Chapter Text
Sesshomaru held the steering wheel tightly in his hands as he drove through their neighborhood and towards home.
Sweet Potato was perfect. He had grown so much in the past 7 years and truly became a well rounded dog. He listened, he could go off of his leash, and he never had an accident in the house. Of course, he still constantly begged for food, but that was to be expected from a mostly beagle mix.
He was absolutely the perfect pup, despite the fact that he had turned out to be a hefty 45 pounds instead of the suggested 35.
Sesshomaru was currently seething. That stupid fucking vet had just called Sweet Potato fat . Calling him well loved didn’t stop the anger that rose in Sesshomaru’s chest.
Sesshomaru knew that he needed to tell Rin, but Rin was already so overwhelmed. She was in her final year of her residency and things were going great. Everything was almost perfect, but in just a few short weeks, everything would be perfect when they could finally complete their ceremony and ritual.
There wasn’t time to get Sweet Potato’s weight under control before the ceremony. The most that they could do was to stop the excessive treats, but as he glanced at the panting, smiling beagle who was sitting to the side of him, he knew that it would be hard as well.
Sweet Potato had filled the void that they had for a pup for a long while. He had been absolutely perfect in their lives, coming with them to family and social events, and even having family photos taken with him two years ago. Sesshomaru had even made his personal office dog friendly and he had come to be a sort of emotional support animal when his co-workers needed a break and a dog pat.
But he was fat.
Sesshomaru gripped the steering wheel harder, only relaxing his grip when he felt the plastic start to give way. He could not destroy the car.
He didn’t want to have to tell Rin that their pup needed a diet. She was already deluged by the process of planning a ceremony, though he’d told her she didn’t have to. She’d demanded to be a part of it since the process itself was very reliant on him and his instincts. He could deny her nothing.
So she had taken it upon herself, with assistance from his mother and Kagome, to plan the entire event herself. He’d only had to give minimal opinions and she had handled the rest. It was going to be a huge and lavish affair and she had taken it all in stride, handling florals and tables and setting and centerpieces with all the passion she was also currently giving to her residency.
She also seemed to be drowning in her work at the hospital, helping children sort through their emotional issues.
When Rin had decided to go into childhood psychiatric care, Sesshomaru had been less than enthused. It had been the first time since their move home from Kentucky that he had broached the topic of starting their own family again. He was willing to start their family if it meant she didn’t have to have her heart broken repeatedly by heart wrenching stories of abuse and mental instabilities in children.
But Rin had vehemently shut him down, saying she hadn’t come this far simply to put it on hold for a few more years. She was going to finish this out if it killed her. Rin loved her work with kids, saying it helped her understand their suffering, as she had once been in their shoes, as both an orphan and as someone who had struggled with her mental health at a young age. Rin wanted to help these disadvantaged kids and she refused to hear anything else about it, even if it was from Sesshomaru.
That then meant they had spent a few years getting their feet under them, Sesshomaru coming up as a senior-level executive under his father and working towards partnership in the future, while Rin worked hard to complete her degree in order to become a full fledged psychiatrist.
They had almost made it to Rin’s graduation, but then her heat last year had been exacerbated by Sango and Miroku’s twins turning 2, which resulted in things being swung into a full frenzy. By this point, Rin was refusing to wait any longer, citing that if they planned it just right she would be fine. They would have their ceremony, go on a sweet getaway for the week of her heat; if they turned out pregnant afterwards, well then, they would have time to get Rin through her degree; she would just put off starting professionally until she was ready.
So now they are here.
One month away from their ceremony with a dog that was too well loved by both of its parents.
Sesshomaru growled as he pulled into the driveway of their townhome, pulling on Tater’s leash as he flopped out of the car and walked up the driveway with him.
He entered the house, taking a deep breath and saying a quick thanks to the kami’s to gift him with the sweetest scent of his life who now completely coated her scent in his home and his life. He unleashed Sweet Potato and walked into their living room to see Rin bent over a book, hair up in a messy bun on her head as she studied from her textbook. She had already foregone her work attire, dressed in one of his sweatshirts and bike shorts if the small view of her legs was any indicator.
She peeked up at him, the small crease in her forehead telling him everything he needed to know.
Rin already knew the vet would have something to say.
It was a blessing that they had been able to grow together, as he now found himself to be the holder of knowledge of all things Rin related. He could tell from the small crease in her forehead that she was waiting for news. News she must already have an inkling of and she wasn’t too happy about as she nibbled the corner of her lip.
He also had been privy to listening to her sing as she baked. He could tell what she was feeling at almost any given time. It was almost as if they were sharing one brain at moments, her being able to tell what he needed and him always willing to change for what she did.
His father had commented that it was a gift of finding one's mate so young, most of your aging happened once you were already together. It was a blessing especially once children were involved to be so in sync with one another.
Sesshomaru was the encyclopedia of all things Rin, from her emotions to just random facts. Her favorite flower was Aster and she planned to have an entire garden when they moved to feed them with fresh produce. She would devour cups of noodles with his brother when needed but she loved Soba noodle soups. She had become a connoisseur of vegetarian cooking for him, but he knew there was a jerky stash in her t-shirt drawer that she snuck at night before she brushed her teeth.
So as he watched his mates creased brow and hostage bottom lip, he did what any normal demon of his stature would do in the situation.
He knelt down, scooping up Sweet Potato under the front paws, and crouched his head low to pretend as if he was the dog, talking to his frustrated mate.
“The doctor is a jackass, he has said I’m fat.” He said, trying to emulate the low drawn out voice she used when talking for their dog. Sweet Potato gave a small boof of annoyance, always coming when Sesshomaru, who he thought to be more understanding, used the wrong voice to portray him. Sesshomaru kissed his ear in apology but this was for Rin.
Sesshomaru peaked over the dog's shoulder to see Rin, with her head in her hands but a small smile on her lips. “Thank you.” She uttered before straightening out and waving at him to release the now wriggling dog. “I knew it was going to be something. I figured once we’d gotten McDonalds twice in a week it would be this.” She said with a sigh, pushing the book in front of her to the side and standing up to stretch.
Even after years together he found himself completely drawn into the curves of her body. As she’d aged she’d filled out, now accepting that she would inevitably be 10 pounds heavier than she had been when she was 20 years old. Her body truly had turned into that of a woman, her hips full and inviting, the curve of her chest always seeming to pull his view lower than it should be.
Her ass.
He could write poetry should he be so inclined on that piece of her body alone. Donned in bike shorts, he felt like maybe he should.
“Stop staring at my ass.” Rin chided, coming over causing him to rise from his place on the floor.
“It should be less perfect.” He teased, opening his arms in welcome as she shuffled into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Says the man sculpted by the gods themselves.” She teased, reaching down to goose him. He snorted through his nose and leaned down, letting her scent cocoon them in the moment.
“I missed you.” He whispered to her, rubbing her back and feeling her relax into his hold.
They had become used to being separated for several hours a day at this point, but ever since the ceremony and ritual had not been completed, every day was hard. That was part of the excitement of the ritual coming up and coming so soon. They would be able to do things without a timer. If he had to work late he wouldn’t need his father to drive him home due to a panic attack or if Rin had a crisis, she would be able to handle it without feeling sick the entire time.
Separation was about trust and they had enough of that to fill the ocean.
His father was excited for them to be able to separate, and in turn, allow Sesshomaru to travel for business meetings out of the country when he was needed. Rin was excited to not have to have lunch together on one of her 12 hour shift days in order to make it through the separation.
It would be good for both of them to be able to have lives that did not need to be so tightly entwined with one another.
However, Sesshomaru was less excited for the separation and more for what it would mean to not have breathing issues when Rin wasn’t near him. He had almost become accustomed to feeling asthmatic when she was not near. He wondered what it would feel like to be separated from her for more than 8 hours, let alone a full day.
Then there were the pups that would inevitably follow. Barring any issues, Rin would most likely be pregnant within a year, and then they would begin the arduous process of raising their pups. No longer did he worry about becoming a good father. Since he was the main communicator with Taters, he felt he had taken on a role as an interpreter and as a provider.
Sesshomaru also knew that he provided well for Rin. Regardless of his professional position, as well as how the income he provided was essential to their comfortable lives, he would always care for her. He provided her with treats, meals, and an unconditional level of love that he himself thought he’d be unable to provide until he rushed to her side so many years ago.
There was nothing in the world he loved more than Rin and the only thing that even came close was the puppy-turned-dog that seemed to be waiting for him more eagerly than his mate most days. Coming into her embrace after a long day was the only way he ever wished to end the arduous tasks of a business filled week.
Today would be an amazing welcome home had he not just been told his perfect pup needed to go on a diet.
“Stop harping on the dog thing.” Rin mumbled into his chest, finally pulling from their hug and moving back towards her book, dog earring the page and closing it. “We have way too much going on in the next month for you to be focusing on that. He can lose weight over time. Our ceremony? It has a date.” She said firmly.
“October 23rd.” He said, repeating the date that had been burned into his head since they began planning a little under 6 months ago.
Rin smiled and nodded “October 23rd.” She repeated, leaning down to pet Sweet Potato. “Is my baby a little fat? I guess that means no more nuggie dates for us.” She cooed.
Sweet Potato’s ears perking up at the mention of his favorite treat.
Sesshomaru moved around her, refolding the blanket she’d been wrapped in and turn ed to her. “Would you like Soba for dinner?” He asked, smiling internally when she smiled brightly and nodded excitedly at him. “We should take a break before the ceremony.” He offered and she snorted and shook her head.
“Absolutely not. We’re in the final stretch, love. This weekend I have a fitting and you have to go get your suit and shoes from the tailor. Did you call Inuyasha and your dad about getting suits?” She asked.
He nodded in agreement.
“And you know we have to plan for Inuyasha’s gift, right?” She asked.
He once again nodded in agreement.
“And you’re ready for our weekend away in two weeks?” She asked.
Sesshomaru stalled for a moment and looked at her in confusion. “What is there to prepare for?” He asked.
Rin gaped at him for a moment before moving over and grabbing her book from the couch. “Sesshomaru, what do you think we’re doing in two weeks?” She asked.
Sesshomaru cocked his head in confusion and looked down at her. “We are going out for the weekend in DC with friends. Mother and Father are watching Sweet Potato.” He said slowly.
Rin hummed and nodded. “All technically true. But do you know why we’re doing it?” She asked, her eyes light and a smirk forming on her lips.
He pursed his lips and slowly shook his head in the negative. Rin giggled and moved over to him, yanking on his suit jacket to bring his face lower and going up to kiss his cheek. “It’s our bachelor weekend. We decided to do it together so we would actually have fun. Do you remember?” She cooed, moving to pepper kisses all around his face.
Sesshomaru grunted in confirmation and leaned over to try and capture her lips, missing and pecking her cheek instead. “I did not realize it was so soon.” He said, finally cupping her cheek and bringing their lips together.
Kissing Rin was like coming home. It was better than walking into a room filled with her scent. It was better than the freshest peaches picked straight from the tree. Kissing Rin was as close to seeing God as Sesshomaru thought he’d ever come.
“Well everything is happening now , so we have to be smart and efficient. Can you do that?” She teased, finally releasing his lips and his jacket, allowing him to come back to his full height. He nodded and moved away from her, holding his hand out in invitation to lead her into the kitchen with him.
“Soba?” He offered again and Rin nodded enthusiastically, plucking his phone from his hands as soon as it was offered to input their orders.
“You didn’t tell me what happened today.” She said, moving to sit at the small island in their kitchen.
Sesshomaru sighed and moved to put a kettle on the stove. “Kaede would like for us to come and visit soon. She has a plant that she will need your help with.” He said, pulling out two cups and their box of tea to set beside the now heating water.
“Father would like to prepare me for the ceremony, there are pieces that are much more traditional and mother came in and delivered lunch for me.” He said, coming to stand opposite to her.
Rin nodded in understanding and leaned back in her chair. “Do I get to know about the things for the ceremony or do I just go with the flow?” She asked, smiling brightly up at him.
His heart clenched, something he should be used to , but never seemed to tire of.
An ethereal beauty who was forever his.
“There are a few key pieces. We will drink from the same cup, I will bestow you a gift, we will exchange rings, and the blood oath.” He said, a small smile gracing his lips when her eyes narrowed.
“Why do I have to drink your blood? Isn’t it poison?” She groused, a small shiver running down her spine.
Rin hated the site of blood but it was what he was most excited for. It was the way he could claim her before the actual ritual would begin.
“I have to drink yours, so you will suffer with mine.” He teased, turning as the kettle began to whistle from it’s spot.
“But will the poison hurt? Like will I be sick for the whole party?” She pushed, leaning forward onto the island.
Sesshomaru snorted and shook his head. “The poison is only let out at will. You will be completely unharmed. Do you trust me so little?” He taunted, pouring them each a cup before turning back to her.
He placed the cup in front of her and she sighed nodding in agreement. “It just feels a bit archaic, doesn’t it?” She asked, “I mean, Shiori said that for their ceremony there was some sort of dance that they had to do and that’s it! Boom! Mated, just like that.” She said, blowing on her tea.
Sesshomaru smirked and set her with a playful glare, “Would you prefer to be mated to Shiori?” He teased.
Rin snorted and shook her head, giving him a very over the top once over and exaggeratingly licking her lips. “Nope, I like the one I got, thank you very much.” she chirped, finally bringing the liquid to her lips.
He snorted and drank from his own glass. “Your day?” He asked, setting the cup in front of him. Rin sighed and let out a groan. “I think I’m going to need a new watch. The one I have is going to overload from the amount of steps I get on a day to day basis. All I ate for lunch was an apple and a cliff bar. That doesn’t even include the research I had to do this evening for a new patient.” She explained, bringing her hands up to rub her eyes in exhaustion.
“Rin.” He said firmly and she snorted and peaked her eyes open at him.
“I know, my love. I will be safe and take care of myself. It’s the first day all week that I didn’t eat my lunch and I did eat it, just not until later. Soba will make all your concerns melt away.” She sang, smirking up at him.
Sesshomaru continued to scowl at her, his eyes hard and unyielding, until Rin finally sighed and stood from her seat. “What can I do to prove to you I’m taking care of myself?” She asked.
Sesshomaru snorted and glared down at her. “You will eat the meals I prepare, Rin.” He said firmly.
Rin smiled and nodded. “I will tell my attending that if I don’t eat my lunch on time my mate will come down and wreak havoc on the hospital.” She cooed, smirking when she saw the corners of his lips twitch.
“Now stop being dramatic and come cuddle with me on the couch until our dinner comes.” She said, pulling away from him and leading him back into the living room, tea in hand.
“Did you order my miso?” He asked, coming to sit beside her on the couch.
Rin hummed in agreement and patted the couch in invitation. “Come, my little baby. The doctor may say you’re fat but you’re perfect to us.” She cooed to Sweet Potato on the floor.
Sesshomaru patted the couch as well and Sweet potato hopped up, snuffling against the blanket Rin had pulled from the couch before laying down with a loud grunt. “He’s so dramatic. He gets it from you.” Rin teased, flicking Sesshomaru in the arm.
“I do not speak, there is no way to be dramatic.” He said firmly, sending her another half hearted glare. She snorted at him and went to grab her phone, sliding it open and glancing up at him with a smirk.
“This is a literal message from you.” She said before theatrically clearing her throat and straightening her back. “If I have to listen to Kirinmaru talk about Rion for one more second I will inevitably set this building ablaze.” She said, pitching her voice lower for emphasis.
Sesshomaru snorted and shook his head. “You have not heard it, Rin. It is excessive.” He said defensively.
Rin giggled and put her phone down. “I’ll bet you’ll be just as bad when we have pups, too.” She teased, smirking when his glare turned heated.
“Would you like to practice?” He teased, bringing his hand up to her arm and tugging on her sweatshirt.
Rin smiled and nodded but placed a hand on his chest when he leaned forward. “But Soba first? I may have lied about getting to eat lunch today.” She said, her voice trailing off at the end.
“Rin.” He said firmly, causing her to dissolve into a fit of giggles.