Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list xi. Theme 22: Never Tell Anyone They Look Tired Or Depressed.
Respite
Jyuushiro was on a mission. He knew that Retsu had been working nonstop since they had returned to the Seireitei, and someone needed to make sure she didn't burn herself out. After all, she had fought during the Winter War as well. She had a tendency to exhaust herself caring for others, and no one bothered to keep an eye on her for the most part. People tended to forget that Retsu needed rest and care as well. So Jyuu had made that his job.
It was simple things really most of time. A cup of tea. A warm meal. Or in this case, someone to make her eat and get some sleep. He gave her someone to lean on. If anyone needed that it was Retsu. Jyuushiro easily navigated the halls of the Fourth Division looking for his fellow Captain. It was easy enough to find her; she was in the second place he looked.
And she wasn't alone. Isane looked up as he entered and shot him a grateful look. Jyuu would guess that she had been trying to get her captain to take a break for a while now. Jyuu's gaze slide over to Retsu. He wouldn't tell her that she looked tired and depressed to his eyes. Instead he smiled and leaned against the doorjamb.
"Lieutenant Ise asked me to make sure that you got some supper. I think it was her way of making sure that I actually ate something as well. Hopefully, Shunsui will remind her that she doesn't have to worry about running the entire Seireitei anymore."
Retsu laughed at that. "All right. Just give me a moment."
Jyuushiro simply let her give Isane instructions, and as soon as she was done, he wasted no time in whisking her off. Thanks to Ise-san's planning, there was a hot meal waiting for them both in his quarters. There wasn't much conversation as they dug into the food, but the silence was comfortable, and company was good right now. Ise had even thought to provide them with dessert, and over green tea and sweets the two found themselves discussing Jyuushiro's plans for changing his gardens in the spring.
He was detailing the changes he had planned for the water garden when he realized that Retsu had fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. He kissed her brow with a smile. Jyuu knew that he probably should wake her up and send her off to bed, but she looked too peaceful to bother at the moment. Sometimes he thought she was too selfless in her care for others, often at her own expense. But in the end, he supposed it didn't really matter. He would be here when she needed a shoulder to lean on or someone to remind her to eat. And he didn't think that he wanted it any other way.