I stood there in my leather jacket that I adored, and in a simple tank top and shorts. I'd even incorporated the tattoo on my neck, feeling incomplete without its symbolism that belonged only to me.
My legs had magic circles displayed on them like tattoos and standing at my feet was the pure white Kitsune with pink eyes that haunted my dreams. Her tails crisscrossed with Urufu's as if they were friends from another life.
The final and most important piece I added was the pocket watch at the top, in the center between both halves of the painting. The pocket watch had all of its crystals and had a white glow surrounding its silver frame. The charms attached to the chain were in the right spots and I'd added a little colored aura around each of them. The chain extended to the edge of the canvas, but left a little spot for me to write the Japanese characters that resonated so strongly with me after painting the pocket watch that started it all.
Watashi no ai
"My love."
I turned to Aki's low voice. He had a peaceful expression on his face and his hand was inches away from his tablet.
"Yes. That's what went through my mind when I was drawing the pocket watch," I confessed. I put down the paintbrush and palette to get the special can of polish I needed to bring out the hidden masterpiece beneath the image.
Aki eyed me with a curious look which made him look super cute as his ears twitched. I gave him a mischievous look and pulled the lid off of the paint and held my breath.
I quickly sprayed the clear content on the large piece, using a little bit of wind magic to allow the spray to cover the entire canvas without having to use a stepping stool.
Once satisfied, I put the lid back on and spread out my hand to use more wind magic to dry it faster.
"What does that do?" Aki wondered.
I placed my hands on my hips and smiled back at him mysteriously. "Watch," I whispered. I walked over to the open curtains that allowed moonlight to illuminate the room. I closed them, sending the room into darkness.
I heard Aki gasp and smiled in triumph when I walked over to the couch and sat down next to him to view the hidden magic I'd created.
The entire image glowed in the dark, illuminating the various colors down to the little stars that literally looked like they were sparkling in the dark sky. The other half held a soft glow to highlight the sunset depicted.
Storm's silver eyes glittered and my turquoise ones twinkled. Both Uru's and the Kitsune's eyes reflected marvellously and the crystals of the pocket watched glistened.
Aki stood up and slowly approached the canvas. His tails remained still as he stared in silence.
"It's beautiful," he whispered, sounding astonished.
"Thank you. I hope the owner will be happy with it. It’s a bit delayed though so I hope they won't be upset," I admitted nervously. Because of the whole breakup situation, everything got delayed. Aki had sent an email on my behalf stating I was ill and he, as my manager, would keep them posted when I recovered and would be able to get back to scheduled commissions.
"They won't be upset. They know firsthand that you were dealing with a lot...and it came out perfectly. I’m sure they’ll love it," he mused.
"How do you know that they won't be upset? They wouldn't know what I'm dealing with first hand, because..." I trailed off when Aki turned to meet my confused gaze.
"An image representing your new pen name. Can be what inspired the name change. I like it," Aki recited from memory.
My eyes grew wide as I gawked at him. "How...but...A.T. Green?" I asked in a hushed tone.
The person who'd supported me and commissioned my artwork multiple times. To discover that Akihiro was the one who'd made all those purchases, some of which were the only reason I had money to pay my rent and get food to eat, astounded me.
"Akihiro Tomashuna and my eyes are green," he revealed with a wink before he returned to where I was sitting. He relaxed in the soft cushions of the sofa and his tails circled around me, pulling me closer.
I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me, both at the ticklish sensation of his soft fur and the reality he'd hidden his identity the entire time he lived with me. "Why didn't you say something earlier?" I wondered as I leaned against him.
His arm wrapped around my shoulder, allowing me to rest in his side embrace. "I hadn't gotten to see you work. Whenever I came back, you were finished and asleep on the couch. Which you have to stop doing by the way. It's bad for your muscles," he advised sternly.
"Or I can just take advantage of you guys carrying me to bed." I smiled playfully.
"Hmm. Doesn't sound like a bad bargain," he joked.
I looked up to meet his eyes. "You supported me when I had nothing in the beginning. You were one of my first clients when I was still an amateur. Why did you?"
He was quiet for a minute and his ears twitched a few times before he answered. "Art has always been a big part of my family. But the one thing about some pieces of artwork is that it looks rushed and unfinished. They stopped projecting meaning and instead went in the direction of what was trending. If one topic or piece of work grew in popularity, everyone wanted to do it. I was getting tired of seeing rushed pieces of work for the sake of money, rather than for the pure enjoyment of sharing your craft with the world. But then I discovered your first post and the image just spoke to me," he explained.
"Do you still have it? That was like four years ago," I wondered.
His grin widened and he reached out for his tablet on the side table next to the couch. He tapped on the screen to the gallery section and opened a folder.
I smiled widely at the image of my first piece of work. It was a simple image of a woman sword dancing. She was in mid-spin and the ribbons hanging from the hilts of her swords were wrapped around her.
I noticed other images in the folder, each of the pieces I'd created for him over the years; I smiled at the nostalgic piece of work. I remembered the days and nights spent on crafting them and the effort I put in to please A.T. Green, my favorite client. I was touched to realize it was Aki who had collected and treasured every single one of them.
"Aki. Thank you for supporting me for all these years."
"No, thank you for creating something different and unique." Aki smiled warmly.
We glanced back to the glowing canvas and shared a quiet moment in the comforting silence.
It wasn't until I felt myself being lifted from the sofa that I realized I'd dozed off. I glanced up to see Aki back in his human form with his hair tied up with the same ribbon from the nightstand.
"Let's go to bed," he announced.
I nodded in agreement; my eyes lingered on his soft lips. I wanted to kiss him, to show him a glimpse of the overwhelming amount of love and gratitude I felt at having him in my life. I was also thankful to Storm for nurturing and loving these men. She helped them overcome obstacles and setbacks and guided them on a path to become the individuals they were today.
I met Aki's green eyes. I tried to calm the nervous butterflies in my stomach that fluttered from the glint of lust glimmering in those green orbs as their gaze drifted to my lips.
Aki slowly leaned down until his lips lightly brushed mine. I closed my eyes and his lips pressed firmly onto my soft ones. My heart skipped a beat and my body sighed as the tender kiss intensified into something deeper, more desperate.
It was a bittersweet moment; he slowly pulled away to give me a playful grin.
"I've been dying to kiss you," he admitted.
"Then you should have done it sooner," I teased.
"I won't argue with you on that one." He spoke as he carried me to the bedroom. Before he closed the door with his foot, he paused and Uru came running into the room. We both smiled and he closed the door, setting me back on the bed.
"Can you stay?" I asked. I wasn't as afraid as before, but I wouldn't mind his company.
"Sure." He took off his t-shirt to reveal his chiseled body.