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Byakuya fiddled with the arrangement of the gift basket. Moving its contents about as if it were going to change how that man viewed the items. How would he even give this to the man? Byakuya thought of Kenpachi. They were close but only casually, choosing to keep the more intimate part of their relationship behind closed doors. He couldn’t just hand it to him in public. Doing so in private would come with a different set of issues… Byakuya could already see himself being pulled into a midday romp at the thought of Kenpachi’s sharp canines as he smiled at the gift. He sighed. Byakuya ultimately decided to leave the basket on his doorstep with a thoughtful note that would get his point across. He just couldn’t stand it anymore.
One of the things Byakuya liked most about Kenpachi was his long, wild hair. If only wild didn’t mean dry and damaged. Regardless of how much he washed it, it’s become a nest. Kenpachi was altogether very unconcerned with creams and toners and serums as Byakuya was. Byakuya found that taking care of these physical aspects of one’s body much like eating well and physical activity was a necessity. A way of upkeeping one’s health. Kenpachi came off as a man who, although very clean despite what many would think, uses 3 in 1 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Byakuya shook his head, trying to rid himself of that distressing thought. He’ll worry about skincare at a later date.
Byakuya had waited until nightfall when many of the 11th’s members were out drinking and eating. His past experience making late night visits had told him that would be the best time to sneak over to Kenpachi’s living quarters. He had made his way over to the 11th division’s barracks. Byakuya shifted an item in the care package one more time as he reached the Captain’s quarters. He knelt down, tucking his note, detailing the contents of the package and their uses, between some of the bottles. Before he was able to set down the basket and slip away the door slid open. Kenpachi stood there with his yukata half open, exposing his great broad chest. He smiled down at Byakuya as if already knowing why he was there. Kenpachi took a moment as he looked Byakuya up and down hungrily, stopping only to stare at the gift basket in the other man’s hands. The item took Kenpachi off guard. He looked puzzled a moment before finally speaking.
“What’s that?” Kenpachi asked eyes squinting at the basket.
Byakuya had been caught in the exact situation he had tried not to be in. And righted himself from his crouched position and fixed his uniform. He fought the flush of embarrassment that threatened to tint his cheeks a delicate shade of pink.
“I thought I would let you try some of my personal hair care products.” Byakuya said gingerly handing over the basket. It felt like the gesture was more of a sheepish suggestion than a pointed request. Kenpachi looked at the well-crafted basket filled with various bottles and jars of creams and elixirs, nestled neatly in light tissue paper, and wrapped in a bow.
“Uh huh…” Kenpachi grunted, picking up one of the jars. “I wouldn’t even know how to use half of this stuff.” He said eying suspiciously the jar labeled ‘Hair Masque’ in fancy, swirly letters that he suspected was Byakuya’s own handwriting.
“You are welcome to come by the Kuchiki estate. And I can walk you through a proper routine.” The invitation was strictly for getting this hair situation reconciled but Byakuya knew Kenpachi would take it a different way.
“You mean have a soak in your fancy, private bath house?” Kenpachi gave a sharkish grin at this, revealing those pointy canines that made Byakuya’s knees buckle. He thought briefly about collapsing into the warm and inviting chest in front of him. He needed to leave or risk his grievances not be taken seriously.
“Wouldn’t miss it!” Kenpachi barked.
Byakuya chuckled. He couldn’t quite put it into words the charm this man had but he definitely was caught unwittingly in his spell.
Byakuya wasn’t sure when to expect Kenpachi over. Suffice to say seeing the man merely hours later was a surprise. He had come knocking to the front of the estate in the middle of the night. Kenpachi was let in by the house staff who exchanged their knowing looks with one another over their late night visitor. They had of course grown accustomed to Kenpachi’s visits and were sworn to secrecy on the matter. Nevertheless, seeing the large, barbarian like man inside of the elegant estate was always a shock to them.
By the time Byakuya made his way down to greet his guest, Kenpachi had already made his way to the bath house, stripped himself down, and sank into its serene waters. Byakuya noticed his gift basket sitting at the edge of the tub. Kenpachi had his hair down. That long, dark mane suited the rugged man. Byakuya wishes he’d wear it like this more often. Through the steam that hung in the air, he took in the sight before him.
Kenpachi’s broad frame glistened as droplets of water beaded and rolled down his hard, rippling muscles. He looked like a finely chiseled statue. Strong and well defined. Byakuya swallowed hard to keep himself from salivating. He couldn’t help the barrage of Explicit thoughts and images that unintentionally ran through his mind. Kenpachi took notice of his host’s arrival and gave a grin in acknowledgment, waving him over to join him in the bath. Byakuya could feel the eyes from across the room bore into him as he undressed to join him in the hot pool. Under that hungry eye, he may have added a little more saunter to his step as he approached. Kenpachi’s dark chuckle showed his obvious approval as he watched Byakuya’s hips sway.
Byakuya didn’t imagine he’d be Kenpachi’s type but from the way Kenpachi drank in his slender, pale, unblemished form he could see his unquestionable desire
Byakuya settled into the water beside Kenpachi. Kenpachi, wanting to waste no time, shifted to pull the smaller man into his lap. As much as he wanted to at this moment Byakuya was a man on a mission. He halted Kenpachi’s advancements and reached into the basket.
“This is a clarifying shampoo. It works to remove dirt, oil, previous hair products, the blood of your enemies, or what have you in that nest of yours.” Byakuya said flatly waiting for the other man’s response.
“Are you serious?” Kenpachi cocked his head, dumbfounded. He didn’t once think he was invited over to actually start a hair care routine. Byakuya, in his paranoia, always came up with these elaborate explanations for the two of them should they ever be caught in a compromising situation. No matter how ridiculous the excuse, people always believe it when faced with Byakuya’s serious tone and deadpan expression.
“Very.” He set the bottle down and proceeded to go through the remaining products, explaining what they do and how to use them to a very flabbergasted Kenpachi. It was hard to tell whether the large captain was actually listening or not.
“Simple enough?” Again Byakuya paused waiting for a response.
“Yeah, yeah I got it.” Kenpachi said waving a hand lazily in the air at the question.
“I’ll do this for you once and then it’s up to you to maintain.” Byakuya rose from the water to sit on the edge of the bath. He spread his legs and gestured for Kenpachi to sit between them. He did so without question but maintained a confused look on his face. He sat in the water between Byakuya’s thighs as the man poured water, soaking the coarse mane. The warmth as it trickled down Kenpachi’s shoulder and back soothed him. Byakuya’s long, delicate fingers worked their magic, kneading the shampoo all the way down to his scalp. The sensation sent chills down Kenpachi’s spine. He let out a long groan and laid back into Byakuya. As against this as he may have been it does feel good. Not used to this type of pampering, Kenpachi might ask for Byakuya to do this for him again. Switching between massaging and being rinsed with warm water had Kenpachi half asleep. Allowing himself the momentary reprieve from the stress of being a captain, Kenpachi closed his eyes and gave himself over to Byakuya.
The room held a steady silence. Byakuya was able to pull the occasional soft, relief filled moan from Kenpachi as he kneaded into his scalp. Byakuya would absentmindedly run his fingers through the long strands of hair. His eyes glaze over slightly as he just enjoys the feeling.
Not of the hair but of the moment.
They were hardly ever like this. They kept it casual and never really lingered after their needs were met or beat around the bush beforehand. This was different, and Byakuya liked it quite a lot.
He felt a feeling of warmth come over him that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He never thought he’d experience this feeling again. Not since Hisana. But to openly have this barbarian of a man call the Kuchiki estate his home in anyway?
Ridiculous!
It was like he was cursed to fall for those he could not truly have. A tragedy on constant repeat. Though, he wasn’t aware that being cursed could feel this…tender. There was an ache in his chest as though there was optimism there. A promise that he could be made whole again after having shattered a few too many times. He had sworn to lock those sentiments away but here they come again flooding to the surface.
He’d been blindsided by this growing affection for Kenpachi. He never meant to care for him as he did now. What more could Byakuya do aside from sealing those feelings up once more?
He heard the man between his legs groan again and felt that familiar pull that had always guided him into Kenpachi’s arms. Whether he was aware of it or not Byakuya has always been a man enslaved to his heart.
For Hisana.
For Rukia.
He would risk life and reputation. It’s that pull of his heart and once again it’s leading him down roads he’d never imagined. Without care for consequence, Byakuya leans over to press a kiss on the man’s head.
At this Kenpachi’s eyes flew open. It was unexpected. They never kissed outside of the heat of the moment. He had thought about it, sure, in the night after they had parted ways. He pictured Byakuya pressing those soft lips to his temple as they cradled each other, their bodies intertwined. Yes, he had thought about it, but he never imagined it the other way around. That those feelings of neediness and desperation for a different type of closeness may be reciprocated in this relationship. Yet, Kenpachi could somehow feel it in every kiss they shared. Byakuya’s need to fill something inside of him and his own need to be wanted in that way.
To be someone’s missing piece that they wouldn’t want to live without. That he could protect even if they didn’t need him to. Kenpachi hadn’t felt like that since Yachiru...
She’s the only one Kenpachi felt he could ever feel comfortable expressing his love for. But now she was gone and he’d been unwittingly searching to fill the void she left in his core.
Kenpachi couldn’t explain it, nor did he care to fully understand it, but Byakuya had brought back that feeling of a swollen heart. He had found that person to care for, who wasn’t afraid to care for him in return. Their relationship had always been physical up until now but that’s just how Kenpachi was. Just one sexual encounter after another, leaving whatever emotions that may complicate their arrangement at the door. Kenpachi wasn’t quick to trust but with Byakuya he was scared in a different way. Scared that one day he too would be gone from his life without a trace.
He knew he needed to touch Byakuya, to make sure that he was real first before he would blindly follow the force that he felt had led them to one another.
Kenpachi shifted, breaking the kiss and Byakuya pulled away. The Kuchiki hardened his heart in anticipation of rejection or to reject what his heart longs for. Kenpachi rose from the water to sit with the smaller man at the edge of the bath. This was the first time their silence had been awkward. Both knew what it was they wanted but neither could summon the courage to proceed.
Kenpachi would be the one to break the awkward stalemate.
With a large hand, he reached over and with all the tenderness he could muster he cupped Byakuya’s cheek. Kenpachi traced the line of Byakuya’s jaw and tilted his head up.
Was it his touch or the steamy bath house that had brought that wonderful flush to Byakuya’s cheeks? Kenpachi had hoped it was the former as he ducked down to press their lips together once more. It was nice. Soft. Filled with a sweetness he didn’t know he could provide, and it seemed to him that Byakuya, hungry for more, returned the kiss with even more fervor.
When they finally parted, their hearts were beating faster and chests heaving slightly. This relationship of theirs, born of need and grown in secrecy was now blossoming into something new. Kenpachi felt unexpectedly flustered at seeing the blissful expression on Byakuya’s face as they pulled apart. It stirred that tender feeling in him and he had finally decided that he wanted more. Before the moment was lost Kenpachi decided to speak up.
“It’d be nice if we could do stuff like this more often.” Kenpachi said, nervously rubbing a hand on his neck. He had shifted to facing forward, unable to maintain eye contact any further.
“Like this?” Byakuya was sure he knew what Kenpachi meant but had been terrified of this exact conversation. His poor heart had been working overtime, he could still hear the thrum of it in his ears.
“Like dates.” Kenpachi finally managed to get out. He made a quick glance over at the Kuchiki. Byakuya’s gaze on the man was intense and he was deadly silent.
“We can still do this in private if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t really care for all the attention either.” Kenpachi felt himself backtracking, fumbling to avoid the sting of rejection. There was a pause between their every back and forth that seemed to stretch on forever and Byakuya just kept silently staring at him. Kenpachi wanted to take it all back. To pretend there wasn’t a part of him that needed to be mended by the love of another. He wanted to leave but his strange draw to Byakuya kept him waiting there for any type of response.
“I’d like that too. To…date.” The corners of Byakuya’s mouth rose to form a small grin. It was slight but it was there. Byakuya didn’t feel as though he could help it. It was like he was bursting at the seams and the delight he couldn’t contain was now seeping out.
“It might give you a reason to take care of that hair of yours.” Byakuya smirked, glancing over at Kenpachi as he let out a howl of laughter.
“I might start trying if that’s the case!” Kenpachi let out another bellow of laughter. His uncertainty melted and gave way to unbridled joy.
‘He’d try.’ Byakuya thought. It gave him the relief he didn’t know he needed. As if he were finally allowed to let go of the breath he didn’t know he was holding and had been given hope he didn’t know he had been waiting for.
Hope that they could find a way to move past their emotional baggage together.
Byakuya, with more hesitation than should be needed at this point, rested his head on Kenpachi’s broad shoulder. They were both tense for a moment before relaxing against the other. It was odd for the both of them given that they had never cuddled before. This softness was something Kenpachi could also grow accustomed to.
After they were done here Kenpachi knew it would be his turn to treat Byakuya gently.