Candy

“You spoil him, you know, Jushiro,” Shunsui commented with a slight chuckle, as he watched Tamaki rush off with a handful of sweets.

Tamaki was Shunsui’s and Jushiro’s son, and was nearly six.  He had been born on Shunsui’s birthday.

“I know. But I can’t help it.  And you know, you like being spoiled just as much.”

Shunsui chuckled. “That much is true. So what did you get me for my birthday?”

“See what I mean? You’re as bad as him. Your birthday isn’t till tomorrow.”

“But Jushiro-kun, a slight peek wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

Jushiro sighed. Every year this had been the same. Tamaki was happy enough to rush off with sweets. Shunsui on the other hand... “What do you want me to bribe you with this time? Alcohol?”

“I have plenty already.”

“Then...” Jushiro smiled, reaching his arms around Shunsui and placing a teasing kiss to his cheek. “You want me?”

“Jush...”

“Why are you holding each other like that?”

Biting back a groan, Jushiro pulled away. Sometimes, he hated the lack of privacy that came from having a child. “We were just having a little alone time. What do you need Tamaki? You can’t have eaten all that candy already.”

“I want to share it. It’s good to share. You and Daddy should have some.”

Smiling, Jushiro and Shunsui took a piece with thanks.

“Thank you, Tamaki; it is indeed good to share.”

 “Does that mean I can have my present now?”

Jushiro laughed. “No, Tamaki, you just have to be patient. Like your father.”

“Buuut –“

“Honestly. It’s like I have two little boys instead of one. Tamaki, you and your father shall have to wait.” Jushiro hated denying them what they wanted, especially when they had exactly the same look in their eyes, but there was no way he was giving in.  His eyes sparkling, he came up with an idea. “Tamaki, I bet you can go without your present longer than your father can.”

“Yes. Daddy is impatient. I’ll show him just how patient I can be.”

“No, you’ll give in before me. I have the patience to ignore Nanao-chan for weeks.”

“Only because she’s trying to get you to do something you don’t want to.”

Jushiro smiled, tuning out their voices as the joking argument continued. He was not sure when their son had become so perceptive, but it delighted him to see both of them so happy. Sipping at his medicinal tea, he kept a careful eye on them. He needed time to relax. He would not want to be ill on their birthday. It always was the best day of the year.

It may not be Jushiro’s official birthday, but seeing Shunsui and Tamaki so happy was the greatest gift he could ever have received.

***

Jushiro was awoken the next morning by excited shaking. As he opened his eyes, his smile shone even brighter. “Shunsui, really. I suppose you want your present?”

“Ye – no. I’m not letting our son win this time.”

“Then why did you wake me?”

“He’s still asleep, I thought maybe we could –“

Sighing, as there was a knocking at the door, Jushiro realised that time together would have to wait. Forcing Shunsui off him, he stood up to get dressed.  “Tamaki, wait downstairs. As it’s your birthday, I’ll make your favourite for breakfast. But only if you’re seated nicely at the table by the time your Father and I get downstairs.”

The thudding of someone rushing down the stairs followed, and Jushiro had to stifle a laugh. He shook his head in frustration as Shunsui wrapped his arms around him once more.

“Just a little kiss sweetie, you know you need it.”

Turning around, Jushiro pressed his lips to Shunsui’s, before rapidly pulling away.

“Jushiro-kuuun.”

“No. I promised Tamaki his favourite breakfast. It’s his birthday too, you know.”

“I know.”

“Sure you don’t want your present yet?”

“Stop teasing me! You don’t tease Tamaki, that isn’t fair.”

Smiling, Jushiro moved away and finished getting dressed. Today was going to be a long day; he was sure of it.

***

“Where’s my pancakes? Look, I’m sitting here patiently. Please. Daddy, make him see that I’m being good.”

Jushiro laughed. “I  can see that for myself, Tamaki. Just let me make them and then they will be on their way.”

“Yay!”

Moving to the kitchen, Jushiro glanced over to the table, and smiled as he saw Shunsui and Tamaki trying to get the other to ask for their present. They were so similar sometimes it scared him slightly.

“Be careful, Mum!”

Rapidly turning his attention back to the pancakes, Jushiro took them off the stove as he found they had nearly caught light. Tamaki only ever referred to him as Mum when he was worried or scared about something.  

Plating the pancakes up, he quickly served them to the others and patted Tamaki affectionately on the head. “Thank you, Tamaki. That would not have been the best start to the day.”

“I don’t want the smoke affecting your lungs.”

Jushiro cringed slightly. He still hated that Tamaki had found him in one of his worst states when Shunsui was elsewhere. However, he still admired how a four year old Tamaki had not panicked, and had instead used his direct line to Unohana to contact her. He really was a bright boy.

“You are okay, aren’t you?”

“I’m fine. Just eat your pancakes. You want to be ready for when your friends arrive don’t you?”

“Is... is  Reizo coming?”

“Of course he is. He wouldn’t miss his best friend’s birthday, you know that.”

“But Kuchiki-sensei –“

“He would not deny him coming to your birthday party, even if he has been misbehaving. Besides, I’m sure Abarai-san would have convinced him in some way.” Jushiro smiled as he saw Shunsui almost choke on his breakfast, knowing that his lover knew exactly what he had meant by that.

***

Tamaki leapt to his feet as he heard the doorbell ring, only to find himself held back by Shunsui’s arms. “Dad, lemme go.”

“Calm down. Whoever it is will see you soon.”

Sighing, Tamaki watched as Jushiro opened the door, his eyes widening with delight as Reizo rushed in. As Shunsui let him go, Tamaki rushed over to Reizo and pulled him into a hug. “Reizo! You made it!”

“Like I’d miss this for the world, Tam.”

“I told you before don’t call me Tam!”

“You like it really. Mother’s in a mood with me, though.”

Tamaki giggled. “Kuchiki-sensei is always in a mood with you.”

Jushiro glanced over to them, but it seemed that Shunsui had a better view of keeping them under control so turned to Reizo’s parents. “Byakuya, Renji. How has he been?”

“A nightmare. You should see the mess he made in the Kuchiki household kitchen yesterday.”

“Oh come’on Byakuya, he’s only four. Lay off him a bit, will ya?”

“Renji, may I remind you that you were not the one who ended up with flour in your hair?”

Turning away, Jushiro gestured for them to come in. He had to use all his resolve not to burst out laughing at the image of the always immaculate Kuchiki Byakuya with flour in his hair.

“Abarai-san!”

Renji chuckled as Tamaki flung his arms around him. “Hey kid, ya behaving? An’ I’ve told ya before, call me Renji. There’s no need for formalities.”

“Of course I have.”

“Would ya like ya present?”

“No. Daddy and I are playing a game. Seeing which of us is the most patient.”

Smiling, Renji reached round for the package he had bought with him. “Now then, ‘m sure that only applies ta the present your parents bought ya. So there’s nothing to stop you opening this one from Kuchiki-sensei, Reizo, and myself now is there?”

Tamaki took the present then glanced at Jushiro and Shunsui. “Can I open this?”

“Of course you can. Abarai-san is right; it’s only the present we bought you that counts. Besides, you have been very patient. You deserve a treat.”

Grinning with delight, Tamaki ripped open the red and black wrapping paper. Giggling, he pulled out the plastic figurines of a baboon with a snakes’ tail and a bonsai tree. “So this is what Kuchiki-sensei’s and Abarai-san’s zanpakuto forms look like?”

“Tha’s right. Ya  kept asking about them so I thought figures of them would be clearer than trying to explain.”

“Thank you.  All three of you.”

Renji smiled, and then grinned as he noticed that even Byakuya had a slight smile on his face now. Tamaki just had that kind of personality that rubbed off on you.

“Am I late to the party?”

“As always, you moron.”

“Hey! Don’t talk to Ichigo like that!” Tamaki glared at Renji before rushing over to Ichigo. “Don’t mind him. He’s just jealous you took my attention away from his gift.”

“I haven’t listened to Renji for years. Happy birthday, Tamaki.”

Tamaki took the jar of sweets from Ichigo, his eyes sparkling with wonder. “These look different. I’ve not seen this type over here before.”

“Nah, they’re living world sweets. And Urahara better not have snuck anything odd into them.”

“Thank you.” Opening the jar, Tamaki began to offer them around.

“How are things, Ichigo?”

Ichigo glanced at Ukitake with a slight smile. “Things are fine. I still appreciate that you and Byakuya went out of your way to get me a place here.”

“Let’s not dwell on that misfortunate week.”

Looking over his shoulder, Ichigo smirked at Byakuya. “I heard you got flour in your hair.”

“It was not intentional.”

“Much as I hate to agree with Renji, he’s right. You should lay off Reizo a bit.”

As others began to arrive and Tamaki got into opening all sorts of presents, Jushiro slowly sidled his way across to Shunsui.

“He’s having fun, isn’t he?”

“Of course.  What’s up?”

“It’s my birthday too, you know.”

Rolling his eyes, Jushiro placed a quick kiss to Shunsui’s lips. “I know.  And I’m sure they haven’t forgotten either.”

“No one has wished me happy birthday yet.”

Sighing, Jushiro ran a hand through Shunsui’s hair. “Happy birthday, Shun.”

“Ahem.”

Shunsui and Jushiro looked up to find Byakuya standing behind them, and flushed slightly. “Byakuya, we were just –“

“I can see what you were doing, thank you. Now then, you do not think I had forgotten it is your birthday too, do you?”

Jushiro relaxed as Shunsui’s eyes widened with surprise and delight as Byakuya handed him a bottle of rather fine sake.

“Do not drink it all at once. That is a delicacy to be savoured.”

“Th...Thank you, Byakuya. Tell Renji I said thanks too.”

***

Eventually nearly all the presents had been opened, and both Shunsui and Tamaki seemed really happy. Everyone was now digging into a piece of the cake that Jushiro had made the day before, and he watched the scene with fondness, smiling at the fact that both Shunsui and Tamaki seemed to have forgotten about their gifts from him.

Standing up, he cleared his throat. “Aren’t you two forgetting something?”

“I am?”

“What – oh. My present from you? What is it?”

Jushiro smiled. “You want yours now?”

“Yes. Come on it’s been bugging me all week.”

Laughing, Jushiro handed Shunsui his present, which was a cross-stitch of both their zanpakuto. He always liked to occupy himself with such things when he was well enough to sit up in bed but not well enough to get up. “Well, Tamaki, looks like your patience won out again.”

“Hey! That’s not fair; you tricked me!”

Jushiro shook his head in bemusement and handed Tamaki their gift. “Happy Birthday. Please take care of it.”

Tamaki glanced at Jushiro with puzzlement, and then slowly began to undo the wrapping. Glinting inside was a gold pendant.

“It is meant to bring good luck. I am not sure you need it, but –“

“Thank you. “ Slipping it on, Tamaki rushed over to Shunsui and hugged him. “And thank you too, Daddy. Today was great.”

“You deserved it.”

Smiling, Tamaki climbed into Shunsui’s lap and fell asleep.

***

The others had noticed and, quietly saying their goodbyes, had left. Jushiro was now sitting beside Shunsui, Tamaki still asleep in his lover’s lap. He stifled a cough.

“Jushiro, are you okay? You’ve been going non-stop for the past few days.”

“I’m fine. It was worth it just to see the look on his face.”

“Yeah. We really are lucky to have him, aren’t we? Just as I’m lucky to have you.”

Blushing slightly, Jushiro placed a kiss to Shunsui’s lips. “Come on, we should get him to bed.  He’s had a long day.”

“And then?”

“Then I say we celebrate your birthday with a little drop of that special sake Byakuya bought you.”

Shunsui had no arguments about that; today really had been perfect in everyway. He felt as though he had his own lucky charm pendant, as a few years ago he had not thought he would still have Jushiro, let alone a family of his own.

As they sat on the balcony, drinking sake, Shunsui leant into Jushiro with a sigh. “He’s growing up, isn’t he?”

“Yes he is, but we have nothing to worry about.”

“No, for he has your wonderful mind and caring nature.”

“And your impatience, but I would not change him for the world.”

The sun began to set over Soul Society, ending a day that would be remembered fondly by many for years to come.