In some ways, Kon is older than Ichigo will ever be.

Ichigo is still young enough to believe that he will never die. Every stumbling step that almost slides towards the ultimate infinity, he sees as a setback. A defeat. A loss. Because fifteen years are not enough. Because there are middle school exams and firework parties and birthdays that he cannot, will not miss.

Kon learned of death long ago, learned that it is coloured in sepia and smells of ivy and apples and the ocean, that its touch is cool rather than cold and that its voice is as soft as falling leaves. And he doesn’t want Ichigo to learn all that he has had to know. So he smiles. He is silly and light-hearted and engaging, he is irritating and daft and funny, because then Ichigo doesn’t have to worry about him. I’m fine, I’m fine. Don’t worry. Not about me. Because Ichigo has more paths and souls and heartbeats to worry about than Kon.

It’s not entirely selfless, this concern, because while Kon is useful and harmless, Soul Society only sees him out of the corner of its eye. Oh, he’s not foolish enough to believe that it doesn’t know, for there are captains and lords and kings there that Ichigo will never know of, and he is certain that they are faster than any would understand, but for now…it will overlook him. Death day and birth day in one space. He knows what death smells like, and while he is not afraid of it, he realises that maybe, for now, he is needed, for Ichigo cannot do this alone.

He is older than Ichigo will ever know, and so, he will be the guardian, whether the boy understands it or not, and death will have to dance attendance upon him whilst he smiles.