ARTIFICIAL

T R A D I T I O N

Ravina

As soon as I reach the ground floor -on my way past the kitchen- I take out a soft drink and pour myself a glass. I will be honest, I wasn't feeling myself all day but now I feel a lot better. I'll admit seeing his face, even if I know he's a mass murderer and he doesn't hide it, I can't say I hate feeling the things I feel when I see him. My mind mildly gets quizzical.

My mind is always in constant calculation so I'll admit it's refreshing when it goes blank for a moment. Not overthinking or worrying about if my actions are upsetting to somebody.

I open the sliding door out back to meet with the murky sky. It's not hot nor is it cold today. It's cloudy, yes but the weather is pretty mild so it's more like a stay outside and enjoy the day type of weather. But a swim is also good, I don't like too much sun so it makes sense. I guess he shares the same views, which is why he's having a field day.

For a moment I get trapped in witnessing his arms carrying him foward and I find myself clutching the chocolate against my chest but with another deep breath, I piece my thoughts back together before walking ahead with my head held high. At least I hope. I notice him swimming towards the end of the pool until he rests his arms, taking a glass of golden liquid I never noticed was there.

I get the opportunity to see his marvelous back as his muscles flex and ripple from this view and I can't stop admiring it. And so I clear my throat, albeit louder than intended because I notice his head turn to the side. His body then starts to turn around slowly, our eyes meet when his body is fully turned. I can never get over his eyes, as brown as the chocolate I'm holding they are so... distracting.

Chocolate, right. Chocolate!

"Hi." I say, almost quietly but something tells me he heard me. But he doesn't immediately answer, instead his eyes move from mine down to my body, then back up until they land on the square box in my hand.

His head cocks to the side when he notices and his wet hair lays on his forehead, which snaps me back to reality. Right, the chocolates!

But what do I say? All I'm thinking about is that tan chest of his and his hair on his forehead. Gosh, this should be illegal. Imagine if he could hear my thoughts, now that would be embarrassing. Actually, I'd probably jump off a cliff.

"Staring is rude miele." He says, wait wasn't I talking?

My heart leaps at the sound of his voice but not from the unknown feeling but mostly out of panic. "Chocolate?" It's all I'm able to say in this state.

"Chocolate." He repeats, I'm unsure if he's asking or what but he just said the word bluntly like he just needed to repeat it to ensure he heard it.

And so I clear my throat and continue. "I brought you some chocolate. I don't know what you like so I thought a box of treats would suffice, everyone likes chocolate." I blab because of the nerves he's making me feel by looking at me like that.

He raises a brow, not immediately answering as if he's not believing what I am telling him. And so I take a seat on one of the benches surrounding the pool and take a sip of my drink.

"I never asked you to get me anything." He responds before he takes a sip of his beverage leaning on the edge of the pool.

And for the life of me I can't help my eyes that wander to his tattoos every once in a while. They're both intimidating and artistic. A sort of wander you would like to explore.

"Well, it's this thing I saw in a movie. That bringing a person something when you've been away entails you've been thinking about them. It's usually special." I reply with a sweet smile. I made that a tradition of my own, even if I don't get something back I always give. I'm a giver not a receiver so I never mind being forgotten. It's a norm in my life.