Acciaccatura

I apologize for another rather short chapter, but it's more plot stuff. Maybe porn next chapter? :D

Also, thank you, THANK YOU, so so much for the reviews. I live off of them. :)

~~

Byakuya allowed himself a small smile as he felt Ichigo approach, the boy’s reiatsu flashing angrily. He hadn’t really expected him so soon, but the timing of Ichigo’s arrival mattered little; getting him to come at all was Byakuya’s goal. Perhaps there was some hope for him left.

Pouring himself another cup of tea, Byakuya prepared for a headache.

The fusuma slammed open with Ichigo standing there with his usual surly face, marred only slightly by anxiety.

“Why don’t you have a seat,” Byakuya suggested, gesturing at the space in front of his captain’s desk. “Would you like some tea?”

Ichigo’s face darkened and he stepped into the room, closing the screen shut behind him with a sharp snap. “Don’t jerk me around, Byakuya,” Ichigo said, his voice cautious despite his words, “What is it that you called me here for?”

Might as well give him what he wants, Byakuya mused. “It has come to my attention,” the captain began, voice cool and cordial, “that you have taken something other than a… strictly professional interest in me.”

Ichigo bared his teeth, still hovering by the door as if about to bolt. He wasn’t quite sure what to say, whether to deny it or to get defensive, or just pull out his sword. But Byakuya didn’t even seem to be disgusted with him, much less prepared to run him through with Senbonzakura, which lay docile against one wall.

Byakuya watched the emotions play out on Ichigo’s face, the young man’s eyes flicking nervously towards his zanpakuto, and decided to take pity on the boy. Temporarily. “I wish to make an arrangement, Kurosaki Ichigo.”

The look of shock on Ichigo’s face was gone almost as soon as it had appeared, replaced again with distrust and something almost like hurt. Ichigo was sure the noble couldn’t possibly mean what he hoped. “The hell are you talking about, Byakuya?”

The dark haired man stood and Ichigo flinched, but stayed put. “I will give you what you want, but we will conduct this affair on my terms.” Byakuya watched Ichigo’s face closely. “Do you accept?”

“What the fuck!” Ichigo shouted, looking angrier than ever. “If you think you can just sneer down you fucking nose at me and—and poke fun—”

“I am serious.”

Ichigo froze, face flushed and eyes bright, breathing hard. “You’re serious.”

“I said as much before. Do you accept?”

“Hang on a fucking minute!” Ichigo turned, raking a hand through his hair, and then snapped back around, not trusting the captain at his back. “Hang on. So—so what exactly are your terms?” the red head asked, wanting to hit himself for even entertaining the thought that Byakuya might actually be serious.

Byakuya watched impassively as Ichigo paced, though the boy seemed unaware of his own fidgeting. The look on his face was almost… enticing, Byakuya thought, and, unbidden, the thought came to him that maybe it would be best not to share this with anyone. He wanted to keep Ichigo to himself, to be the only one that could fluster the substitute Shinigami in this way, the only one who could have this kind of power over him.

If he publicly humiliated the boy, then he could never enjoy this again. But still, Byakuya told himself, it was better to wait, and see where things went before any final plans for Ichigo were made.

“Discretion,” Byakuya said, voice lowering so that Ichigo froze where he stood, “would, of course, be paramount.”

The teen swallowed and nodded, waiting for Byakuya to continue. Ichigo could feel himself getting hot; yeah, this was what he wanted, but listening to Byakuya talk like they were making a business transaction made his stomach knot up painfully.

Byakuya continued, “You want me—” And Ichigo had thought he couldn’t get more embarrassed, but god, nothing could make him happier than the ground opening up and swallowing him whole—“and I’m willing to initiate intimate relations with you if you concede to my—”

“Stop,” Ichigo said. “Stop it. I can’t stand here while you… while you talk about this like you’re negotiating some kind of contract!”

Byakuya regarded the boy closely. Extending his hand, he silently beckoned the boy closer. Ichigo took a few steps without seeming to realize what he was doing, eyes flicking from Byakuya’s face to his hand and back. When Ichigo was close enough, the captain took his wrist, pulling him closer saying “How shall we discus this, then?”

Ichigo’s pulse was fast under his fingers, but the young Shinigami’s voice was calm when he replied, “Not—not in cold blood, not like this. You said… you said I want you, and that’s true, but—”

“You don’t know what you want, do you?” Byakuya murmured, celebrating inwardly at how disconcerted his closeness made Ichigo. Surely this child had to be aware of how he looked—wide brown eyes reflecting the captain’s calm visage, pale throat working as he swallowed—how… utterly debauchable he appeared.

“I know some things—” Ichigo protested, but what those things were exactly were draining right out of his head at the way Byakuya was watching him and god this was so surreal. “What I want… want…” Byakuya was close enough that the red head could taste the mint on his breath, but Ichigo knew that if he didn’t say his piece now, he might not get the chance again.

“Stop,” Ichigo gasped, “Byakuya, stop, wait.” Byakuya stopped, but did not move back. “I need you to know,” Ichigo continued, “…Don’t underestimate me.”

Byakuya seemed a little surprised, especially given the seriousness of the young man’s tone, but when Ichigo didn’t have anything further to say, the slightly taller man leaned forward the last few inches and claimed Ichigo’s mouth with his own.

Ichigo couldn’t boast much experience with kissing; his first had been backstage in between scenes of a school play when he was in middle school—not really worth mentioning and a little embarrassing—and a handful of make out sessions with the few girls brave enough to approach him in high school had not been enough to prepare him for this.

Byakuya’s lips were soft against his chapped ones and when one of the captain’s hands went to cup the back of his head, the other firmly resting against the small of his back, it seemed like the most natural thing to let his mouth open on a sigh and let Byakuya slip his tongue in.

Discretion—yeah, that sounded good, Ichigo thought distractedly.

He just hoped that Rukia and Renji didn’t have something else in mind.

~~

I've been wanting to update at least every two weeks, but sadly, real life has been rearing its ugly head. But hopefully I will have more free time very soon. :)

Review, please!