*I do not own Bleach*

(Intended as cushioning for ch30 of HtM. *offers sweet fluff*)

Thank you to Wolfy for her invaluable help/guidance for an artist pov

Lines Drawn

A secret hobby is about to not be a secret anymore.

Never be ashamed of your subject, and of your passion for your subject." — Joyce Carol Oates

The pencil flowed over the paper in smooth strokes, leaving lines both smooth and jagged. A bit of shading there, a curve here. Capturing the strength and beauty of its subject, the picture developed carefully.

The lean form, strong yet graceful, full of power and energy. Hair catching a breeze while intense eyes watched the artist from the paper.

Great care was taken with each part of the picture, from the position of the feet to the uniform to the zanpakuto in hand. Such care, in fact, that the artist no longer needed the eraser as he once had.

Byakuya sighed softly, ruffling the paper as he briefly set down the pencil to stretch his hand. He glanced at the clock to see it was after midnight. He looked back down at his work.

Renji smiled up at him from the paper, shirtless as he'd been today during sparring. A fanged Zabimaru rested across broad shoulders.

Byakuya smiled as he took up the pencil once again. It was time to do the tattoos that his subordinate wore so proudly. They were Byakuya's favorite part of drawing the fiery redhead.

Besides his hair.

And his eyes.

And his smile.

Byakuya shook his head as he went to work on the bold, beautiful art that decorated Renji's body.

He'd just finished outlining the interlocking lines on the chest, when a quiet knock came from the door.

"Taicho?" came a whisper.

Byakuya quickly covered his drawing and slid it into the drawer of the small desk.

"What is it?" he asked a bit sharply, heart pounding in fear of being caught.

It was silent for a moment, then, "I just saw your light under the door, sir. I...are you ok?"

Byakuya felt something pull uncomfortably inside him. Renji had been concerned for him, and once again, he'd snapped at the younger man.

"Come in, Lieutenant," he called in a softer tone.

There was a moment's hesitation, then the door opened. His subordinate was dressed for bed, scarlet hair mostly tied back in a messy braid. Tired mahogany eyes met his as Renji ventured a sleepy smile.

"Can't sleep, sir?"

Byakuya shook his head, lowering his own eyes from Renji's gaze.

"I was simply getting a head start on tomorrow's work."

"I'll help out if you want."

Byakuya felt his heart pounding at the offer, the thought of them working side-by-side at the small desk exhilarating yet terrifying. Momentarily overwhelmed, he managed to shake his head.

"It's fine; I'm going to bed soon."

"Oh. Well, ok then. Rest well, Taicho."

Byakuya glanced up to see the door closing. "You, as well," he said, hoping he didn't sound half as awkward as he felt.

Get a grip, Kuchiki! You're not a teenager with a crush!

He waited until Renji's footsteps had faded, then pulled out his pad, and glanced at the one he had been working on before flipping to a new page. Quickly, he began sketching Renji's sleepy eyes as they'd looked in the lamplight.

Soon, he was making an entire outline of the younger man in his yukata, messy braid and all.

Ok, so you're a grown man with a crush.

Daybreak saw the exhausted noble getting ready for work. He went into the office, seeing that Renji wasn't out of his quarters yet.

Unable to resist the brilliant natural light the big window behind his desk offered, Byakuya grabbed his sketch pad and sat in his chair. He was so absorbed in filling in some of the intricate tattoos that he almost didn't hear the door to Renji's quarters open.

Almost.

Renji's yawn cut off as he stepped into the office and saw his captain hastily stuffing something in a drawer of his oversized desk.

Huh.

It made him curious, of course, but he instinctively knew that asking would do no good.

"G'morning, Taicho."

"Good morning, Lieutenant."

Renji strode across the office to the tea service, automatically preparing his superior's tea just the way he'd been instructed. He took the steaming cup to Byakuya's side, placing it within reach but out of the way of his elbow.

"Thank you."

"No problem, sir."

Renji made his own tea and retreated to his desk, groaning quietly at the sight of the paperwork that awaited him. He sat and began working, determined not to spend the whole workday admiring and trying to figure out the quiet man at the other desk.

Of course, he started nearly every day thus determined. But Renji knew that he'd be behind again at the end of the day because his determination never seemed to win out against the allure of watching the noble.

X

Renji sighed as he signed the last form and glanced out the window to see night had long fallen.

Across the office, his superior echoed his sigh, albeit more softly. Renji bit the inside of his cheek.

'He looks exhausted...'

"Hey, Taicho? Now that we're done, wanna try a cup of relaxation tea? It'll help you sleep."

The noble glanced at him coolly.

"That would be acceptable. Bring it to my quarters when it's done."

With that, Byakuya rose and walked into his quarters without a backwards look.

As the door closed, Renji moved to the tea service. He set a cup to brew, then glanced at Byakuya's desk.

'I wonder what he stuffed in there this morning?'

Before he could talk himself out of it, he was creeping close, eyeing the drawers. Careful to not make any noise, he opened the top drawer, frowning at the neatness of the papers.

He closed that one and gingerly opened the second drawer. Ha! A pad of some sort was laying crookedly on top of more neat items.

Renji pulled out the pad, examining the cover.

'It's a sketch pad. He likes to draw? Oh, I bet he's good, probably draws, like, flowers in his gardens at the manor, or maybe koi in his pond...'

Renji's thoughts ground to a halt as he flipped the pad open to a random page.

It was him.

He was sparring or fighting someone, who'd been drawn as just a dark humanoid shape. He was shirtless, hair starting to escape the tie. His eyes were intense, and he wore an adrenaline jacked grin.

And his markings were perfect.

Renji flipped to the first page, not realizing his hands were trembling.

The first page was him sitting at the Fourth, a wooden carving in his hands. The drawing was so precise that Renji felt a surge of the same complex emotions he'd felt at that moment.

'I imagine you wish I were dead.'

Renji felt his heart ache at the memory, and carefully turned the page to be met with a detailed sketch of his eyes, narrowed in anger. Even down to his lashes, it was an exquisitely crafted sketch.

He flipped through a few more, finding pictures of himself smiling, laughing, working, training...

Then Renji felt a spike of reiatsu from his captain's quarters, and hurriedly replaced the pad. He made it to the tea service just as the door flew open.

Trying not to seem at all nervous, Renji smiled and handed over the cup of tea.

"Just in time, Taicho."

The noble took the cup with a nod, sending the briefest glance towards the second drawer of his desk.

Pretending not to notice, Renji stretched and yawned as he turned towards his own quarters.

"You have a good night, Taicho."

"You, as well."

As he reached his door, Renji heard the whisper of the drawer being opened, and a slight rustle. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Byakuya striding for his own room, pad clutched to his chest.

Renji slipped into his quarters, heart racing.

He draws me. Byakuya Kuchiki pays attention to me, enough that he's able to draw everything about me. They were flawless...I wonder how long he's been doing this? How much fuckin' practice must he have to draw me like that?

Renji moved to his bed, noticing that his hands were trembling as he stripped down to his underwear. Laying down on his back with his hands behind his head, he stared up at the ceiling while thoughts swirled in his head.

But one thought in particular kept returning.

What the hell should I do?