Page 61 of Lore and Lust
Nino approaches. Haruka watches him, motionless. There are two vampires flanking his sides: an older second-generation female and a younger, very tall first-gen male with smooth, brown skin the color of almond butter. The female’s white hair is elaborately pinned up and she is also wearing formal robes. The male is young, but appears slightly older than Haruka. He looks stylish in a bold, deep teal suit perfectly tailored to his frame. The ensemble is rich and fashionable against his dark, curly hair and onyx irises.
They both bow when Nino stands directly in front of Haruka. Nino politely returns the gesture, but his gaze is fixed on the dark purebred.
Haruka blinks. “You… are here early.” Nino can’t read his face to discern whether or not he’s pleased by this, but he’s instantly distracted by the physical state of him. His eyes are brown instead of the brilliant wine color he’s come to know and adore, and his skin is a pale shade of gray. Nino’s face shifts into concern.
The older, white-haired female turns to Haruka, her face confused as she speaks in Japanese. “My lord, who is this lovely young male?”
“Sumimasen, nihongo ga hanasemasu.” Nino smiles in a slight bow. “Watashi no namae wa Nino Bianchi desu. Hajimemashite.”
The female draws back in surprise, her expression a little brighter. “My apologies, your grace. I am Aoi Shimamoto.”
“No apology is necessary,” Nino assures her before redirecting his attention. “Haruka, may I please speak with you privately?”
“If you walk around that way…” The very tall first-gen male points directly to his right. “It’s woodsy but quiet. I had to make a phone call earlier. Welcome to Japan, Nino. I’m Junichi Takayama.”
Nino nods, grateful. “It’s nice to meet you, Junichi. Thank you.” He reaches his hand out and Haruka grasps it without hesitation. He follows as Nino walks toward the area Junichi pointed out. When they’re through the thick crowd and nearing a curve around the house, Nino glances at Haruka. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“I—I did not expect you to be here. I have felt your presence for the past thirty minutes, but I thought perhaps I was hallucinating.”
When they turn the corner and are out of view of everyone, Nino faces him directly. The sky is dark now. The moon high. The hum of crickets and katydids echoes through the thick forest surrounding them.
“Well,” Nino says, his heart pounding in his ears, “you’re not hallucinating. Are you upset that I’m here?”
Haruka steps into him, wrapping his arms around Nino’s neck. “No.You cannot imagine how incredibly pleased I am. It feels as if I am dreaming.”
Nino wraps his arms around his waist, relaxing in the embrace. Soaking him in. Haruka feels so good in his arms and being with him feels so right. They haven’t been close like this since Haruka’s last night in Milan several weeks earlier. His nature deep within him is purring and writhing from his nearness, making his groin stiff. Nino closes his eyes as they hold each other. He slides his hands up Haruka’s back underneath his coat. “I’m just happy you’re not mad at me for crashing your party.”
Haruka lifts his head, looking into Nino’s face with his brown eyes. He runs his fingers into the back of Nino’s hair. His deep voice is quiet. “I would not be upset with you. I love you.”
Nino sucks in a breath just as Haruka presses into his mouth to kiss him. His heart in his throat, Nino parts his lips, quickly giving in to him as he holds Haruka even tighter against his body.
He loves me.
They’ve been dancing around it. Waltzing. Nino almost said it once—has said it indirectly. But here it is. Simply. Haruka licks into him deeply, the passion of his slow movement intensified by the openness of his confession. Nino is moving his mouth and matching his rhythm, but he can barely catch his breath from the warmth flooding his chest. He feels likeheis dreaming—afraid of being roused and snapped back to his former, uncertain reality.
This is real. Validated by Haruka’s deep moan as he breathes against Nino’s mouth. The rosy taste of him puffs out and overwhelms his senses like a delicious, sweet liquor. Nino is nearing a euphoric state of mindlessness when he vaguely registers Haruka’s hand traveling down the length of his body and in between them.
His long fingers slide against the curve of his shaft through his tuxedo pants. Haruka gives him a firm squeeze and Nino abruptly lifts his head, breathless. Panicked.
“Haru, we—we’re inpublic.”
“Not technically,” Haruka says, indifferent and busily kissing his jawline. His fingers are still exploring and gripping. Digging further. Nino reaches between them and gently grabs his wrist.
“Stop.” He laughs, strained as he shifts his hips away. He isn’t surprised though, as Haruka has exhibited similar behavior previously. Date night—their final evening in Milan together. The dark purebred is progressively unfurling and opening like a luscious rose, and similar to the flower, he is not deterred by an audience.
But this is Nino’s first aristocracy event in Japan and he’s been prepping for a month. The last thing he needs is for someone to come around the corner and see them making out. “Haruka, why do youlooklike this?”
Haruka’s expression softens, blinking. “You… find me unattractive?”
“No.” Nino shakes his head in disbelief. “That’snot—I mean your eyes are flat and your skin is off color again. You told me you found a high-level source?”
“I did,” he says. “My health is admittedly not in its optimum state, but I am not in any pain. It is fine.”
Nino reaches up, swiftly unraveling his bow tie. He works the buttons at his collar. “It’s not fine. You can’t sufficiently protect yourself if someone challenges you. I’m uncomfortable with you walking around like this. Feed, please.”
He tilts his head, encouraging Haruka to take of him. But the beautiful vampire simply stares. He reaches up and holds Nino’s face with the palm of his hand, straightening his head. “I cannot understand why you show me such selfless kindness, when no one haseverdone this for me.”
Leaning in, Nino rests his forehead against him. “Because I love you too, Haru. And that’s what love is… Asao shows you kindness? He cares about you.”
