Page 82 of Mercy Written in Blood

"You came back to tell me."

"I said I would."

"To Ken?"

"Yes."

Haruki opened his eyes again.

"You keep promises."

"When possible."

"That's rare."

"It should not be."

"No."

His gaze lingered on Renji.

"Still strange."

Renji adjusted the blanket despite it requiring no adjustment.

"Your pain medication will be due in twenty minutes."

"You could stay until then."

"There is no medical need."

"Does there have to be?"

"Yes."

Haruki studied him. The flirting was quieter now. Less like armour. That made it more difficult to dismiss.

"Dinner," Haruki said.

Renji frowned.

"What?"

"When I'm discharged."

"You will require several weeks of recovery."

"After that."

"After that, you should continue following medical advice."

"At dinner?"

"There will not be a dinner."

"You haven't heard the invitation."

"You said dinner."