Page 12 of The Arrival
“Yes, okay…” Haruka stands, smoothing the fabric of his toga. “But I require another glass of wine first.”
“Easily done,” Nino says, standing and taking his hand.
The night had started off somewhat ominously, but as Nino looks around and registers the twinkling lights, the brisk, earthy air and the feel of Haruka’s hand firmly gripping his own, he realizes that he, too, is having some much-needed fun.
FOUR
PROFOUND
The important business of getting underneath Nino’s skirt had been a fulfilling venture indeed. However, what had not been enjoyable was the process of removing the sapphire makeup from Haruka’s face and upper body. They’d spent at least twenty minutes together in the shower—vigorously wiping his skin and shampooing the gel out of his hair. By the end of it, Haruka felt raw, as if he’d been a filthy street cat that someone had adopted, taken in and thoroughly scrubbed. To make matters worse, when he looked in the mirror, his skin still blushed in a light pastel blue.
Like an Easter egg.
“We’ll give it another try in the morning.” Nino yawns, rolling onto his side as Haruka climbs into bed. “I don’t know what the hell he used, but it’s almost gone now.”
Haruka folds his legs as he sits upright. He runs his fingers through the top of his damp hair. He doesn’t want to think about it anymore. “Are you too tired to discuss your concerns?” As he looks down at his mate, Haruka’s heart skips a beat. Nino’s eyes are closed, but his beautiful tanned skin is still flush from the hot shower.
He looks like a sleeping angel lying beside him—a handsome and generous gift from the heavens. In Haruka’s estimation, he is, and if his love for Nino grows any more, he worries that his heart might burst.
Nino yawns again, his golden-hazel eyes opening like slits. “Mm. Morning is better.” He reaches out, taking hold of Haruka’s wrist and urging him down. Haruka complies, adjusting until he lies on his side and Nino makes himself comfortable against his spine. He wraps his arms around Haruka’s waist, tightly molding the curves and contours of their bodies together. When they’re settled, Nino’s chest gently rises and falls at his back, like a steady pulse at the heart of their embrace.
Closing his eyes, Haruka inhales his mate’s cinnamon-mahogany scent, letting it fill his lungs and soothe his nature. Combined with the heat, assurance and firmness of Nino’s body behind him, sleep overtakes Haruka swiftly. Deep and peaceful. Restful. The absolute best kind he has ever known.
* * *
In the morning,Haruka opens his eyes to the familiar sensation of his mate running his fingertip from the center of his forehead down the bridge of his nose. Sometimes, he awakens to a soft kiss there.
“Buongiorno, amore mio.” Nino is propped upright with his elbow against the pillow as he looks down at Haruka. His leg rests on top of Haruka’s thigh, their bodies lazily entwined. “You can’t sleep late today. We have an appointment with the contractor for the new clinic in Takahashi, remember?”
Groaning, Haruka turns on his side and into his mate, further entangling their legs so that Nino’s thigh is at his groin, and his head now rests within the concave of his armpit against the pillow. It is awkward, but strangely perfect. Haruka closes his eyes.
Nino chuckles. “Don’t ignore me.”
“I’m not ignoring you.” Haruka’s voice is muffled. “I’m ignoring my obligations. There is a difference.”
“Hm…” Nino breathes out, the sweetness of it caressing Haruka’s cheek as he lies still. Soon, Nino crawls his fingers underneath Haruka’s sleep shirt, then drags them up and down, delicately tracing his naked spine. “Can we talk?”
Haruka shifts his head so that he can see Nino’s face. “Of course.” His mate stares over his body, seemingly into the distance and contemplating something.
“This weird situation with Giovanni… it bothers me. But what’s becoming more apparent to me is that I… I don’t know how to be a parent, Haru. I don’t know how—or if I’m capable of being a good father.”
Haruka blinks, his mind and body tense. A moment ago, this was a languid, typical morning in bed. Suddenly, his chest is tight, as if the smoke detector has sounded. He isn’t sure if the house is truly on fire, but he is alert and concerned as he stares up at Nino. “My love, no one knows how to be a parent. It is largely a matter of addressing situations as they come, and as best we can, given our resources and intentions.”
“You’re right, I know that, but…” Nino sighs, falling onto his back beside Haruka and staring at the ceiling. “Based on everything you and Asao have told me, your father was amazing. And Asao himself is so consistent—stable and faithful, like a rock. Until recently, my father avoided me for almost my entire life because of his guilt about what my uncle did to me, and G…” He inhales deep, bringing one hand up to the top of his coppery head and massaging his scalp.
“My relationship with my brother is… I don’t know. Giovanni took care of me and made sure I had what I needed, but he was forced into looking out for me, you know? As we got older, there were moments where I could see his resentment. It was palpable at times. But I didn’t have anyone else except him and Cellina. I know he loves me, but he’s the only example of a father figure that I have, and it isn’t exactly healthy.”
Both of Nino’s hands are in his hair as he lies against the pillow. To Haruka, this gesture is akin to an SOS. He rolls, adjusting himself so that he leans into his mate’s side. His elbow is on the pillow beside Nino’s head and his palm rests atop his chest.
Nino goes on, rubbing his hands against his eyes and covering his face. “I know that you lost your dad when you were twelve, but… at least you have ahealthyexample of what a father should be—or how you should interact with a child. I don’t. What if we have this kid and I fuck up, Haru? What if our family is dysfunctional because of me and my weird issues?”
Haruka waits silently while Nino takes another deep breath. When he drops his palms from his face, Haruka reaches up with his free hand to cup his cheek. “You willfuck up.”
Nino’s eyes widen as he draws back into the pillow. “D-did you just… What?”
“You will,” Haruka reiterates. “And I will, too, inevitably, because neither of us is perfect. I will not lie and tell you otherwise. We will make mistakes, but you should not be afraid of this, because…”
Haruka pauses, considering what he feels about his mate. The irrefutable truth of it and how to properly express it. To comfort him. “Because I know the soul of you—the love, patience and compassion you embody. These things that you have given tome, over and over again. I am confident that you will show our child these same traits. It is who you are at your foundation, Nino, and that is what matters.”
