Hello my lovely readers! I meant to publish this a bit earlier today, but when I was rereading it for the final edit I found myself writing more. So for making you wait at least you get a bit more to read! I hope you enjoy it.
20
Once Nami finished her promise she tried to calm herself down. The world could be so unfair to the most worthy of people. A few tears slid down Nami's cheek. Hari didn't show his emotions or let them out. He might have worked this out a long time ago, but it was all still so fresh for Nami.
Hari kissed both her eyelids, "you're upset."
"Well I know you won't be crying. Somebody has to do it for you then," Nami gave a weak smile that contrasted against the tears sliding down.
"I don't want you to have to cry for me. I don't want to be making you upset," Hari's face darkened.
"You're not making me cry the curse is," Nami rubbed her eyes furiously. They were puffy when she looked up at him, "I love you."
"I love you too," his face lit up as he went in for a kiss. Once they parted he was stroking her hair, "do you want to stay in my room with me tonight. I don't want to send you off to bed like this."
Her face lit up bright red, "I well. I mean what exactly…"
He saved face for her, "we will just be falling asleep together is all. I don't think…"
"Me either," she jumped.
They weren't quite ready to move onto that in their relationship yet. Nami wasn't even sure how it could happen if someone was cursed. Well they would have to worry about that part when they were ready for it. It was a bit funny to see Hari choke on his words for once. She was relieved he could be nervous too.
Hatori took her by the hand and led her to her room. Nami's brow furrowed so he answered her unspoken question, "you need to get changed into night clothes right?"
"Oh yeah of course," Nami blushed. She didn't know what to pick. Nobody instructed her on what to wear while casually sleeping in your boyfriend's bed but still trying to look cute. She decided to wear her nicer green silk tank top and pants.
When she went to disrobe and bend to get off her pants she let out a small yelp. Hari who had been waiting outside of her door rushed into the room, "I don't mean to intrude, but I think you need help. Are you still in pain from your injuries?"
"I guess. How pathetic," Nami huffed. Weeks in the hospital and she still hadn't fully recovered.
An impish smile slipped on Hari's face as he helped change Nami. This time when Hari was seeing her partly nude he didn't have to act so professional. She suppressed a blush and slight moan as Hari let his fingers slide down her legs as he pulled off her jeans. His touch was so light but his fingers left an electrifying trail in their wake. He slowly slid on her silk bottoms and was so unnecessarily close she could feel his breath on her legs. Hari kept right at work and took her top off kissing her all the way up her center in the shirts wake.
He even kissed her neck up to her ear and breathed, "do you wear your bra to bed?"
"No," Nami whispered breathless.
Hari slowly slid his hands down her bare chest till half his hand cupped the fabric of her bra. He slowly slid behind Nami letting at least one hand rest on her breast until he had to use both hands to unhitch her bra. He slid his hands up her back kissing her spine as he took off her bra straps for her. He carefully spun her around and she couldn't help but blush with her breasts fully exposed.
Nami's face was crimson but Hari flashed one of those Sohma smiles, "you're beautiful."
"Well if I am gonna stand here like this we should even out the score a bit," she steadied her voice.
He made no attempt to put on her top just yet and she slid off Hari's jacket as she kissed the hollow of his neck. Once his overcoat was off she pulled back to unbutton his shirt. She kissed where each missing button was until she was below his naval. She breathed out as she slowly stood up letting her breath graze his body. She heard Hari let out a calm sigh with a smile on his face. She slipped off his shirt and he opened his eyes.
For a moment they stood and looked at one another. They were allowed to indulge now. They had restricted themselves for so long. Nami was pleased to see Hari with a six pack and broad muscular shoulders and arms. They couldn't restrain themselves anymore and let their tongues explore the familiar territory of each other's mouths. At first their hands were intertwined in each others hair, but Hari's hand slipped down and grabbed and rubbed Nami's bare breast. Nami moaned in approval in Hari's mouth and let her hands slip down and grab a handful of Hari's hard ass. Hari grunted as he pressed himself closer. It was frustrating to have to keep their distance so he wouldn't transform, but still an all around very good experience.
After some unimportant amount of time Nami pulled away and sucked in some precious air, "we shouldn't let it get any further tonight."
Hari let his hands drop, "you're right. I'm sorry for being so forward."
"It's okay," Nami handed him her silk top, "I think it's sexy when you are like that. I really enjoyed myself. Oh and you're not getting your shirt back on tonight. You look too good like that."
"You're too kind," he laughed as he slipped her silk top on and held her hand. "I don't want to go to fast though. I don't want you to think all I am about is the physical."
Hari ironically led her to his bedroom when he said the last statement. It was pretty barren of anything but the necessities. A few decorations were scattered about but it seemed more like a place to decompress after a day of stress. It was nice.
Nami sat on the plush double bed, "what happens if I accidently bump into you at night?"
Hari scuttled out of the room and came right back with pillows in hand, "I think this small barrier will suffice."
Nami and Hari put the small feathery wall in the middle. Nami was quite annoyed at the curse. She wanted to enjoy herself like normal couples could and not have to deal with all this stupid crap. She had to think of a way to break the curse and fast. Once the stronghold was put between them Nami watched as Hari slipped off his pants and was only left with his boxers. He slid into bed and both turned to the center to face one another. The pillows blocked most of their body, but their faces and feet could touch.
Hari threw his arm over the white barrier and pulled Nami into him. Their faces were only inches apart. Somehow the proximity enhanced Hari's stunning features. Their breath mingled and the world shrunk down to the two of them.
They let themselves slip into those perfect silences where so much more could be said than words could ever do justice. It had been too long since it happened. At the hospital Nami always wanted to catch up on how everyone was doing and making sure Hari was eating properly while he was away. Even when they wouldn't talk there was too many machines connected up beeping and buzzing to let any sort of serenity be achieved.
Nami was reluctant to let this moment pass. Hari's onyx eyes held such depth but she forced herself to move on, "we should really go to sleep."
He sighed in agreement and let his chin rest atop her head. Nami would have given so much just to be able to remove those stupid pillows between them. She nuzzled into the crook of his shoulder and breathed in his scent till it was not worth it to fight her eyelids anymore.
When morning came she kept her eyes closed and let the warm morning sun beat on her skin. She knew Hari probably had already awoken and had to get to work. She opened her eyes and found her eyes meeting his unfathomable ones.
"Good morning," his voice was deep and husky.
Nami kissed him, "I didn't think you would be here when I woke up."
"Why did you think that?" He sounded only mildly upset.
"Well," Nami flushed, "I thought you would have work or something more important to do."
"More important than being with you? That's ridiculous." Hari initiated a kiss.
"I could think of a lot of more important things right now, but I want to be charmed instead," Nami giggled against Hari's whiskers.
The couple got up from bed and went for the kitchen to grab some breakfast and get some coffee. They did have to face the reality that they still had to make a living. As they were sipping on some coffee the phone rang and Hari answered it, "Sohma residence…hello Ayame."
Nami smiled into her coffee cup. Even across the kitchen she could almost hear Aya's jubilant voice. His happiness was infectious and Nami felt like she got lighter just knowing Aya was calling. It was so good to have friends around.
"Yes she is home….I did take good care of her. We're just eating breakfast now and are about to start our work day," Hari kept his eyes on Nami while he spoke to Aya, "well I don't know about that you would have to ask her. I don't make plans for her."
Hari handed her the phone, "hello Aya."
"Nami! I am so glad to hear your darling voice. I know how happy you are to hear mine as well. It's like a chorus of angels greeting you this morning. Try not to tear up now," Aya babbled through the receiver.
Nami chuckled, "did you have a point to calling me Aya or did you just want to keep me from working?"
"I feel really terrible about not being able to see you yesterday when you got out of the hospital."
"You don't have to feel bad. I was actually proud you were doing work."
"Yes well I was so upset I didn't see you I didn't get a thing done yesterday!"
"You just aim to disappoint me now don't you?"
"Anyway, I remember you telling me about how Yuki wanted to have lunch with you and me sometime and I was wondering if you wanted to do that today since it is Sunday and he has off. I wanted to get to you before you got too into your work schedule."
Nami chewed on her lip torn between responsibility and fun, "Aya I do need to get started on work sometime. I have a ton of hospital bills to pay off and a future to plan for."
"Oh Nami if you are talking about you and Hari's wedding plans you don't have to worry about paying for a dress. You know I will make you look like the perfect bride for free!"
"That wasn't what I was talking about. Do you want me to come or not?"
"It's alright if you can't come," by the drama filling his voice she knew this was going to be bad. "I understand if you are too busy to accompany me to let me rekindle my relationship with my little brother. You know he wouldn't come without you there."
Nami made sure she let out a long sigh into the receiver, "what time do you wanna pick me up?"
"That's the spirit! I will be at Hari's to get you at 12:30! Try not to be throwing yourself on Hari at that time. I will need to pull you two away," Aya's jubilant voice returned after getting what he wanted.
When she hung up the phone she looked over toward Hari and sighed. It was his turn to laugh in his coffee cup, "he is really happy this is all happening and Yuki actually made some intent to go and see him. It lets him know that there still is some hope."
"I know. I am really glad for that. We've all made our mistakes in the past, but Aya is such a good person. I just want Yuki to see that in him," Nami let her finger drag around the rim of her cup.
"You never cease to amaze me," Hari took a few steps closer. "There is something about you that can just fix things. I am so lucky and am so sorry."
Nami chuckled to hide her embarrassment, "what are you sorry for?"
"For ever thinking it would be better if you didn't associate with the Sohma's," Hari glanced down to the side.
She shook her head, "you didn't know me. I'm not perfect. I just want the people around me to be happy is all."
He cupped her chin and kissed her, "I love you. I have to go to work. Akito has an appointment with me soon."
"Doctor's and writers don't know what weekends are. How unfortunate."
"Don't work yourself too hard today. I think it is a good thing you are leaving for lunch. Maybe you should take the rest of the day off after that."
Nami decided aversion was the best tactic, "have a nice day. I have to be a recluse now to get enough work done before lunch."
They parted ways and Nami fell into her writing jags. She had to fall into one quickly or else she would be consumed with fear of what Akito could be doing to Hari. If she let herself think about it the temptation to get up and go over there would be too much. Akito deserved some time alone with Hari, but what really kept her down was the fact she was too scared to see him. She had to hold onto her memories and couldn't take a beating in the state she was in.
"Nami!" Ayame's jubilant voice pulled herself out of her fantasy world. He let himself in her room, "there you are! Are you ready to go?"
"Sure. Where are we meeting Yuki?" She stretched.
"The cutest little noodle shop! It is only a few blocks from where I work. I know he will just love it. Oh I was thinking of inviting him with Tohru to my shop. They're just darling together. She is a lot more innocent than you are, but still between them reminds me of when we were young," he said without taking a breath.
Nami placed a hand on his shoulder, "you're nervous right?"
"Why would you ever…"
She cut him off, "I know you Aya. You don't have to be. You are just eating a lunch with your little brother. It's the chance you always wanted to reconnect and he initiated it. Just enjoy today."
"I just…how am I ever supposed to make up for all those years?" He deflated covering his face.
Nami took his hand that covered his face and held it in her own and looked in his eyes, "you can't change the past. All you can do now though is be there for him. In the grand scheme of your lives you have a lot more years to be there than not. You have a lot to understand about each other and I know you will be able to meet halfway and fully accept one another."
"I hope so," he sighed.
Nami smiled, "let's get going."
When they got to the outside of the restaurant Yuki was already there, "I started to think you wouldn't show."
He laughed and didn't think much of his own words, but Nami saw the hints of pain at Aya's smile. She wanted to give Aya some time, "it's good to see you again Yuki."
"You as well miss Nami especially now that you're out of a hospital bed." Yuki flashed a charming smile that seemed to come naturally to the Sohma's.
"Let's not stand out here all day now! We have so much to catch up on!" Aya pranced inside.
Once they were seated in their booth (Nami next to Aya since he said something ridiculous like a lady should never have to sit alone) and placed their orders it was time for the real conversation to begin.
Yuki started the conversation again much to Nami's surprise, "so Aya how has work been?"
"Oh just wonderful! I have the most helpful assistant and now that spring is just around the corner there is a rush of business. You know how spring is just perfect for romance," Ayame actually took a breath and seemed like he was going to stop talking. "Hey how is Tohru doing with all of you? It's so nice to have a delicate flower in your midst isn't it?"
"Why would you bring her up after romance?" Yuki eye's narrowed. Ayame just smiled and Yuki sighed, "she doing well. She seems to be really comfortable and even happy living with us."
"I am glad to hear that!" Aya seemed like he was going to say more before the waitress interrupted to bring out their food.
Yuki took the interruption to grab hold of the conversation before his brother could, "how is Akito doing? I haven't been to the main house recently."
"He is doing better now that he has help," Aya smiled gently and his voice lost the dramatic tone it almost always held.
"How are you doing? I know you found him," Yuki let his noodles grow cold.
Ayame couldn't answer for a moment he was so touched to know his brother was concerned for him, "I'm fine. I know he is under good care and he ha s a lot of support. I know the curse weighs on him, but when he's surrounded by the family he seems to do better knowing he's not alone."
"I really should visit him," Nami was shocked to see Yuki look nervous.
Ayame touched his brother's hand, "you don't have to go alone. Tell me when you're coming up and I will go with you."
Yuki's shock melted into a smile, "alright."
The brothers were silent for a moment and they started to realize their surroundings and that Nami was with them. Aya patted Nami's shoulder, "my, my this must be exceedingly boring for you! Look how we have excluded you from our conversation!"
Nami 's hair brushed her face as she shook her head, "no don't worry about it! I am glad to see you both getting along."
The three fell into an easy and polite conversation. Ayame found his grandiose tone again which Nami could tell was starting to grate on Yuki. She was worried when Yuki went to speak it would be to start an argument with his older brother.
"Nami tell me have you been enjoying staying on the Sohma estate," she was really relieved to hear Yuki be polite and not berate his brother.
She didn't want to draw too much attention to Yuki's actions so she continued the conversation, "oh yes I am. All the Sohma's are so kind. Tohru is very lucky to have found your family."
"I am glad you think so." Yuki paused and seemed to have measured his words. "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course anything."
"After everything you've been through and all you have had to suffer do you think the curse is too much to bear? Is it wrong to subject other people to our curse and make them suffer for our own happiness?"
"Well, I know the curse lays heavy on all the zodiac shoulders. I don't think I even understand the full extent of it or what it means. From my perspective I don't really see of feel much of the repercussions of the curse or talk to anyone about it. I think that is the hardest part living with you all really. You all are so selfless and so concerned about not burdening anyone else you let yourselves suffer. That is so hard to watch. Other than that though you all are normal boys I just have to make sure not to accidently bump into."
Yuki sat silent staring at Nami trying to decipher if her words could possibly be true. Nami decided adding a bit more to help him, "I knew the Sohma's for seven years before I found out about the curse at all. Ayame and Shigure for the longest time were just normal friends. Knowing another facet about them and the rest of the family doesn't change anything really. It just lets me understand them better and enables me to help out more.
"I know I only met Tohru a couple of times, but I guarantee you she really does cherish living with you. Despite what you have drilled into your heads you Sohma's are very kind and good at heart. People love being around good people. I think it isn't because of your curse you are noticed, but because you have learned to be such good people that you are so popular."
Yuki smiled and Ayame popped back to life, "look at her little brother. Can't you tell she is a writer with how eloquent she is. She's so cute it's no wonder Hatori just had to date her."
Nami flushed a bit when she brought up Hari in front of Yuki, "Aya…"
"Oh it's fine I am sure Yuki already knew. He does live with that big mouthed Shigure," Ayame waved his hand.
Nami scoffed, "you're one to talk."
The conversation took another lighthearted and normal turn. Everyone seemed to be comfortable and when Nami checked the time she was shocked to see it was already 2:30. They left the restaurant and as the brothers were saying their goodbyes beneath the awning since the skies looked threatening Nami realized Yuki had no mode of transportation.
"Yuki, you don't plan to walk home do you?" Nami gasped.
Yuki shrugged, "it's really not a big deal Ms. Nami. I walked to get here."
"Look at that sky though. It's about to downpour. Why don't you come back to Hari's place and have him drive you home?"
"I couldn't impose like that."
"I know it would be no problem. It would be worse if you were to get sick and he had to make a house call. Anyway it is a nice excuse for me to visit Shigure a bit when I take you back," Nami smiled and took his hand walking back.
"Alright then, I guess it's okay," he seemed a bit flustered.
Ayame let out a hearty laugh, "there's the Nami I know! Taking charge and insisting on her way."
She stuck out her tongue, "keep up that talk and you won't be allowed inside."
"I do look forward to seeing how you and Hari are as a couple. You seem to be very cute together," Yuki said mostly to himself.
Nami couldn't help but blush. She hoped the brother's good will toward one another would last and that Hari would be home from work soon. As soon as she opened the door she called, "I'm home. I brought two visitors!"
After looking up she immediately lost her voice. There were two dark brooding men coming to greet them, and one of whom was the last person she wanted to see. Nami's heart dropped remembering how nervous Yuki looked when he talked about Akito and seeing him and she dragged him here.
"Oh Akito," she found her voice, "I didn't know you would be joining us today."
"Yes I wanted to see how you were doing. You even brought Yuki back home with you how nice." Akito turned toward Yuki twirling his hair a bit, "I missed you dearly at the New Year's celebration you know."
Hari soothed with his professional voice, "why don't we all sit down for a cup of tea."
They scuttled to the living room as Nami and Hari set out tea to everyone until they settled themselves in as well. It was also a short amount of time Nami needed to adjust to the thought of him being in her home. He was invading her sanctuary. Ayame and Akito had been chatting and Nami overheard Yuki agreeing to see Akito after this. She really did feel guilty.
Once Nami sat down Akito turned his attention on her, "I am glad to see you are doing well. Hatori told me how your injuries were healing. After everything I see now that you are indeed loyal to the Sohma's."
"Thank you, and yes I will always keep your secret. Your family has done so much for me," Nami attempted to smile though she wasn't quite sure if she did.
"I also came here to bring you some news. After seeing your loyalty I don't think you need to stay at the main house any longer. You're granted your freedom once again," Akito smiled. His voice held a slightly threatening undertone with the next sentence, "I think you should move out by the end of the week."