Author's Note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU.


Plan Me No Plans

Shunsui couldn't help a smile as he slipped into the English department office, even though he was slightly concerned. Nanao was asleep at her desk, her head resting on her keyboard. Shunsui sighed and went to cover her shoulders with his jacket. This wasn't the first time he had found the young woman asleep like this, though it had been happening more frequently lately. Shunsui slipped into his own office to grab the book he had actually come for and to place a quick phone call to a take out place he knew Nanao liked. He doubted she had eaten any dinner.

Nanao worked herself far too hard at times, and she forgot to take care of herself. Shunsui felt that as both her teacher and her friend that it was his job to make sure she did things like eat and sleep regularly. And he was concerned that the conference planning seemed to be taking over Nanao's life lately. She had been managing her schoolwork too fairly well, but the young woman seemed much more tired these days than usual. Shunsui really wanted to know what had possessed the university administration to agree to host the conference at such a late date.

Twenty minutes later the food had arrived, and Shunsui was trying to figure out the safest way to wake Nanao. He knew from experience that she tended to react first than think later when startled. His lady had a hell of a right hook. The man finally settled on lightly jostling her shoulder. Thankfully, Nanao was not a deep sleeper. And she was absolutely adorable just waking up. It clearly took her a moment to realize just where she was, and Shunsui took advantage of her disorientation to open up the take out containers and set one on front of her.

"Steak teriyaki with rice and veggies. I also got you an iced tea."

Nanao blushed a little. "You didn't have too."

"Nonsense. You're a starving grad student. The least I can do is provide a meal once in awhile. Besides, we both know I couldn't manage the department without." Shunsui smiled at her and set out his own food. "Eat your dinner, precious, and then I'll drive you home. I don't want you out waiting for the bus this late at night."

The endearment had slipped out by accident. But it seemed Nanao was tired enough that she would let it pass. She didn't even protest his offer to drive her home, something that typically brought at least a token protest. Nanao was definitely tired. Shunsui finished his own food and waited for her to finish eating. He definitely needed to figure out a way to lighten Nanao's work load. Working on the damn conference was clearly wearing her out. When Nanao finally finished eating, she powered down her computer and tried to give him back his coat. Shunsui made her keep it. It might be spring, but it was still nippy at night, especially when it was windy.

Nanao seemed to doze off during the ten minute drive to her apartment, and Shunsui insisted on walking her to her door. It was clear to him that she wasn't entirely awake at this point. When they reached her apartment door, Nanao smiled at him.

"Thank you again."

"It's no problem."

She pressed a kiss to his cheek and slipped inside her apartment. Shunsui stood there stunned.