[D8, LM, Ishioka's room, expecting] Figuring things out

[Matsu Ishioka]

Whatever amount of relief Narumi expected to see cross Ishioka's face at this news, it is dwarfed by the way that, as strain flees his face, his shoulders roll back, his chest puffs and his head rises. The weight that Bo's shadow was placing on the Lion's mind would have surprised even Ishioka himself, and Narumi's affirmation that their love was special was invigorating.

It took the big Lion a moment to realize that he was just staring into Narumi's eyes with a slightly goofy smile on his face. He leans forward to gently bonk her forehead with his, and then to rub his nose beside hers for a moment. So much easier and clearer than words. He shifts back to foreheads touching and takes a slightly ragged breath. "So we're good... at least for right now..." He says it questioningly, patient eyes open and watching for her reaction. She can tell from his breathing that talking isn't his priority at the moment, but he's giving no real sign, no pressure for that.

[Usogawa Narumi]

The silly show of affection from the Stone Matsu is met with a true laugh from the Otter as her arms sweep gently around his neck to keep him as close as she can. "Hai," she gives a peck to the tip of his nose.
Smirking lips move to meet his again, as deep as the afternoon before but without the grief attached, instead replaced by longing that had as of yet been mostly repressed.

[Matsu Ishioka]

As the kiss continues, Ishioka's fire for Narumi, restrained for days, not so slowly flares hotter. His right arm circles behind her and up behind her head, increasing their contact and helping her feel more clearly the speed of his heart. He leans slightly on his left arm, to let his crossed legs unfold. He pauses, balanced just between where he could rise to his knees and continue their passionate kiss, or could tip himself to the floor and pull Narumi over on top of him. Inside Ishioka, his want right now wars with a voice buried deep inside that urges more restraint. But the taste of Narumi is on his lips right now. For Ishioka, that one heartbeat of balance before the choice is made is terrifying and electrifying in equal measure.

[Usogawa Narumi]

Her own pulse is rioting, a roaring wave in her ears and a rush to her head. She relishes the closeness, the heat from him, and presses against him, moving and repositioning to allow him to pull her into his lap and on top of him. The searching kisses don't stop, lost in Ishioka's warmth.

Given the overwhelming highs and devastating lows of the last day, the Otter is more than willing to stay in this moment of excitement, perched precariously as they are on seeing through the desire that burned between them, but still there's trepidation and equal measures of checking and rechecking if each line can be crossed by the other.

[Matsu Ishioka]

With a cushion conveniently behind his head and a beautiful Otter on top of him, Ishioka feels about as good as he's capable of. To hold Narumi without judging eyes around them, to feel her press against him not from drink and not from emotional desperation but from love, it's an extended bliss for the Lion.

Narumi can feel continued hunger from him, heat unabated as his hands run through her hair and then down her back. He's patient before letting his hands roam farther, finding her hips and more but always suggesting where he'll go before getting there. Alongside the fire between them there's still a hesitation, a sense that they'll reach a line that they haven't quite found yet.

[Usogawa Narumi]

Narumi makes a happy noise as he pulls her down to ground level and the kissing continues, she revels in each one. Shifting her weight slightly so she's propped up on an elbow, lips meet his and she runs the other hand down his chest, enjoying the feel of his strength under her.
Still testing, movements achingly hesitating and then charging forward when met with approval by either of them.
Heart thundering away, so hard and fast her breaths getting shorter, shallower- but Narumi isn't quite ready to slow down, not when this moment had been building for as long as it had.

[Matsu Ishioka]

Ishioka raises a hand for what could be another gentle stroke of Narumi's cheek, and for a moment it is. Then it's one strong finger tracing down her jaw, then sliding under her chin and slowly down the inner part of her neck. In Ishioka's eye there's an intensity mixed with purposefulness that Narumi hasn't seen yet from him.

As the finger reaches her collar bone, it threatens both lovingly and urgently to drift farther along skin usually covered by Narumi's kimono. The pressure, the momentum of that one finger might feel gentle, but there's great power behind it, building and foreshadowing a stronger effort to come.

[Usogawa Narumi]

Another happy sound escapes from Narumi at his tracing, and with a moment's pause, she'd allow Ishioka to continue. Her breath catches, still shallow, almost rasping, skin warming under his touch. She moves against his hips, enticing, edging him to make the next move.
They teeter on the razor thin point of no return.

[Matsu Ishioka]

Ishioka's finger slides ahead, then slows to a halt tantalizingly close to pushing her kimono off her shoulder. The Lion seems to stop breathing for a moment, then closes his eyes and draws his hand back. He exhales with a shudder.

"We... We should wait," he whispers. He looks up to the ceiling, taking a heavy breath. "I want... you... so much, but... No misunderstandings. No holding back. No walls. We can figure this out, and then..." Another strained exhale. "Then the reward."

He closes his eyes again, and Narumi can see this isn't what he wants, but what he feels he has to do to protect her. He brings his hand up again, but this time it's simply to wrap around Narumi and hold her close to his heart, which is still pounding, but gently slowing.

[Usogawa Narumi]

Narumi grumbles with disappointment when he pulls back to speak, and groans softly when he suggests they stop. Knowing somewhere in the back of her head that he's right, but neither of them have to like it.
She melts into his embracing arms around her waist, settling her head to his chest, breathing shallow, almost wheezing- she squeezes her eyes shut against the threatening white out as her heart riots inside her own chest so loud Ishioka can surely feel her struggling to catch her breath.
"Fine.." she nearly gasps, voice somewhat raspy, but grinning against him. "Ýou made your point." Narumi props herself up on her elbows above him and kissing him against softly and quickly. "It's regrettably better this way, neh?"