Title: Watch Me

Author: Acmarache

Rating: K+ cuz Ichigo says shit and dumb ass and a slight innuendo

Pairing: Urahara/Ichigo and mentions of Isshin/Ryuuken

Spoilers: Um…to the first arc and know who Ryuuken is

Disclaimer: I wish Bleach was mine

Enjoy!

He can't help but watch.

Standing under the cover of a building's overhanging, he's certain the boy never notices him. It's not like the boy can sense spirit energy to save his life. Maybe that's why he watches him. But only at night. During the day he has his shinigami friends to keep an eye on him, although there have been a few times when he's wandered out on the pretense of an errand for the store in the direction of where a hollow just happened to appear that Ichigo just happened to be fighting.

No, night is when he needs to watch him. Not just because the boy is clueless. It's not as if he's stalking him. He just feels obligated to make sure he's alright. Just because he's never made his presence known, even when whatever hollow the boy is fighting manages to land a hit, doesn't mean he isn't looking out for his well-being. The fact that he waits until the boy passes out to treat his wounds doesn't mean he's hiding. He just doesn't think his presence would be entirely welcomed by the orange-haired teen.

Sighing, he watches as Ichigo finally manages to dispatch of the hollow. It took him longer than usual, and the hollow wasn't much of a threat really. Not that he had been worried or anything. Letting his gaze roam over the boy, he sees that he didn't sustain any injuries that need attending to. Of course, he already knew that. His eyes hadn't left the boy's form during the entire fight.

He couldn't help it. Really, he couldn't. And really, who could blame him? How could a person not be entranced by the surprising grace and fluidity of his brash movements? Who wouldn't be fascinated by that striking hair? And who wouldn't, after finally witnessing his glorious smile, fall in love with Ichigo Kurosaki? Perhaps that was the problem. Everyone did love Ichigo thereby securing the fact that the boy would never notice his true feelings. Not that he wanted him to. It wasn't like he laid in bed for hours feigning sleep while he thought about what it would be like to not only see the boy smile again but to be the cause of said smile.

Giving a lifeless chuckle at his inner musings, Urahara finally turned towards his shop having every intention of leaving the teen to his own musings.

"When are you going to get it?"

Urahara froze when he realized that the boy's question was obviously meant for him. "I beg your pardon Kurosaki-kun?"

"I like you too, dumb ass. Why do you think I take so long to fight hollows at night now? It's the only time I get to be alone with you." The orange-haired teen leisurely walked up to the stunned blonde and wrapped an arm around him.

"How long have you known I've been watching you?" His voice was still hesitant, but he was still warmed by Ichigo's admission.

Ichigo let out a rather undignified snort at the blonde's question. For a supposed genius, Urahara could be pretty stupid. "Since you started watching me. I may be shit at sensing spirit energy, but I wouldn't miss yours even if you were trying to hide it. Now let's go to your place. Dad has 'his precious Ryuu-kun' over, and I have no intentions of being subjected to listening to my dad whine all night. Besides, you make better tea."

Still somewhat stupefied by everything, Urahara merrily nodded dumbly and headed towards his shop again. After a few minutes, Urahara seemed to regain his bearings. "Ne, Kurosaki-kun? You didn't have to make up an excuse to come home with me. You're always welcome in my bed!"

A resounding thud was heard, and an orange-haired shinigami could be seen muttering "pervert" walking past the crumpled figure on the pavement.