Snowed in at the Sixth
I Don't Own Anything!
During a snowstorm, Renji saves his Taicho. From there, things take a turn for the warmer.
watashi no hi - my fire (thank you Spunky-sama)
"Taicho, it's awfully early to be getting this dark, ain't it?"
Byakuya glanced up at his subordinate's words, realizing that indeed, it was rather dark in the office. He turned to look out the window, frowning at the low, dark clouds.
As he watched, the first several flakes fell, big fat things that landed heavily on the grass and didn't disappear.
"It appears the weather reports were wrong; we were not supposed to get snow until this evening."
"Uggh, I hate snow. I mean, it's fun to play in once in a while, but it's so cold! And everything gets all slippery and dangerous and - "
Byakuya turned back to the younger man, curious as to why he'd stopped.
Renji hesitated, then shook his head.
"Sorry, sir. Just some...memories. Don't mind me. Should we turn on the lamps?"
Though he was confused, and more curious than before, Byakuya simply nodded. He moved to turn on the lamp on his desk as Renji did the same with his own.
It occurred to him that Hisana, as well as Rukia, had occasionally done the same thing Renji just had - cut off in the middle of talking, then murmured something about 'memories', before changing the subject.
It always seemed to have something to do with the Rukongai, the few times he had managed to get more of an explanation.
They worked quietly for the next few hours, the incident going dormant in the back of Byakuya's mind.
Glancing out the window again, he saw that at least a foot had fallen, with no sign of letting up. He looked to the clock to see it was only about 15 minutes until work hours ended. Byakuya then focused on his comrade, seeing that Renji was gazing blankly at the space in front of his desk, pen in hand hovering over a report.
He sighed quietly, feeling the dragging lull of the dismal weather himself.
"Lieutenant Abarai, we may as well retire to our quarters here - I doubt much more work will get done today."
The redhead started, blinking in surprise before nodding guiltily.
"Hai, Taicho. Sorry I fell behind."
Byakuya shook his head as he rose to his feet.
"Not to worry; I'm sure we're not the only ones that fell under the snow's spell. We will simply catch up tomorrow."
Renji nodded, getting up and yawning.
"Yeah, ok. Sounds good. Hey, you want a drink before bed? It'll make you feel warm and help you sleep."
Surprised by the invitation, Byakuya shook his head. Renji smiled in acceptance of his answer.
"Ok, more for me, then. Well, you have a good night, sir. Stay warm."
Byakuya headed for his quarters, nodding at the younger man.
"You as well."
He shut the door and sighed, looking at the warm bed that awaited him. Without bothering to remove his uniform, he collapsed on the feather mattress, bone-tired in the way only unfavorable weather can cause.
Byakuya told himself he would get up in just a moment to change properly for bed.
The next thing he knew, he woke to a strange noise.
It was an oddly ominous creaking sound. He couldn't tell where it was coming from, as it seemed to fill the room from all directions.
Confused and still partly asleep, he didn't notice the splinters and dust falling to the bed around him.
Suddenly, the door to his quarters slammed open.
Before he could react, strong arms wrapped around his waist, forcefully hauling him off the bed just as a terrible thunderous crash filled his ears.
Startled into full awareness, Byakuya coughed on the dust and blinked at his bed.
Or what used to be his bed.
Under the weight of the snow, the roof had caved in, directly over where he'd lain moments before. The wood and heavy shingles of his ceiling and the roof had been borne swift and heavy onto his bed.
Broken beams were driven right through the mattress into the floor below, releasing soft white feathers to drift innocently around the scene. Shards of roof shingles littered every inch of the coverlet, most of them with their points buried in the soft material.
On top of all the destruction was a suffocating amount of heavy wet snow, fresh flakes falling through the brand-new skylight.
Byakuya registered the iron grip around his waist, and looked up to see Renji staring at the massacred bed with horror in his widened auburn eyes. He was being held protectively tight against the bigger Soul Reaper.
"Abarai?"
Renji met his eyes, looking almost ill.
"You...are you ok, Taicho?"
He nodded, then Renji seemed to notice he was still holding onto him.
Quickly, the redhead released him as though burned, dropping to his knees and bowing deeply until his forehead touched the floor.
"I..I'm sorry, sir!"
Byakuya looked back at the debris impaling his bed.
"There is absolutely no reason to apologize, so get up. You saved me from devastating injury, if not death itself. I believe I owe you a great deal because of this."
Renji shook his head as he rose from his bow.
"You don't owe me. I'm just glad I got here in time."
They stepped into the more fortified office, and Byakuya closed the door to his quarters, looking at his savior curiously.
"How did you know?"
Renji hesitated, then lowered his eyes as he replied quietly.
"The creaking, sir. Rukon or Seireitei, the sound of wood giving way under too much snow is the same. Luckily, this building is strong and held out for a few more moments. The...the last time I heard that sound...I wasn't fast enough."
Byakuya hesitated, sensing that this was a deep, tender scar.
Tentatively, he touched one of the muscular arms that had snatched him out of danger.
"But you were fast enough this time, Renji. You saved me."
The dark cinnamon eyes met his, holding his gaze for several heartbeats before Renji whispered, "I'm...really glad for that, Taicho."
Then the redhead quickly looked away, clearing his throat awkwardly.
Trying to soothe the strangely tense atmosphere, Byakuya tilted his head.
"If your offer remains, I believe I'll take that drink now."
xXx
Renji blinked at his superior's unexpected words, then chuckled.
"Yeah, I bet. I could definitely use one myself. C'mon."
He led the noble to his own quarters, inviting him to sit on the edge of the bed. Having noticed that Byakuya still wore his uniform, Renji rummaged through the few clothes he kept here.
"Ah-ha!"
He smiled and handed over a warm black robe that had always been a bit tight on himself. It'd still be noticeably big on the smaller Soul Reaper, but it was the best he had to offer.
Byakuya took the robe, then began removing his accessories.
Renji turned away as if unaffected, focusing on the thermostat for his room. He saw the needle was shaking slightly as it gradually lowered.
Frowning, he tapped the faulty device and tried to turn it up.
No heat was coming through the vent.
"Ahh shit, ain't that perfect?"
"What is the problem?"
Renji glanced over his shoulder, only to quickly face forward again with his cheeks burning.
For just an instant, he'd seen his superior in all his regal perfection, the older man having not secured the robe yet.
"Uhh..oh, well, it seems my heater's failing again. Maybe that commotion in your quarters knocked something loose?"
Renji barely held back a shiver when that deep, velvety voice replied.
"Possibly. No matter, we will simply sleep close and share our body heat as we've done in the field."
Renji nodded, risking another glance to see that the robe was firmly secure now.
Thank the gods. I could really, really use that drink now.
He changed into a robe as quickly as possible, feeling the touch of that dark, curious gaze. Trying to keep his breathing even, he retrieved a bottle of sake from his cabinet and joined the noble on the bed.
Renji took a deep swig, then handed over the bottle with a warning.
"This's cheap stuff, Taicho. Not what you're used to."
The older man frowned deeply, then drank 3 heavy swallows. Renji bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as Byakuya froze, eyes watering. Slowly, his superior handed the bottle back, clearly trying not to cough.
Renji took the bottle and indulged in a few sips before addressing the noble.
"So, whatcha think of it, Taicho?"
He received a faint glare as Byakuya gave in to the urge to cough. Covering his mouth with one hand, the smaller Soul Reaper gave a few smothered coughs, then, surprisingly, reached for the bottle again.
Renji handed it over willingly with a smile.
"It gets easier the more you drink, sir."
Byakuya's voice was a bit raspy when he replied.
"I imagine so, that is my intent."
They shared the sake until the bottle was empty, and Renji felt warm and a pleasant sort of numb tingliness in his extremities.
He looked over at his superior, with his lightly flushed cheeks and shiny eyes.
The noble hiccupped and Renji almost died.
"Ya feelin' b'tter, Taisho?"
Byakuya nodded carefully; the room was likely spinning.
"I'm exshtremely grateful, Renshi. Both for sa-saving me, an' for h'invitin' me to drink."
Renji grinned, flopping backwards onto the bed and watching the ceiling dance.
"Me too, Taisho. Ya soun' like you're enjoyin' yourself."
"Mmm, perhaps."
Renji felt the noble shift to the other side of the bed and slip under the blanket. Trying to act casual, he moved under the covers himself.
He held still for a few moments, laying on his side facing away from the noble. The alcohol hummed in his veins, urging him to do something, anything, while he had this rare and precious chance.
Byakuya was drunk.
Wearing only a robe.
In Renji's quarters.
In his bed.
'Uggh, am I seriously thinking of taking advantage of him?! Not only would that be incredibly wrong of me, not to mention stupid, but...he'd never trust me again.'
Having convinced himself of this resolve, Renji settled down, reassured that he wasn't crazy enough to actually attempt anything.
He'd almost drifted off, when he felt the mattress shift.
"Hmm? Whatsa matter?"
There was no answer, but Renji's eyes flew wide open when he felt his powerful superior gently touch the markings on his back.
He swallowed embarrassingly loud, trying not to tremble as his member, almost always half-hard just from thinking about the noble, stirred with interest. When he spoke, his voice was a breathless whisper.
"Ta-Taicho?"
The slender fingers continued tracing his markings as a soft reply reached him.
"Yes? Is something wrong, Renji?"
He trembled, clenching his fist to keep from touching himself as the strokes on his back became subtly firmer and more deliberate. He tried not to let his urge to pant leak into his voice.
"Taicho...I...I'm not sure what's going on right now."
"Nothing that you don't want to happen, Renji. If you want me to stop, I will."
Renji shook his head almost frantically, biting his lip as he tried to invisibly lower his hand to where he was aching so badly. The caresses continued, traveling from the markings on his shoulders down one side of his spine, to trace the ones above his ass for a moment before gliding up the other side of his spine back to his shoulders.
After a slow journey so as not to be noticed, his hand finally touched his raging member. Renji wrapped his fingers snugly around it, only able to give one stroke before a shuddering, breath-stealing climax slammed into him.
He struggled to keep his breathing as normal as humanly possible, hoping his indecent behavior hadn't been noticed.
The slender fingers never even paused, tracing his sensitive markings in a way that felt divinely intimate.
Renji realized his body was still throbbing demandingly. Having gotten away with it once, the urge to relieve himself again was inescapable. He closed his eyes, swallowing a moan as he tightened his fingers again.
Within heartbeats, he had soiled the sheets further.
The fingers continued their methodical exploration, and Renji smiled to himself. He'd gotten away with cumming twice, without being noticed.
Then he felt the mattress shift - Byakuya was moving closer.
Renji held his breath as his back warmed with his superior's proximity. Then his heart stopped when the older man began murmuring into his ear, not sounding nearly as drunk as he had before laying down.
"That's an impressive recovery rate, Renji."
"I...how did you...?"
"Your reiatsu, Lieutenant. I've told you to work on controlling it."
Blushing so hard it was nearly painful, Renji turned his head to bury his face against his pillow, his already small voice muffled.
"'m sorry, Taicho."
The velvety-soft voice purred into his ear again, Byakuya shifting ever closer.
"Don't apologize. I did not realize just how much I affected you. Or, is it simply that I'm touching you and anyone doing the same would've elicited a similar reaction?"
Renji shook his head, not wanting Byakuya to think he woulda reacted like that for anyone else. He lifted his face from the pillow enough to whisper his reply.
"It's you, Taicho. You to-touching me like that...it felt really...amazing. And just to know you're even here in my bed is just...wow."
Renji sensed Byakuya shifting, fingers now playing along the black designs on his neck. He felt the noble leaning close to see his face, and he closed his eyes in embarrassment, unable to face his superior at the moment.
"Renji?"
He squeezed his eyes tighter and tried to curl up to hide the damp sheets, mortification and intense need warring inside his mind.
But Byakuya didn't push him, gently stroking his forehead markings and hair for long, quiet moments. Then the older man spoke gently.
"I will still stop if you wish me to."
Renji shook his head, biting his lip as he whispered his reply.
"Gods, no, I...I don't want you to ever stop, Taicho."
"You may call me by name if you like, Renji."
Renji damn near came again at the purr of his name and the gentle offer.
"Ok, By-Byakuya. Thank you."
The slender fingers returned to the markings on his back. It was quiet again, both of them just drinking in the silence.
Then Renji noticed the wandering fingers creeping closer to his ribs as if searching out the jagged streaks that lined his sides. Even in the dark, the gentle fingertips found the black spikes, following them to his abs and back to his ribs. The touch was just firm enough not to tickle.
Renji held very still, except for an occasional twitch or flutter.
"Breathe, Renji."
He tried to obey as the wicked hand came up to caress the markings on his chest. A moment later, his captain shifted closer, warm puffs of breath against the back of his ear while a hard length almost tentatively pressed against him, just above his ass.
"Renji?"
"Ye-yeah?"
"...is this ok with you?"
In answer, Renji pressed back against his superior, then turned his head to face him, words of agreement on his lips.
Byakuya tilted his head, meeting his lips over his shoulder. The kiss was careful at first, and Renji moaned when the noble became more assertive.
His lower body still facing forward, Renji felt Byakuya's hands firmly take hold of his hips, grinding against his behind. He gasped into the kiss, dropping his hands to cover Byakuya's on his hips.
"Tai-Taicho!"
Byakuya licked his lips, dark eyes made darker by lust and emotion.
"I know I said you could use my name, and you still can, but...I like the way you call me Taicho when you're aroused."
Before Renji could do more than blush, his superior was kissing him again, releasing his hips to push at their robes and the blanket, freeing burning flesh on both sides.
Renji listened to his instincts, impulsively rolling to fully face Byakuya.
For several heartbeats, they just stared at each other's bodies. Renji was deeply moved by the fact that the lovely noble was eyeing him just as intently as he was eyeing Byakuya's toned yet slim body.
Then their eyes met, and Renji lifted his arms to Byakuya's shoulders, pressing their bodies together. His superior seemed to approve, strong arms snaking around his waist.
Soon, they had a rhythm, slowly grinding together.
Renji moaned softly, hesitant as he lifted one leg to Byakuya's hip.
A quiet groan rewarded him while the older man caught his thigh and encouraged it higher, to his waist. Renji's breathing quickened in anticipation when Byakuya shifted a few inches, licking the fingers of one hand.
Then he was being prepared tenderly and thoroughly, and he clutched at his captain's shoulders at the unusual sensations.
xXx
Byakuya felt Renji tense as he began carefully preparing him.
'So hot and tight...really tight...'
He looked at the younger man's face, seeing discomfort on the brightly flushed features.
"Renji, have...have you not done this before?"
Now blushing so hard he was nearly glowing, Renji shook his head, lowering his eyes. Byakuya slowed the motions of his fingers, asking softly, "But you do want to do this with me?"
A shy nod answered him, but Byakuya wasn't sure that counted as consent. He kept his tone gentle.
"Say it for me?"
"I...I wanna do this with you, Byakuya. I've wanted this for...well, a really long time. I just didn't think you'd ever notice me like this."
Byakuya kissed a red cheek, whispering, "Believe me when I say I've noticed you, Renji Abarai. I'd have to be blind not to."
Renji's body was relaxing beautifully, considering it was his first time. Byakuya carefully slid his fingers free, then gently pushed the bigger Soul Reaper onto his back.
He moved between the long legs, slotting his hips into the warm cradle of strong thighs.
Renji watched him with a sort of wary anticipation, clearly trying to breathe normally. Byakuya slid his hand under the younger man's head and breathed, "Hold onto me, Renji. I won't let you fall."
As the strong limbs tightened around him, he pressed forward, groaning roughly at the first impression of tight heat and incredible, positively addictive friction.
Renji gasped, arching under him.
"Ta-aicho! Ahh ahh oh go-gods!"
Byakuya's lips pulled back to bare his clenched teeth as he pushed deeper, mind drowning in the pleasure of finally being one with the powerful redhead.
"Renji," he growled, "I don't want anyone else touching you. Understand?"
Renji nodded frantically, writhing in what Byakuya knew to be a combination of fading discomfort and the beginnings of intense pleasure.
"Ha-hai, Taicho! I understand. No...nobody else. Just you."
Byakuya groaned as he sank in fully.
"That's right, watashi no hi. Just me."
He shifted his hips, unable to stop his smile when a breathless whimper tore free of the man under him. He gently thrust against the same spot, immensely enjoying the sound of absolute pleasure that his new lover made.
Byakuya intended to hear every sound the bigger Soul Reaper could make for him.
He thrust a little harder, reveling in the keening noise this was rewarded with. Keeping one hand under his subordinate's head, he lowered the other to push one of Renji's knees up, spreading his lover open.
Renji blushed deeply, but the sounds he made were of pleasure and contentment as Byakuya snapped his hips to drive deeper into his sweet spot. They raged against each other for long moments, the hungry desire and desperate pleasure driving them quicker than they expected.
Byakuya's breath caught almost painfully as Renji arched in one violent move, gasping his name and becoming exquisitely tight. He plunged deep with a shuddering groan, spilling his relief deep in his subordinate's warm, willing body.
He realized Renji was panting shallowly, dazed eyes unfocused. Carefully, he separated their bodies and rose to find a cloth, uncaring of the cold as his body still burned.
Byakuya gently cleaned his lover up, then slipped back into bed. Renji sank into his arms, nuzzling into his neck as he spoke softly.
"I really hate to sound like a girl here, but are you gonna be here when I wake up?"
Byakuya's reply was just as soft.
"It is not as if I can return to my quarters."
Renji frowned at him, absently brushing his fiery mane away from his face.
"I meant - "
"I know what you meant, watashi no hi. I will be here when you wake up, and it will be because I want to stay."
xXx
Sure enough, when Renji surfaced in the morning, he was greeted by sweet-smelling warmth, strong arms holding him possessively.
He shifted to try and see his superior, unknowingly waking Byakuya. By the time he was facing his new lover, sleepy steel eyes were watching him.
Renji blushed under that gaze, prompting Byakuya to speak.
"What is wrong, Renji?"
"You...you stayed."
"I told you I would. Did you doubt that?"
Renji bit his lip and averted his eyes, fidgeting with the blanket as he replied in a whisper.
"I'm not worth staying for, Taicho. I mean, I ain't got nothin' to offer you, really. Well, other than my body. And I'm pretty sure if that's all you want, you can get that anywhere."
Byakuya was quiet for a moment, gently stroking his hair. Then the noble spoke softly, concern lacing his voice.
"What about your heart, Renji?"
Startled by the question, Renji looked back to the dark platinum eyes as Byakuya continued.
"Do not doubt yourself so much. I wouldn't sleep with someone on a whim. I have suspected for some time now that you were harboring feelings for me. I didn't realize how much I actually meant to you until you saved me."
Renji's cheeks flamed, and he lowered his eyes again.
"I was just...you're my captain. Even if you weren't, I wouldn't have just left you to get hurt or...or even..."
A hand touched his cheek, soft despite centuries of swordplay.
"No, you wouldn't have. But the way you held me afterward, and your apology for doing so, made me think. So, I will ask again - would you be willing to offer me your heart along with your body?"
A deep, clawing doubt tore through Renji's insides, and he averted his eyes. He wanted to say yes, admit that his heart already belonged to his superior, but...
"Renji?"
He met the steel eyes again, and Byakuya spoke quietly.
"Watashi no hi, I swear to you that I would not have made any advances on you if my heart was not already involved. We both wanted this to happen because we already care about each other. I promise your heart would always be safe with me, as mine would be with you."
Renji's eyes began to burn at the words, but he held the noble's eyes determinedly.
"My heart has always been yours, Byakuya."