Chapter 28: The Morning After

I apologize for my absence. Between moving and some other RL stuff, I've really dropped the ball on updates. I hope my precious readers can forgive me đź’™

Also, a big Thank You to Spunky for helping keep Renji in line

Warnings: Language, Renji mad at himself! Also, more clarification on Renji's 'jealousy'

Previously - "I love you, Byakuya," was the last thing he heard before slipping into the best sleep he'd ever had.

Byakuya woke the next morning well rested and ready to take on the day. He blinked away the sleep, smiling when he realized that Renji was sleeping peacefully… while wrapped around him like a snake. He didn't move, not wanting to disturb his partner.

He lay still as his mind happily ran over last night. Gods that had been amazing! His worries had been for naught - Renji hadn't hurt him a bit, and to be connected with the younger man in such a way… it had been magical.

Byakuya smirked at his own whimsy, but 'magical' didn't even come close to describing that experience.

He glanced down his body, seeing the dark bruises on his hips and thighs. He smiled softly, letting his fingertips trace the painless marks that were shaped like his new lover's hands. Without a doubt, Renji would not have let anyone separate them last night.

The Rukon Dog shifted in his sleep, nuzzling his shoulder before releasing him to roll onto his back. Byakuya smiled at the peaceful, happy look on Renji's face.

Maybe he could get up and make breakfast before his subordinate woke up! Pleased with his idea, Byakuya started to stretch, only to gasp in pain as his lower back burned.

At his gasp, Renji sat bolt upright, looking alarmed. "Baby?! What's wrong?!"

Realizing this was the pain his lover had warned him about, and therefore Renji's fault, Byakuya tried to smother the pain and reassure his boyfriend. "N-no-nothing. I'm f-fine, honey."

Renji's cinnamon eyes swept over him and filled with sadness. "Liar. You're hurtin', ain't ya? Hurtin' cause I wasn't more careful."

Byakuya tried to scoot closer, only to be gently pinned in place by one hand as Renji shook his head. "Don't move, Taicho; it'll hurt worse. Stay still, and I'm gonna get you something to help."

The bigger Soul Reaper disappeared from the nest, and Byakuya could hear him rummaging about. In spite of his pain, he forced himself to sit up, worried about the guilty distress he could sense consuming his subordinate's reiatsu. The naked redhead reappeared, holding out 2 small white pills and a glass of juice. "I told ya to stay still! You're gonna be hurtin' a lot worse if you keep moving around, and I swear I'll tie you down if that's what it takes!"

XxXx

Renji heard a familiar, soft and dismissive exhale that snapped him out of his worry and focused his attention on his now glaring Taicho. "Um..." he mumbled, thinking quickly.

"Renji, I do appreciate your concern, of course, and I will take it easy, as you wish, but I will not have you speaking to me in that manner. I am neither weak, nor am I afraid of pain. If I can bear the force of taking Shinso to my fucking heart, I can suffer the passions of my lover."

"Oh shit, ba-Taicho, I didn't mean it like that," Renji said, backpedaling quickly, "I'm..."

"You are just trying to take care of me. That had not escaped me. Go ahead and bring the pain medication and I will rest...but..."

"I get it," Renji put in, his worry fading and a swell of adoration welling up in his chest, "No more scolding you like a little kid."

"Exactly."

XxXx

Reassured that Renji was never actually mad at him, but furious with himself for causing him pain, Byakuya nodded and accepted the pills and juice. "What are these?" he asked.

His partner was quick to explain. "Captain Unohana made 'em. They're for pain, specifically this kind. She knows me and my friends sleep together, or used to, so she made these for us. She's one of the few people outside the pack we trust completely. They might make you a little drowsy, but they work. Go ahead and take 'em, Taicho. Uh, please?"

Byakuya took the pills under his lover's watchful eye, then drank half the glass of juice. Within a few moments, the sharp edge of the pain began to dull, and he sighed in relief as he met the younger man's dark amber eyes. "Thank you, Renji. I'm sorry I worried you; I'm already feeling better, and I'll be fine."

Renji gave a tight nod, still looking guilty as hell. Byakuya spoke gently. "Honey, I still don't regret last night, ok? It was incredible, and I'm fine paying this price for it."

The Rukon Dog sighed, not looking convinced. "You sure about that? Cause it's like how I feel about everything else - just cause we did it once, that don't mean we have to do it again."

Unable to help himself, Byakuya laughed out loud, earning himself a concerned look from the crimsonette. "Taicho? You ok?"

He nodded, grinning as he replied, "Oh, I am definitely going to want to do that again! And soon!"

The dark honey eyes widened, then Renji began to smile for the first time since waking up. "Me too, baby."

XxXx

Renji was vastly relieved that his boyfriend was okay. Not only was the ravenette smiling and laughing, a quick reiatsu check only revealed happiness and a soul-deep satisfaction.

He smiled back as he moved one hand to smooth down the disheveled midnight mane.

Byakuya leaned into the touch, saying softly, "I was gonna get up and make breakfast, but you're not gonna let me, are you?"

Renji shook his head, smiling at the faint Rukon accent Byakuya was using, likely trying to charm him. "Nope. I don't want you moving around till those pills kick in all the way. I'll make breakfast, whatever you want."

The noble tilted his head. "Could you make grilled cheese?"

He smiled and nodded. "Baby, you could ask me to bake a cake right now and I would. How many you want?"

His superior shrugged. "I don't know. All I know is I'm starving! I haven't been this hungry in a while."

Renji chuckled as he turned towards the kitchen. "Sex has a tendency to do that, Taicho. Don't worry, I'll feed you good."

He grabbed his yukata on the way, putting it on and tying it. Before he could make it to the kitchen, a sigh caught his attention. He glanced back to see a pair of lost silvery eyes peeking over the back of the couch, fixed on the bar.

Specifically, the stool at the bar where Byakuya liked to sit and watch him cook.

Without saying a word, Renji grabbed his captain's sapphire yukata and took it to him. Not knowing his plan, the older man simply shrugged the garment on, being rather quiet and subdued as he obediently kept his movements to a minimum.

Renji leaned down and carefully wrapped his arms around his captain, whispering, "I'm sorry I raised my voice at you, Taicho. I just felt really bad for making you hurt, and you kept moving...I'm so sorry, Taicho. You were right to get onto me for that - I shoulda never spoken to you that way."

He felt his partner nod against his shoulder, murmuring, "I understood, even at the time, that you were angry with yourself and not me."

Renji smiled as he asked gently, "You wanna watch me cook?"

Byakuya nodded. "I do, but I'm not supposed to be moving."

As tenderly as possible, Renji lifted the smaller Soul Reaper into his arms. "It's alright, baby, I gotcha."

Even with the little twitches of pain his lover made, a bright smile blossomed on the fine features as slender arms wrapped around his neck. "You're such a gentleman, Renji."

He smirked at the teasing tone as he carefully settled Byakuya on his stool at the bar. "Oh yeah? If this is me being a gentleman, then what was I last night?"

The noble responded without missing a beat. "A total animal."

Renji laughed as he started cooking, then grimaced when his laughter made his head hurt. He was a little hungover but had been too distracted to notice before now. Squinting, he pulled the curtains closed over the window above the sink.

Seeing concern in Byakuya's eyes, he shrugged. "Kinda hungover, but it's my own fault for agreeing to the drinkin' contest."

The noble tilted his head and spoke softly. "A contest you would've won, but you threw it for me."

Remembering Kenpachi's 'prize', Renji stiffened. "Hey Byakuya? Shuu said you weren't bothered, but I need to make sure."

He watched as the ravenette blushed and lifted one hand to the cheek Kenpachi had kissed. "No, I wasn't bothered at all, actually. I was just surprised, and I keep remembering that you said you weren't going to share me. Does it bother you when your friends flirt with me?"

Renji shook his head and explained in a gentle tone. "The only thing that really bothers me is if they're making you uncomfortable. That's the only reason I sorta act jealous; I don't want you to be upset by them flirting with you, so I was trying to protect you. Speaking of which, you certainly seemed fine with Shuu last night before we went out."

Sure enough, that adorable blush deepened, and the dark eyes lowered to the counter as Byakuya spoke quietly. "It seems that the further we get into our relationship, the more your friends are able to affect me, and...I kinda like it. Does that disturb you, Renji?"

He smirked at the notion and what his lover had admitted. "Nope, doesn't disturb me. You already said you'd rather try move on with your life with me than anyone else, and that you're happy with me, yeah? As long as those two things are still true, I'd be honored to show you the kinda world me and my friends live in. You'd never be pressured into anything, and nobody would give you a hard time if you said no to something."

Renji noticed how hard Byakuya was blushing, but sensed interest in his words, and he continued gently. "Don't overthink yourself into a panic, baby. The only option right now would be Shuu, since he's the only one who knows about us. You want me to invite him over sometime?"

The noble replied softly, without hesitation. "Maybe."

Renji grinned as he finished cooking. "Well, then, you just let me know if or when you want me to, and I can invite him over. Or you can if you prefer. Whatever you want. I'm happy with you, my precious moon, so this is your decision. I'm happy either way. No pressure, ok?"

Looking relieved, Byakuya nodded as Renji placed a plate full of grilled cheese sandwiches on the bar and sat down.

They began eating, and Renji smiled as he remembered something. "Hey, also, thanks for what you said to Shuu."

Looking confused, the older man paused in licking his fingers, and Renji elaborated. "His scars - he really hates 'em, thinks they make him unattractive."

His captain frowned. "Well, they don't. He's had them as long as I've known him, since joining the Thirteen Squads. They're a part of him, and they are not ugly; they make him look...rugged, I guess. He's very attractive - why would he doubt this?"

Renji tilted his head. "You ain't never seen Shuuhei without the scars?"

When Byakuya shook his head, Renji got up and got his photo album from the top shelf of his bookcase. As he sat back down at the bar, he spoke softly. "I've always thought he was beautiful, especially with those scars because he survived and can still see with his right eye after something so awful happened to him."

He flipped through the pages of the album until he found the pictures he wanted. "This is why he hates the scars; he thinks they stole his beauty."

He turned the album so Byakuya could see. The violet-steel eyes widened, and his superior leaned closer. These were pictures from the Academy, before that fateful night.

There was Shuuhei, highly advanced in all his classes, announcing that mission to the Living World. Only his 69 tattoo was on his face, his hair was longer, and the studs on his choker glinted in the sunlight.

The next picture showed when they had gotten back; Renji, Kira, and Momo in a protective circle around their wounded senior.

Byakuya asked softly, "What happened?"

Renji replied in a low voice. "Real hollows showed up, and killed the other seniors. Shuu said to retreat, but he stayed so everyone could escape. Momo is actually the one that went back for him, and Kira and I followed. First time my Kido ever worked, and it saved him. We got surrounded and woulda all died, if Aizen hadn't showed up like he was the fuckin' hero!"

At his angry tone, his partner looked up at him, and he continued. "Everyone else thinks Aizen's betrayal started just a while before the execution fiasco, when he killed Central Forty-Six. But he was a bastard waaay before that. He is the one that let a bunch of real hollows attack an entire class of students, and he is the reason Shuu has those scars."

Looking devastated, Byakuya glanced at the Academy pictures again, when Shuu was scar-free and proud. "I still think he's beautiful now, scars and all. It's a shame he doesn't see it."

Renji shrugged as he put the photo album away. "Yeah, it is a shame. But most of my pack is damaged one way or another. That's why I gotta watch out for them."

The ravenette nodded as they finished eating. Then, before Renji could carry his lover back to the couches, Byakuya slid off the stool and gingerly walked back himself, saying, "I am feeling better, and I feel as if I need to move or I'll be even more sore."

Renji cleaned up quickly, and was about to join his superior, when a rhythmic knock echoed from the front door. He tilted his head as he sensed Shuu's energy outside. He heard Byakuya chuckle. "Does he know when someone talks about him?"

He grinned as he headed for the door. "Probably; my friends are weird."

XxXx

Byakuya smiled as Renji let Shuuhei in, and the younger man smiled back, saying, "Well, I ain't gonna ask how last night went, but aren't you just looking all happy and shit?"

The lieutenant tossed a rattling bottle to Renji. "Didn't know if you'd need 'em or not, but last I remember, you were pretty low. Better safe than sorry."

Renji opened the bottle and shook out 2 little white pills. "Thanks, Shuu. I gave him the last two I had, but he's still hurtin'."

Byakuya huffed. "I am feeling better, though. It's not as bad as it was."

Shuu frowned at him. "You shouldn't be hurtin' at all if you've already taken some...ok, I know I said I wouldn't ask, but just how rough did it get?"

Renji sighed as he refilled the glass of juice. "Rougher than it shoulda been for someone's first time in a hundred years."

Byakuya scowled at his boyfriend. "Abarai, if you don't stop talking about me like I'm not here, I swear you'll be doing nothing but paperwork for the entire week!"

Shuuhei snickered as he took the pills and juice from a stunned and rather frightened-looking crimsonette. "You got in trouble."

The scarred lieutenant brought his juice and pills to him, but when he shifted to take them, his yukata slipped to show one of the handprint-shaped bruises on his thigh. He saw Shuuhei stiffen, frost-silver eyes narrowing.

Byakuya quickly swallowed his pills and set about calming the younger man. "Relax, Shuu. I'm not hurt, and I like when he leaves marks on me."

The lieutenant seemed to calm at his words. "Really? Man, you got more in common with us than I thought."

Seeing that Renji was occupied in the kitchen, Byakuya asked softly, "You, too? I know he likes when I leave marks, but I didn't know others did."

Shuu nodded, murmuring, "Yeah, lotsa people do, just their preference on what kind differs. Myself, I like bite-marks and hickeys."

Byakuya smiled. "So far, I've liked every single mark of passion he's left on me."

The younger man chuckled, then tilted his head. "Hey, can I ask you a personal question?"

He smirked playfully. "Oh, because all of our conversations thus far have been proper and impersonal?"

The scarred lieutenant glanced back to make sure Renji wasn't returning yet, then climbed into the couch-nest to sit at his side.

Byakuya saw concern in the sky-silver eyes as the younger man spoke softly. "I ain't askin' this outta any disrespect to Ren, I just wanna make sure you're ok. Did...did you enjoy last night?"

He nodded, replying gently, "I did. I didn't freak out at all, but I became unsure of myself a few times. He'd reassure me, and he offered to stop anytime he thought I was having doubts. It didn't hurt, but it was really uncomfortable at first."

Shuu gave him a sympathetic smile. "Yeah, but that part does get better, I promise. And when it wasn't uncomfy anymore?"

Byakuya blushed, causing his companion to grin. "I'll take that blush to mean you enjoyed the rest. That's good; I was hoping you'd be ok and see that sex ain't nothing to be afraid of. I was worried you'd freeze up, couldn't even tell Ichigo and Kenpachi why I kept getting distracted."

Byakuya smiled at the reminder of how his new friend had spent the night. "And how did your night go?"

The younger man chuckled. "It went great, actually, but Ichigo and I both had to take pills this morning."

At his questioning look, Shuu elaborated. "Ok, you were hurtin' cause it's been a long time; ya also hurt the next day if it's rough or you're with someone really big. Considering Ken was there, and my bed is now broken, along with a table, I took four of them bitches the moment I woke up."

Byakuya laughed softly at his companion. "You poor thing. How's Ichigo?"

Shuuhei grinned wickedly. "He had to take six pills just to move. They're both still back at my place, Ken's sleeping and Ichi's cursing the fact that he took us both on."

Just then, Renji came up to the back of the couch. "Shuuhei, have you eaten?"

When the scarred lieutenant hesitated, Renji's eyes narrowed, and he handed him a plate with 2 grilled cheese on it. "Eat."

Shuuhei accepted the plate, nodding meekly. Once Renji had walked away, Byakuya whispered, "I got in trouble when he found out I don't always eat lunch at the office."

Shuu nodded, whispering back, "Yeah, cause we all missed meals growing up. But you know why he's so insistent?"

When he shook his head, Shuu explained. "Ren and Rukia didn't grow up alone. In the Rukon, they had three others. Two died from other causes, but...one of their friends starved to death. He never talks about that, but it seriously bothers him if one of us doesn't eat, and now that includes you. Welcome to the family."

XxXx

Renji could hear those cheeky little bastards whispering when he walked away, but his head hurt too much to care unless it was bothering Byakuya. The noble seemed fine, so he didn't bother interfering.

He wet a washcloth and put it over his eyes as he sat in one of his recliners, letting the older men have their time.

He heard Shuu's voice, soft and sympathetic.

"You hungover, Ren?"

He gave a thumbs-up, unwilling to move his head. Shuu spoke again, keeping his voice down.

"Thought you might be, so I brought these."

Renji felt pills being pressed into his hand, and knew they were hangover medicine, something he hadn't needed in some time. He smiled in gratitude for his friend's consideration. "Thanks, Shuu. I need these."

Before he could make a move to get himself a drink, he felt a glass being pressed into his free hand, and heard Byakuya's quiet voice.

"Here you go. I don't think you should be moving."

Renji's smile widened.

"I love you, Taicho."

He took the medicine and finished the juice, sighing in relief when his pounding headache immediately began to recede.

"Fuck, I'd forgotten how well these work," he murmured.

Within a few minutes, he felt almost normal again. He moved the cool washcloth off of his eyes, seeing that all the curtains were closed and most lights were off. Renji smiled at his boyfriend and best friend, loving how they had worked together to make sure he was ok.

"You two are awesome. I feel a lot better, thank you."

The older men nodded, then Byakuya spoke shyly.

"I imagine we can't until I stop hurting, but... how soon can we do it again?"

Shuuhei almost choked on his grilled cheese, a surprised laugh coming up just as he was swallowing. Renji sent a half-glare his way before refocusing on his partner with a reassuring smile.

"Best to wait at least 24 hours after the first time, gives your body time to recover. But once we've done it enough for your body to be used to it, we'll only have to wait til we're frisky again."

Byakuya looked disappointed that they'd have to wait, then Shuuhei snickered and playfully nudged the noble.

"Aww, c'mon, don't pout. Just gotta wait to go all the way again - ain't shit keeping ya from being able to do other stuff. You've only been together...what, four days? I bet there's lotsa fun shit Ren ain't gotten to show ya yet."

The disappointment faded from Byakuya's face, only to be replaced by a blush, and Renji, ever ready to defend his moon even when he didn't need to, hurled a pillow at the older lieutenant.

"'S none your business what I have or haven't."

Shuuhei caught the pillow, grinning.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I gotta go check on Ichi and Ken, make sure they ain't wrecking my place any more than we did last night."

XxXx

Once the acting captain had left, Byakuya sighed and stretched out in the couch-nest. Almost all of the pain was gone now, leaving him feeling much better.

He smiled as Renji crawled into the nest to lay by his side. The redhead smiled back, murmuring, "I love you, Byakuya."

He snuggled closer to the bigger Soul Reaper, his heart at peace. "And I love when you say that, Renji."