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Tōga's feet had a mind of their own, carving a trench between his kitchen and living room. Better here, in his flat, rather than in front of Gwen's building.

His little lady needed space; what kind of stalker would he be if he remained by her front door, waiting for her to emerge tomorrow morning ? The idea wrenched a chuckle out of his throat; he'd be like a knight of old waiting upon his queen. Or rather… a guard dog.

Yes, she was the new queen of his heart, had he even told her ? It felt so normal to have her here, in his diminutive apartment, that fundamentals things remained in the shadows. Such as the fact that he loved her. Even though his ex wife had dubbed him a charmer, Tōga lacked the eloquence to voice his feelings; to him, actions spoke better than words.

But Gwen was now gone. Didn't want to impose. Wanted to sort her thoughts out. She needed a little space to find the proper pace in their relationship, who was he to refuse her ? At fifty-two, Tōga knew what he wanted; his own mind was better used to new situations, separations and matters of the heart. But Gwen wasn't so experienced, he needed her to be free to make her own choices. Perhaps this lack of freedom had been the cause of his marriage's downfall; karma had bound Izayoi and himself so tightly that neither of them had pondered on the idea of free will. They met, fell in love, married, and were tied by the string of fate.

The gentle tap tap of the rain outside brought a little peace to his fraying nerves. And a welcome reprieve from the heat. Tōga wouldn't admit it to his little lady, but his instincts balked at the very idea of separation. Now that he had found her, slept with her, kept her safe in his arms at night, letting go raised his hackles.

Gwen was his.

MINE.

And she needed to figure it out, in a familiar environment, away from him. For he knew how overbearing his presence was. Gwen had no other option than to pay attention to him when he was around. Even when he didn't try to catch her attention, her eyes followed him everywhere. In the mornings, when she wasn't awake yet and slumbered happily in his arms, he could feel his yōki wrap around her. Night and day, his demonic energy reached to tuck her inside his aura.

It was no wonder she needed to regroup. He'd kicked her world upside down with both his affection, and his revelations. Even with the sight, Gwen had never dated a reincarnated yōkai twice her age. At some point, those circumstances were bound to take a toll on human mind. He hoped, so dearly, that jumping in the fray had not been a mistake, that her youth wouldn't create problems they couldn't recover from.

Tōga sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. 9pm. It was high time he ate dinner. Would he be able to sleep ? Stupid heart; ten years on his own, and he was behaving like a lovesick puppy. He would see her tomorrow at the station, and she might very well spend the next evening with him. Perhaps he could give her the present he had picked up this very night. Would she like it ? Allow him to…

Get a grip.

Dinner was uneventful, two bowls of white rice, an egg, a piece of lard and the news. The chocolates didn't tempt him; they were tastier when Gwen shared them with him. Hours dragged on, he switched on channels to find something interesting to watch. The rain eventually picked up intensity, and he took a peek at the clock of his TV box. 10.15pm. Perhaps a good book in bed would be better than these inane police shows.

The sound of footsteps in the stairs of the station caused his ears to perk; if he'd really been a dog, they would be rising upon his silver head. The former general froze, waiting. The absence of blaring siren told him there was no emergency at the station; who dared climbing that last set of steps at this hour ?

A discreet rasp on the door, and the familiar scent fleeted in the corridor. The handle turned, revealing a very soaked through Gwen with a massive suitcase. Joy and incredulity exploded in his chest when Tōga jumped to his feet, the bottle of water toppling over his coffee table. She laughed, then, at his usual clumsiness. Her mirth was swallowed in the planes of his chest when he engulfed her in a mighty hug, relief making his knees weak.

She's back !

Tōga didn't register how his t-shirt was now soaked, too lost in happiness. Before his brain could process it, he descended upon her lips and kissed her. Thoroughly. Tongue demanding, he invaded her mouth. She wrapped herself around him, her wet arms caging him with purpose, bringing him closer. Eventually, Tōga consented to grant her a breath and cupped her cheeks, his eyes dancing with joy.

"My little lady…", he rasped. "I love you."

Gwen blinked, her eyes misting over as she kissed the corner of his mouth.

"Definitely not puppy love", she murmured, her hand tracing his forehead gently to smooth the crease between his eyebrows. "But you still have the puppy eyes. What is wrong, beloved ?"

All the pent-up tension of the evening crashed upon him, and Tōga crushed her to his chest his nose diving in the crook of her neck. He took a deep whiff, inhaling her fragrance; peace crept up his spine at the familiar scent.

"Don't leave me… please."

Tōga cursed himself for showing such weakness; begging was beneath the Inu no Taishō. But Izayoi had broken his heart when she'd walked out their front door, and he wouldn't survive Gwen doing the same. Insecurities, long buried, were resurfacing to bite him in the ass. He cursed his human psyche, so much weaker than the former yōkai.

A sharp intake of breath was her response, and she tightened her hold on him before she dropped a kiss upon his temple.

"I'm sorry, this is my fault."

"No…", he groaned in her neck.

Two determined little hands cupped his cheeks, bringing his eyes level to hers. In her stormy eyes swirled love and fierceness.

"Whatever happens, Tōga, I'll always return to you. It was plain stupid to leave. I thought I needed time to process… us. But the moment I realised I was going to sleep without you, it just seemed so absurd. Life without you just makes no sense at all. It might seem crazy, but it's like I never existed before us."

Tōga's heart filled with joy; her feelings mirrored his own. And he trusted her. Her reassurance allowed him to pull away and take in the huge suitcase she had probably dragged up the stairs.

"You should have called."

What was she thinking, dragging this monster in the rain ? Without a coat on ?

"I didn't want to wake you. And honestly, I felt a little stupid."

Stupid for thinking I could live without you, even for a night.

Grabbing the suitcase over his shoulder, Tōga beckoned for her to follow in his bedroom.

"How about a warm shower ?", he suggested as he dragged the luggage in the opposite corner.

"Will you join me ?", she asked with a playful glint in her eyes.

Tōga almost tackled her and growled, his good mood returning tenfold now that his heart had settled.

Foolish pup. Can't trust his own chosen.

"Gladly."

Gwen laughed, but detangled herself from his arms to discard her wet clothing. Once only her underwear remained – a neat piece of lace that only heightened his hunger – Gwen nibbled on her lower lip.

"I… uh. I had a though while I was away. I don't want to put any pressure on you, so please feel free to say no …"

Tōga grabbed both of her hands. "Tell me", he urged.

Her fingers played with the back of his palms, the paleness of her skin contrasting with his darker complexion. They fit so well together.

"I think I should terminate the lease on my apartment. I can't stay away from you, and it seems such a waste of resources to keep that place. We can put the money on a shared account, or something like…"

The grin that split his face should have hurt, but it couldn't hold a candle to the surge of joy that overtook his veins. Breathless, Tōga wrapped his arms around Gwen and kissed her senseless. The young woman squirmed until he grabbed her thighs and settled her against him.

"It is a wonderful idea, my lady. Now, I can be your guard dog a hundred percent of the time."

Gwen gave him such a heartfelt smile that he knew she wouldn't look back. And thus, he walked to the bathroom, intent on warming her up before sleep claimed them both.

"Let me introduce you to your new apartment", he rumbled happily. "A great acquisition. First, the bathroom."

And even though Gwen knew this place like the back of her hand, his words echoed in her chest like a beacon of hope. How easily he welcomed her in his den, making what was his, hers.

Tōga didn't pounce on her, even though the shower fit the two of them. His hands, though, spread lather on her body in the most sensual of dances that caused goosebumps to prick at her skin. As he set to wash her hair, Gwen turned around and embraced him.

Her little nose almost reached his neck, and he curled slightly to accommodate her lack of heigh, as he put it. There, secured against the insane warmth he radiated, Gwen allowed a happy sight to pass her lips. Firm hands massaged her skull while she basked in the gentle hum of his body.

Who needed the tropics, the beach, a jacuzzi when you could get someone like him, chasing the cold away ? Her favourite spot was right here, by his side, stuck against rippling muscles.

Once he was done with her, Gwen returned the favour. This was, so far, one of the most intimate moments they had shared, short from him buried between her thighs. Tōga's chest rumbled in contentment when her little hands washed him from head to toe. The slight purr, added with the silky lengths of his hair sliding between her fingers were a delight.

"Did you know that Inu packs groom each other ?", he told her when they exited the shower, lazy and content. "No one has ever done it for me in this life."

Gwen burrowed in a massive towel with a satisfied smile.

"You're such a pleasure to touch. I might even take a few nips someday."

She swore she saw the tip of his ears blush before he left the room. Gwen giggled, brushing her hair to loosen the last knots before braiding it. Who knew her Captain could be flustered by a few easy compliments ? She'd seen women fawn over him at every turn, annual galas included; Tōga usually was his charming self, handing cocky smiles and keeping women's claws away from his person. How he managed to do both without offending anyone was altogether commendable; probably remains from his past days in a yōkai court.

Lost in fantasies of the feudal era, Gwen finished her nightly routine and retreated to the bedroom, the towel still wrapped around her. Tōga slept delightfully naked, and she, in turn, only wore panties to bed. Of course, the tall, yummy male always took her diminutive attire as an invitation; not that she would deny him.

She found Tōga curled on his massive bed, as if his body protected something precious. Curious, she sat on the edge and addressed him a lifted eyebrow. The man grinned, propping his chin forward to show her a little box with a dark bow, half hidden in the midst of soft cotton.

"That's for the lady of the house."

Curiosity laced with pride at the unexpected title, and the stupid obvious response tore out of her throat.

"For me ?"

Tōga didn't mind her dumbness, he just nodded and handed her the box with a conflicted expression. Gwen felt her cheeks warm up and she thanked him before she unravelled the satiny bow with a pull. The lid was a sober cream colour, smooth to the touch, and too inviting to waste time. Curious, the young woman lifted the lid and gasped.

An intricated chain of white metal – probably gold given the shine – was nestled inside. At the tip rested a pendant that represented a puppy, its body curled around a gem of deep blue – a sapphire. Jaw agape, Gwen touched the stone and marvelled at the gentle curves of the puppy. This was a queenly present that represented their unusual courtship; dog expressions and secrets wrapped up in tenderness.

"Tōga", she gasped. "This is… us."

The Captain nodded, a mischievous glint dancing in his golden eyes. Gwen felt her lips pull in a wide smile, her heart responding to both the symbol and the giddiness it seemed to invoke in her lover.

"I love it."

He unfurled his supple body to curl around her, his warmth settling at her back.

"You are the gem I protect", he rumbled behind her. "Now let me see how that fits you, ne ?"

A gem. Is that how you see me, Tōga ?

Gwen nodded numbly, used to the typical Japanese idiomatic expression by now. She lifted her braid to allow Tōga to clasp the jewel around her neck, feeling his hot breath curl around her ear. Then he pulled at the towel, freeing her from the fabric to expose her naked body. A satisfied smirk lifted the corner of his lips when he watched her, naked except for the necklace.

"There. Now I can draw you."

Titanic.

Gwen burst out laughing; so this was what it was all about ! Nonetheless, her heart danced from the beautiful welcome present.

And thus, she moved in at the last story of the station without a fuss, expect for a promise to pose for her man for a drawing session.