Hypnotic Eyes

The room was warm and inviting when Jinja entered from the cold outdoors. She was ready to strip down and wear her freshly cleaned pajamas that she got as a birthday gift when she noticed Beyal sitting by the fireplace alone. His face looked like he was in deep thought as he held a open book in his hands, undoubtedly the same book that came from the monastery his master had given him. She walked over and sat down next to him.

"So, learn anything new from that book yet?" Jinja asked softly, making sure she didn't frighten Beyal with her presence.

Beyal looked up from his book and gazed over at her. "Can't say for certain yet. But you'll be one of the first people to know if I come across something revolving around what we're looking for."

They sat in a comfortable silence. Jinja didn't force a conversation between her and Beyal anymore, especially since she knew that he preferred to be alone on most days because of his introvert ways. But she was surprised that he had started to open up to her more than he did the others. A shiver ran down Jinja's spine and she wrapped her hands around her. Beyal noticed this and looked at her with concern.

"Are you OK Jinja? You look pale..." Beyal asked as he placed the book down after marking his spot. He reached a hand over and gently cupped her cheek in his hand. Causing Jinja to blush at the sudden physical contact initiated by him.

Jinja didn't say anything for a moment until she raised her own hand without thinking and covered the one he had on her cheek. "I-I'm fine."

He gazed into her eyes for what seemed like an eternity while his hand emitted the heat from his body into her own. She noticed every little detail about Beyal that she didn't realize before, like how his eyelashes were surprisingly long and how he had a faint scar on his neck. On Beyal's side of things, he noticed how feminine Jinja was even though she likes to put on a tomboy front. Her hair was long and beautiful, her eyes were soft yet strong, and her lips looked...inviting.

Just as Beyal was about to lean forward and test how soft her lips really were, the door slammed open and the two put some distance between each other as the rest of their friends entered the door breathing heavily.

"What happened to you guys?" Jinja asked as she looked over her friends one by one. "You look like you just ran four marathons."

Bren collapsed on the ground and raised his hand to silence her. "We'll talk about it later. I'm too tired to talk."

Chase and Dax nodded in agreement and without taking a bath or anything, they fell asleep on the ground together in one big pile like a pride of lions. Jinja couldn't help but chuckle at the adorableness of it all when she felt Beyal's hands wrap around her waist and proceeded to hug her from behind.

"You should get some rest too Jinja. I'll be up a while so..." He gently turned her head around and kissed her softly on the lips. "Goodnight."

Jinja felt her knees grow weak and her face flush bright red. Beyal smiled at her and turned away to walk back to the fireplace to continue reading. Finally happy that he got to test out how soft her lips really were.