#coldhearted-flame

The fox was just going to slowly walk over to the queen, his eyes gentle but at the same time stern, the usual look ok his face. But his body language says otherwise as he would gently kneel before Momo, lowering himself to lay his head upon her lap. It was a silent gesture but Lady Momo already knew what Yuji wanted.

A small hum as his violet eyes look up at the woman, almost filled with innocence.

AND  HOW  COULD  SHE  POSSIBLY  SAY  NO  to  those  eyes  —  big  ,  pure  and  gleaming  with  expectation  …  ? 

THE  QUEEN  was  seated  on  her—Aizen's  —throne  who  had  long  retired  to  their  chambers  ,  presumably  to  further  work  on  the  Hōgyoku  .  Momo  didn't  quite  understand  why  exactly  she  had  taken  such  a  liking  to  remaining  in  the  throne  room  on  her  lonesome  ,  guarding  it  like  a  mother  hen  guarded  her  chicks  .  The  EXEQUIAS  were  on  patrol  ,  as  was  her  loyal  SHADOW  GUARD  Izuru  ,  which  should  be  enough  to  intercept  any  threat  to  the  palace  grounds  .

Gaze  softened  as  the  fox  approaches  the  PHOENIX  ,  exuding  warmth  of  a  hearth  that  was  steadily  burning  for  the  comfort  of  the  little  ones  ;  for  little  was  the  fox  as  he'd  laid  his  head  on  her  lap  . 

❝  Yuji-kun  ,  ❞  intoned  the  Queen  softly  ,  clawed  hand  stretching  out  to  give  the  (  currently  fox  form  )  Arrancar  the  headpats  he  so  desperately  wanted  ,  taking  great  care  that  her  sharp  nails  wouldn't  hurt  him  . 

❝  You've  been  working  hard  ,  haven't  you  ?  Rest  here  …  if  you  fall  asleep  ,  that's  okay  too  .  ❞