...
...
...
I am floating away
lost in a silent ballet
I'm dreaming, you're out in the blue
and I am right beside you
awake to take in the view..
...
...
Rukia pressed her cheek against the car window, staring out as she half-listened to the song on the radio. She'd never gotten to go on a road trip before, and even though this was a very short one, she had enjoyed simply watching the other cars go by as Ichigo drove, and stopping at a gas station to get a drink.
She was excited. In all the decades she had been alive, she'd never gone on a vacation not like this- especially not alone. with only one other person in company... the one person she wanted and hoped to have around for everything in the future, forever. Four days of a beautiful beach, privacy, and the company of the man she loved. She glanced sideways at the corner of her eye to him, who was focused on the road. He seemed like a good driver, from what little she knew about driving a car- which was really nothing. Her eyes roamed his face for a moment, admiring how pretty he looked with his hair pulled back hastily with a hair tie he had asked her for. His hair had never been that long, and she certainly wasn't complaining. He looked gorgeous with the flaming locks of hair framing his face.
"Looks like we're here." Ichigo announced as he pulled into an empty parking lot, "Wasn't so bad, right?"
"Really? Wow," Rukia turned back to look out the window as he pulled the car into a parking space slowly. "What a pretty place. These houses are enormous."
She opened her door after him, stepping out and stretching lightly before turning to pick up her bag and her phone from the seat as Ichigo opened the car trunk and removed their bags.
"Come on, let's go put this stuff this away. We've got a boat to catch at 5."
Rukia raised an eyebrow as she followed him down a sandy path towards their vacation rental, pausing as he set the bags down on the front door porch. "A boat?"
"Yeah. Going whale watching," Ichigo said with a smile, watching her expression brighten at that idea.
He unlocked the door, pushing it open and grinning as Rukia rushed inside, walking around the living room.
"How pretty," Rukia commented as she walked around. The entire house was predictably beach-themed, with light shades or white, beige, and blue; the sofa pillows all printed with white and beige starfish and seashell patterns. The entire living room was painted in a soft pastel blue, a large bowl of seashells sitting on the coffee table as a crowning decoration. She paused to admire a large moving picture of a fishtank that hung on the wall, watching as the fish slowly scrolled across the frame.
Rukia walked over to the glass door in the living room, sliding it open. There was a shimmering pool and a hot tub, as well as a patio arrangement to sit outside. She closed the glass door and walked to the back where the kitchen was, opening the door and stepping out onto the wooden deck. There was a table with a giant umbrella and some chairs. Past the fence, She could see the sea, all vast stretches of sand and then the curling, endless blue waves. The sun was shining and the sea breeze felt good on her face, and she glanced over to admire the seashell wind chime that hung from the wall, the shells and sea glass making a soft tinkling sound as the wind shifted it.
What a heavenly place.
She could hear Ichigo's footsteps coming up behind her, quiet and contemplative as he commented in a low tone, "Nice, isn't it."
"Yeah.." Rukia said softly, taking in the sound of the waves and the wind, "It's beautiful."
Ichigo took her face in his hands, tilting her up gently to look at him as he whispered to her, "So are you."
Rukia stared in his eyes wordlessly as she moved her own hands over his and leaned into his gentle hold. Her eyes closed, and he leaned down and kissed her.
"Come on. We gotta leave in 10 minutes." he whispered, and she reluctantly opened her eyes with a nod.
They walked back into the house hand in hand, Ichigo reminding her to keep a sweater in case it got cold on the boat.
Rukia's eyes were wide as they boarded the boat, a man with a white hat welcoming her aboard as she followed Ichigo, who held her hand. She had never been on a boat before, and was both curious and eager for the experience. It was a huge boat in her opinion, and as she and Ichigo walked down the aisle past some walled-off booths, she noted the boat even had bathrooms and a flight of stairs.
"Watch your step," Ichigo reminded over his shoulder, and Rukia nodded as they climbed up the steps to the upper deck of the boat. It was empty, which Rukia was happy about, and they chose a table and sat down.
"Do you think we'll see anything?" she questioned as she set her bag on the table, Ichigo leaning back in his seat. He nodded, "There's always a chance we won't. But it'll still be a nice ride regardless."
A few moments later the ship set sail, the captain narrating what kinds of animals they might get to see in the 2 hour trip. Rukia toured around the entire ship, noting how it was mostly empty except for some elderly people and another couple with 3 children. She rested her arms on the railing and looked down, watching the fast moving water on the sides of the ship. She'd never been in the middle of the sea like this before. When she turned her head to the right, she could see the land they'd left behind, and it looked as if it were years away rather than a matter of minutes. Her eyes drifted shut as she thought sadly, what else have I do I not know?
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have an entire pod of dolphins up ahead on the right-hand side here. We're going to slow down a bit so we don't spook them!"
The announcement came over the intercom and Rukia's eyes widened. She glanced over at Ichigo, who was also looking back at her, and at the same time, they both rushed from their spots to the front of the boat, where they peered over.
"There!" she heard Ichigo say in an excited whisper as he pointed out to sea, "Look over there."
She saw nothing at first- just the rippling water where you could tell something was right under the surface. Then a pretty grey tail broke the water's surface. Then another. And then there were many, and one even did a small jump, which Rukia gasped at.
"Oh!"
She watched, her blue eyes wide as she marveled at the sight. Ichigo couldn't help but look down at her, unable to contain a smile at her reaction. He'd predicted that she would like the experience, but actually being validated in his thoughts was way better. It was then she glanced up at him momentarily, questioning, "You're getting this right?"
"Yeah, don't worry," he replied quickly, glancing at his phone to make sure it was still recording. They stood for a while longer until the boat began to move faster again, and he pocketed his phone, taking her hand. "Come down with me."
They went down the steps to the first floor, where he lead her by the hand to the very back of the boat. It was beautiful, and the pair stood watching the sun begin to set as the ship began to turn around, heading back for land. The sky gave the ocean a beautifully warm, orange tint, one that Rukia could not help but be reminded of her companion by. He was standing slightly off to the side behind her, one hand leaning against the railing casually. She didn't turn but reached a hand out to grab him wordlessly.
He moved closer to her, slipping an arm around her back as he said in a low voice, "Are you feeling cold?"
"A little," she answered quickly, not wanting him to move away, though she didn't really feel that cold. He chuckled, as if aware she was just saying it for the sake of having him close, but didn't move away. She glanced up at him again at the same time he looked at her, and then he leaned down and kissed her.
The boat docked not long after, the pair quickly huddling into Ichigo's little silver car and turning the heater on, both giggling at how incredibly cold it had gotten once night fell and how they'd run to the car as if trying to escape it. Ichigo drove a few minutes to a fast food joint, picking up food so they could eat at home.
"Do we have some plans for tomorrow?" Rukia questioned as he sat down across from her on the table as she reached over, stealing some of his fries. She had decided against getting a side, and was now regretting it a bit.
Ichigo shook his head as he unwrapped his sandwich. "Not a set one, but I thought we'd spend the day on the beach and then go somewhere nice in the evening."
"Oh okay. That'll be nice." Rukia bit into her burger quietly, imagining getting to spend the day in the sun with the sand beneath her feet. She had brought some options for swimwear, and she wondered if she should go with the two piece or the one piece.
They cleaned up together and then went into the living room, Ichigo deciding to use the very elegant fireplace as Rukia turned the tv on so they could watch a movie. She dragged a blanket from the master bedroom to the sofa, curling up on it next to him. It was a little hard to focus on it, she was getting sleepy and Ichigo was very warm. Eventually Rukia gave in, her eyes sinking shut as she leaned against his arm.
He felt her weight as she leaned and turned his head to glance down at her, his expression softening in realization that she'd fallen asleep. Ichigo got up slightly and tucked his legs beneath him, gently moving her to rest her head in his lap. He stared at the tv screen, only partially paying attention to the movie as he idly twirled a lock of her hair in his fingers.
Eventually the movie ended, and he ran the back of his fingers against her cheek, testing if she would wake. But she didn't, and Ichigo sighed, piling the blanket around her before he stood up carefully, lifting her in his arms. He carried her towards the master bedroom, intent on placing her in there and then going to sleep in the second bedroom as he contemplated on how easy it was to carry her- she'd never weighed enough for him to notice it.
"Ichigo.."
Rukia's voice came, full of sleep and barely a whisper, and he paused in his path and looked down at her as the same time as her arms came up to weave around his neck. She pushed herself up ever so slightly and kissed him. Ichigo was stunned for a moment before melting quickly. It was still rather flustering whenever Rukia was forward with her feelings- it always surprised him to find her full of need and love and passion for him. It still felt new despite them kissing many times before, and he flustered at the feeling of her dragging her tongue across his lips gently, unable to stop the little moan from escaping his throat.
She was first to break the kiss, looking at him with glassy eyes as a wicked smirk curling in her lips- one that made Ichigo burn as he said in a weak whisper, "You did that on purpose."
Rukia's expression changed from naughty to serene, and she gave a soft laugh, laying her head back down on his shoulder wordlessly as she let him carry her, a rare occasion as it was.
He opened the door to the master bedroom and slipped inside, going to the bed, he placed her down and rearranged the blanket over her. He paused for a moment and set down on the edge of the bed, reaching over to let his fingers move the hair from her face gently.
As he began to get up from the bed, he felt her small hand grab his suddenly and she murmured sleepily, "Ichigo. Stay."
Ichigo paused from where he sat on the side of the bed, looking over her half-asleep expression as he said hesitantly, "..Are you sure?"
She nodded, her eyes drifting shut while her hand tugged on his hand weakly in emphasis.
Ichigo sighed nervously before he stood up, walking back to shut the light off and close the door, before he moved back to the bed, hesitating for a moment as he stood over the bed. There was moonlight pouring in from the window and it gave a soft, silvery glow to Rukia's being as she slept, all radiant skin and shining hair, the periwinkle fabric of her slip dress glimmering. He felt nervous to disrupt the picture- almost as if he worried he might taint it. It would be another step in their relationship after all- one that they hadn't gotten the chance or moment to cross in the past year. He bit his lip and picked up the corner of the blanket, slipping under it quietly and pulling the pillow under his head closer to him. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore how incredibly nervous and oddly shy he felt.
It was hard to sleep at first- his heart was beating so fast, and he didn't know why. All they were doing was sleeping next to each other.. nothing crazy. But as he lay there, his heart calming and his eyes slowly beginning to shut, he pondered on how comforting it was to feel Rukia's reiatsu in the room, and to have her presence just inches away from him. He reached out, his fingers taking hold of the edge of her satiny dress as his eyes closed, finally falling asleep.