Winter 1: Failed alarm clocks
An: Thank you, thank you, for all your beautiful reviews. I am glad Spring was so deeply and widely enjoyed. To show my thanks, here is the first chapter of Winter. I hope you will enjoy it as much as Spring. Those of us who have tried to juggle university with a relationship will hopefully empathise with poor Ichigo.
Summary: Byakuya and Ichigo have been together for five years, but not all is well in paradise. Stress, workloads and distance are creating doubt and pain, and Ichigo is trying to find a way to fix it all before Byakuya gives up on him.
***
Byakuya was not a morning person.
"Bya-ojisan! Time to wake up!"
Although, for toddlers, he could make an exception.
"Bya-ji-saaaaaaaaan! You promised!"
"Promised what?"
"Cake!" squealed Kato.
Byakuya blinked and lifted his head to half-scowl at the five-year olds sitting on his stomach. Yawning, he sat up and absently scratched his chest, the toddlers giggling as they tumbled off him onto the bed. He looked at his alarm clock, then glared at them.
"It's six o clock. In the morning. What did I tell you about disturbing me before ten, brats?"
Kato nodded regally. "Yes, Byakuya-ojisan, but Daddy said it is your birthday, so here we are."
"And Mommy said that you like to make us pancakes, and we like pancakes," Ronin said, sitting up and hooking a finger in his mouth. "Aaand you said that you would bake us a tasty cake. So we came to help you!"
Pretending to feel very much put-upon, he gently eased them aside so that he could get out of bed, wearing full pajamas to ward off the bitter cold of Seireitei winter. He grabbed his gown, pulled on his slippers and smiled as the children tugged him to the kitchen, arguing over what would make for the best pancake toppings. Kato ran ahead and pushed open the heavy door that led into the kitchen, standing aside to let her uncle and her twin enter. They hopped up onto the counter and watched Byakuya get out all the necessary ingredients.
"Can we help, ojisan?" offered Ronin, pushing back his black hair with his sticky hands. (His hands were always sticky, and Byakuya had no idea why.)
"If you like, you can mix the batter when I've added all the ingredients," Byakuya replied, already awake and busy. As annoyingly early as the children insisted on waking him up every weekday, he was glad of their company, especially since Ichigo couldn't be there during the week.
Ukitake had retired, and Rukia had been made vice-captain, a position that kept her busy all day during the week. Renji's captain's workload had doubled since Hinamori had left his division to live with Hitsugaya as his adoring wife, and he couldn't find a decent vice-captain. Byakuya had entertained notions of Ichigo taking the position, but his partner was in his fifth year of studying to be a vet and he did not want to take Ichigo away from his work. So, the children were dropped off at Byakuya's house every morning, and picked up in the late afternoon. Byakuya saw to their training, education and dietary needs, and made sure that they were brought up to be well-mannered, strong and intelligent. Judging from their ability to speak three languages fluently, use shunpo and knew all the correct ways to greet others, he considered himself successful. On the weekends, Ichigo came over and Byakuya couldn't be happier.
But, he mused, as he cracked eggs open and poured the contents into a mixing bowl, it still feels like something is missing.
"Ojisan, what's wrong?"
Byakuya looked up from the batter to meet Kato's eyes, which were so like his own in colour. Strange, that little quirk. She was remarkably perceptive though, something he was usually proud of, except when it was used on him.
"Nothing, Kato-kun. I was just thinking about whether we should make our way down to the market and buy something nice for dinner tonight."
"Oh yes! Ichi-jichan is coming over this afternoon!" piped Ronin, shifting further down the counter to beam at Byakuya. "You must be excited, Ojisan. He wasn't here for three weeks. He's mean."
Byakuya smiled and handed the whisk over the boy, holding the bowl while he attacked the batter with great enthusiasm. "It wasn't his fault, Ronin-kun. He just started a new year at university, and it's always very busy."
"I wish he could have been here for Christmas," said Kato, pulling a drawer out and leaning over to choose a whisk before sitting down on the other side of the bowl. "We're family too."
"He also has a family," said Byakuya gently, though he did not welcome the reminder of Ichigo's absence at Christmas. Familiar pain twinged and he tried not to think about it.
"But you were sad, Ojisan!" protested Kato, helping her brother whisk the lumps out. "And it's not nice for anyone when you're sad. You make the whole world feel small."
"Now, now, Kato-kun. It's not that important, is it? He was here the very next day, and we had another small Christmas. It wasn't so bad."
"I guess," she said, poking a tiny finger into the bowl to sample the mixture. "Mm, its yummy! You make the best pancakes in the whole of Soul Society!"
He smiled and gently eased the bowl away from them. "Well, you two are the best at mixing. Shall we start cooking?"
"Yay!" shouted the twins, hopping off the counter and crossing the kitchen to the stove, already arguing about who would get to eat the first one. So another day of Byakuya's life began and he wondered what it was that was bugging him.
***
Ichigo packed his weekend bag, humming as he made sure to pack his thickest winter coat so that he could go for walks with Byakuya. Regardless of the weather, Byakuya went for a walk every night and it was sometimes downright annoying trying to walk when the ground was covered in ice. He put in some textbooks with chapters marked for reading, and the latest issues of Rukia's three beloved manga series. Making sure his toothbrush was packed, he closed the bag and sat on the bed, heaving a sigh.
He had really missed Byakuya, but he was so tired. He had already started his practical classes, his four years of theory behind him and two years of practical ahead before he even began specialisation. He loved his studies, but they were draining and it was hard to stay at the top of the class. But his dad had to still put his sisters through school and university and he needed the scholarships. So, the weeks were filled to the brim with work, and the weekends with Byakuya, the kids and friends. Which wasn't so bad, he reckoned, except that all he wanted to do was to sleep.
Byakuya will be heartbroken if I stay away another weekend. But I can't make that trip on my current energy levels...just a little nap. A week of all-nighters for that damned test, I'm entitled to a little sleep.
Sighing, Ichigo reached for his phone on the nightstand, set his alarm and then fell on his bed, asleep before the radio had finished the song it was playing.
***
"Nii-sama..."
Byakuya looked up from his novel, pushing his glasses up his nose as he smiled at his sister. He gestured to the kids, passed out on the spacious couch.
"They just fell asleep. I can wake them, if you like. Or we can have tea and catch up?"
Rukia sighed internally at how sad her brother looked. The lines between his eyebrows were deeper than before, and the light that had given his eyes some sparkle for a few years was steadily disappearing. She knew she should get the kids, go home and tuck them in, but this was not the time.
"Ichigo's late again, isn't he?"
Byakuya said nothing, instead standing up and going over to the tray with a pot of tea and pouring some out for Rukia and himself. He handed her cup to her and sat down, neatly placing his bookmark (a photo of Ichigo) in the crease of the book before closing it.
"Maybe something came up."
Rukia took a sip of her tea, glad that the week had finally come to an end. "Nii-sama, he is always late."
"Only the last few months."
"I know you don't want to face it, Nii-sama, but he can't keep arriving four, five hours after he promised. He said he was going to be here at four. It's now eight. It's horrible when our partners give us trouble and we have to deal with it, I know, but have you spoken to him about it?"
Byakuya looked down into his tea. "When...when he arrives, I'm always too glad to see him to stay angry for long. And then it seems a little petty to bring it up."
Rukia, who was always the most down-to-earth between the two of them, put her tea down and leaned towards him, resting her elbows on her knees.
"Nii-sama. You wait for him all week. Besides the twins and your family duties, he is a very large and important part of your life. It is not much for you to expect him to arrive when he says he will. If he simply can't make it, he could always just give you a later arrival time."
Byakuya shifted in his seat, and looked towards the twins. "At least I got to spend some extra time with them."
Rukia smiled. "They love you so much, Nii-sama. They talk about their day with you with such wonder and joy that it makes me wish I got to spend the day here instead of being surrounded by paperwork and office politics. Renji is so proud of their strength and intelligence, and so am I. In a way, I am glad that you are no longer a division captain, because it has given you the time to raise the twins so well."
"You're raising them well too, Rukia. You give me too much credit."
Rukia shrugged. "Renji and I are working parents. We just don't have the time we would like to be there with them. But you know, they have you, and you do a fine job."
Byakuya smiled at the ground, and Rukia got up, sitting next to him and putting her arm around his back. "You need to talk to Ichigo, Nii-sama. You've been sad for a while now, when you think no one's looking. Hisana's picture is out of its private shrine and back on your desk. I know you love him, and I know you miss him. But as much as I don't want to admit it, maybe you should consider –"
"I'm not leaving him, Rukia." He looked at her, then back at the floor. "Although that probably would be better for him."
Rukia said nothing, instead squeezing his shoulder. They sat like that for a while, then Rukia gave him a gentle nudge.
"Hey. Do you want help with making dinner for everyone?"
"I'd like that."
***
"FUCK!"
Ichigo cursed as he ran from his house, slinging his togbag over his shoulder as he ran to the closest street mall, hoping that he could catch the corner supermarket before it closed. It was already nine at night, he was five hours late to meet Byakuya, and he had forgotten to pick up a birthday present.
"Fuckfuckfuckfuck," he hissed under his breath, cursing that he didn't have a damned motorbike or something. He skidded to a stop in front of the supermarket, putting his arm in the way of the closing door.
"Oi! It's two to nine!" he shouted, pushing the door open and knocking aside the store security guard as he dashed to the bakery section. He usually brought a crisp, fresh ciabata bread and some wine. But there wasn't even a plain white sandwich loaf, and his choice in wine ranged from acidic to liquid paraffin.
How could I have slept through three alarms?! Dammit, Ichigo!
Hopping from foot to foot as he scanned the aisles for something even remotely suitable for the feast he knew Byakuya had prepped (and was keeping on hold just for him) he scrunched a hand into his hair.
"I am in so much shit," he muttered, then ran out the store, reckoning that the late night shops might still hold some kind of birthday present. He managed to get into a bonsai boutique, and looked at the massive array of beautiful small trees that he knew very little about and knew that Byakuya would spot a rushed decision. He flipped over the nearest price tag and gulped. An assistant glided towards him, dressed in a kimono that probably cost more than his year's tuition.
"Can you be helped?"
Ichigo scratched the back of his head. "Uh...what would you consider an entry-level tree?"
She gave the kind of look that suggested there was a rotten oyster under her nose. "It would depend if you want an acacia, or a white oak, or a baobab. Each one has specific needs and ben-e-fits."
Ichigo did not have time for this shit. "I have 8,000 yen. Give me the nicest tree for that amount and stop looking at me like that."
She further collected her features around her nose and looked at Ichigo in the way Paris Hilton looked at Croc shoes.
"As you wish. Sir. Gift-wrapped?"
"Fine. Whatever," he said, almost hopping from foot to foot. The assistant glided away, and soon brought a tiny tree that had beautiful little leaves, a curled trunk and a white ribbon around the base. Ichigo hurriedly paid her and dashed towards the nearest deserted area to make the trip to Soul Society.
Hopefully, Byakuya could forgive him just one more time.
***
"Ichi-jichan!"
Ichigo smiled as two bundles of energy streaked towards his legs, hugging him ferociously around the knees.
"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late."
Kato looked up at him and wagged her finger at him. "Byakuya-ojisan is very sad! And its all your fault!"
"I'm not crying, Kato-kun," said a voice from next to Ichigo. An arm went around Ichigo's waist, and familiar lips pressed against his temple. "Welcome, koishii."
Ichigo leaned into the touch, putting his arm around Byakuya's waist and holding the tree in front of him.
"Happy birthday, saiai."
Byakuya took the tree and admired it. "An African acacia thorn tree? I don't have one of these, and it will go well with my collection. Thank you, Ichigo."
Relieved that the gift went over well, he followed Byakuya and the twins into the large kitchen, where Rukia and Renji were sitting at the kitchen island.
"Finally! Now we can eat!" said Renji, which earned him a nasty jab in his side from Rukia. Byakuya pulled several casserole dishes, pots and bowls from the oven and warmer draws, and placed the food in front of the others. Whipping off the lids, he revealed a lamb shank coated in a beautiful ozzo buco sauce, delicate angel hair pasta with a napolitana-chilli sauce, a medley of julienne vegetables and perfectly crisped roast potato wedges. Ichigo's heart sunk as he saw the obvious and intensive effort that had gone into the meal on his behalf, and how it had been slightly spoiled by being made to sit so long. He took a seat next to Byakuya, taking his hand and pressing a kiss to his knuckles.
"It looks beautiful. Thank you, Byakuya."
Byakuya smiled and proceeded to dish up for everyone, too glad to have Ichigo at his side to ruin the evening with a fight.