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Anonymous File :-(, x)
"Shunsui, what in the world are you doing here, at this hour?"
Ukitake slid the exterior door open a little more, to be more fully greeted with the vision of Kyouraku Shunsui laid out on his side on the floor-planks, under his magnificently bright spill of thin, floral-printed silk.
"Ah, but doesn't one traditionally drink sake under the moon when it's nighttime?"
"But why here and not at your own quarters?" Ukitake teased.
"Oh, I can see the sky a little better from here. The ground is a little higher, you know?" Shunsui turned to meet Ukitake's eyes, and winked.
"Well, I suppose I don't mind a little company." Ukitake smiled and stepped carefully over the threshold. "I'm feeling a bit stronger today, I think. Please tell Nanao-kun that the tea she delivered was robust and invigorating."
Shunsui laughed and rolled onto his back. "I'm sure she'll be delighted to hear that," he said, lifting his bottle to pour another cup. "She picked it out for you and everything, you know. It's not fair, you've already got two direct subordinates! Don't seduce mine away from me!"
But Ukitake knew who had selected the fragrant tea, scented like those tall, tall wildflowers that had grown against the back of the south side of the Academy, so long ago, where they would meet for a late-afternoon now and again amidst training. Ukitake had loved the flowers but never bothered to identify what species they were.
Yet he was somehow unsurprised that Shunsui knew.
"Well, if it's any consolation to you, I think mine were rather upset that I favored a gift that wasn't from them," Ukitake said lightly, as he sat down beside his reclining friend and adjusted his sleeves. "They've been competing over who gets to brew it for me. And who gets to bring it to me. And who gets to clear away the tea things."
"Juushirou."
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