Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the Bleach characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo: the genius behind the captivating manga that started it all. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
Friend Zone
Prompt: Drying up...
A/N: Written for a friendly challenge between myself and St. Harridan. (Honestly, when St. Harridan said that my prompt was "drying up," I thought of something... hysterical. Just saying.)
It had been a one-time thing, and it had been years ago. Her emotions since that time had changed rather drastically, but his had essentially remained the same. Jushiro contributed that to the fact that he'd wanted to hold onto those times. When it had happened, he'd decided that she was what he'd been looking for. Retsu, on the other hand, had ended up with other ideas. She'd grown distant for a while after that, barely speaking to him unless it was in regard to a class assignment.
Now, when he brought it up, even vaguely, Retsu didn't find it funny in the slightest. It wasn't at all that she hated him, but that she felt their youthful liaison had been a mistake. She was the kind of woman who had sworn herself to a single companion rather than frittering herself away at every corner. But he wouldn't take it personally. She cared for him in the ways that counted, but a romantic interest was far from plausible.
Jushiro wouldn't deny how he felt, but he also wouldn't put said feelings on the table. She wouldn't appreciate it, and he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.
He wasn't strong enough to stay away, nor was he able to put himself out there and take a risk. Were he to leave, he'd just end up coming back, feeling like a fool. So he would endure, his fragile heart being brought to its knees time and time again.
Her romantic feelings for him had long-since evaporated, but he'd still hold on.