Holding Nanao's and Shunsui's child for the first time was everything Starrk could have hoped for and more.
The little thing was red, wrinkly and completely hairless. She was still the sweetest thing the arrancar had ever seen. Nanao had to show him how to hold her but soon Starrk had her safely tucked into his arms. Both the new parents watched as he smiled at their offspring. Lilinette was right beside him, looking at the pup with wide-eyed curiosity.
"Kyoraku Sanae." He murmured but looked up as Nanao shook her head.
"Ise Sanae." She corrected and Starrk blinked. He was no expert but didn't shinigami give names through the masculine line? "We're not married and it would be… better… if the Kyoraku clan wasn't involved." She said and Starrk just felt confused. He transferred his stare to Shunsui, who was regarding the little pup in his arms with a slightly sad expression.
"It might also be better for her if they think she might be yours." He said softly and Starrk frowned. "It would give her more protection."
"She will have my protection regardless." Starrk said, wondering exactly what his pets were afraid of. "If the Kyoraku clan tried to intervene, I would stop them." He simply would not tolerate that. There was a soft laugh from Nanao and Shunsui gave him a small smile.
"Precisely. We want to head off bloodshed." He said lightly and Starrk blinked. He thought his clan might actually try to defy an Espada? "My clan is rather desperate for an heir at the moment. They were completely gutted in the defeat. And with myself no longer considered eligible…"
"Why aren't you eligible? You know, Starrk could just move. And it's not like he needs you for his duties anyhow." Lilinette said and Starrk blinked at the thought. Right now, they all lived in his suites. They were part of the new arrancar housing that had been constructed. But she was right, there was absolutely no reason he couldn't just pick up and move. And while he did often take Shunsui with him on his duties, he could certainly handle things on his own.
"You would do that?" Shunsui sounded surprised and Starrk sighed to himself, reminded that his slaves did not trust him. But then, why should they?
"As Lilinette said, why not? Aizen could easily send me messages there. And I'm sure it's every bit as luxurious as what I have here." He would be quite surprised if it wasn't. The Kyoraku clan was a very prominent noble clan. "Perhaps you should look into that. I would not deny little Sanae her birthright." He glanced at Nanao, who was looking a bit pensive. Shunsui managed a real smile then.
"Being the heir to a noble clan comes with many obligations, Starrk. But perhaps you are right." He said before reaching out to gently touch that tiny cheek. Starrk smiled, then passed the baby back as she began to quietly fuss. Nanao calmed her easily, by pulling down her robe and popping a nipple in the infant's mouth. "Ah, beautiful." Shunsui said softly as he watched his lover nursing his child. Starrk just smiled, cuddling Lilinette close. She sniffed a little, rubbing her single eye and Starrk knew they were thinking the same thing.
It truly was beautiful, watching a new mother taking care of her pup.
Things became interesting after that.
The Kyoraku clan was more than interested in having Shunsui back. From what Starrk could tell, they really were desperate for a proper heir. The clan was currently being run personally by Shunsui's grandmother, who had been strong in her youth. But her power had faded with age and she was very old. They doubted she could live more than a century or two and without a viable heir, the Kyoraku clan might fall on very hard times indeed, when she died.
So the thought of Shunsui and his young daughter returning home brought them great relief. Hosting an Espada was a price they were more than willing to pay, particularly when it was the lazy, gentle Coyote. No one had ever accused him of having a quick temper or a tendency towards violence, unlike Grimmjow or even Halibel. Soon, he was ensconced in a new, very grand suite of rooms. The only thing they had to learn to accommodate was his tastes in food. Starrk could tolerate sushi and sashimi occasionally, but every day? No. He wanted some steak and kidney pie. The Kyoraku clan handled that by hiring some new chefs who knew the kind of cuisine he desired.
Starrk loved watching little Sanae grow. She seemed to change so quickly in such a short length of time. Her hair soon came in, lovely black curls. Her eyes shifted from the blue they'd had at birth, becoming a soft grey. She turned into an active crawler, followed by walking. Her words came with that and two years after her birth, she could most certainly talk. Those who didn't know her well often couldn't decipher it, but Starrk could understand almost everything she said.
"Unca Starr'!" She would always say when she saw him, reaching out pudgy little hands to grab him. Starrk would give her the hugs and kisses she wanted, smiling in joy at the love that had entered his life. Truly, being an uncle made him feel almost whole.
The feelings of his pets also helped with that. Settling into his duties as clan head, Shunsui felt much happier. And Nanao was happy beyond words when Starrk allowed them to get married in the shinigami fashion. He was not jealous and they all understood that someday, Nanao might bear him a child. Starrk didn't really care if the offspring was counted part of the Kyoraku clan or not.
It was all almost idyllic, except for the things still happening in Soul Society. Aizen was intent on molding the place into the proper image and Tosen wanted to impose a rule of law. That resulted in some highly unpleasant things. Starrk was in the thick of that, as one of the remaining Espada. He didn't want to burden his pets with what was happening but Lilinette didn't know how to keep her mouth shut. So Nanao often found out what was happening. Shunsui already knew… as the Clan Head, his own spies kept him fully informed.
"I'm sorry." Starrk said softly one night, over supper. He wasn't even tempted to ask his pets for intimacy tonight. Shunsui was hardly touching his food, just staring at his plate, and Nanao looked like she'd been crying. Lilinette hadn't babbled this time, though. Shunsui had needed to share his pain.
"It's not your fault. There was nothing you could have done." He said sadly and Starrk nodded. It was nothing but the truth. The whole incident had had nothing to do with him. He hadn't even been aware it was happening until it was over.
It all involved Juushiro. Two of his brothers, working along with his former Third seats, had tried to capture him in an effort to undo his brainwashing. Starrk considered that a testament to how much they loved him. They were willing to risk their lives to save him. And they had very nearly done it. They had managed to drug him and almost had gotten away with him. It had been their bad fortune that Byakuya had stumbled over the escape in progress. Senbonzakura had taken care of their plans and ended two lives. Sentaro and one of Juushiro's brothers had been left alive, but not for long. Aizen had ordered Juushiro himself to execute them, which he had done.
But not without a price. It seemed the brainwashing wasn't entirely flawless because while Juushiro had shown no obvious signs of emotional pain, he'd suffered a violent attack just afterward. It made Starrk wonder how much the altered taichou and fukutaichou actually felt, beneath the compliance forced on them. Were they aware of their slavery? If so, it was horrifying and the sexual slaves of the Espada were indeed much better off.
"Is there anything we can do?" Nanao said, her voice tired and hopeless. Starrk thought about it for a moment. It was hard to see what they could do for Juushiro. He was in the Fourth now, under the care of Unohana and he might survive. He might not, too. They really weren't sure.
"I could talk to Szayel." He said thoughtfully. "If Ukitake's disease is going to keep flaring up like this, he might not be particularly useful to Aizen. Maybe Szayel would be willing to chance giving me a third." He had been controlling his two pets rather well. Of course, they hardly ever tested him. But why would they? If Shunsui somehow managed to break Starrk's control he would place both the Kyoraku clan and his young family in mortal danger. "I – woah!" Sanae ran into the room with a loud shriek, Lilinette close behind. They'd been having their own meal together, Lilinette feeding the small child.
"Got yoooou!" Lilinette crowed as she caught the little girl, lifting her into the air. Sanae laughed loudly and they all smiled at the sight.
"Chase! Chase!" She shouted and Nanao gently reproved her.
"Indoor voice." That was something they'd been trying to teach her. Sanae could be very loud. Of course, she was only a baby. Lilinette made a face before putting her down.
"Eww, stinky! Go to Uncle Starrk, he'll change you." She told the little girl who laughed and ran to her arrancar uncle. Starrk leaned away, wincing as he caught the strong whiff.
"Oh sweet kami!" His sense of smell was many times better than any shinigami's. "Come on Sanae, I'll fix you up." She looked very happy as he lifted her into his arms. "Unless someone else wants to take this?" He gave the other two at the table a hopeful look but Shunsui laughed.
"Oh no, this is all for you!" He said as Nanao just smiled. Starrk sighed and carried the little girl off to change her diaper, Lilinette skipping behind him.
Being an uncle did have a few disadvantages.
"You are so beautiful." Starrk murmured into Nanao's ear. She smiled up at him from where she was spread invitingly on the cushions.
In his opinion, pregnancy had been kind to her body. There were a few stretch marks on her belly and her breasts were a touch fuller than they had been, and her left one was a bit lower. Sanae had favored that side over the other, causing a bit of lopsidedness. Starrk thought that minor imperfection was quite adorable.
"Indeed you are." Shunsui said, his voice warm with desire as he began gently exploring their woman. Starrk smiled and went down between her legs. Right now, they were both intent on pleasing Nanao. Their own pleasure would come soon.
Starrk nuzzled Nanao's thighs, gently licking and teasing the sensitive skin. Glancing up, he saw Kyoraku was kissing Nanao, gently stroking one of her nipples with his thumb as he cupped that mound of flesh. Smiling to himself, Starrk slowly, teasingly ran his tongue through her folds, finding her clit and gently stimulating that sensitive point. Nanao arched a little, separating from Shunsui with a small cry. Starrk heard Kyoraku's chuckle, as he glanced down to see what the arrancar was up to, but didn't lift his head. Giving Nanao oral pleasure was something he greatly enjoyed.
There was no hesitation in her now, no remorse or pain. Only passion, uncorrupted by anything else. Starrk hadn't even released his pheromones tonight. This was natural, the way it should be. Between the two of them, it didn't take them long to reduce her to breathless panting. Starrk felt it as her inner muscles clenched, the rippling against his tongue as she found her release. It intoxicated him, the feel and scent of her so close.
Starrk pulled away from her, watching as she gasped, her face adorably flushed and her hair disarrayed as she snuggled up to Shunsui. Stroking her skin with one hand, he asked them both.
"What should we do tonight?" Without the rut clouding his mind, Starrk was far more amenable to letting his slaves pick their sexual positions and preferences. It was Nanao who responded.
"I want to feel you both." She said and Starrk felt a touch surprised. That was an unusual request. Nanao didn't like having them both in her vagina at once, it was an uncomfortable stretch for her. She actually preferred anal, when they did this at all.
"Oh Nanao-chan, how dirty." Shunsui gently teased her before kissing her, deeply. "Mmm, I would love that. Starrk, get on your back." Swallowing back a bit of drool at the thought, Starrk did that. They had a very large bed, meant to accommodate this sort of thing.
Soon Nanao was riding him. Starrk watched her breasts bounce, the beautiful motion entrancing him. Then Shunsui joined them and Nanao moaned as her ass was parted, her other partner's cock slipping into that tight space. Shunsui's groan was music to both their ears and Starrk gripped Nanao's hips, enjoying it as they slowly found their rhythm. Soon the three of them were moving in harmony and the expression on Nanao's face was one of bliss. They didn't do this too often but she always enjoyed it when they did.
"Nanao, oh my beautiful Nanao-chan…" Shunsui murmured in her ear and Starrk gasped before adding his voice.
"God, Nanao, you feel so good…" She felt heavenly, her insides holding him like they'd been made for it. He simply could not get enough.
"Shunsui… Starrk…" Her voice was drenched in desire and both the men responded, speeding their thrusts with a harmony that only long practice could achieve. "Ah! Oh…" She whimpered, her hands resting on Starrk's chest as she half-closed her eyes, savoring the incredible pleasure they were both bringing to her.
In the light of the moon, their bodies meshed together, slowly building each other up to a powerful orgasm. Nanao was the first, stimulated almost unbearably by her double penetration. She cried out, her body trembling between the two men as her inner walls flexed. Starrk cried out, following her a moment later, stars exploding behind his eyes. Shunsui was the last, but it didn't take him long… he came with a heavy cry, his deep voice rising in pleasure. When they were done there was a moment of tired bliss before Nanao frowned and squirmed. Shunsui took the hint, easing out of her body so she could leave Starrk.
"Ah, kami, that was wonderful." Shunsui sounded tired but very pleased. Starrk smiled, feeling wonderfully content with what they had done.
"It really was." He agreed before moving onto his side. That was how he always preferred to sleep. Nanao settled in beside him and Shunsui was behind her, an arm comfortably around her waist. Starrk sometimes wondered… did his pets care for him now, really? He knew they loved each other, deeply, but their feelings for him had to be more ambivalent. With the link he had to their minds he could get an idea and he thought they liked him now but… he couldn't quite be sure. Shaking aside that thought, he closed his eyes to sleep.
He would never ask that question.
With the welfare of his pets in mind, Starrk began investigating the possibility of acquiring a third slave.
Not that he wanted Juushiro for himself. Starrk could have taken him once, but he'd picked Kyoraku instead. He simply found Shunsui's rugged good looks more attractive. And the prospect of dominating the man who'd very nearly defeated him, well, that had been good too. Besides, Lilinette had disliked the white haired taichou for taunting her. Starrk had let himself be swayed by that as well.
Now, he had even less interest in Juushiro's sexual abilities. Starrk was absolutely certain that anything Ukitake could do for him, Shunsui and Nanao could do better. He was only thinking about taking the man to ease his pet's distress.
He started with Unohana, making a few careful hints about his intentions. It took a bit of careful persuading but she finally told him about Juushiro's condition. It wasn't good. The brainwashing worked very well on most but it was not doing too well with Ukitake. His attacks had steadily been getting more violent and the last had been the worst. They thought he would live but in addition to his disease, he'd contracted pneumonia. Unohana thought that his mental state was making it harder for his body to fight off the disease.
Starrk had a few questions about that. He didn't want an insane, broken slave. Unfortunately, Unohana's grim expression and the few things she would impart to him made it seem likely. Starrk wasn't too surprised. But if anyone could put Juushiro back together, surely it would be Shunsui. They had been separated for so long…
Armed with the information, Starrk approached Szayel. The former Octava was more than willing to help him in return for a certain concession.
"…I have to discuss this with my pets." Starrk said firmly. Szayel frowned, clearly wondering why he would need their input. "I'm only doing this for them. They'll be the ones to say if they want to pay your price." He was fairly sure they would but given that this wasn't really for him in the first place, he needed to ask. Szayel adjusted his glasses, slightly annoyed.
"Well, you have time. He'll need to survive his current illness and be well for me to readjust him." The scientist said and Starrk winced at the thought. He could only imagine Shunsui's pain if Juushiro died. There was absolutely no way he could affect that, though.
Making his way home, he found that Shunsui was busy with his duties as clan head. Starrk was vague on that… it seemed quite boring to the arrancar… but he knew Shunsui might not be back until fairly late. Something about a formal dinner with the Shihoin clan.
"What did Szayel say?" Nanao asked as she fed Sanae some soup. The little girl could feed herself some things, but not anything too messy. Starrk smiled as he watched them before responding.
"He'll do his best to convince Aizen that Ukitake needs to be retired, for his health, and that I am capable of taking him." That was a key point. If not for that, Aizen would likely just keep using Juushiro until his performance suffered too badly. Then he would be 'retired' in a very messy fashion. "He'll also push it as an experiment… to see how well I take to having three, how easy it is to return one of the 'altered' shinigami back to a normal state, and so on. But he has a condition." Starrk cautioned as Nanao looked hopeful. "He – ah." With excellent timing, Shunsui entered the room, Lilinette at his heels. She'd gone with him to dinner because, for a reason known only to himself and possibly a god far above, Shunsui had invited her.
"Hey Starrk! That was so much fun! This guy just about bust a blood vessel when I juggled the rolls!" She said cheerfully and Starrk blinked before looking at Shunsui. He was smiling widely. Had he invited Lilinette so she could annoy people? It suddenly seemed likely to him.
"Oh… I see." Starrk said weakly. Lilinette could be a handful normally. If Kyoraku had been riling her up… ugh. "Um… I spoke to Szayel." That made Lilinette look at him curiously as Shunsui lost his smile. "He's willing to help us but only if we allow him to impregnate Nanao with my seed." He said, feeling… he wasn't sure what. Apprehensive? He was certainly a bit worried about their reactions. He heard Nanao gasp but most of his attention was on Shunsui. The other man met his gaze and nodded slowly, his expression serious.
"How do you feel about that, Starrk?" Shunsui asked and Starrk blinked. How did HE feel about it? Lilinette answered for him.
"Duh! We've always wanted a pup!" She said and Shunsui smiled at her but shook his head.
"I don't think that's entirely the truth, Lilinette." He said gently and Starrk swallowed. He'd forgotten how old and clever Shunsui was. "Starrk? How do you really feel about having a child?"
"What?! Why wouldn't he – Starrk?" Lilinette looked up as he rested a hand on her helmet. He smiled at her for a moment, trying to reassure her before he looked up, meeting Shunsui's eyes.
"I am… afraid." He admitted as Lilinette stared at him in baffled wonder. "There was… an unfortunate experience in our past. Lilinette can't remember but I do." That had made him happy to let them take the risk. And in his mind, having a child was a great risk indeed.
"What? What happened? Starrk!" Lilinette demanded, tugging on his arm. He flinched slightly as the dark memories welled out of a deep pit in his mind. "Tell me Starrk! What happened to us?"
"Ah, Lilinette…" Starrk took a deep breath before trying to explain. "Long ago, we were one hollow. That hollow was female and just once, we managed to mate." Starrk remembered the pain of it. "Our… our release killed our partner. We thought he might have been able to live but he didn't. Somehow, he still seeded us." Starrk could just barely remember the joy of carrying a pup. It was greatly overshadowed by the suffering. "It was born… not right. It died very quickly." Starrk put a hand over his face, closing his eyes. "It hurts." He whispered. Even his broken, empty heart could still feel pain. That tiny little body, the infant that had tried to suckle for the few days it had lived… how it hurt. There was a brief silence until Sanae broke it.
"Mama?" She asked, not understanding why the adults around her seemed so sad. "Unca Starr'?" She said and he lowered his hand, smiling gently at her. Just looking at her eased the ache in his soul.
"It's alright Sanae." He said softly as Nanao patted her on the head with a smile and fed her a bit more soup. She quickly lost interest in the feelings around her, interested in the flavors. "Truthfully, I love being an uncle. A child of my own… it would hurt more, if…" He let the words trail off before taking a deep breath. "But it is still your decision. I will not stand in the way. And I do want a child, despite my fears." The thought of finally holding his own offspring… it would mean so much to him.
"Hm. I would do anything to save Juushiro… Nanao?" Shunsui asked and she looked up from Sanae with a smile.
"I wouldn't mind. Honestly, I thought it would eventually happen naturally." She said lightly and Starrk nodded. Given the way they had sex, that was certainly possible. Although another child from Shunsui was equally likely. "How does he want to do this, though?" She sounded concerned and with good reason, given the six months of rut they'd gone through.
"Not like last time. He wants to do artificial insemination." He said and she nodded thoughtfully. "He had some rather sarcastic things to say about the likelihood of my managing things without it." Starrk sighed to himself as he remembered. "If I hadn't been asking him for a favor…" But Szayel had known he had the Primera where he wanted him. Shunsui laughed as Nanao smiled.
"Then it's decided! Thank you, Starrk. I know you don't particularly want to do this." Shunsui said and Starrk shrugged.
"I don't mind. And I'm sure your friend wouldn't mind changing diapers for me." From what he'd heard, Juushiro loved children. "It might be good for him." Sanae might help to heal the mental damage the man had no doubt suffered. Shunsui nodded.
"Yes, he'll love her." For a moment he sounded melancholy and Starrk could guess why. Jushiro had not been interested in their daughter at all, which was very much not like him.
Perhaps now, it would change.
Things progressed reasonably well after that.
Shunsui was allowed to go to Juushiro's side and explain what they intended to do. His old friend was not distressed at all, particularly when he was told Aizen had approved the move. Shunsui hoped that deep inside, the real Juushiro would embrace the possibility of freedom and recover more swiftly from the illness.
It seemed to work. Before the week was out, he was well enough for Szayel to begin the process. None of them were sure what it entailed, but a few days later Starrk was called in so Juushiro could be mentally linked to him. When he saw the man, Starrk winced a little. He looked absolutely wretched, staring at the ceiling with empty, haunted eyes.
Juushiro didn't say much to him but when he got the man home to Shunsui and Nanao, there was a tearful reunion. Shunsui held Juushiro close as he sobbed, releasing all his pent up pain. Starrk could feel it but deliberately tried to block it out. Juushiro's emotions were a bit too painful, even for his empty heart. For the foreseeable future, the shattered man would be having regular appointments with a counsellor at the Fourth. Just from the little that was leeching past his blocking, Starrk was sure he would need it.
The one thing that really helped Juushiro was Sanae. The sight of the little girl brought a halting, hesitant smile to his face. And even Lilinette helped, a bit. She still didn't like Juushiro for his treatment of her but she could see the shinigami had been more than punished. She even tried to be nice to him, in her own way.
"I notice you haven't touched him." Shunsui said to him quietly one day. Starrk looked up from the finger painting he was helping Sanae with. She was too young to understand and they weren't using any crude words, anyway.
"I don't intend to." He said after a moment and Shunsui cocked an eyebrow at him. Starrk flushed a little. His pets still thought of him as a very sexual person. "He's far too fragile." Starrk didn't really think Juushiro could take much abuse. And using his pheromones might not help. Juushiro had been completely out of control for so long, Starrk thought that might trigger some kind of relapse. "Honestly, I'm not very attracted to him." Maybe that was a bit cruel to Juushiro but he seemed more like the kind uncle type to Starrk. That didn't perk his libido up at all. "…Is he interested?" He asked and heard Shunsui choke.
"Ah, no. He's into women." He said after a moment and Starrk looked over to see he was smiling, amused. "Although I admit, I thought I was only into women until you showed me the other side of the coin." Shunsui said, looking away thoughtfully. "I never imagined I would like it so much." He admitted and Starrk yelped as Sanae slammed her hand onto the paper, making the paint splatter her partner.
"Sanae! Ow!" He complained as she grinned. He pulled up his shirt, using the fabric to clean off his face. "Now I'm all dirty. Shunsui, can you look after her for a moment while I change?" His shirt was a mess. Shunsui laughed.
"Gladly! Why don't we try the yellow paint, sweetie?" He asked and Sanae giggled, more than willing to try a new color. Starrk smiled as he left the room.
Of course, it didn't take long for Szayel to call in his favor. The first thing he had to do was harvest eggs from Nanao. That was a slightly involved process and Szayel was kind enough to offer eggs from Unohana instead, but Starrk declined. He was deeply suspicious of the offer and wondered why Szayel had some of her eggs in the first place. It made him pity the woman. Nemu too, but she was probably used to that kind of treatment. From what he'd heard, Kurotsuchi had been as bad or worse.
Once Nanao's eggs were collected, Szayel had to inseminate them and then implant them. It took three tries for it to work, but when it did Starrk was very surprised at the result.
"Twins? Are you sure?" He asked as Lilinette bounced in excitement. He looked at Nanao but she was every bit as shocked as he was. Szayel nodded, quite pleased.
"Fraternal twins. I know that twin shinigami are quite unusual, but with this kind of insemination it becomes far more likely. It's still very early, however." He examined the readouts thoughtfully. "Intriguing… I'll want to keep a close watch on this. Please come back in a week."
"Certainly." This time, Starrk was willing to let Szayel be around Nanao. He clearly wanted this pregnancy to succeed. Of course, would it? That wasn't entirely up to Szayel. Starrk tried not to think about it, just enjoying Lilinette's enthusiasm and Nanao's quiet happiness. She wasn't as overjoyed as she'd been to be carrying Sanae, but she did feel very pleased at the news of the coming twins.
That night, they decided to do something different.
"Shunsui." Starrk murmured in the other man's ear, preparing him with practiced ease. Shunsui groaned softly, his body tensing as those well lubed fingers breached him. Even as Starrk worked on him he devoted his attention to Nanao, exploring her body with skilled hands.
Nanao was lying on the bed, on her back. Shunsui was above her, kneeling between her legs. Starrk was behind him. It was going to be another threesome tonight and he honestly couldn't wait.
Starrk released his pheromones, seeing both his pets react. Nanao's gasp was followed by Shunsui's full body tremble. Starrk licked his male pet's throat, enjoying the feel of his lust through their link. As he did he found the mans' prostate, lovingly stroking that sensitive spot. Shunsui nuzzled Nanao's throat, gently sucking the tender skin as he explored her breasts. She arched into his touches, panting slightly as the pheromones did their magic.
Shunsui knew exactly when they were ready. The sound Nanao made when he slid into her, pushing past her fleshy lips, made Starrk swallow hard. He was a next, taking Shunsui in a smooth, practiced move. Caught between the two of them, the man made a soft, indescribable sound. Then they began to move.
Starrk set the pace, deeply enjoying the feeling of being sheathed in his pet. He was so hot and tight… it felt marvelous, having those hot walls squeezing his cock. He took it slow, giving them time to fully experience the pleasure.
"Sweet kami. Nanao, Starrk…" Shunsui's voice was heavy with pleasure and Starrk nuzzled his neck, finding a good place to suck. Nanao gasped and Starrk looked over Shunsui's shoulder, seeing her face. She was looking at them both, her face full of pleasure and her lips half-parted.
"More, please." She moaned and Starrk obliged, speeding the pace. Shunsui responded enthusiastically, taking Nanao more firmly. Her legs wrapped around Shunsui, finding Starrk as well and holding them close. It felt so tremendously good…
Starrk followed his instincts, gradually increasing his speed and force until he was riding Shunsui strongly, grinding against his buttocks as he claimed Nanao, whispering endearments in her ear. She was gasping, her face flushed and her expression completely undone.
Finally, they could take no more. Again, it was Nanao who came first, which was what they both wanted. She cried out, her body trembling and arching as she quivered and tightened around Kyoraku. Shunsui's voice harmonized with hers, as he jerked and came in a rush. Starrk followed them both, burying his face against Shunsui's neck and breathing in his scent as he emptied himself into the other man.
"Mmm. That was so good." He murmured into Shunsui's ear before he slowly pulled away, leaving his body with a soft, wet sound. Shunsui sighed softly, gently pulling away from a breathless, boneless Nanao.
"Yes, it was." He agreed, sounding tired and pleased. They settled together on the bed, Nanao between them. It didn't take long for them to get to sleep although Starrk lifted his head for a moment, checking on Lilinette. Little Sanae slept with his other half and now, Juushiro as well. Being surrounded by children was very good for him. Satisfied that everyone was fine, he dropped his head to the pillow and let himself drift away.
It was a week later that Starrk heard the sound of quiet, muffled sobbing.
He hesitated before peeking into the room. Not to his surprise, the sound was coming from Juushiro. Shunsui and Nanao were both gone for the evening, taking Sanae to some kind of noble event. It had been described as boring and formal so Starrk and Lilinette had opted out. Juushiro could have gone but he had chosen not too. Apparently, his family might be there and he didn't feel that he could face them yet. He'd written them letters, apologizing for his actions, but he felt there was no way he could ever truly make amends.
Starrk hesitated, wondering what to do as he felt the other man's pain through their mental link. He was not a terribly empathetic person. Even feeling the emotions of his pets, he often didn't understand why they were feeling things. Sighing to himself, he decided he needed to do something.
Juushiro didn't even notice him entering the room, which was a sign of his distress. He was powerful and old and should not have failed to notice someone as powerful as Starrk. Kneeling beside him, he gently pulled the man into his arms and felt Juushiro stiffen with a shocked gasp.
"Wh-why…?" Tear filled brown eyes met his and then widened. Starrk felt his sudden panic and frowned. "No…!" Understanding came and he sighed, annoyed.
"Despite the rumors to the contrary, I am not actually desperate to hump anything that comes across my path." Starrk said, annoyed. His behavior during the rut had not been discreet. The rumors about him were lurid. Juushiro had likely heard them, when he'd still been controlled. "I am just trying to comfort you." He said more gently and Juushiro swallowed, looking away.
"Nothing can do that." He whispered and Starrk could only imagine. The deaths of his brothers and his former Third seats had to be killing him inside. "How could you do this to us?" That question contained so much anguish. Starrk sighed, gently brushing a bit of that long white hair with one hand.
"You are asking the wrong person, Juushiro. I'm a hollow." He said softly and the man sniffed, rubbing his face. "You understand?"
"I suppose I do. I had… arrancar troops, answering to me." Juushiro said softly. "You only care about your own pack. Nothing else." Starrk nodded. That about summed it up. He would expand on it, though.
"Hollows eat each other. Packs form so they may hunt in a group… caring about others beyond that group would be insane and self-defeating." He said and Juushiro nodded with a soft sigh. "Caring about what happens to shinigami would be absurd. If you truly want an answer to that question, you should ask Aizen. But I don't think you would like the answer." If Aizen answered truthfully, it would likely give Juushiro no comfort.
"Nevermind. It doesn't matter. What's done is done…" His grief was so poignant. Starrk held him and Juushiro let him. "It was like a horrible nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. I… could feel what was happening, although sometimes it was hazy. And I couldn't control anything." He sounded so anguished. "Why couldn't they just have put us to sleep or… something…?"
"Szayel tried that. When you were completely unaware, you could not use your shikai." He said softly and Juushiro closed his eyes in pain. "Or any of your other skills. The duality he came up with was the answer." And of course, the mental pain of his subjects did not matter to Szayel. It mattered even less to Aizen, if that was possible. "I am sorry." He could empathize to a degree. The thought of being forced to hurt Shunsui and Nanao, even little Sanae… Starrk would prefer to die first.
"It's not your fault. You're just a hollow." The bitterness in his voice would have offended the Espada if it had not been so much the truth. He just held the man, giving what comfort he could. Finally Juushiro pulled away and Starrk could sense that his pain was under control, for now at least. "Thank you. That… helped, a bit." He said and Starrk gave him a gentle smile.
"If you want to play with her, Lilinette is in the gardens." He offered and Juushiro's eyes lightened at the thought of the arrancar child. "She might like some candy." Lilinette would undoubtedly love some candy. Laughing softly, Ukitake pulled himself to his feet.
"I'll go see her. Thank you, Starrk." He said before leaving the room. Starrk glanced around and saw a wonderful spot where the sun was hitting the ground. Grabbing a cushion, he went over and made himself at home for a nap.
That was how he preferred to spend his afternoon.