Requested by ravens rising- thank you

Shunsui x Jyuushiro

The prompt was for 'reunion'… umm…

Champagne

There was champagne at the graduation ceremony, and Ukitake feared that he had already had one too many. He had spent some of the best years of his life with these people, and the thought of leaving them was suddenly strangely upsetting.

"Hey, Jyuushiro. Why are you looking so glum, huh?"

He turned to greet the new arrival, his dearest friend. He held two flutes of champagne, one in each hand, and a wide grin on his face.

"Is it not a bit sad, Shunsui? We're leaving all of this behind us."

Shunsui handed him the two glasses with a purposeful air, and then used his free hand to ruffle his short white hair affectionately. Jyuushiro felt a bolt of warmth through his abdomen.

"They'll be reunions, you know."

Jyuushiro glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, and his voice was sceptical.

"Very reassuring, I'm sure. Once every hundred years, when half of us have been killed in the line of duty?"

Shunsui nudged him gently, with affection and only the slightest hint of mockery.

"I told you that you couldn't be morbid tonight, didn't I? And anyway, we'll have weekly reunions, you and I. At those meetings…"

He tailed off as he caught sight of Jyuushiro's face, radiating confusion.

"Haven't you read the board? They've put up the listings for postings."

Jyuushiro's eyes widened, understanding the significance.

"And?"

"You're talking to the newly assigned Captain of the Eighth division."

"Oh, Shunsui! I'm so proud of you!"

"Be proud of yourself, Captain of the Thirteenth division. Those Captain meetings won't be quite so bad if I get to see you there."

Jyuushiro bit his lip as he smiled, passing a flute back to his friend, who clinked them together gently.

"Congratulations, Jyuushiro."

They downed their drinks, but as they had finished Ukitake stumbled a little, reaching to place his empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter. He felt a flush across his cheeks, and refused to meet Shunsui's eyes.

"Sorry. I think the champagne has gone to my head."

Shunsui took a hold of his arm, at first to steady him, and then to lead him out of the crowded room. They slipped away, no one catching sight of them, out into the chill darkness. The sky was clear, and air crisp, and as Jyuushiro felt it tear into his lungs he realised just how the alcohol had gotten to him. The lines of reality felt blurred somehow, around the edges.

And then…

He heard Shunsui's voice from somewhere close but distant, like the remnants from a dream.

He woke up, although he did not realise that he had fallen asleep.

"Are you alright?"

"Shunsui?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"You passed out, outside."

He forced his eyes open, and sat up, despite the aching in his head and the pain behind his eyes. He recognised immediately the room that Shunsui had occupied during their time at the Academy, although now it was stacked with boxes- because they were moving on, out of the Academy and into the Gotei.

"Sorry."

He blinked as a hand rested against his forehead. Shunsui's voice was soft, and gently chiding.

"You have a fever, idiot. It wasn't so much the alcohol, was it? You should have rested, not come to the ceremony."

"Am I to spend the rest of my life resting, Shunsui? I have to work, sometimes. Especially now, you know."

The other had no words to contradict that sentiment, and when Jyuushiro touched the bed next to him with the palm of his hand he sat there, opening his arms so that his friend could rest his head against the broad plane of his chest.

"I know… but I can still worry, can't I?"

"I don't think there is any way for me to stop you."

Shunsui wrapped his arms around his friend, and buried his face, from behind, into the cool line of his neck.

"Damn right."

The room was dark, lit only by the dark blue light that filtered through the regulation curtains. Jyuushiro let his eyes fall shut, ignoring the questions that had been worrying him for a while- was this the normal way to be with your friends? He did not like to think of the answer, in case it made the warm feeling in his chest go away.

"Jyuushiro?"

"Hmmm?"

"What would you do if I kissed you?"

He felt the warmth spread down his body, all the way through him.

"Well… I'd probably kiss you back. Even though I'm feverous."

Jyuushiro could not see the smile that forced its way out of Shunsui like trapped sunlight, but he did feel Shunsui shift slightly as he went to lean Jyuushiro backwards, so he could press their mouths together.