2830 words

A/N:  Just really quick.  I keep forgetting to mention it.  A few chapters back there was an investigative discussion regarding the acronyms of the group.  TDS has many stumped, and I honestly forgot to point out that user Mamottelite mentioned destruction.  Which the word isn't correct regarding TDS, but it is on the right track.  

Also, I've actually said it straight out in a previous chapter with Namjoon and Daisy.  I've both found it in my research and seen it in subtitles of a BTS video on BangtanTV.  (I don't recall which one however.)

I really wish I could say that after our talk last night I simply let go of my annoyance and anger. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. When we sat down to eat at the restaurant overlooking the beautiful sea I wanted to be in a better mood simply so I could enjoy the atmosphere and their company. Instead I found the smile I kept on my face forced, and the food on my plate barely palatable.

Every bite I took of the rich seafood ravioli settled into my stomach like a big ball of lead. It was only after I was back in my room that I dared to drink a bottle of Sprite and take an antacid or two in an attempt to get my stomach to calm down. I had never had motion sickness before but I imagine it felt something like I did last night. On the good side I didn't end up praying to the porcelain deity. I only had to deal with my stomach being exceptionally unhappy with me.

After tossing and turning over and over again for the first couple of hours once I got up and paced for a bit. Once I laid down afterward I ended up setting an alarm because I hadn't been certain that I would wake up on my own this time around. I got very little sleep over all, and what sleep I did end up getting was riddled with unsettling dreams. It was only five minutes ago that I turned my alarm clock off, but there is a part of me that is tempted to simply remain here in bed for another hour. Too bad I am pretty sure this is going to be one of those days where we are crunching to get everything done before the ship disembarks.

I sigh and decide that taking a shower is probably the next step I should take this morning. I am sure that I linger under the showerhead longer than I should before I ever start the orderly steps of my cleansing routine. I have just dried off, twisted an extra towel around my head like a turban, and put on the terry cloth robe that the ship's cleaning staff gifted each of us when a large rapping sound echoes from my door.

I'm not really surprised to find all of my soulmates there when I open it. I let them come in, because I know they are specifically seeking me out like this privately before the camera crew starts taping us at the breakfast table. Namjoon, as the leader, ends up volunteering to be the one to speak up. "I know we have already apologized, Baby, but please know that we truly did decide to keep it from you only because we wanted to keep you as safe as possible."

I can't help but sigh, because it's the same reasoning that they had already delivered. But in the light of day and after getting some rest I get it. I understand why they felt they should keep it from me. "I'm not going to keep hashing the same thing over and over again. That will get us nowhere. The next time one of you realizes something like this though can you please tell me? I really don't want to be left in the dark." I take a deep breath and deliver the last blow. The one I am almost scared to say because I know that they will feel guilty once I do. "What if I hadn't noticed how you all were acting strangely? Then I would have continued to be left in the dark about the situation. Then I wouldn't have known to have my guard up. Who knows what they are planning on attempting next?" I see the shock on many of their faces and take a deep breath before I continue. "I need to know to be alert. If I didn't then who knows what could happen? I'd imagine it is probably something far worse than being drugged at a club."

Yoongi is the one to step up past Namjoon. "You're right, Honey. I can't promise we won't have preliminary discussions without you, but we won't keep important things like that from you again."

They each take a turn to apologize again and kiss me softly. "Finish getting ready. We'll see you in a few minutes upstairs."

I nod. Once they are out the door I check the temperature today and I have to laugh at myself when I rejoice that it is four degrees warmer than yesterday. Today I decide to dress more femininely without going as far as choosing one of my sundresses. I instead pick a pink short sleeve top with tiered ruffle sleeves and my white shorts. I don't worry that I might get chilly this time around, partially because I am growing accustomed to the breeze off the ocean, but also because I plan on carrying the cardigan I purchased the other day when we were in Taormina with me in my backpack.

After I finish getting ready I head upstairs to the dining room. I ponder as I am climbing the stairs and traversing the halls what might be waiting for me food wise when I get up there. I did some research last night when I wasn't able to sleep and discovered that traditionally Italian's tend to veer more toward the sweet side when it comes to breakfast. There are a few savory dishes like the frittata we had yesterday and something called a rustico, which admittedly I did want to try at some point, but I would be lying if I didn't admit to myself that I got a little obsessed with the idea of gelato for breakfast.

When I finally get to the dining room and a covered plate is put before me I really don't know what to expect. I know there are quite a few possibilities from my research and they tend to lean towards baked goods. When the lid is lifted off and I discover exactly what I have been craving I can't help but cry out in surprise. Mmm Gelato. I'm unsurpised by the myriad of masculine chuckles that erupt within the room after my reaction.

"We persuaded both Beppe and Feliċ to prepare this breakfast for you specifically." Namjoon offers up as an explanation. "Consider it an extension of our apology."

"So, what are our plans for the day?"

"We thought we would tour the Cathedral of St. Andrew." Yoongi offers.

I nod in response, because it was kind of hard to miss the building when we first arrived. It's situated in the town center and the grand staircase leading up to it alone makes me also curious about the building.

"Oh, after that can we go shopping?!" Tae asks curiously. He holds up his phone. "Ruga Nova Mercatorum, or Amalfi's main street, is just past the cathedral and it's supposed to have a lot of souvenir shops."

I smile at his enthusiasm, although a part of me wonders if he had mangled the pronunciation of the Italian words. I keep those thoughts to myself before I nod in response. "I think it makes sense to stop there if we are going to be by it anyway."

"I also read somewhere about a hike we could take leading up to the Amalfi Cemetery. It's supposed to offer a fantastic view looking down on Amalfi." Namjoon offers.

"Sounds like a perfect photo opportunity." I have to admit that Amalfi is beautiful, and while it is only our first stop of mainland Italy, the country is thus far not disappointing me regarding my preconceived expectations regarding its alluring views and architecture. When we were in Sicily I had fooled myself into believing it was a separate country so I had categorized it separately in my head at the time.

Tae comes up to me on my left while Jimin on my right. The two 95s hold out their arms and I know what they want before I see their silly smiles on their faces. I link my arms through theirs and we start skipping along like Dorothy and her ragtag group of misfits in The Wizard of Oz. It doesn't take us long before we are in the town center and standing before the grand staircase. "Let's count the stairs as we go up them."

I can feel the smiles and affectionate glances of my other soulmates behind me. Unsurprisingly Jk becomes impatient and decides to race up the steps past us. "I'll just sit on this bench and wait for you all up here." He shouts down at us.

I just barely keep myself from rolling my eyes at his competitiveness making an appearance once again.

We are almost at the top and honestly I am already beat. I really don't know how the bunny was that quick. I've counted 57 steps thus far. 57 steps and I can easily count ahead that there are five more steps to go. That means this grand staircase has a total of 62 steps. And Jk sped up them and didn't even show how winded he was when he got to the top. I'm guessing the minute he got away from the edge he collapsed on the bench he said he would be waiting at.

I wish I could know if I were right or not. He must make out the top of my head before I can actually see over the top of the stairs. Because he is sitting with perfect posture and doesn't look even remotely tired.

The 95s each release my arm so they can collapse on either side of Jk. I follow suit to find another bench to sit at and find myself relieved when Jin and Namjoon escort me to one. Yoongi and Hobi sit on yet another.

We sit there for about five minutes taking in the sunshine and the gentle breeze. I watch other tourists and townspeople milling about below us. There is not doubt that this area is the hub of the town.

We get back up and head into the cathedral. The doors are a pretty shade of green and it takes me a second to realize they are made of metal. I don't believe them to be copper, which is the metal I know tends to oxide and form a thin layer of patina over it. It just doesn't seem to be the shade of green that copper tends to turn. I pause for a second and turn to Namjoon. "What kind of metal do you think this is?"

"Hmm. Well copper, brass, and bronze all oxide like this. So, I can't be for certain."

I nod. "I knew about copper, simply because the United States penny is made of copper, and I have had a few over the years that turned green. I didn't realize other metals did this."

We go through the large heavy door and find ourselves standing outside a small garden of sorts that is surrounded by arches and pillars. Due to the white shade and striating pattern I would guess they are probably made of marble. We stop and take a few pictures with the garden serving as our backdrop.

When we enter the next room I am a bit surprised at the almost plainness of the colors. True there is a high vaulted ceiling and the light coming in from the high level windows creates a unique contrast between shadow and light, but the room itself is only white in color. I try not to frown as I take it in.

My soulmates must either feel the same way as I do about this particular room, or they noticed my own emotions. We move onto the crypt and I am somewhat reminded of how Egyptians are buried with their prized possessions in their tombs. It's the priceless relics and the lavish decorations surrounding us that have me making the comparison.

We come to another set of stairs and climb them up where we end up in a room that is much what I was expecting when we first entered the cathedral. A beautiful Baroque interior with a coffered ceiling. We all sit in a pew together just so we can take in the beauty of the space around us for a few moments.

The first shop we stop in deals with ceramics, and while the plates and dishes are quite beautiful I can't see myself buying anything simply due to the fact that I am sure they will break before ever returning home. I have to admit though, the lemon theme paired with the blue colors of paint on many of the objects is quite striking.

The next shop we stop at deals in stationery. I trail specifically behind Jimin as he enters this store with wide eyed interest. I'm not sure if he even knows that I am stalking him until I whisper softly beside his ear. "Finding something new to write your letters on?"

He jumps for a second. Then turns and gives me a flirtatious expression. "Maybe." I turn to look at the display that drew his attention.

My eyes widen when I spot a seal and wax kit. "I don't know what I will ever use it for, but I've always liked these."

"Then get it, Love. Heck, get more seals too while you are at it. That way you can have a wide variety." He looks around. "It's only too bad they don't have a daisy seal."

Huh, that's not a bad idea. "I bet I can find something like that online and special order it."

I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to fashion I don't care to have a closet overflowing with footwear and handbags. When we get to a leather shop that specializes in bags I know that the same can't be said for my soulmates. Hobi, Jimin, Tae, and Namjoon all navigate directly toward the messenger bags. Yoongi, Jk, and Jin follow them and peruse with mild interest themselves.

Despite my lack of love for accessories I still find myself looking at some of the handbags. I even end up falling in love with a butter yellow colored one that I can't help but decide to purchase. I cringe at myself when I find a white and black one identical to the yellow one and add them to my purchases as well.

"I don't know if we need to buy anything else." I look down at my shopping bags feeling a bit guilty for my expenditures. Then my stomach decides to growl rather fiercely.

"What are we gonna do for lunch?" Yoongi asks instead of pointing out the loud noises coming from my hungry stomach.

Our original plan is to eat at the same restaurant as last night. Mostly because I whisper to Yoongi and let him know that I didn't actually taste the food last night. The problem is that the restaurant in particular isn't open for lunch. Instead we find another restaurant nearby with a similar menu.

The lobster and crab linguine I order is to die for. I just wish I could have had the same reaction to my ravioli last night. I am honestly unsurprised when Namjoon calls and asks Beppe to prepare that specific dish for me for supper tonight. Most of the others agree, but of course Jimin and Namjoon ask for a steak medallion over a mushroom ravioli instead since they don't care for seafood.

We sit and enjoy the salty sea air for awhile after we finish our lunch. The hike we will be taking is long so we stop by the ship and drop off our purchases beforehand.

When we get to the location that Namjoon mentioned we do notice that there is also an elevator leading up to our destination. "The last time some of us used the elevator we missed out on a lot of the beautiful sights. I think we should all travel up the stairs this time. Besides, it's only supposedly a ten to fifteen minute walk according to the website I found the suggestion on." Namjoon shares.

We all agree and none of us can say we are disappointed. The view is simply breathtaking. We stop periodically here and there to