Thriving Heart (Zenix x Reader) |Book Two| [HOLD]

Wandering Minds

Y/N's POV

"I can't believe he's dating Kawaii~Chan!"
"Honestly, they're an adorable couple," I reply, smiling as we walk down the sidewalk together, hand-in-hand. After Zane had told Zenix about his relationship, he'd left quickly with embarrassment, but I'm led to believe he's gone to talk to Kawaii~Chan about it. Zenix had wanted to go on a walk with me to explore the neighborhood. "Zane just didn't see it."
"I wonder what's going to happen with them," Zenix questions aloud, not really seeming to be directing at me, but I look up at him curiously.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I raise an eyebrow. He looks back down at me, his eyes widening as he shakes his head,
"I don't know what you were just thinking..." Zenix's expression makes me giggle a little bit. "but I meant if they're going to stay together for a while or not." I allow my grin to disappear as I squeeze Zenix's hand and ask,
"How long did you think you and I were going to last when we were dating?" My husband looks a bit concerned as to why I'm asking such a question, but my sincerity puts him at ease. Nevertheless, he still looks away from me, his eyes traveling around the scenery around us. We've gotten to a park-like area in the neighborhood, walking on concrete paths covered in ripe leaves that have fallen from the towering trees above. A playground sits in a large gated-off area of sand, crawling with children that laugh and scream. Zenix stares in that direction for a while before whipping his head and looking back at me,
"I was hoping forever. But I can't tell the future, Y/N." His seriousness about my question almost makes me laugh. I shake his hand playfully.
"Lighten up! I was just asking," I smile, but his lack of returning it worries me. "Are you okay?" Whatever funk he was just in leaves almost instantly when he looks into my eyes and the clouds in his eyes clear.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I was just... thinking," he turns away from me again and I purse my lips. We continue walking, not saying anything to each other until the path comes to a stop in front of a lake. It glows in the buttery sunlight as the sun begins to set behind it. I squint so I don't hurt my eyes; Zenix does the same.
"This is beautiful," I murmur. My husband looks over, trying to lock a gaze with me, but I don't look back.
"Want to swim?" his question surprises me, causing me to look over at him.
"Are you serious? We don't have any swimsuits and the water is probably freezing cold!"
"Hey, you're the one who told me to lighten up," he shrugs, the corners of his mouth lifting. I shake my head, a grin on my face,
"That's not exactly what I meant, but," I look at the water. "I'll go in if you go in." Zenix bows to me, swaying his hands toward the water as if inviting me to plummet myself right into the lake.
"Ladies first."
"Over my dead body." Zenix smirks at my response and stares into the water, not moving a muscle. After he doesn't move for a while, I laugh, "Oh, come on!" And with that, I shove him into the lake. He cries out as he flops into the water, making a splash that sprinkles me with droplets. The laughter within me won't stop coming out. Zenix bobs his head out of the water, chuckling with me as he moves his arms to keep himself afloat.
"You little---" but he cuts himself off as he grabs onto my ankle, pulling me into the lake as well. I screech with surprise as my body feels the freezing cold water touch my skin. Once I'm above the surface, I inhale deeply, continuing to laugh when I attach myself to Zenix's arm, kicking my legs underwater to stay in place. "That's what you get."
"Alright, alright, I guess I deserved that," I smile wide, moving my hair out of my face with my left hand. We stare into each other's eyes for a while, not saying a word. He doesn't even need to speak for me to know his mind is wandering. I dare to ask,
"What were you thinking about earlier that had you so dazed?" It takes him a minute to remember himself staring at the playground of children earlier, for then his face tenses. I don't know what I expected him to say, but my thoughts begin to wander too, making me tighten my gaze on him. Maybe we grow some sort of mutual understanding; he puts his palm on my cheek and smiles lightly. I lean into his hand when he presses his lips against mine, kissing me deeper than I've ever known him to. When we part, he finally responds,
"I was just thinking about how much I love you."

Thank you guys so much for reading this chapter! In my description, I will be adding a feature where I will put the dates that each book will be updated! I'm not sure how well this will work, but if you're wondering when my next chapter will be coming out, check there first! A new chapter will be out soon!
Nya,
Soccerkitty7