Absolute Zero (Shiro/Rukia)

They tried to stop him, but his insistence won in the end. Sometimes people try their best for the wrong reasons. It's not easy to accept reality, especially when it becomes a living nightmare. Sadly, Shiro thinks himself knowledgeable on living in nightmares. His whole life was shaped by one after all.

Each of his steps brought him into another person, another busybody doing their best because someone fucked up. The world had exploded not too long ago, innocent lives lost for no particular reason whatsoever. She's had enough space to ruminate on it. He kept away: didn't fight when they told him to leave, didn't bother calling her, nor bothered asking about her. Somethings required a bit of time to settle, and he's let her settle for long enough. Right now, he's sure she's ran herself ragged. It's best to wait until the beast is tired before even trying to fight it sometimes.

"Captain Kuchiki," He began, a small knock on her door. Of course, he didn't wait to enter, his face kept steady and composed as he walked in and shut the door behind him. He could only stare and hope whatever he witnessed wasn't too disheveled, but he's wishing on shooting stars with that thought.

Rukia knew who was at the door from the first syllable out of his mouth. And when she heard his voice, her heart sank in her chest. Not because she was unhappy to see him, of course. He was one of the brightest parts of her life these days. No, she was just a little disappointed that he had to see her like this. Not even sitting down, just standing hunched over her desk with reports stacked higher than she was tall. Bags under her eyes gave away how little she'd slept far better than any words could, and as she looked to Shiro, she couldn't decide whether she ought to smile or look away in embarrassment.

"Hey."

She could have looked worse, she supposed. It wasn't like she'd forgone all self-care. But her hair clearly hadn't seen much attention, and her captain's haori was more flung over her shoulders than neatly attended to. Honestly, it didn't so much look as if she was hunched over the desk as it looked like she was using it to keep from falling over.

But, at the very least, she did look happy to see him.

"Hey," He greeted.

Folding his arms, Shiro leaned against her door. If Rukia's expecting him to start a conversation, she'd find the room eerily quiet. To Shiro, Rukia's the one who needs to talk, and he's willing to stand where he is until she does. Anything he says would just be rabble she's probably already heard anyway. She knows why he's here, so there's no point dancing around stale conversation.

His eyes did focus on the stack of papers on her desk though, no particular indication he cared about them. He understood why she's busy, but he's also bad with sympathy at times. Thanks to his past, death's something that happens, planned or not. He can empathize with the victims, their families, and the people over the hospital. Unfortunately, when it comes to this, automatically killing any personal feelings comes natural. If he lets himself get angry, he knows he'll make a mistake, and the last thing Rukia needs is another man dead.

"Come on, don't give me that."

Sighing at Shiro's obvious disapproval, Rukia drank the last dregs of her cold cup of tea, her attention going back to her boyfriend only after she'd collected herself a little more and gotten herself out of that work mindset. She didn't like all of this, of course, and she would have preferred not to overwork herself. She wanted to at least try and stay healthy, and she definitely didn't like keeping Shiro at such an arm's length.

"I don't want to leave everything to my Vice Captain when she's still new. She hasn't...you know. Been through this kind of thing."

Still, Rukia's voice didn't have much conviction in it, and she stood upright with a bit of unsteadiness to walk over to Shiro, her gaze still downcast as she went to take his hand.

"Thanks for coming."

"In all honesty, you did take forever to pick one," He added, letting her know that she procrastinated, but that'd be an unfair thing to hold over her head. No one expected an attack like this. There was no reason to rush, but Shiro's seen that Mizu girl around before. She's a hard worker.

"But, you recruited her. As much as you'd like to keep the burden off her shoulders, this, at least, is needed experience for her. Wear yourself out, and she'll have to pick up all this work you're keeping from her anyway. "

Guess he'll let up a bit, letting her snatch his hand for her own needs. He's not here to force any comforting affection onto her. Even if she'd appreciate it, it'd do no good if she just goes back to work afterwards. That's why she'll have to get it herself and pull herself away from her work. At the very least, his gaze faltered, softening as he gazed at her head.

"It wouldn't have been very helpful if I picked a bad one."

Once she had Shiro's hand firmly in her own, Rukia seemed to lose much of that desperate energy that had kept her going, and she leaned against him with no small amount of obvious exhaustion. She hadn't gotten any good rest in a long while now, but in a way she felt guilty even now about needing to take this little moment of rest. How could she not? Things were bad right now, and she'd decided to take this job seriously the second she offered to serve as a Captain.

"But you're right. Being a vice captain isn't easy work. She'll have to get used to it somehow, I guess."

"She reminds me of you," Shiro noted. They both even have that gotta save the world gusto. He's sure a conversation with Mizu would go the same with Rukia, but with a little bit more spunk. That blonde's still young. Though, he shouldn't think of Rukia as being too old. That'd be rude. He could never, but as he did let his mind slip out of that seriousness it had a second ago, he just had to let it bleed out a little.

"Somehow? Someone could use a massage. I know a man who's good with his hands."

Of course he meant himself, but he'll not be too plain with it. He still wants Rukia to want to relax than to basically make her. She's already practically passing out anyway.

"Yeah, me too. I just hope she doesn't turn out the same way."

Rukia wasn't exactly under any illusions that she was still the same bright-eyed young woman she had been once upon a time. The last hundred years had jaded her, and that wasn't something she wanted her new Vice Captain to have to experience. Then again, she doubted that anyone would actually go through what she'd gone through. They'd been some pretty specific circumstances.

"You do, huh? Well, you ought to introduce me, then. I could use something like that. Assuming he's handsome, of course."

She knew perfectly well what Shiro had meant, of course. Rukia simply leaned a bit more into him, all too willing to let him take her back to her room and actually get some rest. At this point, she needed it. Any more efforts to get things done would probably slow to a crawl with how exhausted she was.

"He's a five out of ten, but he's got this smoking babe already, and I know he's totally committed to her. Dawg's always thinking bout her. Kinda annoying to listen to sometimes."

Well, guess the mood's gotten a bit better. Shiro becoming playful is a good sign that he's happy how things are going. Rukia seems okay with leaving things as they are for now, so Shiro sees no reason to continue playing coy. All he wanted was the green light to drag her away, and with it given, he's full gas. One arm around her, tightened and securing the package. Another arm, moving to the door, opening it. Next thing you know, a man's making a dash for the exit, a fragile gem tucked in his arms, freedom but a moment away.

"Oh yeah. I already told Mizu that you're taking a break for a bit, so all you've got left to do is get naked and catch some Zzz's."

People will probably throw glances their way, but it's Shiro. Everyone already knows his antics, so no one bothered to ask why he was carrying a Captain, and they'd reach her little abode soon enough.