Smell
He draws me closer; I take a breath. I love his earthy smell and want to store more of it deep inside my lungs, for nostalgia and motivation. I linger. I smell foliage. It is soothing and relaxing. No wonder he is falling asleep.

Hearing
He yawns, and a quiet huff escapes into the air. I want to kiss him, so I bring my lips to his, but he is so peaceful, I freeze and listen to his calm, steady exhales. Like wind whispering through tall grass.

Sight
He is handsome; it is getting harder to suppress the urge to kiss. His face is expressive, powerful and strong, and I am curious if he is already seeing the dreams. Or if he ever does. He lies still, then hugs me. It is warm here, and soft.

Taste
I cannot resist anymore – I peck his nose, not sure if he notices. It is salty; now, my mouth is too. I lick my lips and swallow; I can taste the waters of a brine lake. He is my lake. Mysterious, precious, tranquil.

Touch
His coarse hair tickles my chin, my cheeks. I giggle but do not back away. Tight and soft, he is hugging me gently, and I tremble with love.

Us
We met when I started this job seventeen months ago. Feels like yesterday, really. I’m glad I am with him. It is our last night together.

Tomorrow, he is leaving for Africa. Starting a brand-new life. A long way away. I am excited for him, but I will miss our cuddling, fooling around and sprawling on the grass, his grunts and sighs and stretches.

I open my eyes. I hold my breath when he yawns—my majestic, rewilded, ready-to-be-released lion.

Tatiana Samokhina lives in the beautiful suburb of Surry Hills and works in the bustling City of Sydney. She is an English teacher and fiction translator, in love with literature. Her work has been published in 3 Elements Review, Jokes Review, Australian Writers’ Centre, Indignor House, Ironclad Creative and Little Old Lady.