Page 146 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Once behind wards, Akira raised his hand, as if asking to address a classroom. “I have something for you. It’s usually really hard to hide things from you, but you didn’t notice I was up to anything.”
He felt the need to apologize. “I have been preoccupied with Kimi’s needs and the demands of the ….”
Akira shook his head. “No big deal. It worked out because it’ll be fun to surprise you. I hope.”
Suuzu searched his memory for any hint of scheming, but he truly had not noticed anything out of the ordinary. He was ashamed to have been so inattentive.
“Hey.” Akira touched his arm and offered a tired smile. “Let’s clean up. I want to be preened for this.”
“You need sleep.”
“No kidding. But I won’t be able to sleep until I do this.” Akira was already pulling off the fancy outer tunic. “Most of the gift has been ready for a while, but I was waiting for one last thing. Got it today from Argent. He was cool about it, promised not to tell anyone.”
Suuzu obediently kept his gaze averted while Akira hid the contents of his pocket under the discarded tunic, even resisting the urge to tidy the rumpled garment. Their evening patterns were perfunctory at best, with Akira nearly falling asleep in the bath.
Back in their room, Suuzu pulled out their futons and bedding, swiftly assembling their usual nest. “I can be patient. You should rest.”
Akira only shook his head and sat cross-legged atop their blankets.
With a soft trill of concern, Suuzu joined him.
“For you.” Akira held out an empty palm.
Suuzu cocked his head to one side, unsure how to interpret the gesture.
“Oh, sorry. Hang on.” Akira poked and prodded, and with a soft pop, a ward vanished, revealing a small wooden box that still bore a tracery of seals. “Boon did that part. Pretty neat, huh? You never knew it was here.”
“I did not.” This gift was becoming more elaborate and more mysterious by the moment.
Suuzu accepted the box, teasing away an additional seal and lifting the catch. A neat braid coiled within, and he was picking up the faint presence of tuned crystals. Recognition pulled a soft warble of surprise from him.
Akira pushed up onto his knees. “I went ahead and started on our nest.”
The box’s contents mostly smelled like Akira, but there were hints of others’ handiwork. He lifted the slender black cord and whispered, “Juuyu?”
“His hair.” Pointing to a russet crystal, Akira added, “This one’s tuned to him. I got it from one of his teammates. Can you really tell where he is?”
Suuzu immediately pointed to the west.
“Nice!” He scooted closer, their knees touching. “Tuning one to me was trickier, since I’m not a reaver. But Michael worked it out. See?” From the bottom of the box, Akira brought a second black cord, which he quickly looped around his ankle, settling a smooth, milky blue stone against his skin. “This cord’s made from Sis’ hair, and your crystal’s tuned to mine.”
Suuzu caressed the blue stone knotted into his necklace.
Akira bounded up and crossed to the closet, ducking inside. He called, “Does it work?”
“I know where you are.”
He leaned out. “I know, but does it work?”
Suuzu smiled and waved for him to come back. Belatedly fussing with Akira’s half-dry hair, he said, “I always know where you are.”
“You do?”
“Hmm.”
Akira narrowed his eyes skeptically. “How’s that possible?”
Suuzu brushed his knuckles along Akira’s cheek. “Homing instinct.”
