Lost & Found

Chapter Twenty-Five

Present Day
22-Years-Old

"Yoongs?" Aera said as they were riding the bus back to their apartment.

"Yeah?"

"Can we stop at the daycare before we go home? I want to pick something up."

"Of course," Yoongi said, squeezing her hand. "The next stop will be closest."

Aera simply nodded. Once they'd made it to the stop, they got off the bus and walked, hand in hand, to the daycare.

"Ms. Seong, Mr. Min," the daycare manager said as they walked in. "What can I do for you?"

"Um," Aera began. "There was a drawing that Jungkook made that I saw hanging up a few days ago when I picked him up. I was wondering if I could have it?"

"Oh, of course! I remember you gushing to him about it! It's right over here." The manager gestured for Aera and Yoongi to follow her. She then gently pulled down the drawing of Aera, Jungkook and Yoongi holding hands and handed it to Aera.

"Is that all you need today?"

"Yes," Aera said quietly. "Thank you so much."

The manager smiled as Aera and Yoongi headed to the door and left the daycare. They silently decided to walk the rest of the way home. They were still hand in hand; Yoongi couldn't bring himself to let her go since they'd left the courthouse. In her other hand, Aera clung tightly to the drawing.

When they finally made it home, Yoongi began digging around in his storage and finally emerged with a frame that the drawing would fit in. Together, they put it in the frame, walked around the living room trying to find a place to hang it, and both stopped in front of the same place. They were still very much in sync with their thoughts. They finally looked at each other, smiled, and hung up the drawing.

"Yoongs, I'm scared."

Yoongi wrapped his arms around Aera from behind. "I know," he said, kissing her shoulder.

"What if – "

"Shh," Yoongi interrupted. "Let's not talk about it any more tonight. Let's decompress and do something to get our minds off of it. Just for tonight. Okay?"

Aera was quiet for a few moments before she finally sighed. "Okay."

She turned around in his arms and looked up into his face. "I'm sorry I've been so moody and out of sorts. I... I've never wanted something more than this. The only other person I've loved more than him is you. I never ever expected this to be the place I'd end up, but..."

"I understand, A. I really do. You don't need to be sorry for anything."

"But I feel like all I've been doing lately is worrying. And crying. And... I'm just the complete opposite of myself lately. I hope you know I don't like it any more than I'm sure you do."

"Aera," Yoongi said with concern. "I'm not upset with you in any way, shape or form. I'm sad that you're sad, and I worry about you when you worry. But I love you, and I'm here for you. That's why I feel these things. I'm not upset about it. I know it just means I love you very much."

"I'm sure you miss the real me, though."

Yoongi sighed. "This is a part of who you are, A. It's not a side you've ever shown often. But it's always been there. And I love every part of you."

Aera's eyes filled with tears. "You idiot," she said. "You've made me go and cry again."

Yoongi laughed. "I know, I know. I'm terrible."