Characters: Ishida, Orihime
Summary: He can see she's just a little sad.
Pairings: onesided IshiHime, onesided IchiHime
Warnings/Spoilers: no spoilers
Timeline: no timeline needed
Author's Note: No, neither Ishida nor Orihime will be referred to by name in this drabble. I don't wanna hear any complaints about it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
He, of course, notices it immediately. He's learned how to read people from never speaking to them but always watching instead, in such a way so discreet that nearly all of his classmates think that he pays absolutely no attention to them or to anyone else.
Nothing could be further from the truth, and in particular, he notices her. From the first moment she entered his life, he always has.
And the princess is always a little sad, he's noticed.
It seems so obvious. He's only amazed that others can't see it too. Of course, they see the affection, the crush she has on him, the wide-eyed looks. Everyone sees that—except the object of her affection, naturally (Oblivious idiot, he thinks with disdain. I'd give almost anything to have your luck, and you don't even notice her!).
But he's not sure that anyone but him has ever seen the pain beneath.
That pain, of course, comes from the fact that she's never noticed by the one she wants to see her, really see her.
Well, the one who's noticed she's sad thinks, more than a little uncomfortable, painfully shy and awkward, he sees her. That's little to offer her, but he does.
He wishes he could heal her pain, maybe make her happy. See her not even a little bit sad anymore. She's not conquered or dominated by her sadness as others are; it's more a wistfulness than a wild thing. She still knows how to smile and be happy. But even a little sadness on her hurts.
But he knows, knows with that singular pessimism that tells him to fall back when perhaps he should move forward, that it won't be enough.
Because he's not the one the princess wants.