Limitless

Chapter 4(1)

Before Emma could give out a semblance of word, Aaron reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I don't know what this is, Emma". He said with his voice thick with emotion. "But I know it's real".

Emma stared at him, her own emotions swirling inside her. She had always been the one to keep her guard up, but something about him— his honesty, his vulnerability — made her want to let it all go. "I feel it too", she whispered.

They were two soldiers in the same fight. Where the lines between duty and desire blurred. There were no promises, no guarantee, only the present moment and the fire that burned between them.

Something of an unawaited triumphant wave crashing on an open boat, the feeling was strengthened across the days with way more interactions despite their duties.

Letting this wildfire between them lick away the days as each and every day was filled with nothing but intensity.

A sweet balm to suit his deserted heart. Haven't heard of his family for a while now.

Aaron's calls back home were always postponed, no news from home, yet he charged headfirst, rhythm unshaken for his training. Determined to give out his last drip of sweat.

He saw ahead of time, dream painted wild on canvas and only had his mind forward to the stars, looking up to the exchange with his family for the very best he could tell them about his growth as a soldier.

He missed his family and friends so much. His fixed gaze constantly on pictures of his close ones. Absent minded on his bed, thinking of them whilst staring incessantly at the ceiling above him.

He left to himself nothing but the only chance to transmute the feeling into the absolute best which actually fuelled him along his path.

He missed his grandmother most especially– the reason why he'd tracked a routine for himself to the forest for the prayers he always did with her back home.

Past scenes of them twirling up in his mind– His grandma sat on the tree trunk, with her vibrant presence by his side. He closed his eyes and merged into one body with the forest milieu.

For once, he faced life on his own. Rested from his usual activities back home. With no hint of distraction from his goal driven agenda.

Flashback to his elder brother's poor treatment countered by the breeze of freedom he experienced, against any kind of external convenience. He was the master, the teacher, the observer. His life was his, he felt. With its pros and cons slammed upon his chest.

Aaron faced basic training with a great skill set. Reminiscing the past training with his best friend, a gold belt from his past to his present. A fire that kept him alive from within.

The bar was raised for the recruits and Aaron was locked in, sand bags in his hands. Tough arms pierced with dreadful determination. Ten toes down he stood, despite the weight of pain tugging at his mind.

A random amateur to his game, faithful knight to his compelling aim.

Sour ache through his delicate skin. Spilled blood from the weight of his loads and tight heart rumbling through his chest, taking his physical abilities to a whole new level

Nevertheless, this time around, hard moments twisted in grace with his new girlfriend. Daunting to some, but his very own muse. He could smell the ray of softness beneath her moody airs.

Gentle pats chipping away at Aaron's pain. Something he could perhaps put off his bucket list.

With straight up intent, Emma chose to put on her moody airs. Safeguarding herself from the malicious potential spying upon her. Thousands of men in the boot camp, all eyes on her–she was the only woman on the training ground

Emma was an ancient one in the courting game. Stepping back in time, to her hometown, she was among some of the popular ones– sweet bait for most men. It didn't sit well with her. Cuteness didn't pay bills, not her take.

Pinned to her boat, solitude was her bow. Pain was her man. Patience was her norm. A law whose secret she alone possessed. But guards down at the breaking point of Aaron's intensity right in her face.

Between the fine lines of Aaron's sore aches, the soft brush of his girl waving over his mind.

The recruit's final days at the boot camp were counted. Aaron was quite in awe about his relationship.

Secluded in his headspace, astounded at the effect this specific girl had on him. The feeling of lack he felt with his family, added to this other bond he wasn't too sure he wanted.

Aaron could be seen often, parading the lawns, head in the clouds, with his blank stare perfectly crafted to his stunned face– these feelings he had for a while now.

It was in one way or the other the first time he felt such a thing with so much intensity.