Chapter 10

Nowaki woke up from his sleep to find Hiroki clinging onto his back. His arms held him tight. He grew accustomed to Hiroki holding onto him all throughout the night. He didn't realize he craved physical contact until he started staying with Hiroki. Back home, he went home and slept with a variety of pillows. Replacements of his old childhood bear he lost during his transition into childhood. This new development brought him comfort. He turned around with a big smile. Brushing Hiroki's bangs from his forehead, he pulled Hiroki close. In a way, he used him as a pseudo teddy bear. Although, he didn't delusion himself into believing it. Hiroki was a living breathing person.

When Hiroki stirred from his sleep, he closed his eyes. Most of the time, he heard Hiroki muttering in his native tongue. He assumed the comments were on his habit of holding him in his sleep. His name always comes up in between the sentences. Not too hard to figure out. He faked he woke up when Hiroki moved away from the bed and let the cold air in. Hiroki ignored him as he went to the extended room to grab his tools.

This time, Hiroki held him close and nuzzled his face into his chest.

Nowaki's eyes snapped open. He gulped and his heart beat faster. Looking down, all he saw was Hiroki's long messy hair. Hiroki started braiding it when he slept. This caused his straight hair to turn into waving curls. Not that it stopped the leaves getting stuck in his hair. Strands stuck out from the once immaculate braid. They tickled his nose and he wanted nothing more than to sneeze. He held back the urge.

Moving his head to another direction, he feigned on just waking up from his sleep. Hiroki stiffened in his arms. Nowaki played it off as he lifted himself up with one arm. He inspected Hiroki's face and he stifled a laugh. Hiroki's scrunched up face gave Nowaki enough information to know that he remained awake. He sat up and stretched his arms above his head.

Getting up in a crouching position, he shook Hiroki, no force behind his hand. "Hiroki-san...time to wake up." He bit the inside of his cheek in amusement the moment Hiroki turned away from him. "Hiroki-san, I didn't take you as someone who stayed asleep after sunrise. You always leave before I even start waking up." He moved Hiroki's shoulder again. "Hiroki-san?"

After moments of silence, Hiroki muttered. "Go away."

Nowaki tutted. "You told me last night of your schedule for today. You're supposed to meet your mother for breakfast. At least make it there before she comes searching for you." Hiroki peeked over his shoulder with a glaring set of eyes. "I never took you as a man who procrastinates from seeing his own mother."

"I see her every single day. It doesn't matter that I see her later on in the week."

"You promised didn't you?" Nowaki got up on his feet as sing songed. "Do you want me to get you another set of clothing? I'm going to change right now." He went into the room next door in a slow pace.

Hiroki didn't answer Nowaki as he sat up. Knowing full well Nowaki grabbed a skirt for him to wear. Rubbing his eyes with an enclosed fist, he smacked his lips. He rubbed his hot face and tried pushing the physical embarrassment from view. He hoped Nowaki caught no wind of his slip up. How he managed to snuggle close to his warm chest and dare to dream of staying in the same position. Night after night.

The village saw their living situation as a testing period for their relationship. More people handed him presents, almost as if marriage was on the horizon. He placed them behind his usual clutter before Nowaki noticed while he rearranged anything in their home. His wish for their relationship to gain deeper ground might not happen. Nowaki believed a different reality.

The guise of a gracious host who placated his fears. Hiding his blunder from the villagers. A mistake where Nowaki still didn't understand the ramifications of his actions. Everyone in the village placed their eyes on him. Trying to find something off about the man wanting to capture the leaders only son's affections.

His mother might explain in better detail on what living with him entailed. Not that he enforced the rules from his tribe onto someone who knew nothing about them. Through their conversations, he noticed Nowaki's homesickness. A deep longing to return back home. He thought he caught onto a secret hatred on living on the island. Not through his tone but through his wandering gaze toward the ocean.

In some ways, he wanted to order Nowaki to stay inside of the hut. Keep him away from thinking about escaping the island. An impossible feat but he might end up desperate enough to attempt it. He knew better. Gaining any sort of affection from Nowaki meant he compromised on every aspect of their lives. Waiting for opportune moments. Developing a friendship before anything else.

Maybe, even some sort of affection.

"Here you go! I managed to find a clean one though everything we have. We might have to do laundry later in the morning." Nowaki placed the garment on Hiroki's lap. Hiroki made no move to acknowledge him. "Hiroki-san?"

Hiroki snapped out of it. He stared up at Nowaki in surprise but his face remained neutral. Not that Nowaki's sudden appearance gained any annoyance toward him, this happened often. Nowaki loved sneaking up on him during his reveries.

"I...thank you." Hiroki stood up on his feet and patted Nowaki's shoulder. "You really didn't have to."

"It's no problem to me," Nowaki grinned as he ushered Hiroki out of their shared room. "I'll put everything away. Just go to your mother."

"Right." Hiroki changed out of his clothes and undid his braid.

He rubbed his face and ran his fingers through his hair. His fingers snagged on some tangles. He controlled his initial irritation through quickly untangling the sections. Quickly, he braided his hair again and went out in time to watch Nowaki put away their bedding.

Hiroki coughed into his hand. "I'm leaving now."

Nowaki stood up and turned to him with a big smile. "Have a safe trip."

Nowaki finished the last bit of their water while Hiroki went to visit his mother. Before he thought about leaving, he changed out of his clothing when he checked the weather. Afterwards, he grabbed two of the jugs and lifted them up in his arms. From the strenuous activity on the island, he built up more strength in his arms. Providing him an easier time to carry more heavier objects as he wandered through the island. The location of the cabin gave him a shorter distance than the other side of the village.

He slipped on his new sandals and walked out. Careful in stepping in the right areas before he stepped on the right path. The brittle jugs would break when they connected onto the ground. They carried large amounts of water but any hard surface broke them. He didn't want Hiroki getting irritated at him for breaking these jugs. According to Leader Fuyumi, the production of those jugs wasted a whole day to make.

Better to stay careful than to have Hiroki complain at him. He wouldn't understand his language but his anger seeped through his voice. Nowaki put learning Hiroki's language on his mental list.

He caught something in his peripheral and he froze in his tracks. Thinking it was another wild boar wanting to charge at him, he stayed in his spot. He waited until he noticed the figure moved around in a human-like fashion. Nowaki went off the path and walked through the tall grass. With each step, the person became clearer. His eyes widened, he recognized this man in front of him.

Nowaki placed down the jugs onto the grass. He maneuvered them well so they didn't fall onto the ground. The wind picked up, disguising his footsteps as he stepped on top of the grass. Crunching underneath his feet.

Nowaki walked closer to him when he asked. "Takei? What are you doing?"

Takei jumped and he dropped the tools in his hands. He snapped his head toward Nowaki and he grumbled. "Oh, it's just you." He crouched down to grab what he dropped. "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people?"

"Sorry. Hiroki-san tells me the same thing. I keep forgetting that I manage to sneak around. I don't know how that happens when I'm so heavy." Nowaki scratched the back of his neck with a sigh. "What are you doing? Another hut? These are not the right materials for such a project."

"A boat." Takei responded as he moved the logs into a steady pile.

"You're building a boat?" Nowaki inquired as he observed the area for anyone walking to their direction. "How are you going to do this and hide it from everyone? The villagers are always wandering in different areas. They will notice that a lot of the trees are cut down. This won't make it far into the sea when you finish it."

Takei hid the logs under some rubbish and clapped his hands to get rid of the dirt. "I have craftsmanship skills. After all, I have built a boat out of limited materials before back in Japan. They managed to stay afloat with enough weight. This should be an easy time for me. I might finish this even faster with some help." He turned back and stared in Nowaki's eyes. "Are you willing to help me?"

Nowaki gulped as he rubbed his palms with his fingers. "I don't know..."

"Ah, that's right. You are always near the leaders only son. You even live in his bigger home while the rest of us live in that hovel. Shivering from the cold and having to snag our own food." Rikei sneered. "The so-called fiancé who you proposed to at that party. Trying to rise up the ranks are we?"

Nowaki's face went red. "N-No! That was an accident. I am just living with him. He is covering for my mistake and told me nothing else will come from it."

Takei believe none of the words which came out of Nowaki's mouth. "Right." He stared at Nowaki in the eyes. "You might as well fuck him to keep your position. Someone else might take him from under your nose. It seems to easy to propose matrimony in these parts. I might well as give my jacket for one of these people to move from that shack of a home. Save me some trouble until I finish this boat."

"Don't speak of him in such a manner. He has been nothing but respectful to me and every single one of you." Nowaki's hands clenched into fists. "And don't invalidate the customs of these people. We might not think of the importance but we have our own odd traditions as well. They hold it in such a high standard. Stop making a mockery of it."

"Why such a reaction? He's nothing to you. Maybe a bed warmer but nothing too significant."

Nowaki's fists trembled, he stated sternly. "Never speak of him in such a way in my presence ever again. Make your fragile boat if you want. Don't count on my support on crafting it together. You are on your own."

Takei rolled his eyes. "There are plenty of people who will help me. For example, Akemi is desperate to leave. Going so far to trying to swim away from here. You might be comfortable here but you want to go back to Japan like the rest of us."

Nowaki hunched his shoulders as he gripped his hands. "I'm an orphan." Takei averted his eyes in sudden shame. "I have no one back in Japan. I can admit I wanted to leave this island to make it to university. The whole purpose of that trip was for my doctorate. At this point, that's impossible. My spot is filled and it's been months. Whatever illusion I had to leave is gone. I accepted reality. You need to accept it."

Fuyumi lifted her palm up to the sky and droplets fell in the middle. She wrinkled her nose. Worriment filled her features as she hurried down the path. She carried a basket full of fruit in her arms. When it poured harder, her distance from her home was short. She ran inside. Half of her body soaked with water. Trembling, she dropped the basket near the door. She rubbed her arms in an attempt to gather warmth. Inspecting the home for her husband's presence, she bit her bottom lip when she didn't find him in any of the rooms.

He walked inside, soaked through. His long hair stuck against his neck and his forehead. Fuyumi hurried to his side with a slight smile. She brushed back his hair while he wrung out parts of his clothing.

"Dearest, the shaman was right. Again. I hope he called a bluff on the thunderstorm." Fuyumi showed her displeasure as she curled an arm around Soshi's forearm. Ignoring the wetness of his skin. "I was looking forward to watching the stars tonight."

Soshi caressed her hand with a slight smile. "There's always tomorrow. He said it would clear up by morning. I'll even stay up with you."

Fuyumi turned to him in shock. "Are you growing ill? You sleep after sunset and rise along with the sun! The last time you caved in was due to Hiroki badgering you when he was a child."

"I gathered the temptation. We have to do some things other than juggling the responsibilities of this tribe." Soshi lead her into their bedroom. "You should change out of your clothes. I don't want you getting sick."

Fuyumi smiled, kissing his cheek, she removed her arm off him. "Then, you should do the same. You're not used to such chilly weather." She wandered into their bedroom and slipped off her dress from her shoulders. Soshi stood right beside her and did the same. "Is there anything else that's new?"

"I finished some issues in the other villages. Nothing else." Soshi dried off his body as he grabbed a thicker skirt. "From this sudden rain, we won't have any fish for dinner. Correct?"

"We just have fruits and vegetables for dinner." Fuyumi added another layer onto her body. "If you look through our rations, we might have some dried meats. I can't have you complaining to me about hunger in the middle of the night."

Soshi went toward the other room in a hurry. "I thought we didn't have anymore on stock."

Fuyumi stifled a laugh as she put out their furs. "They're not going to disappear on you."

Nowaki blinked when a drop of water landed on his nose. Stopping his next sentence. Tilting his head back, he noticed the rain clouds and the oncoming rain. The water trickled down his cheek and he wiped his face with his hand. He heard nothing of a storm. No indication formed in the sky when Hiroki went out of his usual fishing time. Then again, he didn't encounter the walking weather report called the shaman.

Next time, he asked Hiroki for a weather report in the middle of the day. He always seemed to bump into the man during the mornings. In another case, the shaman wandered through the village and informed every single person of his report.

It didn't happen this time.

A slight line of lightning appeared through the gloomy sky. His eyes widened. Hands shook from the realization.

"Shit." Nowaki muttered as he ran away from Takei. Leaving behind the jugs while he picked up speed, not even caring that he left them behind.

Takei coughed into his hand. Shivering at the wind hitting his wet body. He turned the other direction and bolted. Not even giving Nowaki another glance. He knew the large leaves protected the wood he wanted to use.

Crack.

"Ahhh!"

Hiroki lifted his head from his current project and bolted on his feet. Dropping his new weapon on the ground, he bolted toward the location of the noise. He stopped when he caught Nowaki holding a jug tight in his arms. He sat, curled in the corner of the room, whimpers came from him. It seemed humorous catching Nowaki covering one of their water jugs. Hiroki kept those comments to himself. The situation called for no words. He understood this aspect of himself where at times he stated the wrong words.

Treading in silence, he stopped in front of Nowaki. The howling winds and hard rain covered his footsteps. He crouched right in front of Nowaki. Watching him. Waiting for him to make a move or say anything. Jumping on his own conclusions might backfire on him. He didn't understand what reduced Nowaki into this quivering mess. Nowaki reacted normal in the last bout of rain.

The disperse of lightning lessened. Sounds not as strong, but it didn't stop Nowaki from flinching. It gave Nowaki a sense of hope. The brunt of the storm will pass and he then sleeping through the night was in order.

CRACK.

Nowaki knocked over the jug onto the floor. His initial wish deflated. He resorted to pulling his knees to his chest.

"Nowaki?" Hiroki reached out his hand but hesitated in touching him. "Um..."

At the sound of his name, Nowaki lifted his head. Surprise clear on his face. He averted his eyes in embarrassment. Throughout the years, he hid his fear of thunderstorms. The orphanage caretakers didn't soothe him. Through countless children running the halls, his needs were pushed to the back burner. He took it on himself to hide under his bed. A small area but he managed to fit himself just fine. It was harder to get out as he grew older.

Hiroki sat down on the floor. His arms extended in a silent request.

Nowaki hesitated. With nothing to lose, he jumped toward him. He held him tight. Just in time for another crack of thunder. His fingers almost dug into Hiroki's skin. Before hearing Hiroki suck in his breath, he muttered words under his breath and curled against Hiroki. Muttering his apologies while he buried his face into Hiroki's chest.

"It's alright. Everyone is afraid of something." Hiroki patted the top of Nowaki's head. "Why didn't you tell me of your fear of thunder storms? I wouldn't make fun of you." Hiroki shook his head as he heard the rising sound of the storm. "Do you want to go to bed? The storm will lessen soon."

"No.."

Hiroki arched a brow. "Do you want me to carry you to bed?"

Nowaki inquired, speculation lacing his tongue. "Can you? No offense but you're so...tiny."

Hiroki hooked an arm underneath Nowaki's legs and used another to support Nowaki's back. "You know for damn sure I can carry you without a problem." This broke Nowaki from his stupor as he scrambled onto his feet. "Ah, now you don't want me to?"

Nowaki chuckled nervously. "I'm just...surprised. I keep forgetting that you use your strength every single day. You know what, I'll just walk myself to bed."

CRACK.

Nowaki flinched, stuttering he motioned to the bedroom. "J-Join me...please."

Hiroki got up on his feet and went to his side without question. "I don't mind. I feel like sleeping early anyway. There's nothing to do during a storm." Nowaki visibly relaxed. "I'll add an extra flap to the front so the water doesn't come inside. Go right ahead." He waited until Nowaki walked inside of their room when he grabbed the extra fur. He tied it in the proper places, blocking out most of the remaining light.

"Hiroki-san?"

Hiroki tightened the last tie and bellowed out. "Yes, Nowaki?" He turned his head and saw Nowaki peeking from around the corner. "Is something wrong?"

"Does it have to be this dark?"

Hiroki shrugged his shoulders. "The thick fur will keep the rain out Nowaki. Unless, you want mud to track inside. It's a chore to remove all of it."

"I was just wondering." Nowaki bounced on his feet, licking his quivering lips.

"I'm done." Hiroki announced as he hurried into their bedroom. He noticed Nowaki already set out all the blankets they needed for them to sleep comfortable. "I would suggest grabbing another layer of clothing, it will get chilly in the morning."

Nowaki hopped into their made bed and shook his head. "I'll be fine."

"Whatever you say." Hiroki laid next to him and froze when Nowaki held onto him again. Content in their position, he said nothing.

Nowaki gulped. "Sweet dreams...Hiroki-san."

"Good night Nowaki." Hiroki settled onto a more comfortable pose as Nowaki cuddled against him.

After Nowaki fell asleep, Hiroki continued on staying awake. He still held enough energy and he felt no sleepiness.

He listened to the trees slamming onto their home. The rain hitting the ground. Nowaki's leveled breathing. He didn't mind having Nowaki's form wrapped around him. Nowaki gave him an extra layer of warmth. Their combined heat would serve them well in the early fog.

TBC