Melting Warmth

Title: Defrosting (Melting) Warmth
Chapter 1
Pairing: ByakuyaXRenji
Genre: Romance/Comfort
Count: 3117 words
Spoilers: References to Turn Back the Pendulum Arc
Rating: PG 14
Author: Trynia Merin

Summary: Byakuya and Renji have spent a night together, but what exactly happened or didn't happen between them? Are Byakuya's emotions frozen numb beyond Renji's ability to thaw them?

A/N: Takes place after the fanfic Sunglasses. If you notice similarities between this fic and an excellent Bya/Ren called When the Moon Reaches Back, it was not deliberate as I wrote this before I even ended up reading that one. I am not deliberately copying any ideas, but I acknowlege now that there are definate similarities. Please go read that fic as well as this one. You will enjoy it!

***


Warmth, and sweat, stickily gluing clothes to his skin. That was what Byakuya Kuchiki first felt along his body upon awakening. Hard flesh rising and falling under his left ear and the steady sound of a heartbeat. Tentatively Byakuya shifted, pressing the flat of his hand to the chest, clad in silk. Peering down he noticed the visible black markings zigzagging under the V. curious Byakuya slid aside the material and examined them at close quarters.

Strong arms flexed, wrapping around him and crushing him so he was imprisoned. Mumbling Byakuya turned on his front, and shifted his leg so it rested between the two strong ones, while he wrapped his other around his lover’s hip. Scarlet tendrils of hair fell over his face, and he sighed with something like contentment. It felt wonderful to be held so securely and to have his lover instinctively reach for him.

“There seems no immediate reason to rise,” Byakuya reflected, mentally tracking down what his responsibilities for the day were. It was Saturday, and he found himself smiling at that fact.

Again he shifted, eliciting a loud snort and grumble from his partner under him. Again the arms moved, one wrapping around his back, and sliding so a large hand gripped his ass. Byakuya inhaled sharply at the pressure of those fingers digging into his royal posterior. He mumbled, “Idiotic cretin.”

“Mmm, royal pain,” another voice sleepily whispered. Byakuya shivered when he realized his partner was licking his lips and sighing deeply. Pressing one hand to his chest Byakuya levered himself off enough to see the angled chin of his vice captain, and the distinctive lightning bolt shaped marking along his neck.

Flesh did not contact that of his vice captain’s, but a layer of silk did. He recognized the blue robe worn by the larger man, seeing how nicely it complemented Renji’s ruddy complexion. In sleep, those hairs falling over his face still softened his appearance. One leg shifted, rubbing against Byakuya deliciously.

“You’re stronger in sleep than I anticipated,” Byakuya commented hoarsely, feeling something tugging on his hair. Reaching up he realized they were still there. He usually removed his headdress before sleeping but last night…

Renji had acted very appropriately. Only holding him tightly and comfortingly after he refused to go further. Such a sense of honor and respect made Byakuya feel warmth and sorrow simultaneously. It dawned on him what his sister had given up when selecting the ryoka.

“Her loss is my gain,” Byakuya found himself thinking.

A soft knock on the door caused Byakuya to shift again. Easily he wormed his way out of Renji’s embrace, though he hated to do so. Dark lashed eyes blinked open and focused hazily on him. Then beneath him his vice captain jolted.

“Captain… good morning… oh damn…”

Byakuya placed a hand over Renji’s mouth, and heard the knocking continue. “Milord, are you all right?”

“Do not come in this moment,” Byakuya called out to the servant. “Run my bath and prepare enough repast for a guest. And you heard nothing but my voice this morning…”

“Yes sir. Understood,” answered the manservant with a nervous tremor.

Apologetically Renji’s dark eyes blinked up at him. That blush again staining his cheeks was adorable, but brought another immediate problem to the fore. His servants knew better than to carry word of this outside, yet what would the other members of his clan think.

“If he were Ukitake, Kyoriaku, or Kira, there would be no trouble. Yet Abarai…” Byakuya ruminated.

Sighing he released Renji’s mouth and sat up in bed. He felt the shifting of his vice captain moving to a sitting position, and the weight of a hand on his shoulder. “Sir?” Renji asked. “Ya want me to leave?”

“No, remain here,” Byakuya answered, not looking him in the eye. “I am not eager to part company with you Abarai.”

“That’s a relief,” Renji whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “I’d feel pretty stupid sneaking out of yer house, but I’d do what ya wanted.”

“Loyal, stubborn fool,” Byakuya cursed, pressing a hand to his head.

“Hey you okay Captain? Ya don’t look so well?”

“I… do not know,” Byakuya murmured, unable to sort the morass of uncomfortable feelings pulsing through him.

“Its okay sir,” Renji murmured, wrapping arms around him and giving him a strong hug. “Whatever you decide’s okay with me.”

“You should not be so patient and understanding, in light of the… treatment I gave you… “ Byakuya whispered, gritting his teeth with a wave of guilt. He had not asked for Renji’s affection yet it poured over him and he wasn’t sure how to handle it.

“Shit you mean callin’ me a stray and that crap? Don’t worry about it,” Renji snorted. “I’ve heard far worse in my life. Ya wouldn’t believe the way the merchants cursed at me when I’d grab breakfast n’ all. Nah, just forget it.”

“Still, I do regret it,” Byakuya said.

“Regret calling me names or bein’ with me?” Renji asked, his neck muscles tensing.

“The former, not the latter.”

“Thank kami,” Renji sighed, curling his arms around his captain and hugging him tightly. Byakuya squeezed his eyes shut and gripped Renji’s wrists, unsure and floored by the personal affection. Renji felt relieved when his hug was accepted instead of someone punching him in the jaw to make him let go. That was usually Rukia’s solution to get him to stop. Instead, Byakuya sat there, trembling and squeezing Renji’s wrists.

“Hey Captain… shh… hey,” Renji urged.

“Damn it,” Byakuya mumbled, and then stopped resisting Renji’s tugs on his shoulders. He turned over and laid his head on the other man’s broad shoulder. Though he felt too numb to cry he pressed, his chest to Renji’s and let him hold him close in a crushing hug.

“It’s okay. Just… oh shit I dunno what to say,” Renji cursed, rubbing his back. Byakuya shivered, saying nothing making no noise. There were no tears. Just a strange panting.

“I am not accustomed to… physical affection of this nature,” Byakuya panted.

“Oops…”

“I did not… tell you to release me yet, Renji,” Byakuya hissed in his ear when Renji relaxed his grip.

“Milord?” the voice of the servant again interrupted through the closed door.

Byakuya and Renji glanced at one another awkwardly, and Renji released his captain. Swallowing his nervousness Byakuya called out, “Is my bath ready?”

“Yes sir. I’ve brought you your morning cup of tea.”

“Leave it outside please,” said Byakuya. He rose from the bed, leaving Renji behind. Not sure what to do with himself the Vice Captain sat in the bed, watching his commander pick up a robe and draw it on his slender body. He only had mere glimpses of the white milky skin beneath, but the thought of what it entailed was making him hard. Bending down Byakuya opened the sliding door to his private chambers. He retrieved the tray set there and carried it towards the bed. Sitting it down next to Renji he sat down as his vice captain steadied the tray.

“Breakfast in bed?” Renji chuckled.

“I always commence my day with crystallized fruit and hot tea,” Byakuya explained. “Sustains me till I am dressed and prepared.”

“Don’t usually bathe in the morning do ya?” he asked.

“No, but in this case it seems appropriate,” Byakuya answered.

“Sir, how do ya want to handle this…”

“You will join me of course,” Byakuya said.

“Yer private baths sir?” he blinked.

“Unless you’d rather not?” Byakuya said with a slight frown.

“Damn sir, it’s just that well… I’ve heard…”

“The walls are not lined with gold and I do not use spider silk to dry myself, Abarai. I am all too aware of the rumors that circulate regarding my toilet habits,” Byakuya laughed slightly. It was a reserved chuckle but it was a good start, Renji thought.

***

A private hallway led down to the bathing area. Already hot steam seemed to waft against Abarai’s legs as he felt the rich cloth of the robe around him. It was far nicer than his civilian kimono, and it was just a bathing robe. In front of him walked Byakuya, his hair free of the white dressings and hanging haphazardly around his shoulders. It looked much as it did in the hospital, and Renji was floored that his captain had allowed him to remove the symbols of office.

Byakuya had refused to let the valet come in. Therefore, he had asked Renji to help him remove the things. It was a delicate task and Renji was terrified of pulling on the raven black silky hair he was finally allowed to mess up. His fingers trembled and he mumbled something about ‘desecration’.

“Oh do cease babbling and assist me,” Byakuya complained, and that put an end to Renji’s nerves.

So now as they walked along the marble tiles and mahogany and teak benches Renji was pleasantly surprised. It was much like the public bathing house of squad six, but smaller, and more elegant, but not extravagantly so. He could just picture all the Kuchiki clansmen sitting or standing with servants attending them as they discussed clan matters. Today it was only used by them.
Kuchiki never bathed with his subordinates. Zaraki however did. He thought nothing of sharing the baths of squad 11 with his men and engaging in mock battles. Even Aizen was known to occasionally bathe with his vice captain and upper seats. Yet Byakuya being a noble never did.

“Relax Renji. My servants are discrete.”

“Not worried about that, but damn,” Renji hissed between his teeth as he saw Byakuya slowly remove his robe. He glanced away.

“You may observe,” Byakuya said quietly, causing Renji to turn back around and watch his captain untie his robe. Renji strode over and took the shoulders of his robe to help him shrug it off, and was treated to the sight of creamy skin on his graceful neck, gliding south to a curved strong back.

“Ohhh damn,” Renji’s breath hitched in his throat.

“You seem rather surprised?”

“You just look really handsome sir,” Renji found himself saying, feasting his eyes on his captain’s back. However, he peered between his fingers when the robe came off in his hands, revealing a sculpted white backside. Can’t look, can’t look, Renji told himself, flushing as red as he would when Rukia and he…

A lump formed in his throat and anger filled his stomach. Damn Ichigo. He opened his eyes and allowed himself to look at Kuchiki wrapping a towel around his waist, his slender muscled legs carrying him with expert poise around to the bench. He sat down, and reached for the brush and cake of lavender soap.

“Let me sir,” Renji offered, almost dropping the robe.

“Are you not going to remove your robe, Renji, and allow me the same favor I bestowed on you?” Byakuya asked.

“Oh yeah of course,” Renji stammered, reaching for his belt. He drooped Byakuya’s robe over a peg, and then strode over to stand before his captain. Taking his time, he turned around, slowly letting the robe slide down to reveal his tattooed back little by little.

“Impressive,” Byakuya murmured voice low and hoarse. Renji felt a sense of pride as his captain’s eye’s feasted on his shoulders. He had been embarrassed to show them to anyone but trusted friends and Rukia.

“Ya like what ya see?” Renji couldn’t resist asking, his throat fluttering.

“Remove it completely, and let it drop,” Byakuya ordered.

Renji allowed the fabric to puddle around his thighs, presenting an uninterrupted rear view. He felt himself twitch at the silence, feeling the weight of Byakuya’s eyes on him. “More of ‘em appear each time I…”

“I gathered that fact,” said Byakuya. “Lift your hair please.”

Renji gathered a handful of his silky locks, lifting them so Byakuya could see the complete patterning. Reaching over he grabbed a towel, and held it over his front, turning around and then covering his front. Byakuya’s steel blue eyes gleamed brightly and he saw the schooled expression held not disdain but appreciation. “I um hope ya don’t mind me um…”

“That is acceptable to cover your modesty,” Byakuya mumbled, his voice quavering a bit. Renji saw the blush on his pale cheeks, and realized it was because of him.

Carefully he pulled the towel under him and knelt by his captain’s foot. He slowly began to rub soap over the calves and feet, caressing each lovingly. Byakuya sighed and closed his eyes, letting Renji rub soap over his ankles, feet, and then stopping at the knees. Renji had difficulty controlling his urge to simply pin the Captain’s shoulder down and take him immediately, yet saw the appeal in sensually covering Byakuya’s body in a layer of fine lather. Expectantly Byakuya held out his arms, and Renji lovingly caressed soap into his skin. He followed with strokes of the brush, trying to moderate how much pressure he put.

“I am not produce, Renji. I will not bruise. You may be more vigorous,” Byakuya muttered impatiently.

“Okay sir; just well… don’t wanna screw up.”

“I will inform you,” Byakuya reassured him. “Now, sit down.”

“Okay,” Renji agreed, sitting next to him. Then he drew in his breath sharply when Byakuya took hold of his wrist and stroked the soap laden scrub brush over his arm. He followed the curling patterns of the lines spiraling around his upper arms, and then worked across his shoulders.

“Wait sir ya don’t have ta…”

“Silence Renji,” Byakuya reprimanded him. “You would be selfish to deny me the pleasure of this as well?”

“No not at all, just not used to ya waiting on me is all,” Renji admitted sheepishly.

“Really you are trying my patience,” Byakuya clicked his tongue, continuing to work the brush over Renji’s chest, then down his abdomen. He stood up, bending over to run the soap over his shoulders, then motioned. Renji raised one foot and felt Byakuya hold it under the ankle, rubbing the brush over each of his toes, the arch of the foot, and the ankle. He groaned deeply as it ran steadily higher, reaching the edge of his towel.

Then it was over all too soon when Byakuya said, “I shall allow you to finish the rest yourself at present, Abarai.”

“Sure, whatever ya want,” Renji nodded, feeling the burning tingle covering his skin. He knew Byakuya was teetering between intimacy and distance, because of the difference in station between them. If this relationship were to flourish, he had to be flexible. After all, they were dealing with years of hurt and misconception to move on and be more intimate.

Byakuya glanced at amusement seeing Renji’s eyes closed. He stepped into the boiling hot springs, and then called out, “You may look Abarai. I suggest you join me as well. I do not wish to take enormous amounts of time. Even though it is Saturday.”

“No, we wouldn’t want that would we, sir?” Renji chuckled, striding over with the towel still around his hips. While Byakuya had climbed into the water, he had soaped his more intimate parts. He knew his captain had sneaked glances, and secretly felt the thrill of such arousal.

Sighing he stepped down the marble stairs and lowered himself to sit across from his captain. Byakuya sat with his shoulders only breaking the surface, his hands moving below to rub off the soap. The steam permeated the air, filling Renji’s nostrils as he sat down and felt his entire body immersed in heat. He groaned loudly, his noise echoing in the space.

Byakuya rolled his eyes at first, and then chuckled. Here he was the epitome of restraint sharing his private space with someone the exact opposite. Spreading both arms Renji rested them on the sides of the back, tipping his head back. He let his hair swirl around his shoulders, lips parted and eyes shut.

“Feels damn good sir.”

“Agreed. It is strange to share it with someone else though. Who is not a Kuchiki by blood,” he added.

“Mmm?” Renji asked, opening his eyes.

“It is nothing, pay no mind,” Byakuya said hastily, his eyes clouded with embarrassment.

“Didn’t hear a thing,” Renji shrugged and chuckled. Shyness settled in and he kept his eyes closed as much as possible, though he did allow himself to peek a bit through one slatted eye.

A splashing in the water made him snap them open. Something shifted against his bare leg and he saw Byakuya drifting across to sit next to him. Drawing his breath in sharply Renji moved to shift his arm, but then heard a cough. “Remain where you are. It seemed easier for your notion of modesty if I sat next to you. You are making a considerable effort NOT to lay eyes on my person, and while it is appreciated it is tiresome.”

“Well I just… ya seemed kinda quiet last night like I’d crossed a line, and I dunno… I just don’t wanna do something I shouldn’t,” Renji fumbled for the words.

“You are permitted to look, Renji,” Byakuya said with a weary sigh. “Considering I have been staring at you for the past quarter hour and you have made no similar effort to hide your modesty.”

“Sir?” Renji coughed, and then saw Byakuya’s hand clutching his towel. Flushing bright red he blinked at his captain.

“Do sit still. If I minded I would have said so, Renji,” Byakuya laughed, and it was a much more natural sound. “Again the expression on your face just now was priceless.”

“You are… evil you know that?” Renji spluttered, and then laughed deeply. Tension evaporated as he saw Byakuya’s most genuine smile yet.

“Are you implying I had no childhood of my own? Few know this but I was considered quite the headstrong lad in my youth,” Byakuya confessed with a smug smile. He shifted closer to Renji, who was not sure if he should retract his arm, so he kept it over the back of the bath.

“You sir? NAAAH,” Renji denied with a grin.

“I was. The reserved clan head you see before you now is born of years of restraint and training every Kuchiki must undergo.”

“I thought ya were born knowing how to behave, being noble blood an’ all,” Renji teased.

“I suppose that means you think my blood is blue then?” Byakuya said.

“I can’t believe it. A joke… you cracked ANOTHER joke?” Renji laughed.

“I do have a sense of humor…” Byakuya said dryly, his eyes slightly closed.

“And um… a unique sense of… well… whatever it is.” Renji added.
Byakuya leaned his head back, his pale white shoulders pressing against the back of the hot springs. Renji could tell from the contours of his muscles beneath that ivory skin that his Captain was relaxing. Swallowing hard Renji leaned over and brushed his lips over his captain’s pale cheek, while grasping Byakuya’s shoulder with his hand clumsily.

At the instant, those lips touched his skin Byakuya snapped his eyes open. Before Renji could withdraw and finish muttering, “Sorry,” Byakuya caught hold of his arm. Just beneath the surface of the water his other hand hovered, fingers outstretched. Forcefully Byakuya pulled Renji by his shoulder towards his partly submersed torso.

“Stop apologizing and press your initiative, Renji,” Byakuya whispered fiercely. His silvery blue eyes gleamed like sun on steel, not cold blue like ice, yet the shade of blue inside a Bunsen flame. The hottest temperature a fire could glow was blue, Renji remembered.

Renji had no words to utter out of his open mouth. Rather his lips moved and jaw fluttered without a soundtrack. Intense brown eyes locked into Byakuya’s, sensing the change in temperature, which climbed molten hot. How had the ice frozen so quickly? Or was that heat still smoldering under a thinning crust that was once a glacier?

Renji’s mind was what was frozen now. Remaining still, he watched Byakuya advancing towards him. Something told him he had to let the Captain make this first move because it was what he needed. That small soft kiss had served its purpose, for now Byakuya’s face hovered mere inches from his one instant. In the next Renji’s breath surged into a hot moist mouth, angling optimally and aligning its lips to choke any protest he dared to voice.

Raising his hand Renji slapped it against the side of the hot bath, pivoting his body towards Byakuya’s insistent pull. Slight pain tugged at his scalp from Byakuya’s fingers tangling in his wet hair. In retaliation, Renji plunged his other hand into wet black strands, tugging Byakuya’s face more tightly into his. Keeping his lips under Byakuya’s control Renji brushed his tongue against the other man’s forcefully gliding over the roof of his mouth. Fingernails dug into his arm, dragging Renji headlong into his lap so he spread his legs the instant his knees touched Byakuya’s. Forced to straddle his Captain, Renji yielded to the kneading lip press. Simultaneously his cock brushed against another rigid one, twitching and hard.

“Oh hell,” Renji gasped, when Byakuya released his lips. The heat of his panting seemed the same temperature as the water rolling around them.

“I suggest… we remove ourselves from here, lest we overheat,” Byakuya managed to gasp out. Renji nodded, rising from Byakuya’s lap. Reaching down he grabbed his captain by the hips and lifted him to sit on the side so his legs still dangled. Then his eyes drank in the perfectly smooth angles of Byakuya’s body.

Byakuya still clutched his hand, tugging at it so Renji half stumbled out of the pool. Water splashed over Byakuya sitting there, dousing him in an extra layer of liquid that glistened. Next to him, Renji gripped the edge of the pool, dangling his legs next to Byakuya’s. The corners of his lips twitched, noticing the dark chevron shapes coursing down Renji’s outer thigh, identical to those on his arms, and a band that wrapped across the inner portion much like those on his chest.

Renji’s eyes popped open to see a purple and pink blossom on Byakuya’s shoulder. Its edges were etched in crimson, outlining the crest of division six. Was that what he thought it was? That flawless skin had markings. Had Renji missed such a detail in the throes of passion? Granted he had never seen his captain naked, and he was submerged underwater at the time...

“You seem surprised at what you see, Renji,” Byakuya whispered, grasping his chin.

“Sir, where’d ya get THAT?”

“Folly of a misspent youth? My grandfather was enraged when I left on a whim and returned with this. Yet senbonzakura has left its claiming mark on me in a more subtle manner, I merely wished to remember when I learned his name,” Byakuya said.

“You don’t say…” Renji laughed, reaching out to touch the inked flesh. Yet another aspect bonded two unlikely souls together.

“Four hours of exquisite pain. Not to mention great pains that were required to conceal it from prying eyes,” Byakuya explained. “I had considered you endured similar pain with your markings, till you admitted they were from your Zanpakuto.”

“Hope yer not disappointed,” he mumbled.

“Considering what foolish mishaps and blunderings you undertook in your quest to achieve Bankai, it would be wise if you would cease such self deprecating remarks,” Byakuya cautioned him.

“Byakuya,” Renji murmured, placing his hand next to his captain’s hip. This time he claimed those soft lips, thrusting his tongue past them. Arms locked around his neck, and Renji swung his leg over to kneel over his knees.

Again, Byakuya grabbed the back of Renji’s hair by a handful of silky strands, while digging his fingers into the small of Renji’s back. More forcefully, Byakuya’s tongue raked against his, breath hissing out of his nose as he turned his head to the other side and devoured his lips.

For a second Renji felt the absence of those lips, when cold air hit his front. He blinked up at Byakuya standing over him. The slender hand reached down, and he grasped it in his own. Their hands were not so different in size after all he realized. Effortlessly Byakuya pulled him to his feet, causing Renji to slip and stumble against Byakuya’s body. Sliding his arms around Renji’s waist Byakuya leaned up and claimed his lips again. Up and down his shoulder, Renji ran his hand, caressing the soft skin and drinking deeply of the hard kisses. Their groins brushed, causing Renji to moan through the kiss. Then he gasped once more to feel one of those hands slide down the back of his leg and guide it up around his hip. Instead of obliging him, Renji seized his captain’s hips and boosted him up so his head was higher.

“You… surprise me, Renji,” Byakuya got out as his kiss was broken and he blinked down at Renji.

“You wanted me to show initiative. I am now. And I think you’d rather take this to the bedroom?” he whispered up.

All Byakuya could do was peer town at Renji with wide blue eyes, his lips parted slightly. He whispered, “Yes… that would be… prudent and far more… comfortable…”
Renji stopped only to set him down on the bench and drape the robe around him, before picking him up again, one hand under the knees and the other around his back. Byakuya wrapped his arm around Renji’s shoulders, resting his forehead against the tattooed one. With great reverence, Renji carried him back into the bedroom.

***

Softly he landed on the bed, and Renji hauled himself to lie next to the nobleman. Byakuya said nothing, simply reaching up to pull Renji down on top of him. A wet spot soaked in from their still moist bodies, but Byakuya said nothing. Insistently he wrapped his arm around Renji’s back and then slid his hand down and rubbed his ass.

Kneeling between his legs Renji lowered himself to kiss his captain. Byakuya wrapped his arm around Renji’s neck, hungrily accepting the press of lips and tongue. Again their chests and groins brushed, causing both to shiver with a bolt of energy. Something touched his cock and he almost yelped, letting go of the kiss.

White fingers were rubbing up and down his shaft. Renji sighed in pleasure, lying on his side and brushing his hand over Byakuya’s shaft, his eyes fixed on the intense steel gaze. Slowly Byakuya nodded, signaling Renji to enclose his captain’s cock and stroke it delicately. The sharp hiss and nod told him he could continue.

“You want me to stop?” Renji asked.

“Continue,” Byakuya answered, pushing Renji’s shoulder down and then rolling them so he straddled his vice captain.

Parting his legs Renji glanced up admiringly at his lover proudly looming over him. Those wet black locks hung partly over Byakuya’s face, and freely fanned over his shoulders. Reverently his finger traced the markings on Renji’s chest, before diverting down to the prominent erection. Instinctively Renji squeezed his eyes shut, rolling his head back against the pillow at the touch stroking him. However, Byakuya’s fingers were stiff and uncertain it felt wonderful for someone to be rubbing and then encasing him in their hands.

Reaching between his knees Renji reached for his captain’s cock, standing like a pillar of ivory tipped in rose. Rubbing his thumb over the pink head Renji heard the hitch and resulting moan escape Byakuya’s parted lips.

Deep and guttural, and oh so lovely to hear, Renji thought. Byakuya’s other hand rested on his now bent knee, and Renji brought his opposite leg so both of them were folded. His other hand reached towards the breakfast tray that still sat.

“What… are you… I see…” Byakuya whispered, feeling his cheeks grow hot with embarassment.

Softly Renji suggested, “If yer gonna do what I think ya are, it’d be easier if there was some way to make things more slippery. Like some oil or something?”

“A minute. I believe I possess the very item necessary,” Byakuya murmured. Renji sighed in disappointment to feel the absence of Byakuya’s body heat, while the captain slowly climbed off the bed and stiffly walked around the room. He closed his eyes, inhaling great breaths until he felt the return of the cool smooth fingers rubbing at him again.

Fingers from the other hand tentatively ran along the groove of his ass. Bringing up his legs and suppressing his gasp Renji blinked up into the serious face of Byakuya. A silver container was open on the bedside table, and Byakuya dragged his fingers through something glistening inside. It smelled of lavender and other rich scents that Renji only recalled smelling a few times in the specialty shops in Rukongai.

“Will this suffice?” Byakuya asked, slipping his fingers carefully into Renji’s opening.

“Yes… that will…” Renji moaned, blinking up at him. He slipped his own hands downwards, sliding his fingers in and showing Byakuya just how to spread and work the muscles.

“I am not completely ignorant of this activity between men,” Byakuya whispered, lowering his face beside Renji’s ear. “Intellectually… it stands to reason… it is not unlike…”

“Don’t want ya to ah… there… feel uncomfortable… if ya haven’t… in a while… especially with… someone… not… her…” Renji managed to stammer, gasping at each thrust of Byakuya’s slick fingers pushing inside.

“You are… very patient… Renji,” Byakuya murmured, and then it was his turn to trail into a long groan as Renji reached for his captain’s cock.

Biting his lip Byakuya pressed one hand to Renji’s shoulder, sweat dripping down onto the black inked chest. Renji steadied him with a hand on his shoulders, helping to place Byakuya’s other hand beside his head while the Captain reached and stroked his own erection.

“Relax… easy now… just take yer time,” Renji urged. "I'm not going anywhere."

The tip of Byakuya’s erection slid down his inner thigh and he let out another sound close to a yelp. Byakuya pressed his tip against Renji’s slick opening, only to feel his slick hand slipping where it was once braced on Renji’s left chest. Grunting he shifted forwards, and heard a strangled cry underneath him. His own eyes opened wide as his rounded mouth at the sensation of sinking into extreme tight slickness that clung and squeezed him much like Hisana’s interior had.

“Ohh damn that's so good,” Renji gritted, his arm wrapping around Byakuya’s trembling body.

“I… ah…” Byakuya panted, his chest rising and falling on top of Renji’s. So incredible was the warmth that he had no words to describe it. Nor the sensation of Renji’s hips shifting up while he pushed down and tried to regain his balance again.

“It’s… okay… just… let… go…” Renji growled, pushing him up as he bucked under the Captain. Stiffly Byakuya withdrew, and then thrust again. Another shaky push of his flattened hand against Renji’s chest was followed with another stab.

“I… Renji… I cannot…” Byakuya stammered, then thrust hard so his hips slammed into Renji.

“Byakuya!” Renji blurted out. “Bya… ohhh damn…”

Whatever Renji next said blurred together in a loud series of cries. Byakuya felt something inside him slip loose and he rocked more easily. Moving and shifting as Renji rose up to meet him. He let out a sharp cry when he felt muscular legs locking around his waist. In and out, in and out Byakuya moved, savoring the intimate embrace on his cock that pushed him closer to shivering fever. His heart pounded so fiercely he thought it would break his breastbone, and the heat would sear him.

He would not last long at all. “Renji… I cannot hold back…” he heard himself utter, then felt himself explode deeply.

Slick, sticky and awkward, but so pleasant and stingingly all he could do was surrender. Blinding hot like the intensity of what he imagined his final move would be, lancing like sunlit fire.

A second later, something moist and equally sticky erupted between them from the twitching cock under him. The loud howl just in his ear almost deafened him and he lay there shivering in a pair of strong arms. Squeezing his eyes shut Byakuya buried his nose into Renji’s shoulder. He smelled brass, musk and sweat, hearing the soft shushing and the soothing rub of his vice captain’s fingers up and down his back.

Byakuya could not move. Deeply immersed in Renji’s body his cock twitched, and he felt his blood roaring just inside his ears. For a second he heard Hisana’s voice and soft little cries race through his head, only to vanish as the pleasure of sex with Renji crashed through his body. Was it shame he felt, or something else? Something moist leaking out of his eyes he loathed letting anyone see.

“Y…. ya okay, Sir?” Renji hoarsely whispered, massaging his neck and rubbing his smooth back.

“I do not know, Renji. What I'm feeling is far too complex to put into words at this time,” Byakuya confessed, shivering on top of his vice captain’s broad chest. His arm still wrapped tightly around Renji’s neck while his hand lay motionless on the bed. Then he felt a clammy sweaty hand interlace fingers with his.

“All I know was that… hell… that was damn good,” Renji whispered, kissing his ear.

“Yes… Yes it was quite exceptional,” Byakuya nodded, his once numb body coursing through with emotions that he had suppressed for so long. Still not wanting to move he lay there, letting his vice captain rub his back and hold his hand.

“The act itself was very pleasurable, Renji. Yet the other part... was uncomfortable at times, but… soporific,” Byakuya finally admitted.

“Uncomfortable?” Renji asked, his hand ceasing its motion.

“These feelings… they are…”

“A burden? Bullshit I say,” Renji laughed. “Just who told ya that ya couldn’t feel emotions as a Soul Reaper?”

“I told… myself that long ago, and Rukia doubtless heard it from me constantly,” Byakuya sighed, pushing himself off Renji’s chest to glance down at him shyly.

“Well if you don’t want me to tell anybody ya have emotions, I promise I won’t if you don’t,” Renji said, his brown eyes gleaming as he gave Byakuya a satisfied smile.

“I would… appreciate that, Renji,” Byakuya nodded slowly, removing himself from Renji’s body. Shifting to the side, he laid his head on Renji’s chest, curling his body up against the other man’s. Stiffly he tugged the comforter lying to the side over them both, though it failed to cover Renji’s feet sticking out at an odd angle.

“Anytime s…”

“Byakuya,” his captain informed him. Within his mind pleasure registered in its proper place. Resting here for a time seemed prudent, for he felt far too weak to move. Therefore, he simply allowed himself to recline in Renji’s embrace and slumber for a bit, hearing a rumbling soft snore in his ear while he fingered red hair.

Even when the servant knocked at the door, he did not flinch. Simply informed them he would be up presently. Then Renji and he would make themselves presentable and share breakfast. While he considered what the next step would be in this new development.

Renji found himself thinking about their differences as well as similarities, while Byakuya pondered much the same thing. Senbonzakura was not an ice zanpakuto, but organic blades forged into sharp projectiles. Fiercely beautiful yet deadly, Byakuya reminded himself. Finally it had thawed from a prison of frost, warmed by the most unlikely of beings, a baboon with a serpent’s tail, and its owner, a loud boisterous Vice captain who knew him better than he thought.