The Taisho fire

Grooming

There's the continuatio nof the previous scene. A little fluff. Enjoy.

Grabbing the suitcase over his shoulder, Tōga beckoned for her to follow in his bedroom.

"How about a warm shower ?", he suggested as he dragged the luggage in the opposite corner.

"Will you join me ?", she asked with a playful glint in her eyes.

Tōga almost tackled her and growled, his good mood returning tenfold now that his heart had settled.

Foolish pup. Can't trust his own chosen.

"Gladly."

Gwen laughed, but detangled herself from his arms to discard her wet clothing. Once only her underwear remained – a neat piece of lace that only heightened his hunger – Gwen nibbled on her lower lip.

"I... uh. I had a though while I was away. I don't want to put any pressure on you, so please feel free to say no ..."

Tōga grabbed both of her hands. "Tell me", he urged.

Her fingers played with the back of his palms, the paleness of her skin contrasting with his darker complexion. They fit so well together.

"I think I should terminate the lease on my apartment. I can't stay away from you, and it seems such a waste of resources to keep that place. We can put the money on a shared account, or something like..."

The grin that split his face should have hurt, but it couldn't hold a candle to the surge of joy that overtook his veins. Breathless, Tōga wrapped his arms around Gwen and kissed her senseless. The young woman squirmed until he grabbed her thighs and settled her against him.

"It is a wonderful idea, my lady. Now, I can be your guard dog a hundred percent of the time."

Gwen gave him such a heartfelt smile that he knew she wouldn't look back. And thus, he walked to the bathroom, intent on warming her up before sleep claimed them both.

"Let me introduce you to your new apartment", he rumbled happily. "A great acquisition. First, the bathroom."

And even though Gwen knew this place like the back of her hand, his words echoed in her chest like a beacon of hope. How easily he welcomed her in his den, making what was his, hers.

Tōga didn't pounce on her, even though the shower fit the two of them. His hands, though, spread lather on her body in the most sensual of dances that caused goosebumps to prick at her skin. As he set to wash her hair, Gwen turned around and embraced him.

Her little nose almost reached his neck, and he curled slightly to accommodate her lack of heigh, as he put it. There, secured against the insane warmth he radiated, Gwen allowed a happy sight to pass her lips. Firm hands massaged her skull while she basked in the gentle hum of his body.

Who needed the tropics, the beach, a jacuzzi when you could get someone like him, chasing the cold away ? Her favourite spot was right here, by his side, stuck against rippling muscles.

Once he was done with her, Gwen returned the favour. This was, so far, one of the most intimate moments they had shared, short from him buried between her thighs. Tōga's chest rumbled in contentment when her little hands washed him from head to toe. The slight purr, added with the silky lengths of his hair sliding between her fingers were a delight.

"Did you know that Inu packs groom each other ?", he told her when they exited the shower, lazy and content. "No one has ever done it for me in this life."

Gwen burrowed in a massive towel with a satisfied smile.

"You're such a pleasure to touch. I might even take a few nips someday."

She swore she saw the tip of his ears blush before he left the room. Gwen giggled, brushing her hair to loosen the last knots before braiding it. Who knew her Captain could be flustered by a few easy compliments ? She'd seen women fawn over him at every turn, annual galas included; Tōga usually was his charming self, handing cocky smiles and keeping women's claws away from his person. How he managed to do both without offending anyone was altogether commendable; probably remains from his past days in a yōkai court.

Lost in fantasies of the feudal era, Gwen finished her nightly routine and retreated to the bedroom, the towel still wrapped around her. Tōga slept delightfully naked, and she, in turn, only wore panties to bed. Of course, the tall, yummy male always took her diminutive attire as an invitation; not that she would deny him.

She found Tōga curled on his massive bed, as if his body protected something precious. Curious, she sat on the edge and addressed him a lifted eyebrow. The man grinned, propping his chin forward to show her a little box with a dark bow, half hidden in the midst of soft cotton.

"That's for the lady of the house."

Curiosity laced with pride at the unexpected title, and the stupid obvious response tore out of her throat.

"For me ?"

Tōga didn't mind her dumbness, he just nodded and handed her the box with a conflicted expression. Gwen felt her cheeks warm up and she thanked him before she unravelled the satiny bow with a pull. The lid was a sober cream colour, smooth to the touch, and too inviting to waste time. Curious, the young woman lifted the lid and gasped.

An intricated chain of white metal – probably gold given the shine – was nestled inside. At the tip rested a pendant that represented a puppy, its body curled around a gem of deep blue – a sapphire. Jaw agape, Gwen touched the stone and marvelled at the gentle curves of the puppy. This was a queenly present that represented their unusual courtship; dog expressions and secrets wrapped up in tenderness.

"Tōga", she gasped. "This is... us."

The Captain nodded, a mischievous glint dancing in his golden eyes. Gwen felt her lips pull in a wide smile, her heart responding to both the symbol and the giddiness it seemed to invoke in her lover.

"I love it."

He unfurled his supple body to curl around her, his warmth settling at her back.

"You are the gem I protect", he rumbled behind her. "Now let me see how that fits you, ne ?"

A gem. Is that how you see me, Tōga ?

Gwen nodded numbly, used to the typical Japanese idiomatic expression by now. She lifted her braid to allow Tōga to clasp the jewel around her neck, feeling his hot breath curl around her ear. Then he pulled at the towel, freeing her from the fabric to expose her naked body. A satisfied smirk lifted the corner of his lips when he watched her, naked except for the necklace.

"There. Now I can draw you."

Titanic.

Gwen burst out laughing; so this was what it was all about ! Nonetheless, her heart danced from the beautiful welcome present.

And thus, she moved in at the last story of the station without a fuss, expect for a promise to pose for her man for a drawing session.