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Kuchiki Byakuya stared out the window, watching as the rain began to hit the grass and pond outside. It had been a month since the end of the war, since the day Yhwach had been struck down and since then, Byakuya’s life had been a constant state of rush and mess. Between the deaths of so many captains and the overall destruction the Quincies had left in their wake, it never seemed like there was a moment for quiet reflection. Today, his wounds had started to act up, so he had been placed on bedrest until he felt better.
His wounds. The wounds he had from his fight with As Nodt would never completely heal properly, according to the new 4 th division captain, Kotetsu Isane. The poor girl had cried as she had told him, admitting that if Unohana was still alive, she probably would have been able to heal them better, but since she had died and Byakuya was stuck with wounds that left him weakened.
He sighed deeply. Perhaps he had deserved them. After all, hadn’t it been his own arrogance that had caused him to lead his men into a massacre? Hadn’t it been his own ignorance that he had assumed he would win against an unknown enemy? Truly, his actions that day left a lot to be desired. Reaching for his cup, he sipped at the bitter tea, resisting the urge to make a face. It was supposed to help, but it was so very bitter and he hated drinking it. He didn’t dare go against 4 th division orders though.
Placing the cup back down, he sighed again. Laying in bed like this reminded him too much of his own, sick father. Reminded him of all the years his father had spent locked away in a room, waiting for his body to finally give out. He hoped he wouldn’t end up like that. A knock came to the door, cutting off his rather depressing thoughts.
“Yes?” he called.
“Kuchiki-sama, there is a young man at the front gate, demanding to see you.” A servant said.
The voice was a bit young, unfamiliar to him. A new servant perhaps?
“I see, and his name?” Byakuya replied.
“He claimed his name was Kurosaki Ichigo?” the servant replied, sounding doubtful.
Byakuya was on his feet and moved towards his wardrobe before he could think twice.
“Let him in immediately and seat him in the main tearoom. I will be there momentarily. Bring the best tea and cakes we have on hand.” Byakuya called.
He heard the servant leave quickly and sighed before he grabbed a robe from his wardrobe and started to change his clothes. Changing his own clothes was often a painful and difficult task, but his personal servant had been killed during the war and he had yet to pick his replacement. As the head of the Kuchiki Clan, finding a new personal servant was a long and tedious task since he could not afford to have a servant that close that could cause him harm. He had been putting it off, but he would most certainly have to make a choice soon.
Finishing his task, he set about grabbing his hair piece. Putting that on hurt just as much since it pulled at his stomach and chest muscles when he lifted his arms up, but he dared not go without, lest people assume he was incompetent and not put together enough to be Head of the Clan. He left his scarf off, deciding it was too warm for that. Eventually, he was ready and left his room for the main tearoom. As he got closer, he felt Kurosaki’s familiar reiatsu and felt himself relaxing a bit. He hadn’t seen nor heard from the young man since that horrible rainy day and he was glad to see that Ichigo was out of the 4 th .
“Kurosaki.” Byakuya said as he stepped into the room.
Ichigo’s head snapped up and his entire body seemed to relax as he looked Byakuya over.
“Byakuya.” Ichigo replied.
“It’s Captain… nevermind.” He sighed as he sat down across from Ichigo, knowing it was a lost cause.
Giving Ichigo a glance over, he noticed that Ichigo still had some bandages around his arms and across his chest. He must have just been released. He also seemed to be dry, so he must have made it to the estate before the rain truly started.
“I am pleased to see you are out of the 4 th .” Byakuya said.
“Finally. They seriously did not want to let me leave. I was starting to worry that they were going to strap me down to a bed.” Ichigo said with a half chuckle.
Byakuya stared at him and knew exactly why. He had seen the report of Ichigo’s injuries, knew the extent of what wounds he had suffered from and even how long he had been in surgery for after the final battle. The 4 th had been right to keep him under lock and key for a month, his wounds had been awful.
“I am sure they were just being overly cautious.” Byakuya replied as the door slid open and a servant brought in some tea and small cakes.
Byakuya waved them off without a second glance, but Ichigo turned his head and thanked them as they slipped back out the door. Ichigo took his tea and took a small sip before he looked at Byakuya.
“I’m happy to see you as well, you know.” Ichigo said softly.
Byakuya blinked, a bit startled.
“Thank you for your concern, but I promise you, my wounds have healed rather well.” Byakuya said as he reached for his own tea.
“That’s… good.” Ichigo said before looking down.
They sat in silence for a moment and Byakuya wondered why Ichigo was here. Was he just doing his rounds? Making sure all his allies were fine after the war? He wasn’t sure, but he was happy to see Ichigo had stopped by, even if it was just for a moment.
“I did it.” Ichigo said softly.
Byakuya blinked at him.
“I saved Soul Society… like you asked.” Ichigo trailed off, uncertain.
There was a fluttering in Byakuya’s chest and he quickly sipped his tea to keep himself from thinking about it too hard.
“Yes… you did. Thank you.” Byakuya whispered.
Ichigo stared at him before nodding and getting up.
“I should leave. I’m sure you have more important things to do than…” Ichigo shook his head.
Thunder boomed outside the window as the rain started to come down even harder and Byakuya noticed a very small flinch.
“Stay.” Byakuya said.
“Huh?” Ichigo looked at him.
“It’s raining rather heavily out there and it would do you no good to get sick after just getting out of the 4 th . So, stay. Until the end of the storm.” Byakuya said.
Ichigo stared at him before nodding.
“Ok, sure.” Ichigo sat back down.
Now, Byakuya had not planned for Ichigo to agree. He had suggested it to be a good host, but now what did he do? He sipped his tea again, looking for a topic to focus on. Ichigo beat him to it.
“I heard Rukia might end up a captain.” Ichigo stated.
“Her name has been put forward since the passing of Captain Ukitake.” Byakuya agreed.
“Good for her. I hope she accepts it. I know she’ll be an amazing captain.” Ichigo nodded.
“I have spoken to her about it. She is torn about accepting the 13 th captain position, but I believe it will be good for her and the division as a whole.” Byakuya explained as the thunder boomed again.
Again, a small flinch. Ichigo’s hand tightened on the teacup slightly before he relaxed.
“Of course she’ll do great. It’s Rukia.” Ichigo agreed.
The amount of confidence Ichigo had in Rukia and her skills made Byakuya feel a bit warm. To know Rukia had such a good friend, someone who supported her without a second thought, made Byakuya feel happy. He wished he had been that person, but he was learning how to be that person with Ichigo as a guide.
“I am sure her big brother will also be there to teach her how to be a good captain.” Ichigo said, shooting him a smirk.
Byakuya blinked, before he coughed into his fist, trying to keep his face from flushing.
“I will be sure to support her as much as she needs, but the jump between being a lieutenant and being a captain is not as big as many people assume.” Byakuya said.
“Oh? Really?” Ichigo asked, seemingly a bit startled.
“Yes. Lieutenant, especially in the 13 th , often take over as temporary captains when the actual captain is busy, sick or in times of emergency. The only thing that keeps them from being the same level as a captain is that their signature does not hold the same weight as a captain’s does.” Byakuya replied.
“Huh, I guess that makes sense.” Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck.
Another loud boom and Ichigo’s hand jerked out, smacking his teacup and causing it to spill all over.
“SHIT!” Sorry, sorry, sorry!” Ichigo yelped, grabbing his sleeve and started trying to clean it up.
“Kurosaki, stop.” Byakuya demanded.
Ichigo froze, eyes wide. Byakuya snapped his fingers and a servant came in with a cloth to clean the table, remove the now cracked cup and return with a fresh cup of tea.
“Oh… sorry.” Ichigo sat back with a flush.
Byakuya frowned at him and then turned to the servant.
“Take Kurosaki-sama to a room and get him a fresh robe.” Byakuya demanded.
“E-Eh? I don’t need a fresh robe! I’m fine!” Ichigo stuttered, but Byakuya just raised an eyebrow.
“Go change.” Byakuya demanded.
Ichigo blinked, but got up and left without a word, following the servant out the door. Byakuya settled back down and stared at the empty seat across from him. He had heard from Rukia once that Ichigo didn’t like the rain, but this was a bit more than he had expected. Perhaps he was suffering from PTSD? He wouldn’t be the only one. Sipping his tea, he waited and a few minutes later, Ichigo returned. Byakuya almost choked on his tea.
“Sorry about that.” Ichigo sat down, staring at the table.
The soft navy blue robe looked gorgeous on him and Byakuya knew one of the servants must have just grabbed it from Byakuya’s own wardrobe and whoever it was, they were getting a fucking raise because hot damn. Between the robe and the fact that Ichigo’s hair was slightly longer, brushing against his shoulders, he looked quite lovely. Ichigo glanced at him when he didn’t reply and Byakuya swallowed.
“You are fine. Quite a bad storm outside today.” Byakuya stated.
Another boom and Ichigo clenched his jaw so hard that Byakuya wondered if he would crack his teeth.
“I don’t like the rain.” Ichigo muttered.
Byakuya hummed.
“Rukia told me that once. I’m sorry you feel that way.” Byakuya said.
For a moment, Ichigo locked eyes with him before they dropped again.
“Yeah… I’m sure she told you why.” Ichigo muttered.
Byakuya’s brow furled.
“She did not actually. Just made a comment. I did not think to ask more about it.” Byakuya admitted.
Ichigo stared out the window as the rain continued to pour.
“Every bad moment in my life has happened because of the rain. My mom died when it was raining. Rukia was taken when it was raining. Even Soul Society was destroyed when it was raining. Rain… just holds bad memories.” Ichigo stated.
Byakuya stared at him, startled.
“I’m so sorry.” He whispered and Ichigo just looked at him with a sad smile.
“You don’t have to apologize. It’s my own issue. I am… working on it.” Ichigo said, pausing when there was another boom.
Byakuya sighed.
“I find myself smelling rain and blood after waking up from a nightmare. Especially after everything.” Byakuya stated.
Ichigo nodded, his jaw unclenching slightly.
“I was scared. When I saw the state of Soul Society, I was so afraid. I had no idea who was alive, who was dead, where the enemy was. So many things were running through my brain, but when I felt your reiatsu, I rushed to you. When I saw you…” Ichigo paused.
“I was not sure I was going to make it.” Byakuya admitted and Ichigo looked at him.
“Byakuya…” Ichigo muttered.
“Truly, I thought my words to you would be my last. Admittedly, I am thankful they aren’t.” Byakuya said.
Ichigo nodded, looking away. They lapsed into silence before the next boom came. Ichigo closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing, but his hands were shaking, despite his attempts to stop it. It was strange to Byakuya and yet, gave him a whole new perspective on the man he thought he understood. Ichigo had always seemed so powerful, so confident, so unafraid of anything, that hearing he had been afraid and seeing the fear in his face and body was startling. It was like opening a book he thought he had read, just to find a new chapter. But if Ichigo was comfortable enough with him to share this side of him…
“I don’t like open water.” Byakuya said.
Ichigo opened his eyes and stared at him.
“Open water is too unpredictable. I do not like the idea of what is in it. I stay away from it when given the chance.” Byakuya stated.
“Oh. Yeah, open water is pretty nerve wracking. Yuzu got really into shark week a few years ago and that taught me everything I needed and did not need to know.” Ichigo replied.
“I’m sorry, shark week?” Byakuya asked, baffled.
“Oh, it’s an American thing. Apparently one of those animal channels does a whole week during the summer about sharks and other ocean-based animals.” Ichigo said.
“Why?” Byakuya asked, confused.
Ichigo shrugged.
“I have no idea? Apparently, Americans are obsessed with sharks or something.” Ichigo admitted.
“I see… I am not sure how I feel about that.” Byakuya said.
“Believe me, I know more about sharks than I want to know and if I start telling you, you are really not going to like open water.” Ichigo stated.
“I will keep that in mind.” Byakuya nodded.
Another loud boom made Ichigo jump. His nerves seemed to be shot.
“Fuck! I’m sorry. I just… maybe I should go.” Ichigo said, covering his eyes with his hand.
“I would rather you not. This storm is getting worse.” Byakuya said.
The storm had been steadily getting worse, the rain coming down harder and harder. Ichigo cursed and his leg started to shake.
“I shouldn’t have come. I should have stayed at the 4 th . This is so embarrassing.” Ichigo muttered.
“It is not. It is not embarrassing to be afraid. Especially when you have been so strong about everything else.” Byakuya said.
“But being afraid of the rain? That’s so stupid!” Ichigo snapped.
“You are not afraid of the rain, you are afraid of what it represents. That is different.” Byakuya said.
Another loud boom and Ichigo cursed.
“I just wish it would stop!” Ichigo snapped.
Byakuya stood up. For a moment, Ichigo actually looked upset, maybe he thought Byakuya was leaving? But Byakuya simply moved around to the other side of the table and sat beside him. Ichigo froze, staring at him.
“Rukia, when she is upset, will often ask me to sit next to her.” Byakuya stated, uncertain.
Ichigo blinked and then relaxed.
“Yeah, she does ask for that, doesn’t she?” Ichigo muttered.
Byakuya settled next to him and felt the next time Ichigo jumped. He wrapped an arm around Ichigo’s shoulders and pulled him closer. Ichigo pressed as close as he could, burying his face in Byakuya’s shoulder, clinging to his robe, shivering and shaking.
At the next boom, Ichigo pressed even closer. Byakuya felt a wet spot start to form on his shoulder, but just ran his fingers through Ichigo’s hair as he closed his own eyes and just held the savior close. The rain continued for a while, with each boom and flash, Ichigo seemed to burrow into Byakuya’s side. By the end, he was pretty much on Byakuya’s lap.
“I was scared you were dead.” Ichigo said.
Byakuya hummed lightly.
“I was scared I had arrived too late. When I saw you, I thought… I thought I would never get to tell you that I think I’m in love with you.” Ichigo muttered.
For a moment, Byakuya actually thought he heard wrong. It couldn’t be… right? Ichigo, taking his silence for something else, seemed to come back to himself and quickly started to pull away.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I totally read this whole thing wrong. I should… I should go.” Ichigo said.
Ichigo got up, but before he got too far, Byakuya grabbed his wrist.
“This is the third time I have had to tell you this, Kurosaki Ichigo, so I will not repeat myself again. Stay.” Byakuya demanded.
Ichigo looked at him as the thunder boomed and the sky lit up with lightning before he nodded. Ichigo sat back down, but Byakuya did not release his wrist.
“As you know, I was in love once before. Hisana was the love of my life, my heart and soul. I cared for her until the very second of her death and I thought that is where it would stay.” Byakuya said.
Ichigo was staring at him, uncertain.
“And then one day, a rude, crass Ryoka boy burst into my life and forced me to open my heart again. He tore down my walls and forced his way into my heart before he settled there like he had always belonged. And I learned that Hisana had been my first love, but not my last.” Byakuya stated.
Ichigo flushed as Byakuya tugged on his wrist. They moved closer and when the next boom came, their lips touched. Byakuya was careful, remembering Ichigo’s wounds, but Ichigo kissed like a man starved. Ichigo knelt before him, clinging to his shoulder and kissing him hungrily. When they pulled back, Ichigo’s eyes had a hint of gold.
“Sorry. But I have always wanted to do that.” Ichigo admitted.
Byakuya pressed their lips together again. He kissed back just as hungrily. Eventually, they had to pull back.
“Do not worry. So have I.” Byakuya declared.