So here it is! XD The absolute last addition to this fiction. I hope it was as fun a ride for you as it was for me X3 THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to those of you who read and reviewed this. Thank you for the lovely words of encouragement! X3
ENJOY!
Epilogue
Hisagi let loose a deep sigh, his breath sending a few of the towering sheets flying across the floor. He glanced at them but resolved to pick them up later. He was back at his office and the work had been slowly piling up in his absence, reaching epic proportions. When he entered the room he honestly feared a paper avalanche, some of the stacks touching the ceiling. Home sweet home...
It took him over three days of sleepless nights to get through the majority of them, first having to decide what was important and what could wait... Damn, he sure missed Captain Tosen at times like those. If there was one thing he appreciated was the way he always took care of the work himself...Oh well, Hisagi couldn't really complain. It was a slight inconvenience that could be ameliorated and the workload was only this large because it had time to gather. He knew others had it way worse.
He sat up from his chair, almost losing his footing for a second. His legs were asleep after sitting down for hours on end and the sudden rush of blood through his circulatory system sent pins and needles through his skin. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, letting the sensation wash over him, until he it was gone and walked to the other end of the room, seeking the sunlight streaming through the open window.
The ledge was one of his favourite places to sit. He always enjoyed feeling the sun or the wind or any weather across his back but without having to fear the elements, knowing he was well protected by the roof over his head. That day there was nothing to fear. It was a sunny, warm day and he closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh air. In his hand he held a cup and he brought it to his lips sipping some of the liquid and relishing the taste.
A brave butterfly fluttered by him, curious to explore the depths of this construction made of wood and Hisagi followed its white wings with a lazy eye, enjoying the way it scouted every corner only to turned back, as if bored and unimpressed, to exit the way it came. Had Shuhei been in its place he too would have much preferred the fresh outside than the stuffy, dark inside but unlike that free spirit he had responsibilities and subordinates who depended on his leadership. He couldn't simply sprout his wings and flutter away...
'So I take it you're finally done.' Hisagi's smile wavered for a moment, a little irritated at the arrival of the other Shinigami. And so ended his moment of peace...
'Yes. For today anyhow. What do you want Renji?' The other lieutenant came down the street and leaned over the ledge, resting his chin on his crossed arms.
'That's mean. Is that how you treat your secret adviser?' Hisagi groaned. He wished he could deny it but, while he never considered Renji smart, his advices had certainly been a major help over the last two weeks. If it wasn't for him Ishida would have probably still been a virgin...
'Are you ever gonna let that go?'
'We'll see.' A mischievous grin lit up Renji's face and Shuhei knew this was not the last he would hear of this subject. It was true what they said, Nothing's ever Free...Suddenly Renji sniffed the air, catching some new scent, and Hisagi couldn't help comparing him to a dog. 'Is that...Is that coffee?' His eyes fell on the cup between Hisagi's fingers and they darted to the soft smile on the lieutenant's lips. 'But you don't drink coffee.'
'I do now.'
In case it wasn't clear, Shuhei and Ishida are now in a relationship and when he can get away, Hisagi visits out little Quincy much like Renji does with Ichigo. Sides, in lives such as theirs they're thrown together a hell of a lot more than you'd expect XD
I hope you like it and HAVE A LOVELY DAY!