Page 141 of Psync
“If you take these with you, it should be safe to return to your home for a time, Eli, but I’m afraid you can’t stay. This is your true home now. Helios can’t touch you here, but my blessing will fade if you leave for too long.”
“How long do I have before I need to come back?”
“You must return every two months to recharge the omamori here at my shrine, but I warn you, it isn’t perfect protection. Helios can still find you and might be able to hurt you if he’s clever. You will only be truly safe here.”
Eli nodded and bowed again. “Thank you.”
Haruka bowed as well.
The goddess turned and walked away, sweeping the path as she went. She looked smaller somehow, and Eli had the impression that if he ran after her, she wouldn’t know who he was anymore.
“That really happened, right?” He held the omamori gingerly, afraid it would disappear if he wasn’t careful.
Haruka gave Eli a half smile. “Hn.”
Eli twined his fingers with Haruka’s. “So, what now? Do we go back to America?”
Haruka squinted up at the sky, then gazed at the shrine maiden in the distance. “Maybe just for a little while. If that’s what you really want.”
“What about your family? It looked like something big was happening there.”
Haruka heaved a big sigh.
“Full disclosure, Haruka.”
“Full disclosure.” He guided Eli to a bench, and they sat down. “The company is supposed to be mine, but I don’t want it. My aunt runs things, and I’ve been happy with the arrangement. Technically, I can take over at any time though. I hold a majority of the stock. A large majority.”
“What have you been doing the past few days if you don’t want to be in charge?”
Haruka smirked. “I’ve been proving to my aunt that I’m more than capable of doing so if she doesn’t stay out of my life. It backfired though. She wants me to step in and help her manage things.”
“Is that something you want to do?”
Haruka shrugged. “I want to do whatever will keep me with you.”
“Oh,” Eli said in a small voice. “That doesn’t sound fair.”
Haruka took his hand, and suddenly Eli could feel the truth of Haruka’s words. Everything he did centered around Eli. What he wanted most was to see Eli smile and to make sure he had many opportunities to keep doing so.
“You are so freaking soft,” Eli said, trying to ignore the heat in his cheeks. “If our classmates could see you like this—” He looked down, unable to meet Haruka’s eyes.
“I’m only soft for you.” Haruka cupped Eli’s chin and lifted it.
“Make sure and keep it like that.” Eli finally allowed himself to meet Haruka’s gaze. He was absolutely gone on the man. He had been from the moment they’d met, he just hadn’t realized it yet.
:I will.: Haruka dipped his head and pressed his lips against Eli’s.
Eli sighed happily and wrapped his arms around Haruka’s neck. In the distance a car horn caught his attention, and he pulled away.
“Oh no, I forgot about Kamakura-san!”
Haruka narrowed his eyes. “Please continue to forget about him. Forever.”
“Oh no, you don’t. He was only trying to do his job.”
“He did it badly.”
“What was he supposed to do, chase me with a giant butterfly net? Face it, you gave him terrible orders.” Eli stood up and held his hand out for Haruka. “And I may have tricked him a bit as well.”
