The Mating Run

Chapter 69

Zeke’s POV In His Eyes: Warmth

Alina and | quietly move around the cramped cabin, feeling the tension in the air. We're both dealing with the consequences of last night. Now, in the quiet moments that come after, we're trying to figure out where our relationship is going.

I can sense Alina’s need for solitude, as if she longs for a moment of quiet to rediscover the pieces of her identity buried deep within the recesses of her mind. Her gaze, once a familiar map of emotions, now holds a hint of uncertainty, like someone cautiously exploring a puzzle they can’t solve. In response, | move cautiously, mindful of her need for space, a constant presence by her side, vigilant against the looming shadows that seek to consume her.

From a distance, | watch Alina as she gracefully arranges the few belongings scattered across the cabin, her movements flowing like a gentle dance. Each step she takes is deliberate, as if she’s tiptoeing through the uncharted territory of her own being, wary of the revelations that lie beneath the surface.

The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife as we avoid talking about the elephant in the room — that mark on her neck, a symbol of a connection that goes beyond memory. | can’t help but stare at it, silently acknowledging how important it is. It's a reminder that our bond is still there, even if she can’t remember it.

Those quiet moments when our eyes meet bring me solace. Alina’s search for herself makes her so vulnerable, and it really resonates with me. | really want to help her and make her feel better, but | know | need to be patient.

Time flies by, like leaves rustling gently. We're always finding the perfect balance between being close and having some space. Alina, determined to make this place more than just a refuge, starts moving things around with intention, being careful and focused.

Nesting, they call it. 1/7 In His Eyes: Warmth

I'm struggling with my own insecurities, worried that | might overshadow Alina’s journey of self-discovery. But, while | stay watchful from afar, | crave her

acknowledgement to confirm that our connection is still intact, even amidst fading memories. Does that make me a horrible person?

| don’t know. | don’t know if | want to know.

Night descends with a hushed intimacy, and | feel the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Alina senses me and looks at me with vulnerability, tearing my heart apart. Her eyes, like uncertain pools, reflect the flickering candle flame, casting soft shadows on her face.

| cautiously walk towards her, knowing how fragile everything is. When Alina looks at me, time stands still. | see a question in that look, asking for reassurance beyond words.

| reach out my hand, silently beckoning for a connection to bridge the distance

the between us. Alina, with a brief pause, gently laces her fingers with mine, warmth of her touch confirming the enduring bond that remains despite the fading of recollections. We're just standing there, surrounded by the peaceful night, blending into a moment of vulnerability together.

That’s how a day normally goes for us. | don’t love it, but | don’t exactly hate it either.

It was a seemingly ordinary morning, until everything suddenly changed between us.

The clearing outside the cabin was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the morning sun, and the sound of the axe hitting wood reverberated through the air. With every swing of the axe and every log added to the pile, a sense of achievement welled up inside me. As | wipe the sweat off my forehead, preparing to swing the axe down once more, | suddenly hear Alina clearing her throat behind me.

As | turned, our eyes met, and | couldn’t help but notice the timid smile that appeared on her lips. “Hey,” Her voice, soft and melodic, echoed through the quiet morning, creating tatts Eyes Warmth

a peaceful atmosphere. As she tucks a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, can’t help but notice how much longer it had grown. “Uhm, good morning.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I “Morning, Alina,” | replied, setting the axe aside. “What brings you out here?”

| noticed Alina’s eyes briefly flicker towards the woodpile, and then, with a discreet look in my direction, she moved on. A rosy blush spread across her cheeks as she shifted her gaze and hesitantly asked.

“Have you... uh, taken a bath today?” f

Her unexpected question made me pause, and | couldn’t help but wonder if the scent of wood and sweat clung to me after hours of chopping. With a self-conscious smile on my lips, | absentmindedly scratched the back of my head.

“Yeah, | mean... | was planning to,” As | admitted it, a blush of shyness tinged my cheeks with warmth. “Sorry, | must smell horrible.”

“That’s not it!” Alina’s sudden outburst of shouts caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily stunned. She clears her throat a second time, and then turns her attention to me. When our eyes met, | saw uncertainty reflected in hers. She briefly looked away before mustering the bravery to continue the conversation. “Well, um, if you’re going to take a bath, maybe... maybe we could take one together?”

The innocence in her suggestion was so touching that it tugged at my heart, instantly evoking a surge of warmth within me. The air between us shifted, the atmosphere charged with a mixture of shyness and genuine sweetness.

“You mean... together?”

My words came out in a stammer, revealing my own bashfulness in the exchange. Alina’s cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as she nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, | mean, if you’re okay with that. It just seems... nice, you know?”

“Yeah,” | couldn’t help but smile, a combination of amusement and affection bubbling up as | looked at the woman in front of me. “Yeah, | think that sounds nice.”

Glancing at the path that led to the tranquil lake, Alina hesitated for a moment before finally shifting her attention back to me. “I'll, uh,” Her words escaped her lips in a soft, delicate whisper, barely audible to anyone nearby. “Go first.”

| nodded, my heart pounding with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

“Sure, I'll be right behind you.”

With a nod and a gleaming smile, Alina hastened towards the lake, leaving me alone to reflect on the delightful awkwardness that had transpired between us. In that moment, as she opened up and shared such an intimate space, it became clear how much trust was blossoming between us.

Half-expecting an uncomfortable atmosphere, | cautiously approach the lake, hoping for a pleasant bathing experience. Alina was already in the water, her back bare and turned towards me, her hair cascading over one shoulder. Neatly folded on the closest rock, her clothes catch my eye. Inhaling deeply, | remove my clothes, carefully fold them, and set them down beside hers.

Sliding into the water was surprisingly easy, but as soon as Alina heard me, she tensed up. Slowly and attentively, | approach her in the water, ensuring there is a sufficient gap between us. Alina’s gaze met mine, and in her eyes, | founda

comforting reassurance, an unspoken confirmation that this moment held deeper meaning and connection. “Hi” “Hi”

Alina and | sat shoulder to shoulder, the tranquility interrupted solely by the soft ripples of water and the occasional meaningful glance we shared, conveying unspoken emotions.

“So, um, how’s the water temperature?”

With a soft voice, Alina asked, her arms crossed protectively, most likely to 4/7

In His Eyes Warth

conceal her bare body from my sight. Even though | had already committed the texture of her skin and the contours of her body to memory, | made a conscious effort not to gaze at her.

“It's perfect,” | replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Thanks for suggesting this. It’s... nice.” Alina mirrored my smile, her eyes reflecting a mixture of contentment and shyness. “Yeah, it is, isn’t it?”

While we were basking in the lake’s warmth, all the walls between us just melted away. The scars of our individual journeys were momentarily forgotten, replaced by the tenderness of a shared space, a space that held the promise of connection and understanding.

Just when we were in the middle of our bath, Alina pulls out a sponge and surprises me.

“Where'd you find that sponge?” | inquired, my voice carrying a note of

amusement. Holding the sponge in her hands, Alina’s eyes gleamed with delight as she faced me.

“| found a robot with my name on it,” she explained, a small smile playing on her lips. “And inside was this sponge. A sponsor gave it, | think?”

With the sponge in her hand, Alina’s eyes lost their playful glint and took on a shy, subtle expression as she turned away from me. Her posture exuded a gentle vulnerability as she spoke, her words lingering in the air like a fragile melody.

“Zeke, could you... wash my back?” she asked, her voice a gentle whisper.

There was a brief pause in the air as the lake’s serene ambiance captivated all senses. The request, seemingly unassuming, carried a subtle intimacy that spoke to the desires we had left unexpressed. | was stuck, unsure if | should push the limits

or just reach out. “Just... do as | asked, okay?” Alina added, her plea barely audible, as if she feared it would shatter. “I... | want you to touch me.”

Hor request lingered in the air, and | couldn’t help but notice the tension in her shoulders and the anticipation in her posture. The conflict | felt inside was mirrored in the vulnerability | saw in her eyes.

“Alright,” | finally conceded, my voice a mixture of uncertainty and determination. “I'll wash your back.”

With careful and deliberate steps, | approached her and gently took the sponge from her hand. As we waded into the water, we could feel the coolness against our skin and see the gentle ripples forming around us. Her back, exposed and unadorned, beckoned for attention as Alina stood before me.

Deliberately, | placed the sponge against her skin, savoring the tender sensation that spoke volumes of our unspoken understanding. As my hand makes contact with her, a shiver runs down her spine, so | ensure my touch is delicate.

With each stroke of my hand on her back, | became aware of a subtle shift in the air, as if a storm was brewing. A subtle flush of red colored the tips of Alina’s ears, betraying her vulnerability without a word. We were acutely aware that we were teetering on the edge of a moment that defied the mundane, and it hung in the air between us.

“Zeke,” Alina murmured, her voice barely audible over the soft sounds of the lake. “Could you... could you wash my front too?” Her request hung in the air, and for a brief moment, time seemed to pause. “You can say no if you’re not comfortable,” | offered, my voice a gentle reassurance. “I want you to feel safe.”

Alina’s momentary pause was filled with uncertainty, her eyes alternating between the shimmering lake and my presence. But in the end, she turned around to face me. Her skin glistened with water droplets, while the gentle rays of the sun

accentuated her silhouette. Our eyes locked, a silent exchange that spoke volumes about the trust she had bestowed upon me.

| carefully wet the sponge once more, watching as the water trickled down its surface. Our eyes locked, and in that moment, a silent conversation unfolded between us. As | moved the sponge across her skin, | felt the warmth of the water seeping into my fingertips. Alina has always been beautiful, but now her beauty is enhanced by the trust and devotion in her eyes when she looks at me.

Her body quivered as my fingertips grazed against her sensitive nipples, causing an involuntary moan to escape her lips. Immediately, my body tenses with desire, but | make a conscious effort not to ogle her form too intently — that’s not what she expects of me. | catch her staring at me, her eyes hidden beneath the fringe of her lashes. When she wraps her arms around my neck, | can’t help but reciprocate, my hands instinctively finding their way to her waist, drawing her

closer to me.

There was a hint of hesitation in her eyes, as if she was torn between letting go and holding on. However, beneath the surface of uncertainty, there was an unmistakable yearning—a longing for connection. Closing the distance between us, | could feel the warmth of her breath against my skin as our lips finally touched in a gentle, lingering kiss.