If the Bleach anime wonât magically switch it up to IchiRuki, I would love to see Hitsugaya and Rukia getting together.
Itâs fresh, new, and completely unexplored. These two beautiful and powerful and lovely shinigami finally getting their much-deserved screentime together.
I can just imagine
The visuals. The panels. Hitsugaya and Rukia are beautiful on their own. Now imagine themâtogether.
Watching them transition from subordinates to comrades to friends to close friends to confidantes toâwell, until one of them has the guts to confess
Hitsugaya calling her âRukiaâ, after years and years of addressing her as âKuchikiâ (and realizing he liked the former so much more)
Him asking her to stop calling himââtaichoâ and to please switch to ââsanâ
Somewhere along the road of their relationship that takes years to build, he thinks he understands why he hates it when people call him by his first; because when says it, it feels like someone has finally gotten it right
Rukia hiding her obsession with Chappy and all the cute things
Him finding out and trying to deny that he doesnât find her cute
Her asking him to help her with her bankai since heâs immune to cold anyway
Him confused with all the hormones because he doesnât do. . . love... and attraction...
Their development finally crushing the childhood trope that seems to perpetuate throughout the series
Their kids having the most beautiful and strongest snow and ice zanpakuto
Also having white hair and purple eyes
Or black hair and teal eyes
Hinamori and Matsumoto having a field day because their little Shiro chan is finally growing up
Matsumoto giving Rukia the girl talk
Rukia delivering paperwork to the Tenth, and their captain tries to focus on his work but he just canât
People trying to understand how these two got together but having a difficult time because theyâre not into PDA
All the bets around Soul Societyâwill they or will they not?
The Kuchiki elders freaking out because he isnât a noble but a child prodigy (so their criticims are completely cancelledt)
Their conversations and silences
How beatiful theyâd look together
Him apologizing for not trying harder to save her from her execution
Her saying it isnât his fault; that he shouldnât put so much burden on his shoulders unless he would share it with her
Hitsugaya trying to adjust to clan affairs, only because Rukia
Introducing her to their grandma
Rukia denying that she may have feelings for him because it doesnât make sense
Hitsugaya slowly establishing respect for her because he grew up in Junriran but she managed Inuzuri
Ukitake (because he is alive, which should be the case this time around because killing him is a wrong move) trying to matchmake them in the not so subtle manner
People having conversations about them being opposites but actually complimenting each other in the ways that count
Renji and Ichigo initially threatening him then realizing that he is a captain and he can also freeze their sorry asses
Ichigo and Renji calling them the âmidget coupleâ (and getting frozen into big blocks of ice afterwards)
... scarf couple works too
The meet-cutes. How their relationship would progress. All the in-betweens
Kurosaki Isshin rejoicing that his third daughter got together with his talented third seat whom he learned to love as his son
The most priceless of all: Kuchiki Byakuya lowkey shipping them because of all people who could be with Rukia, itâs Hitsugaya whom he trusts the most (and deems most likeable)...
(also, he had bet almost a fortune that theyâd get together and the Kuchiki clan wouldnât appreciate having their entire savings wiped out)
Kuchiki-Hitsugaya being cute andâscarf family
Of course, it will take some time. And itâs by a long shot. But I can just imagine all the omakes and extra episodes they will makeânot to mention their visuals as a couple.
Like wow. If Iâm not getting IchiRuki, HitsuRuki would be more than sufficient. It is a shonen manga, but a âlil bit of romance wonât hurtâmost especially when itâs concerning these two cute ice-wielders. ;)
For the last one, the last arc of Bleach and their interactions kind of says it all.
Also that chapter where Hitsugaya is concerned and he just asks for Kuchiki and Kuchiki; then asks if Rukia is okay
Also that zanpkuto story where Senbonzakura and Sode no Shirayuki threw a party and Rukia was apologizing profusely... and Hitsugaya was letting it slide??
If not IchiRuki, itâd be nice to have another slice of chemistry >>> history
I wouldnât get my hopes up. Since the likelihood of that happening is close to zero.... Iâll just write fanfics and cute one-shots about them in and these events instead. That or you can read the recommended fanfics of HitsuRuki in my other post. Glacial Treasures and Mon Ceour are jewels.
Shameless plug @/idiosyncrasies on fanfiction.net and @/silvercastles on ao3. Who knows, I might drop a chapter or one shot soon ;)
On the on hand, money flowed way faster and much easier than on any other day. On the other - the money came along with the pigs from the above. They were mostly idiots, rich but naive, without a single clue on how the harsh world of Underground operated. So effortlessly fooled, they came here bearing bags of money, and always left empty-handed and with their pride stomped on and ruined. They were loud and arrogant, thinking that everyone who wasn't lucky enough to be born above ground was inferior to them in every way.
Just the mere sight of their tanned, sun-kissed faces disgusted Levi to the core. But he had learnt long ago how to use his hatred and transform it into profit.
"Is the night so slow that Isabel is your only worthy opponent, Farlan?"
At the sound of his gruff, throaty rumble, Farlan jumped in his seat, spilling cards onto the table. "Levi!" he cried out, voice high and shaky. "You've scared me!"
"I wouldn't have," Levi countered, "If you paid attention to what's going on around you."
"Don't get angry, brother!" a pair of pigtails appeared in his view, bringing Isabel's worried exprtess with them. "Farly was just teaching me a new trick."
Levi made a show of looking around the tightly packed gambling house, before his eyes fell back on Farlan, brow raised pointedly. "Is there no one else you can show your tricks to?"
"Got it, got it," obediently, Farlan stood up, stacking cards back into a deck. "I'm back to work, boss, don't you worry."
"I'm going back too!" Isabel quickly followed Farlan's example. "I'll make you proud, bro!"
Levi had no doubts about it, after all, no matter how lazy and careless the two of them could act sometimes, they were the best of the best, his trusted crew, his family. He wouldn't be here where he was now without them. And... his life would have been a lot more duller without their bright presence.
Plopping down into a seat vacated by Farlan, Levi watched his friends move around the gambling house - Farlan was already organising a card game, while Isabel jumped from one table to another, sharing with patrons the juiciest of gossips. The night was going well, the atmosphere inside lively but not rowdy, and so Levi surveyed the place intently, searching for his next victim.
In the centre of a room, there was a man in a top hat and dressed in a black coat, a very expensive one, Levi wanted to get something similar for himself for a long time now, and, it seemed, the luck smiled upon him at last; he was positive that winning that coat in a game of cards would be an extremely easy feat, a walk through a sun-drenched meadow, as Izzy liked to say, although Levi could never grasp the meaning of that phrase since the sunlight itself was a mere concept to him, something he had heard about a lot, but had never witnessed, not to mention felt.
But rats belonged to a sewer, Levi was aware of that simple truth ever since he was born, and after years of surviving in the sewer, he had absolutely no illusion that life was easier in any other place.
Besides... above ground, he'd have to work like a dog to be able to afford a gorgeous coat like that guy was wearing. But here, a knowledge of a few card tricks was enough to obtain whatever piece of clothing or jewelry he desired.
He made eye contact with the target, and as he was about to raise his hand and invite him for a quick game, Levi's view of the man was obstructed. He leveled the person in front of him with the darkest of his glares, the one that usually sent above-grounders running like scared children, but that particular weirdo didn't so much as shudder. If anything, the smile on her face grew wider. Without waiting or even asking for Levi's permission, she sat down on the opposite side of the table, and leaned over it, her big brown eyes glistening in the candle light.
"You're him, right?" she asked, but before Levi could voice his own questions of who the fuck are you and what kind of him you're looking for, the bespectacled above-grounder continued, "You're the devil of the Underground?"
It took all of him and then a little more to stop himself from groaning out loud. Levi hated that nickname, and for the life of him he couldn't understand how the hell it was created. Sure, he didn't smile all the time like Isabel and wasn't quite as charming as Farlan, but that didn't turn him into devil. And even if he was known for dealing with the more rowdier customers, in his opinion it wasn't enough for him to earn that stupid nickname. But well... what could he know, he wasn't a wide-eyed idiot from above the ground.
"My name is Levi. I'm no devil."
Perhaps, he didn't add enough ice to his voice, because the above-grounder positively beamed and offered her hand up for a handshake. "Nice to meet you! I'm Hange!"
He gave her a nod of acknowledgement, but pointedly ignored her outstretched palm. Even that didn't seem to upset his new acquaintance. "Oh, right, how could I forget!" she slapped herself on a forehead. "You don't like touching people!"
Her eyes darted to his hands, clad in dark leather. Her bubbly energy subsided. "I'm so sorry for your loss..."
Levi rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue at that, even more than his stupid nickname he hated the rumor that his aversion to human contact was born after the death of his brother. The rumor was utterly baseless, as far as he was aware, he had never even had a brother.
"Don't believe dumb rumors," he told four-eyes. "I just don't like getting my hands dirty."
"Oh," Hange shook her head, and Levi couldn't quite understand whether her expression meant that she was disappointed or amused. "So there is no repressed trauma? You're just a clean freak?"
"About me?" Hange seemed genuinely surprised by his question, another thing that distinguished her from other above-grounders. Usually that bunch adored talking about themselves, but Hange- Hange didn't even tell him her full name. "What about me?"
Despite himself, Levi's lips twitched up. That Hange sure was one of a kind, above-grounders frequently were arrogant, condensing, but none of them were so amusing. "I guess you can say so. And what about you?"
Levi lifted a hand, calling up the waitress. Petra, the lovely ginger-head, arrived to their table fairly quickly, bringing tea to Levi and a glass of beer to his companion.
"Why did you come here?" he asked, and received a tiny grin in response.
Petra's tea was the best that they've got, and, as he took a sip from his cup, a part of him was revealing in the rich, bitter taste, another one, however, watched Hange intently. She seemed to regard him just as carefully, eyes narrowed slightly.
"What makes you think I'm not one of locals?"
"I was asking why you've come to our gambling house, but your answer... confirms my suspicion."
"Damn," Hange murmured. "You are perceptive."
"Observant," he corrected. "My line of job requires me to be. And you didn't answer my question. Why are you here?"
"The same reason everyone comes here." Hange shrugged. "To have some fun. And learn a few tricks from the devil himself."
"Don't call me that," he said curtly.
"Okay, Levi," she complied. "Will you teach me a few tricks?"
"Maybe," he sat back in his chair, tea temporarily forgotten now that he had someone much more interesting in front of him. "But I need to know who I'm dealing with."
"What do you want to know?"
"Let's start with simple - who are you?"
"I'm a student."
A student then, huh... Levi suspected something akin to that. Hange's clothes was crumpled, with black stains in some places, possibly left by ink, but despite its less than perfect condition, the fabric was high grade, not cheap, rough stuff that Levi's shirt was made of. It was obvious that she had money, but since she looked close to his age and didn't seem to be the type to marry early, and, clearly, even above ground young people couldn't get so rich if someone wasn't propping them up from behind, there was only one explanation that was plausible enough - Hange had rich parents.
Although... it raised another question then, if she was so wealthy and, most probably, extremely influential, why didn't she say so? Why didn't even tell her full name? All rich bastards Levi had the misfortune to know loved bragging about their ancient lineages and important surnames. But, evidently, Hange didn't belong to that kind.
His curiosity was growing stronger.
"And what are you studying?"
Before answering, Hange gulped a mouthful of the beer, then wiped her mouth with the back of her palm. Levi scrunched up his nose, but didn't comment, more interested in her reply.
"These and that," Hange waved her hand around, "I study whatever interests me."
"And tonight... you want to learn how to play cards?"
"I know how to play. I want you to teach me how to cheat."
"I don't cheat," Levi scoffed, affronted. "I simply play by the rules of this place."
"Will you teach me then?"
Hange was determined, and seemed to be way too stubborn. Even if he refused, Levi was sure that she wouldn't yield until she received what she desired. That's how all rich people were, however Hange was different, in almost every way she could be. He wanted to learn about her, and there was no better way to understand the workings of another person than playing a game with them.
Really, the decision was fairly simple.
"It's too loud here," he rose to his feet, and with no small amount of satisfaction watched Hange's face change from mischievous to downright mournful. He prolonged the pause for a second more, rejoicing in her reaction. "So let's go upstairs."
"Upstairs?" instantly, his glee vanished, as Hange started wriggling her eyebrows in the most ridiculous way possible. "To your bedroom?"
"To my study. I don't live in this shit hole."
Although, he spent the nights there, frequently, the armchair by the fireplace serving as his bed.
"So are you coming? Or-"
"Why would you even ask!" Hange leaped to her feet, latching on his arm with frantic excitement. "Of course I am, let's go!"
"I have a condition, though," he said, as he started leading to the back door. "A payment for my services."
"Oh..." Hange sounded genuinely troubled. "I don't have much money."
Was her family not rich then? Could it be that his assessment of her was wrong? The mystery around Hange was growing and growing.
"I don't need your money," Levi huffed.
"So what do you need?"
A ghost of a smile graced his lips, as he pointed his finger at the guy in a dark coat. "Get me his coat, and we're even."
"Get the coat?" Hange's eyes widened almost comically. "Do you mean..."
"You can win the coat in a game of cards, or..." he shrugged. "You can use your imagination."
"A test then..." she grinned, finger pressed to her chin. "I like your style, Levi."
He hummed, chest tingling with warm, pleasant feeling. He wouldn't say it to Hange's face, but... he liked her style too.
---
"So this is it?" Hange walked through the door and further into the room, stopping in front of Levi's desk. She skipped her fingers across the wooden surface, eyes travelling around the room, and, no doubt, noting every little detail. "This is the office of the great d-" she stuttered, but quickly caught herself. "Of the great Levi?"
Levi snorted, Hange was utterly ridiculous.
"It's just a room with a desk inside, four-eyes, nothing to get crazy over. Now get your ass on a couch."
Grinning from ear to ear and with excitement practically oozing out of her, Hange did as she was told, folding hands on her knees, the picture of obedient, diligent student.
But it wasn't a lecture in a classroom, so Levi went and poured the two of them a drink.
After he handed one glass to Hange, he threw a deck of cards into her lap. "Show me what you can do," he instructed, sipping on his drink. "Deal cards."
Hange did, quickly but sloppily, worse than even Farlan was dealing when Levi had first met him. But now Farlan was an expert, and Levi was confident that he could make one out of Hange too. She simply needed a little guidance.
"That was horrible. Do it again, but don't rush. People get suspicious if you act so frantic."
"You know your stuff," Hange murmured, as she started anew.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't." Levi took another sip of his drink, alcohol burning his throat and warming his insides. He watched every move of Hange, noting the smallest of imperfections and thinking about the best way to get rid of them. "So where the interest in cards comes from?"
Hange chuckled, brown hair swinging to and fro, as she shook her head. "Do you really want to know the truth?"
"Yes." The urgency in his voice surprised even Levi, but Hange didn't seem to appear unnerved by it.
"You'd think I'm a weirdo if I tell you..."
At that, Levi could only snort with laughter. "I've realized you're a weirdo since the very moment that I saw you. So spill it out, four-eyes."
"Ah, well," she lifted an arm, rubbing the skin at the back of her neck almost timidly. "I really wanted to talk with you. And since we're in a gambling house... the cards were the best excuse I could come up with."
"You..." he faltered, at a loss for words. He felt the tips of his ears grow hot and prayed that it didn't spread to his face as well. "You wanted to talk to me? Why?"
"Your demeanor is intriguing," Hange pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling bashfully. "You caught my eye as soon as I walked inside. There is something about you, I guess..."
Something about him? There was something about Hange as well, something that pulled him in, made it almost impossible to look away from her.
"Sorry if I made things too awkward..." Hange mumbled. "I always do..."
Putting the cards down, she stood up. Levi pulled her back down instantly.
He answered her confused look a second later.
"Aren't interested in tricks anymore?"
"I thought that..."
"You don't need to think," he tutted, "You need to listen to me and watch me carefully. And then you need to go and win that coat for me. So pay attention, four-eyes, I'm not a patient teacher."
However, Hange turned out to be a fast learner, not nearly as deft as Levi, but witty enough to make up for all of her shortcomings. And as he taught her the most basic tricks, he learnt more about her.
He found out that Hange was attending a thing the above-grounders called university, and she was aspiring to become someone called geologist.
"I want to study rocks," she explained, taking note of his bewildered face.
"Rocks? Do you above-grounders have such boring lifes that studying rocks is fun to you?"
"You can say so," Hange chuckled. "But geology is not just about rocks. It's about minerals, various materials that make up our world... It's actually quite fascinating."
Levi regarded her with his brow raised. Hange did sound completely smitten with that geology of hers, but for the life of him, he couldn't understand what could be so interesting about rocks.
"In fact, it's a goal of mine to set a research facility in the Underground. We've studied almost everything above the ground, but here... There are so many wonders hidden here, so many materials and elements we know nothing about... it's a crime that this place is not researched enough."
As Hange kept ranting, passion coloring her every word, Levi stared at her, mouth open in a slight surprise. He never could imagine that people like her even existed, especially above the ground. Everyone he knew treated Underground like the trash it was. It was a sewer, full of dirty rats, it was a shit hole, occupied by scumbags like him.
But Hange saw it in a different light, Hange saw something beautiful, something filled with wonder, promising magical discoveries. Even he wasn't a washed out thief for Hange, he caught her eye, he had intrigued her.
And no matter how much he hated above-grounders, how he envied them for their luck, Hange was intriguing to him too, her sun-kissed face not ugly or revolting, but just as alluring as everything was about her.
"Don't you think it'd be great?" she continued, pulling him back from his reverie. "If I could establish a facility here, it could one day turn into a university, your people would be able to study just as we do."
Pouring himself another glass of whiskey, Levi tried to imagine what Hange was talking about. A world where their main priority was not to survive, but relish in the life they were living; a world where he, Farlan and Isabel could do what they've wanted, not what the cruel reality demanded of them. Isabel would have loved that university thing Hange was telling him about, and Farlan would have excelled at it, his sharp mind finding a true purpose, not needed anymore for lying and deceiving.
It was a nice world, beautiful one. But it was a mere fantasy, something that the harsh reality wouldn't allow them to achieve.
"You talk good," he said to Hange, ignoring the twisting pain of knowing that the real world was too cruel to let her (and his) dreams become true. "But you've asked me to teach how to play. So focus on the cards, not your fantasies."
"They will turn to reality," she told him, voice brimming with conviction. "You have my word."
God, Hange seemed so honest, so fucking... noble, it was a pity that she lived above the ground, Levi would have liked to... have a friend like that.
But, luckily for him, she didn't try to breach the subject of her dreams again, and Levi too kept to himself, breaking the silence only to offer a bit of advice or a healthy dosage of critique. And when the whiskey began to turn his head dizzy, he put a stop to their lesson.
"C'mon," he got to his feet, gesturing for Hange to do the same. "You still owe me a coat."
"You think I'm ready?"
"For that guy?" Levi scoffed. "You were ready before you even entered our bar."
Hange smiled, blindingly bright and unbearably precious.
And as he looked at that smile, Levi couldn't get rid of the thought that her smile was probably as warm as the sun itself.
---
When they came back to the bar, it was just as lively, bustling with patrons and all kinds of sounds - from merry singing to crude cursing.
Their man was still sitting in the same seat, and, luckily for them, he was still in a possession of the dark coat.
Once Levi pointed at him, Hange grinned and sauntered to him, confident and determined.
"Hey, there!" she greeted the man, pulling a chair closer to his table and falling down on it. "Fancy a game of cards?"
The man looked her up and down, no doubt noting that her skin wasn't even nearly as pale as Levi's.
"Is this allowed?" the man addressed Levi. "I thought that your lot sets the rules here."
"I am in charge," Levi nodded, sitting down beside Hange. "And she is with me."
"If you say so..." the man nodded, the wariness slowly vanishing from his gaze and posture. "What are the stakes then?"
"If I win..." Hange tapped her chin, sharing a quick knowing glance with Levi, "I want... your coat. And if you win..."
"Your glasses seem really fancy, your daddy must be hella rich to afford them."
"So your coat and my glasses," she bared her teeth fiercely, an expression that resembled sneer more than a smile. "Let's start the game?"
For no more than a second, but Hange stiffened, her smile almost slipping. Levi watched her face closely, curious about her reaction. He had half a mind to ask, but by the time he had opened his mouth, the moment was lost, as Hange got her composure back.
The man gave a nod, not so cocky anymore, and Hange dealt the cards, showing off everything that Levi had taught her.
He followed the game boredly, positive that Hange would win. Besides, there was something else on his mind, as a strange scene from before kept replaying in his mind.
It wasn't his business at all, and Levi was well aware of it, but Hange had him intrigued, and the mystery of why she was avoiding the topic of her family enhanced his curiosity even more. Did something happen - an argument of sorts that caused a rift in their relationship? Or was Hange's family so rich and influential that she was afraid of sulling its reputation by visiting the Underground? Or, maybe... he was obsessing over nothing, and Hange was simply a private person.
With considerable effort, he forced his attention back to the game, and was pleased, but not actually surprised to see that Hange was winning. He could already feel the weight of his shiny new coat on his shoulders, but just as Hange was ready to make the final move-
The front door was thrown open, and a dozen men, no, soldiers barged inside.
Instantly on high alert, Levi jumped to his feet, frantically searching for Farlan and Isabel. They seemed just as shocked to see military police inside their bar, and it raised a question - what the fuck they forgot here?
The soldiers were armed and tanned, definitely from above the ground. What business could they have with them? The gambling houses were illegal above ground, but legal in the Underground, so what reason could they have for raiding their place?
Enraged, Levi was meaning to go and ask them bluntly, but fingers that circled his wrist stopped him from taking a single step.
"Don't go," Hange warned, her grip on him almost bruising. "And don't even think of starting a fight with them. You won't win, Levi."
"Really?" he hissed, not taking his eyes off the soldiers that started to slowly move around the bar, inspecting every customer. "And you know this how?"
Hange hanged her head, her voice so quiet it nearly got lost in the surrounding ruckus. "These are my father's men. He came to look for me. I'm... sorry that I got you drugged into this."
So that was it? The mystery was solved? Levi wasn't satisfied with the conclusion.
"You didn't drug me into this, you just came to have a little bit of fun. Don't worry," he snatched the last card out of her hand and threw it onto the table, right under the nose of a man in a dark coat. "I'll help you out. Put the coat on and head to the back door. I'll distract that bunch while you escape."
"Levi-"
Hange looked distressed, worried, and Levi knew that her concern wasn't aimed only at her own wellbeing. She was a selfless person, kind; it was a shame they've spent so little time together.
"Go," he urged her, gently pulling his hand away. "And good luck, four-eyes."
He left her side immediately, not allowing himself to look back. He knew he'd falter if he saw her eyes again.
Instead, he made eye contact first with Farlan, then with Isabel. When both of them signalled their agreement, Levi cracked his knuckles and approached the soldiers.
"Oi, shit heads, did you get lost and fall into the hole?"
The reaction was instant, several soldiers raised their guns, but Levi was faster. He punched the one closest to him, Isabel and Farlan did the same, and so very soon - the whole bar joined in, the above-grounders and undergrounders creating a joined front and fighting the police side by side, together.
It was one hell of a fight, it turned Levi's fists into a bloody mess and made his heart pump with excitement. But the joy that he received from an invigorating scuffle vanished without a trace as he took a good look around the bar and saw no sign of Hange.
He knew he should have expected as much, he himself had asked her to leave, but- he was disappointed nevertheless. They've known each other for no more than a couple of hours, but, as irrational as it was, he was missing her already.
And even though, he knew it was unlikely, he wished to see her once again.
"Hey, bro!" Isabel jumped at him from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Have you seen how I decked that fucker? I was so cool, wasn't I?"
"Sure," he answered quietly. "You did good."
"Just good? Big brother, you-"
"Leave him be, Izzy," Farlan approached the two of them, pulling Isabel away from Levi. "Can't you see he's not in the mood?"
"Levi?" Isabel's large eyes peered at him, equal parts confused and worried. "Are you alright?"
"Of course. Just need to rest for a little bit."
"You do that," Farlan put a hand onto his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "And Levi... about that above-grounder in glasses..."
"Don't worry about it," Levi said curtly, thrusting his bloodied hands into the pockets of his pants. "She's already gone."
---
If he felt tired before, by the time he reached his study, Levi was utterly exhausted - both physically and mentally. He had just enough strength left to open the door, fall down in his trusty armchair and lose himself in a sleep, preferably dreamless, however- when he plopped down into an armchair, he didn't expect it to shriek and push him away.
Flabbergasted, Levi fell down on a floor and stared at the armchair with wide, shocked eyes.
There... on his armchair sat Hange.
He wiped at his eyes, not quite trusting his sight, but Hange didn't disappear. If anything, she became more real.
"Thank god you finally came here!" she jumped from the armchair, coming to kneel by his side. "I was running out of time!"
"Four-eyes? What are you doing here?"
"I came to return this for you," with a smile she handed him the coat. "A payment for the lesson. And..." Hange faltered for a second, looking shy but determined. "Since I enjoyed the lesson so much... Here's your tip."
Before Levi could ask her to elaborate or comprehend the meaning of her words, she pulled him closer, and... she kissed him.
The kiss was chaste, infuriatingly quick, Hange jumped back before Levi could even get a taste of her lips.
And, perhaps, it was caused by the exhaustion, or that weird flutter that now resided in his chest, but he surged forward, pressing his lips to hers again, giving Hange a kiss that was more heated, lasted that much longer.
When they broke apart, both struggled to get their breathing under control.
"What was that for?" Hange touched her mouth with two fingers, "I thought you were averse to human contact?"
"It was a payment for the lesson. You taught me something as well."
"Oh..." she smiled, reminding Levi of just how sweet her lips felt against his own. The taste was exquisite, it made him yearn for more. And, apparently, he wasn't alone in that. "Will there be another lesson?"
"I should be the one asking that. Build your stupid facility, four-eyes, and come to teach me about stupid rocks. Until then..."
"You have my word," Hange promised. "We'll meet again."
He nodded, and watched her leave, a strange fusion of sadness and hope overtaking him. "See you, Hange," he whispered just as the door after her closed.
That nonsexual intimacy of just being in each other's spaces, of gravitating towards each other, always subconsciously reaching out to each other. Finding comfort and satisfaction in being close to each other, breathing each other in, existing together.
If the Bleach anime wonât magically switch it up to IchiRuki, I would love to see Hitsugaya and Rukia getting together.
Itâs fresh, new, and completely unexplored. These two beautiful and powerful and lovely shinigami finally getting their much-deserved screentime together.
I can just imagine
The visuals. The panels. Hitsugaya and Rukia are beautiful on their own. Now imagine themâtogether.
Watching them transition from subordinates to comrades to friends to close friends to confidantes toâwell, until one of them has the guts to confess
Hitsugaya calling her âRukiaâ, after years and years of addressing her as âKuchikiâ (and realizing he liked the former so much more)
Him asking her to stop calling himââtaichoâ and to please switch to ââsanâ
Somewhere along the road of their relationship that takes years to build, he thinks he understands why he hates it when people call him by his first; because when says it, it feels like someone has finally gotten it right
Rukia hiding her obsession with Chappy and all the cute things
Him finding out and trying to deny that he doesnât find her cute
Her asking him to help her with her bankai since heâs immune to cold anyway
Him confused with all the hormones because he doesnât do. . . love... and attraction...
Their development finally crushing the childhood trope that seems to perpetuate throughout the series
Their kids having the most beautiful and strongest snow and ice zanpakuto
Also having white hair and purple eyes
Or black hair and teal eyes
Hinamori and Matsumoto having a field day because their little Shiro chan is finally growing up
Matsumoto giving Rukia the girl talk
Rukia delivering paperwork to the Tenth, and their captain tries to focus on his work but he just canât
People trying to understand how these two got together but having a difficult time because theyâre not into PDA
All the bets around Soul Societyâwill they or will they not?
The Kuchiki elders freaking out because he isnât a noble but a child prodigy (so their criticims are completely cancelledt)
Their conversations and silences
How beatiful theyâd look together
Him apologizing for not trying harder to save her from her execution
Her saying it isnât his fault; that he shouldnât put so much burden on his shoulders unless he would share it with her
Hitsugaya trying to adjust to clan affairs, only because Rukia
Introducing her to their grandma
Rukia denying that she may have feelings for him because it doesnât make sense
Hitsugaya slowly establishing respect for her because he grew up in Junriran but she managed Inuzuri
Ukitake (because he is alive, which should be the case this time around because killing him is a wrong move) trying to matchmake them in the not so subtle manner
People having conversations about them being opposites but actually complimenting each other in the ways that count
Renji and Ichigo initially threatening him then realizing that he is a captain and he can also freeze their sorry asses
Ichigo and Renji calling them the âmidget coupleâ (and getting frozen into big blocks of ice afterwards)
... scarf couple works too
The meet-cutes. How their relationship would progress. All the in-betweens
Kurosaki Isshin rejoicing that his third daughter got together with his talented third seat whom he learned to love as his son
The most priceless of all: Kuchiki Byakuya lowkey shipping them because of all people who could be with Rukia, itâs Hitsugaya whom he trusts the most (and deems most likeable)...
(also, he had bet almost a fortune that theyâd get together and the Kuchiki clan wouldnât appreciate having their entire savings wiped out)
Kuchiki-Hitsugaya being cute andâscarf family
Of course, it will take some time. And itâs by a long shot. But I can just imagine all the omakes and extra episodes they will makeânot to mention their visuals as a couple.
Like wow. If Iâm not getting IchiRuki, HitsuRuki would be more than sufficient. It is a shonen manga, but a âlil bit of romance wonât hurtâmost especially when itâs concerning these two cute ice-wielders. ;)
For the last one, the last arc of Bleach and their interactions kind of says it all.
Also that chapter where Hitsugaya is concerned and he just asks for Kuchiki and Kuchiki; then asks if Rukia is okay
Also that zanpkuto story where Senbonzakura and Sode no Shirayuki threw a party and Rukia was apologizing profusely... and Hitsugaya was letting it slide??
If not IchiRuki, itâd be nice to have another slice of chemistry >>> history
I wouldnât get my hopes up. Since the likelihood of that happening is close to zero.... Iâll just write fanfics and cute one-shots about them in and these events instead. That or you can read the recommended fanfics of HitsuRuki in my other post. Glacial Treasures and Mon Ceour are jewels.
Shameless plug @/idiosyncrasies on fanfiction.net and @/silvercastles on ao3. Who knows, I might drop a chapter or one shot soon ;)
3 ships you like: Sirius/Severs is a very loved favourite. Fenrir/Alphard is a personal headcanon, and for some non-Harry Potter: Niki/Joe from The Old Guard will always have my heart
First ship ever: Niki/Joe brought me to writing fanfic, before them I mostly did OCs.
Last song you heard: I'm all shook up from Elvis. We are in our "teach the kids some good music fundamentals"phase.
Favourite childhood book: Astrid Lindgren's Ronia, the Robber's Daughter - such a beautiful book to teach kids about tolerance, acceptance and about making their own decisions
Currently reading: Terry Pratchett - the collected books :)
Currently watching: I am a bit in between because I just finished "The law according to Lidia Poet" a beautiful Italian series - obscure but absolutely worth it (give it a try if you can)
Currently consuming: lemon white chocolate cookie, super unhealthy but good for the soul
Currently craving: the next ball room dance. I will have to wait a whole year and it was so perfect yesterday
I tag @squintclover , @soloorganaas, @tracingpatternswrites, @metalomagnetic AND @meteoralinart
Thanks for the tag @mundrakan â€ïž
3 ships you like: Wolfstar, Jeanmarco and Levihan
First ship ever: Oh God... let me think... I guess Sailor Senshi and the knights of Endymion. I read some pretty good fics about them
Last song you heard: «The devil you know» by Blues Saraceno
Favourite childhood book: I had this book, a collection of the classic Russian folk and fairy tales that I loved to read. It had some creepy illustrations though heh
Currently reading: Frank Herbert «Dune» because I wanna know what all the fuss is about
Currently watching: «The Sandman». It has David Thewlis and I got a glimpse of what Remus Lupin would look like if he hadn't died đ
Currently consuming: Tea. A lot of tea
Currently craving: more free time for drawing
I tag @amadinan @yuki-byeol @djmarinizelablog @littlelasagne
3 ships you like: hmmm only really Levihan these days!
First ship ever: Link and Zelda probs
Last song you heard: lol Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russel as we put on a random playlist to cook to
Favourite Childhood Book: I have a few, Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe is one :)
Currently Reading: Restarted Sanderson's Stormlight Archive and listening to The Way Of Kings in prep for book 5's release later this year. I started reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb. In a fantasy zone atm.
Currently Watching: Friends! Been slowly rewatching since winter lol. I've not watched it in order for like 15 years so I've really enjoyed watching as an adult.
Currently Consuming: lots of sun
Currently Craving: another holiday - free time to read and write :(
I tag @someonestolemyshoes @this-is-krikkit @youre-ackermine @autumndory @giuliadrawsstuff
Thank youu so much for the tag! @giuliadrawsstuff â€ïžâ€ïž
3 ships you like: there's only time and space for Levihan, sorry hehe
First ship ever: I thiiink it was Mar and Thiago from an argentinian telenovela called Casi Angeles (Almost Angels/Teen Angels)
Last song you heard: Feather by Sabrina Carpenter. A banger, for suree!
Favourite Childhood Book: oof I have so so manyy! But I guess, if I had to choose one, it'd sure be "KabĂș", a book on a baby elephant and his adventures (I looove elephants)
Currently Reading: lots of fanfiction and The Time Between Seams, by MarĂa Dueñas. Highly recommend!
Currently Watching: bunch of Robin Williams movies lol. As for a series, I'm watching Komi San Can't Communicate. It's pretty lovely so far!
Currently Consuming: soooo much music !!!!
Currently Craving: SUSHI !!!! or tacos !!!! haven't had either in what seems like forever lmaoo.
I tag @nerdynuala @autumndory @youre-ackermine @someonestolemyshoes @dontatmethanks (and anyone who wants to joinnn)
Favourite childhood book: I read a lot as a kid but the first story that left a deep impression on me is Oscar Wilde's "The Canterville Ghost" when I was 7 or 8
Currently reading: no literature at the moment but lots of fanfics & I just started the Captain Harlock manga series (Capitaine Albator in French)
Currently watching: Good Omens [finally!!!] (show) every Thrusday evening & Ao no exorcist (anime)
Currently consuming: too much coffee as usual!
Currently craving: going on vacation!!! I'm exhausted!! But I'll be 10 days off work very soon đ
No pressure tags: @sixpennydame @this-is-krikkit @littlerequiem @levitonin @gimpyhair @yve-barr @thehangetomylevi @amazingackerman @theysangastheyslew @dreamtuna @quillsandblades @kelycia @topaz-carbuncle @wyvernslovecake + open tags!
3 ships you like: Levihan (to the point of OBSESSION) , Percabeth and Damianya đ
First ship ever: I think it was Locklyle
Last song you heard: Vivaldi's four seasons
Favourite childhood book: that's hard I used to read SO MUCH and still do, I couldn't really choose but to name a few - Harry Potter series, Pjo series, anything by Roald Dhal, ASOUE and I can really go on and on....
Currently reading: The Book Thief and a compilation of stories from Edgar Allan Poe
Currently consuming: caffeine, biology and chemistry
Currently craving: sleep, loads of time and inspiration to finish my levihan fics, and a nice vacation with my family
Favourite childhood book: Um, UM. This is hard. The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, and John Grisham's The Client. I listed those because I still have the books with me with minimal damage.
Currently reading: No Longer Human written by Dazai Osamu <re-reading> and James Clear's Atomic Habits.
Currently consuming: Oxygen? đ
Currently craving: My ex's attention đ, MATCHA ICE CREAM
đž If you get this, answer with 3 random facts about yourself and send it to the last 7 blogs in your notifications, anonymously or not! Let's get to know the person behind the blog. đž
i still don't know how tumblr works despite lurking here for years but here goes!
thanks for including me, @quillsandblades
I have at least 30+ pending ideas in my drafts. They're buried in dust.
Watching the sunrise relaxes me. There's something breathtaking in being reminded that another day is starting.
I am more into Hange Zoe but retweets alot of Levi Ackerman fanarts. He has tons, holy shit.
izzy806
origamiaround
andulkaphoto
titsay
prguitarman
baratheonpilled
areudirty
romaincrisis
