AN: Yeah so spoiler alert: this chapter features smut. If you can't deal with Hatori and Tohru having sex then don't read.

I kind of wanted to write this for personal reasons despite me not writing smut too often. Frankly, I found the fandom's general reaction to the news of Tohru having 3 kids with Kyo kind of gross. Because everyone was acting like Tohru having sex was some sort of sin or crime. People gatekeeping her sexuality and freedom to express it by saying peeps are 'not allowed' to write smut about her hint at ingrained ideas about femininity and sex. Tohru doesn't present herself as a sexual being and she's quite naive but this doesn't mean she's not 'allowed' to have sex. I get it, she's our precious daughter and or waifu, but let her enjoy and have control over her own autonomy, ya feel? I ain't putting her in a chastity belt anyway, strap in folks. (I also included a famous starfish story in this because it fit so well)

(I say all this but this is probably the softest, fluffiest smut I've ever written lol it's not like this is hardcore)

Chapter Three

Practically smushed against the window, brown eyes widened, drinking in the sights. Every so often quiet gasps came from Tohru's direction, marvelling at every new cloud formation. She had never been on a plane before.

After hearing this information, Hatori had graciously given up his window seat, watching the young woman with amusement. Scratch that, he watched his wife, with amusement. He found it a mild shame that her first flight should be to their honeymoon destination but during their years of dating, they'd only ever vacationed around Japan, driving to humble, picturesque villages or hotels near the beachfront.

Tohru glanced at him and beamed, taking his hand and squeezing as though imbuing him with life. "Isn't it so amazing?!"

He smiled, gaze softening. He didn't have the heart to remind her that the flight would last 16 hours. Lifting their joined hands, Hatori kissed her ring finger, causing crimson to dust her cheeks.

"Mn. It's perfect."

Tohru watched him, tittering and practically vibrating happiness. The moment she worried her palm would become clammy, Hatori lowered their hands and shifted his larger one to cover hers over the armrest.

Releasing a breath, brown eyes fixed on the safety of the clouds. Her heart thundered, crying out; 'Honeymoon! Honeymoon!'

For most couples, a honeymoon wouldn't be that big of a deal. A chance to relax and make love however and whenever they wanted while on their break, see the sights and make glowing memories after their wedding day. Tohru was sure it wasn't supposed to be this nerve-wracking.

It's just that they hadn't made love before.

Swallowing, she vaguely recalled telling Arisa and Hana about the predicament. It wasn't as if Hatori had treated her like a chaste doll. They'd done...stuff.

"What stuff?" Arisa had inquired with a doubtful look while they sat out in the Sohma estate garden, having a picnic. Hana looked about ready to throttle someone, probably Hatori.

"Kissing!" Tohru had said in a fierce whisper.

"No waay," her friend drawled with unimpressed sarcasm, smirking.

"And touching!"

Hana and Arisa exchanged glances. "Pray tell, what kind of touching, Tohru?" Hanajima softly inquired, snapping her baguette in two.

"J-just...some under the clothes touching," the last part was said smally, before Tohru buried her face in her hands. "Oh, this honeymoon is going to be a disaster! What'll I do?! I-I really, really do want to make love with Hatori. I know he'll treat me kindly and it will be wonderful b-but…"

"But?" Her friends gently nudged.

Tohru dropped her hands to stare miserably at her lap, hair frazzled. "We've waited so long. N-neither of us were set on doing this after marriage or anything. It just...happened this way. I-I don't know HOW to bring up the topic of...s-sex. Ohhh," she groaned. "At this point, I don't think he does either. Ah! And maybe he's just not attracted to me that way?"

"Hey, hey, hey- woah there," Arisa set both hands on thin shoulders. "Take a breath, geeze. It's easy to know the answer to that," she winked. "Did he get excited when you were 'touching each other?"

Hana raised a handkerchief to her grey eyes, sniffing. "Oh. Talking of such things with sweet Tohru feels so very wrong."

"She's our friend and she needs help! Suck it up-" Arisa's attention whipped back to the stuttering brunette. "Well?"

Inwardly dying, Tohru released a breath and nodded, picking worriedly at the grass. "I think so? He's had to excuse himself a few times, and when I've been on his lap I've felt something."

Patting her shoulders, the blonde eased back and smiled broadly. "Then you've got nothing to worry about. He's totally sexually attracted to ya. Maybe he's just shy?"

Thinking to herself, a crinkle marred Tohru's brow. "No...that doesn't sound like Hatori. He's usually very blunt about things."

"Then I got nothin, look just relax. It's still a vacation! Just don't force it and it'll happen naturally. Kureno was a lil hesitant too but I got things going by taking charge," Arisa made a fist and raised it with gusto. "That's what you gotta do! Just take the bull by the horns!"

But Hatori was a seahorse, Tohru puzzled to herself. After that, Hana suggested going shopping to help her prepare for the honeymoon.

Sighing, she was brought back to her current reality by a child wailing in the seats separated by the aisle beside Hatori. The little boy then broke out into small coughs, wailing afterwards and repeating the process. His mother tried to soothe him to no success.

Hatori watched them, shifting in his seat. "Excuse me," he muttered. "Sorry to impose but I'm a Doctor. Has he had that cough for a while?"

The mother's expression melted into relief, launching into the details. Hatori ended up leaving his seat to kneel beside their chair, inspecting the baby's throat with the mini torch hanging from his keys.

Tohru stared, inwardly melting. Complete adoration and pride radiated off her in waves. When some people watching complimented him, she nodded along and clasped her hands with a warm heart. How lucky and mushy she felt!

Hatori eventually sat down next to her once more. Gently prodding her cheek, he rose a brow. "What's with the grin?"

"Hm? I was smiling?" She cupped her cheeks, practically floating.

Taking some brunette bangs between lithe fingers, he gave a gentle tug. Tohru giggled and smiled up at him. "You were just really great, launching in with every intention to help like that. I even remember seeing that baby cough in the airport and thought to myself: yep! If that baby is on our flight, Hatori will give them a check-up!"

"Was that before or after you got lost on your way back from the bathroom?" He said flatly, unable to stifle a smirk.

Gaping, she whined. "Don't bring that up! Gah, I nearly boarded the wrong plane because those gates are so confusing! How embarrassing…"

Hatori gentled, smoothing a palm over her bangs, watching them curl and fall back into place. "I was only doing my job. Giving a check-up to a baby isn't something notable."

"Yes it is," she hummed, giving a quick, shy kiss to the delicate skin of his wrist. They weren't very big on PDA, keeping their touches largely private. Momiji had called them the 'old married couple' long before they'd actually married.

"I'm really proud to be your… y-your wife," Tohru continued softly, blushing. It felt so strange and nice to say it out loud. "So let me be proud! Please don't sell yourself short.."

Hatori stared at her for a long moment, wondering if the warmth in his chest would ever dim. It hadn't in all the time he'd known her, largely growing.

They entertained themselves for the rest of the flight, dozing occasionally. Hatori read a book whilst Tohru snoozed on his shoulder, cuddled up to his side.

After the plane landed in Greece, they located their suitcases and took a taxi to the quaint villa that had been booked for the duration of their stay. Communication had been odd to tackle since neither spoke the language and instead had to use English to converse with their driver, as it was more commonly known than Japanese.

Tohru gasped the second she laid eyes on their booked address.

If Momiji buying her a trip to the hot springs had made her feel like a princess, she felt like a downright Queen now. The walls were pure white, roof a dark orange colour. Cobbled stone paths led the way around the side to where she discovered an outdoor pool. It was very modern, and very not them. She loved it anyway.

Hatori sighed, coming up to her side. She glanced up at him in the waning light of dusk, the sky impossibly clear. "It may have been a mistake to let Shigure and the others decide on a place."

"Oh but they were all so helpful we couldn't refuse! Ayame and Mine did a lovely job of my wedding dress. I think it's wonderful they picked. It lets it be a surprise," she beamed. Hatori hummed and nodded, getting a detached look in his good eye.

Tohru tilted her head, having seen that look many a time after he'd endured a long shift. "Are you jet-lagged?"

He blinked and shook his head, "no I'm fine. Let's take the bags inside."

After taking their somewhat frugal amount of bags inside and turning on the lights, Tohru gasped some more at the interior. It was all so beautiful! She unzipped her bag in the hallway and took out the picture of her mom, cooing. "Look, Mom! We're in Greece," she said, hurrying from room to room to show her the layout.

Her rapid heart thundered in her chest, excitement drumming through her veins. Hearing Hatori unpack upstairs, she quieted and looked at the picture. Maybe it… was a little weird to take Mom on their honeymoon but she'd never gone to a new country before.

Placing Kyoko in the kitchen, she smiled. "Here, Mom. You overlook the kitchen. It's nice, huh?"

Kyoko's serene smile reassured her. Taking a breath, Tohru summoned her courage.

Walking upstairs, she tentatively approached the now quiet bedroom. Peering in and noticing Hatori stood by the window, her breath caught.

Looking out at the scenery with a softness in his eyes, the doctor radiated peace. She felt her chest grow warm with fondness.

'You're like the sun,' she'd once told him. Hatori had looked at her like she'd grown a second head.

"I can see the moon comparison but not that. Aren't I a little too… 'me' to be the sun?"

"No! You're the person everyone feels stable around. Me, Ayame, Shigure, Momiji… we all orbit around you because you make us feel safe and listened to."

Hatori had shaken his head with dismay and cupped her cheek. "You've got it backwards," he'd said gently with a smile. "If anything, you're the sun that we orbit around. Lured in by your…'unique' gravitational pull."

Tohru smiled to herself now, meeting her husband's gaze as he watched her. Swallowing and pushing some loose strands of hair back behind her ear, she gestured to the window. "B-better not catch you smoking!" She joked.

Hatori's thin lips curved. "I'm still wearing the nicotine patch, I swear," he hummed, shooting a dusty smirk her way. "You don't need to worry, wife."

"Well that's good, husband," she giggled.

When her mirth died down, an awkward, heavy silence set in, made all the louder by what they wanted to say to each other. His visible deep violet eye stared, waiting, on the cusp of something, the other partially hidden by the fall of black hair caressing his cheek that she continually minded away when they kissed. Tohru didn't want that look to go away. She quickly sucked in a breath and lugged her bag to the ensuite bathroom, grabbing the door handle. "I-I'm just going to get changed for bed!" She squeaked, face red.

Hatori gave a confused nod, before she hurriedly shut the door. Kneeling down and yanking at the zipper caused it to get stuck, and Tohru inwardly screamed. She took a good few moments prying the bag open, clumsily stripping out of her travelling clothes.

A bath or shower would've been ideal but there was no time!

Getting changed, Tohru panted, straightening in front of the mirror. Arisa and Hana had assured her that a navy blue babydoll nightie would be the perfect thing for her to wear. Something too risque would be too embarrassing and she'd lose her nerve. Like this, she could kind of pretend she was wearing a lacy dress yet still look a little more enticing.

Gathering her thick volume of frazzled hair and pushing it back behind trembling, bare shoulders, Tohru took a long breath. Okay! She clapped both hands to burning cheeks. I-I can do this. I'm sure nothing will go wrong. Hatori won't...mind how I look. Oh but what if I'm pressuring him by wearing this?! Gah, what if I've read the signals wrong?! The last thing I want to do is make him uncomfortable! What if-

Tohru spiralled for a little while in her own personal hell. By the time she worked up the courage to shakily open the door, she wasn't sure how much time had passed.

Hugging her arms to her chest, she gingerly walked out into the bedroom like a nervous deer, only to stop.

Hatori lay asleep on the covers.

Deflating faster than a balloon at a kids party, Tohru sighed. I took too long.

Dark hair fanned over a pale cheek, long lashes shut. The delicate skin of his neck and collarbone were exposed by his partially opened shirt. Approaching, she couldn't help but gently smile. Not jet-lagged, hm?

Taking hold of a thin blanket, Tohru noticed he'd changed for bed. Since he lay atop the covers, she wondered how long he'd been waiting for her. Something heavy sank into her stomach and she quietly apologised, covering him with the blanket.

Climbing in under the covers next to him, Tohru lifted an arm out to brush dark strands aside, lifting them away from his closed, sightless eye. Stroking a careful thumb over the plains of his tired, handsome features, Tohru bid him goodnight. Nestling her face against his neck, she fell asleep pressed against the comforting warmth of his side.

The smell of bacon lured her awake, and Tohru sat up groggily. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes and yawning, she noticed a strap from her nightie had slipped off one shoulder. Thinking to leave it there, Tohru toyed with the idea of walking downstairs dressed as she was. Maybe she could talk to Hatori, politely apologise for last night and inquire if he maybe he wished to-

Footsteps coming up the stairs had Tohru yelping in surprise and grabbing the blanket, throwing it around her shoulders and essentially cocooning herself in the soft material.

Hatori walked through the threshold, carrying breakfast on a tray.

"You didn't need to do that," Tohru piped up from the cocoon.

"It's fine," he said, lifting an amused brow as he sat down next to her, the mattress sipping with his weight. "Cold?"

Actually she was sweating buckets. "N-no. Um...good morning," she murmured, shifting out of the nest a little. "I'm so sorry about last night, I didn't mean to-"

Hatori rested a glass of cool orange juice against her forehead, cutting off that tangent. His calm gaze looked ever accepting, nothing ruffling his features. "I'm the one who fell asleep, it's alright."

Tohru fell silent as the breakfast tray was set down on her knees. Hatori gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead and retreated downstairs once again as though nothing was amiss.

Picking up a utensil, Tohru sighed. He hadn't seen.

She'd wondered if maybe he'd glimpsed the baby doll outfit while she'd slept, but Hatori remained placid and unmovable. If she could just work up the courage…

Taking a breath, Tohru frowned at the eggs on her plate. "I'll just try again, and this time I won't chicken out!"

After lunch, they ventured outside. The couple walked down one of the many roads down to a town on the coast. The sun bore down on them, making Tohru glad she'd worn a sunhat and light pink summer dress. Hatori had been in the unfamiliar position of not wearing a suit for once. Instead, he'd loosened up, clad in a white button-up shirt and grey cargo shorts and sables. It was a very different look, one he seemed uncomfortable with. The heat wouldn't allow for anything else.

Strolling along the beach, Tohru bought a bucket, picking up seashells and admiring them. Sometimes she'd add one to her growing collection.

Hatori stood further along the beach, watching the horizon. He shifted his feet, noticing that an unusual amount of starfish had washed ashore.

Hearing a quiet splash and turning to glance in Tohru's direction, he blinked. She walked along the sand, occasionally bending down to pick something up- throwing it back into the ocean.

"What are you doing?" He asked when she drew closer.

"The sun is up and the tide's going out. They'll die if they're not put back."

He raised a brow. "The beach goes on for a few miles, and there's probably thousands of them. You can't make a difference."

Tohru straightened and tilted her head, not taking his words as something unkind, Hatori just stated things as they were. Facts.

She smiled and leaned down, picking up another starfish and gently throwing it back into the sea. "I made a difference for that one."

Violet eyes widened a touch, before warming. He began to help his wife, strolling along the beach with her as a silent companion.

That night, Tohru resolved to try again. Sitting on the couch and cuddling against Hatori's side as he absentmindedly stroked her hair, she felt this to be the opportune time. Lifting her head and breaking her gaze from the movie they were watching-Tohru stilled upon feeling the gentle pressure of lips against hers.

Blushing, her mouth parted, shivering when his hands dragged down her back. His tongue brushed against hers lightly.

Before he could deepen the kiss and take things further- Tohru pulled away.

"I-I just need to fetch something from the bathroom!" She blurted. "Wait here please!"

Hatori blinked but nodded with acceptance, watching as she scrambled over the couch, falling off the back and landing with a 'thump!'

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine, thank you!" She squeaked, getting up with a scramble of limbs and booking it to the bathroom. Grabbing her baby doll nightgown, Tohru stripped and yanked it on. Yes! It had to be perfect. Arisa and Hana had told her to wear it, so she must! This was the right time.

Hurrying back downstairs with elephant feet and halting in the threshold to the living room, she panted and fluffed her hair, composing herself. Right… seductive. How did someone do that again?

Shaking herself, she knew not to make Hatori wait, stepping inside and approaching the couch.

Where her husband lay asleep.

Staring, Tohru inwardly screamed. Had she taken too long again?! She'd been certain she'd been less than two minutes.

Rubbing her bare arm and floundering, her shoulders dropped.

Well… he looked a little uncomfortable, laying in a belt and fully clothed. Grabbing a blanket, she pulled it over his legs, before leaning over him slightly. She'd just remove his belt. That would surely help him rest easier.

Gripping the leather, Tohru slid the end out of a belt loop, pulling it free from the buckle.

She didn't think much of her position, leaning over his pants and freeing him, but when Hatori started awake and exclaimed: "Tohru?" she started so badly her hair snagged in the metal buckle.

"Ah! Ow ow ow!"

Quietly panicking, they both tried to free her hair, neither commenting on her precarious position hovering close to his crotch.

Needless to say, after Tohru was released with only the minor wounds of frayed ends- they awkwardly wandered upstairs together. Red-faced and embarrassed, she only felt a modicum of relief when her husband pulled her close for the night.

It should've been enough; falling asleep in Hatori's arms. And yet she couldn't help but feel like she'd missed a social cue again, messed up where others would prevail.

They held hands, browsing the shops together the next day. Nothing was amiss. Happiness came easily with Hatori's quiet and secure presence.

Occasionally Tohru would spy something adorable that she figured one of the former zodiacs would enjoy.

"Ohh look at this tiger key-chain! Do you think Kisa would like this?"

"I feel as though she'd find anything you gave her adorable."

Tohru hummed and happily tucked it into the crook of her arm, inspecting a sheep charm next. She then paused, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth. Hatori stared.

"What is it?"

"Ah...it's just…" worried brown eyes flitted up to him. "Is it weird? Getting gifts for everyone while on my honeymoon? I also wanted to send postcards. O-only...Ayame and Mine didn't do that. Neither did Yuki and Machi, Shigure and Akito-"

Hatori tucked both hands into his pockets, moving his attention away from the shop on the seafront to look at the street. "Ayame is too self-involved to think about doing such a thing. Yuki and Machi were likely too wrapped up in each other, same thing for Shigure. We are not them."

His words were likely meant to assure her, as they usually did with the accompanying steady, calm tone. This time they dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. It only served to heighten the feeling that they were doing something wrong. Why weren't they all over each other?

Tohru swallowed, looking at the key-chain tucked into her arm. She set it back down with the others. Upon glancing at him again, she found Hatori frowning at her.

"Ahaha- I just remembered Kisa doesn't like tigers that much anymore," Tohru lied. It didn't sit right on her tongue, and an ugly, horrible feeling welled up inside her stomach.

Hatori quietly asked her if she wanted ice-cream, which she agreed to with false cheer. Soberly making her way outside, the 22-year-old leaned against the railing overlooking the beach. Sometimes she felt very young. Other times too old.

Her naivete got her into trouble and could be worrisome. The last thing Tohru wanted to be was a burden but her inexperience often made her feel such. If she were more mature and secure, perhaps she could just tell Hatori how she felt.

A foreign word caught her ears, bright and happy. A little boy was racing over the beach, colliding into an older woman's legs. She scooped him up and laughed, while he repeated the word over and over.

'Mama!'

Tohru smiled, feeling a faint pang. Nostalgia, murky jealousy and happiness for them wrapped into one. These were the times she felt old.

Something small was set on the crown of her head. Tohru blinked and reached up, feeling the item resting there and lifting it away. A tiger key-chain sat in her palm.

Tears pricked her eyes as she looked up, finding Hatori leaning against the railing beside her.

"I think we should talk," he said softly.

Tohru clutched the small figure tight, knuckles turning pale. "C-can we go back to the villa?"

He nodded, gaze gentle.

Opening up was still a little frightening sometimes, no matter how comfortable one can get in a relationship.

"The truth is… I really do want to make love on our honeymoon…but things keep happening and I-I don't know if you feel the same."

That was how the talk began, sitting on their plush couch. She took the lead with talking, as she often did, words spilling out.

After venting in a semi-coherent manner, sprinkling in an apology or five and getting worked up to the point that tears stung her lashes- Tohru stopped.

A palm rested on her knee, Hatori's lips a reassuring pressure against the side of her head.

"I'm sorry...I didn't intend to make you feel like you weren't wanted."

She shook her head furiously, so hard she got dizzy.

"I did. Don't deny it," violet eyes strayed away. "Our wires got crossed. I thought you hurrying to the bathroom meant you weren't ready. That you were escaping. So I pretended to be asleep."

Her mouth fell open. "Y-you were faking? Ohh no," groaning, Tohru buried her face in her hands. "I… went into the bathroom to get changed into something I thought you might… um...like, for bed."

Hatori stared, jaw ticking. A warm puff of air fanned against her cheek as he chuckled. "We really are hopeless."

Affection glowed in her chest with renewed force. She slid her hand atop his own larger one that remained on her knee.

"Hatori," she said in a gentle tone. "You did...things with Kana, didn't you?"

It wasn't some sort of accusation or buried jealousy, mere curiosity. When he nodded with treacle immediacy, she went on to ask; "How?"

Letting out a long exhale, Hatori thought for a moment. He then slid both hands to her slim waist, gently pushing her to sit back against the cushions on the couch. Those hands then slid down, hooking under her thighs to prop them up as he aligned his hips with hers. Since his back remained straight, their chests were safe from meeting. Tohru made a noise, cheeks blooming red. With his crotch pressed against hers, it was a little difficult to focus, but she shook herself. "It must have been difficult...trying not to transform all the time."

"I won't lie; I did focus on that almost obsessively. It made sex quite stressful at times. The only saving grace was that it was with someone I loved." Dark hair slid forward, revealing a sightless eye, the pupil as hazy as ever. "Shigure suggested another method but it wasn't to my taste."

"Another method?" She asked innocently.

Hatori cleared his throat, "taking a woman from behind."

"From behind?"

His gaze quickly slid away and Hatori moved slightly back as if to retreat. "Never mind-"

"Hatori-!" Tohru clamped firm hands on his shoulders, wrapping both arms around his neck soon after and pulling him down. Their chests crashed together, abdomens meeting as she scrambled to hook her legs around his slim waist. Hatori made a low, startled grunt.

The young woman held him in a death grip, pressing her burning face against his neck. "W-we can touch. Completely. See? I know I'm not...very good at this, but I want to try! I want to...be close. To be one with you."

Remaining frozen in place for a moment, Tohru felt the air rush out of his lungs. She soaked in his warmth, the sheer sturdiness of his frame. It felt complete when lithe fingers combed through her hair, palm cradling the back of her head. This was Hatori. A very imposing-looking man, much like how the one might think the dragon zodiac would be. But the soothing drag of his hands hinted at the fragile seahorse heart beating rapidly in his chest. This was a big deal for him too.

Shifting, Tohru lifted her head just as he leaned in. Their noses brushed before a firm mouth slanted over soft lips. Inhaling sharply and pressing herself closer if possible, a happy noise escaped into the room.

Hatori smiled against her mouth, kissing her again. They navigated safe waters with ease, lips meeting and hands straying to refamiliarise themselves with each other's bodies. This was normal, known territory. At some point, Tohru's mouth shyly opened and their tongues brushed. Red cheeks blazed darker rouge, and she soldiered on.

But then Hatori dropped to his knees. His knees. In front of her, on the floor.

Tohru worried about the hardwood no doubt causing his legs to ache half a second before she froze, meeting his gaze. He looked at her; he wouldn't look away while kissing her stomach, even when he reached under her skirt and pulled her underwear down, one hand curling around her ankle to free her leg completely.

Tohru made a noise, gripping the material of her skirts and hitching them up. It surprised her when he tucked his head down instead of… well...getting right into sex.

He touched her, fingers spreading her wide in order to lick her clit. Tohru gave up on any pretence of chastity tonight and let her head fall back, gasping and seeing stars. She let her hand slide down, feeling his neck, his shoulders.

"Tohru," he quietly panted against her thigh. "We should… move this to the bedroom. This is your first time."

"No I'm alright, thank you," she murmured. She couldn't imagine scrambling upstairs now.

She lay pliant and soft and ever-welcoming, as if it was not a burden for her, to be invaded by him. Her legs fell open easily, and her mouth parted, smiling under his own. She felt wet, and always eager to hold his hand, his shoulders, anything that anchored them together. Always slick and ready for more, letting him slip inside her, working in little gasps as she adjusted to his size. When she touched him, she felt sweat at his temples. Hatori paused to suck at her jaw, allowing her to feel how ragged his breathing was.

He started moving deeper, hooking a hand under her knee to get better access, to grind against her like an animal. His stomach rubbed against hers, sweaty and pressing so tight and close she can't tell where his body ended and hers began.

It caused her to come until her head is spinning, wiring new pathways through her nervous system.

Hatori made a low, strained noise as he released, panting wildly with his eyes blown wide. Tohru stared at him dazedly, lips inches from his. Their forms remained frozen but quivering. She lifted her head in order to bridge the distance with a brief, lazy kiss. This seemed to stabilise Hatori's axis again. He zeroed in on her and slowly caught his breath.

Tohru smiled, lashes fluttering shut as a large hand cupped her cheek ardently, thumb gliding over her lips. For a long while, they lay together, lost in a daze.

They slowly untangled themselves enough to lie on the couch properly, Hatori's arm draped over her waist. Tohru rested her head against his chest, absentmindedly playing with the edges of his loose, open shirt.

"Tohru."

"Yes?" She didn't look up, basking in the afterglow.

"Do you think it's possible for Spring to last four seasons instead of one?"

Blinking, Tohru hummed, stroking a hand over his heart and dragging it down his smooth abdomen. She knew he wasn't being literal. Their happiness had lasted a long time. Uninterrupted happiness was a rarity for both Hatori and Tohru, so long stretches of it were regarded with suspicion and unease. She wished that one day they wouldn't worry about it. That they'd live without fearing life's cold and harsh turns. "I think Spring can last a long time...but Winter will eventually come."

"I suppose that's inevitable," Hatori muttered, gazing at the ceiling. "I'm being sentimental. Ignore me."

She knew that tone. "Not at all! You know, Hatori," she shifted, clasping kind hands over his chest and resting her chin on them. "Spring is inevitable after Winter too."

His lips thinned, fingers dragging up her back to curl into the fall of hair at the nape of her neck, tightening. Tohru lifted her chin just as Hatori wrapped her into a tighter embrace, kissing her lips and nestling his face into the crook of her neck. The Doctor then gave a long, extinguished sigh.

Blinking, a fond smile worked its way onto her lips. Dragging her fingers gently over his scalp, Tohru ran her hands through feathery black hair.

Their spring continued, cultivated and tended to with gentle, at times clumsy hands, but nonetheless loving and enduring.

End