Page 93 of Psync
Haruka’s pulled him in closer. Eli’s back was flush against his chest, and he wrapped his jacket around him. “Don’t switch schools. I know I can be . . . overprotective, but when I can’t see you, I’m on edge. I can’t get over the feeling that someone is going to hurt you or take you away.”
Eli shook his head. “I don’t want to leave. I like it here. And I like your clingy, octopus ways—obviously. But this isn’t sustainable. You can’t be with me all the time—” He smiled when Haruka huffed irritably into his hair. “And I can’t live my life with someone always stepping on the back of my shoes.”
“I’m not being irrational, you’re a trouble magnet. Let me protect you from the bad things. I want to do it.”
Eli wiggled until Haruka loosened his hold enough for Eli to turn around so he could straddle his legs and face him. Haruka’s face wasn’t sullen like it was when he was trying to get his way. He looked lost.
He stroked Haruka’s cheek. “I like when you protect me. Haruka, I’ve never felt this safe before. Not since”—Eli’s throat closed briefly, but he pressed on—“I was kidnapped. But we need to work out a compromise we can both live with.” Soon, before Eli caved to the look on Haruka’s face, and he ended up with a backpack leash.
“It’s not the worst idea.” Haruka’s eyes glinted, a hint of his evil side peeking through.
“I’m not putting on a bondage show for the world to see.”
“But if no one is watching, it’s okay?” Yep, the evil side was definitely taking over.
Eli flushed and fought not to think about Haruka tying him up. They were in the middle of an important conversation, and now was not the time to get sidetracked.
“If this wasn’t about your safety, I would definitely be getting sidetracked.”
Eli cleared his throat. “Anyway, moving on . . . Seeing as how I’m not interested in getting assaulted by random people, I admit you have a fair point. But I think we’re forgetting something important here.”
“Such as?”
“Our newly combined fan club. They’re always around, and today they came in super handy. They even said they’ve been keeping an eye out for me. Maybe we could ask them to help?”
Haruka hummed in acknowledgement. “I still don’t like it.”
“You aren’t going to like anything short of me taking online classes in our room.” Eli held up his hand to forestall any argument. “And that’s not happening.”
“Fine.” Haruka didn’t look happy, but the lost expression was gone from his face. “But I’m still walking you to class when I’m free.”
“But you’re not leaving class early or showing up late anymore.”
Haruka scrunched his nose and pouted.
“Grades are important, Haruka.”
“Not that important.”
“They’re important to me, so deal with it.”
“Fine.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Haruka
He had planned to ease out of bed as soon as Eli fell asleep, but it was so soothing to feel him slip from the waking world to the dreaming one, that Haruka lost time holding the small, fragile boy close to him.
Too fragile. Too easy to hurt or to pick up and run off with. It was effortless for Haruka to carry him around, and there were plenty of other people in the world who could do the same.
Like Hank.
Haruka lifted Eli’s head off of his chest and placed it gently on a pillow.
There were plenty of other people in the world who could see many of the wonderful qualities Eli had to offer. Ones with no morals.
Like Hank.
