Gah, I've had this thing half-finished forever! I'm sorry! I just couldn't seem to get these two to cooperate enough to do what I had planned, the stubborn little buggers *shakes fist*. On top of that, the first one I had written was eaten by my demon computer and I had to start all over again. Sorry if it's a little crappy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its characters, they belong to Tite Kubo.

Warnings: The long-promised LEMON so don't read the first part if you don't like smex scenes.

Enjoy!

Hanataro allowed Renji to guide him back to the futon, their lips still pressed together, hands pulling at clothing as Renji lowered them both to the mat. Skin met skin and Hanataro moaned against the Lieutenant's mouth as Renji pressed him down into the futon. A moment later he put his hands on Renji's shoulders to stop him.

"Wait," Hanataro panted. "Your injuries…"

"They're fine," Renji murmured as he moved his lips to the Healer's pale neck. "Don't worry about me, Hana." He held himself up on one hand and moved the other down to the bulge in Hanataro's hakama, giving a wolfish grin when the smaller man moaned at the touch. Renji's fingers parted the fabric easily and he took Hanataro in a light grip, moving his hand in a few light strokes.

"Renji…" Hanataro breathed, hips arching as he clutched the Lieutenant closer. "Ah…"

Renji's control, already stretched thin, began to break around the edges and he drew away for a moment. He smiled when Hanataro stared up at him in confusion before untying the Healer's obi and pulling the rest of the fabric away from thin hips and long white legs. The sight was breathtaking and Renji leaned back down to kiss Hanataro hungrily, his free hand running along the lithe body underneath him.

Hanataro reached up and yanked Renji's shihakusho off his shoulders, pushing the older Soul Reaper back to remove it completely, licking at the black tattoos slashed across the redhead's chest and neck and careful of the bandaging still wrapped around Renji's ribs.

Renji was a bit surprised at the force of Hanataro's actions but quickly decided he liked it. He tossed his shihakusho to the side and leaned back down to grind his clothed erection against the other's exposed one, earning another long moan from the black-haired Healer. Pulling Hanataro up further on the futon, he began a trail down the pale body, licking and gently nipping at the skin, causing Hanataro to groan at the sensations. Renji turned his attention first to one pink nipple, then the other, before moving along down the flat stomach to stop inches away from the Healer's straining erection.

Renji looked up into light blue eyes watching him with a lust-hazed gaze. "Tell me if you want me to stop," he said quietly.

"I," Hanataro panted. "I don't want you to stop." His voice was shaking slightly, but the grip on Renji's shoulder was firm.

Renji nodded once and in one movement swallowed Hanataro to the hilt, running his tongue along the underside of the swollen member.

Hanataro threw his head back with a loud moan, arching into the heat of the mouth driving him half crazy. His hand moved from the broad shoulder to Renji's hair and he wasted no time snapping the band holding long red tresses, his fingers tangling in them immediately, pulling and urging the other on. He felt the heat coiling in in his abdomen and gave another moan as Renji drew away, only to take him in again.

Renji moved his tongue along the Healer's shaft up to the head, licking and teasing for a moment before letting go completely and pushing himself up, getting to his feet without warning.

Hanataro was, once again, confused by the sudden action and watched as Renji walked to his closet, returning a moment later with a small bottle in one hand.

Renji stretched himself over Hanataro and kissed him again, slowly this time. He then pulled away enough to whisper, "Do you want to, Hanataro?"

Hanataro stayed silent for a moment and Renji felt his heart hammering in his chest. If the Healer thought they were going too far, he would back off immediately, no matter how much he himself wanted this. He waited for another breath, dark eyes locked on the Healer's face.

Hanataro reached up and dragged Renji back down to kiss him fiercely, his thin arms wrapping around the Lieutenant's neck. "More than anything," he answered. "Please, Renji."

Renji groaned as Hanataro's tongue pushed into his mouth in a surprising show of dominance, returning the kiss just as heatedly. He opened the bottle in his hand with a flick of his thumb and squeezed a bit of the oil onto his fingers. Renji broke away from the kiss to watch the Healer's face again as he slowly lowered his hand, pressing his index finger against the tight ring of Hanataro's opening.

Hanataro gave a faint nod and Renji pushed inside, keeping still for a few seconds before moving his finger cautiously. When Hanataro didn't complain he carefully added a second finger, even more slowly than the first. Hanataro let out a tiny squeak and Renji paused to allow him time to adjust before moving again.

Soon the Healer nodded to continue, his legs on either side of the Lieutenant's hips, and gasped as Renji began to stretch him in earnest. It was uncomfortable at first. Hanataro curled his fingers into the long red hair and tried to relax against the intrusion as best he could, giving an appreciative groan when Renji's other hand began to stroke him in time with the thrusting fingers.

Renji adjusted his angle and Hanataro arched up when a sudden pleasure shot through his body. "Ah! Renji!" He continued to writhe when Renji hit the same spot a few more times before pulling his fingers half-way out and adding a third. Hanataro winced but focused instead on the hand moving along his erection, his breathing evening out as the pain faded quickly, replaced with a nearly unbearable pleasure.

"Renji," he panted again. "Please…"

The tall redhead removed his fingers and untied his obi, kicking the rest of his clothing away before repositioning himself above the Healer. He gently lifted Hanataro's hips and aligned himself with the slick opening. At another small nod, Renji began slowly, carefully, inching his way inside, shuddering and gasping with the effort of holding himself back.

Hanataro held still as best he could, trying not to cry out at the pain of being stretched so far. Renji was not a small man in any sense, and by the time he was fully encased inside the Healer, Hanataro was biting his lip hard enough to bruise.

Renji stopped and waited for a sign to move again, hands clenched on either side of Hanataro's head. The heat was intense, the urge to drive into the warm body sheathing him nearly overwhelming. To distract them both the taller man planted light kisses across Hanataro's forehead, down his cheeks to his lips.

"You okay?" Renji asked quietly, his arms beginning to shake with the effort of holding still inside the Healer.

"Yeah," Hanataro answered after a pause. "Move, Renji."

Renji took a deep breath and pulled half-way out before slowing pushing in again, growling at the feeling of the muscles tightening around him. He heard Hanataro gasp in pain and waited another moment before repeating the action.

After a few more gentle thrusts Hanataro's legs tightened around the redhead's waist, pulling him in even further. Renji's pace quickened and one hand moved down to tilt the smaller man's hips, driving in deeper.

"Ah!" Hanataro gripped Renji's arms as the same spike of pleasure as before washed over him again, completely obliterating all traces of pain as his body reacted to the sensations setting his nerves on fire. "Kami! Renji!"

Renji moaned loudly at the sound of his own name being shouted by the Healer, his control driven to breaking point, hips rocking forward in time with his own pounding heart. He leaned down again to capture soft lips, groaning as he felt his groin tighten with a rapidly approaching release.

It had been too long, he wanted the Healer too badly to manage his control for very much longer. His hand stroked the Healer with a renewed frenzy, the younger man groaning and gasping at the double sensations.

Hanataro's fingers tightened in Renji's hair as his body began to tense without warning. "Renji-!"

Renji buried his face in Hanataro's neck as the muscles around him squeezed and gripped in a mind-melting heat, the Healer's seed pulsing onto his fingers. He felt himself tipping over the edge, helped along by the loud moans of the trembling man underneath him, and gave into the feeling with another few shallow thrusts.

They lay still for several long moments, shaking from the after-shocks of their intense love-making, until Renji finally had the frame of mind to roll off Hanataro before he crushed him. He reached over to grab his discarded shihakusho and clean up some of the mess before settling down again, not missing Hanataro's dazed look as he watched.

Renji stretched out on his back and pulled the black-haired Healer into a tight embrace, pulling the blanket up from the foot of the futon to cover them both . He moved one hand in soothing circles along Hanataro's lower back to try to ease the discomfort he was no doubt feeling.

Hanataro settled into Renji's bigger frame and rested his head on the Lieutenant's shoulder. "Renji?"

"Hm?"

"Do you-" Hanataro hesitated. "Are you sure? Do you really want…"

Renji's arms tightened around the short Healer and he sighed. "Yes, Hana," he answered the unfinished question. "Without a doubt. You're the one I want. That okay?"

Hanataro smiled tiredly against Renji's shoulder. "More than okay," he murmured.

"Good."

Renji woke the next morning to a warm weight pressed to his side and a thin hand running gently through his hair. He turned to look at Hanataro and winced as the movement caused a dull ache to shoot through his mending ribs.

"You might have over-done it a little," Hanataro said quietly. He smiled at Renji's chuckle of agreement and continued brushing his fingers through the Lieutenant's bright hair. "Not that I'm complaining at all."

Renji grinned before reaching over and running his hand down Hanataro's side. "You sore?" he asked.

"Yeah," Hanataro nodded. "It's fine, though. I don't have to go back in to my Squad until tomorrow."

"Hm," Renji pulled Hanataro in closer to nuzzle at the pale neck in front of him, forgetting about his sore ribs when the Healer snuggled in and sighed contentedly. He could stay like this forever, let the worlds go about their own business and remain curled in bed with the intoxicating Healer until the sky fell down on top of them. Renji kissed Hanataro's skin in slow, languid motions and smiled when Hanataro let out another long breath, already feeling the beginnings of arousal at the sounds.

A loud knocking sound broke through the couple's peaceful moment and Renji laughed at the scowl that crossed Hanataro's face as he pushed himself up into a sitting position. He looked down at the younger man with a grin. "Don't think you're off the hook just yet," he said. He pressed his lips briefly to the faint blush on Hanataro's nose and got to his feet, noting the way the Healer's blue eyes followed his movements as he pulled on a fresh yukata and ran one hand through his loose hair before leaving the bedroom.

Hanataro sat up on Renji's futon and leaned back against the wall, thinking about the previous night and smiling at the rush of feelings the memories conjured. It had been his first time and although he had nothing to compare it to, Hanataro doubted it would have been so good, so intense, if it had been with anyone else but the redhead.

Hanataro continued to smile until he heard Renji's voice trailing down the hallway from the near the front door, followed immediately by another voice, this one decidedly feminine. His heart jumped as he thought of Noriko. Perhaps the Kuchiki woman had changed her mind, and was not leaving after all. Hanataro had just reached for his clothing when he realized the voice didn't belong to the dark-haired Fire Master. He felt an almost immediate disappointment as his memory identified it as belonging to Lieutenant Matsumoto.

Hanataro sighed and stood up, stepping into his hakama and securing it before looking around for his shihakusho. He should have known Noriko wouldn't change her mind but it was still disheartening to remember that fact. Fully dressed, he sat down heavily on the futon and waited for Renji to come back from the living area.

After a few minutes Renji returned to the bedroom, his face much more serious than when he had left. Hanataro looked up at him with a slight apprehension at seeing such an expression, but waited as patiently as he could for Renji to start speaking.

Renji crossed the room in a few long strides and sat next to the Healer, putting one arm around him and planting a kiss on his forehead. "Do you want to go to the Second Division today?" he asked quietly.

Hanataro frowned, trying to work out what the redhead was talking about, and tensed a bit when he did. Right, he thought. The private memorial for those two guards who had been killed the night the Healer was taken would be held at noon on the Stealth Force training grounds. He had been invited to join the Second Squad members for it, although Hanataro still hadn't figured out why, seeing as he was the reason the men were dead to begin with. He buried his face in Renji's shoulder. "I…"

"You don't have to," Renji told him gently. "But I'll go with you, if you decide to do it."

Hanataro was grateful for the offer, and after a few more minutes decided to finally face the thing that had been eating at him since that night. Maybe going would help ease the pain a little, too. He hadn't known the men personally, but they had given up their lives in an attempt to protect him, and Hanataro couldn't imagine ever being able to fully repay them for it. This was a good start, though.

"All right," he agreed. "We'll go."

The memorial was brief, lasting only about ten minutes and cutting directly to the point from beginning to end. Renji would have thought it insulting, had it been any other Squad. The Stealth Force was different however, and even at the deaths of their own they worked with quiet efficiency. It was over before the other members could become too distraught, and they left as quickly and quietly as they had come until only Renji and Hanataro were standing at the side of the training grounds. Renji looked down at the silent Healer.

"You alright, Hanataro?"

Hanataro thought about this for a moment. "Not really," he admitted. "But I will be."

Renji sighed and took Hanataro by the elbow, leading him gently away from the Second Squad grounds. "'Kay. Let's go home, then." He smiled down at the Healer, who looked back up at him with an unreadable expression before lowering his gaze.

Home? Hanataro thought. He liked the way Renji said that, even if it was unintentional, but still… They couldn't stay the way they were forever.

"Renji," the Healer started slowly as they began to walk toward the road. His eyes, previously locked on his sandals, moved up to Renji's face as he frowned thoughtfully. "I… Well, I've been thinking, and…why are you looking at me like that?" He paused his steps at the redhead's expression of dawning apprehension. "What's wrong?"

Renji was trying not to panic, mentally kicking himself for pushing Hanataro the way he had the night before. He had practically molested the younger man, for Kami's sake! Renji fought to remain calm through the painful swirling of his mind. He had crossed a line, he was sure, and now Hanataro was going to tell him it had all been a big mistake and they should just be friends, or-

"I'll get my things this afternoon," the Healer continued, oblivious to the redhead's internal struggle.

Renji averted his eyes. Here it comes-

"I could probably go back to my own rooms now," Hanataro was still studying the Lieutenant with a small amount of concern. "Since Takenaka is gone and all." He reached out and brushed his fingers along Renji's sleeve. "Really Renji, what's wrong?"

Renji had been biting his lip with his head turned away, but moved his dark gaze back to Hanataro's face at the light touch on his arm. "I'm sorry, Hana," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to pressure you or anything. I…I understand if you don't want…"

"What are you talking about?" Hanataro frowned. "I thought I made that clear last night. Are you…you don't want to be with me?" His brow drew down in uncharacteristic anger, or maybe it was hurt. "You should have said so before we-"

"No, that's not it," Renji interrupted quickly. He took Hanataro's hands in his and leaned forward a little. "I've never wanted anything more, I mean it. But if you're not sure, if you're not ready or you need some space, I'll understand."

Hanataro stared at him for a long moment before realization came to him and he smiled. "Renji," he said patently. "I only meant that I can't exactly move into your rooms permanently, can I? Of course I want this, I'll just be staying at my place." He shook his head, still smiling. "And you say I worry too much."

Renji paused, thinking this over, and laughed suddenly as he recognized his mistaken assumptions and felt a swell of relief at Hanataro's words. "Yeah," he agreed. "Guess you're right. I think I'm just a little worried you'll disappear on me again. Sorry."

"I wont disappear," Hanataro promised. "I want…I want to be with you. If that's alright." Hanataro dropped his gaze again, a light blush across his nose.

Renji pulled him in closer, looping one arm over Hanataro's shoulders as they continued to the road and turned toward Renji's apartment. "It's more than alright," he said, half to himself. "It's perfect."