It'll Come Naturally

Kevin kept running against the rain with his head down. He didn't even notice Leena approaching and had no idea that she was crying for him.

Kevin's father was very strict with him. He had set high expectations for him. Kevin had always been in a loop of having to drive himself harder and excel. It seemed to Kevin that they never really bonded as father and son. The way they got along with each other was more like him as the subordinate and his dad as his superior.

Leena didn't get too close as she was afraid that he would see her tears. She was peering through the rain from a distance. The running figure made her lost in her thoughts. She had never been through any physical punishment like this. She grew up being loved, pampered, and indulged by the people around her.

Kevin had a chance to raise his head and saw Leena standing there watching. A sudden warmth ran through him. He felt as if something held his heart tenderly. He had a soft side despite being a tough soldier. This kind of silent company reminded him of the friendship he had with brothers in the army. "Nana, what are you doing here? It is raining, be careful not to get wet." Kevin ran quickly up to Lenna, his clothes dripping. His white shirt was soaked and clung tightly to his body, showcasing his muscled torso.

Leena froze and wasn't able to digest everything he said. She was utterly shocked. It was the first time that he called her Nana, a nickname which sounded a little too intimate.

"What is wrong? Are you cold?" Kevin worriedly reached out to check her body temperature. However, he realized how wet he was and his hand stopped mid-air.

"I'm fine. How much longer do you have to run?" Leena tipped the umbrella over him in an attempt to protect him from the rain. It was then that she noticed that his lips were blue and trembling. That was it! Her eyes went back to welling up again.

"Until I can't run anymore. You should go back inside." Kevin wiped the rain from his face. He pushed the umbrella back to her. He was drenched already and he didn't want her to get wet as well.

"But it seems like you can't run anymore. Can you stop? Let's get back together., shall we?" The tears that were streaming down Leena's face made her look like a fragile child.

"Hey. What's with the tears? Look at me, I am fine. I really am. Don't cry, you silly girl." Kevin tried to wipe her tears but her tears seemed to come in a torrent. His cold fingertips brushed against her cheeks and touched her hot tears.

"I am sorry. It's all my fault. You wouldn't have to do this if it weren't for me." Leena sniffed. He was punished because she ran away. She was so drowned by guilt and worry that it was hard to breathe.

"It's not your fault. I am punished because I talked back to Dad. Don't overthink it. Now go back. I will be back soon." Kevin frowned. He didn't feel cold while he was running. Now he had stopped for a while and the chill of the rain began to work through. "But you talked back to him because of me." She pursed her lips. She wouldn't have run away on impulse if she had thought about the consequence.

"It's not like that. How about you go back and make some hot soup for me? I will need some to get warmed when I am back." Kevin had to say that. It was clear that Leena was reluctant to leave, thus, he gave her a task. This might be the only way to make her change her mind.

"Oh, How come I didn't think of that? I will go back and get the soup ready. Just come back quickly, okay? Dad won't know if you slack off a little." Leena was action-oriented. Once she decided to do something, she would not delay. Soon she turned and headed back to the house.

"Um. Be careful. Look out for the puddles," Kevin warned after her, his eyes fixed on her back. It was only after she was gone that he resumed running. Leena didn't know his father as he did. His father had been in the army for so many years. He could easily calculate how long Kevin could last. This was kind of basic knowledge to Nathan already.

"Leena, where have you been? I've been looking for you." Shannon asked as soon as Leena entered the house. She had been in the kitchen for a while and then Leena was nowhere to be found. She had thought that Nathan might have given Leena another telling-off and sent her running away again. She was just about to reason with Nathan.

"Oh. Is there something wrong?" Leena was puzzled as she put down the umbrella and wiped the rain off her face.

"I couldn't find you. I am worried about you. Why are you wet? Did you go to check on Kevin?" Shannon fetched a tissue and helped her dry her face.

"Yeah. Speaking of this, I need to make some hot soup for him." Leena hurried towards the kitchen as Shannon was still trying to get her dry.

"I almost forget this. Let me do it. You are drenched. You need to get changed. I don't want you to catch a cold." Shannon went on. Leena wasn't as strong as her son. She had led a sheltered life like a delicate flower in a greenhouse. Thus, Shannon was worried that she would get sick from the cold.

"Mom, I want to do this for him by myself. Is that okay?" Embarrassment was on Leena's voice when she lowered her head.

"Oh. I should have known. Of course. If you want to, do as you like." Shannon couldn't hide her amusement. It seemed like they were indeed a lovely couple. Probably she was just overthinking everything.

"Um, thanks, Mom!" It was only then that Leena smiled sweetly. She probably just loved Kevin too much that she would do anything for him. She adored how it felt to be needed by him.

Kevin never cheated. He kept running until he was worn out. It was exactly as how he promised his father. He was shattered when he walked back, feeling as though his legs had turned to lead.

"Kevin, take your wet clothes off. Wrap up in the blanket." The sight of her son like this made Shannon's eyes sting. She would make it a point to have a discussion with Nathan tonight.

"Mom, I am fine. Where is Leena? Is she all right?" The worry for Leena made him completely forget drying himself. He feared that she might get soaked by the rain.

"Ah. She said that she would have a bath ready for you. Get yourself wrapped and take a bath first. That will make you feel better." His mother draped the blanket over his shoulders. It didn't seem to help much, nevertheless, it helped absorb some water from his clothes. "Okay. I am going upstairs." Kevin didn't refuse his mother's care. He pulled the blanket around him and went upstairs. His steps were leaving puddles on the floor.

Leena was about to check if Kevin had come back. Much to her surprise, she walked straight into him outside the door.

"Kevin, you ran for so long. I had to heat the soup again and again!" Leena's eyes lit up upon seeing Kevin. It didn't take long though before she puckered her lips and reprimanded him. It had been almost an hour since she got back.

"Don't be mad, silly. I am already back." Kevin forced out a smile, completely being tired and worn out. His father didn't even pin down the exact miles and just easily pushed him to the limit. His father really knew how to punish people and God knew that the old man was doing a good job with it.00