The Taisho fire

The dog's dinner

Gwen nearly picked her jaw out of the floor when she found him in the living room with a button up shirt. Five months into their relationship, and she'd never seen him with anything more formal than the uniform jacket. Whether in his past life, or in the army, Tōga had been constricted in formal clothing far too much to his liking.

Today, though, he'd taken the gala outfit out of the closet. And damn... How could a man be so gorgeous in slacks and a simple shirt? Thank God for small victories, he wasn't wearing a waistcoat; she feared she might lose her mind entirely the day he adorned a three-piece suit. Her heart, on the other hand, was already lost...

For a moment, Gwen wondered if she would ever be enough; after all, Tōga was part yōkai. He would age gracefully, and always exude this otherworldly aura that turned every single head. Men and women alike always did a second take when he walked in the streets in his uniform, and not only because of the silver ponytail that danced like a tail behind him.

Tōga was utterly magnetic and magnificent.

She, on the other side, was just a human with a gift. The sight. It didn't make her more attractive, even though she found herself pretty acceptable. Gwen possessed none of this magnetic aura, or this overwhelming presence that made him so attractive. Sometimes, she even wondered what he saw in her, but his tenderness and care were as true as his heart. Tōga loved her; he was a miracle in her life... and worth the dress she'd decided to wear this evening at his behest.

The Inu pendant fell upon her bare collarbone, a stark reminder that she had yet to fulfil her promise to pose naked. But they had a full life before them after all, right ?

Gwen fidgeted with the golden necklace as she watched him, tall and proud, hands in his pockets. He awaited the lady of the house, as he always called her. Head cocked aside, he turned at the sound of her breathing. One look from him was all it took to settle her fears, for love and wonder shone in his golden orbs. How he could gaze upon her with such a wistful expression always baffled her...

One quick stride was all it took for him to grab her hand and kiss her knuckles.

"My lady, you are resplendent."

Gwen's cheeks heated; who cared if she was up to the world's standard as long as Tōga was happy ? Given the joyful glow that danced in his mesmerising irises, doubt was not permitted.

"You, sir, are a charmer."

"Only for you."

Gwen felt the very moment his yōki embraced her, right before his arm snaked around her waist and his lips touched her cheek in a tender kiss. For a moment, Tōga laid his forehead against her hair and remained still; she knew he was basking in her scent. Hard muscles flex under her touch through the white cotton when her hand circled his lower back.

"The air is crisp tonight. Do you want me to call a cab ?"

"Nah, walking is good. I can put those boots I bought during the fall."

Tōga nodded, grabbing his leather jacket before he helped her with her long coat. Autumn had settled heavily upon London, unexpected frosting episodes causing tons of phone calls at the station for people that didn't anticipate slippery sidewalks. If tonight didn't bring snow, the temperature was still flirting under 5 degrees.

But neither of them possessed a car, and Gwen enjoyed her walking. Tonight, Tōga was taking her to a restaurant owned by an old friend from the army. She was giddy to discover more about his life – apart from Stephen, the resident doctor, he didn't speak much of friends. And given his particularities, she wasn't much surprised he'd had trouble bonding with usual humans. People his age were bound to drift away.