Travel with Me - V (aka Kim Taehyung) BTS COMPLETE

Chapter 24 - Chocolate and cream

Chapter 24

KTH POV

I stretched as I woke up, eyes focusing on the sleeping form of Marley tucked in next to me. I took a moment just to watch her, lying on her stomach, arms tucked under her head like a pillow. In sleep she looked relaxed, any of the stresses she was dealing with the last year falling away. I'd woken in the middle of the night as she moved about a little, fresh tears on her face, still fast asleep. Pulling her close, I had felt her calm against me and fell back into slumber wondering how many things were still hurting her that she would cry without waking. It seemed to be a regular thing and I wanted to help her through the pain and be there on the other side.

Reaching out, I carefully tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and snuggled down next to her, feeling the sleepy warmth coming off her skin. While she was asleep I could be fearless and I gently kissed her arm where it rested against her face, thinking about the last few weeks and how she already meant so much to me.

Whether she felt the kiss or was disturbed by me coming close, her eyes fluttered open, eyelashes opening and closing a few times as she came to consciousness. "Morning," she said sleepily, propping herself up on her elbows and running her hands through her hair as she finished waking up.

"Good morning," I answered, clearing my throat a few times after I spoke as my voice came out a little croaky in the morning, even deeper than normal. She reached a hand up to my neck, rubbing it a little and causing things to move in my body.

"Do you need me to get you water?" she asked and I marvelled at her again, that she was thinking of how to take care of me.

I shook my head. "I'm OK, in fact, I'm very OK," and her face lit up. I wanted to make sure she was fine after last night. "Are you? I mean, last night..."

"Tae, you have been the sweetest, most patient man. I am more than fine."

"Just sweet and patient?" I asked, fishing for a compliment.

"And cute, funny, sexy. I could go on you know," she said, laughing at my Tata Mic face.

"I'm satisfied with those," I replied, sliding my lips lightly across hers, and she shivered. I wondered if it was because of me or if she was cold, pulling her in against me as we relaxed together.

"I like that you don't feel you need to rush off first thing in the morning to brush your teeth anymore," I said with a grin. She pulled away from me, covering her mouth with her hand, eyes huge. "No, no, I like the way you taste in the morning," I continued, pulling her hand away and stroking her lips with my thumb. She pursed them in tightly and I laughed, leaning in to capture them in mine as I felt her resistance give way under my mouth.

"Baby, I do have something to ask though," I said as I pulled away, taking her hand in mine, playing with her fingers. "Do you know that you cry in your sleep?"

She looked confused, turning to me with a frown. "I do? Sometimes I wake and feel like I haven't slept well but I don't remember ever waking up crying."

"You don't remember a bad dream you have in the night or anything like that?"

"No, I mustn't wake properly."

"It happened again last night, I thought about waking you but when I hugged you close to me, it seemed to help."

"You hugging me always helps," she answered, pulling herself up to look at me. We were laying on the pillows and her hair was tousled from sleep. She looked incredible in the mornings, it was a sight I wanted to wake up to all the time. I reached up stroking her hair as I spoke again.

"I don't want you to be hurting, ever. Next time, shall I wake you? Maybe talking about it would help?"

"If you think so, it's happened more than once when we've been together?"