“Ulquiorra-kun~” The healer jumped up and wrapped her arms around him. “I. Love. You!” Her bright laughter rung out into the room.

To that declaration, the Espada gave his woman an intent stare, as his arms moved to lightly grab against her back while hugging her. "If that is so," the man began, his voice as determined as could get. "Let me show you how much I love you."

Pressing closer, the young woman looked up, the surprise apparent in her features. The feeling of his body close to hers warmed her, bringing more heat to her already blushed cheeks. His words of love made her even more giddy than she already was. "How would you show me Ulquiorra-kun?"

The male said nothing in response to her question, as she would know the answer soon enough. Given his strength, it did not take him long to break out from the smothering hug that she had greeted him with. Her arms could work however she wanted, but he would not be bound. Instead, he would greet her with his lips, once across her own lips in a short but brief kiss. Once across her neck, as he kissed against the side of it. His form trailed even lower, as his actions continued.

His knees fell against the ground, as his body followed such a thing. His deft hands worked to press the fabric of her shirt upwards, so he could kiss just above her waist. After doing such a thing he stopped and stared upwards at her, as if looking for some understanding before he proceeded.

The fleeting caress of his kiss, the way his body moved along hers and down to kneel before her. He had moved out of her arms to do so, her limbs now resting against her sides. Her beloved had never done such a thing. He would worship her with his body, kiss her all over and bring her to completion more times she could count. But he would never kneel before her.

Taking one shuddering breath after another, her hands moved to rest on his shoulders as he lifted her shirt away. The cool air making her shiver, goosebumps rising across her delicate skin. Looking down into his eyes, her own gaze questioning his actions but her lips simply smiled. "Ulquiorra-kun...?"

"I kneel to you today, to show that I care not what it does to myself. I do not care if I look pathetic, weak, or perhaps even trash-like at the sight. It does not mean a thing to me. I kneel because I know where my allegiance is, and nothing more than that. My allegiance is to your love, and to all the things you are, Orihime Inoue.

I knelt to Aizen in the past, now I kneel to you. I love you, Orihime Inoue." Not an inch of his words were forced, or fake. His expression remained serious, as he placed another kiss along the bare skin of her stomach, while waiting for her to react. He truly wondered what she would do, now that he had done what she had likely thought to be impossible.

She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do. The green-eyed Espada surprised her again and again. His words as moving as his actions. Her body knew what she needed to do. Sinking on her knees, her amber gaze resting on her lover. But her gaze was not clear as before, tears shimmered in her eyes, bringing a glowing brilliance to her loving gaze. They spilled, running slowly down her cheeks and along her jawline, only to drip without a care on the floor below.

Her hands blindly searched for his, pulling them up to her lips and kissing each one of them. She knew he had devoted his life to her, as much as she knew she would never look at another man again. As young as she was and many would have told her to not give her all or that it would eventually end as young love so often did. But none had gone through the pains the redheaded healer had gone through, with the exception of her own nakama. In effect they all had grown up much faster and with that experience directing her life, Orihime knew that she wouldn't change her mind. After all you found your soulmate only once in your life. Whether he technically had one or not.

"Ulquiorra-kun I... I always tell you, I love you. It is something that many say without thinking, but for me, it is as easy as breathing. It is as necessary as breathing. My love for you." The young woman closed her eyes before she continued, her pulse racing and her voice gentle but firm. "You offer me your allegiance. I can't take it without giving you the same in return. This is what my heart tells me to do. I'm bound to you by love as much as loyalty."

✨Mark your calendars! ✨ Ulquihime Summer Festival is around the corner!

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Summer Lovin', Chapter 1: Roll Out The Barrel For the #ulquihimesummer Summer Frolic AU event!