CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

The Galaxy

I breathed in deeply.

We laid on the blanket, with the ocean as our soundtrack, and the sky as our view. The sky in all its glory. It was three in the morning, and Hanabusa seemed content lying on the cliffside with his hands under his head and his eyes closed. We had brought the telescope out, along with more blankets, but even with our tendency for conversation, we settled into just enjoying each other's company on a beautiful night. I saw his chest rise and depress slowly, but everywhere else he was still. I have never seen him this calm before. I felt sleepy with peace, but I also did not want to waste the time we had - especially because this time, I was still seeing more colour and for longer.

"You awake?" I asked.

"Mhm," he hummed, slow and with a smile growing. "I was just giving you a nice view to look at."

"That's hilarious, Hanabusa. Good joke. I've never heard it before." Even my retorts now lost all bite, rendered all soft by the smile I couldn't keep out of my voice. I paused as I looked over at him. "Can I ask you an honest question?"

He squinted, opening one of his eyes, revealing that bluish green under dark gold lashes. I savoured every colour, trying to memorize them and cross-reference them in my mind. A part of me still could not believe what was happening. Then again, a lot of strange things were happening. Him being a vampire, for one. It was ridiculous. And yet...

"Have you ever thought about biting me before?"

Both his eyes flew open now and he shot up immediately, startled. "What?"

"You know. Because you're a vampire and all."

He swallowed, now fully awake. "Okay. Honestly? Yes. It's crossed my mind. But I would never do that, I wouldn't hurt you."

"You've had your chances with all the time you break into my room," I joked. But maybe it wasn't really a joke.

"Well, yeah. But still. I wouldn't. Not under those circumstances."

"Oh my god, wait. The first time we met, I had cut myself. Is that why you showed up?" The memory was coming back to me now and I laughed incredulously. He avoided my eyes, playing with the hem of the blanket.

"Yes," he admitted, like a shy little kid.

I appreciated his honesty. I looked up at the sky before back to him curiously. "How does it feel like, getting bit? Would it hurt?"

He still wouldn't look at me, but he let out a laugh as he ran his fingers through his hair, which was all tousled and messy from our rolling around in the sand earlier.

"I'm just curious. I swear, this isn't me prostituting myself for a trip here." I gently nudged him.

"I didn't even think about that," he said, laughing now in a terribly confused way.

"Just tell me then," I insisted as I reach out to hold his hand. "What does it feel like?" I asked again.

He looked uncomfortable, but played with my hand on his lap. It calmed him down that I still felt safe to touch him, probably. "Not usually, if you're relaxed. I mean, a vampire can be aggressive, but...it isn't meant to be painful."

"Even when the fang pierces the skin and all?"

"The, uh, saliva releases a chemical that makes it painless...pleasant, even."

"Huh," I nodded thoughtfully. "And how is it for you?"

He cleared his throat and gently let go of my hand back by my side. "Good."

"And that tablet thing you take?" All of the puzzle pieces were coming together.

He made a face. "Not so good."

For a moment, we just sit there quietly. Playing with sand in my hand, mindlessly picking it up and letting it slip through my finger, I thought about everything he shared. "Can vampires drink, you know, another vampire's blood?" I asked, another question just because.

He looked very, very uncomfortable. His eyes, glued to the ground, did not look once at me. "They can."

I sat up, pressing against my palm to stay up. "And?"

"It's sort of the goal. Quench the blood thirst with another vampire's." I felt as if he was still keeping something hidden, but I had enough fun making him squirm. "You don't have to worry about all of this though."

"But now you made me curious!" I exclaimed, laughing, as I threw up my hands. "This is my interview with a vampire. Tell me what my blood tastes like."

"Kaede, are you peer pressuring me?" His eyes were wide, and I could have sworn he went pale. He was trying to make it sound like a joke, but I could tell he was stuffing down some big feelings.

"Well, you said it won't hurt. I'm just curious. Just don't kill me, of course, just a nibble."

He sighed, tortured. "Kaede…"

"I trust you," I said with a laugh. Maybe this was the post-high of everything lately, seeing colours, gratitude for Hanabusa, the cold to warm weather and quite frankly, things getting hot between us on the beach. "Besides, this can be like an experiment. Aren't you curious?"

He laughed, and laughed. Laughed for a little too long, in fact. He got up and shook his head, barely looking at me. "I am. Dear God, Kaede, I am. But I don't think you understand the magnitude of what you're asking me. Curiosity isn't a good enough reason, and you might regret this later and I don't want you to hate me."

I looked at Hanabusa: the cocky guy I first met, now turned all soft with all his gestures and care for me; this guy that was incredibly smart and sweet when he wasn't too preoccupied with entertaining himself. I thought of the Hanabusa that painted stars on my ceiling, the one that cared for me when I got sick, the one that stayed awake during the day in order to help me pass math. I had memorize every cadence in his voice without realizing it, learned to understand him and all his emotions through every joke and quick remark — and now that I could literally see him clearer, I knew that I never stood a chance against him.

His eyes meet mine again, and then turned back around. He was even more handsome when he was this expressive, not hiding any emotion from me. And when I recognized the anguish in his face, my heart softened. "I don't hate you."

Wanting him to feel safe, I toss out a lame joke. "Well okay, if I fall and bleed, you have my permission to have a taste." I playfully tap his leg, gesturing him to seat. "I mean, if we're cool at the time. Please don't just lurk around when you're angry at me and waiting for some of that blood."

He laughed again, a little more sane this time as he sat back down close to me.

"I'm glad you're not serious."

"I rarely am."

I took his face and kissed his mouth, then jaw, then shoulder. I felt a rush, and my heart seemed to beat louder and faster. Whether it was the way his skin felt under my lips, or the way I felt his body relax with my touch, or just the fact that we were so comfortable touching each other now made me feel light with joy. His arms wrapped around me, bringing me so close to him that he nearly crushed me but I wanted nothing more than to be close. When he kissed my neck, I couldn't help but laugh, even though it was not the first time he had kissed that spot tonight.

"Hungry for a taste?" I tease.

He shook his head and groaned, tightening his arms around me and playfully wrestling me into the ground, only to gently place me on my back when I don't stop laughing at him. I felt my hair sprawl on the blanket, and I looked up to see Hanabusa and the sky behind him. All the splashes of light. Still laughing at how easily I can tease him, I let my hands drop to my side. With him in front of me, I notice all the colours again, a more comfortably muted palette but still diverse tones for me to see — and his eyes were no longer blue. Dark and glowing, he looked at me with the intensity of all the stars.

"Damn, you are a little hungry for me, aren't you?"

He laughed softly, shaking his head, but his eyes were still glowing, shifting colours.

"Maybe somewhere meaty, where it doesn't hurt. Like a butt or thigh."

This time, he laughed like he was shocked and in pain all at once.

I reach up to touch his face. Fangs were protruding from his mouth, and I admit it startled me just a bit. I wasn't scared, but I realized now - this was proof. He actually was a vampire. Suddenly, all the jokes didn't feel like jokes anymore. He closed his eyes, letting his face rest in my hand.

"How much in control would you say you are?" I ask quietly.

"Hm," he said, and I could tell he was trying to keep his tone light. "Like 75%."

I smile, realizing that he was giving me the same number I told him when I was about to drive his car. "That's not too bad - for you, I guess." I matched his tone, trying to still sound playful even though things were starting to feel more serious now. I watched my breath carefully. I thought about it, then thought about it again.

"Yes." He was obviously distracted, and leaned down to kiss the side of my face, then my forehead.

"You can try," I said as I touched his face again. I almost couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth. Maybe this was it: I was truly unhinged. This was the stupid thing I was going to do after the past roller coaster of a few months. "Just for a second."

"Kaede," he said with a sigh, letting his head fall deeper into my hand.

"Really." My thumb stroked across his cheek. "Since it doesn't hurt. Just a nibble."

Hanabusa sighed again. "Kaede," he whispered in between each tender kiss. "Kaede, Kaede, Kaede." Kisses on my fingers, each knuckle, my hands and wrist, my forearm, and I didn't look but the pressure of his fangs breaking through skin was barely an equivalent to any of the other kisses on my body. I felt a heat to the area where his mouth pressed on my forearm, and suddenly I tingled all over. It was a new feeling altogether. And then I got light headedness until I drifted in and out from the the feeling of Hanabusa over me, and the sky over us. All the colours came rushing back. I saw the galaxy. The stars, the planets. I saw the skies move with the earth's rotation, and I hugged Hanabusa, the only thing that held me to the earth.

The rush was indescribable. And when he leaned kissed my arm then hand then fingertips again like a good bye, I was reeling. I didn't even hear what he had said before my eyes shut close, and I did not know if I was entering a dream or leaving one.

xxxx

Hanabusa had known he loved her for weeks now. But he did not know how full he'd feel like this. It felt like his heart was overflowing, and he was not sure if that was metaphorical or literal. "Kaede?" he asked quietly. She mumbled, and her dark hair fell over her face as she leaned towards him. Her hand found his, and they were warm and soft. She's okay, he convinced himself. Kaede is okay.

He didn't know he could feel exhausted after such an experience, but he was. With a deep sigh, he laid down next to her. Her heart beat was steady, and she was breathing normally, blissfully asleep. Meanwhile, his heart was ready to fly out of his chest. So this is what it feels like. He felt so, so tired but so, so alive. He rolled over to his side to look at her. "I love you," he said out loud, whispering. "I have never loved anyone like this before, not even close to this. And now I can't imagine what to do without you." He brushed her hair out of her face so he can admire her longer.

The world was silent. Night surrounded them, and warm winds wrapped him. He felt like he could fall asleep next to her, but instead he looked at her for one last time before getting up and slipping his arms under her to lift her up. She made the smallest noise and curled closer to him. Carrying her in his arms, he brought her back to the summer house.

He had been to this house for ten years, but now it was a totally different place to him. All of his life, Hanabusa experienced privilege and wealth. He lived in dozens of country, charmed his way through every situation, never glanced once at price tags, had everything come easy and had nothing barred to him. He felt the satisfaction of praise, of solving a problem no one else could, of outsmarting those who doubted him. He felt the esteem of his classmates and fellow researchers. He felt the love of his family. He felt the admiration of many.

But it was nothing compared to this. Maybe all of that was leading up to this. And he would give up everything for Kaede's love.

xxx

I drifted into a state where I could not tell the difference between a dream and reality. I felt Hanabusa hold me up, and I remember the feeling of leaning my head at the crook of his neck as he carried me in his arms. Then, I was being gently laid onto a bed that welcomed me like a cloud. And all the while, my hand was in in Hanabusa's.

xxx

I woke up refreshed and happy. Yawning and stretching, I felt like each muscle was strong and new. Maybe I should start working out, I thought before laughing at the ridiculousness of the idea. I stilled for a moment and did nothing but breathe and take in the moment, the peace.

Long moments passed as I rubbed my face and pushed my hair back, blinking away the sleepiness. The sunshine spilling in through huge windows and billowing white curtains helped. Sure, my sight was blurred and unfocused and everything was on a gradient of gray but it was comforting. For a moment, I forgot where I was but then the memory of night returned and I shot up. I looked at my arm but it was smooth and unblemished. Looking around wildly, I moved the duvet and swung my legs over the bed.

Just yesterday, I woke up to a plain, dark, dormitory room in the late winter. Today, I woke up to sunlight and warmth, with the sound of the ocean instead of high schoolers getting ready in a frantic rush. "Hanabusa?" I called out down the hallway that wrapped around the house so it was little more than an outdoor walkway with rooms on one side and the beach on the other. I continued until it led to the main part of the house that Hanabusa entered from, into the living room and kitchen. I saw a french press, still steaming, placed on the coffee table and helped myself. With the mug in hand, I wandered around Hanabusa's beach house until I found him face down in a massive king size bed on the other side of the house. There, all the curtains were pulled so the room was entirely shrouded in as much darkness as possible.

Only his fair hair peaked from under all the blankets. With him asleep, I wondered who made the coffee. I was about to let him sleep when Hanabusa moved under the sheets, murmuring something as he got up. "Good morning," I said.

"G'morning," he mumbled, his voice rough. "What time is it?"

"I have no idea," I said as I sipped the coffee. Then, Hanabusa became immediately alert and took the mug from my hand. He sniffed it quickly, took a sip, and then set it on the nightstand. "Sumatra," he muttered. Throwing his blanket aside, he stormed out of the room and I watched him go for a second until I realized that perhaps I should get up too. I took another sip, breathed in deeply, and got up.

It took one look at the man standing with his back faced to me to wish I really didn't.

Thank you so, so much for all of you readers who stuck around! Seriously, I can't thank you enough for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as we are very close to the end here :) Sure, I could have expanded on more story plots but I'm very excited with what's coming up next.

Thanks again for reading! As always, reviews would be lovely.