With a deep sigh did Ichigo lean his shoulder against the sturdy wood of his front door, the sound of the latch bolt falling into place nearly had his knees give out from sheer relief. He didn't know how he had managed it but he had succeeded. His son was safe, his Zanpakutō had not been persecuted due to biased bullshit, and even his town had gone relatively unscathed. He didn't know which deity he should pray to but he was tempted to light a candle for all of them in thanks for allowing him to live life a little longer in the faux-normalcy he had settled in.

'Chichi! Chichi!'

Kazui's excited whispers pulled Ichigo from his mental prayers. He locked the door and pushed himself off against the wood, turning around to lean against it with his back instead. His son was hopping in place before Getsu—who had his arms full with one sleeping Quincy Zanpakutō—softly chanting at him to get his attention.

It was quite the adorable sight, Ichigo had to admit. He couldn't recall ever catching Tensa sleeping before. It made the spirit look so much younger that Ichigo had to actively remind himself that Tensa was not a child (and yes, late teens are still children). Though he had very much behaved like one once he'd started to get sleepy, getting all fussy as he refused to give in to his exhaustion. Not that Tensa's frustration wasn't justified for it had been Ichigo's fault in the first place.

While they had been waiting for Kisuke to finish their trackers, Ichigo had begun to clean his zanpakutō to pass the time. Kazui had watched him work with curiosity and interest, keeping silent and not bothering his two "uncles" who were growing more and more relaxed with each wipe-down of the steel. After Ichigo had finished he had asked if he could do their blades as well.

Getsu had adamantly refused, telling Ichigo he would have to wait until they were back home if he really wanted to do it. Tensa had been a bit hesitant but eventually relented, thinking he could fight the effects it had on him. And he would have been right too if all Ichigo had done was give the sword a quick wipe down. He hadn't stood a chance. Tensa had fallen asleep before Ichigo had covered the steel with powder proper, using Getsu's lap as a pillow while wearing a small but happy smile on his face. And while Ichigo did feel a little bad about causing his spirit to fall asleep when he didn't want to, now that Tensa was sleeping he could give the daitō the complete treatment anyway.

'Don't call me chichi!'

Ichigo blinked at the hushed hiss, refocusing on the scene playing out before him.

'And keep yer damn voice down!'

'But—'

'Can't ya see he's sleeping?!' Getsu snapped quietly, 'Yer gonna wake him if ya don't—'

'Hn...'

Getsu went rigid at the soft and muffled groan, ceasing to even breathe as he waited for Tensa to settle down again. His efforts were for nought, however. Tensa shifted as much as the arms that carried him allowed him to, his eyes fluttering open to reveal blurry blue.

'Hm?' Tensa blinked, looking around a bit while he waited for his eyes to focus. 'This isn't...' One hand came up to rub his eyes free of sand one by one. 'We're... home?'

Getsu shot Kazui a sharp glare that the child answered with a bashful shrug.

'Did you have a nice nap?' Ichigo asked when blue semi-focused on him. 'Sorry for causing you to fall asleep, by the way'.

Tensa frowned, his face turning a light pink. 'Yes... and it's fine— how long was I sleeping for?'

'An hour, maybe an hour and a half'.

Humming in acknowledgement Tensa absentmindedly patted Getsu on the shoulder in a silent request to be put down. Getsu grumbled, giving Kazui another pointed glare as he lowered Tensa to the ground and allowed him to stand on his feet again. Well, "lowered", more like dropping the legs and letting Tensa deal with the consequences.

Bare feet met wood, stumbling a little until his shoulder found support against his counterpart who steadied him with a hand. 'Why didn't you wake me up?' Tensa murmured unbothered by the lack of thoughtfulness. 'You shouldn't have needed to carry me'.

'I tried to but ya didn't move when I shook yer shoulder', Getsu shrugged off. 'It ain't like ya weigh anything ta me anyway'.

'That's not the issue'.

'There ain't an issue, brat. Stop looking fer one', Getsu grumbled. 'If ya really wanna throw blame, ya can blame Aibō fer lovin' us too much'.

'I don't love you "too much"', Ichigo objected. 'There's no such thing'.

'Sure there ain't'.

Kazui took the little distraction as his chance to grab both of his uncles by the hand and drag them further into the house. Well, that had been his intention. Neither of the two was in the mood to indulge the child and thus remained standing, not budging in the slightest even when Kazui threw his whole weight behind it.

Getsu rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh as deep as the Mariana Trench, 'Whatcha want now, Lil' Heir?'

'Tou-san promised me a movie night!' Kazui told with a happy smile, oblivious to the mental and emotionally exhausted state of his two uncles. 'We're gonna stay up late, drink soda, and eat snacks; it will be lots of fun!'

Something died inside of Ichigo as he was reminded that he had, in fact, made that promise. A small voice in the back of his head urged him to reschedule but he shook his head, he couldn't do that. He rather sits through a movie and a few cups of coffee than teach his son that promises had no value.

'I am sure it will be', Tensa said. 'However, we are very tired after today's events, Kazui. Maybe some other time'.

Finally, did Kazui stop his pulling; his excitement gone as fast as it had appeared. 'Wha? But watching a movie is really chill! You don't have to do anything, just watch!'

'Be that as it may, we rather have some time to ourselves and rest'.

'But—'

'No, Kazui', Ichigo interrupted. 'They have said no and even gave you a reason. You are to respect that and not push them'.

Kazui crossed his arms with a huff.

'Why don't you and Kon go ahead and pick out a movie to watch?' Ichigo suggested. 'I will be with you in a minute'.

Tensa looked at him, 'You don't have to—'

Ichigo raised his hand, 'I want to and I would feel better if I did'.

Tensa still wanted to argue but Getsu stopped him, 'Leave it'. He gave his wielder a smirk that would have been teasing if he didn't look two seconds away from toppling over and sleeping for a week. 'Yer not gonna win against momma bear'.

Even delivered with an exhausted sigh the jab still had Ichigo's eye twitch. He didn't rise to take the bait, however. 'You got that right. Now, Kazui. Try not to burn the house down for a few minutes while I show them the guestroom'.

'O-kaaaay~' As if been told he had to eat all his vegetables before he could get ice cream, Kazui turned around and went to the living room with Kon in tow.

With his son somewhat supervised, occupied, and out of sight, Ichigo quickly kicked off his shoes like he always told Kazui not to do. He nudged the pair of sneakers to the side with his foot so they wouldn't be a tripping hazard before stepping out of the entryway and towards the stairs, gesturing for his spirits to follow him.

'As you know, there is only one bed in the guestroom but I assume that isn't a problem'.

'It is not', Tensa confirmed. 'Though sleeping arrangements are not an issue as we shan't be staying separate much longer'.

'Oh? Why's that?'

'We are drawing twice as much Energy from you like this', Tensa explained. 'Even when we seal Bankai, with all those seals you have in place, you don't generate enough Energy to sustain us both for a week'.

Ichigo hummed. He wished he could just undo a few seals so both sides of Zangetsu could take advantage of their time manifested but he knew that doing so wouldn't cause his core to pick up the pace immediately. On the bright side, they could still switch if one of them wanted to do something or didn't want to deal with the outside for a while, so maybe this was better in the grand scheme of things. Although, judging by the way Getsu was almost strangling Tensa with his Pressure made Ichigo believe that, at the moment, it was an unfortunate sacrifice that had to be made.

They reached the top of the stairs and Ichigo brought them to the second door on their left and opened it up. 'I guess it is moot to say but this room and everything in it is yours to use. I'm—' he paused, shaking his head and turning to face Getsu. 'Actually, would you mind if I join you tonight? I... I have a feeling it's gonna be a rough night'.

'Tch, no kidding', Getsu huffed as he put his hands into the pockets of his borrowed vest. 'Might be smart, don't wanna suffocate yer lil' Heir—'

The doorbell rang and Ichigo cursed as he quickly retrieved his phone from his back pocket. As he had suspected, it was the food he had ordered before they had left the Shōten. Of all the days for takeout to arrive five minutes early, why today?

'I— Just make yourselves at home, okay? I'm downstairs if you need me'.

The two Zanpakutō watched how their wielder tore himself away from them, taking a step back before turning around and heading back downstairs to accept the food he had ordered. Still, it was clear they were sharing priority, for Ichigo let his Spiritual Pressure roam free within the house and continued to make a conscious effort to keep theirs intertwined.

Fingers brushed Tensa's arm and he looked up. Getsu didn't meet his inquisitive gaze, continuing to stare at the staircase their wielder had descended for a moment longer before turning his head and body away to enter the guestroom. Tensa felt fingers slide down his arm and wrap around his wrist. He didn't pull free, falling into step behind the other before he was dragged along.

Once they had both crossed the threshold, Getsu let go of the wrist. The bag he had been carrying slid off his other shoulder and onto the ground. His feet continued, walking on until his shins met the end of the bed on which he let himself fall face first with a loud groan.

Honestly, Tensa shared the sentiment.

Closing the door, Tensa picked up the duffle bag from the floor on his way to the left side of the bed. Getsu—having most likely tracked his Pressure—rolled over on his back in time to face him.

'I am going to change clothes. Please, do not seal Bankai before I'm done'.

Getsu turned on his right side with a hum, letting his hand fall off the bed to catch the end of sky blue fabric, 'Yer 'fraid ya gonna tear that pretty lil' dress apart?'

'It's not mine to ruin'.

Silver eyes with golden swirls briefly found sapphire blue before dropping to the end of the dress he had captured. Getsu grumbled something illegible as he rubbed the fabric between his thumb and index, his upper lip pulling up for a quick show of teeth.

With a silent sigh and shake of his head, Tensa moved away to a more spacious area in the room—ignoring the croon behind him as the dress slipped free from pale digits. Placing the bag on the unoccupied part of the bed, Tensa began to unpack their cleaned clothes. He folded Getsu's attire first and stacked them neatly on the dresser before he changed back into his own clothing. While he had no issue with what he wore currently—for it was quite comfy and warm—Tensa didn't want to find out the hard way what would happen to it once they sealed their Bankai.

Perhaps that is something they should experiment with in the future. Even if the chances of a repeat of the current situation were abysmal, they would at least know.

He didn't bother with his coat as there was no need for the protection and warmth it provided while indoors. His boots, however, he did put on. They were clean, anyway. After making sure the collar of his dress shirt was neatly folded Tensa adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, chancing a glance over at his other half while he was doing so.

Getsu hadn't moved from his spot, still laying on his right side and seemingly staring at the wall. He wasn't sleeping, Tensa could tell as much from his Pressure.

Dressed to his satisfaction Tensa folded up the borrowed clothing and put them into the bag which he put down beside the dresser.

'Geez, do ya always take this long ta change?'

'No, I do not', Tensa answered as he walked back towards the left side of the bed, a hint of a smile on his face. 'I usually take longer'.

Getsu scoffed, eyes moving toward his counterpart once he came into view. 'Tch, fuckin' fancy boy'.

'Are you jealous?' Tensa asked, leaning back against the bed so he was half-sitting, half-leaning on the edge of the mattress. 'I'm sure Ichigo still has a suit somewhere that will fit you'.

'Nah, ya don't wanna see me in a suit'.

'Oh? And why's that?'

Getsu rolled on his back with a smirk, 'Cuz I'll look too good. The Universe ain't ready for it'.

'Hm, I'm flattered but I can assure you that Ichigo and I can handle you in a three-piece'.

'But those horny-ass Zanpakutō can't, they were already fighting over you when they couldn't even see yer face'.

Tensa grimaced, barely suppressing a shiver at the reminder of those "curious" eyes.

He felt Getsu pull on their power, fingers brushing his own as they sealed their Bankai. The change in perspective didn't cause the rush of vertigo and disorientation like it had in the very beginning; back when Zan didn't know his body would change so drastically nor could anticipate when Ichigo would use their second release. At least Getsu had found his plight amusing.

'Ya glad ta be old again?'

'Very much so'.

'Thought as much', Getsu said, absentmindedly tapping the metal band Zan wore on his ring finger. 'Ya didn't seem ta like the attention they gave ya very much'.

'I do not recall ever feeling as uncomfortable as I did in that very moment', Zan admitted. Even back when he was still a part of Yhwach, nothing had managed to fluster him that severely. Back then, no one would even think of considering approaching another in such a manner. Had class and courtesy gone out of fashion in the past few centuries?

'Doubt they would've been fawning over ya in Shikai, though', Getsu noted with a scowl. 'Tch, shallow wenches, the whole lot of 'em are'.

Accidental backhanded compliment aside, the other did raise a valid point. Perhaps staying in Bankai hadn't been the best course of action. Of course, judging his past-self's decisions with hindsight would be unfair. How was he supposed to know his Bankai would garner so much attention? With his face obscured no less! If he had known that could happen he would have rejoined his other half—

'No'. Getsu squeezed the three fingers beneath his hand together, 'Ya made the right call'.

Zan believed him.

Pale fingers moved up to catch the cuff of his sleeve, pulling at it gently in a silent request.

'We should not stay separate'.

'We bathed in Getaboshi's spring, our reserves are as full as they can get', Getsu argued, tugging at the fabric more firmly. 'Ichigo can handle us both for a little while longer as long as we don't do shit'.

Zan gave the other a once over, 'You should get under the covers'.

With a loud and dragged put groan did Getsu cover his eyes with his left arm, 'Uhg, are ya starting ya "momma bear-act" now too?'

'It is not an act'.

'Well, I ain't cold'.

'But you will be'.

'How do you know?'

'Because you always get cold', Zan pointed out. 'And then I wake to your cold clutches trying to syphon my warmth away'.

The fingers abandoned the cuff. 'S'not my fault', Getsu objected. 'Cold didn't bother me before mah heart started ta beat'.

'Would you rather have it not beat?'

Pale lips pressed into a thin line and that was all the response Getsu would give to that question. It wasn't a vocal yes, meaning it was a silent albeit reluctant no.

Point made, Zan pushed himself off to stand. He turned around to face the bed, fingers twitching at his side in deliberate patterns and the Ambient Particles responded to his call. Thin strings formed and attached to the quilt his counterpart was laid upon. He was almost done when Getsu took notice.

'Whatcha doing?'

'Whatever do you mean?' Zan brought his hand up and made a fist. Thousands of strings shimmered as they were pulled taut, the ends and edges of the quilt slowly rising up into the air.

'You've got ta be kiddin' me', Getsu bemoaned with a roll of his eyes, the quilt lifting him into the air. 'Are ya serious right now? I ain't a fuckin' child!'

'Yet you do behave like one on occasion', Zan countered as he opened up the covers.

'Pft, that's rich coming from the one who fell asleep and had ta be carried home!'

Zan let the rebuttal slide, for now at least. He picked up the pillow from the bed before lowering the quilt.

'Yer such a mothering hen, ya know that?' Getsu hissed as soon as his vision was no longer obscured. His eyes snapped to the pillow in Zan's hands and he snatched it without a second thought, hugging it tight to his chest to vent some of his annoyance. Whatever ire Getsu managed to squeeze into the pillow was replaced when the duvet was pulled back into place, covering not only his body but also his head. With a growl did he grab the edge and jank it back down to free his face. 'Asshole'.

Zan wasn't standing in front of him anymore, his footsteps moving away and around the bed. Getsu tracked them, refusing to turn around to make clear he didn't appreciate being treated like a child that couldn't take care of themselves.

The bed creaked and the mattress depressed behind him as a weight settled down on it. At once, Getsu abandoned the pillow and his annoyance, turning onto his other side to claim Zan's leg instead. Even through the layers of fabric, he could feel the heat the other emitted like a furnace. It reminded Getsu of Ichigo in some way. Maybe that's why he liked it so much?

A weight pressed down on his head, calloused fingers digging through white tresses with blunt nails scraping his scalp and Getsu was content to fall asleep right then and there.

'How well are you holding up?'

Of course, Zan had other ideas.

Getsu groaned and he pressed his face into the other's thigh, nails digging lightly into the fabric. 'Don't wanna talk about it'.

'Is that because of the subject or the time?'

'Yes'.

Zan sighed at the reply; long, slow and deep that made it sound like disappointment.

'It ain't anything ya don't already know!' Getsu snapped. 'Jus' the same old abuse an' experiments an' torture shit. Nothing ta write home about'.

'If it were truly nothing it would not have affected you so', Zan countered gently. 'You were bothered by what the sōtaichō said, as well as Katen's remark'.

'Hn... that old fart just sparked a memory, is all. Took me off guard', Getsu murmured. 'As fer Katen...it was the words she used, made me think she knew something'.

On that, Zan had to agree. For Katen to say "design flaw" suggested she knew more than she let on. Or, at the very least, that she was aware an outside force had played a part in Ichigo's powers.

'Even if she were suspecting something, I doubt she would care enough to tell her wielder unless specifically asked'.

'I guess so', Getsu agreed. 'Pink Robe also doesn't seem like the kinda guy who would throw Aibō under the bus. Then again, he's kinda like Getaboshi in that regard'.

'That is true', Zan conceded. 'However, from our interactions, I can tell that Kyoraku and Ukitake appear to be quite taken with Ichigo. They do not seem like the people who would betray his trust'.

'Fer all our sakes I hope yer right'.

'My apologies, I did not mean to upset you further'.

Getsu increased his hold, angling his head so Zan's fingers would bury deeper into his hair. 'Keep doing what yer doing and yer forgiven'.

They stayed silent for a while. Getsu continued to draw senseless shapes on Zan's thigh while humming at the slender but rough fingers that carded through his hair. Zan's fingers played a little with the silver cuff around the curve of Getsu's ear. It matched the design of his own tracker—a simple silver band—on his right ring finger.

'What was it that had ya freak out?'

'Pardon?'

'Yer lie'.

Ah, that. Zan removed his hand from the white mess, placing it on the shoulder instead. 'I did not want to upset you more than you already were, I do not believe you would be able to refrain from committing murder if I told you'.

'Figured it was bad, wouldn't have gotten a reaction out of ya if it weren't', Getsu reasoned.

'Do you not mean "such" a reaction?'

'Do you know how hard it is to get ya ta break that damn poker face ya have?' Getsu questioned. 'Doesn't matter whether yer in Shikai or Bankai, the weather can be fucking perfect and you'll still look like someone took a shit in yer bed'.

'That is not true'.

'It is, don't try ta deny it', Getsu said. 'And don't think ya can change the subject. So why did ya freak out?'

Brown brows levelled, a displeased hum brewing in Zan's throat. 'I realised that we have overlooked something. Something that could make the Gotei Thirteen's plan to "re-educate" Ichigo actually succeed'.

Getsu frowned, 'Is it something we can prevent?'

'Prevent, I do not know. However, we can make preparations to minimise their chances'.

'O-kay... so, what—' Silver turned to gold on a dime, 'We ain't gonna remember shit once he crosses over'.

Zan nodded, 'That is most likely. Still, we do not need to remember. All we need is someone we trust to reach us before the Gotei Thirteen can indoctrinate him with their outdated beliefs'.

'Y-yeah', Getsu nodded in agreement, 'Just gotta have Midget find us or something'.

'We shall bring the issue up with Ichigo tomorrow', Zan said. 'He is still young, we have time to prepare and cover our bases to make sure the Gotei Thirteen will not get their way'.

'Hn, ya better knock on wood before fate takes ya up on the challenge'.

Zan moved his hand back to Getsu's head, fingers delving back into short tresses. With his free hand, he knocked on the headboard of the bed two times, just in case.

'On an unrelated note', Zan began. 'May I ask why you did not wake me up?'

'Hm?' Getsu turned his head to the side to make the fingers move to the nape of his neck, incidentally also turning his face away. 'I told ya, ya wouldn't wake when I shook yer shoulder'. No, not incidental, it was on purpose.

'You have put your hand on my shoulder and shaken it firmly without me waking?'

'Didn't I just say that?'

'No, you avoided saying that', Zan refuted. 'You did not intend to wake me, you let me sleep'.

'Hn...so what if I did?'

'I am curious why'.

Getsu shrugged, 'I dunno... ya just looked like ya were having a good dream or something. Didn't feel like disturbin' ya'.

The faintest of smiles tugged at Zan's lips at the confession. 'And you say I am a mothering hen'.

'Ya are', Getsu insisted. 'Never said I wasn't one, either'. He angled his head back to look at his other half with a grin that promised nothing good. 'Now it's my turn ta ask ya a question. Why did ya hide yer face?'

'I beg your pardon?'

'Don't try ta play dumb, yer too smart fer that', Getsu said, flicking the other's nose as punishment for even attempting to fool him. Between their Blut and Hierro, it had no effect on either of them. 'Like, I know ya said ya resemble someone Soul Society has some serious beef with but that was about yer Shikai. So why hide yer face in Bankai? Are ya that paranoid they might recognise ya?'

'Paranoid is a strong word'.

'It has been hundreds of years, ya look nothing like ya Bankai, and I doubt yer Signature is still the same with ya being part of Aibō's soul now', Getsu countered, raising a finger with each point he made. 'Sounds like paranoia ta me'.

Zan hummed, the sound low and curt. It had Getsu smirk knowing he had been right. 'Or, maybe, ya just get all shy when people are fawning over ya. Get all flustered when they "coo" and "aw" at ya like yer some lil' kid'.

The glare Zan aimed at him only succeeded in fuelling Getsu's amusement.

'Like, I get that yer cute in Bankai and all but they ain't gonna wage a war over ya'. The tired but teasing smirk turned thoughtful, 'Well, maybe... ya did look ridiculously adorable in that dress and hoodie, though. Wanted ta squeeze ya till yer eyes pop out and—'

'You should stop speaking before you say something you will regret', Zan advised. 'Clearly, you are too exhausted to talk sense'.

'Yer wrong, I know damn well what I'm saying,' Getsu insisted. 'You just don't know how ta take a compliment'.

'Pot, meet kettle'.

Getsu wanted to argue but a yawn cut him off, one that showed every tooth in his mouth and had his eyes water. '... Yer right about one thing, though. I am tired.

'Then go to sleep'.

'I'm trying!' Getsu huffed. 'The bed just ain't as comfy as yours'.

'I have seen you sleep in trees, the quality of the bed is not the issue'.

'I was napping back then. Napping is different than sleeping'.

The excuse was weak but Zan didn't feel like pointing out the obvious this time. Instead, he decided to indulge the other a little for he had more than deserved it. Retrieving his hand, Zan nudged his counterpart until he managed to annoy him enough that he pulled back with a soft growl.

Shifting his legs to one side, Zan raised the covers—the growl ceasing—and moved under them as well. The moment he lay down a pale arm clothed in black snaked around his chest, a body pressing against his side as if trying the merge into him.

'And how is the bed now?'

'Much better', Gets said with a deep vibration in the back of his throat as he laid his head to rest on the other's shoulder. 'Got mah favourite pillow'.

'Please refrain from calling me a—'

A pale finger pressed against Zan's lips, 'Hush~ pillows don't talk'.

Zan slowly exhaled through his nose, briefly wondering why he let the other get away with so much. They were the textbook example of opposites, enemies by nature, born to hunt and despise one another and yet here they were, laying in the same bed knowing there was no place they would feel more safe and comfortable while manifested.

Why wouldn't I feel safe in the company of my other half?

The finger that had silenced him slid down from his mouth, hand settling on his chest instead. Not soon after Zan felt pressure on his sternum. He didn't even have to look to know what Getsu was doing, Zan knew very well. Knew that the other was watching how his veins would turn blue and glow when nails threatened to pierce the skin. Knew his face softened with almost childlike fascination as he let his nails trace shapes to see the glow follow.

Zan didn't stop him. It didn't hurt or cause any unnecessary waste of Energy, it was harmless and even provided an opportunity for entertainment for him, trying to track the shapes drawn on his chest to see if they held any meaning.

They didn't but that was alright.

Gradually, the movement of the pressure slowed down and lightened up. Zan could hear the even breaths space out into a new rhythm as whatever tension Getsu still held in his muscles uncoiled more and more with each breath taken.

It had been a while since he had seen the other so relaxed. Getsu had a habit of hiding away whenever he felt like closing his eyes for a while, only searching out company when the threat of another's past was hanging over his head. Whether the other was aware of the pattern, Zan wasn't sure.

Moving his hand back up, Zan let his fingers go through the tresses once more. Any form of consciousness Getsu still had free from sleep's clutches was caught as blunt nails massaged the scalp, right on the spot where the right horn would protrude from when he was in his resurrection.

If he wanted to, Zan could leave now. He could rejoin his other half and Getsu would only know that they shared a form again when he woke up. He wouldn't know how long Zan had stayed and would probably assume he had left once he had fallen asleep so why even bother staying longer?

"Why even bother?" That was indeed an excellent question, one that Zan had enough time to ponder the answer over as he waited for Ichigo to take his place.

#

END

(Again, for real this time (I think))

(c) BLEACH - Tite Kubo