@obakeyashi said: One could have argued her timing was impractical, after all this was far from an emergency. Could it have waited? ... Probably. Was she going to wait? With a wound on her heart this fresh, absolutely not. While it could have been seen as rude to interrupt his day as a Captain, he was also her husband. It was nearing noon, and she was certain there wouldn't have been anything of pressing importance going on.
At least, that's what her still tender feelings told her as she made her way to his office. There was no knock as she rushed in in a flurry of fabric, finding her the subject of his gaze as well as the awkward stare of his lieutenant. Seconds of silence passed, and while Renji was not spared a glance, her words were pointed in his direction, "Please leave." Without missing a beat, he did just that, leaving the couple to their privacy.
She wouldn't make him wait long as to why she had made such an uncharacteristic entrance, drawing in a sharp breath before making what sounded far more like a demand than a request, "I want another baby."
𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙸𝚇𝚃𝙷 𝙳𝙸𝚅𝙸𝚂𝙸𝙾𝙽 𝚁𝙰𝙽 𝙰𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙰𝙻𝚆𝙰𝚈𝚂 𝙷𝙰𝙳, with nigh impeccable efficiency. As such, its Captain remained where he always did within the hour after noon -- cloistered in his office, working as his lunch grew cool on the desk beside him. The monotony of protocol had yet to weigh him down some century after assuming his post. He worked smoothly, despite his Lieutenant's restless fidgeting not so far away. The stack of completed paperwork soon towered over what he had yet to complete, allowing him time to take that first bite. But no sooner did he set his brush aside, did he sense her spiritual pressure.
He'd grown so attuned to the gentle brush of her reiatsu that it was always there, in the back of his mind; it became a fixture of his days, a warmth not unlike the sun that he could almost -- almost -- become so accustomed to that it ceased to draw his conscious attention. It made those times it changed -- grew agitated, angry, withdrawn -- all the more noticeable. He looked up, a slight frown on his lips when the door slid open in a whirlwind.
A beat passed in silence. Byakuya gave an imperceptible nod to his Lieutenant that dismissed him just as surely as Eri's request. When they were alone he stood, intent on going to her before her word's rooted him in place.
"..."
He exhaled his shock, features settling once again into cool composure. In a few slow, measured steps he stood before her. Byakuya took her hands, drawing them to his lips where he placed a gentle kiss on the smooth ridges of her knuckles.
"...You know I would be honored to expand our family," he said softly. Her, Sojun, Rukia -- they were his pride. His joy. Those sentiments could only grow brighter with the addition of another child. And yet, looking into her eyes, he hesitated. Reflected back to him wasn't the happiness he had seen when they first learned of Sojun. If he didn't know any better, he thought she looked hurt."But first I would hear your reasons." Releasing one of her hands only to bring his to her chin, Byakuya gently urged her head upwards.
"Is all well, Eri...?















