"You must floss." Sesshomaru hovers over her as Kagome stands in front of the mirror at their home. "Your brushing method is inadequate as well, mate—"
Kagome exhales as she turns to her mate, her toothbrush lowered. "I know how to take care of myself," she reminds her mate, but she knows it'll do little good. Ever since they'd reunited in her own time and mated, Sesshomaru has been prone to being overprotective.
It culminated in his return to school, changing his prior career out as a historian for one in dentistry.
"Your method of care disputes your words," he returns with a pointed look as she lifts her toothbrush to brush again. "I have told you before that you must brush at an angle when approaching a tooth, not straight horizontal or vertical—"
"And I appreciate that you're trying to help," she says, taking a deep breath at the familiar lecture. "But Sesshomaru, you need to calm down. My teeth are just fine."
Undaunted, he continues as if he never heard her, "It is important that you properly care for the sole set of teeth you will possess as an adult. Yours do not regrow—I am still looking into the science on this," he adds as an afterthought. "It is proving more difficult than I expected."
Kagome sets her toothbrush down. There's really only one way to handle her mate when he fixates like this. "Maybe I'll floss my teeth now," she teases as her hand slides down his stomach into his pants. "I know just the thing..."
"My penis is not adequate tooth care and cannot help you maintain the enamel on your teeth," he deadpans, but she notices he doesn't pull away from her touch, either.
"Are you sure?" She slides down to touch him and hears his answering groan.
"No," he manages. He's no longer certain of anything except that he hopes she doesn't stop touching him as she begins working him to the point of testing his very control.
For the moment, at least, her teeth are forgotten.
It's the little victories, she thinks smugly.