prompt: a kiss on the forehead.
Kagome gazed up at him, lashes lowering to direct her attention to the claws gripping her wrist. She took a breath; "I'm sorry I was gone so long. I needed to figure some things out. Stuff like...what I want to do now, and who I am without any expectations put on me. The future isn't where I belong, I know that much. So I've decided to become a travelling priestess, to utilise everything I've learned so far and help people. But that's not what I came here to talk about," she touched her sword- the hilt purple. "The only reason I can stand before you and say what I'm gonna say so clearly is because of everything you've done for me," Kagome murmured in a rush.
"Even if it was just sex to you, or indulgence- it doesn't change the fact that you still comforted and listened to me. Improving my confidence and boosting my ego helped me so much, so thank you for that."
She smiled genuinely. "Really, I'm truly grateful for our time spent together, Sesshoumaru."
He looked as though he'd been carved from stone; he did not move an inch. Dark brows pulled together and she hurriedly slipped a hand into her pocket, bringing out a certain earring he'd given her at the start of their midnight trysts.
Kagome lifted the demon's stiff hand from her wrist and turned it palm up, placing it within. "I'm returning this back to you," she said softly, raising her gaze. "Our agreement isn't going to work long term, therefore I'm terminating it now."
An intake of breath- sharp like a hiss of steam rushed through parted lips. Sesshoumaru's fingers closed around the earring and he withdrew from her, stepping back. Winter frost laced his gaze like a barrier. "I see," he said in a practised, collected tone.
Kagome raised a hand with alarm, "wait-"
"This one bids you farewell, miko. There is no need to drag this out-"
"I said, wait!"
He stopped at the crackle of energy that raced over her skin like a thunderclap. Kagome took a breath, hands tightening into fists. He always looked smaller without armour, like someone more approachable. He only usually took it off around her, as a sign of vulnerability. None of that was conveyed in his guarded eyes now. "I know I can't reach you because you're a youkai. That's what you said, right? You can't be wounded emotionally- but that's crap. Your feelings can get hurt too!" she grit out. "Or maybe I've just been projecting all this time- I don't know. I'm so tired of worrying about if a guy likes me or not. That's why we have to break this off, I won't have you become another Inuyasha. I- I can't do casual. I realised that while I was away. So...this...doesn't have to be the end, if you don't want it to be…"
"You just said the agreement is terminated."
"I did," the miko nodded. "Because I don't want to be someone's fuckbuddy forever. So I'm- I'm extending a new offer; a relationship. With...me."
Golden eyes widened. Panicking, Kagome hurriedly continued on. "T-the uh...terms would be pretty simple; you can't treat me as 'the exception' of humans. What I mean is that; while I'd never expect you to become a human cheerleader, if you want to be with me, you can't say stuff about hating them or thinking they're weak. I refuse to be seen as 'one of the good ones.' If you say that stuff, you're disrespecting me too. That's just how it is."
He arched a brow but remained where he stood, which encouraged her to blab on. "Second; you'll take me to your home. I don't exactly want to be paraded around but I also don't want to be an illicit secret like Izayoi was to your father."
Sesshoumaru shifted his weight to face her properly. "Anything else?"
She faltered at his stoic expression, before swallowing and soldiering on. This wasn't easy. The part of herself that he'd coaxed out and tenderly made love to until she felt whole and unshakable started to give underneath worry of rejection. But no- Kagome shook herself. She'd be fine. If he told her 'no' she could carry on and look to the future. She wasn't uncertain anymore. "I guess...without being too presumptuous- I wouldn't want to mate right away. That's kinda a marriage thing, right? I'd like to date first. Um, your turn?"
Sesshoumaru tilted his head and took a step closer. "I require pups from you."
"You require?"
He grunted and sighed, rolling his jaw slightly as though finding new words. "This Sesshoumaru would like to have pups with you."
Kagome's face flamed red, voice becoming squeaky. "Oh. How many?" her lips twitched, heart thundering.
"Hn, about half a dozen."
"T-that's a bit much to think about right now. How about two to start with?"
He gave a long-suffering sigh, "very well. At some point; I desire you to become my mate and mother to my children. Those are my terms."
Kagome tapped her chin, humming seriously. "I guess that's acceptable to this Kagome, but I'm the one who extended the offer of a relationship first, so this all hinges on you; If you're not averse to it, then accept."
His eyes had darkened and there was lean, ravenous shift in his expression. A large, elegant hand slid into the fall of her hair, curling around the back of her neck. "I accept your terms," came out as a hushed rush between them.
Kagome's expression cracked and welled up with emotion, relief flooding into her scent like a tidal wave. She suddenly threw herself against him, no longer able to pretend that every fibre of her being wasn't crying out for him. Sesshoumaru caught her about the waist and held her close, shoving his nose into the fall of dark hair and inhaling.
Trembling in his hold, she stubbornly held tears at bay. Happy noises slipped past her teeth. He felt so warm and safe despite the claws running down her back and power radiating off him; all was familiar and welcome.
Sesshoumaru pulled away slightly to lift his head and press a long, reverent kiss to her forehead.
Kagome stiffened, breath rushing out of her. It was a youkai expression, specific to dog demons. He'd lazily mentioned it while they'd been twined together once.
When he shifted back, Kagome immediately pushed up on tip-toe and shoved her mouth to his, wrapping both arms tight around his neck. The kiss grew heated, mouths parting and tongues seeking, bodies naturally rocking and brushing, want stirring. Blushing, the miko pecked his lips and directed her attention to their cave.
"We could use it once more, for all old times sake."
Sesshoumaru smiled, huffing. "Let us not pretend that we won't frequent this cave often whenever we visit your friends."
"You have a point. It's pretty convenient," her giggle was lost- muffled beneath another stifling kiss, which she eagerly returned. The unlikely pair then stumbled their way to their old haunt, collapsing together with a rush of quiet laughter and breathy, content noises.