Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 837
AN: Closing in on the end…
A Kiss for Shelter
Me vs. You
True to her word, Xochitl breezed through the western gate only a half hour after she had slipped from it.
She stopped short upon spotting the man who stood on the path, gazing up at the bare trees along the walkway. Uncertainty flashed in her eyes for only a second before she bowed to him.
They could no longer delay this confrontation.
Side by side they set a leisurely gait about the garden paths, silence their companion.
She wondered if he would scold her for not taking a guard; she self-consciously traced the embroidery on her obi.
"Before you ask," She said after taking an audible breath, "I was conducting some business… I promise to tell you about it once it's concluded." She smiled, but the expression faltered when he only returned with a noncommittal "Hn".
Despite his lack of reply he found her secrecy conflicting.
The chilly wind brushed his face and feathered his dark locks as he scanned the landscape patiently as he gathered his thoughts.
Finally he offered, "You and I have not spoken."
"No… we haven't." Xochitl murmured.
"At the very least," He drew to a halt and turned to look at her, "We should have discussed our plans by now."
Xochitl too stopped and for a moment met his eyes before looking away.
"You have not asked me…" She blurted after several moments of silence.
"Hm?"
"To be your wife…" She said softly, tugging at her fingers.
Surprise alighted in his mercury orbs, before he answered slowly, "I did not think you needed to be asked… Is it not implied what I want?"
She gave him a wry smile, "So… One of these days you were just going to drag me before your clan… Have Sushiko-san officiate perhaps? And it would be done?"
"Nothing quite so irreverent." He scoffed, lifting his chin.
"Oh?"
He darted his gaze away before he admitted quietly, "I had thought it best not to make any over-elaborate displays… I thought something… small should suffice." His grey eyes grew very intense as he took hold of her forearms, "But… it seemed there was never a good time to bring up such things. In fact, it seems as though, you might not want to talk over such matters…?"
She took a breath and looked down, but not before he saw the twinkle of guilt in her eyes. "I… have been reluctant to- to face you knowing- that marriage is something…"
He felt an icy stab pierce his chest, nearly wincing. He said flatly, "Something you do not want."
Her hands gripped at his sleeves suddenly as she adamantly insisted, "It's not so black and white!"
He replied with stony certainty, "All is either black or white."
"You can't believe that." With a soft huff she rolled her eyes. He said nothing, looking down at her with an unwavering gaze.
She clicked her tongue, "Arguing about our personal philosophies… Surely a good start to an engagement…"
His eyes narrowed at her, releasing her arms. But she kept hold of his overcoat, ending up stumbling forward as he put his arms at his sides. He was now practically looking down his nose at her, remaining stubbornly silent.
She ignored his frosty countenance stepping even closer so that she was flush with him, forced to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. "My feelings for you have not changed. But I do not think marriage is always the answer to love- the most confident expression of it-"
"You do not believe in it?"
"That is not what I meant." She growled, releasing one sleeve to poke him in the chest. "I simply have different ideas about marriage."
Confusion ghosted across his handsome face and her dark gaze softened.
"I feel like… we only know each other in certain ways. What you expect of marriage is different than what I expect… So for now… Let's raise our child together. Let's not put limits, titles, or expectations in our path until we know one another, hmm?" There was conviction in her face. If he really wanted to argue, now was the time to do it.
Without a word he slipped his arms around her. She returned the embrace, letting him hold her weight, squeezing tight and blissfully inhaling his masculine scent.
Strange that he couldn't claim to wholly agree with her about postponing the marriage, yet all his frustration had melted away. Why fight when he could enjoy this contact that he'd spent months denying himself? Was he becoming so soft?
Perhaps it was just a title as she had hinted…
Rubbing his cheek lightly over the top of her head he murmured gently, "Xochitl… You know I… love you as more than the mother of my child, do you not?"
"Mmm," He could feel her smile, her cheeky answer muffled against his stomach, "I'm also a great dancer… and very flexible."
Byakuya gave a wolfish smirk, one hand slipping downward from her waist, "I think I should like further proof of that."
AN: Look at Bya- being diplomatic… and male. The man is holding out hope regardless- our guy is determined- we know that!