❀two [broadcast mind]
Your home is in turmoil, stemming from both inside and out, and there is only one person in the world who can comfort you. Hesitant, you stand outside his door, summoning the courage to knock as the moments pass. And finally, when you do, you keep your head bowed, eyes averted even when he answers, because it's rude of you, you know, to bother him when the hour is so late. He is your captain, and he is troubled by so much already, but before you can turn away, he's already speaking.
"What's wrong? Did something happen, Hinamori-kun?"
"I'm sorry." You stand at the entrance to his room, not wanting to cross over into his personal space uninvited, though you desperately wish to. He's working at his desk, and you have half a mind to turn around and just go back to your room, but it's almost as if you're rooted to the spot. You try to swallow the lump in your throat, as he gives you an inquisitive glance from over the top of his glasses.
"What could be wrong at this late an hour? The dawn will be breaking soon."
"I am well aware this is rude of me, but may I talk with you for a little bit?" You mentally berate yourself, even in your own ears you sound like a nuisance, and if anything you have always strived to earn his good opinion. If he thought ill of you, you know that you would be crushed.
You close your eyes, not wanting to see his reaction.
"I will do my best not to fall asleep! Please-- I beg your indulgence."
When you next open your eyes, he's standing right in front of you, and when he speaks it's almost chiding. "Do you think I would use rudeness as an excuse to turn you away?"
"N-no..."
"Do I seem that cold during the day?"
"Of course not!" The answer is immediate, he has always been more than kind to you, and now you almost feel ashamed that you thought he would turn you away.
"Then, come on in. Today must have been difficult. We can talk about anything you want until you feel better."
You follow him into his room, and take a seat more than a good distance away from where he is working; the fear that you are bothering him still lingers. From this distance, you can quietly observe him as he writes, and even this gives you a sense of safety. You are lost in your thoughts, and it comes as a startle when he next speaks. "Didn't you want to talk?"
"Ah, yes, well..." The warning your childhood friend gave you earlier weighs heavily on your mind, but you don't quite know how to voice your concerns. You're glad when he interrupts you, and saves you from what was sure to be embarrassment.
"How is Abari-kun's condition?"
You remember sitting at his bedside earlier, and how glad you were when you heard that he would make a full recovery in time. "Oh yes, I don't think his life is in danger."
"That's good. The meeting was nothing to be worried about either. Captain Kuchiki called for his discharge, but he met with resistance, and so that was rejected. Once his wounds heal he should be able to rejoin his squad right away."
"By chance, were you the one resisting, Captain?"
This time, he looks over his shoulder to answer your question. "Not just me. He's an excellent officer and everyone likes him. There's no one in the Thirteen Court Guardian Squads that would rejoice at his discharge, you know."
"Yes!" He smiles at you, and in that second you feel as if all your problems have dissipated, but soon the moments gone, and you bite your lip not sure how he will react to your next question.
"Captain..."
"Hm?"
"I won't disturb you, so do you mind if I stay here like this? Would that be a bother?" You hold your breath and wait for his response, that comes sooner than expected.
"No, I don't mind. Stay as long as you like."
"Yes." Though you want to stay awake for as long as possible, and make this rare time you have with him alone last, your eyelids are heavy and you think that you might just lay down for a little while...
The last thing you remember before falling asleep is the gentle sweep of a hand through your hair.
( ooc: everything said by Momo is in pink! otherwise, all other dialogue belongs to Aiiiiizen. |D )