Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 134

Tangerines and Quiet Rhythms

The drive home from the garden had been as tranquil as the day itself.

As soon as they stepped through the door, the accumulated fatigue of the sun and the long walk finally caught up to Aen.

She barely had the energy to change into comfortable clothes before she drifted off into a deep, heavy nap for a few hours.

​Yoongi, ever the caretaker, didn't disturb her until the sun had dipped below the horizon.

He woke her gently, his touch soft against her arm, and had a light, stomach-friendly dinner ready-something simple and nourishing that wouldn't upset her still-settling system.

Only after she had eaten and they had both had a chance to freshen up with a warm bath did they finally settle into the living area for the night.

The evening had settled into a quiet, warm rhythm in the living area, the only light coming from the soft, cinematic glow reflecting off the television screen.

They were both tucked into the sofa, finally free from the day's itinerary, wrapped in the comfort of their home.

Yoongi sat with a bowl of tangerines, his fingers working with quiet, practiced precision as he peeled them, removing every trace of white pith before placing the segments into a small pile.

​Aen was curled into his side, her head resting against his shoulder, her attention drifting from the movie to his hands.

It had become a habit-almost a ritual-that whenever he ate something, he would automatically offer her a piece.

He didn't ask; he just extended his hand, and she, just as instinctively, would accept it.

​"Here," he murmured, holding a segment to her lips.

​Aen opened her mouth, taking it without breaking her gaze from the screen.

She didn't think twice about the flavor; she just enjoyed the fact that he was the one providing it.

​Yoongi watched her with that quiet, lingering focus he reserved solely for her.

He picked up another segment, then another, his thumb occasionally brushing against her lip to catch a stray drop of juice.

It was a grounding, repetitive motion that seemed to soothe them both, the movie playing out as little more than background noise to the domestic comfort of their shared space.

​After a long while, Yoongi reached into the bowl and his fingers brushed the bottom.

He paused, looking down at the empty plate with a genuine, quiet surprise.

​"Wait," he whispered, a small, gummy smile spreading across his face as he looked at her.

​Aen blinked, finally pulling her attention back to him.

"Hmmm? What is it, Yoon?"

​He gestured to the empty bowl.

"You just ate three whole tangerines, Jagiya."

​Aen looked at the bowl, then back at him, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"I did?"

​Yoongi chuckled, a low, rumbled sound that vibrated against her shoulder.

"But... I don't even really like tangerines that much."

He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch feather-light and possessive.

"I know. You usually can't even finish one. I guess you were just too busy being fed to notice."

​Aen felt a flush of warmth spread across her chest, a soft, genuine smile touching her lips.

She leaned into his touch, realizing that she hadn't been thinking about the fruit at all-she had just been enjoying the feeling of being looked after, bite by bite.

​"I guess so," she whispered, her voice dropping to a sleepy, contented murmur.

"They tasted better coming from you."

​Yoongi's expression softened into that deep, quiet warmth he only ever showed her, and he pulled her closer until she was flush against him.

"Well," he murmured, his voice dropping into that gravelly register she loved.

"If that's the case, I'll just have to make sure you're always well-fed.

Aen then tilted her head, looking at the empty bowl again and then back at him with a sudden thought.

"Wait, did you not forget to eat some?"

​Yoongi smiled, the expression crinkling the corners of his eyes.

"I ate some. There were six tangerines in the bowl when I started."

​Aen let out a soft, satisfied hum, feeling better knowing he hadn't sacrificed his own snack just to indulge her.

"That's good, then."

They turned their attention back to the screen, the movie continuing its steady pace, though the tension of the day had fully ebbed away.

A few moments later, Aen shifted, her voice small and slightly raspy.

​"Yoon... could I have some water?"

​Yoongi didn't hesitate.

He gently shifted her to sit up, stood, and crossed the room to the kitchen.

He returned seconds later with a cool glass of water, placing it in her hands.

He didn't let her just sip it; he stayed right there, one hand supporting the small of her back, watching with a vigilant eye until she had finished enough to satisfy his silent criteria.

​"Good," he murmured, taking the half empty glass, drank the rest and setting it aside before pulling her back into the crook of his arm.

​They settled in again, the soft, flickering light of the screen casting shadows across the room.

The warmth of his body and the steady, rhythmic beat of his heart against her ear acted like a lullaby.

Within a few moments, the dialogue of the film became a distant murmur, and Aen's breathing evened out into the slow, deep cadence of sleep.

​Yoongi felt her weight go slack against him and looked down.

A small, gummy smile tugged at his lips when he realized she was sound asleep, the movie still playing to an empty audience.

​He didn't move for a long time, just watching her face in the dim light.

Finally, he carefully slid his arms under her, lifting her with practiced ease.

She didn't stir, merely nuzzling deeper into his chest as he carried her toward the bedroom, the quiet of the house a testament to the peaceful end of their long day.

After settling her gently against the pillows, he slid beneath the covers beside her, pulling her back into the familiar, warm sanctuary of his embrace.

He held her close, feeling the steady rhythm of her breathing against his chest, and within moments, the exhaustion of the long day claimed him, too, as he drifted off to sleep with her tucked safely in his arms.