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mysteria157 · 2 months

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Chapter 19: Final

Pairing: Nanami Kento x Black Fem Reader

Word Count: ~12.4k (the last one I am in SHAMBLES)

CW: fluff, profanity, explicit sexual content, tears (from me, hopefully you too)

Summary: Things finally come together.

Notes: Thank you all so SO much for your support, for your kind words, for your likes and reblogs. It means so much just to hear one person tell me how much they loved my story. This was my first ever fic and I am so proud of it. It’s given me so much confidence and strength. I’m so sad to let this go, but I’m happy that I could close it well. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy!

Reblogs, likes, or comments are always appreciated <3

Divider: @cafekitsune

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It Had To Be You Masterlist (Complete)

**Do not plagiarize any of my works or translate without my permission!**

“You’re quiet.”

Your voice startled Kento, causing his shoulders to briefly tense up before relaxing as he glanced up from the ball of dough in his hands. Since the early hours of the morning when you both had risen to prepare for the grand opening of his bakery, Kento had been unusually chatty, filled with excitement for the day ahead. However, as the opening hour approached, he began to fall quiet and you could see the subtle signs of anxiousness creep into his demeanor. He flinched again when you placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“Do you want to postpone the opening? We can if you’re not feeling ready.” It was an out that you knew he wouldn’t take, but the suggestion still let him know that you were paying attention.

Turning to you, Kento leaned down to press a reassuring kiss to your lips, acknowledging his nervousness but finding comfort in your presence.

“I’m a bit anxious, but I’ll be okay. As long as you’re here.”

And so an hour later, on a warm day in September, the bakery doors swung open to a line of eager customers and Kento like the gentleman he was, offered a soft smile and polite bow to each one. You had to peel him away from the door and shove him into the kitchen so he could stay focused. All of the goods that sat pretty and delicious in the glass display case beneath the register sold out in less than an hour and Kento and his coworkers were more than happy to make two more batches to meet the demand.

Amidst the flurry of the successful opening, familiar faces arrived, injecting a touch of chaos into the serene atmosphere. Not even two steps into the bakery and Gojo was already demanding sweet bread. Kento was too euphoric with the day’s success to care and he kindly brought Gojo a plate of sweet bread if only to keep him quiet for a few minutes.

Chiyo and Santo could only contain your daughter for a few seconds when they walked through the door. From the sight of her father, Ulani was squealing happily and yelling ‘Dadda!’ before wobbling across the bakery to her father who squatted down to pull her into his arms.

“Hello, my dove,” he cooed, planting a series of kisses on her cheeks that made her giggle loud into the bread-smelling air.

Ulani of course wasn’t much help at the register, she was more interested in trying to repeat the commands her father gave her. At 14 months she could only really say a few words and understand the significance, but she loved to repeat as much as she could.

“Now we say ‘thank you, come again’,” Kento spoke softly in her hair, securing her back as she sat on the counter and handed one of the customers a receipt.

“Tank you! Umajain!”

He chuckled down at her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Close enough, dove.”

You kept your distance, knowing Kento was absorbed in the bustling operation of his business—greeting customers, overseeing the kitchen, and managing his employees.

“Dadda is a natural, isn’t he?” you whispered in your daughter’s ear as she sat in your lap, her hands sticky with sweet bread. She dug her hands into what remained of her treat and stuffed a chubby hand in her mouth.

“Dadda make?” she asked, gesturing up at you with her wet and sticky hand. The blue clip in her hair was close to falling out and it hung by her ear on the tendril of a curl. She was a wild thing and you and Kento had both given up quite early trying to tame her. She would learn the world at her own pace, in her own time. It was just up to you and Kento to make sure she was safe and protected as she did so.

“Yes, Dadda made that. Is it good?” She hummed happily in response, stuffing more bread into her mouth. “Let’s wipe our hands off, baby.” You handed her a napkin, content to let her be as independent as possible even though she wiped her hands and mouth poorly. You snorted, taking over to wipe what she missed.

Kento’s soft laughter echoed from the kitchen, something so rare and treasured that the thought of hearing it in public seemed so foreign to you. When you looked up in his direction, you were met with him behind the counter, leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen and his eyes already on you.

Before you could even offer a typical eyebrow lift of mirth, Ulani was wiggling from your lap and jumping to the floor—something you would probably have to start talking to her about before she hurt herself. Kento’s attention immediately shot to his daughter, and he scooped her up, carrying her away into the kitchen with only a wink in your direction.

The sun was setting by the time the ‘Closed’ sign was turned over on the glass doors of the bakery, painting the redone floors a rich orange that stretched the shadows of the large fiddle leaf in the corner across the entire floor. Chiyo had somehow conned you and Kento into allowing Ulani stay the night at her house and now, only your friends remained in the empty establishment.

“I would like to propose a toast!” Gojo spoke. Somehow, he managed to procure a small bottle of sake and shot glasses for all of you. “To Kento and the opening of his bakery. Yu would be—is very proud. Of course, 95% of this wouldn’t have even been possible without the future Mrs. Nanami but…Kento you finally got your dream. I’m proud of you and I know the rest of us are too. So, to Kento!”

Kento didn’t bother to hide the dark blush on his cheeks, and he allowed a small smile to grace his face before lifting his glass in celebration.

“Are you ready to go, love?” Kento’s voice called from behind you an hour later. Your friends left a while ago, and you found yourself admiring Yu’s nerve plant on the windowsill while Kento wrapped things up in the kitchen. As you stopped tracing the leaves, you turned to face him. He was leaning against the door again, muscular arms stretching his white baker’s jacket in a delicious way, his blonde hair falling over his forehead as his brown eyes met yours without the cover of his glasses.

“Giving that plant love will not make it grow. It’s incredibly dramatic.”

“You’re incredibly dramatic,” you retorted, propping yourself up on his desk.

His eyes caught the action, narrowing on the way your jeans creased at the hip, curves pulling the sides tight as they rested on his oak desk.

“Am I?” he questioned playfully, pushing off the door frame to make his way toward you. You kept your composure, ignoring the way your heart picked up in speed as the distance between you both grew shorter with each stride from him. Your legs parted for him easily, allowing him to step between and tower over you. “You’ve hardly shown me attention all day. On the opening day of my bakery.”

You lifted your chin in defiance, holding back a giggle even though he casted a jokingly admonishing gaze down at you. “How shameful of me. What can I do to make you feel better?”

He hummed, pursing his lips in faux contemplation as his hands slid along your jeaned thighs. His fingers dug into the fabric, pressing searing indentations into your body before yanking you closer to him.

“I couldn’t ask you to wake up every morning to make sweet bread for the business, so how about you relay the recipe to me?” Truthfully, you planned to pass the recipe to him later tonight as a surprise, but this could work in your favor too. “You walked around this entire place looking radiant and yet hardly a word my way.” Beneath his chiding, you could sense a light pout against your neck as he pressed his lips to your skin, igniting a fiery heat in your stomach.

“You were busy running a bakery, I didn’t want to bother you.” He bit the thin skin at the crease of your neck in reply, pulling a sharp gasp from behind your lips. “Seducing me won’t—”

“Don’t lie,” he interrupted, pushing against your sternum to make you lay down along his desk. The cold oak dug into your back, but your skin burned right through the chill.

He was riding on the high of his success, eager in the way he trailed his large hands up the fabric of your jeans and dipped against the small gap of visible skin between your shirt and belt. His calloused fingertips slid up the skin of your torso, pushing your shirt to bunch beneath your bra. Deep brown eyes traversed the landscape of you uninhibited, hunger saturating his irises and pupils blowing out quickly before he dipped down to nip the skin beside your belly button.

“Be a good girl and tell me the secret ingredient,” he whispered.

The command made you shudder, your eyes fluttering and breath catching in your throat as his wet tongue dipped into your belly button before sliding up the faint stretch marks on your torso. The heat in your belly began to boil, popping and crackling into what would be a raging inferno in only a few short seconds.

“What’s in it for me?” you croaked, uncaring of just how desperate you sounded.

“I’ll give you whatever you want. Right here…any way you want it.”

It was tempting, and the thought of him fucking you seven ways to Sunday on his desk did little to hold your determination. “And what if I don’t tell you?”

He chuckled, soft and vibrating against the skin of your belly before he rested his chin on your sternum.

“I’ll still give you whatever you wish. I’m hoping you’re feeling charitable today.”

Your heart trembled at the sight of him smiling at you, teeth digging into his bottom lip before he pressed a gentle kiss to your clothed sternum. The warmth of it bled through the fabric and onto your skin, seeping through your pores to pour over your rapidly beating heart. His words were always so sweet, so freely giving to you no matter what. It was admirable.

But your love for teasing him far outweighed his words.

“You can guess.”

He barked a sharp chuckle into your sternum before heaving a dramatic sigh in acceptance of his challenge ahead.

“Molasses.” His first guess was accompanied by full lips kissing down your torso, each touch making your skin flinch with the sensation.

“You asked Yu that and the answer is unchanged.”

A noise of frustration against the skin above the hem of your pants, thick and heady with lust and lack of patience. You refused to give in, even though your desire was hard to ignore as his fingers began to undo the button and zipper of your pants, tugging your jeans off your legs in a hurry.

“Tell me,” he whispered against the seam of your panties, temptation sliding on your skin like molten lava. You tried to ignore the command as best as you could, your head slowly clouding with lust as you felt his tongue dip beneath the seam to tease the skin above your clit. You sunk your fingers into his loose blonde locks, tightening the strands amongst your knuckles as he teasingly pulled your panties to the side, your cunt clenching from the cool air against it. “Tell me, baby.”

The feel of his tongue licking a long stripe up your clit pulled a high whine from your throat, your resolve crumbling in seconds.

“I—” you gasped at the feel of him slipping your clit into his hot mouth, arching your hips further towards him.

Thirty minutes later, with him panting against the sweaty skin of your neck, his cock softening inside of you after making you cum twice before finding his own end, you whispered the ingredient breathily into the air.

“Honey in the batter? That’s it?” Even though he was winded, you can taste his disappointment with himself. “Yu always made it unnecessarily difficult.” He hummed in reproach before a chuckle wrapped around the edges of the noise as he laughed into your skin. You carded a hand through his sweaty hair, sliding your fingertips against silky strands as your breathing evened out.

A few minutes later, he pulled away from your neck to look down at you, his gaze filled with adoration. You reached out, brushing his locks away from his forehead, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your fingertips. The golden locks flop back into place, shrouding parts of his gaze, and your fingers trailed down the soft skin of his cheek, traced along the gentle upward slope of his nose before outlining his bottom lip. Your ring reflected off the light emanating from the lamp on his desk, flashing you a reminder of your tie to him. His lips curved into a gentle smile before turning to place a kiss into your open palm.

“Thank you for being here with me today,” he spoke softly, his words echoing with sincerity and love that you so often felt. “I love you.”

You reflected the sentiment back to him without hesitation and smiled softly before you felt him slant his lips against your own.

***

“Promise me that you’ll behave,” you demanded of Kento from your perch on the living room floor, sitting across from Ulani as she pressed another button on her interactive toy. The annoying contraption chirped, ‘The cow goes moo!’ for what felt like the millionth time in five minutes, yet you maintained a smile to encourage her. Ulani gleefully responded with ‘moo’ each time, and it made the desire to fling the toy out the window a little less prevalent than before. You were using it as a tool to keep her distracted until your mother would arrive.

It was the first time Ulani would meet her, a prospect you had contemplated and ultimately embraced. Recent months had seen an improvement in your relationship you’re your mother through shared meals, frequent texts, help with wedding planning, and occasional phone calls at your discretion. She had never asked to meet Ulani and it was that small action that made you realize she gave you full control of how much you wanted your mother in your life.

So you would give her one more olive branch today.

You just needed your fiancé to comply as well.

Said fiancé rolled his eyes from behind his coffee mug, feigning nonchalance that was practically second nature to him.

“I’ll have you know that I have no problem with your mother now.”

A lie.

“And besides, I have phone calls to make with the caterers and the wedding planner to make sure they are on schedule. So I won’t really be talking to her.”

Kento had taken on the brunt of wedding planning because he liked order and wanted everything to be perfect, and you were fine with that. It allowed you to focus on other aspects, such as invitations, the bridal party, and your wedding dress. You hadn’t done much, just as Kento intended.

Before you could respond to him, the doorbell rang, signaling your mother’s arrival.

“Hello, Kento,” you heard her greet him, her voice soft and free of malice.

“Naveah,” he responded, short and with an air as if she had already ruined his day.

You rolled your eyes.

Your mother walked into your home—it wasn’t the first time, but it was the first with your daughter also present. Her coils brushed her shoulders, a light blue dress falling like water over her small frame as she smiled at you. You were getting used to the warmth that filled your chest from the sight, an affection that you had always craved growing up now returning—slowly—but without lingering pain.

Kento excused himself, leaning down to kiss your cheek and pretending to ignore your glare as he walked away and left the three of you alone. The interactive toy chirped, ‘The dog goes bark!’ and Ulani’s loud bark in reply pulled a soft smile onto your mother’s face, her eyes hopeful and yearning.

“Come meet her.”

She moved quickly around the sofa, unable to hide her excitement, and stopped short as her gaze fell upon your daughter. Ulani stopped playing with the toy, the sight of someone unfamiliar to her making her inch closer to you. She loved people and was always open to meeting them, but like her father, she was observant and could sense your slight tension.

Your mother sunk down to her knees, giving Ulani her space and interacting with her toy instead. You rubbed your daughter’s back, offering her your own reassurance that you would be okay, and she used your touch as guidance to scoot back to your mother, the toy between them both as Ulani began to play along.

“She’s quite perceptive,” she remarked, a gentle smile on her face as she watched Ulani press a button and mimic the noise.

“She gets it from her father…and…I know Kento probably isn’t the nicest right now—”

“Don’t you worry about Kento,” she interjected, delighting in the giggle that fell from Ulani’s lips. “I deserve it. The love and protection he has for you is so strong that it reminds me of your father.”

It was the first time she had ever spoken of him—the first time you had ever heard about him. All you knew was that he died before you were born, and your mother was so distraught that she cut off all connection with his side of the family.

“What was he like?” you couldn’t help but ask.

She pulled in a deep breath, her eyebrows pinching together as if in pain before she pressed another button on Ulani’s toy. “Incredibly handsome with a thick Texas accent and curly brown hair. He was very much a ‘fight the power’ kind of man and spent most of his time protesting social events. We met in college…he was…always the loudest one in the room but always focused on me. It was overwhelming at times.” Ulani unsteadily climbed to her feet and wobbled across the living room to her toy box, leaving you both with each other. “I was so focused on school and doing what my father wanted and he taught me how to…live. It astounded me with just how much he loved me. He would say the most beautiful things with little effort…almost as easy as breathing. During that time, I pulled away from my father’s ideals and just…fell in love. My father hated him.”

You listened quietly, your heart aching at the small comparisons between Kento and your father and feeling some connection even if it was faint. When Ulani made her way back, she was holding another toy, babbling to your mother in broken English that she pretended to follow along with. Ulani didn’t ask as she plopped down in your mother’s lap, her back to her as she began to slide the colored blocks around with a focused gaze.

“Cancer took him away from me. Quick and out of the blue and I couldn’t function for a long time…I couldn’t speak to his family or even look at them without being in so much pain. And so I stopped speaking to them. It was really drastic but when you love someone as much as I did your father, any reminder of is too painful to face. I miss him. Every minute of every day, for the past thirty-one years. So don’t apologize for Kento. I don’t blame him one bit. I hope to earn his trust one day.”

She would, in time she would. Kento was not the type to hold grudges and that disdain would fade the more he saw how accepting you were becoming.

“Do you think you’ll ever reach out to his side of the family?”

She looked up at you from Ulani, shooting a soft smile that was reminiscent of your own when you caught a glimpse of yourself in photographs and Instagram stories with Ome. Her eyes crinkled just a little at the edges, a small indentation to showcase her age even though her skin was as smooth as her teenage years.

“I did last week actually…I wanted to surprise you. They are flying into Sendai this week and I was wondering if you wanted to—”

“Yes,” you interrupted without hearing the rest. If there was any chance to meet more of your family that was not your mother’s side, you would take it in a heartbeat. “Do you think they would come to the wedding?” The wedding was a month away and while you had room for a few RSVPs, you didn’t even know if they would want to come.

Your mother’s chuckle pulled you from your running thoughts, the questions dying into the chaos of your mind as she shot another smile at you, the motherly affection returning with a bombarding flourish. “I’m sure they would love that.”

Her words were filled with hope, promise crispy along the edges as they floated in and out of your ears. The feeling of your chest swelling with happiness and the burn behind your eyes before your vision began to swim made you bite into your bottom lip to keep yourself under control. You could tear up after she left, give yourself a moment or two to just be happy that things were falling into place. Slowly, but still fitting together.

“Gamma?” Ulani peeped at your mother, looking up at her with her father’s sharp gaze, a flicker of understanding all over her face as she took in your interactions with each other. She was way too inquisitive for such a young age and your chest ached with the essence of her youth flying a little too quickly for comfort.

“Yes, I’m your grandma,” your mother answered, smiling warmly down at her before placing a soft kiss to her chubby cheek. Ulani took the affection without complaint and turned back to her blocks.

“She’s beautiful…and so smart. Just like you at her age and I’m—” she paused, her nostrils flaring fractionally and eyes beginning to mist along the edges. “I’m so proud of you.”

The compliment was unexpected, her fondness once again warming you from the inside out. Almost a year ago, the very thought of her trying to offer you a smile or compliment made your stomach roll with disdain. But she worked hard to earn your affection, to earn your trust. And even though it was not smooth sailing just yet within you, the waters were a little less rocky than before.

So, you swallowed the warmth that your mother offered you, let it simmer in your belly for as long as possible, and gave her a small smile of gratitude in return, hopefully as a sign of smoother waters to come.

***

Ulani was the perfect flower girl. The sight of her in a sage green tulle dress, embroidered with flowers along the fabric, made her the most beautiful girl in the large Nakameguro garden where the wedding was being held. Though she was unsteady on her feet, she was determined to fulfill her duty on her own. Using her father as guidance, she dug her chubby hands into the small basket on her arm and haphazardly threw pink and deep red petals along the aisle as she walked closer to Kento. When she made it to her father’s feet at the end of the aisle, she gazed up at him, whispering a happy ‘Hi Dadda,’ up at him before receiving a fat kiss on her cheek in praise.

“Five bucks says that he will cry.” Rory’s voice from next to you elicited a sharp but hushed giggle from your lips.

Both of you had been fairly quiet since the music started; Rory was providing moral support for your fraying nerves by taking your late father’s place to walk you down the aisle. His twists were redone and looked brand new, the ends tied off with rubber bands and his hairline freshly cut, they hung down his shoulders and brushed the black fabric of his tux.

“He won’t cry just yet,” you offered, wrapping your lace-covered arm around his tux-covered one as you felt the moment you would have to make your entrance drawing closer. “Fifty bucks says he will tear up.”

Rory shook softly with laughter, patting the top of your arm linked with his. “Deal.” Familiar eyes took you in, the same eyes you had watched and laughed at and cried with for as long as you could remember. The same ones that took you to your first ceramics class and taught you how to love the world. “You look beautiful.”

You elbowed him in a well-known reply, feeling your cheeks heating quickly as your nerves began to unravel at the ends.

You had put a lot of work into your dress, which swung down to the ground in rich thin white layers. It was adorned with 3D lace and embroidered faintly with white flowers and sheer fabric that hugged your curves, extending throughout the train that trailed behind you. The sweetheart neckline and off-shoulder sleeves were perfect touches to showcase your creamy brown skin. Your jewelry was simple; a diamond necklace that Kento had gifted you last year, and small diamond studs in your ears. Your loose curls hung down your back in dark tendrils, adorned with small cherry blossoms from the past Sakura season and partially covered with a sheer mantilla veil that fell to the floor along with your train.

You felt beautiful.

This was like any other day: waking up and going to sleep next to him, spending every moment with him. Nothing had changed. But to showcase your love so publicly…that was what made you nervous. You and Kento treasured your vulnerability with each other and cherished the privacy of it. Even though your friends and family were well-versed in your relationship, it was still a part of you that was sacred.

So when the warm October air brushed your skin as you walked down the aisle with Rory, your heart raced too fast for you to control. Your blood pulsed through your veins, hot and burning from the inside out. Chiyo and Santo’s smiles helped quell the anxiety just a little, and seeing your father’s side of the family made the next breath you took a little easier to fill into your lungs. Ulani’s presence certainly helped as well; for once, she sat in Gojo’s arms without squirming, hugging his neck tightly, and beaming a toothy smile at you.

“What will you do if I leave you at the altar because I’m nervous?” you asked playfully, rolling to straddle his lap. Kento’s large, warm hands slid up the naked skin of your thighs, squeezing in soft reassurance before pulling your attention to him.

“You won’t. Just keep your eyes on me. It’s just like any other day when the rest of the world hardly matters and it’s just you, me, and Ulani.”

“And what if I still decide to leave? What if I don’t want to get married in front of everyone?”

A small huff of laughter escaped his nose, his bare chest shaking from the effort. “Then I’ll follow you and we’ll get married wherever you want.”

“Me and you?”

“Me and you, my love.”

The memory seemed to fill your lungs with an unexpected strength, and as you exhaled deeply, your gaze moved from your daughter to Kento, who was just a few steps away from her.

And god was he a sight to behold.

He wore the nicest black tux you had ever seen, with a white undershirt adorned with crisp black buttons and an even nicer black tie. His cufflinks, inherited from his father, flickered from the low sunlight and black pants hugged him perfectly. Even though his eyes were without his typical glasses, his blonde locks were parted and gelled in their signature style, free from his forehead to display every single emotion on his face. So unbelievably handsome and soon, he would be yours completely in every sense.

You had to suppress every possible joke in your head when Rory finally handed you off and your hands brushed against Kento’s warmth. The sensation instantly calmed you, grounded you to the floor as you felt your nerves finally begin to cool down and settle.

“Hey you,” you playfully teased, biting your bottom lip as you watched Kento’s beautiful burnt umber eyes well up with tears.

“I…” he tried to speak, but stopped abruptly, swallowing what seemed to be the hardest lump in his throat. Full lips parted, desperately trying to say something, anything, to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, blinking rapidly to get himself under control. “Truly beautiful.”

You gave his hands a gentle squeeze, hoping that the touch would be enough to convey that you were there in front of him.

“I’m riding on fifty dollars if you can hold it together, so no crying.”

Dark blonde eyebrows furrowed intensely as if in disbelief, but then a sharp laugh bubbled from his throat, his tight grip on your hands pulling you closer to him.

Jin stood between you both as he officiated and Gojo’s hands shook only mildly when he handed the rings to you and Kento. You both decided not to have vows. You knew that Kento could only be so vulnerable in front of others, and you hated to talk in front of crowds anyway. So it was the perfect choice for you both.

Yuji spent the entire time in tears, and you weren’t sure if it was because he was happy for you and his sensei or because he had missed a chance with you. Your mother smiled the most you had ever seen from her, and you found that the sight wasn’t unwelcome this time.

When the rings slid back onto your fingers, the cool metal against your skin felt like an electric current, bringing you back to life, back to the present, back to the moment of Kento’s beautiful eyes on your linked hands before they slid behind your neck to pull you close for a kiss that sealed your union with each other.

You should have been more insistent on encouraging him to dance more. It was truly a pity, given his obvious talent. He murmured about Gojo’s inability to tear his gaze from Ome as he effortlessly lead you across the polished floor set up in the garden. Despite his skill, he declined to entertain anything more out of character. Instead, he tenderly drew his mother into his embrace, guiding her fluidly across the dance floor, offering her a gentle smile as she conversed with him amongst the music.

Everyone wanted to dance with you, and for almost an hour, you rotated from Rory to your newly acquainted uncles and cousins on your father’s side, to Yuji and the rest of your friends. You were deliriously happy as they spun you around the dance floor, hair loose and cherry blossoms fluttering from the strands with every movement of air around you.

“What’s the verdict?” you asked Kento later after you both had cut the cake. There was still a smear of the dessert on your cheek from when he playfully smeared it on your face earlier. To you, it tasted delicious; an elderflower-soaked lemon cake with blackberry jam and vanilla buttercream icing. It was your second piece in less than fifteen minutes.

Kento hummed softly, taking another bite and pursing his lips. He was the perfect picture of relaxed. His tie was undone, and two black buttons had been unfastened. His blonde hair was free from its gelled hold and fell in heavy strands over his forehead. There was a rosy tint to his cheeks from the glass of expensive Hibiki whiskey on the table in front of him, and a smile lingered at the corners of his lips that had been there since he said, ‘I do’.

“It seems I’ll have to steal the recipe,” he said with a coy grin, not overly expressing his appreciation for something he had grumbled about for months. “The rest of the food is delicious. I did well.”

You were in the middle of rolling your eyes when you heard Gojo from across the dance floor.

“I swear, they can speak for my character.” You watched him guide Ome’s mother toward you and Kento’s table.

Ome’s mother radiated beauty just like her daughter. She stood with a petite stature, and her curves accentuated the elegant fit of her Iro and Buba. The attire’s rich lavender lace cascaded to the floor, highlighting the warm undertones of her deep chocolate skin under the ambient light from the reception’s outdoor lamps dancing in the evening October breeze. Her Gele was a testament to the expert craftsmanship of her Nigerian culture; while it seemed artificial, you knew the painstaking process of hand pressing every layer to make the headpiece commonly worn for Nigerian formal events.

Adorned in a sharp Amani suit and signature circular sunglasses, Gojo exuded an air of affluence. His unique snow-white hair, naturally tinted a soft shade of purple at the roots, framed his striking eyes as they pierced the darkness behind his shades. Eyes always followed him when he walked into a room and his confidence never wavered for as long as you knew him. But you could see the unease in his features when he paused before you and Kento.

When her eyes met you both, Ome’s mother momentarily overlooked Gojo and greeted each of you with a kiss on the cheek, giving a notably lingered one on Kento’s. Despite only meeting him twice in person, her fondness for him was evident and her husband was too oblivious to notice. Kento would never admit it, but you knew he liked her attention. She fed him and sent him recipes any chance she could get.

“Kento, my darling your friend tells me that his character is good enough for my daughter. I know you will not lie to me.” She knew not to ask you, you were too kind and like her daughter, she needed the truth no matter how awful it would be.

Gojo’s face bloomed a vivid shade of red, the most intense you had ever witnessed, as he nervously watched Kento take a long swig of his Hibiki and gently caressed the fabric upon your thigh before letting out a long sigh.

“He’s loud,” Gojo sputtered, a tight and foreign sound from unnaturally glossy lips, snow-white eyebrows shooting up to his hairline as he opened his mouth ready to defend himself. You couldn’t help the snort into your wine glass. “He’s annoying and petulant like a child.”

“Nanamin!”

“But he’s a good man,” Kento finished, rolling his eyes at Gojo’s complaining voice. “Out of all the women Gojo has been with, Omelia is the only one who has made him grow up and show her how much of a man he can be. As loathed as I am to say it, he’s worth it.”

Ome’s mother beamed down at Kento, pressing yet another kiss to his cheek before turning her scrutiny to Gojo. He jumped, shoulders stiff and back ramrod straight as she circled him slowly like a vulture would to dying prey. You had never seen him so fearful—well to this degree—any other type of fear was usually because Ome was in his presence.

“You’re tall,” Ome’s mother began, speaking as if logging the details for future study. Her accent was beautiful, heavy but delicate in the way she spoke, giving her a poised air and a level of fear, for whoever crossed her path. “A pretty face but you’re nothing but skin and bones, you need to eat more.”

“Yes ma’am!” Gojo conceded, hands at his sides like a soldier recalling orders for battle, his face flaming.

The chuckles emanating from Kento’s body slowly grew louder, much to your own amusement.

Ome’s mother narrowed her eyes, inspecting his expensive dress shoes, the fit of his pants, the hygiene of his hands and nails. “My Omelia is not a lazy woman and she won’t tolerate disrespect. And while she makes her own living, I want her to be taken care of. Can you do that?”

“Y-yes,” he stammered.

She stopped, unimpressed, and sharpened her gaze. You’ve been on the end of that look before and you couldn’t help the shudder that traveled up your spine. “Yes what?”

“Yes ma’am!” You watched the Adam’s apple in Gojo’s skinny neck bob as he tried to swallow.

Kento laughed harder, taking another swig of his whiskey and truly enjoying the display.

“Mama, leave him alone,” you eventually chided, though you couldn’t suppress your own laughter. She relented with a roll of her eyes, granting Gojo a final, evaluating glance before clicking her teeth.

“How about you get me a drink then?”

It was more of a command than a suggestion, and thankfully Gojo had been around Ome long enough to decipher the true meaning behind words when spoken from her to catch on. He offered his arm to her, and gave a nervous smile before she conceded and let him pull her away.

Gojo threw a seething glare back at Kento and your husband tilted his head back and guffawed. You felt like you were in the Twilight Zone, to see him so carefree, so blissfully happy and laughing amongst his family and friends.

When you glanced over at Kento, his wide smile and high cheekbones emphasized his beauty, and as he stroked your thigh, his gaze met yours before he leaned down to press a soft kiss to your lips.

“How much longer?” You could practically taste the impatience in his voice as it wafted down to ghost over your face, and when he nipped your bottom lip, it told you all you needed to know about his current state of self-restraint.

You had changed from your wedding gown hours ago and you didn’t miss the way his eyes took in every inch of your halter top long lace dress that split up one side for him to slide his hand against your shea butter-scented brown skin. Despite it being October, it was incredibly warm, but the hairs on the back of your neck stood up straight when you watched his gaze darken just a little more than what was decent for the public eye.

“I’m sure not long now,” you offered in reassurance, though your self-control wavered when he traced his lips along your ear. The locks of your curls kissed the skin of your temple, fluttering in the light current from his breath.

What needed to take place during a reception again? You cut the cake, speeches were said, dances were made, and food was served. It was just merriment at this point until it was time to send off the couple. And you needed it to get here and fast.

“I like this dress,” he whispered, the timbre of his voice caressing the fabric of your dress before sliding up your legs to the pulsing heat between your legs.

Composing yourself, you took a sip of wine, focusing on the sweet taste sliding down your throat and trying your best to maintain an air of decorum despite the temptation whispering in your ears. No one was paying attention; it was all fleeting glances at the happy couple as they all danced and drank and ate with each other. But you knew if you gave Kento an avenue to get in your panties, he might not be a gentleman.

“I’m sure the reward will be worth it later tonight.” Your words lingered in the air, laden with innuendo, thick with lust and expectation. The tension was palpable and Kento sucked a hiss through clenched teeth before downing the rest of his Hibiki in one fluid motion, his leg beginning to bounce in place.

The details of the farewell celebration were a blur—you recalled sparklers and choruses of ‘good luck’ and ‘goodbye’, but those memories quickly faded as you and Kento settled into the backseat of the large SUV that would take you to your hotel in downtown Tokyo.

Before you could reach for the seatbelt, he was on you. He pulled you into his lap and both of your legs were straddling his waist before you gasped at the feel of hot hands sliding up the skin of your thighs, digging and insistent as if you would disappear if he blinked.

“Ken,” you whispered, a feeble attempt at a warning, even as his lips found your neck and your eyes rolled with the weakening of your resolve. “K-ken the driver!”

“Hopefully he has earplugs.”

Dismissive of concern and to the point, his words sent a shiver down your spine, an involuntary clench of your cunt when his teeth grazed the delicate skin of your collarbone. Each caress of his tongue fought to unleash the moan trapped in your throat, rattling and begging to be let free.

“He can turn on the radio, open the windows, sing as loud as he wants. I don’t care. I need you, now.”

His tongue traced the seam of your halter top dress, pressing firmly against the soft swell of your breasts. He normally had some level of restraint when it concerned his libido around others, but it must be the high of the wedding, the delicious thought of having a wife that had him hard and throbbing against the thin fabric of your panties. His grip tightened on the meat on your hips, and he rolled you hard and long against him in a way that made a honeyed gasp slide from his lips.

But you had to stop him because the minute he slid inside of you, you would be a wanton and moaning mess and the driver might need to quit out of sheer embarrassment.

The penthouse suite was only a short stop of reprieve before your flight tomorrow afternoon. Your bags were already sitting against the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and the floor was decorated in an array of red flower petals that you and Kento both glared at before meeting each other’s eyes and laughing.

“So ridiculous,” he chuckled, kicking his expensive shoes against a petal and watching it slide across the hardwood floor. He approached you with gentler steps, a little more timid now, and took your hands in his.

“Champagne?” he offered, voice low and tempting and you nodded in response against the way your belly simmered with awakening desire.

Ome did a good job on the lingerie. The orange hue was a compliment to your brown skin—a color that Kento had previously voiced loving on you—and it accentuated your curves, curves that Kento never tired of admiring and you knew would be worshipped without pause tonight.

You were more comfortable in your skin now, the faint stretch marks and roll or two were cherished tokens of motherhood and love, embodying a journey that was far deeper than aesthetic perfection.

You would definitely have to thank Ome. Because the way he stopped speaking into the receiver of the phone when you emerged from the bathroom made you hold in a snort. He had seen you in lingerie before, but from the look on his face, you cataloged the designer in your head to buy more of their outfits later. His eyes widened fractionally, grip on the phone slackening as he took you in, unabashed in his admiration as he spoke calmly into the phone.

“Make that two bottles of champagne actually. Just leave them at the door, no need to knock.”

You giggled as you watched him hang up the phone and slip off his shoes, eyes not once leaving the slow outline of your form before he made his way to you.

“Is this my reward?” His fingers lightly traced the lace adorning your breasts, his touch igniting a flame in your belly that you were all too familiar with. “It’s exquisite but I’m afraid it won’t last long on you.”

“A shame,” you purred, guiding him to recline on the expansive bed with a playful nudge. He shot you a devilish smirk, and the sight made you lightheaded. His carefree demeanor was palpable, a side of him so unguarded and joyous. You wouldn’t be sleeping at all tonight.

“Try to make it last, it was expensive.”

He hummed noncommittally in response as you climb on top of him, his cock flagging instantly from the feel of you hot against him. Even through the thick fabric of his tailored pants, he throbbed hot and heavy, ready for you in almost an instant.

A harsh slap to your ass made you jump, eliciting a whimper from your throat, your body instinctively grinding against his clothed cock in a Pavlovian response.

“I’ll buy you more,” he promised, deep brown eyes now paper-thin rings as he snapped a strap of your lingerie against your thigh, marveling at the way you twitched, his lust permeating the room.

The champagne bottles remained forgotten at the door, warming in the night and untouched for the rest of the night.

***

It was always a far away dream.

Kuantan, Malaysia was just an island that he had always yearned to visit when he was younger. Of all the places, it was there that he saw himself the most serene and at peace. He would retire at the age of thirty-five with more than enough in his bank account to sustain him, his children, and his children’s children, bring a wife—perhaps accompanied by a child or two—to the sandy shores, and immerse himself in good food and an endless array of books he had yet to finish.

He had planned for a nice honeymoon in Okinawa with you, imagining a blissful week of sunbathing, indulging in exquisite cuisine, and having as much sex with you as both your bodies could muster.

But like the enigma you were, you had booked everything in a farce and the plane you both boarded was bound for Kuantan. Even when he tried to pry more information from you, you deftly diverted his attention, presenting him with an itinerary adorned with your infectious enthusiasm, charming away any resistance that he had.

It was always a far away dream.

But it was a reality now with you—his wife—sleeping in his arms, your legs entwined with his upon the silken sheets of a spacious king bed in a bungalow that was your abode for the next few days.

He left the windows open again, inviting the soothing symphony of waves, the distinctive aroma of salt and sand, and the hypnotic sight of the ocean’s smooth horizon. It all welcomed his senses as he pulled you closer to him. White sheer curtains billowed in the beachy breeze, and with each tuft of wind that filtered into the bungalow you both shared, it brought a level of peace that he hadn’t anticipated arriving so soon in his life.

Your body wash was different this time—lavender, not your usual lilac—but still a compliment to your shea butter-kissed skin. Your cheek rested on his bicep, a hint of drool on his skin that he would refuse to let you in on unless he was feeling particularly teasing. Your bonnet was askew on your head, the hint of curls poking from the side by your ear. There was a fading bruise on your neck, faint and purpling from his teeth a few nights ago. You would probably glare at him for having to put concealer on it as you hated the way it stuck to your skin in the heat.

He didn’t mind being scolded for it. Not by you, anyway.

Put a ring on Nanami Kento’s finger and whisk him away to Kuantan, Malaysia, and watch as all semblance of decorum evaporates.

“Stop staring at me,” you mumbled, half-awake yet aware of his gaze as you opened the eye not pressed to his bicep to glare impishly up at him.

The sound of your voice made his heart jump, it always did, but recently he had felt loose and raw and open, a perfect view for you to touch the beating organ in his chest with your delicate hands.

“You were in a deep sleep seconds ago, how did you know I was staring?” he inquired.

“Intuition—you love me too much to leave me alone even in sleep.”

He couldn’t argue with that.

As you languidly rolled onto your back, he hovered above, studying your features. The subtle impression of sleep creased your cheek, the corner of your lip was wet with drool, and your eyes squinted slightly, adjusting to the morning light. A normal sight of a sleeping woman, but to him it was the most beautiful canvas he had ever seen. Raw and unfiltered, a picture he had seen so many mornings and nights before, but still felt as if it was the very first time. Even seconds after waking up, you were the epitome of beauty.

His wife.

You pulled off your bonnet, and the braids he had confidently mastered rested on the silk pillowcase beneath your head as you relaxed back into the sheets. Your fingertips lightly grazed his cheekbone, beckoning his attention.

“What would you like to do today?” You asked and watched with a lifted brow as he hummed and leaned to press his lips to the exposed slope of your shoulder. “Or is the agenda just us being in the bed?”

A nip to the soft skin of your neck made you gasp, and his tongue smoothed over it to soothe the slight sting.

“Breakfast first,” he mused, a lighthearted tilt to his tone as his lips trailed hot down the column of your neck.

Your t-shirt was pushed up in less than a second, exposing every inch of naked skin that he dutifully pressed his lips to. The saltiness of your skin was faint and when he circled a nipple and brought it to his mouth, there was a hint of strawberries that he had eaten off your body the night before.

The gasp that left your lips was heavenly, short and clipped, always asking him for more as he licked and bit the pertness of your peaks before sliding his affection down your torso.

“Then…then let’s go eat,” you offered, even though it fell on deaf ears. You knew this. And part of you was teasing him, trying to keep up with the façade more than anything as your eyes watched him kiss a worshipping line down the planes of your stomach.

He cataloged the way your throat bobbed and the sound of a gasp catching in your throat when he finally dipped a dripping tongue over the hood of your clit. Your legs parted for him instantly, beckoning him to settle in between as you bunched your hands into the silk pillow beneath your head.

“T-there’s a nice restaurant up the beach that you might like.”

He laughed at your attempt to distract, low and dark in a way that made your cunt quiver in anticipation. He smiled against your already dripping cunt and slid his tongue deep within you to pull a tight moan from your lips that made him chuckle again.

The meat of your thighs was covered by the softest skin he had ever felt, moisturized religiously and free of scars, and he dug his fingertips deep until it pillowed between his fingers and opened you more for him.

He pulled away to press a hot kiss to your clit and reveled in the way you jumped, your stomach and chest heaving with increased breaths.

“Different kind of breakfast, my love. I thought you would have caught on.”

He was back on you before you could say anything smart, and he watched gleefully as you sunk into the silky sheets and twisted the fabric in your hands. He had memorized every inch of you, created his very own manual for how to take you apart, and used that guide dutifully with the way he licked your clit in light and solid strokes that made you wetter in the warmth of his mouth, sucking the glistening bud between his lips when he was feeling more glutinous.

“Kento, please.”

Your call for him was a sweet melody to his ears, and he complied with your desires using two, then three fingers inside of you, pumping fluidly. He was delirious with you, foggy-headed as he reveled in the sound of your escalating cries and pleas, your body arching and yearning for more as his skilled fingers brushed that spongy spot on the roof of your walls.

It gave him the reaction he desperately loved to see, a sharp hiccup from your lungs and a loud moan into the air before you clamped down on his fingers and gushed over the digits. Captivating, and he dipped down to taste your essence around his fingers that pumped languidly between your legs.

He could hardly calm down from his own excitement because not even a minute later you were asking for more, tugging his boxers down with your feet in practiced impatience. Soon he was naked and hovering over you, tilting full lips against yours that were still wet with your slick.

“Don’t deny your wife,” you whispered into the small space between both your lips and his as you wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him closer with a strength that always surprised him when you were horny. The tip of him leaked precum, parting your folds in a mischievous ask that made you whine when he refused to indulge you.

“How many will you give me?” he questioned, his voice lower and seductive, as he slowly entered you, relishing in the sensation of your warmth enveloping him. The column of your neck was bare for him when you arched your back at the feeling of him inside you, delicious brown skin free of blemish but already sprinkled with a light sheen of sweat. “Hmm?”

“I don’t—” you swallowed hard against a dry throat, your fingers digging hard into the skin of his back as he started a steady pace. “I don’t know. You already made me cum once I can’t—one more.”

“One more?” he punctuated his teasing question with a rolling thrust that made your cunt squeeze him like a vice. He clenched his teeth through it and savored the burning pleasure at the base of his spine with every thrust of himself into your welcoming heat. You were wanton, uninhibited, and lost in the moment with him, digging your manicured nails into his skin and moaning harshly into the air without any care of locals outside the window who might be listening.

He caught a flash of your ring, the diamond that he made sure was cut meticulously before a cent was handed over, and his stomach quivered as you slid your hand between your bodies to brush against your clit. But he stopped you, catching your wrist and his thrusts came to a stop, the action making you whine in frustration.

“If I only get one orgasm from you, then I’m going to make it last,” he murmured against your lips, a soft smile twitching on the edges at the sight of your pout. A gentle crease between elegant brows and subtle pursing of your lips made his heart give a warming leap in his chest.

“You know since you’ve gotten married, you’ve become awfully stingy,” you grumbled up at him.

A carefree chuckle vibrated from his chest as he leaned down to kiss you again, stealing the sweet flavor of strawberries from your lips.

“I suppose I have,” he admitted playfully. “How can I make it up to you?” With a deliberate roll of his hips, the skin of his abs brushing against your clit, you dug your nails harder into his skin. “Tell me?”

He would do anything for you—set the world ablaze, give up everything, get down on his knees and ask for your hand over and over again if it meant you would smile at him for a second longer. He knew that you would never make him stoop to such levels, would never ask him something that would hurt him. But the hold you had on his mind, on his body, on his heart was so tight and gripping that if you ever let go he was sure he would fall apart. And only you knew how to seamlessly put him back together.

“Fuck me,” you finally demanded of him, voice thick with desire and trembling with a barely suppressed whimper. And because he could never deny you, he gave to you fully.

He worshipped every inch of the skin of your neck, drank the sweat on your collarbone, and let his tongue press against your skin to vibrate with each moan that passed from your lips. Every stroke that he gave made your eyes clench tightly from a source of pleasure that started from a simmer and roiled into a boil that seemed to radiate from your skin.

One of your braids had come loose, your curls sprawling across the silk pillowcase as the force of his thrusts get harder and faster. Traces of sleep still etched on your cheek, and your lips parted in a delicate dance with each sound that escaped them. The very mention of his name stirred a fierce primal instinct within him, something he might have felt ashamed of, if it hadn’t fueled a ferocious intensity in his movements, each driving into and fighting against the increased tightness of your cunt around him.

“Kento,” you managed to voice, delirious with passion, your gaze heavy-lidded.

“Again,” he urged into the air that puffed from your lips. “Say it again.”

“Kento.”

He rewarded you by intensifying his pace, harsh and thorough thrusts that slapped against your clit over and over so you could moan and hiccup in his mouth.

You were wrong. Marriage hadn’t made him stingy when it came to you.

He had always been this way. Since the moment you dropped your walls for him to come closer, he had taken every morsel of affection, desiring you solely for himself, distinctly irresistible. You were too unique to be shared with anyone else, he wouldn’t allow it. You were his to hold, his to kiss, his to love until the last breath left his lungs many, many years from now. And he hoped that if there was some form of an afterlife for him, he would find his way to you and take love from you some more.

So until that day came, he would be stingy every chance that he could get.

Your legs wrapped tighter around waist and pulled him further inside of you, and the feel of you impossibly hotter around him made the corners of his vision go white. Without a sleeping daughter down the hall, you and Kento had been going at it whenever you could and on whatever surface that was durable. He went to sleep every night spent and satiated.

But now he was paying for it. Because the way you started to flutter around his cock made his balls draw tight and his stomach clench in a sweltering pleasure that rose to the surface of his ocean of control unexpectantly. There was an ache in his thighs, a burn in his lower belly, a trickle of sweat that he could feel slide down the crevice of his spine and he was dangerously close to losing it all.

“Say it again,” he commanded again, voice tight with restraint.

“Kento. Kento. Kento, please—I can’t.” You were taut, your voice thin with each breath and your fingers were daggers in the skin of his back. He hissed against the pain, took it for his own and harnessed it into a fuel of pleasure that made his fingers dig into the silk on each side of your head.

“Tell me what you want,” his voice saccharine against your lips, tender against the backdrop of fervent need.

“I wanna cum,” you confessed, practically pleading with the look in your eyes. “Please—” your words choked off when he reached between you both to brush his thumb against your throbbing clit. The conviction in your eyes was steely, hardened, and overwhelming as he stroked your bundle of nerves with a precision that pulled a melody of ecstasy from your lips.

It was a means to a blissful end, and he savored every step that led to that breathtaking finish. Your furrowed eyebrows, halted breaths, quivering stomach and thighs, deepening grip on his back, and the exquisite tightening of your core all fought with the ‘fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!’ that escaped your lips before that cord in you snapped with a deep thrust of his cock.

The scene unfolded like a masterpiece before him, a sight so mesmerizing that it became his source for the hot pleasure at the base of his spine that finally exploded an ecstatic sensation through his body, pooling along the contours of his pelvis as he spilled inside of you. His eyes rolled in the back of his head, arms tight and a groan sliding out of his lips as he rode his high and gingerly laid on top of you.

Your fingers weaved through his hair, both of you catching your breath as you gazed out the open window, admiring the rising sun and the rhythmic dance of the waves. In the distance, the call of an elusive bird echoed, one you had been eager to spot since arriving. Today might be the day you finally laid eyes on it.

A flutter of sensation washed over you as his lips pressed a soft kiss to the skin of your stomach. Then, propped on an elbow, he rested his chin in his palm, watching you with a newfound attentiveness. You met his gaze, taking in the mahogany depths of his eyes as they settled back from the intensity of moments ago. You took in the hair along his hairline that was dark with sweat. That tired disposition he always held was no longer there, the faint lines beneath his eyes gone. It occurred to you in that moment that it had been an eternity since he looked tired, and you couldn’t help but wonder if the joy that both you and Ulani had brought into his life had fulfilled a long-sought purpose. You hoped so.

“Does it bother you that we chose not to do vows?” he asked unexpectantly.

Shaking your head, you replied, “Both of us have always been a little shy when expressing our love around others anyway. And I know that you will only show your vulnerability to so few, so it seemed like a great compromise for both of us. Besides, I don’t need to hear out loud what you will do for me. I know what you will do for me. You do it every day.”

He responded with a noncommittal hum, fingers twirling a lock of your hair. His contemplative silence allowed you to savor his relaxed yet serious demeanor. He was a stoic man, but he was your stoic man who smiled only at you, teased and played freely when you were near, showed his teeth when something was particularly funny, and snored every single night.

“I’m glad you came to the summit that week,” he finally spoke, and even though his eyes were still on the way his fingers twirled your curls, you kept your gaze on his. “I’m glad that it was you who took my angry words and gave them right back to me. I’m glad it was you who challenged me and made me realize that the mundanity of everyday living isn’t something that has to be adhered to…that I could chase a dream even though it terrified me.”

He threw you a lift of a dark blonde brow, enticing in his own way even though you could see traces of anxiety along the features on his face.

“I’m glad that even though we both were so annoyed with each other, we still shared that night together. I’m glad that I was smart enough to fight for you even though I had hurt you so much. I’m glad that you were forgiving enough to let me in. I’m glad that you allowed me to see a side of you that others haven’t. You’ve shown me how wonderful of a woman you are, and I could never fathom being with anyone else.”

A finger caressed the skin of your bottom lip, outlining the plumpness of your flesh.

“You’ve given me a beautiful daughter, a strength with a level of grief that I could not have handled alone, a first step with decisions in my life that I can never seem to make without you. You make me so happy. When you tease me, the way you grab your stomach when something is really funny or the fact that you will not use any hot sauce unless it’s Red Hot.” You didn’t expect to chuckle, and the sound caught you by surprise and made him smile softly before he continued. “…The way you love your family and your friends, the dedication you put into your work as a ceramic artist… it’s overwhelming how happy I am to be in your life.”

The hand in your hair grabbed your fingers of one hand and brought them up to his lips. He pressed a kiss to the skin of your knuckles, tender and slightly chapped. Your throat was tight since he first started speaking and the stinging behind your eyes refused to go away with every blink you made. You hated how good he was at this. It made no sense to be this loving.

“You are everything to me, even when we fight and I’ve been banished to the couch, or on the days where we just can’t seem to get anything right. And I promise to love you until the very end of my days. I’ll find you in this lifetime and the next. I’ll never part from you. You have my heart, my body, my mind, and my soul. All that I am, now and forever, will always be yours.”

You didn’t bother to wipe away the tears that fell from the sides of your eyes and down your cheeks. They would just keep falling anyway. You were used to hearing such beautiful words from him, but it was his informal vow that overwhelmed you—a pledge of love that you realized was more profound than any formal promise in front of his friends and family.

And that made you cry a little harder.

His eyebrows furrowed in concern before he wiped the tears from your cheeks. “My love, what’s wrong? What did I say?”

You hiccupped, not bothering to be ashamed anymore now that you were sobbing uncontrollably.

“We weren’t going to do vows so I didn’t even—yours sound great! Like something stitched on a pillow and I’m sure you spent weeks drafting it, damn you! I—the only thing I have to offer is an ‘I love you’. I feel stupid. Be a deadbeat for once! Stop being so fucking perfect all the time. I can’t take it.”

You could feel him stiffen above you and it gave you time to control yourself and wipe at your leaking eyes before the bed began to shake. The feeling was odd, until you realized where it was coming from.

Kento hovered above you, laughing with a deep smile on his face. His teeth were white and straight, and you noticed one of his canines had a small chip on the side. His blonde hair cascaded over his forehead like strands of autumn wheat, and the melody of his laughter tickled your ears, an angelic sound so seldom heard—a cherished rarity, likely witnessed only by his mother when he was young. But here you were, privy to this intimate display, eliciting it from him effortlessly.

Your heart slammed against your ribcage as his lips, still trembling with laughter, grazed your nose.

“My love,” he whispered, a hint of earnest longing in his voice. “an ‘I love you’ is the only thing I will ever want to hear. As long as you allow me to love you, I will be a happy man.”

You could deal with that and although you couldn’t help but roll your eyes at his infectious grin, you encircled his neck with your arms. “So…how many times a day do you expect an ‘I love you’?”

His reply came in the form of a kiss, and with it, you sensed a newfound fervor within him with the way he stiffened inside of you.

“Once in the morning and before bed. On the days you wear your hair down. When I make the brownies you love so much. Wh—”

“That’s an awful lot and I have things to do,” you interrupted, feigning exasperation. “You don’t think that’s a little too much?”

Laughter broke free from him once more, rippling against your lips as his hands tenderly glided down your body, wrapping your legs around his waist again and drawing you closer. Faint embers of pleasure licked back to life with each press of his lips against yours and before he could ask for entrance into your mouth, he pulled away to look down at you with a knowing expression.

“You shouldn’t say things that do not make sense.”

You were caught off guard by the familiarity of his words, which sent your heart racing, pounding against your sternum as you took him in.

The morning sun casted its golden rays upon the bed, illuminating the skin of Kento’s shoulders and torso. The serene rhythm of the waves, crashing against the rocks bordering your bungalow on the sandy beaches of Kuantan, filled the air. The burnt umber of Kento’s eyes were heavy as they studied you, observant and absorbing, calculating without meaning to.

Vaguely you thought of Ulani and how she shared the same gaze as her father. Observing of the world around her with a bright smile like yours and curls that bounced on her shoulders when she laughed.

The gentle reminder of the very soul that brought you and Kento together made your eyes mist with tears once more before you finally opened your mouth to speak.

“Am I allowed my first one of the day?” You asked, your voice trembling with emotion, unable to mask the sentiment that swelled within you. “I love you.”

It was true every time it left your lips, and just as strong as the time before. And this time it made you pull in a deep breath so you could ground yourself without bursting into tears. The feel of his skin against yours was almost too much, you were overstimulated by the faint smell of his travel-size eucalyptus shampoo in his hair, the hint of woodsy cologne on the side of his neck, and the sight of him smiling softly down at you. You couldn’t take it.

But you need more. You would always need more until there was nothing left.

“Once more, with feeling this time,” he teased.

You gaped up at him, completely surprised by his teasing demeanor before you giggled without control and smacked his chest. “Stop teasing! I meant that.”

“I’m not convinced,” his voice danced with a sing-songy edge and you were fumbling to stay in control of the situation with just how happy and playful he was.

“I love you,” you tried again.

“Too flat.”

“I love you,” again even though you were giggling into his cheek and biting the skin of his smile.

“Too casual, do be serious, my love.” He smacked the skin of your ass in a manner that drew a blend of shock and laughter from your lips. “Mrs. Nanami, you’ll definitely have to practice more.” The sound of your new last name was a feeling that you had only heard a few times so far, but you couldn’t see yourself getting used to it anytime soon. The smile formed of its own volition, bending the edges of your mouth. “Whenever you want to say it, I will always listen. But in the meantime, just let me love you. If you’ll allow it.”

Even at your most vulnerable, when you had bared your soul to him, he still humbly offered you the universe, seeking affirmation to make sure it was what you wanted.

“I’ll allow it,” you whispered.

When he closed the distance between you both to mold his lips to yours for what felt like the millionth time that morning, you pulled him to you so that he could never let go. Maybe when his hips stopped rolling against yours and maybe after another orgasm you both could finally peel yourselves out of bed and leave the bungalow. Kento had a book to catch up on and you wanted to collect some seashells for Ulani.

But for now, it was just you both and the symphony of the waves, the salty air perfuming your sanctuary as he kissed every inch of your skin, soaking your pores with adoration and love that at times was too much for you to breathe through.

As his lips trailed the curve of your collarbone, sunlight danced on the gleaming surface of your ring tangled in his hair—a tangible symbol of your shared journey, the challenges you both faced and the resounding fact that he still chose you. And when he coaxed your attention back to him with a bite on your bottom lip and another pearly white smile, you realized that it was always going to be you.

It had to be you.

He’d be a fool to settle for anything less.

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ruified · 3 months

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i just finished osamu dazai’s entrance exam and it was SO GOOD??????? in no way did the anime do it an ounce of justice

anyways, just like last time, here are some quotes and my thoughts

i love love love the way we get to really explore kunikida and dazai’s dynamic as partners in this light novel, it really helps the reader understand how they work together so well

"I'm impressed, Kunikida. Nothing gets by you, does it? Incredible." His smile is cold, inhuman. "I'm so glad you were my partner."

"What do you want?! Why did you threaten the detective agency?! What was the point of killing the missing people and setting the bomb?! You... You were..."

You were so talented.

I couldn't have asked for a better partner.

they drive me crazy i love them so much </3 in this scene kunikida is questioning dazai and threatening his life on the suspicions of dazai being the azure apostle, it’s the way that even though they had only spent so little time working together that they both felt they were good partners

i love how in the ln it’s actively a mystery for those who don’t know what’s going on, even as someone who watched the anime, dazai being setup was pretty convincing

the speech given at the end of it all by dazai to kunikida on the risks of following one’s ideals also carries a bigger impact than what was provided in the anime, it makes more sense

the way that sasaki is also a genuine love interest of kunikida’s is also so heart wrenching, her last words really just hit hard

here’s something i found so sweet

"Hello, little one. Can you hear me?" Dazai takes over the call.

"We here are airplane experts. There's nothing to worry about anymore. We're going to fix the plane. What's your name, little miss?"

"Ch-Chiyo..."

"Chiyo, everything's going to be okay. Got any snacks with you?"

"Mommy gave me this piece of candy..."

"Candy, huh? I love candy, too. It's so sweet, and it really helps you relax, doesn't it?"

"Dazai—"

"I've got this... Chiyo, first, I want you to really take your time enjoying that piece of candy. After that, I'm going to need you to take that device you're talking into and bring it to the captain's room. Do you know where the captain's room is?" Chiyo nods, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Don't worry. There's nobody screaming in there, and I bet your mommy will be feeling better in no time."

"B-but I... I can't go alone. I can't leave Mommy behind..."

"Your mommy's gonna be just fine. The pilot will make things all better. So I'm going to need you to take that device to their room and give it to them, okay?"

"Well, this is just no good. I'm quite weak, you see. A big guy like yourself would snap me right in two... But I promised Chiyo I would save her."

THE WAY HE TALKS TO THE LITTLE GIRL WARMS MY HEART AND MAKES IT ACHE AT THE SAME TIME HE HANDLES IT SO WELL AND THE WAY HE WANTS TO KEEP HIS PROMISE UEUEUE

I tear the stitches off my hip pocket and pull out a sheet of paper.

"...I always have a spare page with me for emergencies."

I unfold the paper and write with my own blood.

"The Matchless Poet: Release Key!"

here’s kunikida just being cool i love him sm i love my wife

here’s some silly ones

"It's this incredibly rare book called The Complete Suicide. I've been searching all over for it, and I just noticed it on display in the used bookstore back there — Ah! I have to go back and buy it before someone else does."

Nobody asked.

"Tsk... Guess I'll just have to come up with another way to use you as bait. I bet the criminal targets tourists. All right, Kunikida, slip on your rubber boots, throw on your backpack, put on your red-and-green-striped shirt, and start walking the town in your knickerbockers. Make sure to bring a giant camera with you to take pictures of everyone who walks by and say 'eh' at the end of every sentence."

"Like hell I will!"

""Like hell I will, eh!'"

"You call that a strategy? That's a terri-"

"A terrible idea, eh?'"

"Stop guessing what I'm going to say!"

"Hmm? In that case, how about you get naked, put on a top

you like?"

hat, and ride around on a unicycle screaming what kind of girls

"We're not even talking about the same thing anymore!"

all in all i highly suggest you read osamu dazai’s entrance exam i promise it is so worth it <3

#ෆ┊¡ notes from val #bsd #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs #bsd dazai #dazai osamu #bsd kunikida #kunikida doppo #doppo kunikida #osamu dazai #kunikidazai #kunidazai

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tachimichishrine · 6 months

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I swear no one does Higuchi justice like c’mon I’m BEGGING to be her cute wife that cooks for her whenever she comes from the Mafia. The chokehold she has on me is just *mwah* she’d be so sweet

also love your tachihara fanfiction it’s my dinner everyday <3

"housewife"

⫭◦⨝◦⫬

higuchi ichiyo x wife! reader

warnings: i attempt fluff again ; this is so short idk why, apologies my liege ; this is fiction bc there's no way i could cook smth and not poison my wife/ burn the house down in the process ,,, ; tw bath!! (/j it's all just fluff) ; l e s b i a n s ; love language is phys touch deal with it ; itty bitty cursing ; lowercase intended ; NOT proofread

you knew not to panic in such situations. waking up to disheveled sheets that had turned frigid, indicating that ichiyo had been gone too long. you allowed yourself to sleep in, given that you had the day off and decided you'd just lounge around, take a break and plan something nice for your lover in the meantime.

a stress-free period, but all you felt was anxiety when you dialed her number and got sent straight to voicemail repeatedly. this time, you decided you might as well actually leave a message when the line rang for too long.

"'chiyo, honey, call me back when you get this. just wanna make sure everything's okay, alright? I miss you already, love y-"

"who the hell is this?"

you'd been anticipating the automated voice so much that it barely registered that you didn't actually hear it this time, and a quick glance at the screen confirmed that you really were on call with someone on the other end of the line. the voice was raspy, definitely not hers, so you echoed back the question.

"um, who are you?" you challenged with a hand on your hip that they couldn't see.

except, instead of a response, you heard some distant voices on the other line, one rather hyper as it babbled something you interpreted as 'akutagawa-senpai!'. a few noises ensued along a brief chaos you couldn't see, and suddenly the phone was put back to someone's ear as they panted. you could recognize that heavy breathing anywhere.

"hey, hey, 'chiyo, what's going on?" you spoke softly, hoping she was alright and not trying to scare her.

she stuttered nervously. "sorry, I'm so sorry, I must've dropped my phone somewhere and akutagawa-senpai picked it up and-"

"woah, was that the akutagawa you're always talking about?" you couldn't believe it; after being with her for so long, you'd only ever heard stories about the people with whom she worked. you agreed that the kind of place where she operated was dangerous and it was better not to get yourself involved, so she kept you separated from everything she did. you appreciated the thought, but sometimes you felt a little frustrated that you couldn't meet the people in her life— you didn't even think they were aware ichiyo was married.

a tired sigh confirmed your theory. "look, [_____], I'll call you back when-"

"higuchi, who is that?"

akutagawa seemed to be speaking again, and quite frankly you didn't like his tone. if you were on speaker, you'd set him straight but for now you just listened to ichiyo ramble a response while not actually answering the question. he sounded tired of the bullshit and eventually the line was cut off harshly. something told you that you won't be able to call this number anymore.

music played on the speaker as you hummed, tray of baked goods getting pulled out of the oven by your gloved mitten. the smell filled out the rather small place you shared with both your wife and sister-in-law, but the latter was out for the week on some kind of trip and left you all alone. you'd gotten used to ichiyo's erratic lifestyle, sometimes disappearing during the day and barely making it home at night. she sounded exhausted when she did arrive, so you didn't mind taking care of the little things.

proud of yourself, you put the assorted goods in various plates and left them on the table, waiting for her to come home. you couldn't call her, obviously, since it appears her boss had pulverized the device out of rage. you'd be worried if not for the fact that, based on her stories, it seemed this was a regular occurrence and she didn't mind it. you'd feel jealous of the man if it weren't for the fact that she fawned over you much harder in all the days you'd known her. she knows what she wants and does everything to get it, you'll give her that. by nature, ichiyo was incredibly caring and it was difficult to hold that against her

something was in your hands as you lounged on the couch, passing the time: a book, your phone, anything to keep your mind occupied. the sun had set and you were getting impatient, as nighttime meant she was going to be out until the early hours and might even come home with a particular scent on her clothing that resembled blood and death. how a person so sweet, so feeling could get into this kind of business was beyond you, much less how she could last thing long. she once told you that the only reason she could keep her mind this long was coming home to your soft kisses and pampering.

a clicking of the front lock and the creaking that ensued signaled that you were about to do that once more, and you strolled over to the entrance with an excited smile.

"welcome home, 'chiyo, how wa-" you caught yourself off when you saw a splatter of crimson along her cheek. your lips tugged downwards into a frown as a reflex, and you sighed gently once you saw her expression. she seemed so conflicted, not about whatever crime she'd done but about making you worry so quickly. "hey, hey, it's okay, c'mere."

with that, you pulled her into your embrace and set a kiss on her hair. it still smelled like that shampoo you'd bought her, a subtle vanilla and chamomile that reminded you of her. her entire body slumped into your strong arms, and she let you drag her across the house, shedding her shoes, meticulously pulling the elastic out of her hair to let her messy bun fall into a bob, then helping her out of her unbuttoned jacket. you pulled her body into yours as you laid down on the couch again, but this time with her head shoved into your chest, which was one of her favourite things to do.

"wanna talk about it?" you asked, dumbly, one of your regular antics. of course she wanted to talk about it; she did an awful job keeping things to herself anyways.

so, you listened carefully while she recounted stories with fake names to keep you protected and vague details in certain places, specific in others. she didn't seem hungry, so you just skipped the food for now and dragged her to your bedroom. you were about to throw her pajamas and get her to change so you could just lay down in bed for the evening, but the burgundy was darkening on patches on her arm and you couldn't help but stare at it.

"—so akutawaga-senpai showed up and I felt a little stupid but he-" you interrupted her by grabbing her shoulders and giving her a little shake.

"honey, can we clean off... that..." you danced around the topic, but she knew exactly what you meant when your eyes kept darting to certain areas of her skin. she nodded and you gave her a quick kiss on her forehead. "I'll run the bath and we can scrub it off. keep going, I'm listening."

she continued speaking as you did exactly that and eventually both of you were stripped and laying down in the tub. she was sitting in between your legs, with her back resting on your chest and head leaning back to rest on your shoulder. you traced her body, rubbing into certain patches until her skin was back to its beautiful glow. the warmth of both her and the water was too comforting, and you stayed longer than needed, your fingertips turning raisin-like in protest. despite this, you leaned down to kiss her up and down her neck while you gently massaged her flesh from her thighs to her hips, her stomach to her breasts. if she wasn't so tired that she eventually ran out of steam and stopped talking just to revel in your embrace, you might've handled her a little differently. yet, at this moment the only desire you had was to pamper her.

"ichiyo..." you breathed out slowly, lips grazing her ear while you kissed her again and spread out your fingers over her stomach. "mmmmn... 'missed you... i love you s'much..."

god, you would break her if you kept this up. so long together that you finally managed to put a ring on it yet she still fangirled over you like you were her high school crush. even as you pulled yourselves out of the sanctuary of steam and warmth in order to actually eat, she blushed every time you left a quick peck on her cheek or rubbed noses while chuckling softly.

she fell asleep in your arms, with her leg on top of you pulling you close like her very own plushie. it was hard not to smile at her once she began snoring and murmuring something about akutagawa during her slumber.

hand in hand, you snuggled up in big jackets in the middle of the night to fend off the frigid breeze. holding onto your fingers wasn't enough, and ichiyo was fully clinging onto your bicep as you walked with her in the empty streets of yokohoma.

"this s-sounded so m-much more fun when w-we were inside... warm... by the f-fireplace.." her teeth chattered and she pulled herself closer into you.

"you were the one who suggested getting something from the café," you retorted with a chuckle, opposite hand brought up to tuck her hair behind her ear that was starting to turn pink from the cold. you rubbed your thumb along her cheek which was going through something similar, then sighed with a cloud of hot breath. "alright, honey we'll head in. i think there's another one on this street, we can just stay there and warm up before we go back, mkay?"

she would feel a bit ashamed about being so demanding if you hadn't pulled her in tighter and looked at her so lovingly. she had such an impossible time never believing she was capable enough at the mafia, and that discomfort disappeared as soon as you whispered sweet nothings into her ear and made her feel like everything was alright.

you turned your bodies together, door jingling as you stepped inside and the air blowing down from the heater hitting you. you realized that she was right, it was too damn cold outside, as soon as you felt the contrast of the inside. you turned towards your lover with a quick look to see if her body was as relieved as yours, but she was staring at something intensely on the horizon, like she'd seen a ghost.

you followed her gaze, and it fell on a man with tuffs of white in his hair standing next to a woman, slightly shorter but with noticeably long stands of black veiling the sides of her face.

"do you know them?" you whispered, and she jumped a little. part of her wanted to drag you outside, but she couldn't lie to you or keep things no matter how much her common sense told her to.

"that's... they're..." she was struggling to say something, anything, but you noticed she was letting herself get flustered. in these kinds of situations, you liked to interrupt her with a kiss to bring her back to earth from her constantly overreacting mind.

she pulled away before your lips could touch.

she'd never done that before.

you knew better, that this was probably a question of her not wanting the pda right now or maybe it had something to do with the duo standing over there waiting for their drinks, but it hurt nonetheless when you saw her squint her eyes shut and shake her head.

"that's akutagawa," she whispered as an explanation, and you felt simultaneously irritated and relieved, the former due to the fact that it confirmed that she hadn't told her boss that she was in a relationship, much less married. you understood why but it didn't sting any less.

"who's the girl?" you followed up, trying not to think about it too deeply. "is that.. uh... gin?"

she nodded meekly, and it was impossible to stay mad for long when she was so cute. you slid your hand around her waist, turning her around so that her back was to the pair and they wouldn't recognize her while she spoke to you. your voice dropped so low she could barely hear it. "should we get out of here so they don't see us? I'm not that cold, I can wait outside if it makes you more comfortable, honey."

how could she ask you to do something like that when your words were so caring, so honest? she took a deep breath and shook her head once more. in one impossibly fast motion you found yourself on the other end of the shop, standing in front of the man.

"akutagawa-senpai!" ichiyo exclaimed just a bit too loudly for this time of the day and the serenity of the empty café. she bowed her head down, speaking incredibly quickly. "I don't mean to interrupt your evening but it's come to my attention that you don't know that I'm married and this is my wife her name is [_____] and she's wonderful and-"

"'chiyo, he won't be able to understand what you're saying," you laughed softly, cutting her off as you placed your hand on her back reassuringly before addressing her boss with a respectful nod. "it's nice to finally meet you, akutagawa-san. I've heard a lot about you."

he barely bothered to acknowledge you, but the slight twitch in the spot that should've housed his eyebrows signaled that he was shocked. your smile grew wider when you looked to his sister who was sporting the same look. you pulled ichiyo against you from her hip as if to prove that she was indeed yours, and spoke slowly to explain snippets of the current situation. gin listened carefully without a word while the man tried his very best to seem completely uninterested.

as much as you wanted to learn everything there was to know about ichiyo's other side, eventually his drink was ready and he barely excused himself as he walked out. you watched him do so, and gin nodded to you and said something about how nice it was to make your acquaintance in a meek voice before quickly following him out. you waved, and noticed akutagawa watching you do so warmly before burying his face in his coat and scampering off.

"well," you giggled, turning back towards ichiyo, "that wasn't so bad. she's cute and he's an ass, but I trust your judgement in people."

you could practically see stars in her eyes; she rambled to you the entire walk home - during which she didn't complain about the cold a single time and was nearly bouncing off the sidewalk - about how much he clearly loved you based on his expression (apparently the fact that he didn't try to kill you on the spot was a sure sign of his support). she was so excited she even suggested bringing you with her to the port mafia tomorrow, but you stopped her and told her to slow down for just one second. you loved that she was so passionate about her emotions, but you wanted to talk and think this through before you did anything.

for tonight, though, you let her radiate with happiness as she jumped on top of you, making the mattress creak while she climbed up to sit on your lap and curl her fingers around the fabric of your shirt. your hands on her hips, she sat down with her knees bent on either side of you like a frog and leaned so you were chest-to-chest. she tickled your skin to draw out soft giggles while she peppered you with kisses, littering you with her best efforts to repay just a fraction of what you did for her. you rubbed her thighs in long, loving motions and brought her up so she was sitting on your hips instead. you wanted her closer, and she was happy to oblige as she kissed your lips.

"[_____]," she said, smiling into you, "I'm so lucky..."

you cut her off with a press upwards and a firm grip. "shhh, don't say anything. I love you, you love me and that's all we need."

she murmured your name that night in her sleep instead of akutagawa's.

#so funny writing this after prev ask but wtv i can let myself be domesticated for her #higuchi bsd #higuchi ichiyo #bsd higuchi #bsd x reader #bsd x reader fluff #higuchi x reader #higuchi ichiyo x reader #ichiyo higuchi #bsd #bungou stray dogs #im unwell for them

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klissblog · 6 months

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Is Teruhashi based off of the author's wife?

Saiki K published in 2010 in one short chapter, and was serialized from May 2012 to February 2018 (chapter 1-279).

Kokomi appeared in 2012. Her attitude at the beginning of chapter 5 was narcissistic. She flirted with the new transferred boys in chapters 18 and 66

And now I want to focus on the year 2014 since the author started to be a big fan of dempagumi.INC. He tweeted that he went to the first idol concert in November 2014.

His coworker/assistant who helped drawing Saiki k. manga (三原すばる/Mihara Subaru) drew this manga panel, and he was the one who made the author a big fan of Dempagumi (his wife is an idol in this group) in 2014.

I 2014, his wife's hairstyle appeared in chapter 87. Kokomi could sing in chapter 90. Kusuo admited that he was a tsundere in chapter 92.

Chapter 101. Kokominzu. Um... Being Otaku can affect to manga. His wife also has a fan club.

Chapter 114 Saiko appeared. He was the man of Kokomi's dream, but the author made Kokomi more loyal to Kusuo and stopped flirting with a new boy.

In 2016, there was a turning point. Kusuo was more open to Kokomi and respects her feelings. He got rid of the guys in the mixer (Chapter 182). He bought her a present (Chapter 204). Kusuo said offu with his own mouth to Kokomi (Chapter 214). He praised Kokomi we are invisible (Chapter 218)

In the same year, the author did draw his wife as Aiura Mikoto, and Aizawa Risa as Kokomi (chapter 219) and he tweeted it on 7 nov 2016. Does this prove that Risa is kokomi to the author?

Yumemi posted this picture and got the comment that she was Nendou (because of her height). If it is because of the height, I can arrange their heights in order.

Boy cosplay: Yumemi is 170cm (Nendou 191cm) > Mogami 162cm (Saiki 167cm) > Fujisaki 157cm (Kaidou 159cm)

Girl Cosplay: Furukawa 165cm (Mikoto 166cm) > Aizawa 159 (Kokomi 164cm) > Naruse 160cm (Chiyo 156cm)

There was a comment that said "As I thought, Aso sensei is a big fan of Risa-chan, aren't you? " (because he drew her as Kokomi and we all know that Kokomi is his favorite female character). The author didn't reply/answer the comment.

However, the queen came and claimed her crown! The author's wife (Furukawa-san) wrote on her twitter that "it is ok to offu" the same day the author tweeted that drawing. We all know there is one character who wants to hear offu. So who is the real kokomi?

I guess 2016 was the year they were bf/gf. That's why it's a turning point for Kusuo. I mean I wouldn't care if a big fan of mine likes or married another woman, but I do care if someone thinks my boyfriend likes another woman. Both of them couldn't say it out loud because his wife is an idol (must be secret).

In December 2018, the author proposed to his wife on Saiki animation S3 ep 1

Chapter 265 and S3ep1

In manga

1st choice「はしもとかんなとけっこん」→ married to Hashimoto Kanna (she starred as Kokomi in live action).

2nd choice 「よしおかりほとけっこん」→ married to Yoshioka Riho (the actress).

3rd choice 「ガッキーとけっこん」 → married to Gakki (Aragaki Yui: not relate to Saiki k).

But in anime s.3 ep.1 (Netflix doesn’t translate the texts in anime.), Asō sensei changed

no. 2 to「かやのあいとけっこん」married to Kayano Ai (Kokomi’s voice in anime)

no.3 to でんぱぐみのだれか(とけっこん) → Married someone in Dempagumi(.inc).

He grouped his wife with Kokomi in animation. I guess his wife likes Kokomi or he sees his wife beautiful as kokomi. Anyways, he is so sweet to do a marriage proposal on anime and this'll alway be on Saiki k anime forever .

18 september 2019 The author announed that he and Furukawan-san would get married (one day before his wife birthday, 19 sep), and they had got married in november 2019 (the same month they met each other.

His coworker (三原すばる/Mihara Subaru) wrote on the manga panel, the result of being an otaku for 5 years (from 2014 to 2019). Congratulations on marriage!

So, it is Furukawa-san that the author likes from the beginning, and Furukawa-san was Mikoto in that drawing because of the height. One thing we should know about the author that he likes to trick the readers. The same as he tricked us about Aiura´s soulmate which is Toritsuka.

In my opinion, Kokomi wasn't based off the author's wife in the beginning (because they didn’t met each other from start of Saiki k. (2012), but they met each other before half of saiki k. manga 2014). Kokomi is his type and she looks similar to his wife. So, he likes his wife from the first day. The author changed Kokomi to be more nicer: not narcissistic and loyal: stop fooling around. She is beautiful, has fanclub and talented like his wife (a little based off his wife), but not a 100% like his wife because some personalities of his wife are taken to the other characters. His wife had a lack of communication at school and dislikes insects (that's kusuo character from 2012). She is a gamer. She likes ramen (Umm, it's nendou character from 2012).

The question: Doesn´t Kusuo end up with Kokomi if the author and his wife haven't met?

Answer: I would think that Kokomi’s still narcissistic and would chase after him until the end without Kusuo showing that he liked her or not. Being aroace, I guess.

But the author planned from the beginning that they have same birthday month and he sent them together (Kokomi asked for a decent boy and saw kusuo on her birthday, his father asked God for a nice girlfriend for his son and Kokomi appeared). The ending would be the same that kusuo chooses kokomi in chapter 279 (He doesn´t make a 100% clear and the readers have to interpret the ending).

The picture from animation released in 2019, the year that they had got married or manga chapter 281 released in 2018, the year that the author proposed his wife. He made kusuo and Kokomi canon (Saiki likes Teruhashi in the last scene). The picture shows Kusuo startled when he heard someone called Kokomi. He didn't react anything to other friends, only reacted to Kokomi. He smiles after her words and quickly grabs glasses (save the world and grant Kokomi´s wish). Kusuo said he liked trouble which refered to Kokomi (chapter 181). Both of them like each other. The end ଘ(੭◌ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡❤️🎉‧₊˚

Chapter 181 and Reawakened ep. 6

Chapter 181 kokomi admited she liked kusuo and Reawakened ep. 6 (Chapter 281) kusuo said he liked trouble, kokomi. Ironically, he referenced/linked this romantic couple (SaiTeru) 100 chapters apart. The same as 100 chapters apart for this couple: Mikoto met Reita for the first time in chapter 173 and Reita has pink hair in chapter 73. With the pun of the characters’ names and this reference, this author is literally brilliant!

I'm not sure if the author changed Kokomi’s personality to be nicer after knowing his wife and made Kusuo´s heart swayed for kokomi the same timeline of their relationship on purpose or he did plan about this, even he didn´t meet his wife. Edit The author made terusai happened the same timeline of theirs relationship after I saw he referred himself as saiki and Kokomi as his wife in chapter 115. See extra: is Teruhashi is based off of the author’s wife? I am so sure that the author is so sweet. He even changed the storyline that Kokomi is (a little) based off his wife and saiki is a tsundere. The author saw his wife beautiful like kokomi (miss perfect in his eyes) and that’s why he grouped Kokomi and his wife in a marriage proposal. Kokomi and his wife has effort (this is definitely his type). The most important is his wife wanted to be Kokomi. “It’s ok to offu”. The author will do everything for his wife and it seems to me that his wife likes kokomi and is SaiTeru. Kokomi is favoured by the author God. Both of them are SaiTeru.

I like to think that the author say this to his wife

«I couldn´t have done it without her. With your powers and mine, we can´t fail. We´re invicible.»

#saiki no psi nan #teruhashi kokomi #saiki x teruhashi #saiteru #terusai #saiki kusuo

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fe-fictions · 8 months

Text

I can't believe I have to post about this a second time in a year, but I have another sick kitty...

We lost our senior cat Henry in February, it was just time for him to go. He was a handsome and wonderful 14 years old, and had been with us since we were children.

And not long after we lost him, my sibling and I (we live together) decided the apartment was just too empty without him...we were missing the warmth and the joy that a sweet kitty cat brought with him.

So we each adopted our very own cats; a handsome long-haired 3 month old boy named Gojo, and a beautiful short-haired 5 month old girl named Luisa.

Luisa is my baby girl. She was born in September, the same month as me, and she's my whole world. But the last few days, she's been eating less, playing less, and getting more and more docile and lethargic.

I took her to the emergency vet today because she wasn't eating at all and was hiding since yesterday morning. He told me that she had an auto immune disorder, and was extremely anemic.

He gave me three options; try steroids and antibiotics, see if she responds to them, or they could hospitalize her and give her a blood transfusion, which was way, way too expensive...if I had the money I would've done it in a heartbeat, and it breaks my heart to think that I could've done more for her if I had a better job and could provide for my baby more. And the third option was to put her to sleep there, because her odds were slim.

I chose the option to get her medication, which was a quarter the cost of a hospitalization, and he assured me typically saw really good results, but that sometimes it would take a few days or a week or two before seeing improvement.

I gave her the first dose as soon as we got home, got her set up in my room, but she's still not eating, won't go to the bathroom, and I'm just really, really worried that I'm gonna have to say goodbye to her, before she's even a year old.

I'm just not ready to say goodbye again. Twice in the same year, two of my sweet babies. I am not ready to do that again. It happened so fast. The shelter I got her at likely had no idea she was sick; she showed no signs of it until just a few days ago. I hate that she's so fragile, and that I can't do enough for her. It's just crushing.

I want to try and focus on the positive, and hope that she's gonna pull through in the next few days. I'm just so sad, because it wasn't that long ago I saw this behavior in a dying cat. I know what it looks like, I felt it, I could see it. And I'm not ready to do that again.

I was supposed to have at least ten years with this slinky little baby. I don't want to believe that I'm gonna have to say goodbye to her. I won't know for at least a few days; but if she stops eating and she can't go to the bathroom, I don't know where to go from there.

I just wanted to vent, I wanted to let you all know that's what I'm dealing with right now. I hope you'll continue to have patience with me, and to those who commissioned art from me, I'm gonna work hard to get it done ASAP since it's already been a while, and I just need to do something to keep my mind off of what's going on right now.

But yeah. That's what's going on at this moment, and so if I sort of disappear for a little while or my posts go a while without anything, that's why.

Thanks for being so sweet, you guys are such a wonderful group of fellow FE enthusiasts and I love writing for you all. It's without a doubt the group of the friendliest and sweetest people I've ever run into; whenever awful things were going on, IRL or online, I would always come here because the drama or the stressful mess would never reach it; this place is my little safe haven haha

So thank you for being here, and thank you for listening and for your patience! I'll do everything I can to keep up.

- chiyo

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darker-overlord · 11 months

Text

My OCs from different fandoms!

thank u @kindan-no-kanojo for the tag i'm about to be INSUFFERABLE for one full post <3

i wasn't the type to make ocs until last year so it's like 20% actual old ocs and 80% unintroduced dl charas :D it's my personal acc anyway someone HAS to see them before i go insane (they have lore drops tho so just look at the pretty pictures if u don't wanna know (?))

(also using the dividers on the oc blog i'm too lazy to find a cute one >:D)

Diabolik Lovers OC/s (introduced)

Komori Kayo x2 (human and fiend)

we have the babygrills of the blog, kayo and edgy kayo. jk but for ocs i only made like? january of this year i have spent WAY too much time thinking about and drawing them. hunter came first and the loser meowmeow drenched in milk pathetic loser one came after actually :p

i can go on and on about how i designed her appearance in specific but that's for another day :D just know that her blue/yellow color palette is literally a forget-me-not, and hunter's red/yellow color palette is a forget-me-not drenched in blood :D

hunter kayo's "species" is actually called a fiend (a term i just stole from csm LMAO) which is a very rare set of humans that are able to successfully be transplanted with a demonic organ. yes, yui is technically a fiend too in this case.

Lilith

mother <3

in terms of power levels, she's karlheinz on steroids (bc their powers have the same origin but u didn't hear that from me) but she's on another level of psychopathic. was she a demon before she was banished, or did god make her a demon? who knows.

kayo, seiji, and yui's relationship closely mirrors lilith, god, and eve's relationship.

Cecilia Lune

like spring, gone too soon. all that's left are the ashes she left behind.

Jumpscare warning: G*nshin Imp*ct OCs

i censored it bc i can't believe my first ocs were for THIS GAME...

i have a love-hate relationship with the game don't mind <3 i still think back to these three fondly and i'll talk about their lore for a bit cause this is probably the only time they'll see the light of day.

the two sisters are inazuman-mondstadter(?) in blood, but in nationality they're both inazuman, and their visions have inazuman casing. however, maya lives in fontaine and miya lives in sumeru.

Mikoshi Maya (Wandering Princess)

players complaining about too many sweet girls? here's another one!

from the last name, maya is a descendant of mikoshi nagamasa, the human son of the oni chiyo that served the raiden shogun. that part of her backstory doesn't matter to her as much as it matters to her older sister.

maya's a spoiled and lazy child of one of richest businesswomen of fontaine, and she's also a huge hermit. but she has the power to dream of the future, and it always involves someone needing help. even though she's spoiled, she's very kind in nature, so even as a hermit she often travels to help those she finds in her dreams. she's a dancer and has a very pretty appearance so 'wandering princess' is the title she got from traveling the other nations.

ironically, her nickname in fontaine is actually the rumored hermit, from her tendencies to almost never show up. people see her so little some are convinced that she doesn't actually exist.

her future dreams come into play in an interlude quest.

Mikoshi Miya (Transient Swordsman)

mommy. her name's miya bc i wanted it to match with maya

on the surface, she's a kshahrewar graduate who specializes in mechanics, and she specifically works on machines that can bridge the gap between vision holders and non-vision holders. she's pretty relaxed and sisterly, but at first she seems almost drawn in on herself.

in her past, she was trained as a swordsman by her father, a mikoshi himself. she was considered the greatest prodigy for her time, and she was 'destined for great things'. this was for a specific job that would need way too long to explain but related to this job is the fact that they're a bit of a problem for the fatui. this, and her mother's relationship to the fatui, culminated in someone attempting to subdue her mother with a very special fire made from delusions. however, they mistimed the mission, and instead caught a young miya and her father in the crossfire, which lead to her father's death and miya's hatred for the fatui and for visions.

no matter how much people told her that she was a once in a lifetime swordsman, and how her skill was almost completely unmatched, miya gave up swordsmanship. her skill never saved her father.

miya is intelligent, and always liked making gadgets (her first creation was a mechanical train set at the age of seven), so she instead focused her efforts on helping non-vision holders, including herself, by studying at the akademiya.

miya only gets her electro vision in her story quest, where she confronts her father's killer. she also decides to take up a sword again because of the quest :D

Irina (Witch of Thorns)

mother. that's my name yes but it kind of fits her. i go by yna anyway so i don't really see myself in her JFKJFSD if miya's past seems like a lot this woman has a whole document just about her lore......

to summarize, she's actually gold/rhinedottir's "accidental" creation, something too long to talk about but trust me on this. she's her first child in that regard, and rhine actually tried to raise her like a regular daughter.

they got separated in the cataclysm and irina ended up in mondstadt, which lead to her considering herself a mondstadter. fatui shenanigans happen with dottore and she changes her original appearance to become the witch of thorns, a witch specializing in an artificial flower with medicinal properties. she changes appearances every other decade and pretends she's the daughter of the last witch of thorns, all the way to the present.

miya and maya are her very real daughters though. maya resembles her true appearance more, while miya resembles how she was when she was younger.

(i also have two men who work under irina, yuuya and a runaway adeptus but their lore is like wayyy shorter than the three and these gi ocs are already taking up way too much of the post...)

Diabolik Lovers OCs (unintroduced)

HUGE LORE DUMP AHEAD.................... bc i need to vomit it out

Lunar Clan

the descendants of lilith's eldest, nyx.

while all demons are descendants of lilith, there is one uninterrupted line of daughters that are genetically clones of lilith herself. while their appearances do have variation, they all one defining trait: pure white hair. in my lore, white hair is a trait impossible to have if you're a pure founder. the only founders to naturally have this hair color are these clones, who are called lilith's avatars. makes you wonder how carla has white hair, though not purely white. doesn't that make him special?

there can only be one avatar born from a previous one in every generation, and any other child ends up as a regular founder. back then, this line of daughters were the royal family of the founder clan, then known as the lunar kingdom when all kingdoms were comprised of founders rather than the subspecies that arose from evolution.

they were overthrown in an event known as the fall of lunacy, a coup d'état arranged by the final queen, scylla's adviser. despite being overthrown, their connection to lilith and scylla's own sacrifices continued to keep them in an important noble position. their estate is located the closest to lilith's tomb, lilith's resting place, a garden of forget-me-nots the size of a town.

another special trait of the avatars is the ability to control and summon butterfly familiars, all with a unique appearance. they can also take up the butterfly's form.

all avatars are assigned epithets at one point in their lives. in their time as royal family, they were usually assigned their titles post-mortem, but afterwards their epithets tend to be assigned some time within their lives.

in order of appearance and birth.

Lilith ; Queen of the Night ; Lilith herself wasn't technically part of the Lunar Clan, as it only began upon the establishment of the Lunar Kingdom, long after her supposed death. Still, she was given the epithet due to her reign on Old Eden, characterized by her absolute control over all territories, like the all-encompassing embrace of night.

Queen Nyx ; Lunacy's Founder, the founder of the Lunar Kingdom and the first to take on the last name Lune. Lilith's eldest.

Queen Raikou ; The Silent Queen, the longest-reigning queen, second to only Lilith herself, ruling for 700 years compared to an average of 100 years. Her rule was characterized by its stability, though quickly overturned when the event known as the War of the Fallen occurred.

Queen Scylla ; The Children's Princess, the shortest-reigning queen, Raikou's daughter, and the final ruler of the Lunatic Dynasty. Becoming queen at a young age after her mother's death, she followed her adviser's ill-meaning advice due to the widespread famine in neighboring kingdoms, earning the peoples' ire and contributing to the successful coup d'état. That adviser's family became the reigning royal family up until Giesbach.

Zarya and Krone Lune ; The Dawn and the Dusk, a pair of identical twins. They are the first and only case of two avatars being born in one generation. Due to magic being the focus of the Demon World, Zarya's interest in medicine and biology was seen as a disgrace, especially compared to her twin sister, who excelled in magic and swordsmanship. Zarya was later exiled from the kingdom, though was reluctantly brought back upon the beginning of the spread of Endzeit. She managed to quell the disease's spread all the way until her disappearance, just before the War of Prophecy occurred, which trapped all Founders within the Pandemonium and allowed Endzeit to spread rampantly.

Cecilia Lune ; The Spring Bloom ; Zarya's daughter, the end to the line of avatars. Founders' eyes don't reflect light, and merely glow. Cecilia's eyes sparkled like stars. Hated, then loved by the people, who grieved her death for centuries.

She was known as the human among demons.

extra fact: the divider icon is the lunar clan's family emblem:3 it used to represent the lunar kingdom as a whole, but upon the fall of the dynasty it became associated with the former royal family instead.

anyway that's all this has gotten very long <3 thank you again for the tag ;w;

#doodle dump #thats an understatement its a doodle LANDFILL #very very long post like #i do not know how to shut up im sorry #diabolik lovers oc #no i am not tagging the other fandom id rather die #they are all girls bc im physically incapable of drawing men. sorry.z.

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stinkyme · 5 months

Note

stinky !!!! so glad to see ur back omg !! we have missed your amazing, spectacular, wonderful blessing of a presence here on tumblr 🙏🏽

perfect doa family <3

CHIYOOOOOO, HELLO BABY!!! IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU TOO AND YOU ARE SO CUTE STOP OMG DJDJDJS i am blushing 🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️ I missed your spectacular, brilliant, mesmerizing, breathtaking, wonderful, beautiful presence <3333

LMAOAOAO I SAW THIS OMG, IT'S LITERALLY THEM JSJSSJJ not the moist tho STOP

#stinkyanswers #my sweet chiyo <3 #I MISSED YOU BABY OMG #YOU ARE SO CUTE I WILL CRY #ALSO I POSTED THIS ON MY INSTA A WHILE AGO PLS SKSKDKDK

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tvrningout · 5 months

Note

niko's sitting down next to chiyo, awfully close & not at all flustered by the proximity of their bodies. one of his hands reaches for a lock led astray, twirling it around his finger before letting it fall against her cheek again. "are you poutin'?" the grin was evident in his voice. he had been so busy recently, leaving only little free time to hang out with the mangaka. of course, he felt bad, but it was adorable to see her like this. "c'mere . . . let me show you how much i missed you." a large hands pats his thigh, beckoning her to sit atop his lap with the same grin from before. // hey bel i missed them :') ♥

unprompted | @metrictita missed chiyo!

" are you poutin'? "

as soon as he says it, chiyo tries to school her expression into something more neutral, but it's no use. that's a problem these days -- how she forgets to watch herself. or maybe it's a good thing. she chances a glance at niko, feels her heart happily flutter in her chest despite herself. she's missed his smile, even the one that makes her want to argue that she definitely wasn't pouting. she's missed him.

niko beckons her over, to invade his space more than she already has, and she should act a little more stubborn. she shouldn't give in so easily simply because it feels a little like she's losing somehow, but there's no game or competition. there's no reason to pretend as if she doesn't want to be close to him, as close as he'll let her be. even if he teases her for her eagerness in the end, chiyo doesn't care ( well, she cares a little, but that's not the point ). she climbs over him and settles on his lap, fixing niko with a pout she doesn't try to hide this time.

" i wanna hear it, too, " she childishly demands. one of her hands rest on his shoulder while the other toys with the collar of his sweatshirt. " and don't be afraid to be cheesy about it like... " a grin spreads across chiyo's face as she leans in a little closer to coo, " ' pizza didn't taste as good without you. i was bored to tears without your clever puns. ' something like that'll make me feel better. "

#metrictita #i missed them too vee :' )))#and i love that chiyo just goes 'screw it i'm sitting in his lap and demanding to hear sweet nothings >:( i deserve it >:('#yes you do ma'am <3 asdfgh #thank you again vee!! this and rayo's ask made a rough day better :' )#and sorry that my response was on the longer side asdg one of these days i'll keep it short and to the point... one day #interactions | chiyoko #to restart this heart of mine | adulthood | chiyoko

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tvrningout-a · 9 months

Text

IMAGES OF HISAKAWA CHIYOKO

" when one is alone and lonely, the body gladly lingers in the wind or the rain, or splashes into the cold river, or pushes through the ice-crusted snow. anything that touches. ”

pg. 5/∞

#have some chiyo visuals before i pass out bc i feel it coming asdf #this is one of my favorite character creators i did for her tbh! she's so cute <3 #visuals | chiyoko #i like to think that when she isn't wearing sweaters and sweatshirts #she's wearing oversized jackets and cardigans and whatnot #she loves layers and comfy clothing so much -- and if she can make it look cute?? that's the sweet spot!!#also i guarantee if chiyo has her hair in a bun or a ponytail or in braids then her hair wasn't cooperating and that was her solution asdf #do a lil hairstyle and fool everyone into thinking it's a good hair day!

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osachiyo · 1 month

Note

Hi Baby!!!!

I just wanted to do a check in. Are you doing okay? Drinking enough water, eating, and getting some rest? Is Uni going okay? Are you feeling stressed? Do you need me to send some virtual hugs your way?

💖💖💖

I do hope everything is going well for you, and that life is being kind; if not, then I’m prepared to fight anyone or anything bothering you. I shall be your knight in shining armor! Just say the word.

Or if you need some cheering up, then I’ll put on my cosplay outfit for Twice’s “Cheer up,” and I’ll serenade you until you feel better! ❤️❤️

💖💖💖

But, most importantly…

💖💖💖

I love you so much, my sweet Chiyo!!!!!

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I’m sending so much love your way, Baby!!!!

With warm hugs and kind smiles,

Rosie

ROSIEROSIEROSIE !! HIII <3 i was doing good, but im amazing rn after reading this ask 🥹🤍

ive been taking better care of myself these days, and definitely drinking plenty water, don't worry !! how have you been, angel? how's moving so far? :3

even tho im not feeling stressed, id LOVE virtual hugs please ! :>

AND HELP THE TWICE PART, YOU'RE SO SWEET FOR THAT, THANK YOU LOVE !

im receiving all ur love and sending back so much more !! you're such a sweetheart and i hope life treats you kindly <3

#𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖ 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐃... ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 #𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖ 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝... rosie ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 #I LOVE YOU DBJSJSBS #always so happy to see u !!

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mysteria157 · 3 months

Text

Chapter 10

Pairing: Nanami Kento x Black Fem Reader

Word Count: ~9k

CW: Profanity, mentions of mental health (anxiety), explicit sexual content

Summary: You catch a glimpse of the growing life within. A home cooked meal and a searing kiss.

Notes: Hi! I have a habit of writing long chapters. That’s just what works for me and helps my pacing for this story. Reblogs, likes, or comments are always appreciated but not necessary <3 I hope you enjoy reading!

Divider: @cafekitsune

Previous Chapter | Ao3 | Next Chapter

It Had To Be You Masterlist

The March air that blew onto your skin when you opened the window to your soon to be nursery was cold and biting. It would be the only way to get the fumes out when you began to paint, a clearance you had to beg Dr. Reynolds for, but she allowed as long as you took long breaks and kept the room ventilated.

It was an olive branch, you supposed.

Your excitement to paint your entire house fizzled out the moment you realized you wouldn’t be able to risk the fumes, so you resorted to picking out colors with Ome and letting Chiyo and Santo paint instead.

Without knowing the biological sex of the baby, it gave you much more leeway for neutral colors and sage was a perfect fit. You had spent a week painting the room and now you were left to stencil out a design on the wall where the baby’s crib would rest.

“Kento was right, you have such a wonderful gift.”

Chiyo’s voice from the door of the nursery was soft and low like her son’s but filled with an intensity that could rival even Ome. You threw a small smile back to her before turning back to your half-finished stencil of a mountain landscape. Your pencil pressed hard into the sage colored walls, the lead bleeding onto the surface and slowly giving way to yet another peak that you would paint white with snow.

“I ordered some food. Why don’t you come take a break and eat?”

The Udon that slid down your throat was satisfying a hunger you didn’t realize you had. This past week, your cravings had increased in variety from simple and ordinary to borderline chaotic. When you craved dill pickles and peanut butter, Yuji stopped by the closest convenience store on his way home to get them for you. When your sweet tooth seemed to skyrocket and the only thing you could imagine was chocolate in your mouth, Gojo had whisked you away to Haibara’s bakery and ordered an entire basket of chocolate croissants. Geto, Shoko, Ome and even Nanami’s parents went out of their way to make sure you always got what you needed. It filled a hole since Nanami hasn’t been around.

In fact, he hasn’t been around for almost three weeks.

Ome had whisked you away from the backyard almost as soon as you had pulled away from Nanami during your housewarming party. You didn’t mind really, using the opportunity to get away so that you could get your racing heart under control. It was already overwhelming to realize that the man you used to loathe for weeks had spent just as long righting every wrong he had done. It was already overwhelming to see document after document in a small black folder of his work, clear proof that your ideas had been acknowledged, put to paper and ready to execute. He had gone above and beyond for you once again, showing you clearly that he would do whatever it took to gain your trust and sincerity.

But to top it all off with a date of all things? You agreed in a heartbeat.

But as you mingled with your friends in your new home, riding off your high of joy, it crashed as soon as he broke the news that he had to leave on a business trip, eyes angry as he read the text from Yaga that he had just received. Four hours away in Nagoya, gone for three weeks to get the branch under control and effectively putting a hold on your date. He made up for it as much as he could, texting every day to make you feel special.

Kento Nanami: Omelia tells me you’ve gone through three cans of pickles in a week. Please try to keep your cravings under control so that I can cook for you myself.

Kento Nanami: Most of the people here are idiots. Especially the manager. Balding, halitosis, a shirt that is much too small and a very low IQ. Ome would have a field day with him. What’s taken him years, would have only taken you two days at most. If only you were here to put him in his place.

Kento Nanami: I will have missed three episodes of the Kardashians, if you watch ahead of me, I will never forgive you. I have a new brownie recipe to perfect so please wait for me. Or else.

Kento Nanami: I’ll be back tomorrow in time for your checkup. I promise I won’t be late.

Every interaction made the smiles more frequent, the fluttering in your heart more incessant, the heat between your thighs more prominent with almost every single action you took. Kento Nanami with his indifferent gaze and even tone when he spoke had to be doing this to you on purpose.

That had to be it, right?

You admired the neutral brown on the walls as you slurped down another spoon of Udon, the hot noodles sliding down your throat.

“Only one more coat and a day of drying and your house will be ready for your to properly move in.”

Chiyo smiled softly at you, one of her hands spooling a patch of Udon noodles before she elegantly shoved them in her mouth. Her straight black hair framed her face perfectly, fifty-four years of age perfectly preserved with good eating and a modest skincare routine shined back at you as she smiled and began to twirl her fork with another helping.

Since meeting her during the holidays, she had slotted herself into your life in a permanent way without making herself too insistent. She sent you a text once a week to ask how you were, pulled you to lunch occasionally to get you out of your thoughts and away from your home and even offering her own motherly advice when it came to raising a child. She was everything you wanted in a mother. Not too imposing in your life, but still present enough to make herself known in whatever way you needed.

“So, has my son decided to finally be a man and take you on a date?”

Santo’s usually quiet demeanor was loud in your partially unpacked kitchen as you slurped another fork of noodles, green eyes not the same color as Kento’s but still just as intense.

“He has. But he had to leave on business before we could solidify anything.”

Santo hummed, bright eyes looking down at his soup before he pursed his lips and looked up at you again.

“Take charge, y/n. The Nanami genes are strong in our family. Kento should have warned you that a condom and birth control would not be enough. Our sperm is quite strong when it finds the right match.”

You blanched visibly, choking on a long noodle as Chiyo admonished her husband in the background, smacking him on the arm and cursing with a level of Japanese that even you couldn’t distinguish.

“Forgive Santo, darling. He speaks without thinking. But have you two talked about your plans?” You shook your head, the miso broth filling your cheeks before you swallowed the heated liquid. “While I don’t agree with how my husband put it, I will say that taking charge will prove beneficial. I’m happy to know that Kento is such a gentleman and knows how to approach just about every challenge he faces, but when it comes to you, he is a fish out of water.”

You furrowed your eyebrows in response. You hadn’t really thought about your date with Nanami. After he went away for business, you tried to push the thought as far away as you could. What if he finished his trip and realized he didn’t want to go further with you? Maybe he had simply blurted out that question to you in the heat of the moment, riding off both your emotions and your warm arms around his neck in your backyard.

What if you let him in…and it doesn’t go anywhere?

A messy breakup that would only result in weekend visits and awkward holidays and birthdays.

It’s just the baby having an effect on him. Probably just sympathy. When the baby is born, for all you knew, Nanami would become cold and distant again.

The logical side of you could smell the anxiety from a mile away. You knew you were simply overthinking and using anything to keep yourself protected. You opened your mouth to speak but the words didn’t come, the last thing you wanted was to pour out your nervous thoughts to his parents. They had done more than enough for you recently.

You had forgotten the conversation altogether by the time you threw your overnight bag over your shoulder and locked the front door of your home. Until the paint was completely dry and the fumes gone from your house, Ome demanded that you stay with her.

Santo lingered on the curb, eyes on his phone and a pensive look on his face. Chiyo however, stayed by you, not speaking as you shoved your house keys into your purse and smiled softly at her.

“Kento’s been such a nervous wreck, you know?”

She chuckled to herself, jet black hair billowing with the slight nightly breeze. You watched the silky strands flutter in the air, twisting and squeezing each other before resting again on her unblemished cheeks.

“He sends me different restaurants that he’s been contemplating, asks what he should wear, talks about you constantly in his own ‘Kento’ way. I haven’t seen him like this since high school.” She rested a hand on your cheek, her soft and warm fingers melting into your skin slowly. “I know you have a tendency to worry, but please listen to me when I say that Kento may be a little rough around the edges at first. But once someone is deemed important to him, he will never let that person go. While I believe you are much too intelligent and beautiful for any man, I’m glad you’ve decided to glance your way at my son.”

The chuckle that pulled from your chest was abrupt and low, your mouth curling into a small smile as you listened to her. You were lucky that you learned to self-affirm yourself growing up. You had always longed to hear it from your own mother. But hearing those words from Chiyo, a woman who had only known you a few months but had practically treated you as her own, somehow made it so much better.

“Dear, please leave her be. Omelia is expecting her. She’s threatened me one time and I refuse to feel that shame again.”

Chiyo rolled her eyes at her husband’s rambling, brown eyes dancing with playful annoyance before she stroked your cheek and pulled you into a firm hug. Freesias, it was a smell you had been trying to nail down the moment you met her. It always danced around her when she was with you. Such a strong scent but always gentle and soft in your nostrils when it wafted towards you.

“I would love to see your outfit when you have it picked out. Let me know how the appointment goes, honey.”

***

You took another large gulp of ginger tea, ignoring the slight burn and savoring the taste as it trailed down your throat to nestle in your stomach, soothing the nausea instantly. It had been weeks since you last had any sort of nausea or morning sickness. But it had to be today of all days; the day where you would find out the sex of your baby. The day where you would finally see Nanami again after three weeks. You wanted to be clear headed and free of any ailments because the moment he sees the discomfort on your face, he would be all over you.

Not that you didn’t mind a chance for him to be all over you, but not like this.

The sound of your car door opening pulled you out of your anxious thoughts, your head whipping up in the direction of the source, ready to scream at the intrusion. Your tongue dried up immediately when you saw him.

God, three weeks was too long.

Nanami graced your presence in brown khaki pants and a pair of white Chelsea boots. A light brown ribbed short sleeved shirt hugged his broad torso, chest stretching the material and tantalizing you from where you sat. His typical Cartier watch flashed at you, wrapped around an elegant veiny wrist. No glasses today, no sharp part and hair gel, his shiny blonde locks hung free, the tips almost touching sharp light brown eyebrows. That familiar cologne danced up your nose, setting a fire down your spine and making your skin prickle with heat and excitement. Brown eyes gazed down at you, twinkling slightly and showing off the small smile on his full lips. You suddenly felt like a peasant in your simple black maternity leggings and long cashmere sweater.

“Hello there.”

Just the sound of his voice again after so long had you swallowing hard.

He didn’t wait for a reply, simply holding out a single hand for you that you kindly took and let him pull you from your car. The warmth from his touch radiated up your arm, pulsing against your skin and bleeding into the sound of the heartbeat in your ears. His large form hulked over you, casting a shadow on your face from the harsh sun, the tendrils of his cologne begging you to come closer. You cleared your throat and offered a small hello in reply, letting him lead the way as you both walked through the parking lot and inside of the clinic.

You took another sip of your tea, the contents of the large cup dwindling at a rate you were not satisfied with.

“Are you nauseous again?”

His voice held a hint of concern, head reclining against the wall behind you as he lolled his head over to look down at you. His eyes were still stoic and as unreadable as ever to everyone else, but you could see the flicks of worry and anxiety in his irises. You hummed in reply, picking at the flimsy plastic of your cup lid.

“Just today, came out of nowhere. I’ll be fine though.”

You shot him a small smile, your stomach turning at an angle that made you want to lurch forward in your seat. Nanami saw right through your façade, that worry and anxiety quickly flickering to calculating and observing. But he didn’t comment.

The nausea had died down by the time you were reclined on an examination bed, watching Dr. Williams flitter quietly around the room to gather her ultrasound machine and supplies. Dr. Reynolds thankfully had a counterpart with rave reviews in Nakameguro, a woman of color who was just as distinguished, a smile just as warming, and a demeanor all the more reassuring and safe.

“Alright since this is our first appointment together, I just want to run through some general questions so I can get to know you and the baby a little better.”

She ran through typical clinical questions; date of birth, month of conception and possible birth date, your last meal and current issues you wanted to be addressed.

“The second trimester is always said to be a small break from the anxiety of the first. Do you have more energy?” You nodded in reply.

“Appetite coming back?” Another nod.

“Sleep?” Yet another nod.

“How about libido?”

You faltered for only a second before nodding stiffly. Nanami remained quiet as usual from next to you even though you could feel his eyes on you. Dr. Williams’ eyes narrowed just a little, hazel gaze filling with something that made your blood run cold.

Curiosity.

“It’s very common for it to be incredibly heightened during this time. It’s also the best time to connect with your partner.” Her gaze flickered up at Nanami before coming back to you, her satisfaction fulfilled by whatever she saw on Nanami’s face that you were too shocked to look at.

She chuckled gently.

“I apologize, I love to see the reaction on the father’s face when I ask that question.”

You relaxed instantly, shoulders sagging back into the chair, the back of your head thumping on the plastic behind you. Dr. Williams turned her back to you and began to prep the ultrasound machine. With her distracted, you chanced a glance over at Nanami and held in the urge to gasp. His eyes were on you—always on you, you realized—melted irises of heat that had your mouth watering, cheeks pooling with saliva as you swallowed unashamedly as you looked at him. His gaze dipped down at the movement from your Adam’s apple, locking on your creamy skin for only a moment before sliding his eyes back up to you.

And just as quickly as the look was on his face, it was gone, his lips turning up into a natural smile as he slid his chair closer to you. You ignored the heat from his skin, pushed away the urge to grab him by his shirt and pull his lips to yours.

“Now! Let’s have a look.”

You pulled up your sweater, the smooth bump of your five month old baby making you relax quickly. You had not gained a lot of weight, or at least not yet. Your belly was noticeable, but not enough to obscure anything past your hips if you looked down. Your doctor poured the cold gel on your stomach, rubbing it in with the flat head of the ultrasound wand.

The familiar thumping and whirring of your baby’s heart echoed in the room, practically pulling you into a trance as you looked at the tv panel. The barely formed speck you had first put your eyes on months ago was now more detailed. You could see almost every feature through the black and white grainy film; a well-defined head, two arms and hands, curled up feet and a thin sliver of umbilical cord.

Nanami’s smile from earlier began to grow slowly, his own heart pumping louder at the sight of his child so close and yet still layers away and not quite ready.

“Would you like to know the sex?”

You and Nanami both reacted at the same time; you nodding your head furiously and him muttering a strong ‘yes please’ from next to you. You weren’t anticipating his next action as you felt both of his hands envelop one of yours, the shocking warmth making you startle just a little as you looked over at him. His eyes were still on the screen, eyebrows pinched together with a mixture of happiness and satisfaction as he listened and watched your child move and breathe.

Dr. Williams cleared her throat, pulling all attention to her as she narrowed her eyes at the tv panel before smiling gently at you both.

“A very healthy baby girl.”

You giggled, eyes filling with a thin veil of tears as you took in the information. You had always felt a love for your baby but being able to put just a little more detail to it’s—well her—face, made you feel closer to her. A girl who would hopefully have your curls, Nanami’s eyes and calm demeanor, hands ready to explore the world around her.

A soft chuckle huffed from Nanami’s mouth next to you, pulling your gaze back to him and marveling at the sheer happiness in his eyes. He squeezed your hands in both of his, the feeling shooting a zap of electricity down your spine and into your toes. His soft gaze flickered over to you, sharp cheekbones relaxed and defining his face even more as he rested his chin on his clasped hands over yours, lips curling into a small smile.

Even though he was silent next to you as you both walked back to your car, you could feel the energy radiating off him in waves. His mouth never really got rid of the smile, it was toned down and practically nonexistent, but enough for you to see and be happy with. You squeezed the strap of your purse as you stopped in front of your car, fingers digging into the tough material. He ran a large hand through his blonde locks, the bangs pulling back and then flopping back on his forehead again.

“I was going to ask you to dinner tomorrow, but I can understand if you want to postpone if you’re not feeling well.”

The thought of dinner made your stomach twist with a sudden onslaught of nausea. You couldn’t deny that the thought of sitting in a restaurant was not exactly on the top of your list right now if you could help it. And you highly doubted that would change tomorrow.

These past few weeks you had felt stuffy no matter what you wore, puffy and swollen, and generally insecure in your growing body. Your belly was beautiful, the growing roundness only filling you with a maternal instinct that was multiplying by the day. But you couldn’t help but feel…large and unattractive. While your ankles weren’t swollen yet, your hips began to grow, your thighs peppering with cellulite, your stomach stretching with the growing bump of your child, showing subtle tiger stripes that you were sure would darken quickly. As much as you wanted to be out in public with Nanami to eat what would surely be exquisite food, your plunge in self-esteem had left morale quite low.

But you still wanted to spend time with him. Even if that meant curled up on the couch for a night.

“I haven’t really been in high spirits to be out and about. But…I hear you’re quite the cook?”

He lifted an elegant light brown eyebrow, the gesture smooth and unintentionally seductive.

“You want me to cook for you?”

You shrugged in response, your fingernails worrying the material of your purse strap to distract your sudden bout of nerves.

“Unless you’re afraid you’ll disappoint me? You can admit it, I won’t hold it against you.”

He rolled his eyes dramatically, head tilting back slightly towards the sky, full lips twitching at the ends to fight off a smirk. He sighed even more dramatically; his theatrics were clearly at an all-time high today possibly from the riding high of knowing what his child would be.

“I’ve never seen you be so forthcoming with your attempts to play along with me. You must have really missed me.”

Something had to have been driving the words that were leaving your mouth. You were too confident all of a sudden, too daring, too committed to picking Nanami apart to see more and more of emotions and gestures that he never showed anyone else.

And to your joy, he took the bait, his gaze sliding down to you slowly, intense and penetrating and hard to look away from. He crossed the pavement between you both with two strides of his long legs, the air growing thin as you felt the heat from his body grow in intensity as the inches between you both shrank. You refused to flutter your eyes as the clouding effect of his cologne washed over you, invisible hands wrapping around your waist and beckoning you to come closer and give him everything he could possibly want.

The cold steel of your car hitting your back pulled you back into your body, immediately aware of his tall form towering over you. You refused to give in, no matter how much you wanted him to lie you down in the backseat and slide his thick tongue down your body.

Instead you lifted your chin, trying your best to show defiance and ignore the heated gaze that was looking down at you. You could see the mirth in his eyes, his arm pressing against your car, large hand still close to your body.

“And if I did? What then?” His low voice washed over your face, peppermint and a hint of ginger from the tea he snuck a sip of when you weren’t looking. “Hmm?”

You were going to lose this fucking battle and quickly. Your resolve was faltering with every breath you took, every whiff of his smell that practically had you drowning. You were going to make a fool of yourself. You could feel it right around the corner.

He hadn’t moved, his brown eyes sharp and unrelenting as he picked you apart silently, reveling at his effect on you. Your fingers dug into your purse strap further, the sound of the groaning material pulled his eyes to the action before he smirked slowly and slid his eyes back to you. He could tell you were sinking and fast. But you were not going down without a fight. No, instead you lifted your chin again, eyes narrowing at him and casting indifference to his tall frame.

“Cook for me. I expect it to be good.”

He lifted a brow, smirk never faltering.

“And what would you like?”

“Udon, I’ve been craving it. And another batch of brownies.”

He was silent for what felt like minutes, head tilting in contemplation, smirk growing fractionally. The hand on the car slowly drug down to the handle, the sound of the latch disengaging and opening, pushing you closer into his chest that made one of your hands come up to stop yourself from collapsing into him. Well defined muscle and smooth pectorals pressed against your palm, the texture of his ribbed shirt only making you want to rub your hand up and down him.

Damn him to hell.

You cleared your throat and stepped into your open door, his hand falling to his side to give you more breathing room.

“Since you seem to be calling all the shots, what time should I expect you?”

You turned around to look up at him, your eyes still narrowed in challenge.

“Six. It doesn’t have to be done by then, I would like to help if I can. If only to be sure you’re doing it right.”

He pursed his lips, an action you had never seen on him before and it was jarring enough that you cataloged it in your mind for later review.

“Yes ma’am.”

Your blood immediately began to boil, pumping hard between your legs, thighs clenching from his words. He was teasing and the words were only meant in jest, but you couldn’t help but imagine them being whispered to you in earnest, his hands digging in the sheets of his bed, body at your mercy as you rode him into oblivion, snarling at him not to cum until you did.

You could have it if you asked him. Even though your relationship was only just now blossoming, you had a feeling he would make you cum as many times as you wanted if you just pulled him to you and asked.

But instead you growled gently, turning around to climb into your car before the blood made its way to your cheeks and gave you away completely.

“Fuck you.”

He shook out a rare chuckle before closing the door behind you and watching you drive away.

“You look fucking fantastic, stop pulling at your clothes.”

You couldn’t help the eye roll from Ome’s usual ramblings, looking at yourself in the long mirror of her bedroom with frustration. While you wanted to be comfortable, you still wanted to look…a little nice if you could help it.

Ome had insisted on the black leggings and matching long sleeve ribbed sweater in your collection. It was soft and comfortable, showing the gentle curve of your belly but not too tight on your skin. You let your curls hang loose down your back and topped off the look with a simple diamond solitaire necklace and matching earrings.

Ome was glaring at you through the mirror’s reflection, her silver eyes admonishing you from her perch on her large king bed.

“I just want to look nice—”

“You’re fucking beautiful. I hate when you get like this and it’s been a lot more frequent lately.”

Your anger flared as you picked an invisible speck of lint off your arm.

“Well maybe it’s because I don’t feel beautiful, Omelia. I have to hear how I’m overreacting from you and Gojo all the time.”

She scoffed harshly, her body shaking as she rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest.

“As if Gojo knows what he’s talking—”

You felt some coil snap as you turned around to glare at her.

“While Gojo can be obnoxious and annoying, he’s also been nothing but nice to me and the people he cares about. I get that you hate most men, but Gojo has been around you too much and tried too hard for you to still be this way. You’ve been nothing but a piece of shit to him! I don’t mean to defend a man but Jesus!”

She was struck silent, eyes wide and filled with disbelief, her head inclined back as if you had yelled in her face. Her perfect eyebrows were furrowed in confusion, full lips opening and closing as she tried to find the words to speak.

You shook out a deep breath, shoulders relaxing and guilt filling you quickly.

“I didn’t mean to snap at you. But someone like Gojo has been trying to even get you to speak normally to him for almost six months now. Give him a chance before you completely resign yourself to ignore him forever. Then you’ll have a valid reason. And I…I haven’t felt confident in my body. I love that I’m pregnant, I do. And I love that I’m growing a life inside of me. But I hate how everything is changing, I’m starting to get stretch marks and my cheeks are more puffy, soon my ankles will swell and I’ll look like a whale. I don’t feel beautiful, Ome. I appreciate your encouragement, but this will probably take me some time.”

You turned back to the mirror, too upset to look at her, and began to tug at your sleeves again.

“I know. I’m sorry. I get so worked up when you talk down on yourself. It only makes me hate your mother more; you were always good at making yourself feel confident, but she should have done that too. I know you’re going through changes so a lot of what you see is hard to comprehend. But you’re glowing, y/n.”

You shook out a small humorless chuckle, your fingers fiddling with the seam along the sides of your sweater.

“All I will say is this, you could have any man you want. Almost every guy in high school tripped over their feet when you looked their way, but you were always focused on grades and getting ahead. Kento Nanami, one of the most distinguished directors of our former company, was able to get all up in that.”

“Ome—” you admonished her, fighting the giggles in your throat as you rolled your eyes to glare at her playfully. She was smiling, pearly whites shining back at you as she reclined on her bed, both hands behind her back.

“I’m serious. That week we were there for the summit, it was almost revolting how many females batted their eyelashes at him. And he turned them down so well even I was impressed. A tall man with a sexy ass voice and an indifferent stare, appearing aloof but capable of taking everyone down a notch with only a few words. Excellent taste in clothes and watches, muscles that make you wanna drool. Men like that have to strap their cock to their leg before they put their pants on.”

You choked on a laugh, your anxiety popping like a bubble before you walked over and kicked her leg.

***

The smell of bread hit your face the minute Nanami opened his apartment door for you.

He was doing this on purpose, there was no other way around it. Black pants, socked feet and a grey short sleeve shirt that hugged him perfectly. Fleshed out pectorals, his biceps stretching the sleeves, a ghosting of abs beneath the fabric. Loose blonde locks framed his sharp face, a few tendrils falling across his forehead as usual and making him look relaxed but also just as rough.

You hated him.

You didn’t, but God how you wanted to in this moment.

“Smells good.”

He didn’t offer a response, pulling the door open and stepping aside so you could walk in. His kitchen island was decorated with different ingredients; a basket of homemade Udon noodles, a small area with dashi and mirin for the soup base, a glass pan shiny with cooking spray and ready for the brownie mix that would surely go inside. A large pot was simmering on the stove, something inside clearly frying and filling the kitchen with the smell of dough that hit you a few minutes ago.

“Would you like a sous chef?”

“No.”

His tone was gentle but firm, a large hand settling on your lower back as he guided you to one of the chairs perched at the island. You settled in the chair, smiling softly at him as he pushed a small pillow down behind you.

“For your lower back, I imagine it’s a little sore. I’ll rub it later.”

You bit your lip at the promise in his low voice, stomach clenching in anticipation as you watched him walk across the kitchen to the fridge, opening it up and setting a small bowl of edamame in front of you. You stayed silent, eyes following his hand as it moved across the counter, long fingers dipping into a bowl of Himalayan salt before he sprinkled a little of it over the green vegetables and pushing it closer to you.

“Eat. A small snack to tide you over so you don’t drool on my granite while dinner is prepared.”

You shot him a narrowed gaze before relenting and popping a stalk into your mouth. He seemed satisfied with the action, a quick emotion passing over his face before he turned around and pulled a kettle from the stove and a glass cup from the cabinet next to him.

You watched the muscles in his back contort and flex, thick bands curling around his shoulder blades and pushing up against the fabric as he poured hot water into the cup and turned around to push ginger tea in your direction before turning back to his position at the stove.

You felt your chest fill with heat at his actions, a blanket of protection falling over you and relaxing your nerves almost instantly. The lapse in conversation had allowed you to finally take in your surroundings. Besides the busy activity in the kitchen, you could hear the faint echoes of jazz music from his living room, pulling your gaze in that direction and landing on the vinyl as it turned slowly, pushing the tonearm up and down as the needle ran over the small ridges and bumps of the record.

The television was playing but the volume was muted and the familiar face of Kourtney and Kim Kardashian bickering over something made you snicker.

“This is a rerun. We both watched it.”

“I like reruns.” He spoke to you softly from across the kitchen, his back still turned to you as his hands moved in the motion of stirring something in the sizzling pot in front of him. “Besides, I’ve missed three episodes and you promised to watch them with me.”

You bit down into another croquette as you watched him mix the soup base together, biceps curling and flexing against the fabric of his shirt, tantalizing you from across the countertop. You swallowed a large chunk of the savory bread, your tongue suddenly too thick in your mouth. Nanami for the most part was his usual silent self, asking you questions occasionally and throwing you soft smiles when you weren’t looking as you ate your fifth croquette of the night, eyes rolling in satisfaction before narrowing at him when you finally caught him staring.

To be honest, Nanami was nervous. It made no sense to be, you both had seen parts of each other to pull away any sort of veil of illusion.

When he blurted out his question of dinner to you three weeks ago in a moment of vulnerability, he hadn’t imagined you would say yes. And since then he had spent too much time on his phone trying to find restaurants. He had tried to picture the layout of his closet to compile an outfit while he laid in his hotel bed night after night, pestered his mother far outside of his character about what she thought you would like. He had finally had it all figured out and one look at your nauseous face yesterday and all of that shattered instantly.

But you had surprised him like always; looked up at him with a fierce gaze and demanded he cook for you. And he agreed immediately, bending to your will without a second thought and slowly reminding himself that this was only the beginning of being prepared to do whatever you asked of him. He reveled at the opportunity. He had never been one to want much; he knew what he liked in a woman. Intelligent, capable, self-assured and motivated, not afraid to speak her mind and state what she wanted without batting an eyelash. You had barged into his life and the minute you had barked at him in his office, showing him just how fierce you were, he knew he was a goner.

Some men would say that he was quick to be ‘whipped’. But Nanami always found that those men were idiots anyway, using their sharp comments to mask insecurity and a small dick. Even Gojo, for as obnoxious and arrogant about his looks and prowess as he was, was quick to give almost anything to the rare girlfriends that he did have.

He couldn’t even say hello to you when he opened his front door earlier that night, trying hard to swallow the drool in his throat and keep his eyes from roving over your form as you looked up at him with a teasing gaze.

His father had told him about the ‘glow’ that his mother had when she was pregnant. He had even read up on it through the various pregnancy books around his home, but you were truly shining. You always were, but it was almost blinding when you hit your second trimester. Your hair was longer, curly locks hitting the middle of your back when he happened to catch it down. Your skin was smoother than usual, cheeks a little more rounded when he caught you smiling occasionally. Being able to see your belly in the clothes you wore stirred something in his gut that was a mix of admiration and primal lust that he was beginning to question. He did that. Kento Nanami did that and could now watch you grow the life he helped make.

His thoughts were only getting bolder, more arousing, and more loud every time he was around you. He marveled at your fumbling form every time he was a little too forward. He knew you felt something for him, he could practically taste it in the air when you were around. He didn’t want to scare you away but if he managed to get his hands on your thighs tonight, all bets might be out the window. Just a little taste and maybe you would relax just a little more into him. Trust him a little more. Smile at him a little more.

“The Nanami men are insatiable once they find someone they want to be with. For Heavens sake, please go easy on her, Kento.”

“Are you sure I can’t help you with anything, Nanami?”

Your voice pulled him from his father’s teasing thoughts, the picture of his mother smacking him in the head put a small smirk on his face before he turned around to look at you. Your lips were slightly shiny from the grease of the croquettes you were eating, eyebrows pinched in worry and hands perched together on the countertop.

“Call me Kento. We are having a child together and I’m cooking for you. All sense of professionalism left a long time ago.” He refused to smirk at the blush that colored your cheeks before you cleared your throat and shot him an exasperated glare.

“And no, I don’t need your help. I just need to cook the Udon and dinner will be served.”

The restraint to hold back groan after groan as the Udon slid down your throat was practically an art. It was perfect, just what you were craving and it seemed to be endless as he placed another small helping into your soup base when you were running low, long fingers elegantly holding chopsticks as he stirred the noodles and soup together before tapping the side of your bowl and pulling back to his own food. The smell of the brownies was growing stronger by the minute as they cooked in his oven, the promise of chocolate growing closer and closer.

***

“I wish you would sit down.”

His raised brow admonished you as he took the empty bowls from your hands and shooed you out of the kitchen. You wandered to his record player, content to watch the vinyl spin slowly and hit your ears with slow jazz as you listened to him wash dishes behind you. Your eyes roamed down to his collection, admiring the many different records of jazz, classical, and even R&B. Every time you were around him, something small only stood out to you more.

“Kento Nanami likes R&B?”

“You sound very disbelieving.”

His voice was quiet from the kitchen but still carried over to you. You didn’t respond, satisfied to look through his collection in silence, a small smile on your face as you learned more and more about him. The sound of him cleaning faded into the background as that familiar warmth roared back to life in your chest. You heart began to flutter as you swiped through each collection, stomach filling with butterflies at the thought of him showing his daughter each one, playing it for her day after day as she grew.

“I should apologize to you.”

The sudden timbre of his voice made you turn around to find him already perched on the couch, both arms extended along the back, his shirt stretching deliciously across his torso. He looked like straight sin, but his eyes held a sense of worry that made you stop any traitorous thoughts from forming. You made your way across the living room, sinking into the soft couch next to him and offering a curious tilt of your head, your curls cascading over your shoulder at the action.

“Why?”

“You look very nice tonight. I thought it the minute I opened the door but I…got quite nervous and didn’t say anything.”

He swallowed softly, brown eyes glancing at his television screen as a means of distraction before flickering back to you.

“Kento Nanami admitting to being nervous? I thought I would never see the day. I should mark the time.”

He hummed in disappointment, eyes narrowing at you.

“Do not tease me. I was raised to be a gentleman and I wanted tonight to be nice for you. For us both.”

“A gentleman would not have done any of the things you did that night. Making a woman cum three times even while drunk? That’s quite an accomplishment.” He shook out a deep chuckle, rolling his eyes even though his cheeks peppered with a hint of blush.

“Besides, I look no different than any other day. I didn’t notice.”

A flash of indignation colored his features, heavy and instant, his eyebrows furrowing, eyelids blinking in astonishment. He turned more to you, arms leaving the back of his couch and falling into his lap.

“Why must you constantly say things that do not make sense?”

His gaze was sharp and serious, posture stiff and unyielding as he stared down at you.

You shrugged and looked away.

“It’s just the pregnancy, there are just some things that make me uncomfortable about myself. I’m not used to having stretch marks or knowing I’m going to get bigger. I just haven’t felt confident recently, but it will pass, Kento. I’m—”

“Beautiful.”

Your tongue curled into the back of your throat from his response, esophagus clenching together, heart skyrocketing in your chest. You remained silent as you watched him push your curls off your shoulder, the warmth of his hand blazing a trail down the skin of your arm and boiling the blood in the tips of your fingers.

“Your stomach is growing our child, getting bigger by the day and I love every second of it. Your cheeks are fuller when you smile. You will probably begin to get stretch marks that I can’t wait to rub oil to help the scarring. Your ankles will probably swell, and I’ll be there to massage them to help you feel better. These are all normal changes, but they make you more beautiful than you already are, y/n. I’ll be here to tell you that every day until you believe it.”

You couldn’t help the small smile that morphed on your face, his words always making the fluttering in your body increase at alarming rates.

“Gosh, you really must have missed me.”

You meant it to be a small joke to put the attention back on him while you got yourself under control. You pulled your bottom lip into your mouth, your teeth biting into the flesh as a distraction for your brain so your heart could come back down to normal sinus rhythm.

But all too quickly, you watched him lean closer to you, his body hot and buzzing. You didn’t speak as you watched his dark brown eyes blow out slowly. You stayed frozen when you felt his thumb press against your chin, pulling down to watch your bottom lip slip from the clench of your top teeth. His eyes roved over your face, analyzing every inch, stoic gaze taking you in with an air of nonchalance that was blanketing a heavy layer of lust. When he met your gaze again, you didn’t gasp at the thin ring of brown that looked back at you.

“Is that okay? That I missed you these past three weeks? Am I allowed that?”

You swallowed hard, your heartbeat pounding in your ears as his hungry gaze never left yours.

“I…I suppose that’s okay. I can allow that.”

He hummed in satisfaction, the vibration rattling the barely functioning brain cells in your head. Muscular arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you into his lap immediately. You held in a squeak at the immediate change in position. He was under you, his warm body bleeding into your skin, soft cologne shooting up your nose and pulling you further into delirium. Even with you on top of him, he still was a head taller than you, his form imposing and looming, head inclined down toward you as he remained silent. His gaze was still sharp, blonde locks on his forehead messy and wild. You wanted to push them out of his face, feel the thick hair between your fingers and watch it flop back into place again.

You wrung your hands together at your sides, nerves making them tremble slightly before you felt Nanami gently grab them both and set them on his chest to help ground you. You wanted to squeeze his muscles, run your fingers down his chest and dip between every crevice of his abdominals. God how you wanted to.

“What else am I allowed then?”

You didn’t have time to stop the blush before it came, coloring your face with shame as you picked apart the innuendo. You would allow him to do just about anything at this point.

“I…well.”

You cleared your throat, trying your best to shoot him an annoyed glare.

From the way the corners of his lips twitched into a smirk, you had clearly failed.

“That depends, Kento. Name your price.”

He hummed playfully in contemplation, his large hands smoothing up your back, burning your skin and making your eyes flutter.

“A kiss. Nothing too scandalous.”

You felt one of his hands tilt your chin up to face him.

“Unless you would like it to be.”

There was a ringing in your ears, faint but incessant in your head as you tried to pull your soul back down to your body. You didn’t know why you were resisting so much. Maybe it was fear that he would have you again and then not want you anymore. Maybe you were afraid to disappoint him. Your lips were chapped, cheeks burning and slightly sweaty, chest heaving against him, definitely not the picture of lust.

You held your ground, his last teasing sentence playing in your mind over and over as you spoke.

“Not too scandalous then.”

His lips were on you as soon as you finished speaking, soft and full and overwhelming. Without the haze of alcohol, it was so much more powerful. His lips practically made yours dance, telling you where to go and how to tilt your head. The gentle dig of his teeth in your bottom lip made you clench your hands into the fabric of his chest. Large hands squeezed your waist, pulling you impossibly closer before one trailed up your back and buried into the hair at the nape of your neck.

You felt him tug firmly, pulling your lips from each other with a loud smack, your heavy breathing filling the air and then stuttering to gain control as you felt him trail his lips down your neck. His full lips were wet as they kissed against your skin, pulling it into his mouth before digging his teeth into the flesh. You blushed hard at the choked breath that rushed out your throat, head still inclined to the ceiling as he kept a gentle grip in the hair of your nape.

You knew what was coming, had dreamt of it ever since that night. Nanami could get progressively nasty and fast. It didn’t take long and you didn’t hold back the whine that slid from your mouth as you felt a thick and hot tongue lick a slow trail up your neck, tantalizing and eager, pressing into the salt of your skin with the promise to be everywhere else if you let him.

“K-Kento.”

You were practically dripping in your leggings, your cunt throbbing and ceaseless as it ground against him. Your jaw dropped open as you felt him hard and thick beneath you, pressing through the crease of his pants.

The hand in your hair slid down to your ass, joining the other before he squeezed hard and pressed his lips to yours again. Your vision was swimming and you wrapped your arms around his neck to bring him closer and ground yourself into the present at the same time. Anything to fight the onslaught of lightheadedness as you felt his lips open yours with a gentle give and his tongue slide into your mouth. You could still taste the Udon and tea on his tongue.

You didn’t care about the whimper that left your throat. You couldn’t give a shit as you rocked your hips against his, the slick arousal making you slide in your panties as reveled in the firmness of him beneath you.

You tried not to care as the sound of the oven beeping made you both jump. You pulled your lips away from him, your eyes sliding to the open kitchen. Nanami didn’t seem to care, his lips sliding back against the skin of your throat, worrying the flesh between his teeth.

“Kento. The brownies.”

“Let them burn.”

His voice was rough, thick and heady as he spoke against your throat. You felt your cunt throb against him in response, an action that he clearly felt before he rutted his hips up into yours.

Even though the lust was practically suffocating you, you had been craving those brownies the minute Nanami slid them into the oven. Your pregnancy cravings were hard to curb once they made their intentions known.

How you loved the girl growing inside of you. But she had proved yet again to be a cock block.

You pushed him away playfully, marveling at the subtle pout on his face. Blown out pupils narrowed up at you. He was the very picture of a boy who had been deprived of sweets before dinner; petulant and miffed, but still going to listen.

“Fine, fine.”

He sighed out the words, sliding you off his lap before he stood and disappeared into the kitchen. You turned to look at him over the couch, the action making the muscles in your lower back croak in soreness. You winced silently, cursing internally at yet another thing in your life keeping you from getting laid.

You thought the twinges in your back would disappear after a minute or so. But by the time Nanami joined you in the living room ten minutes later, they had only intensified. He set a plate of freshly cut brownies on the coffee table in front of you before sitting back down next to you.

“What’s wrong?”

Sometimes you hated how observant he was; your face was straight as an arrow but he saw right through it. Even though his brain was riddled with sinful thoughts, his concern for you made it all fizzle away.

You sighed in defeat.

“My lower back. It’s hurting a little. I didn’t mean to kill the mood.”

A familiar eyebrow lifted in response before he leaned down and pressed his lips to yours softly and briefly, pulling away with a playful smirk on his face.

“What an odd thing to say. You're here with me, my mood will always be better than what it was before.”

He offered you nothing else as he moved you to sit between his legs with your back to his chest. You watched in silence as he turned on one of the episodes of the Kardashians he had missed, placed the plate of brownies into your lap, and gently pressed his fingers into your lower back.

One of his hands smoothed your curls from your back and over a shoulder to be out of the way and you felt his lips press to the side of your neck before he watched television with you in silence. Your heart fluttered for what felt like the millionth time in the two days since he had returned, chest filling with warmth as you took a big bite of a brownie and settled further into him.

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