Page 114 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
But it was getting harder not to.
Akira reached for Suuzu’s hand and focused on the phoenix’s breathing. Was he breathing in time with the waves? It didn’t take long to confirm it, which meant that on some level, Suuzu was aware of his surroundings. A sure sign that he was coming around.
Counting back, Akira knew for certain that it was too soon.
But Suuzu’s fingers twitched and curled around his.
Should he warn Suuzu that he’d been smuggled overseas? Probably. But Akira couldn’t get the words out as his friend took a deep breath, turned his head, and opened his eyes.
Suuzu murmured, “This is unexpected.”
“Yeah.” Akira released his hand. “Sorry.”
“Do not apologize.” Suuzu reached up to touch Akira’s face. “There are risks when entrusting one’s rest to foxes.”
“Welcome to California.”
Suuzu hummed, and his gaze drifted around the room. But his attention soon returned to Akira. “You are still too far away.”
Akira slid into his usual spot. His … because he’d made a strong first impression?
Rolling onto his side and hiding his face against Akira’s chest, Suuzu said, “I do not like you so far from me.”
He sounded so sulky. Not at all the illustrious world leader.
“I missed you, too.” Akira fussed with Suuzu’s hair to soften the blow of his next admission. “But I’m glad I came. So many interesting things have happened.”
Suuzu hummed in a distracted way. Maybe he was still half asleep?
“There’s so much to tell, I hardly know where to start.”
Propping himself up on one elbow and looking very much awake, Suuzu said, “Begin here.”
He pulled and pushed, pinning Akira face-down on the bed as he tugged at the collar of his T-shirt. The tattoo. Akira went limp and let his friend explore.
“What has been done here?” Suuzu grumbled.
“You don’t like it?”
“This is permanent?” A note of distress colored his warble. “It must have hurt.”
“Some. Not anymore, though.” Akira craned his neck. “Michael designed it, and Argent applied it. They used what they learned from Uncle Jackie’s tattoos.”
Suuzu’s fingers traced lightly over the pattern.
“It works,” Akira reported. “Or so they tell me.”
“I know.” Tipping his head to one side, Suuzu whispered, “It is calling to me.”
THIRTY-NINE
Private Word
At the first opportunity, Juuyu addressed Argent. “May I have a private word?”
The fox arched a brow. “I doubt there is anything of significance you can tell me about the case while you are pollinated.”
“This is a private matter.”
