Page 24 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“Then our trip is not wasted.”
Juuyu hummed. “Were there no other volunteers for this room?”
“You were voted least likely to fluster if a voluptuous tree turned up in your bed.” More seriously, Colt added, “I think the lady took a liking to Akira. And to you.”
They were rising slowly, probably to give Akira time to reach their destination first. Juuyu tipped his head back, listening to the faint rustle of leaves.
“Here we are,” said Colt. “There’s a small balcony.”
“I’m here.” Akira was tense, breathless. His hand found Juuyu’s before Colt released him.
“Get the boy to relax,” ordered Colt. “He needs it more than he realizes.”
And then it was just the two of them.
“Suuzu helped me tidy up.” Akira rattled on about the phone call longer than necessary.
Finally, Juuyu interrupted. “May I remove my blindfold?”
“Mmm … maybe not. I didn’t do that good of a job.”
“Then I shall need a valet.”
Juuyu listened closely as Akira unpacked the loose pants and short robe he used for night clothes and passed them along. For a while there was only the rustle of cloth. Akira seemed to be changing, too, though he paused to take each article of clothing from Juuyu.
“There should be a hanger.”
“I remember how you do it,” Akira promised. “Suuzu likes it the same way.”
Juuyu supposed there was little choice but to trust his valet.
“There isn’t room for you to take truest form.”
“Then you shall have to do without feathers.” Juuyu submitted to the sort of tucking in one might give a nestling, mostly amused. And more grateful than he liked to admit. As Colt had said, it was too soon for him to be needing sleep. “I will watch over your rest.”
“Thanks.” Akira wriggled close. “Guess I’m a tiny bit homesick, after all.”
“A nestmate is here.”
Soft as a sigh, Akira admitted, “I miss him.”
“Be sure to tell him.”
They’d skipped over the rituals Juuyu knew his younger brother observed—bathing and preening. Patting Akira’s head, he repeated, “A nestmate is here.”
“Tell me a story?”
He sounded half asleep already. Understandable, given their day and the hour. So instead of embarking upon a traditional tale, Juuyu chose something trivial. “There is an ice cream shop on the main road that appears to be popular.”
Slowly, deliberately, Juuyu recited the flavors, but before he could divulge all twenty-six, Akira was asleep. Lapsing into silence, he let his thoughts drift as he stroked the young man’s hair.
But then the mattress dipped. Leaves rustled closer, and the fragrance of flowers intensified. Lips brushed his cheek.
“Good evening, Zuzu.”
“Why are you blindfolded?”
“Akira thinks it will help me relax.” Juuyu suspected it was true, making him little better than a hooded hawk.
