We Could Be Something

“Are you sure that you don’t mind helping me out with this?”

Iker, who was stood in the middle of the small bedroom, startled slightly at the sound of Adriana’s voice before he turned around, offering her a small reassuring smile. “I said I would help” he noted “And besides, I’ve got nothing else to do. What is it you want me to help with?” he posed, flicking his attention back towards the room they stood in.

It had been a couple of weeks, after he and Sergio had talked, Iker had spent a lot of time thinking about the idea of making his move on Adriana, but regardless of how tempting it seemed, he had opted against it, not wanting to put their friendship at risk. It was good for them, both of them seemed better off having the other around, and Iker didn’t want to ruin it, even if he did have some depth of romantic feeling towards her. He didn’t want to run the risk of losing her completely.

“I want to paint the walls” Adriana quipped “I’ve already bought the paint, but I am not quite tall enough to reach the top, even on the step ladder. I was hoping you’d not mind helping me out” she explained softly. She didn’t want to impose him, whilst they were friends, painting the nursery was something that had the potential to make him feel slightly awkward, and she didn’t want to put him out, even if she could use the help. She didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable.

Iker noted the slightly nervous tone of her voice before he quirked a smile. “I’d be happy to help, Addie” he noted.

“Are you sure?” Adriana posed “Because if not, I can ask Ella’s boyfriend…”

“Addie” Iker interjected “It’s painting a few walls, I am sure that I can handle it” he added.

Adriana offered him a slightly dubious look before she nodded. “If you’re sure” she noted “I’ll go and find the paint and we can get started” she added before she stepped out of the room, leaving Iker behind.

Iker watched her out of the door before he shook his head, his mind repeating Sergio’s words back to him. It was tempting, the prospect of him and Adriana making more out of their friendship was one that appealed to him greatly, but he knew that it was a risk and, at that moment, it wasn’t one that he was willing to take.

~#~
“Are you sure that you don’t want to take a break, Addie?” Iker teased as he padded up beside her, his foot gently nudging against her back. They’d been at it for a while, whilst the bedroom she had chosen for the nursery was small, it had taken a while to paint, and Iker could tell that Adriana was tired, even if she wouldn’t admit it, the fact that she had started to sit rather than stand confided it.

“I’m sure” Adriana quipped, peeking up at him.

“You can head into the living room if you want to” Iker suggested as he sat at her side “We’ve only got this little bit left to finish and I can do it. Why don’t you go and relax?” he posed, nudging her shoulder slightly.

Adriana offered him a small look before she shook her head, a soft smile on her face. It wasn’t a new thing, since she had told Iker that she was expecting, he had become more and more considerate towards her, and whilst she had worried that her pregnancy would prove a stumbling block for their friendship, she was glad that he had taken it so well, even if it had taken a little while for him to get used to the idea. She was glad that they still had some sort of relationship. “If I felt like I needed a rest, I’d take it, but I am fine” she insisted gently.

Iker offered her a slightly dubious look before he nodded. “If you’re sure” he noted with a shrug.

“I am” Adriana quipped “Though, I could use your help getting back up again. This bump does not make things easy” she added, offering him an impish smile.

Iker playfully rolled his eyes before he pushed himself back to his feet, offering his hand out to her.

Adriana placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her back to her feet before she stumbled, something which caused Iker to wrap an arm around her, preventing her from falling. “You’re alright” he quipped, gently helping her back to her feet “Are you always this clumsy?” he added, offering her a grin.

Adriana shook her head. “That was your fault” she quipped, a teasing grin perched on her face “You pulled me up too far and I stumbled” she added.

“I didn’t” Iker countered “You’re just clumsy. How you walk around in those heels at work, I’ll never know” he grinned.

Adriana offered him a mock glare before she spared a small glance downwards, not missing the way his arm still sat around her waist. It wasn’t unusual for them, even despite the fact that she had made it clear that their relationship was not romantic, it did entail a lot of physical contact, and whilst Adriana was sure that it would be a while before she felt comfortable with moving on, she had to admit that she had grown used to it. Sparing a glance towards his arm, she contemplated pushing back slightly before Iker shifted his other hand, gently moving the blonde hair off of her face. “You really should contemplate taking a rest” he noted softly, tucking the hair behind her ear.

“I’m fine” Adriana countered gently “And if I wasn’t, I’d tell you. You really don’t have to worry about me so much” she added.

Iker quirked a small smile. “You don’t have to be so stubborn” he teased, his thumb gently brushing along her cheek “Addie, every now and again, it’s Ok to take time out. You’re carrying something pretty amazing” he added.

Adriana spared a small look down towards her bump before she flicked her eyes back up, not missing the warmth of his expression. Pausing for a moment, she thought about pulling back before she leant a little closer to him, something which made Iker’s smile widen a little. Admiring his smile, she carefully placed her arms around his neck, pulling him a little closer so that their noses brushed each other, something which made her stomach jump a little. Feeling her cheeks warm, she leant into him a little more before she felt something nudge against her stomach. “Oh” she breathed, leaning back slightly.

Iker blinked a couple of times, caught off guard by her suddenly pulling away, before he frowned. “Addie?” he pressed, not missing her concerned expression.

Adriana merely moved to place her hand on her stomach.

“Addie, do you need me to call someone?” he pressed.

Adriana rolled her eyes slightly before she reached out, placing his hand against her bump. “Wait” she noted gently.

Iker offered her a slightly concerned look before he felt the movement against his palm. “Is that..?” he posed.

“It is” Adriana quipped, a grin on her face.

Iker offered her a wide grin before he flicked his eyes back towards her bump, marveling at the sensation slightly. It had been close, until the baby had kicked, Iker had been almost certain that they were going to share their first kiss, but he didn’t want to ask about it, even if he was more than a little disappointed that it hadn’t happened. He didn’t want to make things between them awkward or tense.