Hello readers! As you know, I'm a sucker for sappy romances. I was feeling inspired by Dear John and my undying love for GrimmIchi I've decided to give it a shot. So, Enjoy ! :D

Warnings : Yaoi, OOCness, Swearing

Disclaimer : I own nada. All credits goes to Tite Kubo and Nicholas Sparks.


"Sometimes you have to be apart from the people you love, but that doesn't make you love them any less. Sometimes you love them more."

- Nicholas Sparks


U.S Army Boot Camp, 2003

Being in love is a very strange thing. Your thoughts constantly drift towards this other person, no matter what you're doing. You could be tying your loose shoe lace or brushing your teeth or listening to someone tell a story, and your mind will start drifting towards their face, their hair, the way they smell, wondering what they'll wear, and what they'll say the next time they see you. On top of the constant dream state you're in, your stomach feels like it's connected to a bungee cord and it bounces around for hours until it finally lodges itself next to your heart. That's how I felt since the first day I met Ichigo Kurosaki. I can be at the training ground, supervising new recruits or talking to a team member in the back of our army truck, and the thought of Ichigo's face, his voice and amber skin take over me. I can be discussing strategies and still be one hundred percent focused on the way it feels when the top of his tangerine colored head rests just under my chin. I'm going insane being far away from him, but things never go the way you want them to be.


"You're like an indian summer in the middle of a winter. Like a hard candy with a suprise centre. How do I get better once I've had the

best. You said there's ton of fish in the sea, so the water I will test."

- Katy Perry, Thinking Of You


Charleston, South Carolina

Spring 2001

A wave crashed over, submerging him completely. Twenty seven year old Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez held his breath and closed his eyes. Then his surfboard popped back above water and so did he. Before he could catch his breath, another wave headed his way. The man with sky blue hair grinned, quickly positioning himself then paddled into the wave. Grimmjow had missed surfing since he joined the U.S Army. Now he was back home on leave, all he wanted to do was surf for two weeks straight.

He caught the wave and and rode it towards shore, when all of a sudden another surfer cuts him off. Grimmjow had to wipe out to avoid collision. Again, he got lost in the power of crashing wave, didn't try to fight it and let himself get dragged to shore. He stood in waist high water, his black board shorts hung dangerously low on his hips. Pushing back his salt water soaked hair from his handsome face.

"Fuck." He cursed

He let out a disappointed sigh and glanced down at his G-Shock.

17:38

Decided to call it a day he grabbed his floating surf board and strode over to the pier.

Grimmjow leaned against the rail, watching the sun set. His board was securely tied up somewhere underneath the pier. No one would steal an old board really, but he dare not risk it. He loved his board thank you very much.

Behind him he heard a group chattering but didn't turn his back to see. Grimmjow had a good sense of hearing, not that he was eavesdropping or anything. Judging from their voices he could tell it was a couple of guys and girls. They walked past him and stopped at end of the pier.

"Aren't you guys sick of bonfire nights? I know I am". Warm baritone reached the blue haired man's ears. Grimmjow turned his head to find the source. And when he found it, he couldn't help but stare. Bright. Tangerine. The corner of the voice owner's mouth curved, revealing the most beautiful smile Grimmjow had ever seen his entire life.

"What're you suggesting then? play Jenga ?" a brutish male with tribal tattoes and red hair in ponytail mocked.

The orange haired boy chuckled, running his free hand through his orange locks, the other was holding a camera. " I don't know. Yeah maybe"

"That's downright lame Ichigo. Right, Hime ?" the petite girl with jet black hair laughed, turning to another girl asking her to agree.

Ichigo. It's foreign, Grimmjow thought.

"But Ru, I like Jenga." The taller girl with auburn hair and breasts bigger than her body blushed, clutching the hem of her yellow cardigan like her life depended on it, peering at the orange haired kid direction. Short girl frowned hearing her friend's comment.

Red haired guy wrapped his arms around shorty and cooed. "Aw baby, don't put a frown on that pretty lil face." she grumbled but didn't shrug his arms off. They were clearly a couple.

Grimmjow smirked. So big jugs had a crush on tangerine boy but he was oblivious, too busy taking pictures. The blue haired man let his eyes linger on the orange haired youth without being obvious. He could've stared at the girl. Don't get him wrong, she was pretty but girls weren't his taste. Never were.

He knew he was into men when he first hit puberty. That was long before he entered the army. At first he tried to be discreet about his sexual preference, as not wanting his fellow soldiers to be disgusted as if homosexuality was a disease. But to his suprise, they accepted him the way he was. Apart from his father, they were family to Grimmjow.

Azure eyes narrowed. He kept focus on Ichigo and watched with interest as the red haired friend of Ichigo suddenly lost his footing, knocking the camera off the boy's hands and into the water it went.

SPLASH

"Shit! what the hell Renji ! my camera !" the orangette watched it sunk deeper with horror.

"AH FUCK, sorry dude it was an accident! Rukia tackled me! shit sorry Ichigo.." the bigger male said apologetically.

"My whole life is in there !" Ichigo fisted the front of Renji's black polo shirt.

"I'll get it ! I'll get it ! Sorry! I'm on it, okay ?"

Renji looked down at the ocean swirling twenty feet below him, he hesitated. Took a deep breath and slowly took off his red Nike Jordans . He looked at a pissed off orangette and hesitated some more.

"Oh for fuck's sake, Ren." Ichigo yelled, kicking off his black havaianas and climbed up the rail.

Grimmjow grinned. And without giving it a second thought, he hopped over the rail and jumped down into the ocean himself.

Ichigo froze.

Just what?

When the blue haired stranger succesfully saved his camera, he fought the urge to jump for joy and yelled at the top of his lungs. Would have been bloody embarassing. He was going to get it himself, after all. He sighed in relief and bolted, eager to get to the shore as fast as he could to retrieve his favorite gadget.


"Where was I when the rockets came to life. And carried you away into the alligator sky. Even though I'll never know what's up ahead. I'm never lettin' go. I'm never lettin' go."

-Owl City, Alligator Sky


Grimmjow dove under. The blue haired soldier was comfortable in water and found Ichigo's camera on the ocean floor quickly. He re-emerged to find the group on the pier staring down at him in astonishment, except that, Ichigo was not there.

He momentarily frowned but wiped it off his face when he saw a glimpse of orange running down from the pier, heading to where he was.

Grimmjow paddled back to shore. Ichigo met him halfway, all smiles.

"Hey thanks man, appreciate it. You didn't have to do that, I was just about to jump in." The orange haired boy spoke with flawless american accent.

Grimmjow smiled back. "I know ya were. Saved ya the trouble didn't I."

He handed the camera to Ichigo. Their fingers brushed briefly and sent shivers down the blunette's spine.

"Yeah thanks again, uh, this is my life here, so I owe you." Ichigo said inspecting the small camera, not looking at Grimmjow

"Don' worry bout it." Grimmjow grunted

Silence fell between the two men. Sensing situation getting awkward, the tanned soldier cleared his throat and spoke. "That thing still work? I mean it's been in the water."

Ichigo looked up and grinned. "Yep. Waterproof". Then he lifted the camera and started snapping pictures.

"Careful. My face might break it."

Ichigo laughed. "With that scowl it might. Try smiling."

"Just tryin ta protect yer lense, kid." Grimmjow teased

Tangerine boy lowered his camera. "Not a kid. I'm turning twenty one this year."

"Che. Still a fuckin' kid." the older man sneered.

Ichigo scowled but shrugged it off. "Suit yourself old man."

Feisty.

"I'm Ichigo."

Eyeing the boy hungrily, Grimmjow licked his lips. "Grimmjow."

The setting sun made Ichigo's honey brown eyes and amber skin glow. Tiny dots of light freckles were spread across his straight nose. His physique wasn't as built or as tall as Grimmjow, but not exactly short either. At least 5'10". With just the right amount of muscles, his form fitting grey wife beater suited his lithe body. Sugar, spice and everything nice, badabingbadaboom equal to a devastatingly gorgeous boy. Even his scowl was attractive. Grimmjow traced a finger on his upper lip, just in case his nose bleed from the sight of the tangerine beauty. Holy shit. When was the last time he felt so attracted to someone?

"Yo Ichigo!"

Renji jogged over as the two girls followed close.

Ichigo sucked his teeth. Renji was out of breath by the time he reached them

"Shit. Who jumps over a twenty feet pier?" Renji panted.

Ichigo snorted. "Apparently not you." His brown eyes traveled to Grimmjow's. They held eye contact.

Renji was about to protest. "Wh.."

"Pansy." Ichigo deadpanned

Rukia and Orihime giggled.

"I should get goin. Y'all have a good night." Grimmjow spoke.

"See you around, Grimmjow." Ichigo flashed a cheeky smile and the blunette had an irrespressible desire to grab his orange haired interest and kiss his perfect lips.

Grimmjow gave Ichigo his cheshire cat grin. "Yeah, ya will."

The young soldier started to walk the opposite direction and instantly felt stupid. His surfing shit was right below the pier and he began to turn back.

"I'll be damned. That guy's crazy.." Renji couldn't get over the fact that a stranger had jumped over twenty feet high just to help Ichigo get his shit back.

Ichigo smacked Renji's head.

"Yeah, no I swear I'm not." Grimmjow growled behind them

Ichigo's confused face made the blunette panicked inwardly. " I'm not stalkin' ya. I just gotta get my board."

"Are you staying here?" the amber skinned boy asked, slowing down to walk beside Grimmjow.

Azure met honey brown. "Yeah. Yeah I'm from Outer Banks."

They paused underneath the pier. Grimmjow put his navy cotton V-neck shirt over his head and grabbed his board.

"Hey, my house's just nearby and we're actually going back right now. You wanna join us for barbeque?" Ichigo asked, pushing aside his tangerine bangs.

"No, s' fine. I don' want to, ya know, intrude y'all. And my old man's making dinner."

The orangette looked slightly disappointed. Grimmjow wanted to kick himself.

Ichigo half smiled and nodded. "The least I could do is give you a beer for the walk home, yeah ?"

Grimmjow chuckled. "Where's yer house?"

"Right over there." Ichigo pointed and a full blown smile was back on his face.

Grimmjow could have died happy on his spot. With that smile, Ichigo had done a serious damage to his brain.


"Soldier on. Keep your heart close to the ground." - The temper trap, Soldier On


College kids wandered around near Ichigo's house. While waiting for the orangette to come back with their beers, Grimmjow sat in silence across Renji.

"You in military or something ?" The tattooed male broke the ice, toying with a piece of wood.

"Yeah."

"What branch ?" Renji pried.

"Army. Special Forces." Grimmjow kept his answers short. He didn't feel like making small talk with the red head.

"Special forces huh, that's impressive dude". "Is that like a Special Force's ring they give you? is that what it says on it ? Renji prodded when he caught a flash of Grimmjow's sapphire ring. "Aren't you suppose to be wearing a hat too? like a french hat? a beret?. "Right? that's what it's called?".

The red haired male had talked too much and a vein throbbed on Grimmjow's forehead. What took Ichigo so long.

Ichigo returned with two drinks to his relief, handed him a beer, sitting down next to him. He had a thin brown sweater over his grey tank now. Grimmjow muttered a thanks and took a big gulp.

Ichigo glared at his best friend.

"What ? I'm joking with him" Renji defended.

Ichigo scoffed. "You shouldn't make fun of a guy who can kill you with his bare hands."

Grimmjow grinned in satisfaction.

Renji laughed nervously, standing up. "You know what, I' m gonna get a beer. He held a two finger salute at Grimmjow. "Soldier. Pleasure".

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Sorry, man. He can be such a douche. Especially with new people."

Grimmjow said nothing but continued to listen to his companion's rambling. He didn't mind one bit when Ichigo talked. "I know him since we were kids. Sort of like a brother to me. Can't stand him though. That's how siblings are anyway. You can't stand each other." The azure eyed soldier barked a laugh. Ichigo did the same. His long lashes fluttered when he laugh. The blunette quickly decide he liked the how the boy's voice sounded, like an all time favorite song he would never get tired of listening over and over again.

Grimmjow felt eyes on him and saw the auburn haired girl from earlier, she had a little girl with her.

"She yer girl?" The taller of the two asked out of curiosity.

Ichigo choked on his beer and scowled. "Who? Orihime? no." The boy cleared his throat. "She thinks she likes me."

Grimmjow smirked. His eyes never left Ichigo's face. "Yeah I think she does"

"Nah, I'm not her type. She just doesn't know it yet." Ichigo retorted, still scowling.

Grimmjow scoffed.

The amber skinned boy stared at him incredulously. "What?"

"Come on. I just think yer probably everybody's type. And take that scowl off yer face. It don' suit ya." Grimmjow grinned, flashing his sharp canines.

"Yeah right. You're one to talk." Ichigo's stared at nothing in particular, pinkish tinge decorated his cheeks.

Grimmjow racked his brain. Was the kid talking about the scowl. Or was he admitting that he, Grimmjow jeagerjaques was hot?

At that moment, a green haired five year old came out of nowhere and bear hugged Ichigo from behind, nearly knocked him over. "ITSYGO!"

"Motherfu-" Ichigo stopped himself realizing the hugger was a toddler he recognised. He set his beer aside.

Grimmjow laughed. "See what I mean?"

"Hey Nel, this is Grimmjow. Say hello".

The green haired toddler hid her head on Ichigo's chest.

"She's shy. Where's your mama at?" the orangette ruffled her hair.

"Two steps behind, as usual." timid voice answered. "Sorry Kurosaki, she's like a heat seeking missile when she sees you."

Orihime looked at Grimmjow. "Hi I'm Orihime Inoue." She held out her hand. Grimmjow shook it and told her his name in return.

She noticed his sapphire ring right away. "Special Forces ? where are you stationed out of ? Fort Bragg ?" her voice was braver now.

Grimmjow quirked an amused eyebrow. "Germany actually."

She nodded . "I see. My older brother was in the army. He died two summers ago in Afghanistan."

That explained why she knew a thing or two about military. The blue haired soldier offered a sympathetic smile. "Sorry ta hear that."

"You're on a leave." she stated the obvious. Her grey eyes flickered between the two men. "Um, good for you. I hope you're enjoying yourself."

Grimmjow glanced at Ichigo who was looking right back at him and grinned. "Yeah, thanks. I think I am."

Orihime's face was somehow sad. "Well, sorry to interrupt. Nice to meet you though, come on honey."

Her daughter gave Ichigo one last hug. Then as she clutched Orihime's skirt, she called back to Grimmjow. "Hello Gwimmjoi". Almost as an afterthought. Although it might not be apparent right away, the little girl was autistic.

Grimmjow smiled and waved goodbye. "Hello Nel."

Ichigo and Orihime trade an impressed look. Then the mother daughter duo headed back inside their beach house next door.

"Wow. That was a pretty big deal. Nel doesn't talk to just anybody. If I'm being honest, she doesn't talk to anybody at all, other than her family." Ichigo beamed.

"Yeah? she talked ta ya." Grimmjow said with a sideways grin.

Ichigo shrugged. "I'm practically family."

"Seems pretty young ta be a mother."

The orangette exhaled. "Neliel was adopted."

"Hn. Figures" Grimmjow grunted.

"Her grandparents was supportive though. About the whole adoption thing. Guessed having lost both parents and only brother made them let her go through with it. " Ichigo explained. There was a hint of sadness in his voice.

Grimmjow noticed Ichigo's bitterness and frowned. "Kind of tragic don' ya think ?"

The orange haired boy nodded.

Grimmjow clasped his hands together. "Enough 'bout her. Tell me more 'bout ya."

Ichigo's eyes lit up and jabbed his thumb into his chest. "I, am a third year med student." He said cockily

Grimmjow smirked. "Get outta here. Third? ya serious, kid?"

"Hell yeah. Ain't no bullshit. Only two and a half months away from twenty one and already in my third year of medical college. One year til I get bachelor's degree then start residency program, say three more years give or take." A huge smile stretched his mouth.

"No shit." The older man sneered.

Ichigo pouted.

Grimmjow chuckled, ruffling Ichigo's hair. "Relax boy genius I believe ya. God, yer too easy ta tease."

The med student grinned playfully. "What else you wanna know, soldier?" he challenged.

Now that's more like it.


"You won't find faith or hope down a telescope. You won't find heart and souls in the sky. You can break everything down to chemicals. But you can't explain a love like ours."

-The Script, Science & Faith


The moon was way up in the sky now. They talked for another hour about absolutely everything and lost track of time. Other people were long forgotten and the young soldier ended up staying for dinner. Grimmjow learnt that Ichigo was half Japanese, the other half was Irish, his mother's side. And that he was an only child, but Ichigo had petulantly insisted he wasn't one of those spoilt kids. His parents met in Japan and moved to America soon after they got hitched. Grimmjow had unconsciously sat closer to Ichigo. Shoulders almost touching, sometimes their arms would brushed together. He could smell the sugary scent of his breath and count each of those adorable freckles on his nose. Butterflies flood the young soldier's stomach, waiting to explode. He tried so hard not to pitch a tent in his pants. Grimmjow swore the orangette was returning his interest and ninety nine percent sure it wasn't his brain playing tricks on him. Unrequited love is a bitch. Hold up. Love? He was getting ahead of himself. Stupid brain.

"When do you go back?" Ichigo asked suddenly. He knew Grimmjow was going to have to leave eventually.

The azure eyed man scratched his chin. "Two weeks from today"

"What's it like? the army I mean." Ichigo had this serious expression on. He looked funny and adorable, all at once.

Grimmjow chuckled. "Boring mostly. Fuckin' long stretches of boring. Occasional flashes of scary.

Ichigo hummed. He tugged the sleeves of his brown sweater so they covered his hands. Honey brown eyes stared at the small bonfire that had died for quite sometime during their conversation.

Grimmjow nudged Ichigo's elbow. "Ya cold?"

"Ah, yeah a bit." the boy fidgeted in his seat.

Grimmjow wanted to put his arms around Ichigo. But that's out of the question. He didn't want to scare the boy off and kiss his chance with him goodbye. Instead he crouched down, grabbed a few pieces of wood to gather some kindling. The he took a flint and magnesium block keychain from his pocket, shaved off some magnesium with a pocketknife and striked the flint. Instant sparks slowly reignited the fire.

Ichigo watched in amusement. "Damn. You just made your own fire. Very primal".

Grimmjow smirked. "Yeah ya ought ta' know these survival shit being in the army. Anyways I should probably be gettin goin now." he nodded up at the dark sky.

Ichigo stood up. "Thank you. Again".

"Yeah. No, you're welcome".

Grimmjow took his steps then whipped his head around. "Ichigo. Any chance ya might wanna do this again tomorrow night ?"

Ichigo contemplated for a while. "Err tomorrow's sunday. There won't be a bonfire, unfortunately."

Grimmjow shook his head. "No, I was kinda hoping we'd let somebody else do the cooking."

Ichigo laughed and for a split second Grimmjow thought he was going to reject his offer.

"Okay. I'm down"

Azure eyes widen. "Really? so uh, I'll come by 'round six or sumtin'?"

"Yeah thats cool". Ichigo looked just about perfect. The way he smiled at Grimmjow like he'd known him forever.

"Aight." Grimmjow grabbed his surfboard, turning away shyly.


"All I want is to be with you always. I give you everything, pay some attention to me. All I want is you and me always."

- Maroon 5, Stutter


Next day

Sounds of spoon clattering filled the Jaegerjaques kitchen. Jaegerjaques senior was making a large salad. His socks were mismatched. Grimmjow walked out of his bedroom in a clean white shirt and realized he hadn't mention his plans.

He crossed him arms and supported himself on the kitchen counter. "Dad. I'm not stayin fer dinner"

"But I made chicken pot pie". Barragan Luisenbarn Jaergerjaques told his son.

"Yeah I know ya made chicken pot pie. It's sunday, pop." Grimmjow said nonchalantly

Barragan glanced up at him, then quickly worked on his salad again.

The young soldier sighed. Felt he should explain. "I'm meeting a friend tanight."

Grimmjow's father dug in his pocket and held the car keys out to his son.

"You need the car?" Barragan was hesitant.

Grimmjow nodded and took it. "Yeah, thanks pop."


"There he goes my baby walk so slow. Sexual tic tac toe. Yeah I know, we both know. It isn't time. But would he be mine."

-Fever


Grimmjow propped his elbows on the roof of his father's 95' black Ford Mustang, waiting for the tangerine boy to come out.

"Hey."

Ichigo appeared at his front porch. Sporting a red Stussy hoodie, dark washed skinny jeans and a black and white Jack Purcell.

Grimmjow grinned. "So where to?"

Honey brown eyes blinked. "I get to pick the place?"

Grimmjow clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I jus asked ya, didn't I?

Ichigo tapped his chin. "The Shrimp Shack? you know how to get there ?"

Grimmjow grew impatient.

"Get in, kid."


TBC.

What did you think? Review ? The more the better. Kos I like reviews. I really do (:

For those who doesn't know yet, check out my other fic 'Swoon, I'll Catch You'. And while you're at that shower me with reviews? Hehe

The temper trap's Fader was on repeat while I wrote this chapter. I did it ! Thank you The Temper Trap !

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