Getaway -- Chapter 2
Title: Getaway -- Chapter 2
Series: Getaway
Genre: AU Bleach -- In darkprism_fics's Monoshizukanohi
Authors: liralen and darkprism_fics
Characters: Urahara and Shuuhei
Rating/Warnings: R, nudity, tattoos, piercings, language
Summary: The boys make it to the Kuchiki Lodge, what will they find there?
Disclaimers: Neither darkprism_fics nor I own or make money off of Bleach or its characters.
Previous Chapter
Shuuhei's hands tightened on the handles of the packages, and he felt distinctly out of place thinking about cooks and drivers and massive-ass houses in the middle of nowhere. It reminded him of Renji telling him about going to meet Byakuya at one of the fanciest hotels in the city for a night of fun and games. Shuuhei wondered how Renji had really coped with it all; if he felt as conspicuous as Shuuhei or like a guy for hire. He knew Kisuke didn't think of the situation like that, despite the expensive clothing in the bags and the hints that Kisuke was eager to get Shuuhei alone and naked. But hell, Shuuhei was eager to have Kisuke all to himself and out of his suit; couldn't fault the man, there. And Kisuke had always been quick to buy rounds at Deathtoll or pick up the tab at the all-night pancake place when they needed food to soak up the pints of sake or tequila.
Rationalization aside, however, the whole damned night felt surreal, and Shuuhei now realized that Renji had one massive set of balls to pursue Byakuya like he did. A guy he didn't even know…at least Shuuhei and Kisuke were friends.
…even if he didn't seem to know certain key facts about Kisuke that Shuuhei thought were pretty central to one's life.
Shuuhei shook himself and caught Kisuke smiling at him from under the light.
"Thank you for remembering the bags," the blond said. "Now...let's see." Kisuke walked up to the door and tried the handle, finding it unlocked. He opened the door smoothly and held it for Shuuhei. "Welcome to Shuryo."
"Thanks," Shuuhei said, walking into the dark house. Squinting in the dim, Shuuhei could tell he was in some sort of storage room, and he could see the outline of a washer and dryer in one corner, shelves above. He stepped to the side to let Kisuke in and told his heartbeat to calm the hell down already. It was just a house and this was just Kisuke for Chrissakes.
Flipping on the light switch, Kisuke glanced at the mudroom entryway and walked forward, his winkled coat slung over one shoulder. He moved further into the cavernous darkness beyond and flicked another light to show a very modern, stainless steel, commercial kitchen. There was an old wood-fired oven against the left wall under one of the chimneys, a butcher block table in front of it with a few comfortable chairs about it, and the equipment, walk-in fridge, and gas burner stove were to the right.
Kisuke turned back to face Shuuhei. "Do you want to freshen up and come back here? Or I can just make you something?"
"Um," Shuuhei said, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the light. "I could...yeah. Bathroom? And you don't have to trouble...yourself..." Shuuhei looked around and eyed the enormous fridge and cold kitchen warily. "Then again...."
"Through the doorway at the far end, on the right, is the bathroom. Go ahead and leave everything by the table, we can take care of that later. I never miss a chance at the Kobe New York strips they stock here, so I'd be more than happy to treat one tenderly for you. Would you like shoestring fries with that?" Kisuke asked, hanging his coat on the back of one of the kitchen chairs. He undid the top button of his dress shirt and both cuffs in a prelude to rolling up his sleeves.
"Sure. I'll take all that and a side of fries," Shuuhei said finding comfort in their easy banter. He set down the packages and backed toward the doorway, hands in his pockets in loose fists. The grin Kisuke flashed Shuuhei was white and had far too many teeth, but Kisuke turned on the flame under the grill, got the overhead fans going, and then turned toward the steel sink.
Shuuhei left, hair on the back of his neck standing on end, and he managed to walk calmly out of the kitchen and into a hallway. Everything was so damned dark. Shuuhei felt along the wall, caught a switch, and flicked it. A glass fixture ahead burst into life, and he saw a pantry on the left and a lone door with a glass handle at the end on the right. Walking with purpose, Shuuhei's long strides took him past the red-striped wallpaper and to the bathroom.
With a sigh of relief, Shuuhei shut the door behind him, fumbling and finding yet another switch. The bathroom was small: pedestal sink, toilet, mirror. The wallpaper was more of the red stripped stuff, which made Shuuhei feel claustrophobic. He reached for the sink, swallowed, and bit off a yelp when his phone buzzed in his pocket.
"Jesus..." Shuuhei muttered, frustrated at himself and scowling. He wrenched the phone free from his pants and saw a text from Renji.
FROM BLUE BOY TO KISUKE IN ONE NIGHT. LOL
With a roll of his eyes, Shuuhei wrote back: YEAH. REAL LOLZ GOIN ON.
He hit send, set down the phone, and turned on the tap to splash water on his face. A second later the phone buzzed -- this time ringing. He snatched the thing off the sink, not entirely sure why he was so worked up.
"What?" Shuuhei answered, eying the door like he was doing something out of line and at any moment Kisuke would catch him at it.
Renji laughed in Shuuhei's ear. "Oh holy shit..." It appeared to be all Renji could manage between gales of giggles.
"Fuck you," Shuuhei said, but it lacked its usual venom since he had to whisper.
"Nah...I think it'll be fuck you." Renji snorted.
"Think so?" Shuuhei sat on the lid of the toilet, running a hand through his hair.
"No idea, really. Surprise me. And um, by the way? Kisuke's gay."
"Thanks for the update, Renji."
"And Byakuya has some very interesting stories to tell..."
"I gotta go, Renji."
"Naw, man, seriously." Renji's voice changed and Shuuhei looked down at the creamy tile beneath his shoes.
"You okay?"
"How did you feel when you were at the Magnolia?" Shuuhei asked, voice soft.
"Nervous, panicky, wondering what the hell I was doing playing a call boy to some rich asshole."
Shuuhei grunted.
"So that's how it's going?"
"No…he's…cooking us dinner, at the moment."
Renji laughed again. "Eyah, that definitely wasn't on the damned menu back at the Magnolia." Shuuhei sighed and heard a low murmur in the background.
"Talking about how you never fuckin' cook for me."
An exasperated sound was followed by a wet one. Shuuhei rolled his eyes and tapped his heel. "Jesus..."
"He actually prefers, 'Sir' to the religious shit," Renji quipped.
"Hanging up now."
"Where are you?"
"In a bathroom in some lodge in the middle of nowhere."
Renji whistled. "Hiding out?"
"No."
"Uh-huh…well, look, Byakuya seems to think everything will go all right."
"That's so fucking comforting you just have no idea."
"Really, man. It's cool. It's Kisuke! He-who-tips-his-hat-too-much-when-drunk. Ain't nothing to be scared of or--"
"Renji."
"What?"
"Blow me."
More laughter. "Nah, think I'll let Urahara take care of that. 'sides, think somebody might get a little testy if I blew you without permission these days."
Shuuhei refrained from comment and blinked a little harder at the tile.
"But try to ya know, enjoy yourself. Stop thinking so fuckin' much. I know that's what you're doing and it ain't going to do you any good."
Shuuhei shifted uncomfortably, frowning.
"Shuuhei. I'm serious, man. It's just a weekend. It'll be fun; you'll get to try that shit you always wanted to do."
"The fuck you know about it?" Shuuhei groused, though he already knew the answer.
"Two words: tequila shots."
Shuuhei winced.
"And Kisuke was there, too ya know."
Shuuhei groaned.
"So I'm thinking..."
A sound came from the direction of the kitchen and made Shuuhei jump. "Gotta go."
"Later."
Shuuhei hung up, silenced the phone, and reached to flush the toilet. He stood, untucked his shirt, and sighed. He caught himself in the mirror, saw the worry edging around his eyes and wanted to smack himself.
Just a fuckin' weekend...get back out there and eat a steak.
Shoving his phone in his pocket, Shuuhei walked down the hallway and headed for the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway, watching as Kisuke turned the fire down on the well-seared steaks before flipping them. The rich scent of expertly burnt meat swirled about the kitchen air, a fryer burbled to the side, boiling oil hissed white turning gradually to gold.
Kisuke's blond hair was towel-dried damp, and he pushed it back out of his eyes with a familiar gesture. The smile he gave Shuuhei was sheepish. "I couldn't stand the gel stuff any longer, so just rinsed it out in the sink there. The kitchen staff will yell at me for using their towels, but it was worth it."
Shuuhei returned the smile, and wandered over to a chair, stopping next to it. "Yeah...you with slicked hair. The universe was out of balance. Can I do anything?"
"Plates would be nice, just stacked over there on the shelf. I do like what's visible in this kitchen, no having to hunt things down," Kisuke said absentmindedly as he prodded one of the steaks with a finger. "Also, I'd really appreciate it if you would attempt to tell me the cause of your despondency, Shuuhei. Second thoughts?"
Shuuhei's neck cracked as he looked hard over his shoulder on his way to the cabinet. He turned, frowned, and then took two plates off the shelf. "No..." Shuuhei answered, hesitating and thinking while he set the dishware down near Kisuke. He wished he was drinking for this conversation.
"It's just that...two hours ago you were straight, unattainable, and uninterested. Now you're gay, inviting me to lodges, and more friendly with Byakuya than I thought." Shuuhei shrugged.
Cool gray eyes studied Shuuhei before flickering back down at the steaks. The tongs dipped and pulled the two steaks from the fire and placed them on the cool white of the plates.
"Give these a minute to rest and they'll be juicier. Nice thing being raised with grocers and meat packers, one knows what to do with what one gets." The gaze turned back to meet Shuuhei's steady stare and Kisuke nodded. "It is understandable. I've had children to raise, a couple of business partners, the female of which might have been thought of as a more intimate companion, given how I refer to dear Yoruichi. Whereas I've known that you're gay and unattached and have made no move to tell you about me."
Shuuhei looked from one of Kisuke's eyes to the other, enlightenment dawning. "I guess I thought I knew you." He reached over and touched Kisuke's shoulder to take the sting out of the words. Now that he knew the problem, it was hard to continue to feel betrayed when Shuuhei knew he'd never asked Kisuke anything directly. He'd assumed like the rest of the group, and he remembered his own words from the car:
"I'm glad you trust me."
Kisuke smiled a faint smile. "Well, you do know more about me than most. Byakuya is also a contemporary of sorts, when I was young and foolish and took the brunt of his cooler sense back before…" He paused and then shook his head. "Before Hisana. One thing about Byakuya, even as stuck up as he can be, he does know how to keep secrets when they should be kept."
Shuuhei snorted. "And sometimes when they shouldn't," he said thinking about Renji and the agonizing few months it took him to get through Byakuya's defenses. And give Byakuya enough time to break down some of his own.
"Sorry," Shuuhei muttered. "You know me. Think too damned much."
Kisuke smiled. "One of your more endearing traits, truly. And so long as you ask rather than just stew, I'll be grateful. Oh! The fries..." He hopped over to the fryer and pulled the basket from the hot oil, shaking it with an expert motion of arm and shoulder before dumping them into the hopper and sprinkling salt all over them.
Getting the plates, Kisuke piled fries on them, to the side of the steaks before setting one plate before Shuuhei. "You like them dry, right? Silverware, did you see silverware?" Kisuke asked a little distractedly, before ducking into the enormous fridge to bring out a jar of mayonnaise, a bottle of ketchup, a jar horseradish, and a bottle of steak sauce.
Shuuhei wandered over and guessed right on his second drawer to find forks. Then he walked over to block on the counter and pulled out two steak knives. He circled back around to lay utensils near Kisuke, and then sat down on one of the stools, pulling his plate toward him.
"Looks amazing. Smells better." Shuuhei smiled. "Ducked out the back door of the restaurant before the food arrived. Asshole's probably still snarling about getting the bill."
Grinning, Kisuke cut into his steak before humming happily. "Mm...perfect. I can only imagine what Renji was thinking when he sent you to him. Though I'll admit I had my own moment of shock on meeting Ryuuken. Made me wonder what my friends had seen in me to match me with him. I'll admit I don't see myself as being quite that ruthless or see you as willing to put up with that much aggression."
"Yeah," Shuuhei mused, mulling over a bite of steak before he swallowed and continued. "Makes me wonder if they think we're like those guys or would want to put up with that kind of shit. Though...Renji probably just thought I'd enjoy the hot guy and a nice fuck. Maybe something else, maybe not." Shuuhei forked another bite into his mouth.
"Mm...that would make sense." Kisuke's eyes shuttered for a moment as he looked down as his steak. He dolloped a little of each sauce on the side of his plate, picked up a few fries, dunked the ends in ketchup, and ate them quietly. "Seems like he'd have fit Renji's standards before Byakuya happened to him. Hot, well-built, very conscientious of his physique. But you've never been quite as...hm...indiscriminate as Renji, I think."
Shuuhei smirked. "Ah, no...not quite. All current evidence not withstanding, I, um...usually don't act on impulse."
Laughing out loud, Kisuke nodded. "But you...well...I'd like to think that you did so because you do know me on a day to day basis, not just blind reflex after a disastrously bad date. That plus what you said in the car, for which I am at a loss for words to thank you for saying, seem to make good foundations for this not being just impulse."
Shuuhei chewed, swallowed, and looked at Kisuke for a few long seconds. Heat and something like tenderness lanced through him. "Mm. I think...the impulsive part was taking the opportunity to spend a weekend with a guy I never thought I'd get to kiss. Sober, anyway." Shuuhei smiled, but it faded as he continued. "But you're right...I do know you."
"And I mostly had to ask because I realized that if I didn't, I probably would never get to kiss you. It's easy, much easier, to remain hidden," Kisuke said, taking another bite. "I just appear confident and unfazed in nearly any situation, one of those things Yoruichi finds very... useful... in me, I suspect."
Shuuhei's eyebrows went up and down at the Kisuke-styled admission of weakness, and relief made him sigh. "I'm not exactly the epitome of calm over here." He laughed. "Talking's helping. You being you is always good. But..." Shuuhei ran a hand through his hair. "I have no idea what you...er...expect of me." The admission made his guts twist, but he stubbornly shoved fries into his mouth.
Blinking in surprise, Kisuke looked at Shuuhei.
"Uhm..." Kisuke laughed ruefully. "You've just rendered me speechless. That's so rare as to be..." He laughed again, visibly relaxing. "I don't expect anything of you. If you wanted to sleep in separate rooms tonight, enjoy the horses, the fresh air, and the mountains around this place in the morning, I would not be disappointed in you in the least. If we are to do any of the hundred and one possible sexual situations that equipment and company allow, I'd simply expect that we talk through them first. No need for surprises or mind reading, really."
"That was you speechless?" Shuuhei asked, lips quirking as his shoulders fell from around his ears for the first time since the bar. Lack of expectation meant lack of ability to disappoint. Shuuhei breathed a lot easier as he ate another fry.
Waiting until he was done chewing his bite, Kisuke tilted his head and nodded. "Indeed. It's rare that I find myself without a planned or thought-through retort, as I can usually map out where things are going. I had assumed, from your actions in the car and how you asked me for permission, and from various conversations with our friends, that you had a solid idea of how this would go. I apologize for the assumption."
Shuuhei ran one hand over his face. He forked the last bite of steak into his mouth and muttered around it, "I so should have taken the bartender up on that shot for the road."
"You have my sympathies," Kisuke said and chuckled. "Though I'm happy to talk and I'm sure there are spirits in the house if they would make things easier on you."
Thinking about the aforementioned one hundred and one sexual whatevers that company and, apparently, the house allowed -- and only coming up with about thirty tops -- Shuuhei cleared his throat. "Drink wouldn't hurt. And seeing the house, too."
"Certainly," Kisuke said. "I think I'd like to clean up here, when we're done, and we can look for that drink along the tour of the guest sections of this house."
"Sure," Shuuhei said amiably. He watched Kisuke's mouth move while he chewed and turned his attention to a window over the sink, instead. He thought things over, wondering what Kisuke meant by assumptions. Yeah, Shuuhei got that this was a weekend of kink...or sex. Both? Was there a difference to Kisuke?
Oh fuck me.
And yeah, sure, Shuuhei wouldn't mind...okay. He'd like to...what, exactly?
That spawned all kinds of images that Shuuhei's brain and cock didn't need as there just wasn't enough blood to run them both. He breathed, swallowed, and swore to himself for the millionth time that he was going to quit drinking and talking so damned much since he absolutely could not -- for the life of him -- remember anything he may or may not have disclosed to Kisuke or the others while drunk.
Okay...maybe he remembered a few things.
Fuck me twice.
Shuuhei ate fries. And Kisuke was good enough not to notice him squirming in his seat, or at least not call attention to it, and Shuuhei helped Kisuke clean up the dishes. He brushed his hand against Kisuke's setting a plate under the water, and his skin went up in flames. He sighed at himself. Honestly: he had blown the man in the goddamned limo, after all.
Maybe Renji was right, I do need to get laid, Shuuhei thought, and shuddered at the idea of Renji being correct about anything at all.
The dishes finished and put away, Kisuke turned off the fryer and the lights in the main bay, before stopping to think. "The library, I think there's a bar there and comfortable chairs. We can take the results of our shopping trip, and drop them off in one of the guest rooms on the way."
"Sounds good," Shuuhei said walking over to get the bags.
Kisuke led the way out of the kitchen, turned off the lights, and flicked them on in the dark hallway with wood floors covered in ornate rugs. The hallway ended abruptly in a parlor of sorts, chafing dishes lining a long table standing near the windows. Tables were scattered about the room with seating in twos and fours.
"This is the... uhm... I think Byakuya refers to it as the breakfast nook. The dining hall is next."
Again, Kisuke handled the lights as they moved from room to room. The dining hall had cathedral ceilings, a table that ran from one end to the other with only four chairs: at the head, the foot, and either side.
Shuuhei nodded and followed Kisuke out of the dining hall and into a far larger room that made Shuuhei's neck hurt as he craned to look up. If this was the "main hallway" that Kisuke mentioned earlier and called intimidating, Shuuhei got it. His shoes echoed on the floor, sparse bits of furniture stood here and there, and a chandelier hung like an alien beast over the wide front doorway. Kisuke headed for the stairs, and Shuuhei followed without comment.
The stairs lead up to a hallway that went right and left, and Kisuke took the way to the left. "I love this room as it has a gorgeous view in the fall." He opened the third door on the hallway, reaching in to turn on a light. "Would you want to share? Or wait to answer after the drinks?"
"I'm good with waking up to a view," Shuuhei said, lips quirking up at the corners.
Kisuke smiled a smile that crinkled the edges of his gray eyes, and he breathed a low sigh of what seemed suspiciously like relief. "Good then. I'm glad. Just leave things in here then? The library's just a bit further down this passage, and I'm sure it has a bar."
To say the guest room was large was something of an understatement. There was a sitting nook by the expanse of night-dark windows, an entertainment center tucked away in a corner, the glint of mirror from the door to the bathroom indicated a facility as well furnished and stocked as one might imagine. The king-sized bed was a huge four-poster with ornate covers and what amounted to a mountain of pillows. Chests of drawers and a nice armoire, all in dark cherry, lined one wall.
Shuuhei resisted the urge to whistle and merely set the packages down on a chair near the armoire. He looked at the bed and then slowly swiveled his head to look at Kisuke. He reached up to the top button of his dress shirt and arched his eyebrows. "You mind?"
"Not at all." Kisuke said with a sigh. "I want to get out of this monkey suit as well, but I can wait."
"Yeah, I think I've worn this shirt twice." Shuuhei laughed, undoing buttons to reveal a black, sleeveless undershirt beneath the top layer. He tossed the bit of clothing aside and smiled an uncertain smile at Kisuke.
"Oh..." Kisuke's eyes widened as he took two steps closer. Fingertips drifted just above a field of graying stars, swirls and black razor-wire over Shuuhei's left arm, and then Kisuke stepped over to Shuuhei's right to view all of the red and black snake that wrapped and coiled about his arm under black-lettered words.
Kisuke touched the bottom of a "T" in the, "To Thine Own Self Be True," tattoo, stroking a line beneath the Gothic script. "Beautifully chosen."
Shuuhei looked at Kisuke, mind beginning to fritz. He wanted the man. At that instant, Shuuhei had no idea if he'd always felt that way and ignored it because Shuuhei didn't play games with the princes of impossibility or if it was because of opportunity and proximity. He didn't hope and take risks like Renji; he didn't fight everybody like Ichigo; he didn't wallow like Kira; Shuuhei was grounded, sensible, calm...
And Kisuke was calculating. Charming, witty, and many-layered, that Shuuhei knew, and now Shuuhei was here with a world of things happening that he never thought would or could.
Dizzying...but damned good. Like somebody listened when he blew out the candle on his birthday cupcake.
"Thanks," Shuuhei breathed, and he reached for Kisuke, one hand landing on a hip. Kisuke moved in more closely, pressing them flush. Gray eyes looked at him, even as Kisuke's hand wrapped about one arm. Kisuke's head tilted, listening and watching Shuuhei's face.
Arms moving to circle Kisuke, Shuuhei's hand pressed into the blond's lower back and he sighed a breath that shook and took on rumbles of noise deep within Shuuhei's throat.
"Didn't need the drink...just needed you closer, I guess," he said, words clear though they were mumbled. Shuuhei looked at Kisuke; searched his face.
"I don't have a list, a plan, or much of an idea, here, Kisuke. I like this--" Shuuhei tightened his arms to demonstrate what he meant -- "a lot. Never thought about it because it didn't make sense to, but now it does. And the only thing I do know is I want you." Shuuhei paused, thought about the next words, found them to be true, and then said them, "Doesn't really matter much to me how that goes or who controls what. This weekend, I'll like anything that involves you." He smiled. "And a handy piece of furniture or floor...maybe rope or whatever you like...but definitely you."
Kisuke's other arm stole about Shuuhei's waist. He sighed, "And now you've floored me, Shuuhei. I wasn't...hadn't expected that, either." Gently he kissed Shuuhei's mouth before moving back to study Shuuhei's eyes. "You're so handsome and you just refused a date with a man many years my junior, in far better shape, and with far more to offer physically. I thought..." He shook his head.
"Thought that the intrigue of what I offered was what would allow me time to know you. This..." Kisuke sighed and hugged Shuuhei to him. "You've now overturned all my thoughts with wonder. I'd like you, very much. Any way I can get you."
"Let's not forget that other guy was an asshole," Shuuhei said, joking and serious at the same time. "And you're my friend, Kisuke. For a long time, now." He paused to smile against Kisuke's hair and leaned forward to lightly kiss the rim of Kisuke's ear.
"'sides...I've gotten a sample of what you have to offer physically. I think you're selling yourself short in all kinds of ways."
"It's good to know your priorities and your blind spots," Kisuke said with a smile, head bowing and tilting with Shuuhei's attention to his ear. "Especially as more of your assets come to light."
Shuuhei snorted and ran one hand up and down Kisuke's spine. "I seem to recall you being eager to see some of those...assets..." Shuuhei smirked and traced the shape of Kisuke's ear with his tongue.
Shivering, Kisuke moaned softly, eyes closing, and he had to swallow before he could say, "Yes. Your memory is quite good, my friend."
"Here, then," Shuuhei rumbled as he reached behind him and gently clasped Kisuke's wrist. Slowly he slid the other man's touch down and then under the hem of his shirt. "Not going to stop you..."
Kisuke's eyes opened before he very delicately bit his lower lip. His fingertips slid against the skin of Shuuhei's belly, stroking. His touch firmed so as to not be tickling as he ran his hands around Shuuhei's sides, palms flattening against Shuuhei's lower back briefly before he took the hem there and drew it up slowly.
Eyes shuttered, Shuuhei held his arms over his head as Kisuke got the shirt off, and the corners of his mouth turned into a slight smile as one hand fell to his side and the other reached to hook a finger beneath the waist of Kisuke's pants. He didn't tug or pull, choosing to watch and wait instead.
"Shuuhei..." This time Kisuke's voice held the tone of a prayer or a curse, his eyes widening as he took in all the details of the pictures that patterned Shuuhei's skin. A wandering hand strayed to the black slit, edged in red on Shuuhei's lower right side, as if feeling for the opening. Vines burst from the crack in tendrils that curled across Shuuhei's dusky skin. Some trailed below Shuuhei's waist band, but others curled and looped around his sides, over his shoulders, and on Shuuhei's right shoulder bloomed a brilliant red blossom with a skull for a center.
Warm fingers traced another vine that wound around and over Shuuhei's left pectoral, ending in a flower as blue as a clear summer sky with a long-lashed dark blue eye at the center. The greenery provided a background now for the tiny lizard Shuuhei had showed Kisuke in the car, and the older man smiled on seeing the bright eyes again.
"Private garden," Shuuhei said quietly, which was more of an explanation than he usually gave for why he chose vines with thorns that bled silver and black, not to mention the flowers. But eventually, everyone went back to the garden; to the earth.
Instead of saying any of that, however, Shuuhei caught Kisuke's hand again. He kissed the skin of Kisuke's inner wrist and watched the blond's face as he settled warm fingers on his own belt: an invitation, an encouragement; a chance to feel Kisuke undressing him.
Smiling, Kisuke took the hint, undoing Shuuhei's buckle, even as gray eyes half-closed, blond lashes veiling their depths as he undid Shuuhei's pants and zipper. His touch slid under the waistband of the slacks and the briefs underneath, peeling everything back with strokes of warm, strong hands. Then Kisuke dropped lightly to his knees, pulling the pants down Shuuhei's legs, and as a dark purple blossom appeared over Shuuhei's left hip, he leaned and licked the bright dagger piercing a black heart at the flower's center.
Straightening, Kisuke gently touched the head of Shuuhei's cock, thumb stroking over the bead of shining metal through Shuuhei's Prince Albert. Breath hitching hard, Shuuhei's hand went down to pet Kisuke's hair, gel still matting it despite his efforts with the sink earlier.
"Kisuke...." Shuuhei sighed the name, toed off his shoes and let the other man help him out of his clothes.
"Mm?" Kisuke hummed as he got the pants and socks off of Shuuhei, fingers lightly tracing one ankle, before he ran a hand up Shuuhei's right leg and hip as he stood.
"Just thinking you naked, against me, and in the shower sounds pretty damned nice," Shuuhei said, pulling the hem of Kisuke's shirt out of his pants and undoing the bottom button.
Kisuke smiled as he watched Shuuhei's hands work. "That does sound very nice indeed."
Shuuhei rumbled an affirmative noise and finished undoing the dress shirt. He slid his hands slowly and deliberately over Kisuke's shoulders and down his arms as he got the clothing off the blond, revealing a white undershirt. Kisuke was crazy to think he came up short to anyone physically: the cotton clung to a defined chest and flat belly, and Kisuke's narrow waist only emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and the compact muscles of his arms. Shuuhei tossed the shirt onto the growing pile of discards, one hand on Kisuke's hip. While his fingers reached for the second hem, Shuuhei bent down, lips brushing Kisuke's stomach and then flowing up as he pulled the shirt out of his mouth's way.
Giving a soft sigh, one of Kisuke's hands stroked the back of Shuuhei's head, as the other landed on Shuuhei's shoulder, thumb tracing along skin. Shuuhei licked a trail from sternum to neck as he got the shirt over Kisuke's head and then down the arms, lips kissing the juncture of shoulder and throat. Kisuke's eyes closed. One hand dropped the shirt; the other reached and got Kisuke's belt undone. Kisuke's hands fell against Shuuhei's chest and slid down to his hips, lightly clasping there.
With another soft brush of lips to Kisuke's skin, Shuuhei stepped back to look over Kisuke with hooded eyes. He rumbled an appreciative moan and got Kisuke's fly undone, bending down to get the pants down and off. He blinked when he came face-to-face with bad Hawaiian print: Kisuke's boxers.
Shuuhei barked a laugh and caught the fabric between his teeth, chuckling.
Kisuke grinned at him. "Yes. I know. It's... uhm..."
"A rebellion," Shuuhei supplied before catching the fabric with his teeth again and pulling back and then down, removing the horrendous pair of boxers that were, for better or worse, utterly Kisuke.
"Oh...teeth. Uhm. Yes. You have me," Kisuke said with breathless laugh this time, hands light on Shuuhei's shoulders.
"I think so," Shuuhei said, helping Kisuke out of his shoes, pulling off his socks, and finally clearing away the pants. He rose up and kissed Kisuke's hipbone, thought about it, and scraped his teeth over the thin skin, pulling a gasp from Kisuke.
The blond's hands tightened on Shuuhei, and he chuckled, eyes closing, "Yes. I think so as well."
TBC
Demented, Inc now presents darkprism_fics's omake for the chapter!
Me: Mmm...tattoos...metal...mm...
Liralen: *grins*
Shuuhei: ...flowers?
Me: MANLY flowers, dude. Shut it.
Renji: *snickers*
Shuuhei: *glares*
Renji: Dude...you were hiding...in the...
Shuuhei: I WAS NOT HIDING!
Me: Boys...boys...
Liralen: *eyes everyone, bemused*
Byakuya (from bedroom): Renji?
Renji: *flinch*
Shuuhei: Uh. Huh.
Renji: Fuck you.
Shuuhei: Oh no. I think that's, fuck you.
Byakuya: Renji. I don't wait well.
Renji: *dashes to bedroom*
Me: I'll get the popcorn...
Liralen: But...but...Kisuke?
Me: *looks at Kisuke, standing naked, silent and amused* Shuuhei?
Shuuhei: Hm?
Me: Sic 'im.
Shuuhei: Gladly.
Kisuke: *GRINS WITH TEETH*
Liralen: Hee. *hearts*
Next Chapter >>
Series: Getaway
Genre: AU Bleach -- In darkprism_fics's Monoshizukanohi
Authors: liralen and darkprism_fics
Characters: Urahara and Shuuhei
Rating/Warnings: R, nudity, tattoos, piercings, language
Summary: The boys make it to the Kuchiki Lodge, what will they find there?
Disclaimers: Neither darkprism_fics nor I own or make money off of Bleach or its characters.
Previous Chapter
Shuuhei's hands tightened on the handles of the packages, and he felt distinctly out of place thinking about cooks and drivers and massive-ass houses in the middle of nowhere. It reminded him of Renji telling him about going to meet Byakuya at one of the fanciest hotels in the city for a night of fun and games. Shuuhei wondered how Renji had really coped with it all; if he felt as conspicuous as Shuuhei or like a guy for hire. He knew Kisuke didn't think of the situation like that, despite the expensive clothing in the bags and the hints that Kisuke was eager to get Shuuhei alone and naked. But hell, Shuuhei was eager to have Kisuke all to himself and out of his suit; couldn't fault the man, there. And Kisuke had always been quick to buy rounds at Deathtoll or pick up the tab at the all-night pancake place when they needed food to soak up the pints of sake or tequila.
Rationalization aside, however, the whole damned night felt surreal, and Shuuhei now realized that Renji had one massive set of balls to pursue Byakuya like he did. A guy he didn't even know…at least Shuuhei and Kisuke were friends.
…even if he didn't seem to know certain key facts about Kisuke that Shuuhei thought were pretty central to one's life.
Shuuhei shook himself and caught Kisuke smiling at him from under the light.
"Thank you for remembering the bags," the blond said. "Now...let's see." Kisuke walked up to the door and tried the handle, finding it unlocked. He opened the door smoothly and held it for Shuuhei. "Welcome to Shuryo."
"Thanks," Shuuhei said, walking into the dark house. Squinting in the dim, Shuuhei could tell he was in some sort of storage room, and he could see the outline of a washer and dryer in one corner, shelves above. He stepped to the side to let Kisuke in and told his heartbeat to calm the hell down already. It was just a house and this was just Kisuke for Chrissakes.
Flipping on the light switch, Kisuke glanced at the mudroom entryway and walked forward, his winkled coat slung over one shoulder. He moved further into the cavernous darkness beyond and flicked another light to show a very modern, stainless steel, commercial kitchen. There was an old wood-fired oven against the left wall under one of the chimneys, a butcher block table in front of it with a few comfortable chairs about it, and the equipment, walk-in fridge, and gas burner stove were to the right.
Kisuke turned back to face Shuuhei. "Do you want to freshen up and come back here? Or I can just make you something?"
"Um," Shuuhei said, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the light. "I could...yeah. Bathroom? And you don't have to trouble...yourself..." Shuuhei looked around and eyed the enormous fridge and cold kitchen warily. "Then again...."
"Through the doorway at the far end, on the right, is the bathroom. Go ahead and leave everything by the table, we can take care of that later. I never miss a chance at the Kobe New York strips they stock here, so I'd be more than happy to treat one tenderly for you. Would you like shoestring fries with that?" Kisuke asked, hanging his coat on the back of one of the kitchen chairs. He undid the top button of his dress shirt and both cuffs in a prelude to rolling up his sleeves.
"Sure. I'll take all that and a side of fries," Shuuhei said finding comfort in their easy banter. He set down the packages and backed toward the doorway, hands in his pockets in loose fists. The grin Kisuke flashed Shuuhei was white and had far too many teeth, but Kisuke turned on the flame under the grill, got the overhead fans going, and then turned toward the steel sink.
Shuuhei left, hair on the back of his neck standing on end, and he managed to walk calmly out of the kitchen and into a hallway. Everything was so damned dark. Shuuhei felt along the wall, caught a switch, and flicked it. A glass fixture ahead burst into life, and he saw a pantry on the left and a lone door with a glass handle at the end on the right. Walking with purpose, Shuuhei's long strides took him past the red-striped wallpaper and to the bathroom.
With a sigh of relief, Shuuhei shut the door behind him, fumbling and finding yet another switch. The bathroom was small: pedestal sink, toilet, mirror. The wallpaper was more of the red stripped stuff, which made Shuuhei feel claustrophobic. He reached for the sink, swallowed, and bit off a yelp when his phone buzzed in his pocket.
"Jesus..." Shuuhei muttered, frustrated at himself and scowling. He wrenched the phone free from his pants and saw a text from Renji.
FROM BLUE BOY TO KISUKE IN ONE NIGHT. LOL
With a roll of his eyes, Shuuhei wrote back: YEAH. REAL LOLZ GOIN ON.
He hit send, set down the phone, and turned on the tap to splash water on his face. A second later the phone buzzed -- this time ringing. He snatched the thing off the sink, not entirely sure why he was so worked up.
"What?" Shuuhei answered, eying the door like he was doing something out of line and at any moment Kisuke would catch him at it.
Renji laughed in Shuuhei's ear. "Oh holy shit..." It appeared to be all Renji could manage between gales of giggles.
"Fuck you," Shuuhei said, but it lacked its usual venom since he had to whisper.
"Nah...I think it'll be fuck you." Renji snorted.
"Think so?" Shuuhei sat on the lid of the toilet, running a hand through his hair.
"No idea, really. Surprise me. And um, by the way? Kisuke's gay."
"Thanks for the update, Renji."
"And Byakuya has some very interesting stories to tell..."
"I gotta go, Renji."
"Naw, man, seriously." Renji's voice changed and Shuuhei looked down at the creamy tile beneath his shoes.
"You okay?"
"How did you feel when you were at the Magnolia?" Shuuhei asked, voice soft.
"Nervous, panicky, wondering what the hell I was doing playing a call boy to some rich asshole."
Shuuhei grunted.
"So that's how it's going?"
"No…he's…cooking us dinner, at the moment."
Renji laughed again. "Eyah, that definitely wasn't on the damned menu back at the Magnolia." Shuuhei sighed and heard a low murmur in the background.
"Talking about how you never fuckin' cook for me."
An exasperated sound was followed by a wet one. Shuuhei rolled his eyes and tapped his heel. "Jesus..."
"He actually prefers, 'Sir' to the religious shit," Renji quipped.
"Hanging up now."
"Where are you?"
"In a bathroom in some lodge in the middle of nowhere."
Renji whistled. "Hiding out?"
"No."
"Uh-huh…well, look, Byakuya seems to think everything will go all right."
"That's so fucking comforting you just have no idea."
"Really, man. It's cool. It's Kisuke! He-who-tips-his-hat-too-much-when-drunk. Ain't nothing to be scared of or--"
"Renji."
"What?"
"Blow me."
More laughter. "Nah, think I'll let Urahara take care of that. 'sides, think somebody might get a little testy if I blew you without permission these days."
Shuuhei refrained from comment and blinked a little harder at the tile.
"But try to ya know, enjoy yourself. Stop thinking so fuckin' much. I know that's what you're doing and it ain't going to do you any good."
Shuuhei shifted uncomfortably, frowning.
"Shuuhei. I'm serious, man. It's just a weekend. It'll be fun; you'll get to try that shit you always wanted to do."
"The fuck you know about it?" Shuuhei groused, though he already knew the answer.
"Two words: tequila shots."
Shuuhei winced.
"And Kisuke was there, too ya know."
Shuuhei groaned.
"So I'm thinking..."
A sound came from the direction of the kitchen and made Shuuhei jump. "Gotta go."
"Later."
Shuuhei hung up, silenced the phone, and reached to flush the toilet. He stood, untucked his shirt, and sighed. He caught himself in the mirror, saw the worry edging around his eyes and wanted to smack himself.
Just a fuckin' weekend...get back out there and eat a steak.
Shoving his phone in his pocket, Shuuhei walked down the hallway and headed for the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway, watching as Kisuke turned the fire down on the well-seared steaks before flipping them. The rich scent of expertly burnt meat swirled about the kitchen air, a fryer burbled to the side, boiling oil hissed white turning gradually to gold.
Kisuke's blond hair was towel-dried damp, and he pushed it back out of his eyes with a familiar gesture. The smile he gave Shuuhei was sheepish. "I couldn't stand the gel stuff any longer, so just rinsed it out in the sink there. The kitchen staff will yell at me for using their towels, but it was worth it."
Shuuhei returned the smile, and wandered over to a chair, stopping next to it. "Yeah...you with slicked hair. The universe was out of balance. Can I do anything?"
"Plates would be nice, just stacked over there on the shelf. I do like what's visible in this kitchen, no having to hunt things down," Kisuke said absentmindedly as he prodded one of the steaks with a finger. "Also, I'd really appreciate it if you would attempt to tell me the cause of your despondency, Shuuhei. Second thoughts?"
Shuuhei's neck cracked as he looked hard over his shoulder on his way to the cabinet. He turned, frowned, and then took two plates off the shelf. "No..." Shuuhei answered, hesitating and thinking while he set the dishware down near Kisuke. He wished he was drinking for this conversation.
"It's just that...two hours ago you were straight, unattainable, and uninterested. Now you're gay, inviting me to lodges, and more friendly with Byakuya than I thought." Shuuhei shrugged.
Cool gray eyes studied Shuuhei before flickering back down at the steaks. The tongs dipped and pulled the two steaks from the fire and placed them on the cool white of the plates.
"Give these a minute to rest and they'll be juicier. Nice thing being raised with grocers and meat packers, one knows what to do with what one gets." The gaze turned back to meet Shuuhei's steady stare and Kisuke nodded. "It is understandable. I've had children to raise, a couple of business partners, the female of which might have been thought of as a more intimate companion, given how I refer to dear Yoruichi. Whereas I've known that you're gay and unattached and have made no move to tell you about me."
Shuuhei looked from one of Kisuke's eyes to the other, enlightenment dawning. "I guess I thought I knew you." He reached over and touched Kisuke's shoulder to take the sting out of the words. Now that he knew the problem, it was hard to continue to feel betrayed when Shuuhei knew he'd never asked Kisuke anything directly. He'd assumed like the rest of the group, and he remembered his own words from the car:
"I'm glad you trust me."
Kisuke smiled a faint smile. "Well, you do know more about me than most. Byakuya is also a contemporary of sorts, when I was young and foolish and took the brunt of his cooler sense back before…" He paused and then shook his head. "Before Hisana. One thing about Byakuya, even as stuck up as he can be, he does know how to keep secrets when they should be kept."
Shuuhei snorted. "And sometimes when they shouldn't," he said thinking about Renji and the agonizing few months it took him to get through Byakuya's defenses. And give Byakuya enough time to break down some of his own.
"Sorry," Shuuhei muttered. "You know me. Think too damned much."
Kisuke smiled. "One of your more endearing traits, truly. And so long as you ask rather than just stew, I'll be grateful. Oh! The fries..." He hopped over to the fryer and pulled the basket from the hot oil, shaking it with an expert motion of arm and shoulder before dumping them into the hopper and sprinkling salt all over them.
Getting the plates, Kisuke piled fries on them, to the side of the steaks before setting one plate before Shuuhei. "You like them dry, right? Silverware, did you see silverware?" Kisuke asked a little distractedly, before ducking into the enormous fridge to bring out a jar of mayonnaise, a bottle of ketchup, a jar horseradish, and a bottle of steak sauce.
Shuuhei wandered over and guessed right on his second drawer to find forks. Then he walked over to block on the counter and pulled out two steak knives. He circled back around to lay utensils near Kisuke, and then sat down on one of the stools, pulling his plate toward him.
"Looks amazing. Smells better." Shuuhei smiled. "Ducked out the back door of the restaurant before the food arrived. Asshole's probably still snarling about getting the bill."
Grinning, Kisuke cut into his steak before humming happily. "Mm...perfect. I can only imagine what Renji was thinking when he sent you to him. Though I'll admit I had my own moment of shock on meeting Ryuuken. Made me wonder what my friends had seen in me to match me with him. I'll admit I don't see myself as being quite that ruthless or see you as willing to put up with that much aggression."
"Yeah," Shuuhei mused, mulling over a bite of steak before he swallowed and continued. "Makes me wonder if they think we're like those guys or would want to put up with that kind of shit. Though...Renji probably just thought I'd enjoy the hot guy and a nice fuck. Maybe something else, maybe not." Shuuhei forked another bite into his mouth.
"Mm...that would make sense." Kisuke's eyes shuttered for a moment as he looked down as his steak. He dolloped a little of each sauce on the side of his plate, picked up a few fries, dunked the ends in ketchup, and ate them quietly. "Seems like he'd have fit Renji's standards before Byakuya happened to him. Hot, well-built, very conscientious of his physique. But you've never been quite as...hm...indiscriminate as Renji, I think."
Shuuhei smirked. "Ah, no...not quite. All current evidence not withstanding, I, um...usually don't act on impulse."
Laughing out loud, Kisuke nodded. "But you...well...I'd like to think that you did so because you do know me on a day to day basis, not just blind reflex after a disastrously bad date. That plus what you said in the car, for which I am at a loss for words to thank you for saying, seem to make good foundations for this not being just impulse."
Shuuhei chewed, swallowed, and looked at Kisuke for a few long seconds. Heat and something like tenderness lanced through him. "Mm. I think...the impulsive part was taking the opportunity to spend a weekend with a guy I never thought I'd get to kiss. Sober, anyway." Shuuhei smiled, but it faded as he continued. "But you're right...I do know you."
"And I mostly had to ask because I realized that if I didn't, I probably would never get to kiss you. It's easy, much easier, to remain hidden," Kisuke said, taking another bite. "I just appear confident and unfazed in nearly any situation, one of those things Yoruichi finds very... useful... in me, I suspect."
Shuuhei's eyebrows went up and down at the Kisuke-styled admission of weakness, and relief made him sigh. "I'm not exactly the epitome of calm over here." He laughed. "Talking's helping. You being you is always good. But..." Shuuhei ran a hand through his hair. "I have no idea what you...er...expect of me." The admission made his guts twist, but he stubbornly shoved fries into his mouth.
Blinking in surprise, Kisuke looked at Shuuhei.
"Uhm..." Kisuke laughed ruefully. "You've just rendered me speechless. That's so rare as to be..." He laughed again, visibly relaxing. "I don't expect anything of you. If you wanted to sleep in separate rooms tonight, enjoy the horses, the fresh air, and the mountains around this place in the morning, I would not be disappointed in you in the least. If we are to do any of the hundred and one possible sexual situations that equipment and company allow, I'd simply expect that we talk through them first. No need for surprises or mind reading, really."
"That was you speechless?" Shuuhei asked, lips quirking as his shoulders fell from around his ears for the first time since the bar. Lack of expectation meant lack of ability to disappoint. Shuuhei breathed a lot easier as he ate another fry.
Waiting until he was done chewing his bite, Kisuke tilted his head and nodded. "Indeed. It's rare that I find myself without a planned or thought-through retort, as I can usually map out where things are going. I had assumed, from your actions in the car and how you asked me for permission, and from various conversations with our friends, that you had a solid idea of how this would go. I apologize for the assumption."
Shuuhei ran one hand over his face. He forked the last bite of steak into his mouth and muttered around it, "I so should have taken the bartender up on that shot for the road."
"You have my sympathies," Kisuke said and chuckled. "Though I'm happy to talk and I'm sure there are spirits in the house if they would make things easier on you."
Thinking about the aforementioned one hundred and one sexual whatevers that company and, apparently, the house allowed -- and only coming up with about thirty tops -- Shuuhei cleared his throat. "Drink wouldn't hurt. And seeing the house, too."
"Certainly," Kisuke said. "I think I'd like to clean up here, when we're done, and we can look for that drink along the tour of the guest sections of this house."
"Sure," Shuuhei said amiably. He watched Kisuke's mouth move while he chewed and turned his attention to a window over the sink, instead. He thought things over, wondering what Kisuke meant by assumptions. Yeah, Shuuhei got that this was a weekend of kink...or sex. Both? Was there a difference to Kisuke?
Oh fuck me.
And yeah, sure, Shuuhei wouldn't mind...okay. He'd like to...what, exactly?
That spawned all kinds of images that Shuuhei's brain and cock didn't need as there just wasn't enough blood to run them both. He breathed, swallowed, and swore to himself for the millionth time that he was going to quit drinking and talking so damned much since he absolutely could not -- for the life of him -- remember anything he may or may not have disclosed to Kisuke or the others while drunk.
Okay...maybe he remembered a few things.
Fuck me twice.
Shuuhei ate fries. And Kisuke was good enough not to notice him squirming in his seat, or at least not call attention to it, and Shuuhei helped Kisuke clean up the dishes. He brushed his hand against Kisuke's setting a plate under the water, and his skin went up in flames. He sighed at himself. Honestly: he had blown the man in the goddamned limo, after all.
Maybe Renji was right, I do need to get laid, Shuuhei thought, and shuddered at the idea of Renji being correct about anything at all.
The dishes finished and put away, Kisuke turned off the fryer and the lights in the main bay, before stopping to think. "The library, I think there's a bar there and comfortable chairs. We can take the results of our shopping trip, and drop them off in one of the guest rooms on the way."
"Sounds good," Shuuhei said walking over to get the bags.
Kisuke led the way out of the kitchen, turned off the lights, and flicked them on in the dark hallway with wood floors covered in ornate rugs. The hallway ended abruptly in a parlor of sorts, chafing dishes lining a long table standing near the windows. Tables were scattered about the room with seating in twos and fours.
"This is the... uhm... I think Byakuya refers to it as the breakfast nook. The dining hall is next."
Again, Kisuke handled the lights as they moved from room to room. The dining hall had cathedral ceilings, a table that ran from one end to the other with only four chairs: at the head, the foot, and either side.
Shuuhei nodded and followed Kisuke out of the dining hall and into a far larger room that made Shuuhei's neck hurt as he craned to look up. If this was the "main hallway" that Kisuke mentioned earlier and called intimidating, Shuuhei got it. His shoes echoed on the floor, sparse bits of furniture stood here and there, and a chandelier hung like an alien beast over the wide front doorway. Kisuke headed for the stairs, and Shuuhei followed without comment.
The stairs lead up to a hallway that went right and left, and Kisuke took the way to the left. "I love this room as it has a gorgeous view in the fall." He opened the third door on the hallway, reaching in to turn on a light. "Would you want to share? Or wait to answer after the drinks?"
"I'm good with waking up to a view," Shuuhei said, lips quirking up at the corners.
Kisuke smiled a smile that crinkled the edges of his gray eyes, and he breathed a low sigh of what seemed suspiciously like relief. "Good then. I'm glad. Just leave things in here then? The library's just a bit further down this passage, and I'm sure it has a bar."
To say the guest room was large was something of an understatement. There was a sitting nook by the expanse of night-dark windows, an entertainment center tucked away in a corner, the glint of mirror from the door to the bathroom indicated a facility as well furnished and stocked as one might imagine. The king-sized bed was a huge four-poster with ornate covers and what amounted to a mountain of pillows. Chests of drawers and a nice armoire, all in dark cherry, lined one wall.
Shuuhei resisted the urge to whistle and merely set the packages down on a chair near the armoire. He looked at the bed and then slowly swiveled his head to look at Kisuke. He reached up to the top button of his dress shirt and arched his eyebrows. "You mind?"
"Not at all." Kisuke said with a sigh. "I want to get out of this monkey suit as well, but I can wait."
"Yeah, I think I've worn this shirt twice." Shuuhei laughed, undoing buttons to reveal a black, sleeveless undershirt beneath the top layer. He tossed the bit of clothing aside and smiled an uncertain smile at Kisuke.
"Oh..." Kisuke's eyes widened as he took two steps closer. Fingertips drifted just above a field of graying stars, swirls and black razor-wire over Shuuhei's left arm, and then Kisuke stepped over to Shuuhei's right to view all of the red and black snake that wrapped and coiled about his arm under black-lettered words.
Kisuke touched the bottom of a "T" in the, "To Thine Own Self Be True," tattoo, stroking a line beneath the Gothic script. "Beautifully chosen."
Shuuhei looked at Kisuke, mind beginning to fritz. He wanted the man. At that instant, Shuuhei had no idea if he'd always felt that way and ignored it because Shuuhei didn't play games with the princes of impossibility or if it was because of opportunity and proximity. He didn't hope and take risks like Renji; he didn't fight everybody like Ichigo; he didn't wallow like Kira; Shuuhei was grounded, sensible, calm...
And Kisuke was calculating. Charming, witty, and many-layered, that Shuuhei knew, and now Shuuhei was here with a world of things happening that he never thought would or could.
Dizzying...but damned good. Like somebody listened when he blew out the candle on his birthday cupcake.
"Thanks," Shuuhei breathed, and he reached for Kisuke, one hand landing on a hip. Kisuke moved in more closely, pressing them flush. Gray eyes looked at him, even as Kisuke's hand wrapped about one arm. Kisuke's head tilted, listening and watching Shuuhei's face.
Arms moving to circle Kisuke, Shuuhei's hand pressed into the blond's lower back and he sighed a breath that shook and took on rumbles of noise deep within Shuuhei's throat.
"Didn't need the drink...just needed you closer, I guess," he said, words clear though they were mumbled. Shuuhei looked at Kisuke; searched his face.
"I don't have a list, a plan, or much of an idea, here, Kisuke. I like this--" Shuuhei tightened his arms to demonstrate what he meant -- "a lot. Never thought about it because it didn't make sense to, but now it does. And the only thing I do know is I want you." Shuuhei paused, thought about the next words, found them to be true, and then said them, "Doesn't really matter much to me how that goes or who controls what. This weekend, I'll like anything that involves you." He smiled. "And a handy piece of furniture or floor...maybe rope or whatever you like...but definitely you."
Kisuke's other arm stole about Shuuhei's waist. He sighed, "And now you've floored me, Shuuhei. I wasn't...hadn't expected that, either." Gently he kissed Shuuhei's mouth before moving back to study Shuuhei's eyes. "You're so handsome and you just refused a date with a man many years my junior, in far better shape, and with far more to offer physically. I thought..." He shook his head.
"Thought that the intrigue of what I offered was what would allow me time to know you. This..." Kisuke sighed and hugged Shuuhei to him. "You've now overturned all my thoughts with wonder. I'd like you, very much. Any way I can get you."
"Let's not forget that other guy was an asshole," Shuuhei said, joking and serious at the same time. "And you're my friend, Kisuke. For a long time, now." He paused to smile against Kisuke's hair and leaned forward to lightly kiss the rim of Kisuke's ear.
"'sides...I've gotten a sample of what you have to offer physically. I think you're selling yourself short in all kinds of ways."
"It's good to know your priorities and your blind spots," Kisuke said with a smile, head bowing and tilting with Shuuhei's attention to his ear. "Especially as more of your assets come to light."
Shuuhei snorted and ran one hand up and down Kisuke's spine. "I seem to recall you being eager to see some of those...assets..." Shuuhei smirked and traced the shape of Kisuke's ear with his tongue.
Shivering, Kisuke moaned softly, eyes closing, and he had to swallow before he could say, "Yes. Your memory is quite good, my friend."
"Here, then," Shuuhei rumbled as he reached behind him and gently clasped Kisuke's wrist. Slowly he slid the other man's touch down and then under the hem of his shirt. "Not going to stop you..."
Kisuke's eyes opened before he very delicately bit his lower lip. His fingertips slid against the skin of Shuuhei's belly, stroking. His touch firmed so as to not be tickling as he ran his hands around Shuuhei's sides, palms flattening against Shuuhei's lower back briefly before he took the hem there and drew it up slowly.
Eyes shuttered, Shuuhei held his arms over his head as Kisuke got the shirt off, and the corners of his mouth turned into a slight smile as one hand fell to his side and the other reached to hook a finger beneath the waist of Kisuke's pants. He didn't tug or pull, choosing to watch and wait instead.
"Shuuhei..." This time Kisuke's voice held the tone of a prayer or a curse, his eyes widening as he took in all the details of the pictures that patterned Shuuhei's skin. A wandering hand strayed to the black slit, edged in red on Shuuhei's lower right side, as if feeling for the opening. Vines burst from the crack in tendrils that curled across Shuuhei's dusky skin. Some trailed below Shuuhei's waist band, but others curled and looped around his sides, over his shoulders, and on Shuuhei's right shoulder bloomed a brilliant red blossom with a skull for a center.
Warm fingers traced another vine that wound around and over Shuuhei's left pectoral, ending in a flower as blue as a clear summer sky with a long-lashed dark blue eye at the center. The greenery provided a background now for the tiny lizard Shuuhei had showed Kisuke in the car, and the older man smiled on seeing the bright eyes again.
"Private garden," Shuuhei said quietly, which was more of an explanation than he usually gave for why he chose vines with thorns that bled silver and black, not to mention the flowers. But eventually, everyone went back to the garden; to the earth.
Instead of saying any of that, however, Shuuhei caught Kisuke's hand again. He kissed the skin of Kisuke's inner wrist and watched the blond's face as he settled warm fingers on his own belt: an invitation, an encouragement; a chance to feel Kisuke undressing him.
Smiling, Kisuke took the hint, undoing Shuuhei's buckle, even as gray eyes half-closed, blond lashes veiling their depths as he undid Shuuhei's pants and zipper. His touch slid under the waistband of the slacks and the briefs underneath, peeling everything back with strokes of warm, strong hands. Then Kisuke dropped lightly to his knees, pulling the pants down Shuuhei's legs, and as a dark purple blossom appeared over Shuuhei's left hip, he leaned and licked the bright dagger piercing a black heart at the flower's center.
Straightening, Kisuke gently touched the head of Shuuhei's cock, thumb stroking over the bead of shining metal through Shuuhei's Prince Albert. Breath hitching hard, Shuuhei's hand went down to pet Kisuke's hair, gel still matting it despite his efforts with the sink earlier.
"Kisuke...." Shuuhei sighed the name, toed off his shoes and let the other man help him out of his clothes.
"Mm?" Kisuke hummed as he got the pants and socks off of Shuuhei, fingers lightly tracing one ankle, before he ran a hand up Shuuhei's right leg and hip as he stood.
"Just thinking you naked, against me, and in the shower sounds pretty damned nice," Shuuhei said, pulling the hem of Kisuke's shirt out of his pants and undoing the bottom button.
Kisuke smiled as he watched Shuuhei's hands work. "That does sound very nice indeed."
Shuuhei rumbled an affirmative noise and finished undoing the dress shirt. He slid his hands slowly and deliberately over Kisuke's shoulders and down his arms as he got the clothing off the blond, revealing a white undershirt. Kisuke was crazy to think he came up short to anyone physically: the cotton clung to a defined chest and flat belly, and Kisuke's narrow waist only emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and the compact muscles of his arms. Shuuhei tossed the shirt onto the growing pile of discards, one hand on Kisuke's hip. While his fingers reached for the second hem, Shuuhei bent down, lips brushing Kisuke's stomach and then flowing up as he pulled the shirt out of his mouth's way.
Giving a soft sigh, one of Kisuke's hands stroked the back of Shuuhei's head, as the other landed on Shuuhei's shoulder, thumb tracing along skin. Shuuhei licked a trail from sternum to neck as he got the shirt over Kisuke's head and then down the arms, lips kissing the juncture of shoulder and throat. Kisuke's eyes closed. One hand dropped the shirt; the other reached and got Kisuke's belt undone. Kisuke's hands fell against Shuuhei's chest and slid down to his hips, lightly clasping there.
With another soft brush of lips to Kisuke's skin, Shuuhei stepped back to look over Kisuke with hooded eyes. He rumbled an appreciative moan and got Kisuke's fly undone, bending down to get the pants down and off. He blinked when he came face-to-face with bad Hawaiian print: Kisuke's boxers.
Shuuhei barked a laugh and caught the fabric between his teeth, chuckling.
Kisuke grinned at him. "Yes. I know. It's... uhm..."
"A rebellion," Shuuhei supplied before catching the fabric with his teeth again and pulling back and then down, removing the horrendous pair of boxers that were, for better or worse, utterly Kisuke.
"Oh...teeth. Uhm. Yes. You have me," Kisuke said with breathless laugh this time, hands light on Shuuhei's shoulders.
"I think so," Shuuhei said, helping Kisuke out of his shoes, pulling off his socks, and finally clearing away the pants. He rose up and kissed Kisuke's hipbone, thought about it, and scraped his teeth over the thin skin, pulling a gasp from Kisuke.
The blond's hands tightened on Shuuhei, and he chuckled, eyes closing, "Yes. I think so as well."
TBC
Demented, Inc now presents darkprism_fics's omake for the chapter!
Me: Mmm...tattoos...metal...mm...
Liralen: *grins*
Shuuhei: ...flowers?
Me: MANLY flowers, dude. Shut it.
Renji: *snickers*
Shuuhei: *glares*
Renji: Dude...you were hiding...in the...
Shuuhei: I WAS NOT HIDING!
Me: Boys...boys...
Liralen: *eyes everyone, bemused*
Byakuya (from bedroom): Renji?
Renji: *flinch*
Shuuhei: Uh. Huh.
Renji: Fuck you.
Shuuhei: Oh no. I think that's, fuck you.
Byakuya: Renji. I don't wait well.
Renji: *dashes to bedroom*
Me: I'll get the popcorn...
Liralen: But...but...Kisuke?
Me: *looks at Kisuke, standing naked, silent and amused* Shuuhei?
Shuuhei: Hm?
Me: Sic 'im.
Shuuhei: Gladly.
Kisuke: *GRINS WITH TEETH*
Liralen: Hee. *hearts*
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