Several knocks came from Rachel's door and a subsequent text from Ragna saying he was outside closed the book she was reading. Rachel slid off the couch and strode toward the door. Opening it, she found Ragna with a more pronounced scowl than usual. "Rough day?"

Ragna nodded, stepping in. "You could say that."

Rachel chuckled. "Well, sit down and tell me about it."

"Before I dive into all that boring shit…" Ragna scooped Rachel up with an "Up ya go!" and gave her a lengthy kiss, savoring the warmth and softness of her lips. Rachel of course was not opposed to the sudden show of affection, tightening her legs around his waist. As they broke apart, he grinned. "Sorry. Needed a recharge."

Rachel laughed. "I am glad I could assist."

Ragna crossed over to the living room and slumped into her couch. Fixing Rachel into a more comfortable spot sitting slant on his leg, he took a deep breath. "Had this guy at the shop telling me how to do my job, thinking he knew tats better than me. Normally shit like that wouldn't bug me but having that crap in my ear for over two hours was just a little much. Pissed me off more he ended up loving the tat."

"Ah, the burden of customer service. I had my fair share of annoying company today. There was this one lady at the market, complaining to me regarding our refund policy. It would seem you do not need a receipt in other stores. She then went in great detail how mediocre our vegetables were."

"Should've shoved a celery up her ass," Ragna said, stroking her hair.

"A tempting idea. Luckily, I would like to keep my job. Rather taxing on my mental bandwidth, but it is a speed-bump in the business."

Ragna chuckled. "You've got more patience than I do. I nearly kicked the guy out. What did Ms. Green do?"

"'Mrs.' if you can believe it." Rachel leaned against Ragna's shoulder with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "She complained about the size of our avocados, how our lettuce wasn't up to her standards, about our carrots being… what did she say? Ah, yes, 'too orange'," Rachel said, using air quotes.

"Well, at least you didn't have to deal with a know-it-all demanding the perfect tattoo. You just had to handle lettuce critique."

"The woes of retail…"

Ragna leaned back. "Misery loves company, right?"

"Indeed," Rachel agreed, looking up at him. "But let us not focus on the misery. Tell me something good. Any interesting customers at the shop?"

Ragna looped a finger in her twin tail, lazily playing with the end of it. "Well, there was this old lady who wanted a tattoo of her cat. She brought in a picture, and I have to say, that cat had more personality than some people I've met."

Rachel laughed. "Does that say more about the cat or your clientele?"

"A bit of both. Could start a whole new trend," Ragna chuckled.

"As I cat lover, I would be partial to that." Rachel then asked after a moment, "Have you eaten yet?"

"Got a bite to eat with Kagura and Kokonoe before heading here. This place had a killer eggplant parm." A random thought intruded in Ragna's mind, and after a few beats, he was feeling more in the mood. "Rabbit, you still into chess? I remember you being a massive chess dork."

"Chess? Yes, I am. Though I certainly do not appreciate the descriptor," Rachel said with a frown.

"If you got a board, up to play?"

Surprise shifted her expression at the proposal. Rachel just stared at him for a few beats, then pointed at him, as if observing something truly out of this world. "Wait, Ragna, you play chess? After all the times you insisted it was the cure to insomnia?"

"People change over the years. Actually gave it a try, found it pretty fun. So, might be years late, but you were right and I was wrong. I know how much you love to hear that."

"That I do. But you… playing chess? You struck me more as a rock-paper-scissors kind of person."

Ragna bit taunting finger twirling in his face and frowned. "I may not be some master strategist, but I can handle more than rock, paper, scissors. You'd be surprised, Rabbit."

Rachel couldn't help but laugh. "You are right. I'm genuinely astounded that you even suggested chess. Out of all the evening activities you could pitch, I would have never guessed you would suggest a chess date."

Ragna chuckled. "I'm full of surprises. So, up for a couple of games, or are you afraid I'll outsmart you?"

Rachel accepted his challenge and went to get the chessboard. She hadn't had much opportunity to play anymore, so this would be like a trip down memory lane. "Do be warned," Rachel started, setting the board on the living room table and taking a seat on the carpet. "I was the head of the chess team back in college."

"Yes, I know how much of a geek you are, no need to rub it in."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Then I expect you not to cry when I win."

"Don't count on that one. This'll be a classic underdog story," Ragna said, finishing laying out his pieces on their appropriate squares. The first move was Ragna's, and he moved his pawn two spaces forward.

"Bold opening," Rachel commented. She responded by moving her pawn two spaces ahead, mirroring his move. Ragna countered by advancing his knight to the f3 square. Rachel leaned back, studying the board. She moved her knight to c6, preparing for potential development. Ragna castled kingside, fortifying his king's position. "A safe play."

"Safety first."

Rachel mirrored his castling with her own kingside castling. The mid-game unfolded with careful moves and strategic positioning. Both players traded pawns and minor pieces, each vying for control of the center. Ragna launched an attack, advancing his queen to h5, putting pressure on Rachel's king. "Check."

Rachel calmly moved her bishop to e7, blocking the check. "Not bad. Not bad at all, Ragna."

Ragna smirked. "Trying to soften the blow to your ego when I win?"

"Confident, are we? Very well. Why don't we make this game a little more fun?"

Ragna's ears perked up. "I'm listening."

"A little wager." Rachel smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "If you win, I will show you the lingerie I bought with Celica a couple of days ago."

Ragna's body snapped straight. "Now that's an offer I can't refuse. Alright, and if you win?"

Rachel leaned in, her tone confident. "If I win, you will be forced to wear a bunny costume for our next movie night. Understand that it will be shared on your shop's social media page."

"So public humiliation…"

"And pinned for it to be the first thing they see."

"Social destruction then." God knows what kind of clients that hazard would bring. Although this wager seemed somewhat skewed, Rachel had been teasing him for far too long and he needed to see her in it no matter what. Apologies future me, but my lower brain is the only one working right now. "Deal."

"A binding promise."

Ragna now had something to truly fight for instead of just a friendly game for laughs. The same appeared the same for Rachel, since her moves were far, far more aggressive than before. Actually… it was like he was playing against an entirely new player.

"Check," Rachel said, much to Ragna's shock. Rachel wore a selling smile. "My, what happened? Do not tell me the small moves you made last time were the best you could do? Or were the conditions for your victory not enticing enough to put in any effort?"

"I'm here to win! You'll be switching from stockings to laces in no time, I promise you that." Ragna just had to figure out how to manage that, what with the fact she had the tools to slap away any kind of counter-offense. Rachel moved her rook to d8, eyeing the open d-file. Ragna responded by advancing his pawn to d4, controlling the center and opening up lines for his pieces. "Ah, shit… shouldn't have done that. Threw away my advantage in one go."

"This is why we think before we play, Ragna. I cannot wait to see what your co-workers have to say."

"This ain't over yet," Ragna said, and with that statement, found a move that got him out of check. That was until Rachel put him in check again. "Are you kidding?!"

"You are adorably predictable." Rachel leaned her chin on her hand and giggled, "Did you think I would allow such an amateur manuever to work? No, no," she said, accentuating each word with a wag of her finger.

The game reached a critical point. Ragna moved his queen to g4, putting pressure on Rachel's kingside. Rachel's eyes narrowed as she moved her rook to e8, doubling her rooks on the open file. Ragna considered his options, then furthered his advancing pawn storm on the kingside.

"Desperate?"

"I, will, see, you, in, that, lace," Ragna declared, punctuating each word with a tap on the table.

"Will you now?" Rachel responded by pushing her pawn to h6, creating a defensive barrier. Ragna moved his rook to d1, preparing for potential exchanges on the d-file to which Rachel moved her queen to c7, preparing to defend against potential threats. She grinned smugly at her stumped boyfriend. "Done already?"

"Just give me a minute," Ragna said, squinting hard at the board. Her earlier aggressive moves left him a bit scattered on the board. Ragna could delay a check for a couple turns, but afterwards, it would be game over. Time for some high risk, high reward!

"Hm?" Rachel's eyebrow rose high. No sane man would willingly move a piece for their king to be checked like this. Clearly bait. Rachel possessed far more pieces on the board, and as such, more to work with. No need to throw herself in when victory was all but assured. However, when Rachel made her move did she realize her blunder, spotting the grin on Ragna's face.

"Someone was playing too safe," Ragna sang. He delivered a checkmate with his queen, leaving Rachel with no viable moves. Leaving his king open on purpose simply allowed Ragna to make a clear guess as to what piece Rachel would move next. Of course she wouldn't gun right for his throat, she was too smart for that. Good old fashioned reverse psychology. "Checkmate," Ragna declared, a triumphant smile on his face.

Rachel sighed, acknowledging defeat. "Well played, Ragna. I must admit, I did not expect you to be remotely decent at chess."

"What can I say, I was fighting for something bigger than myself."

"Such determination." Rachel playfully rolled her eyes and stood up. Promising to return shortly, Ragna cleaned up and sat on the couch. As if the glimpsing photos Rachel sent him wasn't torture enough, so close to elysium, Ragna felt as if he were put in a vice. Feet padding softly out into the living room had Ragna at attention, and when his eyes laid on Rachel, his brain short-circuited.

Rachel emerged from her bedroom wearing the marvelous set of black lingerie that accentuated her curves, a delicate lace bra paired with matching panties, fishnets sucking onto her thighs and making them seem thicker. The intricate patterns teased at elegance, contrasting the daring allure of the ensemble. Throwing a playful smile, she twirled slightly, showcasing the lingerie and the fishnet stockings that adorned her legs. Blonde hair typically tied in her favorite ribbons were released to let it flow all the way down her back. Ragna, still trying to find his voice, managed to stammer, "I... uh... yeah. That… yeah."

Rachel chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down Ragna's spine. "You are beginning to drool, Ragna."

"Uh-huh, I know," Ragna nodded like an idiot.

Amused, Rachel sauntered over to her brain-frazzled boyfriend. She leaned forward slowly, and he flinched when her hands pressed into his knees. "Though, I am curious why you still have on your clothes, but we will get to that soon enough. Very soon."

A lump formed in Ragna's throat. His skin tingled as Rachel's nail grazed his pants, dark crimson eyes gazing up at him with deep-seated desire. Such an enthralling pair of gems. And those lips… the way they glistened, just begging to be taken, rushed blood down to his crotch. His eyes continued downward, appreciating the marvelous form of his girlfriend. A delicate finger then picked his chin up for Ragna to look Rachel back in the eye. The air between them crackled with anticipation, and without a word, she closed the distance.

The soft, lingering presses of lips quickly transformed into a more fervent kiss, fueled by the lingering flame he'd ignited earlier. Rachel didn't just want him; she needed him, wholly and completely. Her hands traced a tantalizing path down his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath his shirt. Now it was her turn to refuel. She explored every contour of his mouth, savoring the warmth and taste that was uniquely Ragna. A soft moan escaped him as Rachel's tongue proved to be far more formidable than usual, her hands cradling his face, fingers threading through his unruly hair.

With a subtle yet assertive movement, Rachel shifted her position, straddling Ragna's lap. She held complete control of the kiss, guiding its ebb and flow. Rachel relished in the heady mix of sensations— the taste of him, the warmth of his hands gripping her swerving waist, his throaty groans as her tongue maintained utter domination. Rachel nipped at his bottom lip and swiped her tongue over it in a soothing manner before finally parting, pulling his lip back and slowly releasing it.

"Do you fancy this set?" Rachel asked in a low, sexy voice, thumbing his cheek. "Big boy words only."

"I do more than 'fancy' it… Pretty sure you can already tell that much," Ragna said, bucking his hip.

Rachel yelped at the abrupt motion, grinning with him. Leaning in for another passionate kiss, Rachel guided her handsy boyfriend down onto the couch. Reaching down and unzipping his fly, Rachel slipped her hand into the hole of his boxers and pulled out his cock. Parting from Ragna with a pleased sigh, she examined the election pulsing in her palm and gingerly jerked her hand. Ragna's hips jutted, swerving as Rachel thumbed his very sensitive head. Breathing soon became laborious for Rachel simply watching the many expressions of bliss and frustration twist and form on Ragna's face. He was so adorable; she just wanted to tease him.

Rachel shimmied down to hover his crotch, crimson eyes laser-focused on the lengthy girth crying out for attention. One fluid motion slipped his entire cock into her mouth, and Ragna couldn't contain his voice feeling his girlfriend's tongue squish beneath his shaft. It wouldn't remain stationary while her head bobbed however, swirling around his length with growing attendance. Ragna placed a hand on her head, cursing up a storm as Rachel worked, jerking his base in time with her head motions. Slim soft lips sliding along his length and slender tongue working tirelessly to lick every inch nearly brought Ragna to a resounding finish. He opened his mouth to protest, not wanting to come, but a gasp escaped instead as Rachel suddenly pulled off.

Rachel scampered back up his body to straddle him. Moments later a wonderful tightness constricted Ragna and tensed the muscles in his legs to stop the orgasm rushing up. Rachel released a long sigh and let her head fall back while she savored the feeling of being stretched by his thick cock. Her hands flattened against his marvelous chest as Rachel swerved her hips back and forth. Leaning forward, Rachel moved up and down his cock, languid and even. Rachel's eyelid fluttered closed and her mouth went agape, gradually gaining momentum atop Ragna. He bucked against her, grabbing and caressing her fishnet-covered thighs. Rachel's skin prickled at his touch as her hips went higher, to the tip, and right back down hard on his crotch.

"Shit, you feel so fucking good…!" Ragna grunted, both hands rounding to sink into her ass. Rachel bit her finger as Ragna aggressively groped her, slipping into her panties to squeeze her flesh. Wanting to give Ragna the front row seat he desired, Rachel lifted herself off him, turned around, then sank back down. Ragna's protestful groan transformed midway up his throat to uncontained moan. Rachel didn't want to ramp up her speed, letting him watch her ass bounce for his benefit. Rachel rotated her hips while riding him, intermittently grinding her tempo to a crawl for Ragna to see just how well he stretched her. Like she predicted, Ragna went on the attack moments later.

Ragna shot up. He positioned Rachel knelt on the couch and hunched over the chair back. Rachel hummed, feeling the heat of Ragna's cock slide between the cleft of her ass. She wiggled her hips with him, tempted to reach out and guide his dick back to where it rightly belongs. Thankfully, Rachel's desire and frustration was accurately conveyed and Ragna slipped back in with one fluid motion. Rachel's eyes shut and her body shuddered, arching much like a cat did when it stretched, as she once again felt full. Once fastened, Ragna's mouth assaulted her neck with kisses and bites, breathing heavily into her ear. His hot breath against her skin, the way Ragna sounded so barely in control, curled her dainty lips into a pleasured smile.

"What seems to be the matter, Ragna?" Rachel inquired in an innocent voice, drawing out her words.

"Don't go playing dumb," Ragna breathed, sliding a hand downward to circle her clit, causing her to jump. "You think I'm holding my sanity when you flaunt that ass like that?"

Rachel put a playful finger to her lips and looked back at him. "A little show like that? Perhaps you are still a boy at heart?"

"What I am is incredibly fucking horny, and what you are is tight as fuck." Ragna ceased talking then. Grunts of effort filled the living room. Ragna, both hands grasping her waist in a vice, thrust vigorously into Rachel. Each shove into her tightness creaked a shrill noise from the spring in the sofa and earned a squeal from his panting girlfriend. Unable to take a second more without her breath against his tongue, Ragna shifted her head toward by the chin and clamped his lips over hers.

Rachel's eyes rolled backward, momentarily vanishing. As a hand that was previously gripping her waist journeyed south bound to rub her clit, their tongues met once again. "Faster," Rachel panted between a second-long break. "Harder," she gasped against his swollen lips in another brief respite window minutes later, calling his name as Ragna delivered her pleas and then some. A new couch might be on the horizon if this kept up, which would usually bring nothing but misery to her penny-pinching mind, but Rachel didn't care this time around.

Quick breaths funneled from Ragna; he was ready to come and so was she. Rachel stroked his cheek, clamoring for him to release himself. Ragna wanted to positively ruin this woman and climbed toward his apex until the pinnacle had been reached. Ragna's brawny arms wrapped around her smaller frame as he ripped his mouth away and growled into her hair, intrancing himself in her provocative scent. Rachel was panting his name, her voice growing hoarse like his was. Then, with one final thrust and a cry of the name of the love of his life, Ragna slammed into Rachel.

Rachel's orgasm was ripe, a full-body spasm. Spurts released over and over again, leaving a lingering heat into her stomach even after Ragna finally went flaccid and slipped out. Without support, Rachel's lower half fell onto the couch, but Ragna was quick to scoop her into his arms and onto his lap when he sat back down. For a while the pair just sat, idly caressing the other. A long period of calm after letting their more base impulses run wild.

"Say," Ragna began, waiting until Rachel lifted her gaze to him. "Ever thought about ditching this place and just moving in with me?"

"I have," Rachel replied, though the topic hadn't come up yet. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Firstly, and most importantly, my walls are way thicker." Rachel giggled, but Ragna's tone hinted he wasn't entirely joking. "Secondly, since we're dating, it just makes sense. I thought I was moving fast, but since this'll be a 'death do us part' deal, it was gonna happen eventually. Better now than never, right?"

"Until death do us part, hm…"

Ragna tilted his head. "What? Getting hitched wasn't on the table for you?"

"Don't be silly." Rachel flicked his nose before continuing. "I just wasn't expecting any kind of mention of marriage post-coitus. A tad on the cliche side, is it not?"

"And I wasn't expecting to hear the word 'coitus' still being used." Ragna turned Rachel's body to straddle him. "That a yes or no to the whole moving in with me for the rest of our lives deal? Say no, and I give you two slaps on the ass. One for each cheek."

"Now I must consider…" Rachel mused, swaying her hips tauntingly. Then, her arms came around Ragna's neck, and Rachel leaned in for a kiss. Slow, loving, conveying everything she had to say and the joy pounding away in her heart. Separating, she framed his face in her hands, staring into his lovely shamrock and ruby eyes. "I believe your home is of far better quality than mine."

"By a mile." Ragna initiated the next kiss, taking the time to express how much he loved and needed her to keep living; how he cherished and adored her entire being. "Has more than enough space for another resident or two if you're feeling up to it."

"I wager that is a discussion best suited for when I am in much more appropriate attire."

"The hell's that mean? You'll be wearing even less then," Ragna said. He didn't understand when Rachel raised her hand to his face, as if showing something off, until she directed his attention to her ring finger, and Ragna couldn't stop a smile. "A little traditional?"

"Something along those lines." Heat built up in Rachel's cheeks as Ragna entangled their fingers, his much larger hand completely engulfing hers. It was so comical she had to laugh, until Rachel realized tears had begun forming in her eyes. Ragna kissed the tear that fell down her cheek away. He pulled her in for a big hug then and Rachel returned it with just as much love.

She treasured this man, and he adored her. While neither of them could wax poetic about the city itself, both of them were thankful it brought about such a wonderful reunion.

Fin.

With that, this story is finally brought to a close. Sorry for the long wait between each one, it was never meant to take this long to complete and I was initially taken aback when I saw the publication date on this fic.

Like I said last chapter, the next story will center around Kokonoe and her relationship with Kagura that I momentarily discussed in the previous chapter. The more I sat on the idea, the more I confirmed to myself that I will definitely do it. When exactly it will be posted? That, I'm not too sure, but expect that in two-months time the latest. For that time, I will focus on completing The New Beastkin in Town, so that next chapter should be up in the coming weeks. Oh, while Ragna and Rachel won't be the main focus in Kokonoe's story, they will still appear, so don't worry about them and their relationship here just being forgotten.

Anyway, thank all of you for reading and finishing this story, and I'll see you for the next ones!