Happy Birthday, Kisa! This year I'm posting on your birthday.

Category: Bleach

Title: Damaged

Pairing: Grimm/Shuhei

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Romance

Rating: M for theme, language, and mildly suggestive scenes.

Universe: Alternate/All Human

Summary: He couldn't believe he was doing this. How was it that he always managed to get into these awkward situations? When Shuuhei, a freelance writer damaged by his past is hired to interview an up and coming author, he never in a million years would think that he would have anything in common with the guy. After all, they're complete opposites…right?

-;-

He frowned, leaning forward to place his chin on his palm as dark grey eyes scanned over the letters scrawled across the paper laid neatly in front of him on the kitchen table. His dark hair was ruffled in that usual bed-head fashion that always seemed to accompany him, even though it had to be at least two in the afternoon.

Sighing, the male ran a slim fingered hand through his hair as a yawn wracked his lean frame, momentarily revealing pearl white teeth and a set of admirable canines before he refocused on the note that was spelling out yet another assignment he wasn't particularly interested in but needed in order to keep a steady income. Thankfully, it was one of his close friends who had sent him the notice, so he was more inclined to accept the proposition.

Hey Shuhei,

Know you haven't had anything going on since Rangiku's got her new staff to keep her happy. There's a new author who lives in town; give me a call if you need any extra info.

Kira

Short and simple. Just the way he liked it.

Leaning back with a thoughtful look on his features, the male glanced over at the clock on the stove. If he planned this out right, he could get dressed and stop by Kira's before going to the address that had been included with the note, along with the name of the guy; at least, he assumed it was a guy. Anyone who named their kid Grimmjow had to be either been on drugs or completely crazy. Then again, knowing the norm for that sort of thing, he probably shouldn't mention anything.

"Should probably get going if I want to catch this guy." He murmured to himself, standing, pyjama bottoms hanging low on his hips. "No idea why Kira would point me in his direction though. I don't usually do articles like this."

In the end, he decided it didn't really matter, and with a huff, he stood and made his way back towards his bedroom.

-;-

The usual noise that greeted him when he arrived at Wabisuke Publishing was something that instantly soothed Shuhei as he walked through the doors and quickly navigated his way through the usual mess of papers, people and chaos. Several people paused to give him hasty smiles and nods before they were forced to move along, and he smiled faintly in return.

He had managed to scrounge up a semi-clean pair of loose jeans that hugged his hips nicely and a formfitting black t-shirt that he'd thrown his baggy grey sweater overtop. Along with that, he was wearing his thin framed reading glasses and his signature book bag, which most knew contained his laptop, notepad, and various pencils and pens.

No one ever questioned him being here anymore, especially not since he had worked part time a while back and actually gotten to know the people here, so they let him right on by to the office that had Izuru Kira engraved in the door.

Smirking, Shuhei knocked twice on the door with his knuckles before entering, already predicting what the quiet blond would be doing. He'd be sitting behind his desk, his routine coffee from the shop down the street placed on the left hand side, close enough that he could easily reach it but far enough away that it wouldn't instantly murder his computer if it spilled. Not only that, but he would be wearing that look of utter hopelessness that usually could be found at any time past two-thirty on his face as he read through the newest manuscript that he'd been sent, and would most likely send Shuhei an exasperated look when he noticed that it was him coming to visit.

Several seconds later, and he was proven right, although today Kira was also gnawing on his thumbnail; yet another habit that he tended to pick up on any time past three in the afternoon.

"Shuhei? What are you doing here?" the blond asked in quiet surprise, jerking back ever so slightly as said male seated himself across from his long-time friend. Shuhei shrugged lightly, knowing exactly how aloof he appeared to others when he performed the motion. He didn't particularly mind. It was just one of those habits that he'd picked up over the years that he never quite thought of any longer. If it was because of the events that had led up to this point or not, he couldn't be sure, but then again, he was one who tended to overthink these sorts of things.

"I thought I'd come by on my way to see this Grimmjow you've decided to direct me towards." The dark haired male raised a brow before leaning forward, linking his fingers together and resting his chin on them. "Given that these kinds of tips are in your playing field, I couldn't help but wonder if there was some other reason I should be aware of that you're pushing me towards him."

Kira barely batted an eye at the smooth tone Shuhei was using with him. It was usually something that he found that his other half of the coin tended to lean towards, and it usually always meant that he was going to be interrogated at one point or another.

"His work is very similar to yours, Shuhei. That is all." Kira sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly. "I thought that it would be good for you to do an article on him for me. Rangiku's been on my back all week about how she needs something to go on the cover for May's issue. A novel like Grimmjow's would be perfect to feature, especially considering that the summer holidays are coming up."

"I see."

Really, it was better to let Kira off the hook for now. He was squirming enough as it was, and the blond did have a tendency to get overwhelmed at times if he was pressured enough. He did fine at work; even thrived on the pressure of it, but as soon as someone closer to him began putting pressure on him, he cracked. Shuhei couldn't blame Kira for it; it was a part of who he was.

"Well then, I'd best be going then. I'll see you later." He nodded, standing again.

"Before you leave, Gin wanted to know if you were going to send over a copy of the manuscript tonight." Kira offered quietly. "He's interested to see how it's coming along."

A rare smile graced Shuhei's features, and he shrugged loosely. "I suppose I could do something like that." He teased before waving and exiting the office. Again, he was smiled at and greeted, and again, he plastered on that faint smile of his, that smile that never seemed to reach the fathomless dark grey pools that studied the world around him critically.

After all, it was a part of him now. Something that he had picked up over the years.