Kurosaki Ichigo || 黒崎 一護 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
saviorcomplexed) wrote2025-03-17 12:16 pm
saviorcomplexed) wrote2025-03-17 12:16 pm
You didn't think I'd say no, did you? What kind of bastard do you take me for?
Renji's schedules are usually quite efficient.
Sorry, sorry, I'm behind.
What's your excuse?
What's your excuse?
It's a novel. Debutant author from America, so my boss didn't wanna waste money on one of his contract translators to do it. I mean, if it ends up being a flop.
[ Still, for a part-timer who hasn't even finished his schooling yet, it's a big shot. ]
[ Still, for a part-timer who hasn't even finished his schooling yet, it's a big shot. ]
That sounds like a grand task for any student.
However, advanced or not, humans require sleep.
However, advanced or not, humans require sleep.
I've gotta be done... and besides, you didn't tell me why YOU were up.
The cellphone makes noise when you write.
You've been working on this for a month.
You've been working on this for a month.
According to the strange tracker on this phone, you are at home.
SO?
Why are you tracking me? Track yourself! Lay out a route to your bed or something.
Why are you tracking me? Track yourself! Lay out a route to your bed or something.
[ He doesn't spent overly long, getting his appearance in order - for one, with his kenseikan still holding his hair in place, he's not a an overly terrible sight and secondly, he can't find enough energy within himself to actually stand up straight in front of the mirror for long enough. He leaves the mansion after a very brief discussion with Seike about arrangements for the morning. He's not going back to work until tomorrow evening, it would seem, as the fluctuations in his spiritual pressure apparently make people... queasy. Obviously, Renji didn't actually say that but sometimes, what matters most is what a person doesn't say.
He sighs and pats Senbonzakura with one hand, just a quick stroke of fingers against the hilt. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow everything will be back to normal. He eyes the Senkaimon, feeling already too exhausted to even contemplate the process of opening the gate, stepping through it and exiting on the opposite side. From there, however, it will be... easier. Presumably. He will, after all, be intruding and one can never expect a warm welcome on that basis.
In his hand, his cellphone stubbornly pinpoints Ichigo at the exact same location as before. In his room, working away even now with sunrise on the verge of catching up to him.
Back straightening forcibly, he raises his chin, opens the gate and steps through, refusing to give into the surge of nausea that immediately follows at the expenditure of energy. He finds himself in front of Ichigo's closed bedroom window, hovering in the air. The house is silent and dark all over, except for here where Ichigo's desk light illuminates his small bedroom with harsh persistency. Ichigo, himself, has left his spot, though judging from the state of his work, it is temporary. He's not in his bed, at any rate.
Blinking blearily, Byakuya opens the window carefully and steps inside, finding himself suddenly - and for the first time - in the other man's bedroom. Rukia has told him stories, of course, but to see it for himself... He keeps his reiatsu tightly under wraps, knowing full well who's sleeping on the floor beneath them and very unwilling to have that particular confrontation at this point in time. Instead, he looks around a little listlessly, feeling somewhat out of his element. He glances askance towards Ichigo's bed again.
It looks much too neat. Like it hasn't been disturbed for many, many consecutive hours. ]
He sighs and pats Senbonzakura with one hand, just a quick stroke of fingers against the hilt. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow everything will be back to normal. He eyes the Senkaimon, feeling already too exhausted to even contemplate the process of opening the gate, stepping through it and exiting on the opposite side. From there, however, it will be... easier. Presumably. He will, after all, be intruding and one can never expect a warm welcome on that basis.
In his hand, his cellphone stubbornly pinpoints Ichigo at the exact same location as before. In his room, working away even now with sunrise on the verge of catching up to him.
Back straightening forcibly, he raises his chin, opens the gate and steps through, refusing to give into the surge of nausea that immediately follows at the expenditure of energy. He finds himself in front of Ichigo's closed bedroom window, hovering in the air. The house is silent and dark all over, except for here where Ichigo's desk light illuminates his small bedroom with harsh persistency. Ichigo, himself, has left his spot, though judging from the state of his work, it is temporary. He's not in his bed, at any rate.
Blinking blearily, Byakuya opens the window carefully and steps inside, finding himself suddenly - and for the first time - in the other man's bedroom. Rukia has told him stories, of course, but to see it for himself... He keeps his reiatsu tightly under wraps, knowing full well who's sleeping on the floor beneath them and very unwilling to have that particular confrontation at this point in time. Instead, he looks around a little listlessly, feeling somewhat out of his element. He glances askance towards Ichigo's bed again.
It looks much too neat. Like it hasn't been disturbed for many, many consecutive hours. ]
[ Even with Renji's schedules hanging on his wall, filled out in a scribble, only a few hours actively set aside for sleep and food, Ichigo isn't getting enough of either. The past month, he's slept maybe an hour, two at the most, during the night, surviving on power naps the rest of the way and only eating what can sit next to him while he churns through the novel that Nakamura-san has given him. Finish it in your own time, Kurosaki-kun, it's only on the backburner, he'd said, but it'll be good practice and lets me get an idea of your proficiency, yet Ichigo read the book, heard from Rukia that Byakuya's birthday was coming up and knew, he wanted to give it to him, screw discretion rules. And screw what little time he had.
Since then, every waking hour not spent on school work, which he's neglecting a bit anyway, or his family, who he's trying not to neglect in the same way and probably failing, Ichigo spends sitting at his desk or at the library or at a cafe, translating I. R. Miller's A Thousand Days of Wonder, on the surface a pretty simple detective novel, but the detective in question, Charlie Weaver, can see and talk to ghosts and the way those ghosts are portrayed... Yeah, Ichigo's pretty sure that Miller, the author, must be able to see spirits, too. No one gets these things right if they don't understand it themselves.
Anyway... He wants Byakuya to read it. He thinks the Shinigami would like it.
He hopes. Because he's gonna finish it on time and have a copy printed, paid out of pocket, and give it to him at his celebrations. That's the plan.
A guy still has to go take a leak sometimes, though. So, when Ichigo returns from the bathroom, righting his pyjamas bottoms, he fully expects to sit right back down at the desk and continue.
What he finds, though, is one (very tired-looking) Kuchiki Byakuya lounging inside, near the window and the desk and the novel still on his desk(!) and he can't even flail properly, because that would wake up his sisters and his dad! Jeez! He said, track yourself, not track yourself to here, right? Waving his hand silently, he quickly crosses the floor until he's close enough to be able to angrily whisper, ]
Byakuya! Shit, what are you doing here?! Didn't I tell you... [ Groaning, still very mutedly, Ichigo grabs the Shinigami by the sleeve of his shihakusho and drags him over to the foot of the bed where the view from the open door is more obscured. He's not in a gigai, so Yuzu can't see him, at least, but it won't save him from... Fuck. ] Never mind. Why are you here? Is everything okay?
[ He doesn't say, you look tired, but it means that as well. ]
Since then, every waking hour not spent on school work, which he's neglecting a bit anyway, or his family, who he's trying not to neglect in the same way and probably failing, Ichigo spends sitting at his desk or at the library or at a cafe, translating I. R. Miller's A Thousand Days of Wonder, on the surface a pretty simple detective novel, but the detective in question, Charlie Weaver, can see and talk to ghosts and the way those ghosts are portrayed... Yeah, Ichigo's pretty sure that Miller, the author, must be able to see spirits, too. No one gets these things right if they don't understand it themselves.
Anyway... He wants Byakuya to read it. He thinks the Shinigami would like it.
He hopes. Because he's gonna finish it on time and have a copy printed, paid out of pocket, and give it to him at his celebrations. That's the plan.
A guy still has to go take a leak sometimes, though. So, when Ichigo returns from the bathroom, righting his pyjamas bottoms, he fully expects to sit right back down at the desk and continue.
What he finds, though, is one (very tired-looking) Kuchiki Byakuya lounging inside, near the window and the desk and the novel still on his desk(!) and he can't even flail properly, because that would wake up his sisters and his dad! Jeez! He said, track yourself, not track yourself to here, right? Waving his hand silently, he quickly crosses the floor until he's close enough to be able to angrily whisper, ]
Byakuya! Shit, what are you doing here?! Didn't I tell you... [ Groaning, still very mutedly, Ichigo grabs the Shinigami by the sleeve of his shihakusho and drags him over to the foot of the bed where the view from the open door is more obscured. He's not in a gigai, so Yuzu can't see him, at least, but it won't save him from... Fuck. ] Never mind. Why are you here? Is everything okay?
[ He doesn't say, you look tired, but it means that as well. ]
[ He's a little bit too slow to glance towards the door which speaks volumes - after all, if it had been anyone but Ichigo, he would have had to actually react somehow. His abilities might be more impacted by his inconvenience than he'd realised. As it is, however, there's no danger apart from hypotheticals; Ichigo steps inside in his pyjama bottoms (and nothing else, oh, that's - yes), closes the door and sees him.
Surprise is such a nice look on his face, really. Byakuya will endavour to see it more often.
He doesn't move as Ichigo crosses the distance between them and grabs his shihakusho, groaning all the while and keeping his voice down simultaneously in an impressive display of multi-tasking. Byakuya follows primarily because he doesn't necessarily have any need nor desire to keep standing aimlessly in his bedroom; the fact that his body wouldn't let him resist in any case at this very moment is, of course, unimportant. He could if he wanted to. Of course he could. Regardless, as they make their way to the foot of the bed, he stumbles very slightly and seeing as his pride won't let him face-plant on Ichigo's carpet, he grabs onto his arm instead and rights himself, letting go as quickly as he can.
Then, he immediately regrets his rashness. He's missed touching him quite a bit, really.
With a sigh, he glances towards Ichigo's desk, littered with work. Then, he looks at the schedule on the wall and pointedly, back at Ichigo. ]
I thought, perhaps, with the right incentive...
[ He looks at Ichigo for a long moment, then steps closer because he can't (won't) stop himself, slipping one hand into his hair very lightly, fingertips threading through the strands near his ear. This close up, Ichigo looks a mix of overly focused (his eyes, in particular) and dead-tired (also his eyes, oddly enough). Byakuya doesn't feel very vindicated at the thought that they both look exhausted right now - not very. ]
We could both be persuaded to sleep for a bit.
Surprise is such a nice look on his face, really. Byakuya will endavour to see it more often.
He doesn't move as Ichigo crosses the distance between them and grabs his shihakusho, groaning all the while and keeping his voice down simultaneously in an impressive display of multi-tasking. Byakuya follows primarily because he doesn't necessarily have any need nor desire to keep standing aimlessly in his bedroom; the fact that his body wouldn't let him resist in any case at this very moment is, of course, unimportant. He could if he wanted to. Of course he could. Regardless, as they make their way to the foot of the bed, he stumbles very slightly and seeing as his pride won't let him face-plant on Ichigo's carpet, he grabs onto his arm instead and rights himself, letting go as quickly as he can.
Then, he immediately regrets his rashness. He's missed touching him quite a bit, really.
With a sigh, he glances towards Ichigo's desk, littered with work. Then, he looks at the schedule on the wall and pointedly, back at Ichigo. ]
I thought, perhaps, with the right incentive...
[ He looks at Ichigo for a long moment, then steps closer because he can't (won't) stop himself, slipping one hand into his hair very lightly, fingertips threading through the strands near his ear. This close up, Ichigo looks a mix of overly focused (his eyes, in particular) and dead-tired (also his eyes, oddly enough). Byakuya doesn't feel very vindicated at the thought that they both look exhausted right now - not very. ]
We could both be persuaded to sleep for a bit.
[ On the way, Byakuya... actually stumbles, reaching for Ichigo to steady himself, though he's quick to let go again. Probably some stupid sense of pride. Ichigo frowns, eyes narrowing slightly, automatically reaching out in turn to touch his hand to the other man's waist. At the same time, Byakuya goes for Ichigo's hair and threads his fingers through it, saying something about incentive and sleep. Normally, Ichigo would scoff at that kind of suggestion, but right now he feels too tired and honestly, he doesn't wanna turn Byakuya away now that he's here. Clearly the one in need of sleep. Why didn't he just go to bed back in Soul Society?
Looking once from his own bed, too narrow really for two grown men and his family's still downstairs, Ichigo makes a swift call and grabs Byakuya's wrist, giving him a slight tug in the general direction of the untouched sleeping space - Ichigo skipped his scheduled period of rest the night before, too. He'll just have to finish an extra chapter in the morning when they wake.
And hope his dad doesn't pick today to wake him up with a surprise attack. Shit. ]
You go first, if you want me to follow.
[ And since he trusts Byakuya to lead, when need be, Ichigo releases his hold on him and steps back, already missing the other man's fingers in his hair, beginning to pull of his pyjamas bottoms and, without even really trying to suggest anything, his boxers as well. Byakuya looks too tired to stand, basically, Ichigo isn't gonna expect a surprise erection, but he still wants to feel him as close as possible. No more barriers.
Ichigo has missed him as well. ]
Looking once from his own bed, too narrow really for two grown men and his family's still downstairs, Ichigo makes a swift call and grabs Byakuya's wrist, giving him a slight tug in the general direction of the untouched sleeping space - Ichigo skipped his scheduled period of rest the night before, too. He'll just have to finish an extra chapter in the morning when they wake.
And hope his dad doesn't pick today to wake him up with a surprise attack. Shit. ]
You go first, if you want me to follow.
[ And since he trusts Byakuya to lead, when need be, Ichigo releases his hold on him and steps back, already missing the other man's fingers in his hair, beginning to pull of his pyjamas bottoms and, without even really trying to suggest anything, his boxers as well. Byakuya looks too tired to stand, basically, Ichigo isn't gonna expect a surprise erection, but he still wants to feel him as close as possible. No more barriers.
Ichigo has missed him as well. ]
[ Mercifully, Ichigo doesn't comment on his little slip - it's good of him, really, though Byakuya also wouldn't expect him to be mean about it. Overbearing, certainly. But he isn't now. Instead, he tugs Byakuya in the general direction of his bed - none too wide, he realises, though the thought of lying close throughout the night certainly doesn't bother him. Really, he... Blinking, his body feeling too weak from the strain of standing and holding in his reiatsu, he nods at Ichigo's words, just a curt jerk of his chin and begins undressing. He stands with Senbonzakura for a moment, uncertain of something he can't name, fingers digging into the scabbard with enough force to make it tremble just a fraction in his hand. Then, frowning slightly at himself and his weakness, he leans it against the wall beneath the windowsill. His uniform, compared to Ichigo's nightwear, has a lot of layers. Right now, they feel endless, particularly against the backdrop of Ichigo's naked backside and shoulders as he divests himself of his boxers, too. In the dim light from the desk lamp, the shadows look deeper across his skin, the shape of his body more pronounced.
Did he lose weight as well? His lines look sharper somehow. Byakuya watches him, lips pressed together in irritation for a few seconds - not at Ichigo, but at whomever's taught him that living like this is adequate. Then, he gets back to the business of escaping from his hakama, loosening knots and trying to be instinctual about it as he ought to be after several hundred years - but his hands are trembling and his fingers are clumsy so it does take him a minute more than it ought to, getting everything off. Once he manages, he meets Ichigo's gaze across the small distance between them. He's waiting, still, on his lead.
The way of the soldier, as it were. You forget easily that Ichigo isn't actually one at all.
Forcing himself not to waver, Byakuya pulls the kenseikan none-too-gently out of his hair, putting them on the windowsill above his sword. Then, looking Ichigo over as slowly as he can, giving himself what little time he can to take him in again while the light is still on, he goes to the bed, brushing past him on the way. Getting in, he lies on his side with his front facing Ichigo, holds open the blanket and waits, in turn. ]
Did he lose weight as well? His lines look sharper somehow. Byakuya watches him, lips pressed together in irritation for a few seconds - not at Ichigo, but at whomever's taught him that living like this is adequate. Then, he gets back to the business of escaping from his hakama, loosening knots and trying to be instinctual about it as he ought to be after several hundred years - but his hands are trembling and his fingers are clumsy so it does take him a minute more than it ought to, getting everything off. Once he manages, he meets Ichigo's gaze across the small distance between them. He's waiting, still, on his lead.
The way of the soldier, as it were. You forget easily that Ichigo isn't actually one at all.
Forcing himself not to waver, Byakuya pulls the kenseikan none-too-gently out of his hair, putting them on the windowsill above his sword. Then, looking Ichigo over as slowly as he can, giving himself what little time he can to take him in again while the light is still on, he goes to the bed, brushing past him on the way. Getting in, he lies on his side with his front facing Ichigo, holds open the blanket and waits, in turn. ]
[ Once he's out of his own nightwear, Ichigo turns around and finds that Byakuya isn't even halfway through undressing. His shihakusho comes with more layers and takes a precision that the other man is clearly struggling with at the moment to wrestle open, but Ichigo just waits patiently, quietly, watching Byakuya getting naked in gradual, slow stages. It's not a bad look on him. Ichigo doen't mind the pace. It's the first time in a month that he isn't rushing for anything. Maybe he should just be glad Byakuya brought them both to a halt. Maybe that was what he needed. Maybe that was what they both needed, right?
Seems so.
Byakuya climbs into Ichigo's bed and places himself so that he's faching him, blanket held up in invitation. Ichigo nods once, firmly, to show he intends to join him, he just needs... Moving over to the desk, past Byakuya's sword that looks foreign but famiiar in his room like this, Ichigo looks down over his many papers of translation work, his laptop and his book, backside up right now. Then, he glances back towards Byakuya, wondering how much he had time to see before Ichigo entered.
Deciding that it's not important anyway, he turns off the desk lamp and moves back again through the dark, climbing into bed with the other man, shuffling around a bit to find a comfortable position against him. The bed feels freakin' tiny this way. Ichigo ends up with his front to Byakuya, their legs entangled and one arm slung casually around his waist again. Supporting him. ]
Is this what you call the right incentive? Byakuya.
[ Can you sleep now, it means. Are you done stumbling and fumbling about?
If he's not, Ichigo will just have to take care of that first, before he's gonna lean his head in against that nice-looking spot near Byakuya's collarbone and just go to sleep on him, himself. Shit, he's wiped. He hadn't even noticed until now. ]
Seems so.
Byakuya climbs into Ichigo's bed and places himself so that he's faching him, blanket held up in invitation. Ichigo nods once, firmly, to show he intends to join him, he just needs... Moving over to the desk, past Byakuya's sword that looks foreign but famiiar in his room like this, Ichigo looks down over his many papers of translation work, his laptop and his book, backside up right now. Then, he glances back towards Byakuya, wondering how much he had time to see before Ichigo entered.
Deciding that it's not important anyway, he turns off the desk lamp and moves back again through the dark, climbing into bed with the other man, shuffling around a bit to find a comfortable position against him. The bed feels freakin' tiny this way. Ichigo ends up with his front to Byakuya, their legs entangled and one arm slung casually around his waist again. Supporting him. ]
Is this what you call the right incentive? Byakuya.
[ Can you sleep now, it means. Are you done stumbling and fumbling about?
If he's not, Ichigo will just have to take care of that first, before he's gonna lean his head in against that nice-looking spot near Byakuya's collarbone and just go to sleep on him, himself. Shit, he's wiped. He hadn't even noticed until now. ]
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