(A/N): Well...this has been a long time coming. After an absolutely overwhelming vote, it's arrived. I nearly broke my 10,000 word rule...but oh well.

Hope you guys enjoy this. Now if you'll excuse me...I'm going to go find a tissue to hide my nosebleed.

WARNING: Sexual Content Ahead. Read At Your Own Risk.

SPECIAL THANKS:

Shoutout to Cyberweasel89, who encouraged to not hold back any detail and for being the best coach/consultant I could ever ask for.

Chapter 10: Home

Two Hours Later- Orario's Administration

"This man has been on the most wanted list for a while...thank you very much for bringing him in Mr. Homura,"

I nodded as three soldiers escorted him to the prison.

"Are you okay Akio?"

I turned back to Matilda and nodded.

"You're as great as healer as ever Matilda," I replied with a smile.

She grabbed me in one of her signature bosom filled hugs.

"I have to take care of my family!" she cheered.

I laughed nervously.

"Have you seen Relia at all today?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Everyone's heading to the Hostess for dinner tonight...but Ayame isn't back yet," she replied.

I smiled to myself.

"I think she's going to be just fine,"
"What makes you say that?"

I looked at the piece of paper in my hand before handing it to her.

"Ayame sent Meiryo back with this,"

Matilda unfolded the paper and read through it aloud.

"I found him," she said.

Matilda snickered to herself.

"I guess all those talks we had with her are finally having the effect we've wanted them to,"

Three Months Ago- Ayame's Room, The Hestia Mansion

"Still can't sleep can you?"

Ayame looked up from the book she was reading and sighed.

"It's difficult to sleep when all that's on your mind is the man who disappeared two years ago mostly because of yourself," she replied.

I shook my head and sat beside her.

"You're still blaming yourself for all of that?" I asked.

She nodded slowly.

"You were a child back then and there's no way you could've known that he was doing that...you didn't even know who Takkun was back then," I explained.
"Emadriel said that she was good friends with my mother...so there was a chance I could've," replied Ayame.

I sighed deeply before taking the book from her.

"Nana and I have been through this a dozen times with you...you can't blame yourself because it was completely out of your control and I'm very sure that Takkun doesn't at all blame you for it,"
"Then explain why he was so distant to me before he left,"
"His mother died in his arms Ayame...that's not something that someone can just get over, let alone him whose life mission was to rescue and keep her safe,"

Ayame sighed deeply and lowered her head.

"I...didn't think I would miss him this much," she said.
"We all miss him...but you've been through so much with him in the few weeks that he around you," I said.

She nodded slowly.

"He didn't have to save my life in the dungeon, he didn't have to risk his life to protect from those monsters and he didn't have to tell me about the slave traders...he could've chosen to handle it all on his own but he instead chose to always keep me in mind,"

I smiled and laughed softly.

"That's Takkun alright...very considerate towards others,"

I then pulled out a small satchel.

"Takkun gave this bag to me when I first met him...it was full of Valis that he was going to use to get himself a new bow but he chose to use it to help me get back on my feet and that's probably the reason why we all find him so amazing; he's completely selfless and he'll do anything to help if it's within his power and that is the reason why you love him,"

Ayame's blushed furiously but I snickered.

"You're head over heels for him Whitey," I said with a wink.

She shook her head.

"It's crazy isn't it...that it's taken such little time to really get attached to someone," she said.

I shook my head.

"I'll be honest and say that there was a time that I used to have the hots for him because of everything he did for me...but he was so focused on taking care of his familia and Hestia that he didn't notice," I said, my eyes narrowing.

Feeling unwanted feelings resurfacing, I shook my head vigorously to clear it.

"Don't make the same mistake I made...he cares very deeply for you and if there's one thing Takkun always does, it's fulfill his promises...he'll come back to you and when he does, you have to let him know how you feel,"
"How do I know he won't reject me?"

I snickered.

"Did you forget that kiss he gave you before he left? I've never seen Takkun kiss ANYONE before, not even Hestia who he considers to be his surrogate mother,"

Ayame nodded slowly.

"Thanks Matilda...I appreciate these talks," she said.

I winked at her.

"Anytime...now go get some sleep before I knock you out," I teased.

Later That Evening- The Hostess Of Fertility

"It's all been settled then?" asked Relia.
"The Monster Rex has appeared one more time on floor 17 so we're going to take it down again...but after this, we're going to try and get to at least floor 25," replied Akio.

He then looked to the right to see two new faces.

"I'm glad you two are with us on this," he said.
"Not like I have anything better to do,"

The woman shook her head and folded her arms.

"We haven't been introduced have we?" asked Akio.
"The name's Scheide Argonar,"

She was a tall woman, standing at 5' 9". She had the elongated canines of a War Tiger, indicating that she was at least half of one.

"From what I've heard about you...you used to be a mercenary for hire?" asked Relia.
"Does it matter? I'm interested in taking part in this and seeing as I have no interest in continuing to be apart of that dumb prick Ares's family, why not just join something that a bit more lively?" she replied.

Relia sighed deeply.

"There's no need to be so hostile; she was only asking a question," said Akio.
"My past should be of no concern to any of you; it's the past for a fucking reason," she snapped back.

Akio shook his head as he examined her. She had an excellent figure, no doubt due to her intense training as a warrior as well as a modest bust. If that wasn't enough, she sported a lot of curves, though she wasn't on the level of Matilda but came pretty damn close. At a glance, Akio could tell that she didn't give off the warmest of auras as her angry face made her appear cold and cruel. Her pink eyes always appeared desolate and dark. Her fashion was a mix of lolita and exposing skin, which greatly emphasized her tremendous sex appeal. She had snake bite piercings. as well as an eyebrow piercing. She sported winged eyeliner to go with her long lashes.

"Well...thanks for being a part of it anyway Scheide," said Akio.

She scoffed and rose to her feet.

"I'm going to go have a drink, let me know when we're leaving tomorrow and I'll be there," she said.

Relia sighed deeply as Scheide walked away. Akio then turned to the second person.

"Dina is it?" he asked.

She smiled and nodded.

"You seem like a nice girl," said Relia with an encouraging smile.
"Thank you," she replied.

She stood at around 5' 8" and was rather slim, though she did sport a nice figure. She was dressed in mage robes, indicating that her focus was on spells rather than actual fighting. She had silver hair similar to Ayame's, though it wasn't quite as long as hers. She also had dark brown eyes and a light skin tone.

"Hestia already converted you into the familia right?" asked Akio.

Dina nodded.

"Alright well make yourself at home; there's an empty room in the mansion down the street from here, look for Mira and she'll show you inside," said Relia.

She smiled brightly and bowed politely.

"Thank you for everything...I'll do my best to help wherever I can," she said.

Akio let out a deep sigh as Dina took her leave.

"This family's getting a little too big...guess Hestia's become quite the name now," he said.

Relia nodded.

"It doesn't help that she has her face plastered on the most popular flower shop in all of Orario," she said.

Akio shrugged.

"I wonder what's taking Ayame so long to come back...she should know that we intend to take the expedition tomorrow morning and she could definitely use some sleep," he said.

Relia snuggled up next to him, causing him to blush lightly.

"If her feelings for Takashi are as strong as you say they are...then I can think of a few things she's doing right now," said Relia with a wink.

Akio blushed brightly and cleared his throat.

"Look where your mind is," he said.

Relia simply replied with a wink.

"Let them have their time; they haven't seen each other in two years so they deserve some time to catch up,"

Later That Night- The Katrina Inn

I slowly stirred from my slumber, looking around for any other presence apart from my own.

"Where did he go..."

I then saw him walk out of the bathroom, his hair now trimmed to it's previous length and all the facial hair he had grown was now gone. He sat on the bed opposite to mine as he took a deep breath.

"I...don't know where to begin...so I'll-"

I didn't even give him the chance to say a word before I slammed my body against his, grabbing him in a tight embrace. He slowly returned it, wrapping one of his arms around me.

"I...missed you so much,"

I had no idea why my voice was cracking right this moment; I had saved his life from certain death earlier but seeing him now...knowing that he was going to be alright just brought a warmth like no other I could describe.

"You have no idea how much I thought of you everyday I was gone,"

His voice was sincere...he was never one to lie but he only spoke in that tone when he really wanted to let people know that he meant it. I let him go as I sat back down on the other bed.

"I spent those two years doing as much research as I could on the slave traders...and I learned a great deal," he explained.
"You said something about rogue adventurers?" I asked.

He nodded.

"They're using alchemy to create extremely potent poisons that only the most gifted of healers can cure...as I've discovered, they've gone on a kidnapping spree, taking mostly Runarl and Elf girls to be sold to the mainland," he explained.

My fists automatically clenched.

"I tried to help where I could...but I was too well known across the land so I adopted my other form,"

I nodded slowly.

"Is that the spell the grimoire taught you?" I asked.

He responded by immediately shifting into his wolf form. He looked at me for a moment before shifting back.

"I adopted that form for the last six months...I didn't shift out of it because I needed to learn what they were up to and the only way to do that was to no longer be Takashi Mashiro,"

He then sighed deeply.

"That is...until that day five months ago,"
"What happened?"

His eyes narrowed.

"I killed someone...and for the first time, I terrified someone so much that they wanted nothing to do with me...and instead chose the other way out," he replied.

I felt my heart skip a beat as I saw the guilt pour into his eyes.

"One of the higher ups on the Orario trade had captured a Runarl slave...from the looks of it she was in custody for a very long time considering how terrified and malnourished she appeared to be,"

He removed a necklace from his bag.

"I managed to save her...but while I'm in that form, my anger is amplified and when I saw how awfully he was treating her...I completely lost control of myself and I tore his throat out right in front of her," he explained.

He placed the necklace on the night table beside us.

"I tried to approach her but she was so terrified of what I had done, she assumed that she was next and before I could show her that I meant no harm...she jumped off a cliff to her death, leaving this necklace behind,"

He shook his head.

"I felt so ashamed of what I had done that I didn't turn back into an elf...until I found you,"

He turned away.

"I was angry at myself for falling prey to the very instincts I promised Hestia I would never give in to...so angry at myself that I reverted to the very essence of a wolf and I couldn't shift back...because I couldn't remember that I was really an elf,"

My hands covered my mouth.

"I lost sight of my goal and I wandered the woods for five months...until I picked up your scent,"

I blushed furiously at his words.

"Your scent...it was enough to bring me back to my senses and quell the rage that trapped me in that form for half a year,"

I looked away, my face probably now having the appearance of a tomato.

"You always seem to be there to get me out of trouble," I said.
"You've saved my life just as many times as I have yours...and this time, there was no way I would still be breathing if it wasn't for you," he said.

I thought back to the many dreams I had of him...to the many times I talked about him with Meiryo and Nana and all the reasons why it made sense for me to feel the way I did despite knowing him for such a small amount of time. Nana had told me over and over again that I was wrong to blame myself for the death of his parents; there was no way I could've known that my father was the one who did those things...but I guess I couldn't help but think there's something I could've done seeing as I used to live with him. Meiryo kept telling me over and over again that he's not like the other adventurers I've met and that he was special...I guess now more than ever I was really beginning to believe what he was saying.

"Takashi...I need to ask you something," I said.

He looked at me and nodded.

"...Are you angry at my family...at me?" I asked.

He was silent for a few moments until he closed his eyes and let out a breath.

"Initially...I was furious," he explained.

He looked out of the window as he got to his feet and approached it.

"I wanted to place blame on someone and seeing as you're the daughter of the man who had a hand in causing the death of my entire family...naturally I would place it all on you,"

He then let out a breath.

"But then you met my mother...and she did not seem to blame you at all,"

My eyes widened.

"I spent a lot of nights thinking about that...some of them sleepless because I couldn't understand why she couldn't find it within her heart to hold resent towards you,"

He then removed the necklace from around his neck.

"It was then that I realized that she must've seen something special in you...that you would never turn out to be like your father and that is what drove me onwards...until the day I could see you again to say..."

He approached me and placed the necklace around my neck.

"That I could never hold a grudge against you...because I care for you far too deeply to let something that was never in your control come between us,"

He then pointed at the gem.

"My mother told me that I would give this to someone special one day...and that person would be the only one who could bring me back from the darkness,"

He swallowed hard.

"I believed my mother's words to be referring to Hestia...but now I know that she meant someone who means even more to me than she does,"

He laughed nervously.

"I never imagined that it would be an elf that I rescued in the dungeon...and I never imagined during the trip I took to find my purpose...that it would lead me right back to you,"

I put a hand on his cheek, glad that this wasn't at all a dream like all the other times I was in this moment.

~ o ~

To say that I was overjoyed to see her again was an understatement. I woke up twenty minutes ago to see that she was still asleep and just like before, she was so peaceful. Memories of the way things were two years ago came rushing back and suddenly, I felt as if I had no right to be here. It was difficult to last all of that time without my familia...let alone without her.

I was probably a fool for allowing myself to care for someone this much...but it just goes to show that when the need to survive arises, trust is that much more valuable and she certainly earned all of mine. She could've refused to nurse me back to health that day in the cave, she could've run on ahead and left me to die and she could've chosen to continue her nomadic lifestyle...but she didn't. She chose to stay and even though it was such a short time, it felt as if I've known her for far longer. For once...I didn't feel as if I was alone. Sure there was Hestia, Nana, Vanna and Akio but there's only so much they could do for me as my adoptive family.

Hestia always told me to trust my instincts and to always follow my heart...but when that night came and I discovered it was the Aledrias that caused me all that pain...my instinct was to block it all out. It was to run away and never return because that's what I spent most of my life doing...running away.

"No more,"

After disappearing for two years, I was sure that everyone moved on without me...but once I caught her scent, I had to be sure she was alright. I had only stopped near Orario because I was following that very man that we battled with earlier because he was the only lead I had to those slave traders, but I was sure that Ayame had taken steps to ensure his capture. Once she appeared and I saw her in danger...nothing else mattered. All that was in my head was to protect her with everything I have...even if it cost me my life because at least then, she could live on. She had a bright future ahead of her because she was an upcoming mage and I was sure that she and Hestia had plans for the future. From what I heard from travelers, she even became the co-owner of Nana's shop. She had the life she's longed for since the day her family met their end.

It was for that reason that I was able to rid myself of the anger I had; she suffered just as much as I did in the past and I couldn't hold something like that over her head. The fact that she chose to follow me even though she herself was injured into the woods was the signature kindness that I had truly grown to love in her...it meant so much to me that she was willing to go that far, to try to take care of me even though there was a strong possibility that I wouldn't survive. I still have no idea when she got that ability to heal something that I had studied for so long and believed to be incurable...but here we were now.

Holding her in my arms and looking right at her.

"Promise me something," she said.

I nodded.

"Don't take on everything by yourself...let us help," she said.

I opened my mouth to retort but she silenced me with her index finger.

"I don't want to hear an argument...promise me," she whispered.

Her tone was close to breaking, clearly from the sheer worry she must've felt for all that time apart from me...so I nodded.

"You have my word," I replied.

She gave me a heart-melting smile. Every time she did...I couldn't describe the feeling that it gave me. It sent an unknown million volts of electricity through my body and no matter how angry I was, I somehow managed to forget the reason I was angry in the first place. No one has ever had an effect like that...and no one has ever been able to quell my rage like she can.

Seeing her happy was at first just a luxury but now...it felt like it was now my duty to do whatever it takes to ensure that she would never turn frown. Her eyes met mine and I couldn't help but stare back. The silence suddenly became comfortable and for some reason, she appeared in much greater detail.

Her beautiful crystal eyes were slightly red from an obvious lack of sleep; she must've been unable to do so, at least very soundly, during my absence. They were still her eyes however...the very same eyes I learned to read. Her face was as usual devoid of any blemishes and still held the same creamy tone that she always had albeit a little paler thanks to the approaching winter days. Her long silver hair was still in pristine condition but the most important thing to me was that she had the same smile...that smile which was purely hers.

I closed my eyes and turned away, breaking the intense gaze we had between us before my emotions got the better of me. She seemed confused as to why I did and immediately grabbed my right hand.

"Why are you running away?" she asked.

I let out a heavy breath.

"I'm trying to keep myself from doing something stupid," I replied.

I knew things would get worse if I let myself feel this for her; decisions would be clouded, judgement would be altered in her favor and irrationality was sure to follow. Why the hell was I suddenly thinking with logic instead of emotion?

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

I closed my eyes tightly, feeling my courage reach a boiling point.

"I...I can't say it," I said.
"Remember what I said before?" she asked.

My eyes opened.

"You never have to go through anything else alone...I'm not going to turn my back on you," she explained.
"I LOVE YOU!" I snapped.

My eyes shut instantly.

"It's incredibly hard to to accept this but I am DEEPLY IN LOVE with you!" I said again.

~ o ~

His words made my heart skip a beat. He wasn't looking at me and his tone sounded like a mad mix of anger and sadness.

"I'm not supposed to feel this way about anyone because NOTHING good can come of it!" he continued.

I attempted to say something but he continued on.

"I've known you for barely a month...ONE MONTH and I can't get you out of my head no matter how hard I try...it's maddening," he said.

He had to have been bottling this up for a long time to be reacting like this; I've never heard him so disheartened and...scared?

"I'm going think of you in every single decision I make and that's not going to help the group...it will affect my judgement and most of all, it will make me irrational because I would do ANYTHING to not put you in danger so if you thought I was reckless BEFORE? That's NOTHING compared to how I'll be...if..."
"If what?"

He turned to look at me, clearly still deep in conflict in his mind. He just admitted the way he felt about me...and he thought it was a bad thing? He opened his eyes.

"If this,"

I barely got to react as he placed his lips on my forehead, kissing it gently. I blushed profusely at the gesture as he moved back.

"I tell myself that I shouldn't allow myself to care so much...but I can't help it when it comes to you," he explained.

He then turned away, his face now drained of happiness and replaced with regret.

"I'm...sorry," he said.

His eyes closed.

"I didn't want to say anything anymore...but when I was stuck in that form...you were the only thing that kept me going," he said.
"W-W-What?" I said in surprise.

He looked away.

"The guilt I felt for holding a grudge against you for something you did not commit...the sorrow I felt about losing the last of my family and the rage that kept me trapped within my own primal instincts...there were a few times I contemplated just letting them end it all but I wanted to come back to everyone...to the group that we now call our family and most importantly...to you," he said.

He shook his head and turned around.

"Everything I just said has been long since coming...and the last thing I wanted to do was to make everything awkward and strange...which I'm positive I just did," he continued.

He tried to leave but I immediately ran ahead of him as I looked at him.

"Why are you running away from what you feel?' I asked.

He looked at me, still deep in conflict mentally.

"Have you ever once considered how I might feel?" I asked.

I would be lying if I said I didn't understand the conflict but at this point, I didn't care; I felt quite strongly for him too. He wasn't the definition of a dream guy...not by any stretch of the imagination but after having been through so much with him, he really grew on me. I didn't even pause to consider my own feelings...not until I started having those dreams about him.

Those two years felt like an eternity...I blamed myself for not being brave enough to have done something when I was younger about my father's slave trading activities him and I punished myself everyday he was gone for it...but once he told me that he didn't blame me...it was like I confirmed my feelings for him. Sure he took life very seriously but considering that he became the de-facto leader of the group and he's the main reason that a lot of us are still around...especially me. He was always there for us. He took good care of everyone...and I loved how kind he was. The fact that he didn't blame me...and the fact that he had the courage to tell me how he feels despite how stubborn he is...it confirmed everything I was feeling. I now knew for sure that I would rather face the problems than keep it in.

I leaned my body over his and wrapped my arms around his head.

"...It's okay to feel Takashi," I whispered.

His eyes suddenly widened and before he could retort, I captured his lips in a kiss. He froze completely and I could hear his heart pounding heavily against his chest. As quickly as the contact came, it disappeared. I looked at him to see that his eyes were still in complete shock; he clearly didn't expect me to react the way I just did...then he closed his eyes and turned away.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I put a hand on his cheek, causing his face to snap back and focus on me.

"Don't be..."

His face was sincere but I could see deep fear in his eyes. So I did what came naturally...

~ o ~

"Kiss me again..." she whispered.

I couldn't believe my ears. I opened my mouth to retort but I was once again silenced by her finger.

"Don't talk...just do what I say," she whispered.

I took a breath and leaned towards her once more. She responded by tightening her grip around my head as I allowed my arms to cradle her. I barely got to process the position before she pulled me in to kiss her again. I had no clue what I was doing but the fact that she didn't pull away made me believe I was doing something right. I tried to move but my legs refused to respond; the impulses my brain sent futile impulses for my limbs to move but my arm was perfectly content resting on the small of her waist. Those few seconds felt like days...days of pure bliss.

It finally came to an end when she pulled away but just above me to look into my eyes.

"This...was not how I thought this would unfold," I said, still stunned.
"Expect the unexpected," she replied.

I leaned my forehead against hers, my lips just centimeters away from hers.

"...I'm not going anywhere again...I'm yours,"

She smiled, tears now filling her eyes as she stroked my cheek.

"You promise?"
"With all of my heart,"

She allowed her head to rest fully on mine.

"You have no idea...how happy it makes me to hear you say that..."

I brought my lips to hers once more and she happily accepted. The heat of the moment grew more intense with every yearlong second until I found myself sinking back to the bed, my body suddenly unable to handle the insane amount of pleasure going through every vein and artery. She seemed to pick up on my weakness and stopped kissing me to look into my eyes. She was panting very softly.

"Show me how much you love me," she whispered.

Her tone was a maddening mix of innocence and sincerity. My brain froze at the feel of her body against mine as she lay down fully on me. She brought my hands to her waist, almost as if she were urging me to go further. As much as I hated to admit it, I would find myself staring at her body every now and again. She didn't have to have a large chest nor supple thighs to be attractive; she was more than beautiful enough for me just the way she was. It wasn't like me to be a pervert…but this was a time that I just couldn't avoid it. She compressed the width of her shoulders, allowing her sundress straps to drift downwards and reveal much more of her torso. Her long platinum hair was still let out as usual and it was one of the things I found most attractive about her; she took such excellent care of herself that I could hardly think of a time that she didn't cause my jaw to drop open.

She ran her hands up my shirt, feeling my abs and chest and once again, electrifying every nerve in my body.

"Don't be afraid," she said.

I didn't even think it was possible for her voice to become more sweet...but it did. That was all the encouragement I needed. My hands groped harder and I leaned my body into hers, eliciting her completely unique type of moan that made my temperature rise several degrees.

"I don't care about the risks you take…nor the things you do…all I want at the end of the day...is to know that you'll come back to me and still be the same man I fell in love with..." she said.

Tears began to well up within my eyes and soon, they started to flow. She smiled at me as I brought my lips to her ear.

"You...have made me the happiest man alive," I said.

My hands removed the troublesome sweater shielding her upper body from my eyes to reveal a white bra with crimson linings. My eyes indulged in the gorgeous view before me…and boy was it a view.

She threw the shirt aside before unbuttoning my own slowly, making sure my lips stayed warm in hers. I allowed her to push the shirt off my body and she toss it aside before meeting my lips once more, her small hands coming to rest on my now exposed chest. She was an amazing contrast to the cold night air with her comforting body heat and I couldn't help but pull her closer in order to feel more. She encouraged me to touch and fondle as she guided my hands from her waist back to her chest, never once interrupting the now intense action between our hungry tongues. I squeezed gently, absolutely loving how soft and warm she felt and my actions earned me moans, filled to the brim with longing.

"Keep going…" she growled.

While I still retained some form of control over my actions...her carnal desire was evidently beginning to take over. Her rapid heartbeat, her change in tone and even the strength of her grip began to show how quickly her hormones were taking over. I swallowed some air as I nervously pulled the button on her black shorts. She removed her arms from my neck and allowed it to fall, revealing the matching panties.

"Goddess give me strength…"

I wasn't one to view much below the face...but considering the entirely new level of sex appeal that was sitting before me, I had no choice. EVERYTHING, from her flawless face and captivating crystal eyes to her lovely platinum hair and adorable smile already had my attention by the throat...but add that body of hers and I knew I hadn't the slightest chance of escaping the inevitable breaking point where I become just like any other man.

Her body was definitely more fit than it was before; her figure was clearly defined, her core was well built and curves and contours galore awaited my starving eyes. She trained well during the two years I was gone and I just couldn't get over how good that underwear looked on her…it was absolutely maddening. Her flawless skin was slightly pale but I expected no less; there wasn't much sunlight in these winter days. All in all...she was even more beautiful than the day I first met her.

She evidently noticed my gaze and blushed immensely, flinching a little in embarrassment.

"Don't hide yourself...you're an angel," I said smoothly.

She responded by pulling me down, sinking to her back and pressing my face near her chest. I took another deep breath as I kissed her breasts. Her moans coupled with her hands pushing my head down more indicated that she held no objection. My hands made their way to the strap of her bra before snapping it off smoothly. I removed the garment and tossed it into the basket behind me and once I turned back to face her, my eyes froze on her chest.

"Perky…"

I gazed at her hardened nipples as my curious hands gently began to tease and touch them. Her moans became intense and she squirmed under my touch, her body obviously having problems processing the sheer pleasure my actions were sending through every nerve involved. My fingers were soon replaced by my mouth and my restless tongue anxiously began to move over the newly exposed skin. She started to cry out and I was thankful that the room was the one on the highest floor, otherwise she probably would've alerted someone by now.

"More…more…" she pleaded.

My eyes then reached her panties. I teasingly drew them off of her and lowered my head down to her womanhood before kissing it. Her hands began to dig into my scalp and her legs wrapped around me, non-verbally begging me to never stop the flood of pleasure I sent through her with every action. I obeyed her pleas; darting, exploring and doing my best to satisfy her. She let out restless breaths as she lifted her head up and pulled me up by my hands back to her lips but not before I wiped her essence off my face with my hand.

Her facial expression said one thing: lose the pants.

I obeyed the non-verbal message only for her to push me onto the bed and pin me to it. She once again ground her hips into mine, driving me absolutely insane with the flood of hormones that accompanied the sensation of her womanhood against my bulge. It was so intense, I let out a sound half way between a gasp and a hiss. She snickered softly as I quickly kicked my boxers off.

She lowered herself onto me, sheathing me completely inside of her. Her eyes shut tight in what I assumed to be pain until she started to pant. After several seconds of getting used to the feeling, her face appeared intoxicated with pleasure as I heard her cry out after a particularly hard grind. I shut my eyes tightly as she continued with every single bounce sending one hell of a shockwave through my body. She panted heavily between moans as she sped up.

After what felt like years of frantic hip thrusts, I flipped our positions. She leaned up to my ear once more.

"Don't hold back…"

Her tone was now frenzied and heavy and after taking one look at her face, I saw that her face appeared almost completely intoxicated with pleasure. I obeyed her as I began to thrust, speeding my pace until I thankfully sensed no pain in her thoughts. Every maddening thrust familiarized me more with her feel and warmth, sending my brain into an overdrive of euphoria and her now painless moans only added to it; I really did not have to hold back if she wasn't in pain.

After what felt like an eternity later, I began to tire; my hips began to reach the limits of their use and my breathing became much more about keeping oxygen inside of me rather than from the pleasure.

As if she sensed my moment of weakness, she leaned up, pushed me to the pillow behind my head and straddled my body with her legs. Before I could question why, she eased me back inside of her. Unlike before where I felt in control, the feeling did a complete 180. Instead of the euphoria that I was satisfying her, it was the other way around. I allowed her to develop a pace of her own, at first slowly but surely picking up speed until we were right back to my pace that exhausted itself only mere minutes ago.

She continued to encourage me to touch and fondle when she pulled my tired hands onto her body and I obliged, plunging a nipple into my mouth while my hands held onto her backside, feeling the softness in its pure and heavenly entirety. Her skin was so soft that I considered using her as a pillow rather than the disappointing feather filled sacs behind me. I moved to the other nipple after a few seconds but I soon allowed myself to sink back to the pillow, my brain barely able to process the relentless barrage of pleasure she sent through me with every bounce. My hands fell to my sides as I was assaulted more and more with heat and bliss until Ayame finally stopped, raising her head skyward as she cried out. Her walls tightened and I felt a spill on my abdominal region. Feeling adrenaline going though my body and somehow regaining my energy, I gathered my senses and flipped our positions.

I took the opportunity to examine her face. She was sweating profusely, her face was pink with the heat and her eyes looked pleadingly into mine. I couldn't help but smile at her as I slowly eased myself inside of her once again. In response, she flung her arms around my neck and held me close. My lower body went on auto pilot as I continued the assault of pleasure I started before. I did my best to resist the carnal urges to be rough rather than gentle but with every moan and cry she released, it drove me more and to the edge until finally, I gave in.

My hands gripped her waist and I leaned back from her embrace before raising her legs up with my hands and continuing at a pace I didn't even know I was capable of without a shot of adrenaline. She didn't seem to mind the sudden change of pace and seemed to embrace it as her moans and cries turned to heavy pants of my name and "oh". I felt myself begin to tire and a pressure built up inside of me until I felt myself give off a shot inside of her. Instantly, the energy from the adrenaline vanished and I collapsed onto her body, hopefully slowly enough to not hurt her. When she stroked the back of my head, I breathed a sigh of relief that I didn't hit her bones with any such force.

I pushed myself off of her, landing next to her as she snuggled up next to me.

"...I didn't see that happening either..." I said, blushing furiously.
"...Neither did I," she replied.

I let out a heavy breath.

"I'm not looking forward to all of the teasing Nana, Matilda and Hestia are going to do to us tomorrow..." I sighed.
"I don't care what they want to say," replied Ayame.

I chuckled nervously.

"They...actually encouraged me to never let go of my feelings because they all believed that you would come back to me...and you did,"

I pressed my forehead against hers and kissed her cheek.

"Of course I'd come back,"

I closed my eyes and embraced her as I felt the sleep begin to takeover.

"This is my home,"