He attempted to shield her gaze, but she persisted.

She asked him to sit by the tub. Dipping a towel in water, she gently wiped his body. Each stroke was delicate, her heart fluttering with concern for his comfort.

"It hasn't hurt in a long time, Alexis. It's okay," he reassured softly, lowering his head.

Alexis bent down, pressing soft kisses to his scars.

Though unseen by Leonel, tears streamed down her face. She quickly composed herself and continued wiping.

Later, as she attempted to remove his last covering, he stopped her.

"Alexis?"

Alexis silently released his hand and withdrew the covering.

She cleaned his body tenderly. Leonel bowed his head, impressed by Alexis' selfless care.

Alexis had always been tougher than him since childhood, and being a man, he instinctively desired to be stronger than her.

He appeared mistaken.

She wasn't really what he envisioned, and she could display humility for love's sake.

He couldn't resist whispering softly, "Alexis."

"Yeah?" Alexis responded vaguely before enveloping him in her embrace.

“Leonel, it's alright not to be okay sometimes. You're strong. You're Leonel. But when you're not quite that strong, you're still Leonel."

She held him close. After a while, he murmured, “Alexis, fetch me a pair of pants, will you?"

Instead, she silenced him with a kiss, and then settled beside him on his right side.

She kissed him fervently.

She was well acquainted with his desires, teasing and flirting with him in all the ways he enjoyed. She kissed him until his restraint shattered before meeting his gaze. "Were you not yearning to taste me in bed?"

As Leonel lay on the bed, he feared his inadequacy to perform.