I sped up on the road, parking just outside his apartment. I hadn't taken off my helmet when I heard the familiar sound of a van slowing down and stopping.
The door slid open, and I heard laughter before I saw anyone.
"Hyung, you dropped your bag again, stop getting so nervous!" Jimin's voice rang out, followed by his high-pitched giggle as he teased Yoongi, who climbed down slowly, bags in hand.
"Rhea," Jin greeted first with a warm smile. Jimin waved at me from inside the car, his hand over his mouth to stifle laughter. He wore a black mask and cap, but the exposed skin of his ears was beet red.
"Hi." I greeted, pulling off my helmet.
Yoongi looked up. "Hi." He breathed, almost like a sigh of relief.
The van pulled away. I walked toward him, reaching for one of his bags. "I got you food and coffee. Thought we could eat before you crash."
He didn't answer right away, eyes lingering on my oversized sweatshirt. His lips curved upward just slightly.
"How about that million and one?" he asked, his voice rough with exhaustion.
I wrinkled my nose. "Okay, but I'm tired of divorcing."
His laugh was quiet, nearly inaudible, but it was there.
***
A week later, Rhea was on her way to the mall when her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She glanced at the screen. SUGA.Calling.
Her brows rose. She wasn't expecting that. She stepped inside the mall and called him back.
"You busy on your day off?" he asked, his voice low, familiar.
"Yes. I'm buying a new laptop."
"What for?"
"Do I have to report everything?" Rhea exhaled sharply. "My laptop broke. Battery's dead, screen won't turn on. It's practically trash."
There was a brief pause.
"Sorry, I was just pissed at the laptop. Didn't mean to take it out on you." Rhea quickly says, her voice small.
"I have a spare if you want."
Standing in front of the computer store, she hesitated. "It's fine. I'm already here. Just need to pick one."
"Want me to come with you?" His tone was hopeful—but casual enough to offer her a way out.
Rhea blinked, remembering her silent promise to be more open with him. "Are you near? If you're far—"
"I'm already on the way," he cut in. He sounded a little breathless.
She chuckled. "You don't even know where I am."
"You're at Mall XX. Probably in front of the computer section."
She paused, glancing around. "Are you spying on me?"
"No. People buy gadgets here. It's a logical guess. And you're predictable."
Rhea laughed. "Okay, genius. I'll wait. I'm in a white long sleeve."
"Got it." He hung up.
She wandered around to kill time, pretending to browse laptops. A designer bag caught her eye—a biker-friendly buddy bag she once bookmarked online. She flipped the tag and winced.
Too expensive.
It reminded her of that day in the practice room with Selena...
***
Lila and her clique stayed on the far end of the room, away from Selena and Rhea. A rare mercy.
"Yoongi's been stealing glances again," Selena whispered, grinning. "What did you do to that man? He's so whipped."
Rhea's face twisted. The memory of that night flashed back—and she grimaced.
Selena nudged her. "Why the face? Regretting something?"
Rhea narrowed her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder how you know so much when we've barely talked."
"Yoongi's tight-lipped," Selena replied. "Doesn't share. But with you, he doesn't have to. He's like an open book."
"That's not true."
Selena raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Rhea bit her lip. "He's an idol, Sel. I'm... just me. I don't fit."
"Does Yoongi look like he gives a damn?"
"No..."
"Then stop looking for reasons not to believe it. If you don't want him, say it. But if you do—then try. Or someone else might take the chance you're afraid to."
Rhea lowered her gaze, then reached into her bag and handed Selena a sketchbook. Selena flipped through it slowly.
"You draw him?"
"I don't know when it started... But yeah. I guess I just... can't say how I feel. But I know I don't want to lose him."
***
Rhea snapped out of the memory and hurried back to the computer zone—but something felt off.
She caught a glimpse of someone trailing her through her phone's selfie camera. A man. Smiling, too close for comfort.
She tried walking in circles—he followed.
Sighing, she sat on a nearby bench. The man took his chance, striding toward her confidently.
"Hi," he grinned. "I know this is sudden, but... you're my type. Can I get your number?"
Before Rhea could answer, someone sat beside her and slung an arm around her shoulders.
She startled—then turned.Yoongi.
Her eyes widened as he leaned in slightly, his expression unreadable beneath his bucket hat.
"My girl's busy," he said. His tone was low. Dangerous.
The man blinked, confused, before glancing at Rhea.
She smiled sweetly. "What he said."
The guy faltered, then left. But not before looking back—twice.
Rhea and Yoongi both waved after him.
"The nerve," Yoongi muttered. "Thinking he had a shot."
She laughed and pressed her fingers gently against his lips. "Shhh."
"You said you were waiting in the computer zone. I've been here twenty minutes. Where were you?"
"Oops." She grinned. "Come on, let's get my laptop and then eat some bingsu. My treat."
"Go eat bingsu with that guy then," Yoongi grumbled.
She nudged him playfully. "Want me to find him again? He might still be lurking around."
Yoongi clicked his tongue, then took her hand—firmly—and started walking toward his usual store.
Rhea blushed, checking around for curious eyes. He looked handsome in black-on-black. She lowered her head and let her hair fall to the side.
"What are you doing?" he asked, glancing back.
"If people recognize you, they'll come for me. I'd rather avoid that mob."
Yoongi shook his head and tugged her gently forward.
They bought the laptop together. Rhea beamed with pride, holding the box like it was a newborn. Yoongi looked less thrilled.
"You didn't have to pay for it," she said, nudging him.
"I didn't. You wouldn't let me."
She smiled again, still riding the high of their quiet intimacy.
"Weren't you working before this?" she asked.
"Studio. Took a break and called you."
She nodded, catching the faint scent of smoke from earlier. His eyes looked heavier today—darker underneath.
"Wanna go back there? I'll stay with you. I don't mind waiting."
Yoongi glanced at her, lips parting like he might say something. But then he just nodded, quickly.
Yoongi's Interlude:
She says she doesn't mind waiting.
She says it like it's nothing—like sharing silence with me is something she's used to.
She calls me genius. Tells strangers I'm hers. Holds her breath when I hold her hand.
She doesn't say the words I want to hear, but maybe she doesn't need to.
Because sometimes, it's not about hearing it.It's about seeing it in the way she walks beside me.And how, when I show up—
She's already looking.