Recognize appearances for what they really are

Byakuya's private garden at the Kuchiki Manor

Renji felt much at ease these days. The elders did not bother him anymore; either they gave up or they were plotting something nasty.

He had come to appreciate the beauty of the garden. Being someone not very prompt to go around watching the meanings and intricacies of the landscape, Renji had to admit there was something about the garden's view that called out to him. Maybe spending time with Byakuya was rubbing in on him.

He reflected on that.

When was the last time he had going out to have drinks with squad 11? Or drank himself to oblivion for that manner? Or pick up a fight for the fun of it? Or slacking at the bothersome and boring paperwork? Played a joke on Byakuya?

Hmm. There was a thought. Note to self; pay a visit to Urahara's shop and buy something fun, Byakuya needs some teasing.

Was he changing himself to accommodate Byakuya? Hmm. There was more reflecting to do.

He felt his usual self. He still had fun but it was just that he changed the means to get that fun. He still went out with soul reaper friends but just not to get drop-dead drunk as before and this was mostly due to the fact Byakuya would never go with him to such gatherings. It was simple; he was at a stage of his relationship where without Byakuya things were just not fun. While in company of others he could not think about anything but the moment he would get back to Byakuya; silly, really, given the fact they worked beside one another all day long.

And that was another fact to consider. Byakuya at the office and Byakuya at home were two totally different Byakuyas. No. He had to correct that thought. Byakuya sharing an intimate moment with Renji was a totally different Byakuya. It was not that his captain had two faces but rather had a part of himself he didn't show to anybody; only to Renji. And Renji loved him all the more for that. He could understand how should have been for Byakuya growing up under such tight rules. How difficult would have been for a spirit naturally inclined to rebellion to abide to so tight and rude less rules like those of the nobles. Renji was thankful that even though his captain seemed to represent uptight nobility at the highest degree, he kept that rebellious streak deliciously simmering underneath that cold facade of his.

Yes, his Byakuya has a complexity that was like a siren call to Renji and said vice captain loved to test it's boundaries and has been pleasantly surprised more than once by what the noble would let him experiment with during their intimate encounters.

Above all; Renji's favorite moments were those were he would wrap his arms around the noble and Byakuya would return the gesture with just enough pressure as to not make the hug uncomfortable. Renji felt as though a part of Byakuya was still waiting for something to happen and set them apart. The noble didn't voice this worry or even hinted at it, stoic and aloof as he was but Renji had learned to read certain signs. At moments such as these he would pet that glossy dark mane and he would literally feel Byakuya melting against him; a tension not apparent at first, leaving the noble's body.

Appearances were not always what they seemed and Byakuya was a good example of that.