[There's a lugubrious sigh at that, though it's tempered by the tired, but still affectionate smile that accompanies it.]
I'm sure she won't have to look too hard - we've given her plenty of opportunity to practice, after all.
[For a few moments he doesn't say any more, attention apparently absorbed in tracing her cheekbone with his thumb. But his mind is elsewhere, and his voice is quieter when he speaks again.]
There is another candidate, Ukitake.
You know that the Kyouraku house, at least, would recognise you. I still have some influence with them over Gotei affairs - and my brother may be many things, but he's no fool. Soul Society needs a strong Gotei as much as it needs government, and he knows it.
[His hand strays to her hair - gently pulling one of the loose strands through his finger and thumb. She almost doesn't feel real to him - none of it feels real - compared to the vivid fever dreams of the past few days...
...Or had it been weeks? It suddenly occurs to Kyouraku that he has not asked how much time has passed since the battle in the Karakura Town Construct, and he knows better than to try and judge by the healing of his wounds. In two thousand years he can't recall anyone in Seireitei being subjected to the brunt of Ryuujin Jakka's full release.
[He meets her eyes for a moment - not to seek permission, but to reassure her that it's more than just an automatic gesture - then dips his head slightly to press his lips against hers.
It's the briefest of kisses, and there's the faint taste of blood that he knows well enough - but it's enough to drown out the fear which lingers on in the back of his mind in the wake of her coughing.]
Though... if they make you my Soutaichou, I suppose I'll have even more work to do and even less of a say in the bedroom.
no subject
I'm sure she won't have to look too hard - we've given her plenty of opportunity to practice, after all.
[For a few moments he doesn't say any more, attention apparently absorbed in tracing her cheekbone with his thumb. But his mind is elsewhere, and his voice is quieter when he speaks again.]
There is another candidate, Ukitake.
You know that the Kyouraku house, at least, would recognise you. I still have some influence with them over Gotei affairs - and my brother may be many things, but he's no fool. Soul Society needs a strong Gotei as much as it needs government, and he knows it.
[His hand strays to her hair - gently pulling one of the loose strands through his finger and thumb. She almost doesn't feel real to him - none of it feels real - compared to the vivid fever dreams of the past few days...
...Or had it been weeks? It suddenly occurs to Kyouraku that he has not asked how much time has passed since the battle in the Karakura Town Construct, and he knows better than to try and judge by the healing of his wounds. In two thousand years he can't recall anyone in Seireitei being subjected to the brunt of Ryuujin Jakka's full release.
[He meets her eyes for a moment - not to seek permission, but to reassure her that it's more than just an automatic gesture - then dips his head slightly to press his lips against hers.
It's the briefest of kisses, and there's the faint taste of blood that he knows well enough - but it's enough to drown out the fear which lingers on in the back of his mind in the wake of her coughing.]
Though... if they make you my Soutaichou, I suppose I'll have even more work to do and even less of a say in the bedroom.