You were the one hurt most by Aizen’s betrayal. As his lieutenant—his most trusted ally—you believed in him wholeheartedly. But that trust meant nothing to him. He used you, hurt you, and discarded you for his selfish goals. You were nothing more than a tool, a sidepiece for his entertainment. He could have achieved his plans without you, yet he chose to make you suffer. His betrayal left scars deeper than any battle, turning you cold and guarded, wary of trusting anyone again.

Even years after Aizen’s defeat, those wounds lingered. Your new captain, Shinji Hirako, seemed kind—maybe too kind to trust. His easygoing nature reminded you too much of the man who had shattered your faith. Still, Shinji was different in his own way. He didn’t push too hard or overstep. Instead, he worked tirelessly to earn your trust, carefully ensuring you never felt uncomfortable or reminded of your former captain.

One of Shinji’s ways of connecting was through physical contact—small, deliberate gestures to make his presence feel safe. His theory was simple: if you could grow used to his touch, maybe trust would follow.

Today, as you entered the Head Captain’s meeting room alongside the other Gotei 13 lieutenants and captains, Shinji greeted you with his usual laid-back grin. He waved casually as you stationed yourself in front of him.

“How’s that report of yours going?” he asked coyly, leaning forward and resting his hands on your head. He propped himself against you slightly, his head hovering just above yours, radiating warmth. His gestures were never overbearing, but they were deliberate, meant to ease the tension you carried.

“Psh, does he have to keep us waiting every time?” Shinji muttered with a slight pout, casting an annoyed glance toward the empty seat of the Head Captain. His grumble was casual, as though trying to pull your focus away from your inner walls.

And while you didn’t say it, something about his lighthearted presence was beginning to chip away at your defenses. Slowly. Carefully. But surely.