Hearts at War (AlanxJeff) VI

41

Jeff

Barely covered by the soft sheets, my body, shivering and exhausted, trembled as Alan followed the path of my limbs with the tips of his fingers, keeping his face very close, as if he were studying every millimeter of my skin.

"Good morning, Nu," he whispered. I could feel his warm breath on my skin, sending little electric currents through my body.

I smiled and looked at him as he gazed at me with devotion, his smile radiating a tenderness so deep it melted my heart. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in our own world. The morning light filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow that made everything seem magical.

Wherever his fingers touched, my flaws and insecurities vanished. I felt that every inch of my being was valuable when he looked at me with that disarming smile and gaze. His touch was gentle, almost ethereal, but charged with an intensity that made me feel alive.

Inside me, a storm of emotions raged. The mix of love, amazement, and a hint of disbelief overwhelmed me. How was it possible that someone like him could see something special in me? Every time his eyes met mine, I felt he could see directly into my soul, laying bare my fears and deepest dreams.

"I can't take it anymore. Are you really human?" I murmured, chewing on the words and feeling my voice a bit hoarse. I looked at him like someone looks at something they desire with all their heart, something they thought would never be possible.

The corners of his mouth formed that beautiful curve I was hopelessly in love with, and I couldn't help but mirror it. His smile was contagious, a spark of joy that ignited my soul. In that moment, I felt a connection so deep it almost scared me. It was as if our souls were intertwined, destined to find each other.

"A human hopelessly in love," he replied in a soft whisper, his voice like a melody caressing my ears. His words resonated in my heart, filling it with an indescribable warmth.

We stayed like that, looking at each other, sharing a moment that seemed eternal. The outside world ceased to matter, and in that instant, I knew I had found something truly special. Inside me, a peace and happiness I had never experienced before settled, and I knew that, no matter what happens, this love would be a part of me forever.

That day we had planned a trip to the north, but I was so tired I simply couldn't get out of bed. Alan, diligent and loving, took care of me with a tenderness and devotion that made me feel a mix of gratitude and shame. He even dared to... to bathe me. At least he didn't try anything else. He was so sweet and loving that at times I got lost in his eyes, forgetting the truth. It was his fault. He hadn't shown any mercy. I would never give him a gift like that again. Never. Next time, I would learn to embroider or make him something. Anything else.

In the end, Pete went ahead to help Charlie, and Way resisted going with him, claiming he would wait for me and that he was worried about my health. But I knew the truth, Way was avoiding him, thinking Pete would end things if they talked or something like that.

We rescheduled the trip for a day before the festival. As usual, Alan always got his way. Always.

In the mornings, we woke up embraced, with the warm rays of the sun caressing our skin. We ate together, much closer than before. And in the afternoons, we escaped to the gardens surrounding the palace to touch and smile at each other's lips, where the fresh air filled our lungs and life brushed our skin with devotion. We were part of the trees, the flowers, we merged with the musk of the earth and the sound of birdsong. The bugs and birds adapted to the sound of our laughter.

"Legend has it that if you dance with the person you like in front of the bonfire during the last song of the festival, you'll be together forever," I told him excitedly as we walked hand in hand to the carriage.