Page 126 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“All the way.” Jacques herded him to their corner and went into valet mode again.
Akira confessed, “I’m glad.”
Jacques wryly replied, “You say that now.”
Juuyu had been given charge of Suuzu almost from the start, and he’d never once understood what he’d done to deserve such an earnest, sweet-natured chick. It had been hard to maintain a warrior’s edge in the presence of so much innocent adoration.
Father had always smiled to watch them together.
Letik had always laughed outright. And doted.
A chick changed things, and Suuzu had changed Juuyu. For the better. Maybe even for the best.
But his sweet chick was gone, replaced by a hissing, quaking bundle of fury.
“Peace,” Juuyu begged.
“You would use Akira for bait? Without regard for my claim? He is mine!”
What would Father and Letik say if they could see them? Their warrior begging for peace, and their peacemaker ready for war.
“He is safe.”
“I will ensure it! You cannot do this thing!”
With a frustrated warble, Juuyu signaled for Suuzu to follow, and he made for the guest room. He needed to calm his brother, or he’d never listen. And there was so much to tell.
“Akira must help us. There is no other way.” Juuyu sidestepped his brother’s lunge.
“There is always another way, if you look. Akira is only human.” Suuzu took another clumsy swipe, easily dodged. “You took him from me! He is all I …! Why would you even …? Why, brother?”
As the fight left him, Juuyu warbled softly and gathered up his gentle chick.
“My plans are rarely my own.” Juuyu didn’t intend to deflect, though. “I do think Argent’s scheme will work. Yes, it will send Akira even farther from your side, but the risks are minimal. And he will not be alone.”
Suuzu was more pliant now, so Juuyu made him to sit on the bed. While he preened his younger brother, Juuyu laid out the essentials of Argent’s plan.
Suuzu drooped further. “I do not like it.”
Juuyu hummed an acknowledgment.
“Could I go with him?”
“Without you, he is unremarkable. And that is his greatest safety.”
Suuzu asked, “Do I have the right to protest?”
“He is listed in our colony’s registry as your nestmate, but Argent can—and would—argue that his claim as denmate is stronger. Especially since Akira makes his home at Stately House.” More gently, Juuyu added, “Even if you were bondmates, you would have to abide by Akira’s decision.”
“And he will choose to leave,” Suuzu said bitterly.
“He is not the sort of man to withhold help from a friend in need.” Let alone two friends. And perhaps even a father.
“I know.”
“Will you stand in his way?” Juuyu pressed.
Suuzu offered a flat note of abject misery.
