Epilogue - extra

It gave him a feeling of déjà vu and he was even more nervous than he was that first night. His mother had been extremely ecstatic and embarrassingly encouraging when he told his parents that he was taking Kotoko for a break just by themselves to let her regain her equilibrium after the recent events. He didn't expound any more than that but then his mother was always ready to provide any possible scenario that could potentially grant her grandchildren. Naoki could feel his ears warm at the memory of his mother hugging Kotoko tightly as they said their goodbyes and loudly whispering that "I hope you come back with positive results!" Naoki resisted the urge to roll his eyes – as if they would know that soon. Besides, they were still in college, for goodness' sake! While they hadn't discussed the subject of children yet, he was sure Kotoko would agree with him that they were not ready to have a child at this time. Thankfully the older Mrs. Irie's meaning was lost on Kotoko who merely nodded her head obediently. The bathroom door sighed open and Naoki suppressed a smile before turning to look at his wife.

"Naoki-kun." She practically squeaked.

"What is it, Kotoko?" He strode to the bathroom where only her face and neck were visible.

"Uhmm, well –" She was clearly uncomfortable. "No, don't!" She screeched when Naoki made to push the door open farther. "I'm not dressed!" She closed her eyes in apparent mortification, her face going beet red.

Well, well. It's not like he planned on having her dressed for very long, Naoki thought wickedly before ruthlessly tamping down that lecherous thought.

"Didn't you pack pajamas?" He asked instead. They may have progressed more in their relationship in the past 24 hours than in any of the months since their wedding, but he wasn't so naïve as to think that they could just jump right back into where their making out the previous day would have led had he not controlled himself.

Kotoko nodded, her forehead creased in consternation, and confirmed that yes, she had packed said clothes. "But somehow nothing I've packed is here and instead there are clothes I've never seen before." She was looking everywhere else but him. Naoki sighed internally. This sabotage had his mother's prints all over it. "Uhmm… Do you have a shirt I could borrow instead?" Her innocent question had Naoki's recently overly imaginative mind immediately conjuring an image of his virginal bride in one of his button-down long-sleeve shirts, the hem skimming her thighs, the buttons mostly unfastened… He reigned in his rebellious mind with rising horror at how quickly he was getting ah, stimulated, where Kotoko was concerned. He nodded and rummaged in his bag at the foot of the bed. He grabbed a clean T-shirt.

"I only have this but I'll go run down to the gift shop—"

"No, this should be fine." She shook it out. "It's long enough." She smiled at him now, seemingly more comfortable now that she had something else to wear than – what he was guessing was – revealing if not outright lingerie in her bags. She closed the door and emerged less than a minute later. "Your turn." She said cheerfully, brushing past him and settling at the dresser to brush out her hair.

When he left the bathroom, Kotoko was no longer in the bedroom and he could hear the television playing in the living area. They had eaten on their way to the hotel so there was nothing left to do besides going to bed – and he really was hoping to use the bed for an activity not at all related to sleeping. Kotoko was sitting on the couch, her knees pulled to her chest – and it just showed how petite she was that his shirt had enough material to be tucked under her legs without flashing too much skin. She was, to all appearances, calmly braiding her hair over her shoulder but Naoki could sense rather than see her nervous energy. A tug made itself known in the vicinity of his heart as he sat next to his brave, selfless wife. To think that she was willing to throw away her inheritance, not to mention the entire life she knew just to protect him and his family. His heart surged with love and warmth for her. Kotoko stilled when Naoki laid a hand over hers and she allowed the ebony strands to slip from her fingers. She peered at him from under her lashes, her white teeth worrying the edge of her lip.

"Come here," he said quietly and hugged her to his chest. She wound her arms around him without any hesitation and in that moment, Naoki felt supremely content just to be able to hold her like this for the rest of the nigh. They had the rest of their lives to do the other things he had wanted to do, after all.

Kotoko calmed as Naoki held her. His heart beat strong and sure beneath her cheek. She loved him and he loved her. She could weep just from the sheer joy of it. To think that the she thought this was forever beyond her reach just a mere day before. But then he had come for her in her self-imposed exile and declared his love for her. They had finally kissed and she new enough to know that it would have led to more if Naoki hadn't checked them to propose his incredible idea to go away for a few days. She wanted to continue what they had started but she felt shy now that they were here. It felt somewhat similar to the night of their honeymoon but still very different – for one, she held no fear of the future with Naoki and, she really wanted something to happen.

"Shall we go to bed?" Naoki dropped a kiss onto her head but made no move to release her. He mentally patted himself on the back at the calm, almost disinterested tone he managed to use. He felt Kotoko stiffen and while he was a little stung by her reaction, he was quick to add "to sleep" in assurance. He pushed against her shoulders so he she could look him in the eye. "I meant what I said back then – we won't do anything you aren't comfortable with." He caressed her cheek, voice gentle. "I've waited all this time – I could wait longer." He stood and gallantly held out a hand to her. "Well, my dear wife, shall we go to sleep?"

Kotoko gazed up at him and she decided. "No." She shook her head emphatically. "You're wrong." A look of confusion crossed Naoki's face. She placed her hand in his and rose from the couch. Quickly, before she could lose her nerve, she placed her right hand over his heart then tentatively, cautiously slid her hands up his chest, to skim his neck until she was cradling his face. He simply stood still, allowing her to continue. She stared at his lips, saw his Adam's apple rise and fall as he swallowed. "I—" She brushed her thumb over his lower lip, entranced at the way his lips parted from her touch. "I don't want to wait." She whispered.

His heart skipped a beat, did she say what he thought she said or was his imagination playing havoc with his mind again? But no, her touch was real, her gaze was real. This was real. His wife had just expressed something she wanted and with all that was good, he would damn well would make sure she got it. He read the truth in her eyes and that was all the permission he needed before capturing her lips in a searing kiss. There was nothing polite, or tentative about it. He had glimpsed how physically passionate and responsive Kotoko could be and he was determined to stoke the fires of her ardor into a frenzy. He swung her into his arms, not once breaking the kiss as he carried her into the bedroom.

Naoki threw back the covers and lowered Kotoko onto the bed. He pulled off his own shirt before reaching for her again. He glanced at her to assure himself that she wanted this – that he wasn't moving too fast. She nodded and placed her hands over his as he pulled her makeshift nightgown higher and higher, slipping it off until she was only in her panties. Tiny panties that while managing to cover the important parts, were still blatantly seductive. And he highly doubted his wife wore lace for everyday use. He cocked an eyebrow at her and she reddened, her arms held across her breasts. He knelt on the bed, eyes never leaving hers and approached her on all fours. She bit her lip again but her eyes were laughing. She eagerly returned his kisses and they were lost in each other.

Her. Always her first and foremost, he silently vowed as Kotoko gazed at him with a hint of trepidation but nevertheless with overwhelming trust and love. He vowed to never break that trust, to never jeopardize her love. The emotions surging through him, even more than the physical sensations, was drowning him in its foreign intensity. But her hand in his provided an anchor which kept him from backing away at the unfamiliar vulnerability and instinctually throwing up walls in self-defense.

"Kotoko." His voice was low, reverent. "I love you." He brushed the hair away from her face. "You're perfect," he whispered before lowering his mouth to hers.

If kissing Kotoko was bliss itself, then making love to her was heaven. As could be expected, their first time wasn't flawless, but somehow it was still perfect. It was the promise of something better, the physical avowal of their love. There was pain, but there was also comfort—and always, pleasure.

Much later, as they lay tangled in the sheets and each other, Kotoko brushed her fingers across his cheek. Her touch was cool against his heated skin and he welcomed it.

"Let's make a promise." The moonlight played across her face, casting it in light and shadow. "A promise to always talk to each other so we don't have any misunderstandings."

"I'd like that."

They sealed the promise with a kiss.

A/N:

Tada! Due to popular demand, this is a more fleshed out but still-appropriately-rated honeymoon scene. Muahahaha Wander over to 'Simple Pleasures' in a week or two for the grown-up version. It's already written, just doing final edits. The first part up until they get to the bed should be the same content.