Hi everyone! Kevin here. So... I'm not that dead but yeah. This one is for the April challenge 2021 for the server. This is basically PLOT WHAT PLOT without the smut. It's pointless but idk. blame some inspiration hahaha. I planned to make another one for the challenge but I doubt i'll finish it in time so here you go.
This is set at the timeline of Epiphany (aka my other byaichi. Read it if you haven't. It's complete!)
Prompt: Long hair.
Ichigo has been married to Byakuya for some years now. He didn't know how long exactly since he didn't bother to count but that's not important. But there was one thing that Ichigo hasn't tried yet in all of their years together.
It was a normal day and the both of them were up too early compared to their usual time so they ended up cuddling in their bed for a while, neither of them willing to get up and start their day. It was very peaceful and the sun hasn't risen up yet.
This time, Byakuya was resting his head on the orange head's chest as they silently enjoyed their time together before their work day. Ichigo had his arm draped around the noble's waist while his other hand was gently stroking Byakuya's long raven hair.
Ichigo slowly got lost in the soft hair, tangling his fingers within the strands of it. He hummed softly as he repeated the action. It was very, very soft. It actually feels better than it looks. The only times that he touched it was during moments like these or when he tugs it (whether intentional or not) during their… activities.
He suddenly chuckled at the thought.
"Hm?"
The orange head looked down when he heard the sleepy hum from the noble, "Ah, sorry. I just thought of something."
Byakuya shifted slightly to find a more comfortable position, "What is it?"
"Nothing," Ichigo replied, "Your hair is just… soft."
The noble let out a simple amused huff and said nothing more. Ichigo grinned and continued the slow and calming pattern that it made Byakuya visibly relax even more under his touch.
After a while, Byakuya decided to detach himself from his husband to get up first but only managed to sit up while Ichigo still had his arm around his waist. Ichigo observed the man quietly. Well, it's mostly his eyes looking at Byakuya's hair that managed to reach a bit past his waist.
The noble looked back with a raised brow, "What are you doing?"
Ichigo grinned and shook his head, "Nothing suspicious."
Byakuya almost rolled his eyes, "Get up. You still need to train the new recruits."
"Shouldn't Renji handle that?"
The noble gave him a pointed look before the orange head let out a resigned sigh and nodded. The two of them got up when the sun was barely peeking out of the sky. Ichigo stretched his body with a groan before sliding the door open, leaving Byakuya fixing his own yukata in the room.
Yusuke immediately greeted, "Good morning, Ichigo-dono."
"Morning," the other grinned, "Could you please make coffee for me?" He knew that making himself coffee wouldn't be possible with Yusuke's trained eyes.
Unfazed by the request, the servant nodded, "I have already asked the kitchen to do it in advance. It shall be delivered in the dining hall once you arrive there."
"Ah, thank you!"
Yusuke smiled at him then greeted Byakuya who was just right behind the orange head. The pair then walked towards the dining hall while chatting about what to do in the office for today. It seemed like Ichigo's schedule was as packed as his captain's.
"Maybe I should ask Shoyo to grab the snacks from Sato's shop instead of me," Ichigo mumbled to himself.
"I don't think Takashi would like that."
"Oh? You care about his well being?"
"No," the noble replied blandly, "He'll just get annoying once we visit again."
Ichigo chuckled, "I'll see what I can do."
Once they arrived in the area, the servants immediately bowed in respect before delivering their food to them. A fresh cup of coffee was given to Ichigo while a cup of tea was given to Byakuya. The orange head snorted when the noble doesn't seem to approve of his choice of drink.
Ichigo shrugged and drank his coffee while keeping his eye contact with the noble. This time, the latter didn't hold back in rolling his eyes before he started to eat his own share of breakfast. Ichigo laughed at his husband's reaction and shook his head. He grabbed his own bowl and started eating as well.
They fell into their usual comfortable silence. It only broke whenever they requested for a refill of their drinks or the occasional noise that's coming from the outside as the servants move around and about in the manor.
Once they were done, they left the dining hall to return to their room and took a quick bath together. 'A faster way to take a bath,' Ichigo said when he first suggested the idea but sometimes they ended up taking due to him or Byakuya being in the mood for something else.
They managed to take a bath without any… distractions. Ichigo was the one to finish dressing up first since he just haphazardly put on his shihakusho and his zanpakuto at his back giving that messy but proper look he always sported while Byakuya took his time putting his own robes cleanly and properly.
The orange head watched his husband from the bed as the latter was right in front of the large mirror as he fixed his hair. Something then clicked in Ichigo's mind and got up from the bed and stopped right behind Byakuya.
Looking at each other through the mirror, Ichigo gave a grin before pressing a soft kiss on top of Byakuya's head, getting a small smile from the noble.
"Let me fix your hair," Ichigo mumbled as his fingers found its way to tangle in the soft hair.
Byakuya only raised a brow but he was clearly surprised, "Why suddenly suggest that?"
"Mm. Am in the mood."
The noble surprisingly didn't demand a better explanation than Ichigo's half-assed one that he just gave right now and simply gave the comb to him. The orange head had this sort of childish glee on his face as he took it and started combing the raven's hair gently.
Looking at the mirror again, Byakuya had his eyes closed and he looked very calming and peaceful as if he was enjoying the touch right now.
Ichigo leaned in and whispered, "How do you feel about a braid?"
The noble opened one of his eyes and looked at the mirror, "You know how?"
"Mn," the younger man replied, "Being with sisters and all… Also, Rukia and Rangiku forcefully taught me."
"I see," there was mirth in that one eye, "I am in your care, then."
Ichigo grinned as he continued to comb his hair, "I think I'll do a small braid on your right side and let the rest be loose. I saw it from something that I read before."
"No kenseikan?"
"No kenseikan."
When Byakuya looked at him blankly, Ichigo glared, "Even you have a hard time with it! Don't torture my poor fingers."
"Fine," the noble replied but it held no edge.
Ichigo tried to find a ribbon or something in his robe and was relieved when he managed to get a red ribbon within his shihakusho. He requested Byakuya to hold it for him in the meantime and then focused on his work.
The orange head tried to recall the image from his deep memory. It has been a long time after all. Ichigo asked for the noble to face him and the latter obliged. He then let some strands loose to frame the noble's face and braid a part of his hair that was in front delicately.
He hummed softly as he worked his way down the man's hair and he couldn't help but be mesmerized by it. It's so soft and smooth. It feels very nice between his fingers. It's shiny enough to know that Byakuya has taken care of it for years despite the harsh environment of fighting in the Gotei 13.
Once he was done, he tied the end with that red ribbon that he found. It wasn't too big for it to be too noticeable and was firm enough to keep the hard work that Ichigo has done. The orange head then fixed the rest of the man's hair with a comb and framing all the proper strands to make his husband look more dashing.
He took a step back and huffed in approval as he looked at his handiwork. He grinned and said, "You can look now."
Byakuya opened both of his eyes and looked back towards the mirror. It… looks basic but it's not too bad. It was a very unusual style, to say the least. It's something that he didn't even consider but he'll entertain his lover's wants for today.
"It's… interesting," the noble managed to say. It was clear on his face that he was pretty satisfied with the outcome.
Ichigo laughed, "At least it isn't messy." He didn't want to say that he finally remembered that the hairstyle was adorned by a 'ghost king' in some story. Byakuya would die sporting a hairstyle from an evil entity.
Also, all the noble needs was an eyepatch and the style will be complete. Not like he'd say that either.
"You look great," Ichigo said and made the noble face him and plant a chaste kiss on the latter's lips.
"Thanks to you," Byakuya murmured in response.
The orange head shook his head fondly and finally dragged them out of the room so they could finally go to work.
Ichigo lives for the reaction that Byakuya's hairstyle got from Yusuke, to the passing shinigami, to the 6th Division and other people that they were close to. Renji eyed them weirdly and Rukia couldn't comprehend it.
"I did it," Ichigo said proudly.
"I'm surprised that you were allowed to," Rukia honestly replied.
Let's just say that Byakuya had to avoid the questions coming from Kyouraku and Ukitake and the cameras of the Shinigami Women's Association.
(Ichigo is still proud of things.)
Thank you for reading this short thing! It's not edited and it had 0 plans so yeah. ALSO the hairstyle I meant is similar to Hua cheng (yes blame my tgcf obsession). Although it's not exactly the same... it has a similar premise okay?! you can find a pic in the ao3 ver of this or just search it up haha.