Touch
3rd Title: Intimacy
Word count: 372 words
Rating: K+
Spoilers: None
"Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing."
Rollo May
Intimacy is a fascinating experience.
The two of them have their share of fun during moments of intimacy; Ichigo much more than Orihime. She's soft, he knows that but the softness of her lips is something rather different to anything he's ever experienced. Stroking her back with his fingers and caressing her cheeks with his tongue is so enticing and wonderful he sometimes wonders why they hadn't done so before.
When they first tried it had been awkward, Ichigo nearly turning as red as his name pun and Orihime giggling hysterically as his hands stroked near her bra straps.
But now (after how many times he cannot remember) getting caught-up in the moment (like when she's in a middle of a never-ending random comment in his bedroom,) and begin weaving that thread of intimacy is the norm. He likes the gentleness of Orihime that isn't really seen in other people and the way she responds to him. Orihime herself likes the way he seems indifferent yet still somehow passionate about holding, stroking her and teasing her with his flighty fingers.
They even hold hands in these instances.
Isshin gives ratings on his son's "performance" regularly. Whether it was the dismal C+ Isshin gave him, the notes attached to this to improve his "technique", or the fact he had been spying yet again charges Ichigo to blind fury against his father.
Rukia still finds his family charming. Orihime blushes with her new hickeys. The Kurosaki girls remain oblivious to what their brother was doing.
Orihime loves these tiny moments with Ichigo. She regularly notices the way he is happy with her something that makes her very happy in return.
She once rambled on how she was very grateful for this fact during one of their more "intimate" nights; the ones where mewls turn into moans. Ichigo as always listens to her before silencing her (as her Gundam impersonations get going) by stroking her cheek gently.
"Enough," he says softly "It's getting late."
His lips soon move gracefully across her bare shoulders, very light kisses spread equally in each soft spot and soon her nervous giggles turn into supple sighs. He leaves for home later, Orihime waving enthusiastically after him and his half-smile.
She soon realizes they've mastered intimacy fairly well.
EDITED:19/12/07