Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 75

The Quiet After the Storm

​The chaos of the "Purple Cloud" grove didn't dissipate so much as it shifted.

​"Okay, move it along, people! Nothing more to see here but a very engaged, very tired couple," Namjoon announced, clapping his hands like a director clearing a set.

​"Wait, wait! One more photo!" Taehyung insisted, already angling his phone for a 'family' shot.

​But Jungkook was already two steps ahead.

He adjusted Carly on his shoulders, her small hands still tangled in his hair.

"Actually, Uncle Kook has a better idea. Carly and I are going back to the suite. We have a very important date with a tub of banana ice cream and a Nintendo Switch."

​Aen looked up, her hand still tucked into Yoongi's arm.

"Jungkook, you don't have to-"

​"Momhie, can I?" Carly asked, her eyes wide with the prospect of outstaying her bedtime with the world's most indulgent babysitter.

​Yoongi squeezed Aen's hand, a silent signal.

"Go ahead, princess. Uncle Kook and the others will take good care of you. We'll be up in a little while."

​With a chorus of "Congratulations!" and Jimin blowing a dramatic kiss toward Aen's new ring, the members began to filter out of the grove, their laughter echoing through the trees until the only sound left was the soft, looping piano track and the rustle of the hydrangeas.

​Suddenly, the grove felt massive.

​"Finally," Yoongi breathed, his shoulders dropping two inches as he turned to face Aen fully.

He didn't say anything at first; he just stood there, looking at her in the dimming golden light, his eyes tracing the line of her jaw and the way the amethyst caught the last of the sun.

​"You really did all this," Aen whispered, lifting her left hand.

The stack of rings-the birthday promise and the engagement vine-looked even more beautiful in the quiet.

"The lotuses and hydrangeas, the members, our parents... Carly."

​"I told you, Jagi," he said, pulling her back into the circle of his arms.

​"I was tired of you being a guest. I wanted you to be the destination. I wanted to make sure that no matter where we are, we're always coming back to each other."

​He led her to the small table in the center of the blossoms.

As they sat, Yoongi didn't have to say a word; he simply gave a small, subtle nod toward the edge of the grove.

​Almost instantly, two servers in crisp white uniforms appeared from the shadows of the North Ridge.

They moved with a practiced, silent grace, unfolding linen napkins and pouring chilled water into crystal glasses before beginning the service.

They were ghosts in the garden, present only to facilitate the magic Yoongi had orchestrated.

​​The dinner was simple but perfect-traditional favorites they had shared in their early days.

Even with Jin currently away on military duty, his presence was felt in every bite.

He had spent his leave time weeks ago "curating" this specific menu, leaving behind a list of exacting standards for a private catering team to follow.