Michelle's Story, Chapter 13

‘”You know,” Hideki pointed out slyly. “Since we were just in the spirit realm, I didn’t actually have to use a condom with you. I could have penetrated you without it, because you don’t have to worry about pregnancy in that realm. I just did it so you wouldn’t tense up during penetration.”

I blushed. “Did you plan that ahead of time?” I asked suspiciously.

Hideki answered me by grinning foolishly and chuckling. I groaned. “You’re such a sex fiend.” I muttered.

Hideki snickered, completely without remorse. Then he became serious again. He turned my face towards his with one finger. “I was serious when I asked you to marry me.“ he said, his breath washing over me. “So..”
He pulled me off the sofa, and leaned on one knee.

Was he doing what I think he was doing?, a part of my mind wandered idly.

He took one of my hands in his, covering it with his other hand. “I ask you again. Will you marry me? I don’t have the ring right now, I need your answer first! Yes.. Or no?“ His body betrayed his tension, and he bit his lip in worry. “Please don’t say no.” he pleaded softly. “You’ll break my heart if you do.”

I watched his face, his hopeful expression. I thought about all Hideki had gone through for me, how faithful he had been in my abilities, how supportive of me. Where else would I find somebody like that? And gorgeous, to boot! I smiled, dropping down to meet him on the floor. He dropped my hand, startled. “How could I refuse?“ I asked softly. “You’re one of the few people who accepted me for who I was without question. You’re one of the sweetest men I‘ve ever met.“ I kissed him lightly on the lips. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” My mouth quirked. “As long as you can handle me masturbating with a strap-on dildo.”

Hideki stared at me, stunned. His mouth hung open for a moment, and then tears started to fill his eyes as my words began to hit home. He abruptly pulled me to my feet, then pulled me into his arms, trying to cover my face in kisses. He was both giggling and crying. I could feel his tears starting to wet my face. I couldn’t help but giggle and try to push him away when he tried to kiss me on the mouth with a runny rose. I grabbed a tissue from a nearby box and handed it to him. I don’t think I‘ve eve seen a man cry that much. Did he care for me that much?
Hideki carefully wiped at his black mascara. Yes, he was wearing mascara. It was being washed away by a deluge of tears. He walked into the bathroom to carefully remove his makeup. I could hear the water running. I sat down, stunned by my own decision? Did I really mean what I had just said? Would I really be willing to marry this man. My heart seemed to resonate with the answer. It just felt right. I walked over to the fridge and took out a bottle of water, downing half of it in thirty seconds. After our romp earlier, I was really dehydrated. I closed the fridge as Hideki returned, his face free of all makeup, though he was still sniffling. He made me put down the water bottle to give me a lingering kiss on the lips, then started to pull me into his bedroom.

“What?” I teased. “Didn’t you get enough sex before? Do you want another round?”

Hideki merely shook his head, and reached into a wooden drawer in his bedside table. Looking into the drawer, I noticed lube, massage oils, small vibrators and feathers.

I blushed. I knew now that Hideki had other lovers, but I didn’t realize he got around this much! I was starting to feel left out.

Hideki pulled a small red box out of the drawer. I knew without him opening it what it was. He opened it to reveal a half-carat diamond solitaire engagement ring. Didn’t he say that he had not bought it yet?

I stared at the sparkling piece of jewelry in front of me, and felt tears starting to form in my own eyes as the reality began to hit home. Hideki was going to marry me. He carefully took the ring out of the box, and slid it onto the finger of my right hand. I held up my hand, watching the ring sparkle in the light coming in through the window. “Didn’t you say that you had not bought the ring yet?” I asked.

“Well..” Hideki looked sheepish. “I lied. I did not know if you would say yes, and I didn’t want you to see the ring until… unless you had said yes.”

I stared at him for a moment. “You were that sure I would say yes?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well…” Hideki hedged. Just then, there was a knock on the door to Hideki’s apartment. Hideki swore under his breath, and walked into the front room to open the door.

Shao Len stood in the doorway calmly, along with a young man I did not recognize. He looked dazed, and disoriented. He was lean, and strangely familiar to me. Pale skin, coarse light brown curly hair falling to his shoulders. “We have a new arrival.” Shao Len said simply.

Hideki let them into the apartment wordlessly, though he looked as confused as me. He walked into the kitchen to retrieve three bottles of water, returning shortly with them.

He handed one to Shao Len, one to the new man, and took one for himself. I already had mine.

“Who is this?” I asked, settling onto the floor. I noted how serious the situation had become, despite how joyous it had been before.

The young man barely raised his head. I noted that he looked about eighteen, dressed in Kenji’s clothes.

“He arrived just a little while ago.” Shao Len explained, sounding worried. “His name is Leonard McCaffrey.” ****