To Know the Taste of You for One Night

By now the sun was setting outside. Cold blue light dissipated through the curtains that hung over the windows, painting the room in a cool greyish blue that was accented by the glow of the fire. At first, neither Naoe nor Hazuki spoke. Naoe was still processing everything that had happened. Hazuki watched her as she stood by the fire, fumbling the broken end of the branch between her fingers and occasionally touching her face. Quiet words escaped her lips sometimes, but it seemed as though they weren’t meant for anyone but her, so Hazuki did not ask her to repeat herself.

Minutes dripped by as Hazuki let her breathe. There were several times when she closed her eyes and tilted her head back to breathe in deeply. It was as though she was surprised to even be alive, much less in the location, situation, and attire that she was in. Hazuki eventually sat down beside her to give his bruised body some rest. The fire was low so he added a log and tended to the flame. Naoe watched as he leaned in close to the flame and blew life into the embers.

“You fixed your hair,” she whispered after several minutes of silence.

Hazuki sat back and faced her.

“For you,” he answered as his fingers awkwardly brushed a loose strand back.

“It looks very dignified. You’re very handsome. You’ve become a young man,” she said.

“I’m older than you now. I’m nineteen,” he said with a grin.

“We won’t count my hundreds of years being stuck at eighteen,” she said with a weak but mischievous smile.

Her voice sounded hollow. Her hand reached out for his head, and he leaned so that her fingernails glided along his cheek. Soon, her fingers slid up and ran through his hair. Her lips parted but she didn’t speak. After a moment, she was satisfied and slowly recalled her hand. Hazuki stopped her and took her hand in his.

“Is that okay? I wanted to feel you for a few more moments,” he asked.

“Of course,” Naoe whispered.

Hazuki stayed focused on the fire, but Naoe watched him. Something between them had changed. Standing there watching the firelight cast small instances of light on his cheekbones and knowing that his life force was what was pulsing so pleasantly through her body, Naoe found herself wanting to be fully entwined in him. His scent was like cedar. His voice was deeper still, and he was quite tall. His hands felt strong yet kind. All of her essence felt warm, and she wondered if it was thanks to him. Something akin to peace and acceptance blanketed her, and she allowed it to enfold her.

“Thank you, Hazuki,” she said as she kept her eyes on him.

Hazuki turned to her when he heard the seriousness of her tone. Slowly, he forced his tired body to stand so that he could face her. Shaking hands found balance on the cane near his side.

“Always,” he answered.

They were close now. Standing there facing him, Naoe felt a surge of longing pulling her to him. His very energy was carrying her and supporting her now, and it seemed as though it was telling her to bleed into him until they were a single form. Skin cried out for skin. Touch demanded touch. His breath was slow. Her scent was once again like honey and plum. Her lips parted. Connected spirits spun together like clouds merging in the dusk sky. He was a part of her and she was now a part of him. Their eyes closed as his hands caressed her face and her fingers found his chest. Their lips touched for the first time.

Naoe let out a sigh of release and ecstasy as her body exploded in awakening. Every sense felt heightened. Hazuki exhaled a sigh of desire as he pulled her closer. Years of yearning and separation now vanished as they finally felt the softness of moistened, desirous lips. Naoe felt Hazuki’s energy intensify as it coursed through her like a warm current. The warmth skimmed along her chest and then down her stomach and between her legs, causing her to let out a soft moan as his hands kept her close. Fingers slid beneath Hazuki’s shirt and pressed into his skin.

Reason and thought escaped them both as they pulled the other closer with every movement, until they were completely interlaced. Fingers ran through his hair and felt his body flexing and relaxing with each movement. Soft, smooth skin ran from her neck down to her collarbones as his lips left hers and made their way downward. His hands were on her waist now, sliding along her stomach. Pulses within her body danced along the edges of her skin, igniting her body to the slightest touch. More and more it grew until Naoe found herself leaning against the wall, pulling him onto her.

Their lips found one another once more, and Hazuki savored the taste and sensation of her mouth and tongue against his. Everything in him yearned for her, so much so that his body wished there was a way for every part of him to be against her at that moment. Still, it was enough, and after a moment, Naoe’s fingers dug into his back once more and held for a moment before releasing. Their lips parted and Naoe exhaled a quiet sigh once more before cupping his head in her hands.

Neither of them moved or spoke. Hazuki held Naoe there against the wall with his hands still on her waist against the skin of her stomach that was now exposed from her partially lifted shirt. Her breath was quick and gentle from her nose as she closed her eyes and rested her head against his. 

Hazuki’s phone beeped a message alert, pulling them back from dreams and into the room once more.

Hazuki checked his phone and saw the message from Arthur.

‘We’re almost home, but can drive around a bit if you need more time for… anything…’ said the message.

Hazuki grinned at Arthur’s man-to-man understanding and only now realized that they had intentionally left Naoe and him alone.

‘It’s fine, you can come home,’ Hazuki replied before returning to Naoe.

Their eyes met once more and Naoe brushed his hair aside.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

“So are you,” she replied.

With that, the two of them stood and stepped slightly apart. Naoe did not release Hazuki’s hand.

“Well, would you like to see the rest of the house?” Hazuki asked.

Naoe nodded.

“I’d like to see your room,” she replied.

Hazuki led her down the hall and opened the door to the room where he slept. It was modest, and his futon was folded in the corner. The family altar caught Naoe’s attention first, but soon she saw the propagation vials.

“What are those?” she asked.

“That is how we’re going to travel,” answered Hazuki.

Propagation was explained in detail as Hazuki walked Naoe through all of the steps he had gone through in his plan. After several minutes of over-explaining, Naoe’s hand touched his wrist and he stopped. She was crying again.

“Why are you doing all this for me?” she asked.

“You know why,” Hazuki answered.

There was a pause, then she nodded. She did know.

“And I always will. No matter how long that is,” said Hazuki.

“Me too,” Naoe replied as she looked back at the vials.

The door opened and Sayane and Arthur entered. Hazuki and Naoe returned to the living room.

“How are you sweetie?” asked Sayane as she held out her hand.

Naoe accepted her touch and took Sayane’s hand in her own.

“I am okay. I am still in shock from everything. I’m very grateful Hazuki’s house is in such kind hands,” said Naoe.

Sayane winked at her and patted her shoulder as she moved to the kitchen.

“Would you like some tea?” Sayane asked Naoe.

“Yes, please!” responded Naoe.

The evening passed with Sayane and Arthur cooking dinner for them while Hazuki drew Naoe a bath. Beyond the rain and her recent trip to the lake with Hazuki, Naoe had not felt the water in centuries. As food was prepared and the table was cleared, Naoe undressed and stepped into the warm water. Hazuki sat outside against the door, listening for any calls for help or emergency. Thankfully, none came. Naoe held her branch in her hand as she slid into the water with a sigh.

After almost a half hour, Hazuki heard the drain and stood. Sayane approached the bathroom door and tapped.

“Would you like some other clothes, Naoe? Or are you happy with those?” she asked.

From inside, Naoe answered.

“I… I would like to continue wearing these, please. They smell like Hazuki, and are very comfortable.”

Sayane grinned a wide-eyed smirk and gave Hazuki a thumbs-up as she backed away. Hazuki felt himself smiling as the door opened and Naoe stepped out in his clothes once more.

Dinner was consumed and Arthur poured all of them sake before the four of them sat down by the fire. Snow was no longer falling outside. Now all was quiet. Sayane surprised Naoe with the modern luxuries of a face mask and essential oils, and soon the two of them were relaxing on the couch, talking about the park and other city locations. Arthur was on his tablet, reading about Gifu. Hazuki merely sat there in silence, watching the peace of the moment hang in the air around him like the snow from earlier. 

After several hours, it was time for bed. Arthur was proactive and had sneakily set another futon in Hazuki’s room before bidding them all goodnight. At first, Naoe was too reserved and embarrassed and insisted on sleeping in another room. Sayane put a stop to it very easily.

“You do not know what tomorrow will hold for either of you. Do you really want to cling to modesty in the face of what might be your last night together?” she asked in jest but also all seriousness.

Naoe realized she was right, and in her heart she knew she wanted to be with Hazuki. There had been plenty of nights alone together in the privacy of his tent. This should be no different. The melancholy acknowledgment that tomorrow might hold her end, and the acceptance that she could vanish in the middle of the night was all too real for both Naoe and Hazuki as they closed his bedroom door.

Naoe watched Hazuki slowly make his way to the floor, then sat beside him. Millions of words were yet to be said, yet also there was nothing else that needed to be spoken between them. Years together, and the last ten hours, had given the two of them more than a lifetime’s worth of moments together. Naoe made peace with the moment and crawled beneath her blanket.

Sounds beside her told her that Hazuki was turning off the floor lamp and lying down as well. To her relief, his body was immediately near hers, pressing against her back as his arm wrapped over her waist and held her close.