A/N: I'm sorry I haven't been active. I haven't abandoned my stories. I promise to continue writing if you'll still have me. Thank you for your support.
The screen cast a soft glow over his tired features. In the background, the low hum of electronics working overtime sounded periodically. He tapped his slender fingers against the keyboard. He had long since completed all of his tasks. Byakuya was, if nothing else, an efficient and meticulous person. Yet, he just could not bring himself to leave the office. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he was the head of the company, and he wanted to set an example for his employees. Or, he simply did not want to return home and be reminded of how lonely he felt, surrounded by bare walls and the absence of his late wife. He glanced through the glass and saw that everyone else had left. The time showing on his watch was five to midnight. He sighed. There was a strange familiarity with the current scenario. Every night had looked like this ever since her passing. It felt right to fill the void with work. Except, there was no more work to be done. It was probably time to retire for the night.
Suddenly, his fingers started to type and Google returned the search. The first hit was from Wikipedia: "RMSTitanicwas a British passenger liner operated by the White Star Line that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean…" Why in the world-? His brows furrowed as he stared at his computer. It was as if he had not himself entered in Titanic. More curiously, why had she accused him of "doing the Titanic"? Hell, what did that even mean? As far as Wikipedia revealed, this was a tragic historical event. What a strange woman… He turned off his device and packed his belongings, ready to head out. When he reached for his phone, he hesitated. Instead of slipping it into his pocket, he started to input a new text.
The Titanic was a ship that sank.
He regretted it the moment he hit the "send" button. No one would ever describe Byakuya as an impulsive man because he simply was not. So, what possessed him to search for that random name and even more troubling, text her on a whim? He recalled their chance encounter at the beach. Even though he would never admit it if asked, he had relished her company. It surprised him greatly how much he had enjoyed her presence, even though they sat mostly in silence. He could name the number of people on one hand that he felt comfortable being around. However, instead of finding her annoying like he did, most others, he felt an inexplicable connection to her. There was something about her that put him at ease. He did not feel like she was judging him, pitying him, or trying to gain his favour. Most people found it difficult to interact with him pre-Hisana. Post-Hisana, they downright avoided him; something about his aura terrified them. Yet, not her. He remembered the way she spoke to him with no restraint. In fact, if he only understood the reference, he would have realized she even joked with him.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
He would deny it, but a butterfly definitely fluttered in his stomach. He clicked open his Messages eagerly.
Inoue Orihime: Yes, and they made a film about it in 1997. Look it up. =P
He blinked at the letter "P". That was supposed to be her tongue, right? Not a user of emojis, he rarely received any communication containing them either. He should have found it immature and childish. He should have raised an eyebrow and criticized her immediately for such unprofessional behaviour. Yet, the edges of his perpetual frown moved involuntarily upward. Instinctively, his head snapped left to right, wary that someone may have caught him doing something uncharacteristic.
Dropping his bag on the floor beside him, he rushed to reboot his computer. Before he knew it, he was streaming Cameron's smash hit. Three and a half hours later, he leaned back in his chair, exhausted. Celine Dion played in the background. He shook his head, dismayed at the fact that he had watched the entire duration. Byakuya was not a fan of romantic anything, let alone movies. Yet, somehow, he had sat through three plus hours to watch one because of a text. He put his face in his hands and let his dark hair spill over. Was this what they call a breakdown? Clearly, there was something wrong with him. He touched his forehead, expecting to feel abnormally high temperatures, but it was cool. Frowning, the image of Jack and Rose played in his mind when he squeezed his eyes shut. All of a sudden, he burst out laughing. The sound was foreign to him, and the sensation unfamiliar in his throat. He picked up his cellphone, but then set it back down with some reluctance.
Colours flashed and reflected against the glass surface of the coffee table. A pretzel in one hand, Orihime changed the channels with the other, unsatisfied with what was showing at this hour. It had been another long day at work and the last thing she wanted to do was watch the news. Late night talk shows and infomercials were also not her jam. Somehow, she doubted that she needed a massager that claimed that it could help the user lose weight without having to break a sweat. Things that sounded too good to be true usually were just that.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Who could be texting at this hour? Worried that it could be a patient, she grabbed the phone, letting the remote control clank loudly as it fell.
Unknown Number: The Titanic was a ship that sank.
What? Who? It did not immediately click for her. At first, she considered that it was sent to her by accident, but something about the reference to the Titanic made her brows furrow. It sounded familiar… Like a continuation of a conversation with someone that she had forgotten about. The number was unknown to her though. Unlike her friends, she did not give her private number out to strangers. Wait, I did give out my number… Reflexively, her cheeks reddened as she recalled the moment that she had demanded Byakuya give her his cellphone so that she could input herself into his Contacts. She glanced down again at the message. When the gears aligned and she understood his message, she burst out laughing. He must have looked it up after she had teased him about "doing the Titanic". He still doesn't get it! She covered her mouth as she giggled at the thought that he was wondering why she called him a sinking ship. Curious, she opened up Safari and typed in "Titanic" to see what the search results would yield. The first hit was a detailed description of the famous ship that went down in 1912. Shaking her head, she responded.
Yes, and they made a film about it in 1997. Look it up. =P
Despite placing her phone back down and resuming her TV surfing, she could not help but check every so often for a reply. Eventually, she gave up and retired to bed. Lying flat on her back, she thought back to their chance encounter at the beach. They did not talk much, but she felt like she understood him a bit better. Somehow, they had bonded without words. There was still a ton that she did not know about him, but for some reason, she kind of wanted to now. That little realization startled her and even though in the comfort and privacy of her own home, she still felt embarrassed. With rosy cheeks and a bashful smile, Orihime drifted off to sleep.