Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

point."
    Jonathon disregarded any attempt at not looking satisfied and allowed a large smile to spread over his features. He glanced to Kazuhiro, who looked at him at the same moment. He took in Kazuhiro's soft smile, the affection in his eyes, and knew then that when he had been confronted with two paths not so long ago, he'd without doubt chosen correctly.
    ****
    Kazuhiro walked quickly down the hall on his way to his chambers. They'd arrived back in Kyoto that afternoon, and nearly as soon as he dismounted, he was riding out again after receiving a message from Saigo wanting to have dinner with him and learn what had happened with Barrett.
    He hadn't wanted to be bothered with the meeting. He'd hoped to spend a long evening with Jonathon after their journey, but the meeting served its purpose in more ways than informing Saigo of the incident. It also allowed him to inform his ally that he would be leaving Kyoto soon to return to his home and lands.
    It'd been a long time since he'd been home, so it was true he needed to return to see how things faired. He received regular updates, but especially with Ito's murder, it was best if he made his presence known there again. And, he wanted to bring Jonathon to his family home. The thought of him there, spending their days together in peace, filled him with sense of happiness and serenity that he hadn't felt in a very long time.
    He reached his rooms and slid open the door, closing it behind him while looking for Jonathon. Jonathon was nowhere in sight, but the door to the garden was open. Kazuhiro crossed the room, stepped half outside, and stopped, his movements halted by the beautiful vision before him.
    Jonathon leaned back on a post, the black night sky and brilliant white stars behind him. He wore not just one of the kimonos Kazuhiro had bought for him, but all three of them, so he was layered in the fine silk. Kazuhiro knew the clothing had been delivered while they were in Hyogo Port, along with a few other gifts he'd gotten Jonathon, but he hadn't gotten to inspect them before giving them to him. It seemed Jonathon had found them and must be pleased with them.
    And they looked stunning on him. Their beauty complimented Jonathon's just as he envisioned they would. Of the first that Jonathon wore closest to his body, he'd bought it to be an autumn kimono for him. The base colors of red and orange were accented by maple leaves and blossoms, all reminiscent of fall season.
    Over it, Jonathon had pulled on the kimono of black, stitched with white to mimic the very stars that shone so brightly behind Jonathon at that moment, and bearing a white chrysanthemum on the left. This kimono he'd intended for his eyes and his alone. To him, there was something immensely sensual to have Jonathon's fair skin wrapped in black silk. The way this kimono draped off Jonathon's left shoulder, exposing the autumn kimono beneath, Jonathon holding it gently in his graceful fingers, compounded that sensuality.
    Lastly, Jonathon was draped in the kimono in shades of gold, colored with soft blossoms and leafed branches. He'd selected the colors for this one because he felt the color would complement Jonathon's golden hair, and the delicate blossoms, his beauty.
    Around his neck, Jonathon wore the strings of gold with a large silvery pearl in the center, dotted with beads of red jade and gold. Jonathon had removed the gold earrings and replaced them with the ones he'd bought him of deep green jade, carved to look like a blossom. In the center of each was a large, round red jade, and trailing from them were beads of silver down to another ball of red jade.
    Kazuhiro leaned back on the doorframe, wanting to admire Jonathon, to keep forever in his mind how he looked at that moment. Jonathon's expression was serious, and he knew Jonathon's thoughts were of him, probably worrying about him and wondering when he'd return. Even clothed in the soft patterns and silk, he could see the inner strength, the pride, in Jonathon's gaze, and he knew however many days were left in his life, he wanted each of them to be spent with Jonathon.
    As if sensing he was there, Jonathon looked toward him. The serious expression faded under a bright smile, and not even the darkness of the night could dim the brilliance of his blue eyes. Kazuhiro found himself smiling back at him without thinking of it.
    Jonathon started toward him. "I'm happy you're home."
    Kazuhiro pushed off the doorframe and walked to meet him. "So