This was partly inspired by One Moment by The Dream Whisperer, which was in turn inspired by my work. We have a mutual admiration thing going. ^_^ There will be more but… do you guys want a happy ending or not? I have two ideas and one is depressing.


I have done the wrong thing.

He stood over the body, looking at the empty grey eyes and the rapidly cooling flesh. His hands tightened on the swords of blue reishi in his hands, feeling the power snarling in them. Had he truly done this? Had he just taken a life, with his own will and hands? The blue power of his swords had burned the blood away but he could feel it on his uniform. The thin fabric was sticking to his skin. It made him feel sick.

This is a dream. This is not real. I cannot have done this… He swallowed and blinked, feeling bile in the back of his throat. He knew, in the back of his mind, that it was absurd for a hollow to feel this way. He'd killed thousands, millions of other hollows merely by existing. But that was the point. It had happened because he existed and because he could not stop it. It had never happened because he'd been holding a weapon and chosen to use it.

"Ah, Starrk." Warm arms slid around him, finding the wetness of his uniform and playing with the fabric. There was hot breath in his ear, so hot it was almost searing. "You are so beautiful like this, covered in blood, sweat and tears." Aizen's voice murmured and he blinked.

"I am?" He said, wondering if that could be true. Was there a kind of beauty in such horror, a grace in pain? But if Aizen said it, it must be true. And his god had told him that his pain was beautiful before. Yet, he had meant the pain of his body, the blood of his own wounds. Strangely, he found that easier to tolerate than the blood of someone else. "I am… glad to have pleased you, Aizen-sama." That was the right response. There was a laugh behind him and he was being shoved down, too close to that still warm body. Yet, he went with grace, kneeling before his lord and master.

"Let me show you how beautiful you are." A hand gripped his hair, pulling his head back and exposing the column of his throat. Starrk reached for Lilinette but he still could not find her. Was she gone forever? Had the taichou somehow destroyed her? That thought caused him immense pain and yet, the guilt over the man's death still remained. "Starrk. Are you paying attention to me?" There was danger there and Starrk blinked, refocusing his single eye.

"Of course, Aizen-sama." He said obediently before hesitating slightly. "…Aizen-sama? There is a battle…" And it wasn't going terribly well for Halibel and her fraccion. Yet he proposed to fuck his minion then and there? Because Starrk was absolutely certain that was what Aizen wanted of him. Aizen chuckled, running a hand through his hair.

"Ah, Starrk. Halibel must prove she is worthy of serving me. You have already done so, with Kyoraku's death." He explained and Starrk nodded like a puppet, feeling overwhelmed by the heat in Aizen's body, the touch of his hand against his cold skin. He was chilling, as the sweat of his battle dried. "No one will see us. They see only what I will… so let me give you proof of my favor."

"Yes, Aizen-sama." Starrk murmured, hardly feeling it as he was pulled down and his legs spread. His hakama fell away and he arched as Aizen sheathed himself in him, filling him with a quick, painful suddenness. The pain was excruciating but was quickly matched with an equally blinding pleasure and he clung to the shoulders of his god, accepting the feelings he was given and giving joy in return. As they mated, Starrk's gaze fell on the torn black clothing, the limp hand lying palm to the sky and the puddle of blood that was too close, threatening to reach them. And even in the middle of pleasing his god, it made him wonder.

Is this really beautiful, Aizen-sama?


Am I truly the only one left?

Starrk knelt on the cushion beside the throne, tasting blood and ashes in the back of his throat. Several captive taichou were also there, kneeling in front of the throne. They had no cushions for their knees. To Starrk, it seemed like the only difference between them.

None of the other Espada had survived. Halibel had failed and vanished, just like Barragan. Only Starrk had been deemed a success and preserved, shielded from notice by Aizen's power as he took on the remaining Visored and shinigami. Starrk had marveled at his power and skill, the might that truly made Aizen a god.

Yet now, he was alone. Unless he counted the taichou in front of him, waiting on Aizen's pleasure. Starrk let his gaze travel over them and felt sadness as he met the brown eyes of the white haired man. There was no hate there, no condemnation. Just a soul deep pain, a mourning that hurt him more cruelly than hate ever could. Starrk looked down, feeling the guilt choking him. Why did he feel like this? The other man would have killed him, had tried very hard to do it.

Aizen took his seat in his throne and Starrk remained pliant and accepting as a hand ran through his hair, a gentle but possessive gesture. Oddly enough, that seemed to bother the shinigami taichou. He wondered why but could come up with no explanation.

Aizen's voice just rolled over him as he spoke to his captives. Starrk ignored it, keeping his attention on his god, as he knew Aizen wanted. He vaguely understood that his lord and master was giving the taichou a choice… to serve him or be imprisoned in a place called the Maggot's Nest. Just the name didn't sound very pleasant and yet, two of the captives chose that fate. The others consented to obey Aizen, semi-graceful in their defeat.

"Now, Starrk." Aizen turned his attention to him with a benevolent smile. Starrk just gazed up at him attentively. Nothing else mattered. "If I could, I would bring Lilinette back to you. Alas, I cannot." He said regretfully and Starrk flinched. That was his greatest desire. "She is lost too deep in your soul collection and bringing her out forcefully might harm you. Perhaps you will find her naturally, someday." He said and Starrk swallowed before nodding. "However, you have earned a reward. Is there anything else you desire?" Aizen said, his voice warm and kind. Starrk wondered if it was a trap. He knew it would be wise to deny any wishes, but…

"There… is something, Aizen-kami. But I understand if you cannot grant it." He murmured, looking up at Aizen through his eyelashes. His god might be angry at him for his request. "The shinigami who fell to my blade. Can he be… returned?" Could Aizen do that? But he was kami, now. The Soul King's throne answered to him. Starrk vaguely heard a gasp of surprise but kept his gaze on Aizen. He could not let his attention falter for even a moment.

"Ah, Starrk. You regret his death?" Aizen's voice was amused and Starrk kept himself completely pliant as his lord and master cupped his chin, raising his face so their eyes met. "You are so ridiculously tender hearted, for a hollow. I always feared that would lead you to fail… but you did overcome it, in the end. Yet now you desire this? You do realize he is the reason your Lilinette is no longer with you?" He said and that made Starrk close his eyes in pain. And yet…

"No Aizen-kami. Lilinette is gone because I failed her." He said hoarsely and saw a flicker of surprise across his master's face. "I did not fight hard enough." Aizen looked at him for a long moment before nodding slowly. Hands released his face and Starrk let himself fall back onto his haunches.

"Very true. You are both self-aware and fair in your judgments." Aizen murmured before smiling. It was warm but with a cruel edge. "Very well. I will grant your request." There was another gasp and Aizen turned to look at the waiting taichou. "However, he is a dangerous man, clever and powerful. I will return him but only with the power of a fukutaichou. He will no longer be capable of bankai." He said and Starrk blinked, daring to glance at the assembled taichou. Many of them seemed dismayed but the white haired one just looked overjoyed. "Perhaps Kyoraku could serve you in that capacity, Ukitake?" Aizen sounded like he was teasing and the white haired taichou looked down, a sudden flash of pain crossing his face. Starrk suspected that whoever had held the position previously was dead. "It will take me several days. You are dismissed." All of the taichou began to leave, except for the two who had chosen the Maggot's Nest. They were escorted out by some of Aizen's new guards. The rest would have their retaining collars removed so they could take up their old duties. Starrk wearily wondered who would be the first to plot against Aizen.

Knowing his lord and master, he was already looking forward to crushing a few rebellions.


Starrk did not go to see Kyoraku Shunsui after his resurrection.

To the Espada, it was enough to know that the man was alive. He really had no desire to see the one who had deprived him of half his soul, left him feeling so broken and lost. He knew it was his own fault and accepted the responsibility, but it did not mean he wanted to seek the man out.

Of course, that only resulted in Shunsui coming to see him. Really, he should have anticipated that… but Starrk lived at Aizen's Palace, now. Aizen preferred not to stay in the Celestial realm so he'd used his power to create this beautiful thing, taking over some of the lands that had previously belonged to a noble clan. They hadn't dared protest, or perhaps he had compensated them in some way.

Starrk was sleeping in the gardens when he was roughly roused by a hand violently shaking him.

"Lilinette?" He said groggily although that touch, despite the roughness, was far gentler than her usual methods. Then he blinked as his mind caught up with reality. She was gone and this must be one of Aizen's servants. "…" But no, that was wrong too. He gazed into a face that was both amused and cautious as the hand released him.

"I'm sorry for the rudeness, Espada-san. But I could not wake you." Shunsui said and Starrk swallowed, sitting up. This was a great surprise to him.

"It is fine. I'm used to it." Really, that was the bare minimum of force required to wake him. "I'm surprised Aizen allowed you to come here." Really, that seemed strange to him and made him very afraid. What kind of test was this? It had to be something. Those grey eyes regarded him thoughtfully for a moment before Shunsui sat down beside him.

"You know, you don't have to stay here. You could explore Soul Society." Shunsui's eyes lingered on his hole and mask fragment, but in an assessing way. "You control your reiatsu quite well. A proper shirt and no one would know your nature." He offered and Starrk lowered his gaze. That… hurt. Because if she were there, Lilinette would be urging him to do just that. She would be bored with the gardens he was lingering in.

"Perhaps…" Or perhaps not. Starrk lifted his gaze, feeling dead inside as he looked at the man beside him. He was just the same, wearing a new straw hat and the familiar kimono. The only sign of his 'death' was his diminished reiatsu. The pool of power he owned was greatly lowered, just as Aizen had said it would be. "But I doubt you came here for that." Shunsui smiled and Starrk's breath caught in his throat. His smile… it was beautiful.

"No, I came to thank you. I've always so enjoyed being alive. I could hardly believe it when Juushiro told me this was your doing." Shunsui glanced around, before speaking soberly, touching what he knew was a great wound. "I am sorry for your loss." He said and Starrk swallowed before shaking his head.

"It was my fault." He said quietly, tasting the bitter truth of it. Lilinette's dissolution had given him the strength to kill the man across from him. Nothing else could have and that had been his failure. He hadn't wanted to kill and that had cost him the one most precious to him. "I should have killed you when Wonderweiss gave me the opening." So stupid… A hand went down on his shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze.

"Yes, you should have." The shinigami agreed and Starrk blinked. "But don't be ashamed of your humanity, Starrk. Regretting death the way you do… the guilt you feel… I think you are a much better man than me." Shunsui said sadly and Starrk stared at him. Humanity? He was a hollow… but then, what else could this feeling be called? "If I had killed you I would have felt some regret, but it would have been fleeting. I've killed far too many enemies, over the years."

"…You were my first." Starrk whispered, feeling the pain again. Yet, it was muted by the man's presence. Shunsui was very much alive and didn't even seem to regret the loss of his power. "My first intentional death." He couldn't really remember being an adjuchas, the lives he must have taken to become vasto lorde. "Did you feel like this, the first time?" He suddenly asked. Was this normal? Shunsui let go of him and Starrk almost regretted the loss of his hand as he looked away.

"Mmm… no. But the circumstances that led me to kill someone the first time were very unfortunate." He said after a moment and Starrk wondered what story was behind that. But he wasn't going to ask, if Shunsui did not want to tell him. "I didn't have time to think about it until much, much later and I mostly felt relieved… but that was hardly typical. The first time I killed someone who might not have deserved to die… yes, I felt guilt." He said before looking at him. Grey eyes met grey and to Starrk, Shunsui's suddenly looked very old and wise. The shinigami made him feel like a child and perhaps, he was. After all, for all his age he had very little experience to draw on. Nothing but endless sand and boredom to fill his days. "It dulls, in time. And surely my resurrection has helped?"

"Yes. I just remember it, sometimes." Starrk bit his lip, remembering the nightmares he sometimes had. Shunsui lying in a pool of blood, eyes glazing with death as Aizen's voice told him to appreciate the beauty of the moment. And every time he tried, but he couldn't. All he felt was horror, despair and painful, bitter grief. That was not something he could share with the man beside him, though. It was wrong to even feel it. Aizen-kami was right in all things. "I… do you regret the loss of your reiatsu?" He asked, hoping to take their conversation to something less painful. There was a warm chuckle beside him.

"Kami, no!" That ready denial made him blink. "It's almost a relief. You know, when you're a taichou as powerful as I was you have to be so careful with the youngsters. Always keeping your reiatsu in check… I can afford to be more careless now. It reminds me of my days at the Academy." He said easily and Starrk ventured a tentative smile.

"I understand." And he did. His own reiatsu was like a ball and chain, holding him back. It was strange to think that a shinigami might have a similar problem although Aizen… Aizen's reiatsu had isolated him, too. He'd always treasured Starrk for the way he could fully unleash his power without fear of hurting the Espada. Starrk had thought that Aizen was unique among the shinigami but it seemed he was a bit wrong in that. "I was much the same, although as a hollow my reiatsu was… voracious." That was the main difference. Kyoraku's power might have crushed those around him, but probably not literally. Starrk's power had sucked souls relentlessly. "Aizen freed me from that." Although he would have to be careful in Soul Society. Even the weakest adjuchas was stronger than a mere plus soul. "Perhaps I will leave the palace." Aizen had given him no real duties. He was free to come and go. Shunsui smiled warmly at him and Starrk found it enchanting.

"If you do, come to the Thirteenth. We can play a game of shogi." He said and Starrk nodded, although he had no idea what shogi was. He watched the man depart, feeling deeply conflicted. He knew Aizen well and was certain his lord and master was watching, waiting to see what he would do. And yet…

He wanted to see Shunsui smile at him again.


Starrk slouched through the Seireitei, wandering at random.

He'd very diffidently approached Aizen with his desire to wander, deciding that it would be best to have permission first. Aizen had given it with a benevolent smile, amused at his request. After that the servants had helped make something suitable. He was wearing robes and hakama that made him look like a shinigami, along with a thick orange scarf that hid his mask fragment and hole. And gloves, of course, but black this time. His belt was yellow silk, decorated with a heavy bronze medallion. Starrk dropped a hand to it, running his fingers over the surface. The color matched the hilt bindings of his sword.

"…" Starrk wondered what to do, where to go. Not for the first time, he desperately missed Lilinette. She would have dozens of ideas. His eyes misted over but then he shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought. She was gone unless he could somehow find her again. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to find that annoying yet beloved presence. There was nothing but an aching void. The shove to his shoulder was almost welcome, making him blink and look. But the man who had pushed him was ignoring him, walking down the street. "…?" Starrk blinked as he realized he was standing around like an idiot. Sticking his hands in his pockets, he started to walk.

The Seireitei was remarkable to him. Starrk really had no idea what most of the people there were doing. He could remember nothing of his time as an adjuchas, let alone being human. It was all completely foreign to him and he longed for someone to explain. Perhaps…?

Starrk kept his eye open for a shinigami. Eventually, he happened to see one. The woman was doing nothing in particular, just eating something. He hesitated a moment before accosting her.

"Forgive me. Could you tell me the way to the Thirteenth Division?" He asked diffidently. She swallowed the little fish she was eating before wiping off her fingers. Then she pointed.

"That direction. Go down this road until you reach the shop with the red awning, then go that way. You can't miss it." The directions seemed a bit vague to Starrk but he was willing to have a try. The shop with the awning was easy to find – what were most of the shops selling and how did you go about buying things? – but the rest of it became troublesome. He had to ask for directions twice more before he finally fetched up at the Thirteenth Division. Then he kept wandering, feeling a bit like a blind dog lost in a new room. Eventually, someone noticed his helpless confusion.

"Excuse me, are you lost?" A young man asked and Starrk latched onto him like a limpet.

"Yes. I am looking for Kyoraku Shunsui?" He said and the man frowned at him, clearly noticing there was something strange about him. "Or Ukitake Juushiro?" Shunsui had said the white haired taichou would like to speak to him. At least, he thought so. Maybe he was misremembering but at least the other man wouldn't hate him.

"Kyoraku fukutaichou isn't in. But I can show you to Ukitake taichou. May I ask who you are?" The man asked and Starrk sighed to himself. But he had to admit to his identity sooner or later.

"Coyote Starrk, Primera Espada." He said briefly and the shinigami's eyes widened. "I do not want to stand on ceremony…" He shoved his hands deeper in his pockets and slouched a bit more, emphasizing his non-threatening posture. The young man swallowed before nodding.

"Follow me." Starrk trailed along behind, looking around with interest. All the buildings in the Seireitei were completely foreign to him. Vaguely, he wondered what they were made of. Los Noches had been created from the sand of Hueco Mundo but where did these materials come from? Trees? Starrk knew what trees looked like now but some of this did not seem to be wood…

Any thoughts of building materials left him as he was ushered into Ukitake's office. The man behind the desk stood with a smile that was surprisingly friendly.

"Starrk-san! I wondered if you would come. Please leave us, Saito-kun." He said to the man behind Starrk, who bowed and showed himself out. "I hope you don't mind me calling you that?"

"Not at all." Starrk said, wondering what else he would be called. Although… "You can just call me Starrk. Everyone does." Or everyone had, back when there was anyone else. Starrk flinched a bit at the thought before taking a seat on one of the cushions. Juushiro smiled before returning to his own cushion.

"I was hoping you would come to see us. I want to thank you, personally. Shunsui has been my friend forever. When I found out he had died, it was like I had lost a piece of myself." He said and Starrk flinched, visibly, at the painful reminder of his own loss. The shinigami's eyes widened as he suddenly realized what he had just said. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"It's fine. I understand." Starrk said quickly. It was just a very unfortunate choice of words. "I'm glad Aizen was able to return him to you." When he'd made his request he'd been prepared to hear that it was impossible. Juushiro nodded. "I'm hoping that the loss of his power…?" That still worried him a bit. He knew what would have happened to an arrancar who lost even a portion of their power and it wasn't nice. Well, the Privaron Espada were a good example of that. Juushiro smiled, his eyes warming.

"It's fine. His power was never the most important thing about him." He said so sincerely that the Espada couldn't doubt it. Starrk relaxed a little, venturing a smile. "But I'm forgetting my manners. Would you like some tea?"

"Please." The liquid would calm his nerves, a bit. Starrk took the cup and slowly sipped, enjoying the heat of the beverage. "I, um… was wondering, though, if you could help me with something?" It was a bit silly, perhaps, but he really needed help. Juushiro blinked at him, surprised. "I… don't know how things work here." Starrk knew he sounded pathetic and lost, but that was fine. He WAS pathetic and lost. "I know what a shop is but how do you buy things? Aizen gave me these but I don't know how they work?" He pulled out the items from his pockets, looking at them helplessly. There was a choking sound and Starrk looked up to see Juushiro's lips twitching.

"That's money, Starrk-san. You use it to buy things." Starrk stared at him imploringly and Juushiro finally laughed. "Ah, I'm sorry! It's just too funny. Shunsui should be back soon, if you're willing to wait. I'm sure he would love to show you around." Juushiro said with a twinkle in his eye and Starrk felt deeply relieved.

"I would be glad to wait. If there's a good place to sleep?" He asked hopefully and soon was lying on a very comfortable couch. It had an armrest in just the right place… Starrk snored softly as he caught up on his sleep, vaguely aware of the sound of people passing by, voices speaking back and forth. It was very pleasant and lured him into a deeper sleep.

Until a hand on his shoulder woke him.

"Uh?" Starrk yawned and blinked. "Shunsui?" He recognized the touch, this time. Shunsui smiled down at him and Starrk blinked as he suddenly had a bizarre urge to reach up and touch his trailing bang. He mastered the impulse and sat up, yawning again into his hand.

"It's good to see you again. Juushiro's told me you would like an introduction to Soul Society?" That was a good way to phrase it and Starrk nodded, looking at the other man hopefully. Shunsui smiled again, the edges of his eyes crinkling in a way that made Starrk stare in fascination. Aizen smiled fairly often but he never looked that… happy. And unlike Aizen's smiles, which always gave him a feeling of menace, there was nothing threatening about Shunsui. "Come with me. I'll show you everything!"

"I appreciate it." Starrk said gratefully, standing. Shunsui chuckled softly before leading him out. The Espada followed behind, wondering what he would see and what he would learn. He was full of curiosity about his new home.

He wanted to know everything.


Much later that day.

"Hrrrrrrck." Starrk groaned as he tried desperately to throw up. He needed to throw up. He needed it! "Gk… kkkhhh…" He finally managed it. Everything he'd eaten and drunk for the evening, mostly drunk, came up in a rush. That was bad but when he removed the cause, the nausea finally eased. Starrk rested his forehead against the wall, gasping quietly as a hand gently rubbed circles into his back.

"My apologies, Starrk-san. I should have realized you would never have had alcohol." Shunsui sounded apologetic and Starrk closed his eyes, just enjoying that touch.

"It… tasted much better going down." He said weakly, leaning against the other man as an arm went around his shoulders. "I feel so…" He felt strange, confused and weak. And his reiatsu was not fully under control anymore. Thankfully, he was surrounded by shinigami who could at least survive his strength. But he'd seen many of them wincing away from him. Even for those with power, the weight of his reiatsu was not pleasant.

"I know. Come with me. Juushiro won't mind if we use his office and it has kido wards meant to contain the strength of a taichou." Starrk wondered if that would be enough to hold him but wasn't going to question it. Even walking was a challenge at the moment.

"Thank you." He said instead. He'd had an absolutely wonderful day with Kyoraku Shunsui. He'd learned how to buy things, what stores sold, how money worked… he'd seen things he'd never imagined, like a stream flowing through the city. He'd walked over a pedestrian bridge and looked into the water. There was no water at all in Hueco Mundo. Through it all, Shunsui had tolerated his wide eyed innocence, his undoubtedly stupid questions. Starrk was very grateful to him.

"It's nothing." There was something odd in Shunsui's voice but Starrk ignored it, putting his weight on the other man. He was being eased down onto a couch. The same one as before? Yes, and it was just as comfortable. Starrk yawned then blinked as he felt Shunsui still there? "Hmm… why not?" Starrk opened his mouth to say something, ask a question, but then he was silenced with a kiss.

"…!" Starrk half-closed his eyes, his mouth moving automatically, his body responding without thought. He molded himself to the man above him, feeling the hard lines, the firm muscles. Like Aizen but slightly heavier. Shoulders that were broader, a different body to fit himself to. "Shunsui." He breathed, vaguely aware that he was doing something stupid, foolish beyond words. No one should touch him like this but Aizen-kami. Aizen had never demanded it of him but Starrk was not a fool… then Shunsui drew back for a moment, their eyes meeting. Starrk could see the fever heat in those grey orbs.

"Starrk." Then Shunsui's lips covered his for a second time and Starrk lost track of any rational thought. All that mattered was that hard body against him. Starrk groaned deep in his throat, reaching up with trembling hands to tear at that black clothing. He wanted it gone. He wanted to feel more… Shunsui helped with that, working on his clothing. Black fabric fell onto the floor and Starrk closed his eyes as his legs were spread. He stayed perfectly relaxed, supply and accepting. It would hurt less if he did not fight it…

"…?" Starrk opened his eyes as fingers slid into him. That was not unusual but it was not painful. There was an odd coldness, something damp? It was easing the passage of those fingers into his body. He lifted his head and looked down, trying to understand what was happening to him. He saw Shunsui looking at him, his grey eyes warm and amused as he saw the confusion on his face.

"Tell me Starrk. Are you a virgin?" He asked softly and Starrk shook his head.

"No." He said with complete honesty. "What are you doing?" He asked and the amusement faded in the other man's eyes.

"I'm preparing you." He explained and Starrk swallowed at the concern in his voice. "I don't want you to be in pain." That took his breath away. Not in pain? It was such a foreign thought.

"I… thought it had to hurt…" He murmured, then groaned as a hand encircled his erection. "Ah…" That felt good. Along with that careful exploration of his insides, it was very good… he whimpered, shuddering as those talented hands tormented him. What was happening to his body? He'd thought he knew sex very well but it had never felt like this before…

"Had to hurt? Oh Starrk." Starrk wondered at Shunsui's tone but had no time to think about it. Fingers were slowly, lovingly stroking that special spot inside him. Starrk had no idea what it was called but he did know that source of pleasure. He gasped, closing his eyes as he gripped the other man's shoulders. It felt so good. When would the pain come? He would have to repay this. Pleasure never came without pain.

Then his legs were nudged further apart and Starrk gasped as Shunsui slid deep inside him, his cock covered in more of that cool dampness. It quickly warmed within him, easing the faint burn. Starrk's eyes were wide as he registered the absence of pain. Yes, there was a sting but it was nothing compared to what he was used to. The barest whisper of pain, it eased almost as quickly as it came.

All that was left was the blinding pleasure as Shunsui scraped across that hidden place deep inside him, making Starrk cry out. The sound of his voice, heavy with pleasure, was foreign to him. He rarely made sounds with his god, unless they were screams…

"Shunsui." He groaned as the man began to take him. It was slow though, too slow? Was Shunsui holding back for him? Another alien thought. Aizen would never have done that. "Please, take what you need. Take your pleasure from me." He whispered. He wanted that. He wanted to give Shunsui his pleasure.

"Oh kami Starrk. Believe me, I am." The warm breath in his ear made him tremble, followed by a gasp as the other man speeded his thrusts. That hot, heavy organ inside him effortlessly found his pleasure point, stimulating him repeatedly. Starrk clung to Shunsui's shoulders, digging in his fingers before he caught himself and forced his hands to relax. He should not be giving pain. They kissed then and Starrk allowed himself to sink into the other man's mouth, feeling like they were melting together. The way they were connected, the pleasure building within him… perhaps it was merely a bizarre fantasy but it was hard for him to tell where one ended and the other began. "You are… amazing…"

"So are you." Starrk whispered, still marveling at the absence of pain. There was only joy as he met Shunsui's thrusts, raising his hips and pushing back, deepening the sensations. He was being filled so completely and it didn't hurt. He wasn't sure how that could even be possible. "Harder! Oh please, take me harder…" He wanted more. Perhaps it was selfish but he wanted to feel so much, wanted every inch of his lover inside him. There was heavy breathing against his skin as Shunsui obliged. The speed and force of his thrusts rocked Starrk into the couch and made the springs squeak. Starrk cried out again as his special spot was relentlessly tortured. How could Shunsui be so good at hitting it?

That fast pace quickly began bringing Starrk to his orgasm. He could feel the sweat beading on his skin, see that chestnut hair trailing over his chest as the pleasure came to an incredible peak.

"Shunsui!" Starrk cried out as the moment came, his body clamping down sharply as he jerked, his creamy cum splattering between the two of them. Shunsui cursed and there were a few more quick, hot strokes before the shinigami stiffened and came, filling the arrancar beneath him with liquid heat. Starrk gasped, feeling exhausted and boneless as that fluid filled him, warming his core. It felt strangely good when there were no abrasions for it to sting… "Mmm." Starrk looked into Shunsui's eyes, exhausted yet worried. Had that truly given the shinigami pleasure? But then warm lips brushed his temple.

"Ah, Starrk. You are so beautiful like this." Shunsui murmured and Starrk blinked, not understanding.

"But there's no blood." He said without thinking. Yes, there was sweat and even a bit of tears – he'd cried in the sheer joy of it – but not blood. He felt the body against him go still for a moment before Shunsui whispered in his ear.

"You don't need blood to be beautiful, Starrk. In fact, I would say that blood is not beautiful at all." Shunsui said and Starrk blinked slowly. Blood… not beautiful? Then a warm hand stroked his cheek. "Go to sleep." That was something he always wanted to do and the weariness was crushing now. Shunsui slowly pulled out of his body and Starrk curled up on the couch, unconcerned with his nakedness. He vaguely felt a blanket going over his body and snuggled into it. It felt nice and warm and comfortable.

Feeling better than he had in months, perhaps years, the Primera Espada fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.