del amor eres mi vida, de mi vida eres el sol

You assessed the immaculate space. Each table was carefully arranged by family rank. That would have placed you somewhere in the middle, you supposed. It might be advantageous to sit down right away. With everyone gathered to the standing room, you'd have a better chance of being ignored.

In the corner of your eye a nobleman and his daughter approached someone you recognized from the Soul Reaper Academy, seated at his table. He probably had the same idea as you, which sadly backfired. You scanned the pavilion for other options.

To your surprise, you spotted who you imagined would be the most sought-after young heir at the Gathering seated by himself on a bench faced outside. Sure, his attitude wasn't the best, but you knew many young noble women here would gain an incredible advantage by marrying into the Kuchiki Clan. He was certainly the most visually appealing of the eligible nobles. Many students at the Academy spoke of Byakuya Kuchiki's looks. He was quite elegant.

Perhaps his rank was too distinguished for anyone to freely approach Byakuya. That would explain the look you received that time you informed a classmate that you had been training Zanjutsu with Byakuya in private.

Nonetheless, a gawk was better than failing in Zanjutsu, and it would certainly beat withstanding the pomp and circumstance of the Gathering. So you crossed the pavilion, narrowly avoiding families and tables alike, and sat down next to him.

You didn't give the young lord a chance to react before you huffed a breath and swiped your book from its hiding place.

"This seems to be the only quiet place here," you said, flipping your book to the spot you left off.

Byakuya didn't reply, but you noticed him in the corner of your eye adjusting his posture and shifting far too much. You lost your place more times than you wished; your field of vision snagging on him like a misprint on the page before you.

"Is there a problem?" You didn't look away from your book as you spoke.

He stilled. "You're going to make me look bad."

"Why," you started playfully, "are you afraid I will ruin your chances of betrothal?"

"I have no interest in frivolous matchmaking," he said immediately, his tone growing clipped. "It's rude to show up to a social event with a book."

You began to swing your legs, fiddling with the open page of your tome. "You should know by now that I don't quite care what these people think of me, Lordling."

The way you carried yourself at the Academy was proof enough. You were even so bold as to pull out "that book of yours" - as Byakuya often called it - during footwork demonstrations. You hardly reacted to the scolding your instructor gave you.

"I have a title to uphold," he said, fighting the impatience in his voice.

You closed your book. "It wouldn't insult me if you asked me to leave."

Byakuya didn't say anything, he simply crossed his arms in annoyance. After a moment you stood, accepting his gruff non-answer, and began to scan the room for another place to escape.

As if they were waiting for your departure, a family shuffled toward the bench, watching Byakuya with interest. You chose to ignore their presence. It wasn't your problem.

Just as your gaze found a cozy-looking spot on the other side of the pavilion, a hand closed itself around your wrist.

"Wait," he said, stopping you. "I'll keep you company." You turned to look at Byakuya in time to watch him puff up his chest. As if he were doing you a favor.

You choked on a laugh. "Are you suggesting you're better company than Human History Volume 4?"

Byakuya's face contorted between vexation and schooled politeness, and you watched, amused.

You wouldn't move from where you stood until he cracked, and at last he did; sighing deeply and looking to you for mercy. "Please?"

Content with his manners, you sat back down and stowed your book away. The observing family turned away in disappointment.

"Very well," you said, crossing your legs as you looked at him eagerly. "Let me tell you about the last chapter I read."

When you exit the bathroom you see Tetsuro waiting for you, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed just like you were minutes ago. His pants hang low on his hips and his tousled hair from sleep misses the frame on the wall by a smidge, he certainly would've bumped into it had he stood a step to the right.

With bladders empty and the chance to make it back to bed as seamlessly as possible hanging by a thread, Tetsuro circles his arms around your middle, nuzzling his head in the crook of your neck once again and walking you both back to bed.

The cotton sheets welcome you back in its soft threads, along with Tetsuro’s arms around you and yours around him you are all set to surrender yourselves to a deep slumber.

“Tetsuro.” “Mhm.” His hum sounding more awake than you expected.

“I can’t fall asleep.” Earning a huffed a laugh against your hair from him. “Yeah, me neither.”