Page 57 of Darkened Promises

“I honestly never realised I was this ticklish. I’ve never really had anyone do this for me before,” she admits, sinking lower into the bath.

Laying the towel to the side, I retrieve the flannel. “Do you mind me doing it?”

“No, of course not. It’s really nice being cared for like this. I don’t know why I’m finding it so hard to look after myself, why I’m failing on such small things,” she admits, her eyes sliding around me.

“Sometimes life feels hard, and that’s okay. What might be small to some people can be a lot bigger to others. How about if we made this a thing? It doesn’t have to be every day, but I’d very much love to do this together as much as you’ll let me,” I confess, feeling a touch vulnerable asking her. It’s not an interest, or need, I’ve felt with anyone else I’ve been with before. She’s revealed a new facet of me.

“Oh.” She watches as I kiss her palm and place her arm back down. I gesture for her to sit up. I don’t push her as I wait for her answer. I move around the tub to wash her back, my heart squeezing as she naturally tilts her head one way then the other for me, even when deep in thought.

When I push a little harder into the tops of her shoulders, she lets out a little contented grunt.

“Okay,” she eventually agrees. “I’m not going to turn down this regular care. Some days it’s as though I’m healing. Then something will happen, triggering a moment, then it takes me right back, and the pain slips through the cracks. I think I’m sinking more than floating. It’s just…this does feel like I’m taking advantage of you. So if you ever don’t want to, either as a one off or indefinitely, please tell me?”

I press a kiss on her shoulder blade. “It’s never going to change, but yes, I’ll always communicate with you.”

We sit comfortably in silence as I finish washing her body. As I wet Rosy’s hair, someone knocks on the door, and barely a moment later, it opens. Rosy squeaks, and more water sloshes as she ducks as low as she can in the water, arms crossing to hide herself.

“You’ve been in here ages,” Max whines, hands on his hips. “Why is there water everywhere? Can I hang out too? Honeybee, you look like you’re about to drown. Do you need me to come be your life jacket? Your floatie? Your water noodle?”

“No!” Rosy exclaims, suddenly sitting up and splashing more water.

I’m wondering if we should have this made into a wet room. There’s more water leaving the bath than staying in.

“Why not?” Max sulks, sitting on the floor at the other end of the tub, facing Rosy.

“Because I’m naked,” she hisses. Even without seeing Rosy’s face, I know she’s undoubtedly blushing.

“Beautiful, don’t you think I’m aware of how naked you are right now?” He winks, flicking his gaze down.

Rosy splashes him, squealing, and he rears back, laughing.

“You’re not supposed to look,” she scolds.

I chuckle low, not wanting to interrupt their sparring. It’s good to see them sharing a lighter moment.

“Why?” Max asks, leaning on the edge and trailing a finger in the water.

“Because…I don’t know,” she huffs, flicking a little water at him. Not enough for it to leave the tub thankfully, just enough to make a point.

His lips curl into a wide smile, eyes twinkling as he watches her. “What if I give you an open invitation for any time I’m in the shower?”

“Um….”

“Tip your head back, please?” I ask, deciding to save Rosy from her flustering.

Once I’ve soaked the strands, I massage the shampoo into her temples and enjoy seeing the faint creases between her brows smooth out. Her contented hum does more for me than any form of acknowledgment or thanks could.

“Apples or pears?” Max questions, and I’m about to ask for some clarification when Rosy tilts her head slightly in my hands.

“Pears. Sun or moon?” she throws back.

I’m still no clearer on what they’re talking about. When Max immediately responds with, “Sun,” I decide to stay quiet and watch their conversation unfold.

Animatedly, he leans forward. “Hands for feet, or feet for hands?”

“Definitely hands, I need my thumbs,” Rosy decides. “A butt hole that never closes, or no butt hole but you can’t ever eat? Obviously, it means your body doesn’t need food either.”

Max’s mouth drops in horror. “Why would you ask me that? Can I wear a diaper?”