#Missfics

[missingmayuri]

An Out Of Body Experience

Mayuri X Reader

Warning: Mentions of blood

The entire division was in shambles, a special order from the Head Captain having arrived not along ago.

"Prepare to dispatch to Huaco Mundo to assist the substitute soul reaper"

While you knew it was only the Captain leaving and you would be perfectly safe you still felt your very core being shaken. You had trust in him but you feared even Captain Kurotsuchi could be out of his depth, having watched from the eyes of the quincy boy the foe the Captain wanted to take on.

Someone who could effect your entire body, your bones, muscles and very nervous system was a terrifying thought but still Captain Kurotsuchi chuckled and smiled as he always did.

You never had a doubt your Captain was prepared for all possibilities but you found yourself wondering what twisted ideas ran through his head as you carried what looked like an entire box of synthetic organs to his private lab.

These had never been touched in the entire time you had been in this squad. In the whole thirty years not once had these fake organs ever graced your sight. They looked surprisingly crudely made for something Captain Kurotsuchi was interested in, noting how they looked as simple as something a child would make. Perhaps akin to a school project of sorts.

Upon entering the room you weren't prepared for the sight you were faced with. It was both glorious and somewhat terrifying. Your Captain whom you respected so dear stood before you disrobed without his uniform top or headpiece, scars scattered all over his body like some kind of morbid mosaic and his short hair atop his head sightly messy. You swallow hard, placing the box down and doing your best to avoid eye contact with his golden eyes, seemingly looking directly at you.

"Ah there you are with my replicas! Hurry up and bring the box closer to me!"

You finally look up in shock, picking up the cargo once more and trying to hand it off to your Captain without once again making eye contact. You hear a huff of disapproval above you, causing you to look up finally at the white painted chest laid bare before you.

Adorned with the most beautiful scars you had to resist the urge to reach out and touch them, lest you fear the loss of a hand.

You hear the box being placed down, standing quickly to bow before leaving. Whatever was going on you didn't want to be around when it began.Before you could even step away you felt a bony hand grab your arm and your plans to leave became quickly thwarted.

"Oh come now. Why are you vacating so quickly? I need assistance"

You nod, body shaking. Nemu was with him so what assistance could the Captain want? Nemu was the most capable of them all, able to simultaneously complete various tasks. What could a simple lab tech do instead of her?

"Nemu.. Fetch my scalpel"

At those words you felt your blood run cold, both in anticipation and fear. The fear you felt was not for your life but for what the Captain would do to himself. The fact he was shirtless told you enough that this was perhaps an experiment on one's self, perhaps a counter measure to whom he wished to face. Whatever it was you knew deep down the sight would be an unpleasant one.

Mayuri pushes you down onto one of the two chairs behind him, gripping your hand in an iron grasp. You could see focus and fear mixed in those golden pools and perhaps a touch of worry. Something seemed amiss as you watched his eyes follow Nemu like a hawk as the cold metal instrument approached closer each passing second. You finally look into his eyes, noticing him looking straight back as with his free hand made motions on his chest to the lieutenant.

"Cut here, here, across here and down here. Make sure the painkiller is enough and don't waste any time"

It suddenly hit you, like the hefty swing from a Hollow.

You were the moral support.

He tenses a little as Nemu makes sure her Captain, her father was safe to proceed and unable to be driven mad by pain. You had heard from those who visited his surgery clinic that Captain Kurotsuchi had the best painkillers on the market, made of his own special formula so you had no doubt he was safe in that regard but the slight worry in those eyes had your heart strings knotting up, causing you to grip his hand even tighter then he was gripping you.

Why did he choose you?

Was it because you were here already or perhaps it was he valued you over others?

You couldn't tell as he himself asked you to deliver the fake organs to him specifically. He was at his most vulnerable so maybe it was trust he felt for you.

Regardless of the reason, you were forever grateful.

"Keep looking at me.. Don't take your eyes off me or I will-"

He hisses a moment.

"-end you"

You can hear dripping through the silence of the room, small glimpses of red below you and a waft of iron passing you by. It was obvious that while the painkiller was effective not all the pain was gone. Despite this your Captain seemed mostly unphased after the initial shock, quickly adjusting and taking to staring intently while all you could do in return was stare back and try not divert your gaze to either his messy hair or the scars that were so close to you.

At that very moment the world seemed slower, like you were disjointed from it. Everything faded until it was just you and him, even the once horrid smell that filled the room was now gone, the squelching noises now no more then a mere buzz in your ears. It was like the world was set into slow motion and only you and Captain Kurotsuchi existed.

Despite the situation your heart skipped and for a moment, just a second, you thought you saw true appreciation on the face of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the man known for being heartless and cruel. Maybe, just maybe you had him down all wrong. Perhaps he was just eccentric and a showoff with strange tastes, much like a peacock.

Perhaps there was something more and your heart screamed for you to find out and after today that could be a possibility.

Well, you hoped so.

It seemed to go on forever, even though it lasted but a few moments in reality. Nemu was a blur in your vision and she clearly took her leader saying to not waste time seriously, zipping around like she had downed a few cups of morning coffee. You suddenly felt like time had caught up to you and once again your senses returned to normal.

You felt the grip subside as the Captain stood, a new scar on his abdomen. It was fresh with a few blood smears still strewn about yet the stitches were pristine, leaving you to wonder if the Captain had taught Nemu how to do such a thing herself for purposes such as these. He also seemed a little larger but you chalked this up to a trick of the dim lab lights.

Coming down from some unknown high you didn't notice the Captain take your arm once more to usher you out, realising the box was completely empty as you passed.

"I need to prepare. Thank you for your help but DO NOT say what transpired here or I will burn you alive!"

Before you could register what was happening a door closed in your face, leaving you stunned.

He thanked you. He had never thanked anyone before. Not that you knew anyway. You smiled, truly feeling special as you wander with a spring in your step down the corridor to watch the Captain who just thanked you fight. If anyone asked about the blood on your shoes you would just say it was a Hollow experiment.

Today was a good day.

[missingmayuri]

Scales To Tell

A Knight AU KenMayu story

The air was but a gentle breeze, blossoms filling the air from the trees that lined the streets. The sun beamed down for the last time that day, setting beautifully over the horizon as orange slowly became black amd faint stars began to fill the sky.

There was nothing but the sound of clanging metal, chainmail hitting a hard cold surface behind it with every step, a man with striking blue hair being the wearer.

Knight Mayuri Kurotsuchi was setting home for the day, having completed his duties and while most people removed their uniform once their orders were over Mayuri wasn't like the others. He much preferred to keep his uniform on until in the solitary of his quarters as to not disgrace his name, honor or code. The walk wasn't long so it wasn't like he minded and as he walked up to his home of old looking bricks covered in faint moss Mayuri found himself wanting nothing more then some relaxation, some time to ruminate on the days happenings.

Stepping inside he wasted no time in placing his gleaming white armor onto the appropriate stand, hands gently grasping it with all the care in the world. He treated it like it was covered in gold, like the hordes of it that had graced his more strikingly golden orbs in the past.

A hefty sigh of relief passed by his painted lips, sweeping his hair backward from the sweat in which he was drenched, able to feel his makeup begin to slip from his face. It was unpleasant, wanting more then anything for it to be removed post haste, going into the washroom to begin drawing himself a bath as the white under robes stuck tightly to his body.

Pouring lavender oil into the water soon had the room smelling fresh, like a summer of days passed and before Mayuri could even think to enjoy it he heard a heavy handed knock on his door.

With a groan of displeasure Mayuri goes to his door, answering it with a distinct huff to his voice.

"Yes?!"

Before him stood Knight Zaraki, also stripped to his tight clinging undergarments. He clearly had yet to change, most likely coming from his post or own quarters immediately.

"Hey Mayuri"

"If you insist on being so formal please come in"

Without a second to think the much taller knight does so, ducking under the small doorframe of the home before closing the entrance behind him.

Peaking into the back room to check on the progress of his bath Mayuri speaks to his associate with an air of urgency and rashness.

"Why on earth are you visiting at this hour?"

Receiving nothing but a scoff in response Mayuri turns around, greeted with a sly smirk from above.

"Remember? It's Friday. Ya told me to come as the end of dusk t' help ya"

Was it Friday already? He wasn't really counting the days anymore, finding they all melded into one. He had indeed told Zaraki to come to see him, the days seemingly slipping away far to fast for his liking. He had no choice in the matter. He required assistance and as much as he might not admit it Knight Zaraki was the only individual he trusted and the only individual who knew about something he kept close to his heart. It was a secret he didn't want getting out, at least not yet and while Zaraki was the brash type he still kept some semblance of code and that was enough to entrust him with his whole livelihood.

"Ah yes... I remember now. You came to help with my care regime"

"Ya damn right I did. So c, mon strip"

If makeup free the shorter knight would have been bright red from blush, turning away from the green gaze that looked down on him and from the large hand currently holding his sleeve in its vice.

"Must you be so forward?!"

Mayuri steps back to the washroom, trying to get some distance between them. It was true he wanted help but if his colleague was to be immature about this then he would find a way to take care of the issue himself.

Noticing the bath had quickly filled Mayuri grabs the tap in his slender hand, turning it quickly to avoid overfill. Steam hung in the air, the lavender lingering with its scent and before he knew it Mayuri was removing his shirt on instinct in a moment of rare relaxation.

Zaraki watched from the door as the man before him stripped down and entered the bath shyly, body covered in patches of ocean blue scales and a few more appearing on his face like some kind of magic trick. It was a beautiful yet morbid sight. The beauty of a dragons scales was uncontested, with some holding great value due to their richness in color and pigments but that therein also lead bare to the morbid reality.

If anyone were to find out this without proper preparation the results could be disastrous, leading Mayuri to more nights of broken sleep and insomnia then he would ever admit to, leaving Zaraki to comfort and pick up the pieces each time. He was the only one Mayuri Kurotsuchi really trusted with this secret for now and he wouldn't let that trust waver.

That's why he was here. Knight Kenpachi Zaraki was in the quarters of Mayuri Kurotsuchi on the eve of Friday night because he needed help tending to his scales and wings, more specifically to help clean the scales the dragon knight found it hard to reach.

Silently sinking into the water, Mayuri breathes deeply as large wings emerge on his back. They were as misty as the bath steam for a moment before forming their shape, able to be touched in a solid state. Dragons held a miriad of magic and he was no exception. Hiding his wings as a misty form made them more maluable in the day to day and easier to hide from the masses. The lack of weight was also a bonus, since his knight armor was already heavy enough on its own without any extra baggage.

Mayuri uses his finger to beckon, his associate stepping closer and without a word begin cleaning the wings with a spare bar of honey soap.

The wax from the honey comb was good for his wings and he refused to compromise on the use of anything else, using the excuse that he was allergic to anything else of the sort when making the daily orders for resources. It was one of many hurdles he had to juggle during his time in his profession and he couldn't deny having someone like Zaraki who knew the details had its upsides as for these few hours every Friday night he finally felt free, able to be himself without fear of death or prejudice.

He was free, in both body and mind, a freeness that was quickly ripped from him as he felt his personal space get smaller, pushed to the front of the tub as something joined behind him.

Zaraki sat shirtless with him, getting closer then ever to him and his wings.

"The hell are you doing?!"

".... Cleaning... Duh"

Mayuri was seething, feeling the rage of a thousand suns emerge from deep within his being. His core felt warm, like a flickering fire trapped within him. A warmth he wasn't sure was the bath, rage or something more. At that moment Mayuri only knew one thing and that was the tiredness quickly overtaking his senses, leaning back into the taller man and continuing to let him massage and handle him without so much as a protest.

It wasn't long before Zaraki could hear soft snoring in front of him, letting a genuine soft smile grace his rugged face. A sight Mayuri would never see despite being so close to him as Zaraki would never want to complicate things. For now he would assist in whatever he could. He didn't want to draw attention if he confessed how he really felt. This was the best trade off he could have in his current circumstances so with a fast and heavy heart in his chest Zaraki would finish the task Mayuri asked of him and then some before the candles in the room began to dim and the water began to turn cold.

He would be gone by the time the dragon awoke. It was ok though. It wouldn't be long before Mayuri needed him again and he would come running gladly.

He always did.

This was written for an anonymous friend. Based off their idea.

[missingmayuri]

Sugar And Spice

Shinji X Reader

It wasn't like you to ever be invited out anywhere, wanting to stay inside and tend to your plants or listen to music by yourself. Sometimes you painted and sometimes you drew but it never changed that you liked your own company. It set a calmness in you that couldn't be matched so that only left one question.

Why were you out at a living world coffee shop with Captain Hirako?

He had asked you in passing as you were delivering papers to his quarters to be signed, catching you so off guard that you dropped the papers on the ground. He helped you pick them up, feeling at fault for the situation but still insisted on an answer.

You could feel the air stuck in your throat as he looked at you with his deep expressive eyes and wide smile, sending your heart beating and your face red and warm.

Surely it was rude to refuse an invite from a Captain right? How could you say no? You nodded in response and watched the blonde skip away happily, skatting to himself. You chuckled a little, having always loved your superior's love for the music genre so the fact you ended up in a jazz themed cafe was of no big surprise to you.

You looked up shyly from your coffee of choice, having gotten lost in your thoughts while looking at the foam dance around the cup. Not only was the fact your Captain was so casual in front of you setting you on edge but you had never used a gigai before either and you could feel every uncomfortable creak and crack as you moved, limbs feeling as fragile as newly made glass. You knew Captain Kurotsuchi wouldn't give his best gigai for a mere outing but you didn't expect it to be this bad either. If you didn't fear for your life you would have a word with him but in your mind it was better to be alive and in discomfort then dead and comfort free.

Shinji seemed to notice though, waving his hand in front of your face to grab your attention.

"Yo you there? You on this earth?"

You shake your head as he begins to snap his fingers in front of you, causing the blush to deepen. You apologise for being so disconnected, watching as the Captain's face twisted into a wide grin as he began chuckling deeply before errupting into fully blown laughter. You grip the cup tighter as he wipes a tear from his now glistening eyes.

"People weren't jokin' when they said you apologise a lot"

There is a pause between you, feeling Shinji tap his foot to the beat of the music's rhythm under the table. Why would the Captain call you out for coffee if only to laugh at you? You knew he was a bit of a jokster but surly he didn't call you out just to point out your flaws.

It wasn't his style.

You almost yelp when you feel a pale hand touch your own, reaching through the darkness of the room and past the lone candle light between you both. Shinji's smile now more tender, having discarded the amused smirk from a moment ago.

"I like that about ya though"

You couldn't believe your ears. He liked that you were apologetic? That you were shy? You felt your breath hitch as his hand wraps tightly around yours, almost protectively in nature. Your heart was skipping, only made worse by Shinji tucking his tie in his shirt and leaning over the table. The light softly illuminating his face, flame dancing in his deep and dark eyes.

It was mesmerising.

Before you had time to wonder what was happening you felt warm lips press against yours, lingering for a moment while the music reached it's crescendo. Soft and warm sensations ran through your whole gigai making it feel fuzzy, sending the same comforting signal to your soul. It was bliss. A kiss among the darkness and the sounds of the jazz band. It was almost perfect.

Almost, the mood soon being spoiled as the hot contents of the cup landed over your lap, causing you to let out a small scream. The Captain panics, starting to tap you dry and spouting the most colorful language more befitting of a sailor between apologies.

Now he was the one apologising.

You chuckle to yourself with a smile despite the pain. How the tables turn.

My Bleach one shots can now be found under the Missfics tag!

[missingmayuri]

Out Of The Shadows

Mayuri X Reader

Despite all the changes Captain Kurotsuchi had made to the lab as of recently you could still hear the war raging beyond the now illuminated walls.

You didn't cast a shadow nor did the equipment or even the door, it all being as the Captain intended. Work in the lab seemed to rage on as usual despite the Quincy invasion, being able to take a break every now and again as long as you tapped in another reaper in your place, Captain Kurotsuchi's orders. As long as someone was at your work station he was content for now as he looked over his papers and findings from the current predicament, all the while trying to ignore the fabled Kisuke Urahara who had ever so suddenly barged into the department.

You swore you could hear faint murmurs of displeasure seeping past the golden teeth of your superior, leading you to look over once or twice. His suit glowed in every color of the spectrum, almost like a peacock as he strutted about his lab with the upmost confidence.

A confidence you only wished you could garner even after your many years of lab work and dedication.

The war had set thoughts running through your mind and as you sat in the small designated break corner you began to ponder.

You may not get another chance after all.

Crossing your arms you stare intensely at the Captain, drifting deeper into the sea of thought. Soon you were enveloped by the crashing waves of memories passing by, hitting you hard like a rock and as quickly as a rolling storm.

Ten years. You had been working in this lab for ten whole years. How time flies. You remember when Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi was once the most feared and hated person around, always telling you your faults and imperfections. You recalled how he kept you back one night to complete work he didn't want to do himself. There for six hours and came back in the morning on very little sleep to which he also ridiculed your sloppy work.

Recently though was when you noticed a change. After arriving back from his fight against the Espada the Captain seemed different, especially to you. He seemed to value your work and time more, even praise you from time to time. He still kept you at nights but not for the same reasons as before.

How he had changed

You felt your heart sink in your chest wondering if this was just a phase, a calm before he became the old him. You sigh and hold tight to the chain around your neck. It was a gift he gave you for "hard work" but you knew what it really meant even without him saying it. The gem in the middle of the chain was incased in a rare hollow bone, from a specimen the Captain held dear. It was something he seemed very reluctant to part with but did so with a huff, practically shoving it into your hands before getting back to work.

You smile to yourself, your cheeks hot. The relationship between you and he had grown so much over these last years. You didn't want to die here and you could tell by the stares he gave you from across the room and sly glances from looking down at his papers that he didn't want you to either. One thing about Mayuri Kurotsuchi is he valued life, none more so then his own but there came a time when he cared about a select few more.

Nemu

Akon

Now you

You sit there basking in the humming lights of the room for what seems like hours, freeing yourself from the deep pores of your mind by a blinding colored light and the sound of an old metal kettle being poured.

There he stood and all you could do was stare at his immaculate form, a chuckle escaping past those deep black painted lips. You look away from him, all those thoughts still fresh in your mind.

"Your thoughts are occupied yes?"

You nod in response, unable to find those words right now. Mayuri takes a sip of his black coffee and turns his back to you, using the sleeve of his suit to conceal your hand which he reached out to hold, seeing your form trembling before him. He wasn't sure if it was fear in him or the fight which shook you to the core but he couldn't let others see him like this, his reputation far preceding him. He speaks in a rough but somewhat comforting tone that sets your heart racing.

"Trust in me like you have before. My brilliance knows no bounds and I personally will fix this"

He let's you go to get back to his work and for a moment you felt like every shadow, not just in the lab but in the entire world was banished. He had really become your light in more ways then one. Not just in the physical but also in your heart.

You smile softly and rise to get back to your station. You had a war to win

[missingmayuri]

At Midnight

Mayuri X Reader

It wasn't often you were asked to stay behind for extra work, Captain Kurotsuchi usually preferring the company of someone he trusted more. Someone like Akon or Hiyosu. In the past Mayuri was very reluctant to let regular workers into the lab past hours but more recently he began to do just that for reasons unknown. Most of the time he called upon you, unable to really understand why. Not only that but your late nights with the Captain always played out much different to what others in the squad experienced. Some experienced anger, most experienced dismissal.

Not you though.

You experienced intelligent conversation and consideration, sometimes even an acknowledgement of your skills and smarts. It was very unlike him, that much you knew but you appreciated having a mostly quiet and spacious place to work in. You had no reason to complain and one day you would thank the captain for the opportunity to work in such conditions.

Standing at the cold steel table you place your scalpel to the side, wiping off the specs of blood with your stained cloth. Tonight the Captain needed help dissecting some specimens, claiming he needed a steady hand for more delicate veins and arteries. Despite knowing Mayuri had steady enough hands you didn't question his choice, doing as he asked every time. It was always the best to stay on his good side.

You wrap a cleaner cloth around the dismantled miniature hollow to stop it being exposed to open air, placing it in a nearby cooler box for even more protection and writing down your findings in the notebook Mayuri had supplied you with. It was black leather and guilded gold down the spine, filled to the brim with knowledge the Captain insisted you commit to memory. You had once questioned him many moons ago about the nature of such a gift, knowing nobody else had received a thing. Let alone something so beautiful. You were met with a huff and a wave of a ghostly white hand in response.

"Have you ever considered I want my squad members to take pride in their research? To display it in the proper manner and with the upmost respect?"

You still didn't understand weeks later if he was being sarcastic or genuine but knowing Mayuri Kurotsuchi it was probably the latter.

You take the specimen over to the shelf, alphabetized by species name and size, making sure you placed the container on the correct shelf. The Captain seemed in a better mood today and you wanted to keep it that way, able to hear little chuckles and noises of excitement and exhilaration from the other side of the room as he looked closely at the hollow before him with a large gleeful grin, mixing various compounds into his beaker close by.

"Yes! Excellent! What a fantastic subject!"

You watch him closely, always fascinated by the love of his work and the care those slender and nimble hands put into it. You find a soft smile making it's way onto your face as you continue to stare, getting lost in those deep golden eyes that shone through the dim lights.

It doesn't last long, your smile suddenly replaced with a deep blush upon being noticed. You frantically apologise, turning back to the shelf as you suddenly hear sandals tapping on the cold lab floor. Your heart was beating a mile a minute, thoughts all over the place and unable to pin one down. All you knew is all of them involved Mayuri.

Would he be mad at you staring?

Was be going to shout, blame you for breaking his concentration?

Everything was swirling like bloody water down a sink and in your sheer panic and hearing the footsteps halt did your mind piece everything together.

All the late shifts, just you and him.

The expensive notebook.

The lack of a raised voice and the compliments.

He couldn't be. Right?

"Care to explain why you were staring?"

His voice was calm, yet had a slight amused edge to it, shocking you so much no words could exit your mouth. You could produce no more then mumbles and stutters, his mere voice taking the wind out of your sails completely. You could hear him chuckling behind you, breath hitching as he turns you to face him. Your face surly couldn't get any hotter, immediately proven wrong when Mayuri takes your hand gently and pulls you to the table he was working at.

You couldn't think, mind a foggy mess as a scalpel is once again placed in your hand but this time over the specimen the Captain had been working on.

"I have a little experiment I want to try. It's going to take a few nights to complete"

Your hand was shaking over the hollow, unable to find a decent grip as you tried to focus on both it and the Captain's words.

What sort of experiment did he want to try and why did it involve you?

A pair of slender arms wrapping around your waist, kiss to your cheek leaving a black lip mark was enough to freeze you completely and grip the tool tighter.

"I want to see how well my best worker works with distinctions"

The blush depends but this time accompanying a smile.

You wouldn't mind a few more late night shifts after all.

[missingmayuri]

Embrace Of The Second

Akon X Reader

You had never quite gotten used to not seeing her stood there by his side day by day. Her absence was still felt after all these years since her passing. For a long time Captain Kurotsuchi seemed empty inside, despite how well he hid it from most.

That's probably why the decision of a replacement was so swift and just. Akon had forever also been by his side and while not in the same vain you understood his decision. It was a man the Captain trusted with his innermost secrets for many a year, a man who knew him as well as Nemu did, even down to his morning routine. Yet the sight of the horned lab member in proper uniform sank your heart, feeling the loss of Nemu Kurotsuchi ever harder in your soul.

Akon was an almost perfect fit, loyal, trusting, rational just to name a few of his qualities and yet you couldn't seem to shake how wrong the whole situation felt and it left your body shaking as you stared up at the code passing you by, unable to take it all in. Today was one of those days, the days reality all hits. All those memories from the attack and the impact it had on your once humble afterlife.

You couldn't concentrate.

Taking breaks from work was never your style so you were sure Hiyosu wouldn't mind if you took a few moments to compose. As expected he didn't even try to stop you. He watched you leave into the dimness of the hall, being swallowed by the darkness until you emerged on the lighter side of life.

The wind blew past you, taking a deep breath to help calm yourself as you led your back against the wall of the tower. Being so high up meant the air was silent and the walls of the lab were made as such to be soundproof, apart from the emergency alarms of course which could be heard clearly inside and out. It made for the most serene place in the whole of the Soul Society. It brought a smile to your face.

It was ironic that the place where the most innovation was made and in the past where the most blood was shed would be so peaceful.

It made the place below you seem worlds apart from your current location. Here was quiet yet just behind you and down below it was chaos and order, having never truly returned to form no matter how hard the new Head Captain tried.

Your thoughts were shaken by a familiar smell beside you.

Smoke.

Cigarette Smoke.

There was only one person you knew smoked in the whole department and as testament to his skill and new title you didn't even hear him approach, let alone light up.

"You seem out of sorts today eh?"

Akon stood closely beside you, obviously on a break of his own. You could tell by the untucking of his shirt, something he used to do when you both and Hiyosu took group breaks in the past.

"What's eatin' ya?"

You couldn't find it in your heart to answer, just stare at the badge on his arm with a few wayward tears in your eyes. Pretty quickly your actions are noted and the badge is removed.

That's the Akon you knew. Forever the pleaser and forever the quick thinking and understander and with a clearly heavy heart and a deep saddened sigh you feel the warm embrace from the new second and his thin frame.

"I miss her too. Didn't deserve the ending she got"

You and Akon had always been close, some say more like partners then workers. You were but also a child when Akon arrived, back when Urahara was running the show and Hiyori was never one for good decent company. You spent a lot of time with him and over the years a few extra feelings blossomed, that much you could admit. He and you both knew where your relationship stood so intimate moments like this were not out of the ordinary but also not common either, more reserved for times of true torture and anguish.

You could feel his heart against your ears, gripping his pristine black clothes tighter. Was it to stop him vanishing too? To stop him leaving? Perhaps so but in that moment you find yourself resting your face onto his chest, tears from your eyes soaking whatever surface they could find.

A hand ran it's fingers through your hair comfortingly, a soft chuckle in the air.

"Hey. I'm still here. You ain't ever getting rid of me"

You couldn't help but grin, no doubt in your mind that he was telling the truth. He had never been one for lies, always blunt and to the point.

"Besides. I can't go anywhere yet. I got things I ain't done"

You pull away and look up to those murky eyes, shining like the sun itself. You tilt your head in confusion before a soft pair of lips grace yours with their presence.

Your eyes were wide with shock, a little horror and happiness. His breath was minty despite his habits and you could swear he was wearing lip gloss,lips tasting like cherries.It was truly every emotion at once and before your mind could even comprehend the situation it was over, Akon towering over you with the most genuine smile you had seen in at least the last ten years.

"I couldn't even think about leaving before making ya happy and since nobody is happy all the time I can't leave cos I gotta be here to help ya with that"

You flung your arms around him tightly with the most genuine smile you too had displayed in years.

In that moment life felt right again, for the first time since the war. Nemu was gone but she was beside you, much like Akon would be from here on out.

If perfection existed. This world was it and you were ready to face it.

[missingmayuri]

Love Stronger Than Steel

A Victorian Era KenMayu Fic

Inspired by this wonderful art by @criminal-sen

Mayuri wandered through his garden of roses, displayed around beautiful sculpted hedges and oak trees. His heels clinked on the floor, tailcoat swaying in the wind with every step he took as he fans himself to cool down from the intense summer heat.

He sighs deeply and thoughtfully, twirling his free hand through the white wig that sat atop his long and luxurious blue hair.

His heart had been forlorn for some time, wandering in a deep dark prison and unable to tell if his love was even reciprocated or being led down into a deep dark dungeon of pain and misery. Mayuri Kurotsuchi, nobleman of the twelfth company was for once lost in his own thoughts.

It had been fourteen moons since he met the blacksmith and his partner baker, a young girl with a passion for sweets. Both were incredibly care free, not really taking their jobs or lives seriously. Originally he thought the behaviour of both parties childish and immature, far beneath a wealthy noble like him. Yet he found himself coming back.

First once every seven moons, then every four and now every two, his heart skipping in his chest each time he layed eyes on the glistening tanned skin of blacksmith Zaraki at work.

He couldn't keep his golden eyes off the fire the larger man worked with, how it made him shine in the dim room he worked in. He couldn't stop looking at the way Zaraki pounded the metal into shape, the hammer in his worn hands insanely powerful behind the might of his muscles. At first Mayuri thought it a mere interest in the craft, a appreciation for the amount of care the larger man seemed to have despite his laid back nature but as of late he found himself closing his eyes at night, mind drifting to the man below his station and wondering if there was more to this feeling then he first thought.

Pondering the thought again had Mayuri stopping in his tracks, looking up to the clouds. It was a glorious day, warm and dry enough for a walk into town. Judging the weather from the clouds was always unpredictable and usually ill advised so he decided it best to take his umbrella for shade regardless, his wig being far too expensive to replace if soiled by sudden rainwater.

He walks to the large silver gates in front of his home with a sudden heavy chest that he was sure wasn't caused by the tight corset he was wearing, grabbing an umbrella as he passed by the front of his home. He wouldn't tell anyone he was leaving today, most other nobles of the other companies mocking him for his repeated visits to the man he wondered if his heart longed for. It had become a rather unpleasant exchange most days, all commenting on his repeated trips. All apart from Shinji Hirako.

Shinji was a nobleman such as he but one more accepting then the rest, once giving the twelfth noble a bunch of expensive lavender to give to Zaraki as a gift. He ended up not accepting though, at that point still in denial and not wanting to offend the blacksmith. Maybe this whole time Shinji knew Mayuri's heart more then he did himself.

He continued to walk through the cobble lined streets of the Soul Society, passing by rows of oil lamps and covered by the shade of his umbrella.

The walk seemed longer left alone with his thoughts but deep down Mayuri knew he needed to sort his affairs, even if he was seen as off one's chump for doing so. He just had to know.

He had to.

Mayuri passed by many building before he reached the town on the Soul Society's outskirts, accompanied still by the familiar clanking of his heels. These buildings were more run down. Not falling apart but smaller and less kept then his mansion and every building he lived around and had come to know in his everyday. At this point he knew each one by the crack in the stone, able to find the blacksmith and baker with ease as he enters without a smile and a worried lower brow.

The bell rings, causing Zaraki to turn and face the noble with a painted face.

"Hey Mr Kurotsuchi. That time for ya to visit me again?"

Mayuri doesn't answer, putting down his umbrella to avoid superstition and looking over the beautifully crafted swords. He was cursing himself in his mind, not thinking this far ahead. Mayuri was a genius commander, never had his troops failed thanks to his strategy and brilliant mind yet right now he found himself stuck on how to proceed, damming the beautiful sweaty man in front of him for clouding both is judgement, assessment and thoughts on the situation. He contemplated leaving, fanning himself to look busy as every possible scenario and option ran through his mind, a scowl on those dark lips of his.

"Oh. My work not to ya liking?"

Snapping from his thoughts quickly Mayuri looks over to Zaraki, slight redness to the white part of his painted face.

"No no sir. Your wares are fine, blinding even"

The comment has Zaraki suddenly smirking, leaning against the wooden table as the apron that laid over his shirtless torso caused Mayuri to cover his rapidly heating cheeks with his fan.

"Say. How about ya help me with this order for horseshoes I got this morn?"

"Why would I..?"

"Unless it's beneath you"

Feeling a bubbling anger deep in his core at the insinuation has Mayuri throwing down the fan and removing his tailcoat, the emotion clearly visible all over his face and in his eyes.

"How dare you?! Nothing is beneath me!"

Making his way past Zaraki and to the steel table has Mayuri finding his words spoke louder then his actions, not knowing what he even had to do. His hands shook in frustration, knowing how stupid he looked to the blacksmith and wondering if his brashness tarnished his image.

Zaraki lets out an amused hearty laugh that echoed off the stone walls, coming to stand behind the smaller man and grabbing his hands from around his waist. Mayuri was stunned, unable to move and letting the blacksmith have complete control.

"Like this"

The towering worker hovers the smaller and softer hands over the tools, picking up a dainty hammer as together they begin to straighten out the metal of the shoes.

The feeling was there again in Mayuri's chest and it was definitely not his corset. He couldn't breathe but it was pleasant. He knew he wasn't going to keel over but it was a thrill that had him gasping for breath a couple times as Zaraki leans his head on his shoulder and close to his neck to be closer to his work.

The tightening in the nobleman's chest was getting far too much, unable to hold things back any longer, turning to the man behind him and kissing him deeply without so much as a thought, almost like being on autopilot. Hands ran down the back of Zaraki's apron while the larger hands gravitated to Mayuri's slender hips. Even if they wanted to part they couldn't, closing their eyes and falling onto the floor as things quickly became more intense.

This felt right and despite his reservations and the difference in class Mayuri, for once in his life, was content and happy and as hands wandered over bodies he found himself smiling genuinely for the first time in years.

Thank you Sen for your amazing art and inspiring this story 💖