As they walked away from the lab, Renji and Shuuhei had a quite serious conversation. They were both disturbed by what had happened to Zikinoru in the lab and felt bad about delivering him to Mayuri. Renji seriously felt like a cigarette even though he had quit years ago. Shuuhei could tell since Renji had his fingers to his lips in the usual smoking position.
"You ok?"
"I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"YES, I'M PERFECTLY FINE!!"
At this point Renji slammed Shuuhei into the wall. Shuuhei removed himself from the red-heads grasp and said," I think you need some poky, because I'm not letting you have those cancer sticks." Renji looked down at his fingers in a bit of a confused look, before realizing his addiction was kicking in. He grumbled about Shuuhei noticing every little thing and Shuuhei smiled like he had a secret.
They walked a little in the general direction of the nearest shop before Renji noticed Shuuhei's smile. Slightly disturbed by the smaller mans expression, he asked," What's that look for?" Shuuhei smiled broader and replied," what look? ( ;" Renji placed his fingers against his lips again in his confusion. "What would you do if I told you that I knew your secret," Shuuhei burst out unexpectedly.
Renji stopped walking and felt his hand tremble. How did Shuuhei know? It was like he could see right through him. He stared at the man before him and asked,"H-how did you find out?" He cursed himself for stuttering. What kind of man was he?
Shuuhei took a step closer so he could speak lower. He whispered," I found out myself. You know at the Christmas party? I haven't told anyone, I'm not an asshole." He watched as Renji's face turned as red as his hair. He took a deep breath, ready to trust Renji with his own secret. "I'm one too you know," he whispered calmly. Renji's head snapped toward him and his eyes stared into Shuuhei's. Renji's mouth unhinged and dropped. Shuuhei laughed and tapped his tattoo," Why do you think I got this?"
Renji blushed as Shuuhei got closer. He had wondered why he had gotten that tattoo, but he had never guessed that Shuuhei was gay! He wondered if Shuuhei had dreamed as he dreamed, of him… Shuuhei was even closer now and Renji could feel his breath on his ear. He blushed further. "Let's go. I want to get you some poky, sempai," Shuuhei whispered as he wrapped his arm around Renji's shoulders. They walked away talking about how they came to like guys.