Page 62 of Praising Haru

We’ve been here for over an hour, dancing for most of it. I’m so sweaty that my clothes are sticking to my skin.

“Do you want to leave?”

“Too early. I need a breather.” He waves the back of his hand at me, reminding me we have stamps so we can get back in.

We go to the exit and burst out into the cool evening air.

“That’s better.” Haru leans onto his knees and takes some deep breaths.

I rub his back, wanting to take care of him, even though he probably doesn’t need me to.

He straightens. “It’s a fun club. I might have to wear less next time we come.” He uses his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face.

“Less?”

“Yeah, shorts and a crop top or something.”

“I would love to see that.”

He purses his lips. “Or maybe a harness.”

My mind short-circuits. “A harness?”

“I have two. A leather one and a rainbow one.”

“I want to see those.”

He grins. “I’ll wear anything for you if you ask nicely enough.”

“Or if I tell you how beautiful you look?”

A soft blush illuminates his cheeks. “Yes. One snag, they’re in storage at the moment. But when you visit me in London, I’ll take you clubbing and wear one of them.”

“Deal.” Did he notice the soft wobble in my voice? “It’s a nice night. Do you want to go for a short walk before we go back inside?”

“Sure.”

I slide my fingers through his and lead him a little way down the road to the bridge that crosses the river. During the day, a yellow water taxi sails up and down this stretch of river, taking people between Leeds Dock and the arches underneath the railway station. We walk over the bridge to a new park built on the site of an old car park. The moon is full in the sky. Light pollution hides most stars, but the brightest ones twinkle brightly.

We sit on a bench. Haru cuddles up to me. I wrap my arm around his shoulder. It’s much cooler out here, and I want to keep him warm.

“I’m having a fun night, thank you,” he says.

“How does the nightlife in Leeds compare to London?”

“The clubs are bigger and busier in London, and there are more of them, but the vibe is similar.”

“Do you miss it?”

“London?”

I nod.

Haru stares at the ground for a few seconds. “Yes, but there’s plenty to love about Leeds.”

“Like?”

“It’s faster to get around. I had a huge commute from my flat to work every day. Getting to the nightlife was just as much of a drag. Travelling home in the early hours of the morning isn’t fun. Everything’s cheaper here. I don’t feel so bad about having a night out. It’s nice being close to my parents.”