Disclaimer: Neither Bleach nor its characters belong to me

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Having been deep in thought, he finally tore his gaze away from the rising moon. He hadn't even realized it had become dark out. He and Rukia had come out late that afternoon. They'd watched Karin's soccer game and hung around talking, really waiting for her phone to buzz. But it hadn't, and they'd sat and talked and thought almost all night.

"Oi, Rukia. Ready to go--"

He stopped when he saw she wasn't sitting beside him like he'd last remembered. He then felt the weight of her head on his knee. She was sprawled out in the grass, using his knee as a pillow, sleeping peacefully. He wanted to feel pissed off, he expected to feel pissed off. But he wasn't.

His gaze softened, his scowl disappeared momentarily--a rare feat indeed--as he looked over her sleeping form. Lately, she had been just as agitated and on edge as he always was and, unfortunately for both of them, had also been suffering from insomnia the past few nights, waiting anxiously for her phone to call them out, keeping him up all night as well. He was glad she was finally getting some sleep.

He let his thoughts travel a bit further.

She looked so beautiful, with the light of the moon dancing playfully on the planes and angles of her pale face, bringing out the gloss and glitter of her silky raven hair. He almost wished he could see her brilliant violet eyes in this light, but that would mean waking her, causing this dreamlike moment to dissipate, move out of his reach. He wanted this moment, selfishly, for just a little bit longer.

He took a risk and gently stroked her soft cheek with the backs of his fingers; he couldn't restrain himself. She did stir slightly, causing him to freeze in apprehension, but she only shifted slightly and placed one of her hands beneath her head, cushioning her head and at the same time folding onto the rough denim of his jeans. He smirked. Her obliviousness in sleep was a funny contrast to the keen alertness she displayed when awake.

He then reached over her and cupped her other small hand in his large rough one, wrapping his fingers around hers. He caressed her palm with his thumb, desperately wanting to caress it with his lips. But he wasn't in a hurry; at this rate, he had all night. He wasn't going to wake her; she needed this sleep; he would let her have it. He was just fine with sitting out here, all night, watching her sleep peacefully beside him.