The Taisho fire

I'll be your man

They both perused the menu, knowing that whatever was ordered would probably end up being shared anyway, and ended up asking for red wine to compliment the duck and piece of rare beef. Conversation was easy, and playful as they waited for their dishes. A waiter filled up two glasses of deep bordeaux wine in the meantime, and they clinked them together.

"To us", Tōga said.

Gwen lifted an eyebrow; his little lady wasn't completely oblivious; her finesse ensured he could never keep something away from her. But that little velvet box that weighed in the pocket of his jacket wasn't heavy enough to rush him.

Tōga had yet to meet Gwen's family; they planned to spend Christmas together. In his time, matches were made by the parents, and children rolled with it. Should he ask her father beforehand before he popped the question ? Would she freak out that it was too early ?

"So, sell me your secrets. How do you think I can impress your father ?"

Gwen blinked, taken aback by his question.

"For Christmas", he added, just in case she became suspicious of his line of thought. The young woman shook her head.

"Just be yourself. You have culture and humour, both things he will appreciate. Little brother will be more difficult."

Tōga arched his usual eyebrow, knowing that his little lady would pick the message and elaborate.

"My brother is pretty protective and will lose himself in psychological profiles and considerations. Such as the fact that you're my boss."

"Well, I had misgivings about that as well", he sighed, drinking another mouthful of excellent wine. Gwen pinned him with a warning look; he found himself amused that his little lady, all dolled up and seemingly harmless, could address the reincarnation of a powerful yōkai such a challenging gaze.

"Now, you know it wouldn't make a difference, right ? You don't need the title to be impressive."

Tōga nodded. Gwen respected and understood the constraints of being the commander, and she supported him in the role without faltering. Her misgivings were always laid out behind closed door or in private – and they were few – never when he barked orders. The hero worship had been replaced by true admiration.

"My father knows that. He always said I was pretty determined as a child, and that the guy that would want me would have to have a spine of steel. I bet he'll be satisfied enough with yours."

Well, he mused. The man was perceptive enough to know that his quiet daughter hid a will that rivalled with his. Funny, how people thought she could be pushed around because she avoided unnecessary confrontations. Gwen wasn't one for show of strength. Her life was dedicated to saving others; being in the spotlight never interested her.

Their complementarity was perfect in this regard. Sneakily, Tōga took a sip of his wine and watched her. The doggie necklace rested right upon the creamy expense of her collarbone, any tan from the summer gone by now. The deep red dress ended at her elbows, and she had covered the exposed skin with delicately knitted wristlets.

"You know, those paws really give a kitten vibe."

Gwen smiled, her eyes twinkling in the light of the candle.

"They are from Norway."

Tōga nodded; Gwen had mentioned a trip on the west coast of Scandinavia with her mother. Somewhere in her ancestry resided a few Vikings, a usual feature for british people. Her awed description of the country and its expenses of wild forests tumbling down the high cliffs had caused his inner instincts to salivate.

"We visited the Oleana factory once, she got me those. It's way too expensive to be bought full price, but at the factory it was affordable."

From the relaxed expression upon her face, Tōga surmised this was a nice memory. How he wanted to offer her the world... she deserved it all. He wasn't rich, per se, but he'd worked for thirty years and wasn't a spendthrift. The savings that slept on his bank account would probably be better spent on her behalf; how about a honeymoon? She would probably look ravishing in a bikini, lounging on white sands with transparent waters lapping at her skin.

Reaching out for Gwen's hand, he squeezed her smooth flesh.

"They suit you. You look beautiful."

His voice was slightly breathy, and the general buried within his soul recoiled at his flustering. The dominant instinct battled a moment with his emotional core until Tōga begged them to shut the hell up. There was nothing wrong with being completely taken with his mate, right ?

Wait... Mate ?

A waiter interrupted his musings, bringing two plates so overloaded that Gwen laughed, the sounds of her amusement tinkling like bells.

"I'll never eat all of it. Do you think we can ask for a doggy bag ?"

Tōga's lips curved. Day after day, she always found new dog expression to throw in his lap.

"That's certainly not the dog's dinner", he retorted.

She laughed again, grey eyes twinkling, then attacked her meal with a hearty appetite. He, in turn, eyed the massive piece of rare steak with envy and dug in. Of course, Gwen stole fries from his plate while he, in turn, snuck out a few roasted potatoes from her pile. In the end, though, they just switched plates. The duck was delicious, melting under his tongue with its thick wine salsa. Ben had outdone himself !

"Oh !", Gwen suddenly exclaimed, taking his attention away from his meal. "I adore that song."

Music. Nothing could make her vibrate more than a song... except for him, of course. Leaning aside, Tōga tried to discern what had her little lady so giddy.

"It's one of James Blunt. I'll be your man. It is so like you."

The lyrics floated in the air, and he took a moment to listen to the words, watching Gwen's delicious lips wrap around her fork with delight.

"Slide over here, let your hands feel the way
There's no better method to communicate
Girl, stop your talking, words just get in the way
I'll be your man
So baby come over

from the end of the sofa

I'll be your man"

Tōga couldn't help but chuckle at the very blunt words.

"This is how it happened for us, right ?", Gwen told him. "A cuddle and you're my man. Simple as that."

Bluntly summarised, but not too far from the mark. Inuyōkai enjoyed physical affection, and now that summer had receded, he could unleash the full extend of his cuddliness. True, he'd claimed Gwen as his with a hug and a kiss, and he constantly reminded her how her body pleased him just as much as her mind. The question was...

"How do you feel about that ?", he asked, his voice caressing her senses with dripping honey.

Gwen contemplated her response for a moment, her eyes roaming his face.

"I... relieved. You're here, you're not going anywhere and you're mine. What could a woman ask for, really ?"

So simple, so true...

His throat suddenly felt tight, and he reached for a glass of water. She expressed it so easily; how truly right they were for each other. From the moment Gwen had set foot in his apartment, touched him, cooked for him, he knew she was the one. And even though it might seem hasty to the outside world, Tōga's heart resonated with the rightness of it.

That little square box settled deep in his pocket seemed to burn through his thigh, and his heart quickened in anticipation.

Well, no time like the present. Screw conventions.