Ch 29: Five Months In
This chap picks up 5 months into Renji and Byakuya's relationship.
*For events taking place during the 5 months, as well as certain not-entirely-canon events that I've hinted at, please see side-pieces that I will be posting as soon as I'm able*
Chapter 28 was posted May 25th, just trying to make sure nobody misses any.
Warnings: sexxxy time and a cliffy
Previously - 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."
.
The next few months passed peacefully, the lovers both giving their relationship everything they had and then some. They cooked for each other, traded massages, and enjoyed secret 'dates' at The Wolf Den under the guise of pack meetings or group get-togethers.
The entire pack welcomed Byakuya as one of their own, heedless of his nobility and his occasional awkwardness. There was always a seat saved for him, often along with a drink, and he was included in as many conversations as possible. He was flirted with, but there was an invisible, unspoken boundary that was never crossed.
At the same time, the pack welcomed Renji's mysterious boyfriend, often asking about his well-being and expressing concern if Renji even hinted that his partner might not be feeling too hot or hadn't had a great day.
And the sex? That was going very well! After a few weeks, Byakuya no longer needed pills. That voracious creature known as his lieutenant took any and every opportunity to bring him pleasure or share in it, from lovely makeout sessions lasting an hour or more, to trading favors of all sorts, to full-on, wall-rattling sex.
Sometimes, they left marks on each other, while other times were gently sensual, but no less intense and beautiful.
Byakuya had yet to take his lover, but Renji never pushed. He did enjoy the redhead's 'tails' side, when Renji would happily do whatever he wanted, even kneeling at his feet and begging to be allowed to touch or suck him.
He usually rewarded the younger man's submissive performance with a blowjob or other treat. The one time he hadn't, Renji had basically ambushed him and he'd gotten ravished on the bar (with his full and enthusiastic consent, of course.)
That had been a beautiful night.
True to their promises, they behaved professionally at work...most of the time. Lunch hours were sometimes spent with pack members at their favorite spots, and sometimes the pack was invited to eat lunch in the garden Byakuya had suggested the first time Renji asked him to share lunch.
Other times were just the two of them in the 6th's captain's quarters, which Shuuhei had been so kind as to sound-proof and reiatsu-proof for them.
They hadn't invited the scarred lieutenant to join them during intimate times, but on occasion, they would discuss how that might go before making love for hours.
They had a few minor disputes, as all couples do. But they made sure they made up by the same night, often with both of them apologizing sincerely for their own role in the fight.
The couch-nest was now a permanent fixture, as Byakuya still couldn't bring himself to sleep or have sex in Renji's bed, and his subordinate always stayed with him.
Renji never pushed for sex, for the bed, or for Shuuhei to join them. He respected Byakuya's choices, and the noble's happiness and comfort were just as much of a priority now as they were in the first week.
And while Byakuya was still unable to outright say 'I love you', Renji was secure in his superior's feelings for him.
After 5 months together, their bond was powerful, their trust unbreakable.
XxXx
Then one day in January, a couple of weeks before Byakuya's birthday, they received orders to scout Los Noches.
Aizen was plotting again.
Byakuya was sprawled out next to his boyfriend on a lazy Sunday evening when the message came. At dawn, they were to report to the 12th, where they would take a garganta to Hueco Mundo and begin their recon mission to see if they could get any Intel on what the traitor was up to.
Byakuya was struck by a sense of unease, but did his best to suppress it as his partner's cinnamon eyes met his.
Renji asked softly, "What's wrong?"
He just shook his head, leaning close to kiss his partner. As usual, the kiss was distracting as they both sank into it.
Byakuya slid his hands into his lover's yukata, boldly indicating he wished to be 'heads' right now.
He heard Renji whimper submissively, laying back under the guidance of his hands. He gazed down at the Rukon Dog, mesmerized by his beauty and strength. It always fascinated him when the bigger Soul Reaper displayed his 'tails' side.
He let Renji watch while he prepared himself, then straddled the redhead's hips, facing his feet. He smirked to himself when he heard a lustful moan, knowing his lover enjoyed this view. According to Renji, it was 'so fuckin' sexy.'
Then again, quite a few things he did fell into that category for his subordinate.
Byakuya began rocking his hips up and down with confidence, letting Renji's member stroke his sweet spot. The younger man started thrusting, hands settling on Byakuya's hips.
He moaned, bracing his hands on the strong thighs as he rode harder. A light spank on his behind rewarded him, and he shivered in pleasure, smirking over his shoulder as he wiggled his bottom each time he sank down into a thrust.
Their peak came quickly, the climax sweeping them away.
With a happy sigh, Byakuya leaned back to lay on his boyfriend's chest, the thick member still buried in his body. Humming softly, Renji embraced him, strong arms anchoring him while the amorous redhead leisurely made more lovebites on his shoulders to join the array of fading marks he already wore.
As much as he enjoyed the lovemaking, Byakuya enjoyed this part just as much - the post-coital snuggles. He knew Renji loved them, too.
His partner was always happy to hold and cuddle him, so this had easily become a habit - holding each other close after any intimate activity. It bonded them in a deep, meaningful way, more than almost anything else they did.
Byakuya felt that dark sensation again, like something terrible was just on the horizon. Trying to push the feeling away, he shifted to lay by Renji, wrapping both arms around the bigger Soul Reaper, who met his eyes.
"Baby? What is it? Tell me what's wrong."
Byakuya hesitated, then whispered, "Honey, I have a bad feeling about this mission."
Instead of brushing it off or feeding him some empty reassurance, Renji took his hand and stroked it, speaking quietly.
"So do I, Taicho."
They held each other's gaze, each unable to reassure the other for now.
It was getting dark outside, and Renji pulled away to make supper after kissing his forehead. They ate and went to bed in the nest, holding each other tight as they drifted off uneasily.
XxXx
Renji woke the next morning, a feeling of dread tying his stomach in knots.
In his arms, Byakuya stirred, dark eyes fluttering open to meet his. In the silvery depths, he could see the same apprehension he felt.
In the silence, they wordlessly agreed not to talk about it. Renji kissed his boyfriend tenderly, murmuring, "I love you, Byakuya."
The older man smiled warmly at him, tapping the tip of his nose with one slim finger. "You'd better, mister."
With a chuckle, Renji got up to fix a quick breakfast. Light was just appearing on the horizon, and he swallowed. At sunrise, they'd be leaving for their mission.
Personally, he'd be just fine never seeing his first captain again. Memories from his time in the 5th assailed him. He'd rather cut off his arm than see Aizen again, but the thought of Byakuya running into the traitor alone was even worse.
Shaking the thoughts away, he took their breakfast to the nest, and they ate quietly before getting ready for the day.
Renji did his best to hide his nerves as they headed for the 12th. Nemu was standing next to an opening garganta.
To Renji's surprise, Shuuhei and Kenpachi stood nearby. They looked calm, but their eyes betrayed their unease.
As Renji and Byakuya reached them, they both stood at attention. Kenpachi nodded, the bells in his hair tinkling.
"Y'two be safe out there. Don' get in no trouble."
Shuuhei gave a weak smile, adding, "Yeah, take care. Come back to us, both of you."
Renji was struck by the worry his friends were showing; they'd never come to see him off on a mission before, and it made him wonder if they had felt the same trepidation as him and Byakuya. He heard his secret partner reply calmly.
"We shall return safely."
He nodded in agreement, even as the knot of dread tightened. He and his captain stepped into the garganta, leaving their home behind.
XxXx
Byakuya let out a breath as they stepped onto the cool sand of Hueco Mundo. In the distance, the white buildings and towers of Los Noches were visible against the dark sky. They'd dropped this far away to avoid detection.
At his side, Renji muttered, "Fuck, I'll be glad when this is over."
He nodded. "I agree wholeheartedly."
They started to head for the white palace city on the horizon, but before they'd taken more than a handful of steps, Hollows sprang up, appearing as if from thin air.
Byakuya fought alongside his lover for what seemed like hours, but the Hollows kept coming, bursting from the sand at their feet and swooping down out of the clear night sky.
He and his lieutenant were forced to resort to Bankai, at the same time dealing damage with Kido. But for every one enemy they destroyed, 2 took its place. Guts burning from the extended use of reiatsu, the warriors fought to the point of being drained.
Finally, Byakuya rasped, "We need to retreat. Something's wrong here."
The redhead nodded, panting hard. They turned and flash-stepped towards the garganta, letting their zanpakutos revert to Shikai. Just as they reached the opening, it vanished.
It didn't close; it shimmered and disappeared.
Byakuya skidded to a stop, staring in disbelief at the spot where their escape route had been. Only by instinct was he able to pull Senbonzakura's bladed petals around to block the next wave of screeching Hollow scum.
At his side, his lieutenant growled, "Fuckin' hell. What now, Taicho?"
Before he could reply, a deep voice rose behind them, raising the fine hairs on the back of his neck.
"Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai. What an unexpected pleasure this is."
Byakuya turned to see Sousuke Aizen standing in the midst of the Hollows, looking as smug as ever. Renji stepped between them, brandishing a fanged Zabimaru.
Byakuya saw the cruel smirk that curled Aizen's lips.
"Shatter."
Then he was falling, losing sight of Renji as he drowned in suffocating darkness.
When he woke, Byakuya felt weak and fuzzy, almost nauseated by the disorientation that clouded his mind. He groaned and tried to move his hands to cradle his head, but something heavy restrained his wrists.
He cracked his eyes open to see a chain attached to formidable shackles. Instinctively, he tried to summon a Kido, only for his wrists to go numb as he flinched from a shower of blue sparks that flared around the manacles.
Struggling to lift his head, Byakuya found he was on a small bed, wearing only a thin white yukata. The chain on his restraints was attached to the wall.
Blinking dazedly, he struggled to focus. He heard a groan, and forced himself to sit up so he could see the room.
In the corner, Renji was chained to the floor, dressed in a similar way as himself.
"Renji?" he croaked, and the bigger Soul Reaper stirred.
"By-Byakuya?"
The redhead grunted and groaned as he painstakingly rose to his hands and knees, as far as the chains let him go. His voice was hoarse as if he'd been screaming.
"Byakuya, where are we?"
Byakuya hesitated, trying to calm his racing heart because panic wouldn't help them at all right now.
"I think...we're prisoners in Los Noches."