An Angel & A Shinigami Walk Into a Bar † Audio

[wingsofsilver]

[The audio, like so many things, begins abruptly.]

-should’ve figured one of you guys would show up. I was just about to put the word out. [The first to speak is Gin, his voice getting increasingly louder as he comes back to where he left the guide. Contrary to his usually dry tone, he sounds rather somber at the moment.]

[The answering voice is

Comments

[goneonenight]

[It's just as well that the post is voice only, because the shock and dismay on Yoruichi's face is far more than she'd care to share with the ship at large]

[Ukitake had been the first person from home she'd seen here, and he'd been a welcome source of support in those first difficult weeks. Here, she'd reconnected with him without the distraction of war, without the gulf of adulthood standing between them, and he'd gone from a good friend to family, one of the few she had on the ship. And as Kisuke said, he'd been here so long she'd been lulled into complacency, never allowing herself to think he'd be one of those taken.]

[She should say something. Tell Gin she's sorry, see if he needs help with the cats...but she's not up for it now. So she sets the Guide down and curls up on the couch, the sounds and sights of the TV show she'd been watching not even registering anymore.]

[text- Ginnosukem filter]

[trickstermentor]

Please don't check the network, I have some rather bad news I'd rather deliver in person

Re: [text- Ginnosukem filter]

[goneonenight]

[She wouldn't have looked, but the Guide's beeping meant it was Kisuke on their private filter. She responds without thinking.]

Too late.

Re: [text- Ginnosukem filter]

[trickstermentor]

I'm so sorry, Yoruichi. I'll be home soon.

Do you want anything?

Re: [text- Ginnosukem filter]

[goneonenight]

No. I'll see you when you get here.

action

[trickstermentor]

[And after he has done all he needs to do at Gin's, he heads back to their apartment and lets all pretenses drop as he steps through the door.

He stoops down to greet Bowie as the corgi comes scampering up to him, then turns his attention to the couch. Without another word, he takes a place beside her and gently curls his arm around her shoulder.]

Re: action

[goneonenight]

[She'd been calm enough up until he pulls her into his side. Sudden tears sting her eyes, and she covers her face, inhaling deeply in an attempt to hang onto her self-control]

[It hurts knowing Ukitake's gone. Far more than she would have thought it would.]

Re: action

[trickstermentor]

[He gently moves her onto his lap, giving her the advantage of his shoulder to hide her face against if she wants to, and wraps his arms around her tightly as he turns his face into her neck.]

Re: action

[goneonenight]

[Yeah so, she's just going to cling onto him for a bit]

Re: action

[trickstermentor]

[Likewise him to her, he'll hold onto her for as long as he is able. He moves just slightly to press a kiss to her temple.

He doesn't think he can say anything, not right now. Since he walked through the door to the apartment, every pretense was dropped.]

Re: action

[felinemystique]

[Yoruichi's not even going to try to speak; it's not just the loss of Ukitake that has her so upset, but the possibility of losing Kisuke as well.]

[She'd already spent months wondering whether or not he was alive, and she doesn't want to do it again. And if she opens her mouth right now, all that fear will pour out, and she's not going to allow herself to give into it.]

[Instead, she turns her face into his shoulder and breathes in, taking what comfort she can.]

Re: action

[trickstermentor]

[If he knew about her concerns then he would tell her that his fears are the same, that she's been there the longest now and he's terrified that forces beyond his control could snatch her up and take her away in an instant, just like they had done to Ukitake. He blames himself; he should have worked out a way around this by now. It's been over a year already.]

[He feels her body heave with the weight of her sigh and he just holds her tighter, enveloping her smaller form with his own. They're holding each other together, he knows it, and he won't allow himself the luxury of going to pieces over this. Not right now. They'll be strong for each other.]

Re: action

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi holds on for a while, not speaking. But finally, she lifts her head, having regained some composure. She's not all right, but that's as much as she'll let herself go for now.]

[She finally speaks, her voice low and a bit strained]

How's Gin?

Re: action

[trickstermentor]

As prickly as ever; I volunteered to help with some of Ukitake's things, but he sent me home. I'll probably go back later, we can always take them. There's room at the store and in the spare room.

[He gently brushes his thumb over the curve of her cheek, and kisses her forehead.]

It can wait though.

['You're more important.']