FIC - United Front: Ch. 3 - Interruption ~Renji/Ishida ~R
Story Title: United Front
Chapter: 3 - Interruption
Pairings/Characters: Abarai Renji / Ishida Uryuu and Ishida Ryuuken
Spoilers: mild spoilers for the Heuco Mundo manga arc
Warnings: angst, yaoi, language
Rating: R
Word Count: 5011
Description: It really sucks when your Dad finds out you’ve been having sex with the enemy
Beta: 2metaldog
Great Big Hooray and Thanks go out to my beta. She retained her patience even after four rounds of edits to get this thing right.
Read: Chapter 1 or Chapter 2
He tried to arrange himself as best as possible before yanking open the door with a carefully composed sour face as greeting. As soon as the door started opening, Ryuuken grabbed the edge and slammed it against the wall.
“Ryuuken. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
“Who is it? Is it that Kurosaki brat?” Ryuuken demanded.
Ishida took in the calm face that belied the rage in his words. “Good afternoon, to you too, father. If you were looking for Kurosaki, he’s not here. Why exactly would you think he’s here? What are you doing here in the middle of the day, Ryuuken?”
Ishida was by turns confused, angry, and scared. What would prompt his father to venture out of the hospital in the middle of the day? The man never left that place unless something was seriously wrong.
Voice seething with fury Ryuuken retorted, “If it’s not Ichigo, then what shinigami are you with? You know this is unacceptable Uryuu. I felt you and your friend all the way from work. Only a shinigami would entice you to let your reiatsu get so far out of control.”
Ryuuken practically sneered at him without moving a muscle on his face, a mean feat that. One Ishida wasn’t sure if he was envious of, or afraid to ever master.
“Just because it was Kurosaki I went with to rescue Orihime, doesn’t mean he’s the only shinigami I know. I’m fighting by their side in this war, or had you conveniently forgotten that.” Ishida wanted to open a hole in the floor to fall through. He couldn’t believe Ryuuken had shown up thinking he was having sex with Kurosaki. It would’ve been funny if he weren’t so freaked out.
“I’ve tried to be lenient and over-look your participation in this so called war, but I’ll not have some stupid shinigami screwing you. We’re born enemies. We’ll die enemies. You will not let one of them fuck you!” Ryuuken said, his voice rising until he was shouting the final words. Ishida couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually heard his father yell.
Indignation suffused his body and finally replaced the dread. “We already had this discussion when I returned from Heuco Mundo the first time. How dare you come to my home, now, wanting to run my life. With the exception of trying to kill me and returning my Quincy powers to me, you’ve barely had anything to do with me my entire life. You do not get to jump into it at this stage and tell me whom I can take as a lover. I’ll be forever grateful you returned my powers to me, but that doesn’t give you the right to dictate my love life!” Ishida sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose trying to calm his nerves and temper.
“Oh, yes it does! If I hadn’t helped you get your Quincy powers back, do you think any shinigami dog would be sniffing around you? DO YOU?! Those bastards would be looking at you as common human refuse, not some measly power they had to seduce into helping them in this stupid war of their own making!”
A shiver of unease snaked through him at his father’s words.
“Actually,” a voice blew through Ishida from behind, derailing his thoughts as he barely kept himself from jumping. The interruption startled Ryuuken into silence before Renji continued. “Ishida-kun is fucking me, not the other way around. I have to say, too, I’m grateful you helped him get his powers back, or I’d be hung up in a jar somewhere as a science experiment, or maybe even permanently dead. I still haven’t decided which of those options is actually worse.”
Ishida watched his father’s eyes widen, and he turned to stare at Renji as well.
“As for how the shinigami see Ishida-kun, even without his powers restored he was already a noted hero in our history archives for his daring rescue of Rukia and subsequent unmasking of the traitors within our midst.”
Ishida just gaped at Renji indolently leaning against the wall in the entry way to the apartment, tattoos blazing in the afternoon sun, towel slung carelessly across narrow hips, and an insolent smirk carved into his face. He truly was the most beautiful man Ishida had ever seen, but more than that, his lover braved the wrath of his father to come to Ishida’s aid. With that one small act, Renji had wiped out any lingering doubts in Ishida’s mind about his lover’s motivations in their relationship. If he weren’t so upset at his father’s interruption, he would’ve acknowledged Renji’s proclamation with a very amorous response.
“So even human, Ishida-kun is a shinigami hero.”
Ishida hadn’t realized he’d even wanted to be rescued, until he heard Renji’s voice. He’d never been one for fairy tales, but even as dented as Renji’s armor was, he’d come to Ishida’s aid, and consequences be damned. He almost shook his head at the wayward thoughts running through it. Obviously, his father was making him crazier than usual.
“By the way, we don’t treat humans, even mundane ones, as garbage,” Renji continued. “I think maybe you’re projecting too much there Ishida-san.”
Ishida nearly rolled his eyes at Renji’s rash words. Maybe he’d kill him later, rather than thank him for the interruption. Now though, he needed to start damage control before his father completely lost it and started shooting Renji full of arrows.
***
Renji hadn’t been able to stand listening to the abuse any longer. He understood why Ishida hadn’t done well in his own defense. Even though Renji never had a father, he supposed the father/son relationship was similar to the Captain/Vice-Captain one. Constantly striving to please and surpass your superior with little to no praise or acknowledgment for your deeds or accomplishments could wear down even the most positive soul given enough time. When the most important role model in your life didn’t think much of you, it could have a big impact on your ability to fight back with confidence. Even Renji, in his much longer life, had found this system difficult at best to function under.
“No, Uryuu. I won’t stand here and let this dead man vouch for you and lie for you. You’re obviously not responsible enough to live on your own, anymore. You’ll no longer be participating in this idiotic war. I demand you come with me immediately.”
Renji had to admit, the man did menacing with a superior air. It would’ve been impressive if he weren’t used to much worse from his own captain. His next move would either make him a hero or find him truly dead, but then again, he was used to those being his choices.
“No, father, I…”
“Uryuu, your dad may be one hot number, but he’s one cold bastard.” Renji sauntered over to Ishida and slung his arm casually around his lover’s bare shoulders. “I thought you looked hot now, babe, but I am seriously stoked to see you pounding into me in another twenty years when you’re even sexier looking, like your old man. Too bad your dad’s so uptight; I could really go for a threesome with the two of you.”
To let Ishida know he was just screwing around, Renji grinned at him as he slid his hand down to pinch his lover’s ass. He really didn’t need both father and son pointing arrows at him no matter how hot his perverted libido found the idea. Renji figured if he pissed off Ryuuken bad enough maybe the prick would leave. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure it was working. Ishida was starting to look almost as irate as his father was sounding. Still, he plowed forward and hoped he wasn’t making the situation worse.
“So, Uryuu, do you think your dad’s so pissed about me because he’s never gotten the chance to top a shinigami, or because he wants to keep your beautiful face all to himself?” Renji leaned over, licked Ishida’s ear, and buried his face in the gorgeous black hair of his lover to hide his smirk. He considered he might be taking his words too far, but he almost couldn’t stop himself. He’d been more ticked off at Ryuuken than he’d originally thought and the urge to monumentally piss the bastard off was undeniable.
Ryuuken spluttered, but before he could start spewing obscenities, Renji interrupted him again.
“By the way, Ishida-san, your whole tirade? Not gonna happen. No way are you taking my lover away like he’s some twelve-year-old delinquent. No matter what you think of me, you really should have more respect for your own son. Who, I might add is a hero a hundred times over, which despite your vocation as a doctor, you will never achieve simply because you are a piece of human shit, Ishida-san.” Renji pulled his dumbstruck lover close in to his side and tried to turn back to the main portion of the apartment.
Before he’d even a chance to breathe, Ryuuken pulled his bow on Renji.
Renji knew it. He’d gone overboard. Still, it’d be good to be able to look Ishida in the face when all was said and done and know that he’d stood beside his lover against Ryuuken’s verbal attack. If he’d just watched… again, instead of saying something, he never would’ve forgiven himself.
“No, Ryuuken.” Ishida disentangled himself from Renji’s side and stepped between the arrow and his shinigami lover. “You will not threaten the man I love in my own home.”
Renji wanted to fidget at Ishida’s repeated declarations of love. He still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with that knowledge. So, instead he pushed it to the back of his mind once more, and glanced at the umbrella stand in the corner that held Zabimaru. Renji wondered if could lend Ishida some assistance against his father.
Ryuuken’s harsh laughter made Ishida visibly shudder. “No, it’s you who doesn’t understand, Uryuu. Do you think I’ll stand idly by and be degraded and insulted by a vulgar shinigami thug? Do you think standing in my way will stop me from rightfully killing him for defiling you and tarnishing the Quincy and the Ishida name? DO YOU?!”
As Renji watched in fascination, he wondered if Ryuuken would drop dead from a stroke as the waves of fury poured from his body, and still his face barely betrayed his ire.
Ishida rubbed the bridge of his nose yet again, and Renji could practically hear the irony drip from Ishida’s voice as he replied. “No, Ryuuken, I’ve no doubt that you’d kill me right alongside Renji, if you deemed it logical. I’ve always wondered if my death would be at your hands inadvertently or deliberately. Until I went to soul society, I never doubted that it’d be you that’d be the death of me.”
It seemed to Renji that Ishida’s spine straightened even more as he continued his calm response. “Now, not only do I have a chance to die a hero to humans that will never know of the war being waged, but to die with honor in my heart for doing the right thing. I think, finally, grandfather would be proud of me. How would he feel about your deeds father?”
Seeing Ishida glance at him made Renji all the more intent at retrieving Zabimaru. Although, what he thought he and Zabimaru could do in the tiny space without killing them all, was beyond him. He hoped Ishida had some sort of plan on how to talk his old man down, because Renji’s little verbal stunt had obviously backfired.
Ryuuken’s bow disappeared as suddenly as it materialized and the elder Quincy looked momentarily shell shocked, as Ishida’s words appeared to hit home.
Ishida continued in a quieter and more composed voice, “You can’t take me from here, even if you wished it, Ryuuken. This apartment is paid by my trust and you can’t touch it. We stopped being father and son years before I moved out. You no longer have the ability or right to order me to do anything.”
Stepping closer to his lover, Renji put a hand on his shoulder as he listened to the quiet words from Ishida.
“I’ll always be grateful to you for the return of my powers, but as my father, and a Quincy, you owed me that chance. I owe you nothing, not even an explanation for my choice in lovers. I’ll tell you, though, because I want you to know. I love Renji. Without him I’d probably be as spiteful and empty as you.”
Ishida turned to Renji and attempted a weak smile. “It doesn’t matter if I have him for a day, a week, a year, or forever. I’ll take all the love I can get before I die, and I don’t doubt I’ll die in this war. It’s almost inevitable really, but maybe I’ll be lucky enough to come out on the other side with someone amazing waiting for me. It doesn’t matter, though. Even if I don’t, I’m not going to pass up on the happiness I could have now just because I might die tomorrow.”
Renji felt a lump form in his throat and was actually grateful Ishida turned back towards his father and couldn’t see his face. He probably looked a little green. As much as he’d been putting it off, he definitely needed to think about what Ishida’d said about love. But later, it would definitely have to be later. There was still too much going on here to get distracted.
Ishida glanced away from both him and Ryuuken and he knew his lover was feeling decidedly uncomfortable. He wished he could say or do something to make it all better. However, he figured he’d probably done enough damage for now and kept his mouth shut.
“From when I was small, I knew I was nothing but a disappointment to you. I kept striving and failing to gain your respect. Now I no longer want or need it. The shinigami may have been our enemies two hundred years ago, but that was as much our fault as theirs. Today - today is what matters, and today they’ve asked me to help defend our world. They have set aside their differences, as I have set aside mine, and we fight together in a war that is far from meaningless, father. If we lose this war, it won’t only be the souls in Rukongai and Seireitei that suffer; it will be every human soul here on earth as well. Aizen isn’t looking to be king of Soul Society, he’s looking to be emperor of all the realms of existence, and if he wins, he has the power to do it. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen. Even if it means my death, I’ll do my duty, on the pride of the Quincy name.”
As many times as Renji gave Ishida shit over his damn Quincy pride, he knew what it really meant to him. Renji stepped forward and stood at his lover’s side, satisfaction and admiration suffusing his face. It was no wonder Ishida was so damn good at school and such an amazing fighter in the war. He wondered what god he’d made happy to deserve the beautiful Quincy that apparently loved him.
Ryuuken stood facing them both, looking uncomfortable or upset, but truthfully, Renji wasn’t sure what that look meant. Father and son appeared so much alike, but though he could usually read Ishida’s strange expressions, the brief ones that flitted across Ryuuken’s naturally passive face were too different to distinguish. And for that, he was grateful. Renji would hate to see Ishida ever end up as harsh and angry as his old man.
Fortunately, he finally realized there was a way to help, hopefully without making things worse. With the obvious break in the confrontation, he knew it was time to step in. Renji had some damage control of his own to do. He hoped like hell he never had to do something like it, ever again.
The silence dragged on a few moments more before Renji was the one to break it. “I’m sorry for the insults and disparaging comments, Ishida-san. I was angry and upset at the way you were treating your son and my lover. I humbly apologize.” He’d throw up later at kowtowing to the bastard.
“You know, as fast as you are with that bow, we could use another expert fighter. I mean if you’re at least as good as Ishida-kun, you’d make a helluva good platoon leader. Your son does an amazing job leading around a bunch of “dumb shit” shinigami. You really should be proud of him. They hardly ever have any casualties in his squad.” Renji made sure to lace his voice with satisfaction and delight. He sounded like Rukia at her saccharin worst and inwardly it made him cringe, but at least it was working, so he didn’t feel as strong a need to gouge his eardrums out.
Ryuuken actually looked resigned and perhaps a bit approving, though Renji was loath to put feelings to the cursory emotions that flitted across the bastards face.
In a near whisper Ryuuken asked, “You lead a squad of shinigami?”
Renji thought that maybe Ryuuken finally got it. At least he hoped the old prick did. Because he was beginning to think, the arrow might have hurt less than the verbal sparring.
***
“Yes, Ryuuken, I do.” Ishida looked at Renji sideways wondering why he persisted trying to rescue the damsel in distress. Groaning inwardly Ishida was convinced he was losing his grip on reality. Being in love with the stupid shinigami didn’t mean he had to sound like a lovesick fool even in his own head.
“Why… Why didn’t you ever tell me Uryuu?” Ryuuken looked suddenly weary.
Ishida wasn’t sure if that made him happy or sad. He’d rarely seen any expression on his father’s face other than aloof disdain. The whole confrontation could've so easily been avoided if his father had simply ignored him as he’d done most of his life. He wanted to sigh, but knew it would do no good.
“Would you have cared? Would you have even believed me for that matter? Why would I think leading a platoon of shinigami, would make you proud of me when nothing else ever has? Especially given how much you hate them and everything they stand for? What good would it have done to tell you?” Ishida abruptly ran out of steam and leaned hard into Renji’s side. Next time they had sex he was going to have Renji put up some kind of kidou shield or something. It was still a bit mortifying to think Ryuuken had shown up because Ishida’d let his reiatsu get a little out of control while having sex with Renji.
“Please, Ryuuken, go. Renji and I need to get some rest if we can. We were up all night fighting hollows and we’ve just finished showering. For some ungodly reason, my head has started to pound out an annoying tempo on my brain, and I’d like to lie down and sleep it into submission. So please, just go.”
Renji’s shoulder bumped Ishida and he gave him some serious eye contact. Ishida did sigh then, and walked to his father. What the hell was up with Renji? He was never the one for the diplomatic touch.
As Ryuuken turned to leave Ishida continued, “If you want to know what I do for the war, we’ll talk about it another time. For right now though, I really need you to leave.” Ishida kept walking to the door behind his father and pried it from the wall where the handle was embedded.
Ryuuken seemed to gather himself before turning to leave. “Perhaps…” The elder Ishida cleared his throat. “Perhaps I was incorrect… barging into your home. Could we possibly discuss your war activities at a later date?”
“Sure, Ryuuken, sure.” Ishida winced when he felt Renji pinch the back of his arm. “I’d like that very much… father.”
“I honestly meant what I said, sir. This war is far from over and it’s by no means a sure victory for either side. We could always use an extra pair of fighting hands, especially ones as quick and confident as yours. As highly as Ishida-kun speaks of your skills; I have no doubt the Commander General would find a good group for you to lead.”
Ishida definitely felt the need to kill Renji later - at least a little bit. Besides, he was totally freaking him out. The voice might be Renji’s, but the words were nothing he thought he’d ever hear come out of that crass, albeit sensual mouth. Watching as Ryuuken visibly trembled at Renji’s revelation; Ishida wondered what the hell would be next. Flying Pigs? As Ryuuken looked at him with questions in his eyes, Ishida knew he wasn’t getting his father out the door without more talking and more explanations. Maybe death was too easy for Renji; perhaps torture was a better solution.
“What? You thought because we hate each other, that I didn’t admire your skill? I may be a terrible son, and you a horrible father, but I’m not a liar.” Ishida was feeling unbearably drained and wanted nothing more than for his now docile father to get the hell out of his home, but for some reason it was important to Renji that it all end with hearts and flowers. Whatever the hell had gotten into the stupid shinigami was going to be pounded out of him; after Renji had his brains screwed out of course. Mustn’t forget that part. Unfortunately, his own brain currently hurt too badly to even contemplate that prospect in the near future.
“I… I’ll consider your proposal…” Ryuuken trailed off uncomfortably. Ishida couldn’t remember his father ever having lost his stoic composure quite so badly. Maybe in the end, Renji’s little stunt had worked out for the best. He was still going to torture him a bit, though.
“Abarai. His name is Abarai Renji and he’s vice-captain of the Sixth Division.” Ishida felt his lover slide in behind him and lend his physical and moral support. At least the moron wasn’t talking anymore. Maybe he could actually wrap it up before his brain leaked out his ears.
***
Renji didn’t know what he was doing. Normally he kept as far away as possible from domestic arguments of every kind. Luckily, for him, he actually paid attention these days when Captain Kuchiki mediated disputes between parties. Without that knowledge, he probably would’ve made the whole situation worse than he did with his initial entrance and insults. Mostly though, he was glad he’d learned to eat crow if for nothing more than Ishida’s sake.
Stepping around his lover and forward with a slight bow, Renji proceeded to eat a lot of crow. “I apologize for getting off on the wrong foot with you, sir. I really hope you’ll consider fighting beside your son and me in this war. We can use all the strong spirits we can get, and your help would be most welcome.” Shit, he sounded as fruity and stuck up as his captain.
He hoped Byakuya never heard him that way, or he’d demand the same type of talk and deference all the time. Come to think of it, maybe Captain Kuchiki should be the one to recruit the arrogant prick. Ryuuken would probably be flattered that a captain asked him, and they both had rods of steel stuck up their asses. They’d probably get along great, which was a horrifying thought.
“Please think about it… father. I’ll talk to you again soon, but I really need some sleep. So, if you’ll excuse us?”
Noticing how drained and weary Ishida looked, Renji decided he’d done enough play-acting. It was time to remind both Ryuuken and Ishida that he was here to stay. He bent slightly and laid a gentle kiss on the top of Ishida’s head.
Apparently Ryuuken had finally had enough as well, because he hastily stepped back as he said, “Of course. I’ll call you in a few days and we can arrange to talk again. Abarai-san. Uryuu. Good-bye.”
The door closed much more quietly than it opened and Ishida dropped his head into his hands, while Renji grunted in satisfaction.
He was so going to get his ass kicked for his next statement, but he knew it had to be said. “Your dad may be a dick, but he loves you, Ishida.”
“Renji, I’m tired. Can we please just go to sleep for a while? I’ll pump your ass full of arrows later for looking like such an idiot and making things worse with your imprudent comments.”
“Pump my ass full, huh? Promises, promises, Ishida-kun.” Renji couldn’t help the grin that sprang up on his face.
“Ha, ha, ha! Very funny. Look, we can argue about my father to your heart’s content when we wake up, but right now I’m dead on my feet.” Ishida visibly sagged as he turned back towards the bedroom.
“Well then, my prince, off we go.” Renji scooped up his slighter lover and sauntered off to the bedroom.
“Damn it, Renji, knock it off, and put me down. I’m too tired to deal with your crap right now.” Having Ishida wiggle in his arms forcibly reminded him he was still dressed only in a towel.
“Good! If you’re too tired, then you won’t fight me as I carry you to bed. I was kind of hoping to do this earlier before we got so rudely interrupted.”
As Renji walked with Ishida in his arms, he carefully watched his lover’s expressions. “Oh, get that look off your face. Even I’m not that crude and unfeeling. We’ll fuck after we wake up. You still owe me one, though, especially for facing your father with a still partially erect dick.”
Ishida’s agitation suddenly morphed into a weak laugh. “What in the name of all that’s holy, prompted you to come out in a towel and proceed to insult and degrade my father, who you damn well know scares the crap out of me?”
“Language, Ishida-kun, language. A proper Quincy does not use such foul words.” Ishida smacked Renji upside the head, and was unceremoniously dropped onto his futon.
“Ouch,” Renji complained pitifully.
“Hey!” Ishida yelled as he hit the bed. “So much for waiting until after I sleep to talk about this crap. What the hell is with the Jekyll and Hyde routine? One minute you’re acting as stupid as always with the insults and wild accusations to my father and the next you’re sounding like Kuchiki-san’s shadow. Though I have to admit, that was a pretty impressive feat channeling your captain like that.”
Renji winced at the fairly accurate description of his escapades. As he paused to scratch the back of his head, he looked down at Ishida sheepishly. “I was listening to Ryuuken’s verbal attack. I just couldn’t take it - the way he was talking to you, Ishida. Ichigo’s dad might be fucking crazy, but at least he respects his son.”
Staring down into Ishida’s eyes, he continued his explanation. “You’re a hero and an honorable man. I couldn’t stand in the shadows and watch silently while he berated and insulted you like that. So… I went with whatever came into my head. Eventually, it dawned on me though… he does love you. He just has a shitty fucking way of showing it.”
Renji leaned down a bit to run his fingers through Ishida’s hair. “I think he was actually glad I was here. It gave him an excuse to try to bring you to heel and remove you from the war. He knows how serious this war is, but he still wants to protect you. I’m pretty sure that’s all he was trying to do. You know though, I’m glad you’re not so much like him. He’s a fucking prick.”
“Why Abarai-san, I believe that is possibly the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” Ishida smiled softly and then yawned.
With a leer, Renji leaned over him completely and pushed Ishida back onto the bed. “Oh no, I haven’t even begun to say nice thing yet,” Renji whispered lasciviously into Ishida’s ear.
A sigh closely followed his innuendo. “Unfortunately, for now sleeping beauty, time for bed. Off with those nasty pants and under the covers.” Ishida lifted his hips as Renji unzipped his pants and stripped them down his legs.
“There we go.” Renji discarded the dirty pants and his towel in the laundry hamper and crawled over Ishida to spoon him from behind.
***
“Damn it Renji, you’re already half hard.” He wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or horrified that it took so little to get Renji excited again. If his head didn’t hurt so damn bad, he’d probably have gone with flattered. Unfortunately, now that they were all alone again, the whole sex thing was staring to freak him out a little. It was a good thing he was too damn tired to think about much of anything.
“Shut up, Ishida. I’ve gone a lot longer than this without getting off. Go to sleep. All I want to do right now is hold you anyway. Despite what my dick may be saying, my brain knows you don’t have sex right after a big row with your father. That’s just wrong. So, lie here, and let me cuddle you.”
Ishida yawned once more. There he went again acting like a noble Samurai. Or in Renji’s case maybe an honorable Ronin. It suited him better. Ishida continued yawning. “Renji,” he murmured, voice drifting quieter. “You’re starting to sound like a girl.”
“I know.” Renji kissed him lightly on the shoulder. “It’s your fault. You make me feel weird things. I think I like it though,” were the last words he heard as he finally drifted to sleep.
*** End Chapter 3
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