Momo wiped under her eyes with her sleeve scrubbing as much makeup off as she could. The brunette had managed to stop sobbing, now it was just a constant stream of tears threatening to bring the wailing cry back. Momo scrubbed her lips with the back of her hand wiping off most of the lipstick. 'What a waste.' She thought shaking her head. She was sat on the floor in Shinji's living room with her legs crossed tea in hand. She held off drinking it, she wanted to warm her hands a bit longer. Momo stared at her reflection in the tea, she did not like what she saw. Her eyes were swollen from crying making them look like pig eyes, her cheeks were pink and her nose snotty. Noticing this Momo quickly wiped her nose attempting to look as decent as possible in her current was not the kind of impression she liked to give people, but she didn't know how to control her feelings as well as Toshiro, even Rangiku held back her emotions better than her. Momo felt deflated. 'I really am as weak as they say.' She shut her eyes in an attempt to rid the thoughts from her brain but instead she felt more frustrated with herself.

Shinji hadn't said anything yet, after making the tea he sat beside her silently. But he didn't look impatient or urge her to talk about her feelings he just let her cry on his shoulder and hummed. Momo found his humming relaxing, as if it were keeping her grounded to reality. Momo sniffled a bit the constant bombardment of tears had finally ceased. Her throat felt raw from all the crying causing her to finally take a sip of her tea. Momo felt the heat carry all the way to the bottom of her stomach, she didn't realise it until now but she was hungry because of Izuru she missed out on most of her dinner. Momo chewed at her bottom lip, she hadn't been able to go grocery shopping since leaving the hospital Momo guessed she'd have to wait till breakfast to eat. Shinji's humming brought her back from her own thoughts. Momo had put the tea down by now and was laying on the floor, by now she figured Shinji wouldn't care, he had just seen her breakdown the least of her worries was appearing 'Ladylike' in front of him. Momo laid on her side and watched Shinji hum to himself, she studied the blonde's face admiring his strong jawline, the way his blonde hair cut his face. Shinji looked over at her noticing her staring and smiled softly, the light reflecting off his chocolate brown eyes.

"So." Shinji spoke finally ending the silence. "Do ya wanna talk about it? or...?" Momo contemplated not telling him, but she figured that maybe what she needed was someone to validate her emotions.

"Well. I got asked out on a date."

"That's good aint it?" Shinji interrupted.

Momo sighed shaking her head. "I'm getting to it hold on." Shinji mimicked zipping his lips and sat up straight showing that he was listening. "So anyway, as I was saying I got asked out. And I agreed to it. It was going well until he admitted that he was dared to ask me out because his friends didn't think I'd agree to it because i'm too 'frigid' and i'm not over 'Aizen.' Both Momo and Shinji cringed at the use of his name. "Like maybe I'm overreacting but it still hurt." The brunette huffed and rolled onto her back looking at the ceiling.

"No. You aren't overreacting, you should be treated with respect and honesty." The blonde spoke without using his slang making Momo realise how much his facial features had hardened. She didn't realise he could be so serious. "Who was it Momo?"

"Izuru..." Momo practically whispered. Shinji clenched his jaw tight.

"I will talk to Rose about this, okay?"

"No!" Momo protested suddenly sitting upright. "It's frankly embarrassing enough as it is, and I don't know I'll feel bad if he gets in trouble because of me." Momo bit her nails anxiously. Shinji opened his mouth slightly showing his perfectly straight teeth.

"Fine, but ya shouldn't feel bad for him ya know?" Shinji's face softened a bit. "Not after what he did ta ya it just ain't right." The captain shook his head brunette just nodded, Momo really didn't know how to explain why she felt that way, but the thought of Izuru getting in trouble because of her made her anxious. Shinji rubbed her back "Hey don't worry I'll make sure no one messes with Squad fives lieutenant!" Shinji puffed out his chest with pride. Momo couldn't help but giggle a bit "Ah there we are! I finally got you to smile." Shinji said seeming to be proud of himself. Momo rolled her eyes, how she ended up with a captain like Shinji she didn't know.

"It's getting late I should go back home now. Thank you for everything I appreciate it." Momo bowed. "Would ya cut it out?" Momo jerked up in surprise

"Huh?"

Ya don't need to be so formal all the time! were off the clock jeez." Shinji said scratching the back of his head still wearing his usual smile.

"R-Right sorry!" Momo bowed again.

Shinji placed a hand on her shoulder "Momo, it's okay." he murmured and brought her in for a hug. Momo hesitated but finally wrapped her arms around the blondes slender body.

"Take tomorrow off, you'll need some head space." Shinji felt Momo nod subtly. "Okay,have a good night .Hope ya feel better." And with that Shinji broke the hug awkwardly stepping back. "You sure you'll be okay to walk home on your own?"

"Yes I'll be okay." Momo smiled and walked to the door."Good night Shinji." She said before leaving him to himself.

Shinji sat in his living room now, it seemed so empty now. He felt a pang of loneliness in his heart, despite Kensei's words he never quite felt like they were earnest. Shinji bit his lip. It really wasn't professional to have a crush on your subordinate, not like he ever cared about being professional but he still felt like there was a certain line you don't cross. "Ughhhh" he growled frustrated. 'Why is this happening to me.' He didn't usually get so wrapped up in his emotions, Shinji gingerly touched his cheek. He could practically feel the heat radiating off his face, had he been this obvious around Momo? What if she was uncomfortable with him now?. His face fell into his hands Shinji felt more stressed out than usual he rubbed his temples. Despite the stress Shinji couldn't help but feel giddy, it had been awhile since he really truly liked someone and somehow he knew things would work out one way or another but that didn't stop the anxiousness and nervous thoughts from eating away at his stomach. All he knew was he couldn't wait till she came back to work. Shinji threw his head back in frustration 'Why do I have to feel this way?'