Valentina lay against Yoongi's chest, the remnants of their playful teasing lingering in the air like a forgotten promise. The tension of the game had faded into a soft, pulsating ache in her core, one that begged for release, yet remained frustratingly out of reach. She felt safe nestled in his embrace, yet the reality of her situation nagged at her. She was on her period, and that meant tonight wouldn’t follow the usual rhythm of their encounters.

“Yoongi,” she murmured, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. “I… I need to talk about something.”

“Hmm?” he replied, his fingers gently playing with her hair, his attention still half on her and half on the thoughts racing through his mind. “What’s on your mind?”

She hesitated, the words caught in her throat as she realized the intimacy of their current moment. “I know you were teasing me earlier, and I enjoyed it, but I feel like…” She took a deep breath, her heart pounding. “I feel like I’m at a disadvantage right now, you know? Being on my period.”

Yoongi pulled back slightly to meet her gaze, his expression softening. “Valentina, I know it can be frustrating, but you have to remember that your comfort comes first. I don’t want to push you into anything that doesn’t feel right for you.”

“But I wanted to play,” she protested, her brow furrowing. “I wanted to feel that thrill again.”

He smiled knowingly, brushing his thumb across her cheek. “And you will. Just not tonight. You’re still precious to me even if we can’t go full steam ahead with everything.”

Valentina pouted, the disappointment gnawing at her. “I know, but it’s so hard to switch between being your submissive and just… normal Valentina. I don’t want to miss out on anything we could explore together.”

“Trust me,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. “We have plenty of time to explore. Right now, I want you to focus on resting. Let’s find something else to do that doesn’t involve… strenuous activities.”

She tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “Like what?”

“I have a few ideas.” He stood up from the bed, stretching slightly before heading towards the small bookshelf in her room. Valentina watched him as he pulled a couple of books from the shelf, his back turned to her.

When he turned around, he held a stack of novels in his hands. “I know you like reading. How about we get cozy and I read to you?”

Valentina’s face brightened, and she nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds perfect.”

“Good,” he said, a warm smile breaking across his face. “Let’s make a little nest on the couch. I’ll get some snacks too.”

As they settled onto the couch, Yoongi wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as she nestled into his side. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the softness of his shirt brought her comfort, easing her initial disappointment.

“What do you want me to read?” he asked, flipping through the pages of one of the novels.

“Something light, maybe a romance?” she suggested, smiling up at him.

Yoongi chuckled. “Of course, you would choose that.” He picked a romantic novel, the cover adorned with a couple in an embrace that made her heart flutter.

He began to read aloud, his voice deep and soothing, the words flowing smoothly as Valentina lost herself in the story. She felt herself relax more with each turn of the page, the worries of her body slipping away as Yoongi’s voice enveloped her.

“...and then they kissed beneath the moonlight, their hearts entwined as the world around them faded away…” he read, his tone growing more animated as the story progressed.

Valentina found herself smiling at the scenes, her imagination painting vibrant pictures in her mind. Yoongi’s voice became a melodic backdrop, one she could easily get lost in.

As the story unfolded, she glanced up at him, her heart swelling with affection. “You know,” she said softly, “this is really nice.”

He paused, glancing down at her with a fond expression. “I’m glad you think so. You deserve moments like this too. Even when things aren’t… ideal, I want to make sure you still feel cherished.”

The sincerity in his voice made her heart flutter. “Thank you,” she whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder.

They continued reading, the rhythm of the words creating a peaceful atmosphere. With each chapter, Valentina felt her connection with him deepening. The warmth of his body next to hers, the gentle way he turned the pages, the occasional brush of his fingertips against her arm—it all sent small sparks of joy through her.

As the hours passed, she realized that even though they were not engaged in their usual activities, this moment felt equally intimate. It was a different side of their relationship, one that encompassed comfort, trust, and care beyond the physical expressions of their connection.

Eventually, Yoongi finished the book, a satisfied grin on his face. “What did you think?”

“It was cute!” she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I loved the ending!”

“Me too,” he chuckled, setting the book down. “Maybe we should read more like this together.”

Valentina nodded eagerly. “Yes! I would love that.”

As they settled into a comfortable silence, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Despite the frustration of her period, she couldn’t help but feel lucky to have someone like Yoongi in her life.

Just then, he shifted slightly, glancing at her with a more serious expression. “You know, I really appreciate you being patient with me. I know this isn’t what you were expecting.”

She met his gaze, sincerity evident in her own. “Yoongi, it’s okay. I understand. We’re in this together, right?”

“Always,” he replied softly, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. “And just because we’re taking it easy tonight doesn’t mean I don’t have something special planned for you once you’re feeling better.”

“Really?” Valentina perked up, her excitement returning. “What do you have in mind?”

“You’ll have to wait and see,” he teased, a playful glimmer in his eye. “But I promise, it’ll be worth it.”

“Now you’re just making me impatient,” she said, laughing lightly.

“Good,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face. “I want you to be excited. But for now, let’s just enjoy this moment together.”

With that, they nestled deeper into the couch, the warmth of each other’s presence providing a sense of contentment that felt far more fulfilling than any physical release could offer at that moment. As Valentina closed her eyes, she surrendered to the feeling of safety, comfort, and love that surrounded her, knowing that even on difficult days, she had someone who truly cared for her—both as a submissive and as a person.