Kisuke gazed up at the tall palisade surrounding the Quincy compound, mind oddly blank in the face of Erich’s old guild; thoughts-worries-plans buzzed away in the back of his mind where Benihime’s presence lingered, but… nothing concrete, nothing he could put into words.

(Just like those first, crushing months after he’d been banished.)

(So much to do but nothing he could do!)

He tore his gaze away from the imposing wall and fidgeted with his horse’s reins, trying to quash the edges of uncertainty-worry-panic that were threatening to press in; it was one thing to propose to be in a relationship while in the safety of his own guild, it was an entirely different thing to act that ruse out in front of an entire guild of unfamiliar — and unfriendly! — people.

(What if they weren’t believed?)

(What if everything fell apart immediately and they had to fight their way out?)

(He would, of course, but… he was Shinigami trained, and mercy did not come easily while he fought.)

(What if he hurt someone he shouldn’t, angered Erich or Alexis despite his efforts to not, ruined—)

A hand clasped his elbow, startling him from his spiraling worries.

“You alright?” Erich asked softly, brows furrowed in concern — for him! — as he leaned across the gap between their horses. “Anything I can do?”

“Maa, it’s fine, it’s fine. Just…” Kisuke paused, glanced back up at the palisade they were approaching, then back to Erich. “Finally hitting me, I guess.”

Erich snorted, thumb brushing across Kisuke’s arm once before he let go and straightened up. “Be ready, my parents will probably meet us in the courtyard.”

Kisuke grimaced at the idea. “Not sure if I’ll ever be ready to meet them,” he muttered, remembering the few times Seigmar had actually focused on him, even if the man had never said more than a few words to him; the lion-like man was truly imposing when he wanted to be, and now Kisuke was pretending to be in love with the man’s son.

Behind them, Briar snickered and called out, “If I can survive breaking it off with Seigmar’s beloved son, I’m sure he’ll be fine with the sudden announcement of your relationship.”

“My father is not that terrifying!” Erich protested, twisting around in his saddle to scowl at Briar. “Don’t exaggerate.”

Kisuke turned around just enough to share a commiserating look with Briar, fully in agreement with him that Seigmar was a terrifying man.

“Oh don’t you start, too,” Erich grumbled, sharp words softened by the amusement in his voice. “You’ll see. Everything will be fine.”

“If I die, I leave Candy Shop to you,” Kisuke joked, then paused, cast a look at Erich, and added, “And no, you’re not allowed to change the name. It’s a perfectly fine name, no matter how offended you are by it.”

“It’s undignified,” Erich said in fond exasperation, the shook his head and straightened in his saddle. “But I suppose I’ve grown used to it over the years. It would be odd if it was changed after all this time.”

Kisuke smiled a bit at Erich’s words, then glanced back up at the approaching gates and let the breath hiss between his teeth; the first true test of their lie was just around the corner, and he really wished he had a better idea on how it would play out. Seigmar was too much of an unknown for him to entirely predict — the man was a romantic? He’d never suspected that! — and he didn’t know a thing about Lucia except that Erich took after her in looks.

(Come to think of it, he’d never heard Erich speak of his parents much at all.)

(Was that… usual?)

(He really didn’t know.)

The gates swung open as they approached, and Alexis led the group into the large dirt courtyard just beyond, reining her mount in once she’d reached the approximate center and beckoning for Erich and Kisuke to come to her side.

“I see you’ve all returned safe,” Seigmar greeted them as he stepped forward out of the small crowd that had gathered, a bland, welcoming smile on his face as his sharp eyes swept over the group and lingered on Kisuke. “And brought another along as well. Greetings, Guildmaster Urahara, and welcome to the Quincy Guildhome.”

“Thank you, Guildmaster Rerugen, I look forward to my stay here,” Kisuke said as evenly as he could, despite absolutely not looking forward to the fallout of their declaration. With luck, they could just announce it to the man in private and sort out any issues on that front before the wider clan found out.

“It was a relatively safe trip there and back,” Alexis said as she dismounted from her horse and handed the reins to Briar. “We made good time.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Seigmar said with a nod, then turned a warm, true smile upon Erich as the man stepped closer. “It’s good to have you back,” he declared as he reached out and pulled Erich into a tight hug, head canting just so as he did, bringing his mouth close to Erich’s ear.

Whatever the man was whispering to his son, Kisuke could neither catch it nor determine what it would be based on their expressions; it left him wary and on edge, uncertain of his welcome and disliking how little of the next hour or two he could actually predict.

“Well, shall we retire to my office?” Seigmar asked as he released Erich and stepped back, a sharp look in his deep blue eyes as he looked between the three of them. “I have the feeling that we have much to speak of.”

“By all means,” Erich agreed as he moved to Kisuke side and clasped his hands behind his back. “It has been years since we’ve gotten much chance to talk, after all.

Seigmar hummed and brought a hand up to stroke his beard, a familiar, knowing glint in his eyes as he said, “Yes, it truly has been, hasn’t it. Eris, could you head inside first and see that refreshments are available? I have a feeling this will be a long conversation.”

A woman chuckled as she stepped away from the crowd and turned to head back towards the main guildhall. “Not a problem,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll make sure to inform Lucia and bring extra!”

Seigmar sighed and shook his head, more fond than anything by what Kisuke could tell, then gestured for them to follow as he started across the courtyard after Eris.

“Everything will be fine,” Erich murmured as his hand settled on Kisuke’s lower back and guided him over to Alexis’ side. “You’ll like my mother, I think, and Eris grows on you.”

Kisuke grimaced at Erich’s words and softly asked, “Am I being that obvious?”

“Just to me,” Erich reassured. “Father might be able to sense it, but he won’t call you out on it.”

“How reassuring,” Kisuke muttered, then shook his head and squared his shoulders. “Well, time to see what the verdict is, I suppose.”

Erich huffed a laugh and swayed closer, shoulder bumping against his arm in reassurance. “Everything will be fine,” he repeated. “Trust me.”

Kisuke gave Erich the look those words deserved; he’d come to trust Erich more than anyone but Yoruchi and Tessai, but this was… this was worse than any combat they’d ever been in.

Still, if Erich thought it would be fine, then… then maybe it would be.

(He’d just have to keep trusting in Erich’s judgment.)

(He could do this.)

(He would.)

(There was no other option.)