Hello again, my friends. I'm back! I know it's been forever for me too. Here's the latest and greatest couple I know back in action. Love you all and I hope you love it.
Renji stayed in the lieutenants quarters instead of following Byakuya. He couldn't bring himself to go after him this time. Maybe Byakuya just needs some space. I did hurt him after all. The red-haired thought as he laid down on the futon. "I still love you, Byakuya. I'm so sorry." Renji said to himself as he fell asleep with tears streaming down his cheeks.
Byakuya stopped in front the Kuchiki manor. He couldn't bring himself to go in. He noticed that Renji hadn't followed him this time. He looked down and focused on his feet. The dark-haired man couldn't believe he did that to Renji. Maybe I should go talk to him and explain. He thought to himself. A quiet tear fell from his eye as he looked toward the 6th division, but couldn't seem to move his legs. He fell to his knees, just staring at the ground. "I love him so much, but what can I do?"
"Brother?" A familiar voice asked. He couldn't bring himself to look up but he knew that voice all too well. He felt the persons presence in front of him and saw his little sisters hand cover his. "Brother are you alright?" Rukia asked. Byakuya couldn't even bring himself to say a word. Rukia wrapped her arms around him and he started crying in her shoulder. Rukia was astonished that he was actually crying in front of her. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"Renji and I aren't doing so well." He finally said.
"I'm sure you two will be fine. You love each other and I still remember when you and him first got together, do you?" Rukia asked him.
"Yes, I remember. I was sitting on a building, watching the night sky and Renji was walking home from the bar. He saw me and sat with me. We talked a bit and I tried to make it home but Renji chased after me." Byakuya reminisced about that night and how magical it was. He and Renji never said anything about their feelings until that night, but it was worth it to him. Was it worth it to Renji or did we wait too long? Byakuya was soon brought out of his thoughts when Rukia spoke.
"See even then you wanted to be close to one another. Maybe you just need to think of why you fell in love with him in the first place. I mean you and Renji have always been there for each other. From Lieutenant and captain to friends to boyfriends. Whatever happened had to be for a good reason, right?" As Rukia explained very good points to her brother, Byakuya couldn't help but contemplate what she was saying. Why do I love Renji? How did I come to acquire these feelings for that outgoing redhead? I know I love him, but why? "Brother?"
Byakuya blinked in confusion. He looked at Rukia, realizing that she had been talking that entire time and he wasn't listening at all. The dark-haired captain stared at his little sister waiting for her to say something else, this time actually listening. Instead of saying something it seemed like she was waiting on me to say something. "Brother, were you even listening to me?" Rukia sighed when I didn't say anything. "I was asking why you think you love Renji. Can you remember the first time you felt something other than companionship or friendship toward him?" Byakuya started thinking back to his red-haired lieutenant.
Byakuya's POV
I had just gotten out of the 4th division after the war was over. Renji had volunteered to carry me back to the Kuchiki manor to my room, but I had refused. Unohana had recommended I walk, but take it easy. So the redhead said he wanted to at least walk me home. I eventually agreed after he wouldn't take no for an answer. He was so sweet and careful as to not stress me out too much with his rambunctious talking that never ceased. I had to stop and rest a couple of times because my legs were a bit weak from my near-death experience and being in a bed for weeks on end. Even though I never once complained about being lonely or anything like that, Renji never left my side. Unohana had told me while Renji was asleep in the chair next to my bed, that he would not leave. I stopped and just stared ahead. "Renji?" I never looked his way, but I could feel his eyes on me.
"Are you feeling okay? Do I need to get help?" He asked, very concerned.
"No, you don't have to get help. I feel fine. I just wondered why you never left my side back at the 4th division." I looked over at my tall red-haired lieutenant, but he was looking away from me. I looked back at where I was looking and continued walking, Renji following behind. "Even now you won't leave my side, Renji. I am not a fragile doll. I'm not going to break with just walking home. Before you never acted like this. You never worried this much about me and before you couldn't wait to get away from me. I appreciate you taking care of me and making sure I'm okay, but I'm sure you have more important stuff to do."
After a few minutes had gone by and I didn't get an answer, I stopped and turned around. Renji didn't notice at first so he was inches from running into me. I looked up and for the first time in a very long time I couldn't pry myself away from a persons eyes. No matter how much I wanted to or tried I couldn't stop staring into those beautiful brown eyes of his.
"As we stared into each-others eyes, I couldn't help but feel like this rambunctious, outgoing, fun, brave, and carefree man had a hold of my heart and I didn't want it back. We had been friends for a while before everything happened, but that day I knew I wanted him to be mine." Byakuya finished and once he looked at Rukia, he realized he had said all of that out loud and his little sister heard it all. She squealed and tackled him, hugging him tightly.
"Byakuya, that's so sweet. But may I butt in?" She continued without letting him answer her question. "That part when you asked Renji the first time, why he never left your side. Did you ever consider the fact that Renji was already in love with you and he was just too scared to say it? I mean think about it. When you were pregnant and you had to be in the 4th division for a week, he never left you side then, even when you were being your cold and distant self again. He loved you all this time and he still does. You two just need to talk to each other and not run away from your feelings, like you both know how to do." Rukia said.
Byakuya looked down and felt tears start stinging his eyes again. He breathed in and out and stood up. Rukia stood up and give her brother another hug. Byakuya hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you, Rukia." Rukia just stared confused as she watched her big brother walk away.
Byakuya felt so ashamed he never realized it before, but thanks to his little sister he knew that Renji had always loved him. The poor dark -haired captain walked to the 6th division. He was going to beg for Renjis forgiveness if he had to. Byakuya walked in and didn't see Renji, but could feel his presence.
The 6th division captain made his way to where his lieutenants presence was and saw his beautiful frame laying on the futon fast asleep. He smiled to himself and laid beside the redhead. He didn't want to wake him, so he just snuggled in his side and went to sleep with him.
I hope you all loved it. I love you all and I promise not to stay away so long.