“Certainly not passive, is he?”

Erich snorted and glanced up from his book to fix Alexis with a dry look. “You wouldn’t like him if was,” he reminded her, then leaned over to peer around his mate to catch a glimpse of Urahara outside.

The man was running through a series of slow, careful stretches, clearly testing his body’s limits. It had the look of familiarity about it, like he was accustomed to getting himself back in fighting trim after major injuries, and Erich had to wonder how often something like this had happened.

“No, I suppose I wouldn’t,” Alexis agreed absently, still staring outside at Urahara. “Hmm…”

Erich tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling in exasperation. “If you want to go outside and help him, by all means. I’m sure he’ll be delightfully confused by your presence.”

Alexis snorted and shot him a haughty look. “You know what, I think I will,” she declared as she stood and strode out of the room.

He dog-earred the page he was on and set his book aside, settling in to watch as Alexis wandered into view and approached Urahara. The man seemed surprised but certainly not bothered by her presence, flashing her a bright grin and pausing his stretches to have a conversation with her.

Whatever they discussed, Erich couldn’t hear it, but it wasn’t long before Urahara had returned to his stretches and Alexis…

Well.

Alexis’ hands drifted across Urahara’s body as she ‘helped’ him with his stretches; nothing about it was precisely inappropriate, but it was certainly suggestive. And Urahara certainly seemed to pick up on it if the faintly wild-eyed look he sent her was any indication.

(A touch of jealousy stirred in his heart at the sight.)

(Though… he honestly wasn’t sure who he was jealous of…)

(Urahara for being Alexis’ focus, or Alexis for getting free reign to touch Urahara?)

“Your mate is going to drive that man up a wall,” Ren said with amusement as they glanced out the window.

“She’s good at that,” Erich agreed a bit wistfully, watching as Alexis helped Urahara push just a fraction more into a stretch. Maybe he shouldn’t have let her go out there alone… surely— no, both of them would certainly have overwhelmed Urahara.

(They could work up to it.)

Ren chuckled and set their basket of laundry down, then moved to stand behind Erich, one hand coming to rest on his shoulder. “Are you planning on letting him return to Karakura soon?”

Erich hummed thoughtfully as he leaned into the touch, enjoying how casual Ren often was with him, unlike most of the rest of his flock. “Perhaps. His spiritual powers are returning quickly now, and another day or so will see him healed enough to make the journey without further injury to himself. What he does from there…”

“He has a quick and curious mind,” Ren said, gently squeezing his shoulder in support. “And a fascination with the two of you and our people in general. He’ll return.”

“No Shinigami has ever managed to overcome Concealment,” Erich said with a grimace. He knew what the odds were, knew how unlikely it was that Urahara could ever puzzle his way through, but… oh, how he hoped.

Ren’s hand lifted from his shoulder and settled on his head, their clever fingers combing through his hair soothingly. “You could always sing a weaker version, if you’re worried,” they suggested.

“No. It’s not… that doesn’t…” Erich huffed and rubbed at the corner of one eye, struggling to put the tangle of need-want-desire into words that would make sense. “It isn’t done,” he muttered grumpily, unable to find a way to explain that didn’t sound ridiculous.

“As you say,” Ren agreed, tone warm-kind-amused as they ruffled his hair teasingly.

Erich tipped his head up and hissed, glowering at Ren out of the corner of his eye; Ren might not be swan-kin enough to shift, but that didn’t excuse their irreverence in the slightest.

(Even if they did have magic hands.)

Ren laughed and leaned down to nuzzle the side of his head. “Grumpy, grumpy,” they teased, before straightening up and resuming combing their fingers through his hair. “Do that enough around him and he might figure it out before he even leaves, you know.”

Erich made to protest that, then paused and cast a considering glance outside; Urahara did have a sharp mind based on what he’d seen and been told, so perhaps their lapses were enough for the man to piece together a version of the truth.

(An interesting idea.)

(Would that make Urahara more or less inclined to return?)

(Was it them or was it the unknown that had captured the man’s attention?)

He squawked as Ren tugged sharply on his hair, swatting at their hand in protest and glowering up at them.

(The things he let Ren get away with!)

Ren just arched an eyebrow in amusement. “I know European folklore says your kind are forever beautiful—”

“That’s specifically the fae, and they’re the ones who started that rumor, the vain bastards,” Erich grumbled as he ran a hand through his hair to smooth it out.

“—but if you keep frowning like that, your face will stick that way,” Ren continued bright-teasing-cheerfully, as if he hadn’t spoken.

“I am going to sing such misfortune into your life,” Erich threatened, scowling up at Ren. “Everything from losing your shoes to your hair ties falling out.”

Ren hummed, tolerant-amused-cheerful, and leaned over again to brush a kiss against his temple. “One of these days, I’ll even believe you,” they said as they ruffled his hair just enough to make it spiky again. “If you didn’t follow through when Mami and I first escaped out here, I highly doubt you’ll do it after all these years.”

“My people are capricious—”

“Name one time you’ve cursed anyone around here.”

“—and I could very well mean it this time!” Erich finished with a playful huff and a tiny smile. “Now help me put my hair back in order. Why you insist on messing it up I’ll never understand.”

“Because you look cute with it all wild and curling,” Ren said with a smirk, even as they began to comb their fingers through his hair once again. “I’m sure Urahara would—”

A quiet yelp snapped their attention to the window and the scene outside, where Urahara was sprawled on the ground, staring up at Alexis with wide eyes. She stood with her hand extended in offer, a tiny, smug smile curling the corners of her lips, and…

“I think you should go save that man from your mate,” Ren said, clearly trying to sound serious despite their amusement.

“You’re… probably right,” Erich agreed as he watched Alexis haul Urahara to his feet with just one hand. She then stepped back, settled into a guard stance, and beckoned.

Erich sighed. Rose to his feet.

Went to save their soon-to-be — and still injured — mate from further injury at Alexis’ hands.

(What had he ever done to deserve such mates.)

(Honestly.)