Quiet evenings like tonight were what introverts sought in a personal refuge, figuratively speaking. The sounds of nature mixed with the tranquil scene of stars littering the darkened sky made for an ideal setting. His body stands out on the balcony deck of the private penthouse, clad in only black briefs that reached mid-thigh. Sweat brims around his forehead due to an unusual heatwave at the dawn of Spring.

Not his favorite season, but it wasn't the worst.

Street lamps leading up to the dwelling illuminate the paved stone street for a vivid picture of what peace represents. Empty, nothing around for miles despite the capital a mere half-hour walk in terms of distance.

A gentle breeze causes an unnoticeable warmth to traverse down his spine. Life had finally settled down a sense of normalcy, though the young man for his species knew such a thing would never exist again. He, however, was grateful for more instances like this to occur on a daily.

Halfway turning from the view outside brought him to glance at his spouse's attractive body atop their shared bed. The dark tresses that were her hair framed her angelic face, a content expression despite its blankness. She never stirred once as he took in her appearance. Even during a slumber sleep did she radiate inner and outer beauty.

Never before had Jai seen Jade so vulnerable yet safe. All her features didn't hold any semblance of apprehension or uncertainty, a far cry from a few years ago. How she didn't awaken after her partner had untangled himself from her intoxicating embrace was beyond him.

Especially since Jade was a delicate sleeper.

Jai proceeds back to soaking in the atmosphere outside, the winds dying down to allow a monetary lull. With the change came a new coolness, the way Jai preferred climate-wise while almost bare.

The faint rustle of sheets or bed creaks didn't steer Jai from his outlook as Jade finally awakes. Slipping into a robe stopping inches below her knees, she mutely joins her husband at the railing, arms tenderly encircling his waist while pressing against his back.

His silent greeting was a gentle hand grasping both of hers, welcoming the company without a single complaint. Jade doesn't interrupt their peace by saying a word. Instead, she leans forward to rest her head against his shoulder, palms going to each. This was the emerald-eyed woman's way of gathering her thoughts before speaking. The monotony of everyday life had helped in that regard.

Jade takes one of her hands to trace over his right arm as she moves forward on her tiptoes to inch toward Jai's ear. Each word from her mouth was enunciated with purity.

"You seem troubled, beloved. What's on your mind?"

Jai eases into her arms. "Merely taking in everything around me. I miss having you join me here."

A genuine smile follows a kiss at the base of his neck. The two hold their gazes directed at the cloudless skies, appreciating a most simplistic activity.

"We're both free of duties and our children tomorrow. I've ensured no one will disturb us." Jade turns her husband's face to her, eyes twinkling with crude humor as her leg coils around his. "An opportunity we shouldn't bypass."

Another nod by Jai proceeds a touch to Jade's posterior before giving a gentle squeeze, doing so a few times to relish her giggles. She presses closer, wanting more of his body heat.

Jade's following kiss lodges between the connection between his shoulder and neck during a comfortable silence. "Come, shower with me."

Jai gave a receptive nod as he feels Jade disentangle from behind him before tugging on his arm. She leads him toward the enclosed waterfall outside their home, a pair of towels sitting on the rock edge ready for use afterward. Jai admires her from afar as Jade teasingly begins discarding her lone attire, the robe pooling around her lithe feet.

"Jai..."

Drawn out of his immobile state, Jai realizes that Jade was patiently waiting, not a shred of imperfection on her flawless brown skin.

She raises a hand, beckoning her lover with a single finger. Wordlessly, Jai hooks both thumbs inside his briefs before they slide down his legs. Jade's tongue creeps out, gliding across her luscious lips at the sight of his Herculean physique, not a shred of body fat seen by her observant eyes.

Confidence in the form of a smirk fills Jai. "As you command."

"Not when we are equals." Jade brushes a strand of hair away from her eyes while sauntering to Jai, bestowing a deep kiss on his lips. "You know that, husband."

"That I do."

Jai accepts the invite by carrying Jade into the waterfall bridal style. They immerse themselves within the mildly cool lake and stay on the shallow side that reaches the top of their midriffs. Jade sighs contently, resting against her lover's chest as he loops his arms underneath her heaving breasts.

They bask in their peaceful intimacy before sinking below the surface as the former assassin bores into her co-General's eyes. Her ebony hair spreads throughout, the sight likened to that of a fictional mermaid.

Able to hold their breaths for over two minutes, the pair continue in their game. Jade caresses the abdominal and torso muscles, Jai's own massaging her hip bones and spine.

The lack of oxygen prompts each warrior to swim upward and dry off. Jai obtains the two towels, wrapping his around the waist as Jade did likewise, covering her chest. Not bothering to dry her hair, Jade leaps onto her husband's back as he treks back inside the house.

Both sit on the bed's foot edge, Jade applying a loving massage to Jai's back, the latter's tension dissipating completely.

It wasn't long before their positions changed.

Jai lays down with his head in Jade's lap as she now views the sky, her fingers twirling through his short, curly hair. Pleased hums rang in her beloved's ears.

Nights like these create comfort that Jade and Jai sought for themselves, each other...

And their five blessings - Jamiyah, Jazmine, Desiree, Moses, and Jamaar.