~YAMI~

"I'm back," he announced after an hour plus in the john. He felt worlds better and was quite impressed with himself. By giving her time alone, he had also made sure Charlotte had enough time to relieve herself in private as a lady.  He always tried to be oh-so considerate.

Opening the door, he found her laying peacefully in his bed hugging onto a pillow. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and the way she was snuggled into his sheets made his heart almost explode. If she didn't have a squad of her own, he'd definitely kidnap her and keep her here forever.

He saw that she had changed into a nightgown, and he briefly questioned where she got it from, but quickly realized it was behind his capacity to figure out. Her clothes were neatly piled on the top of his dresser, with the hilt that she sprouted her briars from placed on top. She never went anywhere without it. He picked it up and inspected it in his hands.

"Yami, you're back," her soft voice was further muffled by the pillow she clutched onto.

"I was wondering, could you answer something for me?"

"Anything."

"I've only seen you fight using this hilt, but in the cave, you left this across the room when you undressed and the briars sprouted out of your back, near your spine. Can you produce them anywhere on your body? Why use this?"

"My hilt is actually a magical item. It helps me to control my magic even with the lingering effects of the curse. It also magnifies it slightly, but it only works if it is within a meter of me. That being said, without it my briars only grow out along my spine, meaning it would always rip my clothing in battle, not to mention the nuisance of armor..."

"Mm, I see."

He kept the hilt in his hand and walked over to her, tugging gently on her new favorite pillow until she finally gave it up. As soon as he tossed it aside he replaced it with his own body, propping himself up on his elbows over her. Her face looked back up at him, those clear blue eyes searching for his intentions. He could feel the heat from her body underneath him, a deliciously inviting temptation.

Ever so slowly, he leaned down and pressed the surface of his lips against hers. She felt so soft and comforting, letting him set the pace as she cradled his lips between her own. This time they weren't starved for each other's affection. They drank up the luxury of a slow, timeless kiss. Just like a glass of expensive wine, they savored each sip, the slightest touch, every curve of the other.

Yami knew he wasn't good at words. And if he were being honest, he knew Charlotte wasn't good at them either. Yet in this kiss their lips whispered a sonnet that no words could begin to explain. It was less of a physical touch, and more one that reached into the depths of their souls.

As he kissed her he felt her briars extending from the hilt he held in his hand and he let them wrap around his biceps. They were gentler this time, matching the emotion of the kiss. Instead of slashing into him, the thorns were barely present and not even sharp. He felt her mana envelop him, her ki an ethereal mixture of deep desire and contentment.

So, you really do love me, Char. My Prickly Queen. There's nothing in this world I want more than your well-being.

"I see your briars are a bit more tame tonight," he whispered against her plump lips. He felt her smile.

"Yes... I... I admit that I want you, Yami. All these years I've been holding back when I... when I wanted to be this way with you." She nuzzled his freshly-shaven chin with her own.

"So does this mean you're feeling lustful tonight or not?" He whispered, flexing against the vines that still clung to his arm. She let out a tiny moan, can she feel me through her briars?

"I, ummmm...."

As soon as she didn't respond with a 'no', he knew exactly what was on her mind. He moved in so he could kiss her more deeply, pressing her hilt into the palm of her hand. When he broke their kiss, she look up at him inquisitively and he smirked down at her. Finally, this was what he'd had on his mind all day. It had all played out too perfectly, he must be doing something right...

"Don't worry, all you need to do is relax... and focus on controlling those prickly vines of yours... haha, although... I won't be making it easy for you."

A/n: I just want to say that if/when Yami and Charlotte have a child, I think they would wield dark briar magic with black roses. My head cannon is that it'll be a girl with black hair and blue eyes and her name will be Ebony. Her face would look just like her mom's and she would have her dad's bluntness. She could grow up to be a squad captain, but I think she'd make a better vigilante... uwu