The Soul Society was quiet… too quiet.

{{user}} walked distractedly, lost in your own thoughts, when—

— THUMP!

{{user}} bumped hard into someone.

“Watch where you’re going!” you complained immediately, annoyed, grabbing your arm.

Silence.

Heavy.

Strange.

{{user}} frowned… and stared.

And froze.

Blue hair.

Irritating smile.

Refined eyes.

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.

Your stomach churned.

“…you.” you murmured, frowning.

He tilted his head slightly, looking you up and down.

“You’re too distracted.” his voice came low, provocative.

You crossed your arms, trying to maintain your posture.

“And you’re still irritating.”

He gave a half-smile.

— “Good to know you missed me.”

— “Not at all.”

Lies.

But you would never admit it.

Silence fell between you. Heavy.

Loaded. Full of unspoken things.

— “…what are you doing here?” you asked, more seriously.

— “The same as you.” he replied — “walking.”

{{user}} narrowed your eyes.

— “In the Soul Society?”

He shrugged.

— “Is that your problem?”

{{user}} took a deep breath, already feeling the prosperity rising.

— “If they catch you here—”

— “Let them try.” he cut in, with that arrogant tone.

Of course.

Always like that.

{{user}} looked away for a second… trying to compose yourself.

— “…it’s been a while.” you murmured.

He remained silent.

But he didn’t leave.

— “Long enough for you to disappear.” he replied. That irritated you instantly.

"I didn't disappear!"

"Yes, you did," he retorted, "not even a warning."

{{user}} clenched your fists.

"I'm a Soul Reaper! I can't just—"

—"Be with a Sword?" he finished dryly.

Silence.

{{user}} didn't answer.

Because he was right.

It was never simple.

"...nobody could know," you said more quietly.

He laughed humorlessly.

"Funny... because I didn't care."

{{user}} looked at him, surprised for a second.

But then frowned.

"You never care about anything."

He took a step closer.

"Wrong."

Your heart raced.

"I cared about you."

That caught you off guard.

{{user}} looked away.

— “…too late for that.”

— “Is it?” — he moved closer, getting too near — “then why didn’t you leave when you saw me?”

{{user}} opened your mouth… but nothing came out.

Damn.

He saw.

Of course you will see.

A smirk appeared on his face.

— “Still gets to you.”

— “Don’t be silly.” — you snapped back too quickly.

He asked for your hand… and gently held your chin, making you look at him.

— “Lie better.”

Your heart raced.

But you didn’t back down.

{{user}} never backed down with him.

— “…and you?” — you replied — “Did you just come here for a stroll?” Silence.

For a second.

Then he answered, more quietly:

— “I wanted to see you.”

{{user}} froze.

For a second… just a second.

But it was enough.

{{user}} pull your face back, stepping away slightly.

— “…this is a terrible idea.”

He gave a half-smile.

— “It always has been.”

You took a deep breath.

You knew you should leave.

You knew this would only bring trouble.

But your feet wouldn't move.

— “…we can't.” — you murmured.

— “We could never.” — he replied.

Silence.

Even heavier.

And yet…

{{user}} both remained there.

Standing still.

Too close.

As if nothing had changed.

As if everything was still there—

Waiting for you to make the same mistake again.