Thin streaks of morning light streamed into Kurama's dark room, landing on his desk, floor, and the woman laying beside him. Her hair spread out behind her on their shared pillow, tangling with his own, the bittersweet scent filling his nose like smoke. Her hands wrapped around his bare chest, holding him close, almost as if he was going to disappear.

Kurama chuckled lowly, lazily playing with strands of Shizuru's hair.

Last night, after the Reikai Tantei came back from yet another case (the case was mundae at best- just some demon trying to start a small cult in the pits of Makai), Kurama found Shizuru sitting on his bed, smoking a cigarette, her fingers playing with the ends of his blankets.

"You didn't have to wait for me," he had said.

"I got lonely."

"Does my mother know your here?"

Shizuru shrugged and spun the spare key Kurama had given her around her finger. "She wasn't home when I got here."

"I see."

Kurama sighed, rubbing his forehead. Last night, the two took part in the mating and marking ritual, commonly known to humans as sex. Now, the woman laying by his side was forever bound to him, her soul now his and his alone, her body his to touch, to kiss, to bite. It was possessive, and childish to think in such a way, but Kurama was no mere human; he was a demon, a kitsune, and the prospect of sharing what belonged to him was absurd.

Shizuru shifted, pressing her body closer to his much warmer one. "Your up."

"It's commonly known that the 'early bird catches the worm'."

"And yet your still in bed…"

Kurama chuckled. "Your tone- am I to assume you have no plans of leaving?"

"I have no plans of leaving you, no." To emphasise her point, the brunette nuzzled the area under her mate's chin. It was a gesture reserved for lovers, a way to show comfort (Kurama taught her that a few weeks into their courting).

"Vixen," Kurama hissed, squeezing a few strands of her hair.

"You knew that when you started this." Shizuru gestured to their naked bodies and the blanket that covered them.

"Perhaps."

A stretch of silence passed between the two, but neither felt the need to fill it with small talk. Silence was comforting, and it allowed Kurama time to admire the women next to him. The way her hair fell around her body, the blush on her cheeks, the way her brown eyes lazily pinned him down.

"You are a beauty," he muttered, pressing his lips to her neck, just above the mated mark.

Shizuru sighed, arching her back. "Kurama-"

Kurama ignored her and smirked against her skin, enjoying the shutter that ran down her back. Swiftly, Kurama shifted their bodies so that Shizuru lay under him and moved his claws down to her breasts, tracing her skin lovingly. "Fair skinned, lovely scent, strong core. A goddess." He leaned down, his hair framing her face. "I will worship you," he whispered seductively.

Shizuru felt goosebumps appear down her arms. "Fuck… Shuichi."

"How can such crude language come from such lush lips?" He kissed her, forcing his tongue into her mouth, loving the way his mates body jolted. Kurama held her down by her hips, squeezing the flesh under his fingers, leaving red and purples marks behind.

Kurama continued to shower Shizuru with pretty words and promises of soft touches, seering kisses, and intimacy. Coming from anyone else, Shizuru would have brushed it off as a half-assed lie and gone about her day, but Kurama was something else.

She believed every word the fox uttered. He wouldn't lie to her. He would never lie to her. It's just one of the reasons Shizuru fell in love with him.

…

…

…

Needless to say, no one left the bed that day.