Archive of Our Own ^beta

"What's wrong?"

Ichigo looked at Byakuya with a worried look in his eyes. Ever since they got to stroll around Ghost City together, the two spent more and more time together with Byakuya visiting him in the shrine or Ichigo going to Ghost City.

At the moment, they were at the newly renovated shrine in Karakura. While Byakuya would usually transform into his teenager form to not scare the villagers, he was in his real form whenever they rest at the shrine.

Byakuya's gaze was on him with a frown, "Nothing is wrong. Don't worry."

Ichigo raised a brow and took a sip of his tea, "Well, your face tells me that something is."

The ghost king averted his gaze, his frown lessened a bit. "..I'm sure my assistant can handle it himself."

The god set his cup down, eyeing him, "If it's something that requires your presence, you should go. I'll be fine."

They stayed silent for a while. The shrine was quiet, saving the chirps from the birds and the occasional passing of villagers outside. It wasn't uncomfortable but Ichigo minded that Byakuya wouldn't even look at him.

"What's wrong?" Ichigo repeated.

Finally, Byakuya responded, "...I don't want to leave His Highness alone."

"Byakuya…"

"I don't want to leave nii-san alone," the ghost king corrected and he finally looked at him.

Ichigo had to quietly admit that the man's single eye drove him crazy with all the attention that he received. He still couldn't calm his heart down and he was almost sure that the ghost king heard it by now.

"How long will you be gone?"

"Perhaps a few days," Byakuya replied. "Five at most."

The god hummed, "That doesn't sound too long." Besides, 800 years was even longer.

Byakuya was still frowning as if he was very opposed to the fact that he had to leave the god's side even for just a few days.

"It doesn't matter the length," Byakuya said. "What matters is that I'll be away from you."

Ichigo sighed fondly and at the same time exasperatedly. The ghost king had no idea how much his words affected the god. It was already too much! Too much! He doesn't know how much more he could take.

"If you leave early," the god started. "You can return the sooner you're finished."

That seemed to appease the ghost king as he slowly nodded in understanding, "That's a good idea, nii-san."

"Good. I'll be waiting for you."

Only a day had passed since Byakuya left to attend to the matters in Ghost City and Ichigo missed him already. He wasn't used to the lonely silence anymore since the ghost king stayed by his side for a good while. He had been working at Saitou-san's farm the whole day to interact with the other farmers.

That didn't fully dissipate his feeling of emptiness, however.

When the sky was starting to darken, Ichigo bid his goodbyes with Saitou-san and the others before heading back to the shrine while sighing. He felt fulfilled but at the same time, he felt lonely all over again, knowing that the shrine would be empty once he returned. He had a sack filled with leftover vegetables with him and he silently wished that it would be okay until Byakuya returns.

He was trekking towards the shrine slowly, taking in the surroundings as some villagers walking back home greeted him along the way. He slightly smiled back and bowed towards them. Ichigo almost thought that he could see the worried faces of the villagers when they saw him. They must've known that his companion was gone.

Once he finally arrived at the shrine, his attention was immediately caught by the stark white that clearly contrasted with the front yard. He cautiously approached it and sighed in relief when he finally noticed that it was a bunny.

It was slightly bigger than the usual ones he saw in the past and its fur was pretty white, no signs of dirt at all. Its eyes were looking directly at him as if it was pleading him to pick it up. Ichigo chuckled softly, he did have some soft spot for animals.

"Come here," he whispered as he picked up the bunny with one hand, the other was busy with the sack of vegetables. Luckily, he had some spare leafy vegetables for his little visitor.

The bunny nuzzled at his hand, looking content. Ichigo couldn't help but laugh. The bunny did some wonders making him feel happy and light temporarily. For now, he would attend to his little guest as much as he could.

Once he fed the bunny as he ate his dinner, he did his usual cleaning before he lay his mat down to sleep. He scooped up the soft ball of fur and lay it down with him. The bunny nuzzled at his chest and Ichigo felt warm all over.

When he woke up, the bunny was gone.

He shouldn't feel disappointed but the bunny's presence was a welcoming one when he was like this but alas, a short term visitor the little thing was. It was fine, he had endured centuries of this feeling. He could handle a few more days.

Ichigo did a few more hours at the farm once more to take his mind off of things. Well, that usually helped until Saitou-san and the others would start probing him with questions as they took their break.

"I haven't seen Byakuya-kun with you lately," Saitou said. "Did 'ya two get into a fight?"

The god waved his hand dismissively as he took a swig of water, "Nothing of the sort. He's just handling things back at his city."

"Hm, family problems eh?" Sanosuke stroked his chin in thought. "Understandable. Although, I don't see why he couldn't take his lover with him, ah."

Ichigo furrowed his brows. Lover? Did they see Byakuya with a woman in Karakura before? It couldn't be since the ghost king was him the majority of the time. Seeing the pointed look from the farmer, he then realized who he was talking about.

Ichigo immediately sputtered and shook his head, "W-Wait! I- We- Byakuya is merely a friend!"

"Ah?" Sanosuke looked confused and locked eyes with Saitou who mirrored his expression. They must've had the same thought. Byakuya and Ichigo as lovers? Ha! That's impossible. Byakuya would never love someone as worthless as him.

"Really?" Saitou asked incredulously. "From the way you two looked at each other…" He shook his head, "Our bad then, Ichigo-dono."

How did they look at each other? What was on their faces for them to think so? It was absurd thinking someone as kind, attentive, generous, and gentle as Byakuya would love someone like him. A trash, worthless, a failure, and the reason for the deaths of thousands. Impossible.

"It couldn't be," Ichigo eventually said. "My cultivation doesn't allow it."

Both farmers looked at each other and then back at him rather apologetically.

He then wished it was possible.

Time passed and Ichigo had to return to the shrine again. Neither of the farms brought the topic from earlier up and he was grateful. He could feel his chest was constricted from the thought of it since as much as he wanted to, he recalled that Byakuya had mentioned that he had a beloved.

That couldn't be him.

When he returned, something white caught his eye again. This time, he went to scoop the bunny with both hands and kept it close to his chest.

"Welcome back," he said softly, smiling small. The bunny looked at him and he might've gone crazy to think that the bunny looked concerned.

"I'm fine," Ichigo said despite the thought. "I'm just a bit tired. Anyways, let's eat dinner, hm?"

They did the same routine as last night but this time, the bunny was actively moving around and its attention was solely on Ichigo. The god had to laugh since it reminded him of Byakuya whenever he cooks and wouldn't let the man help him. After that, he and the bunny ate together before doing the same cleaning and slept together in the less dusty mat again.

This time, the bunny was with him when he woke up.

Ichigo didn't want to leave the bunny immediately so they had tea together (or more like Ichigo drinking and the bunny resting on his lap comfortably as the god stroked its fur) as they watched the sun rise after doing the morning chores.

The god had to go to the farm again and he knew it wouldn't be wise to bring the small thing with him so all he did was nuzzle the bunny's nose with his own while muttering a promise that he would return.

The bunny simply let out a sound, a cute and small kind. Ichigo grinned as he ran his hand on the fur again before taking his leave after making sure that the bunny was safe in the shrine.

When he returned, the bunny was waiting for him.

It was the fourth day now with the bunny being his company. Ichigo had to admit that the bunny did help him distract him from his loneliness from time to time. There was something about it that he couldn't explain at first but now, he had a guess.

The bunny certainly looked ordinary, bigger than usual but nothing suspicious. What was interesting was the clear show of emotions lately and the way that it responded to his words were different too. It was more intelligent. He had held it so much that none of those times let him detect any evil essence from it.

It was in the afternoon now and the god decided to relax. Tea in hand and bunny on his lap, he was resting at the porch while letting the soft air tickle his face with his own hair. He usually was one who doesn't relax but he remembered the ghost king's words to relax sometimes. He followed.

He was petting the bunny's fur when he thought it was finally time to say it.

"Little one," Ichigo said. He noticed that the bunny's ears twitched in acknowledgement so he continued, "You haven't met him but I actually have a companion here."

It twitched again, "I'm sure he would like you since you're so adorable. Too bad he's busy though."

A pregnant pause spread after he said that but he eventually continued, "Well, I assume he was busy. Right now, I think he has a lot of free time lately."

Then, the bunny glowed and suddenly the weight on his lap got heavier. Ichigo yelped in surprise and dropped the cup in his hand. Luckily, a hand caught it and set it aside to avoid spillage.

The god's eyes widened in shock when instead of a bunny resting on his lap, it was Byakuya in his teenage form sitting on it comfortably. The ghost king's body was slightly turned to face directly.

"H-Hi," Ichigo managed to let out.

"Hi," Byakuya greeted, not looking awkward at all as a small smile graced his lips.

Ichigo was freaking out internally due to their compromising situation and the fact that those dark eyes were looking at him intently with undivided attention once more. It was so sudden that it made his head spin and heart beat so fast.

"How did nii-san find out?"

"I…" Ichigo was at a loss for words. He quickly tried to say some mantras to distract him from his… thoughts. "I didn't realize it at first but the bunny was smart. I don't think a bunny could boil water every morning." The god was relieved that his voice wasn't shaking.

Byakuya hummed and shifted his position to a more comfortable one for the both of them but Ichigo fucking wished that the man would. stop. Moving. He might die despite his immortality!

"I missed you," Ichigo blurted out, which took both of them by surprise.

Byakuya's eyes visibly widened until he schooled his expression, gaze softening and a smile slowly spreading on his face. It was a warm thing, really. The god couldn't help but return the gesture with as much warmth.

"This one has also missed you," Byakuya admitted that left Ichigo's face aflame.

After a few moments, Ichigo averted his gaze, embarrassment seeping out of his body. "Could you, um, sit beside me instead?"

"Why?" Mirth evident in the ghost king's voice. "I am quite comfortable here."

"Byakuya…"

The noise of someone clearing their throats alerted the both of them, making them jump away from each other. Ichigo then saw that it was Saitou and Sanosuke standing by the entrance of the shrine. The two farmers looked awkward as one stared at the sign that asked for donations while one was looking at them apologetically.

"Ah," Saitou said awkwardly. "Sorry, Ichigo-dono. Byakuya-kun. It seems like we've caught you two in a… wrong time."

Ichigo sputtered once more as his mind betrayed him as it made him recall the conversation with the farmers before. He waved his hands frantically, "No, no. It's fine. You weren't disturbing anything!"

"It's fine, it's fine," Sanosuke said, finally looking at them. "We'll, ah, leave you guys to it for now. We'll come back later."

The two farmers shot them, especially towards Ichigo, a knowing look before briskly walking away from the shrine before Ichigo could do anything to stop them or clear whatever situation was earlier.

The god groaned as he buried his face in his hands, "God…"

"Why is nii-san calling for one when he's one himself?"

Ichigo laughed at the irony of it but he still kept his face buried, "I'm just very embarrassed."

Once he finally looked at Byakuya, the ghost king was frowning slightly and shoulders tense, "Sorry, nii-san. I didn't mean to."

"It's fine," he quickly said. The man finally revealed himself and he didn't want to ruin the day. He took the ghost's hand in his own hand, "Come, I'll cook you something in celebration of your return."

The tension in Byakuya's shoulders slowly dissipated as he let himself get dragged by the god, "Many thanks. I did miss nii-san's delicious cooking."

"Pfft. You're just saying that, Byakuya."

"What are you talking about, nii-san? I have always been sincere."