The peacock stood at the window with his arms crossed over his chest, gazing out at the seemingly endless fall of rain. He looked lazily over his shoulder at his lover, who was sitting on the couch reading. Four months had passed since Yumichika Ayasegawa had returned to the Soul Society and told Ikkaku Madarame about their child.

"Ikkaku," he said now, "Could you run down to that little store for me and get some cream cheese and ice cream? The big containers?"

"What, in this downpour?"

"Pleeease," the pregnant Soul Reaper wheedled.

Ikkaku put the book aside and put on a raincoat. "Fine," he half-grumbled.

"Thank you so much, Ikka."

Just a few minutes after Ikkaku had left, Yumichika found himself getting sleepy. He rubbed his prominent belly and smiled.

"All right," he yawned, "Let's take a short nap, then."

A little awkwardly, he settled himself on the couple's futon and fell into a deep sleep.

"Y-Yumichika?! Yumichika!" Yumichika slowly opened his eyes to a panicked Ikkaku. He looked like he was ready to call in the relief squad when he noticed his lover had awakened.

"Thank the gods you're okay! I – "

"I was only sleeping, Ikka."

"…oh."

Yumichika smiled at his obvious embarrassment and sat up, one hand caressing his middle. "You, third seat of the Eleventh Division, not in the least afraid of Kenpachi Zaraki, are afraid of your unborn child?" he teased.

Ikkaku blushed and rubbed the back of his bald head. "Well… this is kind of… new to me, Yumichika. I don't know what might happen at all."

Yumichika smiled gently. "I know, Ikkaku. I'm a little scared too." He reached out a hand. "Now, help me up?"

Even with Ikkaku's help, it was a bit of a struggle to stand, and he grimaced.

"We need to get a more elevated bed, Ikka. I'm having trouble just getting up in the morning…"

Kissing Ikkaku on the cheek, he added, "Now, what about that ice cream?"

Later the same night, as the couple lay on their futon, Ikkaku gazed affectionately at a sleeping Yumichika. Sure, his lover's condition worried him a lot, but he was excited about the coming of their child. Oftentimes he wondered whether it was a boy or a girl; he personally hoped for the former. Mostly, he was just glad that Yumichika had come back unharmed.