42;

[the_rotator]

[Filtered to Ichigo]

Do you have some time? We should probably talk.

Comments

[Private to the evasive girlfriend] 1/2

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

...You couldn't mention this a little sooner? I'm on my merry way to the Southern 41st for an overnight stay. Aoki decided she wanted to leave early, so there you go.

Hold on a sec, I'll be off duty once we've pitched the tents.

[Private to the evasive girlfriend] 2/2

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

... Okay. Shoot.

[Private; this post is fully-filtered to just the two of them]

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry—I've been in squad leader meetings all day; I didn't realize you'd departed.

Anyway... I wish I had caught you earlier, this feels so stupid to type out. I think we need to discuss a few things about you and me.

So just assume this whole thread filtered--got it.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

... We do?

Saves a while 3 seconds of typing per tag!

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Yes. It's been bothering me since Renji's party. I don't care what most people think of us, but my brother still doesn't know.

Neither does Inoue.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

... Oh, okay. You mean the publicity bit. Why didn't you just say so?

Yeah, I realise we still haven't told her. We pretty much have to soon. She's no dummy.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

What did you think I meant?

She's not the only one. It feels so unnecessary to make into some sort of announcement, but—I don't know how else to do it.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

It sounded...

Well, it sounded like I was in trouble we were having a problem.

I know you mentioned your brother but I'm gonna need a few minutes days months to work up the nerve to tackle that topic.

I think we should just talk to her. It'd feel kinda skeevy to just carry on and let her figure it out on her own. I mean, I told Renji pretty much right away, and she's... kind of the same as him. She has the right to hear it straight from us.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Oh, no. Not between us. I didn't mean to make you think that.

That's what I kept thinking. I was just hoping you'd have a better idea.

I know it's ridiculous, but I feel almost...guilty.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Uhhh, so I'm supposed to be the relationship expert all of a sudden?

She's gonna be upset. No way around that. So at least we can tell her as kindly as... we can.

You think I felt much different when I told Renji? Feel much different even now, sometimes when you come up in conversation? I don't regret this, or... or you. But nobody said it would be easy all the time.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Of course not, I'm just explaining.

The same here. I wouldn't give this up because of other people, but all the same...

How did we end up with the same problem on both sides? At least Renji already knows, but still. This whole thing feels like something out of my manga. But with less cross-dressing.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

... Did you just compare this situation to fluffy entertainment for chicks in my sisters' age bracket?

You did. Moving on!

So, anyway. Wanna tackle this together? Or would it be easier if just one of us went to talk to her?

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Have you read any of the manga I've collected? No, of course not, you lack taste. I assure you, there are many stories with elements that are directly comparable. You even have a hidden family secret.

We could. You already spoke with Renji, though. I don't think I can ask you to do this, too.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Old Beardo is not and will never be deserving of that title.

So you'll shoulder the task? Mmm, maybe you can break it to her more gently than I could. Best we get it done soon as possible.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

He still counts. At least he knows already, though I'm still not sure the matter is finished with him.

I can try. I owe her that much; I knew she cared for you long before I knew how Renji felt about me.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Family, huh?

It's just all a big clusterfuck, isn't it? ... You know, we oughta be glad we have friends like these. Not that I ever said that.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

We could do a lot worse. But it is that.

All right. So I broach the subject with Inoue. There's still my brother.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

I was afraid you'd bring him up again.

So how far away should I be by the time you tell him? 'Cause quite really actually honestly, I don't fancy fighting him again, 'least of all 'cause he doesn't approve of our relationship.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

He's my brother, Ichigo, of course I am going to bring him up. He deserves to know. I probably should have already told him, but—I didn't think it was that important to him.

Oh, stop being a big baby. He doesn't disapprove.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Excuse me? And you know this how? I know he's your brother, but he pretty much disapproves of people for a living.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

I know because you're not dead yet.

In any case, even if you run, you have to come back eventually. He'll want to talk to you; he was already asking after you at the party, but I distracted him.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

*irritated sigh goes here*

Objectively I could take him. Let's leave it at that. He's your family and I wouldn't fight him again.

Fine, fine, fine. Better get it over with then--but you are telling him. Last time I talked to him face to face was when we resolved the Hollow issue from last December. I am not really keen on a rehash.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

No comment.

Of course. I can probably word it in a manner he'll find more acceptable, but I can't stop him if he decides to speak with you on his own.

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

If he comes knocking, I'll handle him. And yes yes, I mean verbally.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

Okay.

What time do you expect to get back?

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Tomorrow. Hopefully we'll just stay the one night. Aoki's pretty sure the Hollow sightings here are a single pack of small fry, so we oughtn't have to squat in the bushes for too long.

[the-rotator.livejournal.com]

That's good. I'm sure you'll all handle things well.

Come over after you've returned?

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

... Yeah. Sure.

ooc

[shiba-explosion.livejournal.com]

Ichigo's in South Forty First? Cause Kuukaku just moved Case de Shiba there. Ichigo better come by and visit. >:[

ooc

[fighting-boy.livejournal.com]

Please assume he did! :D Rukia can wait another couple of hours. Was away yesterday and didn't see this until late.