Flying Fish by Sedonia Guillone

Author:Sedonia Guillone [Guillone, Sedonia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63477-542-7
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2016-08-17T04:00:00+00:00

BACK AT Daisuke’s small house, Daisuke lit a lantern and set it on the floor inside. Immediately, the heat of shame flooded his cheeks and deepened when Genji slipped off his sandals, stepped inside, and took in his surroundings. Since returning, Daisuke hadn’t taken a moment even to sweep away the dead leaves and twigs that had blown in over the years or to wipe away the dust in the space where he slept. Now, this beautiful, sweet creature would be sleeping in a disgusting hovel because he had nothing better to provide. “I apologize for the condition of this place, Genji. It’s been neglected in my absence. I will clean it up for you.”

“It’s all right.” Genji untied his knapsack and set it down. He went over to the pile of straw and rags that obviously served as Daisuke’s bed and knelt down. “I’m tired,” he said and lowered himself onto the mat. He lay on his side, his back to Daisuke.

Daisuke extinguished the lantern and then approached the mat. Quietly he undid his weapons belt and laid it to the side and eased himself down, a short distance away from Genji. Every movement, every moment that passed felt heavy with the consequence of Daisuke’s behavior. Though Genji lay close enough that Daisuke could reach out and touch him, it felt as if a wide chasm separated them.

By the moonlight filtering through the slats, Daisuke watched Genji, wanting so badly to move in closer and spoon the back of his body the way he used to with Umeno. It had been a comforting, sweet way to sleep for both of them, and Daisuke had missed it as badly as he would have missed having air to breathe. Moments passed before he realized that Genji’s body quaked. Little sniffling sounds emanated into the still air.

The muffled sobs cut through Daisuke’s heart. Propping on his elbow, he leaned forward, stopping himself at the last second from reaching out and closing a hand over Genji’s arm. “Genji,” he whispered, “I’m so sorry. I was wrong; I know it. But I couldn’t bear to have anyone touch you with such dirty greed. You’re a magical, wondrous being.”

To Daisuke’s surprise, Genji turned onto his back and looked at him. In the light of the moon that shone through the window, Daisuke could see tears glistening on Genji’s smooth cheeks. He ached to wipe them away with a gentle thumb but didn’t dare touch Genji now, after what he’d done to him.

“I’m no such thing, Daisuke,” he said softly. “I’m just a man whose life was once torn apart, like yours. Like everyone’s.” He heaved a deep sigh. “As long as I had the theater, I could face anything. Since I couldn’t have the theater without… the other part, I accepted it.” He paused and sniffled again. One graceful hand came out and wiped across his cheek. “I don’t know what I am without my life’s work.”

Daisuke’s heart squeezed painfully. The words echoed like ones he himself had thought, the day before when Oribe had confronted him about his desire for revenge.

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