Tadao and Ryuuken In Love

Another chapter, because I like to write in bulk!

-ADA-

Techinically, they met before Ichigo forced them into each other's lives, but Ryuuken had been very young, and Tadao had been very arrogant.

Basically, the shinigami had told the little white-haired boy that he was worthless as a fighter and might as well become something useful, like a doctor.

Which was what he did.

Still, it was a surprise when Ichigo, for once free of any cuts and bruises, was brought to his hospital by the very man who changed his life, not looking a day over twenty-three, which was the age he'd given seven year-old Ryuuken over thirty years ago.

Of course, he'd been recognized immediately.

"It's nice to see my advice taken," Tadao had said happily as Ichigo went from clinging to him to clinging to Ryuuken, Yuzu choosing to stand behind the Quincy's leg. "So few really understand the benefits of taking it."

"He can see the future, Ryuuken-san!" Ichigo teold the man excitedly, squirming in his grasp. "He says I'm gonna be strong when I grow up!"

"Of course you will," Ryuuken replied in that flat tone of his. "You're strong now."

Tadao smiled. "Well, I've done my duty. I'll be off." He offered a hand, which Ichigo shook.

"Visit us anytime," he said. "Someone's always around."

Ichigo nodded. "Can I bring Ryuuken-san with me?"

Tadao glanced at Ryuuken, who didn't meet his eye.

"Of course you can," he replied. "The more the merrier." He ruffled Yuzu's hair. "Goodbye, Yuzu-chan."

"By, Tadao-san."

And with a final smile, the goggled man turned and walked out of the hospital, whistling a cheery tune and acting like he'd just walked out of a fucking Disney movie.

Despite himself, Ryuuken wanted to fuck him already.

-ADA-

Within six months, that fantasy became a reality. Because Ryuuken could never really deny Ichigo anything, he ended up taking the boy nearly every day to that brothel, which meant that, while the boy 'played' with wooden swords and senbon, Ryuuken was talking to the odd shinigami that had taken up residence in the little basement in the Karakura slums.

Inevitably, he got used to them. Sometimes he even joined in on Ichigo's games with the others- but that was rare. Usually, he spent his time observing, monitoring Ichigo's growth and intelligence with a sharp eye and a closed mouth.

"He's going to be a very good actor," Tadao told him one day. Ichigo was working on his English, reading Shakespeare slowly and clearly to Yuzu and Usagi, who were cuddled up on either side of him. "He's got a silver tongue."

"Do you mean the fact that we all hang on every word that comes out of his mouth?" Ryuuken asked dryly. "Then yes, I agree."

Tadao smiled. "He's going to end up a liar," he told the Quincy. "He's going to pretend he's simple, stupid- just so he can stay alive." He sighed. "I warned him to make it seem as though he doesn't understand shinigami when they find him- because they will, eventually."

"Isshin is... Afraid of the possibility," Ryuuken admitted with a slow nod.

"Depending on the series of events that take place, they may find him as young as thirteen," Tadao said somberly. "And he will forge bonds, save them all. And then, if he does not have his every ally by his side, they will try to dethrone their rightful prince."

"..." Ryuuken kept his mouth shut, uncertain.

"Don't look so worried. Ichigo's a strong sort. He'll survive."

"I'm not worried," the Quincy denied, but even as the words came out, he knew Tadao knew it was a lie.

The blind man smiled. "Ichigo needs father figures in his life, and you're an important one- that means you're allowed to worry."

Ryuuken sighed. "Now he has you, and Aizen-san and Kuchiki-san," he pointed out. "He has brothers and sisters, an aunt, grandparents- he doesn't need anymore."

"But he likes having such a big family," his companion pointed out. "He likes you. So do the rest of us, for that matter- even Tsukiko says you're 'tolerable'." Ryuuken snorted at that- she was a pretentious bitch if he ever knew one- but Tadao wasn't finished.

"I... I would like if you stuck around, too, if you don't mind."

Ryuuken blinked. "Was that a pick-up line?"

Tadao flushed, which was a nice look for such a blank face.

"Don't tease me. I haven't been on a date- well, ever, really. I didn't have time before."

"And you do now?"

Tadao hummed. "Well, we have a bit of downtime for the next few years- at least three, if I'm correct- and I'd like to do something. Like you."

Ryuuken flushed. "I... I..."

"Come on. I'm a good lay, probably. I wouldn't know, seeing as I've never fucked myself..."

"I... Okay. Okay. Fine." Ryuuken took a deep breath. "I suppose it's pointless to say I didn't think about it?"

"You suppose correctly. I see all." Tadao smiled. "So. Wanna go see what my bedroom looks like?"

Ryuuken glanced at Ichigo, who still seemed entranced by his reading, and offered a small smirk to the shinigami.

"I think... I would."

And really, that was that.