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You were glad to finally rest after seemingly endless travel.
You’d assumed that even after hundreds of years with your partner, Ri, you’d adjust.
Sadly, that wasn’t the case.
Your only breaks were for a few days when Ri would rest after exorcising a Mononoke.
This time, the two of you were in an inn. It was a quaint place, though not the most luxurious.
You didn’t mind if it meant you’d be able to cuddle your very sleepy partner.
He was exhausted after every fight—wielding the sword used a surprising amount of energy, even if it took over for him.
You shifted, trying to get comfortable. Your leg had fallen asleep a few minutes ago, but you didn’t want to disturb Ri.
He laid over you, his arms around your waist as he nuzzled his face into your chest. His legs were between yours.
Ri looked like he was in paradise.
His hair splayed across the futon, even tangling with your hands.
You’d planned on reading, but that wouldn’t happen with him being so affectionate for once.
The fact he trusted you enough to truly sleep deeply warmed your heart—even if you’d been with him for centuries.
You decided to risk it and fully readjust your position.
That was a mistake.
Ri groaned, lifting his head and giving you a betrayed look.
“Mmph, why’d you move?”
Your heart ached at the slight sadness in his voice.
“I’m so sorry, love! I needed to wake my leg up. You can go back to sleep.”
He studied your expression before deciding he deserved repayment.
“I want kisses first.”
You smiled, watching him slowly pull himself closer until his hair tickled your nose.
He was slightly above you, his eyes expressing pure adoration while his face stayed in that same, perpetually still expression.
You reached up, wrapping your arms around his shoulders.
His eyes started to widen just before you pulled him down.
His lips crashed onto yours, but he caught himself before either of you could get hurt.
His reaction time was off because of his exhaustion—normally, he’d figured out what you were doing and manage to flip it on you.
You’d managed to make Ri flustered without mentioning his ‘collection.’ This was practically a turning point in history.
“Aw, Ri! Are you flustered?”
He avoided eye contact, but his cheeks burned red.
“N-no. That was just a surprise.”
You chuckled, then ran your hands through his hair, gently coaxing the knots to loosen. He practically purred, nuzzling into your side as he relaxed.
Ri had his head on your collarbone, golden
wisps of his hair covering your chest and his face.
He slowly fell back into that deep sleep, and you followed suit.
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Ri woke before you, deciding he’d need another reward for that stunt you’d pulled earlier.
He groped for his things, finding the purple pigment he applied to his lips.
Ri put it on, smiling wickedly as he reviewed the plan in his head.
Everything seemed perfect.
He started pressing light kisses across your face and neck, pausing every few seconds to admire his work.
Your face was practically stained purple before you woke up.
“Hi, Ri.”
You hadn’t noticed the marks, which made your calm demeanor hilarious.
“Why’re you laughing?”
He chuckled, running a thumb over your cheek.
“You’ve got something on your face.”
You squinted at him, then sighed.
He slowly stood up, helping you up next.
The two of you threw on clothes, then he handed you a small brass mirror.
“RI! WHAT DID YOU DO?”
You shrieked at him, then tackled him to the floor.
You crashed on top of him, both of you laughing hysterically.
“That’s what you get for surprising me earlier.”
“Honestly, I just wish you’d done it while I was awake… you’re so cute!”
He gave you an unimpressed look.
“Really, do we want to do this again?”
You could see a very light reddening at the tip of his ears.
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. You’ll have to see-!”
He smirked.
“Challenge accepted.”
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