#let ichigo cry he deserves this

[crispybonkeggllama]

If ichigo was a crybaby as a child, the fact that ossan hates rain and all means that ichigo is STILL a crybaby, he just doesn't cry out loud, his crying is all internal.

But i like to think he sometimes gives himself 'alone time' to cry.

Soooooooo-

Imagine at the Shoten all the group and his sisters and family, goat-face being a clown that he is wailing all the evening that he and ichigo had their usual family banter but this time was worse, 'cause isshin was wailing about how his kids grew up so fast and he wants to baby them etc etc only for ichigo hurting and scarring inside a little more because it was him since nine who took care of sisters and helped in the neighbourhood to gain some money and stole some from isshin's wallet and it was difficult, it was tough and he doesn't like to remember this, because when he does he's tearing up and isshin wasn't even supposed to be at the shoten today-

So he storms off at some moment with goat face's shouting at how his son is a tsundere in the background.

And everyone just thinks that ichigo needs time to cool off, they saw and heard these acts of 'tough love' several times already only for ichigo not returning even after half an hour. Thus they went to search for him. And of course with his radiating reiatsu it was easier to find him, though urahara and yoruichi were the first to do so, but they were just standing there, staring.

They found him at the riverbank silently shedding tears with his knees up to his chin.

Curling in a ball trying to supress his shaking shoulders and sniffs.

Blinking rapidly to wipe away the tears with the base of his hand.

And his lips were trembling with each shuddered breath-

'Oh,' urahara thought, seeing as the gang caught up to them with various looks of disbelief and fear. 'Isshin, you fool, you utter fool.'

Not that he felt any ounce of sympathy towards his old friend.

Judging by the looks in everyone's eyes and slowly seeping bloodlust in the air as the situation sank in the minds, the man won't be able to even be near orange head in the near future.

(And he would gladly and enthusiastically assist)

No one can make kurosaki ichigo cry and get away with it, as it turned out.

[skania]

Aqua, Akane and their relationship during his "Freedom" period

I know a lot of people dismiss Aqua's words to Akane in Chapter 97 because he wasn't shown being all smiles during their time together, but I think those people forget that Aqua has a very complex, very difficult, very painful rapport with happiness.

He has lived his entire life, be it as Goro or as Aqua, feeling guilty. Goro quite literally felt guilty for existing: he couldn't forgive himself for living at the expense of his mother. This guilt is accompanied by a feeling of powerlessness: he beats himself up because he couldn't do more for Sarina, and as Aqua he blames himself because he couldn't save Ai.

He assigns no worth to his own life. He has panic attacks when he lets himself enjoy things. Even something as innocent as Ruby reminding him of Sarina makes him think that he is unforgivable because he doesn't deserve salvation.

After living this way for so long, it's only natural that he still struggles with allowing himself to be happy during his "Freedom" period.

To make matters worse, this newfound freedom was born from Aqua running away from the truth and from all his issues. Ichigo said so himself, there is no way Aqua didn't notice the loophole. Himekawa literally tells him what age he was when his dad died, some simple math would've automatically let Aqua realize that the timeline didn't add-up.

But Aqua didn't want to realize it. He blinded himself to the truth because Himekawa gave him the escape he has been desperately yearning for since (at least) the TB arc.

Since Aqua didn't actually solve any of his issues and traumas, it's to be expected that they keep weighting down on him throughout that year. After all, healing takes time.

We see this weight very clearly in his dynamic with Kana, since his Ai-related trauma is the biggest factor in him completely avoiding her.

We naturally also see it in his dynamic with Akane.

Three examples come to mind:

Akane tells him that she enjoys being with him. We know for a fact that Aqua is reluctant to part ways with Akane, which means he enjoys being with her too. But he isn't used to letting himself enjoy things. So, how does Aqua react?

His guilt flares up and he focuses on how undeserving he is of her, even trying to convince her (and himself) that their relationship is nothing but a lie.

Something very similar happens here:

Akane tells Aqua that she wants to see him, and Aqua looks torn before admitting that he wants to see her too. It'd be easy to interpret his expression as Aqua feeling guilty because he is about to lie to Akane, specially since this page is followed by a page of Kana crying over him. But I believe it's the opposite.

We see him that very chapter asking Akane about her schedule so they can see each other. This alone shows that Aqua does want to see Akane, and the fact that Akane later says that Aqua has been doing his best not to lie to her confirms Aqua is being truthful when he tells her that he wants to see her soon, too.

So, why does he make that sad face?

I believe it's his guilt flaring up again. Knowing him, I bet that thoughts like these ran through his mind:

Does someone like me really deserve to live a normal relationship like this? Would Akane want to see me if she knew that I'm the reincarnation of Goro Amamiya? It it okay for me to want to see Akane even though I know Kana is hurting because I've been avoiding her?

Still, it's important to notice that we can see the positive effect that time has had on Aqua. During that first example, Aqua tried to put up a wall between him and Akane by claiming that their relationship wasn't real; during the second, he hesitates but ultimately admits that he returns the feeling and wants to see her too.

This trend of Aqua becoming more open with time continues in the last example, which comes precisely from Chapter 97:

Akane confirms that she is glad that she is dating him, that he makes her happy, and Aqua looks utterly caught off-guard, as if the thought of being able to make Akane happy was shocking to him.

His most telling reaction happens right after, though:

Aqua's lips tremble. He looks near tears. Why?

Because to him, who felt like he was underserving of salvation, being with Akane has felt remarkably close to it.

I feel that this moment right here contextualizes all the examples I mentioned before: Akane does make him happy and he doesn't know what to do about it half the time, because he isn't sure if he deserves that happiness at all. But Akane makes him feel like he just might.

And the truth is that he doesn't want to give up on it—on her, because to him his relationship with Akane has become synonym to the happiness that has been eluding him all along.

So I personally can't dismiss his words to her during Chapter 97, because to me they are actually meant to reveal the way Aqua has been feeling all along.

[madmanwonder]

Type prompt crossover

Erza and Yoruichi are fighting with eacj other in order to win over Natsu. While he and Ichigo were just hanging around the bunker drinking and playing cards.

A pair of beautiful but no-doubt-deadly women fight with the sheer overwhelming power and elegance like they are pair of divine goddess-warrior queen warring a rather destructive fight over the fate of one certain person both who they hold dear in their heart.

Erza: *In her Heaven's Wheel Armor) Back off! Natsu is my future husband!

Yoruichi: *In her Shunkō: Raiju Senkei: Shunryū Kokubyō Senki* Don't fool yourself! Natsu deserved a real woman rather than a immature brat

The two love-stuck admirers of Natsu Dragneel let out a loud battle cry as they rush at each other ready to clash once more for the fate of Natsu...and who will be Ms.Dragneel.

X-xx-X

Meanwhile, Ichigo and Natsu were inside the bunker doing nothing else but drinking and playing cards as the bunkle shakes and rumbles from the intense cat-fight between the Queen of Faeries and the Goddess of Flash over their mutal feeling for the Fire Dragon Salamander.

Ichigo: How long do you think they'll be fighting for?

Another explosion rock the foundation of the bunker and Natsu paused as he looked up to the ceiling of the bunker.

Natsu: I would say about...seven hours at most.

[bluemoose86]

Screaming and crying over Bleach because Ichigo, Rukia, and Orihime love each other so fucking much

*At the time of writing this I’ve only watched up to episode 131, so no spoilers please!*

Ichigo always valued Orihime from the beginning. Even though everyone else thinks she’s strange or dim-witted he always placed his trust in her and as long as she’s safe he wants her fighting by his side

When Orihime was almost killed by the Arrancars and Ichigo stepped in to save her and he was like “I promise I’m going to get stronger so next time I won’t let them hurt you” and he was equally as determined to keep his word on that as he was when he decided to rescue Rukia from the Soul Society

Rukia being the only one who could snap Ichigo out of his depression/self doubt at the beginning of the Arrancar arc and knew exactly how to do it

Ichigo and Rukia’s banter. That’s it that’s the tweet

Rukia only thinking of Ichigo’s safety when Byakuya and Renji came to arrest her and begging him to just stay away and forget about her so he will live

Ichigo ignoring her and immediately trying to find a way to save her

Orihime welcoming Rukia with open arms and telling her she belonged in the world of the living with her and the rest of her friends

Rukia (and Chad the icon) being upset that Urahara told Orihime that she couldn’t fight against Aizen and being ready to give him a piece of her mind and Orihime was like “no it’s ok” but Rukia was like “it’s absolutely not????” and she promised to find some way for Orihime to contribute to the battle (that scene was so cute)

Orihime wanting to help Ichigo from the beginning even when she didn’t know what was going on and always following after him when he’s taking care of a Hollow

Ichigo being like “I can’t fight Orihime’s brother” Rukia holding Orihime after Sora passed on

Orihime being jealous of Ichigo and Rukia’s relationship but not wanting to hate Rukia or feel negatively towards her at all because Rukia is her friend and she loves her and she knows Rukia hasn’t done anything to deserve that. I’m really loving how they’re fleshing out Orihime this arc I am here for Orihime character growth

Orihime staying as close to Ichigo as possible while he was fighting Byakuya even though she knew she couldn’t help in the fight and it was dangerous to even be in the area but she just wanted to be near him AND URYU ACKNOWLEDGING HOW MUCH SHE CARES ABOUT HIM AND BEING LIKE “Ichigo you better appreciate her” BYE—

Origime immediately trying to catch Ichigo when he collapsed after the fight ended and him immediately making sure she was ok AND IDR WHAT SHE SAID EXACTLY BUT HIM SAYING THANK YOU TO HER SO SOFTLY AFSUDBSXHDVDH

Just Ichigo always protecting Orihime and her always healing him afterward

When Ichigo disappeared to train with the Visored and Orihime and Rukia were both really worried and searched everywhere for him

Orihime finding him and realizing he’s ok and after she leaves the warehouse she finds Rukia waiting outside but before she can explain Rukia is like “it’s ok, I don’t need to know. I trust him and it’s enough just knowing he’s ok” YOUR HONOR NO ONE DOES BEST FRIENDS LIKE THEM

Ichigo and Orihime both going to the ends of the earth to save Rukia even though neither of them (nor anyone in their group) knew her well but she was their friend damn it and they sure as hell were not going to let the Soul Society execute her without a fight and I know for absolute certainty that if Orihime had been in that position they would’ve risked everything for her too

Rukia telling Ichigo that she wants to stay in the Soul Society and him being like “ok. You should do what you want to do” and him being perfectly happy for her because all he wanted was for her to have a choice in the matter

Rukia and Ichigo’s relationship falls in that limbo area that I really like where it’s almost undefinable but you can tell they really care about each other, whether that’s romantically or platonically. I only see them as best friends and always have but I can also understand why people ship them. Soulmates aren’t always romantic and these two were meant to know each other

And Ichigo and Orihime are really cute! Every moment they have together makes me like them as a couple more and more, especially in this arc where Orihime is getting the narrative attention she deserves

Also shout out to Ichigo and Chad, the true ride-or-die I’ll-always-fight-for-you besties 5ever bc it’s longer than 4

[whump-lover-and-reader]

S - Saigo no Keikan & S: Saigo no Keikan - Dakkan: Recovery of Our Future Whump List

(transl.: "As I thought, you're an awesome sniper.")

Native titles: S（エス)－最後の警官; S-最後の警官- 奪還 RECOVERY OF OUR FUTURE

Synopsis: To fight extreme crimes like terrorism, kidnappings, etc. three 'S' groups were formed: SAT, SIT and the newly formed NPS. Unlike SAT, who only focus on saving the hostages' lives and prioritize public safety over the lives of the criminals, NPS's main goal is to arrest the criminal alive.

Kamikura Ichigo is a former boxer and is the main fighter of NPS. His principle is not to let anyone die no matter what and the only weapon he uses is his fists. Iori Soga is the sniper of SAT, and he thinks criminals deserve death and will not hesitate to kill. Their different views often cause conflicts, but the looming threat of dangerous terrorists necessitate the two teams to work closely together. (Guys I'm sorry there will be no bromance between them :c they actually dislike each other most of the time. Well in the end they kinda warm up to each other but that's not as cool...)

Genre: Cop/Crime, Military, Action

Whumpees: Kamikura Ichigo(left) played by Mukai Osamu and Iori Soga(right) played by Ayano Go

!!Spoliers Below!!

Warning!! Rape mentioned in ep. 5

Kamikura Ichigo

The series

Ep. 01: under heavy gunfire using a shield trying to protect someone, shot in the shoulder(?), lying on the ground exhausted, nearly blown up, protected, saved, passed out, in hospital, threatened with a knife, fought, (flashback: in a boxing match), wrapping a grenade with his body(it didn't blow obv), grabbed by the front of the shirt, crying

Ep. 02: attacked by his co-workers(just for funzies), sort of uncomfortable touching, egg in hand, nearly shot, shot in the back(in the vest)

Ep. 03: going through very extreme training

Ep. 04: targeted by the criminals, shot at, someone catches a bullet for him, disoriented by a flashbang, shot at, feeling guilty

Ep. 05: desperately trying to bring someone back to life by doing cpr, crying

Ep. 06: punched

Ep. 07: running towards a bomb that's about to explode, being near an explosion

Ep. 08: none

Ep. 09: nearly stabbed, taunted by a criminal, his family is threatened, fought, punched, stepped on, at gunpoint, passed out

Ep. 10: concern for him, shot at, holding a really heavy door (I think it's a door but idk), at gunpoint, aiming gun at someone, in explosion

The movie

2:55, 3:40 shot at

36:20 pressed to shoot and kill, devastated

41:25 feeling insecure and guilty

1:08:16, 1:12:03 shot at

1:20:40 shielding someone from grenade explosion, shot at

1:36:16 in an explosion

1:38:30 fought, choked, stepped on, grabs the blade of the knife

1:43:40 fought, straddled, punched in the face repeatedly, choked, struggling to stand up

1:48:30 using himself as a human shield, shot in the back(in the vest), holding a dying person

Iori Soga

The series

Ep. 01: none

Ep. 02: flashbacks, crying, aiming gun at someone

Ep. 03: flashbacks, crying, going through a very extreme training,

Ep. 04: disoriented by a flashbang, shot at

Ep. 05: flashbacks, reveals his sister was raped and killed, emotional, teary-eyed

Ep. 06: alienated by his previous co-workers, flashbacks

Ep. 07-09: none

Ep. 10: shot in the knee, kicked, knocked down, at gunpoint, helped to run, in explosion, helped to walk(or more like dragged)

The movie

None :c

[shadyteacup]

Hello there <3

I hope I’m not bothering you with this request.. May I have a Dazai x Fem!Reader where the reader is getting “joke” comments on her slight overweightedness and like.. it hurts? And Dazai tries his best to comfort his s/o who breaks down in front of him, does his best to show that nothing related to appearance could change his undying love?

The usual comfort/fluff genre, I’d be really so glad but if you can’t/you feel uncomfortable, it’s totally alright, I adore your works ❤️

Hi there, love! I just want you to know that you deserve all the happiness in the world, and that you are beautiful ♡ it took me some time to love myself, but now that I do, I'm unstoppable. Love your body, it's beautiful, no matter what others might say. Give yourself love, because you're worth it!

||Dazai Osamu x fem! Reader|| Tw: slight nsfw (kissing), strong language.

You're Perfect for Me

"Dazai, who's this?" , a tall, beautiful woman asks as she leans against the wall, sipping her champagne.

"This is Y/N! She's my beautiful s/o."

Dazai pecks your cheek and pulls you closer by the waist.

"Oi, Dazai! I've got some people that want to meet you!"

Kunikida called from across the hall.

Dazai excused himself.

The A.D.A was hosting a party for saving the city, yet again. Everyone related to the members, along with people of influence across the globe were invited. The party was being held in a spacious hall, elegant lighting and decor adorning the place.

The woman in front of you was an agent of the government. Since the A.D.A had worked along with the Special Division for Unusual Powers, every agent of theirs was also invited.

"So you're Dazai's woman. I have to say, I was expecting someone.. lankier, considering Dazai's slender form."

She spoke with a smile on her face. It all seemed so innocent, but you could easily pick up on the jab.

You laughed it off.

"Iko! There you are! I've been searching for you."

Another beautiful woman walked over to the two of you.

"And who might this be?", she asked, smiling politely at you.

"That's Dazai's woman. Y/N, meet Ichigo."

You both shook hands.

"Well, you're certainly on the healthy side! Good for you! You must never need sweaters, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you know what I mean. You have a natural layer of protection. You don't need sweaters for the cold."

She said it with a smile, but her words stabbed your heart. You couldn't handle it anymore.

"Excuse me for a second."

You hurriedly walked over to an empty balcony, observing the night sky.

A couple walked in, both a bit tipsy.

"Ah! Hello there! I didn't see you here."

One of them said when they spotted you.

"Kinda hard to miss her, dear. Let's go."

The other said, dragging his boyfriend out.

Your throat felt tight and your eyes stung from the tears that wanted to be set free. Your whole life, you have worked hard to get what you wanted. You still strive to study hard, work hard, and become successful. But nobody seems to acknowledge that. All they see is your overweight body. You didn't mean for it to be like this. You didn't choose your body. You were born with it. So why does everyone comment on it? Why can't they appreciate what you have achieved?

A sob found it's way out of you, and you gripped the railing.

Were you really nothing more than your body? Was there nothing more to you?

You heard footsteps behind you. You tried to stop crying and quickly rubbed your tears away.

"Y/N?", Dazai's voice sounded from the entrance of the balcony.

When you didn't respond, he walked in, and stood next to you.

"I was wondering where you'd gone. What's on your mind?"

He asked, gazing at the moon, failing to notice your tear streaked expression.

"I think.. I think we should break up."

Your broken whisper made Dazai look over at you.

He noticed your dried tears and the redness around your eyes.

"I'm so sorry. Is it something I said? Or did? Please don't cry."

He cupped your cheek. You moved back, avoiding his touch. His heart sank at that.

"No, it's not you. It's just... you deserve better."

You said, looking away from him.

"You're kidding, aren't you?"

Dazai said.

You shook your head.

"No. I'm serious."

Dazai held your hands in his, forcing you to look at him.

"Y/N, you're the best thing that has happened to me. I love you. I don't deserve you. You're the most precious person to exist, and I'd die protecting you. Please, you have to understand, you're the most amazing person. You gave me, a killer, another chance at a happy life."

Your tears were streaming down your face as you tried to get away from him.

"Are you crazy? You're not a killer, Dazai. You might have done some bad things, but you're a good hearted soul. You're so handsome, so charming. You can have any girl you want. So why me? Why would you go for a fat, pathetic woman like me?!"

"Whoa, hold on! Who the fuck thinks you're pathetic? You're fucking awesome, Y/N."

"But I'm not sexy! I'm not like other girls! I'm just chubby, and unattractive and undeserving."

"So what if you're chubby?! You're sexy! You attract me! I can't keep my eyes off you, damnit, I want to take you right here right now! When I saw you in this gown tonight I couldn't wait to ravish you. I wanted to surprise you, but let me tell you, ever since I saw you in this dress, I've been planning to take you home and fuck you senseless. Because that's how mad you drive me. I love you, Y/N. You're the only person that can understand me. I can't live without you. Please don't leave me..."

You gaped at him. He really did love you. He wasn't doing you a favor by being with you. He's with you because he really loves you.

"Are.. are you sure you want me?"

Dazai grabbed your face in his hands and kissed you. He deepened the kiss. The feeling of his tongue against your own was driving you crazy. He pressed you against the railing, not giving you a chance to breathe.

He finally pulled back, panting at you.

"That proof enough?"

Through the daze, you nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll prove it to you as soon as we get home."

Tonight was going to be a long night for the two of you.

[hisame-chan]

So yeah. The new designs dropped and the braincells snapped to work.

A quick sketch with context under the cut.

What if Shiro got separated before the Quincy War and spent the entire time in the Spirit Society?

He was shocked a bit to see Ichigo in the new form when the other was finally brought to their world, and then Ichigo went "Okay, we'll fight if you want to, but let's try to talk this out first, okay..?" and then paused and added "... Zangetsu..?"

And Shiro froze right where he was, because that's the first time the other called him by his real name and was trying to talk to him and hear him out instead of demanding things like literally every time before that.

Meanwhile Ichigo is quietly going 'Holy shit, it worked' in his head.

The idea of him crying is Qwan and BayKay's fault. But boy if it didn't make me think about it all the way through sketching this. Let him be vulnerable for once.

Zan deserved so much better in canon

[m3kuroshirt]

House of Assassins Part Two

Link to Part One

Word Count: 1588

Warnings: None

“Oi, Ichigo, your boyfriend is on the move!” Renji called from where he was sprawled across the couch.

“He’s not my boyfriend!” Ichigo protested, but even so, he rose from his place at the table to take a look out the window. “Looks like he’s going for a walk.” Ichigo had a distant tone to his voice, as if completely unaware how infatuated he sounded. Renji snorted.

“Right. He’s not your boyfriend at all. Sure,” he replied. A bag of chips rustled as he grabbed a handful to munch on. Jinta felt his irritation rise with every crunch that Renji made as he chewed. He gripped his pencil tightly, but didn’t move otherwise. He breathed in through his nose, out through his mouth. This was supposed to be his time with Ichi-nii, but that damn neighbour had interrupted it again. How was he so good at infringing on Jinta’s time with Ichigo when he wasn’t even in the same house as them? There was a muffled yelp and a thud, loud enough that it sounded like Renji hit the floor. Jinta aimed a glare at his math homework.

“Hey what’s wrong? Is the word problem really giving you that much trouble?” a voice asked. Jinta looked up to see Ichigo returning to the table. He let his glare fade into a pout.

“…no.”

Ichigo smirked and ruffled Jinta’s hair. “Then don’t glare so much.” He plopped himself back in the seat next to him. Jinta sighed through his nose. Ichigo chuckled softly. “Alright, let’s start it over again.”

***

Jinta wiped the counter over and over with the towel, not realizing it was already dry. He frowned as he thought more and more about the neighbour Ichigo seemed fascinated with. “Hey, Ururu,” he said abruptly, “what have you heard about Kisuke’s new neighbours?”

“Dad, Jinta. You can call him that, you know,” Ururu responded quietly. She was sweeping the floor. “And I haven’t heard much. Just that Ichigo really likes the blue-haired guy, and the green-haired lady sounds fun.”

“Hmph. I’ll call him ‘dad’ when he deserves it,” Jinta muttered. “And that’s not much information. If I wanted to know something so unspecific I could find that out on my own. I thought you girls talked about things like that. What did you even do with Orihime and Rukia all day?”

The trash can creaked as Ururu opened it to empty the dustpan. “We went shopping. We didn’t talk about the boys much at all, really.” She tapped the dustpan on the side of the garbage can to shake any excess dust and dirt loose. “Why are you so interested, anyway?”

“…Ichigo’s the best big brother. He always helps us and makes sure we’re safe and stuff. Plus, he’s the one who comes to see us the most when we’re at mom’s. Now it’s my turn to make sure he’s the safe one. Gotta make sure that blue-haired weirdo is good enough for him,” Jinta admitted, rubbing more furiously at the counter without realizing what he was doing. Ururu replaced the broom in the little closet behind the kitchen table.

“So, you’ll call Yoruichi ‘mom’, but you won’t call Kisuke ‘dad’?” she asked calmly. She adjusted her hair, brushing it out of her face and tying it up in a long ponytail. “And I think Ichigo is really capable of taking care of himself. At the very least, I don’t think he’d want a child to be the one watching out for him.”

“Mom is mom. And Kisuke is…” Jinta’s voice trailed off, and he realized finally that the countertop was dry. He didn’t finish the sentence but started folding up his towel.

“You know they’re still friends, right?” Ururu’s voice was softer than usual, but not timid. More like…gentle. Comforting. Jinta pursed his lips.

“Doesn’t mean mom doesn’t still cry on their anniversary,” he muttered. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wanna make sure that doesn’t happen to Ichi-nii.” Then he spun around and marched out of the kitchen. Ururu didn’t follow him. She gave a soft, sad smile at her brother’s big heart.

***

It was two in the morning. On a Tuesday. He had work in a few hours. I don’t have time for this bullshit, Grimmjow thought to himself as he stared down the intruder in his kitchen. The intruder, short with flaming red hair and a scowl on his face, glared back at him in silence. Grimmjow rubbed his temples. All he wanted was a glass of water. And when he’d turned on the lights he’d been surprised to find the young boy on his counter, looking through his cupboards.

“You have thirty seconds to start explaining,” he stated, looking the intruder dead in the eyes, “before I call the cops.” The intruder’s eyes widened. He leapt off the counter, hands up in submission.

“Please don’t! Don’t call the cops, I didn’t take anything, I swear!” the intruder babbled, and Grimmjow felt himself wince internally. The kid sounded even younger than he looked. Grimmjow sighed and pulled out a chair to sit in it. He gestured to one of the other chairs and the young intruder hesitantly sat in it.

“Talk.” It was a command, not an option.

“…I just wanted to see why Ichi-nii is so interested in you,” the young boy muttered. He tugged at his red hair nervously, eyes downcast. Grimmjow narrowed his eyes.

“…who?”

At that, the boy looked up. “Ichigo. The neighbour?”

Grimmjow blinked. “Uh. Who are you? How do you know Ichigo? And why do you care what he thinks of me?” he asked, feeling a little annoyed that he still didn’t know what exactly was going on.

“…’m name’s Jinta. He’s my older brother! Well…step-brother. Sort of,” Jinta admitted. He kicked his legs, eyes back on the floor. “He’s a good person.” Then he aimed a glare at Grimmjow, body suddenly tensing as if ready to attack. “And I’m here to make sure you’re actually good enough for him and won’t hurt ‘im!” The declaration was a bit loud in the silence, and they both paused afterward, listening. No sounds came from above so Grimmjow assumed Nel was still asleep in her room.

With a roll of his eyes, he replied, “what, so you investigate all your brother’s friends like this?” Jinta shook his head.

“No, you dummy! He doesn’t wanna be your friend?”

“Hah?” Grimmjow could feel his irritation growing with every contradictory word the boy spoke. Until…

“He wants to date you!” As soon as the words were out, Jinta slapped both hands over his mouth, eyes wide. Grimmjow froze, eyes also wide, brain whirring and spinning but not actually producing any thought beyond ‘Ichigo’ and ‘date’. Sure, he’d noticed how pretty the other man was, had admired his strength when he assisted Grimmjow and Nel with moving in, and thought he was pretty chill on the few occasions they’d talked since. But…he’d never thought the other was interested in him. And now that the truth was out there…well now he found himself strangely drawn to the idea.

Sounds of sobbing brought him back to reality. “Please…Please don’t tell him I told you! Please act like you don’t know! I…He…he’ll be so sad if you stop talking to him because of this, and…and…and I don’t wanna make Ichigo sad! Please!”

“Woah, calm down…Jinta, right? Relax, I won’t, uh, won’t tell him anything, ok?” Grimmjow tried to soothe. Jinta’s sobs quieted and he sniffled.

“Promise?”

“Yeah. I promise.” Grimmjow looked over at the clock above the stove. “You really should go home now, ok? I can walk you over.” Jinta shook his head.

“No, we’ll get caught and I don’t have a good enough story for Kisuke to believe me,” he replied. He wiped his tears and snot on his sleeve. “I’ll climb back over the fence and go in through the basement window. Ururu’s there, she’ll let me in.” Grimmjow raised his eyebrows.

“If you’re sure, then.”

Jinta nodded. “Yeah, I’ve snuck out loads of times. I know what I’m doing.”

Grimmjow opted to keep from pointing out that Jinta had been caught this time. Instead, he just nodded and watched the boy as he left the house, scaled the fence, and dropped down on the other side. He couldn’t see anything more due to the fence in the backyard, but he hoped the boy made it inside as easily as he claimed. With a sigh, he ran a hand through his blue hair and turned to get what he originally came to the kitchen for: a glass of water.

Water acquired and drank, Grimmjow returned to his bed. Only to lay and stare up at the ceiling, replaying the strange meeting in his head. Or rather, one particular sentence. ‘He wants to date you’. Usually, Grimmjow wouldn’t think too hard about those kinds of things, but Ichigo seemed to be different from other people. He didn’t shy away when Grimmjow was gruff. When he helped them move, he took just as much physical work as Grimmjow did. He was strong. He was friendly. He had a smile as brilliant as the sun.

So, this time, Grimmjow let himself fantasize. In the gentle moonlight, it was easy to imagine things. He let his mind wander, wondering what it would be like to date Ichigo, to hold his hand, put his arms around the other. A soft warmth grew in his chest and he couldn’t stop the smile that stole across his face.

[brokenangelwings22]

Here's probably my only entry for IHweek. I've finally returned to writing. This is an excerpt from chapter 2 of my story Come Back Down to Earth. You can read the first chapter either on AO3 or FanFiction

Confession (IHweek 7/4) Please enjoy!

Chapter 2: Crawled In and Never Left

Give me the chance to tonight

I'll prove to you what's in my eyes

(It’s My Turn To Fly - The Urge - Titan AE soundtrack 2000)

Ichigo considered himself a reasonable man, but his patience was growing thin with his roommate.

“C’mon, man! You had a solid chance with Hime last night!” Renji pleaded with him. “Why are you so obtuse?”

“That’s an awfully big word for you.” Ichigo rolled his eyes at his friend. “Ever think of taking your own advice with Rukia?”

Renji let out a long suffering sigh. “You’re both hopeless, and therefore perfect for each other.”

“I’m perfectly happy with how things are with Hime. I don’t want to chance it.”

Renji pulled out a box of pretzel sticks from the cupboard. He fixed a concerned look on his face, and the seriousness unnerved Ichigo.

“Look. I’m not gonna force you. Even if I think you’re absolutely nuts not to. I will, however, point out that you’re an idiot for not telling her how you feel.” Renji pulled out a piece of pretzel and pointed it at Ichigo to emphasize his thought. “You’re gonna lose her one day if you continue to be ridiculous.”

Ichigo narrowed his eyes as his scowl persisted. “You think I am not aware of that?”

Renji placed the stick between his teeth and grinned toothily. “Yup!”

A sleepy noise came from behind the two men just as Ichigo opened his mouth to snap at his friend.

“Mm morning guys,” Orihime yawned as she stepped into the kitchen. “Any coffee? It’s too early.”

“Sorry Hime. Were we too loud?” Ichigo asked, his previous scowl morphing to something more kind.

“No,” she murmured. Her voice was still thick with sleep. She stumbled a little, bumping into Ichigo. “Oh hi wall. You smell nice.” Orihime leaned into his chest and snuggled him.

There was a strangled sound from Renji as he watched the young woman wrap her arms loosely around Ichigo’s waist. Instinctively, Ichigo wrapped his arms around her to steady her.

“Renji,” Ichigo said softly as to not disturb Orihime. “Please brew some coffee for her.”

“Jeez if I had known that Hime could instantly dissolve your sour mood with an embrace, I’d handcuff you both together.” Renji grumbled and shook his head, walking over to the coffeemaker on the counter.

Ichigo hummed a distracted acknowledgement as he idly stroked Orihime’s long auburn hair. She snuggled into his broad chest further. “Thanks. I’ll move her back to her room.” He was already moving towards the living room as he heard Renji’s snarky reply.

“Oh take your time. I’m merely here to serve.”

~*~*~*~

Ichigo sighed heavily as he stepped out from Orihime’s room and shut the door behind him quietly. He turned to walk down the short hallway, only to stop dead in his tracks when he saw his two friends standing a few feet away with evil grins on their faces. Squaring his shoulders and fixing a glare at Renji and Rukia, he taunted “Don’t you both have something better to do? Like, absolutely anything?”

Rukia’s grin sharpened further. “Nah, we’re more interested in heckling you.”

Ichigo grumbled, raking his fingers through his unruly hair. “Yeah yeah. You’re both insufferable.”

He flicked Rukia’s forehead and smacked Renji’s upper back swiftly as he moved to leave.

Rukia’s retort was loud as she declared, “And YOU are the annoying brother I never asked for and yet somehow got!”

Renji’s muttering was barely noticeable under the small woman’s rage. “C’mon, Rukia. Let’s leave him be.”

Ichigo rolled his eyes, stepping around the ornery woman and made his way to the kitchen. Of course, Renji was right. It annoyed him to no end that he hadn’t spoken with Orihime about how he felt towards her. Hell, if he were being honest, he knew that he was in love with her at first sight.

She’d stumbled into his dad’s clinic, buckling under the weight of her brother’s prone body. This girl, only 12 at the time, carried her six foot and change older brother from the scene of the car accident all the way there. She was battered and bruised from the wreckage too. It broke him to his very soul when he had to tell her that his father was unable to save Orihime’s brother. The ambulance Isshin had called to rush him to the trauma ward of the hospital had simply not gotten there in enough time.

He did his best to console Orihime, who collapsed in a heap on the clinic floor. Her clothes were soiled with dirt and caked in her brother’s blood.

Yuzu had entered the room, and with a kind and understanding voice, ushered the broken girl to the bathroom to wash up. Orihime stayed at his house for several days, mostly walking around with mechanical movements, much like a zombie or a robot, just going through the motions of a semblance of normalcy. At night she’d cry herself to sleep. Ichigo stayed by her side when she was awake, and would help her to bed when she could barely stay up right.

Slowly, but surely, Orihime processed the loss of her brother. Ichigo stuck to her like glue, promising her and to himself that he would always be there to protect her. Orihime professed her gratitude to him soon after she moved back to her apartment, telling him that she was eternally grateful for everything he had done. As time went on, they became inseparable. They went to the same middle school and then high school, which introduced them to new friends that they quickly established into a tight-knit group.

Orihime had grown up beautifully. Her smile, warm and bright, had the ability to render him speechless and lightheaded. He felt invincible and vulnerable all at once. Far too many times, their friends would catch him when he was slack-jawed and mindless, teasing him mercilessly when Orihime wasn’t looking.

He began calling her ‘Hime’ their senior year. He hadn’t meant to, but it just slipped out. She had been followed by a group of boys who often flocked around her, taken by her beauty and her curvaceous body. One of them had ventured to put a hand on her shoulder without permission and Ichigo had snapped. Any restraint he had frayed instantly and before he understood what was happening, he had slammed the cretin against the wall and threatened him.

“You don’t touch women without consent, especially Hime.” He growled at the other guy, clenching the offending limb.

Orihime had called his name softly, telling Ichigo to let the man go, and he had simultaneously dropped him and her request. Ichigo made it a point to be by her side every chance he had. To protect her, love her from a distance if need be. It was enough, at that time.

But once Ichigo, Orihime and their friends entered university, the strain to keep a tight seal over his feelings became increasingly more difficult. His best friend flourished in academics and her social life expanded to include other people outside of their small group. With that also came obstacles, and Ichigo had to fend off more than a few of Orihime’s admirers.

Ichigo gripped the handle of the carafe of coffee angrily at the memory. The steam and scent of the hot brew brought him back to the present. He sighed after loosening his grip and poured two cups, adding cream and sugar to Orihime’s.

Soft footfalls behind him reached his ears, along with a quiet yawn. A grin spread on his lips as Orihime came into view.

Orihime blinked away the remnants of sleep from her eyes, smiling brightly at Ichigo when he offered her the cup he’d gotten for her.

Taking a big sip, she sighed happily. “Thanks, Ichigo. You always know how to make my coffee just how I like it.”

Ichigo smiled gently at her, shrugging his broad shoulders. “Well, after knowing you for ten years, I’d like to think I know you well enough to get your preferences right.”

Orihime giggled and gazed up at him from behind the mug pressed to her lips. “You do, and I’m grateful for that. Lord knows why Rukia insists on adding extra sugar and Tatsuki puts in too little cream. You are a hero among men, good sir.”

Ichigo’s smile widened at Orihime’s playfulness. “I try my best, m’lady.”

“Where are Rukia and Renji?” Orihime asked as she looked around the kitchen.

“Don’t know. Don’t care. Hopefully somewhere off annoying someone else more deserving.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

Orihime snorted bemusedly, shaking her head in disbelief as he tried to sound convincingly bored and grumpy. She raised her hand to place it on his right cheek in a fond manner.

“What am I going to do with you?” Her question came out more flirtatious than she intended.

Ichigo’s eyes widened at her sweet gesture and instantly leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and revelling in it. He had never realized how touch starved he truly was until Orihime would step into his personal space with her warm smile and kind gaze. It was as if that one thing, a fleeting brush of her fingers, or a soothing embrace had the ability to heal his wounded heart or eradicate any scar left on his soul.

Losing his mother at such a young age had made him a hardened and angry child. He blamed himself for her death, believing that if he had done something, spent more time with her, taken care of her and his sisters more, that she may very well have recovered from cancer. But his father had explained to him many times that the disease was caught too late, and the malignancy had metastasized from her cervix to her uterus and ovaries very quickly. Ichigo was still struggling with the loss of his mother two years later, when Orihime stumbled into their clinic with her brother.

He’d figured that no matter how miserable and heart wrenching it was, he had found purpose in consoling Orihime. It gave him unbelievable strength to bond with her over the loss. Helping her ultimately helped him as well in the end. The desire to be with her only grew. It had crawled in and never left. He’d become greedy for it, overthrown by his desperation to be close to the light that was Orihime.

She continued to lightly graze his cheekbone with soft brushes against him, her warm fingers causing pleasant tingles on his skin.

Orihime cupped the side of his face as she watched in awe how he was drawn to her touch, feeling the soft smile that pulled at his lips. When he raised his hand to place it over hers, she felt herself being pulled by an invisible force, almost magnetic. He had always been like that, and she adored being the one that he let in entirely. She stroked his cheek and began to pull her palm away until he held fast to her. His eyes fluttered open, and the look he had in them made the breath catch in her throat.

“Ichi-“ she murmured breathlessly.

The raw emotion that flashed in his dark amber gaze made her spine tingle, her heart stutter and her cheeks warm. He had the ability to render her tongue-tied with the flicker of something deep and foreign to her. Ichigo pulled her into his arms, finally allowing her hand to move, and she found herself slipping it to the back of his neck and burying her fingers into his soft hair. He wrapped his arms about her, pulling her to his lean, muscular body and sighed happily as Orihime sifted her fingers through his hair, scratching at his scalp comfortingly.

Orihime pressed her ear over his heart, as he towered over her five foot one frame. The thumping, strong sound of it beating quieted her mind immediately. He slid his hands up and down her back, and she felt herself melt into it.

“I… I just need this, Hime.” Ichigo’s whisper filtered into her ear as he pressed his lips to her temple, sending a shiver through her body. Though quiet, she heard the fervency in his tone. She nodded against him, continuing her movements through his hair. She felt him shudder in their embrace and the breathless ‘thank you’ that he uttered.

“Were you thinking about something?” Orihime whispered back, her eyebrows drawing inwards as the possibility fluttered through her mind.

Ichigo nodded, letting out a stuttering sigh. “Yeah. Don’t worry about it. I’m better now.”

She hummed thoughtfully at his response, resigning herself to his simple answer. She wouldn’t push him further.

Finally Ichigo pulled back from her to look her in the eyes. His gaze was still intense, as it flickered with what she could only identify as resolve and something far much more akin to what she assumed she wore as an expression often in his presence. It made her heart skip a beat and her mind to race at the possibilities.

“Hime,” he murmured. The way he said her name was like an urgent plea. It caused her stomach to swoop down like she was on an out of control rollercoaster. She waited on baited breath as he gathered his thoughts.

Ichigo’s mind was restless. His need to put into words how he felt about her, loved her, desired her rushed through and permeated the recesses of his brain. He should’ve been used to the intensity of it by now, but he most certainly wasn’t. The way she watched him gave him strength to form the words, stilling the overbearing thoughts warring to leave his mouth.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispered. His simple response was anything but, knowing deep down that this could make or break their friendship. The smile she gave him nearly shut down his brain entirely.

“What took you so long?” Orihime breathed before Ichigo’s mouth was on hers, his lips holding nothing back as kissed her with all the desperation and hunger of a man starved. The radiating joy splashed over the burning desire thundering through his veins.

Orihime parted her lips as she let out a sound that would’ve embarrassed her outside of this situation. Instead, she felt exhilarated to an immeasurable degree. Her body quaked at the reverence and pure heat he poured into it. It was as if the dam of years of keeping everything bottled up in fear of losing each other burst and flooded them all at once.

She clenched her fingers in his hair as he delved his tongue into her mouth. Orihime felt her body fight between melting and being drawn taught, like a string on a bow. Ichigo’s hands slid down to her hips, flexing and gripping at her flannel pajama pants and flesh. She angled her head when he held her firmly, seeking out his tongue with her own.

Ichigo was quickly lost in the taste of her skin, the sounds she made and the feel of her. His nerve endings felt like they had caught fire. It was a sensory overload in everything Orihime. If he didn’t think he was greedy before, he certainly was now.

~~~(TBC)~~~

I certainly hope you all liked this! I should have the chapter finished bit up fairly soon. Thanks so much for reading!

Also— I’m uncertain why this isn’t showing up in the tags, so I’ll try it again.

[recurring-polynya]

@iz-stardust is a lovely person and a wonderful artist and I wanted to write her a little present based on this adorable drawing she did. I hope you like it, friend!

Adventures in Babysitting | ao3 | ff.net |

Summary:  When Byakuya is stuck on emergency babysitting duty, he gets an assist from Squad 10.

Starring: Toushirou, Rangiku, Byakuya, and one cranky Ichika.

Ships: Friendships as far as the eye can see!!!

Rating: General audiences, can you believe it?!? You should probably brush your teeth afterwards, tho.

❄️   🐱   🌸   🐰 

“Sir! Captain Kuchiki and, er, a guest are here to see you!”

Toushirou looked up the mission report he had been reviewing. In general, it was pretty unlikely for another captain to just drop by, and it seemed doubly unlikely for Byakuya, of all people, to do so. “Matsumoto!” he barked. “You didn’t schedule an appointment with Captain Kuchiki and then forget to tell me about it, did you?”

“Oh, Captain!” Matsumoto pouted. “You know Renji makes all of Captain Kuchiki’s appointments for him, and he would never trust me to remember something like that.”

This was very true.

“See him in!” Toushirou waved at his waiting Seventh Seat. “Try to look busy, Matsumoto!”

“I am busy!” Matsumoto gestured at the catalog in front of her. “We got budget approval for new office chairs, and I’m trying to pick out the best ones. Your hiney is going to thank me.”

“I will thank you to never mention my hiney again, Matsu-- greetings, Captain Kuchiki!”

Byakuya looked… haggard. His face was pale, his eyes shadowed by dark circles. His hair was gathered in a rather sloppy ponytail, rather than falling in it’s usual glossy waterfall. He kept shifting from one foot to the other in a semi-rhythmic fashion. There didn’t seem to be any blood on him, but there was a large, lumpy bundle strapped to his chest, and some sort of duffel slung across his back. Had he just returned from a harrowing mission to Hueco Mundo, perhaps?

“Hello, Captain Hitsugaya,” he said, his voice ragged with exhaustion. “I need to ask an important favor.”

“Are you all right?” Toushirou asked, jumping to his feet. “You look like you need to sit down.”

“No, no, I must remain standing.” Kuchiki excused. “As you know, I was supposed to lead the meeting of the Gotei Transparency Improvement Documentation Standards committee this afternoon, but it seems I will not be able to attend. I was hoping that, as co-chair, you would be able to take my place. I am most apologetic, and I swear, on my honor as a Kuchiki, that I will make it up to you.” An angry squall erupted from the cloth wrapped around his chest, and Kuchiki’s hand immediately moved to pat it reassuringly.

“Do you have Ichika?!” Matsumoto squealed, her eyes filling with glittering hearts and stars.

“Er, yes,” Kuchiki mumbled. “It is very unusual, of course, for Renji and Rukia to be called away together, but Kurosaki Ichigo specifically requested their assistance, and obviously, all of Soul Society owes him a great debt, so...” He trailed off in a most un-Byakuya-like fashion.

“Of course I can handle the meeting,” Toushirou reassured briskly, although he had to raise his voice to be heard over the crying, which was steadily increasing in volume. “Do you need… help… with the other matter?”

Kuchiki made a troubled face. “I had thought that my staff at the manor would be able to assist, but Ichika seemed extremely agitated to be left in their care. Strangely enough, being attached to my person is the only thing that seems to placate her. Even so, she becomes angry if I sit down or stop this infernal swaying motion.”

“Well, of course!” Matsumoto scolded. “She doesn’t know those people! You’re her special uncle! But she’s probably bored from being in that thing. Take her out and let her have a little playtime with Auntie Rangiku!”

Byakuya’s face went stiff, and his eyes narrowed judgmentally. For a moment, Toushirou feared that Byakuya was going to take issue with the non-biological nature of Rangiku’s aunthood, although he knew for a fact that Abarai and Kuchiki subscribed to the Rukongai idea of “the more aunties the better.” He, himself, had respectfully turned down a similar honorarium, although he had been secretly touched by the offer. (Momo still insisted on referring to him as ‘Uncle Shirou’ in the baby’s presence. He found that much less touching).

Rangiku, for her part, was regarding Byakuya with a look, just daring him to try it.

People, namely Rukia, kept insisting that Byakuya considered Toushirou to be his friend, but Toushirou had his doubts. Sure, they played shogi regularly, and Toushirou seemed to be the only person outside of Renji and Rukia that Byakuya ever texted, but it’s not like Toushirou really knew the guy. And yet, as he watched Byakuya’s face, he realized, like a bolt of thunder, that he recognized an emotion. He was suddenly certain, down to the marrow of his bones, that Rukia had given her brother a stern talking to on this very topic.

A few moments of obvious internal struggle went by, and then Byakuya blew a small puff of air out of his nose, and began extracting the baby from her wrappings. “I wish you luck,” he declared grimly.

Rangiku hopped up from her desk and danced over to Byakuya’s side. As the cool air hit Ichika’s face, her crying slowed, and she began to look around.

“Hello, baby!” Matsumoto trilled. Toushirou could tell she was dying to snatch the baby from Byakuya’s arms, but was holding herself back until Ichika was ready.

Ichika looked up into Byakuya’s face, her violet eyes wide and uncertain. Then she looked to Rangiku again. Then Byakuya again.

“These are the offices of Squad Ten,” Byakuya explained. “I believe you have been here before. We are guests, so you must be on your best behavior.”

Ichika looked back over at Rangiku, who was hiding the lower half of her face with her scarf. “Peekaboo!” she exclaimed, flinging the scarf away.

Ichika squealed and lunged for Rangiku (or possibly her scarf), nearly knocking Byakuya off his feet.

“Ha ha!” Matsumoto sang, spinning Ichika around. “There’s my happy girl!”

Byakuya’s entire body slumped with relief, like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

“You should sit down,” Toushirou suggested, pulling his chair around. “I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

Byakuya sank gratefully into the chair and didn’t even ask any pointed questions about the tea, which is how Toushirou knew that he must be completely exhausted.

Rangiku plopped down on one of the office couches, Ichika in her lap. She dropped her scarf over the baby’s head and tickled her nose with it as Ichika laughed and laughed.

Toushirou wasn’t exactly envious of his lieutenant’s way with people, big and small, but he was grateful for it. Rangiku did friendship so easily-- ironing out disputes between squad members, throwing a birthday bash for a friend-of-a-friend-of-friend, charming cranky babies-- and yet, watching her work her magic only made him feel more special to be part of her inner circle, that she’d seen something in that scrawny kid, so hesitant to stand up for himself that long ago day in Junrinan.

“Her attention span doesn’t last very long,” Rangiku said in a sing-songy voice. “We should have a series of fun ideas lined up!”

Byakuya perked up, and unloaded the bag from his shoulder. He seemed to have forgotten it was there. “I have her Seaweed Ambassador!” he offered helpfully, pulling a stuffed…creature from the bag. “Although it did not produce the desired reaction earlier.”

“Oh, I know!” Rangiku suggested. “Have you ever seen Rukia and Renji do the ‘Big Mommy, Little Daddy’ game?”

“The what?” Byakuya and Toushirou replied in unison.

“It’s so cute! Rukia gets on a chair and makes a big deal about how she’s so tall, and Renji stands on his knees and talks about how short he is. Ichika loves it, don’t you, Ichika!”

Ichika stretched her hands above her head and blew an enthusiastic raspberry.

Matsumoto looked meaningfully at Toushirou. Then Byakuya. Then back to Toushirou.

“No,” Toushirou growled, pointing his finger at Rangiku. “It would be very-- I would-- Just, no.”

“Absolutely not,” Byakuya agreed. “Categorically not.”

Rangiku stuck out her lower lip. “You two are no fun.” She turned her attention back to her tiny charge. “Ichika, are these your toes? I didn’t know you had toes! Let me see!”

Toushirou busied himself with the tea. This, unfortunately, was also classic Matsumoto, trying to draw him into her nonsense. As if even a baby could mistake himself and Byakuya for a pair of loud, dramatic dumbasses like Renji and Rukia. No, the best thing he could possibly do is help Kuchiki get his nerves back together. Children didn’t like Toushirou. Even when he was a child himself, other children hadn’t liked him. Ghost children liked him sometimes, but that was different.

Toushirou decided that Kuchiki deserved the good gyokuro, the stuff he himself only indulged in when Matsumoto was being particularly taxing. It seemed appropriate. He let his mind clear a little so that Hyourinmaru could get the water to the perfect temperature. Hyourinmaru loved the ceremony of even a casual workday tea break. You are a kind friend, his zanpakutou rumbled in his head. Senbonzakura will appreciate this gesture. Hyourinmaru had a hard time telling the difference between Byakuya and Senbonzakura sometimes, and Toushirou had given up trying to correct him.

A memory suddenly popped into Toushirou’s head. A little ghost boy who hadn’t passed over to Soul Society because he was waiting to see the first snowfall. Toushirou had been hesitant to use his zanpakutou for such a frivolous reason, but Hyourinmaru hadn’t seemed to mind, in the end. An idea began to crystalize in his mind.

“Oh, no, baby, what’s the matter?” Matsumoto was exclaiming. “What is this sad face? Is it time to get up? Do you want Auntie Rangiku to walk with you?” Ichika had started to make little fussy noises again.

Toushirou pressed a fragrant cup of tea into Byakuya’s hand as he passed on his way over to the couch. He cleared his throat, and Ichika turned her tiny face up to his. “Hey, Ichika,” he said. “Check this out.” He opened his hand to reveal a tiny, sparkling ice sculpture in the shape of a snowman adorned with rabbit ears. Ichika’s eyes widened, and she waved her arms at it. She would have fallen off of Matsumoto’s lap, if it weren’t for his lieutenant’s quick reflexes.

“How cute, Captain!” Matsumoto cried. “Oh, lucky you, Ichika! Captain made that beautifully bunny just for you! He wouldn’t do that for just anyone, you know.”

“You can touch it,” Toushirou said, crouching a little and holding his hand out. Maybe she would be interested in the feel of the ice.

“She will likely ruin it,” Byakuya warned.

“That’s okay. I made it for her.”

Byakuya took a deep inhale of his tea steam. “It is just like you,” he opined, “to put as much care into an amusement for an infant as you would into a great work of art.”

Toushirou’s ears burned, but Matsumoto just laughed. “You are so right, Captain Kuchiki! Classic Captain Hitsugaya, am I right?”

“Yes,” Byakuya agreed. “Classic Captain Hitsugaya.” He took a sip of the tea. “Truly, this tea is returning me from the brink of death. I thank you.”

“Well, I do expect you to take this baby away eventually,” Toushirou tried to grumble. It was hard to get properly grumpy when Ichika was patting his ice bunny with her fat little hands and smiling a big, gummy grin. Suddenly, she stretched her arms out toward him, and made a little whimpery sound. “Sorry, this is the only one I have,” he said.

“I think she wants you to hold her,” Matsumoto suggested.

“She is mistaken,” Toushirou replied.

“Hmmm,” said Byakuya.

“I heard that! Don’t you ‘hmmm’ over there!” Toushirou snapped.

“Abarai has conjectured that Ichika is able to identify Rukia and himself by their reiatsu.”

“Stop.”

“That would be nonsense, obviously, except that she is a Kuchiki, so she is, of course, exceptional in every way.”

Matsumoto’s eyes went wide with delight. “Do you think she thinks Captain is Rukia?”

Toushirou winced.

“Of course not.”

Toushirou blew out a sigh of relief.

“I was only suggesting that he reminds her of Rukia. Because of the cold nature of--”

“Yes, yes, we get it!” Toushirou snapped.

“Oh, Captain,” Matsumoto made a frowny face at him, as Ichika’s face started to screw up in preparation for a full-throated Abarai howl.

“Fine, fine!” Toushirou sighed, handing the ice rabbit over to Rangiku before hefting Ichika up onto his hip. “There. You’re up. You happy now?”

Ichika leaned her head into his side, and patted his chest, making a comforting little cooing noise.

A high-pitched noise came out of Matsumoto, and she clapped her hands over her mouth. “You got a hug!”

“She has just started doing that,” Byakuya informed them grandly. “I, myself, have received several. It is adorable, is it not?”

Toushirou pointedly avoided looking at Matsumoto’s face, which was probably dissolving. Instead, he looked down at the sticky little gremlin who had her cheek pressed into his haori. “Yeah,” he admitted. “It’s pretty great.”

[ichirukilover]

Ok, Ichiruki family/baby sceniro❤️

Rukia goes into labor with their first child.

Ichigo is there(of course) and comforts her and tries to sooth her, even when she is annoyed and lowkey cussing him out, but he just lets her have it because all he wants to do is comfort her and see his child.

Rukia gives birth to a baby boy and they are of course a mess of emotions filled with happiness and joy. Ichigo can’t get enough of the sight before him, his wife sweaty and teary eyed with a wailing baby boy resting in between her breasts. Rukia is crying of course. But they are extremely happy and they deserve to be happy damnit.

😭🥺❤️

[kuronanox]

Something there - Renji Abarai

"It hurts right? You like her but she likes someone else." (Your Name) says as her and Renji walk behind Ichigo and Rukia as the two argued about something stupid they saw.

"No no!" He fluster back as she smirks and walks ahead of him.

Renji looks down when they walked ahead and sadly smile. She was right though. He always had a crush on Rukia but he knew her love was somewhere else out of his reach.

"I hate that your always right."

Even after years of being friends with Renji he never looked at her the way he did with Rukia. She was beautiful and enchanting, something she was not.

Sighing she laid on her barrack floor thinking about all the good memories they shared together. Renji was a goofy tsundere, a hopeless man.

She long for his touch and comfort but they were nothing but friends.

A soft knock came from outside as she covered her robe more and opened it slowly to see a familiar red head.

"What's up?" She says as he walks in with a bottle of sake and sit on the ground roughly.

"What's going on? You depressed again?!"

Renji shakes his head and pours her a shot and grins. "A little bird told me you had a rough day and was crying." He tells her as she rolls her eyes. "Hinamori!"

She sits across him in silence eyeing him and then takes the shot slamming it down on the table.

His eyes widen a bit as he chuckles and brings both hands up. "Woah woah someone did have a rough day."

"Oh hush don't act like you don't!" She bite back and looks away pouring a bit. "You know I'm an raging alcoholic aside from Kira."

Renji looks back at all the times he's drank with Kira and he sweats a bit understanding the dude did get drunk all the time when they go out.

"So what happen? I can be a listening ear."

"Nothing much just a few petty argument with some squad members and contemplating my life's decision."

Renji nodds his head and pours her another shot as she drank most the bottle ranting about her problems and how she needed a break from everything.

"Do you think it's best to cut off people in your life?" She then ask him with tiny eyes and a pink face. The alcohol kicking in as she was half drunk and half tipsy not thinking straight.

"Well last time I tried to we came back together." He laughs thinking back about Rukia's execution.

"She's beautiful and strong, she's independent and cute. I wish I could be her." (Your Name) sighs laying on the floor looking up on the ceiling feeling a bit sorry for herself.

"Ahh don't say that! You have your strong features too!" Renji defends as she laughs bitterly.

"She has everything...even him."

There was silence before Renji plopped up with widen eyes.

"You like Ichigo?! Oh god! Why him out of all people! Jesus (Your Name) I thought you had taste!"

Renji took 2 shots to that and shakes his head.

"Not him stupid." She says and leans on her elbow yawning as he blushes a bit.

"Kuchiki taicho! Hey hey I know he's a good looking man but that's her brother."

(Your Name) groans out loud and rolls her eyes. "Why is he so stupid?"

"Anyways! Your wrong."

There was a long silence between the two before he covers his face and blushes a bit falling onto the floor. "Me?!"

"Bingo! But hey this doesn't change our friendship. Don't think I'm sad about it. Even though I am." She closes her eyes letting the world spin around her.

"I'm so sorry I didn't know you felt that way. I wouldn't have made you feel this way." He apologizes ashamed he told her about his love life and how miserable he was.

"I mean it's cool, we are both struggling at something right." She shrugs and pours the sake bottle that happen to be empty now and she grits her teeth slapping it on the side.

"(Your Name) why didn't you tell me!"

"Because would that change anything? Would that change your heart to open up to me? To love me? No!" She yelled at Renji as her body trembled a bit looming over him with hurt eyes.

She places her hands on her hips after because it was silent in the room now. "It's getting late. Maybe you should go home now."

"Wait let me-"

"Just leave for now I'm not sober. I don't wanna say or do something I will regret."

Renji cleans the mess they made before leaving her barracks. "Good night (Your Name)."

She avoided all contact with Renji the past week and stayed away from the 6th squad as much as possible. "I can't believe I confessed to him! Ugh how stupid can I be!"

Kicking the floor she looked up to see Byakuya standing infront of her. "Kuchiki taicho!" She stampers as he nods his head.

"My lieutenant has been feeling down lately, please fix him it's affecting his work ethic."

She looks down embarrassed that the noble man could see that she had feelings for his lieutenant the whole time. "I'm sorry I don't know what you're talking about."

Byakuya doesn't say one word and walks past her as she gasp for air afraid of the nobles man presence.

Renji lays on the grass looking up to the sky, he truly felt bad for (Your Name) he always thought they were best friends and she was only being nice and felt sorry for him.

Renji knew she was an attractive women and he had only laid eyes on one women in his life. He was very closed minded but he knew he had options but never did he think it was one he would actually see a future with.

Yes he loved Rukia but he knew the longer he kept his heart there he would never feel happy and satisfied. She had her love for someone else.

Renji knew it was time to move on but he didn't want (Your Name) to feel like an second option.

"Ugh!" He yells frustrated with himself.

"Renji?"

He looks up to see (Your Name) her hair was flowing in the wind as she gave him a small smile.

"(Your Name)!" He says and sits up as she took her place besides him.

"You've been feeling down?"

"Not really."

She raised a brow and he looks away flustered that she knew his feelings from the start.

"That's not what I heard from Kuchiki Taicho."

"Oh great he basically snitched on me."

(Your Name) pokes his cheek and laughs a bit before turning away and getting up. "Whenever you're ready to answer me I'll be waiting."

Renji looks up and grabs her hand before she could leave. "I have my answer. I do like you a lot but please forgive me if it seems like you are an second options because you aren't. I just didn't think you would be into me like this."

Slapping his head he stands up and hunches over her. "Why did you hit me?!"

"Because can't you see nothing is wrong with you! Anyone would be dumb not to like you!" She argues back as he chuckles and brings her into a hug.

"I don't think I deserve you."

"You don't but I like you so you're lucky!"

Renji grins slowly letting go of the past and moving on with the future. It was always easy with (Your Name) she was sassy but also kind and easy going.

"You're going to be the death of me."

She smirks and brings him into a head lock walking out of the fields. "Where are we going?!"

"To drink and celebrate our success to a future of happiness!"

Renji smiles and unlocks himself holding his hand with hers before letting her take the lead.

"Let's celebrate then!" He cheers.

(Author note: short story, nothing serious! Who should I write next?)

[toukenramblings]

Child Saniwa: Azuki Nagamitsu, Ichigo Hitofuri, Horikawa Kunihiro

Ah shit y’all, back at it again with the memes. Thank you for requestin, love~!

Azuki Nagamitsu

“I am pleased to meet you, my name is Azuki Nagamitsu...”

“....”

Azuki takes one goddamn look at this baby saniwa and is immediately claiming it as his child. Yes he’ll fight the entire citadel to stake his claim, he’s signing the adoption papers right now. No you cannot stop him. He can and will hold all of these children. He has big enough and strong enough arms.

“Pray tell, little one, do you like sweet things?”

“!!!”

Oh Azuki is a bit of an enabler. He does cook and bake a lot so expect him to sneak a lot of sweets and stuff to the lil kid. He already does it with the little ones around the citadel but even more so if he has a close relationship with the child saniwa. Yes he will ensure that they eat healthy and go to bed on time and maybe he’ll bribe them with sweets to finish their chores on time and all but hey, he does care for them a lot!

Azuki always calls them adorable, cute, and so on and so forth. He adores kids and maybe he has a photo album of adorable pictures of the lil saniwa and the rest of the kids around the citadel just napping together and sleeping together and holding hands and being cute, no he’s not crying.

HIs favorite thing to do with the kid is to go shopping with them! Holding their hand as they walk through whatever aisles they are looking at. Yes maybe he’ll sneak some of their favorite treats into the shopping cart, and maybe he’ll have to curb the child’s habit of snacking on everything but he caves in the end. He’s weak to their puppy eyes. Please help him, he might not be strong enough.

Is that one parent at a recital or something of their child’s with a video camera, crying, and screaming: “YOU’RE DOING AMAZING SWEETIE”

Azuki isn’t much of a fighter, it doesn’t mean he won’t fucking throw down with the government though. Watch him invite them over for a spot of tea and if they even make a damn negative comment about his master he’ll probably drop some poison in there. No he won’t he’ll just hug the kid closer to him and be that one meme of protecting Kevin Hart.

Azuki is already giving out head pats to all of the kids in the citadel, but to the Saniwa he’s rather physically affectionate. If they want a hug, they can get one. If they wanna hold hands? Hell yeah! Forehead kisses? Damn right he will. Loves giving them head pats and calling them a good kid the most.

Yes he will read them a bedtime story and of course it’s always ones filled with good morals and life lessons!

Azuki is also damn good with sewing. He will make little scarves, and patch up the clothing for the saniwa and even make some clothing for them! He loves it when they are warm and comfy in whatever clothing they like!

Yes Azuki spoils them rotten but he knows his limits. He is the typical overly proud dad who is happy whenever his kid is happy!

Ichigo Hitofuri

"I am Ichigo Hitofuri, the only tachi crafted by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu-”

“....”

“....”

The minute Ichi-nii sees this lil kid is his master, he is already bending down to their level and asking where the fuck are their parents. He’s a bit shocked to see someone so young to be his master but he won’t mind. He does have a LOT of little brothers after all! He can take care of them, adding another lil sibling into the bunch won’t hurt anyone!

Adoption papers? Signed? Awataguchi? Accepting of their new sibling. Government? uNFORTUNATELY STILL ALIVE. He knows what it’s like to have trauma and some of his lil bros do have quite a bit of it. Honebami, Yagen to name a few, and pushing such a duty on to such a young person like this...Ichigo won’t lie and say that he isn’t angry at the government for doing this. They don’t deserve this, why can’t they live their life out as a normal kid????

Oh Ichigo has experience in taking care of children and his brothers will also pitch in to make sure that the Saniwa is loved for and taken cared of! They have an army of tantous, two wakizashis, and a tachi at their beck and call now. No one is going to hurt them ever again.

Like Azuki, Ichigo adores children and this little saniwa is no different. Yes he’s rather stern at times and he doesn’t like raising his voice at them but he does need to be a guiding hand at times. He would never hurt them, and he just wants the best for them. He may get angry at them and scold them but he is doing it gently.

Yes the little saniwa is going to get roped into AWT48. Ichigo will personally help them sing and dance as well! If they have stage fright, no worries! He’s happy to still perform for them none the less.

Cuddles. Oh man this little saniwa is never going to be without physical affection. From Ichigo’s cuddles and head pats to the rest of the Toushirous just loving on the kid and random hugs outta nowhere, this kid is going to be so loved. 

Ichigo can kinda cook? Not as good as like Kasen or Azuki or anything but he’ll at least make something edible. Probably some instant stuff from a box, more like it. He can decorate it super good though!

If the kid has nightmares, Ichigo is the first to wake up and comfort them. His bros have nightmares a lot and he’s a light sleeper anyway, so he can relate to that - and is always there for them!

Bedtime stories with morals and lessons? Of course! Duh! It’s a group storytime! All day every day!

Ichigo is the big brother everyone wants. The caring big bro who will take a bullet for you, and will probably have some choice words for the government. He cares for you as a parent would, and is just always there!

Horikawa Kunihiro

“Excuse me, has-”

“....”

“....Ah, a second child to take care of.”

Horikawa already has a child on his hands kane-san and he’s already pretty motherly so adopting a kid like this isn’t too out of his range. He’s a lot gentler with them than he is with Kane-san, but no less strict.

No he cannot trust Kane-san around this child. ONe time he left them alone and the kid was stuck in a tree and Kane-san had a broken leg trying to save the damn kid. He will only let them interact under his or another sword’s supervision. Can and will fight Kane-san just to protect this kid.

As Horikawa is good at cleaning, he always tends to the kid’s room and helps them wake up on time. He will most likely be the hawk mum, watching over them with every change he can get to ensure that they are doing their work on time.

He won’t spoil them as much as Ichigo or Azuki would, but he would praise them and reward them in his own way! Mostly with praise and a head pat and a forehead kiss if they’ve been extra good! Yes he’ll cook for them and give them treats but nothing super duper big.

The minute the saniwa calls him Hori-nii or something he will cry. Hell he’ll take being called mom. He doesn’t mind! He’s just happy that he can be there for them!

Oh dude Horikawa will spoil them not with food but with lil things! A flower from the forest, a lil trinket from the store as he passed by, so on and so forth! He knows his limits though.

Yes Horikawa will not hesitate to storm the government building and demand to see whoever the fuck is in charge. He wants to know who the fuck was responsible for this. This is a literal CHILD, where are their PARENTS. Who aLLOWED THIS? Horikawa is now this child’s mom.

He’s like that mom that panics whenever the kid goes missing for like one second. There’s a lot of dangerous things the kid could get into (see the tree incident) and if they get hurt, expect Horikawa to be at their side quicker than Hasebe. Hell he can beat Hasebe in speed and in over-protectiveness, dO NOT TEST THIS YOUNG MAN.

Is also that one mom that is at the kid’s recital, crying joyous tears of pride as they perform. Always has a camera on him to capture such a beautiful moment.

Yes Horikawa is the mom friend and he will not hesitate to become the mom to this saniwa. He will ensure that they go to bed on time and keep them healthy. Will wake them up on time and just be that one parent who is always a presence in their life, knowing when to back away but keeping in touch. Like having ya mum as ya best friend!!!

[goatbi]

The Return

In one universe, the arrow fired by Uryu Ishida didn't do too much. It helped, yes, but it was not the end of Yhwach, the tyrant did not die, not yet, not then, and he made the promise to return to ruin their happiest moment.

This is not the universe. Which is good for many reasons.

The arrow struck true, as Uryu Ishida was not know to miss, and Yhwach was struck with the power that he had used against many unworthy, unclean, hybrid Quincy in the past, turning against him. It burned, like the flames of the now dead Captain Commander, and Yhwach died screaming, begging for a mercy that would not come.

After all, he had never given anyone else mercy.

This was not the end, however. Uryu wavered on his feet, exhaustion piling into his body, but it was not over yet, it was not, it couldn't be, because-

And there they went.

In reverse, their spirits returned. Bodies far too long dead to be worth it, but the spirits of those Yhwach consumed returned, from the entire thousand years that Yhwach had stayed hidden away. The Sternritter he had killed came first, and then came the ones Uryu was waiting for, the ones he was expected, but he knew there was one person-perhaps two, but not three-who deserved this warning, and thus, he ran, uncoordinated and clumsy, so unlike himself, and collided with Ichigo's side.

Ichigo blinked, steadying him on impulse, and Uryu looked up at him with eyes already full of tears, excitement burning in his bones.

"She's gonna come back. Your mother. I know this, trust me on this, Ichigo, she's not gonna be alive, but she's gonna be here and you're gonna be able to see her again."

Ichigo would have frowned, scowled and barked at him that this wasn't a funny joke, Uryu, but Uryu never called him by his first name, and Ichigo had never seen him cry before, and there were spirits of people he didn't know appearing in the ashes of Yhwach's body, and maybe Uryu would be wrong, but Uryu looked so convinced now that Ichigo paused, and looked at him, really looked at him closely, the heaving breath, the slight, almost unknown grin, the teary eyes, and Ichigo had to believe that Uryu truly believed what he was saying right now.

"How do you know that?" Ichigo asked, unwilling to believe it that easily, and Uryu grinned.

"The silver of that arrowhead, it reverses the Auswählen, and that is why your mother died in the first place. That hollow got a little bit of her soul, but not all of it. I know this, Kurosaki, because my mother fell into a coma the same day yours died, from the Auswählen. She's here. You deserved the warning." Uryu was shaking, and Ichigo held him up, and felt, for a moment, that he could trust Uryu, despite everything, because he was turning away, eyes darting through the throngs of Quincies that were coming back to themselves, stepping back into the light after living inside a monster for so long.

"There!" Uryu stood, pointing into the throngs, and it drew attention, not only from Ichigo, but from their fathers, their friends, the people that had come towards them when Uryu ran to Ichigo, and they turned as one, looking to where Uryu was pointing with such conviction and-

She wasn't fully formed yet, but it was her, with no doubt. Masaki Kurosaki, her eyes opening as her spirit reformed around her, and she turned, hearing a voice that sounded so familiar but not, and spotted her son, and the son of one of her friends, and she smiled all at once, that normal bright smile that Ichigo had remembered, and he felt something in him crumble to pieces.

Uryu was laughing, a bright joyous thing that Ichigo had never heard from him before, letting go of Ichigo's arms to wrap them around himself, so that Ichigo's zanpakuto's could drop, not all the way to the floor, but now held limply in his hands as he faced the mother he thought he would never get to see again, and she moved to him, smiling all the while.

"It worked..." Uryu was mumbling to himself, rocking on his feet with a grin on his face that Ichigo suddenly understood. They were both mama's boys, he knew that long before now, but if his mother was back, than surely Uryu's would follow soon enough. Masaki stopped in front of Ichigo, cupping his face gently in his hands and wiping tears he hadn't realized were there.

"Oh, you've grown so much." She smiled, holding his face in her hands. He was taller than her now, but as he leaned forwards, zanpakuto's dropping to the floor and wrapping his arms around her as if she would disappear if he didn't, he felt like a nine year old boy again, small and terrified in her hold, while she made it all better just by being there for him.

Uryu's eyes were still scanning the throngs of people, and he felt panic begin to seize his heart. What if using the silver from his mother prevented her from returning? Ichigo's mother was already back, and they were struck nearly at the same time, so it would make sense that she be back by now, Yhwach couldn't have possible had that much Quincy fodder to snatch up, it didn't make sense, and he tensed, coiling tighter and tighter like a spring ready to snap-

"She'll come back, Uryu." Masaki was looking at him now, her arms wrapping tight around Ichigo, one hand in his hair as he lay his head on her shoulder and shook in silence. Uryu stared at her, remember small, faint memories of her when he was very young, young enough that he maybe shouldn't be able to remember it, but she knew him, and that was enough for a small bit of comfort.

"You're certain?" He sounded so small, and he hated it, knowing Ryuken was behind him, watching this unfold, watching his son collapse-Speaking of, Isshin was behind them too, so why hadn't; Nevermind, family hug, there it goes-and Uryu couldn't help but feel ashamed, as he always did showing a single emotion around the man who could never be a father.

"I know more stories than you were ever told even existed, my dear boy." Masaki smiled at him so kindly, from under Isshin's arm. "I am certain. Katagiri will show."

And Uryu took that at face value, trusted in the woman that Ichigo trusted with his life, and turned back out to the throngs of people, arms wrapped tight around himself as they began to mile about, reunite with each other, and the Shinigami suffered under the realization that if they had truly killed Yhwach, they would have killed hundreds, if not a few thousand, people that he had consumed over his lifetime as well.

He stared, and he stared, and he felt each passing moment weight like a century on him, as he waited, for any moment, any sign, and the group Kurosaki hug had broken by then, they were talking to each other, quiet voices, and Masaki was looking at him, and Uryu hated it because he felt like he was being pitied and-

There!

He took off like a bullet, dodging between people reuniting, hearing Ichigo call after him-his given name, but Uryu couldn't find it in him to give a shit. Ichigo had earned that right by now-and ran, as fast as he could manage, and he collided with her, almost knowing Katagiri to the floor, but she just laughed as soon as she realized who that bullet of a person was, wrapping her arms tight around him, and hugged him tight, like she was hugging the little broken pieces of him back together, fixing it all up in the way mothers where known to do.

Uryu didn't even register sinking to the floor with her, didn't register the choked sobs catching in his dry throat, didn't register the stinging burn of wounds he had forgotten about retorn by his running, all he knew was his mother, and Katagiri hummed, wrapping him tight and letting him cling.

Soon, they would have to get up, and Uryu would have to face the consequences of betraying his friends-though he didn't know at the time that they really didn't care, they just wanted him safe, and he had a good reason after all.

Soon, Uryu would have to stare down Ryuken for his own actions-but Katagiri hovered at his shoulder, eyes deadly and angry, and perhaps the stories of what a spirit was aware of after the Auswählen would have been handy for them in this moment, since she knew everything that had gone on in their absence, and Katagiri was not happy with her husband

Soon, they would have to start rebuilding, fixing the world and finding places to settle all of the new souls, and the Soul King's absence-but that was going to be okay too, since the new Captain Commander was so kind to them, understanding, helpful, were the old had been too set in his face to accept this new reality.

Those would all come in the future. For now, Uryu let his walls shatter, and clung to his mother again after everything, and sobbed.

He deserved it after all.

[godkilller]

@shirenui144

A more sombre question, but had me wondering... Has Gin ever cried / what would it take to make him cry? I imagine it would be verse dependent, but could a man this guarded ever visibly show such emotional hurt?

          out of character.  Why must you hurt me.

          But it’s an excellent question, and as you say too -- Gin has become such a guarded, numbed, and twisted man. He has, for lack of better wording, killed off that part of himself long ago. He is also one of the topmost guarded characters in Bleach, even Ichigo’s little trick of ‘reading his opponent’s heart’ during battle did not work on Gin. Gin was empty. Gin wasn’t even ‘looking at Ichigo’ with his heart when fighting. They did not reach each other. Gin is so utterly closed off from others and himself that there’s an eerie absence of self present in him, a swallowing abyss, intimidating and oppressive. Gin has also spent his entire existence isolated, he joined Aizen extremely young and thus his centuries-long otherness began. He cannot show emotions akin to Toshiro, who is often used in ways alongside Gin to show what happens if one shows emotions and weakness to Aizen Sousuke via childhood friends. Renji and Rukia, too, are used in ways that contrast Gin and Rangiku subtly in the background. Gin’s interactions with Rukia about Renji, and his interactions with Toshiro about Momo are to make Gin more of an other. He is removed, unlike them.

          So Gin does not despair openly like they do. He doesn’t shout or cry for the audience to see. He’s a villainous cold-hearted bastard.

          This is on top of the potent sense of cultural toxic masculinity and military way of avoiding / “dealing with” emotionally charged moments, not speaking of trauma, and the whole nine yards of suppression which channels into self-worth issues and a tendency for violence. Most characters in Bleach, and especially male characters, aren’t allowed to really stop and think about what they’re feeling, doing -- Ichigo being able to do a decent amount of that, yes, with his protagonist badge, but even then ?  It’s pathetically insufficient, barely a taste of what Ichigo actually should be experiencing, and no other characters are allowed to mourn losses or suffer long-lasting consequences for their actions, for injuries, for mistakes, for harmful words or acts. It’s an action / fighting series, the audience is here for big flashy swordfights and cool abilities, not emotions. Certainly not darker topics of PTSD and the like.

          You can slice it any which way, but Gin grew up as a child soldier. It can be contrasted by the fact that the majority of the Gotei 13 / Shinigami characters are shown, in flashbacks, as entering the Academy whilst in adulthood, becoming Shinigami once adults, with the exception of people like Toshiro, Momo, Hiyori, who all look / are perpetually young.

          Gin is a little older than Toshiro, for context, by the way -- and he is younger than Byakuya. Because Tite doesn’t know how the ages of his own characters work, it can be argued that Gin and Hiyori are possibly within the same ballpark in terms of ages. But like. Look at her. What the fuck. ANYWAYS, the point is ?  Gin’s young, and his trauma is fairly fresh. From the Winter War -- and then 110 years into the past to the Turn Back the Pendulum arc -- Gin spends the majority of his childhood either playing caretaker for Rangiku, who is actually a little older than him, and then killing; first, the three Shinigami that attacked Rangiku, then the Third Seat of the Fifth Division, and then many more likely during his career of observing failed projects at Aizen’s side, witnessing horrific Hollowification experimentations, and many more things. The crucial period of development for things like higher level empathy  ( Gin showcases it by sharing his food with Rangiku, a stranger, and then we see the absolute absence of it from then on )  and Gin swiftly enters into the midst of Erikson’s industry vs. inferiority stage of development; what does he have to offer the world ?  What can he become ?  Will he be good enough ?  This is the stage in which Gin makes the connection as well as makes peace with becoming a monster; this is what I’m offering, this is what I’m becoming, this will be good enough.

          He flipped a switch. It’s questionable whether or not Gin has the ability to cry once he’s an established Third Seat. It’s gone, it’s been swallowed down a hole so deep and dark Gin doesn’t want to go searching for it. He doesn’t want to cry. Gin already has a negative connotation connected to crying given his quote “I’m gonna become a Shinigami, change things for ya, so that you don’t have to cry anymore, Rangiku.” Not crying = good. Not crying means better. Rangiku crying over what was done to her was what embedded into Gin that he needed to be stronger. No crying allowed. None. In his mind, obviously, Gin doesn’t actually make that connection that ‘because Rangiku did this, I’ll do this’ no, he’s not so meticulously aware yet, but there’s certainly an imprint left on him from those earlier years in the Rukongai, dreading her tears, hating them, hating those men, and so crying = murderous intent. Crying = anger.

          If Gin cried as a child, he didn’t realize he was doing so. I can see him crying in his sleep from a dream, a nightmare, a jam-packed series of emotions hitting him whilst vulnerable, whilst unable to smile and swallow it all down. I can see him waking from it and wiping at his face, feeling utter detachment like an ache in his chest, an otherness, like that wasn’t even him crying, that wasn’t him. Gin wouldn’t think more of it, he wouldn’t dare linger on the thoughts. Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know.mp4 and all that jazz.

          Gin is more likely to lash out in anger than let himself cry. I have a headcanon / drabble somewhere of Gin screaming into his inner world, clutching at his hair, feeling so terribly close to crying but he can’t, it literally will not happen. He’s too bottled up and frustrated from that that when he actually has an opportunity to cry and it doesn’t naturally happen because he’s become so suppressed, it just outright angers him. Because he has latched everything up, lock and key, by the time Gin’s an adult -- if he were to cry as an adult, it’d be during a flurry of explosive emotions. He cannot just casually let loose, no, that door’s jammed shut, it’s been coiled tight in him. A pit of despair by the time the Winter War rolls by. Gin admits to feeling anxiety, dread, during that conflict -- a sign of slowly coming undone, no longer able to keep himself from hesitance, doubt, insecurity, and anticipation hovering around him like a dark cloud. Gin cannot cry, though, not now. Not when he’s so close to making all the pain worth something...

          So it’s no surprise that Gin really only starts getting the actual opening to properly cry in my canon divergent verses. But the catch !!!!  Gin has failed so thoroughly and so brutally that he feels he doesn’t deserve to weep about it. That this is merely a fraction of the karma he deserves. He experiences suicidal ideation, daydreaming of how it’d simply be easier if he hadn’t survived at all. He feels too hollow to cry, then, at the start. He feels too heavy, too much, it’s too much to cry about. He ruined himself and Rangiku for nothing. He did all of this for nothing. And now Rangiku wants answers, still waiting, watching him, and he can’t cry in front of her. IT’S STILL INGRAINED IN HIM FROM CHILDHOOD: she’s the one who cries and he’s the one who comforts. The audacity of him to cry in front of her after everything he put her through, as though he were the victim and her the one needing to comfort him. Gin may be morally gray, but at times he truly sees the world in black and white. No moderation, no give and take.

          It’d hit him later, when he’s learning to become more vulnerable. When he’s trying to open up to Rangiku about something he has to rip from himself, his heart holding onto this sorrow for so long Gin has to surgically remove the truth from himself. AS A CHILD, WITNESSING WHAT HAPPENED TO RANGIKU COUNTS AS A TRAUMATIC EVENT. Not talking about it for 110+ years does a number or two on you when you at last, FINALLY, tell her the fucking scoop. Gin repressed what happened to Rangiku because he recognized that Rangiku did not fully and properly remember, recollect, what happened to her. He knew. Gin saw.

          Compartmentalizing her trauma on top of his own, as though a keeper of it, a sin-eater, Gin would feel absolute despairing relief at finally telling her. Despairing because he’ll be inflicting upon her something he’s been holding back, holding that door shut, for the entirety of their knowing of one another, and to finally let go of the door and let that beast of trauma go charging at her undeterred ?  There’s immense guilt attached to this entire affair. Gin feels childlike guilt; why her, and not me ?  I wish it could’ve been me, we could’ve traded places and I’d be fine, I’d live, we could live happy together.  Akin to survivor’s guilt, Gin wishes those men had found him and taken a piece of his soul rather than Rangiku’s. The ‘why’ of it haunts him. Why her. Why didn’t I stop them. Why didn’t I show up sooner. I could’ve bitten at them, kicked and hit, we could have escaped together -- or at least you could have. Gin also feels guilt at a base adult level: why am I keeping this from her ? No, it’s too late to tell her, she’s happier now, there will never be a good time to tell her.

          There are so many things, feelings, thoughts, that Gin has never shared with Rangiku due to it all being tied to the unspoken secret he’s let fester inside of him.

          SO WHEN GIN FINALLY TELLS RANGIKU WHY HE JOINED AIZEN, WHY HE TRIED TO KILL AIZEN, WHY HE SAID THOSE WORDS TO HER DURING THAT BLIZZARD AND BECAME A SHINIGAMI ... GIN’S GOING TO BREAK DOWN.

          The truth is tied to vulnerability in Gin’s mind. Telling it means ripping himself apart at the seams. Everything he crafted himself out to be was made around this secret. It’s going to be bloody, it’s going to hit him like a fucking train. Gin’s going to feel it coming, rumbling on the tracks, he’ll hear it even, that approaching storm, he’ll know by the prickle at his eyes and the closing of his throat, but still nothing’s ever prepared him for the absolute choked finality of the truth, and he’s going to do his best to hold it back -- it’s instinctive, it’s in his blood by now to mask it, stop it, divert and drawl his way out of it. But this time he can’t just stop halfway and distract her, talk about something else. No, Gin’s cornered himself and it’s high time Rangiku got the truth from him, he can’t run away any more. He’ll have to grit his teeth and talk through it, swallow it back just enough to speak, to tell her what he’s done to them both and for what, for why, it’s the worst possible conversation they could ever have, but one they need. And Gin’s going to find himself incapable of holding back a sob the more he discloses, the more that slips out and escapes him the more the emotions tied to that sunken anchor come up too. He will feel simultaneously lighter and heavier for it.

          There are numerous ways Gin’s thought about wording it. He’s thought about the numbed approach, MISSION REPORT style: Aizen Sousuke harvested souls from the 64th Rukongai District, they took a piece from you. Perhaps not, no, not like that. Maybe... back when y’were a kid, there were three Shinigami assigned to the 64th District to collect souls to fuel Aizen Sousuke’s Hogyoku. They took somethin’ from you. I saw it. I saw them hoverin’ over you, I saw it in their hands. I saw’em offer it up to Aizen in the forest, collectin’ firewood. I saw him.

          WHY DIDN’T I STOP HIM, WHY DIDN’T I ATTACK THOSE THREE MEN THEN AND THERE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT WITH YOUR COLLAPSED FORM A FEW FEET AWAY, MAYBE I COULD HAVE TAKEN THEM ON AFTER ALL. I COULD HAVE CRUSHED A SKULL IN WITH STONE, I COULD’VE STOLEN HIS SWORD BEFORE THE LIFE FULLY FADED FROM HIM AND MADE IT VANISH, I COULD’VE CARVED THROUGH THE SECOND, SLICE THE TENDON AT THE THIRD’S ANKLE AS HE ATTEMPTED TO FLEE, WARN OTHERS. SLIT HIS THROAT AS HE CRAWLED AWAY. YOU’D HEAR IT, OFF TO THE SIDE. YOU’D SEE ME COME UP TO YOU WITH BLOOD SPLATTERS. YOU’D SEE ME LEAN OVER YOU WITH NOT A PERSIMMON OFFERED, NO, YOUR OWN FUCKING SOUL THEY PLUCKED FROM YOU. SHAKY HAND. BLOODIED HAND. TAKE IT, TAKE IT BACK. I FIXED IT --

          Just tell her. JUST TELL HER.

          DO YOU REMEMBER THE DAY WE MET, RANGIKU ... ?

[odelschwanky]

Could you do a fluff Byakuya fic

Take a Break (Byakuya Kuchiki x Reader)

This not my best, but I was happy to write it. I’m working my way out of writer’s block. Thank you for requesting. I hope you enjoy.

Word Count: 2257

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“Working late again, Captain?”

You poke your head into Byakuya’s office. The waning light of the late evening sun streamed in from the open door behind you. It cast your long shadow onto the tatami flooring, shading the man’s busy form. He sat dutifully, inked brush in his hand, looping and curving impeccable characters onto the pages. He held his sleeve regally, so he wouldn’t mess it. He finished his thought before he even thought to answer you. Even then, he didn’t look up.

“Yes. I normally always am.”

He sounded so tired. You didn’t like the way the dark circles made a home under his eyes. Your Captain’s mouth was set in a distinct frown as he stared down at the work he was doing. He still had his kenseikan in his hair which meant he didn’t have any plans of resting soon. You really wished he would relax. Maybe you could help with that.

You waited by the door, kneeling and sitting on your heels until Byakuya allowed you to enter.

“You don’t have to do that.” He murmurs in his even voice.

Byakuya didn’t require all of the superior-subordinate formality from you that he required from other people. He’d even go as far as allowing you to call him by his familiar name. You almost never did, though. You still thought your Captain deserved the proper respect. Deep down, you knew he appreciated it.

“Come in, (y/n).”

Once invited, you tiptoed inside the spacious room, leaving the sliding door open. You left your shoes outside on the porch, lightly scuttling in with bare feet. Byakuya’s sternness lessened a little when you sidled up beside him, hands clasped behind your back.

He would never admit it, but he loved when you came in to distract him from his work. Your bright smile and your lively aura always lifted his spirits. He loved the sight of you, inching playfully in to see him. You would come closer and closer until you were side by side. You always asked before you touched him, although it was never necessary.

“May I?” You lifted your hands to his scarf but waited to lay a single finger on it.

He looked over his shoulder at you before giving a slight nod. His thick black hair tumbled as you swept it gently aside. The masterful fabric of his scarf rubbed smoothly against you as you slipped it from his neck and piled it on the desk. You were mindful of the ink, setting the expensive piece of clothing far from it. Byakuya’s nape was a little red, and it only glowed more when you rested your fingers upon the cool skin of his neck. Tough muscles and stiffness made the tension in Byakuya’s body apparent to you.

“How was your day?” You quietly ask him.

The air in the room had freshened up since you opened the door. The gentle spring breeze danced in to tickle the more easily persuaded aspects of the room: your hair, clothes, and noses. Byakuya told you a little of what happened in his day, although he didn’t go into much detail.

To be honest, his day was tough. He had to discipline one of his subordinates, which pained him to do. There was a lot of paperwork that came with that. Also, he had duties pertaining to the other Royal Families of the Seireitei. He was working on those papers now. On top of all that, he was tired and hadn’t slept well the night before. The noble Head of the Kuchiki Clan wasn’t at his best. His poised and refined nature would’ve never let it show though. He kept it up, his aristocratic composure, especially around you. But you were one of the only people who could ease him.

“And your day?” His voice was deep when he echoed you. His eyes were closed, as he savored the way you worked on him. You shrugged, rolling your fingers firmly in the muscles of Byakuya’s neck and shoulders. He had let you peel back his haori just enough to see a small amount of his ivory skin. You smooth your hands over it, and his body relaxed as you touched him. You could feel him releasing all of that pent-up pressure in the form of a slight slouch. You were satisfied with that.

“It was fine.”

You hadn’t had the best day either but being here with your Captain was making everything better. You would spare him the details.

You leaned down until you were nose to nose with him, the fine hairs on his skin tickling you.

“Take a break?”

Your pleading eyes met your Captain’s. They were always so serious, so steely. His mouth wavered from that small tight line to a pair of parted lips, soft enough to kiss. He was going to try and protest, say that his work needed to be done.

“I can sit and watch you work a little later. Take a walk with me.”

He paused a long time. Byakuya Kuchiki loved nighttime walks.

“We can’t be too long.” You could swear you saw the hint of a smile on his face.

You shooed him away to take a minute while you put aside his inks and brushes, taking care that they would be ready for him when the two of you returned. You stacked the dry papers and held them with a paperweight while he put on his scarf once more and straightened his uniform from where you disturbed it.

“Come on,” you nearly skip out the door into the nighttime air. The sun had just barely set and the sky was tinted a rich purple. The cherry blossoms of the garden outside this part of Kuchiki Manor were twirling in the wind, falling like snow. You always loved coming to see the garden.

Byakuya follows with his usual refined regality. You wait in the middle of the stone path, some twenty feet away, while he closed the door to his office and steps off the porch.

“You’re not going to wear your shoes?”

You look down and shake your head. “No. Is that okay?”

Byakuya gingerly bites his lip and shakes his head, holding back an amused smile. He was probably thinking to himself how foolish you were. He never said anything so mean to you though. You’d heard him scold other people like Ichigo and Renji, and you were glad he was never so harsh to you.

“Yes. It’s fine. Just be careful.”

The two of you walked in silence, as you two normally did. The stones underfoot were so smooth on the bottom of your feet. They were still warm from the day’s sun. The suede finish of the cherry blossoms stuck to your feet too, and you loved the way they felt.

You approached a bench by a koi pond. You let your shihakusho blow open, teased by the breeze. Byakuya looks down at you, at your exposed shoulders and chest. Your uniform didn’t have sleeves like a lot of others did. You just never preferred them.

“You’re not cold?”

You shake your head. “No… not really. It feels nice out.” You stretch, looking at the tall dark-haired man beside you. He gives you another thoughtful glance as you two continued around the koi pond.

A cold gust of wind crossed the garden, carrying a reeking, damning smell. It made your stomach churn. You covered your nose and looked at Byakuya. “Do you smell that?”

He nodded, putting a hand on the hilt of his zanpakuto. A rustling in the bushes startled you.

You jumped a little, all the muscles in your body tensing up. Byakuya took a step in front of you, gently pushing you behind him. You peeked underneath Byakuya’s arm, trying to see what was going on.

A small Hollow emerged and slowly approached the place you stood with gnashing teeth.

“A Hollow, here?” You say, almost to yourself. That was almost taboo. You had never seen a Hollow in the Seireitei. Maybe in the forest, but never so close to somewhere like Kuchiki Manor.

“Hado number 4: Byakurai.”

Byakuya cast his Kido in an unimpressed voice that resonated throughout the garden with authority. He pointed his finger at the small furry creature, a flash of lightning shooting it straight in the face. It didn’t even have time to cry out before it was vaporized.

It was over almost as quickly as it began, and all that was left of it was a small pile of ash maybe ten feet away from you both.

“Are you okay?” Byakuya inquired of you, grabbing your elbow protectively. His fingers were surprisingly soft, and his touch was very gentle. He didn’t touch you often, you mostly did all the touching. You tried to hide your blush but didn’t pull your arm away.

“I’m fine… you took care of it. T-thank you.”

It was weirdly and awkwardly silent for a few moments.

Byakuya released you and nodded. “Do you want to go back?”

You shake your head. “No. Not if you still have time.”

Byakuya was quiet for a minute. “I have time.”

You look at him with eyes full of adoration. The nature of your relationship with Byakuya was so formal. You were sure nobody even knew you were together, Renji and Rukia maybe. They never talked about it though. When you spent time together with Byakuya, oftentimes you were alone. Like today.

You were fine with that. You didn’t need to use him as some publicity stunt, although it was pretty surreal that the Head of the Kuchiki Clan was in love with you. Other people might not view it that way, but you were sure of his feelings for you.

“Can I hu-”

Byakuya didn’t wait for you to ask before he pulled you into his arms. His touch and his hold were so sure, so safe. You drowned in his elaborate clothes, shihakusho, haori, and all. You breathed deeply the scent of him, and you seemed to relax. You didn’t realize how stressed you were until he hugged you. You needed his touch and he seemed to know exactly when to give it.

“Can you stay tonight?”

His unusual words caused butterflies to tear through your stomach like the cherry blossoms outside. You would have never expected him to ask you.

You were most often the one initiating things. You’d ask if he had time for you, to do things like taking walks or having dinner. He almost never refused you, only for the reason of a prior engagement pertaining to work. You were at the Kuchiki Manor more often than you were in your room at the barracks. You spent a lot of time here with Byakuya. You never expected him to go to the squad barracks to see you, though. That would be ludicrous.

But he never ceased to surprise you.

When he was there for business, he never failed to stop and say hello to you. If you were in a meeting, he’d politely come in and greet everyone (really looking at you) and then dismiss himself for work. If he’d see you in the hall between his meetings or duties, he’d soften his gaze and chat with you for a bit. Sometimes he’d watch you train, waiting for you to be done so you could go to the Manor together. You’d read together, talk, and just enjoy each other’s company. You loved Byakuya, and although some people might call your relationship with him stiff and ceremonial, you were very happy with it.

“Yes. I can stay.”

You smile up at him, putting your chin on his chest. He wasn’t quite smiling, but a look of pleasant contentedness greeted you from his handsome face. The locks of his hair streaming from his kenseikan billowed in the tumultuous wind. Your clothes sounded like flags with the way they whipped. It was most likely going to storm tonight. After he was done with his work, Byakuya would most likely keep the door to his bedroom open so that you two could watch the rain before bed.

You strained up on your toes to reach him, thankful that he came down to meet you halfway. Byakuya’s lips we soft and warm as he kissed you. His gloved hand came up and around your neck, pulling you deeper into him still until your senses were overwhelmed with him. The increase of pressure around you both came from your intimate embrace. All you felt was the familiar power of your love.

It wasn’t long until a crack of thunder interrupted your kiss with Byakuya, and rain began to fall. You both looked at each other and for the first time in a while, he laughs. You relish that sound, his light and beautiful laugh. The two of you turn to go back inside.

As you walk, he unwinds the scarf from around his neck and drapes in on your head in a silent joke. The cashmere shroud fell over your eyes and you giggle. You snuggle into it, wrapping it around your bare shoulders, breathing in its wonderful smell.

“There… so you don’t catch cold.”

You press into the side of Byakuya, leaning on him. He puts his arm on your back affectionately.

“Byakuya?”

“Hm?”

“I love you.”

You didn’t have to look at him to know he was smiling. You could hear it in his silence, then in the grace of his voice as he spoke.

“I love you too.”