Awww I bet with that last chap y'all are expecting the lemon in this one. Sorry that's still a few chaps off *ducks thrown objects* But don't worry there's other fun stuff to happen in the meantime.

Warnings: more m/m intimacy, unrealistic recovery times, some feels

Chapter 22: Bathtime

((The older man looked thoughtful. "Hmm, I know it was uncomfortable, but that doesn't seem like a significant part of the memory, just how good it felt afterwards."))

Byakuya saw the relieved, proud look his partner wore at his words as gentle fingers brushed his disheveled hair away from his face. "I'm glad for that, baby. Tonight will be the same way; it's gonna be uncomfortable before it feels good."

He nodded, resting his chin on his hand over Renji's still-pounding heart. "I know, but I don't care about the discomfort as long as you can make it feel as good as that did."

The younger man chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I'm gonna make it feel real good. You thought fingers felt great, just wait til you feel my cock against that spot."

Byakuya blushed at the promising words, then saw Renji frown thoughtfully. Curious, he moved his free hand to lay against a tan cheek. "What's wrong?"

The deep auburn eyes met his as the Rukon Dog answered quietly. "I was just thinking...tonight, when we start the next step...I'm not sure I'll be able to stop. I don't like the fact you'll be uncomfortable, but it's gonna feel really, really good to me, and I'm not a hundred percent sure I'll be able to stop if you need me to."

Sensing distress and guilt swelling in his subordinate's energy, Byakuya shook his head. "Calm yourself, Renji. I am not worried about it. I think it'll be ok, as long as you can hold still if I need you to. I'm not going to ask you to stop the whole thing; I want you to take me, and no amount of discomfort is changing my mind."

The bigger Soul Reaper's eyes widened and he whispered, "Say...say that again."

Byakuya tilted his head, then smiled when he realized which words his boyfriend wanted to hear again. He spoke clearly and firmly. "I want you to take me, Renji. Make love to me, fuck me, however you wish to word it, I want to go all the way with you tonight. I want to end up with that beautiful cock of yours buried in me while you look at me with love and desire in your eyes, that look that says you'll never, ever let me go."

A blissful smile curved the crimsonette's lips as warmth filled the dark amber eyes. "Never, baby. And believe me, you talk like that tonight, there's gonna be a lot less hesitatin' on my part. I officially love when you talk dirty to me. Hearing you just now, damn near got me ready to cum again."

They both laughed softly, nuzzling each other, then Byakuya squirmed uncomfortably when he felt their seed still between their stomachs. The slick strands had cooled and were drying in some places. He felt his cheeks warming as he murmured, "Umm, Renji? I...I kinda want to take a shower now."

Instead of the offense he had half-expected, he got a sympathetic nod as his companion replied gently, "I bet. I know you feel kinda dirty right now, huh?"

He felt his blush deepening as he lowered his eyes and gave a tiny nod. Immediately, Renji was nuzzling him and speaking in a coaxing tone. "Awww, c'mon baby. Don't do that; your eyes are too pretty to be hidin'."

Shyly, he met the warm honey eyes, and his partner smiled at him. "There you go, Taicho. Wanna go get clean together?" He nodded, then Renji was carefully sitting them up. "At least our clothes are clean since we took 'em off. Well, other than my boxers- they gotta go."

Still half-way in the younger man's lap, Byakuya blushed at the sight of the cum and oil covered boxers bunched around his lieutenant's powerful thighs. "Sorry I pushed them down."

The redhead grinned at him. "Nah, that was a nice move on your part, baby."

They untangled themselves, Renji grabbing the yukata and his own clothes. They climbed out of the couch-nest, and Byakuya watched with interest as the Rukon Dog shimmied out of his boxers. Hands full of their clothes, Renji wiggled his hips until the boxers slid to the floor.

Smiling at the sight, Byakuya said, "That was cute."

The bigger Soul Reaper smirked. "Oh yeah? Well, I can turn 'cute' into 'impressive'. Watch this." His host curled his toes into the fabric, then balanced on one leg as he kicked the foot holding the boxers. The garment flew into the air, and Renji dipped under it, catching the waistband in his teeth. Playful auburn eyes met his as Renji wiggled his eyebrows victoriously.

Byakuya laughed and clapped for the display. "Very impressive."

They headed for the bathroom, Renji dropping off his boxers in the basket on the way. In the bathroom, his subordinate hung up their clothes so they could get dressed when they were clean. Byakuya started to head for the shower, but paused as he was passing the large tub.

It was nice and deep, a comfortable-looking seat curving around the inside. "Renji, when you were talking about 'spoiling' me, did you not say you could run a mean bubble bath?"

A chuckle answered him as his boyfriend moved to his side. "Sure did. You wanna do that instead of a shower?"

He nodded, and his companion leaned over to turn on the water. When it was a temperature they agreed on, Renji put a stopper in the drain and opened a cabinet next to the tub. "You get to pick which ones we use. I like 'm all, but I wanna know what you like, too."

Curious, Byakuya looked in the cabinet, and felt his eyes widen. His host had an array of bath products that made the collection in the shower seem insignificant. Bubble baths, salts and oils, stuff he didn't even recognize.

"Renji, I am quite certain there are females that do not have this many bath supplies."

The redhead shrugged, smirking at him. "Knock it if ya want; my captain wants me to fuck him tonight, so I don't care if you make fun of my spa-worthy bath collection. Just pick something before the tub fills, baby."

Blushing and making a face at his companion, he began investigating some of the products. He found a bottle of bubble bath that he liked and smelled familiar. He looked up at the Rukon Dog curiously. "I like this one, and I could swear I've smelled it before."

Renji leaned close to sniff the bottle he held. "You remember when we fought on the walkway, the first time you saw my bankai? I'd used this one that morning."

Stiffening at the memory, Byakuya was mortified that he'd managed to pick the one product in this cabinet that was connected to their worst fight.

He'd almost killed Renji in that battle.

He started to put the bottle back on the shelf, only for a warm hand to wrap around his. Surprised, he lifted his eyes to see his partner smiling reassuringly. "C'mon, baby. You said you liked it. Doesn't matter if it's connected with a bad memory, cause one of the best parts about a relationship is making new memories together."

Byakuya let the bigger Soul Reaper guide him to his feet, and as Renji poured in the bubble bath, white foam began forming where the water flowed in. The sweet scent grew, filling the bathroom and vividly reminding Byakuya of the fight.

"You...you were so angry at me." he whispered.

His lieutenant smiled at him, readily admitting, "Yeah, I was. I was angry at the whole situation, really. You, Central Forty-Six, myself, I was just pissed all around. But where is that mess?"

Hesitantly, he answered, "In the past?"

The crimsonette nodded in approval as he swirled his hand in the tub to distribute the bubbles. "Exactly. And what are we supposed to be doing now?"

He smiled shyly at his host. "Making new memories together?"

His boyfriend grinned at him as he turned off the water. "Look at you, listening to me. I love you, baby. C'mon."

Renji stepped in, sitting on the seat with his arms resting along the curved edge of the tub and looking at him expectantly.

Byakuya stepped in and sat next to his partner, relaxing into the warm, foamy water. "Ohh, that's nice." he purred, leaning into his subordinate's side. He felt Renji shift, then his hair was being gently gathered to the top of his head and clipped in place.

He smiled as a muscled arm slipped around his shoulders, encouraging him to snuggle against the Rukon Dog's side. He did so happily, cuddling into the bigger Soul Reaper's embrace. He felt Renji kiss his forehead, and he sighed contentedly as those big gentle hands innocently wandered his body, cleaning and soothing him. Occasionally, the powerful hands would knead, massaging muscles he hadn't even noticed were tense or sore.

He noticed that Renji was humming softly to himself, and he smiled, knowing his boyfriend was happy.

His companion continued gently caressing him, obviously not trying to start anything, but when one hand glided over his hip, he shivered. The soft fingers had brushed over the surprisingly sensitive skin right in front of his hipbone, and it'd felt so good.

When he shivered, Renji stopped humming, and the hand paused. After a moment, the hand tenderly retraced it's path, fingertips trailing in front of his hipbone. He shivered again at the sensation, giving a soft moan as he pressed himself tighter into Renji's side.

He sensed a slight hesitation; his subordinate was caught between his intention to behave and the tempting fact that Byakuya was responding to him. Before the crimsonette could overthink this, Byakuya murmured, "It's ok, Renji."

He felt the redhead's relief as his temple was kissed and the strong hand wrapped around his hip, fingertips resting on that sensitive spot. He shivered pleasantly, trying to speak in a coherent manner as his body began to tingle. "Renji, does...um..does it count as dry-fucking if we're in the water?"

A thoughtful hum answered him as his host nuzzled behind his ear. "I count it as dry-fuckin' any time sex is being simulated, water or no water. If we're acting like we're doing it but I'm not inside you, yep, that's in the dry-fuckin' category, my curious Taicho."

He nodded his understanding, trembling as he felt the Rukon Dog nuzzling into his neck, warm lips caressing his skin. He managed to whisper, "And ...and the positions we use for that, we can use when we take the next step?"

Renji nodded against his neck, answering softly, "That's right, baby."

Feeling bold as renewed arousal spiked through him, he murmured, "Show me something new, Renji. Make a new naughty memory with me."

A growled "Gladly." answered him as a powerful arm slipped around his waist, and Byakuya found himself on his partner's lap, facing away. He could feel the hard member pressing against the top of his ass as the big hands roamed like Renji wanted to memorize how he felt in this position.

One hand gently captured both his wrists, pinning them to his own chest, and he was guided to lean back against the bigger Soul Reaper, his head resting on a broad shoulder. His boyfriend's free hand slid over his hip to grasp his throbbing length. He whimpered and squirmed slightly in Renji's arms as pleasure began rolling through him.

The hand holding his wrists tightened just a bit, a move that sent a powerful thrill through every fiber of his being.

As if sensing his reaction, Renji purred into his ear, "You don't want me to let go, do you?"

Already panting, he shook his head, and his host kissed his neck. "Good. You ain't getting away, then. Not till I say you can."

Having spent his life as someone who gave orders, the sound of Renji taking charge of him was exhilarating to Byakuya, and he nodded obediently. "Yes, sir."

A husky moan rumbled in the chest against his back as teeth grazed the side of his throat. "That's a good Taicho."

The hand on his cock moved, slowly stroking every inch of his throbbing flesh. The slow pace was almost torturous, and he whimpered as he tried rocking his hips. A light nip landed on his shoulder as Renji murmured, "Nuh-uh. See, earlier when I was touching you, that really was supposed to be just for you. But since my naughty Taicho made me cum, too, I gotta make up for it and punish my captain for blowing all my good intentions to hell. So I'm gonna do whatever I want to you, but you're not gonna move or try to make me cum. Understand?"

Byakuya desperately wanted to nod, but his mind latched onto 'whatever I want'; what exactly fell into that category?

As if reading his mind, the younger man nuzzled him reassuringly, breathing, "Hey baby, it's ok. I'm not gonna hurt you. I just wanna do something to make you feel really good. Will you agree to behave now?"

He nodded, reassured by his partner's words. "Yes, I'll behave. Please keep touching me, Renji."

A gentle kiss was pressed to his temple as Renji whispered, "I wasn't planning to stop, Captain. All you gotta do is relax and enjoy my...expertise."

On the last word, the gentle fingers brushed over the very tip of his aching member, tracing his slit. He gasped at the sensation, twitching as he felt himself leaking precum into the water. "Ahh Renji." he breathed, turning his head towards his boyfriend's. The angle was a tad awkward, but his subordinate still indulged him, kissing him deeply.

Byakuya moaned as the hand on his member moved down to the base, fingers tenderly caressing his balls. Then the wandering fingers crept lower, gliding against his taint before brushing over his sensitive entrance.

He moaned into the kiss in pleasure, trying to brace his feet on the bottom of the tub so he could tilt his hips up towards Renji's fingers.

The warm lips left his, and the crimsonette met his eyes, speaking in a low voice. "Didn't I say you weren't supposed to move?"

Before he could reply, the powerful arms tightened around him, then Renji's feet slid under his, leaving him immobilized as the long legs spread his own. Now without leverage and completely at his partner's mercy, Byakuya could do little more than moan as Renji continued touching him, the gentle fingers caressing his most vulnerable area.

The bigger Soul Reaper murmured into his ear, "I love how responsive you are, baby. I like knowing that I can touch you and make you want more. The sounds you make are so pretty. What kinda sounds would you make for me if I just started fingering you right now?"

One finger pressed against his entrance, threatening to slip in, and his back arched as a loud whine tore itself from his throat. A deep rumble reverberated through his body as Renji made a sound between a growl and a chuckle. "You want that, don't you? Want me to finger-fuck you into oblivion?"

Remembering how good it'd felt earlier, he nodded frantically, answering in a breathless whisper, "Pl-please, Renji. I promise to behave, just please keep going."

The hand around his wrists loosened a bit, letting one slip free as his host purred into his ear, "See that blue bottle on the shelf right there?" He nodded, and his companion murmured, "That's a lube specially made for using in water. Water's not really great for lubrication, so Imma need that bottle."

Obeying the unspoken command, Byakuya reached out and grabbed the bottle, then sat back in his previous position with his back against his lieutenant's chest.

Renji's free hand rose above the surface of the water as his boyfriend praised him. "That's it, Byakuya. Now, put some on my fingers, however many you want me to use."

Trembling as warm, soft lips began trailing down the side of his neck, he obeyed, opening the bottle and putting some of the clear gel on his partner's first three fingers, making sure they were coated. He felt Renji nuzzling his neck, whispering, "There you go, baby, good job."

Byakuya leaned back against the solid chest, lifting his freed wrist to the hand still holding the other. The strong fingers wrapped around his wrist, holding both captive again as the younger man chuckled warmly. "Aww, baby. If I didn't know better I'd think you like being my prisoner."

He nodded, panting in anticipation as he watched Renji's hand sink back into the water. "I'll break every law ever made if this is my punishment with you as my warden."

Slick fingers touched him as the Rukon Dog growled at him. "You have any idea how fuckin sexy you sound talking dirty? I'm glad you feel that way cause I really like having you as my prisoner."

One lubed finger pressed against his entrance, and he whimpered pleadingly. Renji's voice breathed into his ear. "Say it for me, baby. Tell me what you want."

Byakuya tilted his hips as much as he could, whispering, "I...I want you to put your fingers inside me, Renji, and I want to cum for you."

A pleased sigh washed over his ear, then that slick finger slowly sank into his body. There was a twinge of discomfort, but it wasn't as bad as before. After only a few moments, he spoke in an arousal-thickened slur. "Please, Renji. I wan' 'nother one."

A second finger pressed into his body with another small twinge of discomfort, and the bigger Soul Reaper nuzzled his neck as both fingers curled to touch that spot.

Byakuya's head rolled back onto Renji's shoulder as everything became a blur of sensation.

X~X~X~X

Renji was incredibly pleased with how this was proceeding. Byakuya was doing so well, responding to him and obviously enjoying himself. The noble's head was resting on his shoulder, panting as the desire-clouded eyes became unfocused. "Oh, gods, Renji."

He absorbed the sight and sound as he began gently pumping his first two fingers, which made his superior gasp and arch his body in pleasure. Realizing that his captain was suppressing his spiritual energy, he nipped gently at a curved ear, breathing, "What did I say about your riatsu?"

A shiver ran through the smaller Soul Reaper, then he felt it. Byakuya's energy, cool and bright and full of pleasure and the love he couldn't speak.

Gently, he touched his third finger to the vulnerable area, pleased to hear a moan as the older man's legs shifted further apart. He carefully pressed his third finger in, watching as those fine features scrunched up for only a moment. Then Byakuya relaxed as the discomfort passed, and Renji felt pride swell through him. "You're doing so good, baby."

The ravenette whimpered at his praise, his unfocused, arousal-hazed eyes directed at the ceiling.

Smiling at his partner, Renji resumed pumping his 3 fingers into the tight heat, making the lithe body quiver. Gods, Byakuya was already so beautiful, but with pleasure and arousal all over him, he was absolutely exquisite!

Knowing he was making the noble feel so good filled Renji with satisfaction, and he ignored his own demanding ache to focus on his companion's enjoyment. He let his own energy feather out, hearing a soft moan when his riatsu began blending with his guest's.

His boyfriend shivered in his arms, and he nuzzled the slender neck as he smoothly twisted his fingers while driving them harder into the sweet spot. Byakuya's entire body spasmed and loud whimpers of pleasure filled the air. "Ah ah Renji! Ah fuck!"

Grinning victoriously as his superior's body started to tense and tighten, Renji fingered the snug heat harder and faster. "That's it, baby. Cum just for me."

His captain's cries of ecstasy rose to border on a scream as he hit that special spot relentlessly.

At the last moment, he released the slender wrists and lowered that hand to Byakuya's neglected member. Two strokes, and the Kuchiki heir came so hard, his entire body stiffened as if he'd been electrocuted. Renji nuzzled the smaller Soul Reaper reassuringly as he gentled his touches to coax every bit of that climax out.

The older man's body began to relax and tremble, and there was a sound of alarm when Byakuya slipped further into the water. Renji tightened his arms around the slender waist, securing the quivering ravenette. "Shh baby, I won't let you go under. I got you."

Byakuya turned sideways on his lap and relaxed against him, arms snaking up to drape around his shoulders. The dark platinum eyes fluttered closed, and Renji smiled as he gazed down at his boyfriend.

The pale cheeks were lightly flushed, and small tendrils of hair were plastered around the beautiful face and slender neck. So lovely, and all his.

Still smiling, he tilted his head to kiss a flushed cheek as he murmured, "You wanna get out now?"

A tiny nod answered him, content amethyst eyes slitting open to meet his as his partner mumbled, "That was incredible, honey. Thank you. Um, since you said this was supposed to be just for me, does that mean I'm to ignore the very hard cock trying to stab me in the hip?"

Renji chuckled, tightening his arms around the noble and shifting his hips so he wasn't poking him. "Exactly. I'm saving that for tonight. Maybe some deprivation will teach the selfish dick a lesson, whattcha think?"

The older man blushed and giggled. "Maybe."

Carefully, Renji lifted his partner to set him on the edge of the tub, then pulled the plug and stepped out. He wrapped a towel around his hips before grabbing another and wrapping it around his guest. Byakuya smiled sweetly up at him, and he smiled back as he leaned close to kiss his boyfriend on the lips.

He tilted his head as his partner began drying himself off, and he reached out to lay his hand over Byakuya's. When the deep steel eyes rose to his, he said softly, "I'd like to do that."

The smaller Soul Reaper looked confused for a moment, then blushed. "You want to dry me off?"

He nodded, and his superior smiled shyly. "Alright."

Renji wrapped both arms around the slender body as he sank down to sit on the floor, gently pulling the ravenette off the edge of the tub and into his lap. He got a corner of the big towel Byakuya was wrapped in and began tenderly dabbing away the droplets of water from the pale skin.

He heard a soft sigh as the Kuchiki heir laid his head on his shoulder, whispering, "Nobody has ever taken care of me the way you do, Renji."