freckles

* chapter twenty *

"H-hey guys." She waved awkwardly, her oversized sweater covering her hands.

"Clauds." Taehyung didn't take a step forward, he didn't pressure her, he stayed still, smiling so wide. "Clauds you have to play this game with us. It's so fun."

"Oh me?" She pointed to herself, Namjoon and Taehyung nodding eagerly, like little puppies waiting for a treat. "I, I was going to go ask if I needed to do my make-up for tonight."

Namjoon and Taehyung's face went slack, both blinking at the same time.

"Make-up?" Taehyung tilted his head. "Why would you need make-up?"

"Yeah, you're beautiful already." Namjoon gestured to her then dropped his hand, still confused.

Claudette covered her smiling, blushing face with her sweater paws, Taehyung and Namjoon's confused faces lighting up with an admiring smile.

"No one has ever called me beautiful before."

"No one has what?!"

---

Claudette slowly sat back up, still laughing, a bit weaker than before for her stomach was literally in pain from laughing so hard. Taehyung was still rolling on his back, Namjoon staring in shock at his pawn, all the way back to the beginning of the board.

They were playing Candy Land... yes the child's board game that was anciently old.

And Namjoon had unfortunately drawn the Gingerbread House, forcing his character all the way back after he was about to win.

The previous laughter had gotten even wilder once Taehyung drew the card that led to his victory, Namjoon still in shock.

"Joon." Was all Claudette could manage, shaking his arm weakly, Namjoon finally moving and rubbing his forehead.

"Oh wow, my luck really does suck." Namjoon chuckled, gathering the cards and stacking them neatly, the game over.

"Nah I'm just amazing at board games." Taehyung puffed his chest up, sitting up now. "And you suck."

Namjoon threw his board character at Taehyung, hitting Taehyung in the middle of his forehead. And Taehyung being Taehyung, he fell back overdramatically, playing dead after Namjoon's kill shot.

Claudette was giggling, unable to stop as she helped Namjoon clean up.

Oh this was what she needed. Two of the most chill BTS members treating her like a real human, not some fragile, porcelain doll. And playing a board game, acting like real humans, not superstars around her, it was so refreshing.

She really hoped the rest could follow these two's lead.

"Ah, weird question." Claudette's giggling reduced to a small smile as she tugged on Namjoon's sleeve nervously. "Can I have a hug? I just like to hug when there's a memorable moment-"

He hugged her before she could finish her explanation and apology, startling Claudette slightly, but she soon closed her eyes, ingraining this moment in her head.

"Can I join the hug?" Taehyung whispered not so quietly, his face right beside Namjoon and Claudette's.

He sparked laughter throughout them all, Namjoon opening his arm so Taehyung could join in, Claudette engulfed by their arms.

"Look at us!" Taehyung rocked them quite forcefully, Claudette squealing as she tumbled into Namjoon. "We're one small happy family!"

'A family...' Claudette thought to herself, smiling the whole time.