The blasted wheelchair looked him in the eye when he glared at it, not the least intimidated by the man who had once been the great dog general. A giggle interrupted his staring contest, and Tōga couldn't help the quirk of his lips. At least, Gwen was amused by his antics.
"It's just a chair, beloved. Two more days, and you won't be using it anymore."
"Never again", he growled.
Gwen's grey eyes turned wistful, and she fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt.
"May the Kami hear you," she murmured.
He could see them clear as day, the scars those dragons had left upon her soul. And he hated himself for being so weak, for failing at protecting her. But he couldn't despise who he was, for he felt his primal part awaken. Here, as they trod on wooden floors, surrounded by shōji screens and ancestral tapestries depicting the Inu clan, Tōga's blood ran hard and fast in his veins.
He longed to take flight in the endless sky, dejected that it wasn't possible anymore. But more than anything else, he longed to stand on his own two feet. And, ignoring his little woman's protest, he pushed himself from the mattress and did just that.
The leg still stung like bitch, and so did his ribcage. But he'd be damned if he couldn't go to the restroom by himself. He'd been an invalid for too long !
"Tōga !", Gwen hissed.
"I'm taking this shower, whether you help me or not."
Struck by his vehemence, Gwen skidded to a halt beside him and threw his uninjured arm over her shoulder.
"What say you to a bath ?"
He tilted his head aside, searching her face. Deep lines marred her face, worry and exhaustion alike; mayhap a bath would do her some good as well. And the bathtub was massive. Already, blood was rushing to his head, causing him to sway on his feet.
"Sure", he shrugged, pulling at his injured shoulder uncomfortably.
Gwen dropped a kiss under his jaw – a typical Inu sign of submission, and she wasn't even aware of it - then dragged him in the bathroom to fill the traditional wooden tub. She dropped him on a stool without a word of admonishment, allowing his back to rest against the wall for support. Slowly, methodically, his little lady removed the bandages on his leg, shoulder and ribs. Her hands were soft, her care warm and loving. Her hair, sometimes, fell upon his skin as she reached around his larger frame. It was but a flimsy caress, but every square inch of his skin longed for more.
As she filled the massive ofuro with scalding water, volutes rose in the traditional bathroom. His nose twitched at the scent of cypress – Hinkoki wood -, memories of past lives spent washing grime, dirt and blood from his skin ingrained in his memory. Gore had not frightened him then; the Inu no Taishō didn't fear for his life, for he was the mightiest yōkai of the west. A shiver wracked his frame, disturbing his healing ribs with sharp pain.
Without a word, Gwen dropped a heated towel over his shoulders and started lathering his skin. Tōga was so weary that he couldn't summon the courage to stand. It was shameful enough that she had to wash him before he soaked in the tub. Perhaps he could just sink into the futon and drift away, leaving Gwen to a much-deserved bath without the burden to take care of him.
Her little hands slid upon his chest and he sighed. Had it been any other day, he would have, without a doubt, risen to the challenge and pulled her into his lap for a heated makeout session. To be incapable of doing so, and so weary that his desire didn't even spike while she gave him the most sensual caresses only fuelled his disgust. Even her little fingers gliding over naked skin, trailing a path of foam, failed at bringing him pleasure.
"Do you think we'll have time to visit an onsen ?", she eventually asked.
"Why…", he started.
Then caught her gaze. Worried, tinted with sadness, but without pity. In those grey depth swam love and trust, as if he'd not failed her spectacularly. How she still wanted him was a miracle, but her stormy orbs never lied. Tōga swallowed the lump lodged in his throat.
"That would be nice."
His voice was weary, but he understood his little lady's enthousiasm. So far, they had been transported from the jet to the Shiro, and locked away in a traditional – if luxurious – room to recover from the shock. But Gwen had never been more than a few hundred miles away from her birthplace, except for her trip to Norway. That she would want to explore this brand new world, especially after researching Japan, its history, and its language.
Gwen grabbed the shower head over the stool and rinsed him, then she extended her hand.
"Come, it will do us both some good."
The former general blinked, watching her dainty fingers, wondering how she could support both his weight and his character. Tōga had always known Gwen's inner strength; she so seldomly confronted people, but could lead if needed. Her leaping in a crumbling building to save his life had been proof enough. So he wasn't surprised that she directed him now, with more kindness than he ever drilled his recruits.
Stripped naked, Tōga had nothing more to hide; she saw him, today, at his worst. And given the care with which she helped him climb in the ofuro, she still wanted him. Gwen settled behind him and tugged at his shoulders, helping him recline against her. Hot water engulfed him and he sighed, savouring the sweet contact of her skin at his back and hips. Gwen's legs bracketed his and she gathered his hair to drape it over his chest. Then, her hands pushed upon his forehead until his head rested against her collarbone.
Her cheek came to rest at his temple, her fingers grazing his jaw, his nose, his brow in soothing motions.
"Gwen, you don't have to…"
A kiss dropped upon his cheekbone, and her voice rose, gentle, in the small bubble of peace she had just created for them.
"It is not a burden to care for you, beloved."
Her words struck true and he relaxed against her, surrounded by warmth and love. Tōga drifted away in restful slumber, appeased by the gentle hands that caressed his skin with as much reverence as the first night they'd spent together.
When he came to, mind numb and muscles loosened, Tōga frowned. Gwen had yet to move behind him, and he feared he'd squished her in his sleep. Worse, the water's temperature was less than lukewarm. He readjusted his weight, the sharp pang of his leg drawing a hiss out of him; Gwen's hands immediately wound around his chest to stabilise him.
"You should have woken me up, you're going to get a cold."
A quiet little snort responded to his gentle scolding.
"How little you know me if you think cold water can vanquish me."
"Gwen."
Her hand slid on naked skin, enclosing over his heart as her whole body curled around his back with a hum.
"I was cozy, your skin is warm."
For a dozen deep breaths, Tōga remained still, basking in the serenity of her touch. Then, gathering his courage, he sat upright. Gwen climbed out of the tub with a sigh and reached out for him. Wet and naked, they both struggled to haul his greater weight out of the wooden contraption.
"I'm going to need crutches", Tōga grumbled, hopping on his good leg to grab a towel. The stitches held true, but blood was seeping under the waterproof bandage again; this wound would be the bane of his days.
"Haru said your shoulder and ribs should be able to sustain it in two to three days."
"Tomorrow,", he ordered, his voice stern.
How the mighty had fallen, haggling like a fisherman !
"Two days," she responded without flinching.
Eyebrows lifting, Tōga watched Gwen's determined pout. Who knew she would be so unyielding ? But again, he'd do the same in her stead. To witness, once more, her spine of steel only caused his fondness to grow and diffuse in his limbs; she was such a lady !
His weary body was begging to be laid to rest, but he couldn't resist the sight of her naked form fumbling for clothing. Droplets of water ran down her spine, gleaming in the dim lights, diving in that delicious spot that curved at the small of her back. His hands ached to settle upon her plush hips, but he dared not move from his spot beside the wall; his balance was too messed up.
A growl of annoyance rumbled in his chest, repressed at once when Gwen eyed him warily, He gave her a tired smile with a movement of his chin, pointing to the set of lace bra and panties she held. A pang of regret washed through him; too bad he didn't get to unwrap her this very night. Her little tongue darted over her lower lip before she started nibbling upon it. Uncertainty and sadness mingled before she dropped the items into the waste bin, then wrapped a towel around herself to tuck it over her breasts.
Tōga took a sharp breath, eyeing the pristine items. He didn't even have to interrogate her on the strangeness of her decision, for she circled him and laid her head upon his back. The pressure of her forehead was light, yet he felt her tremble against his larger frame.
"I nearly died in those. You nearly died while I was wearing those. I don't think I could ever use them again."
A sound mind would have suggested she sold the items, but he knew it was the trauma talking. This was symbolic gesture to discard those memories; he understood better than most. Bless Gwen's little brother for being a psychiatrist; she had found, by herself, the way to cope. His heart lurched with pain. Gwen had had enough suffering in her life. Finding her mother dead was harrowing for a young woman, and he hated that she now had to deal with PTSD because of him. Because she chose to be with him.
Muscles screaming bloody murder, he turned around and embraced her, crushing her lithe frame against his chest. Pain flared in his ribcage and along his leg; he ignored it to tighten his embrace. Gwen shook, for a moment, then sighed. When she pulled away, a lone tear had gathered at the corner of her eyes, but she smiled at him anyway.
"It will be alright, beloved. But we'll just have to go shopping."
The term of endearment had never felt so precious than now, and he dropped a kiss upon her plush lips.
"Sure. Did I mention that I adore lace on you ?"
Gwen gave him a cheeky smile; after all, who would have been crazy enough to adorn wired bras in the fire station ? For now, though, she would wear anything that stroke her fancy, and he intended to lavish her with quality underwear.
"I'm going to have a hard time finding bra my size in here."
"Very true", he conceded with glee. "We shall have to do without."
A waggle of his eyebrows caused her to blush. And even though his thigh was straining so much that he felt like his leg had been cut out, her skin felt so good against his that he was loathe to release her.
"Hush, you", she playfully retorted. "No activities before Haru clears you out."
"None ?", he pouted.
He knew he was giving her the puppy eyes… Gwen shook her head, half exasperated, half relieved to see his good humour return.
"Well… we can compromise if you promise to lay prone."
Tōga's eyebrows shot up. Lay prone ? Like a starfish ? Inu alphas were dominant, period. He knew this, and so did she. There was simply no way he could keep that promise.
Impossible.
"Can't keep a good dog down," he grinned, hoping his lady would realise how preposterous her proposal was. Unfortunately, Gwen's feature hardened and she took a step back.
"That's the deal", she said, tugging on the towel to allow the immaculate cotton to fall, revealing the gentle swell of her backside. "Take it or leave it."
She drives a hard bargain.
"I'll definitely take it."
The towel dropped to the floor, exposing her delicious body to his hungry eyes.
"Then come."
This was an order he was all too eager to follow in every sense of the word.