Lovers' Quiet

lovers' quiet

pairing: kyoraku shunsui x ukitake jushirou

warnings: none

word count: 971 words

summary: A quiet moment shared between lovers with a bond unlike any other.

Seeing the pink kimono of Captain Kyoraku fluttering about near the Thirteenth Division barracks had become a normal sight in the past few weeks. Ever since their Captain Ukitake was bedridden due to a particularly violent bout of coughing that ravaged his already weak frame, the Eighth Division captain was visiting a lot more than normal.

"Taicho-san!" Third Seats Kiyone and Sentaro greeted Shunsui as he came into view.

"Ah, hello," Shunsui tipped the edge of his straw hat, good-natured smile already in place. Then it quickly faded into concern, "How is he?"

"Doing better than yesterday, at least," Kiyone chirped, "He's probably asleep now because of the medicine."

"I see. Thank you for your help, Kiyone-kun, Sentaro-kun. Jushirou's lucky to have you both."

The two Third Seats blushed and saluted hastily. Shunsui watched them scramble off and slowly slid the bedroom door open.

It has been centuries already yet the sight of Jushirou still stole Shunsui's breath away from him. Even sickly, his long, white hair was thrown about him like a halo. The gentle features of his beautiful face had a touch of sharpness one could only achieve after millennia of being a Gotei 13 captain. Chapped pink lips were parted slightly in his sleep. Dark, long lashes rested upon soft, unblemished skin. 

Shunsui approached Jushirou, making sure not to disturb his lover's sleep, and lowered himself at the white-haired shinigami's side. The warm sunlight flooding in from the open doors cast a glow on Jushirou's pale, smooth skin.

The brunette sighed, still in love after all these years. He reached out to brush a stray white hair from Jushirou's face. Then, those long, dark lashes fluttered.

One hand stilling in its movement, a small smile curled Shunsui's lips. Jushirou's breathtaking green eyes fluttered open, revealing that kind gaze that made Shunsui fall in love with him all those years ago.

"My, my, Jushirou," Shunsui chuckled, brushing a thumb over one pale cheek. "So naughty."

Jushirou smiled, sheepish but not regretful. "I wanted to stay awake since you were coming."

There was a quiet rattle in his breath behind every word. Shunsui thought to ignore it for now, seeing as to how the air was clear on that particular day.

The brunette continued to stroke Jushirou's hair, applying gentle pressure in some places to alleviate the headache one would get from resting so long. The white-haired captain leaned into his touch, a content smile on his face.

"You're awfully doting today." Jushirou mused aloud, opening an eye to look at him.

Shunsui grinned, "Aren't I 'awfully doting' everyday?"

"Mm. That's true. I'll have to apologise to Ise-fukutaicho when all of this is over."

"Now, now, before you assume anything, I finished all my work before coming here. In fact, I have the slip from Nanao-chan to confirm it!"

Jushirou laughed, raspy yet angelic to Shunsui's ears all the same. "Alright, alright, I believe you."

Then, Jushirou's face tightened with pain and his whole body tensed like a wound-up coil. Shunsui quickly unfurled his reiatsu and blanketed his lover, hoping that the familiarity of it would help the him relax. Thankfully, his theory was proven correct when Jushirou let out a small sigh and got his breathing under control.

"Maybe it's time to take your medicine." Shunsui said gently, carressing Jushirou's temple. He took the jug of medicine from the nearby cupboard and poured it into a cup. He helped Jushirou sit up with one steady hand, kneading the weakened muscles of his back as the white-haired shinigami took his medicine in small sips.

When Jushirou was done, he held onto Shunsui's kimono and gazed at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Can you-" Jushirou stopped himself mid-sentence before continuing, "Can you stay here with me?"

Shunsui longed to say yes, wanting nothing more than to have his lover in his arms, but knew he couldn't do so. He had a Captains' Meeting soon, one important enough that Yamamoto would have his head if he wasn't present.

He gently took the hand holding on to his kimono. Pressing a kiss to his lover's palm, he looked into those green eyes regretfully.

"I'm sorry. There's a Captains' Meeting that I can't miss, or else Yama-ji will kill me." Shunsui murmured.

It was heartbreaking to see that hopeful expression fall. It was even more soul-wrenching when Jushirou smiled, obviously trying to hide his sadness.

"That won't do. Who will dote on me if you're gone?" Jushirou teased, lifting the hand in Shunsui's grasp to tickle at his beard.

Shunsui chuckled and rested his hand on Jushirou's face. "Will you be alright?"

"Will you be alright?" Jushirou shot back, green eyes alight with amusement. "Who knows how many important things you'll forget without me."

When Shunsui didn't laugh, Jushirou sighed, his breath rattling in his chest, and flicked the other captain lightly on the cheek.

"I'll be fine, Shunsui, really. Stop worrying."

Shunsui wanted to say that it was impossible not to, his thoughts occupied by Jushirou all day, but decided to keep it to himself.

"...alright. I'll be back after the meeting, handsome." Shunsui promised with a flirtatious wink, delighted to see Jushirou flush a bright red. He lowered Jushirou carefully and rearranged the sheets so that it was up to the white-haired shinigami's chin.

Jushirou's eyes were already half-lidded and he tried to keep himself awake. It was an adorable sight that tempted Shunsui to actually stay. But no, Shunsui restrained himself from doing so and pressed a kiss to Jushirou's forehead.

"Love you." Jushirou murmured.

"I love you too. Take care."

And with that, Shunsui departed with a heart heavier than normal, and looked forward to the end of the meeting before it had even begun.

__________

notes: 'taicho' means captain and 'fukutaicho' means lieutenant.

this draft had been sitting in the cellar for so long so i thought it was time to let it free...also writing for this pairing just fills me with so much serotonin 😭

sir that's my emotional support married couple

striped carnations

~chapter one

next chapter>>

pairing: julius novachrono x male!oc

warnings: none

word count: 1390 words

summary: As the Grey Deer's Vice-Captain, Hector had a responsibility to help all of his squadmates in every aspect, be it homework or battling with insecurities.

"Oh? What are you doing here, brat?"

Yami sputtered and hastily tried to cover up the paper on the table. "N-None of your business, old man!"

It was rare to see Yami red in the face, which made Hector all the more curious. With a wider grin he approached the teen, attempting to crane his head over the muscular arm that covered the surface of the paper.

At this, Yami looked like he was very close to storming out of the library, so Hector tried a different approach.

"Aw, come on. As your Vice Captain, I'm obligated to help my adorable squadmates. Especially rookies like you."

Yami scowled. "I'm not a rookie."

However, his expression softened to become less defensive and he heaved a deep sigh. He pulled his arm back and Hector leaned over him slightly to see what it was.

It clicked as soon as he read the first few lines. "Is this the homework Julius-kun gave you?"

The Dark Magic user nodded and crossed his arms with a frustrated look on his face. "Sir Julius taught me this word before but I've forgotten what it was. And now I'm too embarrassed to ask him."

His voice fell to a mutter at that last part as he looked the other way stubbornly.

Hector let out a hum and drew up a chair next to the teenager. "Well, for starters, your essay isn't that bad, but there are improvements to be made."

"What the hell? I only asked if you knew the word I was looking for."

Hector raised an eyebrow, "Do you want my help or not, Sukehiro?"

"...fine. Whatever. But I'm not paying you."

It was adorable to see how Yami hated disappointing Julius in any way. That sentiment was probably shared by the rest of the Grey Deer, including Hector himself.

Thirty minutes had passed before Yami finally nodded in understanding, scratching his cheek while refusing to meet Hector's gaze.

"Thanks." He mumbled.

Hector chuckled and briefly ruffled Yami's hair, earning a murderous glare from him. "No problem. Let's keep this between us, I assume?"

"You bet. But one question: are you and Sir Julius dating?"

The question caught him so off-guard that his smile was dropped. Hector's heart raced, and it would be a long moment of speechless silence before he gave a response.

"What?"

While Yami would appear as thick-headed to anyone who didn't know him well, his sharp observation skills were terrifying. Realisation dawned on his face and he leaned away from Hector with a disgusted expression bordering on comical.

"So you're not?! That's disappointing, old man."

Hector pointed a finger at him threateningly, ignoring the way his heart was beating miles per minute.

"Hey, hey, don't make me send you to the Forsaken Realm. Julius-kun wouldn't like it-"

Yami pointed a finger back at him and exclaimed, "That's exactly my point!"

"What point?!"

"You are so obviously in love with Sir Julius, it's ridiculous. You keep mentioning his name and you don't smile at us the way you do to him-!"

At that point, Hector resolved to throw the teen out the window when a familiar voice froze them in their places.

"Hector! Yami!"

Upon seeing Julius approach them, Hector's heart did a happy little backflip. He grinned brightly at the blonde while tightening his grip on Yami's head to shut him up.

"Julius-kun! I thought you were in a meeting with the Wizard King."

"I was, but..." Julius trailed off, worry and sadness crossing his expression for a split second. He shook his head slightly and managed a smile, "What are you both doing?"

Upon seeing his expression, the bubbly feeling in Hector's chest dissipated into worry as well. Julius had informed him of the Wizard King's medical condition before. He guessed that the condition had took a turn for the worse.

"Nothing," Yami replied nonchalantly before the silence could stretch too long. "I was just telling him to go away."

Hector glared. "'Him' is standing right here."

"Still? Why?"

Before he could send Yami flying, Julius put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. He chided, "Come on, you two. There's no need to fight so much. Yami, we leave you to it."

They stepped out of the library and Hector pushed a hand through his hair in frustration. "Julius-kun, that kid's a piece of work."

Julius chuckled, a sound that cooled Hector down a little. "I know, but he has a good heart and cares a lot for others."

It was the truth and Hector knew it. He relented with a sigh and said no more as they walked through the Grey Deer Headquarters in companionable silence. The setting sun cast a brilliant, orange glow on the white walls and pillars, giving a sense of calm that washed over the both of them.

Once they reached Julius' office, Hector plopped himself onto the couch, spreading his arms on the backrest with an exhausted sigh. Julius draped his cape on the wooden stand first before joining his vice captain.

"So...how was he?"

Julius leaned back on Hector's arm, his violet gaze drawn to the ceiling. In a whisper, "He told me he only has a few years left to live."

His worry made Hector's heart ache. This man had enough space in his heart for all the citizens of Clover Kingdom. It was an aspect of Julius that Hector loved, one which Hector could never implement in himself no matter how much he tried.

His fingers brushed Julius' nape before curling gently inwards. In response, the blonde leaned into his touch and let out a small sigh. It was an intimate gesture exclusive only to the both of them - a sign of the ultimate trust they had in one another.

"And this worries you?" Hector asked softly while massaging the soft skin beneath his fingers.

Julius turned to face him, his beautiful violet eyes stealing his breath for a quick moment. "A little," He admitted. "People look to me to become the next Wizard King. That pressure...it's - it's a little frightening. What if I can't protect them?"

Hector so badly wanted to gather him in his arms and chase those insecurities away with a kiss. But it wasn't that simple. He vowed to do so someday when they were more...understanding of the relationship they shared.

"If you're fearful, that's good," Hector said reassuringly, pressing his thumb slightly into the side of Julius' neck. "It shows how serious you are about protecting Clover Kingdom. And once you're serious about something, you'll accomplish your goal. Don't argue - I've witnessed it first-hand."

He watched as Julius turned a bright shade of red at his words. In retaliation the blonde flicked at his ear, earning an exaggerated 'ow!'.

"You're always saying such things even when I told you to stop!" Julius exclaimed in a flustered tone. Then, he relaxed and gave Hector a warm, sincere smile. "But...thank you."

Even in the orange light of the setting sun streaming in through the window, it couldn't compare to the smile Julius was giving him now. It fanned the ever-burning flame in his gut and he crossed the distance between them in a blink of an eye, resting his hand on the armrest beside Julius.

Black eyes like pools of night met wide, violet ones. Their breaths mingled in the air and Julius grew an even brighter red.

"When you become Wizard King," Hector uttered, his words becoming a personal vow. "I'll stay by your side."

Julius breathed, "Forever?"

"If that's what you wish." And he meant it.

There was a sharp inhale at his words and Julius dropped his gaze, studying his hands that laid still in his lap. His lashes were fluttering, a telltale sign that he was nervous about the next words he was going to say. Hector waited with baited breath, his gaze fixated solely on the other.

"Hector, I...I have - I have something to tell you-"

"Captain Julius!" The sudden call made them both spring apart, the previous tension between them shattered. Judging by the frantic knocking, it was probably an urgent matter that could not be waved away.

Julius got to his feet while Hector remained where he was, silently cursing the situation.

"Come in!"

__________

notes: apologies if the formatting is a little weird! I'm new to posting on tumblr so I'm still getting used to it oops

anyway @simpingforthisonedeer sorry this took so long ;; i kept rewriting this chapter guh

reblog for endeavor's ass and no i'm not apologising

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