Shunsui Kyoraku

Day 1 of @shunukiweek

“Isn’t that one of the things you love about me?” Shunsui hums.  He interlaces his fingers with Rose’s, smiling as they settle closer together.  

Many of the best things in life happen by chance, he knows.  The start of his relationship with Rose was in fact begun with a game of chance and skill.  As was his first meeting with Jushiro years and years ago.  So being fortunate enough to happen across a beautiful and perfect place, while uncommon, was not unlike his luck.  Something told him that it needed to be shared to become even more magical.  Sure enough now that Rose was here with him, it did become just that. 

“We could always dance under the moonlight as we look up at the stars.” It’s the sort of romantic flight of fancy he knows Rose would love. “I may have taken the liberty of borrowing some things.” He gestures towards a record player, as well as some of Shinji’s jazz records. “Of course there is sake as well.” In his opinion no romantic evening would be complete without it.

“Perhaps” 

He lets out a soft laugh, allowing himself to settle into Shunsui’s arms and just rest against his chest. It’s been far too long which makes this evening all the more special. 

“Although, I think we’re long past having to list those off, wouldn’t you agree?”

He fiddles with the hem of Shunsui’s kosode while the other man runs them through exactly what he had in mind for this evening, each idea sounding better than the last. It’s been so long since he last had the chance to dance.  He glances at the record player, and brightens further. It’s clear the records are Shinji’s but for once he doesn’t care. It’s the thought here that he adores. 

“Really now? Perhaps *you* might be past listing mine, but as you know I do enjoy telling you from time to time. But I suppose I can restrain myself as if I must. After perhaps it’s best suited to when being whispered in your ear when the passion overtakes us,” Shunsui hums.

Send 🌿 to accidentally get caught under the mistletoe with my muse.

The annual holiday party at the seireitei had been going strong for a while now and Shunsui was thrilled to be there. As it was a time of peace such things must be celebrated. Which of course he was doing with his usual enthusiasm. Shunsui had already sampled several of the various drinks and snacks. Between that and the amount of people that had turned out it was shaping up to be a wonderful event.

as per my usual little seasonal celebrations, below you have 22 valentine's day inspired dialogue prompts for all your romance and fluff needs. feel free to use them as inspiration or send them to your mutuals' inbox, and you can also edit them to better fit what you're doing. happy writing!

"can't believe you really got me all of this, you didn't need to!"

"I knew these were your favorite flowers, so I had to get them for you"

"I don't need anything material, I just want a whole day to have you by my side and celebrate our love"

"that handwritten note was so beautiful, you always know how to touch my heart"

"surprise! we've been needing some alone time lately, today's the perfect occasion so let's go do something fun"

"I really can't think of anything more romantic than officially dating my favorite person on this day"

"love these chocolates, but no one on earth managed to invent something as sweet as you!"

"I haven't gotten a valentine's card since elementary school, but wow, this was my first real one"

"the cupid had no idea what he was doing when he made us cross paths but it worked out just fine!"

"I love you so much for this but I am not cleaning up all these scattered petals later"

"is proposing on this day a bit too cheesy? look at the ring I got them, though"

"it's my first time having someone to celebrate valentine's day with. that makes it extra special!"

"I'm running out of creative ways to surprise you, so this year it'll be just kisses and cuddles, if you don't mind"

"in my defense, they didn't have a smaller teddy bear in stock. hope you have some space in your bedroom"

"I promise it's a nice thing. just close your eyes and don't cheat!"

"it's so nice being able to call you my valentine"

"valentine's cards aren't outdated, right? it's something everywould would like to receive, right?"

"this candy is awesome for taking photos but it leaves a really sour taste in your mouth. the things I do to get sweet memories with you"

"good morning! do you know what day it is today? no? well, guess you're in for a surprise, then"

"yes. yes, I'll be your valentine!"

"have the people who make these cheesy movies seen how real people spend valentine's day?"

From here || accepting || @twoswordsonecaptain

Send 💐 to ask my muse out on a date

Nanao freezes, watching the captain as if the question might rise up and bite her. This is still hard to get used to, even though they're well past first date jitters. She wishes he wouldn't do this in the office too. It runs the risk of them getting found out. She's not ready for that yet.

Taking a second to compose herself and glancing towards the door, Nanao finally looks at her captain and asks.

Whether they are past the first date or not, Shunsui still finds that inviting Nanao out is something he doesn’t do casually, and part of him still worries over a potential rejection. He offers what he hopes is a reassuring smile, as he toys with the hem of kimono. He reaches inside producing two pieces of paper and shows them to her.

@twoswordsonecaptain Szayel lays back and his eyes close as he leans against the back of the claw-footed tub. It feels good to have Shunsui's hands in his hair. It feels especially good when his temples are rubbed and the skin next to the anchor points of his mask is stimulated. It's a blissful, happy sensation.

He sniffs the air. It's different than he's used to, the scent.

"Oh...did you get me something new?" he asks. "I like the way it smells but I can't say that it's familiar."

He smiles softly.

“I did. It’s cherry blossom scented and it reminded me of you. I thought it smelled wonderful.”

He’s always been prone to small gestures of affection and little surprises from time to time. What better way to remind of how much he cares? It’s completely worth it when he sees Szayel relaxed and happy, that makes his own heart much lighter.

Shunsui doesn’t mind the walk, he uses it as an opportunity to gather his thoughts and to set himself in the right frame of mind for meeting the Head Captain.  Since this isn’t a social visit, and he has not done anything noteworthy to be in trouble then this likely means he is going to be assigned a task.  Or perhaps he might be briefed on a situation.  In either case being sharp would benefit him. 

He watches as the scenery around them changes and he spots the large building come into view.  Truth be told even if he is used to it, sometimes being summoned here can be intimidating.  He offers Nanao an encouraging smile as they make their way past the guards and into the main building.  She seems calm as usual and that helps to keep him steady as well. 

“Very well.  I will return shortly,” he informs her as he knocks on the office before entering.   

It’s a long wait. A boring wait. Nanao stands beside the door, taking in the scenery as she waits for her captain to return and wishing she had something better to do. It’s dead time and she has plenty waiting for her back at the office. This is time that could be better spent. Except she never has had the heart to leave him alone at times like these. 

It feels like an hour’s gone by when, her legs start to ache. Nanoa moves closer to the wall, leaning against it as much as she dares as she tries to soothe the pain. What’s taking them so long?

“Captain?”

The door opens, and a caught out Nanao snaps back to a more upright position, it wouldn’t do to be caught slacking on the job, and turns to her captain, trying to engage his expression. 

Yamamoto had wanted to brief him on a situation that they were keeping tabs on.  After Aizen’s defeat, many things had changed and appeared to have went back to normal in the Soul Society.  However there were still developments in the land of the living, regarding Ichigo, his companions, and several others who have emerged.  At this point it doesn’t necessarily seem to be something to be concerned about, but it is still best to be aware.   

Shunsui feels a gentle touch on his clothing, at first he thinks someone is trying to get his attention, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Instead it seems that his kimono is being straightened and some wrinkles smoothed away. He’d likely gotten in disarray while he was out earlier.

“It was only a tad blowsy. If your hat had been knocked off, and your sleeves were turned over, then you’d be in a proper mess. I’m sorry. It’s become a habit to fix others’ collars and sleeves. Well, not that you can’t shake our the creases yourself… I’d thought you hadn’t noticed because you were preoccupied with the weather turning and I thought it would be a bother to…,” she explained with a faint blush and nervous smile, then abruptly trailed off when she caught herself toeing the line towards impudence. The mentally strong, the physically capable and hardened warriors could be sensitive vis-à-vis old wounds, new injuries, flaws and perceived defects, especially when others pointed them out. 

Not knowing what else she could say, she directed her gaze to a fascinating spot on the floor. “It’s rude of me to disturb you at work. But you see, I didn’t know you would be in.” Realising suddenly that her remark could be misconstrued as ill-bred, she worried her lower lip and plucked unconsciously at her haori sleeves. As his query was natural - for she had no real reason to be in the offices of another Division - she gestured vaguely at her friend’s desk and elaborated with incurable honesty, “It’s been chilly lately and some of our officers have caught colds. I was worried about Nanao because of the hours she puts in. Since the cookhouse has been ordered to make ginseng chicken soup, I brought her some.“ 

He offers her a kind smile as he listens, it’s clear to see that she is somewhat nervous around him. Shunsui has never believed himself to be an intimidating sort, although his position could be. He can’t exactly hold the remark against her not when he’s had the habit of sneaking off for years and years. “I’m never too far away,” he reminds her. He makes sure of that, so if needed for an important matter he can be reached quickly and his officers are quite capable of finding him. At times he’s wished they were less capable. “That was kind of you. I’m sure Nanao will appreciate the soup. I’m certain she will return shortly,” Shunsui assures her. “I’m glad that she has others looking out for her and good friends.”