Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Saiyuki Serial: Beautifully Broken Evolution ❯ 24 Hammocks & Fireworks ( Chapter 24 )

Author's Notes: I don't own a damn thing here except the smutty idea. Rights to the characters, as always, remains with their creator.

 

Self-beta job here. Thanks goes to those who helped/inspired/prodded me along.

 

 

24 Hammocks & Fireworks

 

~Sanzo~

 

I had to be going soft in the head.

 

I'd actually caved to Goku's whining and big golden eyes and said yes to staying an extra day in this little podunk town for the fireworks display. How good of a show could it be when the town barely boasted a population of a hundred, if you counted the livestock as well? I hadn't even belted him in the head with my fan to make sure he knew I was doing it under duress.

 

Goku and Hakkai left right after supper. Goku claimed they had to leave right away before all the good spots were taken. Idiot monkey. Every spot was a good spot. The fireworks were in the sky not on the ground. Gojyo disappeared out the door but not before winking at me when he said he was going to have a smoke and enjoy the sunset.

 

I don't think Hakkai or Goku noticed the wink. Not that it really mattered if either one did. Hakkai knew I was sleeping with Gojyo. As much as that ticked me off, I wasn't so worried about accidentally letting something slip in front of him anymore. I doubt Goku even really knew what sex was all about. Not that he'd clue into what that wink of Gojyo's meant. Goku and subtle were two words that never went together.

 

I'd taken my time reading my paper and having a nice, blessedly silent, cup of tea. For those twenty minutes of peace, I decided staying an extra day was well worth it. Besides, it wasn't my dime I was spending. A smile twitched one corner of my mouth whenever I thought of making the floating heads pay, in even a small way, for sending me on this never-fucking-ending journey.

 

I headed back to the room I'd gotten for myself. Gojyo wasn't there waiting like I'd expected him to be given that earlier wink. I frowned and tossed the paper on the little night stand. I'd given him plenty of time to have his smoke, get his ass to my room and be naked and waiting on the bed for me. Standing in the middle of the small room, I tried to think of where he could have gotten himself off to when I heard singing coming through the open window. Leaning out the window, I spotted Gojyo lying in a hammock strung between two trees almost right below me. The song faded away when he spotted me and he waved at me.

 

“Hey, anata, come down and watch the sunset with me,” Gojyo called softly.

 

I narrowed my eyes at Gojyo, not sure if he had a death wish or not. I hadn't told him not to call me that the first time he did it and technically, he wasn't doing anything wrong or suspicious. It was a perfectly innocent word but a wholly indecent man was using it and he sure as shit didn't mean it innocently. I should've told him not to call me that the first time he did it. But, it'd made me feel good to have him call me that. No matter how good it made me feel to have Gojyo call me by a special name just between the two of us, it didn't mean he could go shouting it out where just anybody could hear him. I was seriously considering shooting him from the window for that little slip. I stomped out of my room intent on confronting Gojyo.

 

I walked across the short patch of grass to where Gojyo lay in the hammock. One of his legs dangled off the edge and he was using it to put the hammock into gentle motion. I made the mistake of getting close enough to him when the hammock swung towards me and found myself pulled down onto Gojyo. I made a noise of surprise that was most definitely not a squawk and wondered what possessed me to leave my gun in my room when I knew I was going down to chew out Gojyo.

 

I really was going soft in the head.

 

“About time you came down. You almost missed the sunset,” Gojyo said as he settled me next to him and gave the hammock a push with his foot to keep the swinging motion going.

 

“I said I'd shoot your balls off if you called me that outside of the bedroom,” I muttered as I tried to ignore how nice it felt to lay next to Gojyo.

 

“You were in your bedroom when I called you that,” Gojyo said with a cheeky grin.

 

I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow and he grunted. “That's not what I meant and you fucking know it. Somebody could've heard you.”

 

“Everybody has gone to watch the fireworks. I checked that out first. I wouldn't do that to you, Sanzo. Or risk my delicate bits without making sure we'd be alone. Now, shut that beautiful, bitchy mouth of yours and just enjoy the view with me,” Gojyo said giving me a hard squeeze and a lightning fast kiss.

 

I blinked in surprise at Gojyo. He never told me to shut up. Nobody told me to shut up. I was the one who told other people to shut up. A nasty remark started to climb up my throat until my brain processed that Gojyo'd just called my mouth beautiful. I had to fight with myself not to ask if he meant that; the beautiful part. I already knew I had a bitchy attitude.

 

Not willing to totally lose face, I muttered and grumbled under my breath as I twisted and wriggled next to Gojyo, jabbing him repeatedly with my elbows and kicking him a few times in the ankle just for good measure. Gojyo said nothing and waited patiently for me to stop moving around. I stopped squirming around when I couldn't get the reaction out of him I wanted.

 

“Comfy?” Gojyo asked with humour in his voice.

 

I was annoyed that he'd taken all my moving around, jabbing and kicking with such good humour. Then again, when I thought about it, Gojyo was… patient when dealing with me. I wanted to get pissy over that but I couldn't seem to work up the energy when he started combing his fingers through my hair. A little relaxed sigh escaped me before I could stop it. Damn, how did he know I'd like that so much?

 

I still hadn't really figured out how Gojyo felt about me. I'd been thinking about it more and more since that time I'd been sick. He hadn't said anything to me about how he felt. Not in so many words. He'd called me anata after that time we had hot sex on a chair and I'd let him get away with it then. I think I knew what he was saying by choosing to use that word. Maybe. An irritated grunt escaped me. This relationship stuff was way too fucking hard. How did people do it on a regular basis?

 

I could've settled everything if I just asked him point blank how he felt or what he wanted from me. He said he wouldn't lie to me and I believed that. Gojyo was a lot of things but he wasn't a liar. I wanted to know at the same time that I didn't want to know because that would change everything. I didn't do too good with change. Especially changes like that.

 

A scowl developed when I realized I was just a little too chicken-shit to actually come straight out and ask him what he felt for me. I could face hordes of demons and barely flinch yet the idea of confirming that one pervy kappa could might maybe possibly feel something for me beyond a good time between the sheets scared the ever loving shit out of me. That pissed me off and I jabbed Gojyo in the ribs again with my elbow. I was confused when all he did was grunt softly and hug me tighter. His fingers continued their slow stroking through my hair as if I hadn't just tried to rupture his spleen with my elbow. My eyes slide shut against my will at the gentle touch and easy warmth I felt whenever Gojyo held me.

 

How the hell did he do that?

 

“It's going to be a beautiful day tomorrow, Sanzo. Look at that sky,” Gojyo said before nuzzling my hair. I heard him sigh in contentment and felt his lips move against the skin of my temple. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was mouthing words instead of kissing me.

 

“It's red,” I muttered after cracking an eye open to see what Gojyo was going on about. Damn, the hammock was really comfortable. Or maybe that was Gojyo. Whatever it was, I just wanted him to shut up while I relaxed against him. His heart was a steady rhythm under my ear. My fingers crept up to tangle in his hair. God, but Gojyo had great hair.

 

“It's not just red, Sanzo. It's pink and gold and purple and burnt orange and dark sienna and vermillion… what?” Gojyo asked with suspicion in his voice as I tried to muffle my unexpected snorts of laughter.

 

My stomach started to hurt as I tried to keep the laughter in. Where the hell did he come up with those colours? I bit my lip in an effort to keep from laughing but it didn't help. Loud hoots escaped me and I had to turn my face into Gojyo's shoulder to try and get myself under control. My shoulders shook and I could almost feel Gojyo looking at me strangely. I wasn't even sure why I found Gojyo knowing those colours so funny. Or why it felt so good to laugh while Gojyo held me.

 

“Burnt orange? Dark sienna? Vermillion?” I asked little giggles escaping me no matter how hard I tried to hold them back. Giggles. What the hell?

 

“They're colours,” Gojyo defended. “Hakkai said so.”

 

Hakkai. That explained everything. He'd think nothing of calling the colours in a sunset that no matter how… girly it sounded. I got myself under control with only the odd little snort of laughter breaking past my lips now and again. My stomach felt tight from the unaccustomed laughing jag, but in a good way. My mind again turned to Gojyo and the things he seemed to be able to pull from me without trying or my protesting too much. I rested my head back on his shoulder and watched the sunset with him as I absently played with the ends of his hair. I liked the colour of his hair better than any stupid sunset.

 

Not that I'd actually say that.

 

Or that his hair reminded me of rubies reflecting the light. Or that it smelled like strawberries and spring rain. Or that it felt like the finest silk against my skin and that I'd love to see him with hair that reached his ass so it could fall like a curtain around us when we were together in bed.

 

Nope. No way in hell I was saying any of that crap… even if every word was true.

 

“Why did you call me to come down here? Why weren't you in my room?” There. I'd asked a direct question. Two direct questions matter of fact.

 

“Because I wanted to share a nice relaxing, lazy evening with my lover. We can go up to your room later, Sanzo. This sunset only happens one time.”

 

“It'll happen again tomorrow night,” I scoffed.

 

“That'll be a different sunset, Sanzo. This particular one only happens this time. I knew it was going to be pretty and with the fireworks a little later, it'll be a beautiful night to lay in a hammock with someone… special and enjoy.”

 

I heard the slight pause in Gojyo's words and wondered what he'd been about to say. Had he been about to call me something else? Had he been about to say what he felt about me? I frowned again. I was back to wondering what he felt for me. Had I been right with my train of thought when I'd been sick; what I remembered of it anyway? Did Gojyo maybe feel more for me than what he'd actually said? He said he liked me more than once but it was a big leap from like to love. He'd said he liked me the way I was and didn't want me to change. He wouldn't have said he wanted a real relationship with me if he didn't feel something more than just liking me, would he? He'd just called me special. At least I think he did. He told me I was beautiful and sexy, although, I had no clue where he got that fucking idea.

 

God damn, but this relationship thing was hard.

 

How did Gojyo feel about me? This was starting to drive me nuts. Why did I have to get sick and have Gojyo take care of me? Why did I have to end up with all that time sick in bed with nothing to do but think? Once I started thinking about how Gojyo might feel, the damn idea was like… like Goku. Persistent. Utterly focused on just one goal. Pissing me off to the point that I wanted to shoot something; preferably the one pissing me off.

 

“Ow, hey, easy on the hair, Sanzo,” Gojyo said covering my hand with his.

 

A blush started to crawl up my throat; I could feel it. I muttered an apology and let go of his hair only to have my retreat stopped by the grip of his hand on mine.

 

“You can play with my hair as much as you want, Sanzo. Just remember, if you yank it out, you won't have anything to play with later and I really don't look my best with short hair,” Gojyo teased gently.

 

I grunted and felt the blush in my cheeks deepen. God, but I was glad it was nearly dark and Gojyo couldn't see that. He'd really needle me about it and then I'd have to shoot him on principal and I'd rather not do that right now. I was surprisingly comfortable where I was and didn't want to have to get up to go get my gun. My eyes slid shut again as I forced everything from my head and just listened to the sound of Gojyo's heart and the crickets.

 

Gojyo started to hum a song as he stroked his fingers through my hair. Something I'd never heard before but, there was a pull to it that I couldn't quite figure out. It wasn't the demon song he sang for me or the one he'd sung that Hakkai'd heard. I couldn't say for sure that it was a demon song but there was definitely power to it. I caught random words. Firefly. Glowing. Divine. Not like I was an expert or anything but, I'd never heard words in Gojyo's demon songs before.

 

“What's that song?” There. I'd asked another direct question. I was proud of myself and the roll I seemed to be on.

 

Gojyo abruptly stopped humming and the hammock lurched a little as if I'd startled him. I don't think he realized he was singing or humming or whatever loud enough for me to hear him. I hadn't meant to make him stop. Gojyo had a beautiful voice. Although, now that I thought about it, he really only sang when we were alone. Even if it wasn't his demon song, he didn't sing where Hakkai and Goku might hear him. I felt immensely pleased that he only sung around me but wondered why I was the only one to hear him sing.

 

“I… here, I snuck some stuff outta the kitchen for us,” Gojyo said pressing a strawberry to my lips.

 

I automatically opened my mouth and Gojyo slipped the strawberry inside. His fingers brush over my lips and I touched my tongue to his fingers tasting strawberry and faintly, tobacco. Gojyo let his finger drag slowly across my bottom lip and a little shiver travelled over my skin. Damn. Now all I could think about was other things on Gojyo that I'd like to lick. How the fuck was he able to do this kind of shit to me?

 

“Good, Sanzo?” Gojyo asked in a voice gone suddenly husky. Ha. I recognized that tone of voice from Gojyo.

 

I wasn't the only one thinking dirty thoughts. He wanted to do more than just feed me strawberries or run his fingers through my hair. I was up for that. A little snicker escaped me at my word choice, even if it was only in my head. Gods, but Gojyo's perverted streak was obviously contagious. Surprisingly, I wasn't that upset about it as long as my growing perversions were kept private between me and Gojyo.

 

I watched the colours bleed out of the sky as Gojyo continued to feed me pieces of fruit. Every once and a while, he'd slip me a piece dipped in honey. The honey ones were always followed by Gojyo getting me to suck the honey off his fingers before he licked my lips clean. Who knew I could get so hard from something so simple? Actually, Gojyo probably knew. He seemed to have some kind of direct line to my libido.

 

Not that I was overly bothered by that.

 

I should have been. Several months ago, I would've been annoyed. A year ago, I'd have been down right pissed and probably would've shot him without so much as a second thought. But, a year ago, I wasn't enjoying the erotic talents of Gojyo. I didn't have a fucking clue back then of the kinds of things he'd introduce me to. Or how much I'd like them. Holding a gun to Gojyo's head and demanding he fuck me had been one of the best decisions I'd ever made.

 

I startled a little when the first firework exploded in the night sky. My eyes popped open and I saw a shower of gold light up the darkness. Gojyo slipped out from under me, making the hammock sway violently. I tried to push myself up but the motion of the hammock and the loose weave of the rope defeated me. I fell back cursing Gojyo and the hammock.

 

“Relax, anata. I'm not going anywhere. I'm just trying something new. If you don't like it or don't feel comfortable, tell me and I'll stop, okay?” Gojyo said in a low voice.

 

Gojyo pushed my robe up and made fast work of getting my jeans off. I protested but he somehow managed to get me naked from the waist down faster than I thought possible. I wasn't big on the idea of being bare-assed outside where anybody could see me. Gojyo caught my hands when I tried to grab my jeans back before he dropped them over the side of the hammock. He pressed a kiss to my knuckles.

 

“I'm leaving your robe on, Sanzo. If anybody comes back before the fireworks are over, you'll still be covered. I'll hear people coming before they ever see you in all your naked glory and warn you in plenty of time. Trust me,” Gojyo said softly pressing an open-mouthed kiss to my belly.

 

I opened my mouth to demand Gojyo give me back my pants and groaned instead. Damn. How did he know it would make my cock twitch in excitement when he swirled his tongue in my belly button? The hammock swayed again when Gojyo climbed back into it. He settled himself between my legs and started stroking his hands over my inner thighs. I felt horribly exposed with my legs spread and my half-hard dick visible to anyone who happened to walk by. There was also the thrill of excitement that shivered down my spine from knowing somebody might see us. My cock stiffened at the thought and I grumbled in defeat. Gojyo was one moral depravity after another and I wasn't sure which of us was worse; him for thinking this shit up or me for actually liking the kink.

 

“Watch the fireworks, Sanzo, and just enjoy what I'm going to do to you,” Gojyo said reaching for the table that had held the plate of fruit.

 

Yeah, right. How was I supposed to watch fireworks when Gojyo was teasing his fingers around my balls and making my breath catch? Another round of fireworks exploded in the sky, lighting Gojyo's face with a multi-coloured glow. I could see his anticipation and excitement for what he had planned and that made my eagerness surge. Gojyo captured my complete attention when he drizzled the liquid honey over my cock.

 

“What are you doing, you pervy kappa?” I asked in a voice that was suddenly husky.

 

“Having a little fun. Watch the fireworks,” Gojyo replied before swiping his tongue up the length of my cock.

 

My fingers tangled in the ropes of the hammock and I had to grit my teeth not to let the whimper in my throat escape. I held back that needy little sound but couldn't stop the tilting of my hips in a wordless plea for more. Gojyo worked his tongue back and forth over my dick, licking up the honey and making my heart race like crazy. I made a little sound of disappointment when I realized he'd cleaned me of all the honey and the little tongue bath was over. Gojyo was a fantastic cock sucker and I looked forward to every single blow job he gave me. He must've had the best sense of timing on the planet because his mouth closed over the head of my cock at the exact moment the next volley of fireworks lit up the night sky. A whine of pleasure escaped me and I knew Gojyo heard it over the boom of the fireworks when I felt his pleased hum vibrate down the length of my cock.

 

The hammock swayed into motion again and Gojyo's hands slipped under my ass, his thumbs rubbing over my skin and spreading my cheeks apart. I watched him move his mouth over me and held my breath, waiting to feel his fingers push inside me whenever his thumbs brushed over my hole. Having Gojyo play with my ass while he sucked me off was unbelievably good and something he hadn't done in a while. The spicy kick of maybe being discovered made what he was doing even more erotic. His mouth was firmly clamped around my cock, providing sweet suction as he bobbed his head up and down slowly.

 

I gave a little whine of frustration when no fingers slid into my ass like I expected and wanted. I wanted to feel him pressing on my sweet spot and stretching me but, Gojyo seemed to have other ideas of what he was going to do. I twisted under his hands and wriggled my hips in an effort to get him to do what I wanted without having to ask him for it. When he still didn't slide his fingers inside me I let go of the hammock ropes and tangled my hands in his hair. I know I made some sort of sound of enjoyment at having my fingers caught in those silky strands because Gojyo hummed his approval again making my breath leave me on a groan.

 

Gojyo began moving faster over my cock, making his own sounds of pleasure as he pushed me closer to the edge before swallowing me all the way down and just stopping. My heart pounded in my chest and I wanted him to keep moving his mouth over me. I was so close to orgasm, I could feel it twisting through me. My position and the give of the hammock under me guaranteed that I couldn't move enough to urge Gojyo along. I refused to beg for release although I did gasp and shudder when Gojyo slowly backed off my dick. Cooling night air hit my spit-slicked cock making me shiver and aware once again that we were outside where anybody could walk by at any time. His hair trailed over my thighs and belly as he pressed nibbling kisses across whatever skin he could reach although he completely ignored my throbbing cock and aching balls.

 

“Enjoying the fireworks, Sanzo?” Gojyo asked between kisses.

 

Like I was even paying attention to that.

 

I didn't answer him. Nothing close to words would have come out of my mouth anyway. Gojyo seemed content to spread kisses and licks over my belly and thighs. Slowly, the tension of being so close to orgasm backed off when I got no more lip action from Gojyo. I wasn't sure what he was going to do next, but I wasn't prepared for him to start the whole process of pushing me along towards orgasm again with his talented mouth. His lips closed over the head of my dick and he sucked hard, pulling a moan from me. The moan turned into a shout of delight when he pushed both thumbs into my ass. I'd no idea when he'd spread lube over my hole or were he'd gotten it from. It didn't really matter. He knew I loved the feel of suddenly being invaded as he'd just done.

 

My fingers tightened in his hair as he bobbed his head and played with my ass, pushing, stretching and rubbing his thumbs against my insides. I couldn't believe how wickedly erotic I felt with my legs spread, his thumbs forcing my hole open, his mouth tight on my cock and completely exposed to anybody that might walk by. I panted harshly, the muscles in my belly tightening as I felt my orgasm rushing at me. He was not going to stop this time. I'd make damn fucking sure of that. I relaxed my hold on his hair and ran my fingers through the red strands until I felt the fuzzy firmness of his antenna. His whole body shuddered and he whined deep in his throat when I fondled those oh-so-sensitive antenna of his. He sucked down my entire length so fast, I thought I saw stars. My nipples were so hard, they damn near hurt in that good way I'd come to associate with sex with Gojyo. I thought I knew what would happen when I caressed his antenna like that.

 

I had no freaking idea.

 

Gojyo moved his mouth faster over my cock. The demon song he sang just for me flowed into my head, stronger and louder than I'd ever heard it before. Every nerve in my body came alive. Sounds were suddenly sharper and the colours from the fireworks still exploding in the sky seemed brighter. I could feel tension coiling in Gojyo and the absolute need in him to pleasure me. Orgasm ploughed into me and all my muscles snapped nearly painfully tight. Something very close to a scream escaped me as my cock spurted into Gojyo's mouth. I groaned at the feel of Gojyo's throat working to swallow my seed and the noises of pleasure he was making. He was breathing harshly through his nose and I felt his body shudder. A wave of satisfaction washed through me, relaxing my tense muscles to the point of bonelessness. My hands fell from Gojyo's antenna to land limply beside me. I don't think I could've moved if my life depended on it. My head spun with the contentment Gojyo'd just given me. The demon song was fading and I didn't want it to. I liked the feeling of love it wrapped me in.

 

Oh, fuck.

 

My brain seemed to screech to a halt as I tried to process what I'd just realized. The song was different from the one he'd sung when Hakkai was with us. The demon song Gojyo sang for me was telling me how he felt. It'd been subtly changing, getting louder and stronger each time he sang for me. This was the first time that I'd played with his antenna since that night with Hakkai and the song was always more powerful when I did that. How the hell did I miss his feelings in the song before?

 

Gojyo let my softening cock slip from his mouth. He rested his head against my belly, the soft puffs of his ragged breath teasing my overly sensitive cock and making me want to squirm. At some point, his thumbs left my ass and he now smoothed his hands over my legs and hips. I could feel sweat cooling on my skin and the ends of his hair brushing against me.

 

“I didn't mean for that to happen, Sanzo,” Gojyo said in an apologetic tone.

 

I'll fucking bet he didn't.

 

“But, I wasn't expecting you to play with my antenna like you did. Next time, warn me, okay? I love when you play with them, Sanzo but, I can't keep my word not to use my demon powers on you and sing to you when you do that.”

 

I grunted at him as I tried to figure out just how I felt about this little bombshell.

 

I was almost positive now that he loved me. That's what the song felt like. It felt like joy and love and friendship and caring and probably a thousand other things that I was too rattled to recognise at the moment. I waited for anger or a trapped feeling to start and was more shocked by not feeling either of those things than I was by being almost certain Gojyo loved me. I felt smug that I had Gojyo's love.

 

What the fuck?!

 

“Sanzo, as comfortable as I find this and as unbelievably sexy as you look, you're going to have to put your jeans back on or at least pull your robe down. The fireworks are over and people'll be coming back soon. I've also gotta go change,” Gojyo said before placing a kiss on my hip and heaving himself from the hammock making it sway into motion.

 

“Change?” I mumbled only paying partial attention to what Gojyo was saying. How the hell had I missed the depth of emotions in that song? I wasn't that thick, was I?

 

“Yeah. I… uh… you were so erotic looking when I was blowing you. The sounds you were making were… and then you started stroking my antenna. You screamed my name when you came,” Gojyo's voice softened with a touch of embarrassment when he continued. “I came in my pants without you ever touching me. I only wanted to give you pleasure. I wanted this to be just about you enjoying yourself but… that's what you do to me, Sanzo.”

 

He turned and was heading back to the inn before I had time to say a damn thing. Not that I had any idea what I would've said. I didn't actually scream Gojyo's name when I came, did I? I didn't remember doing it but I couldn't see Gojyo making up shit like that just to yank my chain. And Gojyo came in his pants? From just blowing me and hearing me call his name, if I really did do that, when I came? I could do that to him? He actually seemed a little embarrassed over that but, knowing I had that kind of effect on Gojyo gave me an unexpected warm glow of pride. Gojyo's embarrassment aside, what was I supposed to do now?

 

Was I supposed to tell him I knew what the feelings in that demon song were or should I keep my mouth shut? If I said something, did he expect me to tell him how I felt? Did I even know how I felt about Gojyo? I mean, really felt, beyond the great sex and kink I'd never even dreamed up in my wildest fantasies. The panic I should've felt when I realized how Gojyo probably felt about me, threatened to start in my belly when I thought about examining my own feelings.

 

How fucked up was that?

 

I was mostly okay with the pervy kappa likely being in love with me. There wasn't really anything I could do to stop him from feeling how he did. Aside from shooting him, that is. I wasn't even sure that would work. Not that I'd actually try it. I frowned as I got up from the hammock and put my jeans on. Eventually I was going to have to do some serious thinking.

 

But not tonight.

 

I'd just finished straightening my robe when Goku bounced into the small yard, Hakkai a few steps behind him. Gojyo still hadn't come back from the room yet and I was just the tiniest bit relieved. I still wasn't sure what I was going to do or say when I saw him again. There was no way in hell I was going to say shit in front of Hakkai or Goku.

 

“Sanzo! Did you see the fireworks? Was that cool or what? Aren't you glad I talked you into staying?” Goku said excitedly flopping into the hammock. “Did you watch the fireworks with Gojyo? He said the best seat was this hammock but I bet it was way better where Hakkai and me were. You guys should've come. It was awesome.”

 

Oh yeah, the fireworks were great. All thirty seconds that I remembered of them. I felt my cheeks heat at the mention of the hammock and the best seat. I'd never been more grateful for darkness as I was then. I knew I'd never look at a hammock quite the same way again.

 

“We're leaving early to make up for the extra day we stayed here. I'm going to bed,” I said as I turned and headed back into the inn.

 

A lot had happened during the fireworks show and not all of it took place in the night sky. At the moment, all I wanted was a peaceful night's rest where I didn't think about what I'd just learned and what it all might mean. I gave a soft snort when I realized that the only place I'd been able to get that peaceful night's rest lately had been in the arms of the person who was the reason I might not have a peaceful sleep. That sort of thing just proved to me that the gods were crazy and took every chance they could to fuck with people, me in particular.