...

...

A life goes by,
romantic dreams must die.
So I bid my goodbye,
and never knew
so close, was waiting
waiting here with you
and now, forever, I know...

...

...

...

July rolled around. Ichigo went to visit his mother's grave with Kazui just as he'd done every year. He met his sisters and father there, and they remained there for the day. He had thought to ask Rukia about it, wanting to have her company, but when he had mentioned it to her she'd told him it was too soon, especially since his son would be there.

"Later," she had said softly. "Come see me afterwards, if you get the chance."

In the end he hadn't gotten the chance, as it ended up with them all going back to his home, where they spent the rest of the day and evening playing board games with Kazui. It wasn't a bad time, and he cherished all these small moments he got to spend with them all. Yuzu and Karin were so busy with school and work these days that it was rare for him to get to see them often. Still he felt bad for not being able to see her, and so he'd slipped out for a few minutes once Kazui had gone to bed to sneak over to her home and leave flowers on her doorstep. She'd called him afterwards to thank him for the surprise, which had led to them talking for an hour before she went to bed.

For the next 3 months, he would visit Rukia at home whenever he could get away, between work and the times that Kazui was home. Occasionally, Rukia would visit him instead, but it wasn't as often as Ichigo found it easier to get away.

It didn't occur to him at first, but the two of them quickly fell into a routine of keeping each other's company. It was odd how quickly and easily Rukia was able to fit into his life, like she was a missing piece, even after so many years of being without her. They would fill their spare time with each other, sharing and talking over the many weeks, baring their souls and deepest secrets with one another.

It made Ichigo feel alive, and that made him feel crazy and ridiculous. It was like he hadn't gotten his chance at a whirlwind romance in his youth, and so now he was living that at 36. He felt overly giddy and soft, wanting to be in her company and be with her whenever he had the chance to do so. It almost made him feel embarrassed to think about it- but so much had changed from when he was a teen, he didn't even care anymore.

He preferred being able to visit her. During the day he'd find himself working more quickly then he usually would have, wanting to finish early so he could go see her sooner. He'd often help her with all of the work she had to do- being a captain only had a few more responsibilities compared to being a vice-captain, and he liked getting to keep her company while she did. Sometimes he would bring her food that he had made from home, sometimes she would share whatever she had made for herself.

It was an odd dynamic, but he found himself being absolutely uncaring of what anyone might think. It was like something that he couldn't comprehend, as if they'd both been transported to an alternate universe where they could be together. It just felt right to him, being able to just sit by her and watch as she did her work, concentrating on the little things that he had missed before. After all, they had only had a few short nights together before everything had... gone to hell, so to speak.

Eventually December rolled around- almost 8 months after his divorce had been finalized. He couldn't believe it when he stopped to ponder on it- only a few months ago, if someone had told him he'd get a second chance with Rukia, he would've told them that they were full of shit. Yet it had been almost 7 months, and he and Rukia had become incredibly close in that time, spending a lot of their free time together or talking to each other on the phone. It still felt unreal, like a seamless dream that he was terrified of waking up from.

The holidays were coming near, which was the big thought in his mind. He knew Rukia didn't really celebrate Christmas in the Soul Society, but he still desired to be with her on the holiday if he could get the chance. The only thing halting him from the idea was the fact that Kazui, of course, would be there- and he felt there was more time needed before introducing her into the picture, as much as he wanted to.

There couldn't be a perfect solution to his problem. In the meantime, he busied himself with work. His job as a translator meant that he got to work from home most days, but every once in a while he would still need to go down to the office, whether it was for meetings or other important things. It was a fairly large company, and he had many coworkers, though he only worked closely with two, Hideki-san, who was 27 and very relaxed, and Yamato-san, who was 46 and going through a mid-life crisis, as the last time he'd seen him, the older man had been showing off the new motorcycle he had gotten.

Oddly Ichigo found himself able to relate to Yamato in a way... re-living his youth in his own way.

It was during one of these meetings, on a cloudy Thursday morning, that the topic of the company's annual Christmas party was brought up. Ichigo had been notorious amongst his coworkers for always skipping the (apparently very lavish) affair, as he had never found any interest in fancy affairs with bright lights, loud people getting wine-drunk, commotion and mess, nor was he interested in mingling with the higher-ups of the company, even thought it meant them possibly finding interest in him.

But then the idea struck him- he could invite Rukia to attend the event with him.

It would be perfect, he thought. So far they only hung out at her home or his, as they had privacy there. And while they both knew that the other wasn't yet ready for their kids to find out about them dating, this would make it so Rukia would know what his intentions were- that he was serious about her and wanted to have a future with her, even if it meant waiting for years.

He didn't care. He could wait centuries, for all it mattered. He would be happy as long as he could have her company... and have her look only at him.

Still, he wasn't sure if he should go along with the idea.

Would she would even want to go? After all, it was a party in the living world, and definitely not the typical scene that she would be used to. Besides that, there was also the chance that she might say no. What then? Ichigo never had any intention of forcing her into furthering their relationship if it wasn't what she wanted.. and he and Rukia certainly behaved more intimately with each other then two friends typically would, though they hadn't kissed or anything. They were always in each other's space and one each other's mind, and he'd already maxed out his monthly cell limit for text messages more than once. They shared everything with each other, and there was a slight lack of personal boundaries that he linked back to those few precious nights they had spent together in the Royal Realm... nights that now felt like a long-passed dream.

Still, there was no way to be sure.

But there wasn't enough time to sit around and take days to decide. The party was on December 20th, and then the next week would be off for everyone- staff, higher-ups, everyone- for the holidays so they could all be with their families through the new years. He only had 8 days to ask her.

Ichigo shook his head. No, I have to do this.. I must. The holidays were a time meant to be spent with someone special, be it family or the person that you love.

And he wanted to spend it with the person he loved... if she would permit so.

Letting out a nervous sigh, he picked his phone up from his nightstand table, unlocking it.

It was another dreary Thursday evening. Rukia was wrapping up her work so that she could go home for the day- she needed to be home soon so she could make dinner before Ichika got home. She leaned her cheek against the palm of her hand, writing as quickly as she could, focusing solely on her work when she was snapped out of her concentration at her phone suddenly vibrating on her desk.

Glancing over, she picked it up, looking at the screen.

(1) new text message
From: Ichigo
Hey, u busy? need to ask u something

A message from Ichigo. A little smile quirked on her lips as she unlocked her phone to type her reply.

From: Rukia
I'm almost done at work. What's up?

From: Ichigo
my work is throwing a christmas party, i want to ask if you'd come with me

Rukia blinked. A christmas party? At his workplace, no less. Wouldn't that be considered a date? Her cheeks flushed at that idea. They had been... hanging out almost daily since June. But in all that time she'd dared not even think that Ichigo would be interested in her that way. Not after everything that had happened... after everything he went through because of her decision. Even though he had come to her in his time of need, struggling with his divorce.. but that was just because they had a strong friendship in the past... right?

From: Rukia
Ohh, when is it?

From: Ichigo
It's on the 20th. 8:00 to 10:00

From: Ichigo
Its p formal and kind of fancy

From: Ichigo
no pressure btw.. I dont want 2 make u feel weird if u dont wanna go

Rukia leaned back in her chair, trying to will away the reddening in her cheeks. She bit her lip, her mind and her heart racing.

You like him. No, you love him. You always have. Say yes... This could be your one chance, don't blow it! Just say yes.

She swallowed hard.

From: Rukia
I'd love to come with u :)

From: Ichigo
great! it's a date ;)

Rukia stared at her phone as it vibrated with the last message, her wide blue eyes keen on the words as she let out a shaky breath.

It's a date.