Let Us Fall Gracefully

Ishida sighed in discontent upon arriving in Soul Society. He looked around the busy streets of the Seireitei and frowned. He didn’t really want to be there amongst the Shinigami. They were still his enemies as far as he was concerned.

Ichigo seemed to sense his lover’s discomfort and walked closer to him. “Are you alright?” He asked taking his hand.

The Quincy scowled, just staring directly ahead of them. “How can you ask me that?” He muttered. “I’m pregnant with your child that I don’t know how will come into the world and then I had come here to see Unohana. I do not want any Shinigami touching me.” 

The substitute sighed deeply. He knew Uryu was going to have mood swings but he didn’t actually want him to have them, because if he did, then Ichigo would have the brunt of them. “Okay, let’s just get this over with then, ne?”

“Easy for you to say, Kurosaki…” Ishida spoke tersely and walked along the path to the fourth and pulling his lover with him. 

Ichigo didn’t say anything to the irritated Quincy. He didn’t want to make it worse, best to not even go there right now. They walked along the street quietly until they reached the fourth where Unohana greeted them. 

“Hello, Kurosaki-san,” She said kindly to the orange head then turned to the Quincy. “Ishida-san.”

“Unohana-taichou,” Ichigo said then turned his head to the Quincy who was looking out the lobby window. 

The Quincy sighed softly. He didn’t want to be there and these damn hormones weren’t helping. The only reassurance he had was that Ichigo was there. But even that made the Quincy have doubts about being there. What would they do to him or this life that was growing inside him?

Ichigo gave his hand a gentle squeeze to have his attention but that only made Ishida turn his head more. “Hey, what’s wrong?” 

When the Quincy didn’t answer Unohana stepped up and looked into the teen’s eyes. “Ishida-san,” She kindly smiled. “I will show you both to a room where I’ll examine you.” 

The teen’s lips tightened in protest but he nodded anyway as the healer turned and walked down the hallway to a room where she had him lay on the bed and bared his abdomen. Ichigo had dropped into the chair next to him and held his hand again. “Just relax, Ishida-san.” Unohana told him quietly and she put her hands on his soft stomach where the small reiatsu cluster was growing. 

~*~

“Whoa…” The redhead said, wide-eyed, as he stepped in the door of the flat they were going to be staying in. “Taichou? Where did you get this place?” Renji asked, looking around with his red-brown eyes still wide.

Byakuya scanned the room also. He hadn’t been there in years. It looked exactly the same as when he was there last. It was simply furnished with a couch, a few chairs, a bookshelf, and an entertainment center that was rarely used. It had a kitchen, two bedrooms and both had bathrooms. It was really a very cozy place that Byakuya wished he would stay at more often but he didn’t really want to go alone so he never went. 

“My father bought it when I was young. We would come here when he would have his leisure time.” He replied, turning to the amazed redhead.

The redhead’s eyes came to rest on his superior’s. “Wow, that’s great Taichou.” Renji said, smiling.  

“Renji,” said the noble. “We are alone. You can call me by my name.” 

“But I like calling you Taichou…Byakuya.” 

“That may be so, but I wished to be called by my name when we are…” Byakuya paused as he stepped toward the redhead and pressed his lips to the others. “Intimate.” He finished when he pulled back to look into his lover’s eyes. 

“Okay,” Renji whispered and brought their lips together again in a gentle kiss. He placed his hand on Byakuya’s cheek, gently caressing it as they pulled away. He sighed once they parted. “Mmm,” He hummed, closing his eyes, and leaning his forehead against the noble’s. 

They stayed quiet for several minutes just standing there. It was only until Byakuya spoke that broke the silence. “Renji,” The redhead opened his eyes to connect with the large grey ones. “Are you completely sure you’d like to move into Kuchiki Manor?” 

The redhead grinned and kissed the noble. “Of course,” He said, pulling back. “I love waking in your arms, spending time with you, eating alongside you...” 

“As do I,” The noble agreed, his lips curving upward slightly. “But it is a great adjustment and one the Elders will not take lightly.” 

Renji’s grin widened. “I think I can handle it.” He assured the raven-head. “You may be the clan leader and my taichou but I don’t care what your stuffy elders say…I love you.” 

The noble’s smile seemed to grow. “I love you too.”