The warm water cascaded over them, washing away the heat of the night but not the intensity of what had passed between them.
Reina kept her face pressed against his chest, her fingers lightly gripping his arm as if letting go would somehow break the fragile moment they were in. The soreness in her body was still there, but it was no longer overwhelming—it had softened into something quieter, something that lingered alongside a strange sense of comfort.
Rui said nothing at first.
That alone was unusual.
He was always intense, always overwhelming—his presence filling every space between them. But now, as he gently guided the water over her shoulders, his touch had changed. Slower. More careful. Almost… thoughtful.
Reina tilted her head slightly, her cheek brushing against his skin.
"Rui…" she called softly.
He paused.
Just for a second.
Then his hand moved again, but his voice came lower than before. "Does it hurt?"
The question surprised her.
Reina blinked, then shook her head lightly against him. "A little… but it's okay."
He exhaled, almost like he had been holding that breath in for a long time.
For a moment, neither of them spoke again. The sound of water filled the silence, steady and grounding.
Reina's mind drifted back to his words earlier.
You will love me.
There had been something in the way he said it—not just affection, not just desire. Something deeper. Something that felt less like a promise… and more like a certainty.
Her fingers tightened slightly against him.
"Husband," she said again, quieter this time.
"Hm?"
She hesitated.
"…Why do you say it like that?"
Rui didn't respond immediately. His hand stilled at her shoulder, the warmth of the water continuing to fall between them.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm—but there was an edge beneath it.
"Because it's true."
Reina slowly lifted her head to look at him.
Water traced down his face, his expression unreadable, but his eyes—his eyes were fixed on her in a way that made her chest tighten.
Not harsh.
Not angry.
But unwavering.
"You're mine," he added, more softly now, brushing wet strands of hair away from her face. "And I'm yours."
This time, his thumb lingered against her cheek.
The intensity from earlier hadn't disappeared.
It had only changed form.
Reina didn't answer right away. Instead, she lowered her gaze, her lashes trembling slightly as she processed his words.
Then, after a moment, she leaned forward again—resting her forehead lightly against his chest.
"…Okay," she whispered.
Rui's arms tightened around her.
Not forceful.
But firm enough to make sure she stayed right there.