A Simple Name

Chapter One, Beats Bring Hellos

"Everything I promised everyone I'd be, well I just ain't." -Brendon Urie

"The light in your eyes, it's pullin' me in, and it's pullin' me in." -Animal Kingdom


At first, he isn't sure who the hell he sees through the crowd at this wild concert, where he is with his uptight friend. His companion's green eyes wander over people around them-he isn't interested in loud rock music especially when it makes your ears feel like they're about to bleed. If he were being honest the only reason he'd come was to observe and if his detached expression is anything to go by he can't care any less what song is played next.

It's been two weeks since they saw each other. Normally he doesn't allow the green eyed man go so long without human contact but work had been pretty demanding lately. Really he's just glad to have a couple hours off, even if tonight he's been skittish and silent since they got out of the car, knowing him he had a fight with his girlfriend.

Regardless of the distractions the band is excellent: their sound good, clear and energetic and despite his friend he's really getting into it-buzzed, blue hair bobbing with his head to the rhythm. The band's song ends and bleeds into the next, one synchronized electric guitar exploding into a new sharp chord. The lights behind them change from flickering red to folding blue squares. The crowd goes wild screaming, pressing forward and clapping until it's nearly deafening.

The vocalist is a steamy black haired man with a scar over his left eye and a 69 tattooed on his cheek. His strong arms flex gorgeously as he lifts the neck of his guitar and joins in again with a few strokes of his strings. The serious look on his face only energizes the fans more.

The song is full force when Grimmjow spots him.

He's frozen. He's never seen anyone like this and he's gone through some odd looking dates. He isn't really that strange but he's absolutely flawless in Grimmjow's bleary eyes-that's all he cares about at the moment. In private he'd been trying to find someone to work his charms on for regretting tomorrow since he seemed so good at that and why not? He loved a good one nightstand. In just the past month he's had his own fair share of rue, enough to shame him if he weren't numb to the sensation. His pride has been shuffled aside by lust far too many times for it to really mean anything. It's only instinct to him to start stumbling towards the man without so much as a double take.

The closer he gets the more aware he becomes this guy is younger than him, younger than the normal guys he checks out at least. His face is pretty youthful for someone remotely close to Grimmjow's age but when has that ever stopped him?

The loud music fuels his fire: thumping throughout his chest and making the ground vibrate, he can't stop pushing and weaving through the crowd.

The guy isn't alone, something he would normally detest since people in groups don't tend to go for this type of thing but something keeps his feet moving. A man who looks almost exactly like him laughing and nudging the beauty Grimmjow has his eyes set on.

The man is lovely but no older than twenty one with strawberry blond-or is that orange?-hair styled like he doesn't brush it, peachy skin and dressed in gray skinny jeans and a white v-neck tee-shirt. He's thin but there are muscles flexing in his arms as he raises them above his head to clap enthusiastically.

It's getting harder to ignore the guy next to him-the almost exact copy-his eyes are the color of sunlight, his wild hair is longer and white as pearls. His face breaks into a grin when his eyes land on Grimmjow violently shoving his way through the crowd.

Of course he'd spot him first.

The bastard was just like Ulquiorra, not even glancing at the stage! It's like some people don't even care about any of the artists.

Grimmjow wishes he had a drink to sip but he finished his last cup a good ten minutes ago, and not wanting to miss a moment of the show, hadn't gone to get another.

People shout obscenities at him but it's worth it because as soon as he slips by the last person he's next to them, close enough to bump into the blonde's arm.

He looks over whilst bringing his arms down only to entice Grimmjow by a blush creeping onto his cheeks. He shouts out an apology but it falls out of the air since it's too loud to hear this far away-the excuse to get closer is better than any pickup line he could have used.

Grimmjow smirks wildly as the blonde stands on his toes to lean closer. At first he hesitates like he knows exactly what the blue haired man wants out of him but after a moment he shouts anyway, "I didn't mean to bump into you!" It takes his drunk mind too long to realize the little shit somehow managed to make "amends" without apologizing-if he was actually upset that might have pissed him off but for now he only finds himself even more intrigued. He has some nerve not saying sorry.

He likes it when guys or girls have a bit of fight, what fun would it be if they always yielded to him?

The blonde starts leaning away when Grimmjow grips his arm to stop him-having decided on a hook. Really he just needed an opening to bed him. "You should repay me; we could get drinks."

The blonde moves away with a laugh obviously seeing through the charade and more amused than anything. Does that mean he isn't interested? If so that's really too bad, up close some people are downright ugly but this guy is hot. Hair going in every direction, skin flawless in the blue stage lighting and those eyes, damn! They're the color of chocolate, lit up beautifully with all kinds of bluish hues. His teeth flash when he laughs, all white and straight he's truly a work of art. Grimmjow's lucky he found him without any effort on his part.

He stands tall with his face beaming this time-how is he still frowning while doing that? "I don't drink but I'd be willing to buy you something," his voice is casual but he fearlessly grips Grimmjow's forearm like they've known each other for months. Hopefully he hasn't been misinterpreted because this will go great if they're both on the same page.

He would be lying to say he'd never run into his fair share of ladies-or men-who thought he was interested in a real relationship, some have even tried being forceful when they run into each other but it's his own damn fault for leading them on. These things never mean anything to him because he simply isn't one for making emotional ties to people-it's for the best. On his loneliest days he's really considered it, but something would have to give before he could accept the lonesomeness. A great person would have to make it possible for him to take them seriously, and thus far nobody could manage to do that. Sixteen years of dating and he didn't have anything to prove it.

Grimmjow winks at him. "Sounds good to me." You don't drink, huh? he ponders for a moment, that might complicate things if he's comprehensible. Meaningless sex isn't something people typically do while sober but he'd offered so that's promising, he could have easily said get lost or get away from me!

Grimmjow's abilities to directly hit on people tend to fall on the wrong individuals once in a blue moon. For instance straight guys just about die when he flirts with them but their shock only further motivates him to laugh. Normally his come backs are so shocking people stare agape but he's been rejected enough he hardly feels it.

The blonde leans over to his white haired companion and speaks, he can't make out what he says but the man grins psychotically. Grimmjow follows closely behind as they move through the crowd, bumping and shoving his way through as the blonde just weaves gracefully between them. The music is like a pulse as fans jump, scream, sing and dance around them.

The venue is laid out with the Orchestra section-where they are currently-down a couple steps and up them are roped off areas that make up the rest of the crowd. To the right are bathrooms and to the left is where they head. There aren't many people there and the ones that are stumble back into the show anyway, so they stay out of their way. Stands are laid out in a large half circle with various merchandise to purchase: alcohol, shirts, CDs, food. The ground has all kinds of litter but they just step over it. The music is quieter here and they can talk without screaming in each others' faces.

The blonde releases his wrist when they enter the open area.

He turns slightly and meets his gait, "Kurosaki Ichigo." Grimmjow stares in confusion before he realizes, that's his name dumb ass!

"Jaegerjaquez Grimmjow. Isn't-" Ichigo scowls deeper.

"Nothing you can say is original-my name means strawberry, I get it." So he seems to be pretty spunky.

Grimmjow grins wildly at him making his intentions obvious with his lusty gem like eyes as they move to the beer stand. The woman working there looks up and opens her mouth to ask if they have wristbands but Ichigo's left arm is up before she can speak; on his slender wrist is the yellow pass. Grimmjow wonders why he bothered getting one of those if he doesn't drink but the thought is replaced by relief, he'd been starting to think he was a lot younger than he acted. Must be something personal or maybe he was bluffing. "It's actually not for me."

Grimmjow shows his wristband too.

"Like I look like a minor anyway, right?" The woman laughs while Ichigo gives him a quick-but obvious-once over and shakes his head.

"If all kids looked like you every high school would be a coming of age TV show." Grimmjow laughs loudly. "What do you want?" He takes a glance at the menu thinking a moment before he decides on a small cup of Asahi. A man fills up the plastic cup and hands it to him as Ichigo completes the transaction.

Once that's done Grimmjow leads him through the crowds on the grass, there are a few blank spots that are back far enough they can talk without having to announce their conversation to everyone around them. They take a seat in the damp grass-it was sprinkling earlier-next to each other. Ichigo sits on his legs brushing Grimmjow's knee.

Out of reach of those blue lights he's even hotter: eyes the color of chestnuts, skin flawless and his hair looks as soft as feathers. Grimmjow can't help thinking as he sips his beer how much pleasure he'll get running his fingers through those spikes.

Ichigo closes his eyes and bobs his head slowly to the music speaking in a rather straightforward tone, "I know you bumped into me purposefully."

Grimmjow corks a brow and wipes his mouth with the top of his hand. "How do ya' figure that?"

"It was pretty obvious."

Ichigo opens his eyes to meet his blue ones with fiery brown irises-they look amused but also intense enough Grimmjow can't take his thoughts into a private place. He's met a lot of people but this guy's gaze is burning. He's holding him in an attentive conversation, that says a lot considering that's rather impossible to do. He can see there isn't a misunderstanding of any type, Ichigo knows exactly what he wants and isn't about to play mind games-about as direct as it gets. He knows what he wants and he isn't afraid to take it, just the kind of person Grimmjow loves.

"That guy that was with me was my twin brother, we're um, we're pretty much identical he just dyes his hair and wears colored contacts. He saw you eyeing me and started nudging my ribs." Ichigo probably has people all over him wherever he goes. You don't see guys like him on the sidewalk everyday, everything about him is different: his hair, his skin, eyes, clothes and the way he walks-graceful and confident. A guy like him has no reason to pretend he doesn't know how hot he is. Grimmjow smirks, there must have been other guys checking him out tonight and yet, here he is.

"I bet you get a lot of date requests." At the compliment his cheeks turn pink. Grimmjow observes him as he gulps his beer until it's already half drained.

"I guess..." he mumbles and averts his eyes to the grass, "I don't usually...ya' know, take them up." He feels even more privileged than before. Grimmjow moves closer to Ichigo until he can smell him-kind of like burnt leaves and fruit-their legs completely against one another. He licks his lips as their eyes meet again.

"Guess I'm just too good-looking to turn down." He feels Ichigo's hot breath against his cheek at this close proximity but it isn't the sensation that catches him off guard, it's when a hand settles on his thigh. It makes him gasp as he leans closer, the fingers clenching into his jeans.

"You seem interesting." Ichigo's eyes shift into seductive flames, Grimmjow licks his lips slower wanting to taste him while he sits there looking irresistible. He breathes shallowly against his cheek smelling vaguely of fruit but probably tasting even sweeter; but he's waiting, waiting to see if he's really interested or leading him on.

Grimmjow puts his drink down without caring if it dumps on someone, he couldn't care any less. Ichigo doesn't mind either way he does however decide to stand on his knees and drag him by his white shirt to smash their lips together. A tongue pokes between their lips into his hot mouth, the intrusion is welcomed. He tastes like oranges and his kiss is fierce enough to almost drive Grimmjow onto his back into a submissive position. Though impressed he quickly reverses their roles as people begin to stare. The kiss is a bit sloppy but otherwise lustful and it arouses him-then again just staring at him had been doing that so it's not surprising.

As their tongues twist he feels moans rumbling out of Ichigo's chest, outweighing the glares settling on their forms. It won't be long before security comes to split them up.

Suddenly Ichigo yanks away panting. "How old are you?" What the hell does that have to do with anything?

"Why the fuck do you care?" He opens his mouth a couple times trying to answer unsuccessfully. Nothing, he doesn't know why. Grimmjow rolls his eyes and grumbles unpleasantly, "I'm thirty." His brown eyes widen and suddenly his fears from earlier surface. Just how young is Ichigo? "Well how old are you?"

"I'm twenty one." That's a bit younger than his normal fucks but it isn't discouraging enough to have him running for the hills.

"I say we celebrate your youth at my place." It isn't a question but a rather forceful suggestion. It doesn't seem to bother him, Ichigo nods and stands eagerly.

"C'mon then, lead the way." Either he's easy or Grimmjow is getting better at the art of seduction, shouldn't there be some sort of discussion or reflection even if it's in his subconscious? Ichigo looks so certain of his decision and that's fine with Grimmjow just as long as he doesn't come with baggage.

"I must be really sexy." They exchange a lustful glance as he leads the way towards the parking lot, right out the gate. Only a few cars go by the roads nearby and a muffled thumping from inside the walls can be heard. It's still hot for some weird reason despite it's around eleven at night, it's irritating even as it must be making them both eager to get naked.

It's only as he's trying to remember where he parked his car that Ichigo seems to find his voice, "Grimmjow is a strange name, what's it mean?" He scowls at the blonde, you're full of stupid ass questions, what are you, some eight year old?

"Fuck if I know, my dumb ass parents probably don't either." Ichigo cocks his head curiously but stays silent knowing enough to keep quiet about whatever questions he has. That would be digging up a whale, he wouldn't want to do that. Grimmjow is pissed he even said that much, he clamps his mouth shut and says nothing the rest of the way-not that he ever knows what to say anyway, especially to people he's about to fuck after just meeting them. It's a wonder Ichigo isn't awkward at all his age must be the culprit for that naivety, no experienced adult would idle chat like this.

...Come to think of it he has no idea what the hell his name means, for all he knows it could be something ridiculous he just never thought about it. Inevitably if the memory doesn't fade tonight, he'll look it up online for curiosity's sake.

Ichigo reacts just like everybody else to his rusty old car, surprised eyes and confusion. If you just send it a cursory glance you assume it isn't even worth scrap metal but it runs surprisingly well. It gets him to work and that's all he cares about even if it does tend to break down a few times a month.

He unlocks the doors and peeks at Ichigo over the roof. "Ya' comin' or not?" He snaps out of it and slips into the passenger's seat next to him, looking over the interior. Thankfully aside from some dirt and worn out spots the cheap leather doesn't look so bad and any nasty smells are covered up by the tree shaped air freshener hanging from his mirror. They're fortunate it starts on the first try and pulls out smoothly.

Ichigo sniffs his air freshener.

What's up with this guy? He's kind of weird, weird enough to be slightly as weird as Ulquiorra.

His apartment's give or take ten minutes away, hopefully Ichigo can keep his mouth shut for that long.

He's out of luck, just down the street his voice breaks the silence, "It has a cassette player? This looks like a car my grandmother would drive." Grimmjow feels his defensive mechanisms kick in. A grandmother's car? Who the hell did he think he was talking to? The glare he receives shuts him up, either because he didn't expect it or he's the type of person who avoids fights but something tells him Ichigo is a punk so that's unlikely.

"Whose car you callin' a fuckin' grandmother's car?" The startled look in his eyes is quickly replaced with a smile when he laughs.

Laughs.

Grimmjow finds himself fighting his irritation from Ichigo's power to brush off his death glares. Even Ulquiorra gets nervous around them, telling him to calm down but Ichigo has guts and Grimmjow likes that.

"I was kidding! You don't have to get so defensive." He doesn't laugh, although this seems to encourage him to keep going somehow. He has no intention of chatting the whole way, he'll shut up eventually, right? "You're kind of edgy, aren't you?" His scowl somehow deepens.

"What the hell does that mean?" I get the feeling I'm being insulted but he's got such a relaxed disposition I can't tell.

Ichigo sits on his hands.

He's lucky Grimmjow isn't some serial killer or rapist: he didn't tell anybody he was leaving, is smaller and younger and he didn't even think twice about getting into his car or making out with him back there. What kind of idiot does that kind of shit? Especially because he has blue hair and is muscled like he'd been training for something, which he is but he won't tell anybody what-too degrading, he'd never live it down.

"You're analyzing me, thinking I'm insulting you and getting all defensive about stupid stuff." He's making accusations about him already? Regardless of whether he's right or wrong-which, he's right-should he really be comfortable enough to make those observations aloud? He's bold, hopefully the same way standing naked in Grimmjow's apartment. Why, wouldn't that be a disappointment being the brash observant little ass he is? Grimmjow can hardly wait to get his hands on him, shut him up and render him too exhausted for prying.

"Whatever."

A couple minutes of peaceful silence later and Ichigo opens his mouth again, "Were you at the concert alone prowling for some company tonight?" Something about the way he says prowl has desire shooting into Grimmjow's groin, he has to bite his lip to restrain moaning. With one word he has that kind of affect on him? Wait-he's asking more stupid questions, what's up with that?

He takes a minute to recover and then grunts, "Here's an observation: ya' ask too many nosy questions."

Ichigo leans towards him. "Oh yeah? Well, I can tell you're thinking about me naked." Grimmjow is so surprised he caught that he can't even come up with a reply.

Just as he's starting to feel uncomfortable in his own car he swings into the parking lot outside his place. He jumps out before Ichigo can even unstrap himself. He jogs to catch up with him at the door that Grimmjow throws it open.

It isn't the best neighborhood so he's on his guard. Even with bars on all the windows thieves had gotten into his neighbors place last night-of course he'd never mention that to his date.

"Stay close, alright?" Ichigo stays right by his side up the four flights of stairs until they arrive at his door. Another one of the blank brown ones down the hall; nobody would dare put a decoration on one within the reach of a thief. He unlocks it and leads Ichigo inside. There likely isn't anyone inside and even if there is, they won't find anything.

The tiny one bedroom place has a loveseat, a tiny television in the corner, a kitchen off to the side and two doors-one to the bedroom and another to the bathroom. All of it is devoid of personals: pictures, jewelry, nice clothes or magazines, there's absolutely nothing.

He doesn't bother flipping on the light. Before Ichigo can get engrossed in checking things out Grimmjow slams the door and grabs him by his slender waist to pin him against the wall.

Ichigo kisses him lustfully before he can. His face breaks into a huge grin.

This is going to be good.


Woo! I must say, this is a long way coming, I haven't posted a multichapter fanfic in years, but I really liked this one and wanted to share it.

Asahi is a Japanese beer, so yeah.

Also in case anyone was wondering, in this AU Ichigo's twin brother is Hichigo, and yes, he is psychotic. Heh I'm sure you guys knew who the lead singer of the band was!

If you find any misspells in here, let me know. I went over it multiple times.

Who do you think Ulquiorra's girlfriend is? ;)