At home, Yoongi was more attentive than usual. His usually sharp focus on work and responsibilities had shifted completely. Valentina was the priority now. After hearing her safe word at the club, a protective instinct had taken over, and it was still buzzing inside him. He couldn’t shake the lingering concern, wanting to ensure she was completely okay—not just physically, but emotionally too.

He led her inside the house, gently holding her hand as they walked. The usually cool and composed Yoongi was softer, quieter. Valentina could sense it in the way his thumb traced soothing circles on her hand, how he kept glancing at her to read her emotions. She knew he was worried, though he hadn’t said much since they left the club.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, his voice soft as they entered the kitchen. He’d already prepared a calming tea earlier and now placed it before her on the counter.

Valentina shook her head, offering him a small smile as she leaned against the kitchen island. “No, I’m okay,” she reassured him, though she appreciated the way he was trying to take care of her.

Yoongi’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of discomfort. He wasn’t easily convinced. Tonight had been intense for both of them, and hearing her safe word had hit him harder than he expected. It had been the first time she’d called it, and even though he had trained himself for moments like this, it still stung.

“You don’t have to be strong for me,” he murmured, taking a seat next to her. His voice was gentle, a stark contrast to the commanding tone he used during their sessions. “If something’s off, I want to know.”

Valentina placed her hand over his, squeezing gently. “I know, Yoongi. I’m really okay,” she repeated, her smile widening. “It was intense, but you stopped immediately. You did everything right. I’m just... a little tired.”

Yoongi exhaled softly, his body relaxing a little. He had been on high alert since the moment they left the club, every sense tuned to her well-being. He trusted her words, but he knew her well enough to recognize when she was downplaying things. Even so, he decided not to push her too much. Instead, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek in a soft caress.

“I’ll run you a bath,” he said, standing up, already heading toward the bathroom.

Valentina watched him leave the room, feeling a deep sense of affection for the man who was so attentive to her needs. Moments like these reminded her that, despite his dominance, Yoongi was deeply caring. He never hesitated to shift from their dynamic when it came to her well-being, and she loved him for it.

As Yoongi filled the tub with warm water, his mind wandered back to the club. The sight of her distress had stirred something inside him, a wave of protectiveness that was hard to quell. His phone buzzed again in his pocket, but he ignored it for the umpteenth time. Whoever it was—whether it was business or friends—it could wait. Tonight, nothing was more important than Valentina.

Once the bath was ready, he returned to the kitchen. “It’s ready for you,” he said softly, offering his hand to her once again.

Valentina stood up, following him into the bathroom. She stepped out of her clothes and slipped into the warm water with a sigh of relief. The heat helped soothe her tense muscles, and she leaned back, letting the warmth envelop her. Yoongi sat beside the tub, his eyes never leaving her as he dipped a cloth into the water and gently ran it over her arms.

His movements were tender, slow, and unhurried. Each stroke of the cloth was careful, as though he were trying to wash away not just the sweat from their night but also the lingering tension in her mind. His usual authoritative demeanor had softened into something incredibly caring, and it made Valentina’s heart swell.

“You don’t have to baby me, Yoongi,” she said, her voice teasing, though there was no mistaking the appreciation in her tone.

Yoongi’s lips quirked into a small smile. “I’m not babying you. I’m taking care of you. There’s a difference.”

Valentina chuckled softly, the sound filling the quiet bathroom. She couldn’t deny how good it felt to have him take care of her like this. She watched him as he gently washed her, admiring the way his hands moved with such precision. Even though they’d had an intense night, he was so attentive now, making sure every inch of her was cared for.

When the bath was done, Yoongi wrapped her in a soft towel and carried her to their room. Valentina was feeling more relaxed now, her body and mind easing into the comfort of being home with him. She sat on the edge of the bed as he rummaged through her drawer, pulling out her favorite pajamas.

“You didn’t have to do all this, you know,” Valentina said as he handed her the clothes. “But thank you.”

Yoongi simply nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I wanted to. I know we push limits sometimes, and that’s part of our dynamic. But when those limits are reached, it’s important to make sure you’re okay. That’s my job, too.”

Valentina pulled on her pajamas and climbed into bed, feeling a sense of warmth and gratitude toward him. He slid in next to her, pulling the blanket over both of them as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

They lay there in comfortable silence for a while, Yoongi’s fingers drawing lazy patterns on her back as she rested against him. She could still feel the hum of the night’s intensity lingering beneath the surface, but it wasn’t overwhelming anymore. Instead, she felt safe, cradled in the security of Yoongi’s embrace.

His phone buzzed again, and this time, Valentina reached for it, curious to see what had been demanding his attention all night. “Your phone’s been going off constantly,” she said, handing it to him.

Yoongi frowned slightly, glancing at the screen. Multiple messages from work, a few from his friends, and one from an unknown number. He ignored most of them, quickly scanning through to make sure nothing was urgent.

“It’s just work,” he muttered, setting the phone aside. “Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”

Valentina raised an eyebrow, impressed by his ability to disconnect from work when she knew how busy he always was. “I’m surprised you’re not diving into your emails right now.”

Yoongi shrugged, pulling her closer. “You’re more important,” he said simply.

His words made her smile, her heart swelling with affection for him. It wasn’t often that he put things into words like that, but when he did, it meant the world to her. She pressed a kiss to his jaw, grateful for how much he cared about her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, snuggling into his chest. “For everything.”

Yoongi’s grip tightened around her, his lips brushing against her hair. “You don’t have to thank me. It’s just us, Valentina. Always.”

With that, the last bit of tension melted away, and Valentina let herself fully relax in his arms. The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of their breathing, and she felt completely at peace. Whatever had happened at the club earlier didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was that Yoongi had been there for her, guiding her through it, and making sure she was okay afterward.

As sleep began to pull her under, she couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have someone like Yoongi—someone who not only pushed her limits in the best ways but also knew exactly when to pull back and take care of her when she needed it most.