"Together," she confirmed.
The bathroom was steamy and warm. They undressed each other slowly, carefully, like they were unwrapping something fragile. When Advika saw the full extent of his body—shivering,covered in goosebumps from standing in the cold rain—her heart clenched.
"You're an idiot," she said softly, running her hands over his arms, trying to warm him.
"For you, yes." He stepped into the shower, pulling her with him. "Completely and utterly."
The hot water was bliss. Sidharth groaned as it hit his cold skin, and Advika found herself pressing against him, trying to share her warmth.
"Better?" she asked.
"Much." His hands slid down her back, pulling her closer. "Though I think I might need more warming up."
"Is that so?"
Instead of answering with words, he kissed her. Slow and deep, pouring everything into it—apology and promise and love. So much love it made her dizzy.
"I love you," he murmured against her lips. "I love you, I love you, I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered back. "Even when you're an idiot."
"Especially when I'm an idiot." His smile was self-deprecating. "Because my idiocy led to you."
They washed each other with tender care—her shampooing his hair, him soaping her back, both of them taking time to just touch, to reconnect. There was heat, yes—there was always heat between them—but this was different. Softer. More intimate than any of their previous encounters.
When they finally left the shower, Sidharth dried her off with gentle hands, then carried her to the bed despite her protests that she could walk.
"Let me take care of you," he said, laying her down on the soft sheets. "Let me show you what you mean to me."
He started at her feet, kissing and caressing every inch of skin as he worked his way up. Behind her knees, the inside of her thighs, her hip bones. Each touch was reverent, worshipful.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured against her stomach. "I don't tell you that enough. How beautiful you are. How perfect."
"I'm not perfect—"
"You are to me." He moved higher, his mouth finding her breast, tongue circling her nipple until she gasped. "Every inch of you is perfect to me."
He took his time, learning her body like it was the first time. Finding every spot that made her sigh, every touch that made her arch. And through it all, he talked—whispered words of love and devotion and apology against her skin.
"I'm sorry I hurt you. Sorry I made you doubt how I feel. Sorry I was too afraid to say what you deserved to hear."
"Sidharth—"
"I love you," he said again, his eyes meeting hers as his fingers slid through her wetness. "I love the way you moan when I touch you here." He circled her clit, making her hips buck. "I love the way you look when you're about to come. I love the sounds you make. I love everything about you."
"Show me," she gasped. "Stop talking and show me."
He smiled—that devastating smile that was all hers—and settled between her thighs. His mouth on her was heaven, his tongue working her with the same focused precision he applied to everything else. But there was tenderness there too, care in every movement.
When she came, crying out his name, he kissed his way back up her body, his lips shining with her pleasure.
"I love watching you come apart," he said, positioning himself at her entrance. "Love knowing I'm the one who makes you feel this good."
He entered her slowly, giving her time to adjust, his eyes locked on hers. The connection was intense, overwhelming. She could see everything in his eyes—love and need and vulnerability.
"I love you," he said as he began to move. "I love you so much, Advika."
"I love you too," she gasped, her hands sliding into his hair, pulling him down for a kiss.
