Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 41.5

The Moonlit Strategy

The park was nearly empty, the air smelling of damp earth and late-night Seoul mist.

Their footsteps crunched softly on the gravel path, the only sound in the quiet residence.

Yoongi swung their joined hands gently, his thumb tracing the smooth skin of her palm.

​"So," Yoongi began, his voice dropping into that low, gravelly tone he only used when they were alone.

"You're going to cook for them now? Adobo? For all six of them?"

​Aen let out a soft, tired laugh, leaning her head against his shoulder for a brief second as they walked.

"I had to say something, Yoon. They were practically clinging to the table legs. I thought Hobi-hyung was going to start a protest right there in the restaurant."

​"I'm hurt, Aen-ah," Yoongi teased, a playful glint in his gaze as he looked at her sideways.

"You told me you didn't like cooking and that you weren't very good at it. You practically fought me on it! But the moment the kids start pouting, you're suddenly offering a full Filipino feast?"

​Aen giggled, her cheeks turning a soft pink under the moonlight.

"It was a tactical move! A strategic diversion! I could see Namjoon-hyung was losing the battle to get them into the car. If I didn't promise them food, we'd still be at Yoojung Sikdang listening to them whine."

​"So you lied to my brothers?" Yoongi asked, feigning shock while his gummy smile started to peek through.

​"I didn't lie! I'll definitely cook for them," Aen defended herself, nudging him with her shoulder.

​"So you've learned the secret to controlling them already," Yoongi said, his voice laced with a mixture of pride and amusement.

"Food is the only language they speak fluently. You've basically become their favorite person in a single night."

"I had to use the 'cooking' card specifically to end the night. It was the only thing that could outmaneuver them, especially Jungkook and Jimin's puppy-dog eyes."

​"Well, it worked," Yoongi admitted, pulling her a little closer.

"Even Jungkook stopped pouting the moment you said you'd cook them Adobo. But you know... now that you've said it, they're never going to let it go. You've basically signed a lifetime contract with the Maknae line."

​"I don't mind," Aen whispered, her expression softening as she looked at the silver light hitting the trees.

"They're so sweet, Yoon. I can see why you love them so much. They really are like your family."

​"They are, Jagi," Yoongi murmured, his expression turning sentimental for a heartbeat.

"Which is why I'm glad they like you. It makes the '0' on our wrists feel... right."

​They stopped by a stone bench, the moonlight filtering through the branches and casting dappled shadows over their interlaced fingers.

The zeros on their skin seemed to pulse with a soft, comforting light in the darkness.

​"Are you scared about tomorrow?" Aen asked, her voice barely a whisper.

She looked up at him, her eyes clouded with a concern that went beyond her own safety.

"I know we muted our phones, but the world is probably already reacting. I'm worried about... your career, Yoon. What if this changes how people see you?"

​Yoongi stopped walking and turned to face her fully.

He reached up, cupping her face with his free hand, his skin warm against her cool cheeks.

​"Let them talk," he said firmly.

"I spent years building a career so that I could have the power to protect the things that matter. If I can't use that power to stand by my soulmate, then none of the awards or the fame mean anything."

​Aen reached up, covering his hand with her own.

"Tomorrow, the world will have its opinions-some will be kind, some won't. But tonight? Tonight, you're just Aen, and I'm just Yoongi. And as long as these zeros stay lit, I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm not going anywhere either, Yoon."

​Yoongi leaned down, resting his forehead against hers.

"Good. Because even if you've already cooked for me, I'm still holding you to that 'Adobo' promise."

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear.

"But I want to be the first one to taste it. Consider it the 'Soulmate Tax.' No strategic diversions allowed-just you and me."

​Aen laughed, the sound bright and clear in the night air, the tension finally beginning to melt away.

She realized then that while the world might see a scandal, Yoongi only saw a future.

She leaned into him as Yoongi pulled her into one last, lingering hug, holding each other tight before they headed back up to face the world together.

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This chapter is dedicated to:

CarolLou822 ❤ uredogspeackschinese 🧡 Toni-Leigh_02 💛 strawberry1d 💚 PamelaWilliams810 💙 -min_sugafree- 💜 -slaymebts 🤍

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