Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach
Comments: I could be convinced to write a lemon here… Reviewers get cookies…and maybe a lemon if they want
Midnight Thanks
Byakuya smiled and pulled the strong body sleeping next to him closer. Nuzzling into the tattooed neck and enjoying the feel of that lovely red hair, Byakuya allowed himself to think about how blessed he was that Aburai Renji was his. Softly stroking his left hip where the kanji proudly spelling Byakuya's name was recently tattooed, Byakuya remembered the fight where Renji, the stray dog, not only reached the moon but grabbed it with both fangs and claws and refused to let go. He had proved himself to have vast potential, infinite stubbornness, and a devotion to his beliefs and friends that could push him past the debilitating wounds of Byakuya's Bankai, then past the ring of swords and close enough to actually wound Byakuya.
Byakuya's thoughts of that time were somewhat scrambled. Torn between his vows to his wife, whom he'd loved, and parents, whom he'd, respected and disappointed countless times he had lost sight of the balance between his vows. Byakuya had been an honorable warrior trying to serve two masters. As much as he hated to admit it Kurosaki Ichigo had taken the admiration and astonishment his lieutenant and kicked some sense into him. Now he kept three vows. One: take care of Rukia for his beloved Hisana. Two: obey the laws for his parents whom he'd disappointed constantly by marrying for love below his station. Three: love and take care of Aburai Renji and make him happy. The first two vows he kept for others with the help of vow three, which he kept for himself.
Renji shifted closer to Byakuya in his sleep. Byakuya smiled. He felt a wave of absolute appreciation and affection. Renji had not only seen through the frigid façade but also caught a glimmer of the normal man, the man who had emotions and had used them before the pain, loss, rejection and loneliness froze him. Ichigo had been the sledge hammer that shattered the ice, but Renji had been and still was the all consuming flame that melted the shards of his ice heart into the deep lake it was meant to be. For all of his superior up bringing and years Renji had taught him so much. He had given himself completely to Byakuya without shame and without restraint and given Byakuya the confidence to do the same.
Renji stirred and moaned as the hip stroking registered in his sleep filled mind. Byakuya smiled again and started nibbling on his shoulder tattoos. Renji woke up to the pleasant feeling of his lover holding him like he was a precious treasure and worshiping lips on his tattoos.
"Byakuya…" Renji moaned again, "why are you awake?"
"I couldn't sleep." Knowing that Renji loved being marked possessively, Byakuya continued nibbling then sucked hard to create a hickey.
"I guess I won't be either then." Renji pushed back into his arms insistently.
"I love you." Renji informed him again. Byakuya smiled into his neck. Renji didn't have to howl and reach for the moon anymore; he had already caught it securely.
"I know." There was joy in his voice, "I love you too." and proved it again with loving kisses touches and an attention to Renji's needs that never failed to fill him with wonder that no one had bothered to see Byakuya for who he truly was before. But then if they had, he wouldn't be the one Byakuya's touches would be driving crazy now would he?