Page 58 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“Isla!” exclaimed Akira. “She’s Hisoka-sensei’s apprentice.”
Kimiko wasn’t quite sure why they were trying to divvy up the Five. Or the rules by which teams were being decided. But she weighed in. “Isla is part of Eloquence’s triad.”
“I’m still asking her,” said Akira. “We’re practically family, and home trumps hearth.”
Suuzu’s focus returned to her. “Although I am young, I have been trained in matters of inter-clan etiquette and media relations. You may count on my support as a Farroost and my discretion as a friend.”
Only then did Kimiko realize the position in which she’d placed herself. Breaking the news to her parents was nothing. This was breaking news, period. And on a worldwide scale.
“Puppies will be the least of my worries,” she whispered.
“Pups,” Suuzu gently corrected. “And press conferences.”
“I’m not ready for either!”
“Amaranthine are patient,” soothed the phoenix. “And we understand the importance of secrets.”
Suuzu exercised his Amaranthine patience while Kimiko tossed and turned in her bed. Only after she dropped into an exhausted sleep did he murmur, “You are awake.”
Akira sighed. “Wide awake.”
While he was grateful for the Miyabe family’s hospitality, Suuzu didn’t expect to sleep. He was accustomed to watching over Akira’s rest, usually in his truest form. But Kimiko’s room was so small, the two futons she’d brought in for them barely fit in the available floor space.
Lifting the edge of his blanket, Akira offered to combine two beds into one nest.
Suuzu didn’t hesitate. With the barest rustle, he rolled and slid, pulling Akira firmly into his chest. He would have liked to lull his nestmate with songs, but their swell would surely wake Kimiko … if not the entire household. So with no stronger barrier than a borrowed blanket, the phoenix resorted to quieter means of comfort.
“You need sleep,” he murmured against Akira’s ear.
His friend only shrugged.
“What else do you need?” Suuzu pulled him closer, searching for the answers contact could bring. “Ask, and it is yours.”
Akira squirmed a little, and their cheeks touched as he whispered, “Just thinking about how we can help Kimi. And … about what you said earlier.”
“Hmm?”
“Suuzu, you’re a tribute like Quen.”
“I am.”
“Are you not allowed to choose a bondmate?” Akira’s voice was small, sad.
“You are concerned for me?”
Akira nodded. “You said you were set apart, and that sounds lonely.”
Suuzu searched for facts that would comfort his friend. “I have Juuyu, and he has me.”
“But he can’t always be nearby.”
“You are here.”
“Well, yeah. But …” Akira’s hand fisted the front of Suuzu’s borrowed night clothes. “Juuyu calls you his chick.”
“He does.”
“Will you have chicks?”
