.
A thousand miles
.
Isshin says it to Rukia first.
And while Karin huffily scolds him about not saying things like that so casually, she pauses before looking at Rukia seriously and repeats the sentiment, the three words. Though, Karin switches out Isshin's "third daughter" with "nee-chan." And even though Karin's cheeks are on fire, and she's not looking Rukia in the eye, Rukia's heart feels like it's going to explode.
To make matters worse, Yuzu says it right after, somewhat upset because I told them I loved you first! Before she's practically bouncing over and hugging her, and Rukia's so grateful because this seems like an excellent way to channel how she's feeling.
Nonetheless, she's still feeling all floaty and happy - why don't people say it more often? - and it's a noticeable change which makes sense because things have changed. She doesn't think anyone's ever told her those words before.
"What's with you?" Ichigo asks as she comes back into his room, a tray of food in hand. Yuzu had been making them lunch when Rukia had gone downstairs, and while she was down there, she'd told Isshin that she'd gotten Ichigo to apply to university, to give Living a real chance since there was no reason to rush to become a full-time Shinigami especially since Rukia herself was going to stick around, and Isshin had said -
"They love me," Rukia whispers in a daze.
"Huh?"
She's blinking back tears before she realizes there are any, and she's repeating quietly, "They love me." like she can't believe it - like she doesn't understand it -
Not hearing her, Ichigo says her name again, voice tinged in concern. And she doesn't know when it happened, but sometime since she's come back into the room, Ichigo's put his book down, taken the tray, put it aside, and is standing in front of her - hands around her shoulders to keep her standing. Like she'll fall apart and it's possible, she sniffs, entirely possible.
"Sorry," Rukia stutters, seeing the furrow in his brow and the worried slant of his mouth. "I'm fine." Rukia shakes her head. "I just - I'm okay. Your family just…said something to me."
At that, he looks annoyed, casting the glance over her head like his family is eavesdropping. After ushering her to the bed and taking the mug of tea from the tray and pressing it into her palms, he tells her firmly, "I'll be right back."
"No - Ichigo, they didn't do anything wrong," she protests, but he's already thundering down the stairs, calling his father an idiot and -
Rukia chokes on a laugh, looks down at her favorite tea that Isshin had started buying after she first moved in, that Karin makes for her, that Yuzu always pairs with biscuits she made herself, and Rukia thinks, perhaps nothing's really changed at all.
Ichigo comes back in, looking a little baffled and a little disgruntled which makes her smile.
Ichigo - who brought her into his home, who teaches her about Living, who fights for her.
"Hey, Ichigo?"
"Hm?"
"I love you."