Evenstar

58. Seoul: The Final

When they got to Taehyung's apartment everyone was tired and still too full to have dinner. They decided to rest for the night and Taehyung showed Dae Eun and Sunhee their rooms. Mrs Kim told them to make themselves at home and to feel free to rummage about in the kitchen if they got hungry. Taehyung opened the ref and pantry and pointed out to Dae Eun and Sunhee his favorite snacks and food that would only need to be reheated.

When Sunhee retired to her room, Taehyung led Dae Eun to his and gave her a small tour.

"Your room is so big, Oppa." It had a mini theatre system, a small living room set, a mini ref and wine cooler, and was also adjoined to his studio and gym. There was a separate room that kept all his clothes.

"Do you like it?" He asked as he wrapped her in his arms.

"Honestly?" Dae Eun looked up at her oppa. The room she designed for them was also large, and the view could be breathtaking depending on the time of year. She was afraid she wouldn't like staying in his apartment for very long. She was never inclined to live in the city and in buildings where she could rarely open a window.

"Oh, you don't like it..." Taehyung pouted. He just bought them a USD8M apartment of the same style and his gongjunim didn't like it.

"I'm a farm girl, Oppa. Walls stifle me a bit but I'm sure I can make it feel more like home. Just give me time." She smiled at her wangjanim. She knew they would need to stay in Seoul most days, but she also knew that the times they would spend in Geumsan would be something they would both look forward to.

"Okay, let's look at our unit after the concert and see how we can design it to look a bit more like Geumsan." Taehyung could feel what Dae Eun felt. It was the same feeling he had when he left his hometown and settled in Seoul. He missed his home terribly then and often cried himself to sleep.

"Oppa, I know you understand. You're a farmboy too."

"It was so long ago, Eun-ah." Taehyung felt he had already lost that part of himself.

"I'll help you remember," Dae Eun tried to search for that farmboy in her oppa's eyes. She knew he was inside him, hiding behind the sophisticated exterior, the unique and elegant style, the expensive clothes. "I'll help you find him, that carefree Taehyung."

He looked into her eyes and felt himself strangely reflected in them - as though Dae Eun was him too. They had gotten so close that they seemed to see into each other's soul. They were merging in ways that he never knew was possible. Not even Jimin could read him as quickly and accurately as Dae Eun could now, and they had only been together for little more than a year. He kissed her eyes, her nose and lips and felt her arms holding him gently. He wanted to take her to his bed, but now, more than ever, he vowed to wait. There would be time enough for both of them after they were wed and he looked forward to that moment when they would be completely one.

"Oppa..." Dae Eun whispered softly and he stopped. He hugged her close to him before leading her back to her room.

"Good night, Gongjunim." Taehyung reluctantly let her go.

"I love you, Wangjanim."

Dae Eun looked at her betrothed and sensed the love inside him. Even though he didn't say the words, he didn't need to because she could feel his warmth coursing through every part of her. She wondered if he could also feel, at one glance, how much she loved him. It seemed like her heartbeat was already tied to his. She could feel everything he was going through and it affected her just as much.

*****

The next day, they both headed out in the morning. Taehyung went for rehearsals at the Seoul Olympic Stadium and Dae Eun and Sunhee went out to meet June who had flown in and was on her way to Seoul. He gave Dae Eun the keys to his Genesis and the code to his apartment, and he asked only that she let him know where she was at all times. She would be meeting June at the station where she would get off the bus from Incheon and they would be going to Chiyue Nara and where June may need to go before heading back to the apartment.