Driven to Distraction

 

Chapter 2: Delight

Renji excused himself to the washroom while I motioned a waiter to the table and paid my tab. I hastily scribbled a note and handed it to him with a nod of my head. He saw the name on the outside and nodded back. He knew the gentleman it was for and would make sure it reached him. I didn’t want Renji to think he’d interrupted anything so I didn’t comment about it to him.

When he returned, we headed out of the club together. He seemed a bit awkward, now that we had put a hold on our intimacy. He kept glancing over to me and then, when I raised my eyebrow in question, he looked down at his feet. I reached over and clasped his hand to reassure him. He turned his head and smiled at me. “Renji, I think we will need to stop to get supplies.”

“Ahh...supplies?” He cocked his head. Then a light-bulb went on in his head. “Oh, I know what you mean. Yeah, erm...I have something in my pocket.” He fished out some condoms from his pants and a bottle from his jacket that read ‘Bel Ami Maximum Endurance’. “Is this good enough?”

I let a quick guffaw escape. Renji brought some supplies with him, hoping for a hook-up.  With me, I guess, because he said he came to watch me dance. If it was anyone but him I’d be offended at the presumption. I gave his hand a squeeze so he wouldn’t interpret my slip as a reprimand. “That is perfect, Renji. Thank you for thinking ahead.” We walked in silence for a few minutes. “It’s about a 10 minute walk to the hotel. Why don’t we take this time to talk on the way?” I paused, waiting for him to respond.

“Well, I was kinda wondering. Why dancing? I figured if you needed a tension release, you’d spar or read or something...less exhibitiony.” He had a slight smirk on his lips. I had surprised him, no doubt. Then again, I don’t think anyone would have suspected my affinity for the physical display.

“Ukitake Juushiro introduced me to it. He persuaded me to come on one of his trips to the living world and brought me here. I was assured that no-one from the Seireitei was present to witness and further taunted that he would get me a disguise if I needed it. Not one to back away from a challenge, I put all my heart into it the first time I stepped onto the dance floor and discovered that it was just what I needed. I was able to truly let go of my worries and duties.” My eyes lifted to a black, star-lit sky and sighed. It was a relief to unburden myself to my vice-captain. Even though we would never be able to discuss this any other time, I was glad to have this moment to share with him and I trusted him to keep it to himself.

“Renji, who was the friend you came to the club with that first time, if I may ask?” I was curious to know what brought him there and maybe a little anxious that he had a boyfriend. I don’t know why. I didn’t plan to carry on an intimate relationship with him past tonight.

“Ichigo. There’s a bit of a coincidence. Ichigo said Ukitake was the one who brought him to this club, just a few months ago.” He held his other hand up in a ‘stop’ gesture. “Before you ask, no, he didn’t drink. He hinted that he had some self-discoveries, though, said he didn’t know that he’d like a place like this.” Renji’s tone suggested that he and Ichigo were just friends. I let the air out of my lungs, like I’d been holding it in.

I was a little annoyed at Ukitake for implying that I wouldn’t be found out here. Having brought Ichigo to the club, who knows how many others he or Ichigo would bring. However, he did only say that no-one from the Seireitei was there, and aside from Renji’s appearance since then, that’s true. I expect that he would know Ichigo would bring others and some might be friends like Renji. Perhaps he didn’t want to scare me away from something that he felt would benefit me more than my need for discretion. I will speak to him about it later.

“Does Ichigo dance? What do you get out of going to a dance club, if not to dance? I know you said you like to watch and check out the guys, but I mean in the general sense. Like what I explained my reasoning was.” I don’t think I would have kept coming back if I didn’t get the release from the dancing. I wasn’t understanding where Renji was coming from.

“Me? I’m just looking to take my mind off the upcoming war. Everyone’s so tense, including Ichigo. I suggested we unwind and he hesitantly suggested this place. He was relieved when I was cool with it. He does dance, and quite well, I might add. But he doesn’t hold a candle to you.” He was turning pink, again. “I guess I can get relaxed easier than you. I don’t need much to feel good. Please don’t take it the wrong way, but you usually seem so tight and disapproving. Even though you remain calm and cool, I can feel it, working so close to you. I’m glad you have a way to let go, though. If you want, I could give you a massage at the end of the work day, to help get you through till the next trip here.” Renji offered with lifted eyebrows. It would appear he intends to extend our intimacy past tonight.

“I don’t take any offense, Renji. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t know my own situation. However, I don’t know if it would be wise to allow personal contact in that way at our work environment. Let’s put that aside, for now. We’ve arrived at our destination.” I let go of his hand to open the door to the hotel. It was deserted except for the desk attendant. I gave him a nod as we made our way past to the elevator. It wasn’t the grandest of hotels but my room was on the top floor so I could have a suite with a separate bedroom. 

As we approached the room, Renji stumbled on the rug. I looked down at his feet, and then up to his face. “Smooth. I can see now why you don’t dance.” I hoped the glint in my eye would relay my jest. I wanted to create a little levity and playfulness after the somewhat serious conversation we just had.

It worked. He laughed at himself and said, “I was just about to say the same thing.” We shared a lingering look with a smile and I turned and let us into the room.“Can I offer you anything to drink? I can check the minibar.” I didn’t really want to delay our closeness but my manners will always win out, they are so ingrained.

“I think I’ll want to have some water on hand...for after,” he quietly suggested. I guess he felt the same about the delay. I quickly grabbed a couple of cold water bottles from the minibar fridge, grabbed his hand again, and led us into the bedroom.

I placed the bottles on the bedside table and turned to take him into my arms. I wanted him to feel safe with me, being that I was his superior. He responded in kind, wrapping his arms around me. We held each other for a moment, then I whispered gently, “We will need to talk about how we want to proceed. Are you okay with that?”

“Yeah, cuz I’m not sure who does what, yet. I don’t know what your ‘preference’ is.” I pulled him down to sit on the bed beside me, still holding onto him. He went on, while looking into my eyes, seriously, “Are you a top or a bottom?”

He looked so sweet in his serious tone. “I don’t have a lot of experience but from what I have so far, I enjoy the bottom. I’m quite willing to do both. Whatever you want, Renji.”

“Really? I would have pegged you for a top. Needing to be in control, you know.” I guess with a statement like that, he didn’t have much experience, either.

“It isn’t inherently accurate that the top is dominant and the bottom is submissive, you know. Preference can be determined just by the pleasure you feel. Believe me, I still feel in full control and have no illusions of being feminine, weak, or passive. No offense to femininity as being weak or passive, either.” I may have come across as too stern with that lecture.

He laughed. “All the women I know would agree with that last comment. They are in no way weak or passive. Sorry, Byakuya, I stuck my foot in it, didn’t I?” His face turned a bit sheepish.

“No, I believe that you shouldn’t be punished for not knowing any better. Unless you want to be punished? Is that what you were going for?” I tried to bring the mood back to playful, again.

“Mmmm. Maybe just lightly. A little sting gets the blood flowing and stimulates the nerve endings, right?” He blushed again. Interesting what you learn about your subordinates. I’ll keep that in mind for later. He continued, “I’m good with topping. You’ll just have to let me know how I’m doing as we go. I really want you to enjoy yourself with me. I...I would like it if you wanted to be with me again, in the future.” He looked so sincere. I must be careful not to tread on his emotions without due consideration.

“I’d say that’s settled then. Let’s go have a shower to get clean, first.” We stood up together, and proceeded to get ready for the shower.

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A/N: Silly me. I just found out how the ‘muse’ works. Once I had written one chapter, my mind started coming up with more ideas, although they’re small. I still don’t have a plot but I’m kinda excited about the story. I actually chose to stop reading someone else fic to work on this. Makes me feel a little heady.

I know there isn’t much smut, yet. I do plan on it. I’m just a slow starter, being inexperienced.