Brush Strokes ✓

20.

Aera made Taehyung drive a little away from the city. On their way, she had suggested they pick up some snacks and so they had.

"Park right here!" she exclaimed, quite excited to show him the place that held a lot of memories for her. Taehyung promptly parked his car in the shade of trees and bushes.

Getting out, he stretched his stiff body, tired from driving for almost an hour. Aera comparatively wasn't feeling any stiffness or soreness. Instead, she was bouncing like a little child, her hair wild. The sight made his breath hitch.

"Come on!" she pulled on his hand to get him moving. Chuckling, Taehyung followed.

What met his eyes, was a half constructed concrete structure. It looked like someone had lost sight of what they were building and just left it in the middle. All that remained now, was a concrete platform that looked down upon the city.

Taehyung's eyes widened a little as he watched Aera ducking under the yellow tape connecting the two pillars on either side of the structure. The words, 'Keep out' seemed to scream at him but the woman was immune.

"You sure this is legal?" Taehyung asked, sceptical as he looked around himself, waiting for the cops to jump out and scream, 'Hands up!'
He didn't want a criminal record under his name. He was quite happy with his idol title.

"Totally not," she replied without any fear in her voice, as she ran a little ahead, not waiting for her partner anymore. She spread both of her arms wide, the air kissed her skin as if in greeting, as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Taehyung had finally gathered up enough courage to cross the tape and was now standing behind Aera, looking at her with a fond smile. "How did you find this place?" he asked, making the woman turn her head a little and smile at him.

"If you continue up this road, you'll reach the orphanage I lived in. This used to be our hangout spot." Taehyung frowned at this new piece of information.

"And your caretakers let you come here? It's so dangerous for kids, though." She couldn't help but crack a laugh at that. "of course, not! We used to sneak out once in a while. Mostly on payment day because, you know," she said, cupping her hand and tilting it in a way that indicated drinking.

He joined in her laughter, finding the image of little Aera sneaking out quite endearing. "You were daring children then. I can imagine you doing this stuff," he said, looking at the Graffiti on the floor.

Aera took his hand again as she moved a little forward, not on the edge but not on a safe distance either. "Careful," he whispered in panic, his hand tightening around her as she took a tiny step forward.

Taking a bracing breath, she looked down, leaning her body forward. Her vision seemed to become hazy, the valley was too deep. But the warm hand holding her's steadied her. Her vision slowly started clearing, the city and the lush greenery looking as beautiful and picturesque as ever.

She was soon being pulled back though, her back colliding softly against a hard chest. "Hey, don't do that," Taehyung chided her, his arms wrapping around her waist tightly. Aera gasped, feeling her heart beginning to pick up it's speed as she felt his hot breath fanning over her shoulder, covered in a thin excuse of a strap.

She felt his heart hammering against her back and she was sure, he heard her's too. Letting out a nervous laugh, she patted his arm awkwardly. "It's alright, Tae. I'm alright."

"That's because I was holding you. If it wasn't me then..."

"I know," she said, her hands now moving up and down his arms soothingly. "I trust you and I knew you wouldn't let me fall. That's why I did it."

She felt him sigh, his chin later landing onto her head as they looked at the sky turning shades of pink and purple. "You are crazy, Aera. Completely crazy. I almost had a heart attack."

The woman chuckled, her body melting further into his. "I'm sorry. I should have told you but it completely went out of my head. I often forget telling people my plans, especially if I trust them enough," she spoke in a low voice, finding it quite fascinating how her small fingers fit in his long ones perfectly.

"Taehyung?" The said man hummed in response. "We are friends, right?" He seemed to suddenly stiffen at her question. She frowned as he slowly pulled away from her body, her body shivering at the absence of his body heat, even in the middle of the summer.

"I'm hungry," he said, hastily backing away. She couldn't help but clench her hands into tight fists. Looking over the horizon, she wondered if she was doing the right thing, if she was on the right path. And if not, then what was the right thing to do. Why did she have to micro-analyse everything? What was she really afraid of?

There was a storm of questions in her head with no specific answer. She didn't dwell on those questions much either, as she saw Taehyung returning with snacks and a white and pink checkered blanket.

"I don't know why Jin hyung keeps this stuff in his car," he said, as he laid down the blanket on the floor, "but I'm thankful he does. Our clothes won't get dirty this way." He grinned brightly at the standing woman, beckoning her to sit down beside him.

Chugging her thoughts and her unanswered question away, Aera sat down, opening a pack of kimbap to munch on. They decided to ignore the unsaid feelings and engage in a light hearted conversation as they watched the sunset

It wasn't a grand task for them, since they had a lot in common and the never ending teasing.

~~~~
A/N:

A major throw back to After Hours. I don't know if you get it by now, but this place is a symbol of opening up and making promises in both books.
Sehee promised to protect Seokjin right in this setting and Aera too revealed that she trusts Taehyung. And Taehyung made an unsaid promise to protect her by not letting her fall.

You see, I'm a Jinius ✨
😜

Thank you for reading 💖💖