Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH

Summary: Renji goes shopping for sunglasses. Byakuya is forced to come along.

Chapter 7: Sunglasses

''I still don't understand why I am here.'' Byakuya said as he and Renji made their way to a sunglasses store. They were in the World of the Living and Renji wanted to use this time to buy some new sunglasses. And he forced Byakuya to join him.

''You're here because I need someone to tell me if I look good in my new shades or not.'' Renji replied. After everything that happened with the bounts, he was finally able to save enough money to buy some new glasses. Normally, he would have just bought some in Soul Society, but the World of the Living had better glasses. And this was one of the few times when the Head Captain allowed them to visit if it wasn't for work purposes. Rangiku had left the moment she was allowed, dragging Toshiro along with her. Renji thought it was only fair if he got someone to come with him as well. And Byakuya was his first choice.

Byakuya was not pleased.

''I still do not understand why you couldn't ask someone else. Like Rukia or that Kurosaki brat. I'm sure they would have complied.''

Renji scoffed.

''Rukia, sure, but Ichigo? That guy would have thrown a hissy fit. Besides, you're the only person I want as company.'' Renji grinned and placed a chaste kiss on Byakuya's lips. Byakuya couldn't help but smile a little. As much as he disliked the situation, he still found it kind of sweet that Renji chose him to go shopping with. Out of all the people Renji could have picked, Byakuya was his first choice. And he couldn't be angry with him for that.

''Okay.'' Byakuya gave in. Renji smiled and squeezed his hand. Byakuya returned the gesture.

''Although,'' Byakuya began, once their destination was visible. ''I really wish that you would have reconsidered your choice in clothing. People are beginning to stare and it's making me uncomfortable.''

Renji stopped walking and gave Byakuya a sly smile.

''Aww, does Byakuya not like being stared at? Is Byakuya shy?'' he teased.

''Of course not.'' Byakuya disagreed, offended by Renji's teasing. ''I was just saying that you look like you just left the circus.''

''What?!'' Renji exclaimed and looked down at his clothes. He looked back up with a glare. ''I look just fine!''

Byakuya raised a brow at that.

''Really? Did you even bother looking in the mirror before we left?'' Byakuya questioned, his eyes dancing with amusement. He was right though. Renji looked like an absolute mess. A big, colorful mess.

Renji was wearing a multicolored shirt with bright orange pants. On his feet were bright red sneakers and on his forehead was a yellow bandana. Covering his wrists were green and pink wrist bands. Byakuya was amazed that Renji could walk around looking like that. It was also partially his fault for not saying anything before they left. He should have known that Renji would draw attention to himself, dressed as foolishly as he was.

Renji, apparently, saw no fault in his choice of clothes.

''I still don't see the problem. I think I look stylish.''

Byakuya snorted.

''Renji, your sense of style is worse than a blind man's.''

''Oh yeah? And what about you? You're not that stylish either.''

Byakuya opened his mouth to respond, but thought better of it. There was no need to start an argument over something as trivial as style. Of course, he knew he looked better than Renji. That was a fact. But he also knew that Renji was stubborn and would just keep on insisting that he had better style. So, Byakuya just shook his head and sighed.

''I guess you're right.'' he finally said. Renji crossed his arms and grinned triumphantly.

''I knew you would accept the truth eventually. Now come on, I still need to get my sunglasses.'' Renji took Byakuya's hand and led him inside the sunglasses store. His eyes twinkled as he stared at the different racks that contained a variety of sunglasses. With Byakuya's hand still in his, Renji walked to one of the racks. Byakuya just stood there as Renji turned the rack around, trying to find a pair of sunglasses that interested him. When he found none, he walked to a different rack and turned that one around as well. Byakuya slowly followed along as Renji continued to look through the different racks, trying to find the right pair of sunglasses.

After going through about six racks, Renji finally found a pair of sunglasses that interested him. He took the sunglasses out and placed them over his eyes. Then he turned to Byakuya and asked,

''How do I look?''

Byakuya, who had been staring at the door, wondering when they could leave, turned to Renji and stared at the thing covering his eyes. The sunglasses were star-shaped with black and gold stripes. In between the stripes, the word FAMOUS was written several times. Byakuya personally didn't care what the glasses looked like, but Renji was expecting him to give a response so that is exactly what he did.

''I don't like it.'' That was all he said and yet, Renji instantly got depressed. His shoulders slumped and his lips formed a very tiny pout. He took the glasses off and placed them back on the rack.

''Ok, well if you don't like it then let's look for something else.''

They went through another three racks and Renji tried on two other pairs of sunglasses. The first one was shaped like two skulls and Renji and Byakuya both agreed that he was not getting that one. The second one was heart shaped with the words 'I LOVE YOU' written on inside. Renji would have considered getting it if the color wasn't pink. Just as Renji was about to give up on his search for new sunglasses, he spotted one on a rack that was at the back of the shop. Without waiting for Byakuya, Renji rushed over to the rack and carefully pulled the sunglasses out. He didn't even try it on, he just turned to Byakuya and said;

"This is the one."

Byakuya eyed the sunglasses in Renji's hand. The design was simple, nothing too gaudy or extravagant. The glasses were mostly black in color, but the lens were tinted a deep shade of blue. Byakuya briefly wondered why Renji was attracted to something so simple when he noticed a tiny, jade dragon was carved onto the side of the glasses. Byakuya took the glasses from Renji's hands to examine it further. Byakuya could tell from the many minute details that the dragon was intricately crafted and he couldn't help but admire its beauty. And if that wasn't enough, underneath the dragon was the kanji for 'strength'.

"You like it too, don't you?" Renji said after a moment. Byakuya nodded.

"Yes, it is beautiful. I most certainly did not expect to find something so beautiful in such a tacky sunglasses store."

"Hey! This store is not tacky!" Renji protested and took the glasses away from Byakuya. With a huff, he added, "Anyways, we should just pay for this and get out of here."

The duo approached the cash register and handed the cashier the glasses. After paying for the glasses, the two males walked out of the store. Renji practically skipped his way down the street.

"You certainly seem happy." Byakuya said, a touch of amusement in his voice. Renji turned to him and grinned.

"Well, why wouldn't I be happy? I just got some amazing new shades and I got to spend the whole day with the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, Renji."

"Oh but it's not flattery if it's true." Renji leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Byakuya's lips. He pulled away shortly after and reached down to entwine Byakuya's hand with his.

"Now come on, we still have an entire day before we have to head back to the Soul Society." Renji gently squeezed Byakuya's hand before proceeding to drag him down the street, only to trip over his own two feet, which almost sent them both to the ground had Byakuya not managed to maintain their balance.

Byakuya shook his head, his lips curving into a fond smile. He truly loved this bumbling idiot lieutenant of his.

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