Aftermath
princeofsilence:
“No need, captain Hitsugaya.”
Byakuya let go off his arm to sneak it around his back, then swiftly bent down to gather up his legs. One arm supporting his back, the other hooked under his knees, he rose up, Hitsugaya safely in his arms.
“I won’t just leave you here. This is a battlefield.” It was a lame explanation for something that Byakuya wouldn’t have done for anyone except Rukia. And Renji, perhaps. Certainly for nobody he didn’t care about.
Still, Byakuya played it down, like it was not an issue at all. Despite his added height, Hitsugaya weighed very little. Certainly less than Renji and he had been carrying both him and Rukia earlier. He could handle a feather like Hitsugaya Toshiro.
“Do not be embarrassed. You would have done the same for me.” He said as he began walking, precious package in his arms.
“Why would I be embarrassed?” Being carried around like a damsel in distress. Oh no. What could possibly be embarrassing about that? Can’t you just sling me under your arm like Abarai and your sister?
Judging by the reiatsu around them, they had either minutes or so before the end of everything, probably, so he could die with the knowledge that no one else would ever know. Besides, after what he and Byakuya (and Kenpachi, more or less) had accomplished, he really couldn’t find any more energy to think of how things looked right now.
Byakuya’s chin was just about the limit of how far he’d raise his gaze.
“…I’m glad the royal guard fixed you up. Bringing down that quincy…it would have been impossible without you.”
Praise where praise was due.
Byakuya took it with a dignified little nod.
“Your contribution was invaluable. Though your bankai’s evolution came as a surprise for everyone involved.” He looked down, aiming to glance at his face, but his eyes strayed a little beyond and onto where the wet white jacket was open and clinging to pale skin.
“You acquired an adult form of yourself.” He stated the obvious.
Did Hitsugaya remember their conversation after Byakuya’s disgraceful defeat? It almost seemed like he didn’t, and perhaps that was good. For now. It just meant he had to find a situation to tell him again, difficult without death nearby.
His path led him towards the barracks of Fourth Division, because both of them were in need for some slight healing, but mostly because they both needed to replenish their reiatsu for any more fighting.















