The transformation of the sky was indeed breathtaking. Morad watched Amila's profile, her expression of awe as the unfiltered galaxy enveloped them. Sharing this with her felt profound, a layer of intimacy added to an already magical evening.
"It’s crazy how even the smallest light source can drown out some of the night sky’s best features, " Amila’s voice was a soft whisper. " Just one of the many reasons us science nerds are always trying to get you command types to beam down to undeveloped rocks. "
He heard the gentle teasing in her tone, saw the way she glanced at him, then the almost imperceptible flicker of self-correction as she looked down.
She’s worried about that slight slip? After everything that's passed between us tonight? Her fire, her intellect... it's precisely that passion that draws me to her, ranks be damned.
He understood the unspoken concerns, the potential complications, but the pull towards her, the sheer rightness of this moment, was far stronger. He wanted to erase any discomfort she might feel.
"And we 'command types'," he began, his voice equally low, turning to meet her gaze as she looked up again, a smile touching his lips, "are incredibly grateful when you 'science nerds' remind us of the raw beauty we're all out here to explore and protect. Your passion for it... it's one of the most captivating things about you, Amila."
He saw her shake off the momentary hesitation, her focus returning to the present, to them. Then, her voice, bright and clear, cut through the quiet, dispelling any lingering shadows of doubt: "So, we came all the way out here… are we going to swim or what?" Her eyes, even in the starlight, seemed to widen, full of playful expectation as she shed her overshirt. "The water here is too great not to, right?"
Morad watched her, and for a moment, the universe of stars above was utterly forgotten, eclipsed by the vision before him.
Gods above... she is… breathtaking. That tankini… the starlight catching the elegant curve of her hips, the incredible lines of those long, strong legs. She’s an Orion goddess carved from jade and starlight. Focus, Ameen. She asked a question. Right. Swim.
A slow, warm grin spread across his face, genuine and filled with open admiration.
"Wait, have you even changed? I’m not getting in by myself." Her eyes sparkled with that irresistible mischief.
He chuckled, a deep, pleased sound that seemed to resonate with the gentle lapping of the water.
"Changed at the marina, Amila," he confirmed, his voice a playful murmur. "Been ready for this starlit swim since you first suggested dipping our toes in."
As if I wouldn't be prepared for any adventure she proposed tonight. Every moment with her feels like a step closer to something I didn't even know I was searching for.
"Just needed the right invitation... and yours, Lieutenant, is impossible to refuse."
With a deliberate, almost leisurely movement, Morad reached for the hem of his own shirt.
Her gaze... it's a tangible thing, warm on my skin. Keep it cool, Ameen. This is about shared joy, shared wonder... not just you staring like a cadet who’s never seen a star before… or a woman like her.
He pulled the shirt up and over his head, tossing it aside onto a nearby seat. The cooler night air on his bare skin was a pleasant shock, a precursor to the water's embrace.
"No races," he said softly, stepping closer to the edge of the swim platform where she stood, her silhouette vibrant against the cosmic backdrop. He extended a hand towards her. "But how about we explore those reflected stars up close, together? See if the Mediterranean feels as magical as it looks tonight?"
His eyes held hers, full of warmth and the promise of shared delight. Without waiting for a verbal reply, trusting the clear answer in her sparkling gaze, Morad took her offered hand as she extended it, their fingers lacing together naturally. Together, they stepped off the platform and slipped quietly into the cool, dark water.
The initial chill was a brief embrace, quickly replaced by a comfortable buoyancy. The water was silky, the surface like polished obsidian reflecting the myriad stars above. They were surrounded by the quiet lapping of water against the hull and the immense, silent beauty of the cosmos. He released her hand to allow them to tread water comfortably, but stayed close, turning to face her in the starlit dimness.
Her smile in the starlight, water droplets like tiny diamonds on her skin... she's a constellation all her own. I never want this night to end.
"Well, Lieutenant Ra'an," he said, his voice a soft breath in the stillness, a smile evident in his tone and luminous in his eyes. "Your thoughts on 'undeveloped rocks' with excellent water features... and even better company?"
== Sorry this took longer than usual, I was occupied with... things. Tag ==
"It’s crazy how even the smallest light source can drown out some of the night sky’s best features, " Amila’s voice was a soft whisper. " Just one of the many reasons us science nerds are always trying to get you command types to beam down to undeveloped rocks. "
He heard the gentle teasing in her tone, saw the way she glanced at him, then the almost imperceptible flicker of self-correction as she looked down.
She’s worried about that slight slip? After everything that's passed between us tonight? Her fire, her intellect... it's precisely that passion that draws me to her, ranks be damned.
He understood the unspoken concerns, the potential complications, but the pull towards her, the sheer rightness of this moment, was far stronger. He wanted to erase any discomfort she might feel.
"And we 'command types'," he began, his voice equally low, turning to meet her gaze as she looked up again, a smile touching his lips, "are incredibly grateful when you 'science nerds' remind us of the raw beauty we're all out here to explore and protect. Your passion for it... it's one of the most captivating things about you, Amila."
He saw her shake off the momentary hesitation, her focus returning to the present, to them. Then, her voice, bright and clear, cut through the quiet, dispelling any lingering shadows of doubt: "So, we came all the way out here… are we going to swim or what?" Her eyes, even in the starlight, seemed to widen, full of playful expectation as she shed her overshirt. "The water here is too great not to, right?"
Morad watched her, and for a moment, the universe of stars above was utterly forgotten, eclipsed by the vision before him.
Gods above... she is… breathtaking. That tankini… the starlight catching the elegant curve of her hips, the incredible lines of those long, strong legs. She’s an Orion goddess carved from jade and starlight. Focus, Ameen. She asked a question. Right. Swim.
A slow, warm grin spread across his face, genuine and filled with open admiration.
"Wait, have you even changed? I’m not getting in by myself." Her eyes sparkled with that irresistible mischief.
He chuckled, a deep, pleased sound that seemed to resonate with the gentle lapping of the water.
"Changed at the marina, Amila," he confirmed, his voice a playful murmur. "Been ready for this starlit swim since you first suggested dipping our toes in."
As if I wouldn't be prepared for any adventure she proposed tonight. Every moment with her feels like a step closer to something I didn't even know I was searching for.
"Just needed the right invitation... and yours, Lieutenant, is impossible to refuse."
With a deliberate, almost leisurely movement, Morad reached for the hem of his own shirt.
Her gaze... it's a tangible thing, warm on my skin. Keep it cool, Ameen. This is about shared joy, shared wonder... not just you staring like a cadet who’s never seen a star before… or a woman like her.
He pulled the shirt up and over his head, tossing it aside onto a nearby seat. The cooler night air on his bare skin was a pleasant shock, a precursor to the water's embrace.
"No races," he said softly, stepping closer to the edge of the swim platform where she stood, her silhouette vibrant against the cosmic backdrop. He extended a hand towards her. "But how about we explore those reflected stars up close, together? See if the Mediterranean feels as magical as it looks tonight?"
His eyes held hers, full of warmth and the promise of shared delight. Without waiting for a verbal reply, trusting the clear answer in her sparkling gaze, Morad took her offered hand as she extended it, their fingers lacing together naturally. Together, they stepped off the platform and slipped quietly into the cool, dark water.
The initial chill was a brief embrace, quickly replaced by a comfortable buoyancy. The water was silky, the surface like polished obsidian reflecting the myriad stars above. They were surrounded by the quiet lapping of water against the hull and the immense, silent beauty of the cosmos. He released her hand to allow them to tread water comfortably, but stayed close, turning to face her in the starlit dimness.
Her smile in the starlight, water droplets like tiny diamonds on her skin... she's a constellation all her own. I never want this night to end.
"Well, Lieutenant Ra'an," he said, his voice a soft breath in the stillness, a smile evident in his tone and luminous in his eyes. "Your thoughts on 'undeveloped rocks' with excellent water features... and even better company?"
== Sorry this took longer than usual, I was occupied with... things. Tag ==