He could have stayed this way forever, locked within their shared embrace, face buried deep within the luxurious softness of her fur. Time seemed to still and he savored the moment with every atom of his being, every fiber entirely focused on the sensation of how whole he felt. A part of him still fretted that it was wrong, that their love was forbidden - a simple samurai falling for his Empress, a woman far above his own station, holy and pure like the light of the heavens themselves.

And yet. Osamu, the man, selfishly refused to care.

Izumi.

The most beautiful name for the most beautiful creature he had ever -

His attention broke away at a sudden, new sensation, one he had never felt before. Without any warning he was quickly assailed by a flurry of feather-light touches, warm and gentle and damp, covering his cheek, his forehead, his chin, even his nose - his eyes opened wide, bright silver blinking in shock as he realized what she was doing.

Osamu held his breath for what felt like an eternity.

Izumi had stopped, and the words she breathed against his nape were soft velvet like falling petals from a rose.

He smiled in spite of himself as an unfamiliar wet sheen took to his eyes. It was not like the man to weep, but he felt dangerously close.

All of his life - his lives! - and not once had he ever enjoyed the simple pleasure of a kiss. Always he had been alone, whether by choice or sworn duty, but today he was not just Osamu - he was hers, and deep within the well of his heart, he knew Izumi was also his own. Rank be damned, propriety be cursed; the samurai never felt he ever deserved anything, but if this woman chose to love him, even knowing these things, who was he to command an Empress to cease?

I will follow you until my last breath, he whispered, And when that breath is gone, my soul will follow you still.

Osamu took a deep, bracing breath, and kissed her in turn. She was divine. She was the holiest of holies, her words by which he would forever live.

A thought crossed his mind.

... Queen's Rest remains unclaimed.

He withdrew momentarily from his adoration of her, enough to study her very seriously with eyes yet tender still.

Would you like to go... home?