Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 486
A Kiss for Shelter
The Man Who Knows Too Much
"Where is… Xochitl?" Byakuya asked after a time, watching as his son practically climbed his lieutenant, pulling himself up with the man's clothes and at one point his tail of hair. Renji grimaced only slightly, but bore Takuma's little hands as though the whole thing were completely routine.
At almost six months Takuma Ren Kuchiki was rarely content to remain still; it would seem he had an active and impatient nature.
Renji gave a one shouldered shrug, placing one arm beneath Takuma to hold him up as the boy gripped at his hair intently. "Aa, she just popped out for a bit… Said she had a meeting- be gone half an hour at most."
Byakuya's brow twitched slightly, threatening a deep frown, but he only cast his gaze askance offering a tentative, "Hn."
Sometimes I wonder if she is not closer to Renji than I these days …
With the contract abolished Byakuya had assumed things would fall into place quite naturally. He wasn't quite sure how the big picture he'd envisioned escaped him, but somehow…
Xochitl had moved back into the western rooms with their son. In the mornings, the three sat together in the dining room; mother and son would wish him well before he was off to his division for the day. And in the evening the three enjoyed time together before Xochitl would return to her rooms to nurse Takuma and put him to bed. But… late night teas were no more. They hadn't taken the opportunity to discuss their relationship or even to resume the intimacy that had once flourished between them. Naturally Takuma took precedence, but their interaction seemed distant… lacking.
Noting the pensive expression on his captain's face, the redhead drew a few conclusions. He gave the other man a crooked smile, "Ya know- I don't mind watchin' this guy here if you and your lady want some alone time…" He accompanied this with a suggestive lift of his inked brows.
Though the captain had somewhat become used to Renji's intuition when it came to his relationship, he still found it irksome at times. This was one of those times. He pointedly ignored the remark.
Brow scrunching Renji absently handed Takuma a plush toy that looked suspiciously like a shuriken (compliments of Yoruichi). He mused aloud, "Unless… things aren't goin' well in that department…? I read that some ladies aren't really game after having a kid…" He looked up then only to note his captain's unusual gesture of irritation.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed Byakuya warned, "Lieutenant, please refrain from speculating about my private life."
"Ah," Renji nodded sympathetically, "So it's like that…" His understanding smile fell upon meeting the other man's chillingly glower. Clearing his throat, the lieutenant dropped his sights only to realize that Takuma's fistful of red hair was now soaked with drool.
"Oi!"
AN: Renji, Byakuya, and Takuma- these scenes just write themselves!