Disclaimer: Not even in my wildest dreams, could Bleach belong to me. It belongs to Kubo Tite. And of course the beginning of this chapter is a variation of the famous introductory fragment of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, which naturally doesn't belong to me.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful guiltone. You have waited this chapter for so long, sweetie, I just hope you like it and it doesn't disappoint you.

18. Cohabitation – All Those Imperfect Things

Byakuya

It's a universally acknowledged truth that Kurosaki Ichigo in possession of his mental faculties will always forget anniversaries, especially his birthday. It's just his mark trade. If people remind him about what happens during that particular day, then it's definitely a good thing as he tries to make up by buying the best gifts. Don't underestimate the power of guilt over one Kurosaki Ichigo. Sometimes even his best friends and family ask themselves how is it possible that a person that forgets about birthdays and anniversaries, still manages to buy the best gifts? It's a miracle, says Rukia, rolling her eyes. It's a goddamn injustice, yells Renji. It's just Ichigo's nature, observes quietly Byakuya, but everyone accuses him of subjectivity and stomps on his explanations. Well, not to his face but anyways, you get the picture.

It still amazes Byakuya that people are kind of astonished by Ichigo's incredible caring nature, because usually this implies also a total lack of any self-concern. And perhaps this is why Byakuya decided that this year everything is going to be different, he wants to do something special for his lover and his birthday seems like the perfect opportunity, although he's counting on his lover's obliviousness, which of course doesn't disappoint him, into organizing the entire event. He's trying to make Ichigo's birthday an event but at the end of it all, he knows that there's just one thing that he can offer him. He smirks.

OoOo

The council room is incredibly stuffy when he steps inside with the full pride of the Kuchiki name and legacy. Not to mention the Kuchiki spiritual energy. It bristles among the members of the family council and looks around to see if someone misses. Of course not. They have gathered here today to decide his fate. No, correction. His and Ichigo's fate. It's still new to him, it's still new to him to think in unit of two and imagine that they might have the same future and destiny together. But after all, he must admit that he can't picture his life without the orange beacon.

He swallows and almost glides to his place in the front of the other councilmen. He knows them very well. Along the years, they have kept him under the spotlight even after his grandfather's death. They have always made him feel uncomfortable and probably they were one of the reasons for which his impetuous nature has been muffled until nothing was left of it. They tend to swallow him up and never let him go. He inhales deeply and thinks that this is it; these people decide today his future and he doesn't even dare to think what it might mean if they disagree with his proposition today; of course, in that case, he would decide to go and be done with it.

Seventeen men… Seventeen men whom he doesn't know very well look at him expectantly. These men had been there when he asked for permission to marry Hisana. They were the ones that made him promise that after Rukia, he would do anything to uphold the law of the family and the Kuchiki inheritance. It somehow backfired them when Byakuya froze completely but on the other hand they finally had one of the most fearless and incapable of any emotion leaders from Soul Society. And these people today were going to decide yet again if he was going to live his life with Ichigo until his lover would die and then together they would return here.

He doesn't realize how majestic he looks to all of them, because Ichigo's sensual lips keep twitching in an all-knowing smirk in his head, and his warm cinnamon eyes keep sparkling in his thoughts, because it seems that Ichigo's presence is unshakable now, completely ingrained within his being. He will do it. No matter what, he has to do this, because it's not or never and eternity without Kurosaki Ichigo sounds like the worst kind of hell.

"Gentlemen, I have summoned you today to discuss an important matter that will affect somehow the Kuchiki family but which I believe in the long term it will establish our family not only as one of the most honourable noble families, but perhaps one of the most powerful ones too. Perhaps the most powerful. Along the years since I have been bestowed with the honour of being the head of the Kuchiki clan, I have always had only the interest of the family at heart and with this in mind I ask the permission of the council today to move in the real world with Substitute Shinigami, known as the defeater of Aizen the traitor, Kurosaki Ichigo."

And he almost hears his lover's clear and bright laughter as the jaws of the councilmen fall in bewilderment. And if his noble upbringing wouldn't be so ingrained in his personality, he would smirk all-knowingly as well. He was expecting this. Now he has to brace himself. His grey eyes flicker to the first councilman that dares to take the ground after waking up from his bewildered daze.

OoOo

"But it's a beautiful summer day," Ichigo scowls. "I really don't understand why you have to go to work."

"They need me for a couple of hours." Seriously if Byakuya hadn't been so self-contained, he would probably roll his eyes. But it is unbecoming of a Kuchiki so he gives up. "It won't be long, so in the mean time maybe you should do some cleaning and some shopping."

"Why do I have to do that?" This time the scowl combines with a pout. It really is a charming combination and Byakuya wants to kiss both away. "It's your turn anyways to do all that."

"Because you are a caring boyfriend and you love me." Byakuya's lips twitch. It's not a smile, he still can't get used to that natural movement of lips, but it can certainly help.

"Apparently I love you too much because you certainly started to take advantage of it."

"I promise I shall reward you tonight." And just to make good on his promise, he kisses his lover who of course opens almost needy for him. Byakuya always gets fascinated with Ichigo's taste and for some blessed moments he completely forgets his impossible mission for today. When they finally come back for air, Ichigo almost whimpers at the loss, which makes Byakuya adopt a rather proud smirk.

"You better keep your promise, or I promise you will regret leaving me alone today, when we could have so much fun."

"I think you should learn, you brat." Byakuya adopts a stern tone. "Your big exam will come in a few weeks."

"Yeah, yeah, see if I will ever tell you anything."

"Admit defeat and do as I tell you. Just once in your life." Byakuya kisses him briefly and then his out on the door, leaving Ichigo still recovering from the shock of being left alone on one of his few free days. Two streets away from their neighbourhood, Byakuya meets with his sister and together they go to see Ichigo's present.

"He still doesn't remember it, does he?" She asks clearly amused.

"Yes, I am afraid something stunned him when he was little, because it seems impossible for the man to remember even his birthday." Byakuya looks gentler at his sister. "Everything is prepared?"

"Yes, I can't believe we're doing this, nii-sama. It's a really big step."

"I know, but I want what's best for him and I think it's time to offer it to him." Byakuya's hands tremble a little bit as they are walking on a quieter street. "Do you think he is going to like it?"

"I think he will love it and at the same time most likely will try to kill you for it." Rukia sighs exasperated. "I've never met a person like him." Her voice is always soft when she speaks about Ichigo. "He never cares for himself. He never gets the attention that he deserves. What you're doing for him, nii-sama, I think, is great. I never thought I'd live to see this day."

OoOo

"I don't understand what you are trying to say, Kuchiki-dono." The first councilman, Shigure-san speaks. "It's unheard of to be moving back to the real world and start a family there, when your responsibilities lie here."

"Now, now, Shigure-san," Fuma-san intervenes when Byakuya's spiritual energy spikes up, making them all feel uncomfortable, "I do not believe that Kuchiki-dono is trying to avoid his responsibilities; on the contrary, I think he's trying to bare their burden even more."

"Thank you, Fuma-san, this is precisely what I am trying to say. For the past decades you have tried to convince me to remarry again." His voice is determined and echoes strangely in the hall. "I have insisted upon the fact that I do not wish to marry ever again, but you have made your intentions abundantly clear. Now I have found my match. And through this I also accomplish the council's will to remarry by bringing in the family an important ally."

"Which we would have, even if you don't marry him, Kuchiki-don," Arashi-san explains in a soft but decisive tone. "We are all familiar with the strong bond that exists between the Shinigami Substitute and your beloved sister."

"Then why hasn't been in Soul Society for this past year?" Byakuya's voice cuts like blades well sharpened. "Gentlemen, make no mistake: while I am determined to uphold the great name that I have inherited and through it, the responsibilities which were given to me, I do not want to be questioned on this matter. Kurosaki Ichigo is an important asset to this family and an incredible power, which can later be developed. Through his incredible spiritual power and the acquired strengths in the Winter War, he has become invaluable for Soul Society and not only."

"Kuchiki-dono, excuse me for interrupting you, but I miss an important part in all this conversation." One of the older councilmen stops him and it's mere respect that holds Byakuya back from lashing out.

"Which is it?"

"It's been fifty years since your wife has left this world and not once have you been interested in another person. Also back then, you offered us your word that you will always uphold the Kuchiki name and honour and so far you have done an incredible job. As you have mentioned before, we have always pestered you to marry someone so as this family can become stronger and stronger and you have denied every single effort. My question would be why now? And why this boy?"

"Do you object to the fact that he is of the same sex?" His frown deepens and yet he is soothed almost instantly by another councilman.

"Of course not; we have argued on this before that the sex of your partner is of no importance to us. We are merely wondering about what makes this boy special."

"What makes him so special?" Byakuya repeats but this time there's no edge in his voice. A calm unlike before washes over him and he almost smiles when he continues: "It is clear that you have never met this young man. He will sweep you off your feet. He is brash and a bit of a brat at times; he cares too much about the others and too little about himself. He will think of this family first but he will step on your honour if it means that he protects what he cares about. He will question your values, your principles and most likely will turn them to nothing. He's incredibly powerful with no regard towards his life when it comes to protecting the people that he loves. He is of equal power to me and completes me in all the right places. He is the sun to my moon. Gentlemen, he is my other half and believe me when I say that with him by my side, I will be better of a leader than I ever was."

There is a complete silence in the room but Byakuya doesn't seem to register it. It sounded sappy even to his ears; however there is one more point to figure out:

"However if you feel the need to deny this honour that this man has bestowed upon me, let me assure you, gentlemen, that I do not need your blessing. I will reap it off from each and every one of you and I will leave into the living world whether you like it or not. But when I come back here, you will regret taking any actions against my will for my will benefits the family. My pride lays somewhere else this time, gentlemen." The subtle threat doesn't escape to anyone present in the room and his spiritual energy rises again, making sure that they get the message.

It is strange to see the faces of his councilmen. Some of them are smiling in approval, others keep their thoughts hidden, while others look disapproving but to all of them Byakuya knows that Ichigo's incredible power is something that attracts them like a poisonous snake and that most likely they will fall as a pray to it.

"May I ask how long do you plan to stay there, Kuchiki-dono?" Finally Shigure-san asks and this time there's a completely different tone. His blue eyes are almost smiling and that's something new to him.

"For the entire length of Ichigo's natural life, as long as it may be."

"Who will carry on with your responsibilities, while you are away?" Another one asks.

"I have entrusted my sister with the responsibilities of the Kuchiki clan. I believe her to be worthy of the honour."

"And your responsibilities as a captain of the 6th division?"

"They have been entrusted to my lieutenant, Abarai Renji, my future brother-in-law. Yamamoto-sama has considered him worthy of this function and he has already accepted my leave in the human world for the time being."

The councilmen are a little stunned at the news but they seem to whisper among themselves the promises of a better future, a future that brightens with the prospect that the undeniable power that Kurosaki Ichigo represents to them will be within their grasp. Byakuya has no doubt that they will accept his demise because they are greedy and they need that power. With Ichigo by his side as his lawful husband, the Kuchiki clan will most likely rule over the other three royal families. In their eyes, their union is all about power, while in his eyes it's just holding his own happiness within his grasp. And when they turn their faces satisfied with the outcome of their discussion, Byakuya knows that he is granted his leaving.

They don't disappoint.

OoOo

Ichigo

Ichigo feels strangely melancholic and he wonders what the reason might be. Today is a slow day and perhaps this is what makes it so tough on him. It's one of the few days when he doesn't have to work himself out, when he might just enjoy a wonderful time with Byakuya or his family. The problem is that in the last couple of years things haven't slowed down in his life. On the contrary, he had to work harder and harder to become a good doctor, to understand what it means to be one and, in truth, it still seems overwhelming at times when he finally becomes conscious that thousand of lives will be part of his destiny and that he will have to protect them as a medic. Byakuya tells him that it isn't so different from being a substitute shinigami when he fought against Aizen and his minions, when he fought for Karakura town and not only. He also tells him that now as opposed of being a shinigami, he will have to save lives. Byakuya understands so much more of this.

Maybe it's because he is finally graduating. He finally ends a significant period in his life. And for the last five years, he has been with Byakuya. Six years of medical school and now he will have to pass the National Medical License in order to become a doctor. In truth the last two years of medical school, since it allowed him to work in hospital, have been more than revealing for him. He knows what he wants to do now. He knows that he will have the support of his family and his lover, he just feels like an era in his life has ended. Just like it ended when he finally stopped being a shinigami and became regular Kurosaki Ichigo.

He slowly passes his fingers through his orange locks as he moves along the road. Why on earth has Byakuya sent him doing groceries when he knows he hates it is beyond him. It's a very hot day of summer and it feels like even his clothes clung to him. He sighs. He loves his boyfriend, but every once in a while the older man gets a little too bossy. Like today. He gave Ichigo a lot to do around their apartment while he went to university to discuss important issues. Yeah, right, who cares about that? They could have cooled off together, but no, his lover has to be a sucker for doing his duties so completely. Ichigo scowls. Maybe he can buy some ice-cream and go eat it in the park. Alone, like the sorry bastard he is. What the hell is wrong with him? Why does he feel so under the weather?

"Look, daddy, they have chocolate chip ice-cream. Can I have one? Please, can I?" The voice of a small boy no more than six makes him take notice of his surroundings. It's a nice little shop full of a variety of ice-cream. Outside, the boy holds his father's hand and tries to drag him into the shop. The man has a gentle smile on his face.

"Yusuke, if you eat ice-cream now, mama is going to be upset with us because you won't be able to eat your lunch. And then she will prohibit us to ever buy ice-cream again."

"Oh, come on, daddy. Just one small cup. And I promise I will eat all my veggies for lunch and dinner." The father laughs gently and his smile seems to light up the world.

"All right. But remember your promise. And this will be our own little secret."

"Yeah, daddy. Promise. You're the best daddy in the world." The little man declares and drags his laughing father into the shop.

"The best daddy in the world…." Ichigo repeats and he goes into the shop, buys a small chocolate and strawberry ice-cream (because no one has to know, right?) and goes into the park to rest on a bench at the shade. The words of the little boy follow him.

OoOo

Ichigo gets in the house and he sighs. He's very tired and his rough day isn't finished yet. He's in his senior year and due to his duties as a shinigami, he has lost a lot of schoolwork, which he now has to recuperate if he ever wants to get into medical school. He tugs his orange hair in frustration. No matter how hard he tries, it seems like all the schoolwork gets more and more and never diminishes and his feelings for Byakuya cloud every other moment when he doesn't think about school and he doesn't get some rest and this is rather too much.

"Hey, onii-chan. Welcome home." Yuzu welcomes him with a smile. "Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. Can you please go and wash your hands?"

"Oh, yeah, Yuzu." Ichigo wants to smile back but his lips barely twitch and his sister knows already how much he appreciates the gesture so he will just stick to that. "Where are the rest?"

"Dad said that he will have just one more patient and then he will finish. Karin is in her room. She'll be down soon."

"Ok, I will be right back."

He does the things mechanically. He goes and takes a shower quickly and changes into some sweat pants and a t-shirt and then goes back downstairs where his family is already seated at the table. It's strange the way they eat in silence. Usually his father is being his obnoxious self and Karin and Yuzu chat about the things that have happened at school. The problem is today nobody speaks. They are all subdued and Ichigo feels like the silence hits his already sensitive nerves. Once they finish dinner though, things change.

"Son, I think you and I have to talk." Isshin's incredible serious voice startles not only Ichigo but his sisters as well.

"Is there something wrong?" Karin asks suspiciously, as if she knows what his father wants to talk about and she can't seem to make up her mind, whether to let her father talk to Ichigo or not.

"Nothing, it's just a discussion between father and son. Son, please come into my office."

Ichigo nods because he knows that there's nothing he can do at the moment. He can't tell his father that he's so tired everything hurts inside. He can't tell him that he wants to sleep for eternity. He can't tell him any of this because his father seems to want to speak with him for the first time since the whole mess with Aizen and that says something.

As they sit face to face, it feels like his father has got a little bit older, a little bit more tired and there are lines etched with regret, lines that haven't been there before.

"Son, look, I know that you and I haven't been on the best of terms since the whole mess was over. I thought time and time again how to explain to you why I hid my identity towards you and your sisters, how come I got to marry your mother and have the three of you. I know that there are still many things that need to be settled between us."

"Old man, as I mentioned before, I don't care about the reasons. I know that you had your own for hiding something like that from me. I must admit that it hurt at the time but I got over it and maybe one day when you are ready to tell me the truth, I will be there to listen." Ichigo sighs deeply. "I know how much you loved mum and what she meant to you, so it's all right, dad, it really is. Wait until you're ready."

"Son, I don't think that is all right." His father's sad voice makes Ichigo tense up.

"What do you mean?"

"Son, you know that I have always tried to do my best with you, especially after my dearest Masaki left me here, but one thing I always thought about us is that we are friends. That we will always be friends and that you can trust me no matter what."

"But I trust you, old man. What's the meaning of this?" Ichigo feels the need to defend himself almost immediately. He's so used to thinking about the others that when the attention falls on him, suddenly it seems to get worse. The pain. The great hole that's within his heart and never gets filled because there's no one to fill it.

"Ichigo… son, every since the war with Aizen has ended, you haven't been yourself. Now you even stopped going to Soul Society and every time we even mention that place, you get tense and you look as if we killed your puppy. You overwork yourself and you barely spend time with your sisters. Ichigo, you're not fine."

"I am fine," he immediately stresses the words and feels like the room constricts around him, "I'm fine," repeats himself. "There's no need to worry."

"Son, you're not fine." Isshin's sad eyes, the same eyes that Ichigo has, look at him with worry, love, concern and Ichigo hates that look on his father's face.

"Yes, I am." He manages to keep his voice from trembling. He can do this. He has hidden so much time now it has become a second nature to him. He can do this.

"No, son, you're not." Isshin gets up from the desk and walks towards the window. "You haven't been fine for so long, you're breaking my heart." His father's voice chocks as he finally looks at him again. "I know that we have some issues, son, that I still have to make amends, but I always thought that you see me as a pillar in your life, that you understand that when the time comes, I can be here for you too. But you keep retreating more and more, you keep hiding yourself from me and your sisters not to mention your friends and you won't tell anyone what is going on."

"Dad," Ichigo finally stands up as well, tries to calm his trembling hands, "you're reading too much into this. It's just I have to cover up a lot of schoolwork and I don't know if I will make it and I will just need time, I guess."

His father doesn't believe a word from what he says and he slowly makes his way to him, closer until they are face to face. Isshin's face is incredibly soft, like Ichigo has never seen it before and something painful clutches in his chest. His father's strong hands rest on his shoulders.

"Let go of your burden, son, I'm here for you. Let it go."

"I don't know what-" Ichigo's voice gets chocked with the pain in which he has been living for the past few months, since his last visit in Soul Society.

"You don't have to carry it alone, son. It's all right. I can carry it for you too."

"You wouldn't understand." Ichigo's voice begins to crack because it gets too much, because there's a raw need in him to confess everything. He's so tired of hiding himself, of pretending.

"When it comes to my children, I understand everything. So tell me, what has eaten your soul, my son? What's going on?"

There's a moment of complete stony silence when only their breaths are heard in the dim light of the room. And then a long exhale and…

"I'm in love, father." Ichigo confesses and his father's hands tighten on his shoulders.

"With Rukia?" He asks in a small voice and Ichigo feels like this is all wrong, like he doesn't have to be like this. But he is so exhausted; he needs for someone to take this burden off his shoulders. Just for a while.

"With Rukia's brother. With Byakuya."

There.

It's in the open.

He waits now for the disgust, for the hate, for all the harsh words that will follow. And everything will be added to the burden that he carries already. For he has carried many burdens since his 16th birthday.

But they never come. Nothing comes, except for a tight hug as his father's arms crush him into a hug that takes his breath away and makes his shoulder slump. It is too much and not enough. Time stops and his feeble hands attach themselves to his father's back and then slowly, oh, so slowly he starts to cry.

"I'm sorry, daddy, so sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen. It just did. And it hurts so much, but this is who I am and it got so hard. Oh, daddy, so hard." He is a child again and his father protects him again.

"Ichigo, you are my son, my first born." His father whispers in his ear. "The day you were born was the happiest in my life and I have sworn back then to love and protect you for the rest of my life. I don't care if you are straight or gay, orange, blue or yellow. You are my son, blood from my blood, flesh from my flesh and nothing, absolutely nothing, can make me love you less. Every single day you make me proud; every single day I pray to your mother and God to keep you safe, to make your dreams come true, for nothing compares, my son, to your happiness."

Every word stabs in the wall that has surrounded Ichigo's heart for the last couple of months and as it crumbles, Ichigo cries harder and harder. He has been through so much, he has carried so many burdens, so heavy, that now, finally someone carries them for him, someone tells him it's enough, and everything is even better since it is his father.

OoOo

Ichigo sighs. That night has been terrible. It feels strange that he remembers it precisely today. Perhaps it's his foul mood to blame. He eats his ice-cream in peace and wonders if his father is at home, if maybe he should go and have lunch with the old man. His words back then have been the most wonderful gift he has ever received as a son.

His cell-phone rings, just as he is getting up.

"Hello?"

"Ichigo, I think I am lost." The calm and yet somehow tantalizing voice of his lover makes him smile involuntarily.

"Not again, Byakuya." His voice is dripping with fond exasperation. "Where are you? Can you ask someone to tell you the address?"

"Yes, I think I see someone. Please, hold on." There are murmurs in the back and Ichigo rolls his eyes. After five years, his husband still manages to lose himself in Karakura. It's unbelievable. "Oh, yes, here's the address." He rattles an address, which is familiar to Ichigo because it is pretty close to where they live.

"Ok, stay put. I will be there in ten minutes."

"Very well, I shall wait."

Ichigo rolls his eyes again as the conversation ends like that. But at the same time he is a little bit amused. Nonetheless he hurries along and he manages to get there within the ten promised minutes. Byakuya waits for him in front of a small house with a lovely garden in front of it. Ichigo takes a look around. He always loved this neighbourhood. It has charming houses and it is very quiet.

"I can't believe you got lost again." He scowls, although of course it's without any malice. "This is close to where we live, like a couple of streets away."

"I am not lost." The regal voice of his lover startles him a little bit and Ichigo looks curiously at him.

"What do you mean you're not lost? This is not what you said on the phone."

"I am here to offer you your birthday present."

"Huh?" Yes, Ichigo isn't very eloquent today, so sue him. "What do you mean my birthday?" He finally manages to compose himself a little bit.

"Today it's your birthday, Ichigo, and this is my present for you." And with these words, his boyfriend indicates the house. It's a small house with one floor, painted in welcoming creamy colour.

"Excuse me?" He feels really stupid but this is all so out of the blue that he doesn't know how to react. "Are you telling me that you have bought me a house?"

"Yes, I want to have a place that we can call home." Byakuya looks at him as if Ichigo is responsible for all the wonderful things in this world. Like he has hung the moon and the sun and made the flowers bloom and other shit like that. And the thing is nobody ever looked at him like this. Nobody ever thought of him so precious. Until Byakuya. And suddenly there's a lump in his throat that wasn't there before. And his heart hangs heavy. He lets his groceries fall on the pavement and slowly he walks towards his husband and hides his face in his favourite spot, which is at the juncture between the neck and the shoulder and his hands grab fistful of his lover's shirt and he inhales deeply and doesn't want to let go. Ever.

"You bought me a house." He says after a while trying to make himself stop panting though the lump is still there and it hurts when he speaks but he can't believe this. It all feels too much of a dream.

"Yes." Byakuya takes his chin lovingly and he presses his lips over his. "I want to be here with you, Ichigo, for as long as you will have me. I want us to be here, to have a place to call home." And the thing is Ichigo understands him so well and when Byakuya's lips press a little harder, he opens so willingly his mouth as his soul mate takes everything with scorching passion. And they are kissing in broad daylight and he can't make himself to care because he has never felt so loved, so appreciated.

"Hmm, chocolate and strawberry," Byakuya mutters afterwards licking his lips with a wicked look on his face. "Lovely combination. And my favourite, if I may say so." Ichigo blushes but keeps looking at him.

"I love you. I love you so much." He whispers. "Thank you."

"I love you too. You want to see it now?"

"Yes, please."

It's not a big house. It has two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms and a kitchen. A third room has been transformed into an office for both of them and Ichigo can almost picture the days that he will spend here with his lover. The kitchen has a small porch that takes them into a small garden in the back while the living room is stuffed with food. Apparently they will have a party to celebrate his birthday in two hours time.

"Plenty of time." Ichigo mutters as he approaches his lover.

"For what?"

"For christianizing our new bedroom." Ichigo smiles deviously as he enwraps his husband in his loving embrace.

Soft grey orbs look at him with adoration and love and perhaps a little bit of possessiveness. And then an incredible smile settles on the sensual lips, that smile that lights the world and makes Ichigo dizzy with its secret charm.

"I think that is a wonderful idea." The husky voice replies and Ichigo feels his face peppered with butterfly kisses before those wonderful lips crush over his with burning passion. If this is what is going to happen each year, he will forget about his birthday each year. But as his lover leads him towards their new bedroom upstairs, his last coherent thoughts disappear in a fog of love and passion. And that is the greatest gift of all.

OoOo

A/N: As always a big thanks to my reviewers. Your feedback definitely helps and encourages me a lot. And of course to all my readers, I thank you.