Royalty and Rats
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Warnings: Pairings. (IchiRuki, one sided RenRuki)
Music Choice: Shattered (O.A.R)
--X--
She was out of reach.
Again.
Renji thinks he'll be able to catch her when she falls. And, really, he's been able to do so a few times in the past. Purposely, he places himself in situations where he can be there if (when, it's" when" because that's how it's always been) she suddenly needs help. And he'll be there because she's all he's got to take care of.
But now it's different.
At first, Renji thought it was simply the Sixth Division Captain he would have to go through. But, no, it was more than that. After years and years of straining to reach a goal in order to surpass his Captain (to prove his worth, to get her back, to never let go), another is in his way. His name: Ichigo. Of all the people, it had to be a human to be a problem...(to stop him again, to steal her away, to take a step back).
They all treat her as if she's delicate. And in truth, she is. Renji knows firsthand that she's like glass (Snow White, lying there, perfectly flawless skin, eyes, lips) and she'll break. She has in the past, so many times (cry, cry, she'll cry and he can't do anything). He'll never find the right words and he'll certainly never say them, but he's always thought that her tears are small specs diamonds, almost, (diamond dust because her tears are small, just like her).
But she's not a princess. Renji doesn't believe for one second she should ever to be compared to a princess. Granted, she's in the noble family (cleanliness and manners, don't do this, don't do that) and her story is a Cinderella one (a twisted and demented tale; she's always good enough). Ironic, because she was a street rat (never dirty, though, always keeping them in line, always there). No, Renji doesn't believe she's a princess. She's the queen. His center ("their" center now, because there are more people in his life, people keeping him away from her).
And because he was there from the beginning, he offers himself to her. He tells her he's the shoulder to cry on if she shall ever need it. Her liquid diamond tears can flow over his sleeves. But he knows that's not right. He's the real street rat (dirty boy, get away, don't go near her; she' too good for you). Flawed against flawlessness will never touch. That other one is the hero; her knight in shining armor, something Renji has wanted for a while now.
Renji finds it hard to picture her with anyone else but there she is—with another. She's happy and Renji forces himself to swallow and mentally chant in his head that if she's happy, he's content in knowing that. But he's not, honestly. He's selfish, like the born street rat he is (tainted, he's just stained and can't do anything about it).
They don't notice him as they walk down the road. He stands, his hands buried in his deep pockets and his eyes watch her carefully. The couple brush past him and just for a moment, his skin brushes against hers. She notices the contact (dirtied against unblemished skin, don't touch, don't ruin her) and her eyes flicker to the side to catch a glimpse of red. But by then, he's already gone.
And he wonders…
Why can't he reach out to her? She's right there, in reach. But at the same time…she's not. She's totally out of his reach. They can pass by each other and he can't take it upon himself to touch her. She could be crying on his shoulder, tugging on his arm, but he can't do anything more than to comfort her (never ever take her heart; street rat but not a heartless thief, he just can't, it's not right). She's simply too good for him and he knows it.
Besides, street rats never have a chance with queens.
--X--
A/N
Renji's my favorite. Of course I'm gonna make a sad story about him.
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