hey, everyone! I'll be updating more frequently soon- summer break is nearly here for me! in the meantime, enjoy this little shot. it's meant to take place a little bit after the Soul Society arc.
"…Are you sure?"
It's raining.
It's raining and he's fighting the urge to deepen his scowl, to curse at inclement weather and sour summer memories. He's vaguely aware of the faceless silhouettes moving around him, tossing chilly, wayward glances at his tall frame and vivid hair.
His grip on his umbrella tightens and he asks again.
"Are you sure?"
Her eyes are wide (but when are they not?) and she ducks her head, flushing. A stray lock of russet autumn tumbles over her shoulder, dark against the exposed peach of her throat. He's staring, suddenly wondering how she can hold so much color in such a dulled setting, when she nods once. He catches indistinct mumbles of space aliens and ray guns, before she meets his gaze.
"I forgot it," she murmurs, beaming nervously. She's wringing at her pale hands and, in spite of himself, his brow smoothens. "I-I'm so sorry to trouble you, Kurosaki-kun… I'll just-"
"It's alright," he says quickly. "…I'll walk you home."
She's quiet for the better part of the trip, only stammering out flustered apologies when she gently bumps into him from under their shared space. He's thinking that he's never seen her so contained when she lets out an awed gasp and leaps out and away. The umbrella tips and he blinks dazedly.
"I-Inoue?"
She's pirouetting ahead, her hair fanning out behind her like a dizzy, helium star's vapor trail of sunshine. He belatedly realizes he's squinting despite a lack of light when she eagerly splashes around him.
"Kurosaki-kun, look!" she sings, spreading her arms as she spins by. "There are puddles everywhere!"
As if to further illustrate her point, she leaps into one with both feet. The muddy surface fractures like breaking glass, splattering her socks and the hem of her school skirt. Her laugh rings out, the clear sound of a wind chime.
"Oi!" he finds himself saying, reaching for her thin wrist and dancing eyes. "You'll catch a cold that way!"
The day is still cold, still a dreary monochrome. But he swears there is a bright heat, a gentle sun, beside him.
this was originally based on my previous IchiHime fics' idea of Orihime "forgetting" her umbrella on rainy days. just thought I'd spread a little cute fluff :D
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