It's been 5 months now since I've met Nao, but it doesn't feel that long at all. I'm often finding myself thinking about it.
"Sorry Nanami, can you say it again?"
Nanami crossed his arms with a slightly stern expression. "I said, Shinichirou is going on vacation with his relatives for a week this summer, and he wants to invite us, because he wants to introduce us to them." I once again dropped my spoon. "Are you serious!? You barely just started dating him!"
"We're really serious about our relationship, and I think after 6 months we've been dating long enough to meet his relatives. Anyways, we're going in a week from today. I'm sure Sunao will be happy to have you there." I thought about it, dazedly. A vacation, with Nao? We'd get to go swimming, watch the sunset, lay in hammocks... The idea was way too amazing to be true. He stood up quickly.
"Great! I can't wait for the vacation!" Nanami smiled. "Good."
And so, a week later, Nanami and I were loading our bags into the back of Shinichirou's car.
I put the last bag in then climbed into the back next to Nao. Nanami got in after me, sitting in the front next to Shinichirou.
Turning to Nao with an awkward smile, I greeted him. "Hey…" He's feeling awkward too, his shoulders are tense and he's looking at the floor. "Hey.." I don't like to see Nao looking uncomfortable, but it's understandable. I mean, I'm going to meet his relatives today. Almost like we're a couple… I quickly shook the thought away.
"Loosen up you two, we're going on vacation!" Shinichirou turned towards the back seats. "It'll be great!" I shrugged, and looked at Nao. (Who honestly looks like he wants to die, hiding his face in his hands.)
Shinichirou faked a hurt expression. "What, am I that embarrassing!?" With that Nanami and Shinichirou started laughing. I nudged Nao's knee with my own. "C'mooon." Nao's frown slowly eased into a smile as I continued nudging him. "Yeah…"
As the car left the driveway Nao yawned, causing me to look closer at him. He has dark circles again. I've been really worried about him. I mean, it's not healthy getting so little sleep. He gets sick and collapses all the time too... "You should try to get some rest."
Nao sighed. "I don't think I can." I nudged him again.
"At least try."
"...Ok." Nao leaned over and rested his head on my shoulder, surprising me. He'd never really initiated physical contact between us before. I watched him close his eyes and begin to fall asleep, and smiled. He's so cute sleeping.
Nao falling asleep had gone unnoticed by Shinichirou and Nanami, who were distracted by their own conversation. I rested my head on top of Nao's and closed my eyes for the drive.
Multiple hours later, the car stopped and I opened my groggy eyes and saw the huge old looking house. Nao was still sound asleep on my shoulder, so I gently shook him. "C'mon, wake up Nao. We're here." Nao's eyes slowly opened, and immediately narrowed into a glare.
"Why the fuck did you wake me up!? I was SLEEPING." I recoiled. "Sorry! We're here though!" Nao looked out the car window. "...Oh."
/A FEW HOURS LATER-/
If I learned anything today, it's that Nao has an… interesting family. Shinichirou's two brothers, Shoushi and Ayano, (who were both definitely questionable) and Ayano's adopted child, Kano all lived in the huge house we're staying in. Nagase, whose father is supposedly in prison, and his adopted brother, Ran, were guests like us. When I saw Ran, I had to look back and forth from Nao to Ran a few times to make sure they were actually separate people. How do you look that identical to someone?
"Nao."
"Ran." Nao had his arms crossed at was staring Ran straight in the eye.
"I see you still can't get any sleep."
"I see you still get too much." I wasn't even sure they were talking about sleep... or getting some at this point. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if it was the second, judging by how Ran was dressed. The choker, thigh highs, high heels, and, oh, maybe the hickeys he didn't bother to hide on his neck gave it away.
Nao grabbed my hand and started pulling me away. "I'll show you to the room." It was obvious he was just using it as an excuse to escape from socializing, but I didn't have any complaints.
We stayed in the room we shared for the next few hours, laying on the floor with our heads close together.
"Next time you dye your hair you should do blue." Nao looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Why don't you just dye yours pink?"...Good point. A grin grew on my face. "Well I don't know…" Suddenly sitting up, I picked Nao up and had him over my shoulder in a second.
"What the hell!? Put me doooown!" Laughing, I set him on the bed, but immedietly started tickling his sides.
"S-Sora!-" He had to pause in between his words for the fits of laughter and giggles. "I swear,-" More giggling and laughing. "I'll get you!"
"Yeah right. You're way too small to defeat me." That's what I thought, but Nao tackled me onto the bed and started tickling my sides. I fell into fits of laughter and grabbed Nao's waist.
"No more!" Nao laughed and smirked evilly.
"Now who did you say couldn't defeat you?"
"Fine, I take it back." I realized I was still holding onto him and blushed, removing my hands from his waist.
Later that night I was woken up by the sound of… is that crying? Is he ok? I sat up and got out of bed and looked up at him. (The room we were using has bunk beds, Nao wanted the top one.)
I saw Nao curled up with half of his face buried in a pillow, and hands wiping his eyes trying to stop the flow of tears. The sight made my heart ache and at that moment I knew I had to comfort him. Climbing up into his bed, Nao became aware of my presence.
"S-Sora? What are you doing?" His voice was shaking badly and he was frantically wiping his eyes. I laid next to him and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer to me. "It's ok to cry. Don't keep it in, trust me it doesn't always help."
The tenseness in his limbs slowly faded, and he hugged me tightly, beginning to sob. Rubbing his back, I held him for hours. He sobbed and mumbled a name… well a nickname, that sounded familiar to me. Kuu-chan… Wasn't the kid in that dream I had saying that?
Eventually his tears dried, and he fell asleep snuggled up in my arms.