Alright…so this is kind of an AU. But not really. I can't explain it. Just read and you'll probably catch onto hints.
Disclaimer: Nothing.
-Our World-
''Speak now or forever hold your peace.''
Renji should have. He has a chance; it was there, right in front of him and yet, he could only manage a sad smile.
Just thinking about those words was painful. He could never allow himself to break two hearts at once.
The wedding ceremony continued and he stood there, like the dutiful best man. He watched the love of his life get married and it hurt so much.
Renji forced himself to eat cake and laugh with the groom, as if nothing was wrong. He danced with a few girls; they were all so happy and playful and he was just there, listless and wan. He best man managed to keep away from the alcohol, for most of the night but when the family and friends toasted to the happy couple, he was more than willing to drown a few too many glasses of champagne.
He stayed until the end; he was that good of a friend. The hall emptied of its tired smiles and his drunken one lingered.
''Renji,'' Byakuya said to his best man, as they were the only two left in the room.
Hisana left to get ready for her wedding night.
Renji got to his feet and muttered, ''I guess I should be going.''
''What's wrong, Renji?''
Renji could have denied the question, continued smiling like a good friend, and ask for a ride home.
But he didn't.
He stared at Byakuya for a moment and began to cry. His tears dampened his love's satin shirt as he collapsed against the groom and wept.
''I couldn't object…I just couldn't…She looked so happy up there, with you. I didn't want to ruin her dream.''
Byakuya embraced his best man and silently, he began to stroke his hands along Renji's back, who shook with sobs in his arms.
There was no comfort in their understanding, only the forbidden moments of warmth that began to fade.
''Renji…''
''Don't-'' He snapped through a raspy, broken voice and painful tears.
But Byakuya did not stop. He never stopped.
''Maybe in another lifetime…things could have been different.''
''Promise you'll come find me there…''
Renji knew that everything in this moment was wrong but as much as he fought against himself, there were just some battles, which he could not win. He leaned up and for the second time, he touched his captain.
There was a stolen kiss and stolen sands of time, before Renji's life ended.
-EndE-
Alright. Everything seems normal up until Renji talks about a new world, right? Good. That line is allusion to Seireitei and their lives there. Yes, that means that before they died, this was how they lived their lives. (Which is so not plausible, but that's okay)
After, Renji is fighting himself. Another allusion to the shinigami Renji, who fights with himself, so that someday he will surpass his captain. That's why I wrote captain, in the story. Also, Byakuya, in the series, admits that Renji's fangs have touched him. But if you're observant like me, you'll have noticed that I wrote ''for the second time''. And no, it's not an error. And yes, this story and this kiss, is the first time that Renji touches Byakuya. So why did I write second?
Another allusion.
And although I can explain that, I have no idea what the ending means. The obvious answer is that Renji stole a few moments of Byakuya's life, before he ends his own but that just doesn't feel right to me. Well, not the latter part.
Free interpretation?
Reviews?
This is why I shouldn't write stories on buses.