Prompt: Orange, Knowledge, Love, Happiness

Timeline: AU, Modern

Carrot Confusion

Sesshoumaru sighed as he opened the front door, loosening the tie around his neck. Normally his employees granted him a wide berth, leaving his assistant to tend with the less important—and usually insignificant—matters that cropped up during a regular workday.

Today was not one of those days.

For some reason, he had been bombarded with interruptions, in-person meetings, and frivolous inquiries from the moment he set foot in his office.

Strange whispers had followed him around all day as well, quieting when he walked by before increasing in volume with every step he took.

Rubbing his temples, he set his keys down in a small bowl just inside the door, then pulled off his tie completely, stuffing it into a pocket of his suit jacket. Making his way down the hallway, he almost groaned in relief at the smells permeating from the kitchen.

His wife was standing over the stove, stirring something in a large pot as she pushed a few stray hairs out of her face. Her dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, but a few rogue strands had escaped and kept tickling her forehead.

Placing his briefcase down on their island counter, he slid up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he lay his head on her shoulder. He inhaled deeply, the scent of her hair mingling with the spices she'd been using, and easing the tension from his muscles.

She brushed her lips across his cheek before adding a few more vegetables to the broth. "Rough day?"

Humming against her shoulder, his grip around her waist tightened, allowing himself a few moments of peace before finally pulling back.

"They were relentless today."

"I thought Tsubasa was supposed to handle most of that stuff."

"Her strength lies in redirection, but there seemed to be an increase in issues that required my direct attention today."

"Poor baby," she crooned, ruffling his hair. "Mr. Boss Man actually had to deal with people for once."

"Your sympathy is staggering."

Kagome flashed him a grin, giving the pot one more stir before turning around, wiping her hands on the front of her apron.

"I'm your wife, I'm supposed to tell you like it is." She blew him a kiss before turning off the stove, leaving the pot to simmer. "Besides, everyone else fawns all over you, you don't need—what's that?"

Sesshoumaru's brows furrowed, his head automatically tilting as he glanced down at himself. "What is what?"

"There's something on your collar."

He dragged his fingers along the crisp lapel of his dress shirt but felt nothing out of place. Noting the look of concern on his wife's face, he left the kitchen, walking into the downstairs bathroom to inspect himself in the mirror.

There was definitely something on his collar, though it was slightly hidden. Shrugging off his jacket, he leaned over the sink to get a better look. A dark orange mark marred his otherwise pristine white shirt. It almost looked like a—

Kagome leaned against the doorway, her arms crossed as she met his gaze in the mirror, blue eyes searching.

"Did you walk around all day like that?"

"It is not what it looks like."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Looks pretty obvious to me."

His eyes widened in disbelief before he whirled around to face her. "Do you honestly think that I would let a woman close enough to touch me, let alone leave a lipstick stain on my shirt?"

"You're the one who said you had to deal with extra people today." Her jaw clenched before she shrugged a shoulder. "How do I know what goes on in your office?"

Sesshoumaru reached for her but she was already turning away, his claws catching nothing but raven locks as she walked back to the kitchen.

"Kagome, you know there is no one but you. There has never been anyone but you. You cannot believe for a second that I—" He paused, watching as her hands gripped the edge of the counter, her shoulders shaking. "I swear to you, I have never—"

She collapsed on the floor in a fit of laughter, tears running down her face as she held her stomach.

His mouth hung open as she writhed around, her slippers stomping against the tiles. Kagome gasped for air, managing to open her eyes for a second and look up at him, only to cover her face, trying to stifle her giggles.

"Clearly you are privy to knowledge that I am not."

Sucking in a ragged breath, she somehow managed to lift herself off the floor, using various cupboard handles to pull herself up. Amusement tugged at her mouth, and she coughed a few times to calm down.

"You kissed Mizuki goodbye this morning, remember?"

"I do that every morning, what does that have to do with—"

Another giggle escaped. "She had carrots for breakfast, there were probably some on her mouth when you hugged her."

Silver eyebrows disappeared under similar-coloured bangs before he let out a frustrated growl, claws raking through his hair.

"You allowed me to believe—"

"Hey now, I didn't let you believe anything. You came to your own conclusion. I just didn't correct you."

"Your sense of humour is something to be desired."

"I seem to remember that being one of the reasons you fell for me in the first place," she said, winking at him.

The sound of gurgling over the baby monitor cut off his retort, and Kagome picked up the device before ushering him out of the kitchen.

"Perfect timing. By the time you shower, she'll be ready to get up. Grab her after you're done." She tugged playfully on his collar. "And make sure you soak this. We can't have any more gossip running around about you at the office."

Sesshoumaru groaned. This was why there had been an influx of foot traffic earlier; the meddlesome busybodies he called employees had let their imaginations run wild and everyone had wanted to confirm it with their own eyes.

He'd barely taken a step towards the hall before Kagome grabbed the front of his shirt, her small hand creasing the smooth fabric as she brushed her lips against the underside of his jaw.

"I love you. I know you'd never do anything like that."

His chest rumbled in response, and he returned the favour, kissing her softly before dragging his teeth along her lower lip. The gurgling sounds of their daughter got louder as she kissed him again.

"Oh, now you've only got ten minutes to shower."

His lips curved up into a smirk. "I will shower later."

Her pupils dilated in understanding, and she licked her lips. "We should take her to the park after dinner. Tire her out so she sleeps really well."

"Indeed." He leaned over her, golden irises full of dark promises as he teased the top of her apron. A soft pounding sounded from above them and he chuckled, knowing Mizuki was now standing up and beating her fists against the top of her crib.

Nipping at his wife's nose one last time, he finally made his way out of the kitchen, her happy humming following him as he made his way upstairs.