Is this destiny?

~ California, Beach house ~

Tuesday, March 10

6:36 AM

Haru and Nala headed for their morning run.

They are used to running together every morning, for about one hour, and then they exercise on the training ground. The two of them hold each other's legs when they do abdominal exercises, and they do squats and pullups side-by-side. The morning routine ends with a sparring session before they part their ways briefly in order to shower and change into fresh clothes. They meet again at breakfast.

This morning, they decided to have their sparring session on the beach. It is a change from a usual rink because they don't have such a narrow limit in terms of space, and also moving on the sand is different than on the hard surface.

Both Haru and Nala removed running shoes and stepped on the silky and cold sand.

Standing five steps apart, they assumed fighting stance and smiled with their gazes locked at each other for a second before they started their violent dance.

It is challenging to balance on the soft sand while delivering punches and kicks and dodging or blocking them, but both Haru and Nala are at the same disadvantage.

There used to be time when Haru could effortlessly defeat Nala, so he would mostly defend with ease, but now she improved. He is still stronger and has techniques which drive her nuts, but she is fast and precise, and motivated to wipe that smirk off his face.

"Ha!", Nala exclaimed when she saw that for one second Haru got serious. Well, his expression did at least.

She swung her leg toward his chest, and he leaned backward Matrix-style to avoid it. Nala lost her balance when her foot slipped inside the sand below it deeper than expected. Haru extended his arm to grab her, pulling Nala up, but she was unable to regain her balance and with ongoing momentum from her unsuccessful kick, she bumped into him full strength.

"Ow!", Nala exclaimed while propping herself up.

"Are you OK?"

Haru's concerned voice made Nala open her eyes wider than expected when she realized that she is straddling him. Her palms pressed against his firm chest.

Both of them were sweaty and breathing heavily.

Their gazes were locked on each other and the air between them became warm and electrifying.

Nala felt his hands on the sides of her thighs and wished that they move to her back so that he pulls her down on him. She looked away shyly, embarrassed by the impossible possibility of him being able to read her mind.

Nala's eyes moved to his lips, and she wondered for a millionth time: how would it fell like, his lips on hers?

She looked up into his eyes again, and she held her breath when she realized that his expression is showing her that he is thinking the same thing.

It is silly to think that after all this time, they still didn't kiss on the lips, but it's almost impossible to get any privacy in the house and when they go out, it is only for missions and they need to stay focused in order not to get hurt. But now... it's just the two of them on the beach and other than waves swooshing gently against the beach and their hearts thumping loudly, there are no other sounds.

Haru looked at Nala sitting on top of him and he heard his heart beating so wildly in his ears that it overpowered the sounds of waves.

She is wonderful, perfect and looking at him shyly and… is this the right time? The one he was waiting for?

'Maybe there is no perfect time', he thought, '...but you need to make it so.'

The fight was over, but remnants of adrenaline still fueled them both.

His eyes moved from hers lower, over her lips and chin and neck and down her arms all the way to her palms which fisted his sweaty t-shirt.

Haru smiled when he confirmed that Nala is nervous just how he is, maybe more.

In a swift series of moves, he parted her hands and rolled them over, so that he is on top. He used his elbows to prop himself and move slightly to the side, because he didn't want to press her with his body, thinking that it will be too much even though he wanted that. There is nothing more he wants than to merge with her in any way possible… but he knows that he needs to take it slowly and ensure that she is comfortable with whatever he will do next.

Their bodies didn't touch, but they were close enough for him to feel her heat radiate through their clothes and his eyes were locked on hers again.

Haru traced the edge of her lower lip with his index finger.

"Nala…", he called in a breathy voice. "Can I?"

Her eyes flashed with excitement and surprise. She didn't expect that he will ask. Heck, she was still trying to comprehend that his lips are one inch away from hers. She is sure that if she takes a deep breath, her breasts will press on his chest… and she wondered how that would feel. But first thing first. He just asked her if he can…

Nala gave a small nod and closed her eyes.

Something soft brushed lightly against her lips. She was not sure if that was his finger again or his lips, but she felt his breath on her face and that confirmed that he is almost there.

Her mouth was dry, and her lips as well. She nervously licked her lips to moisten them up, but he was so close that she ended up licking his as well. Awkward!

Nala opened her eyes in horror and saw Haru looking at her, slightly confused or thrilled… probably both.

She knew that if she leaves it like this, she will not be able to sleep tonight, or ever.

The question boomed in her mind: Did he kiss her on the lips or not?

What a tricky situation: she does not know if they kissed, but she is confident that she licked him. How embarrassing!

Nala swallowed non-existent saliva.

"Please… don't leave it at this.", she whispered.

A small smile creeped at the edges of Haru's lips and he kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her chin. "How was that?"

Nala smiled feebly. Is he making fun of her? "You missed."

His dark eyes sparkled in delight and he inched closer slowly.

She closed her eyes, and this time she was sure it was his lips pressing on hers because fireworks were going on under her eyelids.

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