Requested by le car- thank you
Ukitake and Sogyo no Kotowari, with really vague hints of Shunsui x Nanao in the background. You can read it an one-sided Ukitake x Kyouraku if you want, but I didn't intend it to be
Yourself
"It really is okay, you know."
The two looked at each other, obviously bemused by the blatant lie that their wielder was telling them, with all the conviction of a worthy truth. There was something worried in that look to each other, as well as it being confused, as if someone who they had always thought was wise was making a mistake that they could not understand- for surely, if they could see it, then why couldn't he?
He patted each of their concerned little heads with a smile that would normally warm them, but today all that they could see was a worn resignation in it that made him look unbelievably sad, even though he was trying so hard not to appear to be.
None of this made sense to them- why was their Jyuushiro so alone, when everyone loved him? People were stopping by to talk to him all the time, to ask his advice and to bring him gifts- why didn't he just befriend one of those?
"Because, it wouldn't be the same. They would not be my friend in the same way- it would be like one of you trying to replace the other."
He answered without them asking, knowing exactly what they were thinking, that they were questioning Shunsui's long periods in the office when they knew flat out that he would not be doing any work. They nodded; they understood that sort of impossibility.
"But, why is he not feeling the same way?"
Jyuushiro smiled again.
"Because he's found that one person, that is like one of you to the other- do you understand?"
"Well, why is that not you?"
"There is always one special person, for everyone, and I can't change that that is not me. But don't worry, I told you, it is okay."
The two shared another secret look that Jyuushiro did not attempt to interpret. He supposed it was inevitable to feel alone when even your zanpakuto had another more important to them- but it was okay, it really was.
"You're only lying to yourself, you know."
And with that final word, their materialised form vanished, leaving Jyuushiro blinking at the wisdom from them, just like a parent whose child says something amazingly shrewd and they are not expecting it.
He smiled once more, and leant back in his chair.
Everything would be alright. It always was, and Shunsui had promised that he would come over later for tea.