A big shout-out to my reviewers: Emi Violet, kokoronagomu, caseyedith, Scarred Sword Heart, LimeGrass, Crau-san, and Miztical-Dragon. (Counts number of reviews and swoons.)
In this chapter, beware of WAFF. Also, I do not own RK.
Canoodle
-verb
fondle, or pet amorously.
He is being used as a human pillow again.
Kenshin sighs, and shifts uncomfortably under his wife's heavily pregnant form. He'd had no idea that being with child would turn Kaoru into such a cuddler—she constantly has a hand on his arm, fingers in his ponytail, a surprise hug from behind while he cooks. Even their customary evening tea, taken side-by-side on the engawa, has turned into a snuggle-fest of Kaoru sitting between his legs, head pillowed on his shoulder while the baby rolls under their hands.
Apparently, pregnancy has also made Kaoru cold. Given that it is February, this is not unreasonable; the fact that she has decided Kenshin is a perfect heater/body pillow is.
In some ways, it's not entirely awful. He likes spending time with Kaoru, after all, and her small touches are pleasant. And the sensation of his child—their child—moving beneath her skin is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Maybe cuddles aren't so bad.