.
.
"What's wrong?" Bishamon asked, as Kazuma frowned and hunched over a stack of papers.
"Oh, nothing," Kazuma said, and he smiled, apologetically. "I just have a kink in my neck from sitting in one position for too long. It's really nothing to concern yourself over."
Bishamon nodded, standing and picking up a stack of papers. Kazuma bent back over the desk - ostensibly to keep reading the treatises piled in front of him - and was so absorbed in his task that he didn't notice Bishamon standing behind him.
She began massaging his neck. Kazuma started, surprised.
"Veena?"
"You always do this for me." Bishamon smiled. "I think it's gone far too long without me returning the favor, don't you?"
Kazuma blushed. "That really is not necessary," he said. He could feel the tips of her fingers pressing in firm circles against the muscles of his nape. He exhaled, slowly. "I don't want to trouble you."
"It's no trouble." She pulled up a chair and sat behind him, pressing her thumbs on the knots of his nape and shoulders. "I like touching you."
Kazuma's blush deepened. He swallowed and closed his eyes.
Kazuma's neck was one big knot; Bishamon concentrated on the taut triangle of muscle by his shoulders, kneading her way out, then back in. Kazuma leaned against her touch, his head hanging loosely over his chest as she worked.
Finally, Bishamon leaned against his back, resting one arm around his waist and hugging him from behind. Kazuma glanced up, then smiled, shyly.
The sex they had that night was tired but affectionate, and after they cleaned themselves and got ready to sleep, she cupped her body against his and held him, closely.
She was beginning to drowse, her face tucked against a comfortable spot between Kazuma's neck and shoulder, when he moved, suddenly.
"What-" Bishamon blinked her eyes open. "What is it?"
"I just realized, I still have three more grant proposals to read and another fifty-page report to skim before the next colloquy."
"Ugh, do it tomorrow," Bishamon said.
"Veena, the god's colloquy is next week and the heavens are awaiting your approval. And I believe you were the one who told me to read and summarize everything," Kazuma said.
"Tomorrow," Bishamon said. "Or at the very least, be polite and wait until I go to sleep."
Kazuma snorted. That was a noise Bishamon wasn't used to hearing.
"You're nice and warm and comfortable and I don't want to sleep alone," Bishamon said.
"Then call Kuraha," Kazuma said, but his eyes were smiling. She made an irritated noise and pushed him back down onto the mattress.
"Really, Kazuma," Bishamon said, and she lazed against him. "You should be thanking your lucky stars you get to share my bed."
He picked a strand of hair that had fallen messily over her face.
"I do," he said, quietly. "Every day."
He smiled and she smiled back at him. They kissed and it was nice and warm.
Kazuma sighed. "Veena I'm sorry, but I really need to see about those reports-"
"Go, go." She rolled and pulled the blankets over her shoulder. "I'd rather you do it than me, anyway."
He sat up and picked his glasses up from the nightstand. "Goodnight," he said. She swatted at him as he was about to leave.
It was dark when she finally felt the side of the bed sink with the weight of another person. The sheets rustled, and she felt him curl up against her body and sigh, contentedly.
"Love you," she said. She felt him kiss her behind her ear.
"Love you too."