“You don’t need to worry about them,” Free said to Aya the moment the door closed. “Chloé is a good friend and knows how much Ryo means to you.”
Aya stood, picking up dishes and carrying them into the kitchen. “I know,” he finally replied. He turned on the water and watched it cascade over the plates. “I just want to protect him as much as I can. I feel as if I owe him that.”
“Are you protecting him or are you sheltering him? There is a difference.” Free added the rest of the plates, glasses and flatware to the pile in the sink before opening the dishwasher and pulling out the racks. “Rinse and I’ll load?”
Aya nodded and together he and Free took care of the entire after-dinner cleanup within fifteen minutes. Chloé and Ryo still hadn’t come back into the house and Aya was soon watching the door again. Free put a hand on his shoulder. “You wanted to know what the cards meant,” he said, making it a statement instead of a question.
“I did. I still do, if you’ll tell me?” Aya asked, watching as Free laid each of the tarot cards on the kitchen counter beside the sink.
Free pointed to each in turn as he explained, “You are Arthur because you use your power for the protection and the good of us all. Ryo is The Wounded King because he is currently incomplete, but he seeks to heal and to gain wisdom from the hardships he has faced and will face again. Chloé is Taliesin because he is the one who provides advice and counsel. I am Merlin because of my perception of life. Ken is The Green Knight because his is about to face an important challenge. Yuki is Gawain because of his courage and certainty of morals and beliefs. Michel is The Seeker because of his optimism and enthusiasm for life.”
Aya found himself nodding as Free gave his explanations, once again amazed at the man’s skill with the cards. Each card was an accurate representation of either the person he’d given it to or the qualities that person possessed, and he said as much to Free.
“Thank you, Aya. I’m pleased that you approve of the choices. I didn’t want you to think I was attempting to interfere,” Free replied.
“I admit I was unsure at first, but Chloé convinced me otherwise. I apologize for doubting you, Free,” Aya said.
“No need to apologize. Especially since I am about to interfere now.” Free produced one more card and set it down next to the others. It was named The Sleeping Lord.
Aya frowned and looked back at his teammate. “What does it mean?”
“The depends entirely upon you, Aya. This card can represent renewal and reconstruction, the recovery of what is lost. It can represent an ending or a beginning. Do you understand what I’m telling you?” Free’s deep voice was very soft and very serious.
“Yes,” Aya answered, unable to hide the effect Free’s words had on him. So much meaning in one card and he knew it was meant for both Ryo and himself.
“With great power comes great responsibility. Please remember this,” Free added while gathering the cards back into his hand. “I think I’ll go see how Michel is faring with the plans for our outing.” He gave a final nod to Aya then departed the kitchen.
Not two seconds after Free had left the door opened, revealing first Ryo and then Chloé. Both men were smiling and Aya couldn’t help feeling relieved at the sight.
“You two sure took your time. Free and I already finished. I think you two will have to clean up tomorrow night all by yourselves,” he said.
“So this means I’m invited over tomorrow?” Ryo asked, sharing his smile with Aya.
“Only if you want, of course.”
“And of course you want to, right Ryo? You know Aya, I would venture to guess that Ryo would prefer to be here than at the hotel. I think we should extend the invitation for the entire length of his visit. That is, if he agrees. What say you, Ryo?” Chloé turned to look at the man in question.
“Aya, are you all right with that? I admit I’d like to stay here. If you and the others don’t mind and it’s not an inconvenience for anyone,” Ryo said.
Chloé snorted. “Aya, assure the man he’s neither an inconvenience nor a nuisance, and while you’re at it, tell him you want him to stay. I’m going into the other room with the kids to see what they’re up to.”
Frowning, Aya watched Chloé leave. “I hate when he does that,” he muttered. “I’m sorry, Ryo. I should have extended the invitation myself. I would have, if Chloé had given me a chance. Which he seldom does.”
“It’s okay, Aya. Look, if you want to think about it a while longer before deciding, that’s fine with me. I don’t want to invade your life too quickly. You don’t have to worry about me, the hotel is just fine and I’ll…” Aya put his fingers over Ryo’s mouth, silencing him.
“I want you here. I want to go to sleep beside you at night and wake beside you in the morning. Nothing, absolutely nothing would please me more. I’m sorry for not asking sooner. Please stay, Ryo.”
Ryo smiled as Aya pulled his fingers away. “I’d love to, Aya. I’ll give my company a call in the morning and let them know I’ll be here for the length of the trip. It won’t be a problem.”
Aya returned the smile. “Good. Now why don’t we go join the others? I’m sure Ken still wants to show you that game.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he does.” Ryo took Aya’s hand in his and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss against the knuckles. “As long as I get time alone with you later.”
“You will, Ryo. I can promise you that,” Aya said and gave a tug on his captured hand, pulling Ryo closer until their bodies touched. “I’d take you upstairs right this moment if I thought I could get away with it. But until then, we’ll have to be satisfied with this…”
Aya pressed his mouth to Ryo’s in a kiss that held a hint passion and much more. He heard Ryo quietly moan before he wrapped his free arm around Aya’s waist, effectively trapping him against Ryo’s body. Heat flared between them in that instance and the kiss grew more frantic, more abandoned. They writhed together, already hard and wanting, until the lack of air forced them apart. They stared at each other, both panting for breath as their hearts raced.
Ryo spoke first, although his voice was unsteady. “Are you sure we have to join the others first?”
“It would be the polite thing to do,” Aya replied.
“Okay, but only for a half hour. After that, I’m hauling your sexy ass up the stairs.”
“Not if I haul yours up first. Come on, the sooner we go in there, the sooner we can leave.”
Ryo grinned and Aya leaned in for another kiss. Before their lips could touch, Ken yelled, “Hey, Aya! Ryo! C’mon you guys, we’re waiting for you!”