My eyes doubled in size at the sudden appearance of several orange and yellow tails behind him; their white tips began to glow and his hair floated slightly as if a breeze was holding it.
Urufu whimpered and ran back to my room. I tried not to shiver even as goosebumps formed on my arms at the waves of power coming off of Aki.
Haru had shown me how it felt when someone had a small magic affinity and tried to use magic, but this felt at least ten times more powerful than that demonstration.
I wasn't afraid of Aki. I was afraid of what Aki would do to James who was gawking at him with trembling lips.
"Get out and stay away from our Crimson. She's not your back up booty or side chick. The moment you step out of here, she isn't your possession to use and abuse any longer. She belongs with us; we will show her what real men look like and how they behave. Now get out of my sight, or I'll ensure there's nothing left of that small cock of yours," Aki declared in a low threatening voice.
James was out the door in a flash, slamming it behind him.
The room was silent, but the tension was thick in the air. Aki turned around to face me. I met his gaze and didn't move. The anger inside me wasn't gone. No, it was waiting. Waiting for Aki to abandon me too. To inform me that after all of this was over, he and the others would leave too. I wouldn't let the shock hit me again. I would take it now when my heart was prepared and I had the power to fight back.
I was so tired of people hurting me. I was exhausted from crying worthless tears over people who always had such dark intentions from the get-go. I wouldn't let Aki do the same to me.
"Crim." His voice was still lower than his normal register and his green eyes looked dull compared to his glowing hair that continued to float, while his tails moved back and forth.
Now I understood why he always had his hair up. My mother always wore hers down for a similar reason. I wouldn't have guessed that Akihiro was a Kitsune, but it suited him perfectly in every way. Yet, I wouldn’t admit how attracted I was to him in this moment.
"I'm fine," I announced, but my voice trembled.
"Crim, take a deep breath," Aki encouraged.
"It won't change anything," I whispered.
"I know. But you need to tame that power within you. Please?" He took a step forward, but I moved back.
"You'll give up on me too," I admitted to him my biggest fear.
"I won't."
"James said he wouldn't abandon me. I told him everything. My insecurities, the way my father had treated me all those years. My strengths and weaknesses. I did everything to make myself worthy of his love. To be transparent in our relationship and trust him. I thought I was enough. But... I wasn't. I can never meet anyone's expectations."
I felt a tear roll down my cheek and I quickly rubbed it away in anger.
"Why can't I be good enough? Why can't I be treasured and loved? I'm fucking tired of crying. I'm tired of my heart being broken and shattered into pieces for me to pick them up and glue them together like a fool. I’m...just...tired and angry. I deserve better...don't I?" I lifted my gaze to stare into his green eyes.
He nodded and stretched out his hand, the same way he had when he made the oath. "Remember what I did and said. I vowed to never abandon you unless you said so. That vow still stands, Crimson. I'll never leave your side. I'll always come for you. No matter how far away you are or where you go. I will cherish your kindness, beauty, and bruised heart. I'll help pick up the pieces one by one and glue them back together until you’re whole again. My love and protection will be absolute unless you choose to cast me away," he revealed.
I stared into his eyes and knew in the depths of my soul he meant every word.
"Take a deep breath, Crim. Let your anger go."
"Why?" I countered.
He looked into the mirror next to me, gesturing for me to look into it too. I followed his silent command and met bright pink eyes in the reflection. The same ones that haunted my dreams. I wasn't afraid. In my current state of mind, I didn't seem bothered by the change in eye color, but Aki knew better and I wouldn't let my anger blind me from realizing my worth.
I took a deep breath, but the anger only subsided a smidge.
"Again, Crim," he encouraged.
I took another and my body shivered. I didn't want to let go of the anger. I gripped tightly to it because I knew without it, I'd break down and acknowledge the fact that James broke my heart.
I glanced at the floor and took another shaky breath, followed by another, and sobs began to escape. The fading anger was replaced by incredible pain and anguish.
I heard Aki's footsteps and then I saw his feet in front of mine. I watched my tears drop to the floor and on my bare feet as they blurred my vision and streamed down my cheeks.
"It's okay, Crimson. You still have us. No matter what," Aki whispered.
I nodded as I began to let it out and just cry. My shoulders moved up and down with each sniff and I lifted my hands up to wipe away my tears.
"Silly me. I said no more waterworks and here I am crying again," I whimpered, beginning to sob even harder.
Aki pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly.
I heard the door open and multiple sets of footsteps enter the room, but I ignored everything around me. I just wanted to cry.
"Crim?" Malachi's voice sounded next to me and I felt a hand rub my back. I didn't hear any other words being exchanged, but did hear two sets of footsteps leave the house.
"Hey, Crim. Don't cry," Haru's soft voice soothed.
"It's okay, Crim. We're here." I heard Itsuki whisper reassuringly.
"We won't leave you, okay? You're stuck with us now," Malachi vowed.
I pulled back to look at the three men who surrounded Aki and I. They had soft expressions on their faces, but I saw their determination and unwavering resolve.
"You’re ours now. No take backs," Malachi declared.
I nodded in understanding. He smiled, taking a step forward and used his fingers to wipe the tears from my stained cheeks.
"We bought ice cream. Why don't we eat and just relax?" he suggested.
I looked at Haru and Itsuki who both nodded with small smiles. I glanced up at Aki who had a kind expression on his face and a gentle smile.
"That sounds nice," I admitted.
"Good. Come, you can sit between me and Aki, hai?" Malachi offered.
"Hai," I agreed.
Today I am broken. Maybe tomorrow I will be too.
But I'll give these men a chance to help me pick up the pieces of my fractured heart.
Aki vowed to never leave me and I somehow knew with time, the others would too.
They would never abandon me...and I'd never let them go either.
"Crimson, you have to eat."
I continued working on the next commission from a client named J.H. He was another long-term patron who'd been buying my work for years. The piece they requested was a little girl holding a baby Kitsune in her arms. It was a simple project, but it seemed to take hours for me to get inspiration.
"Crimson."
I blinked out of my daze at Yoshi's stern tone. I looked up at his displeased look, but then returned back to my work.
"Where's Aki? He'd convince her to eat," Malachi sighed.
"Can't always rely on him and he's out," Itsuki pointed out.
They continued talking, but I tuned them out in an attempt to return to my art. The last three days I'd been a mess and I didn't want to linger on the pain that vibrated through my hollow heart.
"Crimstorm."
I looked to my left to see Haru sitting right next to me with a spoon in his hand. I glanced at the steamy spoonful of tomato parmesan soup. My stomach growled at the sweet aroma of tomato basil mixed with the scent of cheese. I glanced back at my work, pondering whether I should pause to eat.