21. Perfect Blue
Above her was the perfect blue of a fresh spring sky. Kyoko sighed, her eyes sliding shut as she stretched languorously, lying on her back in the afternoon sun.
A cool breeze hid the heat from the unrelenting sun that beat down on the clearing in the forest, bringing with it the muffled sounds of the inn that she had spent most of her childhood in. The smell of warm grass surrounded her along with the prickly feel as she brushed her arm across the ground.
It had been a good decision to come back here.
Not that she had much choice mind you. For being in his mid-twenties, Ren sure had an impressive puppy-dog expression.
Kyoko blamed the acting.
Nevertheless, once Ren had pulled out the big guns it was all she could do to agree (with an inward eye-roll, of course) and shoo him away before he could beg her for anything else.
She'd have the last laugh though, when their child turned that same expression back on him. See how he'd like it then! It was obvious that he was going to be wrapped utterly and completely around their finger.
Kyoko grinned at the thought, her hand gently resting on her still-flat stomach. Her wedding band warming in the suns rays. She'd tell him, soon.
Suddenly a shadow crossed her face. Opening her eyes she squinted upwards, only able to see a darkened silhouette.
"If you fall asleep you'll burn."
Ren's deep voice had her grinning and closing her eyes again.
"Mmm, but it feels so nice."
She heard Ren huff in amusement and the shift of cloth as he moved. She felt too lazy to see what he was up too though, content to let him be.
Unfortunately he was less inclined to let her be and Kyoko let out a startled squeak when two strong arms scooped her up and held her to a muscled chest. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around his neck, blinking in surprise.
Ren took advantage of her bewilderment to steal a kiss as he began to stride back down the small trail towards the inn.
"What do you think you are doing?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. She had the brief thought of asking him to put her down but, really, it was quite nice to be carried. It brought back her long hidden fantasies of being a princess.
Ren turned that innocent expression, a version of the one that had gotten her here in the first place, back at her, "I just don't want you to get heatstroke and die."
Kyoko couldn't stifle the snort of amusement. "I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to die from lying in a clearing."
"You never know." Ren said solemnly, but the amused twinkle in his eye gave him away.
Kyoko hid her face in his neck to hide her answering smile. Oh yes, she was going to enjoy seeing their child turn the tables on him.
She had a feeling he would enjoy it too.