The Mating Run by Leeka

Zeke's POV
In His Eyes: Warmth
Alina and I 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, I 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, I 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. I can't help but stare at it, silently acknowledging how important
itis. 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. I really want to
help her and make her feel better, but I know I 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.
17
In His Eyes: Warmth
I'm struggling with my own insecurities, worried that I might overshadow Alina’s
journey of self-discovery. But, while I stay watchful from afar, I crave her
acknowledgement to confirm that our connection is still intact, even amidst fading
memories. Does that make me a horrible person?
I don’t know. I don't know if I want to know.
Night descends with a hushed intimacy, and I 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.
I cautiously walk towards her, knowing how fragile everything is. When Alina
looks at me, time stands still. I see a question in that look, asking for reassurance
beyond words.
I 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. I don’t love it, but I 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 I wipe the sweat off my forehead, preparing
to swing the axe down once more, I suddenly hear Alina clearing her throat
behind me.
As I turned, our eyes met, and I 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.”
I
“Morning, Alina,” I replied, setting the axe aside. “What brings you out here?”
I 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 I 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, I absentmindedly scratched the back of my head.
“Yeah, I mean... I was planning to,” As I admitted it, a blush of shyness tinged my
cheeks with warmth. “Sorry, I 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, I 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, I mean, if you're okay with that. It just seems... nice, you know?”
“Yeah,” I couldn't help but smile, a combination of amusement and affection
bubbling up as I looked at the woman in front of me. “Yeah, I 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.”
I 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, I 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, I 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, I approach her in the water, ensuring there is a
sufficient gap between us. Alina’s gaze met mine, and in her eyes, I found a
comforting reassurance, an unspoken confirmation that this moment held deeper
meaning and connection.
“Hi”
Hi”
Alina and I 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
417
In His Eyes Warth
conceal her bare body from my sight. Even though I had already committed the
texture of her skin and the contours of her body to memory, I made a conscious
effort not to gaze at her.
“It's perfect,” I 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?” I inquired, my voice carrying a note of
amusement.
Holding the sponge in her hands, Alina’s eyes gleamed with delight as she faced
me.
“I 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, I 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. I was stuck, unsure if I should push the
limits
or just reach out.
“Just... do as I asked, okay?” Alina added, her plea barely audible, as if she
feared it would shatter. “I... I want you to touch me.”
Hor request lingered in the air, and I couldn't help but notice the tension in her
shoulders and the anticipation in her posture. The conflict I felt inside was
mirrored in the vulnerability I saw in her eyes.
“Alright,” I finally conceded, my voice a mixture of uncertainty and determination.
“I'll wash your back.”
With careful and deliberate steps, I 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, I 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 I ensure my touch is delicate.
With each stroke of my hand on her back, I 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,” I offered, my voice a gentle
reassurance. “l 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.
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I 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 I moved the
sponge across her skin, I 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. The
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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 I make a
conscious effort not to ogle her form
. ,

too intently — that's not what she
expects of me. I catch her staring at
me, her eyes hidden beneath the
fringe of her lashes. When she wraps

p
her arms around my neck, I can't help
but reciprocate, my hands
instinctively finding their way to her
waist, drawing her The content is on
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chapter there!
closer to me.
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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, I
could feel the warmth of her breath
against my skin as our lips finally
touched in a gentle, lingering kiss.
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