༺Masterpiece༻

XXXIV :: Paramour

With trepidation in my heart, I decided to take a shower. They say, taking a shower helps you concentrate.

As the warm water cascaded over my body, I tried to ground myself, to let the steam and the sensation of the shower wash away the overwhelming thoughts racing through my mind. The revelation that Mai and her world were real people, not just figments of my imagination, had shattered my perception of reality. Who was I, really, if the dreams that had defined my life were memories of someone else's existence?

The steam enveloped me, creating a cocoon where I could hide from the enormity of the truth. I closed my eyes, letting the water trace the contours of my body, trying to find solace in the rhythmic drumming against my skin. The warmth seeped into my muscles, easing the tension but doing little to quiet the storm inside my mind.

Suddenly, I heard a soft knock on the bathroom door, followed by the creak of it opening. "Kook?" Her voice called out hesitantly. "Are you okay?"

I didn't respond immediately, lost in the thoughts swirling around. But then, I heard her footsteps retreating. "Wait, my love," I called out, my voice echoing slightly in the tiled space. "Don't go."

She paused, and I could see her silhouette through the frosted glass of the shower door. "You're taking a shower," she said, her tone a mix of concern and something else, something deeper.

"Join me," I said, surprising myself with the boldness in my voice. "We need to talk."

There was a brief hesitation. I could feel her deliberation, the weight of the decision pressing on her. She took a deep breath, and the door to the shower slid open. She stepped in, her eyes searching mine for answers, for understanding. The water hit her skin, creating rivulets that traced down her body, mingling with mine. The air between us was thick with unspoken words and an electric tension.

She stood there, hesitating, her vulnerability stark against the backdrop of steam and water. It was her first time being so intimately close with a man, and I could see the apprehension in her eyes. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice a whisper.

I nodded, reaching out to gently pull her closer. "I'm sure," I whispered back, my voice steady. "I need you here with me."

As she stepped fully into the shower, her movements were slow and tentative. The warmth of her body against mine was a grounding force, something real to hold onto in the midst of my inner chaos. I ran my hands gently down her arms, feeling her shiver not from the cold, but from the intimate touch.

"Relax," I murmured, pressing my forehead against hers. "It's just us."

She took a deep breath, her body gradually relaxing against mine. The intimacy of the moment was not just physical but deeply emotional. I could feel her trust, her willingness to step into this unknown with me.

In that moment, the gravity of seeing her bare for the first time hit me with an intensity I hadn't anticipated. The sight of her, vulnerable and exposed, stirred something deep within me—a bubbling sensation that was a mix of awe, desire, and a profound sense of connection. The water flowed between us, a warm veil that added to the intimacy, as I traced the droplets that clung to her skin.

Her eyes met mine, filled with a blend of apprehension and curiosity. I could see her trying to adjust to the newness of the situation, her breaths coming in shallow, nervous gasps. I wanted to reassure her, to let her know that this was as new and overwhelming for me as it was for her. The sight of her bare skin, the feel of her warmth against me, ignited a fire that spread through my veins, a young man's raw, unfiltered reaction to the woman he loved.

Gently, I cupped her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away the droplets of water from her cheeks. "You're beautiful," I whispered, my voice husky with emotion. The words seemed to reverberate in the steamy enclosure, a truth that was undeniable in that moment.