Chapter 16 Eleanor
Eleanor
Before I even open my eyes, a wonderfully blissful smile stretches across my face.
I turn over and reach for Shinsu, ready to cuddle and maybe even start the day off by returning last night’s favor, only to find his spot empty and cold to the touch.
My eyes fly open as my hand connects with a note, and I quickly scan over Shinsu’s neat handwriting.
Good morning, my muse
I ran out for a couple of errands early this morning, but I hope to be back before you even open your beautiful eyes.
If I’m delayed for some reason, please feel free to use the shower, or stay in bed as long as you’d like. Do anything you want.
My home is your home.
-Your Shinsu
I press the letter to my heart as I gaze around Shinsu’s bedroom, then indulge myself with the urge to squeal and kick my feet out of pure giddiness.
My Shinsu. That’s who he is, who he was, and who will always be. It’s like I’m living the dream my young self secretly wished for, but this is so much better. And Shinsu is so much hotter than I could’ve predicted. Nicer too. And sexier. And that voice of his… yum.
I reread the note again, allowing an unrestrained smile to spread across my face.
Perhaps past me would’ve taken the sentence about the shower as Shinsu telling me I stink, but based on how many times he sniffed me last night and all the comments he’s made about my scent, I know that’s not the case.
Part of me almost considers not even washing.
However, it’s book club day and there’s no way I’d do that to any of the other creatures with sensitive noses.
I wonder if they’d be able to tell something more has happened. Lucille totally would if I showed up in my work clothes as opposed to my usual Starry Hill-only dresses. Would anyone ask me about it? Would they be curious?
Who am I kidding? There aren’t any real secrets in this small town. All the Starry Hill creatures know everything about each other.
The thought motivates me to get out of bed and I quickly tidy the room before I head over to the bathroom to clean up.
I debate with myself whether I should wash my hair or not, counting the days since my last everything shower versus the risk of walking around with untamed curls without my straightener here.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be as noticeable if I put my wet hair in a bun after?
Decision made once I spot Shinsu’s range of products, I grab the lavender shampoo and pat myself on the back for stepping out of my comfort zone yet again. If this keeps going I might even consider myself adventurous soon.
With freshly washed hair still dripping down my back, I stand in my towel and stare down at my work bra, mentally cursing the underwire that’s going to be stabbing me all day once I wrestle my breasts into the torture device.
“Nori?” Shinsu calls, and I automatically check that all my bits are covered even though he’s literally had his hands all over me, and in me, last night.
A thrill races down my spine and goose bumps tingle along my skin as I replay some of Shinsu’s words followed by that look of complete devotion while he made me come.
“I’m in here,” I splutter, trying to clear my mind so I don’t stink up the place again, then open the door a crack.
Shinsu stops outside the bathroom and his eyes take a moment to scan every visible inch of me before he breathes out, “Good morning.”
I bite my lip and my cheeks burn as I grin back at him, opening the door further so he can see all of me.
“Hi.” In the back of my mind a sliver of insecurity niggles at me, wondering if Shinsu thinks I look like a drowned rat, but I squish that unwelcome thought like the pest it is as a flurry of scales erupts along Shinsu’s arms and he reaches down to adjust himself.
A couple of seconds pass where Shinsu simply stares at me as if he doesn’t believe I’m really here, then he holds out a paper bag.
“I brought you something to wear,” he says after clearing his throat.
“And a toothbrush. And a hairbrush. And lotion. I don’t know if this is all you need, but we can get more stuff from The Winged Apple later. ”
Taking the bag from him, I glance at the contents, my heart inexplicably full at the thought and effort he put into this. Yesterday, Shinsu asked me to trust him. He told me we’d figure something out. And he totally delivered.
Never before have I felt so taken care of as I do with Shinsu, and I can only hope he feels the same from me too. No matter what, I’ll do everything in my power to protect him and make things work between us. I want Shinsu to be my happy ending.
I put the bag down and move forward to fling my arms around his waist. “Thank you. Thank you so much. For everything.”
Shinsu holds me to him. “It’s my pleasure. I’d do anything for you.”
Looking up at him, I whisper back, “And I for you.”
I duck away before Shinsu can lean down to kiss me, needing to at least brush my teeth first. “Sorry. Let me get dressed quickly and get rid of this morning breath, then I’m all yours.”
“Is that a promise?” Shinsu asks, propping one arm against the doorjamb.
“If you want it to be.”
At this point, I’m going to stop overanalyzing everything I say.
So what if things are moving faster than a conventional relationship?
It’s been months since Shinsu and I reconnected and we communicate more openly than I do with anyone else.
We’re both consenting adults—enthusiastically so—and we both want to be together.
For so much of my life I’ve been timid, but I’m done holding back and filtering myself. With Shinsu, I feel safe to speak my mind and share my true feelings. And I hope he feels the same about me too.
I lather myself with lotion and brush my teeth before I tackle my hair.
Squeezing some conditioner into my hand, I start crunching my hair while I think back to my brief rebellious phase in university when I wore my hair curly.
I knew nothing about proper curly hair products, still don’t, but normal conditioner helped define my curls and reduced the frizz enough to look somewhat presentable.
That phase only lasted long enough until my mother called me to berate me after seeing a picture online, reminding me of the professional image I need to exude as a lawyer.
But this is now and I refuse to live in the shadow of the past. I like the idea of looking authentically me. And it would save a lot of time and energy if I stop restricting myself and conforming to other people’s standards, especially the ridiculous ones my mother set for me.
If no one else is freaked out by how weird I look without my sleek strands then I might delve into proper curly hair research when I get home. But before I invest in a whole bunch of products, I’ll let today be a little test run.
With my copper ringlets looking somewhat presentable, I take out the lilac dress from the bag. The moment I hold it up, a note falls to the ground and I quickly pick it up.
Eleanor,
This is my lucky dress. It’s basically responsible for Bodin falling in love with me. Remind me to tell you the story later!
May you have just as much luck as I did! Though, based on Beck’s face this morning when he came by, I don’t think you need any ;)
Can’t wait to see how pretty you look at book club later!
Love, Tilly
P.S. It has a very supportive built-in bra, so no need to stress about the proper undergarments.
Practically buzzing with excitement, I place the note on the counter.
I love letters and getting two before I’ve even had breakfast, has my heart feeling full and so, so grateful for the people in my life.
When I get to The Dancing Daisy later I’m going to get myself a scrapbook to save them.
Plus, I’m going to ask Shinsu to write down the amazingly romantic things he said last night and maybe it can turn into a little book of affirmations for me.
Holding Tilly’s dress up, I silently thank her for lending it to me, hoping that her luck is still attached to it too, before slipping it over my head.
I relish in the comfortable fit of the built-in support and I stick my tongue out at my inessential bra and the monochrome outfit I don’t have to don on such a happy day.
“Something smells amazing,” I say as I enter the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.
Shinsu’s thrown open all the windows, allowing a gentle breeze to pass through the old mill as the waves lap lazily at the shore. It’s the most idyllic picture with Shinsu leaning against the counter, the early morning sun sparkling on his scales as he studies me from across the room.
“Please pause right there,” Shinsu says, his hands flexing on the counter behind him.
“Okay?”
Shinsu’s eyes flit all over me, first fast, then he drags his gaze up in a slow caress—up from my bare feet, up over the dress, lingering on my generous cleavage, before taking his time going over my lips, eyes, and down again, following my hair.
“I want to memorize you like this. The way the ringlets frame your face, the way the strands twist and curl—you’re ethereal, Nori.
Breathtakingly beautiful. But mostly, there’s something new about your expression today I want to remember.
It’s the way you look at peace with the world and yourself. ”
Tears fill my eyes and I whisper back, “It’s because I am. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Just as I am.”
Shinsu meets me halfway and then I’m in his arms, our mouths colliding, wordlessly expressing the feelings we’re not able to verbalize yet.
During breakfast, Shinsu explains that he stopped by Bodin and Tilly’s cottage first, knowing they’re always up before dawn, and asked Tilly if she had something that I could borrow.
He knows I carry an extra pair of flat shoes in my bag for all the walking we do in Starry Hill, so that wasn’t a worry for him to procure.
He also braved waking grumpy Pierre from sleep in order to get some supplies from The Winged Apple.
When the old gargoyle heard it was for me, he insisted on getting the best quality of items and instructed Shinsu to return with me later to create a list of necessities for future stays.
The thought of spending whole weekends with Shinsu in Starry Hill already has me deliriously delighted.
One item we didn’t think of, though, is underwear.
No way am I putting on my soaked panties from last night.
I’ll just have to go without, and hope no errant gusts of wind come my way.
Or fingers. Though, maybe on my way home I wouldn’t mind if Shinsu went exploring and his fingers happened to find my aching pussy before we have to say goodbye again for a week.
But for now, I’m locking away all dirty thoughts and turning my attention to book club and enjoying every single second of my day with Shinsu and my friends.