Author's note: Well. This is the final chapter of 'Blossoming Romance'. I'll admit it; I'm really, really sad to see it go. I've had a bizarre amount of fun writing this fic. (: I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.
Okay, I know that I've stuffed up the timeline a bit; I mean, I know that it wasn't New Years during the Arrancar Invasion Arc, but who cares? I think that New Years is such a romantic time. *Sighs*. Let's just go with the flow, yes?
I'd like to thank everyone for their lovely reviews and support. You're who I wrote for. Thank you.
Anyways, if you've been reading this fic, can I ask if you'd review this final chapter? I'd love it if you did. Thank you again!

~Rainbow Fruit Loop xx

Blossoming Romance
~Chapter 16~
S n o w

~Six Weeks Later~

Renji sighed, his face sullen. He didn't want to leave the small, slightly messy hotel room which had started to feel like home.

This room's given me so many brilliant memories.

"What's wrong, Renji?" Byakuya's voice was suddenly low in his ear.

Renji turned around, and couldn't help but to smile at the sight of his lover.

"I don't want to leave."

Byakuya raised an eyebrow, and looked around the cluttered hotel room with slight disdain.

"Why not?" he asked.

Renji blushed lightly, embarrassed. "Because everything's gonna change."

I don't like change.

Byakuya's eyebrows furrowed. "Yes, Renji. Things will change."

This topic was one in which Renji had done his utmost best to avoid. It had been on his mind for a good week. But now… Now he had no choice.

And, even though no one had said anything yet, Renji was pretty sure that he could feel his heart breaking.

He took a deep, shaky breath. "Are ya going to break up with me?" The words tumbled out of his mouth, lacking any sort of elegance or subtlety.

There was silence.

Is that a 'yes'…?

But then Byakuya spoke up. "Why on Earth would I break up with you…?"

His words were hesitant, almost as if he had no idea what Renji was talking about.

"…Well, we're going back to the Soul Society, and I thought that maybe ya might be ashamed of being with me. I mean, we're both men," Renji spoke slowly and cautiously. "And I'm from Rukongai."

"I'm not ashamed of being with you, Renji." Byakuya spoke truthfully. "I love you. And nothing is going to change that."

It felt as though a huge weight had been dropped from Renji's shoulders.

Byakuya then raised his arms, and wrapped them tightly around Renji's neck – holding his lover close.

"But I think that it would be best if we were to keep our relationship a secret. For now, at least."

He's not going to break up with me…

He still loves me. It's not just a temporary 'arrangement'…

But I wonder why he wants to keep 'us' a secret.

Renji raised an eyebrow, and wrapped his own arms around Byakuya's slender waist.

"Why?"

Byakuya shook his head slightly. "I would have thought that you, of all people, would have known that I don't like others knowing about my private business. And besides; I will need time to make 'us' appeal to the Kuchiki Elders."

Oh, right.

Renji grinned. "You're gonna introduce me to your family?"

"But of course. You're my partner now, are you not?"

Finally.

Renji nodded his head proudly. "Yes, I am." He broke off to gently kiss Byakuya on the lips. "Alright, my lips are sealed. But can I tell… two people?"

Byakuya rolled his eyes. "Not quite so sealed then, hm? But who would you tell?" he asked, slightly amused.

"Hey, no fair! If you know, then you'll try to stop me!" Renji said teasingly.

He bounded out of Byakuya's arms, and jumped onto the bed.

Byakuya was just about to retort, when Renji threw a bundle of clothes (which had been lying on the bed) at him.

He raised a delicate eyebrow. "Why did you pelt me with your clothes?"

"We need to pack!" Renji said, dropping onto his hands and knees. "We get kicked out of this room in half an hour!" He started rummaging around below the bed, looking for any discarded items of clothing.

He blushed as he pulled out a pair of his boxer shorts.

…Oops.

"'We' do not need to pack, Renji. You need to pack." Byakuya said, throwing the clothes back.

Renji frowned, caught the clothes, and stuffed them into the bag lying next to him - not bothering to fold them nicely. "When did you pack?"

Byakuya smirked slightly. "I didn't need to. All of my clothes were already folded up. I did not feel the need to spread myself around this room."

Renji grinned to himself. "You're such a girl, Byakuya."

Byakuya, who didn't want to dignify Renji's statement with a defense, said: "And you're such a boy, Renji."

"Good noticing." Renji said, smirking as he did a few slightly excited pelvic thrusts.

Byakuya raised an eyebrow, and tried not to flush at the sight.

"Hey, Byakuya?" Renji asked suddenly.

"Yes, Renji?"

"Am I going to have to call ya 'Captain Kuchiki' when we get back to the Soul Society?"

"Yes." Byakuya answered without a second's hesitation.

Damn it. That's going to make our relationship seem so much less… real.

Renji pulled a face. "All the time?"

"Ninety nine percent of the time." Byakuya answered.

"Oh yeah? When is that one percent that I can call ya 'Byakuya'?"

"When we're alone together."

Renji pouted, which only make Byakuya's heart race. "We're only going to be alone together for one percent of the time?"

Byakuya shook his head slightly. "You know what I mean, Renji."

It's going to take all of my self control not to kiss him… or even touch him when we're back in the Soul Society.

"Maybe we should make up for the time we're going to lose." Renji suggested, taking a step towards Byakuya.

"I thought you were desperate to pack?" Byakuya teased.

"Pack shmack," Renji whispered seductively. "I need you now, Byakuya…"

Byakuya rolled his cold, grey eyes in mock annoyance, but then gladly yielded to Renji's warm touch for the millionth time that week.

After giving their gigais back to Urahara, Renji and Byakuya made their way - hand in hand - to the Soul Society. Byakuya was giving Renji his list of 'Terms and Conditions' as they followed the hell butterfly.

"Remember, you mustn't kiss me in public, Renji." Byakuya instructed.

It will be hard for me to follow my own rules.

"If I do, though, it's your fault for being way too irresistible." The statement earned Renji a punch in the shoulder.

"Try your hardest. Don't think that it is going to be easy for me, Renji. It won't be. Anyway, you mustn't call me any silly nicknames in public."

"So I can call ya silly nicknames when we're alone?"

"…I suppose so." Byakuya allowed.

"Aww, sweet, sweet Bya-kun." Renji cooed innocently, causing him to receive another punch.

Byakuya smirked.

"Ow! Why do ya keep punching me?" Renji complained, nursing his sore shoulder. "You're so cruel!"

"I decided that I could either punch you in the arm, or withhold sex." Byakuya stated calmly.

"I'll take a punch in the arm, thank you, Byakuya." Renji said, his face serious.

Byakuya nodded, amused.

If you had chosen the latter, then I would have been punishing myself.

"You mustn't tell anyone - aside from those two people whom you mentioned - about us. Renji, I don't want people knowing my personal affairs. Is that clear?" Byakuya said sternly.

I wonder who he is going to tell…?

"Crystal."

Byakuya nodded in approval. "Thank you. Now, you mustn't-"

He was cut off by Renji's finger on his lips.

"C'mon, Byakuya. Ya don't need to plan every little thing out. It'll all be fine." Renji rolled his eyes playfully.

Byakuya sighed.

As much as he didn't want to admit it, he didn't want to go back to the Soul Society either. Over the past few weeks, everything had been so easy. Renji made everything so easy.

Byakuya didn't have to hide his emotions, keep order over everything, or make complex decisions.

Renji had taught him to enjoy life, and had taught him that it was easier to live as thought he didn't have a care in the world. Renji had taught him that bottling up his emotions would only make things worse. Renji had taught him that not everything needed a reason for happening, and that sometimes it was easier to 'go with the flow' than it was to figure out what was happening. Renji had taught him to smile, and to cry, and to laugh. Renji had taught him to always look on the bright side of a seemingly dark situation; had taught him that every cloud had a silver lining.

Renji had taught him that being in love was absolutely brilliant.

Yes, Byakuya had loved Hisana very much. But their love had been so fragile. He was afraid of hurting her, he was afraid of breaking her, and he was afraid of losing her. She, in turn, was terrified of disappointing him, of failing him. Every touch was gentle; every touch was kind. The word Byakuya would have used to describe their relationship – had he been an outsider – would have been 'caring.'

But love with Renji was so different. Two naked, sweaty bodies would tumble into oblivion as one; each man moaning under the fervent touches of the other. Emotions would be set ablaze as steel grey fused with dark amber, and long strands of glossy ebony would entwine with vivid, flaming red. They were anything but gentle as they rolled around on the small hotel bed; both men wrestling for dominance in a mess of smooth, warm limbs, long, damp hair, and bruised, swollen lips. Byakuya was anything but kind as he bit down on Renji's exotically tattooed neck; the skin tasting of both sweat and the taste that was Renji; cinnamon, spice and vanilla. They were not gentle, not kind, but passionate. They were complete and utter passion.

Byakuya had never thought that another person would ever make him feel so warm. That another person would make him feel so complete. And he loved that it was Renji who made him feel alive.

But Byakuya knew that once the two made it back to the Soul Society everything would change.

There would be no more lazing around in bed in each others arms until midday. No more cooking together, which Byakuya had found had been proven to be incredibly entertaining. There would be fewer nights of pure passion. And there would be no more public displays of affection.

Byakuya had a reputation that he had to live up to. It was very unprofessional to allow other Shinigami to know that he was in a sexual relationship with his Vice Captain, let alone to show said Lieutenant affection in public.

Yes, Byakuya was worried about how the two were going to continue their relationship whilst in Seireitei.

And it scared him.

"What are ya thinkin' 'bout, Byakuya?" Renji asked, snapping Byakuya out of his upsetting thoughts.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. It's… nothing." Byakuya shook his head, and offered a tiny smile.

I can't let Renji know that I am scared of this relationship falling to pieces.

Renji was just about to say something else, when the light at the end of the tunnel they were following grew brighter.

Byakuya stopped walking, looked into Renji's eyes, and noticed a message of understanding conveyed in his deep orbs.

Slowly, Renji dropped Byakuya's hand.

He gave a rueful smile. "Welcome back, Captain."

"I think something has happened to Byakuya-kun." Jūshirō told his partner.

Shunsui, who was lounging around Jūshirō's office in an attempt to put off doing his paperwork, raised an eyebrow.

"Che, you notice the strangest things, my Juu-chan."

Jūshirō had bumped into Byakuya a few minutes ago. Byakuya had been back in the Soul Society for a few hours, and Jūshirō could tell that there was something different about him.

And he had a suspicion about what it was.

"No, I don't. But you haven't seen him yet, Shun. He looks… happy."

"Byakuya-kun? Happy? Are you feeling okay, Juu?" Shunsui leapt up from his seat on Jūshirō's couch, and teasingly pressed a hand to his white-haired lover's forehead.

Jūshirō chuckled. "I am feeing brilliant, actually. Anyway, Byakuya-kun's eyes have lost that cold and indifferent element. Instead…. I don't know. He just didn't look at all despondent." He shrugged

"Maybe it's the complete opposite? Maybe he's just really glad to be back?" Shunsui grinned, and wrapped his arms around Jūshirō's waist.

"I don't think so. Relief and happiness are two different emotions. I think it has something to do with Abarai-san." Jūshirō said, leaning his forehead against Shunsui's.

"You think they've finally confessed their love for one another?" Shunsui smirked, and raised his hat slightly.

"I think so." Jūshirō said seriously. "I mean, they were sent on an eight week mission to the Real World together. It seems like the perfect time to confess their love for each other!"

Shunsui chuckled. "I can't believe you're getting all excited about this, Juu-chan."

"Well, I feel sorry for poor Byakuya-kun. He's been so… emotionless since Hisana-san died."

Shunsui nodded. "Perhaps he'll be more cheerful now?"

The two men both laughed and winced at the thought of a grinning Byakuya.

- Knock knock. Knock knock. Knock knock -

Renji knocked on the door to the Tenth Squad Captain's shared office.

Rangiku was one of the people who Renji had wanted to tell about his newly-found relationship with Byakuya.

She had given him advice, after all.

- Knock knock. Knock knock. Knock knock -

"Come in."

Renji stepped inside the office, and glanced at the two desks. Tōshiro was at one, and Rangiku at the other.

"Abarai!" Rangiku greeted, her face lighting up. "We all missed you!"

"Vice Captain Abarai." Tōshiro greeted, not looking up from his work.

"Hey." Renji greeted. "Captain Hitsugaya, do ya mind if I take Rangiku away?"

I really need to tell her about this!

I mean, it's thanks to her and Captain Ukitake that I gathered the courage to kiss him when I did…

Tōshiro looked up from his work, a frown on his face. "You haven't done any work, Matsumoto."

Rangiku pouted. "But, Captain, Abarai's just gotten back from the Real World! I haven't seen him in ages! Please can we chat? Please, please, please, please, ple-"

"Alright, alright." Tōshiro said, rolling his turquoise eyes. "But I expect you to finish the paperwork when you come back."

"Yay! Thanks, Captain!" Rangiku then proceeded to glomp Tōshiro, and then hurried out of the door before he could change his mind, and/or yell at her.

...

"So, spill!" Rangiku enthused as soon as the two were out of the Tenth Squad's Division. "What's new?"

Everything.

Renji grinned, and sat down on a nearby patch of green grass. "You were right."

"I'm always right! But… what exactly was I right about this time?" Rangiku asked, sprawling out beside Renji.

"It's always best to follow your feelings."

There was silence as Rangiku tried to remember when she had told Renji to follow his feelings.

But then realization struck, and her face broke out into a huge grin.

"Oh my gosh!" she shrieked. "You… you and Captain Kuchiki…!"

Renji's smile grew – if that were at all possible. He felt strangely giddy.

"What happened?" Rangiku demanded, her bright blue eyes excited.

"Well, when we got to the Real World, Byakuya,-"

Renji ignored that the use of his Captain's first name caused Rangiku to squeal with delight.

"-decided that we should stay in a hotel."

Rangiku raised an eyebrow. "Wow, that's subtle."

"No, no, he wanted us to get separate rooms." Renji said hastily. "But we couldn't, because the only room left was a studio room."

"What's that?" Rangiku interrupted again.

"A hotel room with only bed." Renji shrugged. "It's meant for couples."

Rangiku squealed again. "Ooh! Let me guess. You shared the bed, had mad, passionate sex and then Captain Kuchiki told you that he had fallen in love with you?" she guessed.

Renji chuckled. "No, Matsumoto. Not everything is settled with sex," he gave her a pointed look, "ya know."

Rangiku pouted. "Fine. Okay, so what happened?"

Renji grinned, and stretched out in the sun, enjoying the warmth.

"Well, we had to go grocery shopping, cook, fight Hollows-"

"For God's sake; just tell me about the kiss!" Rangiku interjected, rolling her eyes in frustration.

Renji sighed melodramatically. "Alright. It was raining, and we were getting wet, so we took shelter underneath a tree. We got talking, and I asked him what made him happy."

Rangiku smiled.

"And then… I don't know. He was silent for a bit, before he confessed that that it was me who made him happy. He told me that he was in love with me."

Renji had decided to 'tweak' the truth a bit, as it were. He didn't think that Byakuya would want anyone knowing that Renji had found a half-naked drawing of himself in Byakuya's sketchbook, and that everything had started from there.

"And then he kissed you?" Rangiku breathed.

"No. He was all embarrassed – it was really cute – so I kissed him. It was… magical." Renji finished.

Rangiku squealed. "That's so sweet!" she enthused, wrapping her arms around Renji in a friendly affection. She pressed her lips against his cheek. "I'm so happy for you!"

Renji chuckled. "Thank you for your advice."

"I bet you would have kissed him anyways." Rangiku noted.

"Probably." Renji admitted.

I mean, he was just so freakin' kissable.

Looking all embarrassed and cute and wet and sad and… completely and utterly gorgeous.

The memory made Renji shiver in pleasure.

"Have you had sex yet?" Rangiku asked, causing Renji to snap out of his thoughts.

What…?

Renji blushed a dark red. "That's private, Matsumoto."

"That's a 'yes' then!" Rangiku giggled. "Wow! Is he good? I bet he's good. Is he great?"

"You're so nosy." Renji said, rolling his eyes. His smile didn't disappear, however, as he had been on Cloud Nine ever since Byakuya had admitted his feelings.

"Tell me." Rangiku deadpanned, poking Renji in the chest with her long, pale pink nail.

Renji sighed – visibly defeated. "Yes, he's absolutely brilliant."

Rangiku squealed again, and Renji felt a headache coming on.

"You're overexcited, Matsumoto."

Rangiku sighed. "I know. But this is big news, Abarai! I can't wait to tell Ayasegawa, and Madarame, and Hisagi, and-!"

"Matsumoto, you can't tell anyone." Renji interrupted, his face serious. "Byakuya didn't want me to tell anyone at all, but I convinced him to let me tell you. So not a word to anyone. Got it?"

Rangiku nodded her head slowly. "Alright."

Renji didn't believe her. "Ya swear?"

"I swear." Rangiku said solemnly.

"Good. Now, I've got to go. I've got a lot of paperwork to do in the office." Renji said, standing up.

Rangiku winked. "I'm sure you do. Have fun doing paperwork!" she yelled as Renji stalked off, a smirk on his face.

Byakuya and Renji had been back in the Soul Society for six days, when Byakuya was forced to attend a Captain's Meeting.

And as he walked towards the First Squad's Barracks, he thought about Renji.

Our relationship really hasn't changed, which is both bizarre and brilliant.

No one bothers us in the office, so we're free to cuddle, to kiss, and to talk about anything and everything.

The only difference is that I have to secretly smuggle Renji into my mansion at night - through my window - , and that he has to leave before anyone wakes up.

But… for some strange reason, that makes everything just that much more exciting. The fear of being found out makes our situation seem so mysterious and exhilarating.

Byakuya allowed a small smile to form on his lips.

Life was good.

...

After the long and slightly tedious meeting, Byakuya was itching to get back to Renji.

Renji was like a drug. Being with him made Byakuya feel inexplicably happy, and light-headed, but, when he was away from his Vice Captain, Byakuya craved for his lover, and felt miserable.

It's an odd feeling.

All of the Captains were chatting happily together – it was New Years Eve, and everyone was excited - and Byakuya had just about made it out of the room when he was stopped by the loud, harsh voice of one of his fellow Captains, who was yelling at him from across the room.

"Oi, Kuchiki?"

Byakuya turned around, annoyed at being so close to freedom. "Yes, Captain Zaraki?"

I wonder what he wants.

"Are you screwing your Vice Captain?"

Oh. My. God.

Suddenly, there was a deathly silence. All of the other Captains stopped speaking, and looked over at Byakuya; waiting for his answer.

The only thing that Byakuya could hear was the pounding of his heart. He wished that the ground would open up, and swallow him. He wished that he would disappear from sight.

He had never been so embarrassed in his life.

He closed his eyes in an attempt to hide from the inquisitive eyes of the other Captains.

How did he find out…?

What should I say? Should I deny the statement, or should I tell the truth in an offhand way?

…I'm sure that, if I lie, they will find out anyway.

Byakuya opened his eyes, and was startled to see that everyone had moved a step or two closer.

Byakuya took a deep breath in. "Yes, Captain Zaraki. I am having sexual relations with my Vice Captain, Abarai Renji. Do you have a problem with that?"

Kenpachi held up his hands in defense. "Nah."

"Good."

And, with that, Byakuya turned on his heel, and did all but sprint out of the room.

...

As soon as he got back to the office, Byakuya punched Renji – who was sitting on Byakuya's desk (not doing anything) - in the shoulder.

Hard.

"Ow! What the hell?" Renji wailed dramatically. "What the freakin' hell have I done now?"

"Who did you tell about our relationship?" Byakuya demanded, narrowing his eyes.

Renji's eyebrows furrowed in slight confusion. "Lieutenant Matsumoto and Captain Ukitake. Why?"

For Christ's sake.

"Oh, for the love of…" Byakuya trailed off, and threw his arms up in the air, evidently exasperated.

"Why?" Renji repeated, pulling Byakuya onto his lap.

Still avoiding the question, Byakuya answered with: "You told Vice Captain Matsumoto? That was a foolish thing to do, Renji."

"She promised that she wasn't going to tell anyone!" Renji defended himself.

"And you believed her?"

"…Yes…" Renji admitted sheepishly.

You trust everyone, Renji.

That's one of the many things I love about you.

Byakuya groaned lightly, and leant back into Renji's chest. "You're a complete idiot. You do know that, don't you?"

"I know. But why are you so worried about who I told?" Renji asked, burying his face in Byakuya's glossy, midnight black hair. "You did say that I could tell two people, so I haven't broken your 'Confidentiality Rule'."

"I rather think that Lieutenant Matsumoto counts as more than one person." Byakuya mumbled, closing his eyes. The feel of Renji's lips in his hair was very pleasant.

Renji chuckled, and waited for his Captain to explain.

"Captain Zaraki asked me if I was 'screwing you' in front of all of the other Captains." Byakuya said.

"Ouch." Renji whispered, wrapping his arms around Byakuya's waist. "What did you say?"

"I told him that I was."

Renji snorted. "I would have loved to have seen their faces. Or even yours, for that matter."

Byakuya rolled his eyes. "Thank you very much for your support, Vice Captain Abarai. I'm glad to know that I have a trustworthy, nice, sympathetic subordinate."

Renji, who chose to ignore the sarcasm, beamed. "Thank you, Captain. I do try my best."

Byakuya was silent, and closed his eyes.

He was surprisingly tired.

Maybe… Maybe it's a good thing that everyone knows. From what I saw, no one looked disgusted by our relationship.

Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyōraku will definitely not judge me… And Captain Unohana probably won't either.

Hm.

"There's a New Years party at the Tenth Division this evening." Renji said suddenly. "Matsumoto invited both of us."

Byakuya opened his eyes, and hopped off of Renji's lap – all so that he could give said Vice Captain an incredulous look.

"A 'party'? Me? Do you not know me, Renji?" Byakuya asked.

Renji chuckled. "C'mon – it'll be fun! Everyone's going!"

"You will end up becoming intoxicated, which will not be 'fun' for me." Byakuya stated.

"I won't get drunk." Renji promised. "When was the last time you had fun? C'mon, please?"

Byakuya opened his mouth to deliver a simple: 'No way in hell', but stopped when he saw the look on Renji's face. He was looking so eager and hopeful – it broke Byakuya's heart.

Why must he look like that?

It's only making me feel more guilty.

Why must I be so socially awkward…? I'm such a failure as a 'boyfriend'.

"I… No, Renji. I'm sorry, but I do not want to attend the party." Byakuya said slowly. He hung his head slightly. "I would feel uncomfortable, and awkward, and generally distressed. I'm sorry."

He waited for the disappointed sigh, and the millions of 'pleases' to follow.

But, instead, Renji smiled. "Alright. I understand, Byakuya. Let's spend the New Year together. It'll be more fun if it's just us, anyways."

You're so understanding.

That's another one of the many things I love about you.

Byakuya's heart ached with the amount of love he was feeling.

"Renji… Thank you." Byakuya said simply. "You're so wonderful."

"I don't want to do anything that you don't want to do." Renji said, shrugging. "That's what couples do."

It was eleven thirty at night when it started snowing.

It hadn't snowed in Soul Society for a good fifty years.

It was absolutely beautiful.

"Wow. It's so pretty." Renji commented from his place on Byakuya's bed. "It looks so…fresh. So white. So pure."

The two men were curled up in each others arms in Byakuya's bed with a mug of hot chocolate. They were both wearing one of Byakuya's expensive silk kimonos, and Renji was terrified of damaging it in some way.

Byakuya's bedroom had a large window, so the two Shinigami could easily see the snow, and the New Years fireworks to come.

Renji loved fireworks.

"The snow is very romantic." Byakuya agreed.

Renji took a sip of his expensive hot chocolate, and then buried his face into Byakuya's hair.

I want to feel the snow on my skin.

"Can we go outside?" he asked suddenly.

Byakuya raised a delicate eyebrow. "It's freezing, Renji."

"Scared of a little snow?" Renji teased.

"No." Byakuya said, placing his half-empty mug of cocoa on the small table beside him. He pushed the thick blanket off of himself, and stood up. "Come on then."

Result!

Renji grinned, jumped off the bed.

As Renji flounced towards the door, Byakuya pulled his long scarf off the end of the bed, and wrapped it around his neck. He didn't particularly like the cold, but he followed Renji outside nonetheless.

Although it was very late at night, all of the Soul Society was lit up. New Years was a time that all of the Shinigami celebrated; it meant the coming of a fabulous new year. Byakuya had even allowed Renji to decorate the outside of his mansion with brightly coloured fairy lights.

So, as soon as he stepped outside, Byakuya knew that being freezing was a small price to pay for the stunning beauty of the world outside his mansion.

The snow on the ground was a bright, fresh white. The snow falling from the clouds whirled daintily around the air, before floating gently to the ground. The fairy lights on the outside of his manor glowed brightly.

"Wow…" Renji breathed, taking a step forwards.

It's so pretty. I've never properly seen snow before.

He twirled around in the snow, his arms outstretched.

"I love it!"

Byakuya chuckled quietly to himself at the sight of his childish lover.

His scarlet hair had been hastily plaited, and numerous strands were escaping. The strands were damp, and, as a result, turning curly. Little flakes of pure white snow were landing in his hair. His cheeks had a pink tinge to them; a consequence of the freezing air.

It was a stunning scene.

Renji took a step towards Byakuya, the fresh snow crunching underneath his bare feet.

Byakuya had been sensible enough to put on some slippers.

"Aren't you cold?" Byakuya asked Renji.

"Yeah, I'm bloody freezing." Renji admitted. "But that doesn't matter."

Byakuya rolled his eyes affectionately, took a few steps towards his lover, and wrapped the ends of his scarf around Renji's neck, effectively tying the two men together.

Renji sighed contentedly, and wrapped his arms around his lover's small waist. Byakuya looped his arms around Renji's neck, and brought their faces close together.

The two men stood entwined, together, simply staring into each others eyes.

It was beautiful.

You are beautiful, Byakuya.

"We've had a good year, haven't we, Byakuya?" Renji murmured.

"We have." Byakuya agreed. "We make a good team."

Renji smiled. "Yeah. We make a good team." He echoed.

There was a silence as both men reflected over the past year.

It's had had its ups and downs, that's for sure.

But the happiness I've felt definitely makes up for the sadness I've been through.

In fact, I think I'd experience all of the downs again, if it meant that I could go through the ups again.

"We're the complete opposite of each other, aren't we?" Byakuya said suddenly.

Renji grinned. "Yeah, we are. I'm from Rukongai, you were born into Nobility. I'm passionate, you're unruffled. I'm hot-headed, you're composed. I'm red, you're black."

"I guess it's true what they say then." Byakuya said quietly. "Opposites attract."

And they do.

"Here's to another brilliant year, Byakuya. Another brilliant year… together."

"I love you, Renji." Byakuya whispered, suddenly overcome with emotion. "More than anything in the world. You complete me; you are my life. I love you."

Renji blushed, and buried his face in the crook of Byakuya's cold neck.

The words 'I love you' sounded so beautiful, so elegant, so perfect coming from Byakuya's lips.

"I can't imagine life without you, Byakuya. I need you. I love you too, beautiful."

And, as the two men pressed their lips together in the midst of the swirling snow, the sky lit up in a brilliant display of bright pinks and reds, symbolizing the start of the New Year.

Sometimes, there is no challenging destiny. Try as you might to change it, it will never change its course.

But that doesn't matter.

Because some things, quite simply, are meant to be.

~Finish~