Blossoms of the Dark

CXC Selene: String

The eleventh of January.

The birthday of the love of my life.

I am exhilarated that I get to be there for Shouto on this day.

More excitingly, I wake up for before him.

For the first time, I am the early riser.

Stretching, I get up just enough to rest my elbows on the pillow. I observe his room with a new perspective. Now I know where the inspiration for his room came from. I love it even more. Then I shift my gaze toward Shouto. And I love you more.

He looks at peace with messy bed hair, rumpled shirt, and slightly parted mouth. Confidence from defeating him at a one-sided competition compels me to reach over and whisper, "Happy birthday, love." He stirs slightly. Eyes squinting and body shifting to lie on his back. Smiling at his little behaviors, I continue. "Sweet seventeen. One more year, and you will be legally an adult. After all, Japan mandated lowering the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 more than a decade ago."

"One more year, and we'll be third years," a sleep-ridden voice groans.

Hmm? That was Shouto's voice.

As soon as I make that realization, a pair of arms wrap around me and pull me toward its owner. Shouto. He's awake. And he is grinning at me.

Flabbergasted, I have nothing to say. He pulls me closer to him, and I realize the intimate position we are in. I am lying on top of him. His arms rest against my waist. Our faces are only centimeters apart and feet are tangled together. There is no gap between our bodies.

"You're speechless!" he chuckles. "This is not such a bad way to wake up, is it?" He moves one arm to thread his fingers into my hair. "Especially when you are the first thing I see when I open my eyes and the first thing I hear."

"H-H-How long were you awake?"

"Half an hour before you. You tried beating me at who would get up earliest? Sorry, darling. But that title goes to me." Embarrassed, I bury my face into the slope of his shoulder. He laughs harder. "If this is the reaction I get, then my revenge was totally worth it!"

That is enough to make me rise up just enough to meet his eyes. "Revenge? What for?"

"Last night, you pushed me to the floor. When I reached for you, you pinned my arms down. Admittedly, I liked that, but I thought that after having your way with me, you would let me hug you like this. Instead, you pulled me up and denied me of that little moment of bliss. So, a little sweet vengeance!"

Frowning in mock annoyance, I complain, "And I cannot do anything about it because it is your birthday."

He holds me tighter. "No. Birthday privileges. For today, the birthday boy gets all his wishes fulfilled."

It is my turn to laugh. "And what does said birthday boy want?"

He pretends to be in deep consternation, which elicits another snort from me. "You know, tens of embraces, hundreds of kisses, and thousands of adorations and affections."

Grinning at his silly cuteness, I tell him that he will receive all that and more.

Then, "Oh, and bunking school today!"

"No," I refuse immediately.

"Should have known you would say that! Fine, no playing hooky. But after class, promise me that you will spend the rest of the day with me."

"That I can do."

We have time to spare before getting ready for class, so we continue lying in bed. We shift, so I am resting my head above his heart, while he cradles mine with his. I feel soft kisses press into my hair. Spending time like this, I can forget about the worries of the world. His presence means safety, his caresses mean comfort. I have no doubt that he would go to any lengths to keep me safe. What preoccupies me is what may happen to him if he does.