BLACK

(4) Bound

EDITED

Curls bounced from his growing head, flushed beneath his red knit cap. It made me grin tremendously. He may still be growing, but his hair grew faster.

Ajax stood a quarter up my shin, mostly bending his knees and relying on his grip in my hands. I dragged him gently in small ways, the large smile of white first teeth poking out. I smiled back and crouched, sometimes stood to entertain him.

"Ajax," Roman calls, crouched three feet away. "Ajax, can you come here?" He held his hands out.

J squealed at his name, bouncing his knees as he rips his hands from my grasp. Or, tried to. I gently let go of him, steadying my hands because he hasn't gotten used to walking just yet. His back slouches against my shins, and then he falls forwards. I inhale and swoop down to catch him, but his mitten covered hands beat me to it as he crawls on the ice. I smile relieved, glancing back at Roman.

His hair is blond and cropped close to his scalp, eyes a blue like the water under the ice and thin framed glasses dance over his cheeks. He is so beautiful, unlike Aris. He may be tall and lanky, but there's an edge to his face structure and charm to his smile that warms me, making me feel safe. Not that I don't feel safe with Aris, but with Roman I can at least be safe outside.

"Ajax," Roman calls.

I straighten with trust in J, letting him make his own decisions. His curls bob up and down, his head looking up to Roman. I watch with love as he crawls towards him, triple layered bum high in the air and his feet giving out above the ice. I giggle as Roman chuckles, eyes flashing to mine at his poor attempts.

J thrust his covered hands out, reaching for Roman. In return, Roman pretends to stretch for him as he is too far away, making J kick his feet and scrunch his hands for leverage. With another laugh, Roman finally scoops J up in a swift and quick manner. His squeals of joy are happiness to my ears, making me lavish the moment.

The ice rink is beautiful. I thought Alaska to have little, but it has lots. Skates cover mine and his feet, making sharp lines on the freshly cleaned ice. I didn't even care the lengths he went to do this for me, I appreciated his efforts to no end. Roman was so sweet, so gentle with me. More than my other mates, I loved him. Though I love them with all equal passion, Alaska's scenery improves Roman's importance in my life. I sound awful and unfair, but maybe it's just because I'm with him this exact moment, he's my favourite. The one I would live with if I had a choice.

Roman's large hand tugs at the end of my sweater, sneaking around my back. Ajax is sat on his shoulder, secured with a muscular arm over his waist. I smile as he pulls me closer, tugging me into his side. I wrap my arms back around him, tucking my nose into his neck and kissing his cold bitten skin.

Roman returns his nose in my hair, running over my ear. "You're so beautiful," He whispers.

I blush a large smile, hiding into his neck. He chuckles at my reaction, pulling back to place kisses in a crown around my head.

"I'm so glad you get along with Jax," I say.

Roman looks back at my baby poised on his shoulder. "What's not to like, eh?" J giggles as Roman ruffles his tummy, letting him slide his weight to his waist. "He is striking Noire, not a single flaw."

//\\
\\//

I stare down at J in the crib, again amazed at the lengths Roman has gone to make this comfortable for us. This is what makes him the best, the most generous and loving.

I remove my hand from from his hair, leaving him to fight with his small rabbit blanket. I meet Roman in the doorway, turning off the light.

"Thank you," I tell him. "For all of this."