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That weekend, Taehyung took Nia out.  Now that she was starting to regain her memories, he was trying to take her places that might trigger a memory.  Today, he was taking her to the shop where they first met.  Somehow, it was still in business.  It was a worn-down little thrift store on the other side of town.  He’d told her to bring the pincushion with her.

As they stepped in, and the bell jingled over her head, she got a sense of déjà vu.  But no memories came.  She walked around the shop, looking at all the snow globes they had lined up along the window.

“You don’t remember anything?” Taehyung asked as he watched her.

She shook her head sadly. “I don’t.  Something is there.  I’m just not sure…what.”

Taehyung sighed. “It’s all right.  Let’s go get lunch.”

——————–

They ended up staying in the same general area as the shop that afternoon.  Nia loved all the little shops they had, so she wanted to visit them all.

“Nia, there’s something I saw a few shops back that I want to buy for Tan.  I’ll be right back, ok?”

Nia smiled and nodded at him before resuming looking through the seashells she’d found.

Taehyung, meanwhile, found himself back at the thrift store.  He found the dog toy he’d been looking for before heading over to the rack of snow globes.  He looked through them before finally finding one he liked.  He picked it up and shook it before smiling.  This was the one.

——————–

“Tae, what was it you bought for Tan?” Nia asked later that afternoon.  He’d never shown her what he’d bought after coming back from the shop.

“Oh,” Taehyung reached into the bag he was holding and pulled out the toy.  It was purple and looked like a short, thick rope that had been tied at both ends. “Just this toy.”

“Why didn’t you just buy it while we were there?”

Taehyung shrugged. “I didn’t think about it.” Then he changed the subject. “Wanna go get ice cream?  There’s a good place right down the road.

Nia smiled and nodded.  Taehyung reached down and took her hand in his, surprising her.  Then he led her in the direction of the shop.  Nia couldn’t help but blush.  Even Hobi hadn’t held her hand when they were in public.

——————–

It was a cool, snowy day in the dead of winter.  Tae and Nia were enjoying a day out together.  They’d gone to their favorite café, and then they’d explored the shops.  Usually, they were only ever in the shop Tae worked in, so today was special.

They hadn’t known each other for too long.  Only a few months.  They’d started dating about a month ago, but they hadn’t kissed yet.  They hadn’t even held hands.  Nia had never had a boyfriend, but didn’t couples usually hold hands if nothing else?  So, why hadn’t Tae held her hand yet?

They’d visited a few stores now, and it was starting to snow.  The skies had been clear earlier, but not now.  And it was getting colder as they walked.  Nia rubbed her hands together as they walked down the street.  Her hands were ice cubes.  Why hadn’t she brought gloves?

She was ten seconds from bolting into the next shop she saw to buy gloves when a gentle hand reached out and grabbed hers.

“Are you cold?”

Nia looked up in surprise at Tae.  She nodded.  She looked down at their intertwined hands and smiled.  The only problem was that he was wearing gloves.  So, their skin wasn’t touching.  Tae seemed to notice as well, though, because he released her hand and pulled his glove off.  He grabbed her other hand and helped her put it on.  After it was on her hand, he held his now bare hand out to her.  She smiled and took his hand, and he laced his fingers with hers.

“Let’s go.”