The day after

I wake up late in the morning. The sun is high in the sky already.

The window fails at filtering the rays that light up the room, and the noises of a lively town are bright as the day.

I sit on the bed before realising I'm without clothes. They're folded and leaned on a chair nearby, so I can just get dressed.

Yet, I'd like to wash before that. It's sticky in between my legs. Not to mention all the sweat because of...

Oh.

It's real. We made love yesterday.

I smile like a fool while my cheeks blush. I was so daring during the night. But in the light of the day, I'm still shy and clumsy.

By the way, where is Ignis?

As if to answer my question, the door is opened, and he walks in.

One of his hands is holding a platter with food... Oh, food! I am so hungry. I'd literally eat anything right now.

The other hand is embracing a big bowl with water. A couple of towels hanging from his arm.

Can someone be more perfect than this? He already knew what I needed, and he went to fetch it for me.

«What a thoughtful husband I have here,» I say, covering my chest with the sheets.

It's useless because Ignis saw everything already.

But it's different during the day, somehow.

«Good morning, wife,» he says while leaning the platter on the table. Then, he walks to me and pecks my forehead before soaking a towel in the water.

It's warm when he presses it on my shoulder, cleaning me with utter tenderness.

«I can do it alone,» I say.

«You're a noble, young girl,» he points out. «Where did you learn how to clean yourself?»

I pout, offended. I'm not completely stupid, for goodness.

«I'm sorry for this,» he sighs while cleaning my chest. He left a few love bites here and there, and now he feels so guilty because of it.

None of the bruises is in visible places, and they don't hurt. It's not like anything changed...

«I couldn't resist but leave a mark,» he confesses with a red face, as red as his hair if possible.

«I can do it alone, really,» I murmur when the sheets slip down to uncover my stomach. «I know how to. You don't need to worry so much.»

«It's my fault if you're like this,» he adds, getting closer. «The least I can do is help you recover.»

«Re-re... recover?» I am all right! What does he think? It's not like we did that much, after all. It's just a little physical exercise.

I can still proceed with my daily life. I'm not that weak.

«Let me take care of you, Veronica. Will you?»

I sigh, surrendering to his sweet tone. He rubs my back with the warm towel, soaking it in the water a couple of times more.

«I am not ill, though,» I point out. «I can move my arms.»

«Are you going to keep protesting?»

«I think so.»

«I'm glad, for I really love to listen to you. Even if you scold me.»

I bite my lips in embarrassment. It's hard to keep a straight face after being told something like this.

Oh, Ignis... Just wait until I come up with something as daring to say!

As I rack my brain to find naughty words, Ignis uncovers my legs and passes the towel there too. Oh, now I'm all fresh and clean. Well, almost all.

He changes the towel, grabbing the other one. He slips between my legs, and I bite my lips even more.

I don't dare to move. I don't spread my legs wider to make the job easier, nor do I lock them together. I just stare, my brain not working anymore.

«Don't look at me like that,» Ignis sighs, not even glancing at me. Yet, he feels my gaze on him.

«Like what?» I murmur.

«We can't do it again. Not now.»

Oh, so that's how I'm looking at him. It makes sense.

But indeed, we can't do it all the time.

When he's finished, he gets up to let me dress.

However, even if we can't do it all the time, now seems like a good moment. We aren't all that busy here. We're just waiting.

Oh, maybe we should be a little more visible.

«Are we going to look for Aida and Tobin?» I ask.

«No, I've already found them. They arrived a few hours ago.»

«Are they all right?»

«Safe and sound.»

«With or without the carriages?»

«The whole group is healthy, and our belongings are with them. I told you there's nothing to worry about.»

«So, we're resuming our travel.»

«Yes, we are.»

«How much till home?»

«Three or four days, I guess.»

«If nothing happens again,» I moan. It's tiring to be attacked so often.

I sit at the table and glance at my breakfast. Oh, there's everything I need to recharge all the energy I used during the night.

My mood improves as I fill my plate and dig in. Food is always comforting. Even if it's as simple as commoner food.

I don't care if the bread is dark anymore. I don't ask for salt in vain, for I don't have time for that.

Once the first bite is in my mouth, my stomach grumbles with hunger. I'll need even more energy for another day of travel. It's better if I eat a lot!

«I'm glad your appetite is good.»

«Don't tease me, Ignis.»

«I'm not teasing.»

«You woke up so bold all of a sudden!»

I can just rebuke with a few words because I truly am busy eating.