Ren awoke to saucepans clattering in the kitchen. For a brief flash of a second it was startling til reality kicked back in. Kyoko was living here. She was in the kitchen.
He groaned and threw an arm over his face at the implication that he would now have to eat a proper breakfast every morning. He'd never be able to get away with not eating breakfast or just eating a store brought onigiri anymore.
With another groan and a resolve to add more to his workout routine, he swung out of bed and shuffled off to the kitchen running a hand through his hair. He hadn't slept well. Kyokos now permanent residence in the room down the hall and the threat hanging over her head had rattled through his brain all night.
He was startled out of his musings by a squeak and a clatter of a saucepan.
"Kyoko! Are you alright?"
She was crouched on the floor, face in her hands. He walked over and she squeaked again. He could feel the heat of her blush from where he stood. She was muttering something and Ren just raised an eyebrow at her.
"Kyoko?"
"Mhmm… I'm good… Fine. Really. It's just… you… um… boxers."
Ren glanced down. He was indeed wearing nothing but boxers. Kyoko whacked him with the spatula in her hand when he started laughing at her.
"Just what is so funny?!" she hissed.
"Kyoko, you've certainly seen me in a lot less."
He watched as this information sank into her brain. She gaped like a fish and grew an entirely new glorious shade of red.
He left her to her internal debate and picked up the saucepan she dropped. He rinsed it out, placed it on the side and started some coffee.
He took a sip and watched as Kyoko held court in her head, complete with gestures.
At one point she began fanning herself and was now blushing so hard Ren feared she may pass out.
Inside Kyokos head
Setsu and Kyoko were having a heated debate.
Setsu was demanding that she turn round so she could see her Nii-san in all his glory.
"No Setsu."
"Why not?" she whined, "He's MY Nii-san, your boyfriend and one fine specimen of a man. Yum!"
"Setsu!"
Mio had sent Young Kuon and Bo away. One was to young for this kind of conversation. The other was a chicken.
Natsu chimed in,
"I'm with Setsu. What's wrong with looking? He is ours and he is gorgeous."
Kyoko spluttered.
"Mio! Help me here!"
"No. They're right. You don't have to be embarrassed for looking. Or dreaming."
She added the last with a confident smirk and Kyoko just glared at her.
Natsu and Setsu both turned to Mio and began clamoring and demanding she tell.
"Kyoko was dreaming about Ren."
And is if summoned the images from Kyokos dream began playing all around them. Bo threw a wing over Kuons eyes.
Ren running his hands over her, whispering sweet things in her ear, peppering her with kisses and eventually causing her to arch off the bed as his touch light her nerves on fire.
"Wow Kyoko. You've been holding out on us" said Natsu.
"I demand you return and make that a reality!" said Setsu.
Mio just smirked again.
"nononononono"
They all looked crestfallen.
"I will go back. I will get used to looking without blushing, but everything else can wait."
They didn't look particularly happy but this was progress they reckoned.
Old Kyoko struggled on the floor and moaned around her gag.
In weird unison the three girls turned to her and said,
"Don't look at that Kyoko. That is not who you are anymore. Forwards. Always forwards. Enjoy the view."
She shook her head in her hands.
~Damn them~
She scrubbed her hands down her face and peeked over them at Ren who was now sat at the counter drinking his coffee.
He tipped his cup to her.
"Good morning. Are you with me now? And okay?"
"Good morning. Yes I am and yes I will be. I was just ganged up on by the characters in my head."
"How are they?"
"Natsu, Setsu and Mio will be the death of me. Setsu says hello."
"What did they want?"
He put his coffee down, stepped round the counter and offered her a hand up.
Slightly pink, she took it while maintaining some very solid eye contact.
She risked an appreciative glance at him.
Natsu ran a hand down his arm and over his chest. He let out a slight gasp but made no move to stop her.
Kyoko wrapped an arm around him and placed her head against his chest, listening to his now not so steady heartbeat. Running her hand up and down his back, with Natsu and Setsu cheering her on in her own mind, she leaned back and crooked a finger at him. As he bent down, she slid her arms round and grasped his face before kissing him like he was water and she a desert.
He picked her up and placed her on the counter, never breaking the kiss. He placed his hands on her waist while she slid hers round his neck.
The kiss became soft and languorous before becoming chaste pecks. Ren rested his head against Kyokos. Ren kneaded his hands on her waist as she played with the fine hairs on the back of his neck. Then she said something that almost broke his heart.
"I'm sorry"
"Mmm, never apologise for that Kyoko. Rather I quite enjoyed it. In fact…"
He didn't finish the sentence, instead capturing her lips again. In between kisses he asked,
"Whats for breakfast?"
"You're hungry?"
"I am."
She looked at him and the Emperor of the Night was looking at her. Natsu whispered something to her and Kyoko, feeling brave, repeated it.
"I'm not not on the menu."
Ren laughed before pouting and giving a huff.
"Fine. Can it be eggs then?"
"If you put me down."
He kissed her again, before pulling away with a muttered 'okay'.
He stepped back so she could hop off the counter.
"I'm sorry."
He went to open his mouth to explain again but she waved him off.
"Not for the kissing, for, umm…"
She gestured vaguely downwards.
"That." she whispered.
He looked her in the eye.
"Don't."
"But I heard it can be uncomfortable."
"So? That is my issue. You have no obligations or expectations here. Its just a reaction to having an insanely sexy woman kiss my face off."
He stated this with a very self satisfied smug smirk on his face.
She opened her mouth but he stopped her.
"No I mean it. You never have to apologise for the effect you have on me."
She pondered this for a moment before saying okay and making a start on the eggs.
"I'll shower before breakfast I think."
"Kyoko just nodded, focusing on the cooking and not the victory war dance Setsu and Natsu were currently doing around her head.
"Enjoy. The shower I mean."
Ren chuckled as he left.
~It's hard to enjoy a cold shower.~
with thanks to some of my favourite authors for inspiration for parts of this chapter
