Notes: This is a small collection of three drabbles, written for an LJ drabble meme. Being drabbles, they're all very short, but nevertheless I hope that if you read them they offer you some enjoyment. The warnings are for het and shounen-ai, spoilers for the end of the Soul Society arc, but that's pretty much it. Reviews, including constructive criticism, are appreciated

Telepathy

Pairing/Characters: Shuuhei/Rukia
Word count: 143.

"But Renji—"

"Renji is an idiot," said Rukia crisply.

"That isn't quite what I was going to…" began Shuuhei.

"You were thinking it."

At that, Shuuhei smiled. "Can you read my mind, Kuchiki-san?."

"If we are going to embark on a physical relationship, you might as well call me Rukia," she pointed out, and was gratified to see Shuuhei's ears redden. With a tattoo like his, one would think he'd be less the blushing virgin—although that was, perhaps, unfair.

"But Renji—" he tried again.

"An idiot," repeated Rukia. "Now kiss me." As Shuuhei leant down, she added, "And I cannot read your mind, your thoughts are merely transparent."

"You really are cruel to those you like, aren't you?" Shuuhei sounded amused.

As his lips pressed against hers, Rukia thought that maybe they could read each others' minds, in a way.

Mystery

Pairing/Characters: Shuuhei/Momo
Word count: 129.

Being honest with himself, Shuuhei knew that he was drawn to Momo, at first, out of a selfish need to feel good and useful. After Tousen's betrayal the words had run through his head like the pretty painted horses of a carousel—bad person, not good enough, bad person, failure, bad, why, my fault, why, why, why? The worst thing was knowing the answer to that why, believing it deep in his bones.

In his wanting to un-know the answer to the why he turned to Momo—he swore that he would protect her, would undo the harm Aizen had done her, would never leave her or let her down, and every time he held her and every time he kissed her he felt the why become more puzzling.

Vital

Pairing/Characters: Shunsui/Ukitake
Word count: 124.

Sometimes, lying next to his lover, doing the written questions their teachers assigned them and listening to the soft sound of their breathing, Jyuushirou wonders why he doesn't mind Kyouraku's skirt-chasing. It's a question he has asked himself and answered before, but Jyuushirou is a careful, thoughtful person (and Kyouraku's recklessness balances that out, and vice versa, which is how it works), and he enjoys tracing his mind along the familiar patterns of their love. He does not ask himself the question because it bothers or puzzles him; he just likes knowing the answer.

And ever time he sees Kyouraku chasing after a girl, Jyuushirou smiles and shakes his head, because he knows Kyouraku is just being healthy enough for the both of them.