Leonora Bernardi locked in the dark. Hurt for most of her life, scared of her own shadow. Not knowing what the outside world is like, she's the epitome of innocence. One look at her and it's like her aura could light up the room.
Nikolai Volkov fut...
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Saudade: - A nostalgic longing to be near again to something or someone that is distant, or that has been loved and then lost; "the love that remains."
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Leonora's POV:
Nikolai and I retreated to the secluded cabin nestled at the edge of the tranquil woods for a few weeks that felt suspended in time. The air carried the crisp scent of pine, and the only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the melodic symphony of birdsong.
The cabin, a haven of rustic charm, welcomed us with the warmth of a crackling fireplace and the soft embrace of cozy blankets. Mornings began with the gentle glow of sunlight filtering through the towering trees, casting a golden hue upon the world outside. We spent our days exploring the winding trails, hand in hand, and our evenings wrapped in the quietude of the cabin, where the soft glow of candlelight painted a serene tableau.
As night fell, the starlit sky became a celestial masterpiece, and the distant hooting of an owl serenaded our dreams. In this tranquil refuge, time seemed to slow, allowing us to savor every moment and find solace in the simplicity of being together, surrounded by the untouched beauty of nature.
As I sat beneath the dappled sunlight, lost in the gentle strokes of my pencil against the canvas of my sketchbook, a soft breeze carried the whispers of the rustling leaves. The scene before me unfolded, a dance of nature captured in graphite lines. Lost in my artistic reverie, the tranquility shattered momentarily when Nikolai, sensing my abstraction, gently touched my shoulder.
In that instant, my heart skipped a beat, and a sudden wave of anxiety gripped me. The innocent gesture that was meant to ground me in the present triggered an involuntary flinch, a reflex born from memories that still haunted me. My mind briefly flashed back to Leone's unwelcome touch, and I struggled to steady my breath. Yet, as I met Nikolai's concerned gaze, his hand now hesitantly withdrawn, the safety he represented gradually reasserted itself. In his eyes, I found understanding, and a silent promise that, unlike the past, this touch was one of comfort and care.
"Im s-sorry" I whisper placing down my pencil on top of my sketch book, letting out a long sigh. I know that Nikolai would never hurt me, I know that deep down. But that doesn't stop my body from involuntarily flinching every time he touches me.
"Hey..." He crouches down in front of me, those crisp silver eyes staring into mine.
"This is not your fault. I never want to hear you say sorry. Not to me. Ever. We'll work on this okay?"
I nod, relaxing slightly.
"Let's make a deal." Nikolai said still crouching down in front of me as he removes the sketchbook from my lap.
"How about this? I won't touch you at all... Every time we're together your going to be the first to initiate contact okay?"
"B-but I feel b-bad. It w-wasn't you t-that..." I trail off not wanting to say it.
