First time saying "I love you"
NBreader, fluff, comfort, just wholesome stuff;; 1318 words;;
You know each other for a few months already, and slowly become more closer. Rio was a simple man, so he didn't try to hide that he enjoys your company, always asking if you want to spend evening in his camp or maybe have a little walk in forest, where he willing to show you some good places with a lot of mushrooms and berries, or this lake where's a large shoal of fish.
In his mind, sharing important to survival information was one of the way to show how much he values you. Even if you live in town and never hold fishing rod in your arms, he will still teach you about things like that. It's not that uselessly, you know, life in unpredictable so you need to be ready.
Of course you notice this, and thoughts about Rio actually care for you was warming your heart, but still.. Every evening when you stay in his place, trying new exotic food that he prepare for you, you can't help but start wondering how far things would go. You feel something for him, more than just friendship, but it was kinda hard to understand if he have the same feeling in his heart or not. Well, his face always get softer and warmer when you're around, but who knows, maybe he just see you as a closest friend or even as a little sibling who's he want to teach about big world.
Asking him directly about something like that sounds too embarrassing. You just know that even for Rio, who's always so emotionless and accepting, that would be too sudden and confusing, and you don't want to try and ruin things.
Especially right now, when you start to spend even more time together, when you start to notice that his arms touching you more and more now.. When you help him with cooking and he passes you another vegetable to cut, his fingers touching yours, just for a few seconds, but his fingertips so warm, and maybe you tripping but it's feels like he himself trying to prolong this little connection more. Or when he brings you with him for fishing, you try really hard to catch at least something and when one of fishes finally bite he quickly get behind you, his large arms cupping yours smaller one as he helps you keep the catch. His body was so close and his voice so deep as he say some pro tips but honestly your heart was beating so fast and loud you didn't hear him, as his warms embrace you.
So you have a hard time to get what is in his mind. Today he again invite you to his place and you was walking in forest, happy and excited but in the same time confused, cause it was really tough to act calm and hide your blush sometimes.
Rio greets you as always, offering you a warm, freshly cooked meal. You smile, as always, and accepted plate with your portion, already knows that it would be something with interesting, but delicious flavor. Rio sit next to you, as always, and start talking about new place he wants to show you today. Everything was as always.. Was it?
The sky is beginning to bruise, as you two walks into depth of woods, Rio in front, carefully moving all tree branches in your way so it didn't suddenly whip you in your face. As you follow him, you start wondering about new place. It's probably was a new lake or a lowland near swamp that have bunch of mushrooms or something.. You didn't mind it, though, maybe you will get a chance to touch him again or even hold his hand when he helps you to avoid dirty puddles near swamp.
But suddenly crowd of trees start to thinning and you two stepped on a small meadow, the last piece of bright sun was in front of you, as it slowly hiding behind hill. The red line of horizon mixing with upcoming darkness of the night, creating a beautiful scene, just for the two of you.
You gasp and look at Rio with surprised expression, and immediately meet his gaze. All this time he was adoring another, more amazing and precious view - your blushing face. Small soft smile appears on his lips, and he whisper gently:
"I find this place few days ago.. Thought you would like it..." - he get a little bit closer, light pink is covering his cheeks. Last rays of sunshine turns his orange hair into little flames, and his blue clear eyes was almost glowing, you never seen him with such adorable face.
"I.. I really like it, thanks.." - you answer, breathing heavily, feeling as your heart start beating faster and faster. This sudden change in Rio's expression makes you more flattered than the whole landscape in front of you, as you can't look away.
"S/o..." - with such deep, sensitive voice, Rio takes your hands in his. Wave of goosebumps run from your arms right to your chest from this warm, soft touches, and you just look up at him, waiting to hear more of his low thick tone.
"I.. I love you"
Your heart skip a beat and you feel dizzy, as big rush of emotions overflow you mind.
Rio make a pause, visibly a little bit nervous himself, but then continue - "S/o, I love you. You're the person who was able to bring feelings from my soul that I never experienced before.. And I really, really enjoying that feelings.."
He leaning closer, so his face was now on yours level, his loving eyes looking at yours with such hope - "And I.. I'm willing to do anything for you, so you would feel the same things for me. Please, s/o..."
Your arms was trembling but you still manage to cup his face with your hands, slowly stroking his warm skin with your thumbs, as you smile softly.
"Rio.. I already feel the same. I love you too.." - you whisper, your eyes still fixed on his beautiful face, the image of this soulful sincere passion in his gaze was the most attractive thing you ever see.
His eyes widen for a moment, you can almost feel as his heart skip a beat just like yours a little bit before. Pure smile of happiness appeared on his lips and he copy your actions, cupping your face too. For a few moments he keep looking at your charming eyes, and then his gaze slowly get down, on your beautiful lips, and then he look up at you again, with such needy asking gaze. Seeing Rio being so caring and sensitive was too much to bear, and you blush heavily, you can't help but look at his lips too and then again on him.
And in this moment he get closer, heated trembling breath touching your chin for a moment before his lips meet yours. Such a gentle, light, but passion and loving kiss, you can feel as Rio melt in your arms, as much as you melt in his. His lips a little bit rough, but so warm, he kiss you so carefully as he was afraid that you would suddenly break into pieces. Even his strong large hands was holding you so tenderly, like if you was a porcelain doll, but this just makes you soul tingling - such a big, former soldier being so sensitive and affectionate, and only for you..
When he slowly pull away, still looking at you with such lovesick expression in his face you can't help but smile widely.
"I'm glad that you show me this side of you, Rio..." - you whisper and hug him, and he immediately embrace you, holding you as close as he can.
"I didn't show it to you.. You bring this side from me, s/o. That's why I love you ♡"
