Ta-da. I am back!
Yeah, this one is fresh from being finished an hour ago. Sorry for the wait. I hope I can make it up to you guys with this chapter.
So. First things first. I am giving you a warning: this chapter contains lemon. I have updated the rating and the tags, so I hope you've seen it and paid attention to it. I did have the warning that the rating for this fic may change eventually from the first moment I have uploaded (it's in the summary, in case you didn't catch it) and now, it contains mature scenes. I am not gonna lie: I had a lot of fun writing it in detail, so all the more reason I have to give the warning.
You may choose to skip the lemon part. This chapter only contains two line breaks. The second line break is after the mature scene, so that one is safe to read, you may scroll down to find it. I don't want anyone flaming me for being surprised that I have written lemony goodness for this fic.
Thank you to everyone's support, leaving faves – those had kept me going.
That being said, read on and once again, I hope you enjoy it.
Tohru excitedly removed her apron as Akari-san, one of the waitresses, saw the last customer for the day out the door. Her two assistant patissieres sighed as they both stretched out their arms and rolled their shoulders, smiling all the while. "Phew. We made it through this day. I'm so glad you're here with us, Tohru-san. We really wouldn't have been able to do anything if it wasn't for you." One of them, the younger girl named Rina said, happily exhausted.
She smiled a bit shyly in response. "You know that's not true. It's due to all of us working all together."
"Nonetheless, it's very reassuring to know that you are here, Ms. Tohru." Her other assistant patissiere, Karin, added. "You know how to guide us. That's very helpful to the both of us who's starting out."
She thanked them both graciously, then Rina turned to her. "Leave the cleanup to us, Tohru-san. You don't want Momiji-san to wait longer on you after all."
"But you may need more hands…"
"Go on, Ms. Tohru," Karin, nodded, smiling a bit mischievously. "You've done a lot today already, let us handle the clean-up. Go on."
Tohru was glad, at least. "Thanks. If you're both okay with that… I'll go then."
So saying, she went to the main café area, where the gorgeous man who happened to be her boyfriend sat on one of the corners of the café, nursing a tall cup of iced coffee which happened to be his favorite, gaze situated outside the glass windows of the café, watching people passing by.
She relished the chance to observe him, standing still on one side, looking at him fondly, which turned into a frown slowly the minute she continued to observe him.
His expression is light, but she could tell thru his demeanor that he is distracted and enormously at that. Tohru knew that there is much she would find out about him, but she was grateful that she knew how to tell his emotions from just merely observing him. It comes with the territory of having known each other for a long time.
She watched as his left hand fingers drummed into the table, the restless energy still showing itself. Whatever was on his mind, it was making him show the habit he had, and Tohru is worried – she had seldom seen him look so distracted with whatever he was thinking about.
With light steps, schooling her expression to be calm as well, she finally decided to approach him, doing so with a small smile. In spite of her worry, nothing would make her unhappy to see him. "Enjoying your coffee and cake, okyaku-sama?" She jokingly asked, and she was rewarded with the bright smile he graced her with as he looked up to her.
"Oh, I most definitely am. Especially if my patissiere is as lovely as this woman in front of me." He smiled teasingly, though she knew he meant every word he said as he took her hand in his.
She wondered if she would ever get used to this kind of sweetness and flirting from Momiji. Usually, these phrases were enough to make anyone embarrassed and probably cringe, but coming from the blond, it only seemed natural and was just something that could make a woman feel good. Her, to be exact. Probably because he wasn't really just flirting, but he was saying what he really sees her as and wanted her to realize the same thing.
So instead of denying it, she merely squeezed the hand holding to hers. "I'm glad you are. How does the strawberry shortcake taste?"
Momiji looked around, seeming to check if anyone was there, then back to her. "I'll let you know."
She was confused. "W – Oh!"
Momiji tugged at her hand which he was holding on to, catching her easily in his arms as she fell with perfect precision onto his lap. Before a gasp could escape her lips, he had already captured them with his, immediately dazing her with the sensation of having his lips on hers.
So this was his idea of letting her know how the cake she made tastes like. He was kissing her gently, but thoroughly, leaving no part untouched, and she couldn't help but melt into him. She missed him, in spite of just spending time with him last night. She could do nothing but respond in kind, suddenly liking this idea of Momiji of letting her taste her cake in a more creative and… romantic way.
Tohru wondered, somewhere in the back of her mind, if she was becoming greedy.
Eventually he had let go of her, eyes opening to look deeply into hers and she simply found it difficult to look away from him.
"Delicious, right?"
Tohru licked her lips, heat coursing her through her as Momiji's gaze followed the movement with eyes conveying he was hungry – hungry for more of her lips, that is.
"It is. I did make it with the goal of pleasing you, after all." She whispered, tone coming out sultry, something she hadn't intended but pleasantly surprised to know that she could do it.
Momiji's pupils dilated and his irises turned dark. He looked like he wanted to carry her off somewhere else and kiss the living daylights out of her – something she had experienced quite a number of times already whenever they were alone and things were comfortable and quiet and she certainly wouldn't have objected to doing so – but he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He looked like he was counting to ten to calm himself down.
He opened his eyes once more, the melted topaz color of his irises turning a shade lighter. "Well it's an honor to be a favorite of the patissiere." He responded, as Tohru slid off his lap, but before she could straighten up fully he stopped her with a squeeze on her hand. "You are going to be the death of me, Tohru."
Her response was a demure smile as she whispered back to him, "As you are mine, you know. I think that's only fair."
He chuckled, shrugging. He knew it to be true. "Ready to go, Princess?"
"Yes. Let me just get my things first."
She said goodbyes to everyone in the café and she and Momiji decided to take another walk together before getting into his car to go home.
He was noticeably quiet, still appearing to be deep in thought, hand still curled around hers securely. By this point she was wondering what was making him so distracted. "Momiji…" she began, but Momiji sighed.
"I'm sorry, Tohru. I know I'm being weird." He said, smiling at her. His smile is genuine and wasn't forced though, which she sort of expected to be the other way around. "I want to tell you something."
So saying, he led her to sit down among one of the many benches which lined the sidewalks, carefully letting her settle before doing so himself beside her. He then reached into the inside pocket of his coat, drawing the envelope which had turned his world upside down the other day. He was looking at it, seeming hesitant at first to give it to her, but he faced her once more. "I received an invitation the other day."
Tohru felt nervous, seeing the serious expression on his face. It was just a simple envelope but it suddenly seemed so important, seeing the logo stamped on it. She wasn't that familiar with the logo, but it all felt that whatever was in that envelope will change her life. It seemed that whenever Momiji showed her a letter, it signals the fact that some form of change is coming, one that she should expect already.
She wasn't sure if she was ready for that change.
Still, she took the envelope from him. It was quite heavy. He nodded at her, encouraging her wordlessly to read it for herself.
So she opened the flap and began to read the letter enclosed, eyes widening upon being able to read the contents. "Momiji-kun… isn't this…?"
"An invitation from the New York Phil." He clarified, sounding chagrined. "It's what Elise called me the night of the concert for. She was settling a schedule with them."
Tohru wasn't all that familiar with big-name orchestras, but even she immediately felt that the ones who sent the invitation to him wasn't just some of the run-of-the-mill kind of orchestra. "This… Momiji, congratulations! Isn't this good news?" She asked, though somewhere deep inside her, she could tell that she was still nervous as she hugged him as enthusiastically as she could.
Momiji looked happy himself, enthusiastically returning her embrace with one of his own. "It's one of the most prestigious orchestras out there. Every musician has probably dreamed at one point to be a part of them," He explained to her, confirming her instinct about the orchestra. "It was an honor to be invited and even considered as a guest soloist for them."
The New York Phil. Tohru knew the time it took to practice for a piece alone, and Momiji is invited to a whole season as a soloist. Which meant…
"So when would you be leaving for New York?" She asked, not wanting to think of the fact that she wouldn't be seeing him at all, and how long she wouldn't be able to do so.
Momiji looked at her, looking surprised. He hadn't expected her to assume that he had already agreed to it. "I'm not leaving, Tohru."
She was confused. What did he mean he wasn't leaving? "But you were invited. Didn't that mean you were supposed to go…?"
He met her gaze, squeezing her hands which were still in his grip. "I'm turning it down."
Tohru chastised herself for feeling relieved. She shouldn't. This was an opportunity for him – why was he turning it down? "But it's the New York Phil, Momiji-kun. I am not an expert in these things, but even I don't think anybody should turn them down. This is an opportunity for you – and it was your dream, wasn't it?"
What are you doing, Tohru? Why are you convincing him to accept it? Do you want him to leave you alone in Japan? She could feel the other side of her – Bad Tohru, as she nicknamed her – scold her.
The only times Bad Tohru came out was whenever something huge… something which had the potential to hurt her may happen to her. This part of her conscience only voices her thoughts to her when she was about to enter a world of hurt, mostly due to her own doing. A way to protect herself, as one may say so.
It's a good opportunity for him. He was invited, that meant that his talent was recognized. He's turning it down – something he shouldn't be doing. He may regret it if he doesn't take it. She reasoned out to herself, in spite of the fact that she was beginning to feel like she was breaking her own heart into two.
And you're convincing him to leave? Are you perhaps prepared about the fact that you won't be seeing him for months? It's like your situation with Kyo all over again! Bad Tohru rebuked her, even as she tried to ignore the truth behind those words.
But Momiji shaking his head distracted her from arguing with herself internally. "My dream was already realized, remember?" He caressed her cheek gently. "My dream is to be able to play in front of my family. I was already able to fulfill that, even if Momo was the only one back in my life. You were also able to watch me, but I did promise to perform solely for you, so that one's the only thing left in my bucket list." He was smiling at her gently, confidently.
Still, to her it felt wrong that he was rejecting the opportunity of a lifetime. It felt like going against something which was already preordained by a higher power. That sounded dramatic, but it really felt that way to her, at least. Something tells her Momiji shouldn't reject it, that if he did, it will be something he will regret.
"Momiji-kun," she began, trying to find the right words to say. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she could feel Bad Tohru sighing, rolling her eyes at her which was ridiculous, to be honest. "Being invited by the New York Phil is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can see that. Perhaps you may want to consider accepting it. Something tells me that if you don't… you may end up regretting it. I don't want you to regret anything."
Momiji was staring at her, locking his eyes onto hers. She felt like she could get lost into those topaz orbs which, for the moment, showed uncertainty and hesitancy. "Me accepting this means that I won't be seeing you for another nine months, Tohru. I don't think we'll be able to take being apart from each other that long."
She felt like crying. She had mostly been able to recover from the feeling of being abandoned and left alone from her former relationship, but to think that it was happening again…
It isn't as if he wants to leave, she told herself fiercely. He said it himself, it wasn't really his dream. But his music is something that shouldn't be kept, it shouldn't be something that wasn't allowed to grow. He has to accept it.
"If you're worried that things between us would end up like what had happened to me and Kyo before…" she finally voiced what she had been thinking honestly, making Momiji's grip on her tighten, "I've changed now. I will miss you, but I know you're not just doing it just because you wanted to. You're different from him. I know that even if you're far apart from me, I know that you moving forward means a step forward for us, together."
She wasn't weak. Or rather, she refused to be weak. She now had something to accomplish, something she can do for herself. Just because he was leaving didn't mean that he loved her any less. It was precisely because of that fact that she knew he should make that journey. To love is not to hinder one's growth. To love is to let the other bloom.
Momiji took her into his arms, and she immediately melted into his chest. "Tohru… this feels all too soon. Too soon for me. I just… I was just able to be with you. I am not sure I am ready to be away from you again."
"I don't want to be away from you either, Momiji." She whispered, looking up at him. "But as they say, 'opportunities present themselves to those who are prepared'. This is one such example, and I know of a great opportunity when I see it. You must take this – who knows, after all, if and when this will come by again?"
"I don't know how you could be so calm about this." He was searching her eyes, but she merely shook her head.
"I am not. But I do know that if the same opportunity was given to me, I know you'll convince me to take it as well." She smiled, though her eyes were watery. "Just know that wherever you are, I am and will always be there… cheering you on. Your number one fan."
He wiped the tears about to fall from the corner of her eyes, kissing her forehead. He knew how much it took out of her to convince him to do this for himself. "If you're decided, Tohru, then I will take it. Thank you for your trust in me." He pressed his forehead on hers. "I'll hurry home to you."
She nodded, as she kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I'll be waiting. Go get them, Momiji."
It was the night before his departure.
Momiji was to leave a week after, since he chose the earliest date that the New York Phil had indicated at the letter just so he could be back earlier as well. Since he had taken the invitation, they had assumed that he may not make it back in time for Uo's wedding, which will be held exactly nine months from then.
By mutual agreement, they decided to spend his last week together in his apartment. While there was nothing wrong with Tohru's, she had grown fond of his fireplace and seeing him practicing whenever he felt like it, so they decided to just go with his.
That particular day they decided to go to bed pretty early, since even if his flight was in the afternoon the following day, he was anticipating that he wouldn't be able to sleep properly. Not when he was about to leave her behind.
This time they were in his bed, and his arms were wrapped around Tohru, her back to him as he stared outside his window. He was right to anticipate that he wouldn't be able to sleep, and honestly, who could blame him? He was leaving Japan again, and the woman he loves behind. Though this is the second time he was leaving, it all felt that he was leaving more behind compared to when he had left for the first time. And it was obvious that the reason why is the woman who happened to be laying in his arms at this very moment.
He still didn't know if it was the right decision to accept the invitation. He had been adamant to reject it, honestly feeling that he could live without being able to perform with The New York Phil. What he had told Tohru at the time is true – his only dream was to be able to perform for his family and hold a personal concert just for her. He didn't need much else, only even considering the fact that he had won two competitions to be bonuses on top of everything he had been meaning to do. With all of the things that had happened to him, his dream is really just that simple.
Tohru had a point though. When he looked at it from her perspective, it is an opportunity too good to let go of. He also felt that Tohru was determined to prove that she would be able to let him go and do this for himself, probably reflecting from her experience with Kyo and she didn't want to make him feel like she was stopping him from doing anything he wanted.
It was a baseless thought, but she was right: they were different people. The fact that she was confident that he would return to her and she will be waiting was the only reason he even considered accepting the invitation. For her, he would do this.
"Can't sleep?"
He looked down to see her open her eyes and turn herself in his arms so she could look at him. He shook his head, well, as much as he could while he was lying down. "Yeah I can't. It seems that I am still getting used to your new hair and body wash." He joked, just to take both of their minds off the current situation, making his girlfriend blush.
"Y-You prefer the first one?" She asked, unable to keep her stammer. She hadn't been expecting his response, though she shouldn't have been surprised. Momiji loved smelling her hair, always telling her that it calms him down. He would sometimes even ask her to let it down from her ponytail, since he prefers running his fingers through it.
"I do, since I feel like strawberries and peaches are so you. But this honey and citrus scent from your body wash as well isn't so bad too." So saying, he pulled her closer, lowering his head onto her throat just to better appreciate said scent, brushing his nose against the smooth skin. "Divine." He commented, making Tohru's heart hammer in her ribcage.
Good Lord. Didn't he know what he does to her every time he told her that he likes her scent?
Tohru wasn't completely naïve – it had been a part of her growing up and when she had been in a relationship with Kyo after all – but she knew Momiji wanted her. He had not told her outright, but his kisses, the way that his eyes would darken with desire after a particularly heated kiss shared with her, told her in no uncertain terms that he wanted her. She didn't know why he hadn't acted on it, but she felt that Momiji had been restraining himself for her sake. He had probably felt that it was too early for them both, in spite of the fact that they had known each other for what seemed to be the longest time.
Still, she couldn't suppress a gasp escaping her when he started circling her throat with kisses. This was nothing new, usually meant to convey his deep adoration to her, but she couldn't stop herself from blurting out something she had been thinking about.
"Will you make love to me… Momiji?"
He froze, and she met his wide-eyed gaze as he met hers.
Tohru was flushed, she knew that. It was probably something he had not expected to hear from her, and she couldn't blame him – even she couldn't believe, for a brief moment, that she would be able to ask something like it so boldly and straightforwardly like that to him. However, being in love and loved by such a man like Momiji can infuse one with confidence, and she wasn't averse to getting to know him in that way.
Momiji's expression turned serious. He knew he had heard her right, and the least that he could do to such an honest question was to respond to it with all the sincerity he could convey. "You know I would love to, Tohru." He began, as she met his gaze straight. "But you don't have to force yourself into doing this."
Oh, sweet Jesus. He probably thought that she was asking him because he was leaving. Well, it was part of the reason, but it wasn't really all that. She just wanted him. To be held, to be kissed, to be loved passionately – she wanted those memories with him.
"I'm not, Momiji." Her breath came out in a sigh, as she lifted her face up to his, their breaths mingling together intimately, wanting him to see the want in her gaze. "I just want you… the same way you want me. I don't want you to continue holding yourself back. I want to be with you in that way too."
He started to protest, "I don't want you to feel obligated to do it because I'm about to leave. God knows how much I want you, Tohru."
She pressed her lips against his lightly to stifle his protest. "Then make love to me, Momiji. Make me yours."
The want shining in her eyes was what made him lower his head and meet hers in an almost feverish kiss. "As long as you're sure." He whispered in between kissing her, unable to let go of the feeling that she was forcing herself to do this.
She coaxed him with a kiss on his jaw. "I am, anata. Please." So saying, with as much boldness as she could muster, she took his right hand, placing it on the top button of her nightgown, letting him decide as she never broke their gaze from one another.
Momiji, seeing that she was serious, exhaled a long-drawn in breath. "Okay."
So saying, he met her lips once more for a kiss, his fingers undoing the buttons on her knee-length nightgown one by one as much as he could with them on their sides facing one another. As the task became more difficult, Tohru broke from the kiss, only looking at him. She then turned to lie on her back, the opened buttons already exposing a healthy amount of skin, revealing part of her left breast but not enough to expose all of it, down to almost her navel, as if teasing him to continue.
He had to close his eyes for a bit, almost feeling dizzy as he felt like all the blood had drained out of his head in the last few seconds.
"Momiji." She called sweetly, drawing his attention back to her.
She is waiting.
As gently as he could, he rolled over her, hovering over her carefully. He took a deep breath and proceeded to continue his task of undressing her. Never had he imagined that his last night would turn out like this, never expected her to give him the gift he had longed for but had never asked it of her because he believed her heart was enough: herself. The only thing he could do is to give her himself, without reservations, in return.
As the last button came undone, he met her gaze once more, and she was breathing deeply. She would be lying to herself if she didn't acknowledge that she was nervous, this being the only time after a long while that she would be exposed once more to a man's gaze, but this was Momiji. She loved him far too much to be overcome by her nervousness.
Momiji could see the assent in her eyes. He began drawing the edges keeping her nightgown closed to her sides, revealing soft feminine flesh he had only ever felt when embracing her. Tohru felt heat and wetness pool down to her center as his eyes darkened, almost ominously, his irises zeroing in on two perky breasts, topped with rose pink nipples bared to his gaze, along with the last triangular piece of clothing keeping her femininity from being revealed completely to him. None of the books or lessons in human anatomy had prepared him to such an arousing sight.
"Sehr schön." The praise and sound of amazement accompanying that tone left little to wonder what he meant, making her blush, but at the same time unable to stop the rush of feminine satisfaction in her system as she met his lips once more for a kiss, mouths open to one another as his hands sought to explore more of her. The only difference this time is that nothing would be holding Momiji back from his heart's desire and longing.
He came up for air, darkened eyes meeting hers. "I want to touch you, Tohru. I want to taste you. Once I do… I won't be able to stop myself from having my way with you." He told her seriously, and she merely smiled invitingly to him.
"I will not be expecting anything less."
He kissed a trail down to her neck in response, leaving melting kisses on her throat and her collarbone. With her assent, his right hand slid across the silky soft skin of her abdomen, his heated touch circling her navel, almost teasingly, making her gasp. As long fingers reached her left breast, she rewarded him with a moan as he cupped her and kneaded her, enjoying her softness, sending jolts of pleasure across her system and to her center. She couldn't stop a rather loud moan from escaping her when his mouth started paying homage to its twin, circling her right breast with kisses until his tongue flicked out to taste the pink bud which had hardened under his ministrations. She covered her mouth as another moan escaped her embarrassingly.
This was not her first time, admittedly, but there was just something in Momiji's touch that was making her voice her appreciation way louder than usual that she was beginning to be embarrassed herself.
He paused briefly from his ministrations to look up to her, grasping her hand away from her mouth and laying another kiss on her lips so deeply and thoroughly that she almost felt light-headed when he let go of her. "Don't ever do that again. I want to hear you, Tohru. You know there's no need to be embarrassed with me."
A gasp tore from her lips as his other hand began kneading her right breast, never once tearing his gaze away from hers. "O-Okay."
He smiled, almost angelically. "Thank you." Without further ado, he lowered his head once more but to her left breast this time, pleasuring it with his mouth, flicking his tongue on the hardened nipple and suckling her with near wild abandon while his other hand kneaded the other one, making her clutch at his hair as she bit her lip and he switched sides, suckling the other he had just been kneading a moment ago. Her legs pressed unconsciously together, feeling her femininity begin to throb and ache with need for him.
If he were to be honest with himself, he was also mighty embarrassed. In spite of having been surrounded by women who were open and honest about what they want from him, he had never engaged in a no-strings-attached type of pleasure that his peers are wont to do, even if those women he happened to be acquaintances of had made it clear that they are okay with it. He was a man with urges and he was honestly tempted, sure, but it was a line he preferred to never cross. If there was one thing he had always reminded himself of, it is that such an act of intimacy would only mean something if done with the one he loved and that friendships are more important than such kinds of relationship.
Being able to do this with Tohru is something he considered a blessing. In spite of his nerves, he wanted to pleasure her, adore her with his body. He had no qualms in showing her what it felt like to be loved by Sohma Momiji, especially since she had given him this wonderful gift.
He reveled in the silky soft feel of her skin as he followed his instincts, kissing a trail down to her abdomen. When his mouth reached the edge of her panties, he kissed the skin above it, making her jolt, electrified, and she stopped short of whimpering out in protest as he straightened up once more to her eye level.
"I want to see you more." He murmured and she sat up, making her nightgown fall down her arms, exposing her upper body to his completely.
"I want to see you too." She raised a hand, placing it against his chest. He realized then that while Tohru was almost already naked, he was still fully clothed.
In response, he took her hand and placed it against the edge of his shirt. He suspected that while Tohru may have had more experience than him, she was still partly embarrassed which made him adore her even more. Still, he wanted her to be more comfortable at taking initiative with him… and what better thing to start with by undressing him herself?
Tohru swallowed her nerves, thankful at Momiji's unspoken encouragement. She took hold of the edge of his shirt, lifting it up and over his head, exposing Momiji's upper body fully to her gaze. She placed a hand against his chest once more in wonder of his beauty. While it was not something she hadn't seen before, due to countless transformations after his embrace or when they had gone swimming with his family, she simply marveled at the changes he had undergone as he grew into the man he is now. Momiji's built was different to Kyo's but he didn't look any weak to her – he was lean but had built muscles in all the right places, arms enticingly strong, his chest sleek and hollow, the dainty pink of his nipples standing out against the fairness of his skin. She held his gaze once more as she reveled at the feel of his skin, admiring the strength and firmness the muscles contained under it, checking to see if it made him uncomfortable. On the contrary though, his breathing seemed to speed up at her touch, the taut muscles of his abdomen flexing under her warm palm at her shy and gentle exploration.
Something urged at her to move on, sensing the tension beginning to form within him. With trembling fingers, she reached for the ties of his pants, pulling at it, and his hands covered hers and helped her to remove it. Her gaze broke from his for a moment as she turned to look at his boxers, eyes widening a bit at the bulge it barely contained.
Momiji distracted her by kissing her once more on the lips, his hands taking the edge of her nightgown which had been caught on her elbows to properly remove it from her, tossing it mindlessly onto the side. He carefully laid her down the bed once more and she welcomed his weight, eventually breaking off the kiss so that he could look at her.
"May I take them off?" He asked, making her flush, but she wanted… no, needed him to see her.
In response, she shyly undid the ties on either side of her hips, a bit awkward at the extent of her boldness as her hand fell back onto her side. He kissed her on the forehead, grateful for her trust.
His vision then narrowed as he brushed aside the last article of clothing on her body, finally revealing her femininity to him. His temperature spiked at the vision his eyes held which no book or magazine could have ever prepared him for. She was beautifully pink, the color darkening to red the further his eyes went in to explore her visually, and she shone with moisture, the evidence of her arousal settling on her opening, making him harden even more, almost painfully at the mere sight.
Tohru's hands were trembling, as she fought the impulse to cover herself in self-consciousness. She wasn't used to a man seeing her wholly after all, but Momiji's unblinking appraisal of her femininity was only making her feel confident.
"Beautiful." He couldn't help voicing out, and she merely flushed in pleasure at his praise.
Just looking was beginning to be not enough though, the scent of her arousal reaching his nostrils and fueling his own for her. He bent back towards her breasts, seeking to sample the flesh he coveted and pleasure her once more with his mouth, his hand caressing her hip, causing her to gasp and her legs to fall open.
Taking that as an invitation to that heated apex of her legs, that mysterious place he had read and heard about but never experienced the feel for himself, he slowly reached between them, making her release a feminine moan as he slid a long finger between her netherlips. Her back arched in pleasure, causing her legs to fall open more, and he marveled at the feel of her wetness, the evidence of her desire and her arousal. With his first touch down there, she shuddered, her breath changing rapidly into little hitches. He then delved into the soft folds of her femininity, exploring gently, and the breath exploded from her lungs in a rush of delight, only to become a quick panting. Her agitation lured him, compelling him to bend towards her, kissing her opening tenderly that her thighs quivered at the soft touch of his lips. He then dragged his tongue across that rosy pebble that tipped that soft pale mound which had showed itself due to his ministrations on her, causing her to cry out.
He froze, immediately almost pulling up, but her hips followed his mouth involuntarily. "Did that hurt you?" He asked, almost dreadfully.
"No, no," Tohru opened her eyes, startling him with a pleading look in them, "that felt so good Momiji. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you – I just couldn't help it." Her whole body blushed, and he nodded, almost smiling playfully.
"So you're sensitive… thanks Princess. I'll take note of that." He said, tone mischievous, but his expression morphed once more into seriousness as he bent towards her again and dragged the flat of his tongue across that rosy pebble. Dear Lord but she smelled good and tasted just as good. The more he sampled her taste, the more he felt his body ache for her; he felt so full, so hard and taut, not to mention, he was desperately throbbing. He didn't want to brush up against her, he felt the tension building inside him and he was beginning to struggle for control.
But Tohru didn't worry about his control.
Her movements expressed her desire for more of him, almost unconsciously pushing herself to him. It had indeed been a long time for her, but she was nothing but thankful of the fact that she could share this moment with Momiji. His touch freed her impulses and instincts, which were evolving quite naturally on their own – she felt the sensations and the heat pool within her, arrowing down to her center, and she was close, so close to reaching the pinnacle of those sensations. She loved the way his hand caressed her hip once more, the heat from his touch feeling so good against her skin.
Then he pushed his fingers inside her.
His name escaped her lips in a cry, stiffening within his arms and he almost jerked off her but her hand caught his. "Please don't stop. Not now, Momiji! Please." She whispered, her voice taut with aching need.
She felt her whole body vibrate with a throbbing anticipation so intense, she felt like she was dangling on a cliff's edge, needing just one more push to fall into a maelstrom of sensations. Her breath was short, coming out in gasps as if she had ran a marathon.
His hand lowered once more between her legs, his touch cautious and still gentle. He slid his fingers between her netherlips once more and pushed his fingers deep into her. A few strokes guided by his instinct and he pressed his thumb against the rosy pebble at the opening of her legs and her body erupted with response.
She gasped in surprise as her body trembled with delicious shocks of sensations, rolling across her body from her center. She felt like every nerve ending in her body had come alive and she was at the center of it all, her whole body flushing and tingling with vibrancy. She clutched at his shoulders as he continued stroking her through it, shuddering and trembling against his chest as shock after shock of her release shook her body.
Eventually, the shaking of her body eased to a fitful trembling, and she fell back against the pillows, resting and relishing the glorious aftershocks, her whole body reduced to a mass of satiated flesh. When the daze of her pleasure lifted, she found him staring at her with hooded eyes, a combination of wonder and want shining through them, and she felt herself respond with a fresh surge of heat.
She raised an unsteady hand to caress his cheek. "Thank you."
He bent to her, kissing her mouth. Watching her tumble over the edge, experiencing it for himself, was more arousing than anything he had ever imagined or dreamed of. Looking at her sated smile, a surge of male satisfaction rushed through him, even as he felt powerful, pleased and humbled all at once for having this experience with her.
But a part of him remained unsatisfied.
She immediately sensed it, her expression changing into one of expectation. "It's your turn, Momiji."
"We don't have to." He said, in spite of his aching need to fill her.
Tohru shook her head. "I can't be the only one. It's not fair."
"You don't have to – "
"But I want to. Please let me, Momiji." Her hand ghosted a trail across the hard plains of his chest and ribs, until her hand met the hard bulge his boxers were barely restraining.
She was surprised at the answering growl which escaped from him, dark, low and hungry for her touch. It was an unexpected reaction which she didn't think she would ever hear from him, but such a sound only served to arouse her further, surprising herself at the heat which her body responded to at just hearing it, more moisture pooling at her center.
It was torture of the worst kind as she rubbed him through his boxers, and he absentmindedly wondered how he had not lost consciousness yet, feeling like all his blood had rushed south to his manhood in response to her touch. His eyes squeezed shut as she continued teasing him, and he shivered in surprise when he felt the cold which hit him as she revealed his engorged, straining flesh to her gaze, eyes popping open as she gazed at him, marveling and almost nervous at the sheer size of him.
He is beautiful. The proof of his masculinity stood proud and erect between them, long and sleek, as pale and fair as the rest of him except for the head, which has darkened to a dusky rose. The veins stood out, throbbing with blood, and she watched as a drop the size of a dew formed on the slit of his head. Momiji watched her watch him admiringly, not in the least bit bothered of her stare. He had nothing to hide from her.
The light brush of her fingertips sent liquid fire coursing through his veins, his fists clenching and unclenching as she stroked him, unhurried and bare. Make no mistake, he was enjoying every bit of her touch, but maybe too much. The last thing he wanted was to end things before they can start.
He was unprepared for the touch of her lips on the tip of his manhood as she laid an adoring kiss on him. It took almost all his willpower not to come right there and then.
He grasped her hand. "Tohru, wait." He choked out, breath coming out in pants.
She looked at him questioningly. "Why?"
He smiled at her, though it was clear to her that it was strained. "I don't think I'll be able to take much more."
"But you're still not – "
"I know. But I much prefer to… " he trailed off, embarrassment setting in even after everything they were doing.
They both blushed as she realized what he was saying. "You want to be inside of me." She murmured, smiling shyly at him. She knew what her body wanted, and her body craved for him. "I would like that too."
So saying, she kissed him, tongues meeting and gliding with each other's as she took hold of his boxers and drew them down, and with a bit of assistance from him was able to finally get it off him. Both stared at each other in wonder as they both were finally bare to each other's gazes.
Tohru took his hand as she guided him down, and he supported his weight with his arms so as not to crush her. He sought her breast and kissed her, tonguing the full curve which made her moan in need for him.
"Spread your legs open for me, Princess." He whispered into her ear, before nipping her earlobe, an exquisite shiver rolling through her at the sound of his voice, low and hungry for her.
She did as he asked, doing him one better by pressing her wetness into him, unable to resist the sensation which accompanied her movement as she rolled her aching hips invitingly against his, making him groan hungrily as they stared into each other's eyes. "Please." She implored of him, the want in her eyes clear.
He couldn't refuse.
Tohru welcomed him as he began kissing her, passionately, absorbingly, wetly, his hand seeking purchase as he cupped the outer swell of her right breast, and she shifted so as to let him capture her completely, wanting his gentle touch. He began tweaking her nipple between his thumb and index fingers as he started playing with her breast again, and she voiced her moan of approval. His hardened length pressed against her opening, making them moan into each other's mouths, all the rubbing increasing their pleasure and arousal. She relished at the feeling of his weight atop hers, her body tingling and very much aware of his maleness. Soft, marvelous skin brushed against taut, firm muscles, something which they both appreciated immensely.
Her arms wound around his neck, and he took that as her unspoken request to get things moving. He carefully shifted, then began pressing his way inside her.
She gasped, feeling his fullness stretch her so deliciously, increasing both their pleasure. Kami, but he felt so good as he breached her entrance. Momiji may have suspected that this is not her first time, but he was still gentle with her, which made her love him all the more for it.
Following his instincts, afraid that he would hurt the woman below him if he went at this too fast, he pushed into her an inch, wiggled the head slightly, then pulled out gently before sliding back in. He did this several times, each push going deeper than the one before.
Tohru couldn't stop the moan escaping her at his actions. She could feel the sleek, silky stretch of his skin, the ridge of throbbing veins and the mild flare of his tip as it worked its way through her throbbing entrance.
"So tight." He groaned the compliment through gritted teeth. He splayed his fingers open over her thighs, lifting them up and pushing them further open.
Then he slid in her completely, without warning.
She had not been expecting it, but as he seated himself deep within her, a loud, surprised gasp escaped her, her body lifting towards his involuntarily, her body quivering as a tiny, unexpected orgasm shot through her.
Her hand flew to her mouth, eyes opening to find his looking at her in wonder, his hands now flat on either side of her shoulders like a strange push up. His expression showed surprise. "Did you just…?"
Tohru was embarrassed, but she nodded, unable to lie to him, her center clenching and fluttering around him tellingly. She hadn't really experienced coming that fast before. His every little movement seemed to send lightning flashing through her veins and her body was reacting, highly sensitive to him.
He kissed her forehead. "I'm glad to know you're enjoying yourself. Are you feeling okay?"
She nodded, smiling tenderly at him. "More than okay." To prove her point, she glided her hips back and forth, making him hiss and her bite her bottom lip, almost making him release his hold on his control. "Love me please… Momiji."
He didn't need to be asked twice.
Momiji moved above her, beginning the dance between couples as old as time itself. The rocking motion of his hips were guided by his instinctual need and desire for her, each stroke making more liquid fire race through his veins, the sensation similar to making his bones melt. She responded with tiny little movements of her own, coaxing him, teasing him, until he was dazed at the strength of the pleasure which gripped his senses. He closed his eyes, letting the fiery sensations wash over him, his body spasming with delight at the feeling of pure ecstasy flooding his nerves, the shocking degree of it something he had never imagined possible.
Eventually, going slow started to no longer be enough, and Tohru reached up to him to caress his cheek as she kissed his mouth. "Faster." She voiced her request, lips still brushing against his.
The edges of his lips curled up into a smirk, and she couldn't suppress the shiver which ran through her, the melted topaz irises of his eyes darkening a degree more. This was a part of Momiji that she had never really seen most of the time – dark, sexy, alluring, and she just couldn't get enough of it.
"As you wish."
He lifted her right thigh and slung it over his hip, changing the angle which made them both moan involuntarily, his pace increasing gradually, reaching deeper, deeper inside her, making her release another gasp of his name. Tendrils of electricity raced through her, sparking her nerves – slivers of ice, burning fire spreading through her like some hot, thick liquid, her center felt like it was about to go numb from all the pleasure of the push and pull, in and out motion of his hips. Watching his form move above her was adding to her pleasure, his golden hair fell over his eyes which were staring at her so hotly she felt like she could melt from it. His breathing was becoming ragged which also acted as a stimulant to her, a rush of feminine satisfaction overcoming her senses at the thought that she was the only one who could make him show such an expression.
"You feel so good, love." Momiji breathed, lowering his eyes to where they were joined, finding it difficult to tear his eyes away from the sight of her accepting him into her body, only serving to increase his want and desire for her that he was almost scared of himself. How it was possible to want more of her even as he was making love to her like this, he didn't know, but he would give and lose himself to her… and her alone.
Her response was to wrap both her thighs around him, tight but not tight enough to hamper his movement, wringing her name from his lips in a groan which sounded delighted and pained at the same time. "You feel good too." She returned the compliment honestly.
Such a response made his breathing change drastically, now thick and becoming raspy as he tucked his head to the curve of her shoulder, mouth scattering hungry, distracted kisses to any part of her skin he could reach. She, feeling the heat he was infusing her with clumsy, sensual kisses, buried her fingers into his hair and clutched him to keep him there in her embrace, letting him know that she loved what he was doing to her. One particular thrust caused her to cry out, as he striked against that spot that made her thighs turn to jelly and made her eyes roll back into her head.
His arms were beginning to strain from the exertion, feeling that he was nearing his completion. Seeing her reaction to that thrust, he angled his hips to make sure he would strike against that spot which had her moaning, the sound of her voice enough to almost drive him mad. He raised himself to look once more into her eyes, eyes which shone with love for him as she opened them to look at him with a beautiful, melted chocolate gaze. "I love you." He rasped out, and she felt her insides quiver and tighten even more around his shaft, not withholding her pleasure at hearing such a declaration from him, making him hiss as her walls pressed tighter, if possible, against the ridges of his manhood. "May I?" His voice was strained.
She knew what he was asking. "I love you too." Tohru whispered first, just as he drew himself from her, almost pulling completely out of her except for the head of his manhood. "Inside me, Momiji." She murmured, hungry for him.
Taking that as her consent, he thrusted into her extra hard, burying himself deep into the hilt.
The force lifted her hips an inch from the bed as she fell back against the pillows, feeling him push over that boundary of pleasure as he finally came in a long, drawn-out rush within her that sent her over the edge once more as well, her body dissolving into a series of clutching tremors, their names escaping each other's lips in shared exclamations of pure delight. White-hot blinding light filled her vision as she felt his hard, rhythmic shudders pulse through her, swallowing the last of her subsiding quivers with a possessing force as he came hard inside her.
Momiji collapsed weakly onto her side, his room filled with their panting as they basked in the afterglow and recovered from the delicious aftershocks which rolled through their systems. Tohru curled up against him and they shared a slow, tender kiss.
"Thank you." He murmured against her hair, but she only shook her head.
"Thank you as well." She whispered lovingly, as unbidden tears formed in her eyes. "For giving me what I want."
He chuckled, pulling her naked form closer. "I would always give you what you want, Princess. I live to make you happy." He kissed her tears aside, but she shook her head again.
"I live to make you happy too." She caressed his cheek, noting that his eyes were beginning to droop tiredly. "Do your best over there. And remember: I am and will always be beside you to support you, no matter how far away you are from me."
Momiji's lips curled into a grin, almost mischievous. "With this kind of special send-off, I am an idiot if I would still fail."
Tohru blushed at the insinuation behind his words in spite of the fact that they had just done all those activities earlier, but at the sight of his shaking shoulders in quiet laughter, she couldn't help but join in. He then pressed her to him, feeling her curves as he buried his face on her hair as he turned serious once more. "I will hurry home to you. I promise."
She knew she didn't have to worry with that statement, knowing he would make good on that promise.
Weeks passed, turning into months, the leaves changing colors as the seasons changed. Tohru continued enjoying her job in Ricchan's café as it turned more popular, with it being the talk of town due to its lovely décor, the excellent staff and the mouthwatering snacks made. Nothing promoted the café better than the talk of the townspeople.
Tohru fingered the sakura-shaped pendant Momiji had given her before he had left, the thin band of the promise ring he had left for her glinting under the kitchen lights as she stared at it. Both were his farewell gifts, to remind her that he would be thinking of her every single day, even if he was in an entirely different continent.
Sometimes the staff – who had turned out to be very good friends – would tease her good-naturedly, telling her that her husband will be home in no time at all. She would blush, mainly due to the fact that they were already calling him her husband when there was no indication from him that he wanted to marry her at all, even when he had given her the promise ring. She supposed he deserved better than her pessimistic way of thinking about him, but with things the way they are now, she knew he should focus on his career first.
He had been doing extraordinarily well for himself. The several concerts The New York Phil had held had been proof of that, the articles and columns published after his performances growing in number. Critics were divided – some felt that it was too generous to call him a genius, though a greater number has been singing his praises. All in all, she knew Momiji did not so much as give one whit about whatever they said, only choosing to laugh and share whatever moment he could have with her, even if it was only through phone or skype calls.
"The flowers aren't here yet?"
She turned to see Ricchan enter her territory, as they jokingly liked to call it, knowing that the snacks she had made was what contributed largely to the café's popularity. She shook her head in response to his question, smiling a bit sadly.
"No. They stopped coming a few days ago."
Ricchan had been referring to the flowers Momiji had sent for Tohru everyday, which were red roses. It started a week after he had left, and she had teased Momiji that she felt almost sorry for the delivery guy sent everyday to give those to her and that she had begun running out of vases to place those into, but he merely told her that everything's okay as long as she accepts it. The sight of the flowers had earned her more teasing from her friends and envious stares from women customers, wishing to be in her shoes and wanting to find out who the man behind those flowers is.
For some reason they had stopped coming a few days ago. She had been left wondering why the flower suddenly changed as well – instead of the usual roses, the one which last arrived turned out to be camellias the color of pink. According to the delivery guy, the order was changed a month before.
Pink camellias, when she had looked it up on the internet, meant 'Longing for You'.
"No calls from him yet as well?"
Tohru nodded, growing more forlorn and worried. "None so far." The regular calls they had scheduled almost every day had stopped as well. She had heard nothing but silence from the blond, and she was growing worried. She hoped he had been doing okay.
Ricchan scratched his head, unsure how to try to at least cheer the brunette up. Whatever Momiji's reason for not contacting her all of a sudden – he only hoped it was good enough. He hated to see her down. "Well are you ready to go?"
It was already their closing time, so she nodded. "Yes. Let's."
Just then, Karin hurried inside the kitchen, looking for her. "Miss Tohru, the delivery guy for your flowers came and left this for you."
They both whipped around in surprise, Tohru's eyes widening at the items Karin held. She accepted it, thanking her as Karin smiled knowingly at her and left once more.
The flowers turned out to be a bouquet of tulips, their color a bright red.
Ricchan gasped as he looked up from his phone, having searched the internet for its meaning. "A red tulip means I love you, similar to the red rose."
An envelope came with the flowers. Her fingers trembled, by now convinced that whenever an envelope was shown to her it usually meant a big change – good or bad – coming in her life. She didn't know if she should be wary of this one. The last time one was shown to her, she had to convince Momiji to take the biggest opportunity of his life, even if it meant taking him away from her for months.
Ricchan took her hand in an unspoken show of support, gesturing wordlessly to it. Taking a deep breath, she placed the flowers down to the counter and carefully tore through the flap.
Phew! Longest chapter I have written, if memory served me right. Momiji is just so sweet isn't he? Perhaps too sweet? I don't know, but I prefer to have a boyfriend like him. I mean, he's sweet but he can be sexy and seductive if he wanted to be. Lucky Tohru. *sigh*
Anyways, we have one chapter left, then probably the epilogue. I may be able to finish after Christmas. Deadline moved due to work. Ugh.
I hope you guys enjoyed this latest chapter. Let me know as well… what you think. *wink wink*
Love,
Michiko