The soft glow of the moon filtered through the curtains as Yoongi stirred in the middle of the night. His arms were still wrapped around Valentina, her warmth radiating against his chest. For a moment, he just lay there, savoring the quiet, the peaceful rise and fall of her breathing as she slept soundly beside him. But something caught his attention—the slight tension in her posture, the way her dress clung to her body as if it were still pulling at her, even in her sleep.

His gaze drifted down to her face, and he noticed that she was still wearing her makeup from the evening. Smudges of mascara rested under her eyes, and her lipstick had faded, leaving traces of color on her lips. Her hair, which had been neatly styled earlier, now fanned out across the pillow in soft waves. Yoongi frowned, realizing she must have been too exhausted to take care of herself before drifting off.

A tender smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Even in the midst of her exhaustion, she had stayed close to him, offering her presence, her comfort. And now, it was his turn to take care of her. Gently, Yoongi slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her. Valentina stirred slightly, but she didn’t wake, her body already lost in the depths of sleep.

Moving with quiet precision, Yoongi padded across the room to his closet, retrieving a soft pair of pajamas—her favorite set. The light blue fabric was silky to the touch, something he knew she’d find comfortable. He set them on the bed before heading into the adjoining bathroom, grabbing a few makeup wipes and a washcloth. The light was dim, but it was enough for him to see what he needed to do.

Returning to her side, Yoongi sat carefully on the edge of the bed. For a moment, he just watched her, marveling at how peaceful she looked, despite the remnants of the evening still clinging to her. His fingers moved gently as he began unzipping her dress, careful not to disturb her slumber. The soft fabric slid down her shoulders, and Yoongi tugged it off slowly, revealing her bare skin beneath. He worked with quiet efficiency, his touch featherlight, ensuring that Valentina remained undisturbed.

Once the dress was off, Yoongi set it aside and picked up the pajama top, slipping it over her head. The silk felt cool against her skin, and as he buttoned it up, he couldn’t help but notice how her body instinctively relaxed, sinking deeper into the comfort of the bed. After pulling on the matching pajama pants, he sat back and admired his work. Valentina was now tucked comfortably in bed, her body clad in the soft fabric she loved.

But there was still more to do.

Yoongi reached for the makeup wipes he had set on the nightstand, gently taking one in his hand before he leaned down to carefully wipe away the remnants of her makeup. He started with her eyes, delicately brushing the wipe over her closed lids, erasing the streaks of mascara that had smudged beneath them. He was meticulous, moving slowly and with the utmost care, making sure not to press too hard. Valentina’s face began to clear, revealing the softness of her skin underneath.

Next, Yoongi turned his attention to her lips. The remnants of lipstick were faint, but still there, a reminder of the night they’d shared. He gently wiped her lips clean, the color disappearing with each pass of the makeup wipe. Her natural beauty shone through, and Yoongi couldn’t help but smile as he took in the sight of her—completely unguarded, completely at ease.

Satisfied, Yoongi set the wipes aside and reached for the washcloth he had prepared. He soaked it in warm water, wringing it out before carefully dabbing it along her face, wiping away any lingering residue from the makeup remover. The warmth of the cloth seemed to soothe her, and she let out a soft sigh in her sleep, snuggling deeper into the blankets.

Yoongi’s heart swelled at the sight. He wasn’t used to this—taking care of someone in such an intimate, quiet way. It was different from their usual dynamic, but it felt right. It felt natural.

Once her face was completely clean, Yoongi set the washcloth aside and sat back, admiring his work. Valentina was now dressed in her favorite pajamas, her makeup washed away, her hair resting softly against the pillow. She looked peaceful, content, and Yoongi couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in being able to care for her like this.

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Valentina shifted slightly, her body instinctively moving closer to him even in her sleep. Yoongi smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face before he stood up and moved to the other side of the bed.

As he slipped back under the covers, Yoongi gently pulled her into his arms once again. Valentina immediately curled against him, her head resting on his chest, her hand finding its place against his heart. He held her close, his fingers lightly tracing circles along her back as he listened to the steady rhythm of her breathing.

For a long while, Yoongi just lay there, holding her. His mind wandered back to the events of the evening—the confrontation with Mayra, the way Valentina had stood by his side, offering him her unwavering support. It hadn’t been an easy night, but somehow, being here with her like this made it all seem distant, less significant. In this quiet moment, none of it mattered.

He glanced down at Valentina, her face nestled against him. She was so strong, so resilient, and yet so vulnerable in moments like these. Yoongi felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. He had never felt this way before—not with anyone. It was new, uncharted territory, but he didn’t mind. He welcomed it.

As the night wore on, Yoongi’s eyelids grew heavy. The weight of the day’s events, combined with the warmth of Valentina in his arms, began to lull him into a state of peaceful drowsiness. He pressed another kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering there for a moment before he whispered softly into her hair, “Sleep well, Valentina.”

And with that, Yoongi let his eyes close, the steady rhythm of her breathing guiding him into a peaceful sleep. For the first time in a long time, he felt truly at ease, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.