A Little Twist

Thirty-Five

'I suggest you talk with Risa. Daiki is two weeks old tomorrow. Promise not to drink too much and you can bite her instead,' explains Reiji. 'I will make sure that this girl knows that Risa's room and the nursery are off limits.'

Kanato smiles and holds tighter on Teddy. 'You're saying that we can bite Risa? You said first to give her a week, but Shu extended it by another week. Is it finally over?'

He nods. 'Yes, but make no mistake, only one of us can bite Risa per night. We need clear communication when it comes to her and Daiki.'

'Of course,' Kanato agrees. 'I'll quench my thirst with this one first. I don't want to be thirsty to bite Risa. Both she and Daiki deserve better.'

Good. 'Don't forget to make her a promise.'

'I won't.' He sees his brother leave and waits for Moriko to wake up.

✽✽✽

Risa bolts right up from her nightmare but feels an arm around her. Wait! What? She turns to see who it is, however, one look at Shu, and she crawls against him. I think I know why you are here. If I'm right, I need to thank him.

Shu opens one eye and then it hits him that she's afraid of something. 'You're safe, Risa,' he mumbles and pulls her even closer. I know you don't like going to bed when the others are awake. 'Breath,' he mentioned when she seems holding her breath.

She didn't know until he says it. Taking another deep breath, she can relax a little. 'Thank you.' Her voice is but a whisper. And thank you for not biting. I need to drink cranberry juice. I've been doing it for the past few days.

He knows that today is the day they could bite her again. He couldn't do it with how she tried to find some comfort from her nightmare. Daiki comes first, and I only have to ask. I wonder who will be the first to bite her. 'Now is not the time to ask you if I can bite. You can relax, Risa.'

Hearing those words, she does feel less tense. 'If you wouldn't be so cold, I could feel more at ease.' She turns her head at him. 'I do appreciate this. Your attempt to comfort me.' 

'In more than one way. No need to worry about anyone else but Daiki, and I'm sure that's a mother's instinct.'

'I think so too,' she agrees. 'I guess I also use my mother's instinct on Kanato. Although it seems like we came to an agreement somehow.' There is one thing I can never forget when it comes to Kanato.

'I think Daiki is waking up.'

Somehow his voice is lower, softer, and more pleasant to listen to. Almost in a tone that he could talk her back to sleep. 'And I'm just getting comfortable.' She turns towards the crib. This time to see a couple of sleepy eyes. 'Good morning, sweety.' Stretching her arm out, she reaches for the baby. 'Are you getting hungry?' The signs are there. His hand is in a bit of a fist, and he's getting restless.

'Go ahead, I'm not looking...'

'You mean you're always somewhere asleep,' she corrects him with a smile in her voice. 'That's a good thing, right now, or else I would send you away. I don't like it when someone comes in when I feed him.' She sits up straight and gets Daiki from the crib.

Shu shakes his head and gives her the feeding pillow. 'When do you want to go swimming again?'

She needs to think about it while laying Daiki against her. 'I don't know. All my days look the same so I don't even know what day it is. I prefer a couple of days in between.'

'I believe it's Wednesday. It won't be long, or we go back to school. Some are still debating who should stay with you.' Shu opens one eye. 'Risa, it doesn't do much to me. I know he comes first and your body is ready for that. I saw it in the hospital as well, and that woman didn't even bother to cover up.' He chuckles and pets the little boy's head. 'You have different priorities than mine. Not to mention, you have nothing to be ashamed of.' The way she blushes would make him laugh but he holds it in. He moves out of her bed. 'If I get you breakfast in bed, am I allowed to bite you first?'