Las Noches, Hueco Mundo

Multimuse blog for Espada/Arrancar characters and their Zanpakutou. Please Read Rules and Muse list for more info Penned by Scribe

[landoftwilightandblood]

raisingyourhead​:

He offers a half-shrug as he slowly stands with a soft sound, setting the empty mug of tea onto the corner of his desk to take care of later. He then rounds the desk to seat himself and stare blankly for a long moment at the pile of paperwork waiting to be finished, letting out a deep sigh.

“Just make sure the new recruits don’t kill themselves, or each other,” Izuru finally mumbles as he pulls the first report over to him so that he can start the dull process of reading and signing. 

“I can do that,” Abirama assures him as he carefully folds the blankets to put them out of the way. He’s at the door before he pauses a moment. He looks back at the other. “Your head is still raised,” he says quietly before stepping out of sight.

[toomanydamnmuses]

landoftwilightandblood​:

“I know,” he says quietly, “But she understands in ways few do that’s why I asked. If you’d prefer to commiserate rather than drink alone.” And to be fair, Abirama felt better when he had someone with him just in case. But that was natural worry, he supposes; wanting someone one cared about to be safe. 

“There’s no need for any of that,” Izuru repeats again, a bit more firmly, as he finishes his tea. “I’ll be quite alright drinking alone. But later. I need to finish the paperwork at the very least, first.”

[landoftwilightandblood]

“Is...there anything else I can do to help?” He knows it might seem like mothering in a sort of situation but he really just wants to know how to help, the best way in these cases as he was still learning Izuru’s responses to things. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

raisingyourhead​:

He reaches to take the tea in hand and sip from the mug, closing his eyes a moment. He then shakes his head. “No need. I have always keep sake in my quarters, and it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve gotten into it on my own. I don’t always drink with others, you know.”

He understands Abirama’s concern. Many people have commented on his habits in the past, particularly those who knew him before he acquired said habits. But… They are habits that help, and that’s all that really matters, in his mind.

“I know,” he says quietly, “But she understands in ways few do that’s why I asked. If you’d prefer to commiserate rather than drink alone.” And to be fair, Abirama felt better when he had someone with him just in case. But that was natural worry, he supposes; wanting someone one cared about to be safe. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

raisingyourhead​:

Tonight, he’ll need to drink. That much Izuru knows already as he finally manages to calm himself down once more, the trembling fading away with the panic. Once he’s returned to a place of relative calm, he slowly uncurls himself and looks around, his gaze landing on the mug of tea that had been set aside.

“Is that… For me?”

“Of course it is,” he replies softly, “Thought you could use it. Should I...let Lieutenant Matsumoto know you would like her to join you with...other beverages?” He knew that there were times Izuru got drunk and he knew that she was a friend who understood the issue which is why he asked. 

Because sometimes the way one handled things weren’t exactly healthy but a quick-fix was better than no fix at all. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

raisingyourhead​:

Once he’s back in the present, that is when Izuru begins to tremble. He doesn’t speak still, nor does he stop his deep breaths, even if they do speed up a bit as he rests on the cusp between calm and panic. But then, it’s often like this, when he’s torn from the present and shoved into the past. He always trembles on the return.

He curls in on himself that much more, squeezing his eyes shut tightly as if to burn the image of persimmons out of his mind. Or at least to try to. He instead tries to shift his focus - back on his breathing, the weight of the blankets, and the warmth of Abirama. If he doesn’t think, he can’t feel. If he can’t feel, then he’ll be alright. It’s as simple as that.

He hadn’t realized how much he felt until he feels him tremble and knows he’s suffering and he aches in the places he thought were long gone. And wished he could do more than just hold him, be here, support. It just doesn’t seem enough for what he knows dogs the blond’s steps. But he’ll be here. He’ll learn what he can do to make it easier. He’ll prove that despite mistakes, despite all he’s become he’s still worth knowing, he’s worth trusting with someone else. 

So he holds him and hums and hopes to be enough. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

raisingyourhead​:

A deep breath in, and then slowly release it back out. Izuru repeats this several more times, grounding himself more and more, until he’s back in the present rather than being lost in the past. 

He doesn’t speak, nor does he move himself out of Abirama’s embrace. Instead he remains completely still, the only movement being the rise and fall of his chest as he repeats the slow and deep breaths, over and over. 

He doesn’t often freeze like this when caught off-guard. It only ever happens when it’s something to do with him.

Abirama sits and waits holding him carefully letting him come back. He doesn’t ask, won’t ask. He knows better. Izuru will tell him what he wants to know at his own time and pace and Abirama is only too willing to wait and lend what strength he can offer the other. 

He starts humming softly, something he recalls from his past that his mother used to sing when he was scared. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

raisingyourhead​:

After the persimmons are gone, he draws his knees to his chest and continues to stare at his desk. He knows that they are gone now, just as he is gone now, but he still can’t.. He still can’t. He simply can’t. Not persimmons. He can’t…

It’s one thing, to seek the fruit out of his own accord so that he can think on the past. It’s another thing entirely to be caught off-guard by the fruit like this, when he isn’t expecting it. 

The weighted blankets help some, but the warmth of the arrancar’s body beside him grounds Izuru far better, and he discreetly shifts to sit just a little bit closer as he rests his chin on his knees and continues to simply stare.

Slowly, by increments, he brings Izuru against him, tucking him under his chin. “It won’t always be this hard,” he murmurs pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “You won’t freeze like this when caught off guard. But it takes time to heal those cracks, those chipped and broken places. But you will. I promise you have the strength needed for it.” 

[landoftwilightandblood]

{{ @raisingyourhead​}} Abirama takes no time in removing the offending items from sight before going and collecting a couple of blankets and putting lavender tea on before returning and carefully drawing the blankets around him; the weighted ones to help ground him. 

He brings the tea but sets it to the side as he slowly sits beside him and waits to see what he will do. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

>: < He's going to glare VERY VERY hard at Shawlong from behind his bottle of sake!

He senses the glare and chuckles softly. “You could end up with your face stuck in that expression,” he murmurs, “Though I suppose that would help for your recruits to think twice about mistakes.” 

[landoftwilightandblood]

No! No adoption! He's going to leave traps everywhere to shower Shawlong with glitter if he opens specific doors or cabinets!

Shawlong sits on the couch reading and pointedly not talking about the glitter coloring his clothing. Di Roy eyes and goes, “Uh...I didn’t...”  “No,” he answers, “you did not. I thought an update to the wardrobe suited me.”  Di Roy blinks a moment before just nodding. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

He's still not going to get adopted! He refuses! He's going to start sneaking ghost pepper sauce into Shawlong's food!

Usually, Nakeem would be offended but he lets it go in favor of watching Shawlong. Who eats it. Bemusedly. Sharing a look at Nakeem who is trying desperately not to laugh. “Spicy is so much better than bitter or sour,” he remarks to his companion who finally just starts laughing. Shawlong grins. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

to Shawlong: >: < "That is Lieutenant Kira to you!"

His lips curve upwards, not at all sorry. “Lieutenant Kira.” He keeps walking before murmuring, “Make sure you drink and eat regardless.” 

[landoftwilightandblood]

Take 3! He's just going to glare very, very, VERY intensely every time he sees the arrancar.

Shawlong smiles and inclines his head with a soft, “Lieutenant, Izuru. Don’t forget to eat.” Honestly, he’s had worse from Grimmjow. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

Take 2. He's moving everything in Shawlong's quarters exactly one inch to the right, as well as relocating all of his books to be underneath the couch and other furniture. About half of the blankets are also taken, to disappear into his stash in the Third.

Shawlong takes it as an invitation to just rearrange everything putting it back before settling onto the couch with a cup of tea and a book satisfied at having put in work. The blankets were a loss but there was Edrad so he wasn’t too concerned. And searching for his books was a strangely welcome break in the monotony. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

Because he definitely doesn't want to be adopted, he's going to make himself a nuisance and stealthily steal all of Shawlong's tea, only to replace said tea with chili powder instead.

His lips curve upwards. “So, like Di Roy then, hmm? Suppose I should know that at least a few of you will be.” He leaves them recollects his tea and puts them in new places. 

Izuru’s desk ends up with a box of tea and candle with a note that says, “Please take care of yourself. You work so hard but you do need to relax. Especially for pranking...that takes energy. :)” 

[landoftwilightandblood]

>: < to Shawlong (again)

Ah, the prodigal son was back again. Shawlong merely pushes a cup of tea towards him. 

[landoftwilightandblood]

raisingyourhead​:

@landoftwilightandblood​ replied to your post:  

 "Then I suppose the compromised food tray and tea is out of the question then?“

“I’m doing paperwork, so there isn’t really any room for that on my desk at the moment. Well… There isn’t any room for the food tray. I’ll still take the tea.”

He wants to protest or further complain but at least Izuru was accepting the tea. He still leaves a plate with some food he knows won’t get crumbs on the paperwork the other was studiously working over. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” 

He doesn’t know why he offers because Izuru never took him up on it. The other did not like to delegate tasks. While it could be a good work-ethic, Abirama wasn’t sure it was a healthy one. 

But he doesn’t say any of this because he doubts it’ll do more than annoy the blond and that he could certainly live without doing right now. Not when they seemed to be on good footing. 

Best to just keep quiet in this matter.