AN: Apologies to anyone who was anxiously awaiting these epilogues! I didn't die, I just fell very ill with a flu I caught from my family over the holidays. Go figure. So I spent the past four days sleeping, basically...Anyway, here is the first of two epilogues. This is the "uber-happy" ending!
Two years after Ichigo's return, things are going almost too well to be real. Shortly after he made up with Uryuu they moved into a new flat together, closer to Ichigo's family members and Uryuu's workplace. Also within walking distance of the university where Ichigo is finally studying to earn his doctorate, thanks to his father's help. Uryuu offered to assist, too, but Ichigo convinced him to save it for when they eventually adopt kids. You can never start a college-fund too early.
"Where did I put my cufflinks," he hears Uryuu mutter to himself across the room. "I could've sworn..."
"They're on the bathroom counter."
"Oh! Thanks."
"No problem."
Retrieving the shining pins from their en-suite restroom, Uryuu pauses in applying them to his shirt to give Ichigo a quick, appreciative kiss. A combination of the fancy cologne he used, the nice clothes he is wearing, and the happy color on his cheeks urges Ichigo to grab Uryuu and kiss him properly before he can stride from the room. As usual, one taste quickly overpowers them and Uryuu forcefully disengages before they start undoing all their hard work getting ready.
"We're going to be late," he firmly reminds, in spite of his gaze being locked onto Ichigo's mouth. "You can kiss me as much as you want later. After we get back from this party. All right?"
"Promise?" Uryuu grins and shakes his head at Ichigo's eager expression. "It's my birthday, after all."
"Yes, yes. Special birthday sex is a given," he confirms with another quick peck. "Later. Come on, before your sisters start texting us."
They spend the drive to Isshin's house reminiscing about past birthdays and making plans for future ones. Uryuu makes the mistake of humming along to a song on the radio, which urges Ichigo to demand he sing aloud, which turns into Uryuu serenading him as they pull up in the driveway.
Beaming and flush with laughter, the two of them are greeted by the whole Kurosaki clan, including Yuzu's husband and Karin's wife. Everyone takes a turn hugging the new arrivals and Uryuu pauses to hold his nephew-in-law, Yuzu's tiny son. Isshin flops an arm around Ichigo's shoulders and mock-punches his chin.
"I heard you and Uryuu are thinking of adopting a little cherub of your own soon."
"Yeah, in another year or so. Ukitake-sensei already gave me the official stamp of 'You're Cured!' so there shouldn't be any legal problems. I just want to finish my degree first."
"That's a fine plan, m'boy!"
"When are you going to marry the nice lady you've been dating?" he fires back, smiling at the kind-eyed woman in question setting the table in the next room. "Haven't you waited long enough?"
"You can't rush these things," Isshin waves dramatically as he reddens. "Hasn't Uryuu taught you anything yet?"
"Not nearly enough, I fear," said tutor replies for him. Uryuu reluctantly hands over the baby and moves to stand beside Ichigo, who instantly takes firm hold of his hand. "If Ichigo had his way we'd have three children and four pets by now."
"It's your fault I want more pets. Nel is too adorable for her own good! And it's your fault I want kids, too. Seeing you holding a baby is just so..."
Smiling like he knows exactly what Ichigo means, Uryuu nods and gently squeezes his hand. Then the doorbell rings and a dozen of their friends come pouring in from outside. Cheers, congratulations, and greetings resound in the best kind of chaos as more hugs are exchanged. Chad, Keigo, Tatsuki, and Mizuiro gang up to try squeezing him to death. Orihime and Uryuu's ex-lawyer calmly file in. Uryuu's coworker and friend Shiba Kaien, who it turns out is Ichigo's distant cousin, is next. Even Ichigo's old roommates stop by to wish him well.
Through all the chatting and horseplay, eating and drinking, retelling of stories and jokes, Ichigo feels his heart expanding to compensate for so much love in one building. This levity is something he never imagined possible after all those years spent in anguish. Having it now is akin to being granted early admission into corporeal Heaven. And if this is Heaven, then Uryuu is his Angel, his guiding light, his savior. Yeah, he can totally see Uryuu with wings and a halo. Especially considering how much white he likes to wear.
Ichigo's grin is going to become a permanent fixture, he's sure of it.
Hours after the party and minutes after indulging in Uryuu's earlier promise, Ichigo pours shampoo onto his hands to lather into messy black hair. Uryuu smoothes a soapy cloth across Ichigo's chest. Every time they catch each other's eye, they can't help grinning a little wider.
The kiss they inevitably share will not lead to more this time, but that's okay. Ichigo knows they have many, many years ahead of them to act on their desire for one another. For now, it's enough to express simple affection and revel in the intimacy they have cultivated. For now, Ichigo is content watching the way Uryuu's eyelashes flutter as he leans back to rinse off.
They snuggle in their bed, warm and dry and clean. Uryuu is breathing these happy little hums he never realizes he's making until Ichigo teases him for it. Nel jumps up with a tinny jingle of her collar's bell and curls up beside them. Between her purring and Uryuu's humming, Ichigo finds himself slipping towards sleep faster than he'd prefer.
"Uryuu."
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," he automatically responds. A few seconds later, he adds, "For what?"
"Everything." It comes out strained and Uryuu turns to watch him in concern. "Thank you for helping me when no one else could. For having the patience and strength to put up with me when it would've been so much easier to give up. Thanks for being you, the man I will love until the day I die."
"Ichigo," he calls in a soothing, understanding whisper. The slim fingers of his left hand reach up to trace down the side of Ichigo's face. Ichigo captures them in his right and kisses the open palm.
"Thank you for fixing me. Thank you for making all the suffering worth it." Uryuu leans their foreheads together and Ichigo sighs into the simple embrace. "Most of all, Uryuu, thank you for loving me more than I could ever hope to deserve."
"You're welcome, Ichigo." Softly smiling again, Uryuu kisses him like it's the first time and the last time, just as they always do. Just as they always will. "And thank you."
