Ellie felt the light pressing against her eyelids and she squeezed them shut tightly, trying to stay asleep. She'd been having one of the best dreams she'd had in a long time.

But try as she might, the sun persisted and she slowly opened her eyes.

Only to find her dream hadn't been a dream at all.

As soon as her eyes opened she was met with Dae's big beautiful brown eyes and his smile, while his hand was in her hair.

"Sorry." she mumbled.

"For what?" he asked, continuing to her hair.

"What time is it?" she said, her eyes closing.

"It's barely after 6am," he chuckled. "Don't be sorry. I woke up about half an hour ago to use the bathroom and I couldn't get back to sleep. Besides, I was enjoying watching you sleep." 

She smiled, eyes still closed.

His hand left her hair and took her hand, bringing it to his mouth so he could kiss it. "What do you want to do today?" he asked.

She had the day off from work and they had planned to spend the whole day together. She hadn't specifically made any plans as to what she wanted to do, she just knew she wanted to be with him, anything else didn't matter.

"How about breakfast?" he asked when she didn't respond. "The coffee should be ready any minute now, and I brought some donuts with me yesterday."

She smiled. "Have I told you i love you?" 

"Not today yet, no." he teased.

She rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up, staring off dazed into the distance waiting for the blur in her eyes to go away.

Dae leaned forward and kissed her forehead. 

"How do you manage to look so good first thing in the morning?"

She pushed his chest gently shaking her head. "It's too early to butter me up boy."

He chuckled. "Stay here, I'll bring breakfast."

She adjusted in her sleeping bag, pulling her hood over her hair and pulling the strings taut. The morning air was cool, but she was warm in her sleeping bag. She looked over to Dae's empty sleeping bag next to her and smiled.  

Just like old times.

Except mornings usually consisted of Hot chocolate and donuts...not coffee.

Dae returned and carefully handed her her steaming cup before slipping back into his sleeping bag, his own cup in hand.

Inbetween them he sat a box of donuts.

"So," she started. "What did you want to do today?"

He took a swig of coffee and stuffed half a donut in his mouth before answering.

She laughed, not sure why he'd decided to wait until his mouth was full to respond..but then again, it was Daehyun.

He swallowed his food then chuckled, embarassed. "Guess you probably couldn't understand anything i said huh.."

She shook her head but continued to smile.

He took another sip of coffee then cleared his throat and smiled at her. "What i was saying was, I don't really care, I just want to be here with you today. I don't care if we do nothing but sit next to each other and talk the whole day...so long as i get to be with you."

She nodded. "Sounds good."

After eating, they took their cups inside and set them in the sink then headed upstairs to her bathroom.

They pulled out their toothbrushes and they stood at the double sink brushing their teeth. Ellie's eyes drifted over to watch Dae's reflection  in the mirror.

He noticed her stare and met her gaze in the mirror and smiled.

After brushing, she splashed water on her face, then lathered up some soap in her hands and began washing her face.

As she rubbed the soap on her skin she could feel her hair slip over her shoulder until eventually it was sticking to her face.

After a moment she felt her hair being pulled away from her face as Dae pulled it into a ponytail to keep it out of the way. She turned the faucet on and splashed her face with water again, rinsing away the soap. She felt a hand towel being placed into her hands and dabbed at her face with it.

She opened her eyes to find Dae sitting on the counter next to her, smiling.

"Thanks." she said as she pulled a brush out of one of the drawers and ran it through her hair.

Dae watched a second before jumping off the counter and moving to stand behind her.

"May I?" he asked.

She paused what she was doing and looked at his reflection in the mirror, unsure what he was asking.

He smiled and took the brush from her hand.

He placed one hand under her hair as the other resumed brushing her hair, gently.

She felt herself blush.

These were normal everyday things, simple things she did every day...but today, having him here doing them with her...brushing their teeth together, Dae pulling her hair back to keep it out of the sink and off her face...giving her a towel to dry her face off...brushing her hair...it was all so sweet and thoughtful...

She watched his face in the mirror as he brushed her hair. He was so focused on what he was doing he didn't even see her staring at him. 

When he'd finished, he kissed her cheek and handed the brush back to her.

"I'm gonna shave real quick and then change clothes and then we'll decide what to do." he smiled.

"Can i...watch you?"

"Change?"

"Ah!" she hit his shoulder. "Shave Daehyun, you knew what i meant!"

He shrugged. "I wasn't sure! And i was going to say yes, but, never mind then."

She covered her face with her hands and he chuckled.

He pulled out his razor and shaving cream and lathered up.

She sat on the counter between the sinks and watched him.

"You look like santa." she teased.

He smiled and leaned in, kissing her, leaving shaving cream on her nose and cheeks.

"Guess that means you are getting a stocking full of coal from me for christmas."  he teased.

She laughed, being careful not to get any of the foam in .

She'd never seen him shave before...there was just something about watching a guy shave that seemed romantic. 

"Here, want to do it?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I'm afraid of cutting you."

He smiled and shook his head. "You won't."

She shook her head again.

He reached over and took her hand, placing the handle of the razor in it. "I trust you."

She bit her lip. "Dae.." she whined.

When he didn't take it back, she brought the razor up near his chin where she hesitated.

He smiled again and held her hand, showing her how. "Like this." he said slowly pulling her hand with the razor in it along his skin.

After a minute he let go. "Go ahead." He tilt his head back slightly and waited.

"Don't say i didn't warn you." she muttered.

"Well if you slit my throat i guess i wont be able to say that anyway."

She dropped her had to her side and gave him a look.

He couldn't helpl but laugh. "I'm kidding, it's fine, go ahead, come on."

She took a deep breath and brought her hand back up.

She started on the underside of his chin, working from the back, nearest his neck, toward the tip of his chin.

She moved slowly and carefully, afraid she'd see blood come pouring out at any moment.

He watched her as she focused, noting once again how beautiful she was.

She was so precious to him. 

Every moment together was meaningful.

Even brushing his teeth was more fun with her around. 

He wanted every morning to be like this....

Without thinking, he reached out and brought his hand to her chin, running his thumb across her bottom lip.

He wanted to kiss her, hold her, tell her how much he loved her...show her...

"You're distracting me." she said softly as she continued to focus on the razor.

He smiled. "Sorry."

"Don't talk, you're going to make me cut you." she scolded.

He kept his mouth shut and grunt in response.

Her eyes left the razor for a moment and met his eyes and she smiled before returning back to his chin.

Once she'd finished, he rinsed, dabbing his face dry with the hand towel she'd used earlier, before turning to her and wiping away what was left of the shaving cream mess he'd made on her face.

He looked in the mirror, stretching his neck out and tilting his head at different angles. 

"Not bad Ells, see, I knew you could do it."

"I was scared to death i was going to cut you the whole time."

He chuckled and kissed the side of her head before taking her hand.

They went into her room where Dae pulled off his hoodie and tossed it on her bed before he began rummaging through his bag for a clean shirt.

Underneath the hoodie he'd been wearing a black tank top and Ellie now found herself staring at him as he searched his bag.

His skin color was so beautiful, and his arms were nicely muscled.

She watched his muscles move and twitch as his arms moved.

She began imagining herself running her hands along his arms, feeling his warmth, kissing his skin...

He finally found a shirt and stood up, catching her watching as he did.

She quickly turned away and he chuckled. "Should i just stay with the tank top then?" he teased.

"What?? NO, it's cold , it's too cold for a tank top..." she stammered. "uh..., I should go get our sleeping bags, they're still outside." she said as she began to leave.

He reached out and caught her hand. "I'm only teasing you Ellie. It's only because you get so embarassed when i catch you staring."

"I wasn't staring." 

He tilted his head and gave her a look. "It's ok." he said coming closer. "We are dating. Besides, I look too." he winked. "There's nothing wrong with staring Ells."

She could still feel the flush in her cheeks, but whether it was from embarassment or from the feelings she got from staring at him, she couldn't tell.

"Silly girl." he said as he took her in his arms and held her tightly.

He smelled good. The scent of fresh aftershave and soap filled her nose, and he was warm and soft and his muscles pressed against her and god she couldn't control her thoughts.

"I love you Ellie." he said in a serious tone. "Don't be embarassed. I'm sorry i tease you so much." He kissed her forehead and released her, returning to his bag.

She sighed, playing with the cuff of her sleeve while she stared at the floor. "Just the tank top then..." she said.

He looked up at her and smiled, tucking the shirt back in his bag. "See? That wasn't so hard." he said as he pulled his tank top up and over his head.

"Dae!" 

"What?" he asked.

She stood, eyes fixed on his torso. 

"This one is dirty, i'm just gonna put a clean one on." he shrugged as he put the dirty tank top into his bag.

He watched as she quickly turned and left the room muttering the whole way.

He laughed to himself as he pulled on a clean tank top and set his bag back on the floor."Ah, that girl."

Downstairs he found her sitting on the couch, staring at the floor.

He stood behind her and leaned over the back of the couch, kissing her cheek. "Hey." he said startling her from her thoughts.

"Hey." she responded.

Her feelings for him were becoming overwhelming.

They were supposed to be taking things slow, but after seeing him shirtless, all she could think about was running her hands over his chest and abs.

He sat down on the couch and stared at her.

After a moment she met his eyes.

"Does me being shirtless really freak you out?" he asked with a smile.

She smiled. "It's not that it freaks me out..."

"Well what is it then? Is there a third i can't see or.."

She burst out laughing.

He scoot closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Remember, it's just me, you can tell me anything."

"I know it..i'm just...I...my feelings are conflicted i guess."

"How so?"

She sat next to him on the couch, trying to figure out how to explain what she meant, when all at once he sprung up, tackling her, and began tickling her as she screamed and kicked.

She tried to grab his hands to restrain him, but he was too strong for her.

"Daehyun! Stop....I ....can't breathe...." she yelled between gasps for air. "Dae i'm not joking...STOP!" she shrieked.

She tried to break free, roll him off of her so she could escape, but no such luck, they both fell to the floor but he still managed to stay on top.

She reached up and pinched his s, causing him to cry out, sitting up to cover his s with his hands.

She tried to catch her breath as Dae straddled her waist, hands still covering his chest  as he looked down at her with a grin.

"I'm sorry, did i hurt you?" she teased as she reached for his hands.

He caught her hands in his, lacing his fingers with hers, holding them so she couldn't pinch him again.

"That wasn't very nice." he said, leaning down until his face was inches from hers.

"I told you to stop." she said still breathless.

As if suddenly realizing how close he was, she watched as his smile faded and his expression became serious.

He held both her wrists in his hand, pinned down above her head.

His eyes dropped to , and he leaned in slowly, pausing just before their mouths met. "Can i kiss you?" he whispered, the action causing his lips to brush hers.

Without responding she lift her head and met his mouth eagerly.

She heard his breath draw sharply.

Must've surprised him.

He recovered quickly though as he then pressed into her and she let her head fall back against the plush floor.

She knew he wanted to go slow, she understood why...but she needed more of him...she loved him and she knew he loved her, she didn't want to be slow right now...

The next time he brought his lips to hers, she took his bottom lip gently between her teeth and pulled.

He paused and opened his eyes.

She was nervous for a moment, afraid maybe she'd pushed faster than he'd wanted, but he reassured her by quickly bringing his mouth back to hers.

Her hand came up to his chest as she felt her cheeks becoming warm. At the same time he let go of her hands and brought his up to her cheeks, holding her face as he kissed her.

He got off of her, rolling onto his side, tucking her hair behind her ear before kissing her again.

She pushed against his shoulder until he lie on his back and she swung her leg over so she was straddling him. 

As soon as she sat on his pelvis she heard him grunt and felt a throb underneath of her.

She wasn't sure whether to pretend like she hadn't noticed...or to keep going.

"I'm sorry." she blurted as she got off of him.

He looked at her confused. "For what?"

He still lay on the floor as she sat next to him."I...I know we're supposed to be taking things slow but..."

He smiled and took her hand. "Is that what you meant by conflicting feelings?"

She smiled sheepishly at him.

Dae sat up, facing Ellie with his back resting against the couch.

"Ellie...I wasn't asking you not to have feelings or telling you not to express them...I just..." he paused, thinking of the best way to explain himself. "I didn't want to jump right back into having just because we'd done it once...does that make sense?"

She bit her lip.

"I wanted things to progress in a normal fashion. Dates, first kiss, you know...making out...stuff like that. I worry i pressured you or made you feel used after I had with you last time...And i wasn't using you.... but I want you to feel comfortable and safe...does any of that make sense?"

"You didn't..." she said.

He looked at her confused.

"I mean you didn't force it on me. I wanted you then i just...wasn't sure about your frame of mind at the time...i was worried you'd regret it, or that it would affect our friendship and i couldn't bear the thought of not having you as a friend, i've told you this all before, but i really meant it. And besides...I do feel safe with you. I trust you. I guess i've been feeling guilty for having these thoughts and feelings when i know you wanted to take things slow...I didn't want to put pressure on you."

"Slow yes, but at the same time, i want you to express what you think and feel and don't be ashamed about it. Like i said, i just didn't want this to become purely physical because of that night...I love you, and you deserve to be treated right. I want to date you, be with you, learn about all your favorite things, learn what makes you happy, learn what you like and don't like, I mean, i've known you forever so i know a lot of that stuff...but i also know that things change as we grow up and ...i'm pretty sure the Care Bears aren't your favorite tv show anymore."

She couldn't help but laugh.

He reached up and caressed her cheek. "I love your laugh by the way. Always have."

"Thank you....I guess i just...i've been having a lot of strong feelings lately and I want to be more intimate with you but I don't want to push boundaries...."

"Be you." he continued. "Say what you want to say, do what you want to do. If you want me to wear the tank top, tell me to wear the tank top." he smiled. "And if things start going too fast, tell me to cool it."

"And if i want to kiss you...i mean really kiss you?"

"Then kiss me..." he said, staring into her eyes.

She stared back, thinking about what he'd said.

"Alright, guess i'll go clean up our mess outside..." he teased when she made no move.

As he started to stand, she grabbed his hand and pulled him back down to the floor.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

But before he could say anything else, she framed his face with her hands and brought to his, her tongue slipping past his lips and into his mouth.

His hands moved to the small of her back, pulling her into his lap so that she sat stradling his waist, and he moaned into as her kiss became longer and deeper.

She tilt her head, her nose pressing into his cheek.

She wanted him to know...

To know how much she loved him and cared for him.

How badly she longed for him.

How strongly she wanted him.

That she needed him...

Her tongue caressed his, as her hands slid back, fingers moving up into his hair.

His hands slid up her back, drawing her in, closer.

By the time she pulled away, they were both breathless.

Dae held her by her arms, his forehead pressed to hers, his breath coming out in huffs across her lips.

Her eyes slowly came up to his and when their eyes met, they both smiled.

"I love you." she said softly.

"I know." he said as he leaned in again. "I love you too."