#fluff and comfort tags my beloved why are they so neglected

[jupiter-reimagined]

you ever just go trough the entire ship tag on ao3 w filtered tags and then have to choose whether or not to commit to the bit fully and enter the trenches for a slither of satisfaction or remain on the shore and weep.

[karmanun]

For @arcanefans4gaza, prompt from @punkflavoreddyke

Rating: General Audiences

Relationships: Caitlyn/Vi

Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Patching Up Wounds, Minor Injury, Modern AU, Gyms, Domestic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff

Summary:

Cait pushes herself too far. Vi, as she does, frets.

The sun is still barely peeking between Piltover’s high-rises when Vi shoulders the apartment door open. “Stupid,” she growls. The shaggy, umber Saint Bernard lounging on the couch lifts his head curiously, probably wondering why they’re back early. Vi gives him an absentminded scratch on the ears - ���hi, Warwick” - as she leads Caitlyn into the bathroom.

“I was not being stupid,” Cait argues, perching on the rim of the tub. “I was perfectly within my normal weight range.”

Vi roots around in the cabinet above the sink for a first aid kit. “That doesn’t matter! You were still straining yourself.” She disappears into the kitchen after retrieving the red box but continues her lecture from the other room. “Rest days are just as important as the rest of the routine!”

Cait neglects to shout but waits until Vi returns, ice pack in hand. She shifts to allow her partner to press it to the strained muscle in her shoulder, then grumbles, “I’m taking my rest days. Just because you’re the fitness nerd doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Maybe you’re resting from the gym,” Vi scolds, “but you’ve also been working until ungodly hours of the morning every day this week, running across every corner of the damn city! This case is pushing you to your limits here - “ she taps Cait’s uninjured shoulder to indicate her body “ - and here.” She taps her temple. Exasperated as she is, she’s equally concerned, and can’t keep herself from gently tucking a strand of blue hair behind her ear. “Your body keeps the score, Cait.”

“I know, but - “ Cait struggles for a protest, then relents with a sigh. “I know.”

Vi keeps the ice pack held to her wife’s shoulder and rubs her back with her free hand. “I hate that this ‘C’ person always manages to get under your skin like this,” she murmurs.

“We still don’t even know who they are,” Cait growls. “Or even if they’re one person and not a group! They can’t evade me forever!” She throws her hands out in frustration, then winces and hisses through her teeth when her injured shoulder objects.

“Hey hey, steady now.”

Vi hates seeing Caitlyn like this. The injury is obviously part of it, but most of she hates that it got to this point at all - that her beloved wife is so stressed out it got to the point of actual pain. As a matter of fact, her scolding is hardly even about the wound. It’s because even though Caitlyn has been in this line of work for long enough that she knows full well where her limits are, she still pushes past them out of - what? The feeling that she’s constantly on the cusp of a break in the case? A sense of obligation to the force, to Vi, or herself? Spite? Caitlyn’s pretty face and professional mannerisms frequently cause people to underestimate her capacity for spite.

It burns Vi up inside that the drive and determination in Caitlyn she loves so much can recoil on her in such a way as to physically harm her. She wishes she could reach inside of her and untangle that gnarly thread so she can find her path again. Or failing that, wrap her in a protective cocoon until she personally tracks down ‘C’ and throws them in a hole so dark Caitlyn will never have to think about them again.

Instead, she resumes petting her uninjured shoulder and says, “okay, here’s what’s going to happen: you’re going to call in a sick day and let this heal. And I mean resting - no working from home allowed.”

Cait blanches. “What? I can’t take off now! That’s just asking for C to get ahead!”

“I’m not worried that you can’t keep up with C,” Vi replies. “I’m worried you can’t keep up with yourself.”

Cait clenches her jaw… then releases it. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I’m always right,” Vi answers cheekily.

“Says the one who blocks with her face,” Cait shoots back, a little smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“Aw, c’mon,” teases Vi, “you don’t think your big, strong deputy can handle things for a day?” She flexes, a silly pose that has Caitlyn giggling. Her smile widens, both relieved to see her wife relaxed again proud of winning her over (she doesn’t miss Cait’s blush as her eyes flick to her toned arms, either).

Vi does, however, feel a little guilty as scolding her earlier. So she says, “I’m sorry if I was too hard on you. I know you know what you’re doing.”

“Don’t be,” Caitlyn responds immediately. “Expertise doesn’t stop you from being in over your head sometimes.”

“Well, you’re certainly an expert,” Vi says, her tone creeping towards flirtatious, “in the field and the gym.” To punctuate, she gives Cait’s bicep a squeeze.

Caitlyn smacks her hand playfully, in the same motion taking the cold pack from her. “Well, my big, strong deputy, don’t you think you had better get going?”

Vi frowns. “But it’s only - “ She checks her watch and her face falls so quickly Cait bursts out laughing. She swears and hurries out of the bathroom. By the time she’s changed into her uniform Cait has relocated to the couch, where she’s stroking Warwick’s fur.

“Ice for twenty minutes every two hours,” Vi calls as she fumbles with the wrapper of a protein bar. “And no - “

“No working from home,” her wife finishes. “Believe it or not I am capable of taking days off.”

“Good. Because if I come back to find you hunched over a desk - uh - well, you wouldn’t like it.”

She leans over to give Cait a final (still slightly sweaty) kiss. “Rest up. I’ll be back soon.”

[desiredcaramellatte]

Yoooo Cream unicorn just came to CRK and it’s amazing 🦄✨

Could I possibly request them with sad child reader trying to give them the best childhood they never had. Child reader never had a real childhood because of strict and neglecting parents and they feel sorry for them and so they decided to give Child reader the childhood they’d always wanted. Just a fluffy/wholesome request please :) like they are bonding/having fun together

And also this can be either Headcanons or oneshot or both. You decide what fits more

Ikr I’ve been feeding them all my jellies and powders and they’ve been getting so much attention from me oml- I love their little voice too.

Why do I keep getting so many amazing wholesome requests habdjeb- I love this so much, I’m going to write both HCs and a one shot for this 😎

One last thing, idk if this is like a human AU or cookies I just wrote what I wrote and it could probably be read as both 🤷.

Cream Unicorn my beloved

Cream Unicorn x child reader with strict parents

Platonic! All the fluffies! Maybe a bit too much fluff help I’m in heaven I want Cream Unicorn to be my parent.

~| You’re always welcome at their carnival. Always. They don’t mind if your parents watch you or come along, as long as they can see your smile, they’re happy.

~| If you’re ever feeling sad, you can count on them to cheer you up. When they saw how neglected you were, it broke their heart. “How could someone be so mean to a kid?” The practically adopted you after that, though in a very weird way. They’re basically your second parent, even though you stay with your first parents.

~| They will introduce you to a lot of other children at the carnival! You’ll never not have a friend, and even if you don’t get along with other children or just don’t want to be friends with them, Cream Unicorn is always there to be your friend. You may find yourself playing a lot of group games with them and the children, like Duck Duck Goose, Tag, and other things.

~| Cream Unicorn is probably viewed as a free babysitter to your parents, so they wouldn’t mind you going off in the day, as long as you don’t have things to do, to spend time with the unicorn. Sometimes you can sneak out at night to go visit your adopted parent, as well.

~| Cream Unicorn rarely leaves their carnival- someone has to keep it up and running, after all- but they make exceptions for you. They gave you a small whistle trained for their ears, and if you’re ever in a pinch or just sad, you can call them using it. Even when they’re far away, they’ll be there for you.

~| Expect a lot of gifts as well. Mostly unicorn themed- unicorn pens, plushies, treats, etcetera. They may also get you some other things if they’re your style, but they tend to stick to rainbows and unicorns as gift aesthetics, because those represent the innocence of childhood and happiness, and these gifts remind you even more of Cream Unicorn whenever you look at them.

~| Cream Unicorn will take care of you better than your parents ever will. They’ll provide you food, water, shelter, toys, fun, happiness, hope, anything you want they’ll get for you, to be honest. If you see a carnival game with a prize you want, they’ll help you out with it until you achieve your goal! They’ve lived at this place their entire life- which is probably a long time according to their biography- and know all the tricks to winning all the games from pure practice and experience.

~| If something were to ever happen that separates you from your parents, they will always be there to help you out. You may not even have to blow on the whistle to get their attention- they have very good instincts and can, most likely, tell if you’re in danger. Kind of like a spidy sense but it’s a unicorn sense.

~| If you’re ever sad and need to cry or rant, they will always be there to comfort and listen to you. They don’t care if they have to drop what they’re doing to do so- their little child is sad, that is more important than anything in this world, to them.

ONESHOT

There are little things in this world that you care about. It was how you were raised- how you’ve taken the world into view. Unlike most children, your parents weren’t your top priority- nor were they on your too five, or even ten. Sure, they may have created you, but did they ever take care of you?

No.

The answer was no.

And you knew that more than anything.

Your arms shook as you paced your way down the road, through the forest. It was a path you knew well, one you took often. The stone bricks planted in the ground were lined with moss and flowers sticking out, betraying it’s old age, and around the road grew trees with moss hanging so low it swept the ground, and bushes with blue berries so shiny it was like they belonged to the richest, finest soil.

Even though the berries may seem tempting to others, food was the last thing on your mind right now.

True, you were hungry, but it was that type of hungry to where you couldn’t eat- your stomach pained and twisted, yet you couldn’t feel even a hint of longing for the berries.

You closed your eyes as you continued down the road, nothing but the moon’s soft glow through the leaves of the trees and the stars lighting your path. How many nights in a row had you snuck out? You couldn’t remember. It was something like a week or two. You had been going out more and more as of late, to visit what you cared about most.

Or, rather, WHO you cared about most.

You would get in trouble every time your parents found out you were sneaking away in the dead of night, every time you feel asleep during the day rather than your small designated sleeping yours, but that only fueled your longing to go and visit your best friend.

Your real parent.

It had started to rain, small droplets pelting your skin and clothes, but you didn’t mind. Being wet for an hour or so was a small sacrifice you were willing to make to get to see them again.

As you approached the entrance to the fair, a large pastel gate that was more than familiar to you, a figure descended from above, that of a unicorn. It jumped down from the arch, prancing around as it’s hooves clicked and clacked against the hard tile of the road.

It came over to you, pastel rainbow hair shaking out as it brayed, before it shifted into a cookie with a puff of pink smoke.

You smiled, watching as the cookie quickly approached you, a soft smile on their face. “Welcome back! Come on, let’s get under something, I don’t want you catching a cold in this rain!”

You quickly head under the arch, and Cream Unicorn shoes you along until you reach the merry-go-round. You take a step onto it, and the rain was blocked out by the roof of the carousel. Cream Unicorn Cookie had followed after you, and they shook out their hair, squeezing it a bit to get the water out, before turning to you with a small smile.

“Do you want to start it up?”

You quickly nodded, and your foster parent rushed out from under the merry-go-round, towards the controls. They lifted up the small protector, before turning some keys, lifting a handle, and pushing a button. They dropped the protector back down, and quickly got back on the carasal just as it had started to go.

You had gotten atop one of the fake unicorns by now, holding onto the pole that went through the middle of it and connected it both to the top and bottom of the ride. You began to laugh as it swirls and twirls you around, and Cream Unicorn stood beside you, watching you giggle with a large grin.

The Carousel continued to spin around and around, the unicorns, both the real one and the fake ones, twirling around with elegance and grace.

When the ride was finally coming to an end, the rain had turned into nothing but a light drizzle, and the clouds had cleared just a small section in the sky, enough to show the moon and a small handful of stars.

Cream Unicorn helped you off the figure, and the two of you sat on the edge of the ride, looking up past the roof and staring at the stars.

You gave a small sigh, and leaned against Cream Unicorn, your eyes drooping with tiredness.

Your second parent wrapped their arms around you, and covered you with their bright, sparkly cape, as they whispered into your ear.

“Sleep tight, little star. You deserve it. You deserve so much more.”

[asvterias]

𝖲𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗍 𝖪𝗂𝗌𝗌𝖾𝗌 𝖠𝗇𝖽 𝖳𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗌 ~ 𝖭𝖺𝗇𝖼𝗒 𝖶𝗁𝖾𝖾𝗅𝖾𝗋

Warnings; Just General Fluff & Implications of Smut

Pairings; Nancy Wheeler x Short!Sinclair!Girlfriend!Reader

Summary; To apologize for being a neglectful girlfriend, Nancy invites you over for a charming stay-at-home date.

Tag List; @yurdreamgirlfriend @janeswhore @clarkegriffinslever

Word Count; 1,866

Author’s Note; Requested on my wattpad account!

The Wheeler house was completely empty which was an rare occurrence but Nancy decided to seize the opportunity anyhow. With Mike in California, Holly at a sleepover and her parents off to a friends’s outing, she had the house to herself. She wanted to call you over so you can spend time together, seeing as the last few weeks had been so rough on both of you.

Lately, Nancy had no time to spend with you due to her stressing about college. To be honest, the brunette felt remorseful about how she neglected you for the past few weeks — you called her multiple times but it was only for brief mentions.

You even showed up at her doorstep, desperate for her attention but she’d discretely kick you out of her house.

Sometime later, you just gave up on interacting with your girlfriend, for the time being, figuring that she just wanted space. You've been together for 3 years, still secretly dating because of the time era and how openly homophobic people were.

Long story short, you've never had any fights recently – not that you regularly fight but you couldn't think of any other reason as to why your girlfriend was seemingly ignoring you. If you could fight inter-dimensional monsters together, why was spending quality time so difficult?

She bit her lower lip in anticipation as she twirled the phone wire between her fingers, hearing the phone line continue to ring, completely dreading if you'd even pick up. She missed your voice, presence, and even the smell of your hair products, mainly coca shea butter.

The brunette swore that her heart fluttered the second that your voice spoke, “Hey, nance.” It brought her nostalgia to when she called you daily, despite displaying a big grin, she would faintly blush as she twisted her phone cord between her fingers and she kicked her legs up in the air. Whenever you spoke to her, it was like you were upon deaf ears and she would often apologize for being in a stupor and kindly ask you to recite what you said.

So, how was this any different from now?

“…Nance, you still there?”

So with a clear of her throat, she answered. “So, I'm home alone.”

That was apparently all that she needs to say “[Name], sweetheart, are you still there?” She heard shuffling before another voice popped into her hearing. It was probably Erica or Lucas who was eavesdropping on your conversation.

“I'll be over to you in 20.” Then you hung up leaving the girl confused, but, nonetheless happy that you were so eager to visit her.

With a quick exhale, your right hand balled up into a fist as you roughly knocked against the rigid wooden door. You wore this and your hair was in a high slick bun showing your luxurious black curls. Shuffling awkwardly on your feet as you wait for the brunette to answer her front door.

Soon enough, you heard rummaging on the other side of the door and it opened to reveal, your beloved girlfriend, Nancy Wheeler. Looking up at your girlfriend, considering that she was only three inches taller than you. (Nancy is 5'3).

Her posture became frozen as her facial features showed a mixture of vulnerability and fear...for some reason. It's not like you were gonna break up with her, right?... at least that's what you thought.

“Come on in.” With a silent nod of your head, you sauntered inside the Wheelers’ household. Shutting the door behind you quickly seeing as you had already made yourself comfortable on her couch. The air was thick with tension as neither of you spoke to the other within a total of 14 minutes.

“We need to talk, nancy.” You began and her features hardened up. You never called her Nancy so it must have been serious. It sounded so divergent to hear you call her regularly, mainly because you used nicknames, anything other than her real name. Even when you were just friends, you always addressed her as nance.

So with an outburst of courage, she raised herself off the seat and walked towards you, her figure hovering over your sitting position. “I'm really sorry that I wasn't paying attention to our relationship.” She starts, “It's just...with you know college and everything...it's just been so stressful. You're not gonna leave me, right?” Her baby blue doe eyes converge with yours, her figure slightly trembling at the thought of you dumping her. Instead, you rose from the couch, now standing with her.

“We're okay, baby, our relationship is doing good besides you're stuck with me for the long haul.” You reassured her frantic figure, placing your arms on her shoulders. “Besides, Erica kicked me out if I didn't make up with you.”

“You're longer welcome in this house until you've made up with your girlfriend, 'cause this grumpy [name] is not a good look on you. So if you don't make up with Nancy before the street lights come on, good luck sleeping on the road tonight, sis.”

Then she slammed the door in your face leaving you bewildered. “Erica!”

“Why haven't you left the front porch, yet?” She yelled, her face teasing you from the window. “Do you want me to spray you off this lawn because we both know I will do it!”

Your solemn expression wavers away when Nancy regains herself. “Now, your parents aren't home, you say.”

It took the girl a moment to realize the seductive tone and she soon matched the smirk on your face. “Isn't that a good coincidence?”

Sharply, her lips passionately captured yours as her petite, well-manicured hands rested on your hips and you caressed her cheeks. Her soft pink plump lips clashed with your brown plump lips as they collided together for dominance which Nancy overcomes. To celebrate her mini-victory, she slightly grinned into the kiss and nipped on your lower lip making you lightly moan.

“Why don't we take this upstairs?” She seductively suggested, once she pulled away, your foreheads touching as she twirled imaginary shapes on your lower back.

“How are we gonna bake cookies, silly?” You questioned before wandering off into the kitchen. The brunette was completely baffled. At first, she thought that this was some new thing that you wanted to experiment with in bed. It soon dawned on her that you weren't talking about anything sexual but instead truly pure.

In disbelief, she followed suit in the kitchen, seeing that you were already taking the ingredients out of her fridge. “Let's bake cookies!”

“Cookies?! You want to make cookies?!” She spluttered, her hands astray from her body, her mouth agape. “I thought that you meant sex, considering that umm...I don't know so I can make it up to you.”

“Maybe later. But for now, we bake cookies!” You exclaimed, clapping your hands together in excitement, adoration content in your eyes. How could Nancy say no to you?

Minutes later, you were extremely focused on whipping the batter good that you didn't even notice that your girlfriend had snuck up behind you. The oven was already preheated on 375° Fahrenheit, thanks to you. Originally, Nancy was supposed to butter the pan so you can place the dough on, but seemingly she was distracted. You didn't even recognize her presence until her arms wrapped perfectly around your waist.

“Nance, stop.” You giggle, feeling her lips against your neck, repeatedly.

“How could I not? My girl just looks so beautiful.” The brunette replies with even more kisses. Rolling your eyes fondly at her statement as you let her continue to place wet kisses on your necks. Reluctantly, you pushed the Wheeler girl away, just in time to finish buttering the pan.

You handed her the pan of unbaked cookies, pressing it gently against her chest. “Since you were of no help whatsoever, you can put this in the oven.” You smiled coyly at the girl and quietly mutters under her breath, rolling her eyes fondly as she did what was instructed.

After she did that, you turned on the timer for 8-10 minutes. “Come on let's cuddle until they're done.” Nancy says, her hands stretched out, eager to grasp your body once again.

Finding yourself on the couch, your head splayed against Nancy's chest, your high bunch of curls found themselves right on Nancy’s neck, meanwhile, her arms were around your waist.

You both missed this, just spending quality time together by yourselves. Minutes into the ongoing movie, your eyes were struggling to stay open but her heartbeat soothed you to actively drain out the noise from the television.

Despite the static noise, you two stayed silent, the faint sound of each other's heartbeat making you drift off to sleep. Disapprovalingly, the timer had just gone off, immediately disturbing your pure bliss, making your eyes shoot open in urgency.

Sighing in annoyance, still nuzzling your head farther into her chest, placing a small kiss there when a tiny groan erupted from the girl beneath you. This was the most time that you spent together in weeks and some stupid timer wasn't going to ruin it.

A few seconds later, Nancy settled herself off of the couch, her grip still embroidered onto your waist as she began to stroll towards her kitchen. When she reaches there, she placed you on the marble counter, grabbed oven mittens before putting them on her hands, and took the freshly done cookies out of the oven.

Meanwhile, you put the mittens on your hands and spread the cookies on the cooling tray as Nancy turned off the oven.

Slowly but carefully, once you were sure that the cookies were warm enough, you delicately picked one up and savored the mini dessert in your mouth. Throughout eating the whole cookie, Nancy's eyes were completely lovingly locked on you. How did she get so goddamn lucky with you?

The Wheeler girl briefly bit her lip. “Let me taste.”

“Ok, which one do–“ Surprisingly her lips captured yours in a soft embrace that made your legs envelope her waist from behind, urging her to tangle herself with you. The kiss was languid and gentle as your lips delicately brushed together, she could barely taste the remains of the cookie. Her fingertips lightly trace over your bare ebony thighs skin as you cupped her smooth pale cheeks.

“Just perfect.” She hums, departing from the gentle kiss with an approving smile, your hands still on her face. “My girl is just perfect.” Upon hearing that statement fall easily from Nancy's lips, you bashfully grin at the brunette girl before you, feeling flustered by her choice of words.

There was momentarily silence after that, your eyes fixated on the other, displaying complete adoration and endearment.

Suddenly, footsteps are heard and Holly wanders in. “I smell cookies!” She exclaimed.

© asvterias, 2022. please do not plagiarize any of my works.

[therenlover]

Heartsick (A James Patrick March/Reader Oneshot)

Synopsis: When you fall ill, James is given a forceful awakening about how he’s been neglecting your needs and what he must do to prevent harm from befalling you again

Tags: Fluff, Sickfic, Cuddling, Marriage Proposal

Rating: 16+

Warnings: Language, Potentially Triggering Mentions of the Reader Being Ill for a Long Time/Almost Dying of an Unnamed Illness, Planning Your Own Death

Word Count: 3700~

This was crossposted to my AO3 under the same title!

---------------

James Patrick March considered himself a fairly patient man. He had to be, in his line of work. Some things didn’t deserve his patience, like lazy workers or angry hotel guests, but when it came to things that did matter, he was willing to go to extremes. Murder, for example, deserved his patience. Once upon a time, the Countess did too. Yes, patience was a rare virtue Mr. March had possessed all his life.

When it came to you, though, he found his patience running short.

You had been a revelation all your own when you first walked through the doors of the Hotel Cortez with not even a suitcase to your name, radiating purity with every shallow breath. James had been excited to find you in some dark corner of the hotel and rip the life from your body. That is until you found his little nook at the Blue Parrot Lounge and seduced him with your charming personality and sweet smile. From that moment on the Countess didn’t matter anymore. The whole world was just him, you, and all of the deliciously naughty ways he wanted to debauch you.

James had insisted on moving you into your own suite on the seventh floor that very night, just a few short hallways away from his own, and given every luxury he could offer. He was nothing if not a gentleman. It just wouldn’t be right to move the one he intended to court directly into his bedroom, especially while he was still married to his previous wide. Despite the distance, things between the two of you went swimmingly. Even the murder, which James initially worried could drive you apart, was now a delightful shared activity when you chose to grace him with your presence during a kill.

That’s where the problems started.

Mr. March was a man stuck in his own time. That’s why, after 5 splendid years with you at his side, you still weren’t moved into room 78. This also meant your suite was a place he wouldn’t enter unless he was invited. Sure, you had a healthy sex life, but the Countess still had the March family engagement ring tucked away somewhere. He wouldn’t move you into his quarters or impose himself on yours until the two of you were at the very least engaged. The plans for his and the Countess’ divorce were moving, albeit slowly, when you stopped opening the door for James.

The first day he thought perhaps you were simply elsewhere, but after a week of nothing, he began to get angry. It was one thing to deny him your company, but to ignore him while he made a fool of himself banging on your door? That was a punishable offense in the March family playbook. So, he decided if you wanted to play hard to get, he would too. In his mind, James could practically envision you rushing back into his arms once you got over whatever was souring your mood. It wouldn’t be long until the whole nasty affair was behind the both of you once and for all, right?

Wrong.

A month since he last dined with you, James sat at his table in the Blue Parrot lounge alone nursing the remains of his 4th glass of scotch.

Liz was slow to walk out from her place behind the bar. “You want another?” she asked, holding out a crystal decanter, “or should I fish out the absinthe fountain a little early this year,”

“No, no I do believe I’ve had quite enough. Besides, it’s not as if I can actually get drunk anymore,” he huffed. Whether it was the drinks or his growing rage, Mr. March found his collar feeling a bit tighter. He reached up to pull at his cravat but paused when thinking about the ghastly wound it hid. In the end, he let his hand return to its place on his glass.

“Suit yourself,” Liz quickly returned the decanter to its place and began polishing glasses.

Somewhere in the distance, Iris picked up a phone and began to take an order for room service. James had an epiphany.

“Liz!” he shouted, getting her attention, “has Y/N been ordering much room service lately?”

Liz shrugged. “Only once a day for the past month. Why do you ask?”

“I find myself in a bit of a predicament. You see, Y/N began ignoring me about a month ago. I’ve been giving her a taste of her own medicine for quite some time now, and yet she has made no attempts to seek me out. Do you think, perhaps, there could be something wrong?”

The energy in the room began to still.

“Wait, Y/N hasn’t told you?”

“Told me what?”

The dirty glasses were abandoned as Liz let out a humorless laugh.

“Damn you, woman!” James rose with a shout, slamming his glass down on the table, “what is she hiding!?”

“She’s sick,”

James’ heart would have stopped if it were still beating. He sat down again, bewildered. “What?”

“She’s sick. Fever, puking, tremors; the whole shebang,” As she spoke, Liz came back to the table and sat down on the plush booth across from him.

“But it’s been a month! Influenza shouldn’t last that long…”

“Well, it’s definitely not the flu, I can tell you that. Last time I brought down her dinner she nearly choked on her toast. She was so weak that I had to sit there feeding her soup because she couldn’t lift up the spoon long enough to feed herself,”

It was as if James’ whole world had come collapsing down on him all at once. Mortified, he let his head drop into his hands. “Why didn’t she inform me? Am I that pathetic a lover that she would rather suffer in silence than tell me she was ill?”

“Well, to her credit, you don’t exactly look like the most comforting type. When did she move in again?”

“Almost five years ago, it’ll be the anniversary of her first entering the Cortez on the 20th,”

“And how many times in the past five years have you, I don’t know, cuddled with Y/N,”

“You insolent-”

Liz lifted her arms, offering up a white flag. “I’m just asking a question,”

James opened his mouth to offer up a rebuttal but found he had no way to defend himself.

It was true that his relationship with Y/N tended to fluctuate between chaste and lecherous at the drop of a hat. Once they had made love, it was the only habit for him to leave her in bed and return to whatever was keeping him busy at the moment. Post-coital intimacy was simply something he had never experienced or needed. Unfortunately, seeing that the only time he spent with Y/N outside of their trysts were formal meetings or dinners, there had been no time for gentility or softness between just the two of them. If ghosts could blanch, he would have.

Noticing his sudden shift in mood, Liz rose, backing off. “Now, usually I like to stay out of your business, but because your little relationship makes Y/N happy I’ll give you some advice. Go down to the kitchen, have Ms. Evers heat some broth, and give Y/N her dinner personally, maybe even give her some extra attention as a little treat. That should fix the bulk of your issues. Got it?”

He was never one to take orders, but surprisingly James nodded. He stood quickly, smoothing his suit. “Thank you for your advice, Ms. Taylor, but I must depart. My paramour needs me,”

She nodded. “Any time,” James began to hurry down the stairs, but suddenly Liz shouted. “Wait a second,”

James paused. “Yes?”

“Only the living get sick, Mr. March. Maybe, after five years, it’s time for Y/N to extend her stay at the Cortez... permanently. Just something to think about,”

He gave her a sharp nod before disappearing down the stairs to the kitchen. 15 minutes later he was waiting outside your door with a rolling cart in hard. He had already been stalling there for 5 minutes when he finally, with a deep, steadying breath, unlocked the door.

The room was dark and silent, almost like a tomb.

Your voice rang out like a bell as James pushed the cart forward. “Iris?” you called weakly, “is that you?”

“No, darling,” he responded, closing the door behind him. Slowly, he bent down at turned on a small lamp. “You won’t need Iris to bring you your dinner any longer,”

“James,” You whispered, half reverent and half shocked.

He was far too taken aback by the severity of your condition to form an immediate response.

You were curled up in bed, folded in on yourself as you wheezed for breath. As Liz had mentioned your body was weak and wracked with near-constant tremors while you tried your best to prop yourself up on the headboard. James had to abandon the cart with your dinner on it in favor of rushing over and helping you sit up. As he took in your gaunt face, his heart broke.

Your soft voice snapped him from his thoughts.

“Am I dead?”

James shook his head. “No my love, not yet,”

Tears began to spill from your eyes. “I thought you’d left me, James. I thought I was going to have to rot in this awful, dark room for eternity, that maybe ‘cause I died while I was sick my ghost was too damn weak to get up,” As you spoke, you tried to grip the back of his suit, but found you were far too weak to actually hold the fabric. Your inability to even do the simplest of tasks only made you cry harder.

Mr. March was quick to pull out his handkerchief and wipe your eyes. “Oh, my dearest, that couldn’t be farther from the truth, but none of that matters now. I cannot apologize enough for my abhorrent behavior as of late,”

“Will you stay?” your words were laced with desperation, “just for a little bit?”

“Of course, my dearest. I think you’ll find it very difficult to get rid of me from now on. Besides, I couldn’t leave my beloved paramour without doing what it is that I set out to do,”

“Which is?”

James stood and quickly returned with the room service cart. As he removed the silver tray-topper, you found he had brought you a bowl of soup, a small plate of crackers, and a tall glass of ice water.

“I intend to make sure you are well-fed and taken care of,”

“James, you don’t-” you tried to argue, but he cut you off.

“Nonsense! There is, unfortunately, no way to sugar coat this, but I will try my best,” he whispered as he sat on the edge of the bed beside you, “I have neglected you, darling, not just for the past month when I found my pride and ego keeping me away from you, but also for the past five years. I ignored your needs out of a false sense of propriety by bending to rules that are long dead and considered inconsequential. For that, I fear I may never forgive myself. Things will be different from now on, though. I hope to win back your heart properly now that I have realized the severity of my mistakes. Would you…” he paused, gulping, “would you be willing to humor me?”

You offered him a soft smile. “Oh, my beloved Mr. March, there’s no need. My heart has always been yours,”

Your words soothed him, and he offered you one of his debonair grins, the kind where his little mustache scrunched before his lips parted that never failed to sweep you off your feet.

“Now where were we!” he exclaimed.

“Dinner,” you responded.

“Ah, yes! Soup!” He was quick to get a spoonful of the warm broth and bring it to your lips. “You needn’t worry, my sweetling, I watched Ms. Evers prepare this herself. Nothing but the best for you,”

It was easy to accept the spoon into your mouth. Something inside of you knew that James would be taking care of you from now on.

The rest of dinner passed in relative silence, but you didn’t mind, far too tired to take part in any meaningful conversation. Instead, you simply enjoyed the attention. James had never been shy about his affection, but that affection always tended to come in the form of gifts or sex instead of close, intimate touch. It hadn’t bothered you enough to tell him. You always just assumed he didn’t enjoy that kind of love. Now that you’d had a taste, though, of his gentle yet constant affection, you knew you could never get enough.

Too soon the bowl was empty.

James stood, returning to the door with the cart as you relaxed and rolled onto your side. “When will you be back?”

He chuckled, opening the door. “Did you think you could be rid of me so soon, darling?” The cart was quickly pushed out into the hallway as James turned back towards you.

Your face flushed. “I just assumed…”

“Assumptions, assumptions,” he tutted, “It hurts that you have such little faith in me, but I admit I haven’t given you much reason to. As I said, things will be different now,” James perched himself on the edge of the bed with a smile as he untied his shoes and slipped them off.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking off my shoes, darling, so I can join you in bed,”

Your heart skipped a beat. You had been imagining the first time James would actually stay in your bed to cuddle since the beginning of your relationship, but it had been years since you had given any thought to that silly fantasy. Could it really be happening?

Apparently, your surprise was evident on your face because Mr. March paused once both his shoes were settled neatly on the floor. “Is something wrong, my dearest?”

“Nothing, darling, nothing at all,” you were quick to explain, “we’ve just never done this before,”

James smirked like a predator who had just found his prey. “Such an innocent gesture from such a naughty little minx. I don’t recall you being so… flustered the night we met when I took you up to my suite and-”

“James!”

“Alright! Alright, my love, no more vulgarity from me until you’re fully healed and back on your feet. Well, hypothetically on your feet,” he emphasized his words with a dirty wink. Then he crawled into bed beside you as if he belonged there, scootching over until he was resting pressed against your side. You slotted into place, with your face resting in his neck and your leg thrown haphazardly across his hips as if you were made to fit his body. Holding James was like coming home.

You let out a soft, pleased sound at just how good it felt to be held.

James took this as positive feedback. As he settled in, he began running his fingers through your bedhead, combing through the loosest of the knots. Sensing something strange, he paused to put his hand on your forehead. It was uncomfortably hot. “You’re still feverish. Do you need anything? A cold compress? A wet washcloth? Some water?”

It was funny to hear him fussing over you, but it also warmed the deepest parts of your heart.

You made a negative huff against his neck. “No! You’d better not move. Your skin feels too good. It’s nice… cold. The only thing I could possibly want right now is for you to dim the lights and take your damn shirt off so you can cool more of me off,”

“I would, darling, believe me, but there’s just the small issue of the wound on my neck,”

“James,” you glared up at him, “I have literally ripped a dying man’s dick off in front of you. We have dinner with Jeffery Dahmer on your birthday every year, where I have to eat my salad as he zombifies whatever poor sap wandered into Sally’s clutches across the table. Hell, just a few months ago we fucked in that bathtub filled with some businessman’s blood. Your neck is just another part of you, James, it doesn’t bother me. Shirt. Off.”

“Have I ever told you that I adore when you take charge?”

You grinned as he undid his cravat and the top few buttons of his dress shirt. “Once or twice,” The thrill only lasted a moment, though, because before he finished unbuttoning his shirt he pulled away from your arms and got off the bed. A high-pitched whine escaped from your lips. “I thought you said you were staying?”

“I may be a ghost, dear heart, but my clothes can’t just disappear,” Always one for the dramatics, he shed his shirt and suit jacket to the floor with gusto. The sight of his bare torso made your heart beat faster. You had to remind yourself that you were sick and it would probably kill you to go for even a gentle round with Mr. March. Ah, but what a way to die…

James dimmed the lamp before returning, undoing his pants, and stripping down to his boxers. “Is this better for you darling?”

You nodded and reached your trembling arms out to your lover. “Much. Now come back to bed. You have five years’ worth of cuddling to make up for Mr. March, and I don’t intend on letting you wheedle your way out of even a second of it,”

He gave you a gentle smile as he found his way beneath the covers again. “I wouldn’t dream of it,”

Your face quickly found its way back into the crook of James’ neck. It was inhumanly cool, easing the constant burn of your fever and soothing your sore skin. The slit across his throat truly didn’t bother you. As you said, it was just another part of him for you to love, nothing more than a cosmetic imperfection.

Nuzzling closer, you took a deep inhale of his intoxicating scent. Perhaps it was the cologne he wore at the time of his death or even just what he naturally smelled like, but his pulse point radiated notes of sage and bergamot. God, how you loved him.

The pair of you were quiet for a moment with only the sound of your ragged breathing breaking through the air, but something urged you to speak your mind.

“You know, James, when you walked into my room tonight I assumed you were here to kill me,”

He chuckled. “I can’t say I didn’t think about it, my pearl,”

“Of course you did…” you went silent for a moment, “I wouldn’t have minded. This sickness is hell. I’m wasting away by the day and the pain never stops. I don’t mind dying, not when it means I get to spend the rest of time here in the hotel with you, but I don’t want to go out like somebody normal. My death needs to be special… I want to be the crowning glory of your murders, the most fantastic piece of art you’ve ever created,”

Pressing a chaste kiss to the top of your hair, James sighed. “Perhaps it’s selfish of me, but the moment I thought of you, wasting away in the darkness and succumbing to some common germ, I knew I couldn’t kill you. Not yet. I refuse to have my bride accompany me through eternity bearing a constant reminder of my failure,”

Your breath hitched. “Bride?”

Slowly, his hand made its way to your throat. There was no threat in it, he wasn’t using even an ounce of pressure. It was more of a gentle reminder of his presence; a physical conduit of his passion.

“Yes, bride. I don’t mind if you can only become Mrs. March posthumously, though I would prefer to wed you alive and enjoy your last moments of warmth in the throes of carnal delight on our wedding bed, it all depends on where your illness takes you next. Until then I will be glued to your side. No more harm will come to you. I shall nurse you back to health with my own hand so that you glow with life long after your death. Yes, Y/N, your death will come, but not until I have done my best to atone for my mistakes in your life,”

“Was that a proposal?” You gazed up at James with wide, misty eyes.

He huffed out a laugh. “I suppose it was, and a poor one at that! To think I stalled for years in the hopes of finding the perfect moment to present you with my mother’s ring only to pop the question in bed with no ring in sight. I do hope you’ll say yes. I’d be rather crushed if you rejected me after all this time,”

You nodded, small tears escaping as you pressed your face into his soft skin. “Of course I’ll marry you, you idiot. I would’ve married you if you were the poorest man in the world and proposed with a ring-pop,”

“Then it’s settled. You shall be my wife as soon as you are well enough for me to fuck you again! I quite hate that Will Drake, but I believe he’s our best, quickest option if we wish to get you a dress commissioned. I have a few ideas drawn up already waiting in my office… perhaps I should call Ms. Evers and have her take them to him,”

“Shhhh,” you smiled into his neck, pressing a kiss to his collarbone, “we can figure out the details later. For right now, though, your fiancée is sick and she needs some TLC. What are you gonna do about it, Mr. March,”

He growled. “Well, I suppose ravishing you is off the table. Hmmm... what to do to my darling girl to make her feel better?” With a gentle nudge, he tilted your head up and pressed a sweet kiss to your lips.

“That’s a start,”

-------

a/n: I hope you liked it! I’m really leaning towards writing a second part of this where the reader actually dies, so let me know if you’re interested. Also, my requests are open if you want to see any of Evan’s other characters! 

Please don’t post my work to other sites, thank you <3

[typingdyslexiaisathing]

Rina’s Reason To Smile

// This is a Bleach fanfic. Kisuke X OC is the pairing. Along with appearances by Ichigo, Isshin, and several Mod Souls as well as many others. Read below. //

It was hotter than blazes out, yet it was even hotter in the storage room as I was moving boxes and catalouging inventory like I'd been asked by Tessai when I showed up for work this morning. He'd told me I could open the windows to the shop, but that didn't seem to be helping much. He'd also told me Jinta and Ururu would be helping me, but they'd begged me after Tessai left to go to some special event and I'd said I could handle this on my own. They'd run off with smiles on their faces, which had been several hours ago and I was about ready to keel over from heatstroke. As per the usual, Kurodo insisted I carry him around on me to 'keep me company' as Rirrin and Noba followed along behind to 'keep him out of trouble' in turn. I didn't really mind having them around, it made the work go faster talking with them about nothing in particular and asking them where I needed to put which container. Rirrin tended to get frustrated at this, her glare as loud as her shout. "Shouldn't you know where things go by now, Rina?!" I give a huffed, "Better to ask and move it once than assume and move it twice, chicka." She glares at me harder to state, "Don't call me that! I have a proper name you know!" I laugh along with the others, Noba walking over the box in my hands to hop onto my shoulder. I give another huff of air and set it with the others of their category, wheezing slightly as I say, "Phew! Man it's hot in here! I'd kill for some air conditioning or a fan to circulate the air around." Kurodo trys fanning me with his ears, but I just chuckle at the attempt. I go over to the window and open it all the way, hanging my head out backwards to hold Noba in my open palm. "Okay, better. Why do I keep my hair this long in the summer? I should really cut it short." Kurodo starts in on me to exclaim with much vehemence, "Rina! Absolutely not! Your hair is far to gorgeous to cut short! I can't believe you'd even think to do so!" I sigh at this bit of news as a smile spreads over my lips. "Okay fine, heaven forbid I ruin myself when I have an avid fan. At least someone openly likes the way I look. Wait, does it count that Kon only half cares?" Noba looks down at me as he kneels in my hand. "Half cares?" I snicker and note, "Like when Orihime and Rukia aren't present to take all his attention." Noba nods to close his eyes. "Oh. Makes sense." Rirrin gives haughty exclimation of air and grumbles out, "Why should it matter? He's such an airhead." I laugh and tell her in response, "At least he notices me when I walk into a room. Unlike every other guy I know." I give a very long sigh and frown, my mood darkening as I state what's been on my mind lately. "Geez, I should just raise the white flag and join a convent. Granted, I don't put much effort into snagging the attentions of boys with my no make up and baggy clothes ensemble. But it still sucks much vinegar in a straw to be overlooked by all the guys in general."

Kurodo pats my hand affectionately, his words warm and full of much needed comfort. "I know my dear. But soon enough a man will find you and sweep you off your feet." I give an incoherent mutter at this to remind them, "We not counting the time Urahara accidentally took the rug out from under my foot to have me fall down the stairs?" I rub my head at the memory, though the recollection makes me laugh. I'd landed face first in a heap at the bottom of the stairs with my rump in the air. One sandal had come off during the tumble, falling down with me to smack me in said rump as Jinta had laughed his head off. I broke my toe from the fall, which got me plenty of pampering for the whole time it was blue. But it had finally stopped looking like a blueberry last week. So I'd insisted on getting back to my usual duties in the shop. Hence why I was getting to the storage area so late, it was supposed to have been finished already. But at the rate this was going, I'd be here all day and well into the night. I give a grumble to say, "I should have had those two bring me ice cream as bribery to get out of this. Oh well, hind sight is perfect and I don't need the stains on this shirt." Rirrin snorts at this to state, "Of course. Since it's so stylish." I glare at her. "Stuff it bird girl, or I'll flip you a bird in turn." She actually laughs at this, her snicker shaking her frame. "Nice one, at least you don't intimidate easily." We are then interrupted by a loud voice calling out to us. "RINA?! Where are you my lovely jasmine flower? Your beloved Kon is here to see you!" Rirrin groans at this, so I tell her, "Why don't you go get my juice from downstairs, and take your time. I'm sure Noba is a suitable bodyguard along with Kurodo as back up." She smiles at this, jumping down off the box to call out, "She's in here. Just don't keep her from working for too long, or she'll be organizing that room forever." Moments after she leaves, Kon comes sprinting in as fast as his plush paws can carry him. "Rina! My darling curly haired flower! I have come to keep you company away from the clinic!" I smile down at him and kneel so he can throw himself at me per usual, his little paws over my front to snuggle his head to my heart as he swoons, "I missed you so much while you've been here working! How are you today? Is your tender tootsie all better? Can I kiss it to make it better for you?" I give a laugh at this to tell him, "You are not getting anywhere near my stinky feet, Kon. I've been up here all day moving boxes and sweltering buckets. How is it your nose stays stitched on?" Kon snuggles said nose to my front. "But you always smell good, Rina. Your perfume is apparent to me, my darling flower." I smile wide as he gives a loud sigh. "At least you know I wear scented stuff to make me smell like a girl at least. But I'm guessing baggy goth has yet to catch on. Does that mean I'm ahead of the trend?" Kon nods vehemently with his face still in my chest. "Most definitely, my dark jasmine lady. Oh how I missed you!" I pat his head a few times in genuine affection. "Aww, it's good to be loved. Thanks, Kon. But I thought you had Rukia staying over at Ichigo's today to work on something while I was out?"

Kon gives a sniff to state sadly, "No... She's been far too busy... for little old me..." I hug him to my front to comfort him. "And Orihime is busy with a pet project at home. No wonder you came over when I only left at seven. But that's fine, Kon. I'll always have a hug for you if you want one." His eyes go bright at this to cheer with emphasis, though Noba and Kurodo give a unanimous groan. I poke them both to tell them, "Hey, don't go there. I'm not going to neglect my fanclub, though it consists of stuffed animals most days. Now, let's get back to moving this stuff." Kon looks very dissapointed when I say this, but I tell him, "I meant the smaller boxes in the other corner. Those I can lift one handed." Kon gives a cheer of elation of not having to move as Noba tilts his head to sigh at me. "You shouldn't encourage him, Rina." I smile at Noba and say to him, "I'll take what I can get, Noba. It's not like the few guys I'm interested in want anything to do with me." Kurodo looks surprised as he asks me, "Really, you have a few you have an eye on?" I nod. "Yeah. Considering our rag tag team of the Substitute Soul Reaper Squad is made up of mostly guys, or the few soul reapers that come to the shop are as well. I've had plenty of opportunity to approach the ones I'm attracted to." I lift two of the smaller boxes to move them to the other side of the room in their shelving units as Kon laments at me, "OH RINA! Say it isn't so! You'd abandon me, truly?! My heart is crushed, absolutely crushed! Please don't leave me like this, my jasmine flower!" I set the boxes down on the shelf and pat his head again. "Kon, I do love you dearly, but we both know we aren't in love with each other. Big difference for me, as it should be for you. There's light flights of fancy and then there's hard core romance with the whole nine yards of courtship and wedding bells. Face it Kon, you aren't whisking me away to any altar, you're too much of a ladies plushie." Kon grumps at this, but then sighs in admission. "You know me so well, my well endowed jasmine blossom. Too true, I'd never be able to commit to any lady in such a fashion. But one can hope for a few midnight rondevois." I snicker at this and tell him, "Well endowed! Well endowed?! Hello?! You have ample holding on my bra size! Does my tag say 'well endowed' to you?! I'm barely a B cup! You want a full front, go find Orihime, fluff head!" I bring my freed hands up and tickle him mercilessly, Kon falling on top of the box as he laughs and giggles with mirth. "EEP! HELP! OH! HAHAHAHA!"

I continue to tickle him as Noba and Kurodo smile at my lightened mood, then Rirrin walks in with my juice container. "You should have told me where you set this. I had to hunt for it. Here you go Rina." I thank her and take a swig, enjoying the sweet tart flavors as I set it on the nearest box. "Yum! Better. Now to tackle the rest of this mess." Kon and Rirrin tag team the smaller boxes with Noba helping, Kurodo choosing to hold the juice container for me as I move the heavier boxes. Kurodo picks up the topic we were on earlier. "So then, my dear. Which of those young men have caught those glittering eyes of yours?" I sigh at this to ask them in a serious tone, "You guys keeping this between us and this room?" Kurodo nods at this, as do the others. So I give them the list. "Well, Ichigo was on my radar for years. But considering he and I are like siblings, I'm not gonna hold my breath on that one. Uryu is very attractive, but I don't do serious types that can't even fake a sense of humor. Izuru seemed really nice, but I've only talked with him a couple of times. Renji is gorgeous, and I did ask him out." I hang my head at this to give a dejected moan. "I got shot down outright with the 'just friends' line. Which hurt like Hell. First time I ask a guy out and it felt like a break up. I went through three containers of ice cream in one night." Kurodo pats my hand with his ear, but I shake my head and continue. "Yeah, next up is Captain Ukitake. I mean HOT DAMN! But I only saw him that one time, and I never got to ACTUALLY introduce myself. So that's a long shot out of far left field in my book. Last up out of the possibles list is Ikkaku, who I'm guessing might be more interested in throwing Yumichika at me just to get away from me. Or them leaving together laughing their heads off at me, to do whatever it is those two do in their bromance type relationship. Heck, there's only one guy I actually know somewhat better than you guys, and that is a definite not happening." Noba asks me, "Really? Who would that be?" I wave a dismissive hand for emphasis. "Not going there, Noba. He's already taken by a very pretty woman. I'm not even going to go humor that idea. Why fight a lost cause." Noba frowns at me with his eyes. "So you aren't going to tell us." But I look at Rirrin, whose gone stock still in realization. I point at her and tell Noba, "Why not ask her. She pegged it from the look of stunned comprehension on her beaked face." Rirrin shakes her head vehemently as Kon looks at her. "What? But she didn't give us any good hints?" Rirrin thumps him on the head for this to say, "Idiot! Are you kidding me, Rina?! I mean I get that you see him all the time, but really?!" I nod and give a long sigh. "Yeah... But like I said, it ain't happening in my book. Dime novel material is not meant for real life or for my barren love life. Now enough depressing talk of said barren love life and hop to it, my plushie squad."

We're mostly finished by the time the sun is setting, and I am completely exhausted. I've been lifting boxes all day and am about to fall over. So I plop down onto the floor with a loud thump. "Ugh! No more! At least for the next ten minutes. I want a breather." Kurodo unlaces his strap from my shoulder to scold me. "You should have stopped two hours ago, Rina. You haven't eaten anything since Tessai left at eleven, and that was only a few cookies you had in your backpack. You need to stop and eat something." My stomach grumbles in emphasis to prove the point, but I give a huffed, "I told Tessai I'd finish this today. It's still technically the same day even if the sun goes to bed. I promise I'll eat when I'm done with all this work. But I'd rather take a quick nap instead. You guys go downstairs and latch the door to the shop for me. I'm passing out for a bit." My head goes all the way back to rest on the box behind me, closing my eyes as the others walk out of the room. Rirrin starts muttering under her breath in vehemence, getting Kon to ask her, "What's with you?" She huffs at this to state for them, "Womanly intuition is obviously not her strong suit! I mean is she that clueless?! It boggles my mind! Rina should have realized by now those two are just friends, or more like siblings. It's a platonic relationship and he's open for the taking. Yet she's completely blind! I swear, I should have a girl to girl talk with her about this!" Kurodo leans towards rirrin as they get to the bottom of the stairs. "So you do know who she's interested in! Come now Rirrin, how are we to help match the two of them if you don't tell us?" But Rirrin shouts at them as her temper blows. "Oh you men are all idiots! Isn't it obvious?! It's Urahara! He's the one Rina is smitten with!" All three of the boy toys go stock still, then all four of them go ram rod straight as someone says behind them, "Oh really? And just what would give you that idea, Rirrin?" They all whirl around to face Urahara himself, Rirrin squacking as Kon tells her, "Nice job, blabbermouth! She told us not to say anything!" This make Rirrin smack Kon in retaliation. "HE DOESN'T NEED TO KNOW THAT, COTTON BRAIN! Besides, she didn't actually SAY it was him!" All four of them try to dissuade their guilt, but Urahara just smiles at them. "It's fine. I'm actually glad I found out. Makes things a bit more workable for me. Is Rina still upstairs?" Kurodo nods to tell Urahara, "She's asleep for the moment. She's been upstairs moving the entire stock of inventory since she came in this morning."

Urahara looks down to Kurodo at this with a surprised look on his face. "All by herself? I thought Ururu and Jinta were going to help?" Noba nods to explain to him, "They were. But bailed for some event in the park that was only for today." Rirrin grumbles at Urahara, "I swear. With all the excess stuff she does, you need to give her a raise. I mean, I know she's got money from her family esate and the pharmacutical company holdings she has with her uncle. But she works herself ragged around here. How else do you explain the fact she's lost so much weight?" Kurodo nods at this to note to the others, "Yes. It's appalling how thin she is under that old shirt she's wearing. I can tell from my strap that she's at least lost fifteen pounds. I can remember a time when you could see a figure on her under that shirt a month ago. Now her clothes are more baggy than ever. That simply cannot be healthy for her." Urahara frowns at this bit of news to adjust his hat absently. "Yeah, I noticed that. I didn't want to say anything, but I'm going to have to once I get my plans in motion." He thinks for a moment, then heads off for the kitchen with the others in tow. "Any of you know what her favorite snack is?" Rirrin gets a knowing grin on her face. "Oh yes! Onigiri with squid filling is her favorite! But she likes the ones with tempura filling just as well!" Rirrin runs ahead of the others, Urahara noting her enthusiasm to adjust his hat again. "I take it you know what I'm planning?" She snickers at this. "It doesn't take a mind reader! C'mon! I'm sure the rest of them will catch on in five." Noba and Kurodo jump up and down a few times when they realize what's happening, leaving a dejected Kon to sigh into his paws. "My beloved Rina... I've lost you already... Oh what a sorrowful day this is... I've lost my beloved jasmine blossom... Oh woe is me and my poor broken heart..." But Kon shakes his head vehemently after a moment. Kon stomps into the kitchen with the rest of them to help, declaring rather loudly, "If we're going to do this, we're doing it right! I will insist on nothing but the best for Rina! Especially after all that work she's done upstairs! And she likes the tempura better than the squid filling, Rirrin! Get with the program!"

Soon enough, Urahara is walking upstairs with a tray of onigiri and a glass of water. He hesitates for a moment at the threshold of the doorway to the storage room, noting how much work I've put into organizing and shelving everything. Then his gaze comes to rest on me, passed out with my head tilted all the way back and my hands splayed out like I'm dead. He chuckles at this, setting the tray next to us on a box as he kneels down over me. He puts his fingers to my wrist as he leans down to put his head to my chest, his smile warm as he notes the steady beating of my heart. "Well, you aren't dead yet. But all this work, Rina. At this rate you'll run yourself into the ground. What to do, what to do." The smile fades as he notes how hot I am, bringing his paper fan out of his sleeve to fan me for a moment. "I didn't expect it to be this hot in here. How did you get all this done without falling over sooner?" I give a pleased moan at the cooler air, shifting a little to lean into the breeze as I wake up. "Mmmm... That's a lot better... But I'd figure you'd be making me do that for you... Not the other way around..." Urahara grins at this idea. "Not a bad prospect, but I think you need it more right now. Here, the others insisted you eat something. So we fixed you a pick me up." He hands me the tray as I grab the water and chug it all down right away. "Oh yes! Much better! Now I might actually finish this before midnight!" I grab one of the onigiri as Urahara raises his eyebrows at me. "What? You were going to keep working? In this heat and all by yourself?" I nod as I munch on the onigiri with vehemence. "Yes, I told Tessai this would be done by the end of the day. I aim to deliver, even if I have to cheat and stay all night to say I finished when I open tomorrow." Urahara gives a snort to state, "You fully intend to work yourself to death. Don't you?" I give a mild laugh as I tell him, "Not especially, Kisuke. I'd rather not have that happen, since we still need to recheck that shipping order for this Sunday." Urahara lightly whacks me with the fan to scold me., "That is not funny, Rina. I'm serious, you've been overworking yourself for a month. Not to mention all the weight you've lost when you had little to spare in the first place. I didn't want to pull rank on you, but I demand you tell me why. Right now." I give a dejected sigh at this, finishing the second onigiri to grab a third. "I didn't want to say anything until I really needed to. But you've given me no recourse. You know how my uncle has been running the reins of the pharmacutical company my dad left us?" Urahara nods at me. "Yeah?" I lower my head at this point, my words dead flat as I tell him, "The old coot pulled a snatch and grab. The company went bankrupt. As of next month, all my welfare and financials will be nothing but a memory."

Urahara doesn't dare move, his eyes as wide as allowed in utter shock. "WHAT?!" I flinch as I tell him, "The old fart was draining all the joint accounts, leaving me holding the bag when he bolted last month. Granted, I squirreled away much of it where he couldn't get to it. But that is being used to cover the debt he racked up under the company name. I'm already selling the manor and most of the antiques that were in my possession. I do have enough savings to make it for the next five years or more. But I can't touch that money yet until the bank releases the hold on the accounts while they do an investigation. As such I'm having to pawn the stuff in the house, which I can't keep anyways since the debt is so high. The big problem is I have no money to move out, and the deadline of eviction is two weeks away. Hence why I've lost so much weight, Kisuke. Little food and no time to sleep is riding me rough shod as I pack essentials and sell priceless items for chump change. I'm just sick of dealing with all the garbage that is now my daily life! At least here in the shop I can feel like I'm getting things accomplished." I finish the onigiri to lick the stray grains of rice from my fingers. "Besides, I'd rather not be in the house anymore when nothing there is technically mine. It makes me sick even being there with all of my parents things and knowing they no longer are mine to keep. The bank gets it all, and I get to keep only a few photo albums and trinket items I refuse to part with. I already packed all my clothes and books along with my laptop and dvds. It's kinda depressing all of it fit into one box, after having so much excess to give away to Orihime or Tatsuki. Now they'll have to go shopping instead of taking my hand me downs." I don't realize I'm crying until Urahara puts his hands on my shoulders, bringing me forward to hug me tight as I give a choked sob into his shoulder. "Rina, you should have said something sooner! You know full well you can always come to me for help! Especially for things this bad! Do you even have a place to stay, or have you been staying with Orihime?" I jerk at this to tell him, "Neither. I've been crashing at Ichigo's place whenever I really need to sleep. He's the only one I told what was going on. It didn't help he came by the manor to see them removing things like works of art and such onto trucks as I sat there like a zombie. He demanded to know what was going on, and when I told him he brought me straight to the clinic. Isshin was furious that I hadn't come sooner, then he openly fumed over my uncle. Plus side is that Yuzu is helping me with my cooking skills. Down side is Ichigo keeps wanting to deck the bank people every time we walk by the manor." Urahara gives a long sigh into my hair. "At least Isshin is able to help out. But I'm thinking you should move your things here." I tilt my head at this idea, "Makes sense to do that. Easier to come to work if anything. Plus it'll be closer to the school for my tutoring lessons I give out for side cash." Then Urahara drops a bombshell on me. "Good, then we can get to us going on that date like I was going to ask you."

I go stock still in his arms as his words ring in my head. "Wait a minute, did I just hear what I think I heard? Are you seriously asking me out on a date?! When Yoruichi will gut you for skipping out on her?! Are you really that-" Urahara bursts out laughing, his amusement evident as he exclaims, "OH HAH! That's hilarious! Rina, that's like me asking you how long you and Ichigo have been a couple!" I snort at this when his meaning becomes clear. "Oh stuff it! Point taken. Yeah, granted I'd have loved for him to ask me that back in the day. But we've kinda gotten used to this older sister and younger brother relationship we've got going." Urahara snickers to ask me with a grin, "So you honestly expect me to be dating my sister?" I make a face at him like I ate a mouthful of salt. "Oh don't go there, bad images and thoughts of not pretty ideas! YEESH! Get a scrub brush to stick in my ears and vehemently scour my brain clean, please!" Urahara snickers even harder to tell me, "I'd rather not ruin the brush." I grab his fan and start whacking him with it, making him jump back to scramble away from me on all fours. He loses his geta sandals in the process of retreating with much haste, but I end up cornering him among the boxes. He gives me a nervous smile to hold his hands up in surrender, and I tackle him to then tap the fan to his nose. "You make this too easy, Kisuke." He smiles warmly at me to take the fan from my fingers. "Like I want to fight the hold you have on me? Come now Rina, I'd be a fool to do so." I shiver all over at this. "Nice, how long have you been saving that line?" He laughs right along with me, but his gaze locks on mine as I find myself hypnotized by his eyes. The warmth held in their grey is so entrancing to my senses, I can't even blink. I slip his hat off as he puts his hands to my head, then we both lean forward to press our lips together. His fingers get lost in the curling waves of bright purple strands of my hair, my own fingers dropping his hat to lace my hands over his shoulders. At first the kiss is gentle, making me go warm and tingling all over. Then I press my mouth to his in growing need, my arms tightening me to his frame as his eyes open in surprise. The end result is we both fall over onto the floor, his hat under me as I give a grumbled sigh to state, "Great. I can't even do this right. And I squished your hat besides." He give a breathless laugh, making my body go hot in response. "Better than you breaking a toe again." I growl at him, "THAT was YOUR fault for moving the rug like that! It is not MY fault that the rug decided to vacate under the leg I had my weight on! I blame you for every bump and smack I got to go along with it!" He grins to ask me, "Including the perfect aim of your sandal?" I glare at him with vehemence. "You would enjoy that just as much as Jinta did, for whole other reasons!" Urahara gives me a naughty grin to snicker in mirth. "Well, it is quite a nice view. At least when your shirts don't hide it." I give a huff and go limp on the floor. "Yeah, shirts I had to pitch from getting completely shredded in the washing machine." Urahara frowns to state, "So that's why you've been wearing the same two shirts for a week. How many do you have left?" I give a sniff as I tell him, "The only things that survived were said two shirts, two pairs of pants, and a pair of socks. Ichigo had to give me a larger shirt to sleep in, and Isshin had to loan me money to help me get nickers and a couple bras. I was so embarrassed that he gave me money for that! I mean it's just humiliating! I wanted to kill something the moment he handed me the money!"

I start to cry again, but this time I do make a few choked sobs as I pound a fist to the floor. "Dad warned me not to let uncle have such free reign of the company when I was little. But I trusted his judgement in business matters, since I was only nine when the car crash happened and was never interested in the runnings of every day things. I was going to take more responsibility once I hit twenty, since working here has been so helpful in learning the ins and outs of running a business on top of college. But now it's too late! Hell, I'm surprised he didn't bolt when I turned eighteen to take half the company! But I let him do it! I let him ruin everything my parents worked to build! I should have just set everything on fire along with the scheming pest and been done with it all!" I roll over off of Urahara's hat to pound my fists to the floor, my anger and helplessness loosing my temper on the tatami mats as Urahara kneels next to me. His hands come to rest at my shoulders as I fume and curse, his touch tracing down my back as I tremble and choke.  I fume and sob for what feels like hours, until my energy bottoms out and I flop my head to the floor and go limp. "That's better, now I don't feel like my heads going to pop off. And now it's way too hot in here again. Can't we find a happy medium to- Oh wait. Scratch that particular snarky comment." Urahara continues to rub his hands over my frame as he asks me, "Knowing you and how your sarcasm works, I'm guessing it has to do with me and the fact that you get to have my attentions now?" I snicker at this to tease him. "The back rub helps considerably." Urahara roars with laughter, his entire frame shaking in mirth. "You are hilarious, Rina! Geez, is that all I'm good for?" I snicker to add in, "That and the paycheck Tessai hands me from you every week. But I will admit to enjoying others things, like your personality and your ingenuity. The way you put me at ease just by being in the room, the fact that you asked me out to give my dreams of us being together a chance in the real world. That one has my head reeling mind you, but my heart is elated at the prospect of us being more than just platonic." Urahara tickles my waist to say to me, "You college students and your big fancy words. Such is far too much for a simple shop keeper like myself to take in. Keep it simple for me Rina, or I'll have to start coming to my own conclusions." I laugh really hard to exclaim, "Oh really?! All right fine! How about this one simplified reason! The best part of this whole debacle is I actually get the guy I've been in love with since I came here to get a job!" Urahara goes stock still as I grin at him, his eyes wide. I tell him, "Yeah. Horrible reasons for seeking employment. But it worked, so I consider that tactful. Now are you going to just kneel in front of me or are you coming down here?" He rolls his eyes at me. "Yeah, that was all pretty clear for me."

Urahara kneels over me to place a hand to my face, his eyes shining as he gazes at me. Then his hands bring me up to meet him halfway as we kiss. My fingers come up to rest at his neck, his own hands pressing me close as his head tilts to place his lips to the corner of mine. I go hot all over, my frame shivering as I moan at this blessed sensation. Then he rolls us over so I'm on top of him, though we end up squishing his hat again in the process. Our hands roam lightly over the others frame as we kiss and nuzzle each other with sweet and gentle touches. His fingers melt over my back and waist to come back up as my own trace over his chest and shoulders. I can tell he's wanting to do more from the way he shivers at my touch, but he settles for being gentle and keeps his attentions light. I ask him as his lips come off my own to trace down my neck, "You trying to be a gentleman for me?" He snickers to lean back and look at me. "Emphasis on trying, yes. I'm not going to ruin my chances with you. Especially when you've already been through an emotional roller coaster all month. I'm a very patient man, Rina. I can wait until the moment is right for us to make this more than just a simple display of affection." I lean down and hug him, his arms coming around me to hold me just as tight. "Thanks. I really appreciate that. I'd rather not have us end up in the middle of 'what did we do last night' kind of trouble. At least until well after my head is back on straight." He nods in agreement, but his smile holds other intentions. "Yeah, pity that since I'd love to just up and claim you right away. But it wouldn't be right to go that fast when you're already being rushed in so many different directions. Is it too much to ask for you to stay here tonight? I have a spare futon we can roll out in the room next to mine and some yukatas came in yesterday you may pick from." I give him a nod right away. "I'll have to tell Isshin what's going on first, though he'll be more irate that I waited to call this late more than anything." Urahara laughs. "So true, Rina. But it's the best way to keep him from charging over here to find out why you didn't come back." I nod at this and hop back up onto my feet, bringing him up with me to then look down at his hat. "Uh oh. I think it's a pancake that ain't fluffing back up without help." Urahara picks it up to shake it, and it stays very flattened. "You're right. How do you suggest we fix this?" I hold out my hand. "Fork it over and I'll fix it." He does and I lace some of my Reiryoku over the hat, warming it enough to make it pop back to life.

But instead of giving the hat back, I put it on to look up at Urahara under the rim. "Well? Is it my color, or is my hair a little loud for it?" He puts a hand to the hat to rub at my head underneath it. "Not at all, it looks fine. If anything, the contrast colors make both pop to the fore quite well. But my big question is what color you'll dye your hair next?" I smile at him to say, "I was thinking blue with green tips next. But it will have to wait until after this color fades completely. I wasn't expecting the color to be this loud when I dyed it." I then lower my head and go really quiet, getting Urahara to ask me, "Rina? You okay?" I take those few steps forward and hug him, my grip on his frame tight as I whisper, "Thank you, Kisuke. What you have offered means more than you know. This chance to have one I love give back the same in turn. It gives me hope I couldn't seem to find on my own earlier, or with the others helping in what little ways they could. Thank you." His hand comes to rest at the back of my head, bringing my head to his heart. "I'm actually kicking myself that I didn't ask sooner. Then you'd have had me along for the ride as you went through all this chaos. But you should call Isshin before it gets too late, then we're headed for bed." I give a dramatic sigh to sing out, "Yes sir! Right away sir!" I squeeze him tight before I let go, walking over to my backpack to grab my cell phone and speed dial Isshin's number. It's picked up on the first ring, the voice on the other end growling enough to be a grizzly bear. "Rina?! Where the blazes are you?! You told me you'd be done with work by eight at the lastest! Do you have any idea what time it is?!" I note the time on the phone to say to Isshin, "Nine fourty five with ten seconds after the fact. The munchkins ditched to go frolic. So I got to work on organizing the whole storage room upstairs solo. I won't be back until tomorrow probably, I'm spending the night with my new suitor." Isshin was a little too busy grumbling at me to listen, but the last bit makes him go dead quiet. Then he roars right in my ear to make me bring the phone away. "WHAT?! YOU- YOU- WHAT?! OH NO, RINA! You are NOT staying at some random-" But then Urahara plucks the phone from me with a snicker lacing from his lips. "Must you tease him like that? You'll give the old guy a heart attack." I grin as Isshin registers who it is on the line. "Kisuke? Oh good! So she was joking about the last bit then, that's a relief!"

But Urahara gets a wicked grin at this point to tell Isshin through the phone, "Far from it. I'm the suitor Isshin." Urahara holds the phone away from his ear before Isshin starts bellowing with vehemence. "YOU WHAT?! OH LIKE HELL YOU ARE, KISUKE! ABSOLUTELY NOT! I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS! YOU HEAR ME YOU TWO?! I WILL NOT-" Then I hear Isshin get socked in the face as Ichigo growls at him, "Keep it down would you! Or do you want to wake up Yuzu and Karin?! Rina? Is this a bad prank or a worse idea?" I laugh as Urahara brings the phone to my ear to hold it for me. "I'd think you'd be congratulating me instead. Kisuke asked, I accepted, and I'm thrilled. But now that it's really late and I moved ninety percent of all his inventory solo, I'm passing out at the next available opportunity. Whether there's a bed to catch me or not." Ichigo sighs into the phone in what I note is relief. "Fine then, it's not like I didn't know there was someone you were interested in. At least I'll know who to kill if you come home with a broken heart." I laugh and tell him, "Works for me, Ichigo. Since I am only skilled at certain aspects of my Reiryoku usage and am not combat proficient with it yet." Ichigo laughs the same time I do. "Well at least we know where you are. I'm glad. You sound more cheerful than when you left this morning. But don't forget tomorrow." I frown at this last bit. "What? Refresh my fried brain cells for me." He gives a hard sigh like I should know full well already. "The anniversary is tomorrow, Rina." I go stock still in realization, my eyes going wide when I do. "Oh... right... and I'm sure the press will want coverage for the bankruptcy angle... Great... You just had to remind me didn't you?" Ichigo sounds just as depressed as I feel. "Sorry, Rina. But all of us here are going with you, so you won't get ganged by the press too badly. Plus Kisuke can have Tessai help with crowd control and be the 'dedicated boyfriend' you'll need. Uh... Yeesh! I can't believe that just came out of my mouth!" I burst out laughing, my entire frame shaking as I tell him, "If that was intentional, it worked. Thanks for that, Ich." He laughs at this to tell me, "No prob, anytime. Night Ri." We hang up at the same time, Urahara sighing with vehemence. "I forgot that tomorrow was the anniversary of the car crash. And here I was going to make you work all day again. Some suitor I am." I look up at him to note for him, "Don't start with that nonsense. I forgot completely, and I was IN the accident!" Urahara gives a hard jerk. "I still can't believe you made it out of that with only a few broken bones." I nod and point under his hat. "Don't forget the white locks, that was the most noticable change." I then think of something to ask him, "You mind if I bum a black kimono from you? I'll need to look decent, and the ones I had I already pawned." Urahara looks at me with a sad frown on his face. "All of them Rina? Including your mothers old furisode?" I nod to frown right back. "The furisode, dad's antique armor from the Edo period, every last piece of expensive clothing and jewelry is gone. Even their wedding bands. I had to Kisuke, there is a substantial need to the employees that live from paycheck to paycheck. I had to provide their wages somehow."

Urahara looks at me with true sorrow in his eyes. "Rina... I am so sorry... Did you at least keep the-" I nod vehemently to tell him, "Like anyone could get that sword collection from me for any reason. I had the five of them in my arms when Ichigo came running up, since one of the banker lackeys was demanding I fork them over. I gave them the full set of armor and the furisode willingly to keep the swords. I'll die before those greasy vultures get them. Ichigo has them in his room stored away. But I'm about to fall over soon, so it's time to bookmark this conversation." Urahara takes me by the hand to bring me to his room. "I'd rather you just bunk with me tonight. You look ragged after all this and I don't want to leave you alone for a moment longer." I squeeze his hand in reply, then he's rolling out the futon while I grab a yukata from the stockpile of new inventory. After a few minutes of fussing of ties and brushing of teeth and hair, I'm walking back into the bedroom as Urahara throws back the blanket. "Get in before you keel over, Rina." I fall into the futon gratefully, not even bothering to get upset about us sharing his. "Wow, not standing up feels... the same. Geez, I must be wiped." Urahara laces a hand in mine, his head nuzzling mine as he tells me, "I'm sure you'll fall asleep really fast then." I give a half nod and close my eyes. "No kidding, considering I've been running on adrenaline, anger, and copious amounts of energy shots for work." He sighs at this to say to me, "No wonder you've been twitching like a live wire. Stop talking and pass out already." I do just that, my whole body sinking into the futon as I go limp. Urahara runs his fingers over my face, noting how haggard I look and the fact that my eyes have dark rings in them. He brings me closer to him to hold me close, his hand over my heart as he kisses my head. "Rina, sometimes you amaze me at how durable you can be." He laces his fingers over the beat in my chest, it's drumming lightly kissing his fingers as he promises to me, "I'm thinking it's high time I helped you with relying on others more. If only to make certain your heart doesn't give out from the stress you put yourself through. I promise you Rina, your heart is safe with me. I swear to you now. I'll take good care of it and you." His fingers lace into the folds of the yukata, the warmth of his fingertips touching bare skin as my heart keeps it's slow and feathered pace in my chest. I don't even twitch as his fingers trace over my skin in heat, his frown evident. "Definitely need to fix this over work yourself ethic you have." He runs his fingers up and down over my sternum in enjoyment, the beat of my heart never wavering compared to his elevating tempo. Then he just simply hugs me tight, closing his eyes to join me in slumber.

*****

By the time Urahara wakes up, the sun is out and the birds are chittering in the trees. He looks down at me and notes I haven't moved one bit from how I went limp last night. He frowns at this, bringing his hand to my shoulder as he tries to wake me. "Rina? Hey, Rina. It's morning. Rina?" I don't even twitch, I just lay there like I'm dead. He shakes me harder to get me to wake up. "Rina, wake up. Hey, come on now. You're starting to scare me, wake up. Rina! Wake up!" Urahara gets nothing, even after tapping my face and shaking me vehemently and he panics. His head leans down to my heart, his voice full of fear as he shouts at me, "Rina! Please, wake up! Say something! RINA! WAKE UP!" My heartbeat picks up at the noise, my eyes twitching as I moan, "Mmm... Wha..." I note the weight on my chest, my eyes finding his when I look down. "...Kisuke...?" He  looks at me to note my eyes are clouded and unfocused, his words full of worry as he exclaims, "Rina! You scared me senseless! Are you all right?!" I blink a few times to give another moan. "No... I feel like I didn't sleep..." His frown is evident when he hears this bit of news. "But you did sleep. You never budged." I lay my head back down to ask him, "Great... Then why am I still so wiped out...?" Urahara flinches as he tells me, "I told you before that you'd burn yourself out working this hard. Plus you've been taking on all this extra drama, on no fuel or rest besides. I'd have thought you were dead if your heart wasn't thumping in my ear right now." I give a long sigh, the sound very tired as he listens to it and the pumping beat in my frame. "Honestly, I feel dead. If being numb all over qualifies as such." Urahara brings a hand up to my face, brushing at the strands of purple curls. "Rina, how is it your body hasn't given out yet? I'd think you were intentionally trying to kill yourself on some level." I don't answer, the heightening pace of my heartbeat enough of an admission to the truth. I look back down to see the look of stunned comprehension and my eyes water. His own eyes go misty, his whispered words full of hurt and anguish. "Oh Rina... No... You... Rina no... Why...?" I close my eyes and turn my head away in shame. "I'm tired of it all, Kisuke. It just doesn't seem to matter. Nothing I do seems to matter enough to make any difference in my mind. I tried so hard to learn how to take over the pharmacutical company and it's gone. I tried to keep the house looking orderly and pristine, now that's gone too. I gave my trust to the only family I have left, and they robbed me of all I had to take. I had no one to confide in without worrying them. The last thing I want is to be a burden to Orihime or Ichigo or Tatsuki. They can't fix what my uncle broke, and such failures in doing so would only cause them pain on top of my own. Not being here to worry everyone sounded so much better than sticking around. I... I'm sorry." My hand reaches up to press his head to my heart and I tell him, "I know it was wrong to think causing such pain to all of you was okay. It was stupid to think keeling over would be an acceptable solution to this. I'm so sorry, Kisuke. But even I have limits, and I hit mine when I passed out in the storage room yesterday. If you hadn't been the one to find me in there and make your proposal, I'd still be in that pit of misery. I'd never have made it out of that Hell I was in, and I'd have gone back to the manor to hang myself from the entranceway. The news crews would have had quite a story today. Where I followed my parents to the grave in tragic and evident surrender."

Urahara jerks at the last bit, his arms coming around me to hug me tight. "No! Rina! Don't say that! Don't you dare even say such things to me! I don't care if it's a joke or if it's what you really intended! I won't hear it! I won't let you hang yourself! You hear me?! I'm not letting you go, not like that, not for any reason!" He trembles as he sobs, his lips kissing over the rythmn in my chest as he begs me, "Don't you dare give up on me! Please, I'd be devastated if you took your life and left me like that! Please Rina, don't silence this heart that I love so dearly! You are worth so much more than just the company or the manor house or any semblance of currency! I'm begging you, Rina! PLEASE!" Hot water drips down onto my skin over the place where his lips were moments before, and I give a sniff as my own eyes leak. "I know. I know that now. It was a moment of weakness, Kisuke. I'm not giving up, I won't go through with such a thing. I'd have thrown far too much away in ending my life. I promise you, Kisuke. I won't do it. I'll keep fighting, as long as I have you to catch me should I fall like that again." He hugs me so tight I can't breathe. "Always!" I hug him back, getting out a choked, "Good. ACK! Air please." He lessens his hold and I give a cough. "OW! Geez, I forgot how strong you really are." But I lean forward and kiss him, moaning at the way he tilts my head for a better angle instinctually. His sigh at my taste is lost in my mouth, and I inhale to let it lace into my lungs along with his breath. His hand roams down to my heart, his whisper a ray of sunshine. "I love you, Rina." My heart skips a beat at his words, my eyes opening to gaze into his as I take one hand to press his own to my heart. "I love you too, Kisuke." He sighs into my mouth, loosing his other hand in the curls of my hair as he practically devours my mouth with his own. I kiss him back eagerly, my hunger for him and his love singing in every fiber of my being. Then we both hear the fact I'm actually hungry for food when my stomach growls. We burst out laughing at the sound, him falling on top of me as I hug him. "Well, I would think you'd be famished after only having that onigiri to eat." I nod. "Yeah. We'd better fix that. What time is it?" Urahara grabs my cell phone from under the pillow. "Seven thirty-five." I grumble out, "And Ichigo will be here with Isshin shortly to stand with me against all the media hounds! Shoot! I still need a mofuku to wear!"

It is then we hear a knock on the door followed by Tessai calling out, "Excuse me. But I took liberties tending to that yesterday." Urahara gets up to open the door, and Tessai looks down at me to then look up and Urahara. "Unlike you two, I remembered what day it was today. So I went down to have this made." He hands Urahara a black kimono with my family crest of the jasmine flower I was named for, along with a black obi and tabi socks. He bows with respect to me and tells us, "The zori for you are by the door to the shop, and we will be going with you to show support and keep the media at bay. The shop will be closed for the day so you will not be needed to tend to the store in any fashion. Ururu and Jinta will be finishing the chore you took on single handed, which I'm not pleased they left for you to do alone. Do not worry, Rina. You have family still in all of us here. Now I am sure breakfast is almost ready, so do come along once Kisuke has gotten you ready to face this new day." Tessai shuts the door with a slight click as Urahara looks down at me and smiles, my own smile warming my lips. I tell him, "Nice. At least one of us still has a brain that works. Though I'm not going to enjoy wearing such tight clothes." Urahara laughs at this statement and tells me, "I know. But it's only for today." I nod and get up, heading to the bathroom to get ready to face the day and the trials ahead at the shrine. By the time I come back to the room, Urahara is already in his old kimono and hakama from when he was a soul reaper. I stare at him as my body heats up. "Wow, I keep forgetting you have that to wear. You look great." He grins at the compliment. "Thanks, though it feels a little weird to have this on." I nod and tease him, "It's only for today, remember?" He snickers at me, then he helps me get ready. I feel very restrained when I try to walk, the kimono only allowing me to bring my legs so far forward. "I'm going to break something again going down the stairs! Plus I have to act all elegant and formal for the media! I HATE THAT!" Urahara takes my hand to lead me downstairs. "It'll be fine. Come on, you need to eat." We pass by the storage room to see Ururu and Jinta moving boxes, the both of them apologizing for yesterday. But I hug each of them tight to silence them, then Urahara is leading me carefully down the stairs where Ichigo is standing in a basic kimono and hakama outfit like Urahara.

Ichigo looks up at me with a frown. "You all right?" I shake my head. "No. Kisuke had to practically scream at me like a banshee to rouse me. I'm completely exhausted, Ich." He nods at this admission. "I know, Ri. But for today, allow us to help you. I know you have to act all serious and business like for the sharks and vultures. But you can lean on us and show grief. It's allowed." I nod and he brings me into a crushing hug. I put my head on his shoulder and say, "I'm tired enough to do that and will do so gladly." Ichigo rubs my back as he sighs, "You must be to admit to all that." I hug him tight for a moment, then Isshin walks in wearing the same formal attire. I look at him and say, "Dang! Nice look sempai." He growls like a bear at me. "Don't remind me. Geez, you're white as a sheet." I groan at this observation. "Lovely. I'm just tired, sempai. Once we get this over with, I can fall over." Isshin grumbles and tells me, "No, we're bringing you back to the clinic after this. I won't hear of anything else, you look half dead." Urahara flinches and states, "She practically was Isshin. I had to shake her and shout like a mad man to wake her." Isshin looks at Urahara with a deep frown as Urahara continues. "There was a moment I really did think she was dead. She didn't move the entire night either, not one twitch." Isshin glares at him to start growling like a protective bear. "And how would you know that if she was in the other room?" I sigh and bring myself out of Ichigo's arms to hug Isshin instead. "I was that bad off, sempai. I hit rock bottom. So thank Kisuke for picking me back up." Isshin notes the way I worded that, putting a hand on my head as he hugs me tight. "...I knew it! Damn it all, Rina! No more of this, you hear me?! You can't run yourself into the ground to join Kana and Eiji! I won't let you! I'll tie you to the bed in the clinic and sedate you before I let you fall that far!" I nod as Isshin practically crushes me to his very large frame. "Heh. Thanks for that, it means a lot. Now lets get food, I'm really hungry." We all head for the dining room, having ample helpings before heading out to the shrine. Yuzu and Karin are there in their school uniforms, along with Orihime. But I'm surprised to see Sado and Uryu with them, even Rukia and Renji are in gigais to stand with the others. I take careful steps as I walk over. "Hey guys, I didn't think all of you would be here." Sado points his thumb behind him to the shrine. "Crowd control. The media is all here." I can even see a few stragler photographers coming up the way, and Uryu intentionally stands in front of me to hide me from view. "Dad also mentioned to me why they would be showing up in droves." I flinch at this bit of news. "Great. You told the whole class for me then?" Uryu nods to tell me, "They were all very insistant. Plus I had to get the comment from dad on how he bought the pharmacutical company last week."

I go wide eyed to stare at Uryu. "What?! That's news to me! I hope he didn't do so as some kind of dowry for us?" Uryu snorts at my comment. "Actually, he was going to loan your uncle the money to hitch us. But since it went bankrupt, he got it for even less." I jerk at this bit to exclaim, "Shee, Uryu! That's better than coffee for me right now! Shitake mushrooms with horseradish sauce! Well, at least you aren't stuck with me as a wife poisoning the food for us." Uryu actually smiles at me to shake his head. "Heh. It wouldn't be too bad. I'm a worse cook out of the two of us." I choke and sputter, "Be kind, rewind, what?! You actually telling me you'd want me for a wife?! Are you that desperate or is this actual interest?!" Uryu shakes his head again to tell me, "Not especially. All I care about is being a Quincy. Plus you're more of a sister than romance interest, if that's what you were implying." I nod and smile to say, "Same here. Nice to know I make it even that far. Thanks for that." He nods to have Sado agree. "Yeah. Your great Rina. Just not that way." I smile at this comment to tell them both, "Accepted. Thanks you two." Orihime walks up and hugs me tight. "Tatsuki wanted to come, but the semi nationals are today." I hug her back. "It's fine. This way she can't punch out any reporters. How's that pet project coming?" She flushes at this to look at Ichigo. "Not as well as I hoped..." I let out a loud sigh, "I swear! You, Rukia, and I are going to have a talk if you both don't do something!" Rukia rolls her eyes as Orihime pouts at me to exclaim, "It's not like you can say anything regarding your love life, Rina!" But I give her a wicked grin. "Oh you're gonna hate me now. I did already." Both Orihime and Rukia go wide eyed, Rukia asking me, "Rina?! You're kidding, right?!" I shake my head. "NOPE!" Orihime hugs me so hard I start choking. "OH RINA! THIS IS AWESOME! YOU TOLD HIM?! REALLY?!" I gasp, "YES! ACK! AIR!" She lets me go and I teeter for Renji to catch me by my shoulders. "Back up a bit. Told who what now?" I look up at Renji. "You remember what I asked you two months ago?" He blushes. "Yeah, I felt bad for a week at how dejected you looked after that debacle." I grin at him to tell him, "You've been replaced!" Renji about drops me to exclaim, "WHAT?!" Thankfully, Ichigo keeps me on my feet. "Renji! Easy!" I laugh and say, "It's fine, Ich. I did just rub that in his face." I hold out my hand to Urahara and he takes it gratefully, walking forward for me to grin like a fool. "Time for the cat to come out of the bag. Guys, this is who has swept me off my feet. Intentionally this time." They all go dead still, then everyone gets all excited as Orihime jumps up and down in elation. Yuzu and Karin are just as excited, each of them tackling a leg to hug me. Then I hear a shout from up the shrine, and realize the media knows were here. I give a sigh to mumble, "Time to get this parade under way. Kisuke, stay close would you?" He nods and directs us for our entrance. "Right. Sado, Uryu and Orihime should stay in front. Isshin and Tessai take back point. Ichigo, you and the girls walk next to us to keep this circus from toppling Rina over." They all nod and we head up as the reporters and photographers descend. I even see a few news crews in the distance, so I keep my face proffesionally neutral as I take my time walking up the steps. Cameras snap pictures as reporters buzz like insects. When we get to the top, I nearly fall over from Ichigo getting shoved into me. But Urahara catches my weight and I don't fall flat on my face. This makes me a bit angry, but I keep the mask on and walk forward with the others. By the time we get to the actual shrine, the noise is deafening. But I put my focus into my attitude, paying my respects at the shrine on this day heralding my parents departure ten years prior. I then move to the grave with the others keeping the media from following, Ichigo and Kisuke walking with me as Isshin follows behind. I get to the graves of my parents, and by now the tears flow freely. I kneel down to douse their markers with water, lighting the incense with the lighter Ichigo hands me and bowing my head in prayer.

The crash plays through my head the moment I close my eyes, how the car had slid on the wet road over the incline. How dad had called out to mom as she tried shielding me in the back with her own frame. I had woken up still in the car, mom's cold body over me and dad's hand in mine. He'd still been breathing when I woke up, his pants of air strained as I'd crawled out of my seat to him. Though my leg and my ribs were in agony and my shoulder was blue, I'd climbed into my fathers lap. He'd felt my movement on top of him and choked out, "Rina...? Honey, are you..." I'd hugged him tight. "I broke a few things, but I'm alive. I'm here daddy. I'm okay." His hand that had been in mine hung limp at his side, but he brought the other around to hug me to his red soaked front. "Rina...! You... What about..." I squeezed him tight, my tears trekking down my face. "She's in the back seat." I immediately wish I had lied and told him she was okay. His heart was crushed as it still fluttered against my head and I'd sobbed out, "I'm so sorry! Daddy! I shouldn't have- I-" He'd squeezed me so tight, he'd cut off my air. "No, honey... Don't... Neither of us... Would want that... AUGH!" He'd jerked as more red soaked his middle, the blood staining my front as I went wide eyed in horror. "Daddy! Are you- Oh no- DADDY!" He'd flinched to try to say to me, "Ah... It's okay honey... I'm still here... I promise you-" I cut him off before he could lie. "Don't! Don't you dare tell me something we both know isn't going to happen!" He'd gone stock still at my words, then his hand pressed my head to his fading heartbeat. "Sorry... I know better... than to lie... to you of... all people... I just wish..." I shook my head vehemently to say to him, "Stop. We can't change it. We- we can only accept it." He laughed at my words with what breath he could take. "So like your mother... Oh Rina... I can't help... wanting to stay..." But I knew he wouldn't make it with the red flowing like that, so I made my words count. "It's okay daddy, you don't have to stay with me." His grip in my hair went tight as I continued. "I have plenty of people here for you to go be with momma. I have Isshin-sempai and Masaki-senpai and Ich and a bunch of other people. But momma needs you. So don't feel guilty going to be with her. I'll miss you both, but it's okay." I snuggled my head to his heart as it skipped and stuttered inside his ruined body, his air barely stirring past his lips. "Rina... sweetheart... I..." His cough sprayed blood into my whiteneing hair, but I looked up and locked my eyes with his. His eyes were starting to cloud over as I gave him my most loving smile. "Go ahead daddy, it's okay. Don't make momma wait. Go and be with her. I love you both so very much." His hand came to rest on my cheek, my own hands still over his heart as tears traced down his face. "Oh Rina... I'm sorry... so sorry... I... love... you... Ri... na..." Then his eyes closed to have his hand fall away from my face. I trembled as I noted the drumming against my fingers had ceased, the only sound the rain outside of the car. I looked down at all the red over us both, and I'd screamed with all I could muster before passing out.

My hands are in my hair as arms envelope my frame, blinking away tears as I finally hear Ichigo's voice right next to my ear. "Ri? Rina? Damnit. Ri. Come on now. Rina." I'm shaking all over as I choke out, "Ich?" His forehead presses to my head to exclaim in relief, "Ri! I'm here! Dad's here behind you!" I feel the hand on my head ruffle my hair at this point, Isshin telling me without words where he is. Then Kisuke touches a hand to my neck as his other arm tightens around me. "Rina. I'm right here next to you, love." I blink a few more times to clear my vision, but Kisuke turns my head so my vision clears to gaze at him and not the gravestones in front of us. His fingers rest at my chin, holding my gaze with his own as I ask, "Kisuke...?" He nods at me to ask, "Rina? Where'd you fall to?" Ichigo answers, "The same place she always falls when we come here. She was back in the car the night of the crash." Isshin's hand tightens in my hair as Urahara goes wide eyed, Isshin giving a hard sigh. "It's why we always come with her, Kisuke. She cannot come here without falling subconsciously back into that moment. It was just so horrible..." Isshin chokes as his hand in my hair shakes. "They found her in the car passed out against Eiji and Kana in the back where she had been sitting. The surgeons were amazed she'd even been able to get out of her seat. Three broken ribs are painful enough without a crushed lower leg and a broken shoulder blade. It took a month for her to tell us what happened, and she only did so with Masaki. But she can't deal with that kind of loss after telling Eiji to die in peace. Especially when they were inseperable since Eiji held her for the first time. She can only be so strong, this is the one thing she cannot stand against. It ruins her every time she has to come here." Ichigo nods to continue, "That's why I told the others to keep the media from following. She usually passes out by now. We've always had to carry her back to the clinic. It has never mattered how many times I've called out to her, though dad can bring her out of it for a minute or two before she keels over." Urahara looks puzzled to ask, "Why would that make a difference?" Isshin sighs at this to ask a question of his own. "Who do you think was the one that delivered her at my clinic, Kisuke?" Urahara goes ram rod straight, with my smile breaking over my lips. "Yeah. Hence why he gets to tell me how to live my life, apparently. He outright fumed when I'd confessed to wanting to toss myself off the incline after it happened. 'I did not bring you into this world to just let you take yourself out of it, young missy! Eiji and Kana would never forgive me if I let you give in to that kind of talk!' He fumed for over an hour long, until Masaki finally told him to stop yelling at me. But I'm sure if I did do that, he'd find a way to bring me back just to throttle me senseless." Isshin laughs at the idea to exclaim, "Oh you better believe it!" But his hands don't leave my hair. "You good now?" I nod and reach out to Urahara, who takes me fully into his arms to hold me tight. "I think I need a minute with Kisuke holding me, I just... There was... so much... red... Oh... Kisuke... It was... It was... Kisuke!"

Urahara practically crushes me to his chest as he tells me, "Breathe Rina. Take it easy. I've got you." I grip him tight by the waist as I tremble and sob all over. "Oh dad...! I never should have told him mom was gone...! I shouldn't have cut him off like I did...! I could have let him lie to me...! I could have let him have hope...! I could have done so many different things...! I- I-" I choke on my words as Urahara holds me close, my head to his heart as he shushes me. "Stop. Rina. Don't do that to yourself. Please." His fingers lace into the strands of purple to hold my head to the life of his heartbeat, and his words help banish the darkness clouding my soul. "You gave your father the peace he needed to know before departing. I'm sure Eiji and Kana wouldn't dare blame you for giving him that when you were just as distraught as he was. They would both be proud of the strength of character and the endurance you have in abundance. Nothing else would matter to them. So please Rina. Don't ever think otherwise." His arm wraps around my frame, and I tremble as I let myself be weak to grip his front and cry. I sob and wail with abandon, Ichigo and Isshin standing close by as Urahara supports me. Not once does his grip on me lessen, his heart pumping in my ears as I shudder and choke in my grief. I bring my hand to his middle, where my father had bled out."Kisuke! There was- It- All that blood! It was all over him! He'd- I- What if I lose you the same way?! What if- OH!" Urahara snatches my hand from his middle to press it to his chest. "No Rina. I won't bleed out on you, not today. I'm completely fine. I will never put you in that kind of position to suffer such ever again. Rina, I swear to you now. I will never leave you like that. I'll always be here, love." His lips get lost in the curls of my hair, and I lean my head into the sound of his heart as I take a gasp of air. "You can't promise me that! No one can!" But he puts his fingers to my lips to stop me. "I just did, love." I look up at him, and his mouth covers mine to hug me to his frame. I grip him tight and shudder, plastering myself to his front as Isshin gives a protective growl with Ichigo blushing slightly. "Dad, be glad she's not catatonic this time." Isshin grits his teeth and hisses, "I'm trying, believe me, I'm trying! But I'm itching to slug him to get him off of her!" Ichigo smiles. "Isn't she on him right now?" Isshin throws a punch at Ichigo for this. "Not helping!" But my laugh plays over me as I give a grateful sigh. "Sempai, what am I going to do when we tell you we're getting married." Isshin explodes at me to shout, "STOP RIGHT THERE! RIGHT THIS INSTANT! I AM NOT ENTERTAINING THAT IDEA!" Urahara blinks to ask me, "Did I hear you right, Rina?" I nod at him to tell him, "It's not happeneing yet. But I'm open to that idea once we've sorted through this whole massive blow up of my world as I know it. But now that brings us to the fact that the media wants questions answered." I give a sigh and go limp against Urahara who holds me upright. "Well, you don't have to." I shake my head. "No. I need to. If only to show to myself that I can do this." Ichigo smirks at the statement to say, "You don't need to prove that to anyone here, Ri." I smile at this point to tell him, "Good. Now let's prove it to the rest of them."

Urahara helps me onto my feet, with Isshin and Ichigo coming around me to wrap me into a group hug. My feet are lifted off the ground as Isshin hugs me to his frame from behind, his arms like steel bands about my waist. Ichigo hugs me by a shoulder, his head to mine as he wraps the other hand in mine to squeeze tight. But it is Urahara that hugs me tightest, his arms holding me close as his lips kiss my neck with a hand to my heart. My eyes stream as I soak in their comfort, my very soul drawing in their love like much needed sunshine. My free hand comes up to press the one Urahara has to my heart, lacing my fingers in his. I tell them, "Never again. I can't do to you all what that day did to me. It would be a mockery of all that I am and all that I have been blessed with. I can't believe I came to such a stupid conclusion, that death was an answer to the problem. Please, forgive me for that." Isshin's hold on me gets even tighter, his words lacing through the curls of my hair. "Readily Rina. Just don't believe that death is the answer ever again. Please, don't give up on us like that. Promise me, that you'll keep fighting for this life that means so much to us all." I nod and lean back to rest my head on his shoulder. "As long as you and the others are there to give this life I have meaning, I promise I will never willingly leave any of you behind. I swear it, you have my word." Ichigo gives my hand a squeeze, his words just as loving, "Good. I don't want to lose you like that, Ri. Don't ever hesitate to come to me, you know I'll always fight for you. Even if it's your own grief I have to protect you from." I smile at this to note, "Right. Remind me on how you're the younger brother and you have to defend the older sister again? If anything, we should be fighting side by side." Ichigo snickers and says, "Sure. Once you can actually beat me in a fight. Until then, I'll do all the heavy lifting, Ri." I look to Urahara at this point to say, "I'm thinking you won't be the only samurai by this feudal princess, Ich." Urahara blushes as both Ichigo and Isshin laugh openly. But Isshin notes, "And what does that make me? Just because I'm rusty doesn't mean I'm useless." I laugh at him to say, "I'd figure you'd rather keep me from trying to follow after them." Isshin nods in agreement. "Right. Remind me later we have to actually give you proper training with using your Reiryoku." I nod vehemently. "Please and thank you. I'd love the distraction." Isshin and Ichigo let me go at this point, but Urahara just snuggles me closer. "Hence why I have the perfect basement for such." I chuckle and say, "Right. Best place to work on that since I can't break anything down there other than myself."

Urahara nods, then his other hand comes up to rest at my neck, his hand at my heart lacing his fingers into the front of my mofuku. "Rina. I promise you. I will always watch over you and your well being. Your heart shall never need break in my care, and I will worship you for as long as I live. I love you, my fragrant jasmine lady." I turn to look into his eyes, their grey full of love as he gazes at me in turn. "Kisuke... You-" He brings me forward to kiss me, his hand at my heart tightening over the material as if to take the beat from my chest and safeguard it in his hand. My eyes go as wide as allowed for a moment, then I'm crushing him to my frame with all I have to give. His own eyes squeeze shut as I tremble in his arms, my arms hugging him close as I whisper, "Kisuke...! I- Thank you! I'll gladly let you have me, I surrender myself to your love! For as long as you want me, I'm yours!" We hug each other so tight, I hear my joints pop. But I just grip him to me as hard as I can, his sigh whispering next to my ear. "Hopefully you'll feel the same way once you've had some time to get your head on straight." But I shake my head. "I'm not going to change my mind! I've wanted this from the beginning, why would that change now?!" He puts a hand to my head as he smiles. "You tend to have a habit of pulling a one-eighty on things, Rina." I give a sigh at this, "That's typical for a girl when it comes to clothes and hair styles. I don't think those count." But the others just laugh at this, and I realize he's teasing me, so I lightly whap him with my free hand.