Arm's Length

Another night had passed being kept at arm's length from Edýia. Rom glanced out the window as the dusky light that covered the northern land was getting brighter with each new day. Rom glanced at Edýia, somewhat grateful that she'd allowed him to share a bed with her, even though she'd set very clear boundaries between them. A very thick row of pillows. Rom pursed his lips, cogitating whether he should cross the border onto the perilous other half of the bed. No, he told himself. He was already swimming in murky waters. Why make matters worse? Rom scrubbed his face with both hands. Edýia was everything to him, and now she was carrying his child. What he'd done was more than stupid. Changing the past was not an option. Making amends was. Edýia shuffled in her sleep, turned on her side, facing him and hugged the pillows. The day spent in the infirmary had been tiresome, she'd stay still. Grateful that Iris's deed had spared him from a lot of trouble. He had no clue what had brought that upon him, but he was grateful either way. Perhaps losing everything had given her a new purpose.

Rom bitterly smiled. He'd brushed elbows with it not long ago. Envisioning life without Edýia had become next to impossible. His fate was intertwined with hers, more than he'd liked to admit it to himself. The need to touch her and feel her skin on his was all he craved. He didn't want to upset the small-spirited little moggie. So, he tucked his hands behind his head to keep them still and watched her sleep. Hoping that, when she will awaken, he will find that he was one step closer to earning her forgiveness. Feeling his gaze on her, Edýia opened her eyes, only to find Rom staring at her.

" Why aren't you sleeping?" Edýia grumbled half asleep and rolled on the bed, flat on her back.

" I'm not tired enough. I'm not used to this life. Of doing nothing all day. Sleeping every night on a soft bed next to a beautiful woman." Rom quirked up a brow, stifling a smile. His work has begun, swooning the grouchy little bundle.

Edýia hummed " I see. Not to worry. I have something that will drain every tad of your strength. You'll sleep better than the dead" Edýia grinned, but the glint in her eyes was far from being warm and fuzzy.

Rom rolled on his side resting on his elbow to face her, curious" And what that might be?" His curiosity was getting the better of him and the foolish hope in his tone was his demise.

" Oh. You will love it but will have to wait for the rest of Irostone to wake" Edýia's giddiness was something disconcerting. That wasn't good and most certainly not what he'd hoped for.

" Oh," Rom deflated " Could you at least give me a hint?" He pressed further, with renewed conviction.

" Oh, no. But I'm most certain that you will love it" Edýia scrunched her nose, and now, he was certain that he will hate every moment of it.

Rom sighed, resigned. There was no point in fighting with her. Her stubbornness wasn't something easy to surpass. Might as well wave the flag. She was with a child, and that made matters worse.

" How are you feeling?" Rom ceased pestering her over his upcoming punishment. Edýia frowned, for a brief moment trying to take stock of herself. With a deep breath, she realised that she felt better than ever before. A little weary, but she put that on the fact that another life was growing inside her womb.

" Better" Edýia's brevity did nothing to ease his worries.

" Does still hurt?" Rom pressed for more insight.

"No. A little weary, but better than I was before" She glanced at him over the pillow wall.

" Can I touch it?" Rom's brows furrowed and raised his hand before she even had given her answer.

Edýia nodded and removed one pillow from the wall and scooched closer. Rom closed his eyes, grateful that she'd let him at least touch her tummy. Edýia smiled when he gently rubbed her flat tummy. He had no clue how far along she was, but it could have been that much. Rom pursed his lips, and closed his eyes, praying that the babe will pull through. Edýia was quite feeble before, she needed to rest after each thing she did. So to see her sprinting around, full of life. It was satisfying.

" I love you" Rom tried his fortune and leaned in to kiss her cheek. She allowed him to do this much. It was more than he'd hoped for.

" You're still a prick" Edýia grinned placing her hand over his, intertwining her finger with his. No matter what he'd done, he was the father of the unborn soul growing in her tummy. He deserved a chance to redeem himself.

" That I am" Rom rubbed his nose on her cheek and sighed. It wasn't as easy as she thought it would be handing him punishments. She truly believed that Rom loved her, in spite of everything he'd done. She wasn't a saint either.

" I Love you" Edýia placed her hand on his cheek and turned her head to face him, nose to nose, lips brushing on each other.

Rom closed his eyes, and placed his hand over hers, basking in the feel of her soft, loving touch. Closer to being forgiven. A warm feeling crawled in his gut and he welcomed it with open arms. Soft, full lips brushed on his, her warm breath caressed his skin, steel grey eyes gazing into his shrouding him a in very familiar, cock raising feeling.

Rom took his hand off her tummy and cradled her face with their joined hands. There was no need for words. He wanted her, and the glint in her eyes betrayed the very words that came out of her mouth. She wanted him, but the petty little girl that lived inside Edýia wouldn't let go of things so easily. Nonetheless he had to try, and settle the stormy waters he was floating on.

With that thought in mind, he tenderly pressed his lips on hers waiting for the shit storm that he had stirred up to hit him with full force. To his surprise, Edýia rolled on her side and returned the tender kiss. Rom pulled away, at odds with himself. He wanted to go further, but he wasn't sure she would want or was ready for it. He was more than ready, to get his hands on her and fill her up.

Rom took a deep breath, and shakily let it out, gazing into her eyes, pleading. He knew it wouldn't go unnoticed but he also knew Edýia will brush it away.

" No" Edýia answered the question in his eyes " You must earn it first. You're far from it" Edýia added with a frazzled grin and yawned.

Rom sullenly nodded " You should get some more sleep" He kissed her forehead with furrowed eyebrows when pulled away. He'd earned a kiss from her. So, he was heading the right way. Edýia hummed and pushed pillows out of the way to curl up in his arm. Oh, yes, snuggling. He was most certainly doing something right.