WhooT fic number 51!
Anywho a couple of things. First to all my Kuro readers who may be reading this the next 2 chapters for Captive will be up in the next week or so. Second this fic contains mentions of mpreg but no actual m-pregnancy they just talk about it. Lastly this fic doesn't have much of a plot seeing as how I wasn't really sure where I was going with it. So it's just a little relationship fic. It's suppose to be a one shot but because of length I'm broke it into two chapters to make it easier to read. So I guess that's about it.
Oh and this fic was inspired by Naktata's fabulous Ren/Bya pics.
Also this fic is dedicated to Andaateika; you knows I luvs ya. (We'll call this a late birthday present for you since I can't seem to get my sorry butt around to finishing your other one from 3 years ago. But you know me I'll always remember at least. So I guess that's something.)
Well anyway on with the fic. Much love for you all. Keva
xx
Renji Abarai wasn't a man of nobility and wealth.
Renji Abarai wasn't a man that was generally considered calm, cool, and collected.
Renji Abarai wasn't a man that stopped and analyzed things.
No what Renji Abarai was was a poor street rat thug that got by with street smarts. He survived by always picking the side that he knew would always come out on top even if that meant he was against his own friends. That however was a rarity seeing as how his friends were much the same way.
To them winning meant money, food, and a place to stay. Losing meant scrounging and doing whatever necessary to survive.
He hated necessity he wanted stability but as a street thug that stability was nothing but a pipe dream far far out of his reach.
Or so he thought.
He didn't know if it was by chance or by some higher power that caused things to fall as they did giving him this one chance to change his entire life.
It had all started with nothing more than being at the right place at the right time for in all actuality he wasn't supposed to be there that day. He was suppose to be meeting up with Ichigo to see about doing some dirty job for the mayor… again. However he was in no mood to deal with the sniveling little weasel so instead he met up with Rukia at their hangout and just… hung out.
That was when the second event occurred that set him in the direction of a better chance at life. That day, sitting with Rukia, chatting away about what they would do if they were rich, HE walked in.
As it turned out HE was Rukia's ex-brother in law Byakuya Kuchiki. A high class noble and next in line to take over the Kuchiki 'family business' and a sexy high class noble to boot.
All nobility thought they were above the law and extortion, bribery, assaults, and sometimes even murder occurred between the warring families. Of course none of them would ever actually do the dirty work themselves but instead throw cash at nobody street thugs to do the dirty work for them.
As far as Renji was concerned the high class elite were the most corrupt people on the planet. They had everything they ever wanted but for reasons he couldn't understand they always wanted more. They wanted what the other powerful elite had, they wanted control, world domination even but why?
Once you had everything what was left? A lonely miserable life with you on top and no one to control and no one to care about you. That's what's left.
It didn't matter to him why they wanted so much what mattered was Ruika ex-in law Byakuya.
Of all the things Renji wasn't he was the type that could appreciate something or someone beautiful whether it be female or male. Byakuya was beautiful in that sinful you can look all you want but never have sort of way. Plus the man seemed to be all too aware of that fact and made sure everyone knew it.
He carried himself in that aristocratic sort of way with the proud shoulders, stiff spine, pressed tightly together lips, and nose just so slightly tilted upwards. Oh then there was that stifling 'I'm so far above you to even look at you my eyes would surely melt' air about him.
Yet Renji could see there was something more about the man something he was hiding. As a street thug it paid well to be able to read people and see in their body language what they WEREN'T saying. Usually the payment was staying alive.
As he looked at Byakuya reading the minute words in his body language he realized that the man was desperate for love and attention. However being in the position he was he could never ask for that and probably never let anyone know he wanted it. The poor man was probably arranged to be wedded to some miserable hag now that he was single due to Ruika's sister's death.
How the better half lived like that he'd never know or understand nor want to understand. What he did understand was loneliness and the want to be loved by someone. What he understood was that deep want you hid behind a mask so no one would know how much it really hurt.
He understood was what Byakuya was screaming for but had to muffle so no one would ever hear the anguish he held within.
In that moment it was decided and it seemed fate was in his corner. He was going to have Byakuya Kuchiki and stop the screaming. Why he wanted the man he didn't know but something deep within his gut told him to get him and he always listened to his gut.
It was that fateful decision that brought him to be seated before Ginrei Kuchiki with all bases covered to get what he wanted. It took weeks from that day he met Byakuya Kuchiki to come up with a tentative plan in how to make the man his own. It was months before he had a sure fire plan to guarantee Byakuya would be his and it was a mere week to get all the things together to put his plan into motion.
It took six months to get to this point and he was going to make sure he walked out of the man's office with what he wanted and his life.
"So what is it you want street rat?" The old man glared at him.
Renji on the outside kept cool and calm but on the inside he was screaming to punch the man square in the face. "I've come to make a request of you Kuchiki-sama." He smiled politely.
He knew from experience with these people that one; you never showed you're full hand. Two, keep everything as casual and non threatening as possible. Three, maintain eye contact at all times or else you showed weakness and weakness with these people was a death sentence. Then last but not least and most important never ever give your information as fact keep it vague and hypothetical to keep their interest piqued.
"Oh and what would that request be?" He questioned as he set his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together. "Money?"
"Nah." He waved a dismissive hand through the air. "Something a little more of value." He smirked.
"Get to the point boy," he growled coldly. "you are wearing on my patience."
Renji shrugged like it was no biggie knowing full well for the moment at least he still held the cards. "Alright," he locked hard stares with the man. "I want to ask for Byakuya's hand."
The old man narrowed his eyes deeply. "You are wasting my time."
"I'm dead serious." He glared biting down his nerves to keep from showing how nervous over this he really was. "I am asking you to allow me to marry your grandson."
"You honestly think I would marry my grandson the heir to my fortune to some street rat?"
He relaxed back into his chair and draped his arm over the back. "That's exactly what I think." He nodded. "However I don't expect you to just marry him off to me for nothing."
"You have that right." He glared. "And I highly doubt that all your possessions combined would be enough to even own a hair off my grandson's head."
Renji chuckled at that. "You're probably right but," he became serious. "not everything is counted in money or property now is it."
"What are you getting at boy?"
"What I'm getting at is that what I have may be worth a lot and I'm sure I could pay Byakuya's dowry several times over with it." He leaned forward rested his arms on his knees and smirked at him. "It's all a matter of how important information is to you."
"Information?" He arched a white brow at him. "What kind of information would someone like you have?"
"Here let me tell you a story." He slumped back into his chair.
"Boy I don't have time for this nonsense." Ginrei growled deadly.
Renji smirked at that. "Oh but I think you of all people in the world would love to hear this story." His eyes widened. "It involves a mayor, bribery, Marenoshin Omaeda, a large corporation downtown that two families have been warring over..." He trailed off with a wave of his hand and stared at the old man.
Ginrei leaned back in his chair and smirked at the red head. "Well now that you mention it I did always like stories that ran along those lines." He nodded at him. "I'm listening."
"Well the short of it is Marenoshin has been paying off the mayor to block all your bids to buyout LL Corp." He shrugged.
"Is that so?" His sliver brow arched highly. "And let me guess with that being the short of it there's more."
"Something like that." Renji smirked. "The more all depends on whether or not I hear wedding bells in the near future."
"Alright." He agreed. "I believe we can work something out but before we start getting into details does my grandson know of this?" He once again leaned forward in his chair lacing his fingers together and resting his arms on the desk.
"He knows I want to marry him; yes." He nodded which was technically true.
Over the last six months he had seen Byakuya a total of four times and of those four times only three times did they interact. The third time they met he told the man a joke causing him to twitch his lip up in the slightest of smiles. It was then he asked Byakuya to marry him which instantly turned that smile into a frown and a glare. Although he was glaring at him he caught the slightest hint of a thrill flash thorough his gray eyes. Right then he knew without a doubt that his plans to make Byakuya his own was the right thing to do.
Ginrei eyed the boy cautiously not sure what to really make of him. Did he really want to marry Byakuya because he cared for him or because it would be easy access to his money? Was Byakuya an easy out of the streets for him and he was going to take it. Whatever it was he did not really want to deal but if his little story turned out true then the boy would have saved him several millions in court battles and bribery.
"I see." He nodded. "Get me the proof of your claims and once they are verified we will discuss your proposal further."
"No." Renji shook his head and glared at him knowing full well the man was looking to screw him over. It was time to go for the throat and end this once and for all. "Either we have a deal or I go to Marenoshin and tell him a story." He glared. "A story of his daughter, an older man who is his enemy, and of the birth of an illegitimate son."
Eyes identical to his grandson's widened just the slightest.
"That's what I thought." Renji snorted. "Now we either have a deal or I find a deal somewhere else." He implied.
Ginrei sighed deeply through his nose and ground this teeth together. "Very well once the information is confirmed I will give you my grandson's hand."
"Good." Renji stood up, pulled a folder from within his jacket, set it on the desk, and gave him a small bow. "It was a pleasure doing business with you and if you will I would prefer to keep this a secret from Byakuya until all the details are ironed out."
The old man nodded with a grunt and went back to the papers on his desk.
Renji walked toward the door to leave but was halted just has he lifted his hand to open the door.
"Oh and by the way boy," Genrei smirked at the his back. "I will expect that you know what is entitled to marrying my grandson."
"Which is?" He turned to face him.
"First you will sever all ties with your street rat friends." He nodded curtly. "I will not have them using you or my grandson as an excuse to blackmail or extort money from me."
He did not like that at all although he was sure there was a way around it. He was a rule breaker by nature therefore how hard would it be to break the rules and see his friends anyway?
"Alright." He agreed with a shrug of his shoulder. "And?"
"Second you will pay homage to me as father of this house and be loyal as if you were my own flesh and blood."
He smirked at the man. "No problem with that either."
"Good." Ginrei smirked right back at him. "And finally you will produce an heir within a two years of the marriage."
His eyes widened hugely as he stared at the old man. "That's impossible; both myself and Byakuya are male."
"Improbable not impossible." He sat back in his chair. "I assure you it is possible it's mostly done in a lab but one of you will be a carrier. So should you marry my grandson either you or he will bear a child within the year. If not the marriage will be null and void and you will return to your miserable life in the gutters."
Renji glared deadly at him. "Fine." He agreed though bitterly. "Is that it?"
"Yes." He nodded. "You may go."
He glared at the man one more time before turning back to the door and as soon as he touched the handle he sensed the men on the other side. "Oh and one more thing before I go." He smirked without turning around. "I told my friends that if anything should happen to me that they should pass my little story on to Marenoshin with the accompanying pictures and birth record." With that he opened the door and watched as the two men looked at their master.
He could only assume Ginrei waved them off when they stepped back and allowed him to leave the office freely.
Once he was outside and far enough away from the Kuchiki estate his stiffened spine finally gave out on him causing him to sit on the curb. He really didn't expect things to go that smoothly or to even walk away unscathed but they went better then he dreamed they would. Actually he thought for sure he'd be dead by now.
However as it stood once Ginrei confirmed his information he was going to be marrying Byakuya Kuchiki. That thought slapped the largest smile ever on his face causing him to jump up and run back to his hang out to celebrate even if he couldn't tell his friends why they were celebrating.
It wasn't that he didn't want to tell them it was that if he did they'd try to talk him out of it and eventually succeed. Of all the things he has done over his life for reasons he couldn't understand this one felt like the most right thing ever.
xx
Byakuya could not believe what he had just heard. Was his grandfather really standing there as calm as a spring day telling him that in three days time he was to marry? He wasn't even aware there was an arrangement in the works.
"I only tell you about this out of obligation as your grandfather."
"I see." He nodded though he really didn't. "And who is this woman I am to marry?" When his grandfather looked to the side breaking eye contact with him he narrowed his eyes deeply. "I said who is this woman." He demanded not at all liking his silence.
Ginrei sighed deeply. "You are the woman."
Cold gray eyes narrowed. "Did I just hear you right?" He questioned in a deadly whisper.
"Yes." The old man sighed, moved to the couch, and practically fell into it. "Your hand was requested and of course I denied it but…" He trailed off and stared at his grandson.
"But what?" He demanded.
He sighed again. "What the young man offered as a dowry was worth three even four times as much as any dowry offered for you or for anyone."
At that Byakuya's brows arched.
"I'm just missing one piece of important information to close it and he refuses to give it to me until after you are wedded otherwise I would have stopped it." He nodded at him.
"You sold me for information?" He hissed quietly.
"It would be no different if someone offered money or property for you." He pointed out. "I know this isn't what you want and it surely isn't what I want but you know the rules for our kind." He sighed again. "If a dowry is offered it has to be considered along with a three week stay to see if anyone challenges it or can beat it."
He knew no one would challenge a dowry for his hand; no one really liked him. He wasn't stupid he heard the quieted whispers behind his back and the backhanded comments about what a cold unfeeling person he was. He just ignored them because they didn't know him and they sure as hell never took the time to try to get to know him either.
"There was only one person to counter offer against you but his price fell way short." He closed his eyes and rubbed his brow tiredly. "Eight and a half million short." He answered before he could ask causing him to stare incredulously back at him.
Yes he knew the rules of their kind but he never thought he would be the one to be bought and bought for so high. However first thing was first find out WHO deemed him worth so much to convince his grandfather to marry him off so easily. "And who is this man that has so much to offer for me?"
"His name if Abarai Renji." He shrugged. "Apparently you know him for he did tell me that he asked you to marry him."
Byakuya drew his brows at that. As far as he could remember no one ever asked him to marry them… well except for that street urchin he met a few times. He did find the fiery red head to be rather intriguing and did find (to his utter shock) his jokes to be rather amusing. Other than that and the odd marriage proposal he never had another thought about the man.
"The only man to ever ask me to marry him was some gutter rat that…" He trailed off at the nod his grandfather was giving him. "You mean to tell me that that street trash is who I'm going to marry?" He questioned aghast.
"Yes." He nodded and braced himself for the cold storm he was about to be caught in.
"How can you allow this to happen?" He demanded. "Is this just some ploy to extort money from us? How could you possibly to agree no matter what he had to offer?" He clenched his fists at his sides trying to keep his ire in check. "How good could the information be that you would allow a… a peasant to marry me and become part of this family?"
"Twelve million good." He nodded with a tired sigh.
At that Byakuya widened his eyes immensely. "He gave you information worth that much and wanted nothing other than to marry me?" He questioned in a shocked whisper.
He nodded at him wishing this conversation was over so he could go lose himself into the best bottle of sake he had. "That is all he wants." He nodded. "I even offered him everything a man in his position could ever want money, clothes, cars, a home and he refused. He said something about hearing you screaming and some nonsense about rescuing you and that marrying you is the only thing in this world he wants."
Byakuya just stood there speechless.
Yes he was screaming to be saved from this life and the pressures that being a noble came with. However he didn't think anyone would ever hear him especially since he worked so hard to bury that part of himself deep inside. He was born into nobility, arranged to be married once, and did love his wife… eventually. He did everything someone of his status was suppose to do to eventually take over for his grandfather and the family business. He did his studies proper, learned every aspect of noble life, studied everything his grandfather did, and made sure that he carried himself just as his status would dictate.
In the end after all the training, the death of his father, the death of his wife, the loss of his sister in-law what did he have to show for it? He was alone waiting to take over for the old man sitting in front of him and continue on the family business. After all who cared if he was sad and alone as long as the family name was still one of the strongest and wealthiest in the world. That was all that mattered in the end; what the Kuchiki name stood for no matter whose soul it crushed along the way.
Ginrei stood up and stretched causing his old bones to crack. "Look between now and the wedding I will keep trying to figure out a way to stop this. I can't guarantee I will be able to however so brace yourself to soon be entered into matrimony."
He was very tempted to throw a fit about the whole situation and for the most part held his tongue. "I am not wearing a dress." He hissed coldly then turned and silently left the room leaving behind an air of fury.
"That went well." Ginrei sighed to himself before too leaving the room to go in search of a good bottle of sake.
xx
Renji stood by the garden doors trying to keep his nerves about him. Today was the big day the day he was going to marry Byakuya Kuchiki. The only horrible thing about all of this was the fact that he couldn't tell or invite his friends to the party. Ginrei made it quite clear how this was going to go down and if he wanted to marry Byakuya then he was going to have to play by his rules.
He didn't care this was what he wanted and did all he could do to make sure he got it. However what he was unsure about was how was Byakuya going to react during the ceremony and what was he going to be wearing?
Part of him hoped he wasn't going to be forced to wear the traditional shiro-maku making this day for him even worse. Yet on the other hand he wouldn't mind seeing him wearing one just to make it feel more like he was really his wife so to speak.
"Alright boy are you ready?" Ginrei came up behind him.
Renji took a deep breath before adjusting his black kimono that instead of baring his family's crest (mainly because he didn't have a family) bore a crest matching his tattoos for the most part. It was his own made up crest to signify his new beginning with Byakuya and their own eventual family. He made sure the tie of his stark gray obi matching his hakama was straight before nodding at the man.
"I'm ready." He flipped the braid of his hair over his shoulder so it was hanging down his back.
Ginrei nodded back, opened the door leading outside to the gardens, and led the boy to large willow tree by the koi pond.
"Um," Renji stared at the man's broad back. "Byakuya isn't going to be wearing a shiro-maku is he?"
"Yes." He answered as he crossed the little bridge over the small stream. "He is your bride after all and as such all traditions will be followed."
Renji frowned at that knowing full well Byakuya (even if he didn't know the man that well) wasn't going to like that at all. Hell he didn't like it and he wasn't the one who had to wear it. They came to a stop under the willow tree and Renji felt his nerves flair up at the many guests in attendance. "I thought it was going to be a small ceremony." He whispered mostly to himself.
"You are marrying the heir to the Kuchiki fortune." Ginrei snorted. "What did you expect." He turned on his heel then headed back to the house to collect Byakuya and his procession.
Renji fidgeted under the cold and curious stares of all the guests. He was way out of his element here and he didn't think it would be as serious as all this just to marry Byakuya. Then again he should have known especially when Ginrei told him it was going to be a traditional ceremony. He just didn't think the old man would make such a show over the fact that his grandson was marrying a lowly commoner such as himself. Wasn't this one of those things that were like private family business they wanted to keep from prying eyes?
However before he could really delve into the reasons for Ginrei having such a big ceremony the music began indicating the start of the wedding.
When the wedding procession began exiting the building he easily spotted Byakuya and wrinkled his nose just slightly. Byakuya looked absolutely ridiculous dressed in the traditional white wedding kimono with his hair pulled up with flowers and such. He wanted Byakuya to look like Byakuya not a flat chested, muscled, chiseled faced woman. He could only hope this went quickly so he could get the poor man out of those ridiculous clothes.
He watched as Ginrei and Byakuya walked towards him with Ginrei's hand on Byakuya's lower back. As they drew closer he could tell the old man was pushing Byakuya along. Soon they came to a stop before him causing him to bow respectfully to Ginrei who bowed in return then turning to Byakuya who was glaring deadly at him.
When Ginrei stepped away Renji leaned over to his soon to be wife. "I hope this goes fast so we can get you into your normal clothing."
"Are you insulting me?" He hissed quietly and narrowed his eyes even further.
"No." He gave a curt shake of his head. "I mean you're a man and you should look like one… well unless you like being dressed like that."
"I most certainly do not." He growled then looked at the priest when he began the ceremony.
He found it odd that this man he was being forced to marry was just as disgusted as he was for being forced to wear the traditional woman's attire. Isn't this what he wanted when he made the deal to marry him? He was under the impression that when one man married another man (as per nobility rules) that the 'woman' of the relationship was to act, look, and dress as such. At least that's what he was led to believe over the last three days when he would be forced to discuss his wedding and future with the street rat next to him.
Then again what did he know of the man next to him anyway beyond the few short times they had met. Somehow he was getting the sense that he was missing something about this union that only the red head next to him knew the answer to. He decided that once this nonsense was over with he would interrogate the man and find out what exactly his motives were in wanting to marry him.
xx
The ceremony itself went rather quick with him giving short curt answers, reciting his vows, and keeping his eyes locked straight ahead. Before he knew it and after the awkward kiss between the two of them he was stripped, changed, and standing next to his new husband for the reception greeting their guests.
"Really; they wouldn't let you wear normal clothes for this either?" Renji stared at him with a small annoyed scowl marring his brow.
"I'm your wife." Byakuya answered flatly. "I must look as such until the celebration is over."
"Lame." Renji huffed. "I don't see what the big deal is if you wear your normal clothes now. I mean the important part is over with what do you need to wear that crap now for?"
Byakuya looked over at the man with brows slightly drawn. "Why does it bother you that I am dressed as such?" He waved a hand down the length of him.
Renji sighed deeply and fingered the large sleeve of Byakuya's deep purple kimono. "Because you look stupid dressed like this." He answered with a nod. "These are clothes for a woman, you look completely uncomfortable, and they don't fit you right. You look like a half assed drag queen."
The more he interacted with the man the stranger he was finding him.
He opened his mouth to respond to that when they were told it was time for the candle lighting ceremony. Besides the initial ceremony for their wedding this was the one he was dreading the most. Walking from table to table lighting the candle on the tables and again greeting their guests. He was all for tradition but not in this aspect of things.
He looked up at his new husband when he gently grabbed him by the elbow.
"Just nod and smile and it'll be over before you know it." He whispered repeating what Rukia had told him more times than he could count during their association. Especially when dealing with an irritated Ikkaku and especially when said man was trying to convince everyone he wasn't bald.
"They will ask about you." He responded as they headed for the first table.
Renji sighed deeply. "Yes they will and the answer will be this is Renji my husband." He nodded. "That's all they need to know; right?"
Byakuya took the lighting stick the woman was holding out to him and nodded. It was all they needed to know and anything beyond that was just being nosy.
To his shock Renji was right in that just keeping quiet made the whole thing go quicker and smoother and before he knew it they were cutting their cake.
"Thank goodness this is almost over with." Renji sighed as he took the knife from Byakuya's hand and set it aside. "I don't know how much more of this snobbery I can take."
"Then why marry me?" He looked at him. "You knew I was a noble and you knew what you were getting into."
Renji turned to face him fully and smiled charmingly at him. "Ah well," he rubbed the back of his neck a little nervously. "yea that. I think it would be better to explain when we're alone." He nodded.
"For sex?" He hissed quietly and watched as his brown eyes widened.
"Oh no." He shook his head and held his hands up like he was warding off some great evil. "Sex will only hap…" He trailed off when Ginrei appeared before them.
"Jii-sama." Byakuya acknowledged with a small bow and an edge to his voice.
"Sir." Renji greeted also with a small bow of his head.
Ginrei nodded at the two of them the stared eye to eye with Renji. "You have something for me?" He questioned though made it sound more like a demand.
"I do." Renji nodded. "It's in my bag and as soon as this is over and we're in our room," he reached over and grabbed Byakuya by the hand. "I'll hand it over to you."
"Very well." Giinrei nodded curtly. "Once the feasting of the cake is over with I will escort the both of you to your room."
"Can't wait." Renji beamed and gripped Byakuya's hand tighter when he tried to pull it away.
After his grandfather walked away and they were both seated back at their table Byakuya glared at the red head next to him. "It is for sex that you married me." He hissed quietly.
"It's not." Renji defended with a scowl. "if I wanted sex I could get it without going through all this." He waved his hand around him. "Including sex with you." He smirked knowingly.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes even further. "I would never with the likes of you."
Renji leaned in close gently ghosting his lips across Byakuya's pale cheek to his ear. "Oh I think I would wear you down eventually." He whispered huskily.
He felt a small tingle run down his spine at the feel of his warm lips so close to his ear. He wasn't sure what that was about but he certainly did not like it at all. "No amount of wearing down would get me into bed with you." He growled as he pushed him away.
"You know," he smirked at him. "that sounded like a challenge and I love challenges." He winked causing him to glare all the harder at him.
"It's no challenge, it's a stated fact." He nodded. "And do not attempt to prove me otherwise."
Renji chuckled at that, leaned over, planted a kiss on his cheek, and placed his hand dangerously low on his back. "I'll prove a lot more to you than that." He then pulled away and dumped down the rest of the sake in his cup to a glowering deadly at him husband/wife.
xx
"Alright here ya go." Renji held the large envelope to the elder Kuchiki.
Ginrei took it from him with a slight narrowing of his eyes. "If this turns out to be a joke I'll have this marriage annulled faster than you can blink and you ten feet under."
Renji chuckled at that. "Well I can assure you it's all fact but you'll find that out once you verify it."
"I'm sure." The old man snorted then gave a small nod of his head. "I will see you in the morning." He nodded one more time then turned on his heel and headed off down the hall for his office.
Renji closed the door with a shake of his head. "Well…"
"Now you will tell me why you wanted to marry me." Byakuya demanded cutting him off.
"Alright now that we're alone I suppose I can explain." He moved over to him, grabbed him by the shoulders, spun him around, and untied his obi.
"What are you doing?" Byakuya growled and stepped away from him causing the half untied obi to fall down around his feet before turning around to face him.
"Helping you undress so you can get out of those stupid clothes." He pointed out. "Again unless you like being dressed like that."
Hard gray eyes pinned the man with a deadly glare. "I can remove them without your assistance."
Renji waved a dismissive hand through the air. "If that's what you want."
"It is," he answered coolly. "now answer my question." He ordered and began the process of removing the many layers of his kimono.
"Well you see it's like this," he started as he began removing his clothing though he didn't have nearly as many layers as Byakuya did. "I can hear you." He nodded causing the man to stare almost dumbly at him. "What I mean is that voice you think you have silenced that no one can hear. The one screaming for the one thing you feel you're being denied because of your status."
"What are you talking about." He hissed as he pulled another layer off. "What voice are you hearing? Are you mad in the head?" As he gave a quick eye over of the man's torso and all his tattoos.
He laughed at that as he pulled a tee-shirt out of his bag. "A lot of people think I am." He pointed out as he pulled the shirt over his head. "But I think you know what I'm talking about." He nodded curtly. "You are dying for love and affection but don't think you can ever have it because of your title and position." He sighed and shook his head. "I can hear what you want because I've wanted it too. My whole life I've been a nobody, a pathetic street thug only good for my muscle. The only people who care about me are my friends but that's not enough for me or anyone. People need someone to love them and only them. To show them that no matter who and what they are they are loved."
"Are you saying you love me?" He questioned suspiciously.
"No, not yet and maybe never." He smiled at him and pulled a pair of sweats out of his bag. "I mean it doesn't really make sense when I think about it but from the first day I saw you all I wanted to do was to save you and to silence the screaming within." He grabbed his toothbrush. "Plus your grandfather was going to marry you to Uzuki and I wouldn't even wish that on my worst enemy."
At that Byakuya's eyes widened noticeably. "Uzuki? Uzuki Morimoto?"
"That'd be her." He nodded as he entered the bathroom.
Byakuya just stood there half undressed, eyes wide, and mouth agape. There was no way his grandfather would marry him off to that woman; would he? All the woman cared about was money, food, clothes, food, jewelry, food, status, food. Her parents had been trying to marry her off since nearly birth and even then no one wanted her.
Why would he even consider a marriage union with her family? Sure they were wealthy but not wealthy enough to be considered to marry into the Kuchiki family. Maybe there was some business deal that hinged on uniting the two families but what deal would that be? Neither family shared any of the same business deals so that couldn't be it.
Or was his grandfather was just trying to tie him down since there seemed to be no one else that really wanted him. Then again there was another bid for his hand but by who? Was it the Morimoto family that made the second bid in hopes of making him available to marry their daughter? He was going to have to find out why his grandfather was going to try and marry him off to that woman and who else bid for his hand.
"Wow how many layers are there?" Renji came back with pants changed and teeth brushed.
Byakuya snapped out of his thoughts and quickly came back to himself when large hands pulled a layer off his shoulders and down his arms. "I can undress myself." He growled.
"If that was so you'd be undressed by now." Renji pointed out as he laid that layer on the foot of the bed with the top kimono layer. "How do women wear these things?" He questioned and grabbed the last two layers and pulled them off Byakuya's shoulders leaving him standing there in nothing but his underwear.
Byakuya grabbed his black yukata off the end of the bed and slipped it on in a hurry. "Again I can do this myself." He bit out when Renji grabbed the silver sash off the bed.
"Of course you can." He smirked, wrapped the sash around his waist, and tied it neatly in the front. "it's just with as long as this is taking you we'll never get any sleep and it's been a long long day." He grinned at the scowl he was giving him. "I suppose you can finish readying yourself then." He nodded at him then turned to the bed, grabbed a pillow and a blanket, and settled himself into the chair by the window.
"What are you doing?" Byakuya questioned as he watched him try to settle his large frame into the chair.
"Going to bed; what are you doing?" He questioned with a shake of the blanket to get it to cover as much of him as it could. "Besides still not getting ready for bed?" He smirked.
"I do not find you very amusing." He growled. "Now what are you doing?"
Renji sighed deeply. "I told you already; going to bed."
"That's not a bed." He pointed out like the boy was a simpleton.
"I know." He nodded and placed the pillow by his head. "But seeing as how this is your bedroom and that's your bed that's where you should sleep." He laid his head against the pillow and closed his eyes before yawning. "At the rate you're going it's going to be morning before you ever make it to bed." He pointed out with eyes closed able to feel those gray eyes still upon him.
"You intend to sleep in the chair?" He questioned and scowled at himself for pointing out the obvious.
Renji yawned again and nodded. "I can sleep just about anywhere been doin it my whole life." He smirked. "Actually this is one of the most comfortable places I've slept in a long while."
Byakuya drew his brows at that. "Why don't you sleep in the bed?" He questioned completely confused by all of this. Now that they were legally married Renji could force himself into his bed with him and he could do nothing really to stop him aside from physically throwing him out.
"It's your bed; unless," he cracked a single eye open and stared at him. "you want me in your bed with you."
"Don't be absurd." He snorted.
"Then this is where I'm going to sleep." He closed his eye. "I will not sleep in your bed until you invite me."
"That will never happen." He nodded curtly.
Renji sighed disappointedly. "Well I guess I better get used to sleeping in this chair."
"Or the floor." Byakuya nodded then headed into the bathroom to finish getting ready for bed.
"Or on you." Renji whispered to himself with a small smirk before settling in and easily falling to sleep.
xx
Byakuya wandered though the estate trying to sort out just what the hell was going on. As it turned out his grandfather was going to try to marry him to that Uzuki woman and for nothing more than he thought it was time he settled down. It was a stupid reason to marry him off and especially to the likes of her.
Then there was that other bidder for his hand which turned out to be Shunsui. He only offered a bid to stop him from being married to Uzuki or Renji. He'd have to thank him for the effort the next time he saw him.
However there was still the issue of this secret information that Renji acquired that was worth so much his grandfather would allow the street rat to marry him. What did he know? How did he find such information when he was nothing more than a thug?
More importantly why wouldn't his grandfather tell him what it was? If it was pertaining to the family business shouldn't he know? How was he suppose to take over for him one day if the man was going to keep him in the dark like this?
Well he was going to find out what his grandfather was keeping secret about and he knew just the man that could tell him what it was. He stopped at the door leading to the gym, opened it, and found just who he was looking for.
He found himself frozen to the spot as he watched his husband mirror box with himself half naked and a thin sheen of sweat covering his body. He had seen that type of fighting style on television a few times here and there but never in real life. The style was so different in how it seemed every single muscle in his body flexed and strained with every move he made.
He couldn't help but rake his eyes over his muscular back watching the muscles strain as he threw punches at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes then slowly trailed down further over his tight ass which was unfortunately covered in loose black pants and on down to his legs. Although he would occasionally catch a glimpse of a muscular calf when he would kick his leg high into the air.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" The question came out before he could stop himself.
Renji stopped his practice, turned to face the man he knew was there all along (he could see his reflection in the mirror eyeing him over like a piece of meat), and simply shrugged. "When you grow up on the streets you have to either learn to defend yourself or get your ass beat." He grabbed a small towel off the nearby workout bench and wiped his face. "Or you wind up dead."
"I see." Byakuya nodded.
"So what are your plans for tonight?"
Byakuya drew his brows at the sudden topic change. "We are having dinner." He nodded.
Renji grinned at that as he walked towards him. "No I mean tonight as in after dinner. Are you free?"
He looked up just slightly to lock stares with him feeling Renji's body heat at their close proximity. He could even smell his musky masculine scent mixed with the salty tang of his sweat. "I am." He nodded lightly doing his level best not to look down at his body.
"Good." He smiled at him. "Cause we're going out tonight."
Before he could ask him where or anything else he slid past him and disappeared down the hall.
What if he didn't want to go out tonight? What if he didn't want to go out any night especially with the likes of him? Then again he was married to him and he could either make this arrangement easy for the both of them or as difficult as possible.
If he was difficult about the whole thing he could perhaps get rid of the boy and then turn around and be married to Uzuki.
An involuntary shudder ran down his spine at the thought and he decided that of the two Renji was the better choice. Plus thus far he had been nothing but respectable to him over the last week even going so far as to sleep in the chair every night. So maybe just maybe being married to him wasn't going to be so bad.
xx
Byakuya found himself standing in the garage after a solo dinner staring at the red sports bike in front of him. "What is this?"
"My bike." Renji nodded. "I told ya we're going out tonight."
"On this?" He stared over at him eyes slightly widened. "We can take a car." He pointed out and cut his eyes over to the row of cars lining the garage.
"I know." Renji nodded and presented him with a helmet. "This is for you."
Byakuya took the dark gray helmet and noted that his name was painted on the back in white letters. "This is mine?"
"Yea." Renji grinned at him. "That's why I wasn't at dinner." He plucked it from his hands and held it over his head. "I had to pick this and my bike up." With that he put his helmet on him and fastened the strap under his chin. "How's it fit?" He flipped the face mask up.
"It's snug." He nodded feeling rather uncomfortable with his head being encased as such.
"It's suppose to be." He got on his bike and grabbed his own helmet that was sitting on the gas tank. "Have you ever been on a bike before?"
Byakuya shook his head lightly feeling the extra weight shift with the movement. "No."
"Alright," Renji turned and patted the seat behind him. "you'll sit here and you can either hold onto me or onto the tail." He pointed to the back of the bike. "Now this is most important so we don't wreck," he nodded seriously. "when we turn lean with the bike not against it. If you lean the other way you'll throw the balance off and it could cause us to wreck. Wrecking is not fun." He smirked at him the pulled his own helmet on.
"How many times have you wrecked?" He questioned as he eyed the bike wearily.
"After I learned?" He flipped his face mask up. "Once. While I was learning; four. I'll be careful I promise." He placed his hand to his chest covering his heart.
He still wasn't all that reassured. One wreck meant he could wreck again and especially since he had so many while learning.
"If you're scared just say so and we'll go in a car." He grinned at him his eyes glinting with the unspoken challenge.
"I'm not." He growled then with a stiff spine threw his leg over the bike and settled in behind the red head.
Renji turned to face him. "Alright then." He flipped Byakuya's face mask down. "Let's hit the road." He turned back, started the bike, and lifted it off the kickstand. "Hold on." He ordered then pulled out of the garage.