𝐈 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝

bonus i | cadavera vero innumera

translation — "truly countless bodies"
song recommendation — holy by pvris

" you don't know

no, you don't know

oh, you're all alone

you poor unfortunate soul "

1 — you're my best friend, i'll love you forever

When Rukia got the call that Tamaki was in the hospital giving birth, she was shocked. The shock quickly turned into elation as she quickly returned to the world of the living to be by her best friend's side. The hospital was in Tokyo—Haido City, to be more accurate—and Tamaki was still experiencing contractions with a man sitting in a chair next to her, letting her squeeze the life out of his hand whenever a particularly painful contraction hit.

"Tamaki!" Rukia greeted with a grin as she entered the room, making her friend turn her head and smile. "I hear the little one is almost here. Are you ready?"

"Ecstatic," Tamaki drawled with a groan. The man let out a chuckle of amusement and she shot him a glare. "Not a word out of you."

"I said nothing," he said. He looked up at Rukia and waved his free hand. "Hagiwara Kenji. Nice to meet you."

"Kuchiki Rukia. It's nice to meet you as well, Hagiwara-san."

"Ah, just Hagiwara is fine," Kenji said. "I'm this lovely lady's romantic soulmate. Well, one of them, at least."

Tamaki chuckled, throwing her head back onto the pillow. "I'm glad Yuzu managed to get a hold of you," she mumbled, smiling. "Was afraid she wouldn't."

"Oh, like I would miss the birth of my godchild," Rukia retorted playfully, taking her spot in the other free chair next to Tamaki's bed. "You think you're gonna have another after this one?"

"Ooh, that's a loaded question," Tamaki said, playfully glaring at Rukia. "Let me get this guy out before I even consider having a second child, yeah?"

"Well, I think Jin-chan would be more than happy to help on that front," Kenji joked, earning a pinch from Tamaki.

"Shut it, playboy."

Kenji pouted. "Ah, Tama-chan, that hurts my heart!"

"Cry me a river."

Rukia just smiled, watching her best friend mess around with one of her soulmates with a comfortable look on her face. This was what she always wanted for Tamaki after everything she had gone through in her short life. Happiness and a family to love and care for. I guess wishes do come true.

~ — — — ~

2 — oh, who is she?

Kokui no Josei. The Woman in Black. Gin was not their biggest fan. Or, her biggest fan, if the call he received from Baijiu's phone was any indication. There had been no signs of a break-in in Baijiu's apartment, no signs that any of the locks had been jimmied.

On the other hand, Vermouth was amused to no end. Her Vieux Carré was an aggravating but fun little thing. It was such a shame that Gin couldn't see that. Then again, he wasn't the type to enjoy fun of any kind. The man really needed to get laid or something, Chianti would always mutter.