Jin was skilled in many things: taming a horse, mastering the art of combat, wielding a katana, and shooting a bow with precision. All the skills a samurai needed to uphold their honor. But there was one thing he lacked experience in—intimacy.

It was a vulnerability he rarely thought about, yet when you were near, it became impossible to ignore. That fluttering in his chest, the unsteady rhythm of his heart—it left him unsure of how to act, of what to say. Half the time, he didn’t even know how to put his feelings into words.

The daylight had faded hours ago, leaving the two of you camping beneath the canopy of trees while traveling toward North Izuhara. The distant sounds of the forest surrounded you, though the crackle of the handmade fire opposite them drowned most of it out. A thick blanket beneath them kept the chill of the ground at bay, while a small tent offered protection from the wind. But it was the closeness of your form beside his that filled Jin with warmth he couldn’t explain.

The firelight cast faint shadows across your face, but even in the dark, Jin could make out your features—relaxed, peaceful in the quiet of the night. His body rested so close to yours that he could feel the faint heat radiating from your skin, the proximity making his chest tighten with a nervous energy he wasn’t accustomed to. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, drowning out everything except the sound of your steady breathing.

“Are you tired?” he murmured, his voice low, unsure if he wanted to disturb the stillness. He shifted slightly to get more comfortable, and his hand brushed against your arm. The accidental touch sent a jolt through him, though he kept his expression calm.

“You can sleep,” he added softly, his voice betraying none of the chaos inside him. Even as he spoke, Jin knew he wouldn’t find rest tonight—not with you lying so close, and the weight of unspoken feelings pressing heavy on his chest.