TZC: Toushirou and Hyourinmaru set, part 1
I do not need a nap.
Hyourinmaru took in his shinigami’s rigid stance, his flushed face and the icy tone of his voice and concluded that this argument was probably not going to have a happy ending. They never did when the dragon tried to save Toushirou from his own occasionally self-destructive work ethic.
I am not some child, I am a captain in the Gotei 13.
The tone of Hyourinmaru’s voice suggested that he had heard this particular point before, and that it was getting old.
Right. Noted. Not debating your captaincy in the slightest. What I am saying, and track me this time because I’m getting tired of repeating myself, is that you are overworked and exhausted. You need a break, Toushirou. And, since you’ve suddenly decided to file it under “things I don’t need,” you could really use some sleep, too. Ideally, I’d like to see you sleep, eat, shower please, and sleep some more before you go near that desk again.
And I do not stink!
Hyourinmaru suppressed a sigh. Easily irritated-check. Irrational-check. Fixated on unimportant details-check. Neglecting his health and in complete denial about it-double check. This was going nowhere and Toushirou’s hands were starting to shake. Much as he hated to do it, Hyourinmaru was going to have to use his shinigami’s insecurities against him.
That response right there is why people keep treating you like a child.
Toushirou’s eyes narrowed.
Don’t you dare.
Hyourinmaru’s mind flashed back to the last time Toushirou had tried to work himself past the point of exhaustion and passed out as a result. Unable to reach his shinigami mentally and absolutely terrified of what that could mean, Hyourinmaru had screamed for Minazuki. Captain Unohana, Vice-Captain Kotetsu and six other Fourth Division shinigami arrived in the Tenth Division offices only minutes later. They were greeted with the sight of the newly-promoted Captain Hitsugaya slumped unconscious over his paperwork, looking too skinny and much too pale. What stunned them all to silence, however, was the distraught ice dragon that had physically manifested and was hovering fretfully over his young partner. They’d both recovered completely from the incident, but Hyourinmaru was not doing it again. Not ever. He didn’t-couldn’t-stop, even though he knew his words would hurt Toushirou.
It’s no wonder no one takes you seriously. You’re acting like a baby, Toushirou, so everyone’s treating you like one. Grow up or get used to it.
Toushirou snapped. He snarled incoherently and physically lunged toward Hyourinmaru.
It was just what Hyourinmaru had been waiting for.
The instant Toushirou’s hand closed around Hyourinmaru’s sheath, a blast of icy cold air coiled around his body much like the dragon himself curled around his mental body in Toushirou’s inner world. Stunned, Toushirou dropped his guard enough to relax into his zanpakutou’s icy cocoon. Hyourinmaru focused for a moment on keeping his shinigami firmly in his embrace. Then, before Toushirou could decide to be contrary and pull away, Hyourinmaru sank into their bond. He allowed his worry, his love and, above all, his trust and respect to flow between them. He brought his face around next to Toushirou’s and whispered softly but fiercely in his ear.
My shinigami.
Toushirou stiffened, then relaxed completely. Of course. Hyourinmaru was just baiting him to get him close. Toushirou opened his end of their link and allowed his emotions to mix with Hyourinmaru’s. Apology, trust, respect, utter faith and, yes, even love flowed from him. He smiled fondly at his stubborn, irritating, overprotective, completely irreplaceable partner and gave voice to the only two words he knew that could possibly encompass all his feelings.
My zanpakutou.
He dropped backwards onto his bed, Hyourinmaru’s sword form still clutched to his chest. Toushirou closed his eyes and let go, safe in the knowledge that Hyourinmaru would be there to catch him. The icy chill of his partner’s touch and the comforting feeling of being wrapped in his serpentine coils followed Toushirou down into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Next up is part one of the zanpakutou post I've been threatening.