"Cuz you're perfect, the way that you are. Perfect, like the moon and the stars, and the sun in the sky-getting higher, even though when it's time to surrender."- Perfect by Markus Schulz

Chapter Seven: Resolutions

Ulquiorra's POV

"Lieutenants Schiffer and Abarai, Captain Kuchiki will see you now," said an informant dutifully to Renji and myself, as we stood patiently in the Squad 6 headquarters.

About a month had passed since Renji and I had first gotten together, and I already had a vague idea as to what this meeting between us and Byakuya Kuchiki…or Mr. Scarfy McNo-smile, as Renji sometimes called him, was about.

Another month meant another psychological evaluation, which I had just taken the day prior. It must have already been reviewed; hence our urgent summons to meet with our Captain.

"How did I answer that one question? I'm sure I didn't mention Renji...or did I?" I mentally struggled; fearing the worst- that I did mention Renji in my written answers.

Renji, on the other hand, probably had no clue what was going on. I decided to keep it that way. How was I supposed to tell him that he was all I thought about during my mandatory tests to remain in the Soul Society, let alone throughout the better part of the day and that that was almost certainly obvious on my latest evaluation?

Exactly, so silence it was.

The pair of us walked into Captain Kuchiki's large, well-kept office and stood in front of his gigantic, dark wooden desk- me waiting to be severely reprimanded; Renji just waiting to find out anything.

Kuchiki, who did not even spare us a glance from his paperwork, lightly cleared his throat before stating with his usual ice, "Please, sit."

We did as we were instructed; sitting down obediently in the wooden, padded chairs we had stood behind.

Once we were seated, Byakuya looked up from the many papers cluttering his desk and fixed his chilled onyx gaze right on me.

"Lieutenant Schiffer, I have a few concerns about your latest evaluation," Captain Kuchiki began- going right to the point as usual.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Renji tense and cast a worried look my way before turning his head back to Kuchiki again.

"But before I get to that, I have a few questions for Abarai," he added coolly.

"Yes sir?" Renji replied, unsure of what was going on or if he or I was in some kind of trouble.

"I didn't mean to get Renji into trouble. I shall take the fall, no matter what it is. I'll gladly accept an exile from the Soul Society if it means Renji will be okay…"I internally bellowed, already feeling guilt and worry grip at my stomach and burn through my chest.

"First, you have noticed the positive changes in Ulquiorra lately, correct Lieutenant Abarai?" Byakuya asked seriously, not a whisper of malice was present in his voice but there definitely was a certain challenge hidden in his question.

"Oh! Absolutely, Captain Kuchiki! He has been doing extremely well with his tasks and his attitude. Just great! " Renji practically shouted at our Captain, his bright smile that makes my heart beat faster beaming the whole time.

I blushed instantly from Renji's enthusiastic comments about me and forced myself not to smile…something I have been doing a lot more of lately-smiling. Renji has told me countless times of how my smile could melt an iceberg.

"I see," Kuchiki said thoughtfully, "Would you say that you two have gotten a bit closer, then, throughout his time here?"

"Without a doubt, Captain," Renji confessed quickly before adding carefully, "he and I have become…really good friends, sir."

"Lieutenant Schiffer," Byakuya sharply addressed me, making me snap out of gazing appreciatively at Renji, "would you also concur that you are happy here in Soul Society and have no problems with obeying our orders and being under our tutelage?"

"Ha! If only he knew what kind of 'tutor' Renji really was…" I mentally joked to myself; something else I have been doing more of since Renji's presence in my life-joking.

"No problems whatsoever, sir," I replied solidly. "I love being with Renji- I never want to leave," my inner voice added.

"Good, good…" Kuchiki replied dully, trailing off as he once again began sifting through his papers until he pulled one from the messy stack- examining it closely before catching our gazes again.

"Then, Renji, would you mind telling me why the latest item Ulquiorra wrote down as one of his favorite things in Soul Society…is you?" Byakuya grumbled out, making our blood run cold and eyes widen; the fact that we were caught was completely blatant now.

Renji and I both put tomatoes to shame with the amount of red that radiated from our cheeks; both of us just gaping at the glaring Captain-no words being able to make it from brain to mouth.

Byakuya sighed and then spoke again, seeing as how neither one of us could do so at the moment.

"Let me make something perfectly clear, certain administrative laws have been set in place a long time before you two came here in order to maintain…"

"Please, sir, let me explain!" Renji suddenly interrupted Kuchiki's lecture, hands gripping the armrests of his chair almost pleadingly. Abarai took a deep breath to calm down and collect his thoughts before continuing to the one person who could very well end his future right then and there.

All I could do is watch as Renji decided to take the heat for me, fear still clenching my jaw tight and my stomach painfully. For a solid moment, I truly thought I might lose my breakfast.

Byakuya's unforgiving, gunmetal glare never left Renji as his subordinate resumed in addressing him-obviously deathly intent on receiving some sort of answer to his inquiry about my quizzical answer on my test.

"Captain Kuchiki, you acknowledged it yourself that Ulquiorra has done exponentially better since you have assigned me to watch over him. If anything," Renji continued, his voice growing softer and more serious, "our becoming closer has been the very thing that has helped him adjust here and be happier with his new life."

His beautiful, piercing auburn eyes perked up after he said this and his perfect lips curved up into slight, half-smile before he shot a reassuring glance over to me.

My breath hitched in my throat from his glance- so serene and yet so bold in this time of utter embarrassment and foreboding.

Every word that came out of his blissful mouth made my heart race with its sincerity and magnificent truth. I desperately wanted to kiss him for his bravery and kindness, but I absolutely could not let that happen-knowing that we would just be in more trouble if I did. Oh, how I longed to, though…

"Besides, mission aside…he's my best friend," Renji finished with a soft gaze to our superior-not a tone of falsehood was present in his timbered voice that I have come to love so much as he made his confession.

My chest ached to embrace him and thank him for his unwavering love once again- despite how that has developed into a daily routine for me now. I could never tell him enough, and now I needed to tell him more than anything.

I have never heard anyone speak to their superior officer that way; it frightened and excited me at the same time about the meaning as well as the consequences. I also felt extremely proud and humbled that it was Renji's thoughtful words about how he feels about me that was the cause for his outburst to Kuchiki.

The blush simply would not fade from my heated cheeks.

"I'm his best friend, just as he is mine. Being best friends…feels good," I thought cheerfully as I chanced a glance to Renji as well before setting my searching gaze back on the Captain.

Kuchiki was silent, perhaps just letting this new information sink in. Perhaps he was ruefully analyzing how it was his own orders that turned out to be the cause for our relationship; that he, in fact, was the cause for our love.

I thought my heart was going to explode from its frantic speed inside my chest as I watched Kuchiki drop his gaze to his papers and leisurely lean back in his oversized chair. The silence and stillness was eating away at my nerves, making me anxious and nervous, until…

"Lieutenant Abarai, your current mission is hereby completed," he stated officially, only letting his gaze sweep over Reni before settling on me, "Good work, both of you."

Now I was certain my heart exploded as I felt every tense nerve and muscle just dissolve into an ooze inside my body- relief washing over me in great, marvelous waves; allowing me to breathe easier and function properly again.

I heard Renji sigh out the air he had been holding as well from next to me- he was just as worried as I was.

"Thank you, Captain Kuchiki," Renji breathed out; not yet able to have his full voice yet.

"Thank you," I replied also in my usual velvet, but my relieved tone blatantly betrayed my intended coolness.

Kuchiki gave us a slight nod before picking up his paintbrush and waving his hand a bit in the air.

"Dismissed," he stated, frothy exasperation present in his voice from dealing with us and our situation, I suppose.

Renji and I were suddenly immersed in the day's glorious rays; its staggeringly bright light cleansing us- making us both feel like we've just been reborn.

Maybe I had.

Renji, in all his wild beauty and marvel, was all smiles as the two of us descended the stairs and made our way to the place we had decided the night before that we would go to today- the pair of us soaking in the newly attained sanctuary from the crisp breeze that tugged at our hair and our clothes.

The sun did more than warm our bodies that day-it illuminated our freedom to truly be together with no consequences, no strings attached…totally free in our graces and choice.

It was, beyond a doubt, one of the most joyful times in my life-something admittedly scarce, but that only served to magnify this moment that much more for me as Renji and I walked together…as nothing else in the world existed but us.

No words had been spoken yet from either one of us, just sporadic mild laughter; as if we had just chanced death and won and the only thing we could do now was laugh it off.

In no time, Renji and I had automatically walked to the Bisutoro no Kongouseki; our feet already knowing the way by heart since we've been there so many times before; and we sat down at one of the iron filigree-designed tables near the back.

I had never felt so genuinely happy before. As I sat with Renji at our usual café; having just receiving the next best thing to a pass to Heaven as our relationship was finally approved (or overlooked) by Captain Kuchiki, I could not help but smile from the strange, empowering weightlessness I felt.

"It's all thanks to Renji," I reminded myself, making my smile soften into a small grin at my lover, my best friend.

"What?" Renji asked, smiling himself in that wolfish, devil-may-care way he does as he inquired about my change in expression.

Playfully, I cocked my head to the side and answered, "I was just remembering the first time you brought me here. I was so nervous."

At this, Renji chuckled lightheartedly and said," Well, you didn't look it. For a while I thought I might have had to have your tea served extra hot so it could melt all that ice I was getting from you."

I could not help but let out a shy laugh of my own from such a ridiculous statement-instantly making Renji beam brightly once more for me.

"Thanks, Shinigami," came my reply that dripped our own brand of understood sarcasm.

"No problem, Hollow," was Renji's playful answer.

'Shinigami' and 'Hollow' were just a few of our good-natured nicknames that we had for each other. I had noticed that our nicknames depended a lot on the situation that was occurring and where we happened to be at the time. It is an everyday occurrence for Renji to oftentimes refer to me as his baby- I loved hearing it every time.

In bed or around the house, I'm 'Baby.' When he and I are teasing and joking with the other, I'm his Hollow and he is my Shinigami. Though it might be awhile for it to actually happen, maybe one day I will tell him how much I treasure our special ability to have nicknames for each other. Every time Renji calls me his baby, I am able to be more than Ulquiorra Schiffer- I feel even closer to Renji than usual. It's a sort of testament to the trust and closeness that we share and hold, and I honestly love every minute of it.

"I love these moments…when I know our bond is unbreakable…"I let myself indulge as a waitress finally approached our table to take our order.

"What'll it be?" she asked- her lack of professionalism earning her a curious gaze from me as I looked up from Renji.

Her nametag read 'April' and I knew right away that I had never seen her at the café before. The barely five foot, one inch woman had asymmetrical cut brown hair and thin, black glasses adorning her lovely, rounded face-notepad and pink pen in hand to catch our commanding words.

"She must be new..." I internally concluded; deciding to bypass her ill mannerisms for her lack of experience handling customers.

Renji ordered for the both of us, a habit which I had gotten pleasantly used to. Over the weeks, through basic trial and error, he had figured out a small collection of desserts and drinks that I like. The process had been fun and entertaining, as well as given the both us of an excuse to spend a lot of time at the humble restaurant in each other's company.

"Two cups of marsala chai- one with cinnamon and the other with rooibos, and hmmm…" Renji scrunched his face up a little; making a show out of thinking of what desserts would compliment his tea selection, "one slice of coffee cake and a piece of castella."

"…that does sound good," I mentally checked myself upon hearing Renji's complete order.

The cinnamon flavored chai tea would go well with the coffee cake-two sets of richly spiced items that expand in your mouth with their dark, rich flavor. The sweet rooibos of the other herbal tea would act as almost a counterbalance to the stark bittersweet taste of the castella; allowing multiple sugary tastes to take over and tingle on your tongue.

"Anything else?" April asked automatically, tonelessly as she finished scribbling the items on her blue and white striped notepad.

"Nope, that should do it. Thanks!" Renji replied happily with a smile that said 'have a nice day' as much as it said 'now leave please."

I smirked at Renji's behavior and undertones.

Once we were alone again, Renji peered across the table at me- his majestic eyes boring right into mine; not in a challenge as we sometimes do for fun, but in an honest and completely flattering appreciation.

I was about to question Renji's stare but he answered my inquiry before I even knew what it was.

"You know what I remember most of all about our first time being here? The way you carefully, curiously took a sip from your red rose tea, the sensual way your lips parted ever so slightly to let a tiny amount fill your mouth…and afterwards," Renji purred shamelessly to me, making me blush and become partially aroused from his satin words, "the way I wanted to bend you over the table and have my way with you right then and there when I saw your cute, little tongue sweep along your delicious lips to relish its sweet taste."

My faced burned from Renji's acute observation; making something so small I had done seem so sexy, and I had to shift around in my chair to accommodate for my stiffening erection- his own lust making me lustful.

Renji chuckled, a melodic sound in his throat that never ceases in sending shivers up my spine from the connotation.

I decided I would speak the one thought that flooded my mind, no time for editing or rethinking.

"I think we should eat our food rather quickly, Renji," I semi-whispered to him after I leaned a bit over the table- every bit of my raunchy meaning noticed by my lover who once again flashed me his wolf-like grin before agreeing.

Thirty-six and a half minutes later, we were both stripping each other down, barely making a proper effort to close Renji's front door as we hastily, clumsily entered his home- lips and bodies practically adhered to the others'.

"God, he tastes like warm cinnamon…" I tried to wrap my head around the fact that I never wanted his mouth to leave mine, for his taste was too addicting.

Rough pants and sighs of warm breath escaped from both of us due to the sheer urgency behind every harsh tug on fabric and every sweep of flesh against heated flesh- the race against the clock to have us both stripped down completely was blinding and exciting at the same time.

Renji's handsome face was buried into the side of my exposed neck, pressing hungry kisses and quick bites to every inch he could as his hands deftly brought my haori off my arms- me doing the same to him despite how my coherence was rapidly, blissfully leaving me.

Renji's fiery passion burned through me with every alluring touch of his skin against mine, instantly making me heated all over and dying for more. Every kiss, every searing lick was placed over my collarbone and Hollow hole in such a way that I positively melted in his strong, deliciously tattooed arms as he continued to strip me- now untying the obi so my hakama could easily slide down my waist.

I reciprocated his fire with my own by pulling his hair tie out of his ruby locks-I loved it when his hair was down; a sight reserved for me and me alone…that standing fact only adding to my madness to have him quickly. I pulled his head up, making him detach his full lips from my Hollow hole and desperately crushed my own pale lips to his, instantly drawn in once again from the unique taste that ignited my senses and made my groin tighten.

Black and white material littered the way to Renji's peaceful-looking bedroom as we made our way down the corridor and to the room, hands all over the opposite; forever tracing up and down naked, tanned and white muscled skin alike; fingers carding wantonly through scarlet and midnight locks to encourage; to provoke; to entice the other. Every gesture did not going unnoticed, even as movements were hurried as we both longed to make love to the other- our raging desire to please and be pleased was set in motion ever since the restaurant…now it was in its full, tortuous swing as we clung and grasped at each other like our lives depended on it.

Maybe they did. Actually…I'm sure they did.

As Renji and I tumbled rather ungracefully onto his messy bed, both pairs of arms locked around the other's warm, inviting body, I hurriedly said in between our furious kisses, "The thing" Kiss. "I remember most" Renji licked down to my jugular, lapping at the throbbing vein, "about that day was…ohh" Renji sucked harshly on the side of my neck, undoubtedly marking me once again as his own, "was when we went to that fountain," Hips ground together and I felt Renji's swollen cock and muscular thighs kneed into my own; making me moan and forget my train of thought.

"What did you wish for, baby? Tell me…" Renji cooed as he brushed his cock teasingly soft against my own while licking down my heaving chest; making sure to reapply soul-wracking licks with the flat of his tongue to my Hollow hole while he ferociously raked his hands down the black sheets of his bed on either side of me.

I whimpered from such a light touch against my weeping member, especially when I was so riled up that I wanted everything to be rather rough. Watching Renji use his tongue on me while claw at the bed made what was left of my sanity go completely out the window as I longed to have his fingers perform that kind of almost violent ministration to me.

"Tell me," Renji whined with an adorable smile, grinding harder…just like he knew I had wanted.

"You," I managed to say, despite feeling my skin tingle with hot sparks and my cock yearn for more of his delightful touch, "I wished that I could be with you."

Renji smiled a genuine smile at my response and leaned down to kiss me chastely on the lips; freeing his hands from underneath my body to bring them up by my face. I kissed him back with everything I had as I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and allowed his tongue to invade my mouth in the most wondrous way.

After a moment, Renji pulled away a bit to look me squarely in the eye and whispered, "Wish granted."

I smiled and closed my eyes, realizing for the first time that he was right. I did get my wish- Renji and I had been together from that day-physically then but spiritually now.

Renji suddenly pushed himself up from hovering over my sprawled out form and I craned my head to watch him as he went over to the head of the bed and sat down once pillows were moved.

He looked so damn sexy sitting there, legs spread and bent, and leaning up against the headboard; eyes daring me to disobey him while his erection throbbed against his taut stomach. I immediately sprang up from my laying down position so I could stare at him properly, but was quickly caught by my wrist and flung back down on the bed; face down and in front of him this time.

The sheets muffled the little 'oof' that escaped my lips once I was tossed back down onto the bed; realization setting it almost immediately that I was now right in front of Renji with my ass high up in the air-completely at his mercy.

I relaxed instantly once I felt those massive hands roam all over the curves of my thighs and up the contours of my back- every touch wielding the exact power to set me at ease or light my skin on fire. I felt both all rolled into one, dazzling, dreamy feeling that overtook me fully.

"Now this is a great view," Renji joked from behind me before delivering a slight slap to my ass, which made my already sensitive senses tingle with desire.

"Shut up," I shot back, mock-angrily; making Renji chuckle and noticeably pull me back closer with his hands on my hips.

"Sure thing," he replied coyly before plunging his tongue deep inside my entrance.

All at once, I felt sinfully sweet pleasure course through my veins, taking a bit of the edge off my crazed need for this man as I clutched the sheets in between my fingers and moaned into the mattress.

Renji took his glorious time swirling his tongue around my puckered entrance, dipping inside in quick thrusts that made me gasp for breath before moaning it out again. I was in Heaven, to put it lightly. Renji knew exactly what to do to make me tense up; such as when he would nip and suck roughly at my soft skin; only to have that tension melt away from me in bone melting tides as he dragged his tongue over the tender spots and blew cool air against it- all the while raking his fingertips lightly up the outside of thighs and over my ticklish sides.

I was so painfully hard from his experienced ministrations; I thought I was either going to burst at the seams or just completely lose my mind…or both, whatever came first. As if right on cue to my pleasure becoming almost a struggle, Renji stopped lapping at my now sopping entrance and guided my hips down- effectively tilting me back so I would end up in a sitting position.

"Holy shit, Renji…" I chocked out, feeling a bit frazzled from being so erotically and thoroughly loved on as he wrapped his arms around my torso from behind and kissed the back of my neck.

I could feel him smile against my skin- probably in some small victory he was feeling because he had made me curse. I never cursed…but that had made me curse.

"I thought you might like that," he growled darkly into the nape of my neck, making goosebumps appear all over my white flesh, "now hold onto the headboard."

I immediately obeyed; what he had just done to me felt too good not to obey whatever came out of this man's mouth next. My hands flew up above either side of his head; hands gripping the top of the black railing securely.

Renji carefully placed his hands on my hips and drew me even closer to him, if that was possible, before sliding his hands down to the underside of my thighs.

I purred from his caresses; every one of them was laced with such love and lust; a blistering appreciation of my marble white skin now currently under his possession and subject to his whims.

I tilted my head back and let it rest on Renji's broadly muscled shoulder as I let him maneuver me as he pleased- from which he picked up both my legs in each of his hands and draped them over his already spread legs, making me sit on his lap and immediately feel his rock hard cock dig into the small of my back.

I groaned in response and pressed my ass a little more firmly into his groin, making him groan for me as well.

Dexterous fingers slid down my outstretched arms, down my taut chest, over my leanly-muscled abdomen, and snaked around take hold of my firm ass in his hands.

His purposefully slow, extremely loving touches were making me hot putty in his hands, and the next thing I knew, those hands on my ass were gently lifting me up where I felt the thick head of Renji's cock probe at my entrance.

I tightened my grip on the above headboard in anticipation and lazily whined, "Yes…please, Renji."

With the utmost care, Renji gradually lowered me down on his cock, the initial push past my ring of muscle taking a bit more force than the rest of the process of fully sheathing him inside me. I cried out at first but hummed the rest of the way; in love with being in Renji's lap, with his strong hands on my stomach and pulsating cock deep inside me- filling me and making me feel whole again.

"God, baby…so tight…"Renji mumbled in my midnight hair as his hands swiftly roamed all over the expanse of my chest and stomach; soothing me into a wonderful relaxation where I could just appreciate the white hot pleasure.

He only had to wait a few seconds before I relaxed in his embrace and started to feel him move ever so slowly inside me. I arched my back, pressing my shoulder blades into his chest as my fingers clawed at the headboard while I let out a long, throaty moan.

In desperate, hungry need of more satisfying friction and for him to reach deeper, I cooed breathlessly, "Nnh…faster…Renji..."

The response was immediate as Renji's grip on my waist tighten and he began to thrust his cock faster and deeper inside me, making me lift off him a bit from holding onto to the railing so desperately while I writhed in his lap.

Against my flushed skin, I could feel Renji's desire-ridden breath ghost across my back as he pounded into my ass furiously now; every passing minute making him increase his speed of making love to me.

I was all moans and loud howls as he pumped his cock up into me in an almost unmerciful fashion; sweet murmurs at my back and in my hair, as Renji slid his hands up my arms to clasp his hands on top of mine.

I bucked frantically in his lap; feeling overwhelmed from how much I loved how his thighs felt against mine, his hands on my fingers, his sex buried deep inside me-making me see stars and feel Heaven as he continued to hit my prostate- making my own cock drip with dire need.

Suddenly, I felt teeth pierce harshly into the top of my shoulder, making me yelp in pain and pleasure combined while Renji took my hands in his and brought them down to my aching, throbbing member.

As soon as I felt him free a hand and grab a hold of my cock to begin bringing me off, my hands raced to clutch at his thighs, nails dragging into the tanned flesh underneath me as I felt myself teeter dangerously close to my personal edge.

"Tell me what you want," Renji said in a thick, lustful voice; surprisingly collected despite how much he had been grunting and groaning.

I bit my lip at his tormenting command…until, that is, my body's need won the battle over my mind's hesitation.

Feeling an epic wave of red-hot eroticism all but blind and manipulate my pleasure-wracked form; thereby destroying any feelings of reserve I might have had; I huskily whispered, "Make me come, Renji…please…mmm… now…"

My breath left me as soon as those words fell from my lips as Renji began furiously pumping my cock in one hand while roughly squeezing a nipple with his other-our lower halves moving on their own accord at this point to reach that sexual high and experience magnificent relief.

My fingers dug painfully into Renji's legs as I arched my body again, moaning my pleasure and loving how Renji kept whispering "Ulquiorra…baby…" over and over again in my ear; coaxing me over my already diminishing edge in the most mind-blowing way.

Finally, my muscles seized up, making me go momentarily rigid on Renji's thrusting lap as my staggering orgasm tore through every fiber of my being; my muscles shuddering and clenching around Renji's swollen length, wanting to feel and experience it is as much as I could during my peak, as I came in jagged bursts of my warm, pearl-esque essence and hoarsely screamed his name to his ceiling.

Renji roughly thrusted into me a few more times, delectable moans being torn from his own lips as well, before I felt his member swell even more inside my trembling ass before suddenly filling it with his hot, creamy seed; some of it seeping out and running down his cock.

Obligingly, I circled my hips against his, allowing his cock to swirl inside my ass as he weakly rode out the many pulls of our euphoric completions-both of us rendered breathless and comfortably sated in our 'other world' state.

"I love you," I said once I had somewhat regained a normal breathing pattern- my voice low and solid because I wished for him to recognize the searing sincerity that I meant whole-heartedly.

Both he and I were limp in each other's loose embrace; reluctant and too tired to pull away from each other; but we were content with just remaining as is during such a peaceful moment.

"Then I guess I got my wish as well," he said with a smile while gently turning my head to a side so he could give me a side-kiss from over my shoulder, "I love you, too."

I smiled at his words; happily taken by their meaning while I kissed Renji's lips and nuzzled his temple affectionately.

We both sighed contently, lazily before carefully and considerately untangling limbs and detaching ourselves from the other.

Again, I felt weightless and so occupied at the same time. Love was the only thing that filled me at the moment; granting me the elusive feeling that I could fly off the ground at any moment as well as how I was positively filled to the brim with happiness.

Love does that.

Great sex can do that.

Renji, in general, does that for me. Remarkable.

After a quick cleaning and a swift recovery of the utterly disaster-struck bed, Renji and I slipped into the fresh sheets and pulled each other and a collection of pillows together around us.

Renji truly fulfilled everything for me. He was rough when I wanted him to be rough. He was playful when I wanted him to be playful with me. He was always kind, always considerate, and always protective- thereby always making me feel happy, lucky, and warm.

As we lie there in bed, I felt so secure and safe from the way he cuddled up to me and squished more pillows around me; making me give into the illusion that I truly was on a feathery cloud- high above the rest of the world where nothing else could touch me except all the surrounding fluff and softness…and Renji.

I squirmed in closer to Renji's side, burying my little, white face into the crook of his shoulder; my favorite place to sleep; and exhaled dreamily as I felt the soft caress of a tender finger trace down the exposed green line on my cheek. I could not open my eyes, though…sleep was quickly taking over my weary form…until…

"So, I'm your newest favorite thing in Soul Society, huh?" Renji joked with a pleased chuckle as he lightly brushed some stray black hair from my closed eyes.

I groaned tiredly and buried my face completely in Renji's shoulder; wanting to avoid the embarrassing subject altogether, but I decided I'd give some sort of an answer anyways.

"It was either you or double chocolate chip brownies…so you barely made it," I replied groggily with a smile that betrayed my attempted serious tone.

Renji laughed out loud at this and hugged me tighter, finally hunkering further down in the sheets so his face was right next to mine.

"I'm flattered," he replied softly as he looked upon my sleepy, closed eyes and small smile before planting the gentlest kiss on my cheek, probably right on my cyan streak as he had seemed to genuinely like them.

"You're my favorite thing, too," I heard him say; his exhaustion finally evident in his voice too, making his words quieter and somewhat slurred, "but not just in Soul Society...just like…ever. You're just so…perfect…"

My eyes shot open at that, but only to be rewarded with the sight a now asleep Renji in front of me- his beautiful crimson hair splayed all over his inky pillows and rugged face, making him look like some sort of morbid angel against the black.

"I feel the same way," I mentally regarded Renji's statement as I placed a firm kiss to his tattooed brow-the concrete thought that we were going to be together for a very, very long time settling easily, comfortably with me for the first time as I smiled at his sleeping form and went to sleep as well.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." – L from Death Note …doesn't really have anything to do with the story, but I thought it was a good line, yes? XD

Author's Note: Every word, sentence, phrase, and quote is dedicated to all my reviewers and readers, but especially to loyal fans who have been sticking by me for a while. Oh yes, I'm talking to you, naturally morbid and anime-lover4171. Much obliged and thanks for reading my first Bleach fic, everyone.