Chapter 17

17

The atmosphere at the tattoo shop was charged with a new energy that morning. It wasn't just the bright, fresh paint on the walls or the bustling clients coming in for their appointments. It was something more subtle, yet undeniable—a shift in my demeanor that didn't go unnoticed by my coworkers.

I was running on empty, my sleep schedule a chaotic mess. Noboru's carnal hunger was unquenchable, and my libido took the challenge seriously much to my pleasure and dismay. Our nightly occurrence intruded on my dreams and left me restless and exhausted, waking up to find myself scissoring my legs with an ache only he could satisfy. His presence was both a source of intense longing and a deep, gnawing anxiety. The nights I spent with him were marked by both divine intimacy and unsettling revelations, leaving me drained and disoriented by morning.

Chivonn was the first to notice the change. As she cleaned up after a particularly busy session, she shot me a concerned look. "You alright, Mae? You've been looking kinda out of it lately."

I forced a smile, though it felt as fragile as spun glass. "Just been a rough couple of nights. Nothing to worry about."

Chivonn raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and discerning. "You sure? You don't look like you're sleeping well. And you've been all over the place with your schedule."

I shrugged, trying to play it off nonchalantly. "You know how it is—sometimes life just throws a lot at you."

But her eyes narrowed, not buying it. "Yeah, but this feels different. Are you sure it's just work? Because if something's going on, you know I'm here for you. It's not your ex is it?" she whispered at the end.

I waved my hand dismissively and shook my head, but the weight of her concern only made me more anxious. "Really, Chivonn, it's nothing I can't handle. Just a little stress, you know?"

She wasn't convinced. "Stress? Or something else?" Her eyes widened comically before she grabbed my arm and brought us closer. "Did you decide to take up on that cute guy's offer for a date? What's his name? Riley!"

I laughed a little too loud, trying to mask my unease. "Oh, come on! That was just a casual chat. It's not like I'm looking to date anyone right now."

Chivonn leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Is there something you're not telling me? Because it feels like there's a whole lot more going on beneath the surface."

The playful banter was fading, replaced by a heavy tension. I shifted my weight, trying to evade her probing gaze. "Honestly, it's just personal stuff. You know how it gets sometimes."

How could I possibly explain to her that my lover from another life finally found me through the fabric of time and space and had now dedicated the rest of his existence to worshiping me with his mouth and cock? Just thinking about him makes my nipples pebble beneath the fabric of my top. Who knew having wings wrap around you like an extra set of arms could turn into a strange kink?

"Personal stuff, huh?" She crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Mae, if it's serious, you should talk about it. Bottling things up won't help you. Buying a new dildo or two might solve some problems."

I felt my pulse quicken, her insistence unraveling the facade I'd been trying to maintain since my life was turned upside down. "I promise, I'm fine," I insisted, but the more I reassured her, the more suspicious she seemed.

"Right, fine," she said, her tone teasing but laced with concern. "Just don't forget that I'm your friend, and I can help. Even if it's about some divine bird-man or whatever you're dealing with."

My heart skipped at her words, and I couldn't help but chuckle nervously. "W-What? A bird-man? What are you even talking about? "

She narrowed her eyes before leaning back. "I saw it on your internet search one day when I walked by. Are you still thinking about that creepy guy who came in for the back tattoo?" She gasped and grabbed me again. "Are you dating the creepy guy?! I mean, sometimes the weird ones be packing a lot of?—"

"Chivonn! I am not banging the creepy guy!" I exclaimed.

The buzz of tattoo machines awkwardly went silent and I groaned.

Jake was the first to break the silence. "Are you guys sharing dick picks over there? Keep that nasty stuff out of the workplace!"

Sam chuckled. "Not like you haven't tattooed a dick or two on clients, Jake. Stop being a prude."

"Hey! Not in front of my plants, man," Jake pouts, proceeding to pet said plant he brought in today.

Chivonn raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused. "You're not fooling anyone. Just keep me in the loop, okay? I'm here if you need me."

As she returned to her work, I felt a mix of gratitude and dread. How could I explain the chaos in my life, the otherworldly presence that had invaded my dreams? The truth felt too immense to share, especially with someone who cared as much as she did. I could only hope that somehow, I would find a way to navigate this storm without dragging her into it.

I didn't want to reveal the complexity of my situation, fearing judgment and possibly a danger to Noboru if anyone snitched about his appearance in this world to the government. I might have died the last few lifetimes, but I couldn't bear the thought of him dying for all eternity. Did divine beings get reborn? From the way Noboru explained things… I was the only thing he was chasing, not that he ever died and came back.

And my parents? They would die if I ended up on some men in black list. They would probably take me away, never to be seen again and where would that leave my parents? Who would take care of them? I highly doubt the government covers the families of the missing. They would want it to be as clean and quiet as can be while they do who knows what to you.

"For a dick pic, you're thinking pretty hard and deep over there," Jake threw out, pulling me from thoughts of conspiracies and alien experimentations. "Get it?"

Sam shook his head as he finished up with his client. "That's exactly why you need to stick with plants. What woman would stick around with jokes like that? Jeebus, Jake."

Jake feigned a dramatic gasp as he turned on his tattoo machine, clutching his heart. "But Sam, my charm is irresistible! Just look at how well it works with the plants."

Chivonn rolled her eyes, but a smile crept onto her face. "At least the plants can't talk back. You'd think they'd be safer company."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension from earlier slowly easing as their playful banter filled the shop. "Maybe you should take notes, Jake. A little less charm and a little more sincerity might do you good. "

Jake shot me a mock glare. "Sincerity? Where's the fun in that? Besides, everyone loves a bad boy!"

"More like a bad joke," Sam quipped, packing away his supplies. "Seriously, though, Mae. Are you sure everything's alright? You've been looking a little pale."

I waved it off again, forcing a smile that felt more genuine this time. "I'm pale because I'm working in this building all the time with you nuts. It's the lack of sunshine. I'm fine, really. Just a little tired, that's all."

"Yeah, sure," Chivonn said, arching an eyebrow. "You look like you've been running from a bird deity or something."

"That was just a little research for future projects, you know, in case some other loon comes in with another crazed sketch for me to replicate on their back," I shot back, trying to keep the mood light. "And stop snooping over my shoulder. Next thing you know, I'll have to start charging for intruding in my personal life."

"Hey, if you're getting into supernatural relationships with your art, I want a cut!" Jake chimed in, laughing.

Just then, the bell over the door jingled as a new customer walked in, momentarily diverting everyone's attention. I took a deep breath, grateful for the distraction. Turning back to my work, I couldn't shake the feeling that the truth about what was happening to me was just beneath the surface, waiting to spill out at the most inconvenient moment.

As the days wore on, the sleepless nights took their toll. My head would bob during my occasional breaks much to my embarrassment. Every time I told myself I was going to give Noboru and his glorious cock a piece of my mind, I'd end up in compromised positions, screaming in pleasure instead.

But Noboru wasn't always there, hanging around my house. I honestly didn't know where he would disappear to at times, my mind wondering why he dared to rekindle our relationship after admitting to me he was punished for it the first time. Had he discovered a loophole? A workaround with the gods? Did he promise them something in order to be allowed this relationship?

Was loving Noboru going to be his downfall? That was a question that weighed heavily in my gut, bringing forth the same feelings of disappointment that threatened to drown me on the cliff that day.

I snuck visits to my parents when I could, but they were shorter than usual. Thoughts of Noboru helped field the usual emotions that stirred during my time spent in my childhood home.

Maybe they were right all along. Maybe I was lonely and I didn't realize it. Noboru's appearance in my life has definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things.

My shifts became a blur of clients and tattoos, punctuated by the occasional moment of clarity where I would feel the weight of exhaustion bearing down on me.

One upside to the erratic schedule was that it allowed me to avoid encounters with my ex. I hadn't seen him since our last confrontation, and the sporadic nature of my sleep schedule affecting my work schedule kept me away from the places where he might look for me. That small comfort was one of the few things that helped me cope with the disorder and change.

I didn't realize I had been standing frozen in the same position for the past thirty minutes, scrubbing at my station, until Chivonn's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Seriously, Mae, you need to take a break," she said firmly, walking over as soon as her client left. "You're burning yourself out. If something's going on, you should talk about it. After you get some sleep. Go home, Mae."

I nodded my head and didn't argue. Chivonn's concern echoed in my mind while I climbed into my car, the engine purring to life beneath me. The drive home felt surreal, the world outside a blur of colors and shapes.

When I finally pulled into my driveway, an unsettling sense of emptiness washed over me. The house stood silent, its usual warmth absent. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the echo of my footsteps almost reverberating against the walls.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice barely rising above a whisper. No response. The quiet felt oppressive, amplifying the weight of my thoughts. I walked through the living room, expecting Noboru to catch me, and throw me on the bed, but the stillness was all-consuming.

I shouldn't complain. Wasn't I just saying I needed sleep? Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Mae.

I sank onto the couch, the emptiness wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. It felt wrong—too quiet, too still.

"Make up your mind, Mae. Do you want him here or don't you?" I mumbled, confused at my sudden urge to call for him somehow. How could I miss Noboru so desperately with such a small absence? This bond is tripping me out, making me lose all my rational senses.

Suddenly, I thought I heard a soft noise—a rustle from the hallway. My heart raced. I stood up, straining to listen. "Noboru?" I called again, but there was no reply.

Cautiously, I moved toward the sound, each step filled with a mix of doubt and curiosity. The door to my bedroom stood ajar like it normally did, but something felt off. I pushed it open, peering inside.

Empty.

I sighed, leaning against the frame, and let my thoughts spiral again. Why did this feel so wrong? Why did I feel so alone? I had been fighting my own battles, but now the silence seemed to reflect all my fears back at me.

"This is what happens when you don't get sleep," I grumbled, shedding my clothes haphazardly and falling face-first onto the bed.