Just Him&I: In Universe of Cruelty

Part 27

...Look for those with whom it's good to stay silent,
And laugh loudly at silly things.
Those who will respect you as you are—
To the core, to the smallest details.

***

— Hey, doll, wake up! — I heard his soft whisper right above my head. He gently brushed a few strands of dark hair away from my face and stroked my cheek. After a few seconds, my eyes opened, and I saw James crouched by my bed, smiling at me. At first, I couldn't recognize him — his long hair, which he used to tie in a ponytail... it was gone. He had a short haircut now, and honestly, I liked it even better. Slowly, I sat up, not fully opening my eyes—I was still half-asleep. My body craved to fall back onto the warm bed, bury my face in the pillow, and hide under the blanket from the outside world.

— You cut your hair?! — I asked curiously, examining his new look, lightly touching his hair with my hand. Did these changes mean he was starting a new life after what happened last night? For me, they did. I loved him and was ready to give my life for him.

— Don't you like it? — he caught my hand, kissing the back of it. The corners of his mouth stretched into a sarcastic smile, and his eyes squinted slightly.

— It's not that I don't like it, — I paused, thinking over my response, — it's just unusual to see you like this. — I smiled back at him, and I swear it was the best moment of my life. Until it was ruined by a slight pain in my stomach when I tucked my legs under me. I winced slightly.

— Does it hurt?! — I nodded silently in response. He touched my stomach with the tips of his fingers, sliding his hand under my T-shirt. I hissed and bit my lip lightly.

— Your hand is cold. — I laughed and brushed the hair away from my face. His hand slid higher, gently stroking my stomach.

— Sorry... — he quickly kissed my stomach and looked up into my eyes. This pain could be due to two factors: either I wasn't psychologically ready, which seemed unlikely, or he strained my joints or ligaments. I leaned more toward the second and believed it to be the truth.

— It'll pass. James, let me go take a shower. — I playfully pushed him with my hand. He smiled at me and then became completely serious.

— Call me Bucky. — I raised my hands in surrender.

— Only friends call you that, I've read somewhere. — I stroked his hair and even heard him purring like a cat.

— You're already part of my family! — he kissed my cheek lightly and let me go so I could head to the bathroom. — Will you make it there? — he offered me his hand to help me get up. I placed my hand over his, and he squeezed it as I stretched to stand.

— You're treating me like an invalid. A stomachache doesn't mean my legs have stopped working. — He pulled me closer. I placed my hands on his chest, and our faces were just a few centimeters apart.

— I wouldn't mind seeing you naked again. — I squinted and tilted my head to the side.

— Ah, you pervert! — I laughed loudly and slapped him on the chest again, quickly dashing into the bathroom.

— Hey, stop hitting me. You're going to leave a dent there soon. — He followed me inside. I was wetting my toothbrush under the water, applying toothpaste from some unknown brand. It tingled my tongue and was overly minty.

— And why am I a pervert? We're dating, aren't we?! — I continued brushing my teeth calmly as he walked around behind me, explaining something.

— Well, first of all, I didn't hear any proposal to date. And second, you're nearly 4.5 times older than me. — He gave me a suspicious look through the mirror. I shrugged silently, and he left the room.

I didn't even have time to blink before he came back into the room with something in his hand and knelt behind me. I finished brushing my teeth and put the toothbrush back in the glass. Turning around, I saw a ring in his hand.

— Maria Berest, will you be my girlfriend, once and for all? — I couldn't hide my smile; my facial muscles literally hurt from how much I'd been smiling today. I think I broke the record for my entire existence on planet Earth.

— I think yes! — I extended my right hand to him, and he slipped the ring onto my ring finger. It looked like an ordinary ring wrapped in vines and leaves, with a few green stones matching the color of my eyes. It shimmered in the light with silver, radiating beauty and elegance.
I examined it curiously, stretching my hand forward. He stood up and hugged me from behind. I felt only his heavy and large hands on my waist, and then his head rested on one of my shoulders.

— When did you manage this?! — I was so captivated by the ring that I didn't even notice when he kissed the back of my head.

— It's a secret. — he whispered softly in my ear, pulling me closer.

— When did you become so kind? Just don't tell me that's also a secret! — I turned my head back, meeting his pair of eyes. He carefully studied every detail of my face.

— Love works miracles. Don't even think about arguing. — I involuntarily glanced at the mirror hanging above the sink and fixed my gaze there.

— I wasn't going to. By the way, you really do look better with short hair. — I realized this was the person with whom I was ready to share my whole life.
Maybe there really is an invisible thread, one that can only be felt, not seen. It will pull you toward the right person until you meet them. With them, you'll feel safe and comfortable. They'll add color to gray days, help you cope with your emotions, feelings, fears, and worries. They'll be there for sickness, aging, and the death of loved ones.
They'll experience all the best and most joyful moments with you, breathe life to the fullest, and live without noticing anyone else. Forget about their presence because the center of your universe will always be your beloved. Without them, you won't even imagine an ordinary breakfast, watching your favorite movie, or a simple trip to the supermarket or gym.
So my thread has already led me to the right person—I've found them. No matter how much I suffered in the past, he can heal the deepest wounds.

— I love you... — my voice was quiet and hoarse, and my gaze was clouded. Tears filled my eyes.

— What's wrong? Are you okay? Look at me. — he turned my entire body toward him. He took my chin in his hand, lifting my eyes to meet his. I brought my hand up to his neck and closed my eyes, inhaling his scent.

— You know so much time that I could finally feel it mutually and for real — I smiled

— I love you too. — he slowly covered my lips with his. I could only feel the heat of his breath and the warmth that filled my whole body.

— I need to take a shower, — I said through a kiss, biting his lower lip to make him pay attention to me.

— Alone? — he smiles smugly, noticing the slight blush spreading across my cheeks.

The water slowly drips down our bodies as he presses me firmly against the wall, making it feel like we've already become one. The transparent shower walls and the bathroom mirror fog up, and condensation forms on the smooth tiles. I doubt it's just from the hot water, which has been running non-stop for about 15 minutes now. He kisses me, plunging his tongue deep into my mouth, where they intertwine, creating their own dance.