Third Person's PoV
Sky watched him intently, observing the subtle movements of his lips as he spoke, the way his hands alternately gripped and released the fabric of his jeans. His eyebrows were drawn together in a straight line, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Each breath he took caused his chest to rise and fall, and his nose twitched rhythmically with his deep breaths.
The pain in her abdomen, which had been so acute moments before, faded into insignificance at the sight of him. Even the hurt from his week-long absence, leaving her alone in his house, seemed to dissipate.
She found herself lost in observation, unable to determine how much time had passed. He sat on the edge of her modest bed, his large frame making it appear even smaller. Leaning against the headboard, she held Bren by her side on her lap.
His eyes were filled with a profound sadness.
With a sigh, Sky finally diverted her gaze from him, breaking the intense connection.
A sudden growl from her stomach broke the silence. "Ahmhm, d-don't… i-it's nothing," she murmured, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
His eyes widened in surprise at the sound of her voice. He exhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a brief moment before shifting closer to her.
The bed emitted a worrisome creak. "U-um…don't move. My bed would f-fall," she stammered, her voice laced with panic. The thought of having to replace the bed was a financial worry she couldn't afford.
"Uh, I'm sorry," he apologized, his voice tinged with concern. "But, can you come here?" he requested, gesturing to his lap and cautiously moving towards the center of the bed, which protested with another ominous creak.
"Okay, don't move and stay t-there," she instructed, her words tumbling out in a rush.
As soon as she shifted from her position against the headboard, a sharp pain lanced through her stomach, eliciting a soft whimper of distress.
Unbeknownst to her, Kian had moved from his seat. She only became aware of his presence when he enveloped her in his arms, pulling her tightly against his solid chest.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" he murmured into her ear, his voice a husky whisper that resonated with concern.
The bed groaned a third time, protesting as Kian adjusted his position on the small, worn mattress. Now, they were both on the bed—she was practically lying atop him, cradled securely in his embrace. His hands were gentle yet protective as they rested on her shoulder and waist.
"What's wrong? You look like you're in pain, baby. Should I be worried that you're keeping something from me?" Kian's words were soft, his chest vibrating against her back, sending a cascade of shivers down her spine.
She purred against his chest, her emotions a tangled mess. She despised feeling so dependent, so needy.
"You h-hate me. You left me all alone, then you return without any exp-planation, and now you ask if I will go on a date with you. It sounds like you're just p-playing games with me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. A single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek.
The emotions she had bottled up over the past week overwhelmed her, and she succumbed to a choked sob, her hands desperately clutching at his biceps. She wondered if her clinginess, her childlike dependence, was the reason he had left.
This thought caused her to recoil from his embrace, and in her haste, she tumbled from the bed to the floor, whimpering from the sharp pain.
He reached out to help her up, but she rejected his touch, finding it suffocating. The weight of both physical and emotional pain bore down on her, exacerbated by exhaustion and his very presence.
All she wanted was to hide, to escape his gaze, convinced that her vulnerability was the reason he had abandoned her, the reason he no longer wanted her. The hurt was overwhelming.
He spoke to her gently, urging her to take his hand, but she refused again and again. She remained seated on the cold floor, her face buried in her palms as she wept.
"My little Sky," he whispered tenderly.
The endearment was like a flame in the chill of winter, offering warmth she desperately needed but stubbornly resisted.
"I know, I know it was foolish of me to leave you. It was madness, as if I were totally foolish, and I deserve all your resentment. I'm so sorry, my little Sky," he confessed, his voice laden with hurt, cracking at the end of his sentence. The pain in his tone mirrored her own inner turmoil, an unspoken apology hanging between them.
She remained silent, though her throat burned with words left unsaid.
"Please, don't torment yourself over my actions, over a fool who left you without a word and returned as if he had a claim over you, as if he hadn't abandoned you, alone and unwell. You deserve the world, little Sky," he continued, his voice faltering, betraying his tears. "You deserve the world, yet here I am, trying to be that world for you."
She shook her head vehemently, rejecting his self-deprecation. In her eyes, he was the one deserving of all life's blessings, not her.
"I can explain, just let me. I'll share every detail, every reason behind my impulsive decision. Just let me," he pleaded.
His earnest request took her by surprise. Why would he want to bare his soul to her? She felt unworthy of such confessions.
Yet, she remained motionless, silent, absorbing every word.
"You see, little Sky, I am a fool, a complete idiot for making you feel like I was toying with your emotions. It was never my intention. I'm so sorry," he said, pausing to take a deep breath, his palm resting gently on her head. "You are the most beautiful and perfect thing that's ever happened to me."
She wanted to protest, to argue that she was far from perfect.
"It may seem impossible and absurd, but from the moment I first saw you, something in my heart stirred. It was as if it was pulling me towards you, urging me to rescue you from trouble, to cherish and protect you. Yet, I did the exact opposite. I left you adrift in uncertainty. I'm sorry. There was an emergency at home. My mother needed immediate attention, and my father wasn't there. She needed one of us, and I… I forgot everything else in my panic," he explained, his voice heavy with emotion. "I drove frantically to the hospital, leaving you behind. The doctors said she had to be rushed to the emergency room; her heart was failing, she was weak. Seeing her there, connected to all those tubes, I felt powerless, suffocated by her suffering. I love my mother, little Sky. I want her to be safe and healthy, but in the process, I shattered your trust, made you feel neglected. I'm truly sorry. I want you to be healthy and safe, just like my siblings and especially my father. I want all of you to be safe under my care. I'm sorry for overlooking your presence and running off without even checking on you. And then… I fell ill myself. I couldn't be there for you while my mother was recovering from surgery. Clade told me you were in tears, but I ignored his calls and messages about you. I feel like I've been the villain, and no amount of apologies can change that. I need to earn your trust again, and if my invitation offended you, I'm deeply sorry."
As he finished his heartfelt confession, she moved swiftly into his arms, cradling his face between her palms. She gently squeezed his cheeks, trying to alleviate the anxiety that was etching itself across his features. His face flushed red, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
She gently tapped his nose with her index finger, her face a canvas of tears.
"Look at us," she murmured, "I'm c-crying, you're crying. We need to s-stop this."
Biting her lower lip, she felt him lean into her touch, his hand cradling her waist, drawing her closer to his embrace.
"I'm so sorry, little Sky, I missed you," he confessed.
A giggle escaped her, despite the tears; his expression was simply too endearing.
"I'm sorry too," she stammered, "Sometimes I o-overthink, and… and I feared you didn't want me anym-more. Do you still want me, perhaps? Or not?" Her head tilted inquisitively, awaiting his response.
This time, it was he who tapped her nose playfully. "Of course, I want you, my little Sky."
Her voice was a whisper against his chest. "I'm sorry a-about your mom, Kian. I hope she's doing well n-now." With that, she nestled her face into his chest, seeking comfort in his heartbeat.
Silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the rhythmic patter of raindrops. He hummed a soft tune, a balm for their shared unease. As they breathed in unison, her eyelids grew heavy, succumbing to the lullaby of his gentle touch as his fingers wove through her hair.
"Kian," she whispered, her voice a fragile thread.
"Mhmm?" he murmured, his presence a steady anchor.
"Does your mother s-still need you?"
He paused, considering. "At this time? I believe not. She insisted I be with you, darling. It was her dicisiom that I return to your side. She's aware of the sacrifices made, and after awakening yesterday, her first thoughts were of urging me back to you, little Sky. My brothers stand vigil by her now; I left them this morning."
She nestled closer, her head resting against his chest. "I hope she rec-covers swiftly," she said, her heart pounding a fierce rhythm against her ribs.
"Has my explanation eased your worries, love? Did it suffice to answer your doubts?" he inquired, seeking her eyes.
She nodded with fervor. "You need me. You still desire my c-company."
A hum of agreement escaped him, affirming her words.
Kian's plea for a shopping trip was irresistible, his voice laced with a charm that made refusal difficult.
Sky hesitated, her voice faltering. "But I don't have any m-money."
He chuckled, his embrace a comforting shield. "That's not a problem, I'm here," he reassured her.
Her concern was palpable. "I don't w-want to be a bother."
He paused, his grip tightening. "You don't bother me," he insisted. "You're just too innocent, little Sky."
A pout formed on her lips as confusion lingered. "But would you really c-cook for me?" she inquired.
His laughter filled the air as he released her, her question sparking his amusement. Perhaps it was funny, she thought.
The next question slipped out before she could stop it. "Can we pick up some p-pads?" Her hand flew to her mouth in shock.
Kian's demeanor shifted to one of seriousness.
"Of course," he said, his concern evident. "Is it your period? Is that why you were in pain earlier?"
Avoiding his gaze, she nodded slowly.
Kian's hands gently guided her face upward, coaxing her to meet his hazel eyes. "Don't be embarrassed, little Sky. It's natural," he soothed.
Her nod was timid but certain.
"Alright, I have a surprise for you," he declared, a sweet smile gracing his lips.
Excitement surged within her, the pain momentarily forgotten. "Let's go! I'm e-excited!" she exclaimed.
He cautioned her with a gentle tone. "Don't move too quickly, you might hurt yourself."
But her excitement was uncontainable. He had a surprise for her.
"Shopping n-now?" she asked eagerly.
"Of course, my Little Sky," he affirmed.
***
Mary Joye.