Page 33 of The Jorogumo

How was it that I felt closer to these people I'd met not long ago than I ever had to the people who gave birth to me?

My parents and I had never understood each other, and our love was obligatory at best. But here, in the Sanctuary, I truly felt like I was a part of the family. No wonder Touya and Dustin had moved here. Who would ever pick the human world over this place, over these people?

Me, I thought with a sigh.

It wasn't that I didn't want to move here someday, but I couldn't abandon my store—which wasn't even really mine, but fuck it. I'd spent years making Sanctum for Geeks what it was today, and I couldn't leave it behind. It was where we'd met after all, and I loved working there.

I shook my head at myself, focusing on the conversations around me. I needed to get a grip on my thoughts. Haruto hadn't even mentioned moving in together yet—because we'd only been dating for a few weeks—so there was no reason for me to be thinking so far ahead.

After dinner, we escaped the dining room since it wasn't the Forest's turn to do the dishes, and then hovered outside the Forest door, unsure.

I didn't want to leave just yet, but I needed to. Right? It was evening, and I'd never stayed later than this before.

Haruto seemed to be struggling with words, so I waited him out patiently. I would draw out our time together as much as I could, which made me feel a little sheepish. Thank fuck he couldn't read my mind.

"Would you..."

"Yes?" I asked when he didn't continue, and I watched as he took a deep breath, seemingly bracing himself.

"Would you like to stay the night?"

I stared at him. Whatever I'd been expecting him to say, it wasn't that. He wanted me to stay? The whole night?

"Uh..." As I searched for my suddenly missing voice, his face fell, and he shook his head, smiling in a way that just looked wrong on him.

"Never mind, you don't have to. I don't even have a proper bed for you." He rolled his eyes, then shook his head again. "Forget I asked."

"Haruto, wait." I grabbed his arms before he could step back or, worse, run off into the Forest where I couldn't follow since the headmaster hadn't registered my 'signature' into the doors yet, whatever that meant.

He gazed down at me, his deep brown eyes troubled and unsure, and I leaned up to press a kiss on his lips.

"I'd like to stay," I murmured against his soft lips, and he gasped against my mouth. "And your webby swing thing is pretty comfy."

"Hammock," Haruto mumbled, sounding a touch stunned. "I call it a hammock."

"Gotcha," I said with a smile as I leaned back, and his lips curved up in response as I took his hand.

"Lead the way, sweetheart."

Haruto shot me a smile, probably at my use of the pet name, before heading into the Forest area, his hand clasped tightly around mine.

We waved at the few friends we passed—and ignored Khush's suggestive brow waggle—as we made our way to Haruto's house.

It was a mix of cabin in the woods and small, cozy townhouse, and it suited him perfectly. The walls were a mix of exposed brick and wood, a small wooden porch covering the front of the house.

Haruto opened the door, and I followed him inside, relaxing instantly. I felt at home in Haruto's place, which was strange because I hadn't been here more than a few times.

I watched Haruto as he puttered around, and realized that maybe it had nothing to do with the house and everything to do with who it belonged to.

Haruto stopped in front of the hammock I was perched in, his lips pursed and hands on his hips. "I should make another hammock for you."

The other web-made seats were only big enough for sitting, but I thought his hammock was plenty enough for us both. He'd said earlier that he liked cuddles and hugs, so I hesitated only a little before asking, "Or we could share?"

Haruto stared at me, blinking rapidly before his eyes flicked from me to the hammock I sat on. "You'd want that?"

I nodded slowly, unable to tell what he was thinking or if he liked the idea. "Only if you do too."

Haruto was quiet for a moment before he gave a sharp nod. "Yes, okay."

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