Author's note: Hey guys! (: The twelfth chapter; dun, dun, duuuun. I wonder if anyone who read this fic at the start is still reading? Probably not. (:
Oh, and... the Kiss Scene is in the next few chapters! I can see it! (: Oh, and just to let everyone know; this fic won't have smut in it. Sorry if I disappoint anyone :P
Um... Hm. Just to remind people, this chapter is a continuation of the last chapter. 'Tis the same day. And I decided to do the 'Amusement Park' thing in more than one chapter, 'cause I didn't want them to be too long. So, the next chapter will (probably) be in Renji's point of view. (: Wow. Looong day.
This chapter has some good old Bya-kun angst (not really). It involves... nah, just read it. I think I've been a bit mean to our poor Noble in this chapter! (:
Well, I was slightly disappointed when I realised that I only got four reviews for the last chapter. (But, to you guys who did, I LOVE you! Thanks so much!) Because the chapter before the last, I got ten! Where have my lovely reviewers gone? Nooo! They've left meeee! (: Nah, I'll be fine. But, please, guys, review! Reviewing makes everything go faster. 'Cause I've got a few other fics which need updating, and I'll do those first if I don't get enough response. (That's not blackmail, I swear...!) (: But, again, THANKS TO THOSE WHO DID REVIEW! (: Life savers. (:
Long author's note is looong. I wonder if people even bother to read it, or if I'm ranting to myself? LOL (: Okaaaay, shutting up now...
~Rainbow Fruit Loop.
Blossoming Romance
~Chapter12~
A m u s e m e n t P a r k
PartOne.
After gathering a few things that they thought they'd need, Byakuya and Renji were heading off to the Amusement Park.
I'm sure this isn't a good idea.
I shouldn't have come, even if it meant hurting Renji's feelings.
"This is going to be so much fun!" Renji said, an ecstatic smile on his face.
Merely seeing how excited his Lieutenant was changed Byakuya's mind.
Maybe it won't be too bad…
Because Renji had his head turned, Byakuya allowed himself an incredibly rare smile.
"How do you propose that we get there?" Byakuya asked, as the two walked down the main street.
"By bus." Renji informed him, gesturing towards the bus stop they were approaching.
Byakuya was silent.
"Ya haven't been on a bus before?" Renji asked.
"No."
"Wow!" Renji grinned – as though he was an expert – and the two men sat down on the faded green bench at the bus stop.
"I'll pay." Renji said, scrambling around in his pockets for the money he had saved up. He had gotten the Soul Society currency converted to the Japanese currency (it had been converted in Soul Society, of course.)
"You don't need to do that." Byakuya said. "Soul Society gave us money for our time in the Real World."
"No, Captain, I want to pay." Renji said, giving Byakuya one of his heart-warming lopsided grins.
"…If you insist."
Just then, the bus pulled up.
"C'mon!" Renji enthused.
After paying for the tickets, the two men sat down on one of the navy seats.
This bus smells like… wet dog.
The bus started.
"We have to get off at 'Stop 231', and then we walk for a bit." Renji said, peering at his ticket.
"That's fine."
The two Shinigami sat in an awkward silence, before Renji said: "So, Captain. Ya never did tell me what ya would do if ya could do anything at all."
Byakuya frowned. "I don't remember what I was going to say."
"Well, what would ya do now?"
Byakuya looked at Renji. He was sitting beside the Captain, an eager expression on his tanned face.
"I'd probably…"
What was I going to say yesterday?
Oh yes. I was going to say… 'I would kiss you.'
…Which would have been a very bad thing to say.
"I'd probably… sit and talk to you. Really talk. Learn everything about you, Abarai." Byakuya said.
Even that answer – which was not quite as suggestive as his previous answer – brought a slight blush to Byakuya's cheeks.
So, maybe the answer wasn't quite as romantic as it would have been the previous day, but Renji's face lit up. "We can do that later, Captain! When we're having lunch, maybe?"
"If you would like." Byakuya answered. "…Can I have today's 'guess' now?"
Renji bit his lip nervously. "Uh, sure. If ya want."
Byakuya thought for a minute.
Who does he hang around a lot?
I can't think of any other female Shinigami.
A human, perhaps?
What about that orange-haired female? The one that Rukia was telling me about.
What was her name…?
"Orihime Inoue?" Byakuya asked.
Renji looked at him blankly. "Who?"
Byakuya automatically felt stupid. "Never mind."
"Oh!" Renji ignored his Captain's dismissal of the subject. "The orange-haired busty one? No way." He laughed.
…Good.
Surprisingly, Renji didn't get lost. He managed to lead a hesitant Byakuya to the Amusement Park.
"I'm sure you'll love it, Captain!" he enthused.
"I'm glad you think so, Renji." Byakuya murmured under his breath.
Renji strode up and waited in the surprisingly short queue, in order to pay.
Byakuya followed.
From where they were standing – outside the park – only the tops of some of the higher rides could be seen.
"What do ya wanna go on first?" Renji asked.
Nothing.
"Er…?" Byakuya made a noise of thought.
"Take as long as ya need." Renji burbled.
He seems… really happy.
…I'm glad I've come.
After a few minutes, the two Shinigami made it to the front of the line.
"Two adults tickets, please." Renji said, handing his money over.
The woman behind the counter looked very bored. "Here are your tickets; please enjoy your day." She deadpanned.
"We will!" Renji grinned.
Byakuya, who was watching everything slightly bewilderedly, felt Renji's warm fingers wrap around his wrist.
Automatically, his heart started beating more quickly than usual.
Physical contact really shouldn't have this effect on me.
"Let's go, Captain!" Renji said, tugging Byakuya forward.
They stepped through the gates.
Byakuya was instantly overwhelmed by the number of people there.
"It's quite busy." Byakuya commented.
"Yeah. I think it's always like this." Renji gave a sheepish grin.
Byakuya rolled his eyes, still very much aware that Renji still had his fingers wrapped around his wrist.
It would be much nicer if he was to hold my hand, not my wrist.
…Nngh.
Byakuya scowled to himself, and zoned in to see Renji watching him.
"…Captain? Hello? Anyone home?" he was saying.
"Yes?"
"Which ride do ya want to go on?" Renji asked.
"Er…" Byakuya looked around.
He spotted the top of a Ferris wheel. Although it went up quite high, it seemed relatively slow.
Slow speed is definitely the better option.
"What's that?" Byakuya asked, gesturing towards the Ferris wheel.
"A Ferris wheel. Ya sit in it, and go around. Don't worry, it's completely safe." Renji assured his Captain.
"Well, should we go on that?" Byakuya sighed inwardly.
"Right-io!" Renji said, practically skipping towards it.
I can't believe that it is healthy to be so enthusiastic.
As they got nearer, Byakuya noticed the sign.
~The Lovers' Ferris Wheel~
Enjoy the ten minute ride – together!
W-What?
Renji, too, noticed the sign, and immediately dropped Byakuya's wrist.
"Um… I guess that explains why all of the chairs are pink and red…?" Renji said, laughing awkwardly.
At this point, the two Shinigami were in the line.
"Possibly, yes. Although, despite the name it has been given, I think I would rather go on this ride than any other." Byakuya said uncertainly, glancing around at the other flashing, whirling, loud rides.
"Well, alright." Renji seemed happy enough.
Quickly, the men got to the front of the line. The man in charge let them get into the chair (which, luckily was red, not pink), a surprised and almost disgusted look on his face.
The seat was relatively small, so the two men were pushed together. Renji's thigh was pressed against Byakuya's own, and their shoulders were brushing.
It wasn't very good for Byakuya's mental health.
The chair started moving upwards, causing Byakuya to grip the bar in front of him tightly.
"Gee, what was with that guy? Has he never seen a gay couple before?" Renji pondered out loud, frowning.
"…We are not a gay couple, Renji." Byakuya said, only half paying attention to the conversation. He was too busy peering downwards.
The people who were waiting in line were gradually becoming smaller, and the noise of the theme park was slowly becoming softer.
"Ah, but if we were, then we could have been really offended." Renji murmured.
Byakuya made a noise of vague agreement.
This is already quite high – and we're not at the top yet.
At least it seems slow.
And ten minutes seems a long time.
But I guess it is for lovers.
"Are you alright, Captain?" Renji asked.
"I'm fine."
"Maybe we should chat to get your mind off things?" Renji suggested.
Byakuya leaned back in the chair. "If you would like."
Renji, too, leaned back, awkwardly causing his upper arm to rest on top of Byakuya's.
I can tell that I am going to have a headache when we get back to the hotel.
"Well, Renji, I think that, because you have dragged me to this Amusement Park, you should give me a few clues about who you love." Byakuya said.
"Why are ya so curious?" Renji surprised his Captain by asking.
"Oh, er, I am just inquisitive as to who could have won over the heart of a man like you."
"A man 'like me'?" Renji mumbled, obviously confused as to what that meant.
"Stop changing the subject." Byakuya instructed.
"Alright, well… The person I love has…" Renji's eyes seemed to glaze over slightly, and a small smile graced his lips.
He is obviously thinking about her…
"The person I love is the most gorgeous person I've ever seen in my life. They have long, beautiful, dark hair. It looks – and probably feels – like silk. Their skin is flawless, smooth, and creamy white. It's beautiful."
Long, dark hair?
Pale skin?
Byakuya felt his heart speed up, and his palms become clammy.
"They have stunning, dark eyes, which reveals everything that they are feeling."
Dark, expressive eyes?
"As for personality… they don't really say much. They keep to themselves. But, if ya aggravate them enough, you'll see that they have a wicked temper."
They keep to themselves?
A wicked temper…
… Renji knows about my temper.
So… Is he talking about…
…Me?
Because Byakuya had looked downwards, he didn't notice how Renji's eyes widened in panic. He had been revealed way too much. Of course Byakuya would be able to guess – he had practically drawn a picture.
Renji… is he in love with… me?
The thought made Byakuya feel something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Happiness.
Though I've only just realized that I have feelings for him, I'm so delighted that he may have them for me…
My affections for him are obviously deeper than I thought.
But… that night, when he told me he had fallen in love, he said 'It'll never happen.'
He must have meant because I am a Noble, and also his Captain.
…I think it could happen.
I think… I want it to happen.
Renji's shaky voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Well, I guess I may as well tell ya now. I've given it away anyways." He gave a nervous chuckle.
Byakuya looked up into Renji's eyes. He had never really noticed how pretty they were. They were a dark amber colour, with flecks of hazel. Dark, thick lashes framed them.
"The person I've fallen in love with… is…"
Byakuya held his breath in elated anticipation.
"Momo Hinamori." Renji finished.
Byakuya's heart dropped.
Everything was silent.
Lieutenant… Hinamori?
Byakuya closed his eyes briefly, wishing that he had never asked.
Of course it wouldn't be me.
I'm male.
And I'm an idiot.
I can't believe that I was arrogant enough to truly believe that someone as amazing and as full of life as him could have fallen in love with someone as uninteresting and unpleasant as me.
"Vice Captain Hinamori?" Byakuya finally asked. He wished that Renji would say 'No. I was joking'.
But he didn't.
"Yeah!" Renji enthused, a look of relief on his face. "Who were ya expecting me to say?"
Me.
I was expecting you to say it that it was me.
"I don't know who I was expecting." Byakuya lied, feeling incredibly foolish.
He was sure that his cheeks were bright red.
"Well. She's got long, dark hair, pale skin, and dark brown eyes which always show what she's feeling. She never speaks – she's too shy, but if ya annoy her enough, you'll see that she has a wicked temper." Renji finished.
"I didn't realize that she was easily angered." Byakuya said lamely.
He was trying his hardest not to look disappointed.
"Yeah! Do ya remember when she tried to kill Captain Hitsugaya, because she thought that he'd murdered Aizen?" Renji asked.
"Yes. And… speaking of Captain Hitsugaya… don't they have some sort of chemistry?" Byakuya asked.
"Yeah. That's why I said 'It'll never happen'." Renji said, attempting to look disappointed.
Everything is falling into place.
He never meant me.
Never.
Byakuya sighed inwardly.
His chest ached; something he had never felt before.
All he wanted was to curl up into a ball. He was disappointed, hurt, embarrassed and lonely all at once.
"I think you should tell her." Byakuya said, avoiding eye contact with his Lieutenant.
I am not going to tell him otherwise. I am not going to sabotage his relationship with her, simply because I am a jealous man.
Renji looked taken aback. "Um, why? What if she laughs in my face?"
"She won't. She would be very lucky to have someone… like you, Renji." Byakuya said, his heart heavy.
"Someone like me? I'm not special." Renji said, looking honestly perplexed.
Yes, you are.
"You're strong, loyal, truthful," Byakuya missed how Renji winced at the word 'truthful', "…fun, and caring person. She'll see that."
I can't believe he thinks that he is just an ordinary man.
Renji flushed. "T-Thanks, Captain."
"…It's fine."
The two sat in the 'Lovers' Chair' awkwardly.
Byakuya realized that the ride would be over in a few seconds.
I certainly forgot how high up we were.
But I think I would have preferred it had we not spoken, and I had been constantly afraid of the height.
The ride came to a stop, and Renji clambered out.
Thank God it's over.
…The talk about his love, that is.
Renji held out a hand to help Byakuya, who – as much as he didn't want to – ignored it, and climbed out himself.
Renji put his hand down, and looked at Byakuya awkwardly.
"Captain? Did I say something wrong?" he asked.
Yes. You told me that the one you had fallen for was not me.
Byakuya forced himself to look surprised.
"Of course not, Abarai."
"Good! I was worried that I'd offended you somehow."
He has no idea how I feel?
No idea at all?
"Hey, do ya wanna eat lunch now? I didn't realize it was so late!" Renji chirped.
"Sure." Byakuya agreed quietly.
Today's been a whirlwind of emotions.
…And it's only midday.