I don't own these characters.

A/N: more sex.

3: Something New

Shizuru stared around the new apartment. It was breathtaking. Not because it was particularly big or glamorous. The thing blowing her mind was that it was theirs. She and Natsuki had an apartment. Together. It was not Natsuki's old apartment. This was their place. Together. Shizuru giggled.

"Hey, instead of acting like a maniacal tourist, how about helping me with this box? Or at least getting out of my way," Natsuki said, nudging Shizuru with the corner of the box in her arms.

Shizuru laughed more as she slipped out of Natsuki's way. Natsuki, being the tough girl she was, had one of their larger boxes in her grip. She carried it to their living room and groaned as she deposited it on the floor. Shizuru shook her head and grinned.

"How many more boxes?" Shizuru asked. She enjoyed the sight of Natsuki moving them in. She had on a tank top, which clung to her as she worked up a sweat. Shizuru planned on having quite some fun once all of the boxes were inside and Natsuki still had that glow about her. She had time to decide if she wanted to peel Natsuki out of the tank top or enjoy it on her for a while longer. Why not both? They both deserved a treat, after all.

"A few. I'll get them. You can start pulling stuff out. I can't believe you had so much stuff. Where the hell were you keeping it?" Natsuki replied.

Shizuru gave her a tiny smile. "My parents' house. My office." She had always planned to sneak new, little things into Natsuki's apartment, wanting to avoid any drastic change to Natsuki's environment. She never got around to it, too nervous about frightening Natsuki.

Natsuki frowned briefly, eyes circling the apartment before settling on Shizuru. "You could've brought it home, you know?"

Shizuru arched an eyebrow. "Could I have?"

"I wouldn't have panicked or anything. I want you around." Natsuki shook her head. "Okay, or I might have panicked and broke up with you again. I get why you were so cautious." Natsuki twisted her mouth up to the side and rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry."

Shizuru glided over to Natsuki and wrapped her arms around Natsuki's waist. "Don't be sorry. We just moved into this amazing apartment. We've together."

Natsuki kissed Shizuru, making her blood stir. "You're so awesome."

Shizuru smiled. "All right. Let me start opening boxes and put what I can away." It would give her something to do until she could get Natsuki to keep her occupied.

Natsuki went back to grab more of their boxes while Shizuru opened their kitchen items. It kept the smile on her face as she recalled how bare Natsuki's kitchen was when she moved in. Natsuki relied on Shizuru, Mai, or a fast food restaurant to feed her. It was mostly done out of laziness, which Shizuru could respect, but they could not eat laziness or respect, so one of them had to cook. Shizuru felt like she transformed into a fairly decent cook over the years. She could not rival Mai, but any potential children she and Natsuki had would not starve, or complain about always eating the same thing.

"Speaking of cook, I should probably make something for dinner," Shizuru said as she glanced at clock. They would eat early, but that was fine. Natsuki would be grateful for homemade food and then indulge Shizuru in whatever she wanted to do for the night. That prospect was even better than having her way with Natsuki once all the boxes were inside.

Shizuru put the food on and moved to help Natsuki with whatever she might be doing. Shizuru stopped as soon as she caught sight of Natsuki. Her mouth dropped open. Natsuki was bent over, setting up their meal area. Half of the far wall was a sliding glass door with a raised platform that they agreed would be the dining room. Natsuki was straightening out their table.

Bent over, Natsuki was on display. She had on shorts that went just passed her ass, creamy legs looking like a sexy exhibit. Shizuru twitched at the sight. Natsuki must have felt eyes on her, turning to look over her shoulder. She smiled and the twinkle in her eyes shows she knew exactly what she was doing to Shizuru.

"Natsuki is such a little vixen," Shizuru said. She never would have thought Natsuki would even subtly try to seduce her, but their relationship had new air. Natsuki had new comfort, new confidence. It was like they could both breathe.

"I have no idea what you mean." Natsuki had the nerve to flip her hair.

Shizuru did not need anymore of a signal, marching over to Natsuki. She gathered Natsuki into her arms and kissed her with everything she had. Natsuki returned the kiss, sliding her tongue into Shizuru's mouth with a moan. Shizuru groaned at the feel and filled her hands with Natsuki, squeezing Natsuki's perfect breasts over her tank top.

"Do we have time?" Natsuki asked, glancing over Shizuru's shoulder to nothing. They had not put up a clock yet and there was no way she could see the microwave at this angle. Unless, of course, Natsuki was trying to see the pots on the stove, which was more likely. But, she would not be able to see them either.

"Quickie," Shizuru chirped. They would have to be fast or dinner would burn.

Natsuki smirked. "One of your favorites."

Shizuru grinned. "Everything is my favorite with you, but I do enjoy bringing you to orgasm as quickly as I can. Let's see how long it takes me now."

Natsuki snickered, but Shizuru kissed her again, swallowing the sound and transforming it to a delightful moan. Shizuru's hands eased underneath Natsuki's tank top, caressing smooth skin and shivering with anticipation. Her beloved felt so good, all the time. Natsuki arched into her hands and she squeezed just right. Natsuki's legs gave out briefly and she dipped. Shizuru chuckled, holding onto her love.

"How about we lie you down?" Shizuru smirked.

"You just wanna fuck me on the table before we even have a meal on it," Natsuki replied.

Natsuki using the word "fuck" would probably always cause Shizuru's naughty bits to tingle. "You know me so well." She wanted their first action on the table to be more than a meal. It would exciting, and she enjoyed having Natsuki anywhere, but outside of the bedroom was even more of an adventure. She could not wait to get to all of the other surfaces in their new home.

Natsuki scoffed. "You wanna defile every inch of this place already, huh?"

"Isn't that the best way to prove it's both of ours?" They could leave their mark everywhere. It would be so much fun.

Natsuki laughed, but stepped away just enough to pull off her tank top. Shizuru leaned in, wanting her mouth all over Natsuki's chest, but a hand to her own chest stopped her. She pouted.

"We don't have time for that. Take your pants off," Natsuki said, wiggling out of her own shorts.

"Natsuki is too cute giving orders." I wonder how I could get Natsuki to do that more often. From the throb below her belt, she was not the only one in favor of that notion. Shizuru did not waste any time getting out of her clothes while Natsuki shot her a dirty look. She smiled in return.

Natsuki was on her back on the table as Shizuru kicked her pants away. The hardwood of their elevated floor by the window hurt her knees, but she did not care. She pulled Natsuki to her, coming in for a kiss while she lined herself up.

"May I?" Shizuru asked, lips barely away from Natsuki's.

"If you don't, I'm going to put my own fingers to use," Natsuki said.

"Oh, you're learning to tease." Shizuru grinned. This was another thing she would love to see, though. Maybe she could figure out a way to talk Natsuki into touching herself while she watched. Natsuki was more and more comfortable with herself and their relationship everyday, so it might not be the impossible dream.

Natsuki chuckled and Shizuru had to go in for another kiss. Natsuki wrapped her arms around Shizuru, pulling her closer. Shizuru slipped her hand between them, stroking Natsuki with two fingers and pushing one inside. Natsuki bucked and moaned as Shizuru moved the single digit. Having Natsuki wrapped around one finger and then two made Shizuru's body blaze and her length throbbed painfully with want.

"Shizuru, we don't…" Natsuki hissed. "We don't… have the time."

Shizuru pouted. "Natsuki is right."

She sighed, slid her fingers from Natsuki, lined herself up, and eased inside. Natsuki cooed and her back bowed as she pulled Shizuru in for another kiss. Shizuru groaned into Natsuki's mouth. Dear lord. Being inside Natsuki would never get old. The whole experience was more intoxicating than any drug. It was rainbows and light flooded her system. She would never be able to tell Natsuki that her body was made of rainbows, though. Yes, they were talking more about thoughts, but this one would be well beyond.

"You feel so good, my love," Shizuru purred, hips moving at a rapid pace, trying to capture all of Natsuki.

"So do you." Natsuki ran her fingers through Shizuru's hair. "Now, come on. After this, I believe food was promised."

Shizuru laughed. "I'll make you forget all about food." She would make Natsuki rethink walking for a while.

Natsuki smiled, but threw her head back and moaned as Shizuru's pace increased. Shizuru pumped as fast as she could as hard as she could with Natsuki's nails digging into her shoulders, making sure she did not pull away. Not that she had any plans to do such a thing. This was icing on the Natsuki cake and she would have her cake and eat it, too. She would have her fill of this cake.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Natsuki groaned as Shizuru drove into her. She could feel every glorious inch of Natsuki all over her and it was the best thing ever. She felt Natsuki all over her skin and under, in her heart, and in her soul.

Shizuru kissed the side of Natsuki's neck, feeling a vein strain right under her lips. She hissed as Natsuki clenched around her, body picking up speed on its own. Her mind swam with pleasure, dancing even to the edges of her hair. Natsuki was so amazing, all the time, but especially when her body embraced Shizuru, invited her in for more, and loved her with a tender firmness.

Shizuru shifted enough to move a hand and catch a bouncing breast. She groaned against delicious skin, taking a nip, as she kneaded perfection. A deep moan escaped Natsuki as she arched her back again, changing their angle and thus changing Shizuru's pace. Shizuru adjusted, needing to feel as much of Natsuki as she possibly could. With a jolt of her hips, she hit the perfect spot inside of Natsuki, as if warning her.

"Fuck, Shizuru…" Natsuki wrapped her legs around Shizuru, trying to pull her closer. Shizuru pumped harder, faster, and reached between them, caressing Natsuki's warm desire to help things along. "Fuck, fuck, fuck. I'm about to…" She clutched Shizuru's shoulders and let loose a long breath as she rippled around Shizuru.

Shizuru tried to hold off, to get Natsuki through her orgasm, but it was impossible, not with the way Natsuki pulsed around her. It did not help when Natsuki grabbed hold of her left breast and pinched her nipple as a way to hang on to Shizuru. Ecstasy bolted through her in intense waves. It was like the tsunami of pleasure short circuited her brain. She climaxed right with Natsuki and then fell against her as her bones felt like noodles. When she felt like she was part of the world again, she felt Natsuki combing her fingers through her hair.

"You gotta get up, babe. You still owe me dinner," Natsuki said with a laugh.

Shizuru snorted. "I just did all this work and now you want dinner as well? You are not pulling your weight."

"Don't worry. As soon as there's a spider in the shower, I got you."

Shizuru laughed, even though it was true. She would never be able to explain it, but spiders freaked her out and Natsuki was her great champion in that area, without ever making fun of her. But, she was not ready to move yet.

"We still have a few minutes." Shizuru nuzzled Natsuki's neck.

"I guess." Natsuki busied herself, playing with the hair at the nape of Shizuru's neck. Shizuru sighed. This was peace.

-8-8-8-8-

Natsuki sighed as she leaned against the bedroom dresser, staring down at the ring box. She kept the ring out in the open now, a reminder that one day she would be brave enough to ask. The question tapped at her skull ever since they moved into the new place a couple of weeks ago. It was too soon. They were still adjusting to the new truth of their relationship, but she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Shizuru and now she felt confident enough to do it.

For the moment, to occupy her thoughts, Natsuki had to focus on the fact that they were hosting Shizuru's parents. It would be the first time they had people over for a meal. Mai and Mikoto had stopped by a few days after they moved in, but it was just to drop off a housewarming gift; a plant Natsuki was sure she would kill before the month was over. The same could be said of Yukino and Haruka, who remained friends with Shizuru… if it could be called friends. Natsuki did not bother to really classify it since it did not bother her and Shizuru seemed fine with whatever it was.

"I feel like I should've dressed up," Natsuki said as she stepped out of their bedroom. She had on a plain white shirt with black capri pants.

"You're fine. My parents are quite familiar with you," Shizuru replied from the kitchen. She was dressed in a similar fashion, wearing one of Natsuki's shirts, as she often did whenever they were home, and tan linen pants that almost covered her bare feet.

Natsuki shrugged. This was true, but this still felt different. "Yeah, but now they're visiting our home. Like, really our home." They had only come to her apartment once. It was like they knew it was a mausoleum and wanted no part of watching her bury their daughter in it. She wished they said something then. She always respected them and would have take their words into consideration. But, then again, she might have just broken up with Shizuru again if they said something.

"Yes, and they'll still expect you to drop shrimp in your lap while you're trying to grab your drink at the same time."

Natsuki laughed. "Hey, I only did that once." Of course, Shizuru never let her live that down and neither did Mister Fujino.

Shizuru snickered, but she did not say anything. Natsuki made her way to the kitchen and embraced Shizuru from behind, placing a soft kiss behind her ear. Shizuru leaned against her, but kept an eye on the pan in front of her.

"I'm so happy we did this, babe," Natsuki said, resting her head against Shizuru's shoulder.

"Natsuki usually doesn't like dinner with my parents," Shizuru said.

Natsuki puffed out her cheeks. "You know what I mean. I feel refreshed and I just… I just want to make you happy."

"You've always made me happy."

"Yeah, but now I'm not going to run scared if I start feeling happy or if you start acting like you're my partner. I'm not going to try to push you to someone better."

Shizuru smiled. "Because there is no one better than Natsuki?"

"No, because you want me and I'm ready to accept that." There were plenty of people out there better than her and maybe even fit better with Shizuru, but Shizuru did not want them. Shizuru wanted her and she wanted Shizuru. That was the end of it.

Shizuru smiled more and Natsuki stepped away to let her finish with dinner. Their bell rang and Natsuki went to answer the door. Two smiling faces greeted her. Both smiles managed to remind her of Shizuru, even though they were very different faces. But, it was because Shizuru had different types of smiles and Natsuki was intimate with them all. Shizuru's father wore the teasing one while her mother's smile was genuine.

"Natsuki-chan, you're looking well," Mister Fujino said with a twinkle in his eye.

Natsuki bit back a scowl. She disliked anyone except Shizuru calling her "Natsuki-chan," but she knew he did it to get on her nerves. After all, he was Shizuru's father. How could he not tease her? He was over the top with it when he pulled her into a hug and laughed as she groaned. She pulled away, shoving him a little. He laughed even more. Thankfully, Shizuru's mother was a more serious sort.

"Leave her be. We don't want her to kick us out before we even get to see the place," Missus Fujino said, giving her husband a light swat to his shoulder.

He winced. "This is true."

"Come now, Natsuki. Give us the grand tour," Missus Fujino said as she glided in with all the grace and skill of a goddess. Natsuki bet women all over were jealous of her just from the way she moved. She certainly saw that with Shizuru.

Natsuki rubbed the back of her neck as she closed the door. "There's not much of a grand tour." The apartment was fairly small. It was bigger than the last one, but still one bedroom, a kitchen, bathroom, and an open common space was not much to show off.

"Indulge us, Natsuki," Missus Fujino replied and her husband grinned while shooting Natsuki two thumbs up.

Natsuki rolled her eyes at his antics and decided to go with the flow. It typically made things less painful when it came to dealing with the Fujinos, parents and child included. Stepping further inside, the Fujinos took their shoes off and Natsuki took their coats. They were dressed as informally as she and Shizuru were, so she breathed a little sigh of relief. She went to hang up their coast while they went by the small kitchen. They greeted Shizuru with quick hugs and kisses, letting her get back to the dinner. Natsuki walked by them and went to the living room.

"So, this is the living room." Natsuki motioned around them. It was quite different from her apartment. It was much bigger in comparison, even though the apartment itself was not very big.

This apartment was much lighter than hers, more livable because of that. The walls were a cream with espresso beams on the walls and ceiling. Plus, there were touches of Shizuru everywhere and her personality oozed from the place. She tended to be more cheery than Natsuki and decorated as such. Natsuki tended to buy things for function, but Shizuru bought for function and aesthetics, with light colors and soothing textures.

So, they had a comfortable, cute beige sofa with a couple of black throw pillows that matched their low coffee table, which sat on top of a cream colored rug. A few magazines were neatly stacked on the table, mostly about business as Shizuru did a lot of reading in the living room. Natsuki played video games in the living room and did her reading whenever she was somewhere and had to wait.

"I see you finally got rid of your ancient TV," Mister Fujino said as he looked at the wall opposite the couch.

The television mounted on the wall was new, as was the stand beneath it, holding her game console, a DVD player, and plenty of movies. Natsuki's old things did not match with the decor of the place. She did not mind. She wanted to own all new things with Shizuru. So, she shed her old things to begin anew. She felt like she could stretch her arms now and feel vigor all over.

"Yeah, this one just goes better with the apartment." Natsuki motioned around the place. There were espresso-colored shelves with books, diplomas, awards, and, of course, pictures. There were pictures all over, which was something else the other apartment lacked. Natsuki was not a picture person and Shizuru never put any up, thinking the noticeable change in the environment could have a negative affect on Natsuki. Natsuki liked to think if Shizuru talked to her about it, then it would have been fine, but she would never be sure. They talked about everything now.

"This space here had to be the selling point." Shizuru's mother stepped up to the platform that was their dining area. They had the curtains open to let some of the light in, shining on the table they had wiped down thoroughly after having sex on it… on more than just their first day here.

"It was." Natsuki smiled. Beyond enjoying it as a place to eat and have sex, it was a great place to sit, enjoy the air, sun, and be together. It was like having a personal picnic area in their home. It was their third favorite spot to cuddle, after the bed and the couch.

"I like the pillows you've gone with instead of traditional tata mats," Missus Fujino said. They had beige pillows with chocolate wave designs on them for seats, as their dining table was only a little taller than their coffee table.

Natsuki's smile turned into a grin. "I thought it fit with the space more." She was proud to be able to throw in a little bit of contribution to the apartment.

Missus Fujino reached out and ran her hand through Natsuki's hair. Natsuki did not flinch or pull back, which was something she used to do years ago. It had taken her a long time to get used to affection from someone other than Shizuru. Physical affection had been particularly hard to get used to. But, the Fujinos liked to give her little caresses and pettings and she accepted it as part of being with Shizuru. Now, though, it was nice. It let her know Shizuru's parents cared about her.

"You've done good work here, Natsuki." Mister Fujino slapped her on the back, purposely hard.

Natsuki lurched forward and coughed. "Well, Shizuru did most of it. You both know I'd live in a hole in the wall if I could."

They chuckled and did not say anything, as they all knew it was the truth. The last apartment was not far from a hole in the wall. Before Natsuki could get to the bedroom part of the tour, which she did not want to do in the first place because Shizuru's parents had the same habit as her of making things weird, dinner was served. Shizuru was a life saver in so many ways.

"Your cooking skills have vastly improved, my dear," Shizuru's mother commented as they sat down to dinner.

"If they didn't, Natsuki would make sure we have all the convenient store food we could eat," Shizuru replied with a smile.

"And McDonalds," Natsuki added. "Only the best for my lady." She pointed at Shizuru with her chopsticks.

There was laughter and the dinner was calm, collected, like most dinners between them. At the end of the meal, Shizuru and her father stepped away for tea. Natsuki had no problem with hanging out with Shizuru's mother.

"Is this a balcony or just windows?" Missus Fujino asked, motioning to the curtains at the windows.

"It opens to a little balcony, but we don't have anything out there yet. I'm not sure anything could fit out there. Hell, me and Shizuru barely fit out there." Natsuki laughed at the memory.

"She almost dropped you off the guardrail trying to screw you."

Natsuki's face burned up, even though she was used to Shizuru's parents and the crazy things they seemed all right with saying. "She didn't!" She did, but no one should say that aloud.

Shizuru's mother chuckled. "Neither of you is subtle and you're very much predictable, which is why getting this apartment together was a shock to me and her father."

Natsuki's face still burned, but now it was with shame. She ducked her head, needing to hide herself in someway. "That was my fault."

Shizuru's mother reached over and rubbed her shoulder. "No, it takes two in a relationship and no one is perfect."

"Shizuru is pretty close," Natsuki said and she meant that.

"You're always too cute. I'm glad you're so happy with Shizuru, but I've been warning her of her poor communication skills with you for years."

Natsuki winced. "I wouldn't say her communication was poor. She just let me hold onto what I knew because she was scared I'd run off. You know how skittish I am."

"Again, it takes two. She should have spoken to you a long time ago about why you are so skittish. Instead, she lets her own fear rule her. I hope you two are getting better."

Natsuki shrugged. "I like to think we are." Their communication definitely was better now and they discussed so many things they never had before and were much better for it. Had they had some arguments? Yes, but in the end, even those brought them closer.

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Shizuru said things had finally moved forward with you both and you were on the same page."

Natsuki nodded. "Yeah."

"It's all right. I don't need details."

That got a laugh. "You don't need them, but you want them. Which one of them told you I tried to break up with her after overhearing them talk about marriage?"

Crimson eyes drifted to the smiling father and daughter. "Both of them."

"Of course both of them. They are the same person." Natsuki glanced over into the kitchen with their tea and their giggles and, yeah, totally the same person. She liked that about Shizuru and her father. Hell, she liked it about Shizuru and her mother, too. She wanted to have that kind of relationship with her own children. Someday.

"Thankfully she's also me or I'd have had to have another one and pregnancy did not suit me," Shizuru's mother said.

Natsuki smiled a bit, uncomfortable. She had seen pictures of Shizuru's mother pregnant with Shizuru. Toward the end, Missus Fujino looked broken, stuck on bed rest and often sick throughout her pregnancy. Her tan skin, which had a glow to it now, was ashen and there were bags and lines under her eyes in pregnancy every photo Natsuki had seen. Misery did not seem to cover it. It was not that she was unhappy with carrying a child, but all of the changes to her body and the limits of what she could do as the pregnancy moved along. One day, Natsuki knew she would have to seek advice from Missus Fujino, as she felt like pregnancy would not suit her as well.

Shizuru's mother glanced into the kitchen once more. "I also fear he might have strong genes, so a second child would have been him as well. Could you imagine? A household of that." She made a face as if the idea did not appeal to her, but they both knew she would have doted on any number of children who resembled her husband.

"Is this a weird warning?" Since Shizuru's mother knew about the conversation that almost sent Natsuki on the run yet again, she had to assume Shizuru's mother knew children had come up, too.

Missus Fujino pressed her hands together and tapped her fingertips against each other. "Well, should you ever seriously consider children, be aware."

Natsuki smiled. "I wouldn't mind. My face might not survive all the blushing, but I wouldn't mind." She would take a dozen mini-Shizurus. She was not sure how she felt about giving birth to all of them, but she would not mind having them around.

Her mother nodded. "You're a good one, Natsuki, and know that neither of us…" She motioned to herself and then to her husband. "Neither of us would have supported this relationship if we didn't believe in you. You're a good person."

Natsuki sniffled as tears stung her eyes. They believed in her. They felt she was worth of their daughter. Damn it, why did the Fujinos know how to hit her right in the feels? They were possibly the only people on Earth who could make her cry.

"I always wanted her to be with someone better than me," Natsuki said.

There was a small, sad smile, but Missus Fujino reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. "For her, there is no one better than you and we support that. Maybe you don't see it, but you're doing well. You make her happy and she wants to have a family with you. You support her through so much and you're always there for her. We trust you with her. So, we're happy to see you take this step forward."

Natsuki nodded, but ducked her head. "Thank you."

Shizuru's mother took mercy on her for once in her life and did not say anything in return. Natsuki sighed in relief. The rest of the time passed with relative ease. Well, beyond the triple dose of teasing Natsuki had to put up with, but that was expected.

-8-8-8-8-

The room was dark, but Natsuki could not stop focusing on the spot where she knew the ring was on the dresser. Shizuru was wrapped around her, head resting on Natsuki's shoulder. Natsuki had her arm around Shizuru's shoulders. She should be asleep, but Natsuki suspected Shizuru knew she was awake and that would keep Shizuru awake.

"Did my parents say something to you?" Shizuru asked, fingers now drawing circles on Natsuki's side.

"No… well, yeah, but it was good stuff. Your mom let me know they believe in me and they're happy for us. So, that's cool," Natsuki replied, rubbing Shizuru's back.

"Oh, so she didn't ask you when the babies are coming?"

Natsuki tensed briefly and then laughed. "Very funny."

Shizuru snickered. "I'm being so serious. My father kept asking about when we'd have babies now that we've truly moved in together. There was wedding talk, too."

"Maybe you guys just shouldn't drink tea anymore. Obviously it makes you both crazy and weird. It's like your weirdo version of liquor."

Shizuru chuckled and kissed her shoulder. "I thought you believed we were already crazy and weird."

"You guys are, but you're all okay in my book." Natsuki took a deep breath and caressed Shizuru's back again. "I was looking at the ring."

"I know."

"Your psychic abilities will come in handy if we do have a baby." Natsuki shifted and held Shizuru's hand and drew circles on it with her thumb.

"It only works with you, so we have to have a mini-you." Shizuru kissed her neck.

Natsuki smiled. "I wouldn't mind, but having a mini-you around wouldn't be so bad."

Shizuru nodded. "Well, for either of those to happen, you would have to ask me."

"I know." Natsuki did not think it was the right time. They had only just moved in together, started a real life together. She wanted to make sure she was in the right head space before asking a question she knew the answer to.

"Take your time, my love. You know I'm not going anywhere." As if to prove her point, Shizuru snuggled closer.

"Neither am I." She put the ring out in the open to prove that. One day, she would feel comfortable with asking. For now, it was time to establish new routines and behaviors. "I love you, you know that, right?"

Shizuru snickered. "Of course I know. You've agreed several times to have babies with me, after all. I love you, too."

"It doesn't come across that way when you say it while laughing." Natsuki gave her a little pinch.

Shizuru yelped and bucked against her. "Well, it doesn't come across that way when you pinch me!"

Natsuki pinched her again, which was never a smart move since Shizuru knew all her weaknesses. She got one more pinch in before Shizuru attacked with the dreaded tickles. Tickling turned into kisses and then Shizuru was on top of her.

"I do love you," Shizuru said.

"Well, I will probably have your babies, so you should love me." Natsuki chuckled and Shizuru silenced her with a kiss. Before things got too heated, Natsuki took one last glimpse at the ring. Yes, one day she would ask. One day soon.

-8-8-8-8-

The end.

Thanks for reading. I hope everyone enjoyed the story. Please, if you like my work, go check out my books available on Amazon, under the name S.L. Kassidy. Back to my padded cell with me. Thanks again. Hasta…