Fic: Six Cups of Coffee and Counting
Title: Six Cups of Coffee and Counting (previously Three Cups of Coffee So Far) 2/?
Rating: G
Pairing: In this chapter some unrequited ShuuKira, IbaNanao, slight ShunUki and a hint of IkkaYumi and some KiraMomo I just felt like adding (no big).
Other characters: Hinamori, Rangiku
Notes/Warnings: Total AU. Our boys are veterinary technicians working in Ukitake's clinic and everyone else has some sort of job that somehow connects all of them together. They are not shinigami, there are no hollows, no kidou or any of that good stuff. They drink Starbucks, for crying out loud. This is the end result of a certain frustration that's been eating me inside out for a while now. My F-List will understand. This one is for them. ♥
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its sexy characters. I just borrow them and make them do my nasty bidding. They like it. A lot. >:)
A/N: I mentioned in the last chapter that the title will change accordingly. So yeah...
Read Part 1 here.
Six Cups of Coffee and Counting
“Gimme a minute,” Renji says quickly before Izuru can say anything. They’re in the laboratory reading old x-rays, the redhead squinting at the current one while Izuru sips idly on his white chocolate mocha as he waits.
“Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome?”
Izuru chokes on his drink then recovers. “In a great dane? They can get it, yes, but it’s not very common, is it? Look at the femur, Renji.”
“Well, ya didn’t say it was a great dane,” the redhead mutters in his defense and intensifies his squinting. “Hip dysplasia. And looks like it’s got a luxating patella.”
“No, that’s just a scratch on the film.” Izuru grabs the x-ray from the negatoscope, slides it into its envelope, and puts it back into file.
It’s Monday and the two of them have the same shift which is sort of a relief for the redhead. He likes working with Izuru because he doesn’t have to tiptoe around the clinic as much. The past few weeks passed fairly quickly and without incident and Renji can’t believe he’s been working in the clinic for almost five months now. It’s the longest time he’s stayed in the same job and it feels nice to have this kind of stability for once, though, he’d never tell Izuru that.
“What about this one?” Izuru asks, slapping another x-ray on the negatoscope. Renji is just about to start squinting again when Momo appears at the doorway. Hinamori Momo is a volunteer in the clinic and a freshman in the university. She’s been with them almost a month now and has adjusted quite nicely. They like her well enough.
“Supplies are here,” she tells them with a smile, silently asking which one of them is going to go out there and receive them. Izuru looks at Renji but the redhead ignores him as he pretends to concentrate on identifying the skeletal disorder on the x-ray. The blond rolls his eyes and mutters an oath under his breath before he stomps out of the laboratory.
“Be nice,” Renji calls after him but Izuru is already out the door.
*
“Oi, I haven’t seen you in a while!”
Iba is as loud as always, grinning widely as he peers at Izuru over a huge sack of dog food. The blond smiles at the burly man and shrugs. “I had the night shift last week and you know I like to make Renji do this instead.” He grins and catches the other end of the sack as Iba lets it fall gently into his outstretched arms.
“The guy does need the exercise,” Iba jokes and they both chuckle. Iba Tetsuzaemon works with the company that supplies the shelter’s needs and delivers them on a weekly basis. He’s a huge, muscular brunet with short cropped hair and is never seen without a pair of shades. Izuru doesn’t remember anyone else ever handling the deliveries and thinks that perhaps Iba is the only person the company has assigned to this area. Not that Iba minds in the least.
“Nanao in today?” He asks with a grin as they bring the sack into the clinic.
“She should be here soon. It’s her shift next,” Izuru tries to push the door open with his back but Momo quickly opens it for him and he gives her a grateful smile.
“Hey, Nanao!” Iba says loudly suddenly and Izuru turns to see the secretary come in from the changing room. She smiles at Izuru and eyes Iba warily.
“Iba,” she greets shortly before turning to Momo. “I’ll take care of this,” she tells the petite girl who nods and hands over some documents on a clipboard and a pen before disappearing down the corridor that leads to the shelter. Nanao immediately starts scribbling on her clipboard when Iba and Izuru dump the heavy sack on the floor.
“So how’ve you been?” Iba asks.
“Fine,” she hardly glances at him and hikes her clipboard up higher and closer to her face. Iba looks a little crestfallen and Izuru winces.
Iba, Rangiku told him and Renji once, has had this crush on Nanao since before Izuru started working here. He always tries to talk to her but she’s as cold as ice and just won’t warm up and it’s a shame, Izuru thinks, because Iba is fun and seems to genuinely care for her.
“So your phone working okay now?” Iba asks. In addition to delivering supplies, Iba sometimes helps with repairs and technical things in the clinic He says he has too much time on his hands and could do with being useful. Izuru would believe him if he didn’t volunteer his services to Nanao and only Nanao.
“It’s working fine,” Nanao answers and Izuru watches with interest when Iba seems to lean a little closer.
“I meant your home phone,” he says, scratching the back of his head self-consciously. “I…uh…still can’t get through.”
Nanao looks up sharply at that and Izuru thinks now would be a good time to leave.
“I’ll just go get the rest while you two sort out the orders,” he says quickly and gives Iba an encouraging albeit rueful smile before he jogs back out of the clinic and toward the delivery truck. The inside of the truck is full of sacks of pet food and he has to climb inside and root around for the particular brand the clinic orders. He finally spots it near the back of the truck and starts pulling at the huge bright red sack. Just then the truck lurches and he loses his footing, almost crashing face first into the wall.
“Need help?”
Izuru turns around and sees none other than Hisagi Shuuhei standing by the truck’s doors. He tries to stifle a groan when he sees that the brunet is wearing a plain white t-shirt that contrasts nicely with his black hair and the dark ink of the 69 tattoo on his cheek and a pair of torn-up jeans. No one should look that good in something so plain.
“Don’t you have class?” he asks out of habit and the brunet shakes his head. Izuru wonders why he even bothers asking that question at all. Shuuhei’s uncle or something works with the retail and distribution of veterinary supplies which is why he helps out with the deliveries most times for the extra money. He goes to college and is working on getting his bachelor’s degree in biology. He wouldn’t be here if he had a class.
“Here, let me,” Shuuhei says as he casually walks farther into the truck. He grabs one end of the sack and together they lift it out of the truck and head toward the clinic.
“So I haven’t seen you around lately,” Shuuhei begins conversationally. Izuru wants to shrug in lieu of an actual answer but his arms are laden with fifty pounds of dog food so he settles for a tight smile.
“Night shift. And, well, Renji is usually better at this than I am,” he admits, already feeling the strain on his arms. The brunet grins and pulls the sack up into a better position in his arms.
“You’re doing fine,” is all he says. He isn’t even breaking a sweat and Izuru tries not to resent him for it.
The first time he had met the older brunet was in this very same situation around four months ago. They were quick to become friends because Shuuhei is the kind of guy anyone could get along with. He’s handsome and sweet; all the girls in the clinic love him and even Yumi isn’t as mean to him as he is to other people. Izuru has to admit that seeing Shuuhei makes him a little weak in the knees. In the few months they’ve known each Izuru has come to the conclusion that Hisagi Shuuhei is perfect. He’s like the proverbial flame that draws in the moths.
Which is the problem. Izuru doesn’t want to get burned, and Shuuhei seems to be a particularly fierce and bright flame. Izuru knows the type.
They enter the clinic and carefully lay the sack in the receiving area. Nanao is still scribbling furiously on her clipboard while Iba shuffles through some papers. The two of them head back to the truck. “So I was thinking,” Shuuhei said as they carried the third sack out of the truck. “You’ve been working here, what? Six months now?”
“Five and a half. Six months in two weeks.”
“Right. Well, do you want to get coffee sometime?” Shuuhei asks and Izuru is hard-pressed not to sigh. This isn’t the first time the brunet has tried to ask him out since they‘ve met and every time he asks Izuru wonders when he‘s going to take a hint and just stop. He looks back at Shuuhei who is staring at him with hopeful brown eyes and thinks that he‘s really getting tired of this.
“Today?” He asks simply and the brunet shrugs (because unlike Izuru he actually can even with a sack of dog food in his arms).
“I don’t have anywhere to be. I was thinking maybe later after your shift? I can pick you up,” Shuuhei smiles but Izuru doesn’t return it. If his heart is suddenly beating wildly in his chest for some unknown reason, he doesn‘t let on.
“I’ll probably be really tired by then. Things get a little crazy around here on Mondays.” He keeps the fact that his shift ends in two hours to himself and doesn’t look the brunet in the eye.
Shuuhei is undeterred. “Whenever you’re free then,” he says. “I’m flexible.” He smiles again and Izuru nearly drops his hold on his end of the sack.
“Sorry,” he mutters and grips the sack tighter. He feels his face heat up. This is not good. “Look, I’ve told you before. I really can’t. I‘m sorry.”
Shuuhei actually seems to deflate a little bit at that. A moment later, though, he’s standing tall and grinning. “Hey, it’s cool.”
Izuru smiles and says nothing else. Shuuhei’s casual grace in the face of rejection never ceases to amaze him. The brunet’s grin softens into a tender smile and Izuru feels his heart thud painfully in his chest. Don’t be stupid, Izuru, he scolds himself.
“That all of it?” Iba asks gruffly when they lay the last sack of dog food on top of the other two. Nanao, Izuru notices, has mysteriously disappeared.
“Yeah,” Shuuhei replies, dusting himself off. Izuru does the same and gets behind Nanao’s desk to check the order list.
“I’d say we’re all good to go,” he says and signs his name on the order forms. He hands them back to Shuuhei who takes them without a word.
“All right, kid. We’re outta here,” Iba exits the clinic and Shuuhei gathers their copies of the necessary forms.
“I guess I’ll see you around,” he tells Izuru as he heads for the door. Halfway through the threshold, however, he turns and grins. “Don’t think I’ve given up, though,” he says and Izuru archly raises a brow. “I’ll get you next time.” Shuuhei winks and then disappears.
Izuru rolls his eyes and goes back to work.
If his stomach seems to be doing tiny little flip flops inside him, he blames it on the espresso.
*
“Dr. Kyouraku is here to see you,” Nanao’s voice comes in through the intercom. Jyuushirou can hear Shunsui’s voice in the background and he smiles.
“Send him in,” Jyuushirou answers. His finger is still on the intercom button when the door opens and his long time friend pokes his head in.
“You know you don’t have to bother her,“ Jyuushirou says wryly. “You can just come right in.”
“Ah, but where’s the fun in that?” Shunsui grins and pushes his way in through the door using his shoulders. In his hands are two ventis of starbucks and Jyuushirou brightens when he catches a whiff of the cinnamon spice mocha Shunsui obviously has in one hand. He grabs it even before his friend plops into the chair across his desk and drinks a mouthful.
“Long day?” Shunsui asks, amused, and Jyuushirou nods.
“Surgery this morning. Osteosarcoma. I had to amputate,” he sighs tiredly and leans back into his chair. Shunsui lets out a low whistle. “How are things at the University?”
Shunsui shrugs and takes a sip of his own drink (Chai Latte, Jyuushirou knows without asking). “You should come see for yourself,” he says, setting his cup down on his friend’s desk.
In addition to handling the shelter division of the clinic, Dr. Shunsui Kyouraku is also a professor in the local University. He and Jyuushirou were classmates in the University and have forged a tight friendship throughout the years. Jyuushirou took over his father’s clinic right after graduation and Shunsui tagged along for the ride as he had been lacking in direction at the time. Adding in the shelter was Shunsui’s idea and they had been working together ever since.
Then the University called, offering them each a position in the faculty. Shunsui took it and left the bulk of the work in the clinic to Jyuushirou. Every now and then, Shunsui tries to convince Jyuushirou to either sell the clinic or at least have someone else run the lion’s share of it as it had gotten more difficult when Shunsui couldn’t give as much time for it as he did before he started teaching. It would be less stressful which would be a big help given his condition but Jyuushirou always declines. He’s happy where he is and if Jyuushirou is happy, Shunsui is happy. Shunsui just keeps asking hoping his silver-haired friend will say yes one day.
The bearded vet smiles. “Sajin made a friend.”
Jyuushirou frowns and is just about to ask Shunsui what he means when the door is nudged open and Sajin walks in followed by another dog he doesn’t recognize. It’s huge--only a little smaller than the Siberian husky--and a mix, obviously because Jyuushirou can‘t identify what breed it is at a glance. Sajin feels quite at home in his office (“I have to get that lock fixed”, Jyuushirou thinks) and ambles over to lay his head on Jyuushirou’s lap but the new dog stays a safe distance away from the two humans, observing them.
Shunsui gets up and slowly walks toward it to fasten a collar and lead around its neck. “A couple found her wandering in the park and brought her over,” he says, leading the dog toward the desk so he can sit down again.
Jyuushiro pushes his chair back and grabs a blank chart from a drawer. “We should scan it for a microchip to see if it has an owner then check it for any diseases,” he says, already scribbling notes on the chart. “If it doesn’t have an owner we should have it de-wormed at the very least. Have you had it weighed yet? Do we have space for it?” At Shunsui’s blank stare Jyuushirou sighs and moves to get up but is stopped by two large hands pushing him back down by his shoulders.
“Relax, Jyuu.”
“But Shunsui--” He tries to protest then stops mid-sentence when Shunsui starts to massage his shoulders. “Shun, that…oh, that feels good,” he sighs and feels himself melt under his friend’s talented hands. He hears Shunsui chuckle.
“You work too hard.”
“Someone has to.” He looks up at Shunsui and grins. The older man sticks his tongue out at him then leans in close. “Watch and learn,” Shunsui whispers then walks toward the door with the new dog and opens it.
“Ah…Momo, right?” Jyuushirou tries to look over his friend’s broad frame to see the tiny girl but can only see the top of her head nod in affirmation. “Could you take this dog here,” Shunsui gestures to the new dog beside him. “To either Abarai or Kira? Just tell them it‘s a new rescue and they‘ll know what to do.” Jyuushirou tries not to roll his eyes as he pictures Shunsui giving the poor girl his best smile. He imagines Momo is blushing like mad.
“R-right away, Doctor,” he hears Momo say and Shunsui turns back into the office dog-free and triumphant.
“So…” he says slowly. “Where were we?”
On Jyuushirou’s lap, Sajin yawns.
*
“I thought I told ya to be nice.”
“…shut up, Renji. And get back to work.”
*
Momo has a question.
Actually, Momo almost always has a question. But she doesn’t always ask them because it depends on who she’s with. Experience has taught her that when she asks Rangiku or Dr. Ukitake or Kyouraku questions she usually gets an overload of information she doesn’t know what to do with. Renji, on the other hand, turns everything into a joke and makes her laugh too much (and she’s always afraid that will get her in trouble) and Yumichika…well, she’s afraid to ask Yumichika any questions.
Izuru is the only one she really feels comfortable with when she asks about something because he’s nice and patient and doesn’t make her feel stupid when she asks about the simple things (the others don’t do it on purpose, of course). It’s a good thing he’s the one she’s with right now because she really wants to know…
“Does she belong to anyone?” she blurts out and Izuru chuckles. They’re by the examining table with the stray Dr. Kyouraku brought in earlier perched on top of it.
“I’m getting to that,” he says and she ducks her head and blushes, embarrassed and hoping she didn’t come across as overeager or impatient just now. The dog seems to notice her plight and starts snuffling at her neck.
She giggles and ruffles her fur. “Stop that,” she admonishes gently and Izuru smiles. Again, Momo blushes. She’s had the teeniest, tiniest crush on Kira Izuru ever since she started volunteering at the clinic. He’s charming and smart and he‘s always nice to her. He helped her get familiar with the clinic and staff on her first few days and he always checks on her when he’s around. Of all the people who work in this clinic, Izuru is definitely her favorite.
“Oi, you two done in there?”
Renji is a close second.
Both she and Izuru turn at the sound of the redhead’s voice and see him already in his street clothes and ready to go home. “Ran and Yumi are here,” he says.
“Almost,” Izuru tells him then he turns to the dog, scanner in hand. “All right, girl,” he says. “Let’s see if you have an owner.” He leans over and his fringe falls over his eyes. Momo has to bite her lip to keep from actually squealing.
The dog gets a little skittish and Momo returns her attention to her and tightens her grip on her as Izuru passes the scanner over the dog’s shoulder blades. The scanner’s loud beep makes the dog whine and Momo pets her tawny gold fur, trying to soothe her, as Izuru turns the scanner over in his hand.
“She’s chipped,” the blond says. “I’ll have Nanao call the agency so we can contact the owner. Do you need any help getting her to the shelter?” He asks Momo who blushes and shakes her head.
“I can handle it,” she says as she coaxes the dog to jump to the floor so she can lead it to a kennel. Izuru smiles and leaves the room. Sajin immediately trots through the open door and Momo leads both dogs down to the shelter.
When she returns to the clinic both Renji and Izuru are dressed and ready to go. She smiles when they see her and means to tell them good-bye when Renji grins.
“Hey, you’re out, too, right?” He asks and she nods. “Me and Izuru’re gonna get coffee. Wanna come?”
She immediately flushes at the invitation. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for a few of the employees to hang out with each other outside of working hours but no one has ever asked Momo if she wanted to come before.
“I…uhm…” She stammers. Izuru looks over Renji’s shoulder and smiles warmly at her. Momo feels her face heat up fast. “I can‘t,” she says finally. “I have a class.” But, oh, does she wish she didn’t. She gives the two of them a rueful smile.
“Maybe next time?” She asks hopefully. Renji only shrugs but Izuru smiles and nods.
“Sure,” is all he says but it’s enough to make Momo ridiculously happy.
*
“So are you going to tell me what’s wrong or do I have to tie you up and strangle it out of you?”
It’s 3 a.m. and Yumi doesn’t even bother trying to figure out how Rangiku got him alone when he’s tried so hard to keep busy or at least make sure Nanao is within earshot so Rangiku won’t try anything. He spins around and glares at her.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he snaps.
Rangiku’s glare rivals his as she puts her hands on her hips and raises her chin defiantly. “Try me.”
He scowls at her and turns away but Rangiku doesn’t leave. He knew she wouldn’t so he takes a deep calming breath before turning back to her.
“It’s personal, Ran,” he says. “I am allowed to have a life outside of work.” He doesn’t want to discuss this here in the backroom with Sajin and all the other animals watching--he doesn’t want to discuss this at all. Yumi doesn’t like discussing his problems with anyone but apparently Rangiku has other ideas.
“Look,” she begins and he can already tell she isn’t going to be her usual bubbly and flighty self. She’s being serious and Yumi supposes it’s the only reason he’s still here. “Whatever is going on with you, it’s interfering with your work. Don’t think I haven’t noticed,” she says the second part quickly and with conviction when Yumi narrows his eyes.
He tries to control his temper but it‘s hard. He’s worked so hard to hide it and to have someone see through his façade so easily… “Have the others noticed?” he asks, dreading the answer.
“They don’t know you as well as I do, Yumi.”
Thank God, Yumi thinks and doesn’t say another word. The backroom is quiet for a few long minutes before it becomes clear that Yumi isn’t going to say anymore and Rangiku gets the hint. “Yumi, whatever is troubling you…I hope you get it straightened out soon.”
Yumi can hear the sympathy in her voice and it makes him mad because she doesn‘t even know what‘s going on. If there‘s anything he hates in this Godforsaken world, it‘s pity. “God, Ran,” he bursts out. “I’ll stop fucking up at work, all right?”
There’s a pause as Rangiku looks at him, her face unreadable. “That’s not all I’m worried about,” she says before leaving the backroom.
Yumi stares at the empty space where she had just been for a long time before leaning his back against the wall. Sajin makes a low whining sound and paws at his kennel door until it opens and he goes to stand beside the brooding brunet.
“Has it really gotten that bad?” he asks no one in particular but Sajin answers by snuffling at his palm and licking it, whining softly in reaction to his mood. Then he jumps, startling the dog, when his phone starts vibrating in his pocket. Habit makes him dig it out and flip it open without even glancing at the screen.
“Hello?”
“Yumi? It’s Ikka--”
Yumi hangs up and switches his phone off in one fluid motion without even realizing it. Huh. I’m getting good at that, he thinks blankly and shoves his now dead phone back into his pocket.
Practice really does make perfect.
TBC
A/N: Is it just me or are the employess in Dr. Ukitake's Veterinary Clinic and Animal Shelter playing hard to get? 8D I'm quite happy with my ShuuKira and IbaNanao here. My Ikkayumi (what little there is anyway) needs work, though.
I do not pretend to know anything about the veterinary world or how it works. If you think something is wrong it probably is but am open for corrections and constructive criticism. Hope you liked it. ♥
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x-posted: all_for_bleach, asterisk_plus, bleach_yaoi, kurosaki_clinic, sanbantaifuku, and shuukira
Rating: G
Pairing: In this chapter some unrequited ShuuKira, IbaNanao, slight ShunUki and a hint of IkkaYumi and some KiraMomo I just felt like adding (no big).
Other characters: Hinamori, Rangiku
Notes/Warnings: Total AU. Our boys are veterinary technicians working in Ukitake's clinic and everyone else has some sort of job that somehow connects all of them together. They are not shinigami, there are no hollows, no kidou or any of that good stuff. They drink Starbucks, for crying out loud. This is the end result of a certain frustration that's been eating me inside out for a while now. My F-List will understand. This one is for them. ♥
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its sexy characters. I just borrow them and make them do my nasty bidding. They like it. A lot. >:)
A/N: I mentioned in the last chapter that the title will change accordingly. So yeah...
Read Part 1 here.
Six Cups of Coffee and Counting
“Gimme a minute,” Renji says quickly before Izuru can say anything. They’re in the laboratory reading old x-rays, the redhead squinting at the current one while Izuru sips idly on his white chocolate mocha as he waits.
“Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome?”
Izuru chokes on his drink then recovers. “In a great dane? They can get it, yes, but it’s not very common, is it? Look at the femur, Renji.”
“Well, ya didn’t say it was a great dane,” the redhead mutters in his defense and intensifies his squinting. “Hip dysplasia. And looks like it’s got a luxating patella.”
“No, that’s just a scratch on the film.” Izuru grabs the x-ray from the negatoscope, slides it into its envelope, and puts it back into file.
It’s Monday and the two of them have the same shift which is sort of a relief for the redhead. He likes working with Izuru because he doesn’t have to tiptoe around the clinic as much. The past few weeks passed fairly quickly and without incident and Renji can’t believe he’s been working in the clinic for almost five months now. It’s the longest time he’s stayed in the same job and it feels nice to have this kind of stability for once, though, he’d never tell Izuru that.
“What about this one?” Izuru asks, slapping another x-ray on the negatoscope. Renji is just about to start squinting again when Momo appears at the doorway. Hinamori Momo is a volunteer in the clinic and a freshman in the university. She’s been with them almost a month now and has adjusted quite nicely. They like her well enough.
“Supplies are here,” she tells them with a smile, silently asking which one of them is going to go out there and receive them. Izuru looks at Renji but the redhead ignores him as he pretends to concentrate on identifying the skeletal disorder on the x-ray. The blond rolls his eyes and mutters an oath under his breath before he stomps out of the laboratory.
“Be nice,” Renji calls after him but Izuru is already out the door.
*
“Oi, I haven’t seen you in a while!”
Iba is as loud as always, grinning widely as he peers at Izuru over a huge sack of dog food. The blond smiles at the burly man and shrugs. “I had the night shift last week and you know I like to make Renji do this instead.” He grins and catches the other end of the sack as Iba lets it fall gently into his outstretched arms.
“The guy does need the exercise,” Iba jokes and they both chuckle. Iba Tetsuzaemon works with the company that supplies the shelter’s needs and delivers them on a weekly basis. He’s a huge, muscular brunet with short cropped hair and is never seen without a pair of shades. Izuru doesn’t remember anyone else ever handling the deliveries and thinks that perhaps Iba is the only person the company has assigned to this area. Not that Iba minds in the least.
“Nanao in today?” He asks with a grin as they bring the sack into the clinic.
“She should be here soon. It’s her shift next,” Izuru tries to push the door open with his back but Momo quickly opens it for him and he gives her a grateful smile.
“Hey, Nanao!” Iba says loudly suddenly and Izuru turns to see the secretary come in from the changing room. She smiles at Izuru and eyes Iba warily.
“Iba,” she greets shortly before turning to Momo. “I’ll take care of this,” she tells the petite girl who nods and hands over some documents on a clipboard and a pen before disappearing down the corridor that leads to the shelter. Nanao immediately starts scribbling on her clipboard when Iba and Izuru dump the heavy sack on the floor.
“So how’ve you been?” Iba asks.
“Fine,” she hardly glances at him and hikes her clipboard up higher and closer to her face. Iba looks a little crestfallen and Izuru winces.
Iba, Rangiku told him and Renji once, has had this crush on Nanao since before Izuru started working here. He always tries to talk to her but she’s as cold as ice and just won’t warm up and it’s a shame, Izuru thinks, because Iba is fun and seems to genuinely care for her.
“So your phone working okay now?” Iba asks. In addition to delivering supplies, Iba sometimes helps with repairs and technical things in the clinic He says he has too much time on his hands and could do with being useful. Izuru would believe him if he didn’t volunteer his services to Nanao and only Nanao.
“It’s working fine,” Nanao answers and Izuru watches with interest when Iba seems to lean a little closer.
“I meant your home phone,” he says, scratching the back of his head self-consciously. “I…uh…still can’t get through.”
Nanao looks up sharply at that and Izuru thinks now would be a good time to leave.
“I’ll just go get the rest while you two sort out the orders,” he says quickly and gives Iba an encouraging albeit rueful smile before he jogs back out of the clinic and toward the delivery truck. The inside of the truck is full of sacks of pet food and he has to climb inside and root around for the particular brand the clinic orders. He finally spots it near the back of the truck and starts pulling at the huge bright red sack. Just then the truck lurches and he loses his footing, almost crashing face first into the wall.
“Need help?”
Izuru turns around and sees none other than Hisagi Shuuhei standing by the truck’s doors. He tries to stifle a groan when he sees that the brunet is wearing a plain white t-shirt that contrasts nicely with his black hair and the dark ink of the 69 tattoo on his cheek and a pair of torn-up jeans. No one should look that good in something so plain.
“Don’t you have class?” he asks out of habit and the brunet shakes his head. Izuru wonders why he even bothers asking that question at all. Shuuhei’s uncle or something works with the retail and distribution of veterinary supplies which is why he helps out with the deliveries most times for the extra money. He goes to college and is working on getting his bachelor’s degree in biology. He wouldn’t be here if he had a class.
“Here, let me,” Shuuhei says as he casually walks farther into the truck. He grabs one end of the sack and together they lift it out of the truck and head toward the clinic.
“So I haven’t seen you around lately,” Shuuhei begins conversationally. Izuru wants to shrug in lieu of an actual answer but his arms are laden with fifty pounds of dog food so he settles for a tight smile.
“Night shift. And, well, Renji is usually better at this than I am,” he admits, already feeling the strain on his arms. The brunet grins and pulls the sack up into a better position in his arms.
“You’re doing fine,” is all he says. He isn’t even breaking a sweat and Izuru tries not to resent him for it.
The first time he had met the older brunet was in this very same situation around four months ago. They were quick to become friends because Shuuhei is the kind of guy anyone could get along with. He’s handsome and sweet; all the girls in the clinic love him and even Yumi isn’t as mean to him as he is to other people. Izuru has to admit that seeing Shuuhei makes him a little weak in the knees. In the few months they’ve known each Izuru has come to the conclusion that Hisagi Shuuhei is perfect. He’s like the proverbial flame that draws in the moths.
Which is the problem. Izuru doesn’t want to get burned, and Shuuhei seems to be a particularly fierce and bright flame. Izuru knows the type.
They enter the clinic and carefully lay the sack in the receiving area. Nanao is still scribbling furiously on her clipboard while Iba shuffles through some papers. The two of them head back to the truck. “So I was thinking,” Shuuhei said as they carried the third sack out of the truck. “You’ve been working here, what? Six months now?”
“Five and a half. Six months in two weeks.”
“Right. Well, do you want to get coffee sometime?” Shuuhei asks and Izuru is hard-pressed not to sigh. This isn’t the first time the brunet has tried to ask him out since they‘ve met and every time he asks Izuru wonders when he‘s going to take a hint and just stop. He looks back at Shuuhei who is staring at him with hopeful brown eyes and thinks that he‘s really getting tired of this.
“Today?” He asks simply and the brunet shrugs (because unlike Izuru he actually can even with a sack of dog food in his arms).
“I don’t have anywhere to be. I was thinking maybe later after your shift? I can pick you up,” Shuuhei smiles but Izuru doesn’t return it. If his heart is suddenly beating wildly in his chest for some unknown reason, he doesn‘t let on.
“I’ll probably be really tired by then. Things get a little crazy around here on Mondays.” He keeps the fact that his shift ends in two hours to himself and doesn’t look the brunet in the eye.
Shuuhei is undeterred. “Whenever you’re free then,” he says. “I’m flexible.” He smiles again and Izuru nearly drops his hold on his end of the sack.
“Sorry,” he mutters and grips the sack tighter. He feels his face heat up. This is not good. “Look, I’ve told you before. I really can’t. I‘m sorry.”
Shuuhei actually seems to deflate a little bit at that. A moment later, though, he’s standing tall and grinning. “Hey, it’s cool.”
Izuru smiles and says nothing else. Shuuhei’s casual grace in the face of rejection never ceases to amaze him. The brunet’s grin softens into a tender smile and Izuru feels his heart thud painfully in his chest. Don’t be stupid, Izuru, he scolds himself.
“That all of it?” Iba asks gruffly when they lay the last sack of dog food on top of the other two. Nanao, Izuru notices, has mysteriously disappeared.
“Yeah,” Shuuhei replies, dusting himself off. Izuru does the same and gets behind Nanao’s desk to check the order list.
“I’d say we’re all good to go,” he says and signs his name on the order forms. He hands them back to Shuuhei who takes them without a word.
“All right, kid. We’re outta here,” Iba exits the clinic and Shuuhei gathers their copies of the necessary forms.
“I guess I’ll see you around,” he tells Izuru as he heads for the door. Halfway through the threshold, however, he turns and grins. “Don’t think I’ve given up, though,” he says and Izuru archly raises a brow. “I’ll get you next time.” Shuuhei winks and then disappears.
Izuru rolls his eyes and goes back to work.
If his stomach seems to be doing tiny little flip flops inside him, he blames it on the espresso.
*
“Dr. Kyouraku is here to see you,” Nanao’s voice comes in through the intercom. Jyuushirou can hear Shunsui’s voice in the background and he smiles.
“Send him in,” Jyuushirou answers. His finger is still on the intercom button when the door opens and his long time friend pokes his head in.
“You know you don’t have to bother her,“ Jyuushirou says wryly. “You can just come right in.”
“Ah, but where’s the fun in that?” Shunsui grins and pushes his way in through the door using his shoulders. In his hands are two ventis of starbucks and Jyuushirou brightens when he catches a whiff of the cinnamon spice mocha Shunsui obviously has in one hand. He grabs it even before his friend plops into the chair across his desk and drinks a mouthful.
“Long day?” Shunsui asks, amused, and Jyuushirou nods.
“Surgery this morning. Osteosarcoma. I had to amputate,” he sighs tiredly and leans back into his chair. Shunsui lets out a low whistle. “How are things at the University?”
Shunsui shrugs and takes a sip of his own drink (Chai Latte, Jyuushirou knows without asking). “You should come see for yourself,” he says, setting his cup down on his friend’s desk.
In addition to handling the shelter division of the clinic, Dr. Shunsui Kyouraku is also a professor in the local University. He and Jyuushirou were classmates in the University and have forged a tight friendship throughout the years. Jyuushirou took over his father’s clinic right after graduation and Shunsui tagged along for the ride as he had been lacking in direction at the time. Adding in the shelter was Shunsui’s idea and they had been working together ever since.
Then the University called, offering them each a position in the faculty. Shunsui took it and left the bulk of the work in the clinic to Jyuushirou. Every now and then, Shunsui tries to convince Jyuushirou to either sell the clinic or at least have someone else run the lion’s share of it as it had gotten more difficult when Shunsui couldn’t give as much time for it as he did before he started teaching. It would be less stressful which would be a big help given his condition but Jyuushirou always declines. He’s happy where he is and if Jyuushirou is happy, Shunsui is happy. Shunsui just keeps asking hoping his silver-haired friend will say yes one day.
The bearded vet smiles. “Sajin made a friend.”
Jyuushirou frowns and is just about to ask Shunsui what he means when the door is nudged open and Sajin walks in followed by another dog he doesn’t recognize. It’s huge--only a little smaller than the Siberian husky--and a mix, obviously because Jyuushirou can‘t identify what breed it is at a glance. Sajin feels quite at home in his office (“I have to get that lock fixed”, Jyuushirou thinks) and ambles over to lay his head on Jyuushirou’s lap but the new dog stays a safe distance away from the two humans, observing them.
Shunsui gets up and slowly walks toward it to fasten a collar and lead around its neck. “A couple found her wandering in the park and brought her over,” he says, leading the dog toward the desk so he can sit down again.
Jyuushiro pushes his chair back and grabs a blank chart from a drawer. “We should scan it for a microchip to see if it has an owner then check it for any diseases,” he says, already scribbling notes on the chart. “If it doesn’t have an owner we should have it de-wormed at the very least. Have you had it weighed yet? Do we have space for it?” At Shunsui’s blank stare Jyuushirou sighs and moves to get up but is stopped by two large hands pushing him back down by his shoulders.
“Relax, Jyuu.”
“But Shunsui--” He tries to protest then stops mid-sentence when Shunsui starts to massage his shoulders. “Shun, that…oh, that feels good,” he sighs and feels himself melt under his friend’s talented hands. He hears Shunsui chuckle.
“You work too hard.”
“Someone has to.” He looks up at Shunsui and grins. The older man sticks his tongue out at him then leans in close. “Watch and learn,” Shunsui whispers then walks toward the door with the new dog and opens it.
“Ah…Momo, right?” Jyuushirou tries to look over his friend’s broad frame to see the tiny girl but can only see the top of her head nod in affirmation. “Could you take this dog here,” Shunsui gestures to the new dog beside him. “To either Abarai or Kira? Just tell them it‘s a new rescue and they‘ll know what to do.” Jyuushirou tries not to roll his eyes as he pictures Shunsui giving the poor girl his best smile. He imagines Momo is blushing like mad.
“R-right away, Doctor,” he hears Momo say and Shunsui turns back into the office dog-free and triumphant.
“So…” he says slowly. “Where were we?”
On Jyuushirou’s lap, Sajin yawns.
*
“I thought I told ya to be nice.”
“…shut up, Renji. And get back to work.”
*
Momo has a question.
Actually, Momo almost always has a question. But she doesn’t always ask them because it depends on who she’s with. Experience has taught her that when she asks Rangiku or Dr. Ukitake or Kyouraku questions she usually gets an overload of information she doesn’t know what to do with. Renji, on the other hand, turns everything into a joke and makes her laugh too much (and she’s always afraid that will get her in trouble) and Yumichika…well, she’s afraid to ask Yumichika any questions.
Izuru is the only one she really feels comfortable with when she asks about something because he’s nice and patient and doesn’t make her feel stupid when she asks about the simple things (the others don’t do it on purpose, of course). It’s a good thing he’s the one she’s with right now because she really wants to know…
“Does she belong to anyone?” she blurts out and Izuru chuckles. They’re by the examining table with the stray Dr. Kyouraku brought in earlier perched on top of it.
“I’m getting to that,” he says and she ducks her head and blushes, embarrassed and hoping she didn’t come across as overeager or impatient just now. The dog seems to notice her plight and starts snuffling at her neck.
She giggles and ruffles her fur. “Stop that,” she admonishes gently and Izuru smiles. Again, Momo blushes. She’s had the teeniest, tiniest crush on Kira Izuru ever since she started volunteering at the clinic. He’s charming and smart and he‘s always nice to her. He helped her get familiar with the clinic and staff on her first few days and he always checks on her when he’s around. Of all the people who work in this clinic, Izuru is definitely her favorite.
“Oi, you two done in there?”
Renji is a close second.
Both she and Izuru turn at the sound of the redhead’s voice and see him already in his street clothes and ready to go home. “Ran and Yumi are here,” he says.
“Almost,” Izuru tells him then he turns to the dog, scanner in hand. “All right, girl,” he says. “Let’s see if you have an owner.” He leans over and his fringe falls over his eyes. Momo has to bite her lip to keep from actually squealing.
The dog gets a little skittish and Momo returns her attention to her and tightens her grip on her as Izuru passes the scanner over the dog’s shoulder blades. The scanner’s loud beep makes the dog whine and Momo pets her tawny gold fur, trying to soothe her, as Izuru turns the scanner over in his hand.
“She’s chipped,” the blond says. “I’ll have Nanao call the agency so we can contact the owner. Do you need any help getting her to the shelter?” He asks Momo who blushes and shakes her head.
“I can handle it,” she says as she coaxes the dog to jump to the floor so she can lead it to a kennel. Izuru smiles and leaves the room. Sajin immediately trots through the open door and Momo leads both dogs down to the shelter.
When she returns to the clinic both Renji and Izuru are dressed and ready to go. She smiles when they see her and means to tell them good-bye when Renji grins.
“Hey, you’re out, too, right?” He asks and she nods. “Me and Izuru’re gonna get coffee. Wanna come?”
She immediately flushes at the invitation. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for a few of the employees to hang out with each other outside of working hours but no one has ever asked Momo if she wanted to come before.
“I…uhm…” She stammers. Izuru looks over Renji’s shoulder and smiles warmly at her. Momo feels her face heat up fast. “I can‘t,” she says finally. “I have a class.” But, oh, does she wish she didn’t. She gives the two of them a rueful smile.
“Maybe next time?” She asks hopefully. Renji only shrugs but Izuru smiles and nods.
“Sure,” is all he says but it’s enough to make Momo ridiculously happy.
*
“So are you going to tell me what’s wrong or do I have to tie you up and strangle it out of you?”
It’s 3 a.m. and Yumi doesn’t even bother trying to figure out how Rangiku got him alone when he’s tried so hard to keep busy or at least make sure Nanao is within earshot so Rangiku won’t try anything. He spins around and glares at her.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he snaps.
Rangiku’s glare rivals his as she puts her hands on her hips and raises her chin defiantly. “Try me.”
He scowls at her and turns away but Rangiku doesn’t leave. He knew she wouldn’t so he takes a deep calming breath before turning back to her.
“It’s personal, Ran,” he says. “I am allowed to have a life outside of work.” He doesn’t want to discuss this here in the backroom with Sajin and all the other animals watching--he doesn’t want to discuss this at all. Yumi doesn’t like discussing his problems with anyone but apparently Rangiku has other ideas.
“Look,” she begins and he can already tell she isn’t going to be her usual bubbly and flighty self. She’s being serious and Yumi supposes it’s the only reason he’s still here. “Whatever is going on with you, it’s interfering with your work. Don’t think I haven’t noticed,” she says the second part quickly and with conviction when Yumi narrows his eyes.
He tries to control his temper but it‘s hard. He’s worked so hard to hide it and to have someone see through his façade so easily… “Have the others noticed?” he asks, dreading the answer.
“They don’t know you as well as I do, Yumi.”
Thank God, Yumi thinks and doesn’t say another word. The backroom is quiet for a few long minutes before it becomes clear that Yumi isn’t going to say anymore and Rangiku gets the hint. “Yumi, whatever is troubling you…I hope you get it straightened out soon.”
Yumi can hear the sympathy in her voice and it makes him mad because she doesn‘t even know what‘s going on. If there‘s anything he hates in this Godforsaken world, it‘s pity. “God, Ran,” he bursts out. “I’ll stop fucking up at work, all right?”
There’s a pause as Rangiku looks at him, her face unreadable. “That’s not all I’m worried about,” she says before leaving the backroom.
Yumi stares at the empty space where she had just been for a long time before leaning his back against the wall. Sajin makes a low whining sound and paws at his kennel door until it opens and he goes to stand beside the brooding brunet.
“Has it really gotten that bad?” he asks no one in particular but Sajin answers by snuffling at his palm and licking it, whining softly in reaction to his mood. Then he jumps, startling the dog, when his phone starts vibrating in his pocket. Habit makes him dig it out and flip it open without even glancing at the screen.
“Hello?”
“Yumi? It’s Ikka--”
Yumi hangs up and switches his phone off in one fluid motion without even realizing it. Huh. I’m getting good at that, he thinks blankly and shoves his now dead phone back into his pocket.
Practice really does make perfect.
TBC
A/N: Is it just me or are the employess in Dr. Ukitake's Veterinary Clinic and Animal Shelter playing hard to get? 8D I'm quite happy with my ShuuKira and IbaNanao here. My Ikkayumi (what little there is anyway) needs work, though.
I do not pretend to know anything about the veterinary world or how it works. If you think something is wrong it probably is but am open for corrections and constructive criticism. Hope you liked it. ♥
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x-posted: all_for_bleach, asterisk_plus, bleach_yaoi, kurosaki_clinic, sanbantaifuku, and shuukira