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Rukia awakens routinely in the middle of the night to do her night-shift shinigami duties, no matter how tired she was from dealing with the Kuchki Elders.

Today is no different- in that aspect.

She recalls how she'd teasingly asked him if he wanted to join her in bed. He'd amuse her with that bright red face and spluttering out words that all together meant I'm not ready for that yet, even if he'd kissed her quite passionately earlier or cuddled with her on the couch.

But instead he'd paused and looked at her for such a long time with such an intense gaze that Rukia would've fidgeted if it weren't for that she was trained by the Kuchiki to never show weakness to anyone under any circumstance. And then he'd given her a smile and shrugged, "Sure."

(to that, she'd hit him on the arm for reading her nervousness in his new attitude and taking amusement in that)

So the reverse happened: she being (slightly) flustered, he remaining calm. Still not quite believing his answer, she jumped to bed first and couldn't fall asleep (...I'm not waiting, I'm not, she convinces herself), and moments later, he did too. After nothing happened, she found herself falling asleep, soothed by his reiatsu.

And so, they'd slept quickly side-by-side peacefully.

Or so she thought.

His arms are wrapped around her- one above her chest and one on the stomach- and holding her so close that from behind, she's practically molded into him, feeling his every curve against her back. The warmth he exudes gives her comfort and security- she blinks.

Oh, she touches his arm lightly and heat immediately seeps through her fingertips, I lost this back at the Kuchiki manor. She chuckles, quietly, at memories of assassination attempts, sleepless nights, and more.

(still, she'd do it again to save her sister, no questions asked.)

People are always changing- this, she knows clearly from personal experience: meeting Orihime, became a Kuchiki, a shinigami, and then attending the public high school, reunitingwith Orihime, and-

-meeting Ichigo.

Ichigo was, is, a big change in her life, first to when she became a substitute shinigami. Although they didn't care much for each other at first, or even liked each other that much (they'd bickered first glance), they'd become closer after Rukia pushed him away to prevent the wild dog from ripping his arm off in a trip. (later he'd learn she'd knocked him out in order for her to use her powers and heal herself)

At the time, she'd been dismayed with his ridiculous pride that he was indebted to her and that stupid curiosity of his about her miraculous healing that he ended up trying to get too close to her for her liking.

But whether she liked it or not, he ended up making her feel so many things that she never knew, or what was suppressed by simply being a Kuchiki.

Going out with him was the second choice she'd made out of the heart, the first being a substitute shinigami.

And then hollows coincidentally came by more often, so she began struggling, and Ichigo noticed this- which led to him finding out soon after she confessed willingly, unwilling to make him at unease or in danger.

Ichigo being the fool he was went behind her back and became a substitute shinigami himself. She watched him grow and shine with pride, and dim with gloom and sadness- all within a year.

She'd watched him change for so long, that expecting a new Ichigo along with the old him slightly made her expect a large distance as well. Instead it's as if the distance closes and that she gains excitement in what more he will show; but she's not naive to believe in that just yet.

She clings onto this bubble they form together (just a little longer, a little longer-) before her brain kicks in and she grabs her badge. With her body still laying there, she moves out in her shinigami form successfully without disturbing him. She slips through the window halfway and-

"Rukia?"

She stiffens immediately and a thousand thoughts run: wait, what, how- there's no way, but then why- first day: she'd come back, forgotten to take said pill, and he'd come running, which could only mean-

"Why so stoic?" he breathes cooly next to her ear, and she pushes away the pressing thought (later, duty first, Kuchiki Rukia).

"I'll explain...later," she says hesitantly, unsure if what she'd ask treads on dangerous waters, because if it isn't so, why hasn't he said- not now, she scolds herself. "I've to do my night-shift shinigami patrol first."

He laughs before reaching out to ruffle her hair-

-and passes through air.

An awkward, tense pause shifts in the air before he pulls back his hand and runs it through his hair and forces a laugh.

"Sorry. I forgot I couldn't touch you when you're in..." he trails off, unable to form the words.

"Ichigo...you baka." Rukia says exasperatedly; her phone beeps persistently and she turns away from the masked man before her. The next words are whispered so quietly he almost misses it-

"I'm the one whose sorry."

She jumps off and leaves him with nothing else to say, only that-

-distance engaged.

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Snow: for reviewing and for your enthusiasm, thank you :)