Old Friends Who: Haru and Clementine Where: On their way to the grocery store
Clementine didn’t have much in the way of food in her pod. It had been a while since she’d stocked up and she decided that today was the day. Tossing on a favorite, well worn indigo dress with a plunging neckline, she grabbed a knitted knapsack and walked with a joint in her hand to the store.
Her hair was down and flowing behind her as she walked, enjoying the beautiful scenery of New Eden. As she walked, she noticed that there were more people here than she remembered there being earlier. Perhaps a new arrival had just landed. She’d need to step up her welcome wagon game. Inhaling a puff from her joint, she held the smoke for a moment then exhaled as she strolled.
Haru, also, was doing a bit of grocery shopping. He tried to do it on a regular, weekly basis and make sure he had enough food in his kitchen. Now he and Micah were living together and with that he needed to definitely make sure there was enough food. He knew that Micah didn’t eat healthy enough, even though the man was a doctor and knew the importance of eating healthy, and now that they lived together he was going to make sure the man ate well.
He was walking along when he caught the sheen of sunlight reflecting on red hair that could only belong to Clementine. There were a couple of instincts that came forward. One was to turn and walk away, there was a slight pull towards Clementine and he knew Micah could have an issue...considering. The other, however, was to greet her and that was what he did.
“Clementine,” her name came out smoothly in his Japanese accent. “Nice to see you.”
She hadn't expected to see Haru but the sound of his voice and the sight of him brought a beaming smile to her face. “Haru! “
Unable to stop herself, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. “It's been too long since I've seen you. How are you? You look fantastic.”
Haru was taken aback with the hug and it took him a couple of seconds before he relaxed and gave an awkward hug of his own. “In a place such as this,” he started as the hug released and he stepped back. “You would think that we’d run into each other more often. I’m good. Better than good. How are you?” He asked. He didn’t tell her how fantastic she looked, but the appraising eye should have told her as much as he took a long look at her.
Clementine beamed a smile at him, something bright and light and happy. “I’m so glad,” She said, her voice wholly sincere. It made her so happy to hear that Haru was better than good. That’s all she could ever want for her friends. She noted his glance over her and smiled again, something softer and with a hint of more mischief behind it. “I’m doing well. Very good,” She said. “You’re absolutely right, we should have seen each other again. New Eden isn’t that large. What’s captivated you so much that you haven’t come to visit me?”
“I’ve…” Haru hesitated, and then actually gave a little bit of a sheepish look. “I’ve been seeing someone,” he told Clementine. “It’s been a bit crazy, but I just asked him recently to move in with me.” Crazy probably didn’t begin to cover it. He’d met Micah and somehow had let the other man get beneath his skin in such a way that Haru didn’t want to get him out. He genuinely cared for Micah, which was a first, and things were rushed in a way that he was wanting the man to move in with him way before what he assumed would be normal.
Clementine blossomed into an even brighter smile than before “Haru, that’s fantastic! Oh, I’m so happy for you!” She reached for him again to pull him into a hug once more, not batting an eye at the confession of him seeing someone or that he’d been seeing a man. Clementine was so filled with joy for Haru and she’d never been one to label people and their needs, so why start now? “And you’re both happy, yes?”
Haru was once again pulled into an embrace and he just went with it. Clementine was just that type of person and he had to admit it wasn’t so bad giving the redheaded woman a hug. “Yes, I think so,” Haru said of being happy as they ended the embrace. He was pretty sure that Micah was happy and as for himself, he was. “What about you? Meet anyone knew? Someone that can tame that wild child within you?”
Clementine laughed lightly and shook her head. “I’ve met lots of friends, but I have too much love to give to be tamed,” She teased, linking her arm with Haru’s. She couldn’t help herself. She always felt so safe around him and she didn’t think twice about the closeness. It was easy for her to shift from flirting to friendship. Haru was happily committed and while that life wasn’t for Clementine, she was thrilled for Haru. “Tell me about your new beau?”
“Don’t say that,” Haru chuckled and shook his head. “I was certain I’d never settle with someone either, much less have them living with me,” he shot her a smile. Maybe someone would come along and change her way of thinking, maybe not. He allowed her to take his arm and they started to stroll along. “His name is MIcah,” he started. “And is a doctor,” he glanced over at her and gave a smile. “He’s gentle and kind and he has these eyes that see right through me, that seems to just...pierce me. And he has this way that just seems to make me come completely undone. I don’t think he even realizes the power he holds over me.”
“Monogamy isn't in the cards for me,” she said gently, shaking her head a little. “It's also not something I want.” Leaning into Haru, she smiled again. “I'm so happy for you, Haru. You sound so beautifully happy. I'd love to meet your doctor sometime. Anyone that can make you feel that way must be a lovely person. She didn't really think it might be uncomfortable for Haru to introduce her to his new boyfriend. For her, it wasn't strange at all.
“I didn’t think I wanted it either,” Haru stated. He had never wanted to settle down with anyone. It would have made him weak and whoever he was with would have been in danger. Somehow, though, it had happened and of course he didn’t have to be the person he was before coming to New Eden. He was going to tell her that he wasn’t sure if meeting Micah would be a good idea because while being with him he had slept with her, but he decided not to voice it. “I’m sure you’ll meet him soon enough, small place and all,” he gave a small smile. “Maybe we can do it soon,” might as well let Micah meet her. It might be awkward and it might not be. “When someone finally does get you tied down, because I have to believe it will happen if it happened to me, I’m going to remind you of this conversation.”
Clementine laughed again. “It’s not going to happen, but I do appreciate your positive thoughts. But you should know that this is the life I want, what I have right now. I’m not missing anything.” She wasn’t a one-person-woman, she never had been and she couldn’t fathom being one now. Not even in New Eden. “We should. You two should come over to my pod, I’ll cook for you both! Where were you heading before I stopped you?”
“Only time I’ll be positive, I assure you,” Haru chuckled. “I was on my way to the grocery store,” he answered. “Need to make sure that I have plenty of food, he tends to not think about meals so…” he gave a small shrug. He wanted to make sure Micah ate healthy, and enough. “Where were you going?”
“Apparently, we were meant to see each other today. I’m going to the grocery store as well,” She said, smiling back at him. “This is good. This will give me an idea of what you two eat so I can get a meal prepared for our dinner.” She’d let Haru lead that initiative, inviting Micah to dinner at her home, but regardless she still needed food. “It’ll be nice to shop with a friend.”
Haru gave a nod of his head and started to walk with Clementine towards the store. “I’m fairly sure we both will eat just about anything,” he told her. “Tonight I’m thinking of making Sushi for Micah and deliver it to work for him. I’m not even sure he likes Sushi though,” he then said thoughtfully. “Come on, let’s get this over with. I’m not a big fan of shopping.”