Page 18 of The Jorogumo (The Sanctuary #2)

Liam

The bell above the door jingled five minutes before I was going to close, and I bit back a scowl.

Focused on what I was doing, I glanced up enough to see jeans-clad legs. "Take a look around. Let me know if you need any help."

Instead of walking toward the shelves, the footsteps came up to the counter, and I sighed.

Usually, I was a very friendly guy, but not when my very hot boyfriend was coming to take me out on a date. Still, I pasted on a smile and glanced up, only to freeze.

I stared dumbly up at the man standing before me, then leaned over the counter to peek down at his legs. Yep, legs. Two, very human legs.

I leaned back and gazed up at Haruto, stunned .

"What? How? You have legs!" I winced at how high my voice was, glancing around the store as if I didn't already know it was empty.

Haruto snickered at my reaction, then walked around the counter to stand before me, giving me the full view. "Yes, I do. Thanks to you."

I blinked, confused for a moment before realization struck. "You have enough power."

Haruto nodded happily. "I knew last night, but I wanted to surprise you."

"You surprised me, all right," I said with a shake of my head, making his grin widen.

"I imagine this will also make it easier to navigate," Haruto said, and I winced at the truth of that statement. Despite all the development, the world could still be full of pitfalls for wheelchair users.

"Yeah. I'm glad you can move around more comfortably now. Though I still prefer your true form."

For some reason, he just felt more like him with his spider legs and webs. This human form, while stunning to look at, felt more like a costume.

Haruto smiled, then pulled me closer for a kiss, and I was happy to know he was still just as strong in this form, though he was my height now.

"Do you need help closing up?"

I nodded, and the two of us worked in companionable silence, shutting everything down, making sure there was nothing hiding in the shelves. I'd started doing that after a cat had snuck in to nap on one of the higher shelves. I'd come back to a pile of torn-up comics with cat shit hidden underneath, and an irate cat. Not a good day .

Once everything was cleared, I locked up, and Haruto offered me his arm like the gentleman he was.

Grinning, I took it, happily leaning against him. Despite his slim figure, I knew I could without worrying about making him lose his balance.

"So, where are we going?" I asked as we walked down the street in the opposite direction from the Sanctuary.

"I thought we could go to a club? I've never been to one." Haruto sounded somewhat hesitant, like he wasn't sure if I would enjoy it or not. I thought he needed to worry about himself more, since out of the two of us, he was the one less likely to enjoy himself in a loud, crowded room.

"A club sounds fun. There are a few good ones pretty close."

"Yeah?"

"Yep." I glanced over at him, tilting my head curiously. "Can you get drunk?"

"Why, do you want to get me drunk?" he teased, and I smacked his arm with a laugh.

"No, I was just curious."

"I can, but it would take a lot of alcohol. That's why we don't really have it at the Sanctuary. Well, except for the headmaster's personal stash."

"Oh?"

He hummed softly, shooting me a grin. "Mages, sorcerers, warlocks, any kind of magic wielders, really. Their physiology is pretty similar to a human's. They can use their magic to sober up quickly, but otherwise alcohol affects them the same way it would affect a human."

I nodded in understanding, kinda comforted that even magic had its rules.

"So, no getting drunk for you," I concluded, and he chuckled .

"Yes. But I won't mind if you do. Actually, I'm curious to see what you're like under the influence. TV shows seem to imply people go through a whole personality change."

"Please, please don't base your assumptions about humans on TV."

Haruto snickered at whatever look I was sporting, and I smiled, rolling my eyes.

"And for your information, I'm perfectly well-behaved when I get drunk."

It'd been a while since I truly got drunk, so I wasn't sure if that was still true or not, but I was game to down a few drinks, because I knew Haruto would be there with me, and that he'd get me home safe.

"Oh, there's one." I pointed at a bright sign in front of a simple door, welcoming us to The Lair . "Fitting name."

Haruto gave an amused snort, then tilted his head at me. "Is that where you want to go?"

"Sure. It looks nice."

Haruto pulled the door open, and music blasted out at us as a man asked for our IDs, at which point I panicked. Did Haruto even have an ID? We were about to be kicked out, weren't we?

Before I could say anything, Haruto smoothly held out an open wallet, his picture on the ID he showed the bouncer.

I blinked, then realized he was waiting for me to show mine, and quickly scrambled to get my wallet.

Once we were inside, I leaned over to hiss in Haruto's ear. "You could've told me you had an ID!"

Haruto winced, then gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry. It didn't occur to me that you might get worried."

I blew out a breath but didn't push because he was right .

"Also," he leaned close, his lips brushing my ear as he spoke, "you can speak normally. I can hear you just fine."

Supernatural senses, right.

Waving toward the bar, I raised a brow at him. "How about a drink?"

Haruto nodded, then eyed the bench seats and tables on the other side of the room. Most of them were already full, with couples and groups of friends drinking and having a good time.

"Okay, I'll get us some drinks while you grab us a seat," I decided, and he nodded quickly. I watched him make his way across the room before heading closer to the bar.

The bartender was a tall man with short blond hair tipped with orange, bright green eyes, and two ring piercings on either edge of his lower lip. He gave me a nod when I came closer, and I ordered a whiskey on the rocks for myself and a sweet cocktail for Haruto.

Once I had our drinks, I made my way to the sitting area, smiling when I spotted Haruto sitting on a corner bench, his eyes flicking from place to place with equal parts curiosity and nerves. Ah, my sweet sweet introvert. He might drive me crazy in bed, but out here, he was clearly out of his depth. I probably shouldn't find it as cute as I did.

Haruto

I let out a relieved breath when Liam slid into the seat beside me with our drinks, leaning my shoulder against his.

Being in a place crowded with humans and not being able to see him had made me more nervous than I'd expected.

"Hey, you okay?" Liam's voice was soft and concerned as he turned to look at me, placing our drinks on the table .

"I'm fine. Just a lot more people than I'm used to," I said with a shrug, making him smile.

"I get it. If you want to leave at any point, just let me know, okay?"

I nodded, but as long as Liam was with me, the crowd all but disappeared in the background.

"Here. I got you a sweet, fruity cocktail. If you can't get drunk off it, most of the drinks do not taste good."

Chuckling, I picked up the colorful drink and took a careful sip, humming. Like he'd said, it was sweet with a citrusy undertone, and I quite liked it.

"Good?" he asked before taking a sip of his drink, and I nodded.

"What's yours?"

"Whiskey on the rocks."

I tilted my head, eyeing the ice cubes in the drink. "So the ice is the 'rocks?'"

Liam grinned, a soft smile curving his lips. "I can almost hear the quotes in your voice, you know. And yes, it's called on the rocks because of the ice."

I hummed, taking another sip of my drink as I bobbed my head to the music.

Smiling at me, Liam pointed toward the dance floor. "Wanna dance?"

"I...uh, I don't know how."

Liam waved that off. "Just let the music move you, babe. That's all you have to do."

"Babe?" I asked softly, and he blinked, as if he hadn't noticed what he was saying. "I like it," I added before he could question himself.

Finishing my drink, I held my hand out to him, raising a brow. "Well, then? "

Liam grinned, slammed the rest of his drink down, then stood up, taking my hand.

We walked to the edge of the dance floor, then stopped, turning to face each other as Liam circled his arms around my shoulders. I placed my hands on his hips, and we swayed slowly even though the music was much too fast-paced.

It didn't matter, though, not as long as our eyes were locked, our bodies pressed together in the best of ways.

Meeting Liam was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Not only did I find my mate in him, but I also found my best friend.

I found someone who was just as in love with comic books as me, who could be as dorky as me sometimes, who accepted all of me with all my limits and limitations, who loved me, and whom I loved just as much.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Liam murmured softly, and I smiled at him, utterly amazed by just how perfect this human was for me.

"Just thinking how much I love you," I said, and even in the sparkly, strobe lights, I could see the blush race up his cheeks.

Liam ducked his head as his arms tightened around my neck, hiding his face from me. "I love you too," he whispered back, eyes on the ground, and I hummed softly. He could be so exuberant sometimes and so shy at others, and I adored every side of him.

We danced for what felt like hours, stuck in our own little bubble that no one else could enter.

"Shit, I need some water. And the washroom," Liam mumbled as sweat trailed down his temple, and I hummed, pulling him away from the crowded dance floor.

"How about you go to the washroom and I'll get you some water? "

With a grateful nod, Liam headed toward the restrooms while I made my way to the bar.

As the bartender turned to face me, I gave a huff of surprise, realizing he was a supe. A very very old and rare one at that.

He raised a brow when he spotted me, clearly clocking me just as easily as I'd done him. The piercings in his lower lip shone under the lights, and I pulled my gaze to his as he spoke.

"What can I get ya?"

"A bottle of water, please," I said, and he nodded, leaning back before sliding one across the bar to me.

I took it, paid for it, and then lingered for a moment, curious.

"Do you own this place?"

He smirked. "I do. What gave it away? The totally obvious name?"

I chuckled, then nodded. A dragon bartender in a club named The Lair? What else was I supposed to think?

"Yeah, that was one of those impulse decisions you regret right after it's settled in stone. Or paperwork," he said with a roll of his bright green eyes, making me laugh.

"I'm Haruto. It's nice to meet you," I said, realizing that my mate's friendly nature was starting to rub off on me. I never would've struck up a conversation with a stranger before I met him, supe or not.

"Nolan," he said with a nod.

Conversation done, I started feeling awkward, so I gave him another nod before turning around and making my way toward the restrooms.

I spotted Liam almost instantly, then frowned when I saw the smaller man practically wrapped around his front.

Liam stood frozen, the look on his face clearly displaying his discomfort, but the young man clinging to him paid it no mind as he practically climbed my mate like a kid's playground equipment.

Quickening my steps, I slid up beside him almost silently, and paid the other human no mind as I took Liam's face in my hand, turning his head so our eyes met.

"You okay, sweetheart?" I murmured, and I could feel the way his whole body relaxed into me.

Turning to look at the human who'd finally gotten the message and taken a step back, I raised a brow at him, making my claim on my mate clear.

He glanced between us, then grinned widely. "Ah, I see how it is. I don't suppose you're looking for a third?"

I shook my head, and he gave a pout. "My bad. Sorry for the jungle gym treatment, dude. You're both sexy as fuck."

Giving us a salute, the man took off into the crowd, and I watched him go with a shake of my head.

"Here." I held out the water bottle, and Liam stared at it for a long moment before taking it from me.

He gulped down half the bottle before he paused to breathe, and his eyes flicked between me and the bottle, hesitant.

"Are you okay?" I asked again, this time without an audience, and Liam nodded slowly.

"Sorry about that."

"Why are you sorry?"

Liam shrugged, eyes still not meeting mine. "I should've told him I was here with someone. Shouldn't have frozen up."

"It's okay. We don't know how we'll react until something like that happens. Not your fault."

"That's how I always react. I should know better."

My brows furrowed at his statement, and I gave him a curious look. "Does that happen often? "

"Well, not that often, but I look like a bear, so," he said with a shrug, as if that explained everything. It didn't, not to me.

"How about we get out of here? We can take a walk and you can explain to me why you think you look like a wild animal."

Liam gave me a confused look, then snorted in amusement, which confused me . "Yeah, okay."