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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 20, 2015 17:49:58 GMT -6
Renji waited for her to put the flower in the vase as the two then left her office. On their walk to her quarters the two were fairly silent. Renji fidgeting and kept rubbing the back of his neck.
"You know Rukia," Renji said as they stopped in front of her door. "You don't owe me nothing. I understand. So there is no need."
Rukia gave him an intense looked as he drew back slightly. He dropped the conversation like a hot rock. Turning she opened the door, the two entering the room. Renji took a seat in the common room as he watched Rukia walk toward her bedroom.
"I will only be a minute." She told him stopping before she exited, resting her hand to the door frame as she looked back at him and smiled sweetly at him.
Renji felt his cheeks turn hot as he looked quickly away. "Alright," he replied softly rubbing the back of his neck.
After about twenty minutes Renji stood and started walking the room. "What's taking her so long?" He looked toward her room. "Is she alright?" His mind flooded with bad thoughts as he stepped quickly toward her room reaching for the door. He stopped abruptly.
"No. No she is fine." He thought to himself. "If I open this door and she is in there getting dressed, she is going to beat me senseless." His hand dropped and he went back to pacing the floor.
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on May 20, 2015 18:09:50 GMT -6
Soon after, Rukia hurried out, setting the rose in a tall slender vase on the table near him before tying her navy blue kimono. “Sorry for the delay,” she muttered as she worked. “I thought about putting the rose in with the daisies Kiyone and Sentaro got me today and then decided to find it a new vase, but all of them were too short.” She finished tying her obi and pushed her hair back. “Let’s go,” she said, grabbing her purse. "Take your pick and I will pay."
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 20, 2015 18:15:26 GMT -6
Renji stood as he watched her rush around. He started his path toward the door then stopped quickly as she said she was paying. "Oh no." He stated firmly placing his hand on her arm as she went to walk past him.
"This is my treat. I am taking you out tonight. I asked you out so I'm picking up the bill." Renji told her flatly.
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on May 20, 2015 18:25:56 GMT -6
Rukia’s eyes narrowed as she turned around. Folding her arms, she looked up at him. “I owe you a proper apology. My apology, I pay for the food,” she stated, just as firmly as him. “That’s how we’ve always done it, since we were street rats. That’s how we'll do it now.”
Renji looked at her and cringed on the inside, but stayed strong on the outside. Shaking his head he retorted. "No. I am taking you out. I told you you owe me nothing. You already apologized to me. Plus, I ask you on this date--" Renji felt a lump growing in his throat, his heart skipping a beat as his hand quickly covered his face and he looked away from her.
Rukia thought he turned away because he knew she was going to win. As usual. And she quickly pressed her advantage. “A date to make me feel better, I know," she snapped. “Well, I burned you and who knows what else I tried to do after Las Noches, and I want to apologize. I have never hurt you before. And I don’t intend to get away with it.”
“You weren’t responsible for that.”
“Yes I was!”
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 20, 2015 23:03:38 GMT -6
"No. You weren't." Renji said flatly.
Renji and Rukia bickered back and forth about who was paying and who was not. After a few minutes, silence fell between them, but not long enough as they started at one another again, both of them saying simultaneously.
“I just want to take you out to dinner so I can...” “apologize correctly.” Rukia said. “tell you I love you.” Renji announced.
Renji stood stiff as a confused look blanketed Rukia’s.
“What did you say?” Rukia asked him.
“I just want?” Renji answered.
“No. After that,” Rukia said.
Renji shuffled his feet and looked away. “Take you out?”
“After that~” Rukia urged.
“To dinner?” Renji replied sheepishly with a cringe, seeing she was getting annoyed as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Renji?” Rukia said.
Renji sighed dropping his hand from the back of his head as he let his head fall forward, not looking at her. He let another sigh slip from him as he then looked into Rukia’s beautiful violet eyes.
“I love you.”
The words fell from Renji’s mouth with great passion and feeling, as he reached out and cupped her cheek, his fingertips softly caressing her silky smooth cheek. Still looking in her eyes, he repeated himself.
“I love you, Rukia Kuchiki. I have for a long time. I may not deserve you, but that has never stopped me from loving you. Never.”
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on May 21, 2015 10:28:09 GMT -6
As her heart started to drum in her ears, Rukia's fingers clenched. Looking into his dark, trembling and honest gaze, she sighed and calmed. “You’re such an idiot,” she murmured.
Renji flinched and lowered his hand, and she put a hand to her mouth, realizing her mistake. Cursing in her mind, she grabbed his sleeve before he could turn away. “Wait… that’s not - it’s not what you think.” Turning her head to the side, she felt her cheeks heat up. She kept a firm hold on his sleeve.
Renji didn't leave.
As he waited, she took a deep breath and lifted her head.
Eyes shining, she smiled gently. “Sorry, now even you would admit that I owe you an apology.”
As he blinked in confusion, she reached up to his cheek with her free hand. “But you are an idiot, Renji," she continued, a catch in her throat. "I thought you gave up. It took you so long. And for such a stupid reason, too.” She lowered her head, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. She set her hand on the neck of her kimono.
“You were always worthy, idiot."
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 21, 2015 11:34:52 GMT -6
Scared as hell Renji wrapped his arms around Rukia's waist pulling her closer to him. He was not sure who was more nervous at that very moment. Cautiously but yet lovingly, he gently pressed his lips to hers. He held her firmly but gently against him, but was ready to release her if she wanted to get away.
To his surprise she moved in closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. They held the kiss for a few more seconds then pulled back slightly. He smiled shyly at her, her cheeks still a soft color of rose as he gave her another soft and quick peek on the cheek.
"I never gave up. I just took a backseat. I guess I was hoping that you would say something first so I would not feel like such," he paused and smiled warmly at her, "an idiot; as you called me."
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on May 21, 2015 11:55:16 GMT -6
Rukia’s cheeks darkened before her eyes narrowed. “Then you shouldn’t have looked like a kicked puppy for so long after I was adopted,” she muttered. “It looked like your heart was breaking and I had no desire to see that look again. Then, you went through a mean streak. When Ichigo kicked you back into shape, I didn't want to lose you by bringing something as stupid - and nice - as this up.” Her smile returned, though a sharpness remained in her eyes. “Now that you’ve spilled your guts, do I get to pay for the food?”
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 21, 2015 12:34:23 GMT -6
Renji huffed and pulled back slightly as his hand now rested to her hip. He looked in her eyes with a whipped looking expression. "I am sorry Rukia." He replied in a soft gentle tone. Suddenly a grin came to his face as he grabbed her hand in his.
"Nope! Still my treat." He told her tugging her gently toward the door.
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on May 21, 2015 12:55:10 GMT -6
Rukia huffed “We’ll see about that when we get there,” she murmured, letting her him lead and secretly watching his hair. The reason red was one of her favorite colors .... in spite of all the espada had done to her.
She halted and Renji looked over to her, worried. Her smile returned and she squeezed his hand, showing she was alright. As they started walking again, Rukia continued plotting on how to pay the bill without him knowing. Suddenly, she blushed again as she wondered if their kiss meant that they were together now or if that came after.... something else.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 21, 2015 14:04:33 GMT -6
Renji smiled back at Rukia slowly tugging her up beside him and sliding his arm around her waist. He looked down at her still smiling as he leaned toward her and kissed the top of her head. "Get the thought out of your head. I am paying for this meal. Like it or not. You can find another way to apologize to me if you want, but not tonight. This is your night. Not mine."
He kissed the top of her head again a soft chuckle slipping from him.
"Wh-what's so funny, Renji?" Rukia asked him.
He looked to her again a brighter smile on his lips. "I never knew happiness like this existed until now."
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on May 21, 2015 14:42:32 GMT -6
Rukia chuckled. “It’s not that special,” she said quietly, contradicting her statement by stealing closer to him, resting her head against his side. Her smile grew as her new aversion to too much physical contact didn’t prick at her mind. All she felt was warmth.
“Could I pay for dessert?” she hummed, reluctant to move away for the moment.
Safe, her heart fluttered. And she had to agree.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 21, 2015 15:12:03 GMT -6
Renji nodded, "You can buy dessert, IF," he stopped turning them both to face one another. Rukia looking up in his eyes wondering what he was up to.
"If what, Renji?" Her hands resting to his chest.
"I can have another kiss?" Renji asked her.
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on May 21, 2015 15:18:41 GMT -6
Flustered, Rukia’s cheeks darkened yet again. She shook her head to clear it and leaned up. Renji’s grin faded and he met her halfway. Her hands grabbed his uniform as their lips pressed against each other, and then suddenly, it was too much.
She fell back on her heels, dizzy, but smiled anyways. “Enough?” she asked quietly.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 21, 2015 15:34:47 GMT -6
Renji grinned like the cat that ate the canary as he looked into her eyes. "For now." Looking up from her beautiful eyes Renji caught a white haori from the corner of his eye. Quickly he stood erect knowing it was a Captain, thinking it was Ukitake. When his eyes fell on his Captain, Renji hesitated almost stepping back from Rukia. He caught himself and stood his place keeping her in his arms.
"Good evening, Captain Kuchiki." Renji greeted him with a slight bow.
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