Page 27 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“Oh. Like that dragon?” Fumiko patted his chest. “That’s okay. There’s no hurry. We both have the years to be patient. That’s nice, for a change.”
Juuyu was no longer certain they were talking about the same thing.
Fumiko softly added, “Portia probably wouldn’t approve. Of the tending, I mean. So we should keep this our little secret.”
Before Juuyu could formulate an answer, Akira promised, “I won’t tell.”
Fumiko propped up on an elbow. “We woke you? I’m sorry, Remi.”
His expression was soft in the candlelight. “I’m not Remi. I’m your new friend Akira.”
“Whoops, I knew that. I’m sometimes forgetful.” She felt silly, but it was a small mistake.
Juuyu warbled, which was fascinating. Very birdlike. Fumiko wasn’t sure exactly what the notes meant, but Akira looked chastised. Were they being scolded?
“Humans need sleep,” Juuyu said sternly. “That includes tree-kin.”
“True.” Fumiko rested her head on his shoulder and murmured, “But this is interesting.”
Akira asked, “You need tending, Juuyu?”
“I do.”
“Why does that have to be a secret?”
“Fumiko is a beacon.”
“Oooh, I get it.” Akira’s expression was so easy to read, and he was concerned now. “You could spoil him for life if you don’t take it slow. Plus, he’s here to do an important job. So it’d be bad if your tending left him tipsy.”
She caught the gist, but he was talking fast in Japanese.
Juuyu interrupted him by threading his fingers into his hair and clicking his tongue. As he offered an English translation, Akira grew increasingly sheepish.
“Sorry, Fumiko. I am sometimes forgetful, too.”
“It’s fine,” she assured. But she wasn’t sure that was true. Not when Juuyu continued to toy with Akira’s hair, then pressed the boy’s head to his shoulder. Welcoming him close, even as he subtly kept Fumiko at a distance.
Was it shyness? Or … distaste?
Zuzu’s low laugh eased most of Fumiko’s fears. This wasn’t only interesting. It was fun. Like bedding down with the children in tapestry tents on the beach. Or stringing hammocks into the treetops. Those had been good times. She missed them. Wanted more like them.
Fingers lightly drummed her shoulder. “Do you understand?” asked Juuyu.
She must have missed something. “I’m sorry?”
“Are you content to stay?”
“I want to,” she quickly assured. “I like you.”
A faint smile. Another birdish warble.
How did he manage that sound? Fumiko tried shaping her mouth the way he had, but she wasn’t sure how to flutter her tongue.
“Fumiko?”
She blinked back to attention.
Juuyu patiently said, “Zuzu will shutter your soul for my sake, but we will still be connected. I will endeavor not to intrude.”
