Somewhere in Kazuki's mansion, the dangerous and terrifying Venus sat in a rare moment of stillness, deep in thought. She was perched on a plush armchair in his walk-in wardrobe, wearing one of his shirts, the fabric swallowing her petite frame. Her legs were folded underneath her, her gaze distant as she absently tugged at the sleeves.
Kazuki leaned against the doorframe, watching her with an intensity that made the air feel heavier. The tension that had simmered between them for days seemed to have lifted, but something new had replaced it—a quieter, more dangerous kind of tension.
Hime broke the silence, her voice cutting through the stillness.
"I can't keep wearing your clothes."
Kazuki's lips quirked into a faint smirk. "What's wrong with them?"
"All of it," she replied, glancing down at the oversized shirt. Her tone held an unusual softness, almost playful, that caught him off guard.
Then, to his surprise, she tilted her head slightly and said, "Buy me some clothes. Just a few."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Cute," he muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" she asked, her tone sharp.
"Nothing." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Wait here. Don't touch anything."
She shrugged, leaning back into the chair as if she had no intention of moving. "I wasn't planning to."
Kazuki lingered for a moment, his eyes lingering on her as she resumed picking at the loose thread on the sleeve of his shirt. He wouldn't admit it aloud, but he liked seeing her in his clothes. It was possessive, primal even—proof that she was here, in his domain.
With one last look, he turned and left the room.
..............
Two hours later, Hime was still curled up in the wardrobe, absently scrolling through her tablet. The sound of footsteps drew her attention, and she looked up to see Kazuki standing in the doorway.
"Come with me," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
She raised an eyebrow but followed him without protest. Kazuki led her to a room adjacent to his bedroom. As he pushed the door open, Hime's eyes widened.
The space was a walk-in wardrobe, but it was far grander than the one she'd been mulling in earlier. Rows of meticulously organized clothing lined the walls—dresses, tops, pants, and even shoes and bags. The center of the room held a sleek table that resembled an office setup, complete with a state-of-the-art computer and a chair that screamed luxury. But what caught her eye was a small section tucked into the corner: delicate, lacy nightwear hung on display, undeniably feminine and undeniably bold.
Her brows furrowed as she stepped into the room, turning to face Kazuki. "What is this?"
"Your office," Kazuki replied nonchalantly, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
She gave him a skeptical look, her lips pressing into a thin line. "You're serious?"
Kazuki stepped further into the room, his sharp gaze sweeping over the setup. "You never have many clothes. I noticed that at the temple—your old Mars. Always traveling light because you're always running." His voice softened slightly. "You won't have to do that here."
Hime's eyes flicked back to the rows of clothes, her fingers brushing against a silky dress. Something unspoken twisted in her chest, a warmth she couldn't name but instinctively wanted to push away. She turned back to him, masking her emotions with a raised eyebrow.
"How long have you been planning this?"
Kazuki didn't answer, his expression unreadable.
Her gaze narrowed. "Is this my room?"
"No," he replied firmly. "This is your office."
"Then where am I supposed to sleep?" she asked, tilting her head.
Kazuki stepped closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "In our bed. In our room. As usual."
Hime froze for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. Her instinct was to retort, to push back against his blatant possessiveness, but the look in his eyes made her pause. It wasn't just dominance—it was something deeper. Something she wasn't ready to name.
..............
She turned away from him, her fingers brushing against the edge of the sleek table in the center of the room. This wasn't just a gesture; it was a declaration. And that terrified her.
Hime had always built her life around independence, around the belief that relying on someone else was a weakness she couldn't afford. But Kazuki didn't ask—he took. And for reasons she couldn't explain, she found herself letting him.
"Why?" she asked softly, not looking at him.
Kazuki tilted his head. "Why what?"
"Why all of this?" Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of vulnerability beneath it.
Kazuki stepped closer, his presence commanding as always. "Because I can," he said simply. "And because you deserve it."
Hime turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "You think you can control me with a few dresses and an office?"
He smirked. "No. But I can give you what you need. Stability. Power. A place to stand when the storm gets too strong."
Her lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "You're letting the storm into your domain, Kazuki. Are you sure about that?"
Kazuki's gaze darkened, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "Then I'll be the thunder that comes with it."
..............
The tension between them thickened, the air practically crackling with unspoken emotions. Hime crossed her arms, her gaze challenging. "You're impossible."
"And you're stubborn," Kazuki shot back, his smirk returning.
For a moment, they just stood there, two storms colliding but unwilling to yield. And yet, the pull between them was undeniable, a force neither of them could resist.