Page 12 of The Jorogumo (The Sanctuary #2)

Haruto

It'd been two weeks since I almost revealed myself to another human—we didn't tell anyone at the Sanctuary about that particular incident—and Liam and I had spent every other day with each other.

More than once, I wanted to ask him to stay the night, but I wasn't sure if that was something he'd be comfortable with, so I didn't say anything. We'd made out every time we got together, and—with his permission—I'd even snacked on his arousal a few times.

It'd been a long time since I'd consumed someone's desire, but I knew it'd never felt like this. Before, it'd always left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth, and an icky feeling. But with Liam, I just wanted more. His desire was the most delicious thing I'd ever tasted .

It was Liam's day off today, and I'd decided to do something special for him. He was coming over to the Sanctuary to spend the day with me, and since he was so curious about it, I'd planned something I was hoping he'd enjoy.

He'd texted me a minute ago to say he was on his way, so I was waiting for him just outside the door.

Because of the headmaster's magic, people's eyes slid past the building without lingering, and no one gave me a second look as I sat there waiting for Liam.

The walk from his shop to this building wasn't long, and I grinned when I spotted him, his returning smile just as wide. He sped up as he drew close, then rushed up the few steps until he stood right in front of me.

"Hey." Liam's brown eyes sparkled in the sun, and I gazed up at him, utterly mesmerized.

"Hey, Liam. Come on in."

I led us back inside, closing the door behind us and getting out of my wheelchair. Liam took my hand in his the moment I was done, and I smiled, squeezing his hand as I led him deeper into the Sanctuary.

He made a questioning sound when I walked past the Forest door, but didn't say anything, not until I stopped in front of the Ocean area.

"What's going on?"

"We are going on a date," I explained as I pushed the door open. "To the beach."

Liam's eyes widened as a warm, salty breeze blew through the open door, and he stepped inside, his head panning from side to side as I followed after him.

Like the Forest, Ocean started off with a plain, though instead of grass it was littered with small rocks and pebbles, before spreading out in a sandy beach that ended with a sprawling, bright blue ocean. Of course, the water body wasn't actually as big as a real ocean, but it had everything—except most sea animals—a real ocean did. The water was salty, there were sea plants at the bottom, and the waves brushed against the sand, with the tides following the moon's movement like they would in the human world.

The headmaster could create living organisms up to small insects, but anything bigger than that had to be brought in from the human world, so only a few sea animals called this ocean their home.

The beach was lined with palm fronds, offering patches of shade for people to sit in.

While some of the Ocean residents lived underwater, others had cabins dotting the long beach.

"This place is amazing!" Liam exclaimed, turning to me. "I mean the Sanctuary as a whole. There's an ocean right beside a forest, and everything is so real. I can't believe all of this was created by one man."

"Headmaster Morrigan is a very skilled sorcerer," I agreed with a nod, taking his hand and leading him to the spot I'd picked for our beach-side picnic date.

Liam's face brightened when he spotted the open umbrella with a spread blanket and a basket underneath it. "Are we having a picnic?"

"Yes. Is that okay?"

"I love it."

Smiling, I waved at him to take a seat, before lowering myself on the blanket. Sitting on the ground was not easy, but once I got my legs spread out in front of me, I could settle in comfortably.

I could spread my legs out at a right angle both in front of me or behind—but not both at the same time—but it was the " getting into the position" part that always gave me trouble, especially when the ground underneath wasn't solid.

Liam waited patiently for me to situate myself, then took my hand in his. Dragging in a deep breath, he smiled softly before turning to me, his brown eyes bright and sparkly from the light reflected off the water.

"This is wonderful, Haruto. Thank you for doing this for me. I've never actually been to a beach before."

"Really?"

Liam shook his head, then sank the fingers of his other hand into the sand, smiling softly. "It feels better than anything I'd imagined."

"I'm glad."

Liam glanced around curiously, then turned his gaze to me. "Where's everyone? The people who live here?"

"Well, a lot of them live underwater and don't come out often. Some are working on their chores. And others decided to give us some privacy."

"Oh, that's nice of them. Do you visit each others' areas often?"

"I personally don't, but I know a lot of the others do. The headmaster's one rule is that we should have meals together, but other than that we're free to go wherever we do or don't want to."

Liam was quiet after that, lost in thought, and we sat in companionable silence for a few minutes.

"You mentioned there's one supe who can't leave his area, though. Right?"

"Shade," I agreed with a sad smile. "Light hurts him, so the headmaster created an area that has no light specifically for him. He's comfortable there, but..."

"Alone," Liam finished for me, and I sighed .

"Yeah. We visit as often as we can, but it's not the same."

"I'd like to meet him sometime."

I smiled, thinking of those two extroverts meeting.

"I think you'd get along well."

Liam smiled at that, then shifted closer to me, leaning his side against mine.

I wouldn't mind spending the whole day just like this.

Liam

We must've sat and chatted for hours, talking about everything from magic and supernaturals to comic books and anything else that came to mind.

I loved spending time with Haruto, loved the way he always listened so attentively, like everything I said was of the utmost importance.

A bell interrupted me mid-sentence—the second one of the day—and Haruto raised a brow at me.

"Would you like to go grab some dinner?"

I was surprised to realize it was dinnertime already. Had we really spent the whole day here?

"Uh, yeah, I'd like that."

We'd finished our basket of lunch and assorted snacks a while ago, and my stomach was definitely ready for more food. Who knew talking all day could make you hungry?

Haruto and I ate with his friends again. Khush and Silas's jokes and teasing, Keoni's excitement over the most random human things, Dustin's cheer, Touya's quiet support...I could get used to all of it.

How was it that I felt closer to these people I'd met not long ago than I ever had to the people who gave birth to me ?

My parents and I had never understood each other, and our love was obligatory at best. But here, in the Sanctuary, I truly felt like I was a part of the family. No wonder Touya and Dustin had moved here. Who would ever pick the human world over this place, over these people?

Me , I thought with a sigh.

It wasn't that I didn't want to move here someday, but I couldn't abandon my store—which wasn't even really mine, but fuck it. I'd spent years making Sanctum for Geeks what it was today, and I couldn't leave it behind. It was where we'd met after all, and I loved working there.

I shook my head at myself, focusing on the conversations around me. I needed to get a grip on my thoughts. Haruto hadn't even mentioned moving in together yet—because we'd only been dating for a few weeks—so there was no reason for me to be thinking so far ahead.

After dinner, we escaped the dining room since it wasn't the Forest's turn to do the dishes, and then hovered outside the Forest door, unsure.

I didn't want to leave just yet, but I needed to. Right? It was evening, and I'd never stayed later than this before.

Haruto seemed to be struggling with words, so I waited him out patiently. I would draw out our time together as much as I could, which made me feel a little sheepish. Thank fuck he couldn't read my mind.

"Would you..."

"Yes?" I asked when he didn't continue, and I watched as he took a deep breath, seemingly bracing himself.

"Would you like to stay the night?"

I stared at him. Whatever I'd been expecting him to say, it wasn't that. He wanted me to stay? The whole night ?

"Uh..." As I searched for my suddenly missing voice, his face fell, and he shook his head, smiling in a way that just looked wrong on him.

"Never mind, you don't have to. I don't even have a proper bed for you." He rolled his eyes, then shook his head again. "Forget I asked."

"Haruto, wait." I grabbed his arms before he could step back or, worse, run off into the Forest where I couldn't follow since the headmaster hadn't registered my 'signature' into the doors yet, whatever that meant.

He gazed down at me, his deep brown eyes troubled and unsure, and I leaned up to press a kiss on his lips.

"I'd like to stay," I murmured against his soft lips, and he gasped against my mouth. "And your webby swing thing is pretty comfy."

"Hammock," Haruto mumbled, sounding a touch stunned. "I call it a hammock."

"Gotcha," I said with a smile as I leaned back, and his lips curved up in response as I took his hand.

"Lead the way, sweetheart."

Haruto shot me a smile, probably at my use of the pet name, before heading into the Forest area, his hand clasped tightly around mine.

We waved at the few friends we passed—and ignored Khush's suggestive brow waggle—as we made our way to Haruto's house.

It was a mix of cabin in the woods and small, cozy townhouse, and it suited him perfectly. The walls were a mix of exposed brick and wood, a small wooden porch covering the front of the house .

Haruto opened the door, and I followed him inside, relaxing instantly. I felt at home in Haruto's place, which was strange because I hadn't been here more than a few times.

I watched Haruto as he puttered around, and realized that maybe it had nothing to do with the house and everything to do with who it belonged to.

Haruto stopped in front of the hammock I was perched in, his lips pursed and hands on his hips. "I should make another hammock for you."

The other web-made seats were only big enough for sitting, but I thought his hammock was plenty enough for us both. He'd said earlier that he liked cuddles and hugs, so I hesitated only a little before asking, "Or we could share?"

Haruto stared at me, blinking rapidly before his eyes flicked from me to the hammock I sat on. "You'd want that?"

I nodded slowly, unable to tell what he was thinking or if he liked the idea. "Only if you do too."

Haruto was quiet for a moment before he gave a sharp nod. "Yes, okay."

"I just want to cuddle. Nothing else," I promised, and his shoulders loosened a little.

I glanced down at myself, wishing now that I hadn't worn jeans. Sleeping in jeans was not fun, and it wasn't like I could ask Haruto for pants.

As if reading my mind, he asked, "Would you like to change into something more comfortable?"

"Um..." I didn't want to say I doubted he'd have anything for me, so I nodded instead, and he hurried over to a corner where a closet I hadn't previously spotted stood. He opened it, pulled something out, and brought it over to me, offering it hesitantly .

I took it from him and unfolded it, realizing it was a robe. A robe made of the softest, smoothest silk I'd ever touched.

"Wait. Did you...?"

Haruto nodded, his cheeks pinkening slightly, and something warm filled my belly at the thought of wearing something he'd made.

In an alcove hidden from the rest of the open room by his webs, I quickly changed out of my clothes and donned the robe, tying the sash in front. It felt like I wore air; it was so light and silky.

I glanced down at myself, blushing at the way the smooth material showed off every swell and dip of my skin when I pulled it flat against my torso. I'd never worn something like this before, and I was surprised to discover I liked it. It felt soft and plush, and it made me feel...precious, which was dumb.

Scratching at the back of my neck, I walked out of the alcove with my clothes in one hand, and Haruto stared when he saw me, his eyes roaming over my form. If it was anyone else, I'd think they wanted to fuck me, but I knew the appreciation in his eyes was about seeing his mate dressed in something he'd made, and I loved his reaction. It made me feel more comfortable, and I folded and placed my clothes on one of the empty web shelves as he continued watching me.

"You look stunning," Haruto said when I finally stopped in front of him, and my cheeks heated up at the phrase. No one had ever used the words he did to describe me. I'd been called good-looking or handsome a few times, but no one had ever called me beautiful or stunning. No one but Haruto.