Beyond the Horizon

20. Warmth

Shion sat perched on the edge of the bed and stared down the darkened face of his phone.

          Nezumi was in the shower. By his reasoning, now that they had the benefit of running water, they should take as much advantage of it as possible. His insistence had made Shion smile. Nezumi seemed to hold his appearance in high regard; Shion wondered how he could stand living rough all the time.

          He knew Nezumi would be in the bathroom for at least ten minutes, so Shion took the opportunity to bring out his cell phone, something he would never do in Nezumi's presence. Shion knew that any reminders or recollections of his home made Nezumi uncomfortable. But Shion's family was never far from his mind, he had just become better and better at hiding his emotions as their time together wore on.

          Shion brushed his thumb over the phone's blackened face. He wondered whether his mother and Safu were doing well. No doubt they, too, thought about him often. He wished he could call them, but he knew the dangers of doing so. The Lab knew of him, and definitely had the resources to put a trace on his phone and its activity.

          Perhaps I can use the Yoshidas' phone? But no hope buoyed in his chest at the idea. The Lab likely kept tabs on his mother's activity as well, so no matter what, he couldn't call her on her cell or at the bakery. Shion sighed and stuffed the phone back into the bottom of the backpack.

          The sun outside was as bright and inviting as a summer day, but the bluish grey of the lingering frost on the lawn told the true story of the weather. The smell of eggs and slightly burnt toast wafted into the bedroom through the cracked door. Shion lay back on the bed and breathed the scent in.

          The sheets were still a bit warm and Shion smiled at the memory of waking to Nezumi snoozing by his side. They were always trading watch shifts, so he and Nezumi hadn't had a chance to sleep side by side—or in a bed—since the hotel at the beginning of their journey. And even then, he and Nezumi hadn't been together the way they were now.

          A fizzy, fluffy feeling spread through Shion's chest. He still couldn't believe that they were...boyfriends? Partners? Whatever the label, he couldn't be more excited. He almost wished they weren't staying at a stranger's house, because then he might be able to act on all the impulses singing in his veins whenever Nezumi was near.

          Shion's cheeks heated. Actually, maybe it's better that we are in someone else's home. I've never been in a relationship before. I don't want to ruin it by moving too fast.

          The realization that he would be sharing a bed with Nezumi kept intruding on his thoughts all throughout dinner last night, and he didn't think he'd hidden his nervousness very well. The Yoshidas had spoken gently and warmly to him, as if to a skittish animal, and Nezumi kept casting concerned glances his way. By the time they turned in for bed, Shion didn't think he could trust himself to behave, so he was forced to burrito himself in the blankets.

          But it was nice to watch the rain in silence with Nezumi at his side, and he could imagine no greater happiness than to wake in the morning to his face. Shion hoped he would be treated to the sight for many years to come.

          The bathroom door opened, and Shion sat up. Nezumi stepped out in a faint cloud of steam, toweling off his hair, but he paused when he noticed Shion.

          "Did I interrupt something?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

          "...No? What do you mean?" Why did Nezumi ask that question? Was he making a weird face?

          "You jumped up all guilty-like."

          "You startled me. I was dozing."