To you, in 2000 Years

Take Her Lead - II 🌶️

"I see you enjoy sitting on the floor." He teased, taking a sip from his cup, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

"I don't want to disturb you while you're reading." She replied, glancing up at him from her spot on the floor. 

"Plus, I can see you better from down here." Her voice was light, but there was an unspoken warmth beneath it, something that made her heart flutter as she looked up at him. 

From her angle, she could admire every line and shadow of his face, the way his brow would furrow slightly in thought, or the soft curve of his lips as he became lost in the world of the book. There was something deeply captivating about seeing him this way, his focus so intense, each turn of the page drawing him further into a place she could not quite reach. Yet, in these quiet moments, she felt closer to him, as if she were part of his world even in his solitude. His eyes would occasionally flicker down to meet hers, and the warmth of his gaze made her heart skip. She loved the way he looked at her, a softness reserved just for her, as though he, too, found solace in these small moments. Here, nestled at his feet, she felt safe, cherished, and entirely entranced by him.

"Is that really the reason?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"I thought maybe you just wanted to keep your distance from me." He set his cup down and stared blankly at the book resting on his lap, lost in thought.

"No, that's not it at all." She protested, her voice firm yet gentle. He sighed, his expression darkening. 

"Well, I'm just an old man with only one arm left. I can't do much to make you happy. All I seem to bring is pain and disaster." He clenched his fist for a moment, then turned to gaze out the window, as if searching for a glimpse of the future that eluded him.

In that moment, she recognized the weight of his sorrow. It was not just the loss of his arm that burdened him; it was the solitude that enveloped him in his room, the silent battles he fought against despair. She understood all too well what it felt like to be trapped in one's own thoughts, battling depression alone.

Determined to reach him, she gently took the book from his hands setting it aside, her heart pounding as she crawled onto the bed. Positioning herself above him, she felt an electric thrill at the proximity, her cheeks warming with a mix of shyness and resolve. The closeness sent a shiver down her spine, a heady mix of shyness and resolve blooming within her as she hovered there, her gaze unwavering. Their eyes locked, and she lifted her hands and pressed them against his face, her palms feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch. It was a simple gesture, yet filled with a quiet intimacy that seemed to bridge the space between them, pulling them closer than words ever could. Her silky nightgown brushed against him, the soft fabric gliding over his chest and shoulders. The sensation was exhilarating, each delicate touch sending a slow burn through him. The closeness of her, the feel of her against him, was intoxicating, awakening something deep within him, a craving he could no longer ignore.

As she held his face, she searched his ocean-blue eyes, wanting him to see the depth of her feelings. Her heart ached for him, and she poured all her love into that gaze, willing him to feel the truth of her words.

"No matter how old you become, no matter how many arms you have left, no matter what you've done or what you will do... I will always love you." She declared, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. Each word was a promise, a vow that transcended the pain surrounding them.

With a tenderness that felt almost sacred, she leaned closer, her breath mingling softly with his, filling the space between them with a warmth that went beyond words. As her lips met his, the world around them dissolved, leaving only the quiet sound of their shared heartbeat. Her kiss was light, almost reverent, each gentle touch of her lips carrying an unspoken depth. There was a gentle urgency in the way she kissed him—a delicate insistence that spoke of understanding and unwavering devotion.