The sun is high in the sky, beating down suppressive rays, but the lush jungle canopy is shielding them from the majority of the heat. The couple walks hand-in-hand along a dirt path that winds through the undergrowth. It's quiet here, just the occasional sound of birdsong or the rustle of leaves, and they find it calming after the constant buzz of the city.
"It's nice to be away from it all, for a little while at least," Nya sighs. "Just the two of us."
Jay nods his agreement. "Yep, I love spending time with you."
"Me too. Even though we see each other nearly every day, it can be hard sometimes. With how busy life is with training and fighting evil."
"I'm always thinking about you, you know," Jay says softly. "All the time."
Nya giggles, shyly turning her head down and tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," he affirms, stopping and facing her. "I mean it. I can't help but think about you whenever we're apart."
Nya smiles sweetly, and a soft pink blush rises on her cheeks.
"Well, you know, I think about you a lot, too."
Jay takes a step forward, his gaze never leaving her face. "Really?"
"Mmhm. When we're apart, and when we're together."
Jay lifts his hands to cup her cheeks, brushing her soft skin with his thumbs. His eyes flicker to her lips, which look so tantalisingly soft. She leans into his touch and tilts her face up towards his. Jay takes that as an invitation to lean down and close the gap between them. His eyes slide shut as their lips meet, and he melts into the kiss, warmth blossoming in his chest. They pull back after a few moments and open their eyes, looking at each other fondly.
"That was nice," Jay murmurs.
"Mm, very nice," Nya agrees.
They kiss again, more passionately this time, and their arms encircle one another. They're locked in an embrace for a long moment, then Nya pulls back and rests her forehead against Jay's.
"We should go back," she says reluctantly, "the bugs are starting to find me tasty."
A sly grin spreads across Jay's face.
"You're tasty."
"I bet you say that to all the girls," Nya teases.
"No," Jay shakes his head, "only you."
The two laugh lightly, and Nya gives Jay a quick peck on the lips before breaking their embrace.
"C'mon," she says, "let's head back."
Jay offers her his hand and she takes it, and the two of them set off walking back to their accommodation.
"Hey, Nya?"
"Yes?"
"I know we can't be together all the time, but I want you to know that I will always be there for you."
He pulls his half of the Yin-Yang medallion from out of his shirt. It dangles on the thin gold chain, glinting in the sunlight. Nya glances down at her own necklace.
"When we're apart, I always have this to remind me of you."
Nya's mouth twitches into a smile.
"Yeah. I know what you mean."
"No matter how far apart, no matter what happens to our bodies, I will always be there for you, I promise."
They share a look of understanding, knowing that they are each a part of something greater.
They are not just a couple, but they are also part of a team. And their bond will keep them together even when distance keeps them apart.
The walk the rest of the way back to their accommodation, hand in hand, with their hearts filled with hope.
