Ahh! I've been wanting to write this one for so long. I love Akon. He's adorable in the Turn Back the Pendulum Arc.

Un-AU this time.

Akon had noticed long ago that Captain Kurotsuchi favored him just a little more than the other members of Division Twelve. It probably had to do with the fact that Akon had been with the Captain since the beginning, even when Captain Kurotsuchi was in the Maggot's Nest.

So, when the Women's Association came up with an extremely stupid idea, the Captain decided to send Nemu with him.

It was a dance. A formal dance. He had been forced to spend his hard-earned money on 'good' clothes, and forced to spend his free time in a crowded where-ever-it-was. He'd much rather lay outside and watch the stars, possibly - probably - smoking.

You couldn't smoke in the Twelfth Division. Something would blow up. You had to do it on your own time.

All in all, Akon was not looking forward to the dance. That may have changed once he saw Nemu in her dress.

He'd decided to take a quick smoke before the dance. When he saw Nemu in her dress, his cigarette fell out of his mouth. "Um, wow..." he said, eyes traveling down her body. He had never thought of Nemu in... that way before, but he certainly was now.

"Are you ready?" she asked softly. He nodded dumbly, managing to raise his eyes to her face.

The journey to the dance was a short one. Akon was kind of disappointed that it didn't take longer.

Lieutenant Matsumoto greeted them at the door.

"Hey!" she said cheerfully. "Welcome to the Seireitei's very first prom!"

Ah. Prom. That's what it was called.

Nemu was standing silently by his side, watching everyone talk. Apparently they had some down time before the thing actually started. People were still arriving.

Akon found his eyes drawn to his date. She didn't take any note of his blatant staring.

"Okay, everybody!" Matsumoto said loudly. The chatter seemed to increase. "Hey, shut up!"

Everybody stopped talking.

"It's time for the grand march! Lights!"

It was suddenly pitch-black in the room. Akon heard a few people scream. Someone - Nemu, probably - grabbed his hand.

"We have to get in line," she said quietly. Akon nodded.

A spotlight was turned on as the first couple walked down the middle of the room. Nobody had bothered any decorating at all.

Akon didn't bother with looking at any of the other couples; actually, with the spotlight shedding precious droplets of light, he could stare at Nemu more. He didn't know how he hadn't realized it before. She was beautiful.

"We need to go now," Nemu said after a few minutes. Akon nodded, looking straight ahead and sneaking side glances at her.

After the 'grand march' was over, he left the room, needing some fresh air. Only when he was a ways away did he realize that he had left Nemu behind.

"Shit," he muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets and beginning the walk back.

Nemu was waiting outside. "Are you all right?" she asked. He nodded.

"Sorry for leaving you."

"It is fine."

Akon bit his tongue. "No, it's not. I shouldn't've left you. But I'll make it up to you. Are you free this Saturday?"

Ach. Short. Sorry. :/