chapter 41: The Talk

Chapter 41:

Bokuto did not go back to his room later. And I wish I had realized that before I yawned, "Come in," when I heard a knock at my door.

My eyes shot open and suddenly, I remembered.

"Wait," I called out, shouting up from my pillow, but it was too late. Aunt Bri had already opened the door.

She let out a small gasp and turned as though she did not see anything. Bokuto sat up, rubbing his head groggily. 

"Bokuto, breakfast will be ready soon. Why don't you go get dressed?"

"Yes Mrs. Hitachiin," Bokuto said. He threw the cover back and Aunt Bri, flinching. 

She glanced at him as he quickly moved past her. She saw his half nakedness, but breathed, "Oh thank goodness," at the fact that it was only half nakedness.

I gripped my blanket tight in my hands and asked, "Are you going to tell my Mom?"

"No, she'll kill us both" she said right away, sounding scared herself. She closed the door and began speaking quickly as she asked, "Do I need to put you on birth control?"

"No," I answered sharply.

"You sure?"

"He fell asleep, that's all."

"With his shirt off?"

"It's not the first time," I shrugged, before realizing my mistake. 

Aunt Bri let out a sigh as she stepped farther into the room. She sat at the edge of my bed saying, "When and where?"

I hesitated, because it's not my business to tell but also, I want them to know. So, I'll keep it vague.

"Bokuto’s parents… fight sometimes. And, when it get really bad, he can't sleep so just a few times, he might have crawled through the window at Mrs. Ito's house."

"Zara," she sighed.

"I know, but it's fine. Mrs. Ito invited him to sleep over anyways and he sleeps on the rug in my room."

"And how does sleeping fully clothed on a rug, lead to shirtless in your bed?"

I shrugged saying the same thing he told me, "He said he got cold."

"If he was cold, why did he take his shirt off?" She asked, confused.

With a shrug I said, "He got hot."

She let out a sigh with a hopeless head shake, "You're boyfriend's an idiot."

I shrugged again, "Sometimes."

We laughed together and Aunt Bri kept her smile as she leaned back, "So… have you gotten, the talk, before you moved here?"

"More like, the threat, don't do it or be locked down until death or something like that."

"Sounds great to me," Aunt Bri said as she stood up, "Listen to your mother."

"Aunty," I rolled my eyes and groaned. Granted, I'd rather not have this talk at all. 

But, aunt Bri would make it an actual conversation, and I'll be honest. I don’t really know how far is too far when it comes to this whole, relationship thing.

"Yes my love," she asked gently as she sat back down.

"So… um, when you were my age… what, did you and uncle Kaoru do, that was, okay?" I asked nervously.

She took a big gulp saying, "Oh boy. Well for starters, we were younger than you and Bokuto when we got together.

Before we got together, we may have kissed a few times and shared a bed once or twice. Perhaps your uncle was missing his shirt but, your uncle Kaoru was no national level  volleyball player." She nodded her head back towards the door.

I couldn’t help but grin, "I know right." Safe to say that none of those Ouran brats has a body like Bokuto. 

"Tempting?" She questioned, and I answered honestly.

"Sometimes."

She gave a small shrug will a smile, "Eh, the temptations kinda the fun part. Don't rush into anything." She leaned back saying, "Your uncle and I were engaged at 16, but we knew that we wouldn't have sex until after marriage, so we didn't really jump the gun on anything. 

Things started to… turn up once we got to college. Started to touch and experiment more, and well," she smiled a little more now, "We were married by our second year of college. Which was not the original plan. But, things happen." She shook her head a moment saying, "Sorry, I'm not supposed to be vague with you. We didn’t want to wait anymore, so we got married.

You on the other hand, my love. You live in a different world. If word got out about a Hitachiin hare impregnating an African-American girl from a low class family, it would have brought scandal to the Hitachiin name. 

I would have turned into some evil, ghetto hoochie-mama, that scammed her way into the lives of these people. So, we took no risk. For the sake of the family name.

Now you… I'd still say, don't rush anything. If something feels uncomfortable, stop. If you feel like you shouldn't be doing something, don't."

"Got it," I nodded. 

"One more thing," Aunt Bri said, she placed a finger on the side of her neck, "Have a little decency. Try not to let that boy mark you up."

"What?" My hands rose to the sides of my neck. I jumped out of bed and to the mirror. Where I saw a reddish mark on my brown skin, about the size of a quarter. "Bokuto!" I grunted. 

"Yeah, is that his shirt?"

"Um… yeah?"

I saw her standing, looking at me through the reflection of the mirror. "So, how'd that happen?"

"Um… when I got out of the shower, Bokuto was in my room. And he gave me his shirt so he wouldn’t see me naked." I pulled at the bottom of the shirt, stretching it down.

"Wait, so are you wearing underwear?"

"Yes!"

She shrugged, "Just checking. So, birth control?"

"No," I groaned.

"Fine," she said as she walked towards the door, "Perhaps a lock?"

"I don't think-"

"You weren’t thinking this morning. I could have been one of your uncles." 

"Fine," I rolled my eyes. 

"Consider it done," with that she left me alone in my room.

I let out a breath. I was caught up in Bokuto yet again. Where all logic goes out the window and nothing is a big deal.

I got dressed and went down to breakfast, hoping no one would notice the hicky on my neck.

Ugh, Bokuto. Why can't you be more careful. Sure, when you're on the court, you're in control of every inch of your body. He gets alone with me and suddenly he can't help himself.

I was the last to come down to the dining room. And the room was still. KJ sat with his head still low. He sat between his mother and his twin. I sat beside Bokuto and we gave our thanks and went on with our meal. I saw Aunt Bri tap her son on the chest saying, "Head up. We don't wallow in sorrow forever love."

"Yes Mother," he said, lifting his chin and reaching for some food. A moment went by before he said with a small smile, "So I think I did pretty good last night for my first gig."

"Pretty good?" Bokuto shouted, "You Were amazing! Everyone loved you!"

"Hana, how's his media following after last night?" Uncle Kaoru asked. His eyes landed on me and stayed for only a moment with a studying eye, before he smiled to his daughter. Dang it. He saw.

Hana pulled up her phone and smiled, "Over 200 new followers in one night. Few people asking for you to do their birthday parties."

Ros smiled, "Nice to know the twins are starting a business of their own, because you're not taking mine."

"No one wants the fashion label but you," KJ rolled his eyes.

"Yes, this family's backbone business," She pointed out. 

And life seemed normal with my cousins. With Bokuto and Akaashi bearing witness to it all.

Once breakfast ended uncle Kaoru said, "Bokuto, I'd like to have a word with you."

I froze.

"Ooo," twins chuckled as they walked past me. Hana poked a finger at the side of my neck, right where the hicky was. Of course they'd notice. This family picks up on everything, no matter how subtle it is. It's like a freaking super power. 

I knew I should have worn a turtleneck.

"Um, yeah," Bokuto said, eyes glancing over to me. The fool doesn't even know what he did wrong yet. 

The mark is on my right side, he sat to my left, he didn't see it. And I was going the threaten him about it later, in private.

Not that it matters now, even Akaashi patted Bokuto on the shoulder before leaving the room.

Aunt Bri made no attempt to move. Maybe I can stay too. But the look on Uncle Kaoru's face told me to go. So I turned, trying to make it obvious for Bokuto by tilting my head, exposing the quarter sized mark left by him. 

He glanced over again and his eyes went wide. I think now he may have gotten the memo. 

I left the room, but stopped just outside of the archway to listen in as uncle Kaoru began, "I like you Bokuto."

"Thank you sir."

"No problem, you seem like a nice young man. Just, allow me to give you some pointers on how a gentleman should behave with a lady such as my niece." Uncle Kaoru sounded very serious, speaking as though I were one of his own children. 

"You see Bokuto, a gentleman should not leave marks on a lady in any way shape or form. My niece, nor is any other female, property for you to tag."

"Sir I didn't-"

"Mean to," uncle Kaoru finished for him, "I'm sure that is true. Just making sure it doesn't happen again. Because now, my lovely niece has to walk around with that mark for days, with people making assumptions about her and what you two do. Do you want that Bokuto?"

"No sir," Bokuto said, full of respect, as though he were talking to his coach.

"Good. Then next time, remember what your father taught you."

I heard uncle Kaoru's chair move, he was getting up and walking away. My cue to go. I took a soft step, but stopped again once I heard Bokuto sigh, "My father didn't teach me anything useful."

I stayed frozen. Is he confusing to my uncle? MY UNCLE? 

I heard footsteps still, but I didn't move.

The footsteps stopped and I heard Uncle Kaoru ask, "Well, what did your father teach you?"

"Everything I won't do with you niece," Bokuto sighed again, "My parents aren't like you two. Their marriage isn't that great. I'm sorta figuring this relationship thing out as I go."

I hear uncle Kaoru sigh now, before saying, "Bri, love can you-"

"Of course," she answered. I heard her chair move and she walked towards the door. 

Crap. 

I'm busted. 

She walked out and turned the opposite way from me. I thought maybe I got away, but she stopped. And turned back near the doorway and leaned to the wall. She saw me, I know she did.

She just kept her head low, and lifted a finger to his lips.

Stay quiet. She wants to listen in too.

"So… how's your relationship with your father?"

"I hate him," he said with no hesitation and a bite in his tone. I saw Aunt Bri's brow raise in shock.

"Okay," uncle Kaoru breathed, "Why's that?" He spoke calmly. 

And me and Aunt Bri waited on opposite sides of the door. Waiting. And waiting. 

Uncle Kaoru was done with waiting, "Okay… got it." He took a deep breath, "You know, if you or your mom ever need anything, we're here for you. Please know that. You can call anytime."

It was quiet for a while, but after a moment I heard Bokuto's voice say, "Thank you… I…" He let out a deep breath, "I just want to be able to love Zara one day, like how you love your wife." 

I heard uncle Kaoru laugh softly. I saw Aunt Bri lean in and take a peek. I did too. I saw uncle Kaoru, leaning against the table. He was facing us but looking at Bokuto. Bokuto had his back to us and his head down low. 

Uncle Kaoru plopped a hand down Bokuto’s shoulder, "Just, do what feels right. You'll get there son."

I saw Bokuto look at uncle Kaoru, but I couldn't see his face. I just saw uncle Kaoru's face turn soft. I saw him open his arms and wave Bokuto in, saying, "Come here."

I saw Bokuto step to him, falling into uncle Kaoru's arms. I pulled back, so did aunt Bri. She picked in, once more, before she crossed the doorway and looped her arm in mine. 

She spoke quietly, "So, Bokuto's father. Have you met him?"

"No," I sigh, "He said he wants me far away from him."

She nodded as we turned a corner, "So… when he says his parents fight?"

"It, um… it gets bad."

She nodded, "So that's when he stays with you?"

"Yeah."

"Understood," she nodded, "And Bokuto, has he ever-"

"He's nothing like that."

She smiled as we walked the halls together. "I didn't think he was. Now, go be a good girlfriend, be there for him and pretend that you didn’t listen in on that very emotional moment. If he shares it with you, just be supportive and listen."

"So do you have to pretend that you weren't listening in," I questioned with an eyebrow raised. 

She smiled and turned me to face her. "Baby, Kaoru is my husband. We tell each other everything. You're in the junior league, love." She placed her hands on my cheeks and kissed my forehead, "Now go to his room, sit and wait for him and ask, what your uncle said to him."

I rolled my eyes, "Yes aunty."

I realized that she walked me straight back to Bokuto’s room. Aunt Bri and Uncle Kaoru, somehow, our relationship coach. Though, I don't think anyone could.

Who else could. Who else has successfully built a biracial family against the odds. 

Aunt Bri turned and walked back towards the dining room. 

I walked into Bokuto’s room and saw one of the housekeepers in his room. "Sorry," I said, taking a seat on a his freshly made bed.

"No, no sorry young master," she said, picking up his clothes from the floor. 

She closed the nightstand drawer and scurried from the room. Why was she in the nightstand? It's not like Bokuto has any personal belongings here for her to go through. 

I gotta know. So I moved closer to the his nightstand and began to open the top drawer. But just then, the door opened and I pushed the drawer back closed as Bokuto walked in.

He smiled with his brews pulled together, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," I said, turning towards him, "What did my uncle want to talk about?"

He walked over to the bed saying, "Yeah, come here," he stood in front of me, placed his knee on the bed and leaned down at me. He took my face in his hands and titled my chin up as he said, "Let me take a look at that." He looked at the right side neck, moving in close, "Why didn't you tell me I left a hickey."

"I didn't know," I shrugged.

"You couldn't feel it?"

"All I knew was that it felt good," I couldn't help but smile as I thought about last night. About the tingles that danced to the pit of my stomach with every touch. The tingles that started to build now, as his fingers gently brushed my skin as he examined my neck. 

"Oh yeah?" I saw his wide grin, before his lips came closer to my neck. I could feel his breath hitting the tender skin as he creeped closer. His soft lips on my skin, kissing the spot he marked, before pulling back, "Well your uncle told me, a real man doesn't leave marks on a woman." He kissed me gently on the lips before saying, "I'm sorry." He meant it. The look in his eyes looked as though he had actually hurt me. He apologized like he did something wrong, something terrible. Something that his father would do.

"It's fine," I assured.

"It won't happen again," he told me. He meant it. 

He was still so close, I wanted him. But maybe now's not the time. Be supportive,  Aunty said. So, I sat back. Saying, "So you guys talk about anything else?" 

"Not much," he shrugged as he sat down beside me, "Your uncle is pretty cool. He loves you a lot."

A smile moved to my face, "Yeah, I think he likes you too."

"That's what he told me," he said as he laid back on his bed, "Probably like me more if I didn't do that to you. But, he told me that he'd help me and my mom if we needed it."

"Did you tell him about your dad?" I asked it. 

"Almost," he huffed, "He started talking about things my dad's supposed to teach me about how to treat a woman. But, I pretty much told him that my dad's not the greatest role model when it comes to treating women well." He bit his lip before saying, "Definitely didn't tell me not to leave marks on women."

It was quiet for a while. I laid back beside Bokuto and asked, "So, did my uncle say anything about kissing me?"

I saw the smile spread to his face as he said, "No, I don’t think he did."

"Good," I said, rolling over on top of him. 

I leaned over him, with my legs on either side of him. I watched as he smiled eagerly. 

"You okay?" I asked, as I looked into his amber eyes. Aunt Bri was right, the temptation is the best Parr. Watching him in his longing for me. 

"Better once you start kissing me," he said,  as he placed a hand on the side of my face, to guide my lips to his. 

The moment our lips touched, it was a euphoric feeling. This was where I wanted to be. Here, with him. Though, this position wasn't half bad either. 

I felt the growing bulge in his pants, push against the core of my leggings. And this was fine now. No big deal. My boyfriend is sexually attracted to me. These things happen. Right? 

I haven't freaked out about it since the first time that happened. This time, I stayed on top of him, lips moving together and the pressure seemed to build below me. 

His hands move down to my hips pulling at me, as though I could possibly get any closer to him. 

I scooched forward a bit, dragging myself across his bulge. He grunted a bit, pulling back from my kiss for only a moment before bringing himself back to me. 

I pulled back now, smiling, "You good?"

"Yeah," he breathed. He sat up, pushing his lips back to mine with his tongue grazing my bottom lip, pleading for access that I had no problem granting. 

His hands stayed on my hips, now pushing and pulling at them, as though he wanted me to move them. So, I did. And he kissed me harder and pull me tighter. I started to feel what he must be feeling. Pleasure. Addictive pleasure that shot up my spin and pushed me closer to him as I pushed up against him.

His hands left my hips once they started to move on their own. His arm tightened around my waist. His free hand creeped up my v-neck sweater until it landed at the bottom of one of my breasts. He cupped it in his large hand and I didn't mind. I didn't pull back, so he rose his hand a bit more, gripping my entire breast in his hand. 

A moan escaped my lips as I pushed harder against him, feeling his bulge rub against me. 

"Fuck," he moaned. 

I backed away slightly, seeing his head drop. I stopped, "You good?"

"Yeah," he nodded before bringing his lips back to mine. His lips left mine and trailed down to my neck, where soft kisses were left with traces of his tongue moved across my skin. Much gentler than last night, but feeling just as good. Aunt Bri said that if something doesn't feel right, then stop. But this, this feels so right, I don't think I can stop.

I bit my lip, trying. Failing to hold back the moans that seemed to cause my hips the thrust harder against him, until his head dropped to my shoulder, "Fuck," he growled, gripping my boob harder with one hand while his other hand began to rapidly pat my thigh. "Shit, Baby Bird," he groaned. 

I let my lips fall to his neck and mimicked his motions. My lips left soft, wet kisses before gentle nibbles that made him groan more. He dropped both his hands to my thighs and they tightened around them as he muttered softly, "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck," before he stood up from the bed, with me still on him. He turn, dropping me onto the bed on my back with a wild grin on his face as he breathed deeply. He had me pinned to the bed, hovering over me as he breathed, "I think that’s enough." 

He kissed me once more, twice more and I longed for more. Until the bulge run up against me one more time and he pushed back, "fuck," he groaned again looking down at himself, "I'll be back." He got up from the bed and rushed over to the bathroom, leaving me on his bed. I was breathing just as heavy as he was. I felt the wetness settling in my panties. I sat up and looked down to see the top of my book bulging out of my bra and sweater. I pushed my book back into my sweater and straightened out my clothes. Having some dignity. As if I hadn't just lost all control back there. 

Well, not all control. I knew what I was doing. I knew it felt good and I wanted to keep feeling good. I wanted Bokuto to keep feeling good. I knew what I was doing to him. I just didn't think about how it would end. But, I guess he did. Thanks why he left, and is taking so long in the bathroom. 

I wonder what he's doing in there. Calming himself down, or finishing himself off. He seemed like he was so close, probably the latter. He probably has it out right now, stroking it as he thinks about me. About how my body would feel on his, without all these clothes. He's probably wondering if he should be thinking about me or what I'm doing out here while I wait for him. It's not like I need to do what he's doing. Yet, my hand seemed to fall between my thighs on its own. Middle finger may have lifted on its own as well, stroking the seam of my black leggings. The fabric was damp from me. 

I checked, I can stop now. But I didn't. My middle finger still moved up and down as I thought about Bokuto on the other side of that door. 

Then the door knob turned and my hands flew to my sides. I leaned back on the bed, kicking my feet over the edge and acting as though nothing had happened. 

Yet still had the nerve to teasingly ask, "Did you just finish yourself off?"

He plopped down on the bed with his hands behind his head, "Yeah, Why? Were you gonna do it for me?"

"Maybe if you ask nicely," I teased.

With a laugh he said, "Well I'm not asking you to do that. This is embarrassing enough."

"Really," I said, sounding surprised, "I'm actually quite flattered. I'm so good I can make yo-"

"Alright," he said, pulling me down to the bed with him. He turned on me, pinning me to his bed, "I think my girlfriend is sexy, is that what you wanna hear?"

I laughed, "I didn't want to hear it, but it did sound nice."

"Oh yeah," he said leaning down, looking like the trouble was about to start all over again. He kissed me, but sat up after that. He laughed, "This is weird."

"Yeah it is," I couldn't help but agree, "You know my aunt sorta gave me, the talk, this morning."

"Really?" 

"Well yeah, after walking in on her niece in bed with her shirtless boyfriend. She asked if I wanted to go on birth control."

"Well what did you say?" He asked with curiosity in his eyes.

I sat now facing him, "I said no. This was fun, but I don't think I'll be handling," I pointed to his crotch saying, "That. Anytime soon."

He smiled saying, "I don't know," he leaned closer, brought his lips to my neck, "It looked like you were getting in some practice in."

I pushed him back laughing, "Shut up." 

He laughed as well, saying, "What? It's true."

I rolled my eyes and they landed on the nightstand. I still want to know what the housekeeper put in there. 

"What are you doing?" Bokuto asked as I leaned over to the nightstand. 

"One of the housekeepers was in here when I came in here, she had this drawer open. I want to see what she was doing." 

I opened the drawer and the only thing in there was a box of tissue and an unopened box of condoms.

I pulled the box out and tossed it at Bokuto, laughing, "Aunt Bri did this I bet."

Bokuto held up the box laughing, "Well since we have this, might as well -"

"No," I barked, snatching the box from his hand. Or at least trying to. He moved the box back saying, "I'm joking Baby Bird." He leaned in and kissed me, "Trust me, no rush here," he whispered before bringing his lips back to mine. 

Seemed as though we could stay in this room alone forever. 

But even aunt Bri can't be that cool.

I don't know how much time passed before a knock sounded at the door. "Enough you too," I heard aunt Bri call from outside the door.

"Be a part of society will you," Uncle Kaoru call out.

"Coming," we both called back. And laughed, knowing that we have to find a different way of saying this.