Page 57 of The Jorogumo

Liam

What could Haruto possibly want to say? He was always honest and clear about what he wanted, sometimes to a fault, so I couldn't imagine what it was that had him looking so nervous.

"What is it?" I asked in a strained voice, his nerves making my own anxiety flare up.

For the most part, I'd accepted the fact that Haruto loved me, that he wanted me just the way I was. But when shit like this happened, I couldn't help bouncing back to that same insecure guy who'd been dumped one time too many.

Haruto took a deep breath, steeling himself, and I held my breath, feeling like there was a band of steel wrapping tighter and tighter around my chest.

"Liam, will you move in with me?"

I stared at him, blinking rapidly as I struggled to process what he'd said. When it finally clicked, I jerked upright, making the hammock sway gently.

Then, I smacked his shoulder, hard. I knew it wouldn't actually hurt him, which was the only reason I did it. "You bastard!"

"Ow." He rubbed at his shoulder as he sat up, giving me a confused look. "Why did you do that?"

"Why did I—why did you say it like that? I thought you were going to dump me or something!"

I jerked my gaze away as my voice choked and my eyes started stinging. Fuck, talk about an overreaction. I scrubbed my face with my palms, keeping it covered as I sensed Haruto shifting around on the hammock, making it sway a little more.

Haruto wrapped a hand around my right wrist, but didn't try to pull my hand away from my face.

"I got nervous. I'm sorry I scared you."

I nodded to let him know I understood, but I still wasn't quite ready to face him after the way I'd freaked out. Fuck, I'd almostcried. What the hell was wrong with me?

I couldn't remember the last time I'd cried, and I'd never, ever teared up about something so dumb.

My face heated up as I went over my reaction again, and a soft whimper escaped my lips before I could bite it back.

"Liam? Will you look at me please?"

I would have to do it at some point anyway. Might as well bite the bullet.

Slowly, I raised my head, meeting Haruto's familiar brown eyes, so warm and full of love. There wasn't a hint of amusement or scorn over the way I'd acted, and I felt a little ashamed I'd expected him to react that way.

"Sorry," I mumbled, and he shook his head.

"It's okay. It was a misunderstanding. We both got anxious, and it was no one's fault."

I nodded, agreeing with that much, at least.

"And for the record, I will never, ever break up with you. You're stuck with me, and if you ever want to separate, you'd have to be the one to break the bond," Haruto said, not a speck of doubt in his voice.

My breath caught in my chest, the tightness from before releasing with a soft exhale.

"I want to move in with you," I said, and he blinked at me before a wide smile took over his face.

Leaning forward, he slammed his lips against mine, kissing me with smiling lips as he practically wiggled with happiness.

"Thank you, Liam. Thank you for saying yes."

I smiled, letting go of the last of my anxiety as excitement filled me. The thought of spending all my free moments with Haruto, of sleeping in his unique bed, of being better friends with the supes of the Sanctuary...

"Is this real?" I asked, afraid I was at home in my bed, and this was nothing but an amazing dream.

"It's real, Liam," Haruto promised, leaning forward to give me another kiss. "It's the realest thing I know."

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