I wanted to at least get this out before the weekend was over. I put this off too long. It's gotten to the point where every time I read this draft, I think "this sucks". I hate when that happens, but I guess that's just how it goes sometimes.

On another note, it feels like I'm toeing the line between T and M with this chapter. Is that bad? Maybe. Let me know.

EDIT: Ugh...after sleeping on this and going over it one more time, I really want to edit this, maybe rewrite some or all of it completely. The vibe I get from this isn't the typical "this sucks" I usually get from putting off work too long. I feel like this chapter is just...all over the place. Eesh, I dropped the ball. I'll finish a new chapter then revisit this one probably. I'm really sorry.

"Welcome back."

Makoto smiled and dropped her school bag on the floor. Akira knew by experience that meant she had a long day. Then again, I'm pretty sure anyone would react like that.

"I'm home."

He stood up from his seat at the kitchen table and headed over to meet her at the door. "How was class?"

"Exhausting."

"Thought so. Coffee, tea?"

Akira then opened his arms with a cheeky little grin. "Hug?"

He delivered the offer with such sincerity that Makoto couldn't help but smile and accept the hug. She closed her eyes and let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding as he simply held her, letting one hand rest on her back as another threaded gently through her hair. "Good work today."

"Thank you. And coffee would be nice."

[- - -]

"How many channels have we gone through?"

"Too many."

Makoto had managed to sneak in a short nap while Akira scoured for anything even remotely watchable. His hand had never left her shoulder since they sat down, nestled as she was against him and with a warm blanket draped over them both. It was a simple gesture, but one she loved.

"-get yours today for seven payments of-"

"-and that's why these 'New Phantom Thieves' are a bunch of-"

"Hey, hey, what's green and has wheels?"

Akira paused, thumb hovering over the 'MUTE' button as he expressed his confusion with a short, "Huh?"

"Grass. I was just kidding about the-"

Akira muted the TV, dropping the remote on the couch cushion next to him and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Today's not a TV day…"

"Just our luck."

He shrugged as best as he could with her leaning against him. "Do we have any movies?"

[- - -]

"Here."

"Thank you."

Akira sat down behind Makoto and opened his arms when she scooted back into his lap. She looked over her shoulder, remote in hand, and simply asked, "Is this okay?"

"Yeah."

She smiled and hit the 'PLAY' button once more. "So, this is the…"

"It's a remake of the second movie."

"Not a reboot?"

"No."

"And they remade it because…?"

"Because it's a really good idea."

She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I can get behind that."

"If you want to be the Dragon, then fight me! If you don't want to fight me, then fight me!"

"The tattoo on my back thirsts for your blood!"

Akira raised an eyebrow as two solemn-faced, muscular yakuza threw off their suit jackets, shirts, ties, everything...all in a single motion. With a roar, they lunged towards each other, the action slowing down as they clashed and the name of the antagonist finally revealed itself. Makoto had already been tense, purely invested in the movie from where she sat in his lap. The splash screen was all she needed to do a little fist-pump.

The sight made Akira think back to the first time he had watched a movie at home with Makoto. She was the type of movie-goer who could manage fine in a theater, but at home was a whole other story:

Every time something Makoto found interesting, she would look at Akira with a look so hopeful that he felt the same he couldn't help but grin. Sometimes it would be followed by pausing the movie just so he could kiss her, but...regardless, it was something he found adorable.

Every time there was a twist, Akira could hear Makoto mumbling, going over the details in her mind until it all clicked.

The quiet fist-pump was just another part of the list. Regardless, he loved it all.

Akira did one of his own and held Makoto a little tighter, letting out a soft 'ooh' when a particularly brutal uppercut landed.

[- - -]

"I still don't appreciate the boop on the head."

"You deserve it, jerk."

"I had legitimate concerns for your health."

"Dress it up however you like, Akira. You're either awful or amazing with momentum."

"I'm hurt that you led with awful…"

"You deserve that, too!"

"Makoto…"

"Hmm…?"

She wasn't particularly in the mood for talking, not with the way she had made herself comfortable in his lap. His hand had been going through her hair when he whispered in that stupid, weirdly sexy whisper. "Your hair's still wet."

"...You better not be going where I think you're going."

"Gotta dry it."

"Akira."

"Come on. Let me pamper you a little."

"...Fine."

They both made to get out of bed, though Makoto made her displeasure known by pushing him back into the mattress.

Makoto had found her place in his lap once more, though she now had a rather firm grip on his messy hair and was looking distinctly more heated. Akira simply smiled and kissed her forehead to soothe her ruffled feathers. She tried to touch his chest, only for him to push it down just a bit. "Let me. For putting up with my shenanigans."

He hefted her off his lap and laid her down on the sheets, scooting down the mattress until he was at the foot of the bed. "If I mess up, don't kick me. Or do, then I'll, uh...know I messed up."

"I won't kick you."

"Thanks."

Akira lifted her foot gently and kissed her ankle, letting his mouth drift lazily along her calf as he rested a knee on the bed and hefted her leg onto his shoulder. "O-oh."

He gently held her leg in place and let his other hand drift under her shirt and up her belly, lingering there briefly as if savoring the feeling of her skin. Loath to slow him down, Makoto pulled up just enough of her t-shirt to expose her navel. Her breath quickened, coupled with the unmistakable hint of anticipation dancing in her eyes. His eyes, darkened with focus, darted up to meet hers. "Are you okay?"

"Yes…"

Akira loved Makoto's stomach - to him, the toned but lean muscle was a testament to everything he adored about her. There was a thin, jagged scar near her hip that she had received during a Palace raid gone horribly wrong that he liked to pay particular attention to, regardless of how self-conscious she was about it. To his mild consternation, his fascination was something Makoto herself had found out not too long ago. She would have found it endearing if it didn't excite her so very much.

He carefully let her go as he inched further up, meeting her eyes briefly before committing once more to showing his appreciation for her. He began dotting light kisses near her scar before giving it a gentle lap. Makoto blushed beautifully and stammered, "A-Akira!"

"Sorry."

He didn't sound very sorry. If anything, he sounded emboldened that he was getting a rise out of her. He finally moved past her stomach and kissed her chin, nuzzling against her like a cat longing for attention. "...Remember the first time you dropped the '-kun' from my name?"

Makoto smiled softly and linked her hands behind Akira's neck as he lifted her onto his lap. She kissed him, set his heart on fire before electing to answer his question. "I remember the smile on your face, yes."

She raised her chin slightly to make it easier for him to trace a line of kisses from her jaw to her collarbone. He lingered there briefly when he heard Makoto's breath hitch. "It made me stupidly happy."

"So it, ah...seemed."

She smiled and fell back, tugging him down with her into the mattress. He held himself above her just enough for her to see him smile. "I love you."

"Show me."

"So demanding."

Akira's smile curled into a grin as he leaned down and kissed her once more.

I was stressing out a little planning out stuff for The Fall - outline clocks in at about 22 pages now. Thought I'd take a breath, maybe a step back, and write something light. I hope you enjoyed. Think I'll have the next chapter be more school related...