Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to me when I'm drunk! Just jokin'.
Author's Note: I usually have something to say. I kind of don't other than I finally posted Unholy (a new story!) and quite possibly another one (AU) in the future. I think the more I say it, the more I'm obligated to actually do it. Cause you know, I'm just terrible at multi-chaptered stories.
Special thanks to Fiercest for edits!
Setting: Future-esque Bleach
Rating: T
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I love
28: I love how they make up for each other's faults
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There were some nights when it was impossible to sleep. Most of those nights were when it was cold and the nightgown and the bed sheets weren't enough. Sometimes, she would get up to find another sheet or to put on some pants. The other times she would find his warm body and meld her form to his, taking in his strength, his heat—him.
Sleep would then naturally follow.
Tonight he wasn't with her though. Tonight, she still didn't bother to find another sheet or pants. Instead, she remained drenched in a restless state, tossing and turning, thinking and feeling. She let her breath out slowly, as if harbouring laborious pain, while she looked into the darkness. A ghost of a smile traced her lips when she felt him move in the house, up the stairs and at the bedroom door.
Her husband peered in gently, careful not to disturb her if she was asleep. He walked in silently, looking if she was really there. Then he exuded rare grace in entering their bed, making no sound as he slipped under the covers. Without looking at him, she knew he was almost naked. That seemed to be one of his talents—undressing without sound.
He whispered her name softly, "Rukia," though he knew she wasn't sleeping by the rhythm of her breaths. He felt no shame then to face her small body, bending one arm under his head and the other, over her chest, pulling her to him. He frowned when she screwed her eyes shut.
Because honestly, she didn't want to look at him. Just because they were married for over twenty years, it didn't make it easier.
"Rukia, are you okay?" His question was answered with silence, which prompted Ichigo to climb over her. Both forearms held his position as he leaned his face in. He could see in the darkness her hurt expression, and something silvery trailing down her cheeks. Tears. Panicked, he asked, "Why are you crying? What happened when I was gone?"
With her palms, she tried to push him off, but he didn't budge. He was like a brick wall. Unmoving and strong. "Nothing is wrong. You're home. Let's just go to sleep." Still she didn't look up at him.
Ichigo collapsed on her without his true weight and in the darkness, he brushed the back of his fingers on her cheek. "I can feel your tears. I don't think they're happy tears either." His lips caressed neck and her body slowly relaxed from her head to her toes. When he felt this, he added, "Your husband comes back after a month long mission...and," he paused, searching for the right thing to say, "I thought you'd be happy."
She let out a drawn out breath from her nose. And with the heat of him warming her, she let her eyes open. "That is part of the problem."
It was quiet for a moment as he digested her words. In that time, Ichigo waited, moving a strand of hair away from her doll-like face. "I don't like being away from you either."
"It's not just that. Haven't you noticed Captain Yamamoto sends you on the longest, most dangerous missions? As if there are no other captains?" She sighed again and she hated how she felt. Needy. Girly. Sensitive. "Okay, you're the strongest there is but…" Her words trailed off to thick stillness, only filled by pounding heartbeats.
"I'll tell Yamamoto then. I'll tell him to stop sending me to most dangerous and lengthy missions."
"No. It's your duty. You're a Captain. Besides, you like the dangerous ones."
Suddenly he grabbed her roughly, as if to shake some sense in her but he didn't shake her at all. He held on her arms, squeezing tightly to make her feel him. "Don't give me that Kuchiki-duty crap now. Isn't it a husband's duty to keep his wife happy?" He let go, noting the coldness of her limbs. First, he moved his lips along her collarbone. Then his arms closed in around her waist, refusing to let go. His legs entangled with hers, his hot feet warming her frozen toes. As he inhaled her scent like needed breath, he said, "Why didn't you say something before?"
As her hands came around his neck, she spoke in his ear, "You weren't supposed to see this." She meant the tears.
"Why not? What kind of husband makes their wife cry like this?"
Still against him, still with her mouth near his ears, she whispered, "Ichigo, listen, just forget it."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes!"
"You're incorrigible!"
He pulled away slightly to see her tired face. "You married me! By the way, you're a Kurosaki, not a Kuchiki. Your heart comes first."
And just like that whatever strength she had fortified in her emotionless wall, corroded. But it didn't crumble violently like a sledgehammer fisted its form but disappeared with the elegance of speedy decay. The force of him was too great and she used to hate that he made her feel so much.
She used to hate it. Especially when Renji used to make comments that Ichigo made her human.
She used to.
But being so cold and aloof with her heart… it could become painful. It was the worst when she didn't know how to be happy, or to know when happiness was felt.
Rukia felt two more tears glide down her face and smiled. Through parted lips, her tongue slithered out to taste salty liquid. "I was just feeling really alone before you came. I'm being…needy. I don't like this; I wasn't like this before."
"It's not a bad thing."
"I don't cry over stupid things."
"You cry because of me."
She smiled toothily as he pulled away, him looking down at her. His face looked so serious and caring, tempting her terribly to break the mood. "See my point."
Immediately he laughed against her and the rumble in his chest made her embrace him tighter. "You do realized the more I'm here, the more I'm going to try and protect you."
She punched his shoulder lightly. "I thought we already had this conversation."
"Some habits are hard to break."
"But by protecting me, you're making me weak."
"I know, and you're right." He manoeuvred her over him, so her head rested on his chest. "See, you always win."
"Not really." Even in the darkness, she could make out the teasing grin he shone at her. "I think we're even. I stop your obsessive need to protect me, while I become an emotional wreck over you."
"So we just counterbalance each other's faults." He paused, brushing his fingers in her inky hair. "I have never liked your Kuchiki coldness either. It reminds me of Byakuya."
It was her turn to laugh and that laugh seemed to stop the water leaking from her violet eyes. "How was your mission, Captain?"
"Most of the time, boring since we were investigating before we made our move. The fighting was good." He could smell her hair that he knew too well. "I missed this though."
"You mean, Renji didn't want to cuddle with you?"
"Very funny." He gave her a throaty chuckle, and his hand moved her waist to the curve of her ass. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
She screwed her eyes shut again. "I'm going to meet my boyfriend for coffee."
"Your boyfriend, does he have orange hair?"
"Maybe."
In a tone not so serious, Ichigo responded, "I guess I'll have to talk to him."
"He's also kind of possessive about my safety."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"I didn't say anything was wrong about it. Only when he stops me from fighting."
"Maybe after tonight you'll be too sore to meet him tomorrow."
She raised an eyebrow at his 'threat'. "Really? Aren't you too tired to keep up with me?"
"I'm glad you got your humour back." As he exhaled sharply, he snuck a hand under her gown and held a breast within his grasp. "Yeah, we counter each other faults, there some areas where we amplify other traits."
"Like what?"
He squeezed gently, his thumb making small circles against her flesh. The softness of her wasn't as tender like a fattened animal but of a feather turned to a real woman. "Endurance and strength."
Rukia knew exactly what he was thinking of and she was okay with sleep not coming soon even though she had her body-warmer next to her. After returning from missions, 'welcome back sex' was almost always a priority on the list. The only difference was, after tomorrow she would have less 'welcome back sex' but that was okay because regular sex with him was just as well, especially when he wasn't away from her so often.
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Author's Note: For some reason, this chapter makes me giggle.
Preview for next chapter: I love that she slept in his closet
Because you see, she still slept in his closet most of the times. And because, truly, she was a sex goddess. In his closet. She was strong and passionate and giving and needy, all into one, and he enjoyed that, really, especially with his hungry hormones on the rise. She could bend, twist and turn. She could keep pace with him. She would also experiment positions with him.
Really, a sex goddess. In his closet.
Yay for smut chapter! Review please!
