Page 169 of Mercy Written in Blood

"And you are in love."

The apartment became silent. Not the ordinary silence of books and rain. Something total. Renji's face did not change. He had survived courts, wars, inquisitions and centuries of men trying to discover what frightened him. He had learned to conceal pain before Kael's grandparents were born. Still, for one disastrous second, he could not speak.

Kael watched him. Then took another drink of tea.

"That is an absurd conclusion."

"It is an observation."

"You have confused interest with—"

"No."

"Concern after a threat is not—"

"No."

"Physical attraction does not constitute—"

"You find him attractive?"

Renji stopped. Kael's mouth twitched amused. Renji hated him.

"Leave."

"I have not finished my tea."

"I will throw it away."

"You would never waste that variety."

Renji stepped towards him. Kael lifted the cup out of reach. The movement was so childish that Renji nearly struck him.

"You have known Haruki for a matter of weeks," Renji said.

"Haruki."

Renji went still.

"You called him Haruki."

"That is his name."

"You called him Ishida five minutes ago."

"You called him Ishida."

"I am not in love with him."

"Neither am I."

Kael's expression softened again.

"Not yet, perhaps."

"There is no perhaps."

"You forget how well I know you."