Page 47 of The Vanishing
Haruka is lying still beside him on his back. The moonlight from the patio doors silhouettes his shadowed frame like silver.
Nino frowns. “Haru.” He waits. His mate doesn’t move, doesn’t speak. Eyes closed. Annoyed, Nino reaches out and pinches high on his side and just underneath his rib cage. Haruka jumps in shock, wincing and scooting away.
“Are youpretendingto sleep right now?” Nino sits up, disbelieving. “Do you forget that we’re biologically connected? You can’t fake anything with me.”
He groans, rubbing and nursing his side where Nino pinched him. Nino scoffs, smiling. “I can’t believe you.”
Haruka peeks over his shoulder. “Just… if I go to the library, perhaps I won’t disturb you there?”
“That doesn’t matter. It’s late. You can’t keep doing this, Haru. It’s not just about me—or even us. We’re upsetting the pulse and energy of our entire realm. Every vampire is impacted by it.”
Haruka shifts to his opposite side so that he faces Nino. He looks up from the pillow. “I… I know this, butyouare my priority. My only wish is that you are safe and healthy—no matter the cost.”
“So, it’s okay for you to ruin and starve yourself in the name of myhealth and safety, and I’m supposed to be fine with that? Do you think this doesn’t go both ways?”
“I am not ‘starving’ myself,” Haruka gripes, then sighs as he tumbles flat on his back once more. He closes his eyes. Nino stares down at him with his mouth pursed. After a moment, Haruka opens one eye, grinning. “Such pressure.”
Nino leans over toward his nightstand drawer, opens it, then grabs the bottle of liquid from inside. When he pops the cap open with his thumb, Haruka blinks both eyes open from the distinct sound. The usual look of concern rests in his brow. “Nino, it has not quite been two months. The doc—”
“If you say the phrase ‘the doctor said’ to me one more time, Haruka, I swear to God.”
Haruka stares up at him, biting his tongue. Nino goes on. “I feel great, okay? It’ll be two months in three more days. Would you stop telling me ‘no’? May Ipleasetouch you?”
“Of—of course. I simply wanted to make sure you were restored to your optimum health. It was not my intention to be difficult.”
Leaning, Nino slides his palm underneath Haruka’s thigh. “Knees up. It’s not that you’re being difficult.” Haruka does as he’s told, and Nino sits upright and settles himself between his gaped thighs. “You’re the most thorough, amazing and handsome caretaker I could ever ask for… but a tad strict.”
Haruka lifts his head from the pillow, brows drawn together in protest. “If the doc… If the medical professional suggests that we do something, it is wise to follow his recommendations. Especially ifah—”
Nino moves swiftly, dropping the bottle and crawling his fingers underneath Haruka’s robe like spiders to tickle the bend of his waist. Haruka squirms in protest, reaching to grab Nino’s hands while biting back laughter.
“Nino, sto—”
“I see what you did there, smartass.” Nino wrestles and teases, but Haruka clamps down tight on his wrists, chuckling as he catches his breath.
Nino pauses, looking down at Haruka lying against the bed. The bags underneath his eyes are noticeable even in the moonlit room. His fatigued appearance: his bony face and sharp collarbone… the deep-rooted anxiety Nino feels pulsing within him. Haruka tries to stifle it, but it seeps out, manifesting in his inability to properly sleep, eat and relax.
“I think this is the first time you’ve laughed in two months.”
“That isn’t true…” Haruka inhales, relaxing his shoulders.
“You need to sleep.”
“I cannot.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
Haruka doesn’t answer but releases his wrists. Nino caresses his palms against his mate’s hips, soft and gliding across his cool skin. “I think… I want to indulge in you a little, since it’s been a while. Can I try something different? Are you with me?”
Haruka smiles. “Always.”
“Will you talk to me while we do this?”
Now, Haruka tenses, raising a dark brow in suspicion. “It depends…”
“Let’s keep it simple. I’ll ask questions, and you can tell me yes or no?”
He lifts his chin, his relief obvious. “Yes.”
