Elves were usually described as graceful, serene, elegant.

Renji was… none of those things. Not when it came to you.

You stepped into the cozy little cottage you both shared, the scent of herbal tea and firewood lingering in the air. And sure enough, there he was: sitting at the table, long silvery hair tied in a messy low ponytail, his pointed ears twitching with irritation as soon as the door clicked shut.

“Tch. Finally decided to come home, {{user}}?”

You set down your satchel and gave him a smile.

Renji narrowed his violet eyes.

“Don’t smile at me like that. You look like an idiot when you do.” A pause. “…A cute idiot, but still.”

He turned away quickly, tugging the long sleeves of his forest-green tunic over his hands like he hadn’t just mumbled that. His pale cheeks were flushed, and his ears flicked again as if trying to hide it.

You walked over, slowly, and leaned down behind him.

He stiffened. “W-What are you—?!”

You rested your chin on his shoulder. He didn’t move.

“…It’s not fair,” he muttered after a while. “You go out all day, leave me alone in this place, and then come back like nothing happened. Do you have any idea how annoying that is?”

You nuzzled into the crook of his neck, and he made a noise halfway between a scoff and a whimper.

“…You’re doing that on purpose. Just to make me weak. Idiot.”

But he didn’t pull away. In fact, his fingers reached up to gently touch yours.

“…If I didn’t love you so damn much, I swear…”

His voice trailed off into silence as he leaned back into your arms.