Part 3
The next morning, Yuki was groggy. He laid there, curled up in my bed, hugging the blankets tight to his chest with his mouth cracked open. I nudged him to let him know I was awake, but he only mumbled and nuzzled into the blankets.
So cute.
I took the chance to run some errands. I knew he wasn't getting up anytime soon, due to the time difference still affecting him, so I took the chance to drive to Trigg's, the nearby grocery store.
"Natsuki!" A familiar voice echoed behind me, and I turned, seeing my friend Jake at the cash register. He flashed me a grin full of braces, about ready to be taken off. Anyday now, he'd always tell me, but there was always a tooth out of place.
"Yo, Jake," I greeted him, speaking English again for the first time in a little while. According to the people here, my accent wasn't as bad as when I first arrived, though it was still there, naturally.
"What'chya looking for today?" He blinked his chocolate eyes, which peered past his bleached blonde hair. Jake was only 15, just as tall as me with a scrawny waist but strong hands. His bleached hair was swooped to the left, layered in various shades of violet and blue. I noticed the very roots of his hair growing in a dark brown, his natural color.
"Just the usual," I murmured, glancing around the large store. "And... some doughnuts." Jake laughed, knowing that was my weakness. I shot him a glare and told him to shut up as I grabbed a plastic basket and stomped down the isle.
Once over my embarrassing fit, I collected some fresh milk and ice cream, some Japanese dishes for Yuki, Kool-Aid (that stuff's fucking delicious), and, of course, the doughnuts. During checkout, Jake gave me a suspicious look.
"You look awfully happy," he stated. "It's 8 in the morning, no one's this happy at this time." I blushed, realizing my excitement for Yuki must me written all over my face. He cocked an eyebrow and leaned across the register, placing his face in his hands.
"Ah, someone's in love, I see?" He cooed, and I only staggered backwards into the gum and candy bars.
"L-Love?" I huffed, trying to cover up my feelings, but I could tell by his goofy smirk that it was plain and clear. I coughed into my hand and grabbed my plastic bags, stepping towards the automatic door.
"Can't I meet her?" Jake frowned as I started to leave. I paused in the doors, which slid open for me. I laughed a little and glanced over my shoulder.
"We'll see if she wants to come later," I teased, purposefully using female pronouns to avoid any unnecessary explanations. Jake fistpumped, and as I left the store, I heard him scream, "She better be hot!"
Yeah, she's really hot. I smiled a little.
Sure enough, when I got back home, Yuki was turned over in the bed, mouth hanging open and chest rising and falling. I stood in the doorway for only a few moments, wondering what he could be dreaming about before leaving him be to continue with chores. After organizing the food, Natsuki got on some rubber gloves and grabbed a rag along with disinfectant. He started to clean the windows vigorously, along with the tabletops and counters. Approximately an hour later, he stood back in the living room, admiring his work- the tables shining, the windows crystal clear.
Once the clock hit 11:00, I stepped into Yuki's room, opening the door and turning on the lights. Yuki groaned and stretched, his eyes slowly opening. I placed my hand on my hip, smiling with amusement as Yuki's eyes focused.
"Time to get up, sleepyhead," I teased, and Yuki shot up, his eyes now open and awake, his cheeks flushing. I stood there, arms crossed now, smirking as I watched my dear Yuki remember what was spoken the night before.
"A-Ah, alright," Yuki squeaked, stumbling out of bed and looking up at me with those sleepy eyes, his red hair ruffled and poofier than usual, sticking out in places in funny angles. So perfect.
Before he could slip past me, I gripped his shoulder, leaning into his ear and planting a kiss on it, smiling in success as a small yelp broke past Yuki's lips. I let go, watching Yuki stand there before running into the bathroom, and I just barely got a glance at those flushed cheeks.
Once he showered and picked a cereal to eat for breakfast, I sat down next to him, pulling out a map of Wisconsin to look at which lake they should go to today. He glanced over them, but none of them were particularly interesting.
And then, it snapped. I sat there, staring at the counter before asking, "Yuki. Would you wanna go tubing?"
Yuki nearly choked on his orange juice, looking to me with shock in his eyes. "T-tubing?" He asked once he swallowed. "Like... on a tube on open water?" I smiled mischievously and nodded, imagining Yuki clinging to the tube in fear before letting go and laughing. It would be adorable...
"C'mon, it's fun," I insisted, sliding off of the stool and heading into the garage, allowing Yuki to finish his breakfast and shower before we headed out. I sat on the boat, storing away lurers and poles that weren't needed for this trip. He then proceeded to inflate the tube and pack it in the trunk. Once the boat was hooked to the truck, he ran inside, changing into swim-trunks and a loose shirt. Yuki came out in his own swim trunks as well, sunscreen shining on his skin, his cheeks still rosy. He was probably confused about their relationship at the moment, but I knew we'd talk about it later. For now, we had to make use out of the daytime and have fun.
As we drove down the curving road, my hand slipped over to hold Yuki's slender one, and a smile spread on my lips as I felt his muscles tense and his skin heat. I peeked over to look at him, and I noticed his head strictly turned away, though you could still see the slight curve of his cheek, flushed pink and lips pressed tight together. We didn't speak until we were out on the water, and I was telling him how this is done.
"I-I'm scared," Yuki whimpered as he got on the tube, his fingers curling around the handles, his toes brushing the water's surface. I smiled reassuringly at him, kneeling down to press a soft kiss to his forehead. Yuki's eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn't quite read as his cheeks darkened again, and I smiled even more. He was so beautiful, pressing his torso against the tube nervously, in fear that I'd see... what, his chest? It only made me laugh that he was so self-concious about having no shirt on, even though his skin was just the perfect shade, and not to mention how smooth it looked...
"You'll be fine," I patted his head, clearing my mind of... those thoughts, for now. "It'll be fun, just you wait and see!"
Yuki's eyes still held doubt, but once I pressed on the pedal and the boat roared into life, Yuki let out a squeal of fear. I wanted someone else to drive the boat so I could be there with him, but I knew it would only be a matter of time before he was comfortable. I started to pick up speed, driving in long, wide ovals around the lake, and when I turned around, Yuki was laughing, looking around and his bright white teeth gleaming. My heart warmed at the innocent sight, and when I slowed down to see how he was doing, he looked up at me with those bright, silver eyes.
"Natsuki! This is... you're right! This is so much fun!" He giggled, and I laughed in delight along with him.
"Want me to do it again?" I asked, and Yuki nodded, still gripping the tube as I hopped into the driver's seat, speeding around the lake a bit faster this time.
Sure enough, as I was turning, Yuki squeaked and flew off the tube, landing in the water with a splash. I halted, turning off the boat as I got close to him, and without thinking, I took off my own shirt and leapt into the water. Yuki gasped and clung to the tube. Water enveloped me for only a moment before I broke to the surface, cool drops sliding down my neck. I pushed some of my hair away as I got a look at Yuki, who was frantically kicking underwater. "N-natsuki, I can't swim...!"
I smiled and paddled over to him, prying him from the tube. He gasped and flailed his arms before flinging them around my shoulders, latching onto me like a baby koala or something that holds onto their mother. Yuki looked up at me, his beautiful red hair soaked and in his eyes, our water-speckled noses brushing slightly. Yuki's cheeks were red past that misty layer of freshwater, and his breaths were shallow. I knew how to swim, and my legs were keeping us afloat as I leaned forward, kissing his damp lips gently. His nails dug into my shoulders in surprise, but that only sent heat through me, making me shudder and press our lips tighter together. Yuki's hands were shaking now, and he moved his head slightly, his legs still flailing a little in the water. Though, once I pulled away from him, I pushed him onto the boat, allowing his legs to sit in the water as I swam around. He watched me with a sort of nervous gaze, his cheeks red and his shoulders rounded.
"Natsuki?" He asked sheepishly after a few seconds. I swam up to him, placing my chin on his knees.
"Yes, my princess?" I cooed, and in return getting a dusty-pink blush from Yuki. He pushed my head a little, in a joking manner.
"Are we... together now...?" he whispered, his eyes focusing on anything but me. I smiled a little bit more, heaving myself up from the water and next to him. I placed my hand on his, watching as he blushed and looked everywhere but me, and then finally locking our eyes, pleading for an answer.
"I would love if we were," I whispered, gazing at him with admiration. He's so perfect, so cute, so beautiful...
"I would, t-too," Yuki admitted slowly, still frozen and staring at me. I squeezed his hand before removing it, wrapping my arm around his waist and pulling him close to me.
"Well, then from this day onwards, I am yours..." I whispered as I kissed his ear, "And you are mine."
I ended up teaching Yuki basic swimming, and we went tubing again before the sun began to set already. Yuki was disappointed to leave, but he loved the cabin, and I promised him we could watch a movie of his choice, but that tomorrow I was choosing a movie, too. Yuki agreed with a smile, and we went home, eating some simple ramen for dinner and sitting on the couch, pushing in the movie- Captain America. I laughed a little.
"Yuki, I had no idea you were into super hero movies," I joked, nudging him in the side. He swallowed some of his ramen, glancing away in embarrassment.
"Sh-shut up, they're cool..." he protested with the cutest little pout I could ever imagine, so I sat there and watched it with him. The movie wasn't half bad, despite the cliffhanger ending, and Yuki was practically throwing a fit and demanding a sequel.
After I tackled Yuki to the cough and stole a kiss, I was thinking- was tonight the night? I blushed as I pulled away from his lips, gazing into his eyes, wondering... could I touch in places you haven't been touched yet? Could I kiss down there and lick over here and show him how much I love him tonight?
But when his mouth stretched in a yawn, my heart warmed with adoration.
It can wait. We have a few more nights. Yuki was just so innocent, and I didn't want to take that away so soon.
I'll wait until he's more awake, I thought to myself as I carried him to the bed, puling him close as we fell asleep together. For now, his presence is more than enough...