Page 69 of The Jorogumo

After he'd closed the door—the closed sign still up since he had to get everything set up first—I took his hand and pulled him into the shelves, stopping where he'd almost fallen that day.

Liam gave me a curious look, eyeing the shelves. "Are you looking for a comic?"

I shook my head, and I knew I had the softest fucking smile on my face. "I already found what I was looking for."

Liam's brows furrowed, and before he could ask me what I meant, I went on one knee—yes, I'd decided to propose in my human form so I could go down on one knee for him, like a proper, human proposal—taking the ring from my pocket and holding it out in my palm.

"Liam, I had this big speech planned about how wonderfully sweet, kind, and amazing you are, and while you're all those things, what matters is that I would like to spend my whole life showing you just how much you mean to me instead. I want to love you every single day, for as long as I'm alive. Will you be mine forever? Will you marry me?"

Liam's eyes were bright with tears, and he had to swallow twice before he could speak, but I waited patiently. Like oneof my favorite superheroes said in averydifferent scenario,I can do this all day.

"The moment I let my guard down," he grumbled tearfully, rubbing at his eyes. "Of course I'll marry you, Haruto. I love you so damned much."

Smiling widely, I took his hand in mine, sliding the simple platinum band—that wasn't so simple—on his ring finger.

Getting to my feet, I pulled him into a kiss, and he kissed back enthusiastically, pressing his body against mine. Now that it was done, I realized the error of my plan. All I wanted to do was get him naked and feast on him, to start fulfilling the promise I'd just made, but he had a shop to run.

Reluctantly, I pulled back, holding his hands in mine. "You have to work."

Liam sighed mournfully as he nodded. "Tonight, though."

"Tonight," I promised, and he smiled softly, leaning forward to kiss me again.

When he pulled back, I glanced down at the ring on his finger, then remembered what Draven had said.

"Oh, I should tell you something about the ring."

He glanced down at it, admiring it in the low light coming through the front—I hadn't given him a chance to turn on the lights before I dragged him back here—before looking up at me curiously. "What about it?"

"Well, Draven made it, and he put a little magic in it. It'll help the headmaster find you if you're ever in trouble, since I don't have that kind of power."

Liam blinked at me, then at his ring, and I couldn't quite tell what he was thinking.

"I know you can take care of yourself, but the world isn't safe. There are other supes out there who aren't as friendly, and I just—I want you to always beprotected."

Liam was quiet for another moment. Then he threw his arms around me in a tight hug, clinging to me like he never wanted to let go.

"Thank you," he mumbled into the side of my neck. "Thank you for wanting me, for loving me, for protecting me."

I hugged him back, careful as always not to hug too tightly so I didn't hurt him.

After we met, it hadn't taken me long to realize that inside that big, strong body was a sweet, gentle man who yearned for someone to take care of him. I wanted to do just that, and for the rest of our lives.

"I will always keep you safe, love. Always."

Liam gave me another squeeze, then pulled back, his eyes shining but lips spread in a wide smile. "I love you so much."

"I love you too. Now, even though I want to stay right here, I'm going to leave so you can open the store."

Liam sighed, then nodded in acceptance. "We'll celebrate tonight?"

"Oh, yes we will."

Liam gave a little shiver at the promise in my tone, and I smiled all the way home.

Liam

I was buzzing with anticipation the whole time we ate dinner, and afterward when we had to stay so I could recount the proposal for our friends. They'd known Haruto was going to propose today, and while he'd originally intended to invite our friends to be there when he did, he'd decided not to at the last moment, wanting to make it private.

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