“Don’t say they,” Kofi snapped. “Osaki, Ciro and Koi are fine. The others just came out defective. If you could keep Wonder Sperm in your pants, we wouldn’t be having this problem.”
“And your brother would not have found his husband.”
“See? My brother was meant to be with Ciro so, with or without you, Ciro would have been here. But anything you touch gets shot to hell because you take no responsibility for your actions.”
Osaki smiled at Kofi, watching his human with such pride and heat that he wondered how he didn’t fall over or explode with it. He touched Kofi’s hand and the man stepped back. Osaki relinquished his weapon so it vanished then leveled his stare on Zeus. “I am not one of yours,” Osaki spoke. “Whatever reason brought you here, you can go back on the wings of the same.”
“I interrupted something.”
“You are not going to give me the talk, are you?” Osaki arched an eyebrow. “I am a few hundred years old. I think I know how it works.”
Zeus tilted his head to look at Kofi.
Osaki stepped closer to the king, making sure that Kofi didn’t hear what he was about to say. “I see your lust, Zeus. But you need to get that in check.”
“He is a good-looking man, as far as humans go.”
“Go anywhere near him, and you and I will have a problem,” Osaki warned. “Do you understand?”
“Are you threatening me, Shiver?”
“Threats are for children and fools.”
Zeus stared into Osaki’s eyes for a moment and Osaki could have sworn he saw some fear there. Did Zeus know something he didn’t? And if so, what? Nothing and no one scared Zeus, so why would he have that glint in his eyes? Zeus glanced at Kofi one more time then vanished.
“What the hell was that about?” Kofi asked.
“I do not know.”
“What if we were—you know—in the middle of something? He’d just pop in like that? What is it with this family? No one in it ever fucking knocks!”
Osaki turned and gripped Kofi’s shoulders to keep him from pacing. “I know you are upset, darling but—”
“Upset doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m feeling right now.” Kofi frowned and pulled from Osaki’s arms.
The Shiver called for the others before jogging to catch up with Kofi. After grabbing the art supplies from the gazebo, they entered the house and Osaki closed the door behind him. He wondered what was taking the others so long but said nothing toward that. He merely stood at the door watching Kofi put away his art supplies.
“Why are you really upset, Kofi? The fact Zeus was here or you are angry with yourself for kissing me?”
Kofi dropped the easel he was holding and swore. “I’m not angry about the kiss. I’m pissed because I wanted more than that kiss, and I was ready. I’m angry with Zeus and all these other bullshit asses that pop up all the time set on causing as much fucking damage as possible! I mean, shit! It’s one world. Get over it.”
“Kofi—”
“I have enough on my plate figuring out this gay thing. I don’t need to be dodging lightning bolts and the King of the Gods because a few Shivers can’t get their shit together.”
“I will never let them hurt you again.”
“That is not the point, Osaki.” Kofi’s voice sounded tired as he walked over. He cradled Osaki’s face. “The point is I cannot live with these Shivers appearing in and out when they feel like it, scaring the living shit out of me. I’ve been looking over my shoulders since Goji attacked us and you wanna know the fucked up part of this whole thing? They’re not going to stop.”
“You are correct,” Hades’ voice called from behind Osaki.
Both whirled to face him.
“You see? This is the shit I’m talking about—them just appearing. Ever heard of a fucking door?” Kofi snapped and made his way up the stairs. “Oh, and, Osaki, you can thank Zeus, because if he hadn’t shown up, you were going to get some today!”
“What’s eating him?” Hades questioned, just as the others appeared in the room. Ciro shimmered into view beside Carter.
“And get some of what?” Hades asked.
“He just realized he is gay, Zeus paid us a visit and the God of the Underworld appeared out of thin air in our hallway. I would say that is what is eating him,” Osaki replied, walking by them toward the living room.
“Get some of what?” Hades reiterated.
“Forget it, Hades!” Osaki snapped.
Carter was looking around the room, so Osaki pointed upward. Carter nodded and took off up the stairs.
Osaki sat in a meditation pose and straightened his back as the others joined him. Adrestia didn’t sit, but chose to stand by the window, staring outside. Hades, Ares, Ciro, Sisqo and Hercules all took seats around him, as if waiting for him to speak.
“Kofi is my true mate,” Osaki admitted. “I know that now. Zeus has taken a liking to him, so whatever these other Shivers are up to, we must stop it now so I can make Kofi mine before Zeus—”
“No.” Ares was the first to unglue himself. “Zeus does not get to step into this and steal anything from anyone. Not this time.”
“Ares is correct.” Hercules leaned forward. “Enough lives have been altered by him and his philandering ways. We stop this and we do it now.”
“There is news you may not wish to hear,” Ciro added.
* * * *
Kofi cooked dinner quietly. For the most part, Osaki left him alone. The moment he finished, he dished some food out and carried the plate down the hall to a room that had a shōji. He slid the door slowly to the side and peered in. Osaki was sitting so still in the center of the room, Kofi figured if he blinked, he’d miss him. He took a step back to leave again but Osaki’s voice stopped him.
“Kofi, come in.”
“Um…” Kofi removed his shoes and stepped into the room. He sat before Osaki with the plate between them. The samurai had his eyes closed and Kofi felt as if he was intruding on a conversation with God or something. He glanced around but not for long for his attention was pulled back to Osaki’s face, over his nose to those lips that he kissed so well with. Kofi hung his head for heat charged through his face.
“You are quiet, Kofi,” Osaki spoke, his voice soft and warm in the room.
“Sorry. I just don’t know what to say.”
“Is that because you were going to give me some earlier?”
Kofi laughed. “No. I don’t want to interrupt you.”
Osaki opened his eyes then, causing Kofi to gasp. “You never interrupt me, Kofi. I am always glad to have you—your spirit—around me.”
“I brought you some dinner.”
Osaki looked down at the plate and smiled. He reached across and dropped a kiss to Kofi’s lips before reaching for the fork. “Thank you. Where is yours?”
“I was going to head back in for mine. You were very quiet so I didn’t want to… You know?”
Osaki uncurled his legs and lifted the plate to set it beside Kofi. He scooted forward until Kofi was between his legs. Kofi moaned just by having him so close. A heat emanated from Osaki, swirled around Kofi and left him wanting—yearning. Osaki’s scent, his presence, everything about Osaki turned him on again. He didn’t feel ashamed about his feelings anymore. All Kofi needed was for Osaki to put the fire out.
Osaki dragged a hand down Kofi’s chest to the front of his pants and made quick work of unbuttoning it. Kofi waited, holding his breath, wondering if he would like what Osaki was about to do to him. He’d never been jerked off by a man before. A small part of him was screaming for him to run away—but his heart beat for Osaki. Soon, Osaki had his hand inside as he massaged Kofi’s bare cock, gently at first then roughly.
“I thought…you were hungry.” Kofi gasped. “Your dinner is—is gonna—oh, damn...”
“I am.”
“Osaki, what’re you…?”
Kofi watched, wide-eyed as Osaki flipped his hair back then pushed to his knees. Ever so slowly, the Shiver bowed
his body forward, braced his palms on either side of Kofi’s body and took Kofi’s dick to the back of his throat.
“Oh!” Kofi cried out, hands shaking, toes curling. “Osaki…”
It was so good every muscle in Kofi’s body tensed. He’d never been blown so well before, with such a powerful mouth. It was like he was being licked with an ice cube and, as he began shivering, Osaki’s mouth would go warm again. Kofi’s hole quivered and that should have scared him for in that moment, he realized he ached to be penetrated. It shocked him at first then turned him on more than he could ever imagine.
“Osaki… Baby…”
But his lover didn’t let up. He fondled Kofi’s balls, even as he sucked away, groaning and growling. The manly sounds were like music to Kofi’s ears. He closed his eyes and allowed the wonderful tones of Osaki to lull him into a bliss-filled state. He tried pushing his legs up, but Osaki merely gripped his thighs and eased them apart. Kofi was putty in this man’s hand, whimpering, arching upward. He lost all control of his hips and soon he was bent backward, shoulders on the floor with his back in the shape of a C, pushing his stomach skyward. Osaki touched him then, easing his shirt out of the way then pinching and flicking at Kofi’s nipples.
“I never thought…” was all he managed before his toes curled in on themselves and his body erupted. Kofi pressed his eyes closed tightly. A sound echoed through the room and it took Kofi some time to realize it was him, screaming Osaki’s name, even as he dug his nails into the Shiver’s shoulders—even as his body shook through his orgasm, with Osaki using his wonderfully talented mouth to pull on him, sucking every drop of hot, white cum from him. The climax was powerful, blinding him temporarily. He could hardly get air into his body fast enough and that made his lungs burn. He couldn’t think straight.
Finally, he relaxed his back and slumped to the floor as Osaki rose over him, wiping the back of his hand against his lips. “Was this what you were going to give me earlier, darling?” Osaki asked, his voice so husky and sexy that Kofi spasmed again.
“I—I can’t think right now,” Kofi whispered.
Osaki smiled and licked at Kofi’s bare, hard nipples. Kofi lifted his fingers to pull at Osaki’s hair, moaning his lover’s name until Osaki lifted his head.
“Now we shall have dinner.”
“Osaki—”
“One step at a time, Is that not what you humans say?” Osaki asked.
“But I can tell you don’t want to wait.”
Osaki smiled before kissing Kofi deeply. He could taste himself, tangy on Osaki’s tongue.
“I am immortal, Kofi. I have all the time in the world.”
Chapter Fourteen
Osaki opened his eyes and lifted his head from the pillow. At first, the room felt foreign. Blinking, he smiled. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep in Kofi’s bed, but when he’d tried to leave, he had taken one look in his lover’s eyes and his heart had melted.
Kofi had fallen asleep in his arms and he smiled, forgetting for a moment that something had woken him. Kofi shifted against him and Osaki held his breath until Kofi settled into sleep again. A smell shifted on the air and Osaki quickly pulled from the bed and dressed in a kimono. He walked to the window and peered out, noticing that the sky was darker than it should be. It was the wee hours of the morning. The sun should be getting ready to rise. There was no hint of it, no tinge of color in the early morning sky.
He felt Hercules in his head and he frowned. “What is the matter?”
“I am in the living room, my friend,” Hercules replied.
Osaki looked at Kofi once more before exiting the room quietly and pulled the shōji closed after him. In the living room, he found Hercules looking out of the window. There was a tenseness in his brother’s shoulders that Osaki didn’t understand.
“I felt something—”
“Yes. Something dangerous this way comes,” Hercules whispered creepily. “Sisqo and Hades will meet it.”
“Well then, let’s go.”
“It is not that easy.” Hercules turned. “Osaki, Aoi is involved.”
Osaki shook his head. “No. That cannot be right. He died in the war. He was a child then.”
“I am sorry, Osaki. Someone is helping our enemy. Someone powerful—and we do not know who. But Aoi is a part of it all. I just wanted to give you the heads-up, so you can prepare for what is coming. If you wish to sit this one out, we will understand. We will ask Ciro to—”
“No.” Osaki said. “I will do it.”
Hercules pressed his lips into a thin line, and Osaki turned from the room. He got dressed for battle, stuck his sword into the sheath slowly, so as not to wake Kofi. Once he was ready, he walked to the side of the bed and stood watching Kofi. His heart was breaking then, knowing what he had to do. If he woke his lover, he knew Kofi would insist on going. Instead, he bowed his head and kissed Kofi’s forehead, his nose and lips before letting himself out of the room. Hercules met him with a cup of sake and he took a couple of sips before inhaling.
“Are you ready?” Hercules asked.
“Yes, I am. Adrestia!” Osaki called.
Adrestia appeared before him and he smiled. “You must remain here—”
“I will fight by your side, Osaki,” Adrestia told him. “You will not do this alone.”
“I will not be alone, dear Adrestia. But I need you to do something much more important than guard my life. You must remain with my heart. Please?”
Adrestia nodded her head silently. “He will be safe.”
After giving her a quick hug, Osaki stepped back to Hercules’ side and disappeared. He said nothing to Hercules during their travels. It wasn’t a long one for soon they appeared in the thick of a battle between Sisqo and Ciro against Aoi. Osaki’s anger raged through him like a high waterfall, tumbling freely over a massive mountain. He shoved his palm toward the ground and a snap of lightning streaked across the sky as his lance appeared.
“Aoi, yamete!” Osaki’s voice echoed off everything and bounced back to his ears. It was so loud he almost winced with the pain it caused inside his head. Everyone stopped to face him. “What are you doing?”
“Dear, dear Otōto,” Aoi said bitterly, taking a step toward Osaki.
“You have been alive all this time and you never once contacted me?” Osaki continued. “Now you fight my friends—those who have stood by me with honor, those who care about me. You seek to destroy them. I do not understand. Watashi wa rikai shite kudasai! ”
Aoi laughed bitterly, pushing his long, dark hair from his eyes and peering at Osaki through red pupils. “Make you understand? There is nothing to understand, Osaki. It is all about power.”
“I was afraid you would say that,” Osaki said, walking to Aoi. “I do not wish to fight you, brother. Pick your side.”
Aoi smiled, pulling his weapon. “I already have.”
“So be it.”
Ciro moved forward, but Osaki lifted a hand to stop him. This was his fight and he was going to do it alone. Aoi needed to be taught a lesson and who else to do it but a big brother? The sound of swords clashing in the early morning echoed through the air. They collided with so much force that Osaki felt every vibration from both weapons. He slammed a knee into Aoi’s stomach before round-kicking him on the side of the head. Aoi retaliated and Osaki hit the ground. He groaned, but he didn’t have time to dwell on the pain. He rolled out of the way as Aoi growled and leaped in with his blade down. It hit the ground hard, even as Osaki flipped off the ground and slammed the butt of his sword against the back of Aoi’s head.
“You have learned new tricks, brother,” Aoi mocked.
“And you have gotten more annoying.”
Once again, they tangled, but Aoi didn’t give him the pleasure of drawing blood. Badly wounded, his younger brother vanished with a smile and blood dripping from his nose. Osaki swore under his breath while sheathing his sword. Lifting his head to face the sky, he shouted his displeasure, his anger, his broken heart. Thunder clapp
ed above him and instantly rain began pouring from the clouds.
The others ran over to circle Osaki, asking if he was all right. Osaki pushed his hair from his face. “I could handle everyone who wants me dead—but my brother…”
“You are preaching to the choir, my friend,” Ciro responded. “We have work to do.”
“We cannot tell Kofi this,” Osaki warned.
“You have no choice, Osaki,” Sisqo replied. “You are in love with this man. Lying is not going to solve anything.”
“Humans love unconditionally,” Hercules explained. “Whether he’s said it to you or not, I know he loves you. I feel it. Not telling is the absolute wrong thing to do.”
“You must tell him,” Sisqo added
“He cannot know!” Osaki thundered, whirling to face Sisqo. “You should have seen the way he went after Zeus. If he did the same to Aoi… I could not live with that.”
“He is human, Osaki,” Ciro added softly. “They have strength and courage and an ability to fight anything. I am bonded to a human. I should know.”
Hercules gripped Osaki’s shoulder. “I understand the need to protect Kofi, but you cannot do that by lying. He will find out then he will never forgive you.”
Osaki growled. The rain pelted the earth harder.
“And calm the hell down!” Sisqo snapped. “You are going to drown us all!”
Without paying much attention, Osaki shoved his hand up and swiped it to the side. The rain stopped but the clouds remained, blocking out the sun he could smell. They were right about Kofi. Still, he did not have to like that concept.
Chapter Fifteen
Kofi was in the middle of a game of chess with his brother when he heard footsteps coming down the hall. He immediately jerked from his chair and rushed to the door to see Osaki—soaking wet—walking toward him. He knew something wasn’t right by the look in the Shiver’s eyes and he wanted to scream.
He sensed his brother walk up behind him.
“Osaki, what happened?” Carter wanted to know.
“Can I talk to Kofi alone, please?” Osaki asked.
“Yeah. Sure. Um… I have to use the bathroom then try to get some work done anyway. Kofi, is your laptop upstairs?”
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