Hello everyone, we are back. Thanks to everyone who reviewed/commented on the last chapter, it really means a lot! Read on and enjoy!
Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo
X
Jūshirō ran his hand through his hair. Again. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and wondered if he looked okay. Or even decent. There was a hoard of nerves that had taken up space somewhere inside his brain and suddenly nothing looked perfect and he felt like a complete and utter mess. It wasn't the best feeling. Logically, Jūshirō knew there was no reason to be nervous, they had gone out to the local restaurant or teahouse a hundred times.
It was probably the fact that the previous one hundred times had not been a date. Or maybe they had been, but not a Date. Still, Jūshirō knew there was nothing to be nervous about, they were already together. Regardless, he stared at his reflection and the sad pout there with a sigh as he brushed his fingers through his hair once more. He had chosen to wear the green kimono, it was pale and reminded him slightly of the rind of a melon, it wasn't overly ornate, but it was comfortable, it wasn't tight around his chest, and he liked the way it flowed when he walked, and that was what was important.
Beneath the anxiety about how everything would go, Jūshirō was excited, to see how his boyfriends would look, to eat dinner with them, to get outside the academy for a bit. It felt right and the anticipation threaded itself through his fingers just as easily so that his gaze kept flicking towards the door unceasingly.
Turning away from the mirror Jūshirō peered at his desk and shuffled aside a roll of paper filled with cramped writing and a book Jūshirō had borrowed from the library for their recent research assignment. Sighing Jūshirō frowned and tilted his head trying to recall where he had left it after the Nobel gala the month before, he had been exhausted by the end of it and supporting Shunsui on one arm.
It seemed strange that a month ago they had all just been friends unaware or rather in denial of their feelings for each other. So much had changed, all in the span of a week and everything was still new and a tiny bit unsteady, still a little bit unsure.
With a triumphant grin Jūshirō's fingers shuffled aside a collection of letters from his mother and pulled out the hair pins, they were simple a dark wood with carvings of dragons curling along the sides. Ichigo had gifted them to him for his birthday some months ago (Shunsui had given him sake, of course), gazing down at the pins Jūshirō traced his finger carefully over the wood for a moment before he turned towards the mirror and twirled his hair up and slid the pins in.
A knock on the door interrupted the silence just as Jūshirō turned from the mirror, trying to push the grin off his lips Jūshirō slid the door open. Shunsui stood on the other side of the door, his hair curled around his shoulders and he was wearing a kimono Jūshirō hadn't seen before, it was a deep red, that in the half-light appeared almost burgundy or purple.
"Ready to go Ju?"
Shunsui grinned up at him, that grin that sent heat curling through his stomach and up into his cheeks with ease. Weakly Jūshirō nodded before he shook away the dazed admiration of his boyfriend and smiled at Shunsui as he replied, "Yes. You look nice. Where's Ichigo?"
"He's waiting outside, didn't want to draw more attention, I think he also wanted to panic alone for a few minutes."
Jūshirō shook his head at Shunsui's words and swatted him on the arm even as he stepped outside and slid the door shut with a click that seemed loud in the empty silence of the evening. Shunsui grinned unrepentantly and looped his arm through Jūshirō's happily guiding him out of the dorm building. For a moment, Jūshirō worried that other students might see them, might comment or make assumptions.
He reminded himself that the whole school already knew, and as with his birth gender, the Gotei 13 couldn't afford to discriminate on that level, not with the recent surge of hollow attacks on the districts. Shunsui tucked Jūshirō closer to his body as if sensing his thoughts, he was warm in the cool clip of spring and Jūshirō almost regretted not bringing a scarf.
Ichigo was leaning against one of the gates, smoke billowed around his face in ever elusive patterns that caught against the brightness of his hair. In the dark of the evening, he looked otherworldly as if he wasn't quite supposed to be there.
His head turned at their footsteps and Ichigo grinned pulling the kizeru away from his lips, Jūshirō wasn't aware that Ichigo had one but then again it wasn't surprising. Close to Ichigo, he could see that his partner was wearing a blue kimono that wasn't quite blue, it was dark and almost played tricks on the eyes in the pale glow of the oil lamps nearby.
Ichigo pressed a kiss to his cheek and with a small smile said, "You look lovely Ju."
"As do you Ichigo."
Jūshirō replied and pressed himself closer to Ichigo unashamedly for he was also a source of heat. Shunsui pouted and with crocodile tears asked, "What about me?"
"I suppose you look passable."
Ichigo replied staring at Shunsui down the bridge of his nose with a raised brow, he looked like nobility, like one of the members of the Shiba clan in that moment. It made Jūshirō wonder. Shunsui pouted and turned to Jūshirō with wide eyes and a pointed an accusing finger at Ichigo as he said, "Do you hear what he said to me? Jūshirō tell Ichigo to stop being so mean."
Jūshirō leaned over and patted Shunsui on the cheek with a pleasant, "Yes dear."
Ichigo's laughter filled the space between them, it was a catching sort of laughter, and soon they were all giggling helplessly outside the gates of the Academy. After a moment, through whistling breaths, Ichigo said, "We should probably get going."
Jūshirō nodded and attempted to catch his breath and stay standing as Shunsui leaned against him his face flushed as he swayed slightly on his feet before straightening with a nod. Together they followed the path that led to the nearby districts at a casual pace. They spoke of everything and nothing, of the weather and how Ichigo always hated the spring because of the rain, of how Shunsui loved the fall with the festivals and the summer heat, Jūshirō liked the winter and the blanket of stillness it brought, the quiet of sitting by a fire and watching the world around you become hidden.
The restaurant was a building settled on a street corner as if it had always been there as if at the same moment Soul Society had sprung into existence so too had the restaurant. It was squat bricks and bamboo panelling with a sign with faded red paint that cheerily declared the restaurant as The Red Panda. They slipped into the building amidst the low buzz of conversation, as Ichigo spoke to the hostess Jūshirō gazed out over the sea of people.
It wasn't overly busy, but neither was it empty. Jūshirō smiled recalling how Ichigo and Shunsui sprung the date on him with hopeful eyes and an apology beneath the words. How was he supposed to say no to that?
Their waitress led them through the maze of tables and haphazard limbs to a small booth at the back, the buzz of conversation around them was dull there and in the light of the lamps above everything was golden.
"Can you believe we're graduating in a few months?"
Shunsui said with a tilt of his head as he stared at the menu with one hand stroking the stubble lining his jaw. It was true. The thought was surprising it felt like only a month since they had first started at the academy since Ichigo had whirled into their lives. Soon they would be Shinigami.
Ichigo stared balefully at Shunsui and replied, "Don't remind me. We'll be back at the bottom of the food chain even if we're offered seated positions from the beginning. Fetching tea and so, so much paperwork."
"It's not all bad Ichigo."
Jūshirō consoled his boyfriend patting his arm where he rested his head against the table. One brown eye peered through the mess of bangs Ichigo refused (couldn't) tame and squinted sceptically.
"He's right."
Shunsui added with a shrug that failed to hide the sour expression on his face. Ichigo lifted his head from the table and as their waitress settled their drinks on the table responded, "That's rich coming from you."
Jūshirō nodded his head in thanks and attempted to muffle a smile into his sleeve. Taking a cautious sip of the sake, Jūshirō moaned happily at the heat that unfolded in his stomach and seeped through the clay to his fingers.
When he opened his eyes, his partners were both staring and Jūshirō grinned at their expressions and took another sip of his sake peering at the two of them over his cup. Ichigo rubbed a hand over his features and mumbled, "That's just not fair."
"Agreed."
Shunsui said with a sage nod as their waitress returned to take their orders. She had a pleasant voice and a simple countenance but had the sort of charisma that was helpful in her line of work. After their orders were placed, she whisked away with their menus in hand leaving the three of them alone once more.
"You know, Ichigo still needs to meet our parents."
Shunsui commented in a wry tone that only ever meant one thing. Ichigo blanched, the colour drained away from his face and his eyes whipped between the two of them before he weakly replied, "Do I have to? I mean it's not a big deal, right?"
Jūshirō considered it, their parents would probably find out about their relationship soon, whether through local gossip or their own carelessness. It was probably better to introduce Ichigo when there were no rumours between them.
He said as much to Ichigo who frowned but nodded looking resigned. His expression softened slightly, and he added with distant eyes, "At least you'll never have to meet my dad. He was so embarrassing and weird."
"Really?"
Shunsui questioned from around a sip of sake, Ichigo laughed it was short and maybe a bit bitter with grief as he nodded. His fingers tightened around his sake cup and with an exhale they loosened, and he replied, "Yeah, he-he used to try and drop-kick me anytime I entered our home. To train my instincts or something."
Ichigo shrugged and took a sip of sake as if to hide the flash of hurt that passed quick as lightning over his features. Shunsui and Jūshirō traded a knowing glance and didn't comment on how Ichigo's father sounded exactly like a Shiba.
Jūshirō laced his hand over Ichigo's and smiled at his partner, Shunsui leaned his head against Ichigo's and for a moment everything was warm in the glow of the lamps with the dull hush of conversations in the background.
The waitress returned, she was smiling as she settled their plates in front of them and with a bow disappeared. It was only with the food in front of him that Jūshirō realised how hungry he was, Shunsui and Ichigo appeared equally ravenous and for a little while, there was silence between them as they ate.
It was delicious, a vibrant burst of spices with subtle undertones that was cooked masterfully. Jūshirō was a very happy man. When he glanced up Ichigo and Shunsui were equally enthralled and Jūshirō commented, "This was a good choice."
"I heard about it from Himura."
"Of course, you did."
Ichigo replied with a roll of his eyes that failed to hide the smile on his lips as he took a bite of rice. Shunsui scoffed offended and Jūshirō grinned, it was a well-known secret that Himura liked to cook, and more so that he liked to try out the local cuisine.
Eventually, their food was finished and Jūshirō pushed his plate slightly across the table and sighed at the feeling of being full, warm, and in the company of Ichigo and Shunsui. Shunsui was trailing his fingers along the side of his sake cup and in the glow of the lights his eyes were dark, two circles staring out at the world. Ichigo was smiling, it was the small sort of smile that wasn't quite meant for the rest of the world for it was uncontained happiness in its finest.
"Do you ever think about how short life is?"
Shunsui questioned quietly, his eyes were staring out at the world around them and he took a sip of his sake with the same gaze. Jūshirō tilted his head to consider the question even as Ichigo sighed, a heavy sigh and nodded, his eyes were changed and the smile was gone as he added, "Always."
"That's why you have to take every moment, every chance offered to you."
Jūshirō replied and stared at the both of them seated across from him. His life had been fragile, was fragile, one day he might collapse and not get up again. Jūshirō knew how to live with death at one's doorstep and he knew it was everything in between and outside that mattered.
Shunsui tilted his cup in the air for a toast with a nod, Ichigo stared for a long moment before his lips curved ever so slightly and he lifted his own glass. Letting a smile slip across his own features Jūshirō raised his glass. To life.
X
The air was warm, the kind that was humid with the first breath of spring but still slightly chill, and everything was soft with sunlight and saturated in hues of green, the air filled itself with the faint hum of nature as the leaves whispered in the wake of the wind above them. Jūshirō tilted his head in Shunsui's lap, felt his calloused fingers card through his hair as they watched Ichigo move like liquid from one move to the next through the small clearing, his zanpaktou caught the light and it was easy to see a battle behind each of his movements.
The doors to the dojo were open behind them but it was empty in the laziness of the afternoon and it felt as if they were separated from the rest of the world by an invisible barrier like the moment was separated from time floating free. It was just the three of them.
Shunsui chuckled, the sound rumbled through the air and into Jūshirō's chest unconsciously quirking a smile onto his face as he peered up at his partner through curly strands of brown hair. Shunsui grinned down at him, his eyes were bright and adoring as he pressed a kiss to Jūshirō's forehead and said, "I was just recalling that day at the lake."
"I suppose it was an awakening of many kinds, for all of us."
Jūshirō commented wryly trailing his fingers over the rough stubble lining Shunsui's jaw that rubbed against his cheeks whenever they kissed and left his face red from more than just blush. Shunsui nodded his gaze flickering to Ichigo as he thrust his blade behind him, and added, "All our friends probably knew and organized the whole thing in an attempt to get us together."
"Probably. You know how Megumi likes to play matchmaker."
Jūshirō replied as he shifted his head on Shunsui's lap with a knowing grin. Shunsui swatted his head with a huff of laughter and a petulant glare before he resumed running his fingers through the white hair covering his head in an unruly mop.
It had certainly been interesting to see everyone's reactions in the week after everything. After nights curled together with sake warm on their breath and fire in their chests as they promised to each other. It had been all-knowing and smug grins as the others asked pointed questions with wide grins and knowing eyes that did little to hide the fact that the whole school had known about their crushes on each other long before they themselves had realised. Jūshirō was certain he had seen more than a few coins trading hands.
He wasn't certain if that amused him or annoyed him. Shunsui certainly seemed happy to have made some money, somehow.
Ichigo's quick movements drew to a halt and his panting filled the air as his zanpaktou dropped to rest at his side, the blade looked almost covered in shadows where it rested against his leg; they didn't mention it. Ichigo tipped his head back, his orange hair following the movement in an arc and catching like fire in the light, highlighting the sweat beaded across his forehead and down his chest.
They both stared openly and unabashed at Ichigo, who was pretty. Very pretty. All tanned skin in the sunlight, warm brown eyes, orange hair, the scars that crossed his shoulders in pale white lines that looked like kisses from the stars, the patches of skin that were angry and inflamed years after the injury, the broad chest and narrowed hips, his large hands. Jūshirō would happily say that Ichigo was very pretty and that he was very much theirs.
Shunsui purred low in his chest and Jūshirō gazed up at his partner and saw the heat in his eyes, the sight didn't arouse the same jealousy it once had. Granted a part of Jūshirō wanted to see the same expression on Shunsui's face because of him. But Ichigo was theirs and that made it easy to accept.
It helped that Shunsui was also very pretty, in a different way from Ichigo. Where Ichigo was sharp lines and angles, bright as the sun and just as burning, Shunsui was the night itself blanketing everything. His deep voice, the curls of his hair as they spilt around his face, the stubble lining his jaw, the wine-dark sea of his eyes, the corded muscle that flexed with each movement with ease.
Ichigo padded over, running a hand through the sweat-slicked strands of his hair he grinned at the two of them, it was a soft grin that Jūshirō hadn't seen before and it was something wonderful. And maybe a bit teasing.
He plopped down onto the veranda with a sigh and happily caught the rag Shunsui threw at his head and wiped the sweat off his brow. He tucked himself close, folding beside Shunsui and tucking Jūshirō's legs over his own with a happy sigh.
"I remember once I was with a friend of mine," Ichigo began in that wistful tone that did little to hide old grief. But he had told them, shared a little of a secret that weighed across Ichigo's shoulders like the world itself. He wasn't quite of this time. Ichigo had refrained from specifying which time, only that there had been a battle, a war great and terrible and all-consuming. The knowledge had been shocking, hard to believe in all of its impossibility, but Jūshirō supposed it wasn't the strangest thing.
They didn't pry (much) even if there were so many questions about the future. It was Ichigo's burden and he chose what and when to tell them. The time continuum was sort of important after all.
"We would train together sometimes, and she was shorter than me, but she always turned it into an advantage. It was hot one day, like real true summer heat and I got so flustered because she took the top of her shihakusho off, her chest was bound, but I was younger then. She got so offended, I'm not sure why she had a temper, that's probably why we got along so well. But she coated the whole thing in ice so I would stop staring. We couldn't keep sparing after that."
Ichigo finished with a grin and rested his head on Shunsui's shoulder with a sigh that flicked his curls into the air. Jūshirō curled his hand around Ichigo's and let a smile settle into place. There had been a time when Ichigo had a family, had friends, but they all knew without him telling them that they were all gone. But Jūshirō and Shunsui were there and they wouldn't abandon Ichigo.
A comfortable silence descended over the three of them. Well silence wasn't quite the right word, the world around them was filled with the contrasting rhythm of their breathing, the breeze gossiped with the leaves on the trees, the tiny insects that buzzed about filled the air with their own symphony, and Jūshirō's thoughts idle and as fleeting as summer filled the space.
But it was a sort of silence, nonetheless. And Jūshirō felt comfortable, the kind where time would pass languid and thoughtlessly and every movement every second was savoured and then cast away. It was nice.
"You still have to show us your Shikai Ju."
Shunsui stated idly running his fingers through Jūshirō's hair and feathering lightly over his eyelids. Ichigo hummed in agreement peering down at him through thick eyelashes accompanied with an expression that was practically saturated in warmth and affection.
"So does Ichi. And you still have to discover yours, Shu."
Jūshirō responded mildly pressing a kiss to the fingers wandering over his features and tossing a smile at Ichigo equally full of as much love as he could muster. Shunsui coughed, it was a very suspicious cough and Jūshirō rolled his eyes up to face Shunsui at the same moment Ichigo turned his head with one raised brow.
"Do you have something to tell us?"
Ichigo questioned and Shunsui huffed out a nervous peal of laughter before he slumped slightly with a grin and said, "I may or may not have discovered my Shikai in a bout of insomnia a night or so ago."
"Shu!"
Jūshirō cried out at his partner's antics, adding a flick on the arm for good measure as Ichigo first glared, the very fearsome glare before he softened and shook his head with an exasperated roll of his eyes.
"At least we can do show and tell now."
Shunsui added with a shrug and a grin that tilted at the corners and didn't at all hide how he was very excited to show off his Shikai. Jūshirō considered it for a moment, he had practised a bit with his Shikai, and he felt it was right (and safe) to show his boyfriends. He nodded and then it was only Ichigo who sported a conflicted expression, one that furrowed his brow and trailed his fingers over the hilt of his zanpaktou.
They knew he had his Shikai and probably his Bankai. But that wasn't the reason for hesitance and Jūshirō wasn't certain there was one solid reason, as with anything concerning Ichigo.
"Alright, I'll show you but give me some time I have to be careful with how much power I output."
Ichigo finally agreed with a tilt of his head and a small smile that was almost unaware of its own existence. Shunsui grinned and pumped his fists in the air and Jūshirō couldn't help but smile as well even as he muffled his laughter into his sleeve and said, "Well it looks like you've volunteered to go first Shu."
Shunsui's head whipped around and he pouted at Jūshirō with wide eyes and replied, "Aw but I wanted to see your Shikai first."
Jūshirō raised an eyebrow and stared at Shunsui till he slumped in defeat and nodded; his eyes were glimmering with excitement beneath the dramatic mantle. Shifting upwards to free Shunsui, who sauntered out into the clearing, Jūshirō watched as he drew his zanpaktou and held it in front of him.
"Flower Wind Rage and Flower God Roar, Heavenly Wind Rage and Heavenly Demon Sneer Katen Kyōkotsu!"
Reaitsu filled the air, potent and sharp like the burn of alcohol as it swirled around Shunsui and the zanpaktou in his hands split into two blades. They were long with a curved end and had hollowed sections on the inside of the blade, at the pommels two long red tassels dangled. Jūshirō's eyes widened in surprise and one hand drifted to cover his mouth as he stared at the blades that were everything Shunsui. Elegant and dynamic, wild, and dark.
Even Ichigo, amidst his concentrated focus, blinked at the dual blades and smiled with something like pride. Shunsui grinned and let the blades catch the light of the sun above them, his reaitsu was all around them like a garden blooming with flowers as he said, "I still haven't figured out everything, or really anything. But what do you think?"
"They're beautiful Shu."
"They suit you."
Ichigo added with a gentle incline of his head even as his fingers tightened over the hilt of his zanpaktou and his breath came out in one long exhale. Jūshirō sparred his partner a concerned glance but Ichigo waved it off with a shake of his head.
Shunsui smiled and in the light he was radiant.
"Now it's your turn Ju," Shunsui replied as he pressed the blades together and in another spike of reaitsu they were sealed, he glanced up and his eyes grinned and his brows waggled when he added, "I want to see your Shikai."
Jūshirō blushed and rolled his eyes as he rose to his feet, swaying slightly as his centre of gravity reoriented itself. Rolling his shoulders and drawing his zanpaktou as Shunsui swaggered past with a wink to settle beside Ichigo, Jūshirō paused in the centre of the clearing.
He pulled his reaitsu around him, in waves and tides slowly building as he held his zanpaktou in front of him and called out, "All Waves, Rise now and Become my Shield, Lightning, Strike now and Become my Blade Sōgyo no Kotowari."
His zanpaktou split into two familiar hilts the red rope extended between the two blades and the five silver charms weighted themselves between his hands in a sense that was quickly becoming familiar. Jūshirō blinked and opened his eyes he could hear his zanpaktou giggling in the back of his mind, could almost feel their glee at being seen.
Shunsui was staring his mouth hung open and he kept attempting to close it leaving Jūshirō with the impression of a fish. He grinned, proud that his partners could see his Shikai, could be the first to see it. Ichigo glanced up and stared at his zanpaktou for a long moment before he smiled and said, "Congratulations."
"No offence Ichigo but if you don't have a dual zanpaktou I'm going to be slightly disappointed now."
Shunsui added casting his gaze between Ichigo and Jūshirō with wide eyes. Jūshirō laughed and shook his head at Shunsui's lack of tact (he could be tactful when he wanted to) and pressed his zanpaktou together in between one breath and the next, it was almost like pouring a bucket of water into a bottle.
Settling slightly in the sunlight Jūshirō inhaled and with a blink walked over to the veranda and curled himself against Shunsui, whose grin he could feel against his hair. Ichigo trailed his hand over his zanpaktou and grinned at the two of them as he replied, "You're in luck Shu."
And rose to his feet striding confidently to stand in front of them he held his zanpaktou against his arms and with an inhale that settled the tense line of his shoulders he called out, "Slay Zangetsu."
Reiatsu rose like a fog in a thick miasma around Ichigo, it was like that night, but wild and threaded through with bright streaks of blue with little red, it surrounded Ichigo, consumed him. The reaitsu faded a moment later and Ichigo stood with two blades in his hand, both were living darkness and yet vastly different. In his left hand, he held a blade the size of a knife and in the other a sword with a hollowed-out portion in the centre.
Ichigo smiled but it was tight and Jūshirō could almost sense the vast sea of reaitsu being held back. After a moment Ichigo exhaled and his blade was sealed once more, he swayed for a moment before he steadied himself and smiled at them.
"Well, that's three for three then."
Ichigo added as he settled beside Jūshirō and rubbed his fingers over his hand and tilted his head as if to hide the smile on his face. Shunsui nodded his lips stretching across his face as he replied nobly with a tilt of his head, "Yes, together we shall be unstoppable."
Jūshirō laughed, the sound easy and pulling at his lungs as he shook his head and swatted at Shunsui's arms. In retaliation, he tugged at a lock of Jūshirō's hair only to yelp in surprise as Ichigo leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips.
The world outside continued to flow but for now, it was just the three of them and Jūshirō couldn't be happier.
X
Thank you all for reading! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I tried to focus on the development of their relationship which was pretty fun to write. I have two more chapters planned for this part by the way. Reviews/comments are always appreciated!
