Bleach belongs to Kubo. Enjoy!

One year later…

Friend.

Friend.

It had been a little over a year since Rangiku Matsumoto had friend-zoned Byakuya Kuchiki, easily the handsomest and most eligible bachelor in the Soul Society, who just so happened to have a crush on her.

He wasn't deterred by that, however. Byakuya often invited her over for tea late at night in his quarters at the 6th Division barracks, probably the only place that they could meet discreetly. His quarters were located in a separate building behind his office, but there was a backdoor near the woods that she used to come and go without being seen. His quarters were inaccessible to anyone but him, and now her.

Rangiku thought back fondly to the first night that he had invited her over. She had a nagging feeling that he was going to attempt to try and coerce her into sleeping with him, but he merely sat down on the couch next to her and pressed a hot mug of tea in her hands, content with listening to whatever she felt like discussing.

Whether she was gossiping, talking about the latest fashions, or even just crying after a long emotional day, he listened intently. Byakuya Kuchiki was probably the first person that she could actually prattle on to about near anything and he would always listen. After two months, she insisted that he speak about himself. The man was hesitant at first, but slowly started to open up to her. Whether he was complaining about the incompetency of his subordinates or even just being frank about his emotions or feelings, she was a beacon of encouragement to him.

Their meetings always began and ended with a long, platonic hug between the two, quickly becoming Rangiku's favorite aspect of their meetings.

She had warmed up significantly to being close with him, but the logistics of their situation were not ideal. Rangiku was Rukongai born with the lowest pedigree possible and Byakuya was head of the richest clan in the entire Soul Society. She often wondered what he saw in her, a woman from the streets who made it to where she was due to pure tenacity and dumb luck. Rangiku debated frequently with herself about what the extent of her feelings were for Byakuya, yet she had spurned his advances out of fear. Now, here she was, confused.

"You're finally here at last." a male voice greeted her as she closed the door behind her.

Rangiku slid off her sandals and placed Haineko on a nearby rack before stretching. "I wouldn't miss this for the world, silly. It's been way too long." She scolded Byakuya jokingly before he suddenly took her into a hug from behind. Rangiku instantly melted into his embrace, the fatigue of a long reconnaissance tour instantly fading away. This man was damned good at everything he did. "I haven't washed my hair yet." she pouted at him.

Byakuya closed his eyes and nuzzled his face into her neck, uncaring of the fact that she had just returned to civilization after three weeks. He needed her in his arms now. This was the longest that they had been apart since that afternoon a year ago and he had missed her terribly. He felt her turn in his arms and wrap her arms around his neck. "Anxious, are we? It's only been three weeks and it's not like I didn't send you a Hell Butterfly every day." She teased him with a laugh, the sound further entrancing him.

"It is not the same as having you here." His arms tightened around her gently. "Do not leave again." Byakuya often thought about making an official request for Rangiku to become his lieutenant and send Renji to Hitsugaya. His brother-in-law could benefit from the boy's work ethic.

"You don't want my captain coming after you if I did that." she rubbed his back soothingly. "He'll freeze half of your barracks looking for you."

"Then let him come. You're worth the impending struggle." He leaned back and looked into her eyes, brushing away a strand that had hitched on her nose.

The man's onyx colored irises entranced her the same way as they did a year ago. His honeyed words made it abundantly clear that his feelings for her had not changed since their first encounter, yet hers had. To what extent, Rangiku was not quite sure. She had a feeling that she would soon have to evaluate how she felt as well, if she truly felt anything at all.

Her eyes had drifted down to his lips, parted ever so slightly and looking ever so inviting for hers. Would such an action be untoward? She fretted slightly, a small frown marring her delicate features.

"What is troubling you? Rangiku-san?" He called out to her, disrupting her musing as Byakuya laced his hands together at her waist. His expression remained stoic as usual, but she knew that he was concerned. If you knew Byakuya as well as she did, he was quite the open book when it came to his emotions.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired, that's all." she lied as she patted him on his shoulder reassuringly. "I'll make tea."

One hour later, they had tucked into a pot of tea, finally sitting in silence next to each other on the couch after she finished telling him everything about her assignment. A rhythmic pitter patter of rainfall blowing against the windows was soothing, even. The Kuchiki clan head had this woman back home and he was finally at peace. Relaxing felt very good, and he had to do more of it. Hopefully in her company.

"I've missed you so much…"

The hand that held Byakuya's tea froze in midair when he heard her speak those words. He looked over at her and noticed her embarrassed expression, as if she had to force herself to admit to this. The only source of light in the room came from the fireplace that they sat in front of on the couch, the flames casted deep shadows on her face. She traced patterns on the couch cushion in between them, her face pensive.

"…I've missed you more." He replied back simply, amused at the smile that tugged at her lips. That smile was replaced by a resounding yawn, and her eyes drooped considerably. As much as Byakuya wanted to spend time with her now, she came to his quarters as soon as she finished her report and she was undoubtedly exhausted. He'd let her rest for the night and then they could catch up another time. "You need to rest, I can tell that you're exhausted."

"I told you that I'm fine," she argued back half-heartedly. "I want to be here with you now and I haven't seen you in nearly a month. You're not getting rid of me that easily, Byakuya. I won't let you…" another yawn was wrenched from her mouth.

Byakuya would've loved to hear her say that if she didn't yawn after every other word. He stood up with a grunt and was about to inform her that he'd escort her home before a flash of lightening illuminated the room. The slight rain that had been falling had just become a vicious torrent, rainwater slapping against the window. Byakuya pulled the curtain aside to look at the weather and knew that they would not be going anywhere anytime too soon. He heard Rangiku approach him and she peaked under his arm.

"Oh, damn." She pouted at the downpour, realizing that she didn't have a cloak on her. "I'm gonna get soaked…" she attempted to hide the tremble in her voice, she hated thunderstorms.

Byakuya left the window and strolled towards the bedroom. "Nonsense, you will not attempt to traverse through that weather, you will stay the night here." He heard her noise of protest and halted at the doorframe, unnoticing the blush on her cheeks.

Knowing that the argument was lost, she complied. "Fine." she muttered under her breath as she approached the couch, picking up extra cushions to throw in the corner.

"What are you doing?"

"I never knew why you had so many decorative cushions." Rangiku commented as she tossed another one away, "I'm sleeping here, aren't I?"

"Not on the couch…" he replied as he disappeared into the bedroom. "You deserve more than just a cheap couch, Rangiku-san." He came back into the living room after a moment with a set of blankets for himself. "Please take the bed, and I will sleep here."

Rangiku eyed the couch to avoid Byakuya's intense gaze. "This isn't even cheap." she muttered as she fingered the expensive tassels on the armrest. "This can cover my rent for half a year."

"Rangiku-san."

"Fine! Okay, I'll take the bed." she threw her arms in the air dramatically and swept past him. "I need a bath first and I don't want you peeping on me!" The door slammed in his face, and he heard when the shower turned on. All Byakuya could do was shake his head, smiling to himself.

Coming home to this every day would be a dream.

Byakuya squirmed fitfully on the couch, it was several inches too short and he knew he'd be sore in the morning. The living room lit up with a flash of lightening and he winced at the sound of striking thunder. It seems that the storm was directly over the barracks now. He was about to attempt to fall back asleep before he heard whimpering.

"Rangiku." He thought to himself as he immediately stood up and headed to the closed bedroom door. He knocked on it twice and called out to her, but only heard muted cries in response. Byakuya decided to deal with the consequences of barging in on her in the morning and opened the door.

She was tossing back and forth, tangled in the sheets. He could hear her mumbling incoherently as she flailed about. In the moonlight, he could see the tears streaking her cheeks, it was obvious that she was having a nightmare. Detangling her from the bedsheets took several moments and before he knew it, he sat her up, leaning against the headboard of the bed and cradled her in his arms, rocking her back and forth until she calmed down.

"I'm right here." He whispered as she trembled violently again. He hated seeing her like this, such a strong, beautiful woman did not deserve to struggle with such feelings. Byakuya knew he was no better, but he made the genuine effort to be there for her as a steady presence in her life, whether she wanted it or not. Her trembling eventually subsided after a while, and her breathing steadied to a normal rhythm. Byakuya felt a slight pang in his chest knowing that his job was finished and started to shift Rangiku back to bed.

"Stay…with me." A muffled voice beckoned to him.

He blinked at the noise and looked at woman currently in his arms. Rangiku was now awake but had a dazed look to her. She clutched at his arm possessively, gently pushing him down until he was on his back and before cradling up against him, tucked under his arm. He felt her entangle her legs with his and nuzzle her face into his chest. One steady breath from her and she sighed against him, once again asleep.

Byakuya felt an emotion that he still was very unfamiliar with—anxiety. Rangiku was not in her right mind and practically forced him to stay in bed with her, surely there would be another argument once she was to awake. Yet, the sensation of a warm, soft body next to him in bed was too tantalizing to ignore, especially from the woman who he was so taken with—it had been too long. He was comforted with the fact that he had flawless self-control, any lesser man would attempt to subject her to their base pleasures.

Sleep was a foreign idea as of now, so he opted to watch the woman of his affections finally sleep peacefully. Rangiku was already a formidable beauty as it was, but the woman was simply dazzling in her slumber. Her head fell back on her pillow slightly and her lips parted with a sigh. Obsidian irises immediately zeroed in on her smooth, plump lips and he felt the aching desire to press his to hers and to never let go.

Was it even possible to obsess over her even more than he had before?

Taking a chance, he gently brushed golden strands of hair from her cheek and pressed a long kiss to it.

Rangiku was not a morning person at all, she was a proud night-owl and unafraid to admit it. She could feel the sunlight's warmth on her face and reflexively turned away from it, but her face bumped into something. She eyes opened languidly to see a muscled male chest in her direct line of sight. She glanced up to see that Byakuya was lying on his side still fast asleep, his face surprisingly placid and calm. Rangiku couldn't help but smile at the innocence of it all. She looped an arm around his waist and buried her face in his chest, closing her eyes and savoring his scent. Regret could be saved for the next day.

Byakuya, in actuality, hadn't slept at all. The thought of Rangiku having another nightmare was enough to keep him awake, so he opted to watch her sleep instead. She was even more beautiful in her slumber and holding her in his arms as she slept away was a privilege. He felt her awaken and snuggle herself closer to him.

"Good morning." he greeted her after a while, and her eyes shot open.

Rangiku didn't detangle herself from his comfort. "You're up." She commented through a yawn.

His onyx colored eyes looked exhausted. "I never slept." he answered her as he brushed several fingers through his hair. "You had a nightmare last night."

She froze, that explained why he was with her. It was amusing how she didn't even realize why the man was with her and obviously didn't have a problem with not knowing. Rangiku was embarrassed over her fear of thunderstorms; a light rain didn't worry her, but the rumble of thunder had haunted her since her childhood in the Rukongai.

Rangiku felt her heart flutter rapidly as the situation set in and as she started to form a recollection of last night. She remembered him rocking her back to sleep and holding her until she stopped shaking. "Byakuya…" she thought to herself dreamily as she gazed at him.

"As long as you are alright, that is all that matters. I can catch up on sleep whenever I please after I attend to my duties." He continued as he made to regretfully get up from her embrace, fearing that he had overstayed his welcome, but her grip would not budge. Rangiku pulled him back down with her until they had resettled on the bed. He took note of how she wore one of his robes, a pastel green color which clung to her form enticingly.

She scooted up the bed and buried her face in his neck before throwing a long leg over his thighs. "Don't go." She whined as she yawned. "Stay here. Sleep. Screw work." Byakuya Kuchiki was a man of many qualities but being amazing at cuddling was something that she did not anticipate.

Byakuya was dizzy at the sensations his body was feeling at the moment and decided to throw caution to the wind and comply. He would send a Hell Butterfly to Renji later and feign a slight illness, and Rangiku wasn't expected to be on duty today, having come off a long-term mission. No one would think anything of it, he reasoned with himself as he turned on his side and draped an arm across her waist hesitantly. Rangiku reached over and tightened his hold on her waist, much to his surprise.

They were facing each other now, and Byakuya rested his chin on Rangiku's head, blissfully unaware of the stunt that she was about to pull in a moment.

His eyes had fluttered closed and his breathing had even out to a steady rhythm. Rangiku slowly eased her head out from under his chin and watched as he slept. Byakuya was a very handsome man, but he looked even more attractive when he didn't have his ever-present bored expression on his face. He looked youthful, and Rangiku had noticed how much healthier he looked since they had become close. A smile crossed her lips as she gazed at him wistfully and she reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from his face. She could sit here and do this all day, if she wanted.

She closed her eyes and sighed as she brushed her lips across his gently. A spark instantly shot through her body and for some odd reason, everything felt right in the world.

Byakuya didn't register the kiss at first, assuming that he was experiencing one of the many pleasant dreams he had that featured Rangiku. He reciprocated after a moment, brushing his tongue lazily across her lips, silently requesting access to the rest of her mouth and she eagerly complied. After what felt like hours, his charcoal grays opened lazily, then widened to the size of plates.

The blonde woman was still kissing him and sounds of pleasure escaped her mouth, but her eyes were closed, unaware that he had just woken up.

He had half a mind to slap himself to see if he was still dreaming. There was no feasible way that this was happening, Rangiku had made it clear from the start that an intimate friendship was as far as anything between them would go. Now the woman was kissing him in his sleep and by the looks of it, enjoying herself immensely. Throwing all caution to the wind and vowing to worry about the logistics later, he tightened his hold on her and rolled on top of her, deepening the kiss. He resolved to memorize every contour of her mouth—to burn the taste of her lips into his memory. This was, in fact, heaven.

Rangiku's eyes shot open after a few moments and she flailed away, mortified that she had gotten caught. She was able to get a decent kick in and the nobleman tumbled off of her and nearly fell from the bed, grasping onto the headboard at the last second to prevent this. This was only supposed to be an experimental peck, yet they had delved into an entire make out session! That in and of itself was humiliating enough, but the fact that she kissed him in his sleep without permission caused guilt to flow through her. He hadn't taken advantage of her in the past and look what she was doing now, the exact opposite.

Byakuya leaned up on his elbows and merely stared at the woman sitting on the bed next to him. With his normally neat long black hair sticking out in various directions coupled with the dumb look on his face, Rangiku would've cracked up with laughter if the situation wasn't so tense. Fighting the urge to lick her lips to taste his again, she spoke.

"Um, you're a really good kisser." She said lamely, her face a bright red. The Soul Society's worst apology.

Byakuya had a dazed look to his eyes as he regarded the woman before him, clad in his clothes and in his bed. He fully sat up now and stared at her and she fidgeted under his gaze.

"I cannot tell you in the proper words how I've wanted you to do that." He gazed at her longingly.

"…you're not mad? I just—I only wanted to see what it was like and got caught up in it all. That's all." She lied dismissively, ignoring the flutter in her chest. "Sorry about the kick…" she pursed her lips and turned her gaze away.

Byakuya gave her a reproachful look and overlooked the apology. "Do you not realize how difficult it is for me to look at you and not want to do the same thing?"

Rangiku had the decency to look scandalized. "Why didn't you just ask then?"

"That is inappropriate."

"It's just making out—I've made out with all sorts of guys before. Girls too." Rangiku commented flippantly, trying to downplay the situation. "So…you haven't made out with tons of sexy women before?" she asked tentatively, afraid of the answer that she was about to hear.

Byakuya sighed. "You are only the third woman that I have kissed." He admitted, unashamed at his lack of experience. Depriving himself of physical contact from the opposite gender for half a century scratches at you from time to time. "I would like to do so with you again, if it pleases you." He said meaningfully and scooted closer to her.

Rangiku blinked. He wasn't upset?

"I thought you'd be mad with me…"

"Rangiku-san," he narrowed his eyes at her. "I have made my infatuation towards you known over a year ago. Common sense would dictate that I would welcome your physical advances."

The 10th Division lieutenant rolled her eyes at the lecture. "Jeez, Byakuya—I can't tell you how much it pisses me off when you start speaking in essays." She was about to continue complaining about how he never wanted to loosen up, but Byakuya grasped her chin with his fingers. He leaned towards her and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips that had her aching for more. The man gazed at her through heavy eyelids before he spoke again.

"I've made my intentions abundantly clear quite a while ago. You must have forgotten."

Rangiku blushed viciously and flopped back to a lying position on the bed, drawing the covers over her head childishly. "Go back to sleep and stop speaking like that. It's too early." She muttered indignantly, hiding the action of her touching several fingers to tingling lips. This was something that she wouldn't mind happening again, but she knew that it would only lead her further into emotional disarray.

"I never did forget…"

Rangiku smiled to herself despite the situation and decided that sleep was more important that her feelings, closing her eyes and settling in.

Byakuya rolled his eyes at the childish display, somewhat annoyed at how the romantic moment was ruined. The fact that it happened was good enough for him and all he could do for now was to hopefully convince her to make this a regular occurrence. He merely chuckled and turned over on his side, sleep starting to take him into its embrace.

Patience was a virtue, after all.

Quite a number of you read the last chapter but did not review. It's very difficult to want to put out quality work if no one acknowledges it, so please review!

Thanks for reading!