Haru’s Love (A Stepbrothers BL Harem) - Chapter 95

To say Aiden had a restless, fitful sleep for the past two nights was an understatement, and he could only put it down to one thing. Haru. He hadn’t thought that not having the boy with him could affect him that much.

Sporting dark circles under his eyes, he got out of bed and headed into the shower. No gym for him this morning, since he wanted to get to the office early so he could get as much work done as possible before leaving for St. Joseph Island this afternoon.

After a good hot shower, the man donned his dark-blue powerful suit and then headed out the door. He came into the open-plan living area to see Reo in the middle of preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

“Morning,” Reo said. “You look like you didn’t sleep a wink.” He chuckled in amusement. “Worried about Haru?”

Aiden nodded. “I miss him.”

Reo shook his head. “And it’s only been two days.”

Aiden poured himself a cup of hot coffee and then gladly took a sip. The slightly bitter taste made him sigh pleasantly.

“You want breakfast?” Reo asked.

Aiden nodded. “That would be great.”

“Give me a minute then,” Reo said.

Moments later, the two sat down for breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast while watching the early morning news on the television. They were nearly finished when Reo asked, “You got everything ready?” He was referring to Aiden packing for their little vacation.

Aiden nodded. “I’ll be going straight there this afternoon. Will be arriving on St. Joseph Island at around five.”

Reo, having finished eating, rested his chin on his hand as he said, “Noah’s action really surprised me. I mean he’s not usually like that.”

Aiden put his knife and fork down, having just finished with his meal, too. “He’s probably holding it in for a long time, knowing him.”

Reo chuckled. “And now it has burst. It can’t be helped; Haru is the Shrine Maiden, after all.”

Aiden shifted his gaze to his stepbrother. “Just curious, you believe in the Shrine Maiden’s legend?”

Reo shrugged his broad shoulders. “The legend has been hammered into me since I was a kid so to me, it’s pretty real. It’s like a family history of sorts, if you know what I mean.” He smiled. “Besides, I see the effect of it with my own eyes, and it’s pretty fun to watch.”

“Haru?” Aiden asked.

Reo nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

They were both quiet for a moment when Reo asked, “Aiden?”

“Hmm?”

“Just wondering, when are you going to tell Noah and Mason about that.”

Aiden frowned. “About what?”

“The guardians.”

Aiden raised his brows in surprised. “You…know about the guardians? As in…?”

Reo nodded. “Like I said, the Shrine Maiden legend has been hammered into me since I was a kid. To me, whatever happens, there’s always a reason for it. And both you and I know…” He chuckled. “Or should I say you should know by now why our parents died in that accident six years ago.”

The moment Reo mentioned the accident and their parents’ deaths, Aiden felt the ache in his heart and that sickening emotion in the pit of his stomach.

Reo continued. “I know Uncle Jin told you about the guardians, and that three of them were the Shrine Maiden’s lovers and it’s likely that you, Noah, and Mason were those three. Now I know this sounds like hocus-pocus because it’s not something people believe in these days, especially those being raised in the west, but…”

He looked straight into Aiden’s eyes as he continued. “Aiden, I don’t want anything bad to happen to Haru, or any of us for that matter. Come to think of it, back in Japan when Uncle Jin said he wanted Haru and me back, separating us from you guys, it was dangerous. Shit could have happened and…” He trailed off, looking troubled.

Aiden said, “But it worked out fine, so nothing disastrous happened.”

Reo took in a shaky breath. “I don’t want to lose anyone again, Aiden, so be mindful. If Haru were to lose any one of you guys, whoever is the initiator will…”

Aiden felt his heart constricting. He didn’t want to believe it, especially in something like this but…

“Don’t ever tell Haru about our parents,” Reo said. “He’ll be devastated.”

Aiden nodded. “I know.” He was quiet for a moment and then said, “I’ll tell Noah and Mason about the guardians when the time comes.”

Reo nodded. “Then hopefully, I can rest easily.” He chuckled.

Aiden reached out and patted Reo on the shoulder. “Everything will be all right.”

Reo nodded.

A moment later, Aiden left the apartment and headed down to his car parked in the underground parking lot, his and Haru’s overnight luggage in tow.

He arrived at work an hour later and got down straight to checking his emails and replying to them. Once done, he started doing his paperwork, and it wasn’t long when the other staff arrived, including Peter and Tina. After a little chat with the two friends, Aiden continued working again until ten when he needed a break.

Sipping hot coffee, his mind started wandering off, and he didn’t know how but he was suddenly that twenty-one-year-old kid again, standing there at the hallway across from his dad and stepmom’s room, listening to them talking.

“I thought I could trust you, Michael. I thought I meant everything to you.” He heard his stepmom’s voice, shaky and begging. “But now, after five years, you’re seeing someone else?”

“I’m sorry, Sana.” His dad’s voice was firm and distant. “But I just don’t feel it with you anymore. It’s like the fire has died between us. And it’s difficult, with you clinging to your weird belief that Haru is supposed to be with Aiden, Noah, and Mason? That’s crazy talk, and I can’t take the nonsense anymore. They’re stepbrothers; don’t push them into some weird relationship. And you dressing Isaac and Haru up as girls isn’t right. They’re both boys. You need to have a reality check, Sana.”

“Michael, I thought you believed in me…. I thought…”

Aiden heard his father take in a deep breath. “Look, I don’t know if you’re doing this to get my attention or what, but please understand and behave rationally. Be an adult. I want a divorce, and I will take my children with me into my new relationship.”

Aiden had peeked in to look at them then and saw his stepmom kneeling on the floor, begging. “Please, Michael. I’m not doing this to get your attention or anything, but think of the kids. They need to be together.”

Michael sighed again. “I am doing this for the kids, Sana. You know it’s weird for them to be…so close. I’m moving the boys into Rebecca’s apartment when all this is sorted out. She’s well off and has plenty of room at her place, so we’ll be fine. At least I’m considerate enough to leave this apartment to you and your boys. Everything is all set. We just need to see the lawyer and sign the papers. I’ll be staying at Rebecca’s from now on.”

Aiden opened his eyes and felt a lump in his throat as emotions stirred within him.

“Haru,” he said the name softly between his lips. Fuck, but he missed the boy, and he felt the ache in his heart.

“Aiden?”

Aiden jolted and turned to see Tina at the door, looking at him with concern.

“You okay?” she asked. “You look…tired.”

Aiden nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Tina folded her arms across her chest and said, “You rushing to get work done again? Stop doing that. Let some of the new agents take over.”

“So speaks the workaholic,” Aiden said. “I’m just about done anyway.”

“Right,” Tina said. “If I don’t see you again, since Peter and I are going to be at a meeting, have fun on your vacation and say hi to cute Haru for me.”

Aiden chuckled. “Sure.”

Peter appeared at his door, too, and said, “Yeah, have fun and say hi to your brothers for me.”

Aiden chuckled. “Will do.”

With that, both husband and wife scurried off to their meeting, leaving Aiden to return to his work.