Chapter Text
Ichigo saw him before he heard him—bare feet kicking up little clouds of sand, the familiar silhouette framed against the glittering sea. His heart was already racing by the time Renji reached him.
“Morning,” Renji said, and his grin was blinding.
Ichigo barely managed a reply before Renji sat down next to him—close. Really close.
Ichigo froze slightly when Renji’s hand slid along his forearm, fingers grazing sun-warmed skin with unhurried intent. Then Renji leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Ichigo’s bare shoulder, lips warm against his skin.
Ichigo stared ahead, mouth slightly open, brain short-circuiting.
“Uhm,” he muttered. “That was—uh.”
Renji only chuckled, low and fond. “Sorry. Can’t help it.”
Ichigo finally looked over, and caught Renji watching him like he was the only person on the entire beach. There was something so unguarded in the way he looked at him now—no teasing, no smirks. Just... softness .
And affection. So much of it that Ichigo felt like he might melt into the sand.
From the corner of his eye, Ichigo noticed a small group standing further down the beach. Two guys and a girl, all with towels and sunhats, standing dead still and staring . One of them even squinted dramatically, elbowing the others.
“Uh,” Ichigo said slowly. “Your friends are watching.”
Renji hummed. “Yeah, I know.”
Ichigo turned to him, puzzled. “They seem... surprised.”
A small smile tugged at Renji’s lips. “They’ve just never seen me like this before.”
“Like what?” Ichigo asked, cautiously.
Renji’s fingers threaded through his.
And then, with no hint of irony or playfulness—just quiet certainty—he said, “Head over heels.”
Ichigo swallowed hard. There was no laughter behind the words. Just truth.
He didn’t know what to say. So instead, he leaned ever so slightly into Renji’s side, letting his shoulder touch his. The way Renji instantly responded—squeezing his hand, brushing his thumb in slow circles across his knuckles—made something catch in his throat.
For a while, they just sat there, the waves hushing the world around them.
Renji tugged gently on Ichigo’s wrist and pulled his hand into his lap, cradling it like it was something delicate and important. He pressed his lips against Ichigo’s knuckles, once, twice, eyes fluttering closed.
Ichigo’s chest ached in the strangest, sweetest way.
Renji glanced at him then, sun in his eyes, grin softer than Ichigo had ever seen.
“I’m all in, Ghost boy,” he said, like it was the easiest thing in the world.
Ichigo tried to laugh—but the sound cracked halfway.
He didn’t let go.
They stayed on the sand for hours. Every time Ichigo shifted or reached for something, Renji seemed to follow with his eyes, with his hands, with some gentle touch that made Ichigo feel like he was glowing beneath his skin.
Renji fed him pieces of watermelon from the cooler, grinning like an idiot each time Ichigo rolled his eyes and accepted. At one point, Renji rested his head on Ichigo’s shoulder and murmured, “You smell like sunscreen and salt. It's gonna ruin me.”
Ichigo snorted, ears burning. “You’re already ruined.”
“Mm,” Renji hummed. “Only for you.”
Ichigo looked away quickly, but his face was on fire and his hand never left Renji’s.
Later, while they were walking along the shoreline, their hands still linked and waves licking their ankles, Ichigo felt Renji pause. He turned—and before he could speak, Renji leaned in and kissed him.
It wasn’t a deep kiss. It was soft, salty, warm. Barely a breath long.
But it stole every single thought from Ichigo’s head.
When they pulled back, Ichigo blinked at him, stunned. “That was—”
Renji rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry. I couldn’t wait.”
Ichigo’s mouth twitched. “You’re not sorry.”
Renji grinned, sheepish. “Okay, I’m not. But was it okay?”
Ichigo didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed him again. This time slower. Their lips pressed together, salty and warm and real . Renji’s fingers curled into Ichigo’s waist like he didn’t want to let go.
By early afternoon, the beach had gotten busier, noisier. Renji tugged Ichigo away by the hand with a whispered, “Come with me.”
He led him into the treeline, past the tourist trails and picnic spots, until they found a clearing among the pines. It was shaded and quiet, the only sounds being the distant crash of waves and the buzz of cicadas. The air smelled like resin and sea air.
They dropped down onto the thick blanket of pine needles, sitting side by side. Ichigo's pulse was everywhere—wrists, throat, tongue, all of it pounding.
Renji looked at him for a long moment. His gaze flicked between Ichigo’s eyes and mouth.
“You good?” he asked, gently.
Ichigo nodded, but it was shaky. “Just… my brain’s lagging behind, I guess.”
Renji smiled. “Then let’s give it time to catch up.”
But he didn’t move away. Instead, he slid a hand behind Ichigo’s neck, fingers warm and firm. His other hand rested on Ichigo’s thigh, slow, steady.
And then he kissed him again.
Not soft this time. Not careful.
Ichigo felt everything—Renji’s mouth, his breath, the press of his chest. Heat bloomed everywhere and stayed . Renji’s hand slipped under Ichigo’s shirt, palm pressed against bare skin, and Ichigo’s whole body jolted like it had short-circuited.
He gasped into the kiss and gripped Renji’s shoulders, nails biting down instinctively. Renji groaned, low in his throat, and deepened the kiss, tongue tracing the edge of Ichigo’s lip before slipping in.
Ichigo’s knees buckled— sitting down —and he had to grab a fistful of Renji’s shirt to stay upright.
Renji pulled back slightly, just enough to whisper against his lips, “Still with me?”
Ichigo exhaled, shakily. “Barely.”
Renji pressed their foreheads together. “Good.”
They kissed again, slower now. Lingering. Tasting. Ichigo’s hands explored Renji’s back, memorizing the ridges of muscle, the curve of his spine. Every time they parted even for air, they found each other again like magnets, mouths hungry, smiles breaking through between kisses.
The forest felt miles away from everything.
And Ichigo... was gone.