Chapter: Reunion
Rating: NC-17 | M
Pairing/Character/s: Renji x Byakuya
Word Count: 9,341
Warning/s: Spoilers. Man Sex.
Summary: Renji finally returns to Seireitei after a particularly long clean up job in the Living World. Exhausted both mentally and physically, he heads for the Kuchiki Estate and what he hopes to be a warm welcome home. What he finds...
A/N: As stated before, the timeline has jumped to approximately 2011, with Aizen having been taken care of sometime around 2008. That places us well into the large scale clean up of the mess Aizen will have undoubtedly left behind. Running with that, it is most likely that the highest ranking official of the Gotei 13 needed to oversee operations in the Living World would likely only be a Vice Captain. Aside fromt he occaisional, loose arrancar, there really isn't enough threat to warrent a captain. With that in mind, as with the previous chapter, assume Renji has been kept the busiest here.
"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes:
chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire."
- Aristotle
The familiar gates of the Kuchiki estate were a welcome sight to the weary redhead passing through them. Night had only recently fallen on Seireitei, but it was long past normal work hours and he'd only just returned from the living world. The mission was actually supposed to last another few days, but he'd been away for so long already, that taking the opportunity to finish things quicker had appealed likely a bit more than it should have. The only real downside was the weariness and Zabimaru's need for a bit of downtime, but he intended to use that excuse to garner some for himself as well, so it was no real lose.
A servant met him at the door. "Kuchiki-Taichou told me ta' report in as soon as I was back," he explained, casually adjusting Zabimaru's strap.
The woman hesitated momentarily. "Kuchiki-sama is not to be disturbed-"
Renji rolled his eyes a bit and stretched, wondering if this woman was new. He certainly hadn't seen her before. "Trust me, it'll be better if you just tell me where ta' find him. It's either that or I go in the back way and find him myself." The servant looked clearly startled at the assertion, and stuttered something about the garden behind the home, stepping aside to let the vice captain enter.
Renji chuckled at the reaction, not having the luxury to mess with any gentry or their servants lately. The hallways were easy enough to follow now, his feet seeming to taking him down the long walkways and dimly lit corridors on memory alone. Thus, it wasn't long until he stepped back into the growing night, this time on a faintly viewable garden path. The area was a favorite of Byakuya's and as such he was quite familiar with it. It was, then, a relatively short period of time that passed between when he'd entered the large garden and when he'd visited the usual places he'd find the noble. He shrugged to himself and decided to try the hot springs in the back. Perhaps he could get a soak too.
A single, dimly-glowing candle lit a small lamp a few feet away from the front of the hot springs. Its light reflected across the water that gently swished and rippled with any subtle movement of the springs' inhabitants, barely lighting the area but it was enough to cast an almost ethereal glow and shimmer on water-cleansed pale skin. Raven-black hair clung to a pair of strong shoulders thanks to the rising steam, completely down and devoid of five stark pieces of white. The only stark white was what the noble's fingers curled around, and that was silken hair, wet from steam and water. There was a low murmur of words, indiscernible from a distance, but obviously the voice of a shinigami Renji knew well.
The sight of his captain and, more importantly, lover brought a grin to the vice captain's lips. He stepped closer, feeling the gentle thrum of Kuchiki Byakuya's reiatsu wash over him in a way it only did when the man was truly at ease, and then stopped short, his mind finally registering the last bit of the scene presented which didn't quite fit. Confused, more than anything else, the redhead moved off to the side a bit to get a better view of the situation. As he did, a pale white form came into view.
At first, he wasn't sure what he was seeing was real - and considering how hard he'd been working lately a hallucination wouldn't have surprised him. And the being currently draped casually against his captain could have easily been a specter with its lack of color and ethereal qualities. But then Byakuya leaned down and drew the other creature into soft, deep kiss and Renji's rationalizations came screaming to a halt. His captain without his kenseikan. His lover kissing another person with tenderness he was lucky to witness.
Anger and pain leapt fiercely to the forefront of his thoughts. The pain was worse, but he covered it well enough with anger for now. Renji stalked forward, wanting answers immediately. Unconsciously, his spirit energy flared, hissing against the calmer energies already present - he pulled up short, blinking wildly in confusion. There were two distinct patterns in the air. One he'd recognized immediately as Byakuya's and another layering it. Just as he came to the realization of exactly who the second energy belonged to, the specter sharply broke contact with his captain and turned its sanguine gaze to the redhead, instantly making eye contact.
The friction of spiritual energy made Byakuya wince in spite of himself, unprepared for the sudden harsh sensation. Almost immediately after the initial raw collision, he recognized the reiatsu to be Renji's and quickly turned, still calm. The captain was a fair picture of serenity, relaxed and unruffled for the most part. A slight tilt of his head belied a faintly bemused expression as Byakuya regarded the redhead, and all of his confusion, in the dim light.
"I did not expect you for another three days or so, Renji," the noble stated, completely unfazed by the situation at hand. In fact, to Kuchiki Byakuya, there was no situation. He automatically assumed Renji could pick up that it was Senbonzakura at his side, and that the matters between them were of a different connotation than sexual. "It is good to see you again," Byakuya continued, his tone softer as he met the redhead's eyes.
The near-by sword spirit, on the other hand, was less than thrilled with the arrival of his charge's lieutenant. A slight ripple of water accompanied his movements as Senbonzakura unconsciously shifted closer to the noble. Pale fingers circled tightly around the captain's forearm as a wary crimson gaze continued to meet Renji's, unable to pull away. If it had not been Renji, this would not have been an issue - but the redhead's presence prompted both embarrassment and shame, two emotions the zanpakutou was unused to and entirely unsure of how to deal with. Byakuya must have sensed the recoil of reiatsu from the spirit, because a concerned grey-blue gaze slid back to him, and made the spirit feel even more in the way of things. Renji's arrival should have been Byakuya's prime focus, not the fact that Renji was undoubtedly angry over another creature touching his lover.
Having recognized the reiatsu only prompted more confusion on Renji's behalf. If the reiatsu really did belong to the being staring back at him, that would make it Senbonzakura's manifestation. But if that was true, why was it so... intimate? Anger sifted into a subtler but still bitter emotion. And why was Byakuya acting so calmly when Senbonzakura at the very least looked very guilty. Something was definitely going on. Something Byakuya had never spoken of, and which, had he been staring at anyone else would have prompted immediate and violent action, but which now brought confusion with the anger, the two emotions simmering heatedly beneath his exterior. It was easy enough to feel, however, in his reiatsu.
"... What's goin' on?" he finally managed, voice somewhat clipped from not being able to keep all his emotions out of it.
Byakuya's lips slipped into a frown, his eyes resting on Senbonzakura a fraction longer before they flickered back to Renji. The redhead's anger irritated him slightly and he didn't bother to bite it back. "I would be more than happy to explain if you would calm yourself," the noble replied, noting the now substantial recoil of Senbonzakura's reiatsu. The gesture concerned him greatly; mostly because he had never witnessed the zanpakutou do anything similar. The spirit seemed genuinely shaken by Renji's presence and Byakuya could not help but feel protective.
The noble couldn't deny to himself that he disapproved of Renji's reactions, but a part of his mind chided that he should have expected it: Renji obviously did not understand and it would take some explanation for him to do so. It had been a long, long while since he had seen Renji, and, he admitted to himself, he had missed the redhead terribly, but that did not mean he could simply push aside the being that had kept him from teetering over the edge of - frankly - insanity for the past few weeks. A glance out of the corner of his eye caught sight of Senbonzakura, whose eyes had shifted away from Renji's, anxious and unsure. Byakuya bit back the urge to soothe his zanpakutou as the spirit, in turn, bit back the urge to all but hide behind the shinigami.
It was Senbonzakura's actions more than Byakuya's words that caused the eventual drop in spirit energy. The creature was acting almost as if it were afraid, and it had been a long time since the redhead had experienced that particular emotion aimed at him. The clashing knowledge that somehow this figure clinging so tightly to the noble was the self same being that had so effortlessly brought him within inches of his life somehow made the recoil worse. Renji wiped a hand down his face, took a deep breath and just sat down. He was tired, confused, partially jealous, residually angry, and had come expecting nothing but a relaxing night with the very man now causing so many conflicting emotions. It was not a good mix. He pulled in his reiatsu and waited silently, no longer watching the two people in front of him. Deep breaths.
Though he was loathe to pull away, Byakuya gently dislodged the spirit from his arm and slid to the edge of the springs. He folded his arms on the ground, levelly staring at Renji for a moment before drawing in a deep breath of his own. "This is not easy to explain, Renji," the noble began slowly, "but because you seem so concerned, I believe it is needed. In your absence..." The dark-haired man paused, then his voice dropped a level and he quietly admitted, "I missed you. Senbonzakura sought to bring me some form of comfort, but he and I had some conflict over the matter and it was only until recently that it was resolved. Our intimacy... is a result of that resolution. It is not" Byakuya's eyes met Renji's firmly, "a simple matter of lust or sex and I am a bit disappointed that you would assume I could sink that low. It is a strengthening of our bond and trust and I expect you to regard it with that respect."
Surprised at the blunt words, Senbonzakura stood transfixed for a moment before relenting to the urge to touch the noble again. His fingers curled themselves around Byakuya's arm again and though he felt as if he should say something, anything to Renji, he felt at a loss for words and simply allowed Byakuya to speak. Guilt still lingered in his visage as the spirit still felt as if he had been caught red-handed in a situation that was entirely wrong. It sounded right when the shinigami spoke of it, but when brilliantly crimson eyes dared a glance in Renji's direction, it did not feel right. Anger and jealousy were all Senbonzakura could pick up from the lieutenant and he could not help but grimace. After all the times he had spent lending advice to mend problems between the two shinigami, he was now the cause of one.
"No offense, Taichou, but it would have been easier if it was just a ‘matter of lust’," the younger man answered, offering a strained smirk with the statement, though it failed to make the statement any lighter. His eyes trailed from Byakuya to the entity all but hiding behind the noble. He could not identify the partially relieved, somewhat confused emotion that draped over him as he caught Senbonzakura's sanguine gaze.
All right. So Byakuya had a close relationship with his zanpakutou, Renji thought determinedly. That, he could understand. The level of intimacy, however, made him seriously... jealous, he admitted silently and looked away, staring at the ground as he tried to sort through everything presented to him. He didn't want Byakuya to be lonely, and for that he knew he was grateful to the sword spirit. No, the real problem was how Byakuya was around the zanpakutou. He'd been completely at ease, which was something that rarely even happened around him. The man's reiatsu was all but purring - something Renji had only experienced a few times when the noble was truly content. It was the caring the glances and soft way he held the other being.
Honestly, Renji really wouldn't have cared if it was just a matter of lust. That was easily forgiven. He sighed and put his head in his hands, desperately trying to sort through everything in a way that wouldn't upset his lover. In a manner in which he might even be able to vocalize some of his thoughts. It was a hard enough task without shock and weariness weighing on him.
Byakuya's frown deepened as he watched the other man. After a moment of silence, he sighed quietly, his right hand brushing absently at the hair obscuring his face as he murmured, "If I am to speak freely, I expect you to as well, Renji."
"What do you want me to say, Taichou?" Renji snapped, irritated that the man wouldn't give him a moment to collect his thoughts. He looked back at the other man, auburn eyes boring into grey ones. "Anyone else and I could just be angry, but your zanpakutou? If you want me to speak freely, then give me a second ta' think before I say somethin' stupid!"
Gritting his teeth, the noble bit back the urge to snap back and make things worse. A brief flash of anger flashed through his eyes, but he curbed it in sharply with a curt nod of his head. "Fine." It took every bit of willpower Byakuya had not to simply climb out of the water and turn his back on the redhead for the remainder of the night.
Unable to stay silent knowing he was the cause of this, Senbonzakura's voice quietly broke the simmering, uncomfortable silence that fell. "My presence obviously does more harm than good. I apologize, Abarai Renji, for the trouble I have caused." The sword spirit ignored Byakuya's eyes that shifted back to him, slightly alarmed at the sudden admission from the normally proud creature. "I should have known that my influence, in this case, would come between the two of you and for that I am deeply sorry. Please understand that this was not my intention."
"I... che," Renji glanced off to the side, a feeling of defeat he'd not felt in a while washing over him. "That's not fair," he sighed, "first 'cuz if there's any blame it's not solely on you and second... 'cuz I can't stay mad at you when you say shit like that."
A faint, somewhat sad smile made its way onto the spirit's lips. "I would gladly take all the blame if it meant you and Kuchiki-sama were not angry with each other."
At that, Byakuya frowned at his zanpakutou. "Sen-..." the name fell from his lips when a crimson gaze flickered back to him, full of words unsaid - among them, the older man could distinguish a resigned, accepting melancholy as the sword spirit's energy wound its way around his own. The noble sighed, torn between Renji and his sword, knowing either way he turned he'd feel guilty about not comforting the other. His eyes met Renji's, all but pleading his understanding.
The redhead sighed. “‘M not angry. Not... not anymore." He closed his eyes briefly, looking down again as he tried to sort through everything. "... I should thank you," the younger man began, looking up again to catch Senbonzakura's gaze. It hurt, but he had to do it. "Fer taking care of him." Oddly, it felt as though his pride had been hurt too. It was a sting he was used to though, especially around the noble.
The zanpakutou blinked, surprised at the words. Then again, when was Renji not surprising? The simplicity of his thoughts were, most of the time, wiser than even his own. Senbonzakura shook his head slightly and compulsively reached out over the edge of the springs, catching the redhead's chin and running water-slick fingers over his cheek. "There is no need for thanks. It is my life's duty and creed to do so." The spirit paused. "I thank you... for your acceptance."
Byakuya stayed quiet, relief flooding his mind and outwardly, his reiatsu. His eyes still softly lingered on Renji, taking in the slight recoil in the other man's reiatsu from what, obviously, was a swallowing of pride before he pulled himself from the water. He reached for the towel he had left nearby and dried himself off before slipping on a robe of pale blue silk. Without a sound, the noble dropped to his knees next to where Renji was seated and leaned close to the warmth he had so desperately missed.
Inwardly, the redhead didn't feel as though he were particularly deserving of such thanks. To him it was less a matter of acceptance and more an inability to stand apart from the noble. If Senbonzakura meant that much to Byakuya, he simply could not force the man to choose between them. The sword spirit's hand on his cheek was cool and distracting; its gaze remarkably gentle. It held his attention until he felt the long missed weight of his captain leaning against him. Tearing his gaze from Sen's, he turned slightly, wrapping an arm around Byakuya and relaxing enough to let the zanpakutou's reiatsu begin to soothe his own slightly agitated energy.
The noble's eyes slid shut as he leaned his head against Renji's shoulder and relaxed into his side. His breath came easier as he felt a strong arm around his waist and absently, he nuzzled at the crook of Renji's neck. The gentle thrum of his zanpakutou's reiatsu coiled about them and Byakuya's mind was put at ease as well as his body.
Senbonzakura's hand withdrew as Renji's head turned aside, his fingertips running over the golden skin before dropping to the ground. Quietly, as to not disturb either shinigami, the spirit climbed from the water, dressing as well. He contemplated leaving, but the brush and purr of Byakuya's reiatsu against his own made the zanpakutou hesitate.
Eyes drawn to the slight glow that accompanied Senbonzakura's movements, silently watching the ethereal creature as it dressed and then paused, as if deciding a course of action. Renji found himself quickly losing any remaining negative feelings as he noted the gentle way in which his captain's reiatsu interwove itself with the zanpakutou's and the care with which Senbonzakura both separated itself from them and yet wavered uncertainly. It was concern, the lieutenant could plainly see, that kept the apparition from simply dispersing.
Renji sighed quietly and tried to catch the sword's gaze, subtly indicating that he should join them. Even if a pang of self-doubt and perhaps a bit of jealousy rose when he thought of the manner in which the zanpakutou could provide things it seemed he alone could not, Renji simply couldn't find it in himself to be angry at what was, inevitably, his own problem.
The sword returned the gaze, an eyebrow arching briefly. He couldn't keep the surprise that clearly reflected in his eyes - Renji actually wanted him to stay? Deciding it was better not to question what he himself would have preferred; the zanpakutou quietly walked back over to the pair and slid to the ground about an arm's length away. Despite the invitation, he didn't want to overstep his boundaries and anger the redhead once again.
Soft lips slid against Renji's neck, moving against the sensitive skin as Byakuya murmured lowly, "Your kindness is appreciated, Renji." One of his hands slid across the back of Renji's, hooking their fingers together loosely as he felt the brief flare of jealousy through the younger man's reiatsu. Though Renji was normally emotive and expressive, it was rare that his reiatsu completely reflected every emotion and the noble noted that the redhead must be especially tired if he allowed it to do so unchecked. The jealousy concerned Byakuya more so than Renji's weariness, however; despite the care he exhibited toward Senbonzakura, there was little doubt in the noble's mind who he would ultimately turn to if he had to make a choice between the two.
Renji's fingers automatically linked with his captain's, nodding lightly at the man's words. With no need to appear in control and the last of his anger drained out of him, the noble's gentle affections were quickly drawing him into a lull. This really was far more than he'd expected to deal with when he'd decided to return here first. As such, he really couldn't bring himself to pull in his reiatsu or really face the zanpakutou still watching him with a wary gaze. He did, however, find it absurdly ironic that Senbonzakura was wary of him. It almost made him wonder what the spirit was like under normal circumstances.
Resolving to give himself the night to sleep on it, Renji gently pressed an affectionate kiss to the top of Byakuya's head, easing himself with the knowledge that Byakuya was comfortable enough around him to react in such a way to his presence. It certainly hadn't always been like that, and he marked it proudly as an achievement of note. He pulled the other man closer, eyes shutting faintly with the motion. "I missed ya'," he admitted softly, followed by "It's good to be back."
Giving the redhead's hand a gentle squeeze, Byakuya hid a faint smile in Renji's neck before inching back slowly. It was almost completely dark out, and Renji would soon be too comfortable and too far in dozing to move. Carefully, the noble tugged free of the other's embrace. "Back to my room?" was the soft offer as the older man climbed to his feet, his fingers slowly slipping out of Renji's in the motion. Senbonzakura, nearby, sensed all was relatively well again. The spirit's presence gradually dissipated into a thick, briefly stifling blaze of sakura and perfumed air, tangling about the two lovers before fading away completely and leaving them to their own devices.
Renji nodded, climbing to his feet once more as zanpakutou dissipated. He couldn't help sensing a bit of... unfairness in the action. With a sigh he hooked his fingers with Byakuya's, intent to let the noble lead the way. "I feel dead on my feet," he muttered, the irony of his statement not escaping his tired mind.
A few sakura petals tangled in the noble's hair and he left them there for now, knowing the wind would eventually tug them away. He turned, pulling Renji with him towards one of the side doors on the manor that would lead to a quicker route to his bedroom. "Which is why you will spend tomorrow resting," Byakuya replied, not without an inward smirk to Renji's words.
The prospect of a full day off returned a grin to the redhead's face. "You're the best, Taichou," he announced, leaning in closer to steal a kiss.
Byakuya's response was an elegantly arched eyebrow before he leaned up and met Renji's lips lightly, allowing the kiss to be stolen. "Just because I give you a day off of work?" he asked, his tone teasing as he slid open a door and led Renji inside.
"Would I get an extra day off if I promised ta' show you the other reasons?" The younger man quipped, keeping close as he was led into the house.
"I may consider it," the noble easily returned. A quick glance down the hallway showed that none of his household was in sight and Byakuya then continued, leading Renji down to his bedroom. "Your injuries may be lingering quite badly, and Zabimaru, of course, needs a very long rest," Byakuya added, meeting Renji's eye with a soft smirk.
Surprisingly, the redhead actually winced a bit at the mention of his sword. "Actually, Taichou," he answered more seriously than their previous banter, "it'd be best if I didn't have to release 'im for a while." There was a faint feeling of indignation in the back of his head from the remark, but they both knew it was only for pride's sake and as such, Renji ignored it.
Briefly, the noble paused, and then nodded. "All right. If you don't mind sorting paperwork and running errands for a few days, that can be arranged." If Byakuya could have given a more reassuring response than that, he would have, but with the current state Seireitei was in, any able-bodied shinigami was a prime target to be shipped off for some form of battle. If he had anything to do with it, however, Renji would be staying right where he was for awhile.
"If I minded that sort a' thing, I wouldn't be your fukutaichou," Renji smirked, not having expected anymore than that. Once inside the privacy of his captain's room, the redhead slipped his arm around Byakuya's waist again, pulling the other man against him for a proper kiss.
Sliding pliantly into the other man's arms, Byakuya tipped his head up for the kiss, a hand draping lightly across the back of Renji's neck. "Mm... Renji?" A gentle nip on the redhead's lower lip accompanied the question in the older man's voice.
"Mm?"
"Call me Byakuya." His eyes lifted to meet Renji's. "In here, at least. I am not so much your captain as I am your lover here."
Auburn eyes widened in palpable shock and for a moment, no words were forthcoming from the stunned redhead. Then, slowly, a smile stretched Renji's lips and a short chuckle escaped him. "You've got no idea..." he breathed, brushing his lips against the noble's, "how much I've wanted to hear you say that... Byakuya." He kissed the other man again, this time more deeply, drawing it out.
A soft, content sigh escaped into the kiss as Byakuya gave into the sensation and relaxed against Renji. "Then I apologize for not having done so earlier," he whispered against the other shinigami's lips, the sound of his name, rather than his title on Renji's lips making him all but melt.
More than anything, Renji wished he had the energy just then to show his lover exactly how much he appreciated the gesture. As it was, however, he eventually broke the kiss, an apology in his eyes as he affectionately brushed back a few errant locks of black hair. "The bed?" he queried softly, merely enjoying the feel of the noble resting against him. Knowing how tired Renji was, the noble thought nothing of it and simply basked in the younger man's presence. There would be other times Renji could show his appreciation. Pressing an absent kiss to the corner of the redhead's mouth, Byakuya pulled back completely with a small nod before turning to walk to his bed.
Renji smiled and followed his captain once more, carefully untying Zabimaru as he walked, and then laying it carefully on a low table a little shy of the bed. That done, he turned to his clothing, making quick work of the sash and robes, with his pants and socks soon following. He knew Byakuya wouldn't expect him to have any bedclothes and thus didn't worry much about it. Stifling a yawn, he undid his hair tie and ran a hand through his hair, making it stay down somewhat before finally venturing to the bedside and wearily slipping between the sheets as he glanced over at the other man with him.
The noble settled against his side, resting his head against the other man's broad chest as he relaxed. Byakuya slid an arm across the redhead's stomach, the silk of his night robe rustling against the bare skin. Shutting his eyes, he let his reiatsu settle into a gentle thrum around them. Smiling softly at the way his captain curled against him, Renji put an arm around the man in silent reciprocation. Allowing himself to relax under the lulling comfort of Byakuya's spirit energy, he closed his eyes and quickly found sleep.
~
His internal clock had prompted him to wake just at sunrise as usual, despite the noble's intentions to simply stay at home and take a day off - he had not taken a day off in at least 50 years, and one unannounced day would not hurt, in his opinion. His eyes slid across Renji's sleeping form and Byakuya ran an absent hand across the other man's cheek, brushing aside brilliantly red strands of hair that obscured his face from view. A light kiss was pressed to Renji's lips before the noble slipped from his embrace and allowed him to sleep for a few more hours while he left the room to tell the household he would be staying at home for the day.
Some hours later, Byakuya sent for breakfast (though he moved it himself from one of his private sitting rooms to his bedroom to keep Renji's presence still unknown). While waiting for Renji to wake, he lounged quietly in an ivory silk kimono on a couch near the bed, a stack of mission reports in his lap that he read through and signed accordingly.
Some time well into the morning, the bed sheets rustled and Renji slowly brought himself to consciousness once more. He blinked his eyes open slowly, getting them used to the already abundant light before eventually moving to sit up and stretching as he did. Almost immediately he caught sight of the noble and grinned at the practically domestic scene.
"Morning 'kuya," he yawned, and slipped out of bed. "You might give someone a heart attack taking a day off just like that..." he added, hunting around for his clothing.
Byakuya's eyes lifted from the papers in his lap. "Good morning, Renji." He gave a soft snort. "And I already did, I think. But they can certainly deal with it." Straightening slightly, he pointed his brush in the direction of a table on the other side of the room. "I brought breakfast in here for you; it should still be warm."
The prospect of food drawing the redhead to full wakefulness, Renji forwent the remainder of his clothing and simply tied his pants in place. Truth be told, it had been a while since he'd last eaten and he'd spent a good amount of spirit energy since then. Quickly making his to the table, he made sure to pass by the noble and offer a good morning kiss before sitting down to take in the array of food. "Did you already eat?" he queried, silently noting the large amount present and the fact that he could quite possibly eat the whole thing.
The kiss sent a soft, rippling purr through the noble's own spirit energy, and he relaxed his posture a bit more, reclining on the couch. "Yes, earlier. Eat all you would like, Renji." Forcing his eyes not to linger on Renji's form, Byakuya dropped his eyes back to the papers in his lap and tried to focus on not getting black ink all over the pale silk of his robe.
Nodding, Renji quickly set in for a large breakfast. Rather than devour the meal far better than what he normally ate, he chose instead to go slowly, partially to savor it and partially because street born instinct warned him against gorging himself on such an empty stomach. "How is it that even when you're relaxing, you're working?" he teased lightly, after watching his captain quietly read through at least four reports.
Having managed to bury himself effectively in his work, the sudden words breaking the comfortable silence of the room made him start slightly. Byakuya's lips pursed in vague irritation as his hand had slipped in the same moment and his brush skidded across paper and silk, smearing ink. With a small sigh, the noble decided that with Renji around, wearing white was probably not the most practical choice.
"I've been up for a few hours," Byakuya pointed out as he glanced to Renji. "I couldn't very well lounge about without doing something constructive."
The redhead winced at the reaction he got, feeling bad for causing the slip. "Sorry, Taichou" he apologized instinctively, casting a genuinely sorry gaze at the noble.
Byakuya frowned a little at the shift back to his title but said nothing, realizing it was probably automatic by now. "No need to apologize." Deciding he'd had enough of work and ink attacking him, the noble rose, taking his papers and brush and briefly disappearing into an adjoining room that was a small office. He returned shortly and gracefully reseated himself.
Although he'd felt badly for the method, the result was quite pleasing to Renji. Seeing Byakuya in repose was not something he got to see very often, if at all. It was nice to see the normally tense man relax. In a way, it was a strangely selfish pleasure, since being able see it in the first place was a display of trust on Byakuya's behalf. He smiled faintly, content to watch the other shinigami for now, eating his meal at the same leisurely pace he'd originally set. The noble felt the redhead's gaze upon him, but he did not shift beneath it as he normally would. Instead, he allowed himself to relax. Shutting his eyes, he tipped his head back and leaned it against the couch cushions, breathing in slowly and basking in the fact that he didn't have to see anyone other than Renji today unless he chose otherwise.
"Enjoying yourself?" Byakuya asked quietly, an almost-smirk on his lips. Renji could decide if the query pertained to his breakfast, where his eyes wandered - or a bit of both.
The redhead grinned and took a sip of tea before replying, purposely allowing his eyes to wonder a few seconds longer. "Quite a bit," he answered cheekily, not in the least bit abashed. Byakuya was a beautiful sight to see, especially after he'd gone so long without the noble's presence - work related and otherwise.
A soft chuckle escaped the noble's lips, his eyes opening as he shifted where he was seated. "Good..." he breathed, turning so he could lean slightly against the armrest of the couch, his fingers resting on top of it lightly. Byakuya's gaze fixated upon Renji now, watching him through half-lidded eyes and deciding not to ask why he wasn't finished and over on the couch with him by now. Renji could figure it out easily enough by the almost molten glance that made eye contact.
Grin slipping to a smirk, Renji calmly set his cup down on the table and asked very simply, "Is there something you want, Byakuya?"
Byakuya's eyes darkened another shade from desire and his reply was a low, sensuous purr, "You."
"You know exactly how good you look right now, don't you?" Renji observed as he rose from the table, his smirk lightening briefly. It was a short distance to the couch, and the redhead slowed as soon as he reached it, casually taking a seat on the edge beside the noble. His hand gently brushed Byakuya's cheek before he leaned down, slowly drawing the other's lips to his own. The only response the noble gave was a soft smirk before tilting his head and returning the kiss languidly. His lips parted against Renji's own, coaxing him to deepen the kiss. One slender hand slid across Renji's bare shoulder and to the back of his neck, his fingers pressing in and slowly massaging away the tense muscles there with surprising tenderness.
Renji made a soft noise of appreciation and slid his eyes shut, taking Byakuya's invitation and deepening the kiss. His hand drifted down the other man's neck and under the silk of his robe, moving the material aside so he could feel the missed softness of skin on skin contact. His other hand came to rest on Byakuya's shoulder, gripping lightly, his thumb absently rubbing muscle through the thin kimono. A quiet sound of pleasure escaped Byakuya, and he carefully shifted, slowly slipping one arm out of the restrictions of his robe and aiding in Renji's quest for bare skin. His body slid forward on its own accord to feel the firm warmth of Renji that he had longed for. His freed right arm's hand ghosted down the other man's bare chest, tracing tattoos and sculpted muscle.
A soft rumble from the back of Renji's throat accompanied a soft break from their kiss, his lips tarrying for a moment before moving to trace the firm jaw line and pale throat before him. Auburn eyes cracked open slightly, gaze heavy with growing passion. Byakuya's touch was like a cold burn to his skin, his body heating automatically to counter it even as he bent into the sensations; increasing the touch, broadening the available surface. The hand on Byakuya's shoulder pulled slightly, dragging material with it as the redhead sought to remove more of the robe. His other hand freely sketched down the noble's right side, reminding himself of the outline.
The noble's head tipped back at the touch of Renji's lips, baring his throat in a slight arc and encouraging more. Byakuya's left hand slid from the back of the redhead's neck, trailing down the length of his arm before dropping and obediently pulling free of the white silk until that arm, too, was free. A shudder spread through the noble as he succumbed to the sensation of Renji's calloused hand against the sensitive skin on his side, his head tipping back a fraction more as he wet his lower lip and drew in a hitching breath. His own fingers dragged down Renji's chest, slow and methodical and almost teasing.
Teeth joined tongue and lips, nipping and biting at the pale flesh, tasting as much of it as possible. The noble's encouragements only hastened Renji's affections. His hands switched jobs, the right sliding down to grasp Byakuya's hip and the left moving to make quick work of the sash keeping the kimono attached to the older shinigami. Quickly drawing his attention downwards, he set his oral ministrations on as yet untouched nipple, teething it just shy of roughly.
Gasping lightly, the noble's chest immediately pressed towards Renji's teeth. His eyes fluttered shut from the rough sensation and only continued to urge the redhead for more as his left hand slid back to Renji's neck, his nails curling between his shoulder blades, raking lightly against the other man's flesh. Byakuya shifted, the silk of his kimono falling away completely as he relaxed back a bit more and hooked a leg about the redhead's waist, dragging the other shinigami down and closer with a deliberate arc of hips into Renji's.
A low growl escaped Renji's lips, the redhead forcing himself to pull back slightly. It was tempting to take what was so plainly offered - so tempting, in fact, that it took all his will not to. "Damnit, where'd you put th' oil?" He grumbled, scanning the room with obvious frustration. Damn that noble for acting like some obscene dream.
Steadying his slightly ragged breathing for the moment, Byakuya spared a nod in the direction of the table near his bed. "First drawer," he managed, pulling his hand from Renji's shoulders to brush away a sweaty strand of his own hair that clung to flushed skin.
A quick nod and the redhead disentangled them, moving quickly to grab the oil. "We need to do this more often," he muttered, half out of the frustration of forestalled pleasure, and half teasing the noble. He opened the container and quickly spread some oil on his erection, keeping a close watch on his lover as he resettled himself over the man.
Raising an eyebrow, the noble readjusted against Renji, his legs spreading to accommodate the other man's hips. "This, you mean?" Byakuya breathed as he hooked an arm around Renji's shoulders and drew him into a deep, passionate kiss, deliberately pressing his hips against his lover's.
Moving with his lover, Renji tilted his head into the kiss, returning it fiercely as his own hips thrust forward to meet Byakuya's, entering the man in one swift movement. A low growl resonated from him as he fought for control of the kiss. His hands gripped both sides of a lean waist, adjusting Byakuya's hips for a better angle before pulling back and thrusting in deeper.
Groaning shakily into the kiss, Byakuya's fight for control relented as pain-spiked pleasure swept through his body. His back went taut and his fingers clenched into Renji's shoulder, breath catching sharply as the new angle just barely brushed that sensitive spot inside of him. It was just enough to send sparks through his system and the noble moaned, tightening his legs around Renji's hips and crossing his ankles at the other man's lower back to strengthen his hold.
Hearing and feeling the noble's reaction to his thrust, Renji made another slight adjustment, maintaining the hard, deep pace he'd set. One hand slipped up from Byakuya's hip to his shoulder, pushing the man against the side of the couch as he broke the kiss in favor of peppering bites along the arch of his lover's neck. The next thrust sent a shock of pleasure through the noble’s limbs, making his body both clench around Renji's and then melt back into the couch with a helpless groan. Bracing back on one arm slightly, Byakuya's other hand slid down to grip tightly at Renji's upper arm, nails biting into his flesh with each sting of teeth to his neck.
Transferring from neck to shoulder, Renji stilled his trail, choosing instead to worry one spot at the base of the noble's neck, biting and sucking as he thrust hard into the willing body beneath him. He groaned, all but burning in the other man's grasp. Giving up on supporting himself, the noble's right arm slid straight, his fingers curling into the couch as his head fell back to rest completely against the couch's armrest. Panting rather heavily, Byakuya deliberately tightened his legs about Renji's waist, pulling him in deeper and rocking his hips back to meet each thrust as he began to shudder with the sensation. 'Just a little more' were the words Byakuya wanted to say to his lover, but found himself too absorbed in the redhead's ministrations to bother.
Reading the other man's movements easier than unsaid words, Renji released the already bruising flesh at the base of Byakuya's neck and leaned down farther to catch the noble's lips once more. He moaned into the kiss, passionately drawing out the elder's pleasure and holding his own at bay until he was sure it had been reached. The last restraint the noble had snapped and his hips forcefully arched back into Renji's, a low, keening moan swallowed by their kiss as Byakuya all but melted beneath him. His eyes slid shut and he struggled for breath, holding tightly to the redhead as he sunk heavily into the afterglow of coital bliss.
Feeling the rush of pleasure overtake the noble, Renji allowed himself the same, releasing with a low growl, his whole body tightening with the action. He broke the kiss soon after, just enough to pant for lost breath. He remained close, though, laying his head beside Byakuya while still supporting the majority of his own weight.
With some effort, Byakuya draped an arm around Renji's waist and tugged, pulling the redhead down so that his weight rested against the noble. Byakuya relaxed beneath the warmth, savoring it and nestling against Renji slightly.
With a soft smile, Renji allowed himself to be tugged down, and nuzzled comfortably against Byakuya's neck, a quiet sigh escaping him. "Definitely need to do this more," he murmured, closing his eyes to truly enjoy the moment.
A slight nod and a quiet murmur of agreement was Renji's answer before Byakuya leaned his head back and let out a slow sigh, his hand resting against the younger man's lower back. The soothing, steady heat of his lover's body and the sort of shimmering glaze of pleasure that still was across him prompted him to be at ease. Even his reiatsu coiled about the redhead in a smooth, rumbling wave. To the younger shinigami's still rather frazzled nerves, Byakuya's reiatsu acted as a balm he'd not felt before. His own, still recovering energy moved a little in return, showing appreciation for the touch, but could do little else. Carefully, he pulled out of the noble, adjusting slightly for greater comfort and then nestled down against the noble, much like a pet seeking attention. It was almost frightening how soothing Byakuya's presence alone was to him.
Turning onto his side, the noble curled up against Renji, their legs tangling as he nuzzled at his neck absently. Byakuya hid a small smile - noting that he'd need to keep those confined this room - in the other man's neck and slid a hand up Renji's back, stroking his spine and slowly working out the still-tense muscles there. Byakuya would have voiced complaint about his fukutaichou being thrown into the living world for so long when he obviously was being strained beyond normal limits - that is, if it was not simply going to be seen as yet another "whine" (as Kenpachi had called it).
The fact he had not showed any clear concern over the rest of his Division being depleted of men in the current battles was suspicious as well, especially if he were to suddenly leap down the throats of those sending orders for Renji's reassignment in the living world. Kuchiki Byakuya would not show preference for one shinigami over another in his Division, despite rank - they were all subordinates, in the end - and if he began to now for reasons other than rank... It would not end well.
Renji sighed lightly, carding fingers through Byakuya's hair. "What're you thinking so intently about?"
Byakuya's eyes slid shut half-way and he silenced his thoughts. It was almost unnerving how easily Renji could pick up on the subtle shifts of his moods. "I am just... glad that you are back." He sighed softly and brushed his lips across Renji's throat. "And I hope you are not sent back anytime soon."
"Someday you'll have ta' teach me how ta' do that," the redhead murmured and pressed his lips to Byakuya's forehead.
"How to do what?" The noble shut his eyes completely at the brush of Renji's lips, a soft sigh of contentment following the action.
"Not tell the truth and not lie at the same time," Renji answered, wrapping his arm around Byakuya's shoulders.
Almost immediately, Byakuya stiffened, despite the urge to keep back such a reaction and ultimately prove Renji right. A slight frown slid across the noble's features as he eyed Renji. "You assume much."
"Then tell me I'm wrong," the redhead replied softly, catching Byakuya's gaze and maintaining it.
The noble's frown deepened and he opened his mouth to speak, hesitated, and then shut it again. Looking rather irritated to be caught in an act, Byakuya still forced himself to maintain eye contact. "...Some things I hesitate to tell you because I believe that is what is best for you," he finally said after a long pause. I want to protect you were the words that followed in Byakuya's mind, but he could not bring himself to say them.
"I know that," Renji sighed, breaking eye contact first so Byakuya wouldn't have to. His hand absently played with the strands of black hair it was already entangled in. A slow, faint smile drew on his lips as he glanced back at the noble. "I guess I'll just have to try harder then."
"If you try any harder at anything, I think you will destroy yourself," Byakuya gently pointed out, his frown fading as quickly as it appeared. It was increasingly difficult to stay irritated around Renji over anything - especially after so long, and especially when he had his hands anywhere on him, even with something as simple as touching his hair.
The redhead laughed softly and tugged a bit on Byakuya's hair, bringing him forward for an affectionate kiss. "That's what I mean," he answered after breaking it, catching the noble's gaze once more. "You don't think of what I can withstand; only what I can't." He gently massaged the base of Byakuya's neck, hoping the action would help show he wasn't upset. "But that's mostly my fault," he added, "which is why I have to try harder."
Byakuya's frown returned, but it was obviously one of perplexion rather than annoyance. "...I don't understand you," the noble said quietly, lifting a hand and running it along Renji's jaw. He offered no further explanation, and simply curled closer to the redhead as he tried to put his finger on what exactly he didn't understand, and why he stayed at Renji's side if he was so... out of the ordinary, as far as Byakuya's comprehension was concerned. The noble sighed to himself, deciding that thinking about it too much would only complicate matters further.
"That just makes us even," Renji answered softly, holding the noble against him and stroking the man's silken black hair. Whenever Byakuya did something like this, replying honestly and placing his trust in Renji so completely, the redhead couldn't help the surge of protectiveness that overcame him. It was silly, really, he thought even as he kissed the top of the noble's head and ran a hand down his back. Kuchiki Byakuya was one of the last people that needed protecting. However, the one thing he did need protection from was himself and until last night Renji had counted himself as the only person to defend him in such a manner.
The response caused the noble to heave out a sigh, but he didn't move from Renji's embrace. Instead, he relished it, having missed the times Renji would hold him like this. Byakuya sunk against him slowly, his fingers sliding down Renji's chest and resting against the jagged line of a tattoo and tracing it without looking, the shape still memorized after so long. "Would you like to move to the bed?" he queried softly, deftly changing the subject to something unimportant and easy to deal with.
Relenting to his captain's need to change subjects, Renji chuckled faintly. "I only just got up," he teased, enjoying the way Byakuya traced his tattoos. "I have more now," he commented idly, wondering if the noble held any true interest in them.
Not making any move to get up, the older man's eyes slid down Renji's chest as his thumb brushed along the sharpened end of one of the patterns along his ribcage. "Really?" Byakuya was a little put off that he hadn't noticed before, and dryly wondered if his memory was failing him.
"Mmhm," Renji confirmed, and the quickly appended, "They're on my back though, so you probably didn't notice them before... I think the back of my hakama covers most of them." Of course, the tattoos being on his lower back meant he wasn't entirely sure of what was visible and what wasn't. In fact, he hadn't even noticed them until a more severe battle had required more thorough than usual healing.
"Ah." Almost immediately, Byakuya's fingers slid from Renji's chest, over his side and to his back, tracing the length of his spine until he reached the other man's lower back. Allowing his fingers to linger there, the noble could almost feel the difference when his hand ran over the skin. Where black cut across otherwise golden flesh, there was a distinct, albeit low thrum of spirit energy, imperceptible unless one was putting forth quite a bit of effort to feel it. Without looking, Byakuya traced the lines. "Did you get these soon after you left?"
Renji shivered slightly, the sensation wholly new to him. His captain's reaction, though, was very pleasing. He smiled vaguely and let his head rest on the side of the couch, enjoying the probing touch. "Some earlier, some later - ah, that one must've been yesterday," he murmured, quickly noting a few lines that hadn't been there last he'd checked. He'd pushed Zabimaru more than he thought recently... the redhead wasn't sure if that was good or bad, weighing the improvement versus his zanpakutou's current state.
An elegant eyebrow arched in surprise. "Yesterday? You were still in combat yesterday?" The noble's fingers slid across the last jagged line on Renji's lower back until it swung around and connected to one of the previous tattoos. "No wonder your zanpakutou is in the shape it is in." There was no disapproval in the tone, but instead, a faint hint of concern.
Auburn eyes drifted shut. "I came here after the last fight... I sent some others back too... there's nothing left, so only the second team was needed to settle the area. The rest of us came back. Zabimaru took more damage than we expected... but he's strong, he just needs some rest." Byakuya probably didn't want a full report just yet, so he didn't elaborate beyond the given explanation.
"Mm." Concern was still audible in the noble's tone as he spoke again, "I will see to it that you... and Zabimaru... have more than enough rest." If it came right down to it, Byakuya himself would lead a mission on the field. It would be better than Renji doing so, and being killed in the process - along with whomever else was with him - because of weariness on both his behalf and his zanpakutou's.
"Don't let me rest too long," Renji warned, only half seriously as he cracked an eye open. "If you take too long, Zabimaru'll get grumpy and you have no idea how hard it is ta' get work done with a fuckin' nue grumblin' in the back of yer head all day."
A soft smirk slid across Byakuya's lips. "I can only imagine. He will have to get over it, however, as I intend for you both to rest as long as I deem necessary." The noble shifted away from Renji, the movement slight but enough to denote he fully intended to rise and move toward the bed. "If he gets 'grumpy', then perhaps I would consider a friendly spar."
Renji's whole expression lit up at the prospect, however slight, and he moved aside for the noble. "Really, Taichou?" The moniker was used affectionately, as if the redhead considered it an endearment rather than a more formal term of address.
"If you both get the rest you should and don't complain about it... Yes." Slipping off the couch, the noble turned and offered Renji his hand. "Like now, for example. There is still about two hours before I should send for lunch... We can both catch another hour of sleep. And I hope you prefer my bed to that couch."
Renji took the offered hand, pulling close. "I prefer anything with you in it," he answered with a smirk, quickly stealing another kiss.
A smile nearly slipped free on its own accord. "Good." Byakuya stepped back toward the bed, and, tugging Renji with him, slid back onto it, getting comfortable.
The redhead easily curled up around the noble, pulling them close together and tangling their limbs in the process. He nuzzled Byakuya's neck and then settled in to rest like a cat extremely pleased with itself for having found the perfect place to sleep. An affectionate arm slid about Renji's waist as Byakuya's own body curled close. The noble let out a soft, content sigh as he shut his eyes and settled into the warmth he had so grown accustomed.