To those who've read this and opened it again and thought there's a new chapter, there isn't one. Not yet, anyway (sorry). I was just reading over some of my fics and found a few typos here so I edited it.

A/N: So… I have two pending stories, and what do I do? I write a new one. Ah well. The inspiration for my other stories has flown out the window and caught a bus to the ends of the earth. They seem to have no intention of coming back anytime soon, thus the birth of a new fic. I planned this to be a collection of one-shots to three-part fics that's why it's complete for now. I've encountered lots of collections and thought it'd be fun to have one of my own, so yeah. XD

To those who follow my other stories, no worries. I will update them at some point (soon, I hope). So please don't hate me for not updating and that you'll still read them by the time that I do.

This will contain HitsuMatsu fics, cause I love them so much and there's never enough of fics about them. :D

Now here we are, the first of (hopefully) many one-shots. Please review!


Paperweight

Been up all night, staring at you
Wondering what's on your mind

-x-

I smiled as I listened to the soft tapping of the rain against the roof my quarters. It played a pleasant and soothing melody, almost like a lullaby. It effectively calmed my usually frigid and high-strung captain, resulting in him peacefully sleeping in my bed.

And yes, the first time I thought about it, I couldn't believe it myself. That's why, even though I'm so tired and the rain is making me very drowsy, I can't sleep. All I can do is sit here beside him, and watch Hitsugaya Toshirou's chest rise and fall while he breathes as he revels in a state of unconsciousness.

He was lying on his back to my left, with his head turned towards me a little bit. His right arm was on his side with his hand in a loose fist, while his left arm was draped across his midsection just above the blanket that we shared. I could hear him sigh every once in a while and wonder what he was dreaming about.

-x-

I've been this way with so many before
But this feels like the first time

-x-

I smile as I muse about the last person to lie in my bed at the exact same place where my captain is. I have liked a few other men before but nothing serious. But contrary to popular belief, I've only been seriously involved with one man. And when I say 'involved', it's not that we were in a normal romantic relationship. I had feelings for that person, but they weren't reciprocated in the way I would have liked. I know Gin cared about me; he just had a rather unorthodox way of showing it. Back then, way before the betrayal, he'd stay over once in a while. We'd talk, laugh, and drink to our heart's content. We enjoyed each other's company but we never really moved past being childhood friends. Then after the betrayal, he turns around attempts to kill Aizen, and I have this nagging feeling that it was for me. I mean, talk about bizarre. Gin was… How should I say this…? He was complicated. I even think 'complicated' is a major understatement. But I loved him all the same.

Almost as much as I love the man lying next to me right now.

Yes, it's true. I, Matsumoto Rangiku, have fallen head over heels for the captain of the Tenth Division. As to how or why, I don't really know.

Maybe it was because he grew taller. He's a head taller than me now (And it feels good to have to look up at him when he's talking to me and imagine myself tip-toeing just enough to reach his li-ahem-never mind).

Or maybe it was because his body grew bigger. Not fat, but muscular (And I imagine that he-oh for crying out loud).

Or maybe it was his eyes, those pretty teal eyes that I get lost in whenever I stared for too long. Or maybe it was the way he treats me. The trust (except when it comes to paperwork) and confidence (again, not with paperwork) he gives me. Sure, we fight a lot, but how can you make rainbows without a little rain, right?

I could probably go on and on about why or how I think I came to love my icy taichou, but one thing's for sure. I don't think I've ever felt like this before. Not even with Gin. That as long as I have Toshirou by my side, I can get through anything.

So, maybe I love my Captain because he is who he is. And being who he is makes me feel this way: complete.

-x-

You want the sunrise to go back to bed
I want to make you laugh

-x-

I slowly lie down on my side, facing him, careful not to rouse him from slumber. I placed my right arm in between my head and my pillow and before I could stop it, my left arm reached out and caressed his face.

My eyes widened when I realized what I had done and quickly retracted my arm. I held my breath as I watched for any sign of changes on my captain's peaceful expression. And for a split second, I thought I saw something.

But I couldn't be sure, because whatever it was disappeared just as soon as it came, if it ever came at all.

He shifted a bit, and then turned his body a hundred and eighty degrees away from me. I did my best to suppress the disappointed sigh threatening to escape from my lips as I stare dejectedly at my hand. I think the warmth from it felt like the few rays of sunlight that touch your face and wake you up in the morning, that's why he turned away.

I stare at the back of his head for a few minutes before I glanced at his shinigami uniform and captain's haori that hung on the door of my bedroom. I let out a silent giggle as I lay on my back and remembered the events that led to Toshirou in my bed, shirtless and wearing an old hakama of mine.

-x-

Mess up my bed with me
Kick off the covers, I'm waiting

-x-

If you thought my captain lay here beside me because I confessed to him and one thing led to another, you are dead wrong. I know, I know. What the hell am I afraid of? What else? The big r word: Rejection.

I know what you're thinking, how can I be afraid of rejection? I mean, look at me! But still, this isn't some random guy I met on the way to work, or an acquaintance I got cozy with at a bar. This is my captain. This is my boss, my partner, my colleague.

I have been dropping hints every now and then.

One time, I invited him out for lunch.

"Ne, Taicho. How about you join me for lunch?"

"No, thank you. You have lunch for too long and then you won't get anything done. Which reminds me, finish your work before you-shit-MATSUMOTO!"

Then, I invited him to dinner.

"Taichou, I'm hungry. Won't you buy me dinner?"

"No, Matsumoto. You just got your pay, buy it yourself. And if you leave now with that pile of documents unfinished I'll hold your next paycheck."

Then, I ask him to walk me home.

"You know, Taichou, it's late. I don't want to walk home alone. Come with?"

"Matsumoto, its three o'clock in the afternoon, it's not even the end of the day. Why the hell are you thinking about going home? Get back to work!"

And that's why I haven't said anything yet.

Can you imagine: After I confess he rejects me and then I have to come to work the next day? I have one word for you: awkward. Not to mention I'll probably be heartbroken and a tad bitter. Damn paperwork, messing up my love life.

-x-

Every word you say I think I should write down
I don't want to forget come daylight

-x-

Anyway, back to how we got here in my room…

It was way past office hours but Taichou was adamant about finishing paperwork. He practically threatened to slice me into a million pieces (but I still love him) if I didn't finish mine by the end of the day. A few hours passed and I heard him let out a sigh of relief. I looked up at the clock. It was a quarter past nine. Wow, earlier than usual (which is probably because I was there to finish my half of the work, heh). I quickly signed my name on the few remaining documents on my desk and then looked over to my captain. I was planning on giving him a quick goodbye as I shunpo out the office, but the words died on my tongue.

He had placed his head on his desk with his arms folded underneath as a cushion. He was facing my side of the room so I can see his face. If he was still his 12-year-old-looking-self, I would have run over to him and hugged him immediately. He just looked so peaceful and perfect (and cute) napping there. But seeing him as he is now, all I could do was gasp and blush.

I blinked a couple of times as I tried to focus on what he was saying rather than on how his lips moved as he spoke.

"If the lack of movement on your desk means you've finished your paperwork, you can go."

I felt a little dumb as I tried to process what he was saying and to decide whether or not his words were directed at me.

"Matsumoto?"

He opened an eye to peer at me just I had finished sorting everything out in my head. He was talking to me and he told me that I can go if I'm done with paperwork. Okay.

I stood up and gave him a big smile.

"Yes, Taichou. I'm finished with my paperwork. I'll be going now, see you tomorrow."

As I walked (more liked skipped) to the door, Taichou sat up in his chair and watched me. His expression looked as if he was debating over something. Then he propped an elbow on his desk and then placed his head in his hand. He looked down on his desk and fiddled with a file there.

"Oh, and thanks for staying."

-x-

Happy to lay here, just happy to be here
I'm happy to know you

-x-

If I wasn't focused on him, I probably wouldn't have heard it. I wasn't even sure if he was the one who said it since I couldn't see his face properly anymore. But he was the only one there, so who else could have said it?

I stopped and fully looked at him. The thank you was unnecessary since the work I did was actually mine to begin with. But the gratitude in his voice made my heart flutter. I instantly felt special. Oh man, I'm turning into a high school girl with a major crush on a teacher. It was… refreshing. And so I smile and saunter over to him.

He looked up at me and raised a delicate eyebrow. "Taichou, aren't you going home yet?"

He leaned back on his chair, closed his eyes, and sighed, "Maybe later."

His position gave me a full view of his gorgeous pale neck and I was (very) tempted to lean down and place a kiss on it. But instead I yanked him out of his chair and out of the office. I can recognize a good opportunity when I see one.

"If that's so, then come with me!"

I half-dragged my captain all over Sereitei. I was hungry (stupid paperwork) and so we went from stall to stall, buying food ranging from rice balls to takoyaki. We, well I, had fun. Taichou had his brows furrowed together most of the time so I wasn't sure. He barely even said anything unless it was to remind me to chew properly, to yell at me to let him go, or to say that he wanted to go home. But no matter how much he complained, (and I've given him plenty of opportunities to escape, too) he stayed with me the entire night. So maybe, I was doing something right.

-x-

Play me a song, your newest one
Please leave your taste on my tongue

-x-

When my stomach was finally content, we sat, side by side, on a riverbank and gazed at the sky. From the corner of my eye, I watched the stars light up my captain's eyes and a small smile form on his face. The scene took my breath away. I could feel his body relax and so…

"Ne, Taichou?"

I frowned as I felt him suddenly tense up. "What is it, Matsumoto?"

I was having second-thoughts, but, what the heck.

"That was fun, wasn't it?"

I was answered by nothing but the wind. I turned away, feeling stupid for saying anything and possibly ruining the mood. I knew that he wasn't the type to admit something like that and asking him to can have grim consequences. But, it was the first time we hung out since he 'grew up' so I thought maybe this time would be different. I guess I was wrong.

The tension in the air got so tangible I could almost taste it. My heart began to race as I willed the earth I sat on to open up and swallow me whole. It was a good two minutes of complete and utter silence (I was actually counting down the seconds), and I had a mantra of "He's going to say no. Man I'm so stupid. This'll be the first step to rejection. What was I thinking?" going on in my head until I noticed a pair of blue-green eyes eyeing me with concern.

My worry was probably all over my face because a few seconds later, my captain sighed, his body relaxed and then he rolled his eyes at me.

"No, Matsumoto, I didn't. Really, why do you think I'm still here?"

It took a while for me to completely understand what he was trying to say. It was a compliment masked by sarcasm. That was sooo Taichou. He was never good at saying anything nice. But a compliment's a compliment, and I'll take what I can get. And so I launched myself from my position and hugged him.

"I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself, Taichou! We should have gone on a date a long time ago."

"If you were that worried of whether I'd enjoy myself or not, you should have first asked what I wanted to do."

My eyes widened. So did his. He clamped his mouth shut but then his cheeks took on a rather dark shade of red that I thought might never go away.

And then I smiled because I didn't miss the fact that he didn't correct me when I said 'date'.

I wanted to stay there forever, with my arms around my beet red captain and to tease him about his obvious embarrassment, but nature had other ideas. It was nighttime so we barely noticed dark clouds gathering to come and literally rain on my parade.

Ever the responsible one, Taichou pried himself out of my embrace and helped me up so we can go find shelter. He held me close to him (and remember that he's a head taller than me now) and so I was pressed flush against his body and my lips grazed his neck in the slightest of touches that I doubt he noticed. But I did. And I felt heat pool at my cheeks (which I'm pretty sure were red by now) and I silently wished my captain won't notice. But he did. Fortunately, he thought it was because of the rain and that I was coming down with the flu.

And then my brain started working overtime.

"Let's go to my place, Taichou. It's closer and I can get changed."

A pause.

"Okay."

Score one for Rangiku, zero, the world!

-x-

Paperweight on my back
Cover me like a blanket

Mess up my bed with me
Kick off the covers, I'm waiting

-x-

And the rest was history. And no, as I said, nothing happened. Not that I was expecting anything. (Though it wouldn't have hurt if something did, if you know what I mean. I am such a perv! Haha)

Thing is, my captain was probably so exhausted to begin with, that almost as soon as I lent him an old hakama, he fell asleep in my bed. Well, the warm shower I shoved him into while I looked for something to lend him probably contributed to that outcome.

I left my room to let him get dressed but by the time I came back with two cups of tea, he was completely unconscious.

I found him sitting up against the wall, most likely trying to wait up for me. And so I properly laid him down and assumed my position of sitting beside him as I covered us with my blanket.

-x-

Every word you say I think I should write down
I don't want to forget come daylight

-x-

My eyelids flutter close as I stretch and turn, lying with my back to my captain. I smile as I feel muscular arms circle around my waist and a warm body press against my back. I sigh in content as I feel soft lips pepper kisses from my shoulder, up my neck, and along my jaw. I moan as those lips allowed a sinful tongue to lick my earlobe. And then I gasp as I feel cool air caress my ear, carried by the words I've always wanted to hear.

"I love you, Rangiku."

-x-

And no need to worry, that's wasting time
And no need to wonder what's been on my mind
It's you, it's you

-x-

I abruptly sit up, my heart racing. I hadn't even noticed that I fell asleep. That was one vivid dream. I glance to my left and my captain hadn't moved an inch.

How I wish that was real.

After that, as much as I want that dream to continue, the adrenaline it pumped into my veins would prevent me from falling asleep anytime soon. So I opted to ease out of bed and to go outside for some fresh air.

I stood just outside my apartment, with my back against a wall. I watched as the rain continued to pour.

I remember the numerous other times I've dreamt (or daydreamed) about my captain being all lovey-dovey on me. Most of the time, the object of my fantasy was right there in the room with me. He once confessed that he was worried about me. He told me that I've been spacing out a lot recently, and that it would take me a while to sort out my thoughts. He even offered to hear me out so he can help.

I remember being a bit nervous at that. I was glad my captain wasn't the type to not let something go. I mean, what was I supposed to say?

"I'm so sorry if I've been out of it, Taichou, but it's all your fault. You're too damn hot for your own good. I can't help it if the slightest suggestion takes me to lala land where we're doing rather inappropriate things to each other."

I couldn't have said that. Or maybe…

"I'm so sorry if I've been out of it, Taichou, but it's all your fault. I can't seem to get you out of my head. Maybe if you and I hook up, I'll be cured. What do you say?"

Now, I definitely couldn't have said that. So I just said…

"I'm so sorry if I've been out of it, Taichou. Don't worry, it's nothing serious, nothing a good bottle of sake can't fix." And a good dose of you.

He glared at me for that. Not for the 'good dose' part, that part stayed inside my head. It was for the sake part. And then he stomped away muttering something about paperwork not going to be finished on time.

-x-

Every word you say I think I should write down
I don't want to forget come daylight

-x-

I could still hear those words from my dream echoing in my head. A cold breeze had settled in the neighborhood as the rain ceased and I decided to go back inside.

I quietly opened my bedroom door and my eyes fell on the still sleeping form of my captain. I don't know why or how long I've been standing there, just staring at him: memorizing every curve of his body and every little twitch of his muscles as he slept, and wondering what dream was playing inside that pretty little head of his. I had meant to ask him what his dream was when he suddenly opened his eyes but he spoke first.

"What are you doing?"

He looked so cute, rubbing his eyes.

"Uhm…Thinking."

He raised an eyebrow at me, as if to say 'At this time of night?'.

"About?"

It took me a long time to answer. I was considering giving him a silly response like, 'I'm thinking about where I'm going to eat lunch tomorrow', or 'who I'm going to force into buying me a drink the next day'.

He had his mouth in a tight line, quietly waiting, while I looked straight into his curious eyes.

At that moment, I wanted to ask him how he could do this to me.

How could one look from him turn my confidence into jelly, making me doubt my own attractiveness?

How could a simple statement from him make me forget all my witty remarks?

How could his smile, no matter how many times I've seen it, continue to take my breath away?

All that, I wanted to say, but only one thing made it out of my mouth.

"You."

-x-

And I give up, I let you win
You win 'cause I'm not counting

-x-

I could see the surprise on his face and the light blush now coloring his cheeks after I poured out all my pent up emotions into that single word.

Like I said, I can recognize a good opportunity when I see one, so I took the risk. I counted on his genius, his empathy, and our centuries together, to back my words and for him to realize that he is so much more to me than I have ever really let on.

Neither of us dared to say anything.

From the way he was staring at me, I bet he was looking for any trace of humor in my eyes, but I was pretty sure there wasn't any. And unfortunately for me, I know confusion when I see it. Taichou's eyes were filled with that exact emotion and no indication that he felt the same way I did, and it was enough to break me.

I didn't really expect him to feel the same way. I know how I am. I just wanted… Well, I don't know what I want anymore.

I guess this wasn't as good an opportunity as I thought it was.

The quiet had gone on long enough for me, so I tried to work my way out of the awkward situation I created by forcing out a giggle and waving my hand in dismissal.

"Because you were so cute sleeping there, Taichou. Why don't you get back to it?"

He glared at me and made to sit up but I beat him to it by walking over to his side and pushing him down. I smiled warmly at him as I tried to hide the shiver that coursed through my veins as I touched his bare skin.

"Wha-"

"It's nothing, Taichou."

"It's-"

"I know, I know. I shouldn't have dropped a bomb on you like that."

"We-"

"I'm sorry, Taichou. I don't think I want to talk about it right now."

"Matsu-"

"Go back to sleep, Taichou. You need the rest."

"…"

He regarded me with concern. I guess my disappointment was all over my face now. He didn't try to sit-up anymore. He just went back to his lying position and looked down on the floor. He looked rather guilty. And then he glanced at me before once again, closing his eyes.

I felt rather silly standing there so I went around the bed and back to my space beside him. I cautiously went into bed, trying my best not to move the mattress too much. I lay with my back to my captain and tried to fall asleep. But then I remembered what I had meant to ask him, and if I didn't ask I probably won't fall asleep.

"Ne, Taichou, what were you dreaming about?"

There was no answer.

I figured he had already fallen asleep again (He has been rather tired lately). But finding out whether or not that was the truth was already lost to me when I felt my eyes tingle and I had to blink a few times to get rid of the feeling (to no avail).

I wasn't expecting anything anymore. I was now barely aware of my surroundings. I just wanted to fall asleep and forget about the last few minutes. But then, the tender whisper of a single word broke through my consciousness and I couldn't stop the wide toothy grin that broke out on my face.

-x-

You made it back to sleep again
Wonder what you're dreaming

-x-

"You."


And now, you review. Haha. :))

Paperweight, sung by Josh Radin and Schuyler Fisk, from the movie Dear John. :)

I forgot the disclaimer... I don't own Bleach or the song Paperweight.