TIME EATER.

⸻

It was the languid sound of the continuous drum loading the senses in a way that desired an explanation for how sudden, how mind-filling, how nearly overwhelming the sensation of it was in the otherwise uninterrupted serenity of a darkened sky that leads to no answer for all unspoken queries. As they never would come. It was the usual, after all: never would the youth reply past quivers and bouts, past the nearly obstinate behaviour of youthful excitement. One would think that in the way clouds rise and chase each other in heavy winds, the feeling of this subtle strum was explainable 'at best', perhaps surprising 'at worst'. But the breeze around them that Shigure could feel was dry, still heavily loaded with the idea of an upcoming storm, electrified in the ways it could be perceived in seconds worth that one would take a breath. How quaint to feel it all long before it would even reach them. How beautiful to be aware of the surrounding, just for one soul to reach them, to teach them. To hear it all for them, to provide for them, to have them know. Thus, Shigure would look outside the window, watch the shrouding of the sky similar to a maelstrom's heaviness and feel the intensity of the world brought down upon them by someone else. 

He had always had the habit to make them feel whatever it was he would experience. Make it as luminous as the sun peaking through the cracks of sheer darkness. What a comforting thought to have---

That he had always had the knowledge to provide a world lightened and illuminated in ways so unlike anything else that could be seen by their own eyes. So thus, in the warmth and cosy atmosphere of their own home, eyes alight with nought else but another person's unbridled ardour, the cup of tea in their hands could grow cold in just witnessing, just being drowned in a sensation that was tinged in a multitude of nuances representing the brightest shades of colours and sounds and blossoming feelings on skin. Still, the rain had not yet come to them. Would probably need hours and hours to reach the Seireitei, yet if looking at the sky and trying to find it, one could see the veil of greys and whites hazing vision and proclaiming the blanketing comfort of something that should be uncomfortable to behold. 

But it was warm. Soothing. Reassuring. And they couldn't help but chuckle at his antics for wanting to explore a forest under a storm. For feeling the fine, barely [ for them? how was it for him? ], perceptible trace of raindrops he was able to convey in full when all he did do was just let them know about the sensation as a whole. He had not spoken to them in what could be amounted to half a bell, had not found it necessary to do so, not wanting to do so, within that feeling of his appreciation for hours he could spend that way, Kisuke was so willing, so wanting to tend to them with it too. At times, it made them wonder, without having these mental quips and ideas disturb their innocent back and forth: why would he? 

⸻

The crackling noise of dry thunder splits the sky open similar to a spider's web painted in the corner of a room with all its fine silvery feel. Thin lines that promise a cooling of the atmosphere, yet no rain has been spotted reaching the dry ground, no desired relief brought for by the aching sky on that scorching hot day of this unrelenting summer. And still? They were able to feel it. The light tingling of drops across the exposed skin of arm, as if fingertips would tease them towards the very promise of a reprieve now that the day had settled and early evening hours were unfolding before attentive eyes. In a sense, they had to wonder where he was. Wanted to question this wordlessly, silently, within that mild laugh released when only reply to queries were the jovial feelings of delight. What was it today? He had mentioned it, had he not? Sometimes within the everlasting moments similar to playful onslaught, hard it was to figure out the true pieces of information important for upcoming hours and even days the Captain had to keep in mind. Always just when attention had already been divided towards orders and missions of sorts, a terror as always. A well-needed salvation for their mind - as always [ how does he always know when to reach out for them? ].

A field trip of sorts, was it not? At least he had fluttered ideas and thoughts about it towards their way for the better part of the morning, something akin to excitement with a mixture of displeasure, as it would take around three days for him to return to the academy, to return to their lectures as it were. What a menace he could be; even though one would think attention dwindling, nought it was when he would carry the upcoming lashing of the sky towards them in the most beautiful of symphonies, the brightest of colours. Just like always, filling different spots of muted tones with the most luminous, sheer delight that one couldn't even fathom experiencing. 

At times, Kisuke's antics could appear a little bit too much. A flustered little sort of glimmer, knowing very well that he would stand somewhere, stare up at the sky, within the light flutter of imperceptible touch Shigure would be able to feel endlessly enveloping them in the drag of evening hours still spent inside the division building. How quaint, that this little tidbit of a musing and enjoyment of this man could set their heart aflutter in the simplest of ways; yet, as time had passed and thoughts would be distracted, there was a huff. At times, he could be a bit much to handle.

Diversion of motivation evident in how minutes had drawled on and turned into half an hour, thus when they decided upon it being enough, their thoughts and wants and wishes to have him cease [ for a few hours at least, he could do that, no? ] would be overturned and caught by a near too childish bout of happiness towards their indignation. A tease. A little bit of a taunt. Enough to be drawn away fully: giving up that endeavour that was lost the moment he intruded upon their 'desire to work', a means of diversion that Shigure did not know they needed right now. At times they have to wonder, would it always stay this way? Would it ever change? Would he ever shift from that ease and wit and humorous little tones, making him hard to be recognised by their emotions finely crafted, sent and travelling through their bond back and forth? Should it ever change, if it came to ending this thought experiment where it had not even begun? - in the blinking of eyes and jovial laughter, when they could feel and sense Kisuke's displeasure of paying attention not to him, but whatever else may catch their fancy. Nothing but him there should be - proclaimed and pushed and hovering above them, even though he was so far away. Mayhaps it sometimes will. But for right now, it sure would never be.

⸻

Hasty, such hasty thoughts and movements, forcing and chasing him around through a downpour like no one had ever seen. It is not the first time drumming sounds of fine delight would press on and on in ways usually enjoyed, now brushed away within the mind's intensity that no human could ever stand and endure. He was glad for the fierceness of the world surrounding him trying to swallow him whole in these pulses that he would draw closer and closer to the person searched for, sought-after for what could only amount to hours now in the World of the Living. All done as soon as his senses had focussed on smoothing over what could only be accounted for as sheer blinding pain [ enough to take his breath away? enough to feel like his heart would stop if not so desperately beating in unison with another person's? ] with eyes widened and concentrated again on what his mind was setting out to do; as soon as that had paths been wound and wound, endlessly rattling on in circles to steer closer and closer ever to his target.

There had been numerous ideas floated back and forth of what could have happened; of what should have never happened, and yet boiled down to a simple solution beyond his expectation. Thus, in a sense, Kisuke desired for it not to be true. Desired for a simpler thing to have happened, like a swirling nightmare unbeknownst to everyone so surely hard to wake up from, if not boiling down to the realisation that this was as palpable as his very thoughts shifting towards the denouement found that he had to move, where none other could have moved anymore. With words brought forth towards questioning, towards inquiring voices, brushed off with the sheer hurry he had been in to make his way towards what could only be boiled down towards his impeccable realisations that mind had drawn in a blind panic. To go out and seek. For all the ones still wanting to hold him back be damned and brushed aside. What a delicate undergoing in attempting to stall someone of power unknown and unmatched, with a vindictive conviction to match it all. If there would be any time, shall regard their queries towards his rightful return [ but would he answer? would Kisuke even return at all? ].

Nearer, ever nearer. Time passed [ too long? too much? ] for him to find the place of hidden pause? To find the place of rest and security now that he stood there, wide-eyed and breathless, drenched in that storm that had all creatures run off and hide somewhere away from - from them - for him to draw through those mazes of nature's beautiful built, through it all, beyond the comprehension of exhaustion to find someone so truly in need to be found. In that harsh and inhospitable world that had carved out a mere meaning of unrest followed by a scathing feeling of sheer despair. And within all of this, in that little wooden hideout he had discovered somewhere tucked away in the corner of this existence, where Kisuke stood and watched and still needed a few too many heartbeats to truly approach, he had missed the stillness of the sky around him. Tearing open through the ominous blackness, obscurity met with calm after the storm. But as if on cue, as if he knows about it, as if he had not subjugated himself to feeling of desparation, and just like that [ simple as that? ] had stepped over the threshold of this humble abode, in that moment that was like entering another world, had the heavens decided to stop their weeping, for that one person, that was the most important to him ever in his life - had finally been found. 

⸻

How quaint. To not be able to perceive with one of the senses that would be normal to ely on alone. To be left to only depend on those that are left to him, that remain to him, in that delirious state of his mind where he had brought down to a halt and rest, if not for the continuous search of someone else so lost in the maelstrom of their emotions when he had done and fulfilled the unthinkable. Had brought them both down to a separation his mind now screamed for to be reinstalled fully and wholly, for as dark and invisible as the surrounding truly was, his soul and mind had blackened themselves out. Grey, his world was so misleadingly grey that he could not even fathom what another might think. Was that what it was? This feeling so similar to--- To lose something so precious that all the life could be sucked from his perception as brilliant and shining as it usually had been? Losing eyesight was not a problem [ had it ever been? ], but losing that connection, that warmth, that love, it was as maddening to his jumbled thoughts as he would never want to experience it ever again. 

Distracted and disturbed, chasing own thoughts down a rabbit hole, there is a quiet breath exhaled in seconds that his hand had been taken, had been cradled in such familiar ones that he couldn't help but smile. He knows, knows it all well enough, the way that he should have felt their approach, yet had not been able to, had not caught the idea of conferred rain he could hear steadily drumming around them upon the division building of the fourth. Subtly, calmly, pressing against the window plane of the room Kisuke had been brought into to rest and be cared for. Steady and calm as it was, nought upon his skin in the fine strum of another's perception, only now knowing that Shigure had made their way through the soothing feeling when he felt the wetness on their fingertips. The cold. The chill. The knowledge of it all usually would be kept off and away just for the ideas and notions and thoughts that they wanted to bring before one another. How artistic had it always been. How bright and open and creative---

How bizarre to be unable to know about it now beforehand. To be aware of this sheer purity of the moment when it all boils down to them, and only them in the bustling of a division that sounded yet so far away. 

It all was brought down to heartbeats, fingertips against the fine pulse of a subtle intonation beneath formerly torn open skin. It was all there in just the pulses, the sounds of voices, the way they would reach for each other even though Kisuke should not know where they are, had blocked out visions and images, pictures and ideas, burnt it all like a bridge to never be crossed again. A lie that was, and one that his mind had nearly ruptured in reassuring himself about it, where reassurance should be only given to one person. One alone. 

One that would question him. Plead with him. The desire for him to undo the pain inflicted, not physically, not outwardly, not palpable, but all that was in their cores screaming for each other raw in their back and forth to become one yet again. And how he desired it to be. How it was drowning in his mind beyond the expectations of what he was able to do. To separate a bond as shiningly beautiful as this one that they crafted over hundreds and hundreds of years in his numbing pursuit to keep them safe while knowing well enough: this action alone could leave them at the end of their wits and powers. But was it not that? To spare them the feelings running and coursing through his veins and nerves, splitting his skin open like a fine spidery web done by his very own hand. What a particularly horrendous power, one he had just desired to keep away from them. To keep them safe from it. From him. And yet? In the subtle moments and movements of toiling hands along ruptured skin, trailing up and leaving the fine veil of rain brought inside for him to experience in full, within that tone of voice so broken, so feeble, all that he could not see brought towards his brilliant mind in nearly suffocating realisation - it had not been enough. It had never been enough. For they make it so hard for him, to fulfil an unspoken promise of unbridled protection, of an unbroken oath he would yet - yet still - shatter in that very breath taken to fill his lungs that sting within the remainders of his sacrifice. 

⸻

Vast expanses of greys and shimmering dark nuances of blues. Within the rolling sound of rumbling, that greets his senses in the most obvious of ways, now securely still tucked away in their shared office when only his head had raised to glance out of the window. Kisuke could easily know about the lightning and thunder and yet paid little to no attention to it, momentarily distracted gaze flitting to wander back towards the plans on hand, another's headwriting he was about to read, his own he was about to create, the thoughts he was about to write down. 

Till he felt it. 

The fine sensation of raindrops colouring his senses with unbridled joy. With a nearly juvenile feel to it, a happy little coincidence that went on and on in the cheerful ardency, rushing towards him in what could only be called the luck of the moment when it was, for once, not him to bask his lovely partner in these subtle and simple delicacies of the world. He couldn't help the smile that would etch up upon his lips, that slight little twitch that was all the more telling even if none would have been around to perceive it [ but there were some? ], carried off and away by their bond alone, by that love that would lighten it up time and time again. He knew well enough that they had been out on an errand while he stayed behind to finish up a mutual project, to look after their two little ones, to make sure they would be cared for, as much as Shigure did care for him, care for them. 

Did care to show the purity of the world, the freshness of the air, the clearing symphony on skin that had yet to reach their home and would likely only when they had returned to him, had made their way back with sweets and trinkets not yet talked about, but still snatched up when only the eye had been able to spot them. Luster as it was, flittering of thoughts, the way he could feel it all blossoming and blooming, extending to more souls this time, not only to him.

Thus he moves, chuckles slightly to finally completely divert, to stop, to readjust his attention on more important things than those that had time they could spend in different ways. With how soft, how low his voice would whisper towards their small children running to and fro, filtering themselves in and out of the room to adorn a wall they had left clear and free for them to play with. " Come on. " Within the way, they spoke and the sudden relaxation of his body would lighten up their whole surrounding, would send a jolt of excitement through the bond - not from him, no, from their little ones. " We should make dinner, Mommy will be home soon. " For drowning out the feeling of the rain, the fine drops and rivulets following creases and curves through hair and strands, flowing over the whole body, their little back and forth with those simple sentences spoken, was just enough to tell them. 

aww do people keep bothering you? how unfortunate, how tragic. 💔

over a year ago, i made this meme & since then, it’s blown up. so, over a year later — i thought i would make a new one. so here it is, after several requests & a pile of brains,  THE PRE-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP MEME 0.2 send me a  ✿  and i’ll fill out the template below. bold for things i could definitely see or want, italics for things i could see or am unsure of and striked out for things i don’t want or cannot see.

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

❝ ah yamagishi. pefect timing. ❞ the sun’s bright today, the weather warm enough for shigure to work outside of their workshop. with no commissions or favors to do, they’re finally working on a little personal project for once. with both of their hands full in the guts of the bike they’re working on right now, coincidence or not - the girl’s passing by was welcomed. shocking, they’re aware. but alas…  ❝ can you do me a favor ? i need you to grab the pliers and hold this open for me while i change the connectors.❞

…perfect timing?

yamagishi yukako feels an interrogative question regarding the specifics of what she arrived just in time for sitting on the tip of her tongue,  waiting with bated breath for her mouth to open to fall forth.  she stays quiet instead,  one half of her expecting shigure to explain what they mean sans any vocal cue and the other half of her too absorbed in what the good samaritan is working on to ask for herself anyways.  she didn’t expect them to be at their shop,  considering their fondness for altruism:  they’re always somewhere helping someone with something,  and she thought today would be no different.  maybe whoever they’re helping brought their bike to them.  maybe this is their bike.  she doesn’t much care about the details.

“  i can’t do that.  ”

Alas, he would worry about this later.

Now that the screams had stopped [ such agony, had it been Shinji? ].

The latest incident with the proud head of the Tsunayashiro family has had many far-reaching consequences. For the first time, the nobility are in the spotlight and they can't get out of it, as such a prolific figure instigating a coup in broad daylight is about as red of a flag as you can get. There are already many who complain, who say that Tokinada had been convinced to perform the coup by the Gōtei Thirteen in a deliberate false flag attempt to weaken the standing of the distinguished noble houses. Kenpachi never pays them any mind. Let them writhe for a bit.

For now, there's other things that need to be done.

When they arrive, he's sitting at his desk. His office is relatively bare, but one of the walls is absolutely covered in artwork. Finger paintings, crayon drawings, even watercolors are displayed there with pride. From ceiling to floor, Yachiru's masterpieces are on proud display. Kenpachi rises from his seat, offering a handshake to his visitor, and motioning with his chin to a comfortable-looking kotatsu a short distance from the desk.

"good t'meet ya."

❝ zaraki.❞ they offer as a way of greeting as they return the shake - once and firm before they let go again. shigure's gaze catches on the bright colors on the walls for a moment - the simple joy of little drawings and doodles that should feel out of place ; especially in the office of a captain no less. but they like it. it is different, it is charming. they're glad to work together with him instead of someone who just looks in from the outside ; who doesn't understand.

A project that drove him to work beyond recognition of time and date. Mind focused sole on the task at hand, idly working away minutes, hours, and days, without any feasible end in sight. Without any need or want to slow down in that everlasting chase for something in need of explanation, over and above expectation, and even if he could---

---it's a sigh that follows. A soft murmur of something barely recognizable and be found as a suitable explanation: maybe words that are nothing at all if they were strung together to a sentence, to a question. Maybe it was a little tidbit of information, of a confession - Shigure would understand [ and only they would, was it not that? ] yet mayhap would it lead to absolutely nothing at all. Not that it was of great importance, with the warmth flooding through him, the way his body would limber against beloved form behind him, his eyes had remained open for at least a short moment before closing and relaxing fully past nought else but soft breaths that are taken. He could have stayed like this for a fair amount of time. For how long? No concept on the matter, with all of that sharp attention drawn to this moment and this sensation alone. Brushing off and away rummaging thoughts that would order him to continue work, while the work on hand could very well be finished tomorrow. Mayhap even the day after.

Perhaps for tomorrow they could just as much delight in the idea of going out. There was a market that took place in the middle of Karakura Town and if not for the late hour of today Kisuke might have tried and whisk his lovely partner off to the night portion of said arrangement, but with the way their voice resounded around him, would fill his mind, it was enough to halt said idea at least for now.

Tomorrow was another day. Another moment to bring up said wish.

" Alright. " His hand moves, twitches from idle place, then reaches for their wrist to remove the gently placed cover on his eyes at least partially, to bring an open palm towards his lips, press a near silvery, fluttering kiss into the inside of it. Admiration, and devotion, all proclaimed without words, with a simple, subtle gesture for Shigure to read and feel and understand. Ringing louder around them as no other regard of words or terms or phrases ever could. " My apologies, love. " Keeping them up like this? How nefarious~. Yet no disapproval, no displeasure, just a mild attempt to gently pull him away from thought-filled hours idly drawling in the subtle ticks of the clock behind their backs. It was late, truly enough, and his love-filled gesture of murmured voices and gentle touches was enough of an incentive to have a chuckle fill his ears, one he would repay in kind. Moving to stand was done all but a heartbeat later, with the other hand still lingering, brushing away his hair.