Faster than a kiss.

Chapter Ten ♡

A/N: Been so long since my last update! Deeply sorry for that. This update is specially dedicated to @ankitanakhro for being so supportive and patient ♡ Merry Christmas and a happy new year! I promise I'll try to update more frequently (: 

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I heard the front door slam and decided to address the elephant that sucked up all the air in the room. My husband went so still he could have passed off as a statue. Or a wax figure. Either way he looked like there wasn't any life left in him.

"So... what was that all about?"

Kaz barely lifted his head. "What was what?"

"What Shouma told you about... your father?" I replied, hesitant and afraid that I used the wrong words. Apparently they were. Kaz went even more still than before, if that was even possible. His eyes, the usual marshmallow browns that Lena adored, were rimmed with a harsh brown, a color of dark, muddy storm. It was frightening.

"Oh, that." He formed a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "That's nothing to worry about. C'mon, let's get Teddy to bed. It's way past his bedtime." He stood up from the counter, with the fake smile on his face, no doubt plastered on to reassure me. Well damn, Kaz, it's not bloody working. He walked past me and into the living room, leaving me with a glorious view of his broad back (and tight bottom but who's looking?), too rigid now to be fully appreciated.

I sighed in defeat and got ready for bed. Kaz usually settled Teddy in better than I do, and I hoped a little alone time with Teddy would cheer him right up.

*

I got out from the bathroom the second time tonight, but instead of walking towards my room, I turned into Kaz's instead. He laid on his right, eyes wide open, too open and for too long at a time, his mind wandering too far to have heard me enter. I stood by the door, unsure of myself. What if he didn't want me around? He was always the one who made sure I was fine and sane, always taken care of my worries. I knew that with him, I was safe. But did he feel the same? I could save him too. I wanted to save him.

With that thought, I walked silently across the room and to his bed. His back was faced towards me, still unaware of my presence. Eyeing the little space he left between his back and the rest of the bed, I decided to grow some balls and climb into the bed with him.

Releasing a deep exhale, I lifted the blanket and slipped onto the bed. I suppose Kaz was startled, but he didn't move, so I took that as an approval or invitation. Not that I needed either of them. Feeling a little bold, I wrapped my left arm over his waist and folded my body to the little space, molding his.

If I wasn't sure if doing this was a good idea before, I changed my mind when his tense shoulders went slack and relaxed into my sort-of back embrace. His voice, too raspy and hoarse tonight to carry the lightness he intended in his question. "Why, what have I done today to deserve this little treat?" 

I wasn't here for a casual banter, I was here for answers.

Lifting the arm around his waist, I curled my fingers and slowly caressed the line of his jaw with a little rhythm. Up and down, up and down. His breathing started to become uneven, and I spoke into his ear, allowing my hot breath to travel over his neck. "One of these days, you're going to have to let me in. You're not just my husband; I'm also your wife. Please tell me what's going on."

He didn't answer. I huffed and continued. "Or I'm just going to have to kick your face to wake you up." With that, he gave in a let out a light cackle. He brought his left hand up to grab the wrist of mine, and held it in the air as he turned over to my side and tucked it, along with the rest of me into his arms.

"I know. It's just that with every waking moment I spend with you and Teddy, you guys become more precious to me. I don't want my dark past to come in the way of that. Of us." I started to trace little circles on the fabric over his chest. "Then you're a fool for thinking that. Nothing of your past will scare us away, no matter how dark or how ugly. I just want you to let me inside your head, to make you feel as safe as you do with me."

Kaz stayed silent after that. When I was about to ask if he had fallen asleep, he spoke. "The bond between me and my family have always been flimsy, and although Shouma and I look startlingly alike, we're conceived by different mothers. We share our looks from my dad, and hair colors from our moms. That's why his hair is naturally blonde while mine is a dark brown. I wasn't home a lot, and I had to find out about my pregnant step mom through my butler."

"Why were you barely home? Your mom..."

"She passed away giving birth to me, and I suppose in some ways, my dad held me responsible for her death. He always said that I had her eyes. He couldn't bear to look into them, so he sent me to live with my relatives. I was brought up by them."

"But what made you cut ties with hi-" I started but was cut off by his shush.

"That's enough for tonight. For now, I want to enjoy your closeness… and the heavy impulse to kiss you senseless." My mouth went dry. He seemed to like me flustered, that bastard, and decided to tease a little more with a rough whisper, laced a hint of a groan.

"It's almost unbearable."