It Takes Time
By: Le tired
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters, blah blah blah, etc.
Rated: T for some language and…stuff?
Author's Notes: Sorry it's been so long since I updated, I write the story as it comes to me and sometimes the inspirational flow sort of goes away when I don't have time to watch Bleach. Thanks a lot for all of your reviews and favorites, they're what made me reread my story and develop some new ideas! (I also like to thank each and every reviewer, so I apologize for all the space I take up on this, I swear the chapter is below.)
kriitikko: Thanks again for your review and continued support!!
30CK: Thank you, I'm glad someone else agrees with my characterization of Hitsugaya, I don't believe I've seen him blush or stammer in that way around Matsumoto, so I tried to keep it like that in the fic.
Deus Misereatur: Thank you! I most certainly agree Hitsu/Matsu are a great couple! It would be nice if something happened in the manga, but I'm not holding my breath -_-.
kinichi: Thanks, glad you like!
Kohryu: Haha yeah, sometimes I want to just get to a real kiss too, but savoring the development each step of the way is also enjoyable.
heidi-mayer87: Thank you for such a nice review! Haha we really do have similar points of view. I think there is much unspoken chemistry between the two, which then makes for a lot of fun interpretation :).
Thien Minh: Aww thanks for your review! I think eventually there will be at least one chapter with Hitsugaya's POV near the end, maybe for closure, but I think it will remain mostly in Matsumoto's POV to keep the story more exciting and suspenseful (although I guess we all sort of know what's going to happen). And thanks about my comparison between Gin and Hitsugaya, it was actually pretty neat to write and draw all the parallels and whatnot.
kyokoaurora: Yay thanks a lot! It's always rewarding to know others enjoy your stories!
IVIaedhros: Thank you, I'm going to do my best to avoid melodrama!
Devatron2000: Thank you!
the real esther: Thanks for enjoying the story so much!! The pace might actually now pick up since the basis for their interactions and thoughts have been laid down.
Lucifer-the-great-undead: Thank you!
Lady DragonStarr: Thank you very much!
.001Kamikakushi: Thank you, I also think the "age" factor is very interesting and used to want to see it addressed in fics.
Pagelupin: Yay thanks!
Deepseadolphin11: Thank you, I believe she will eventually get to hear how Hitsugaya feels!
PrincessLillibet: Thank you!
Igniculus: Thank you!
Chapter 5
A few more weeks passed without incident, although Matsumoto never forgot their conversation. Neither had Hitsugaya, apparently, as he stopped coming in early and actually left around the same time Matsumoto did on the days she managed to stay in the office. Nothing made Matsumoto happier than seeing a more alert shine return to his eyes and a vigor to his steps.
And maybe because she was so happy that it colored how she saw the world, or maybe it was just coincidence, but things in general seemed to be looking up. Her taichou was sleeping like a regular human being again, Seireitei was drawing itself back up into some semblance of order, she'd lost a couple pounds…yes, everything was right in the universe once more.
And it was this renewed sense of security and contentment that most likely contributed to Matsumoto finally asking her taichou out on a date.
Of course, the ironic part was she hadn't planned to at all. The proposition had just sprung out of her mouth one particularly cheery and sunny day as she'd sauntered over to her taichou's desk to chat and tease. She recalled a sort of bubbly desire to do something a little more shocking and provocative than usual since Hitsugaya almost never reacted to anything she said or did anymore, and she really did take a sort of guilty pleasure in grabbing all his attention away from those accursed papers for one brief moment, even if it was only in exasperation or discomfiture. It was crucial, almost a tradition in their working dynamic: she would tease and laze about, and Hitsugaya-taichou's eye would start twitching as he told her to do her work. It was quite possible her taichou didn't feel this way, but Matsumoto personally viewed that daily exchange as a sort of base from which their relationship had evolved. To be able to honestly present such a selfish and slothful side of herself that many other taichous (Byakuya springs to mind) would never tolerate, and for him to accept it even as he pushed her to change…it spoke of a certain familiarity and closeness.
And so, she'd ambled over once more to initiate this timeless ritual once again. Of course, just because they did it every day didn't mean she couldn't add a little variety to the routine, change it up a bit to keep Hitsugaya-taichou guessing. And that day, she'd decided it was probably about time to surprise her taichou.
Hitsugaya had, as expected, not looked up even as her voluptuous shadow crept across his papers. "What is it, Matsumoto?"
She jumped up to sit on the edge of his desk, carefully away from his just-finished documents, and pouted. "Mou taichou, it's so hot in here, how can you just sit there and work?"
"It's our job, Matsumoto."
"We need better air-conditioning," she declared, brushing off his answer. "Honestly, we're the Gotei 13. How do they expect us to do our jobs when this is our working environment? Neee, taichou," she cooed, leaning in next to Hitsugaya's bowed head as he continued reading, "I don't suppose you could use our budget to buy some more fans?"
"Our office is fine, Matsumoto. If you want fans, buy them yourself."
"Eehh?? How selfish and cruel of you, taichou! I need that money for clothes and pretty jewelry! It wouldn't do if I couldn't afford new outfits!"
"No, of course not," came the dry reply. Hitsugaya was generally too professional to be sarcastic. Now and then, however, Matsumoto thought she glimpsed what could be a fairly sharp and potentially nasty sense of humor. Obviously, her taichou was a little irritated today, most likely from the heat she was currently whining about, since he actually disliked warm weather. Matsumoto, on the other hand, was really just using it as an excuse to complain; this was the perfect climate for napping after all.
"Fine, taichou! I see how it is!" She put on a mock-hurt face, but of course with his eyes still glued to his work, Hitsugaya couldn't see it. It was time to up the ante. "I'll just have to find another way to cool off." And with that, Matsumoto shrugged her right arm, allowing the top of her uniform slip down past her shoulder.
Something in her last statement must have tipped Hitsugaya off because he looked up. And quickly backed up in his seat. "Matsumoto, why are you stripping?"
"Just cooling off, taichou," she replied innocently enough. "What's wrong with that?" She fanned herself with her other hand for good effect. "I told you taichou, it's too hot in here." With that, she began to extract her arm up and out of the uniform so as to free her upper torso.
As expected, a hand quickly shot out to grab her arm where the black cloth was continuing to slide down. Matsumoto ignored the little tingling she got at the sudden contact as she continued to play dumb. "Now, taichou, just because you can stand the heat, doesn't mean I have to suffer."
Those brilliant green eyes glared up at her, clearly not amused. "It's nowhere near that hot, Matsumoto. And even if it was, it doesn't mean you should start taking off your clothes, either."
His hand was warm and firm, Matsumoto was almost reluctant to pull away, but she had to if she wanted to play around some more. "Alright, taichou, if you won't let me take my top off, I'll try to cool off my lower body." In one fluid motion, she reached down and pulled one leg of her hakama up to her hips, exposing her toned thigh and calf. She could only imagine the reactions of any other male Shinigami, but it would most likely involve an instant nosebleed. The cool breeze that hit her skin did feel pretty good. Matsumoto leaned back, letting her top fall more precariously open as well. "Mmm, much better. You ought to try it, taichou."
Hitsugaya was really starting to look irate. "Matsumoto…"
"What? It's not like anyone else is here!" Matsumoto wondered if she could get him to touch her again. Nowhere strange, just her arm, maybe. Or her face. She suddenly wanted to feel him touch her cheek. Just one quick brush. Despite his rather strong and insistent hold on her arm earlier, she imagined he would be gentler with her face. His fingers would be light as they whispered along the surface of her skin, she decided, controlled and precise, but soft and artful at the same time…
"That's not the point. I can't work with you sprawled across my desk like this. If you're not going to work, go home!" Hitsugaya's harsh voice shook her out of her thoughts. Matsumoto looked over at her taichou. He was standing now, arms crossed, with a fierce scowl firmly in place across his features.
She smiled back, unfazed. "Mm…I'll stop and behave if you take me out to dinner."
Hitsugaya's stormy expression didn't exactly dissolve. It sort of froze. "What?"
And What? was what Matsumoto echoing over and over again in her own mind. What had she been thinking? Had she not just recently decided that now was not the time to try anything with her taichou? Had she not resolved to support and aid her captain for the time being, instead of burdening him with her unexpected and most likely unwelcome feelings? An awkward and emotional confrontation was the last thing they and their 10th division subordinates needed. Woman, she rebuked herself fiercely, you need to get your act together! You say you love him but you keep acting on your selfish impulses without even a real goal in mind, you just wanted a reaction out of him! There are real consequences once the cat's out of the bag, so why don't you watch that mouth of yours, you floozy!
And she'd have continued her own mental tongue-lashing except she really had to say something to her taichou, who was still standing there awaiting an explanation, one that had better be damn good.
Alright, quick! Play it off! Matsumoto's mind screamed.
But how?? Matsumoto screamed right back.
Her mind had no answers.
"…You heard me. I'll stop undressing if you take me out to dinner." Matsumoto tossed her hair back and did her best to grin in what she hoped was a sort of cocky, careless I'm-just-trying-to-push-and-annoy-you-nope-not-at-all-trying-to-seduce-you way. "…taichou." That last part was hastily added as an afterthought. Best to sound as professional as possible if she wanted Hitsugaya to think there was nothing but camaraderie between the two of them and her demand. Matsumoto stared back at her taichou, hoping it would somehow bore her version of the truth into his brain.
"…That is quite possibly the most bizarre statement I've ever heard." At second glance, it fortunately seemed that Hitsugaya was too overcome by all of Matsumoto's antics this day to begin to make sense of any of it. "Honestly, Matsumoto, what woman makes demands in exchange for not stripping?"
Matsumoto inwardly breathed a quick sigh of relief, then grinned more genuinely. "A woman with real charm of course, taichou!"
Hitsugaya made a very grumpy sound, then slowly and deliberately sat back down among his papers. Clearly the matter had been resolved as far as he was concerned, the resolution being that Matsumoto was certifiable and everything she had said was going into the Hitsugaya Bin of Crazytalk. Status quo. Which was…maybe not the best outcome imaginable, but certainly not the worst.
Matsumoto beamed, then decided perhaps it was now a good time to leave her taichou alone, and began heading out the door.
"Do some work until dinnertime, and I'll let you choose the restaurant."