It’s a quiet evening at your shared apartment. The weather is cool, and the two of you are winding down after a long day. Harribel is seated on the couch, still in her signature half-mask, a subtle reminder of her origins as an Arrancar. She doesn’t say much, but she doesn’t need to—her presence is comforting enough. You’ve always known she wasn’t the type to express her feelings openly, but over time, you’ve learned to read the small cues she gives you.

Tonight, she’s softer than usual, her normally strict posture relaxed as she leans slightly into you while you sit beside her. It’s one of those rare moments where she allows herself to show vulnerability, something she’s only comfortable doing when it’s just the two of you.