Thank you to all who have stumbled upon, favorited and commented on my humble smut fluff story. I appreciate that you have enjoyed the character interactions; I hope to always be improving writing these characters even when they're put in more unique situations. And without further ado, enjoy the following chapter~
By the time they walked through the door of Shigure's house, they were trembling from head to foot. Even Kyo had felt quite chilled though he tried not to let it show, inconspicuously rubbing his arms during the remainder of the walk home. They stood in the entrance after closing the front door behind them, pausing as the warmth of the foyer prickled their skin and gave them goose flesh up and down their bodies. "We really need to get in the bath." Kyo said, taking Tohru's umbrella from her and putting his and hers in the stand. "Ah," Realizing what he'd just said, he tried to backtrack. "I mean, separately. Not like, together. I didn't mean we'd go in-" his face reddened, "-together."
Tohru also blushed, pulling her hair out of their ribbons distractedly. "Uhm. L-let's get out of these wet clothes. I'll turn on the kotatsu so it's warm when we're all done with our bath. I mean, baths!" Tohru stuttered, hurrying to the living room.
She almost tripped while skittering down the hallway in her soaked socks and Kyo yelled after her, "Careful!" He headed to the bathroom to start a bath for her when he noticed steam seeping from under the bathroom door. He groaned. "Damnit."
Kyo met her in the living room, where she had just finished setting up the kotatsu. When she turned to look at him, he saw that her nose was pink and her hair was dripping. "Someone's already in the bath. I don't know who and I don't know how long they'll be in there. You should use the shower down here though. Don't want you getting sick."
"Oh, no I couldn't do that." Tohru protested coming over to stand in front of him. "I don't want you getting sick! You go first."
"Dummy, I don't get sick." He folded his arms in front of him; the wet shirt stuck uncomfortably to his chest and he mentally admitted to himself that he couldn't wait to get out of it.
"That's not true! You're already weakened because of the rain. I won't take that chance." She said, her face getting that rare determined look he knew he couldn't argue with. A droplet landed on his nose from his hair as if to mock him and he sighed at their simultaneous stubbornness.
All of a sudden, her resolute look wavered as a thought crossed her features; as she peered up at him, a hint of color bloomed on Tohru's cheeks. "M-maybe this is bold of me to say..." she started, her gaze dropping to the floor. "M-maybe if we both wear towels, we could..." Kyo blanched, feeling uneasy about where this was going. "-w-we could use the shower together," she finished her thought with a stammer.
How did his mouth get so dry so fast? "Tohru, that's-" And that was pretty much all he could manage.
"I mean, it would just make the most logical sense. We don't know how long they'll be in the bath and I don't know how we'll choose who goes first in the shower, and I suppose someone can wait under the kotatsu but then our hair is still wet and if we both wait, I worry one of us will get sick and of course I don't want that to happen, but I can't really see if there's another option for us right now..." She kept going on very fast and he was getting a bit dizzy but he wasn't sure if it was because he was trying to follow her speech or because his heartbeat was pulsating painfully in his ears.
He wrapped his fingers gently around her wrist, his eyes glazed over from the shock. This quieted her immediately, as if a dial had been turned to lower her volume. "Fine. You win. If you're absolutely sure you don't mind doing that."
She nodded, "Yes, it's fine. It's a dire circumstance." Kyo hated that he thought she was so cute as she said that. "Y-you go in first. I'll be right behind you," she said just above a whisper, peering down at his fingers encircling her wrist. Kyo let go of her and left the room.
He thought his feet took him to the bathroom with the standing shower but he wasn't exactly sure. When his head cleared, his clothes were in a wet heap on the floor, the shower was running and he had a towel wrapped around his waist. What was he thinking? He couldn't really do this. This was Tohru. He couldn't shower with her. If anyone found out, he'd never hear the end of it. Yuki might even end him as soon as he stepped out the bathroom door. He needed to stay calm and control his emotions. Oh God, he couldn't look himself in the mirror before. How could he even face himself after this? How could he face her? How could he-
The door opened and steam from the shower billowed out with the draft. And there she stood, her fingers gripping the front of the towel draped around her. Her long wet hair clung to her shoulders, her clavicle, her neck; Kyo's eyes followed it down her body. They lingered at the point where the white cloth met smooth, pink flesh, the hem delicately resting on her upper thigh. Kyo chided himself for being so utterly lecherous, gave a small shake of his head and opened the shower door for her. "Go on, get in."
She hurried past him, embarrassment driving her forward. Stepping into the water, however, Tohru let out a sigh of glorified relief. Her worries and embarrassment washed away along with the chill that had previously succumbed her. "Oh, this feels so good," she moaned.
Maybe Kyo didn't need the shower after all. Nope. He was quite warm enough already. Fire coursed through his chest, his head, his limbs; every part of him burned in the best way possible. He suddenly had the thought that he wanted to make her say that again, with the same guttural intensity, but for entirely different reasons. He stepped in beside her and couldn't help but let his own moan slip from his throat. The heat of the water felt incredible after having been soaked to the bone, though he still couldn't help but be a bit distracted. Tohru had turned away from him, letting the stream hit the top of her head and run down her back. The towel around her slowly turned grey as it soaked. She lifted her long hair off her shoulders and swiveled it in a messy bun against her head; Kyo realized he'd forgotten how to swallow as she gazed upon the exposed, shimmering skin of her neck and shoulders.
She turned back to face him and wiped the water from her eyes. She was unaware of Kyo's hesitant but unwavering gaze on the water running in rivulets precariously down her neck to her subtle cleavage.
When she opened her eyes, she froze, realizing she was face to face with Kyo's muscled chest and stomach. Tohru hadn't seen him this bare since last summer when they had all gone to the Sohma beach house. And that was only briefly since he had mostly been in the water with his clothes on. She couldn't help but think that he had filled out quite nicely, his sixteen year old scrawniness melted away and replaced with this lean, sturdy body. Trips to the dojo multiple times a week was doing wonders for him. Even the pronounced dip of his clavicle and more defined jawline seemed to have grown in well on him. As he looked down at her with those piercing orange eyes, Tohru thought that he was truly stunning. She couldn't read his expression at the moment, but something about it made her insides quiver and her lower belly ache.
"Tohru," he said, his voice soft; a chill ran through her even though she was submerged in the running water. Something in her belly swooped and sweetened; it swelled pleasantly and she wanted him to say her name again so the feeling wouldn't disappear.
He lifted a hand to brush some of the wet hair off of her face. She stilled when their skin made contact, her breath catching at his slightest touch. Usually it was a soft knock on the head or even a grab of her hand. Never forceful or unwanted. But this was different. This was so gentle. So caring. Like she was so delicate she would break under his touch alone.
"I…" he started. "We…" When had he moved closer? Had she taken a step? She couldn't be sure, couldn't recall. She was staring at his lips, watching them form reluctant words, waiting to see what they would do next. Waiting for something she hadn't known until now that she desperately wanted.
They were both half in, half out of the water. Tohru rested her hand on Kyo's chest, feeling the muscles there tense as soon as her fingers brushed his wet skin. When she left it there, he let out a breath and she could feel his heart beating against her palm, quick and steady.
"Tohru, I… I think we oughta stop." Kyo finally found his words. Tohru drew her brows together, wincing as she felt a sharp pain behind her eyes. Her fingers on his chest curled as if she were trying to hold onto him longer, but she made to drop her hand. Suddenly, Kyo's large hand shot up to wrap around hers, keeping her small one pressed over his heart. "But I don't wanna stop."
He hadn't stopped looking at her, but in this moment his eyes shifted to liquid amber, the desire within them ablaze yet restrained by his guarded expression. "Tohru, if you want me to leave, I will. And we'll never bring this up again. I'll walk away from this right now if that's what you want. Because I friggin' hate when you do things for others all the time and don't go for what you really want. So this is completely your decision. You probably find me disgusting for even bringing this up. I'm sorry. And you can totally hate me." He said this in an uneven tone, as if it pained him to physically say such a thing. "But just tell me what you want."
It's okay to be selfish once in a while.
Tohru hesitated as she let his words and the memory of what he'd told her long ago sink in. What did she want in that moment? Was the prospect of moving forward with him making her feel scared or uncomfortable? And what really did moving forward mean? Her mother had taught her about intimacy, but Tohru had never put any of those lessons to practice. Then again, she had never felt anything like what was she was feeling right now. There had been inklings, certain urges that had drawn her to Kyo's side before. Tingles on her skin where he touched her, butterflies in her stomach when he smiled at her, a pleasurable warmth enveloping her chest when he said her name; those were all so different compared to this. This was a instinctual pull she couldn't put words to. And she knew she wasn't scared.
She gazed deeply into Kyo's eyes. She could see, under all the pretense, that he was terrified that she might reject him. A lingering, fearful look similar to the one she'd seen in the eyes of his true form. A worry that he wasn't worthy of her. Wasn't worthy of anything. That couldn't be further from the truth. His heart hammered under her palm; she wanted to soothe its stress. She wanted to make him smile again, she wanted to bring back that dangerous but exhilarating look in his eyes. She wanted...
"I want you." She whispered. "I've wanted you, and only you, for a long time. Kyo-kun, please don't stop."
Kyo's relief revealed itself in a fleeting smile. Then his features sobered as he cupped her chin gingerly and bent his head down towards her. She moved to meet him and their lips pressed together. It was like the world had previously been dull shades of grey and when they connected, colors bloomed in every direction. The world was ablaze and they were the only two in it, relishing in every desire, every sweetness, every sense of lust. Almost as if they couldn't believe this was really happening, they pulled away an inch and gazed at each other through half lidded eyes to confirm the other was truly there.
And as if a red string were bound around them, they were pulled towards each other again. Their kisses were slow and gentle at first; neither had done anything remotely intimate such as this before so their movements were timid. Breathing through each kiss, their hesitancy allowed them to savor each one. The taste of each other, the way they just fit perfectly, the slow burn blazing in their stomachs: these sensations overtook them.
As they found their rhythm, they became more hungry, more passionate. Tohru brought her other hand on Kyo's chest to prevent their bodies from getting too close. Kyo placed a hand on her hip, careful to not disturb her towel. The hand on her chin slid to the back of her neck, his calloused fingers entangled in her hair as he held her securely to him. Their breathing became ragged, their bodies moving together in sync. Kyo took a step towards Tohru; she stepped back, following his lead, until her back pressed against cold tiles that lined the shower stall. In an instant, her hands were placed against the wet tiles on either side of her head, Kyo's fingers entwining with hers. Kyo daringly ran his tongue along Tohru's lips, asking for permission. She eagerly let him pass and greedily let her tongue explore his mouth as well. Kyo released her hands and grasped the swell of her hips. Amidst the steamy air circulating her, Tohru felt a warmth pool between her legs. She had to pull away from Kyo's lips abruptly from the sensation, gasping and eyes unfocused. Kyo took this opportunity to pecker her jawline with kisses. He trailed down her neck, barely containing himself as Tohru began to let out the softest but most pleasurable moans. He sucked a little at the crook of her neck and gave her a nibble for good fun. She went weak in the knees and Kyo caught her by the upper arms. They met nose to nose and couldn't help but share a laugh, coming back down to reality.
"Maybe," Kyo said huskily, "we should get you to bed."
Tohru looked at him with such distress, as if he were dismissing her, that his own face fell. He backtracked ironically like a dog with his tail between his legs.
"I-I didn't mean we needed to stop. It's not like I'm trying to… ugh, that came out wrong. I just thought we'd be more comfortable moving to another room. But if you don't want to, we don't gotta go anywhere. Unless you want to stop here and not go further. I don't want to force yo-"
Tohru placed a finger on his lips. "I'm sorry, Kyo-kun. I misunderstood. But I would really like it if you took me to my room. We can keep going where it's less…risky," she giggled softly and his eyes widened in understanding and pure shock. "I would like that too."
With his eyes burning like molten embers, Kyo opened his mouth and took the finger she had held against his lips. She gasped as he swirled his tongue around it and sucked. He pulled his head back leisurely, so her finger was released inch by inch in slow, tantalizing seconds. Her eyes, as round and wide as he'd ever seen them, watched his lips' every move, even as he drew them into his infamous half smile.
"You go first," he said. "In case anyone's wandering around the house." He released her arms and turned away to give her some privacy. He waited for her to gather herself, step out of the shower stall and dry off. When the door clicked shut indicating she had left, he slumped against the wall next to him. A wave of fatigue had overcome him, surely a result of the rain still falling outside, the truly unexpected outcome of the situation and the fact that the excitement was far from over. Before he could linger too long on the details of what just happened, he turned the knobs of the shower to the off setting and replaced his soaked towel with a fresh one off the rack. He ran the towel across his body and covered his head with it, drying his hair so vigorously he was sure he had gotten rug burn.
What the hell was he doing? Hadn't he convinced himself he was going to stay away from her? That was completely out the window now. He could still feel her lips on his; he didn't know what he should do, but he did know what he wanted to do. If she wanted it too, which seemed pretty evident from her reciprocation.
He walked out of the bathroom with a chill running through him since the hallway was not nearly as steamy as the shower had been; he wasn't sure any room in the house (or anything, period) could have been. Although, Tohru's bedroom did have the potential... Kyo ran a hand down his face in exasperation of his line of thinking and made his way to the stairs when he heard something.
The floor creaked nearby. Kyo jerked his head towards the sound and froze mid-step, his instincts activated.
Shigure stepped out from the living room. He must have been in his room, but he had a towel draped across his shoulders. Shit. "Well, well, if isn't Tohru's knight in shining armor. I thought I heard someone in the shower down here."
"So I was showering. What of it?" Kyo kept his voice level and his responses clipped.
"But didn't you go to pick up Tohru from work? In the rain, no less? How on earth did you manage to both wash up if I was in the bath?" Shigure inquired, although the sweet as syrupy tone of voice he was using indicated he predicted more of the situation than he was letting on.
"S-she went in before me. She's already in her room probably. I don't keep tabs on her." Kyo snapped at him, trying not to get defensive but failing miserably.
"But I'm not sure the timing works out on that…" Shigure said slyly, his grey eyes glinting slyly. Knowingly. Kyo realized he needed to get the hell out of there.
"I don't have to answer to you, ya damn dog. And don't go botherin' her." With that, Kyo stomped up the stairs, utterly frustrated and mortified that Shigure might have guessed what really happened. It was best that he escaped as soon as he could before he revealed anything more because of Shigure's crafty wordplay. Besides, Tohru was waiting.
Hope you enjoyed! The next chapter might get steamier~