A Simple Name
Chapter Two, Sell Your Body
"When you see a wall, I see a door." -Bat For Lashes
Was it so wrong to search for a soul willing to take him in and be manipulated? According to Hichigo he's great at leading people on and lying through his pearl white teeth.
That said, Grimmjow is easy.
He isn't much smarter than roadkill and about as unaware as some too, the unsuspecting idiot is exactly the kind of person Ichigo was looking for-unaware, attractive and foolish.
Of course he wanted sex-he wouldn't have had so much fun if he didn't-but one thing they don't see see eye-to-eye on is what happens after. The blue haired hunk clearly wants to throw him out but Ichigo isn't something the poor man can toss away like a candy wrapper; he's done that before and has no intention to do it again-oh no, he has something crueler in mind for Grimmjow.
Ichigo rolls his eyes, bet he's never heard no when it comes to sex, huh? but he could have, it would have been easy, the men Ichigo usually date are desperate and co-dependent. He smiles a little devilishly at the reminder of his last lover only to start when Grimmjow rolls over snorting obnoxiously and then resuming snoring like a bear.
After fucking him until he couldn't see straight Grimmjow curled up like a cat and fell asleep purring like one too.
Probably the alcohol.
Once Ichigo is sure the dummy is out he gets up to check out his place and settle the curiosity he's had to resist since they met.
Honestly he doesn't understand why he likes him, sure he's sexy but that aside he doesn't have much to be desired: he's cold, angry and broke-if his home is any indication. Ichigo played dumb when Grimmjow drove him here but he knows this neighbour-hood like the back of his hand, just how many times had punks tried to drag him or even Chad here? Grimmjow is rough on the exterior and probably in the interior too since he lives here. Ichigo imagines him as an old table for him to polish-but perhaps he's a little in over his head, Grimmjow's hair, cold deposition and attitude screams work and there are times even he needs to draw the line.
An extensive search reveals a lonely picture by his bedside of a young girl about seven or nine with long black hair and big blue eyes, clutching a teddy bear and smiling proudly. Next to her-well it must be Grimmjow-he has the same hair but appears much younger, maybe his early twenties? That's right, he's thirty so was this girl his daughter? It's certainly something to consider.
Ichigo rarely ventures out of his comfort zone to date older guys, because if nothing else his father has taught him to stick with his peers though right now he's finding it's not too bad to step out. But that was why he asked last night even though it didn't changed his mind. If that is his daughter, he figures he'll understand quickly why his father was so stern on that.
Ichigo supposes he'll have to push hard to get Grimmjow to agree on a date but with enough... persuasion anybody will crack. At first he might detest but Ichigo knows how to work people for his own desires and isn't intimidated by Grimmjow's age. It isn't in his nature to back down from a challenge-even one like this. He always gets what he wants from men and what he wants is a date-a chance to be more than sex.
There's a bookshelf Ichigo missed on his way in by the door containing John Grusham novels and multiple shelves dedicated to cookbooks, recipes, chefs' biographies and basics about starting your own restaurant. That's his hobbie? Not video games, books, movies or music, just cooking?
It's hard to surprise him but Ichigo definitely is.
He took Grimmjow for the fighting type like karate or gory games and movies, certainly not cooking or opening his own business. Why didn't he have one then? Money might be tight but he could get loans and if it took off he would be fine, then again Ichigo is a firm believer in doing what you love and ignoring what's practical.
He makes mental notes of inspiration from his thoughts as he strolls around the apartment.
Maybe this is his biggest problem.
Hichigo tells him he's a soulless asshole that dates and breaks the hearts of every man who loves him but the truth is, he has a fire inside that needs fed to keep his hands sketching and creating. It's a fire that's only satisfied by learning new people from the inside out. His many lovers are his inspiration and every sketch has a story that evolves from the men who desire him and make love to him passionately. The men whose hearts he crushes.
Finally deciding to get some sleep he shuffles out of the main living quarters to crawl into bed.
He's cold but he is also capable of love and passion, the right person just hadn't come along yet. Those others are swept off their feet by him but what he wants... he wants a person to make him really feel-so far he'd come up dry. Every time his hopes are dashed he loses faith in such a person existing, yet here he is again.
He silently wonders as he drifts off if maybe he likes the chase too much to give it up.
Grimmjow is pissed when he wakes up snuggling with Ichigo.
The kid doesn't seem to get the picture, does he? This is a one time thing since he hadn't the time nor the desire to date. Despite how hot he is there are too many things on his mind-serious relationships with people he doesn't know just isn't one of them.
The few people he's been with were around his age with nothing spectacular to offer, therefore he doesn't understand pop culture's obsession with it, the whole thing is all lost on him. Ulquiorra tried explaining it once with a logical flair but Grimmjow merely scoffed. Is his love for Inoue Orihime really reciprocated or is he disillusioned? He doesn't want to think about what would happen if his friend had mistaken her feelings, good news is she's around Ichigo's age and kids believe that "soul mate" shit.
Grimmjow grunts as he attempts to extricate himself from Ichigo, jumping when his eyes open instead. "I'm awake you know." He glares as hotly as he can with a headache pulsing in his temples and a sensation like he's with her instead of in bed staring into irresistible gold eyes. Without that persistent scowl Ichigo looks like some kind of lover that Grimmjow doesn't want, even as he lies here in his embrace.
"I've got a hell of a hangover," he grumbles as it pulsates persistently, "you need any aspirin?" Ichigo rests his face on his chest and looks him dead in the eyes making it hard to fight wanting to see him again. He swallows comically, what are you thinking? He's too young and you have her to think about.
Ichigo's skin is soft like silk, his hair is feathers and he still smells like burnt leaves but to make matters worse, his gaze is as warm as a fire during a snowstorm so even when Grimmjow averts his own gaze to the wall, he feels warm. A bold nuzzle against his chest makes him mentally shudder.
"No, I'm okay." Right, he didn't drink anything.
"Okay, alright." Ichigo sits up and-despite being covered in a sheet from the waist down-looks sexy, especially in the light pouring in from the blinds in pale blue and orange. He's just pretty enough for Grimmjow's taste with soft features: high cheek bones, full lips, a nice proportioned nose and big eyes and a touch of masculinity in his swimmer psychique. Under the surface he can see Ichigo is kinder than him but he won't dig any deeper since he has no intention of putting it to use.
"I didn't really want to forget what you looked like naked." Grimmjow can't help smirking at the ego stroking. "Do you even remember last night?"
"Maybe you should remind me." Ichigo's eyes widen with surprise equal to what he's experiencing. You never sleep with the same person twice, it's practically inviting disaster. Grimmjow knows if they have sex twice he'll have to at least talk to him like a human being or go on an obligatory date.
Damn his big mouth!
"Uh..." Ichigo seems at a lost for words as a sexy shade of red blossoms on his cheeks.
"That was kinda outta line, huh?" Grimmjow doesn't sound sorry but he is even if his voice can't properly express it.
Ichigo looks down at the bed shyly.
Damn, he's kind of cute.
-Wait, what the hell? He isn't even close you fucking idiot! Don't get attached, this kid would never play your games!
He's taken from scolding himself rather ruthlessly when Ichigo clambers up onto him and wraps his arms around his neck with a breathy, sexy voice on the ready, "I have no problem with seconds, but it comes at a price."
Grimmjow's wary already, his sky blue irises narrowing on intense chocolate orbs. Why is he starting to like this on a much more personal level? "Price," he echoes blankly, asking for further elaboration.
"A date." He knew what it would be but he'd been silently hoping Ichigo would know better than to demand more of him. As fascinating as he is Grimmjow doesn't really have the time to repay that kind of debt.
"I don't have the time to take you out to some fancy restaurant; so the answer is no." By his unchanged expression, Ichigo isn't the least bit phased by his rejection. Ichigo grinds onto his hips, extracting an instantaneous reaction in the form of all his blood rushing to his groin. "Shit...I sai-"
"You don't have to take me to a fancy dinner, anything enjoyable will do." He doesn't seem bothered other than his breath hitching a smudge towards the end. The battle on Grimmjow's side isn't looking too good though.
His brain is scrambling with thought. The current circumstances aren't in his favor but is this really enough for him to disregard everything else? There's the run, work, Ulquiorra and his problems-her and the fact he has so many little tasks that it's almost impossible to squeeze anything else in. His head is telling him to shove Ichigo away like all the others, go shower and get ready for his daily run, but his nether regions beg him to reconsider. Surely there are a couple hours he could spare, that's all he'll owe and then he can forget all about this exchange.
So would he?
Ichigo moans softly clamping a hand over his mouth to muffle the noises and already looking ready to plead.
Grimmjow can't reject. "Fine." The redhead runs his fingers through powder blue hair and leans in to kiss the side of his throat victoriously.
"Trust me, you won't regret it." Grimmjow smirks, making a quick guess nobody has ever turned Ichigo down when he asked for something: be it money, kisses, dates or sex. He's got eyes like honey and is everything sexy, practically television ready at six in the morning. It helps his persuasive abilities are on the moment his eyes flutter open.
Ichigo moans, mewls and calls his name as he's teased and then led on a journey of sensations that makes a familiar burn in Grimmjow's stomach grow gnawing. Ichigo's hair bounces as he rides him, the strong muscles in his legs guiding him with unusual precision down onto him for each thrust. It strikes him Ichigo's done this more than once, he knows exactly what to do so the pleasure will build faster. He can't focus well though, as the inevitable comes and they both collapsed on the bed. He's ashamed to admit the hour of sensations is worth a few hours of his life.
They take a good five minutes recovering and then Ichigo gets up to take a much needed shower.
Grimmjow eyes the sultry man as he walks away missing his fluidity on moving about the apartment. Despite being thin he has a lot of muscle on his arms, legs, back, abs, chest and even a nice pert ass. He smiles over his shoulder when he catches Grimmjow's gaze. Oh he's just asking to be fucked. He can't imagine how many people hit on him.
It's embarrassing just how many times he catches himself staring.
Ichigo makes his first wise decision by dressing, brushing his hair and biding farewell, quickly and efficiently, pausing only to remind him of a date. Grimmjow's original idea of getting out of it is to say I'll call you. He expects Ichigo to forget he doesn't have his number and he seems oblivious enough but only minutes after he's exited Grimmjow notices the scribbled number on a pad on his nightstand.
Figures, he doesn't strike Grimmjow as the type to forget something so important. He's smarter than the others he's fucked in the past-it's only a matter of time before he talks him into something senseless. Oh those eyes of his cause blackouts in Grimmjow's commonsense and that body is his second best weapon-all he had to do was grind his hips once and Ichigo had him wrapped around his finger. Unfortunately nobody escapes these situations unscathed, because guys like Ichigo are too good to be true, they don't mean everything they say and their motives are purely selfish. He should know, he's been crossed by someone eerily similar to him.
Kaien was a hard working straight guy with a deep secret; he lusted and desired men. He asked Grimmjow to keep their so-called "relationship" a secret because he feared what his friends might say, so he did and it was the closest he had ever come to loving someone. Kaien was snappy and confident but underneath it all harbored a good heart that Grimmjow mistakenly believed to be honest. But he caught him out at the market with a dark haired, bright eyed woman. Kaien kissed her, saying he loved her.
Grimmjow had been so pissed his face had turned red but he didn't confront them-hell, she was sporting a wedding ring-but he knew Kaien was a lying bastard. Since then on, they've never spoke again.
For the first couple months Kaien tried to call and even came by a couple of times but Grimmjow didn't have it in him to speak about the deep betrayal. He couldn't admit someone had actually hurt him, so he pushed the whole thing as far from his mind as possible until the pain waned away.
Ichigo's a lot like Kaien. The similarities in appearance are sort of a turn off alone.
Grimmjow's thoughts are interrupted by a loud jingle alerting him of a call. Frowning he picks up his phone from its place on his nightstand. Ulquiorra, little shit probably wants to know why I abandoned him. "What?"
Nothing comes over the receiver for a moment, then his monotonous voice registers, "Guess who Orihime-chan and I am having lunch with?" The only thing he thinks it could be is one of her old friends.
"Another one of her friends?" He can hear distant chatter in the background indicating he's not in the bathroom, he always likes to make calls not far from her-just in case.
"Her ex-boyfriend and his twin brother." How does that have any significance to him? "You know that boy you seduced last night?" Grimmjow feels the blood draining from his face.
Her ex-boyfriend is one of the Kurosakis? How in the world did he get caught up in that big mess? It must be his twin with the white hair since just an hour ago Ichigo had been at his apartment pretending not to leave his number by the bed. Hopefully he isn't bi-it's bad enough Grimmjow is.
"Are you fucking serious?"
"The white haired one recognized me from last night. He keeps asking me if you're going to be joining us." Oh that's what this is about. Ulquiorra wants him to cover things up before innocent Orihime can figure out what happened. After all she's pure by his standards and doesn't need to know of Grimmjow's wild nights out. Just how many times has he scurried off to defuse a potentially bad situation? One too many times. This time however he isn't eager to get under Ichigo's spell anymore than he's eager to jump off a building—which is none.
"Che, I have to go to for a run, just tell 'em to shut their traps." Ulquiorra inhales to demand an audience when Grimmjow slams the phone closed once more.
So Ichigo and his twin have different sexualities? That's weird to him since he has this strange thought twins share the same sexual preferences.
He shakes the thoughts away. All this worrying is reminding him what a burden caring about people is and why he gave up on it a long time ago. When compassion went south and people lost the power to help her; he simply let it go.
Stomach churning he ties his running shoes, shoves his mp3 player into a pocket on his shorts and puts the buds in. Lana Del Rey's song "National Anthem" blares as he takes off with vigor into the streets, running to nowhere now. The people around him stare and even a few ogle but he doesn't notice them, instead he sees through them. The songs are pouring their energy into him, pushing his muscles further with a sense of urgency, so he goes on even as his breath is coming in puffs, sweat is covering his body and his heart is racing under his rib cage like a trapped animal. He runs until he finds himself collapsing on a bench several miles later. Panting like a dog he lifts his head in a way akin to an old hound on a porch to read the street sign. Nishi-shijuku.
Nine miles.
He mutters a curse in frustration, not good enough! I need to be better!
Suddenly his phone is ringing and this time the sound is a low signal beckoning him. Still slick with sweat he answers curtly to find out it's his boss asking him to fill in tonight. He might pass if he wasn't thinking about her and the run... it's reminded him where every dime of his money goes and why he's here in the first place.
At least there he can check his schedule and decide when to take Ichigo on a obligatory date.
He'd arrived home to find Hichigo in the kitchen poking through the mail, letters he was quick to dismiss when Ichigo strolled in freshly showered, wet hair an all. Dangerous grin in place he sauntered over to ask if he'd really slept with the blue haired man or if he found someone else. After some senseless prodding Ichigo had prepared a snappy get lost when the nosy bastard asked him to lunch since he "has nothing better to do and therefore no excuse."
He knows the jerk is getting to his questions, after all it's only a matter of time. Oh he wishes talking about boring shit would cause his brother to lose interest but knows it won't. Hichigo isn't one to linger on things that bore him but nothing is more intriguing to him than his twin's romantic adventures. Truth is though, there wasn't anything romantic about last night. Even so it's all the same to his twin.
They go to a cafe for tea and lunch and spot the last couple on earth Ichigo wants to run into. But here Orihime and her boyfriend are, sitting at a table together.
Ulquiorra is the biggest freak Ichigo's ever met: his monotonous voice, pale skin and all-knowing green eyes make for a creepy combo. And that's not even bringing up his weird manner of speaking! He really doesn't understand what Orihime sees in him.
Hichigo considers Orihime and him exes just because they had a make out session once in the bleachers during high school and she goes along with it because it's easier not questioning him when he says something weird.
Ichigo plans on just saying "hi" when Hichigo interrupts his thoughts by laughing like some lunatic, leaning close with a wild grin. "That guy was with your blue haired friend."
This is fucked up, he realizes suddenly. It's one thing to sleep with a stranger, another to sleep with a friend's friend. He didn't know since he didn't spot Grimmjow until he was close, he just hopes to god Ulquiorra doesn't recognize him. They'd only met once, surely he'd forgot him or didn't spot them last night.
No such luck.
Ulquiorra's eyes light up with mild surprise when Hichigo drags him over to say hello and the unspoken question fires off: what are you doing here?
Hichigo drones on about his failed attempt to become Orihime's true love while Ichigo finds himself uncomfortable. He knows Hichigo wants to bring it up and on top of it being awkward Orihime will freak out, even Ulquiorra has tension in his limbs thinking about it. As Ichigo considers just speaking up Ulquiorra excuses himself to make a call. He makes it back quickly and once more everyone but Inoue knows and she seems to feel the atmosphere becoming less desirable than uncomfortable, now it's outright awkward.
Ichigo fidgets in his seat.
Hichigo finally shuts his mouth but judging by the silence he should have kept going. He seems to have lost interest in disturbing Ulquiorra since he doesn't appear affected and like his typical self, wants to move onto an interesting topic. It figures Ichigo ran into them, he hadn't spoken to Orihime for months. She's sweet but they're in different places-she's working at a restaurant as a chef while Ichigo's still in college, and she's engaged while he's painfully single.
Honestly he really had tried to keep in touch with his high school friends, though most moved away. Keigo and Mizuiro went on to do their own things in different districts, Tatsuki is living in Karakura with her own dojo and Ishida is a smart ass yoga instructor/medical student. He made time for Ichigo before their, er...fallout.
Chad is really the only person who sees him on a regular basis.
Ulquiorra's coolly voice breaks the tense silence, "I saw an... intriguing concert last night."
Ichigo chokes on his tea, coughing violently to get it out of his windpipe.
He's the one broaching the conversation? What, is he done shielding his beautiful Inoue from the cruelties of the world? Something about the statement hits him wrong and he's left feeling like someone whose privacy has been invaded.
Hichigo's face brightens considerably at the subject change, a blindingly white grin splitting his face. "Was it at the BK venue?" Ulquiorra looks mildly-very mildly—pleased someone is taking his bait. Ichigo sets his cup down to glare at the two of them.
"They have good concerts there," he mumbles to contribute, sounding more like someone who'd rather be diving off a cliff. They both ignore their victim's quiet plea to shut up but then again he didn't expect them to, they're both assholes in their own ways. He flashes a glower at Hichigo who merely grins and continues his tirade.
"Yes, did you attend?"
Hichigo slaps his back like they're pals, Ichigo growls. "Yep, my bro and I went, surprised we didn't run into each other."
Ichigo bites his tongue hard enough he tastes blood so he won't get up and drag him right out of the cafe by his hair. He just wants to disappear until this is over with.
Obviously Grimmjow taking off suddenly happens frequently or Ulquiorra wouldn't have known to look for his target-or by strange luck he just saw them. He's truly Ichigo's polar opposite who dates guys for months and then dumps them because he gets bored with men as quickly as Hichigo with boring conversations. The white haired dumb ass probably has ADD but their idiot father would never have tested him, he's too old fashioned.
"Oh I saw you, my friend Grimmjow seemed particularly interested in Ichigo-san." Orihime's eyes widen meeting his and asking did you really sleep with him? She must be smarter than they all think.
Ichigo throws his hands up in defeat, what's the point in dancing around the subject when everybody at the table knows? "Okay, whatever! So we were flirting, what's the big deal?"
Hichigo leans towards him, back straight but nobody else says a word at his revelation. "He did more than flirt with you, he's your new chew toy." Ichigo's face flushed with sheepishness drains of color.
That's what they think of him for his activities? That the men he dates are nothing but playthings?
No, they're wrong, he's searching for something that he hasn't found: someone who's so passionate it's contagious. He can't seem to find someone so passionate about something it dictates everything else-like his dreams do. Nobody will understand him until they feel that. In his defense he doesn't care what it is or who, even if it's towards him. He's never told anyone but every person he's dated up until today has told him to focus on an obtainable goal and stop daydreaming. God what happened to the occasional idealism? He envies people who will delve into hell for their dreams if it means the slightest possibility of coming out successful.
"Why the hell does it matter what I do on my personal time?" he snaps, Ulquiorra leans forward as Orihime shakes her head disapprovingly.
"I'm not one for prying," Ulquiorra clarifies, his voice quieter. "But as a warning Grimmjow's cruel and cold, you should avoid getting involved with him on a personal level."
Ichigo blinks in confusion, is his own friend really warning people away from him? This is starting to give him the creeps, is Grimmjow a serial killer or something? Stop that, you're crazy.
Maybe Ulquiorra's right, he was cruel last night and quite cold towards him in the morning but how can he accept others' observations before his own? He isn't smart enough to step away from a dangerous situation, instead he feels a metaphorical orbital pull drawing him closer. He knows he's doomed to get hurt but he can't stop.
"Good! Ichigo has a heart of stone," Hichigo exclaims, receiving a harsh glower in return.
"Don't worry, I can handle myself."
Ulquiorra's eyes flash with concern but he shrugs nonchalantly. "Alright then, just remember what I told you." Ichigo hesitates before slowly nodding in recognition.
He won't be able to forget it now. What makes everyone cautious about him? Now he has to know if it's the last thing he does.
I really want to apologize for the wait, my brother's been in and out of the hospital or sick since January, it's been tough. Plus this chapter was rather large, so yeah! I haven't abandoned this story, I promise! :)
Thanks to TheTresEspada for beta reading this baby and putting the finishing touches on it.
This chapter introduces some humour, but it also sets the stage for stuff later, so it was necessary, hope it's not too boring.
Yes, I ship UlquiHime. There will be some other pairings mentioned in this so keep your eyes peeled!
So, guesses? Anybody think they know who this "her" is?
