Bit of a longer chapter this time, thanks to the moment everyone's been waiting for.
Summary thus far: Shortly after Renji's near-confession at Byakuya's bedside, Byakuya has returned to work at the Division headquaters. However, after his inner-revelation of his feelings toward Renji, keepings things as they were turns out to be a little difficult.
I'm getting very busy from here on, so expect a Chapter a week. I may find the time to treat you every now and again though.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach; I just combine its eye-candy characters with my mind-as-dirty-as-Lisa Yadomaru's-magazines in a totally non-profit way.
"Taichou, more reports from the 1st Division."
Renji spoke quietly as he approached Byakuya's desk, watching intently for signs of any reaction whatsoever on Byakuya's part. His Taichou had been working his way through updates from the other squads for three days straight now. He sat, as usual, at his desk, brush in his hand, ink by his elbow and his eyes half shut, showing no regard to Renji's presence.
Renji sighed and lay the paper down on the growing pile on Byakuya's right, the reports he had yet to make his way through. There sure were a lot of them. Byakuya was usually very quick with his paperwork and precise in his dealing with them, but since he had returned to work, he was making frequent mistakes, and his pace had definitly slowed.
Renji worried about the man. Yes, he was a usually stoic person, but the last few days were beyond anything he had ever witnessed of his Taichou. He said nothing all day apart from in the morning, when he issued Renji his orders for the day. After that he engrossed himself in his work and said nothing. He didn't even ask for his tea or thank Renji when he brought it to him anyway. At least he was drinking it, that was something.
"Taichou, would you like me to take care of some of those reports? There's a lot..." He offered, out of character for himself as he hated paperwork, but this was an exception. His Taichou was off balance. The person he loved, held so much care for he couldn't describe it, was dangerously off balance in his opinion.
"Unnecesary." Byakuya replied simply. Renji stood before him awkwardly for a few moments, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Umm.. Are you sure?"
The silence stretched, and Renji assumed he had been dismissed. Byakuya wasn't one for repeating things. With a sigh, he returned to his own desk and continued with his own work. How was he supposed to find out what was wrong and help if he couldn't get a word out of Byakuya?
The day passed in very awkward silence. Renji continued with his reports, and Byakuya continued with his paperwork, more reserved than Renji had ever seen him before. They were interrupted every now and again by messengers, but other than that the atmosphere was tense, and the air like ice. When time came for their break, Renji rose slowly so he wouldn't interrupt his Taichou, but managed to make a lot of noise anyway. He cursed inwardly and glanced up, but Byakuya hadn't even looked at him.
He shook his head slightly as he made his way over to the shelf behind him were the tea was kept, seting the water to boil. Everyday in the morning, at 11, 1 and 3, Renji made Byakuya a cup of his favourite tea, with a sprinkle of sugar and a drop of honey. He'd never been late with it, and he had been tempted to take his time today seeing as Byakuya was being more of a stiff bastard than usual, but decided against it. He put the powder in the cup and poured the hot water over it as he thought. What had he done to annoy the man? He couldn't think of anything... Must have been something he said or did while Byakuya was in hospital, but he seemed okay even then.
"Ow!" He cried out as the cup overflowed and he poured scalding hot water all over his right hand. "Ow! Fuck!" He dropped everything and jumped back, shaking the hot water of his hand. He could see it going red already. "Ahhhhh shit...!" He held his hand into his chest, cradling it. He wouldn't be able to write for the next week!
He jumped at a noise to his left, and turned to see Kuchiki-taichou with one hand over his mouth, staring at Renji, his eyes sparkling with humour. Had Byakuya just laughed? Renji stared in total amazement as another small noise escaped the nobles mouth, followed by a few more. He was laughing! He was laughing at Renji!
"What the hell?! I burn my hand off and you're laughing?!" He forgot for a moment who he was talking to, but Byakuya didn't seem to care. He pressed his hand harder against his mouth, trying to stifle the small chuckle. Renji grinned himself as he watched, unable to stay angry at him when he was laughing like that. It was the most beautiful noise he'd ever heard, and his eyes, twinkling and narrowed, his cheeks flushed slightly...
Byakuya had stopped laughing. Renji's chest tightened as he realized his Taichou must have seen him staring. He wanted to say something, to break the silence, but nothing came into his mind.
"Taichou, I..."
He trailed off as Byakuya rose from his desk. "I must go, I have... family affairs to attend to." He said quickly, and began to make his way to the door.
Renji had no idea what he was doing, all he knew was that he was losing yet another chance to say what he had been dying to say for too long, even more so since the day in the hospital when he had come so close.
"No!" He was closer to the door, and beat Byakuya easily, blocking his way. "You can't just... I dunno, run off like that."
Byakuya stared at Renji, blocking his escape, with eyes wider than they usually would be. "Renji, please move." He said, attempting his best authorative tone but not quite pulling it off.
"No."
"Renji, move or I shall make you." Byakuya knew in his mind he wasn't going to make him - he couldn't trust himself to go anywhere near Renji right now.
"Not until I've said what I've got to say." Renji stood barring the door for a few moments, watching the noble, then took a deep breath, preparing himself. He told himself he had to do it, or he would drive him insane. "Taichou... Byakuya. For a long time now, I've..." He struggled to find the words, some way of expressing the feelings that had been leaving him aching with longing just looking at the man before him.
He couldn't find the right words; instead, he took two small steps until he stood right in front of Byakuya, who was rooted to the spot, completely unable to move when Renji was watching him like that. Renji raised a hesitant hand, almost changing his mind for a moment, then lifted it the whole way until he rested it gently on Byakuya's neck. He placed his fingers under his ear and slowly stroked his Taichou's cheek with his thumb. Byakuya's eyes widened more, and his breath hitched. Suddenly Renji thought of the right words.
"I... I love you, Byakuya."
Renji didn't move, waiting for a reaction, save for his thumb which continued to caress Byakuya's face. It was a few moments before the nobleman moved at all, but when he did, Renji couldn't hardly believe any of his senses.
Byakuya's gaze dropped, and he placed on hand on Renji's chest. For a minute Renji was sure he was going to push him away, but then his other arm suddenly snaked around his tattooed neck, before resting there over his shoulder.
Byakuya lifted his gaze, his pupils were wide and his cheeks flushed once again. "Renji..." He breathed, in a small surprised yet relieved tone. It was all the invitation needed.
Renji leaned in a caught Byakuya's soft lips in his own, and the second he did Byakuya's grip tightened and he drew Renji in closer, wrapping his other arm around his fukutaichou's neck along with the first. His mouth moved against Renji's, and the redhead parted his own, submitting to the dance Byakuya's tongue played around his own, while wrapping his arms around the taichou's waist.
They parted, breathing heavily, still tight in each others embrace, staring deep into suddenly lust filled eyes. Byakuya's lips twitched into a small smile and all signs of stress, tension or worry accompanied with his noble birth melted away as he rested his face on Renji's shoulder.
"I love you too, Renji."
"Seriously?" Renji replied, mumbling into Byakuya's hair, taking in as much of the other man's scent as he could.
"Hmph." Was all the reply he recieved in turn.
Byakuya never was one to repeat himself.
What? Still no lemon? Sorry about that, but the build up is totally neccesary... Well, not really, but I like to tease. Anyway, STILL not blackmailing anyone, but that lemon IS coming up in the very next chapter... I wonder how fast I can write that up? And I wonder if the amount of reviews is directly proportional to that speed?
~B
