"Oh my god Starrk, it's painful just watching you!" Shunsui looked up from his book, surprised, and smiled as he saw what was going on. Starrk was typing something on a laptop, using a painfully slow two finger technique. "How many times do I have to tell you to get a typing program? Geez!"
"Hush. I don't do this often enough to bother." Starrk said firmly as he continued his hunt and peck on the keyboard. Lilinette shook her head. "You know, have you considered how amazing it is that I even know how to use a computer? And a cell phone? The world has changed so much in the last hundred years. It's almost unrecognizable and yet, I'm managing to keep up."
"No you're not. You don't know how to download an app or how to set up the DVD player." Lilinette said unkindly. Shunsui chuckled softly as he glanced at the multimedia set up. It was a touch complex.
"To be fair, I'm not sure how to set up the DVD player." He commented and Starrk flashed him a grateful smile. "That thing is terrifying." Hitting the wrong button could send you god-knows-where. Lilinette groaned.
"Don't encourage him! Geez." She complained before grabbing a book off the table. It was one of his, but Shunsui didn't protest. He'd finished it already. "…You read romance novels? You're weird, pinky."
"Thank you, brain." He said easily and Lilinette looked blank before giggling at the joke. "I thought you weren't going to call me that." He reminded her and she smiled at him.
"Sorry Shunsui. Mind if I borrow this?" She asked and he shook his head.
"It's fine." He said before glancing around the room.
With his new job as a bartender in a very, very seedy bar and Starrk's position as a janitor in the local hospital, they were able to afford an apartment. It wasn't a very good one, though. Just a single bedroom flat in the bad part of town, it had more than a few problems. Fortunately, Starrk made a wonderful general handyman. So far he'd fixed up the sink and put in some grout in the bathroom. He was also doing a bit of work on the tiling. Before too long, it might be almost habitable.
Lilinette's 'room' was also the den. Her bed was the couch. It wasn't very good, something they had acquired from the local thrift shop, but she didn't complain. Their own bed wasn't much better, scavenged from the same source. He and Starrk shared the mattress, which posed a few problems…
Shunsui glanced at the older ghoul from the corner of his eye. The man's face was completely serene as he focused on his laptop. That made him look extremely attractive, although Starrk was attractive in general. That was starting to become an issue. As he settled into his new life and mastered his ghoul abilities, he was noticing how gorgeous Starrk could be.
It was so many things… first of all, the other ghoul was a remarkable man. He'd lived so long and been through so much, yet retained his sanity and humanity. He kept up with the times, even if he was 'grandpa level', to quote Lilinette. Shunsui agreed with Starrk… he thought it was amazing that the man was keeping up at all.
The other factor in the equation was their isolation. Certainly, Shunsui could date a woman if he cared to. But he couldn't tell her anything about his life and he might have to leave any moment without a backward glance. Not to mention that she might get a little suspicious of how he never ate. It would be easy to find a one night stand and he had, but that didn't do much for the long term ache. With Starrk, he could share everything.
Shunsui blinked as he realized he'd been staring at Starrk and Lilinette was giving him a knowing look. Blushing slightly, he turned his attention to his book. He wasn't even sure Starrk was interested in men. For all he knew he only liked girls… for several minutes, he read his book in peace, almost managing to banish those thoughts.
"Okay, you guys are driving me NUTS." Lilinette suddenly said, closing her book and tossing it onto the table. "It's like some weird telepathy! When Shunsui isn't looking at you, you stare at him. When Starrk isn't looking at you, you stare at him. The sexual tension is so high I feel like I'm in an episode of Sex and the City! Just bone each other already!"
"LILINETTE!" Starrk yelped, shocked, and Shunsui stared. Was he blushing? "Wha… when the hell have you been watching Sex in the City?!"
"No changing the subject!" A blue tentacle reached out and got automatically caught with a red one. Starrk's reflexes were too good for her to swat him the way she did him. "I'm eighteen, I can watch anything I want! And you guys need to fuck each other really soon! I don't care if it's just one night or you're soul mates, just stop mooning over each other!"
"I am not mooning!" Starrk was definitely blushing. Shunsui found it rather enchanting. And was Lilinette right? The other ghoul was attracted to him, too? Shunsui smiled slowly before deciding directness was called for.
"Well, she is the brain. She might be smarter than either of us." He said lightly before moving. Starrk looked at him wide eyed as he ran his fingers over the other man's cheek before sliding his hand into warm chestnut hair. "Do you want me, Starrk?"
"I, uh… yes but… I thought you liked girls?" He said and Shunsui chuckled before pulling the other man into a kiss. His mouth tasted delicious, warm and yielding under him. It vaguely came to him that that was probably the faintest taste of rot, but he resolutely put that aside. It tasted wonderful to him.
"I'm bisexual. I wasn't sure about you." He admitted when the parted. Starrk was gazing at him, his grey eyes wide and full of heat. "I see I shouldn't have worried. Are you gay?" He asked, just because he was curious. Starrk swallowed before nodding.
"Yes. It was part of why my predecessor picked me to become a ghoul." He said huskily. Shunsu nodded. That made a great deal of sense and it roused his curiosity, but…
"You'll have to tell me more about your past, sometime. But now…" He kissed the man again before pulling him towards the bedroom. That was partly for privacy but also partly self-defence. He hadn't missed the look Lilinette was giving them. She might be enjoying the show but Shunsui was sure a blue tentacle would be heading for them soon if they didn't move it.
The mattress took their weight easily and Starrk was soon under him, hands playing with his shirt as they ground together. Then the man under him smiled, getting serious about removing the offending cloth. Shunsui began doing the same to him, unbuttoning his pants and freeing the length inside. He felt a touch surprised when it sprang forth immediately.
"No underwear? I suppose I should have guessed." He said teasingly. It was true though, had a bunch of primitive tribesmen worn underthings? Likely not. Starrk chuckled, soft and deep.
"Yes, you should have." He said before they kissed again. Warm hands began pulling down his pants, impatient with the fabric. Shunsui helped, kicking them aside. Soon they were both naked and Shunsui paused to look over the other man. "Shunsui, you are gorgeous." Starrk sounded awed and he couldn't help but smile.
"So are you." Starrk's body was sculpted, all hard lines and toned muscles. That was partly because he was a ghoul, Shunsui knew. As long as they continued to eat human flesh, ghouls were blessed with a beautiful physique. However, he was willing to bet that Starrk had been gorgeous even before his change. He explored the planes of that body, savoring the feel of soft skin under his hands. "Kami, I want to feel you." Their eyes met and Starrk nodded, baring his throat in a submissive gesture. Shunsui took advantage of it, exploring the warm skin eagerly. There was a soft groan beneath him and Starrk arched up, rubbing against him. "Please tell me you have some lube." He didn't. He'd honestly never thought this would happen.
"Oh yes. Under the mattress, if Lilinette hasn't found it yet." Starrk said and Shunsui very briefly wondered what Lilinette would want lube for. Then he hid that thought in a deep, dark box. There were things he simply did not want to know… Tentacles were useful for many things and with his finer control, he sent one out to grope under the mattress as he continued to molest Starrk. The molestee returned the attention enthusiastically, kissing him passionately. Shunsui almost fumbled the lube when he found it, but managed to draw it out. "I'm, mmm, impressed." Starrk murmured, licking the shell of his ear and making him shiver. "The kenserie are harder to control when you're distracted…"
"I have a great deal of practice concentrating under pressure." He said and the tone gave the words a whole new meaning. He saw Starrk shudder and took the lube from his tentacle, making the pink thing vanish. As useful as they were, it was extremely difficult to do small tasks with them. He could manage it but only with so much concentration, it hardly seemed worth the bother. Opening the bottle use used it to dampen his fingers and gripped Starrk's erection, along with his own. He began to stroke them together, watching as Starrk's head fell back and he let out a heavy moan.
"That feels so good." The other man breathed, his eyes closing for a moment. When they opened, Shunsui was surprised to see the black and red of a ghoul using his powers. Red tentacles slid over the blankets before suddenly enfolding him.
"!" Shunsui breathed out in shock as he felt Starrk's kenserie around him. The tentacles were not trying to harm… quite the opposite. They were soft as silk and just the tiniest bit fuzzy, warm and yielding as they rubbed against his skin. "Starrk, what are you…" He groaned softly as he completely lost his ability to concentrate. There was a laugh beneath him and he looked down to see a wicked light in Starrk's alien eyes.
"I know how to concentrate under pressure as well." The ghoul said and Shunsui swallowed heavily. "Prepare me…" Starrk spread his legs invitingly and Shunsui left off his teasing, reaching beneath the other man to begin preparing his entrance. He completely missed a red tentacle scooping up the forgotten bottle of lube and managing to coat another one in it. It was messy and lube ended up on the bed, but that almost made it easier. Starrk gathered up the spilled lubrication, messily smearing it across that one particular tentacle.
Shunsui was oblivious to that, or he might have anticipated his fate. As it happened, though, he was taken entirely by surprise when something warm and soft probed at his entrance.
"Starrk! What are you… doing…?" His voice trailed off in a groan as a fine tendril of red eased inside him. Looking down he saw Starrk's eyes were half-lidded, his expression tranquil and almost zen-like as he felt the pleasure of his body and manipulated his tentacles at the same time. "Oh kami, how can you…" This was a virtuoso display of control. And it felt absolutely amazing. Starrk smiled up at him, spreading his legs invitingly.
"Just that amazing. Now please, take me Shunsui. I'm dying for you." Starrk said huskily and Shunsui's eyes widened. He couldn't resist… he pulled his hand away, pushing into the other man in one smooth move. There was a gasp followed by an intense groan and Shunsui jerked with a cry as that tentacle filled him, spreading his cheeks. It found his prostate and he arched before pounding into Starrk. The man under him reacted with a lusty cry. "Yes!"
"Starrk." The sensation of being surrounded by wet heat while being penetrated… it was remarkable. Shunsui had felt something like it only once before and then, it hadn't been as intense. The way that tentacle inside filled him, so completely, was simply unbelievable. And the other tentacles were still wrapped around him, teasing him with their fuzzy, silky soft surfaces. "Oh yes…" He began taking the man beneath him with a fast, intense rhythm. Starrk matched every one of his thrusts, his body moving with a supple grace that made Shunsui think of how he must have been, as an ancient tribesman. He could easily imagine the man wearing nothing but leathers, standing on a hill and gazing out over the rising sun… then the pleasure wiped such fanciful thoughts away and he kissed Starrk, their tongues tangling together in an intimate duet. "Starrk." He breathed the man's name into his ear, feeling the intimate shudder of the body beneath him. "You are… so…" The tentacle inside him kept lovingly stroking his prostate, making him gasp at the intensity of the feelings.
"So are you. Shunsui…" Starrk's voice was full of pleasure and Shunsui was glad to hear it. He felt like he was slacking off a bit but could he…? He extended a tentacle but was immediately stopped by a red one. "No. Startle reflex… too dangerous. I have control." Starrk said, his words fragmented as he struggled to speak through the pleasure. Shunsui didn't stop his thrusts for a moment as he tried to understand what the other ghoul was saying.
"Oh." Now he understood. If a ghoul was startled with their tentacles out, they would instinctively become hard and sharp. Not the sort of thing you wanted in an intimate moment and even a slamming door might do it. "Right… someday…" Although maybe not for a very long time. How did you control that reflex? Then the tentacle inside him did something amazing and Shunsui arched with a gasp. "AH! Stop…" If Starrk did that he would be cumming all too soon. There was a heavy chuckle beneath him but the other man desisted, going back to his gentle stroking.
"Keep your mind on what you're doing." Starrk advised and Shunsui smiled as he did that. He concentrated on nothing but the man under him, the pleasure he was giving and experiencing. He went in even deeper, taking the other man more firmly. Starrk groaned at the change in pace and Shunsui's breath caught in his throat at the naked lust and pleasure on his face.
"You look so…" He wanted to see that expression again. As often as possible, in fact. And he wanted these sensations, the tight, incredible heat, also as often as possible. Starrk's face was beaded with sweat now, those long, limber legs wrapped around his waist as the other man met all of his thrusts.
"Oh kami. More. More!" Starrk groaned and Shunsui obliged, speeding his thrusts to a breakneck rhythm. Then that tentacle inside him did that remarkable thing again and he couldn't hold back. His vision exploded in stars and sparks as he came with a cry, feeling the intense pleasure of release. Starrk's body arched from the bed as he followed, his scream of ecstasy echoing through the small apartment. They were both left panting and trembling in the aftermath –
THUMP! Shunsui flinched but Starrk didn't react, just glancing over his shoulder as he slowly eased his tentacles free. THUMP THUMP! Someone was pounding on the wall?
"I think we've angered the neighbors." Starrk said conversationally and Shunsui choked. "Perhaps we should go back to the main room until they calm down?"
"Uh… right." He would like to sleep but not when someone was clearly infuriated at them. Briefly, Shunsui was glad that Starrk had stopped him from using his tentacles. That surprising bang would have activated his startle reflex with very unfortunate consequences. Smiling, he grabbed a bathrobe as Starrk pulled on some pajamas.
It was still early for them. They could rest later.
"This is AWESOME! I love you Starrk. I love you Shunsui." Lilinette pledged, which Shunsui was sure would last no longer than the next time Starrk had to discipline her. Although she did love him very much, even when he had to remind her of things.
"It was nothing." Starrk said easily as Shunsui looked around with a smile. "I enjoy these things too."
Despite the threats of war and the occasional bang of rockets, life went on. And in this city, that meant the yearly anime convention was currently in full swing. Lilinette had talked them into attending although it hadn't really taken much. He wasn't costuming but Lilinette and Starrk were. Lilinette was dressed up as a young demon girl and Starrk was her human mentor. It was from an anime that Shunsui had watched a few times and rather liked. Lilinette's outfit was mostly black and rather elaborate, suiting her slender, pre-pubescent body quite well. But then, the girl in the anime was about the same age.
"You do look very good in priest garb." Shunsui teased and Starrk made a face as Lilinette laughed.
"Ya know what makes that funny? He is a priest. He got ordained a long time ago, ask him to tell you the story sometime. He almost got nominated as a saint but he managed to skip town before they could do it." She said merrily and Shunsui blinked. Starrk growled at her, mildly annoyed.
"It would have been highly inconvenient. Shall we go look at Artist's Alley?" He asked and they both nodded.
Soon they were sorting through beautiful artwork and various artisan items and crafts. Lilinette had an allowance for the event and was being quite picky, trying to find just the right item to spend it on. It was boring for the men in her life so Starrk had a suggestion.
"Why don't you do this while Shunsui and I check out the gaming tables?" He suggested. "There might be some Settler's of Catan groups." That made Shunsui smile. The game was perfect for the three of them so they played it constantly.
"Yeah, sure. You got your cell phone?" Starrk nodded but that didn't entirely satisfy Lilinette. "And is it charged?" She asked suspiciously and Starrk checked it before verifying that it was, indeed, charged. "I'm not gonna ask Shunsui, he's way more reliable than you." She said firmly and Starrk looked pained as Shunsui laughed.
"You are so cruel to me… come on, let's leave her to this." He said and Shunsui followed him with a smile. They both missed the camera crew, filming one of the events. It was something they weren't interested in and had nothing to do with them.
"…And live on the scene of the New Langford anime convention!" Juushiro was eating his lunch and ignoring the TV. There was nothing around him but silence. No funny jokes, no laughter, none of the warmth that Shunsui usually brought to the room.
The loss of his best friend was painful. Juushiro wasn't sure but he thought it might be even worse because Shunsui wasn't dead. No, the ghoul had come for him. Had the Thief somehow been attracted to him and come specifically to bite and change him? Or had he been changing already? Even Urahara wasn't sure. He'd never heard of a delayed change but he also thought it made absolutely no sense for the Thief to take on a second protégé if he didn't have to. He also thought it would be quite out of character for the man.
Whatever the reason behind it, though, Shunsui was gone. His description had been added to all the other ghouls on file and they were searching for him but at the moment, it was all rather low on the priority list. War seemed to be inevitable. Juushiro wondered, wearily, when it would finally arrive.
Perhaps what happened next was fate. Or perhaps it was merely luck. Either way, Juushiro happened to glance up at the TV just as the camera panned over the people nearby.
"…!" He nearly choked on his food as he recognized the set of the shoulders, the build of the man. There was also a glimpse of his profile. And while Shunsui had clearly decided to grow a beard, even that was familiar. It had been better trimmed when they were teenagers, but still there. And the long hair… he'd worn it like that, also when he was a teenager. "Oh kami." Searching for the remote, he found it and backtracked. Soon he was watching the video intently. There was no sign of the little girl but he also managed to recognize the Thief. Standing right beside Shunsui and talking to him in a friendly manner. Juushiro abruptly decided it must have been a delayed change. Shunsui would never have tamely accepted being ripped away from his life, but if it was happening already…
Closing his eyes in pain, he tried to decide what to do. If he went to Urahara with this… Juushiro swallowed. He knew, in his head, that Shunsui was eating people. The Thief was almost certainly murdering to keep them fed, even if it wasn't his preferred course of action. He should report this to Urahara so they could all be hunted down and destroyed. And yet, that was his best friend. Massaging his forehead, he tried to make a decision.
It was a hard dilemma to face.
"… I don't understand this song at all." Starrk said, watching as Lilinette danced with a bunch of other girls. She was the youngest of the lot and looked particularly adorable as she sang. Shunsui grimaced, running a hand over his face as he listened to the lyrics.
I don't care!
I ship it!
I don't care!
You're on the cannon ground, I'm up in crackship space,
Let's start a shipping war, don't care if I get hate.
Don't like my pairings well, then you can hit the bricks,
This is my own TP I'll go down with this ship.
I ship it!
"It's about gay sex." He said, feeling slightly pained. Starrk blinked.
"Oh." There was a pause as they continued to listen. "…I understand this song even less now." Starrk confessed and Shunsui couldn't help but laugh.
"It will be over soon." Then they could retrieve Lilinette and see about heading home for some much needed rest. As wonderful as this was, they were all becoming exhausted. She skipped away after the song was done, an endless ball of energy. "Lilinette, it's time to go home." He said firmly and Starrk nodded. She pouted but surprisingly, didn't protest.
"I'm feeling kinda tired and I've got to deliver the newspaper tomorrow. But we are coming back right? I have more money to spend!" She said, concerned and Starrk laughed as he ruffled her hair. She slapped his hand away with a scowl. "Oi! Hands to yourself, pervert!"
"Must you mock my costume?" Starrk said with a groan as Shunsui grinned. It was a standing joke in the anime that the priest mentor for the demon girl had to be a pervert. Why else would he spend so much time with a prepubescent girl? And to be fair, the anime had plenty of subtext. "Come on, we're taking the bus to the train. It will take over an hour to get home." Pessimistic but true. Public transit wasn't the best but it was all they could afford, unless they wanted to steal a car. And that was something to do when they skipped town, not a valid method of transportation. Smiling to himself, Shunsui followed the two ghouls as they bickered playfully. For one brief moment he thought of Juushiro and felt a pang. He almost wished his friend could be here.
He knew Juushiro would have liked Starrk and he would have loved Lilinette.
