Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

七十八

As I nestled deeper into the warmth of Benimaru's embrace, the exhaustion of the day began to pull me gently toward sleep. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear was soothing, like a lullaby that eased my worries and allowed me to let go of the tension that had gripped me for so long. My breathing slowed, my body relaxing against his, as I teetered on the edge of consciousness.

His voice, low and tender, broke the silence, his breath warm against my hair as he whispered, "Regardless of what the future holds, I'm just happy that we're here now, Inori. Right here, together. You should get some rest... because tomorrow, I'm taking you out on a date."

Even with my eyes closed, I felt a rush of warmth flood my cheeks, my heart skipping a beat at his words. The thought of a date with Benimaru, of something so normal and tender amidst the chaos of our lives, brought a soft, involuntary smile to my lips. I was too tired to respond, but I knew the blush spreading across my face was enough to show him how much his words affected me.

As I drifted further into sleep, I felt his arms tighten around me slightly, a protective, reassuring gesture that made me feel safe, cherished. The world outside this room, with all its dangers and uncertainties, seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of his body and the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

I was on the cusp of sleep when I noticed the subtle change in his breathing, the way it became deeper, more even. He was falling asleep too, the weight of the day finally catching up with him. The realization brought me a deep sense of contentment, knowing that we were both finding peace in each other's presence.

With a final, sleepy sigh, I allowed myself to fully surrender to the pull of sleep, my mind filled with the quiet promise of tomorrow. 

Benimaru gently shifted, drawing me closer to him. His hand moved slowly, tenderly, brushing a few stray strands of hair away from my face. I could feel the heat of his breath against my skin, a soft and comforting presence that made my heart flutter.

Then, with a tenderness that seemed at odds with his usual rough demeanor, he leaned down, pressing his lips to my forehead in a slow, deliberate kiss. The touch was feather-light, yet it carried with it a depth of emotion that made me close my eyes and breathe in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

His lips lingered against my skin for a heartbeat longer, as if he wanted to imprint that kiss in my memory, to let it speak the words he didn't need to say out loud. It was a kiss that promised safety, affection, and a future where we would face whatever came our way—together.

When he finally pulled back, his lips leaving a warm imprint on my forehead, I felt a wave of calm wash over me. The world outside could wait; for now, in this small, stolen moment, everything was exactly as it should be.

The last thing I was aware of was the feeling of his heartbeat slowing beneath me, syncing with my own, as we both drifted off into the comfort of shared dreams.