ANONY3

He found you in his bedroom, curled up on top of the blankets and wrapped in one of his own robes. You radiated peace, asleep with your glasses on and a forgotten book loose in one hand. Tired feet softly strode to the side of the bed where Byakuya knelt close to you and swept a tendril of hair off your face. He smiled to himself as he watched the unhurried rise and fall of your chest. Something deep in his chest beamed with adoration, with gratitude that you were right there.

Byakuya reached for your glasses and slowly removed them from your face. You stirred at the ghost-like sensation of his fingertips and you scrunched up your face before opening your eyes, immediately meeting Byakuya's with heavy lids.

"I am sorry, my love." He soothed your tired skin with the palm of his hand. "My duties kept me later than expected."

You leaned into Byakuya's hand, nuzzling into the rough skin. "No sorries please."

Byakuya chuckled, a warm and melodic sound that made your eyes flutter shut. "Alright."

For a moment he admired you quietly. This was not the first time Byakuya had come home to the sight of you snoozing like a cat in his bed, and every trace of his being willed it not to be the last. The reconstruction and healing needed following the war required very much of you both, and these nights were a balm to your souls.

You opened your eyes again, a look of tired determination washing over your features as you sat up and closed your book.

"Have you eaten?"

"I have," he said.

"Take a bath before you get in bed," you said quietly. "You'll feel better when you wake up."

He smiled again. "As you wish."

"Come here." You reached for his hair and ran lazy fingers through it, eventually reaching for the kenseikan atop his head.

It took everything in him not to close his eyes and doze off as you removed the silver pieces, massaging his scalp as you went. Byakuya leaned his head into your hand, sighing as you took such gentle care of him. Every touch of your fingers soothed an ache he hadn't noticed before. Even sitting up, Byakuya was on the edge of consciousness.

"The water is still hot," you said, softly waking him.

Byakuya couldn't remember getting up, and he couldn't remember washing or soaking in the bathtub, but still he emerged clean, warm, and heavy-lidded. You had drawn the blankets and dimmed the lights in the bedroom, turning the space into a cozy haven for the two of you to rest.

He climbed into bed wordlessly, pulling you close as his head met the pillow. You nuzzled closer still as your hand found his, draped around your waist.

"You already feel better," you whispered. "I can tell."

"Mmm," he started, "I cannot say it is from the bath."

You squeezed his hand. "I bet it is."

Byakuya sighed, too sleepy to disagree. "You are wearing my clothes."

"I took a bath before I remembered I didn't bring anything to sleep in."

A frequent occurrence of yours. Whether intentional or not, he didn't mind, but he felt a slight twinge of guilt as he pictured you ending an exhausting day of work, going all the way to your own home to grab supplies, and then travelling all the way here. He nudged the back of your head with his nose, breathing you in deep. It was a wonder you came here at all, only to fall asleep without him most nights.

"Next we are both available," he whispered. "We will bring your things here."

You melted into his embrace, muscles relaxing into full rest. "Okay."