Cucumber in a Bowl of Hot Sauce [Rukia, Shiro]

"Not everyone's lucky enough to get the real thing, you know. Back in those days I was a big deal. They were making movies, even a whole comic series and a cartoon. But the celebrity life wasn't really for me, you know?"

It was honestly sort of embarrassing, but Rukia wasn't exactly the kind of woman who wanted to keep things just covered up. Sure, it was weird talking like all this, but she'd get used to it. She'd have to if it was a relationship, you know? Walking over to him by the stove, she simply stood in front of him, the differences in their height only more obvious as she looked up to meet his gaze with her hands on her hips.

"I can't come visit my boyfriend? I like things like this. Just you and me, nobody bothering us or making me look over my shoulder. I don't have to be Lady Kuchiki, or Professor, or anything special. I can just be Rukia."

Sighing, she took one more step forward and leaned against his chest, almost relieved at the feeling of it. She felt old a lot of the time, but right now, she felt like a teenager. How stupid of her, but she wouldn't trade it for much of anything.

"It's nice. You remind me a lot of those better times."

Honestly, part of Rukia felt like she should have beaten him up for just sidestepping everything like that. She'd laid it all out there and he just brought up the tea. But then again, it's not like she actually did anything to get him ready for that. Maybe neither of them was too good at this whole relationship thing.

"You know, usually when your girlfriend gets something off her chest, you're supposed to say something supportive."

Despite the tone of the conversation, Rukia gave Shiro a small smile, finding the whole thing at least a little bit funny. Sure, it wasn't ideal, but it was fine. She'd rather he just do that than try and give her some empty platitudes.

"It's not hard to make tea. You just put the tea in the pot and then pour the water in. Nice and simple."

Well, Rukia couldn't say she liked that question much. One of the best things about him was his confidence, that way he took things in stride. It was weird, hearing him vocalize something like that, and she reached up to put a hand on his cheek, a gesture that was honestly more awkward than she'd really imagined it'd be. Oops. Still, she just maintained it like it was totally fine.

"Well, you make me happy. I think as far as these things go, that's really all there is to worry about."

She couldn't help but laugh at his little bit of humor at the end. Maybe she wouldn't have made that sort of joke herself, but hey, she wouldn't have dated this guy, either. Things just sort of worked out that way, and that was alright with her.

"Just alright? I'm sure it can't be that bad. It's not like you've got to cook it or anything."

"So I've been told."

Honestly, anything else that Rukia might have said to him was sort of caught up in her throat as he simply pulled her toward him and held her right against his chest. Well, she could have gotten mad at him about how sudden it was, but after she got past the initial surprise, it was hard to say this position was really that unpleasant. If anything, it was nice and cozy. Reminded her of the closet.

"I try not to ask too many questions about this division's captain, honestly. I've talked to her a few times, she probably just gave you a tent so you had a place you could call home."

Of course, him bringing up the idea of all this being some sinister ploy did make her giggle quietly to herself. It was funny, really. Almost as funny as him just walking around handling all this while he held her right next to him.

"Need a hand?"

"She sure is."

Rukia probably could have grilled him on his lack of any further commentary about the Captain and what that might have meant, but she didn't really expect him to be the type of guy who'd actually have much more to say about it. Whether or not she was correct about that, well, maybe it was best that she didn't actually know. Even if she had known, though, her focus on that particular matter would probably have been broken by his picking her up.

"I feel like you're just coming up with excuses now."

Not that she really minded. If anything, she found it kind of endearing as she helped him hold the other side of the platter. This was definitely a horrible idea, but Rukia was willing to go along with it.