smiled, he closed the gap.
It was soft, slow kiss. Books and movies described the kisses as fireworks within. But this felt like all that so much more. Like they'd found the piece of themselves missing for so long . Breaking away with a huge grin on their faces, they continued to lean in and given brief pecks.
"We should go and get food or we're never stepping out." He groaned in her ear. She jumped away after giving him a final peck on his lips, now opening the door, "Let's go." He gave a hearty laugh before stepping out himself.
They brought bags of food. Pizza, Macaroons, Fries, meatballs, hotdogs, nachos with bean salsa and cheese, tacos and much more. Coming back to the car they sat in the back seat as they tore away the masks to dive into the food.
It was no surprise they went through the entirety of it as their appetites could rivel each other's. Finishing their meal with the dessert they bought from Cafe Madeline, they sighed with relief as they leaned back in their seats, content and happy.
Jungkook looked at his side where Chaeyoung looked content leaning her head back on the seat.
"Let's dispose the covers then there's one last place we need to be."
She opened her eyes and looked at him with a smile.
