Secret Santa Gift 2019! X3
“Is there something wrong?” Kaldur asked the miko seated in his lap with her back pressed against his chest.
Kagome shook her head and turned in Kaldur’s arms to face him or, more accurately, his collarbone.
“Sorry! It’s just that—well I—I’ve never done anything like this before,” she uttered, embarrassed, “That is to say, I’ve never been close to someone—a boy—like this before. I’m not exactly sure what I should be doing right now.”
Kagome stilled when Kaldur gently touched her chin and tipped her gaze toward his. He smiled at the rosy pink hue that started from the apples of her cheeks and continued down the slender column of her neck. It was hard to believe a hero and comrade who confidently fought by his side could be so timid. They were several weeks into their courtship, and the most innocent of touches made the tiny miko flustered even when the two of them were alone.
Kaldur chuckled and pressed a kiss to Kagome’s forehead. He whispered against her skin, “You’re adorable.”
Kagome pouted. “That doesn’t help, ya know.”
She yelped when Kaldur tightened his grip around her waist and fell backward onto her mattress, bringing her down with him.
“Relax. You don’t have to do anything at all,” he told her softly, “Kagome is all I need. Don’t overthink it.”
Kagome huffed but made herself comfortable, resting her ear directly about Kaldur’s beating heart as she traced the muscles on his chest.
Kaldur hummed and began to run his fingers through Kagome’s hair, grateful that she finally released the tension in her muscles. He didn’t take offense to her hesitance, knowing how difficult romantic relationships could be for her. Despite her past experiences, he knew without doubt Kagome trusted him completely. There wasn’t anywhere he could go that she couldn’t follow.
Kagome nervously tugged at the collar of the black and neon pink wetsuit she wore and shifted her long braid over her shoulder. She was anxious with a frenzy of butterflies fluttering up a storm in her stomach. In less than a minute, she would enter a Zeta-Beam transport tube and enter the capital city of Atlantis, a place even she couldn’t believe existed.
“Kagome, are you ready?” Kaldur asked her as he approached her.
Kagome squeaked in surprise, but Kaldur’s demeanor composed her thoughts. She wasn’t the only one in a frenzy about today. Her quiet, reserved leader appeared to be the same as he always was on the surface, but she could tell he was excited to bring her to his home.
Kagome smiled to herself as she recalled Kaldur confessing he wanted to bring her to Atlantis. For that, she would put her nerves aside so he could be happy.
‘Not that I’m not happy too.’
“As ready as I’ll ever be!” she replied.
Kaldur gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting it go.
“Wonderful. I have received word from King Orin, and he is ready to receive us with his wife, Lady Mera, and younger brother, Prince Orm.”
“Seriously? All of that isn’t necessary!” Kagome insisted, comically shaking her head, “This is just a simple visit. No need to make such a fuss over me.”
“But it is much more than that,” Kaldur insisted, “Not only are you an integral part of the Team, you are a valued ally to the Justice League and its affiliates. You have done and are doing great things. You should expect the respect you receive and much more.”
Kagome flushed and looked away. “I’ll try.”
“And, on top of all that,” Kaldur continued, “you are my dear friend and, as such, are important me. Stop being so nervous.”
His only regret was that his parents were unable to travel to Poseidonis to join the Royal Family to greet them. He could have taken Kagome to Shaycris as well, but he wouldn’t risk Kagome’s health on an additional trip to his home. Kagome’s ability to withstand underwater conditions was temporary, and Kaldur wanted to be as close as possible to the transporters should something go awry. He took every precaution to ensure Kagome returned to the surface safely, and nothing discouraged her from wanting to visit Atlantis again.
“Is that a request from a friend or an order from my leader?” Kagome cheekily asked.
“That is a difficult decision. It is equally likely you will listen to neither.”
Kagome smirked and calmed just as Kaldur intended. “You’re lucky I can’t talk underwater, or you’ll get it as both.”
“Thank goodness for small miracles.”
Her heart pounding, Kagome took a deep breath as she stood, trying not to think that it would be the last breath of dry air she’d take for several hours. Sensing her nerves return, Kaldur reached out and took Kagome’s hand.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
Kagome nodded once. “Ready.”
Entering the transporter was a blur for Kagome. She only realized she was completely submerged in water when her body began to float and her mind went blank with fright. The strong, stable embrace of Kaldur’s hand engulfing hers and the steady stroking of his thumb did little to temper her body’s instinctive responses. Despite her preparation and training for this moment, she couldn’t force her body to ignore the perceived danger and draw a breath into her aching lungs.
Kaldur immediately noticed her distress and released her hand. Before Kagome could panic further, he placed one hand on her shoulder and the other cupped her cheek to direct her gaze to him. He gently but firmly pulled her closer until he became the only thing keeping her grounded, an epitome of calm and constant support.
“Breathe, Kagome,” he told her, “Just breathe.”
And, even though she did, she still felt breathless.
With Kagome’s hand in his, Kaldur led Kagome just beyond the transporter where the Royal Family was waiting to receive them. The meeting went better than Kaldur expected. With stiffened poise, Kagome released his hand and bowed before King Orin and his wife, presenting them both with Shinto talismans in the shape of the Shikon no Tama she prepared and blessed for the occasion. Queen Mera was immediately taken with the young priestess, admiring her ancient style of magic. Without her ability to speak, Kagome could only blush and nod, but her expressions spoke for themselves.
After a promise to join them in the evening for dinner, Kaldur brought Kagome to the Conservatory of Sorcery to meet his friends and former classmates. Kagome was more comfortable around people their age and visibly relaxed. Unfortunately for her, Tula, Coral, and Lori used her distraction to whisk her away from Kaldur’s side with promises to return her in one piece.
Garth chuckled and placed a hand on Kaldur’s shoulder to keep him from following.
“You don’t have to be so tense. She’s hardly in danger.”
“I know,” Kaldur replied, “It’s odd. For some reason—”
“You can’t help but worry,” Garth interrupted with a small smile
Kaldur lingered to speak with his friends for several minutes before he left to find the girls with Garth in tow. At Garth’s suggestion, they arrived at Poseidonis’s large shopping district to begin their search. Before long, Tula called out to them from the entrance of a popular clothing store.
“You saved us the trouble of finding you,” she said, “I didn’t think you would be so impatient, Kaldur.”
“You did catch me off guard. I take it Kagome is inside?”
Tula nodded. “We thought Kagome would appreciate more appropriate attire during her stay. I believe it suits her.”
Lori and Coral exited the shop, eagerly coaxing Kagome to do the same. She stumbled in open water until she stood in front of Kaldur, her hands clasped together in front of her.
The miko wore a lavender, high-collared halter top with intricate violet details that bared her midriff with deep purple shorts and a think silver chain clasped around her slender waist. On her arms were white bell-sleeves flowing over her wrists. Her previously bound hair was loose and held back by a white patterned headband.
Kagome looked at Kaldur from beneath her lashes, an expectant look in her eyes while she nervously bit her bottom lip. Kaldur smiled at Kagome, approving of her new Atlantean attire. He was grateful Tula and the other girls decided to take her shopping even though he would have preferred to accompany her as well. He reached out and tenderly grasped her hand.
“You look lovely, Kagome,” Kaldur said, his grin widening when she began to blush.
Behind them, Tula, Coral, and Lori giggled. Kagome made a noiseless shriek and ducked her head but didn’t attempt to remove her hand from his.
“We’ll leave you two alone, okay?” Lori said with a flirty wink.
“Make sure you see us before you go back to the surface,” Tula said.
Kagome nodded and approached her new Atlantean friends, giving them a bright smile and an eager nod.
-O0o0O END FLASHBACK O0o0O-
It wasn’t long after that day when Kaldur decided to pursue Kagome, and he did so earnestly.
“If you start to feel uneasy or uncomfortable, just tell me,” Kaldur stated, “We will figure it out together. This is new to me as well.” He continued speaking to Kagome in Atlantean, causing the miko to knit her brows. She knew enough to hold a simple conversation but was far from fluent.
“I’m sorry, but what was that?” she asked.
Kaldur smiled and repeated his words in English, “My arms are your refuge. With me, you will not know fear.”
Kagome shifted so that she could look Kaldur in the eye. She reached out and gently cupped his cheek. “That’s beautiful, Kaldur. Thank you.”
Kaldur leaned up, stopping just a hair’s breadth away from Kagome’s lips.
“No problem,” he whispered before closing the short distance and pressed his lips to hers with one hand pressed against the back of her head and an arm around her waist.
punballchan – That’s what I got! Assume this takes place in the Forgotten Hero universe. Hope you like it, @masquerabe. (Sorry it’s late!)