Practice Make Perfect by Sereia

Chapter 1

Prompt: Discord Drabble Nights - July 2022

Inspiration: "Ex to See" by Sam Hunt

Triggers/Warnings: stalking

Sway

The crowd shifted and swayed like waves upon the shore, moving as one to the intense beat blasting out of the large speakers attached to the DJ booth.

Sesshoumaru grimaced. He knew he should be grateful for a packed house, the club having turned into a ludicrous business, but being forced to complete payroll on-site during the busiest night of the week was a pain.

And all because his accountant's morning sickness had kicked in during the second trimester instead of the first.

Souten Itazura was a wiz with numbers, doubling as his assistant when it came to inventory, but having a smooth pregnancy was something they'd both taken for granted. How her easy-going, tattoo artist of a husband had managed to convince her to actually take time off, Sesshoumaru would never know.

Harmony

The song changed, harsh techno-beats giving way to the soft crooning of a ballad, and Sesshoumaru breathed a sigh of relief. The tension between humans and youkai had declined in the last century, but they still failed to understand how different they were.

Knowing there was no other way around it, he braced himself before heading to the stairs that led onto the main floor.

The constant buzzing of conversation harmonized with the music and grated on his nerves, a headache forming between his temples as he made his way to the exit.

He was thankful for the peace treaty that allowed his markings to be out in the open, but he often wondered if wearing a glamour would help dull his senses enough so that he wouldn't end up with a migraine every time he visited the club.

Evoke

He'd only made it halfway across the dance floor when someone barrelled into him. Biting back a growl, he waited for the usual drunken giggles, but it never came, a soft apology sounding in his ears before she pulled him down.

Her lips pressed against his, hands gripping the collar of his dress shirt as she kissed him soundly, the taste of warm citrus bursting onto his tongue. He attempted to pull back and was met with resistance, the woman slanting her head to prolong the embrace.

When she finally pulled back, the cool sapphire of her eyes evoked a myriad of emotions, but anger finally won out, youki spiking as he glared down at her.

"Would you explain—"

"Is he still watching?"

Measure

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, then glanced over the woman's shoulder, a slight man with sandy hair staring at them from across the room, a look of measured disappointment on his face.

"If you mean the whelp at the bar—" His jaw clenched as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "—then yes."

"Good. Sorry again, but I need to borrow you for a moment." He wasn't given a chance to protest as she rubbed her face against his chest, then pulled him towards the seating area before shoving him into a booth and climbing into his lap.

"You're not seeing anyone, are you? I don't want to get you in trouble."

Sync

"It is a little late for that."

"I know, I just need to know if there's a girlfriend—" She eyed him for a moment. "—or boyfriend I need to apologize to for this."

He raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the way her curves were pressing against his body. "Perhaps you should have thought about that before assaulting my person."

"I know. You just seemed like the best choice." The woman had the decency to blush, then glanced over her shoulder, the conversation out of sync with how her fingers were teasing the back of his neck.

He didn't even know her name, but Sesshoumaru was suddenly insulted that there had been any choices aside from himself.

Motion

"What are you trying to accomplish?" She was still straddling his lap, his hands automatically going to her hips to stop any motion that would prove he felt anything but annoyance about her overfamiliar antics.

She continued to glance over her shoulder, becoming more affectionate every time she turned back to him, though she hadn't kissed him again.

"I'm proving a point."

The man's gaze never wavered, a possessive gleam shining in the brown and very human eyes. Sesshoumaru couldn't tell if he was arrogant or ignorant, but he wanted no part of it.

Especially with how well the woman's body fit against his own.

Hold

He grabbed her hands, detangling himself from her embrace. "I am not here to provide childish amusement for a stranger—"

"Kagome."

His brow raised, and she flashed him a smile, Sesshoumaru feeling like he'd been punched in the gut.

"My name is Kagome." She didn't provide a last name, and Sesshoumaru's eyes hardened. The woman was walking a fine line of cat and mouse with the man at the bar, and regardless of how attractive she was, he wanted no part of it.

"Kagome, I have no desire to prolong my stay. I was on my way out when you so rudely attached yourself to my person."

"Perfect! You can walk me to my car!" His curiosity took hold as she tugged him to his feet.

Rhythm

The sounds of her stilettos against the floor were lost under the tide of noise blaring from the speakers, her hips swaying in an enticing rhythm as she led him towards the exit.

His hand was firmly clasped in hers, his frown deepening when she didn't even give the human she'd been trying to entice a passing glance.

The doors shut behind them, and Sesshoumaru sucked in a deep breath, clearing away the scents of intoxication and sweat.

He tried to pull his hand away, but her grip only tightened. "My car's just over here."

"If this is an attempt to proposition me, you are sorely—" He almost tripped as the stench of fear hit his nose.

Tone

"You are afraid of him," he stated, his tone disbelieving as she fished her keys out of her purse. She dropped them with a curse, and it was then Sesshoumaru realized she was trembling.

"Just let me get into my car before you leave, okay?" Her voice wavered, having lost all the confidence she'd had within the confines of the club.

He yanked her to face him, claws biting into his palm at the unshed tears in her eyes. "Why did you not inform me as to the reason behind—"

"There wasn't time!" she hissed. "I went on one date with him. One! And now he follows me everywhere! I don't even know how he knew I'd be here tonight, and suddenly he was beside me at the bar." She visibly shuddered, and Sesshoumaru surprised them both by pulling her into his arms.

Refrain

"Have you spoken to law enforcement about your predicament?" She'd finally released his hand, gripping the back of his shirt.

Scoffing, she shook her head. "He hasn't actually done anything. Yet. He just shows up everywhere I go, so they have nothing to charge him with."

"And you thought to deter his behaviour by fabricating an association with me?"

She looked up at him, those hypnotic blue eyes drawing him in. "I could feel your aura across the room. I figured if I was going to pretend with anyone, it might as well be the scariest one in the club.

He refrained from rolling his eyes, understanding her reasoning. "Such performances usually require proper introductions and both parties to be willing participants."

She blushed and nodded. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Next time, we will arrive together as well."

Vigour

"Next time?" she squeaked.

"You cannot think that one time was enough?" he asked incredulously.

"Well, no, I guess not." She bit her lip again, seeming to have forgotten she was still clinging to him. "You just seemed so against it before."

"That was when I thought your intention was to make him jealous."

She blanched, gagging slightly. "What?!"

"What else was I to think when you insisted on rubbing yourself against me but were staring at him?" He growled, even the slightest notion of being used making his teeth grind together.

A blush spilled onto her cheeks, and she opened her mouth but quickly thought better of it and nodded.

"Speak your mind, Kagome. There is nothing you could say that would shock me now."

Her blush deepened, and she licked her lips. "Can I kiss you for real this time?" she blurted.

A feral grin tugged at the corner of his mouth, his arm already around her waist. "It would help to practice."

She leaned in, then jerked back. "Wait! What's your name?"

He chuckled. "Sesshoumaru."

She finally gave him a genuine smile, and he was loathed to admit his stomach did somersaults at the sight of it.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru," she said softly, then kissed him, Sesshoumaru returning it with vigour now that she was finally doing it for him.