Suddenly on a Leash (1)

Chapter forty five

After a little while, I'd managed to compose myself and had, thankfully, successfully convinced Sora to let me look at his wound and fix it up. As much as I wanted to, I refrained from venturing to check for other injuries. And by "refrained", of course I mean that I tried and was caught.
I'd get him for that later...
In the meantime, I'd gotten around to phoning Haruka.
"Are you kidding?!" Her overly excited voice almost made me deaf. "I haven't seen you in forever! I've been worried about you!!"
I couldn't help smiling a bit to myself. It was a pleasant reminder of why we were friends.
"So you'll come?"

"Of course! I'll be there first thing tomorrow! Well, not first thing, you know I don't wake up till, like, noon."

I laughed quietly. "Right. See ya soon then."

"See ya bestie!"

I hung up the phone and let out a breath. Since she was my best friend, I, of course, wanted to tell her EVERYTHING that's happened since I'd been taken in to live at the shrine.
Since my life changed...
But I wondered how much Sora was okay with..
I could hardly believe it'd been almost a month. So much had happened in that time...
Sora came up behind me as I set the phone back down.
"Did you call her?"

"Yeah. She'll be around tomorrow afternoon."

"Got it."

I hadn't turned to look at him. It wasn't on purpose, really, it wasn't... I couldn't help it... My feelings were still all jumbled up and tied in knots...
I was so grateful that Haruka would be coming... I needed some girl time. Maybe I'd feel better after talking it out.
It wasn't Sora's fault, I just...
My heart leapt into my throat when I felt his arms wrap around my neck from behind, pressing himself close against my back. I was silent but for the loud hammering of my heart.
"... Are you still upset?"
I didn't answer.
At my silence, Sora pressed closer, resting his chin on the top of my head. I couldn't help but feel my skin bud with goosebumps, feeling his body flush against my own. His touch was so warm...
"... What can I do..?"
My heart almost stopped at the vulnerableness in his voice. I'd never heard him sound so small...
He tightened around me.
"How can I make it where you won't be so worried anymore...?"
Sora....
I was hurting him by being this way...?
I raised my arms to grip onto his gently, resting against him.
".... You can't..." I responded in a voice barely above a whisper. "... Because I love you. I'm supposed to worry."
I left a small laugh hanging in my words, hoping to lighten them up.
Sora was quiet for a long moment. I was starting to worry until he finally spoke up. "... I love you, too."
He held me closer and I felt my face flush.
"... And that's why I want you to feel alright.... I want you to be happy."
I tried not to tear up, my voice trembling. ".... And I want you to be safe..."
My hands were shaking as they gripped the arms he still had wound around me. "Don't you dare die on me..."
Sora let out a soft chuckle and let go to whirl me around to face him.
"I won't die. Promise."
I could hardly see him through the veil of tears tinting my eyes, and to avoid sobs, I only nodded, and was acknowledged by a simple kiss on the forehead.
Sora...
If you die...
There'll be hell to pay...