In honour of the classy noble's birthday, Happy Birthday, Byakuya-bo! This is kinda late notice but I just realized his birthday was on the 31st!
Happy birthday noble! From a loving peasant.
Enjoy another Hisana & Byakuya :)
She picked a bit of the cherry blossom from the long branch of the tree in the edge of the garden. If there was anything she adored, it was the last tree that stood in between the bigger ones – mainly because it was the one she was able to reach – as the blossoms always bloomed so beautifully on this one. Her husband made this one special and decided to decorate by buying some pebbles for her to surround the tree trunk with. She smiled at the blossomed flower gently, felt the soft texture of the pink petal and walked back to the house.
She never noticed when he came home, the chores she did in the house left her tired, and when she retired to bed, she was out in 5 minutes. He carefully opened the sliding door, cautious not to make a sound – she was always sensitive with loud noises – and hung his head to face the ceiling, closing his eyes in rotation of his shoulders, attempting to get remove the strain feeling. He tilted his head to the left and right before removing his headpiece and setting them on the table. His eyes were weary and at that moment, he only wanted to fall into the sheets of his welcoming bed, beside the beautiful woman who stood by him every day and to sleep peacefully. He slipped off his uniform and scratched his head – sometimes that headpiece hurt – and rested his knee on the bed before noticing the small box covered by the comforter beside his wife. She had fallen asleep as if trying to conceal the small thing beside her, with an envelope that laid itself on her small hand as her arm extended out. She struggled to stay awake, to present to him, but clearly…that did not work.
He gently pulled the long black box she sheltered with her other arm and opened it, his eyes widening at the polished new set of calligraphy brushes and tools awarded before him – inkstick, Mulberry paper, cloths, several brushes – and curled his lip upwards from his new gift. Taking the letter, he opened it to feel the smooth texture of the light pink paper that read:
Byakuya,
I never seem to be talented in expressing my feelings, but a part of me is grateful that you understand. I always have this guilt in holding back because I'm scared of worrying you. Yet you always seemed to understand, even with my insecurities and faults, even when I caused you a lot of pain, a lot of anger & disappointment, you were still so patient. There is this feeling I can never explain properly, that feeling of loving someone, & knowing they love you back as much. I can never express how thankful and lucky I am to always be by your side. I promise I'll be a much better wife & take care of you & love you always.
I've come to a point, where I'm satisfied with life, despite the troubles that continue to haunt me, because you are always there. I've found happiness in you.
Happy birthday, darling.
From yours,
Hisana
He gulped before folding the letter properly, taking the small budding cherry blossom from the box to his face and smiled. He laid the box and letter on the bedside table and crawled inside the heavy sheets of blankets. Turning to her, he supported his head with his palm and with his other hand stroke her hair gently, observing her rhythmic breathing. Kissing her forehead, he lied down and pulled her to an embrace.