-I think I have an addiction issue. With my keyboard. I just can't drag myself away from it! Probably unhealthy, probably should be working on my anthropology final essay, probably not going to happen. So, I'll write these drabbles instead! That, and before I move onto my bigger projects I want to get these two little drabbles done. My next set is a big one, so I'll probably update RBF before I post that set. Oh, and just to give you all a warning, I am probably going to change the title of RBF to better suit its sequel, so it will probably not be Reign of Blue Fire for much longer. Just thought I'd let you know. Thanks to my reviewers, thanks to those who read this, and I hope you enjoy.
1: Dance
Though Toshiro had definitely taken Ichigo through his paces when it came to fast-paced, intricate dancing, Ichigo still had Toshiro beat in regards to one aspect of dancing. Ichigo slow danced like a pro, waltzing with every swinging step so memorized they may have as well been etched into his skin. And though he and Toshiro didn't get the chance to dance often, and when they did it was usually in the World of the Living at some fast-paced rave, he did enjoy making the other man slow down every once in a while.
On one such occasion, they'd taken their slow time whilst sitting out in their back yard one evening. It was early spring, and the cherry blossoms were on their last few beautiful days of blooming. They'd been watching the blossoms before Ichigo had gotten the idea, sitting contentedly in their shared silence until Ichigo pulled Toshiro to stand.
He had been slowly teaching Toshiro the art of not dancing like a Broadway star, and was quite pleased at his spouse's progress. But the fact was that Toshiro was still unused to it, and was thus always rather timid when he and Ichigo took up practicing. So when Ichigo wrapped an arm around Toshiro's hip, his other hand lacing with Toshiro's, there was a faint, sakura pink blush on Toshiro's cheek. Apparently he thought the gesture of dancing under the cherry blossoms as romantic a concept as Ichigo did, but his larger husband just smiled good naturedly and led in the slow waltz as Toshiro's other hand settled on his shoulder.
"You know where I learned to do this?" he said after a while, Toshiro coming back into his arms from a twirl that Ichigo had put him through. Toshiro's paces were gentle, but getting a bit more confident every time.
Toshiro hummed at him as they resettled to their original waltzing position, his shyness washed away. Ichigo tugged Toshiro's hip closer, so that they were dancing as close to each other as they could manage. Ichigo's footwork slowed, his paces shortening to keep the other as close as possible. He could tell that Toshiro was trying acclimate, but did his best to distract the other man from his concentrating by explaining. He rested the side of his face against the top of Toshiro's snowy head as he spoke.
"My mom and I used to do this when I was little," he explained. He could feel Toshiro stiffen for a moment, and knew that the other was instantly afraid that he'd done something wrong. In response Ichigo tightened his grip around Toshiro's narrow waist, letting the other know that his fear was unfounded. "She would just dance with me in the kitchen sometimes, or prop me up over her shoulder and dance me to sleep." He felt like a sentimental fool for saying these things, but the thoughts were on his mind at the time, and he didn't have the heart to deny them. He sighed against Toshiro's snowy hair, nuzzling his nose into his partner's scalp. "I always thought it was so nice, because I didn't every have to do anything. She would lead the steps for me, and I could just follow after her. It was like walking on air."
Toshiro's head was leaning against his neck. He could still feel some tension in Toshiro's shoulders, so he decided to put in one last comment. He pulled away for a moment, waiting for Toshiro to look up at him before smiling back down at the other man. "But now it's even better," he said, earning a curious look from the bright eyes of his partner. "Because now I can walk on air with you."
2: Novel
When Toshiro came home one Thursday afternoon to find Ichigo sitting at their kitchen table in front of what appeared to be a typewriter, he could honestly say that it was not what he had been expecting to return home to. He trundled into the kitchen, looking at Ichigo curiously as he thrummed his fingers against the table. He had a piece of paper loaded into the old machine, but seemed to have not written anything on it.
Toshiro settled himself by looking over Ichigo's shoulder, setting a hand on one. "So, what are you going to write?" he asked. He'd known for a long time that both he and Ichigo shared a love for Shakespeare, and knew that Ichigo, though not the most creative man in the world, had always wanted to pursue an art. He wasn't a terrible artist, and Toshiro had told him so many times, but it seemed now that his interest lay in the art of words, which Toshiro was immediately interested in.
"I don't know yet," Ichigo replied honestly, though he seemed not to be disheartened by that fact. Toshiro chuckled, deciding to sit down next to Ichigo rather than peer over his shoulder.
"You should write a memoir," he suggested, and Ichigo looked at him with a dry look. "Quite seriously," Toshiro affirmed. "You have had one of the most interesting lives of anyone I know. I'm sure that your life's story would inspire millions in generations to come. And, perhaps even make for a good historical document."
Ichigo laughed, then, apparently amused by the prospect of becoming well-published history. He leaned over, catching Toshiro's lips in a surprise kiss, before smiling warmly at his husband. "I might have an interesting life," he said, "but it's only a good one because of you."
-Ta da! Behold my two sappy moments for the day. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go try and find a life. No, seriously, guys. Four sets of drabbles in forty eight hours. Over fifteen thousand words total. Something is clinically WRONG WITH ME. But… I guess it makes me happy. And, as I've been told by unofficial physician-in-training, I am getting enough vitamin D, and don't have atrophied leg muscles yet, so I should be good to go for a while at least. Blegh. Anyway, these are Kai-Chan94's drabbles, properly cited and all. Shoot me ideas if you have any, leave a review if you please, and I'll see you soon, biffles. And, a little PS to xTKx: I DID go to class today, and I still got these done. :P
8-90s love,
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