Step. Step. He didn't look up as the footsteps faded away. He knew he had been cold, but he was Hitsugaya Toushirou. True he hadn't meant the words that had tumbled from his mouth, but he couldn't apologize could he? Besides, Ichigo would be back. He always came back after a fight. But he didn't come back. He didn't even acknowledge him when they passed on the streets of Seireitei. He ignored the sudden coldness of the bed when he managed to sleep, and the odd feeling that wouldn't go away.
When he awoke crying he was shocked, and had managed to quit the tears when he realized he was alone. For some reason that made them have a sudden intensity and he spent the rest of the night trying to sleep on a wet pillow.
Suddenly he couldn't stop thinking about the orange-haired boke. Suddenly things that he had never before connected to him were bring back memories. Ichigo had always brought hi tea when he was exactly two-thirds finished with the paperwork. He had never really noticed. Ichigo always made him dinner on Thursday; again something he had taken for granted.
It wasn't long after this he stopped sleeping well. He couldn't get that damn boy out of his mind, and it was made worse every time they passed each other. The piles of paperwork were so bad his vice-captain had actually sat down, of her own free will no less, to try and get them reasonable again.
He knew he didn't look too well, though he didn't appreciate the looks that he was getting. He sighed and slumped against the wall, rubbing his eyes. "Go find him and apologize." He glanced up in surprise to see his Fukutaichō before him. "Matsumoto it isn't that simple." She huffed and crossed her arms. "He's near the edge of Seireitei." He sighed, sensing a losing argument, and was off.
This was much more awkward then he had ever imagined. He was sure they had been staring at each other for at least five minutes. "Kurosaki…" He started, and then sighed and looked down. "Ichigo I'm sorry. Baka." He added as an afterthought. He heard a slight sigh and then he was wrapped in the arms that had, quite literally, haunted his dreams. "Do you think next time you decide to be a jackass you can apologize quicker? Three months is a long time and I missed you, Toushirou." He sighed contently. "It's Hitsugaya Taichō, bonkura." Ichigo chuckled. "Hai, hai." They were silent a moment before the captain spoke up. "Please don't walk away again." It was barely mumbled, but Ichigo heard it and tightened his grip. "Please don't tell me you don't love me." He felt the smaller boy stiffen in his arms before sighing. "Will you…come back?"
Ichigo nodded.