Page 145 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Suuzu toyed with his fingers before softly adding, “And your father is a tree.”
“Probably. Yeah.”
“That is another reason to hope.”
Akira shook his head. “Because …?”
“A doting uncle adorns you with pretty clothes and pink gloss.” Suuzu’s gaze dropped briefly to Akira’s mouth. “A doting tree-father might bequeath you finer, more lasting gifts.”
“Tabi-oji might have a seed?”
“Trees bear fruit.” Suuzu’s gaze skittered sideways. “Tell him you are hungry.”
FIFTY
Making Connections
Four shops and two food trucks later, Uncle Jackie once again intruded upon Akira and Suuzu, who’d retreated to a quiet bench in a previously quiet corner.
“Sinder found a glassblower’s shop!” Down on one knee, Jacques held up an entire handful of glass rings, all different sizes, all in soft-bright hues. “I want to make a proposal. To both of you.”
Akira warily asked, “Why do you have so many? You didn’t buy them all, did you?”
“Or steal them?” Suuzu countered.
“Don’t be gauche. I merely borrowed these. To show you.” Jacques shrugged. “Sinder convinced the artisan-in-residence that I’m a trustworthy bloke. So? Help each other choose!”
“What is your intention?” Suuzu asked softly.
Uncle Jackie took a more serious tone. “My intentions are entirely honorable, mes amours. Pact with me.”
“Us?” Akira tried to gauge Suuzu’s reaction. Would he want to share a pact with another human?
Suuzu frowned, but his posture remained receptive. “What terms?”
“Suitable ones. Peaceable ones.” Searching their faces, Jacques added, “Ones that will protect the trust we’re building.”
Uncle Jackie’s trust-building exercises felt like nonsense. You couldn’t build a bond on lip gloss and churros, let alone rings made of glass. Then again, Suuzu was avian, so maybe body paint, hand-feeding, and the exchange of gifts meant that Jacques was currying favor.
Akira asked, “Is there such a thing as a three-way pact?”
“Naturellement.” Jacques lifted his hands insistently. “Clan colors for our phoenix, do you think?”
Suuzu produced a handkerchief from an inside pocket and spread it across his knees. With a soft tinkling, Jacques spilled the rings onto it and joined them on the bench. He made suggestions as they poked through, looking for a good fit.
“This!” Jacques exclaimed, holding out one that was the rosy orange of red grapefruit. “Try this on him.”
Akira was sure his uncle was pushing boundaries again, but when Suuzu quietly offered his hand, there was nothing else to do but check the fit. It was too small for his ring finger, but it fit his little finger just fine.
“Pretty in pink for Akira?” Uncle Jackie suggested, holding up a bit of glass.
Suuzu hummed in a dismissive way.
Akira was honestly relieved.
For a moment, his best friend considered a ring that was a match to his own, but he let it slip back into the pile. With the tip of his claw, he teased a honey-gold ring from the muddle and beckoned for Akira’s hand. It proved a good fit for his middle finger.
Suuzu wasn’t done.
