“I was hoping to tackle that laptop first.” He pointed to the bag lying on the floor.
“No way. It’s late and you need rest.” Teruo sat up tugging Shinji with him. “Let’s take a fast shower and then I’ll cook something.”
Teruo stood first and walked toward the bathroom. Shinji kept close behind him, taking in Teruo’s tall, nude frame, enjoying the shift of his back’s muscles and firm ass. When he lifted his gaze Teruo smirked.
“Caught in the act,” Teruo said.
“Guilty as charged.” Shinji raised his wrists. “Better get handcuffs.”
Teruo bit his lip, then gave Shinji’s ass a playful smack. “Don’t give me ideas.”
“But I want to give you ideas.” Shinji wrapped his arms around Teruo’s neck and gave him a short kiss under his ear then another on his lips. “You’ll have to wash me. I’m injured, I can’t wash myself.”
“Says the guy who railed me earlier. Come on.” Teruo tugged him into the shower and turned on the water. He looked down at Shinji’s half-hard dick. “If we keep going like this, we’re not gonna get any sleep.”
“Eh, nothing coffee can’t fix.”
Teruo picked up the shower gel. “I’m enjoying this…usa lot.” He poured onto his palm and gently ran it over Shinji’s shoulders and down his torso. “But, we have to be fresh in the morning. I don’t want our private life interfering with our job.”
Shinji nodded. “Agreed. We’ll still keep it to ourselves, yeah?”
“Obviously. Worst case scenario I get fired. Best case scenario—but bad for us—they’ll split us up and reassign you to someone else.”
That was something Shinji didn’t want. They’d gone through so much in this past week that it felt as if he’d known Teruo for far longer. He liked working alongside Teruo and spending the nights in each other’s arms. It was quite the change from his habitual one night stands of the last months, which he’d hoped would numb his pain, but never did. And quite different from the horrible things his ex had done to him. He felt safe with Teruo.
Shinji closed his eyes and reflected on that as Teruo’s fingers massaged his scalp and washed his hair. A warm thrill zapped down his spine and held his breath, relishing in the feel of Teruo’s gentle hands and his wet, naked body pressed against him. By the time they finished the shower, he’d made up his mind to tell Teruo the truth about what had happened in Hiroshima.
CHAPTER 23
Shinji
They walked down the stairs to the kitchen, Shinji in a pair of shorts, Teruo in pajama pants and T-shirt.
Teruo eyed him. “You’ll catch a cold dressed like that.”
“It’s too hot for me. I’m used to the cold mist of the ghosts.”
Teruo’s lips parted and he stared at Shinji, but only nodded. It must’ve sounded crazy to say he was used to ghosts.
“Do you want me to adjust the thermostat?”
Shinji waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry. I won’t have you shaking in your own house because of me.”
“If you say so.” Teruo shrugged then yawned. He rubbed his eyes and pulled out ingredients from the cupboard and the fridge. “I’ll make some curry udon. I have leftover stock and I’ll finish it fast.”
Shinji smiled and sat on a chair, feeling spoiled. “Cook me whatever you want. Your food is amazing.”
Teruo’s lips curled in a smug grin. He started chopping everything with the agility of a pro chef despite the fact that he was clearly tired. Shinji wondered if draining Teruo of energy to heal had caused this or if it was the case taking a toll on him. Shinji’s nails scratched the wooden table, the guilt of dragging Teruo into the supernatural world making his heart heavy. This was it. The moment to tell the truth. Teruo deserved it after all that had happened.
Just when he opened his mouth to speak, Teruo cleared his throat. “I want to tell you something,” he said, placing the chopped onions into the pot and stirring.
“Oh. Tell me,” Shinji encouraged, deciding to postpone his own tale for afterwards.
“My last serious relationship lasted two and a half years.” Teruo placed the wooden spoon on a holder and turned toward Shinji. “I hope you don’t take it the wrong way, but at that time I thought he was the one.”
Shinji stood and settled next to Teruo, resting against the chair’s back. “I understand.” He gave Teruo’s hand a squeeze. “It doesn’t bother me.”
“I had shorter relationships and some casual ones before him, but I realized I wanted a long-term relationship. We met in a pub and we hit it off. I thought we were happy,” Teruo said, his gaze darkening. “Happy in that way some couples think they are, but in reality the relationship is crumbling before their very eyes yet they’re afraid to say or do something.” He paused and looked at the floor then back up at Shinji. “Do you know that feeling of being aware this can’t possibly be okay, but forcing yourself to keep going because maybe it’s gonna get better or because others have it worse, so it can’t be that bad?”