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AN: Hello! It's been a long time. A year passed since the last chapter update, actually. My apologies for this absence! Life this year was crazy. I moved and am in the middle of trying to have a baby, so, it's been busy. I am still very much intending to finish this fanfic soon, as I am slowly re-collecting my thoughts and plans for the rest of the story and how to wrap it up. If you are still around to read this chapter, please do read and review, I'd love to know your thoughts on what's happened so far and what you think might happen later.
Also, please note: This chapter will be NSFW to a degree. Please be warned!
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[Shadow of Love; ch.19]
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Taming a wild heart
taking a free spirit
running on empty,
chasing the heat of the night..
hold on-
It's a long way down.
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The sun was at a high point and the breeze is almost cold, the sky littered with thick, fluffy white-grey clouds.
Ichigo's heavy eyelids opened slowly, his mind first registering the sound of the ocean waves washing up on the shore. The book he had been reading now rested on his chest, having slipped from his hands when he dozed. The weather was a little chilly, the breeze cool and salty, the sand beneath the blanket he laid on warm on his back. The partial sunlight felt nice on his skin, dappled by the beach umbrella they sat under.
"Hey," Rukia's voice was soft, and he turned his head to look at her, registering the feeling of her fingers running through his hair gently. She wore a simple white sun dress, her dark hair spilling in long, loose waves behind her.
"Ah, sorry," Ichigo sat up slowly, setting his book beside him as he tugged his white tank top down, "Was I out long?"
"No, just a moment." he stared as she prettily gathered her hair up, sweeping it into a messy bun with a pearly claw clip. "I think I'm gonna swim, it's pretty cool now and I think it's going to get colder."
Alright," he reached out, grabbing her hand to help her stand. "I'll join you in a bit, I want to finish this chapter."
Rukia nodded simply, taking a step from the umbrella, unaware of Ichigo's eyes falling back on her as she slid the straps of her dress from her shoulders to shimmy out of it, letting it fall and pool at her feet. She stepped out of it delicately, skipping off towards the sea, unaware of Ichigo gaping at her as she did.
He meanwhile, remained gaping under the beach umbrella staring at her as she walked off towards the water humming innocently, dressed in a lavender bikini that tied at her hips and shoulders in little bows.
The book he had been reading tumbled to the ground as he stood abruptly, hopping on the sand as the blanket he'd been sitting on tangled around his ankle as he called out, "-Actually, I think I'll swim with you!"
Rukia, who was now ankle-deep in the water, glanced behind her, flashing him an innocent, clueless smile, reaching her hand out for him as he quickly pulled off his tank top, tossed it over his shoulder, and ran to join her.
The air grew cooler and slightly humid as the day went on, wading in the sea, spotting dolphins far off, and searching for seashells large enough for Rukia to turn into a refrigerator magnet. As the sun began to set, Ichigo went into the house, returning with dinner and pina coladas for them to drink as they sat together to watch, despite it being mostly hidden by fairly dark clouds now.
Rukia rested her head on his shoulder as she stared off at the sea, Ichigo trying very hard to not look down at her next to him, unbeknownst to her. He'd seen Rukia in a swimsuit before, but never had it been one so revealing. He was not about to ogle her when she felt comfortable enough to wear it in front of him. Rukia meanwhile finished her drink, setting the emptied glass to her side as she scooched closer to him, leaning as he draped an arm around her, huddling as the wind began to pick up more, blowing strongly as the sun sank below the horizon.
He looked down at her, mumbling her name. When she looked up at him, he leaned down to kiss her. Her lips were cool and sweet from the drink, and he couldn't help but feel the heat rising in his face as he murmured against her lips, "Fuck."
She moved back, giving him a little smile, "You okay?"
"Yes," he looked away red-faced, feeling a little embarrassed as he raised his glass to his lips. She watched him take a sip, waiting for him to lower the glass before tugging his arm, kissing him again.
Their drink glasses were abandoned in the sand as Rukia shifted down on the blanket, Ichigo's body covering hers as they kissed again, him shuddering at the feeling of her legs closing around his waist and her nails raking down his back gently. He shifted up, caging her with his body and grinding against her gently while she murmured his name, her fingers grazing his face sweetly as she whispered his name over and over again. He sighed, pressing kisses to her cheek and her neck before moving lower, wrapping his arms around her little waist and kissing her abdomen.
Her fingers slid into his hair, tugging gently as she said breathlessly, "Ichigo,"
His wild eyes flickered to hers, taking her pretty red cheeks and shiny eyes in as he raised himself slightly, "Yeah? You okay?"
"Mm.." she sighed, her fingers combing through his hair, "I think so.."
"Want me to stop?"
"God, no," she whispered, and he chuckled, pressing another kiss to her stomach.
"Then.." he trailed off for a moment, gently sliding his hand from her waist to her hip, his fingers grazing over the string that tied her bikini. "You mind if I touch you here?"
"Please,"
"Hmm," he slid his fingers gently under the strap, stroking the soft skin of her hip. It never ceased to shock him how soft and warm she was, as alluring and plush as he remembered, savoring the feeling of her shuddering under him. He began to slide his hand down to stroke her inner thigh, stopping suddenly when a flash of lightning lit up the sky in a moment, followed by the crack of distant thunder.
"Oh!" Rukia gasped in surprise, and they both looked up at the umbrella covering them as raindrops began to fall, marking the sand and pattering on it. first sprinkling before quickly turning into a downpour.
"Oh shit, let's go inside," Ichigo laughed, folding the blanket up as Rukia grabbed the empty glasses. She turned to him, looking confused when he handed it to her. "Here, hold this,"
"Okay-" Rukia took the blanket, squealing in surprise when Ichigo stood and scooped her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing, both laughing as he ran back to the house to escape the rain.
The fireplace crackled in front of Ichigo as he stood wrapped in a long white bathrobe as he stared into the flickering flames, his freshly washed hair combed back neatly. He felt glad that he'd taken the moment to get the fireplace going after coaxing Rukia to take a shower in her bathroom in order to warm up. It was a gas fireplace that started with a switch and only took a few moments to work into a proper fire.
Still, he found himself shivering despite standing right in front of it, though not because he felt cold. Rather.. it was because of Rukia.
Where would things have gone if it hadn't started storming out there? That was the only thing he could think about. It made his heart feel like it was beating out of his chest- the ache that had started in his stomach had not gone away even after showering and trying to think of different things. He just couldn't help it- she was so intoxicating, so sweet and soft and desirable- it was coming to a point where he just wanted to snap. But there was a fear in the back of his mind of making her uncomfortable, a little unsure of what to do. He'd wanted nothing more than to hook his finger around those thin little ties of her bikini and drag them down so he could kiss her all over.
He didn't react when Rukia walked into the room, these thoughts still swirling in his mind. She was also dressed in a fluffy white robe, her inky long hair mostly dried thanks to the hair dryer she'd used.
"Ichigo,"
She admired the way the fire reflected in his cinnamon-colored eyes, making them seem almost golden, bright, and glowing with an expression swirling deep in them that she almost couldn't read. She could recognize it for what it was, though.
Desire.
Desire, bared and very clear, as if he were not trying to hide it from her any longer as his gaze shifted from the fireplace to her, making her feel like she was already naked in front of him though she wasn't. But it didn't make her feel uncomfortable- it only made her heart thump and her legs feel suddenly weak while emboldening her at the same time.
"Rukia."
His voice was low and gritty as he looked at her, his eyes bore into hers as they stood silently staring at each other with nothing but the fire in front of them making any sound.
And then they moved, slowly, at the same time, as if reading each other's minds, Rukia taking a step, and then another, and then all but barrelling into his waiting arms, inhaling deeply as she pressed her cheek against his bare skin. Her hands circled his waist, wishing nothing more than he'd discard the robe altogether so she could just feel his skin on her own as his name tumbled from her lips in a moan, "Ichigo,"
"Shit, Rukia," he whispered, and when she looked up at him with her pretty wide eyes, he couldn't say more but lean down and kiss her hard, his fingers digging into her waist needily and he rasped, "Tell me what this means for us, I.. I don't want to do something you're not ready for-"
"Stop," she whispered, her fingers spreading over his chest gently, savoring the intoxicating heat she felt under her palm. "I love you, Ichigo. Of course, I want you."
He blushed scarlet, and she admired how pretty the color looks on his cheeks as he whispered back, "Really?"
She didn't respond but didn't break eye contact as she reached her hands up to her shoulders, pushing the fabric of the bathrobe from them. The soft fabric slid off her shoulders and pooled at her feet, leaving her body completely bare in front of him. His eyes held shock as he stared at her, as if his mind had broken from being able to have a thought, gaping at the sight.
Her hands reached out, grabbing the collar of his bathrobe to pull him to her. He reacted immediately, his arms wrapping around her waist as they kissed desperately and she shoved the fabric from his shoulders, causing it to drape off at the waist where it was still tied. She paused as he reached down and untied it, tossing it to the floor in front of the fireplace before gently pulling her down with him, the last thing he whispered before his lips found hers again was a hushed, "I love you too."
Magnetic moon pulls me to you / with your ocean arms / pulling me to you..
