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Byakuya stopped in the middle of the hallway, causing Ichigo to nearly walk into him. He turned and started pacing. Two steps, wall, turn. Two steps, wall, turn.
“Byakuya…” Ichigo started.
Byakuya stopped and faced Ichigo. “I don’t think I can do this.” He said in an uncharacteristic moment of anxiety.
Ichigo sighed, “Yes you can. Since you first mated, Renji has been yours. This is just the next step to tell the worlds that he is yours.” Ichigo rested his hands on Byakuya’s shoulders. “And that you are his.” He added.
Byakuya searched brown eyes for… something, but only saw honest truth. He hung his head. “You’re right.” Sliding his hand into his pocket he pulled out the ring box.
“Come on, Shuu is waiting with him.” Ichigo said, turning Byakuya around and starting to push him towards the door at the end of the hallway.
He allowed the other Alpha to guide him along. When they got to the door he shrugged off Ichigo’s hands, took a deep breath and opened the door.
The sight that greeted him was unexpected to say the least. Renji was curled up in Shuuhei’s lap and Shuuhei was gently kissing him and running his hand through long crimson hair.
“What is going on here?” He asked, a slight bit of anger and hurt colouring his tone.
“It’s not what it looks like.” Shuuhei said, separating his lips from Renji’s and lightly glaring at the Alphas.
“Oh?” Byakuya raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Someone has been acting distant and aloof. I’m just offering what little comfort I can.” He shot back.
Byakuya winced, stepping into the room and walking over to the pair on the couch. Ichigo followed, looking at his Omega with a raised eyebrow.
‘You know something about this, don’t you?’ Shuuhei said down their bond, calmly staring back at his Alpha.
‘I do, but it’s not my place to betray a confidence.’ Ichigo replied. Shuuhei gave him a look and he chuckled.
Byakuya sank to his knees in front of Renji, waiting for the Omega to look at him. The redhead’s face was pressed into Shuuhei’s chest, but eventually he turned his head and peeked at Byakuya.
“Renji…” Byakuya whispered, offering his hand. Renji tentatively took the hand and faced him, still leaned into Shuuhei. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise I was making you feel this way.”
“It’s okay, Bya.” Renji’s voice was rough. “I just… I just thought it might have been something I did…” He trailed off.
“My Renji, no, never.” Byakuya left the box that was in his other hand between his legs and cupped Renji’s face with his hand. “I have never been good with these sorts of things. I know that is no excuse. I came here today to ask you something.”
Renji sat up straighter and faced Byakuya fully. He was nervous about just what Byakuya was about to ask. There was always a little niggle in the back of his mind that wondered why a rukongai dog like him had been chosen by a noble like Byakuya that he just couldn’t seem to silence. He swallowed, hoping he wasn’t about to be sent away.
Byakuya could see Renji’s nervousness and he stood up, using the hand in Renji’s to pull him up as well. They took a few steps away from the couch and Shuuhei. He cupped the redhead’s cheek once more, brushing his thumb over the cheek, before sliding it down to rest on the bonding mark he’d left when they’d mated.
Renji gasped as Byakuya’s emotions flooded their bond. He could feel Byakuya’s love flow, but also the anxiety about something, and concern - about him he assumed. “What did you want to ask?” Renji whispered.
Ichigo walked over to the couch and picked up the box that Byakuya forgot, smiling. He looked at Shuuhei, who stood up and wrapped his arms around Ichigo’s waist, looking at the other two.
“Renji, all my life, I’ve grown up being told to do what was expected of me. Become a strong Shinigami, become captain of the Sixth, be a strong Alpha, marry someone who will be good for the clan, someone I didn’t have a choice in.
“But then I met you. You came crashing into my life, defying me at every turn - especially after meeting that one.” He gestured to Ichigo, who bowed in acknowledgment. “You helped me learn there was more to my life than the clan and what the elders expect of me. You showed me that I was capable of emotion, that I was allowed to let myself feel, to love.” He chuckled.
“You thawed out this unfeeling, icy heart and I love you for it.” He went to kneel in front of the trembling Omega, but realised he didn’t have the ring box. He heard a chuckle and looked over at the other two.
“Forget something?” Ichigo teased, tossing the box to the other Alpha. Byakuya caught it and mouthed a ‘thank you’. He resumed kneeling down, looking up at Renji.
“I love you Renji. And I want us to be together in every way we possibly can.” He opened the box to show a simple band with a sturdy chain. “Will you marry me?”
Renji couldn’t breathe. Tears leaked from his eyes against his will the more Byakuya spoke. This wasn’t what he was expecting at all. Byakuya wanted to marry him. Wanted to tie himself to him in every way possible. He very nearly couldn’t believe it.
Byakuya waiting with bated breath. The moment seemed to stretch on forever and he began to wonder if he’d made a mistake, when Renji’s weight tackled him to the floor.
“‘Kuya.” Renji sobbed. “Of course! Of course I’ll marry you. I love you so much. I thought I’d done something wrong and you were going to throw me away, but you want to be married to me. I…” He trailed off, leaning down to press kisses all over Byakuya’s face.
Byakuya chuckled at the attention, before stopping Renji’s movements with his hand, guided the teary, excited Omega to his lips and kissing him deeply. He pulled back and rested their foreheads together. “I love you, so so much.” He whispered.
Ichigo snuggled back into Shuuhei as he watched the other two kiss and cry. He was happy for them.
“You ever gonna ask me?” Shuuhei mumbled next to Ichigo’s ear. Ichigo twisted in his hold.
“You want to get married?” He asked incredulously.
“Nah.” Shuuhei replied, pulling his Alpha in for a kiss. “The worlds already know you’re mine.”
Renji finally got up off Byakuya - not that he minded, having his Omega’s weight on his was comforting - and looked at the ring box. “Why is there a chain on it?” He asked.
“The ring is sized to fit you, but I wanted to give you the option of wearing it around your neck. You can, of course, wear it on your finger if you’d prefer.” Byakuya replied.
Renji could feel his eyes burning again. His Alpha had thought to give him an option of how he could wear the ring. He was never one for jewellery and Byakuya knew him well enough that he thought he’d prefer to wear it around his neck. “Thank you, ‘Kuya. Are you going to put it on me?” He asked.
Byakuya chuckled, pulling the necklace out of the box and gently placing it over his head. He grabbed handfuls of thick red hair, pulling it through the chain so it sat directly on the skin of his neck, smoothing the silky locks down when he was done. A soft purr rumbled in Renji’s chest and he smiled.
Pressing a soft kiss to his lips, Byakuya said softly,
“I love you, my Renji.”