28 Completed (2/2)

I flustered saying. ”What?! Of course not! I am a man of virtue, any way you're my more of my type. I mean you're eyes are so pretty, I get lost in them every time I gaze into them, they're like little blue galaxies filled with shimmering stars. Every time you smile at me with those perfect white teeth I get butterflies.” I was going to say more, but Lili went behind me and covered my mouth. I looked back expecting her to be mad from my teasing, but her cheeks were flustered and she couldn't look me in the eyes.

When she noticed my staring, she started hitting my back saying. ”D..Don't look back, it's embarrassing. You did that on purpose, didn't you!” I looked forward and shielded my head from her harmless blows, but suddenly she wrapped her arms around me, pinning mine to my side. Then she laid her head against my back, I could feel the warmth radiating from her face.

”Did you mean any of that? Tell me the truth, I'll smell it on you if you try.” She said quietly.

”Crap.” I think, ”She can smell if people lie?” I don't know if she's bluffing or not, but I answer honestly anyway.

”I'm telling the truth, I think you're beautiful. It's what I've thought ever since I first saw you, I'm telling the truth!” I exclaim, trying to prove my innocence.

”You're not lying.” She says in a matter of fact tone. ”Wait, you can actually smell when I'm lying?” She wraps me a little tighter and said. ”No, but I would have known if your heart started racing.”

I notice the beating of my own heart, but it wasn't beating any faster than when she first grabbed me. I can also feel the beating of her heart as she's leaning against me, it's racing faster than mine.

I swallow a dry gulp and she says. ”You'll regret it if you're misleading me, I've always been good on my word.” I believe her, but It seems like I'm in a difficult position anyway. She rests her chin on my shoulder as she holds me from behind. ”I've never been that good with guys, many of the ones that I was interested in died during the war. Even when they offered me to spend a night in their tent I....never mind, what I was getting at was that I think you're awesome too.”

She lets go and slides back, she pulls me back, making me lean back, laying my head on her lap. I gazed up at her as she smiled at me fondly with glimmering eyes.

”When you first approached me I couldn't believe how stoic and cool you looked, I took a lot to keep my composure, but I knew you were enemy so I had to fight you. When you beat me, you stood by and protected me. I know I shouldn't have, but I felt safe. When we were escaping I was continuous the entire time, with every step towards the end I would think. ”This is where he's going to fall, or there's no way that he can go any further, he's exhausted.” But even then you kept going for our sake.” She unconsciously stroked my face with her hands as she spoke.

”I'll be frank with you, I'm not that experienced with men. I was always a nervous wreck whenever someone said they were interested in me, I don't really know that much. But I always thought about love, I've always longed for my soulmate and I knew deep down that there was someone waiting for me. I would fantasize about what he'd look like or what he'd be like, I always thought he would be intelligent and strong. He'd be interesting and would be an amazing cook.” She noticed my brow raise at that, she chuckled slightly nervous.

”Ok, I really just didn't want to have to cook. Is that really such a bad thing?” I laughed, somehow expecting that from her. She smiled at my laughter, it was beautiful.

”Anyway, I... I don't know I can't get over this feeling. I find myself staring at you, mesmerized at times, and whenever you laugh it makes me feel warm like everything feels better. I can't get over you, this entire time being anywhere near you has filled my stomach with butterflies, but still, when I'm around you I feel so.....safe.” Wearing a meaningful expression I listen carefully to her. She laughs nervously.

”I know this is probably weird for you, I'm just rambling on and on. I should have waited a while to tell you this, I mean we've just met each other. I'm just jumping to conclusions, sorry, just ignore all this.” She tries to get up, but I reach my hand up and place it on the side of her cheek. I sit up and bring her face close, closing my eyes I bring her lips to mine.

Her lips are so soft and warm, it feels so wonderful. Like the peace and warmth of a campfire on a summer night, her scent's like fresh pine and a crisp forest breeze all washing onto me seamlessly. That single kiss lasted what seemed like hours, but after only a few seconds, with effort I pulled back saying.

”I feel the same way, you're right it is weird, but I fell for you at first sight. I've only known you for a little while, but it feels like we've known each other for a lifetime. I..... I really do like you, I feel an attraction to you.” I stare right into her eyes and say.

”I think you're my soulmate.”

Her face flusters and she looks around nervously but smiles childishly, she stares at the ground says shyly. ”I think you're mine too.” I smile coyly and ask. ”What was that? Can you say that louder? I couldn't hear you.” She pouts cutely with folded arms and says, ”Well I'm not saying it now.”

I plead with puppy dog eyes, and eventually she caves. ”Fine! You're a very attractive person that I think I have a future with. I feel an attraction to you that I've never felt with anyone else, my heart beats faster when I'm with you, I love the little smile you make whenever you don't think anyone's looking at reaches the corners of your mouth making a slight dimple. It makes me smile helplessly when I see your enthusiasm for cooking a dish you like and I adore how you listen and pay attention to me when I'm talking to you. There are so many little things I like about you, and so many things I want to learn. I want to be with you.”

I'm speechless, she laid herself bare before me. She made her feelings clear and took a risk showing me her heart, she's the one, I can feel it. I stand there as she fidgets nervously awaiting my response, I step closer, embracing her. I hug her tightly and say.

”I like you, I want you to know that. I don't want you to be confused about where I stand, because I feel the exact same way for you. I don't have anyone to confide in, everyone I care about has died, or are far away. I want to trust someone, I need to trust someone because I've been so lonely. I was so lonely, I thought of ending my life, I didn't know what I would do next. I'm so glad I met you Lili, and I don't want anyone but you. But if we're hasty, then we might rush into something that neither of us is ready for. Neither of us are experienced in love, so let's grow together as friends so we can become something greater.”

I let go and put my hands on her shoulders as I gaze seriously into those endless mountain blue eyes of hers. ”We both know where each other stands, we both like each other. Like I said before, let's just take it slow, and enjoy the journey, ok?” I ask hopefully, she nods happily and jumps into my chest hugging me tightly.

That night we fell asleep in each other's arms, it was the first time I didn't hear those voices in my dreams. The first night where nightmares didn't plague my dreams. And the first night I felt at peace.