Hello all! Sorry for the delay. Life has been busy lately with school and work but I've finally managed to get another chapter up. I'll try to update biweekly from now on. Thank you for all of your patience and happy holidays everyone!
All he saw was white. He was enfolded in a cloud of whiteness, unable to see, hear, talk or think. He was an all encompassing blank canvas, existing neither here nor there. There was no pain, no fear, no emotions. The whiteness stretched on for eons and had he had a conscience , he would have wondered if this was what death was like.
All of a sudden, the blinding whiteness ceased to exist and a small murmur hummed by his ear. He was slowly aware that he was a being of some sort. Aware that his consciousness was slowly coming into focus.
"Byakuya, Byakuya," the voice whispered softly, and soon he felt the weight of something on a part of his body. Eventually he became aware of who he was, and that he was still alive, and so gingerly opened his eyes.
"Oh thank God!" a pair of sapphire eyes, shining with tears swam across his vision. Bykauya awoke to Vincent's face, the creases in his face disappearing as his brow unknotted.
"Byakuya, my child," his grandfather whispered softly, the relief in his voice sending a wave of emotions crashing through Byakuya. Byakuya raised his head a little, and adjusted his posture to take a better look at his surroundings. He was in a hospital bed, his grandfather and Vincent on either side of him, holding his hand. As the nurses ushered in, he was momentarily separated from them, and his vitals were checked.
"What happened to me?" he asked the young man checking his pulse.
"You had a panic attack and called an ambulance."
A bitter taste entered his mouth as the night came flashing back in his mind. After the nurse had left, his grandfather and Vincent returned to his side.
"They say it was a panic attack. What happened at home?" Byakuya remained silent, ignoring Vincent.
"How long have I been here for?"
"Three days," his grandfather answered concern entering his voice. "Won't you tell us what happened?"
"I don't know," answered Byakuya curtly.
"You have another visitor. He was in the visitor's room all day. He could barely work these past few days."
The night flashed in his mind once more. "I wish to speak to him alone."
As Vincent and Ginrei left the room Renji rushed in, nearly knocking down Byakuya's food tray and almost hurled himself on top of him, before deciding against it. He sat down on a nearby chair, and took his hand. "Byakuya I was so worried about you." Renji kissed his fingertips, as he looked into Byakuya's stone cold eyes.
"Satan's Sons," Byakuya got straight to the point. "They brand their member's with that flaming tattoo don't they?"
"Umm yeah, how did you know?" Renji asked, his eyes widening in shock.
Byakuya decided that if he was ever going to face his fears, and avoid the humiliation of passing out from a panic attack that it was time he revealed at least a little bit of what happened to him that night. Renji was very open and honest with him, and something about those warm inviting eyes made Byakuya feel safe.
"I would like to tell you something Renji. I would like it if you carried this with you to the grave."
Renji's eyes hardened, as he gazed steadily into Byakuya's. "It is very hard for me to show my emotions, and reveal certain things about my past. When I was a boy, around 13 I was attacked by a few member's of that gang. I was beaten and almost left to die. The tattoo around their wrists and arms was etched into my mind forever and haunts me to this day. When I realized you were part of the same gang all those memories rushed back and I panicked." His words came out rushed, and his voice was thick with shame, his gaze lowered.
Renji lifted his chin, and very softly placed a tender kiss on his forehead. "I am so sorry you had to go through that. I am not like them Byakuya. I hated the violence, and the things I had to do. I ran away from the foster home when I was so young and didn't know where to go. I was bribed with things and so didn't know any better. I am so sorry."
He took Byakuya into his strong arms, and for the first time in his life Byakuya let himself be held and comforted. He took in Renji's scent, and without realizing it, quickly fell asleep. As Byakuya's breathing became heavy and steady Renji slowly untangled himself from the embrace, and left the room, wiping his tears before Vincent and his grandfather saw him.
"I'm so glad he opened up to you Renji. All his life he never had a real friend until you." Renji heard the gratefulness in his voice, and felt his throat tighten. Renji nodded wondering if his voice would betray the strong emotions he was feeling.
"I should get back to work Vincent." Bidding the two older men goodbye Renji left the hospital, the tears streaming down his cheeks as he thought of his own past and Byakuya's.
After he calmed down, Renji went back to the office to do some last minute paperwork. He was swamped lately, having to do most of Byakuya's work and letting his own work slide since he was so worried for Byakuya these past few days. Now, knowing that the man he loved would be okay, Renji squared his jaw, and worked through the night, stopping in between for a few bites to eat. By the time he was finished, the moon was visible in the sky, and the office was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. He checked the time and was astounded that it was half past midnight. With exhaustion weighing his eyelids, Renji trudged home, and collapsed on his bed fully clothed. The last thing he remembered thinking was that he would visit Byakuya tomorrow morning before heading to work.
The next morning Renji awoke at the crack of dawn and headed to the hospital. He was overjoyed to find that Byakuya was gaining what little colour he originally had to his face, and the smile that met him was genuine.
"Renji," he almost shivered with pleasure as his name rolled off Byakuya's tongue.
"You look well Byakuya. I would have brought you flowers but I didn't know if I should." Renji scratched his head, a slight blush rising to his cheeks.
"The room could use some colour but as long as you are here that's all that matters."
Renji sat down on the bed beside him, watching Byakuya finish his breakfast. "How are you doing?"
"I feel relieved, It's like a weight has been lifted off my chest." Byakuya put his food tray aside and placed his hand on Renji's.
"You know you can talk to me about these things Byakuya. I now know you haven't had an easy life and neither have I so you don't have to bottle it all up."
"I know Renji. It takes time for me to open up. There are still things I want to tell you but I'm not ready. I just need time."
Renji nodded. "I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable or pressured."
"I can't wait to leave this place. The food here is terrible."
Renji laughed in response. "Of course without your caterers I can't even imagine how you managed to finish your food. When are they releasing you?"
"I have another round of checkups and if everything is fine then it should be around today evening. I was advised to take a few days off of work but that won't be happening."
"You should listen to the doctor Byakuya. Vincent and I have everything under control," Renji said firmly.
"I'm going in to work tomorrow Renji. Neither you nor Vincent should try to stop me. I am at my best in that environment."
"We should take a vacation together don't you think?"
"Maybe eventually. Right now is not a good time. I would like to visit Florence."
"That's really romantic Byakuya. I would love to go to Italy with you." Renji blushed as his gaze lowered. Byakuya quickly leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"You're quite cute when you blush like that," he whispered against Renji's ear, his lips brushing his earlobes lightly.
Renji's colour deepened as Byakuya lifted his chin, and kissed his lips. "You are beautiful Byakuya. I get so nervous around you."
"I can tell," Byakuya teased twirling a strand of Renji's hair.
"I would love to stay but I have so much work to do."
"I know. I wouldn't expect anything less from you Renji. I'll see you tomorrow."
Bidding one another goodbye Renji sighed contentedly as he left the hospital. He touched his lips, and felt the blush rise to his cheek once more as he recalled the kiss. Things were looking good for Renji. He had an amazing job, the man who he loved is opening up to him, and as he walked to work, he felt the tension of the past few days leaving his body.