Key To My Heart || Slugterra

54| Reunion

"Ready?" Eli whispered into my ears, sending shivers down my spine. He was sitting on our bed, his back laying against the headboard as I straddled him, our gaze locked dead on each other.

I leaned forward and wrapped my hands around his neck, hugging him tightly as he unclipped my bra, exposing my naked back.

"Yes," I mumbled nervously. My arms around him stiffened, preparing to embrace for the discomfort.

"It'll hurt for a bit, but after a few seconds it'll feel good. Trust me," he muttered into my ear again, his arms now on my waist.

I nodded softly. He planted a small kiss on my forehead, before I felt it.

A moan escaped my lips when I felt his fingers rubbing the medication on the three huge claw marks on my back. The pain was stinging when the substance made contact with my wounds, but after a few gentle rubs, my back felt icy. It was indeed a nice feeling.

"These look nasty," he whispered into my ear. "You may have even worse wounds than I do from the war."

"Is this a competition?" I breathed and let out a chuckle.

"No," he smiled. "But if it is, I would rather win it."

I smiled, feeling butterflies in my stomach.

"You feeling alright?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said, smiling as I buried my face in the crook of his neck, taking in his scent, feeling so safe in his arms as he treated my back. "Thank you."

He just nodded in response. After he was done, he clipped back my bra and lowered my shirt. He placed the bottle of medicine on the bedside table, before his arms around me tightened while making sure his arms were not on my wounds.

It felt like heaven came down to Slugterra.

"Doc should be well-rested by tomorrow. He'll be able to treat you. You just have to deal with the pain for another day," he whispered into my ear as he pulled back a little to plant another gentle kiss on my forehead.

"I'm sure the people need him more than I do," I smiled weakly at him as he cupped my cheeks. He smiled down at me, making my heart skipped a beat.

"But you're my girl and Doc's my slug. You should be the first person he heals, and yet you insist that he treat others first," he said. "You have so much love for the people. I understand and respect that, but you have to prioritise your body too."

He caressed my cheek with one hand before giving me a small peck on the lips.

"Seeing you like this pains me."

Butterflies.

"Don't worry, Eli. I will be fine," I mumbled. "I love you."

He laid his forehead against mine softly, looking deep into my eyes.

"I love you more, Ales."

We stayed in this position. He closed his eyes, relaxed them as he softly rocked us back and forward. He looked so calm and peaceful.

I didn't want to interrupt him, but my curiosity got the better of me and I asked him the question I've wanted answers for so badly.

"How did you survive?"

His smile immediately faded. He stopped rocking and remained completely still like a statue. His eyelids ascended halfway, his eyes showing off the mesmerising ocean blue colour.

He looked at me, speechless at first, but soon he started to spill.

"I still remember how the eel's tentacles were wrapped around me. My skin stung as it made contact, my body crumbled as it suffocated me. By the time the tentacle had completely wrapped around my torso, I felt this sudden burst of heat. I set off the bomb. It felt like I was being roasted alive, maybe I was. It was a miracle that I survived that explosion; the shell of the eel must've blocked some of the radiation for me," he started, and I could feel his arms around me tightened.