Under the white pine trees

Anyhow, i hope you will enjoy it.🥰

___

The Seireitei was unusually quiet that evening. Jushiro sat alone in the garden. A cup of tea rested beside him, though it had long since gone cold. He had been staring into the distance for far too long.

A cherry blossom drifted past.

Then another. And another.

The evening breeze carried them across the garden, soft and silent.

Finally, Jushiro looked up at the sky.

"Sojun, my friend..."

He sighed.

"Your son is testing my patience."

The wind seemed to pause.

Jushiro lowered his gaze and picked up his teacup.

"I tried."

He took a sip.

"I truly tried."

Then he shook his head.

"I explained. I reasoned. I was patient."

He paused, eyes lowering as dissapointment crossed his futures.

"Maybe too patient."

His fingers tightened slightly around the cup.

Then he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

"But your son said to me today..."

"Once you've let one of your people die, two or three more make no difference."

Jushiro stared into his tea.

And for a moment, he wondered whether Byakuya had truly heard himself.

Another blossom drifted by.

Slowly, Jushiro let out a heavy sigh again.

"I am beginning to understand why Shunsui drinks."

A voice of a woman suddenly interrupted the silence.

"Captain Ukitake?"

Jushiro looked up. Kiyone and Sentaro stood at the entrance of the garden.

Both of them looked concerned.

"Captain, are you alright?" Kiyone asked.

"You've been sitting out here for hours," Sentaro added.

For a moment, he just simply looked at them. Then smiled. With that gentle smile of his.

"I'm fine."

He said calmly but neither of them looked too convinced.

"Captain..."

"I'm fine," he repeated, his voice was a little firmer this time.

He rose to his feet and dusted a few cherry blossom petals from his uniform.

"Actually..."

Something in his expression changed. It was not anger. Not quite. More like determination.

The type he rarely allowed himself to show.

"I think I'd like to train."

The silence that followed was immediate.

Kiyone blinked and Sentaro too.

Both stared and were at loss of words.

"You want to what?" Sentaro asked then, his eyes a little widened in worry.

"Train."

Jushiro smiled pleasantly before adding.

"It has been some time."

Kiyone and Sentaro exchanged a look. A very alarmed look this time, since Captain Ukitake was still recovering from his recent flare up.

"Captain..." Kiyone began carefully.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

Jushiro's smile widened at her question.

"Yes. I am perfectly fine."

Neither of them liked that answer. Not one bit.

And somewhere in the distance, entirely unaware of the consequences of his actions, Byakuya Kuchiki proceeded to review paperwork.

___

Half an hour later in the Sixth Division headquarters, a loud explosion could be heard.

The windows rattled and Byakuya paused, slowly lifting his face from the reports.

The sound had come from somewhere in the distance. And before he could return to his paperwork, an other one followed.

BOOOOOOOOOOM

A considerably larger explosion echoed across Seireitei.

The teacup on his desk vibrated, tea spilling from the rim, splashing onto the papers beside it.

Byakuya's brush stopped. Outside, several birds abruptly changed direction.

After the third explosion, a distant pillar of dust rose into the sky.

Byakuya stood and walked to the window. His expression remained that same unimpressed he was always wearing but his eyes were far on the horizon. Something appeared to be on fire.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter."

Renji stepped inside.

"Captain, have you felt that?"

"I have."

He responded composdly. But there was the tiniest trace of unease in his voice.

Another explosion shook the building.

BOOOOOOOOOOM

Renji winced. Byakuya remained watching the horizon.

"Captain," Renji said carefully, "isn't that Captain Ukitake's spiritual pressure?"

A brief silence followed before he answered, his voice was as even as ever with only the slightest hint of uncertainty.

"It appears to be."

Renji stared.

Then another explosion rang out across the city.

Something that looked suspiciously like part of a mountain ceased to exist.

He looked back toward Byakuya and the 6th division's captain looked back at the horizon.

Then, after a long pause, he explained, as if he was simply stating facts:

"Captain Ukitake appears to be training."

Renji looked at him, genuinely taken aback.

"Training?"

"Yes."

BOOOOOOOOOOM

Even the horizon seemed to be disagreeing with the word "training."

Renji frowned at the sound.

"...Captain."

"Yes?"

"You visited him today, right? ...What did you do?"

Byakuya turned to look at him. For perhaps the first time that day, genuine confusion decorated his futures.

"I did nothing."

One more explosion came. Louder then all before.

BOOOOOOOOOOM

Renji pointed toward the window.

"THAT does not look like "nothing."

Byakuya glanced back toward the horizon.

A moment passed. Then another.

"It would appear," he said carefully, "that it is preferable not to anger Captain Ukitake."

Renji stared again, but this time in pure disbelief. Another explosion lit up the horizon, and at this point, he had stopped counting how many times.

BOOOOOOOOOOM

"...Captain."

"...Yes?"

"...You angered Captain Ukitake, am i right?"

Byakuya just stared into the distance. For a moment, he considered the events of the day.

Ukitake's anger. His own words. The steadily disappearing landscape.

He was also internally displeased with the fact that Abarai was indeed correct this time.

"..."

"...It would seem. I might have."

___

Also: Imagine if they would end up having a friendly sparring session later when Jushiro feels well.

Kyoraku would absolutely bring sake and snacks and sit down to enjoy the show.

Shunsui: Go get him, handsome!!!!!!!!🥳🍶

Jushiro: 😊

Byakuya: Captain Kyoraku. 👀😐

Shunsui: What? 🤷‍♂️🍣

Renji: Captain. He is betting against you. 🫢

Byakuya: criminally offensive side eye

I would appreciate it if you did not drink to my defeat before it has occurred.

Shunsui: Me? Never, im just here to watch.

Nanao: No one believes you, Captain. 😒

Jushiro: Shunsui, why is Lieutenant Abarai taking bets? 😊

Byakuya internally: you have signed your death wish, Abarai.

Renji: Passive income, Captain. 😅

Nanao: Fixes glasses, leans towards Shinsui

You know, you are supposed to be a little more impartial.

Shunsui: In my defense, I trained with that man. If he could woop my ass, he will woop his ass too.

Nanao: CAPTAIN!

Shunsui: What?

Nanao: Captain Kuchiki can hear you.

Byakuya: an other side stare

Shunsui: As he should. GET HIM JUSHIROO!!!!!!

_

Scene: Ugendo garden. Late afternoon. Jushiro and Shunsui sitting beneath the trees drinking tea.

Jushiro: "The weather is especially pleasant today."

Shunsui: "Mm. Sure is."

A woman from another division approaches nervously carrying fresh tea.

Woman: "C-Captain Ukitake… I brought you fresh tea since the last pot got cold…"

Jushiro: immediately softens "Ah… That’s very thoughtful of you. Thank you."

He smiles gently up at her.

Woman: 😳 critical spiritual pressure failure

Shunsui: 🍶😏 watching silently

Woman: blushes

SYSTEM ERROR

💀❤️❤️❤️

"I-I HAVE DIVISION DUTIES." flees immediately

Long silence.

Jushiro: "...Did I say something strange?"

Shunsui: "Another one fell."

Jushiro: "Fell where?"

Shunsui: "In love, Jushiro."

💀❤️

Jushiro: nearly coughs himself into the next realm

Shunsui: 🤣 "You really have no idea what you’re like, huh?"

Jushiro: "I was only thanking her…"

Shunsui: But how.. is what's the problem.

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Also: Justified.

And what do you mean he has no family?

Kyoraku casually has relationships and the biggest husband material doesn't gave a family?

Give me a break...

His illness won't stop women from liking him for sure and he is genuinely a warm person. I don't think he'd reject everyone just because he us sick.

Shame on you, Kubo!

He would look better than Kyoraku, not gonna lie. 😌

Excuse me i choked on air...

Sir, how dare you... the 13th division is a good place for sure...

You notice it the moment you return.

Captain Ukitake is usually composed even in the smallest things - his posture, his careful movements, the quiet grace that clings to him like a second haori. But tonight, there’s a softness to him that you have not yet seen before. A faint warmth in his cheeks. A looseness to the way he’s leaning back in his seat as if the world has finally stopped asking him to hold himself so firmly.

The lantern light catches his eyes when he looks up. And he smiles.

Not exactly the polite, gentle smile he gives everyone - this one is slower, more private. Like it belongs only to you.

"…My love," he says, voice warm as freshly made tea. He doesn’t rise immediately. Instead he watches you approach as though he’s savoring the sight. His gaze follows you in a way that makes your heart tighten - not with worry, but with that familiar ache of being cherished just by a glance itself.

You set your things down carefully and step a little closer. "Jushiro?"

His lashes flutter when he blinks, just a bit too slowly.

"Mhm." He nods once, then again, as if confirming something important to himself. "I’m here."

There’s a tiny pause before he adds quickly like he knows exactly what you’re thinking:

"…I’m not ill," - his voice is soft before it turns into quiet laugh - it's small and breathy, almost shy. "Not at all. I… may simply be a little warm."

Warm. That’s a very deliberate choice of word. It makes you smile even before you can stop yourself.

"You drank alcohol" you say gently.

"I did." His eyes crinkle, pleased—almost proud of himself, which is so rare it feels like being shown a secret. "Only a little. The others were… insistent."

You lean closer, studying him. The flush on his cheeks is faint, but real. His shoulders are relaxed. His voice isn’t slurred, not truly - but it glides softer than usual, and there’s a sweetness in it.

He’s tipsy.

The thought makes your chest flutter with fondness, especially together with that adorable flush on his cheeks.

Jushiro tilts his head slightly, studying your expression. "You’re smiling."

“I’m allowed,” you tease gently.

His smile deepens. "Mm. I suppose you are."

You move closer to him, and he immediately reaches for you. His fingers find your hand first, sliding into your palm, then weaving between your fingers like he’s always belonged there. Like he can’t imagine being without it.

His touch is warmer than usual, you feel it immediatly as his skin touches yours.

"Jushiro," you murmur, softer now, “how are you feeling?”

He considers that like it’s a real question. A serious one at that. His eyes drift down to your joined hands before he responds - his lips curling upwards in quiet contentment.

"…Happy," he admits.

The words are so simple, so honest, that it steals a breath from you and maybe even a heartbeat.

Then he glances up again, gaze shining with unguarded affection.

"And perhaps… a little bold," he adds, like a confession. Like he expects you to scold him.

But you don’t.

Instead, you lift his hand and place a kiss to his knuckles.

Jushiro freezes at that.

Not in fear - never that. Just startled, the way someone gets startled when they’re given something they secretly wanted but never dared to request. His breath catches in his throat, and the faint blush across his cheeks deepens, spreading like watercolor.

"My-" he starts, then stops. His voice comes out softer when he tries again. "My dear…"

You lean closer. "Yes?"

He shakes his head once as if he can’t find the correct words. The tipsiness makes him honest, but it also makes him lose some of his careful composure.

"I…" He laughs again, quiet and helpless. "You shouldn’t look at me like that."

"Like what?"

He doesn’t answer immediately. He studies your face, eyes so gentle it almost hurts.

"…Like I’m something precious," he whispers almost shyly.

Your heart squeezes. How can he even doubt that? It is beyond your beliefs.

You lift your free hand and cup his cheek. He leans into it instantly like he’s been waiting for it all night. His lashes flutter again, and when you thumb over the corner of his cheekbone, he lets out the smallest sound of contentment.

Then, without thinking too hard, you say it:

"You are precious. The most precious to me."

Jushiro's eyes widen slightly.

Then his lips part, and he exhales - as if something inside him has finally been given permission to soften.

"…Ah," he breathes, his voice trembles faintly. "That isn’t fair."

You smile. "But it’s true."

His expression flickers at your words with disbelief and tenderness so big it doesn’t know where to go. He looks away for half a second, but your hand keeps him gently anchored, palm to his cheek, reassuringly warm.

"I…" he tries again.

And then, in the most devastatingly tipsy way possible, he blurts out with a soft breath:

"…I love you."

Your breath catches and Jushiro blinks at you as if he’s suddenly realized what he’s done. His ears go pink. His cheeks burn a little brighter.

"Oh." He swallows. "I - I always do, of course, but… I said it too directly, didn’t I?"

You don’t answer with words.

You answer by leaning forward and kissing him.

It’s a gentle kiss. Warm. Unhurried. But it still destroys him nontheless.

He makes the tiniest startled sound - then melts, hand rising to your waist with reverent care. His fingers curl there as if he’s afraid this is only a dream. His breath trembles through his nose, and when you deepen the kiss just slightly, he makes a helpless little laugh into your mouth like he’s overwhelmed by happiness.

When you pull back, his lips remain parted, breathing a little uneven.

"…My love," he whispers again, his voice warm like honey.

When you kiss him again his cheeks go even redder, and he gives up pretending that any of his composure remained. He leans into you this time, as if he can’t get close enough. His arms come around you more fully - careful, always careful - but tight enough that you can feel how much he wants to hold onto you.

You kiss his cheek.

Then his nose.

Then the corner of his mouth again.

And Jushiro laughs, brighter this time. It’s so sweet it almost makes you ache. He tries to speak - still tries to protest - but every time he opens his mouth, you steal it with another kiss.

"W-wait," he breathes, voice shaking with delighted surrender. "Please - I... "

You kiss him again and then he finally gives up completely, hiding his face against your shoulder as if you’ve overwhelmed his entire being.

His arms tighten around you.

You feel his breath warm against your neck as he exhales.

"…That's far too much," he mumbles, smiling into your skin. "You’re far too much."

"Liar," you whisper, pressing a kiss to his temple.

He laughs again, so soft and bright.

"…Perhaps," he admits.

Then his voice becomes lower but grows tender in that way that turns your bones into water. Yet still he hesitates, breath warm against your shoulder, as if he’s gathering courage for something that shouldn’t be so hard to ask for.

"…May I…" he murmurs tenderly.

"…May I keep you here a little longer?"

You stroke his hair gently and answer with a smile. "I’m not going anywhere"

And Jushiro goes still before he breathes out something that sounds dangerously close to relief. Like those words reached a part of him that’s been quietly afraid for far too long.

"…Thank you," he whispers.

You feel him nuzzle into your shoulder, shamelessly affectionate now that the tipsiness has loosened his restraint. He presses another soft kiss to your collarbone through your clothes- clumsy only because he’s so warm, so openly fond.

"…You’re beautiful," he murmurs.

You tilt your head. "Jushiro…"

"I mean it." His voice is earnest, almost stubborn. "I must be a little intoxicated, because I can’t stop thinking it out loud."

You laugh softly.

He lifts his head just enough to look at you again, his gaze shining, cheeks still flushed.

"…Am I embarrassing?" he asks quietly, genuinely concerned.

You cup his face again, thumbs brushing his cheeks, and smile so softly it should be illegal.

"No," you murmur. "You’re adorable... an adorable sweet man."

Jushiro blinks.

Then his eyes widen in slow-motion horror.

"…Oh no," he whispers.

"What?"

He swallows, cheeks burning. "…If you call me that, I may not survive the evening."

You snort, and he laughs too - warm, open, bright. It’s such a beautiful sound that you kiss him again just to hear it once more.

And when he melts against you, still smiling, still flushed, still too soft to protect himself from love -

Then you realize this is your favorite kind of intoxication.

Not sake.

Not celebration.

Just Jushiro... warm and unguarded, letting himself be adored.

-

Author's note: If some parts don't sound complately natural, please note that english is not my native language. I am simply someone who is using it daily and has been learning it for a very long time. I always have the urge to write as coherently as possible so even if some parts sound a little less natural, i hope it is still enjoyable.