“I promised to tell you if I discover anything related to the case and I intend to do that,” Shinji continued. “I’ve already shared my suspicions about tonight. But the rest—the ‘rituals’ and what happened in Higashikurume—those will come with time,ifyou’re willing to even try. If not, well, we’re done, aren’t we? So make your choice.”
Teruo thought about how everything was changing now with Shinji stepping into his life. It wasn’t just about starting a relationship, something he’d run away from these past few years. It was also about changing his perception of the world and believing—or at least attempting to believe—in things he wouldn’t have given a second thought a week ago. While he still had doubts about the latter, he was quite determined about the former.
He opened his mouth to speak, to tell Shinji how much he desired him, but he was bad with words. So he wrapped his arms tight around Shinji’s waist, pressing his lips against Shinji’s. He wanted to push Shinji onto the bed, and thoroughly devour him, but settled for a soft, and what he hoped to be a reassuring, kiss. Shinji moaned, his hands cupping Teruo’s cheeks, fingertips tracing his stubble. Shinji’s skin was warm again and seemed to become even warmer by the second.
There were so many things Teruo still couldn’t fully comprehend, which still scared him. Even so, he resolved not to take the coward’s way out and give the two of them a real chance.
CHAPTER 22
Shinji
Shinji prolonged the kiss as he held tightly onto Teruo, tugging at his lower lip enjoying the rough feel of Teruo’s stubble.
The warm healing energy engulfed Shinji, flowing through his skin and fixing the damage to his throat. Shinji tried to analyze it like he did with other people’sreiryoku, but it seemed to have no discernable pattern or way to link it to his own as he did with ghosts. If it wasn’t actively mending him, Shinji would’ve never been able to even sense it.
Though he still doubted whether it was a good decision to let himself be healed, he didn’t have much of a choice right now. If not for this peculiar ability Teruo possessed, he’d have had to bear with the pain for a few days until his throat healed on its own. This was a faster and more pleasurable fix.
Teruo pulled away. “Sit. I want to check your neck.”
Shinji settled on the bed, with Teruo by his side. “It’s healed. Doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Probably skeptical, Teruo took Shinji’s chin, gently tilting his head back to get a better look at his throat. “Huh. There aren’t any marks left.” Teruo frowned. “Well, that’s good.”
“Being around you helps,” Shinji said, “in a lot of ways.”
Teruo threw him a confused look, but Shinji wasn’t going to tell him about this peculiar healing thing yet. On one hand—despite what the superintendent said—Shinji entertained the idea that Teruo might, after all, be a supernatural like himself. It would mean no more lies. But on the other, he didn’t want to alarm Teruo, not when he couldn’t fully understand this ability himself.
In the end, whether Teruo was supernatural or not didn’t matter to him. The man he admired was the rough detective who loved his job, kept people at arm’s length, but still showed his softer, more vulnerable side to Shinji.
“Thank you for giving me another chance.” Shinji smiled.
“I should be the one offering thanks.”
Teruo brushed his lips against Shinji’s neck, lingering on the throbbing pulse and sending an electrifying thrill down Shinji’s abdomen toward his groin.
“Guess our relationship had a bumpy start,” Shinji said through a moan.
“Bumpy?” Teruo arched a brow. “You mean like three murders, ghosts, the superintendent nearly walking in on us while we were jacking each other off, you disappearing into buildings and someone almost choking you to death with invisible wind?”
Shinji laughed. “Just a lil’ bumpy.” Then he gave Teruo a side glance. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I said you might regret stepping into my world and learning about all these things.”
“No kidding.” Teruo sighed. “I think giving me info bit by bit is the best choice. Sorry I’ve been so persistent. I didn’t expect...” He paused, rubbing his palms on his knees. “I don’t know what I expected.”
“It’s okay.” Shinji placed his hands over Teruo’s. “You wanted to understand. I know that feeling. I’ve seen ghosts my whole life, but even I get overwhelmed sometimes.”
“Your whole life,” Teruo repeated, eyes wide. “That must be… scary.”
Shinji chuckled sadly. “Scary at times, yeah. Also intriguing. After so long, seeing them is an ordinary occurrence to me.” His gaze studied Teruo who seemed apprehensive, though not afraid. He leaned forward and kissed Teruo’s cheek. “Let’s forget about these things for tonight, what do you say? Right now, I just want you.”
“I want you too,” Teruo said. “Very much. But wouldn’t it be better if you just ate and then went to sleep? I mean, you reallydidalmost die.”
“Nah, later. Physically, I’m good, but my mind is all over the place.”
“You’re worried about the person who did this.” Teruo’s eyes burned. “I promise, I’ll catch the fucker and then—”
“No, it’s not that,” Shinji said, amused at Teruo’s threats for the criminal, but also finding his protectiveness endearing. “I mean, that too, but… I’m disappointed with myself. I let my guard down. I was so preoccupied with other things that I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings. I’m usually more careful.”
“It’s my fault.” Teruo drew back. “It’s because I said such awful things that you—”