Chapter.2

Ichigo had the impression that Grimmjow was hiding something from him because despite Ichigo always inviting Grimmjow to his flat, the other way around was just not happening no matter how subtly he was trying to hint at it. ''Ugh, I'm out of salt, Grimmjow do you have some at your place?''

''Uh, sorry, I'm out of it too.''

''Grimmjow, should we watch the game at your place?''

''Sorry, I don't have a TV right now.''

Who lives without salt and a TV? Who lives without a TV?

He has never met any of Grimmjow's friends or acquaintances, and usually that strung a HUGE warning red light but Grimmjow was seemingly a loner.

While Ichigo went to University, he went to work and they would meet up at night, at his apartment because they never went out on dates, only staying in.

Ichigo could tell Grimmjow was a busy man as he did catch a glimpse of a complicated looking blue print crumbled up and shoved into one of his back pockets but he still hung out with him late into the night only retiring at two or three in the morning, still energetic, while Ichigo went out like a bulb as soon as he closed the door.

And granted that they were boyfriends now and they never did go past the kissing scene and did sleep together on a bed that one time (if he recalls correctly) but was Ichigo someone with whom he didn't want to share his personal life with yet? Was he not trustworthy enough?

Maybe it was dirty magazines, Ichigo had thought once in passing, the dirtiest kinkiest kind ever. Maybe he was scared that some bdsm or nurse outfits would scare the younger man off.

Ichigo scoffs at this. He had seen worse at Ikkaku's. He was both scarred yet prepared for life after that.

''Babe, what are you thinking about?'' Grimmjow asks as he tightens his arm across Ichigo's waist. They are yet again on Ichigo's couch, snuggling and watching a variety show.

''Nothing.'' Lies were never his forte anyway.

''By the way, I'll be going on a work trip for the next week.''

''What, all of a sudden?'' Ichigo raises a brow.

''It's this huge project and decisions are being made everywhere.''

''Okay I get it.''

''How disappointing I thought you would be more upset.'' Grimmjow says, nuzzling into the soft skin behind Ichigo's ear.

Ichigo smiles softly, ''Do you want me to be upset?''

Grimmjow leans back and stares intensely into Ichigo's eyes, and Ichigo wonders if there might be more to the firm ''Never,'' which escapes Grimmjow's lips before he takes Ichigo's soft lip between his teeth. It gradually melts into a deep kiss and Ichigo's arms come around Grimmjow's neck.

The kiss eventually breaks and Grimmjow joins their foreheads and smiles that charming smile of his.

Ichigo blinks in a daze, because he really really likes Grimmjow and it kind of hurt because he thinks that Grimmjow might not be into him after all.

''Hey, what's got you so upset today?'' Grimmjow whispers against his mouth and nudges the smaller softly, a bit concerned at the glaze forming over Ichigo's brown eyes.

But he couldn't say it, he didn't want to seem clingy and pathetic, like he was often with Ginjou. And look at what had happened to their relationship.

Ichigo pulls Grimmjow's chest to his' and hides his face in the tall man's shoulder. ''Nothing. I'm gonna miss you.'' He mumbles into the soft fabric of Grimmjow's shirt.

A chuckle from Grimmjow rumbles both their chests and then a tender, ''I'm only going to be gone for a week. I'll be back in no time.''

Ichigo hums.

It's at dawn that Grimmjow leaves, after they spend the entire night watching random reruns on TV and talking about more random stuff, whatever came to mind at that moment.

''No goodbye kiss?'' Grimmjow asks teasingly.

''You already had so many though.''

''Come on, just one more.'' Grimmjow prompts and Ichigo feels like he might be whipped because he's pulling the taller down by his collar and kissing him. But what makes his knees wobble is when he feels Grimmjow smile against his lips dearly whispering a soft, ''Stay safe, baby.''

''Ichigo, take that gloomy shit of a mug elsewhere. Seriously, God gave you a handsome face and look at what you do with it. What a fucking waste.''

To be frank, even Hirako's shitty sass was getting to him today. His best friend never literally meant what he said…well…sometimes, but today he just couldn't find his patience and the dull throb of his headache wasn't going down even with half of his coffee gone from his cup.

''Hiro, shut the fuck up. I'm worried.''

Hirako raises a groomed brow, ''What has your panties in a bunch?''

A pause with no reply.

''Spit. Now.''

Ichigo bites his lip in thought, ''It's about Grimmjow. I…He's on a business trip and it's been around six days and we text but he never lifts up my calls nor does he call me back and I...''

Hirako frowns over his cup of mocha, ''You what?''

Ichigo gulps nervously, hesitantly, ''I don't know…'' He threads his fingers through his orange strands, ''Our relationship is so new and we might not know each other completely but you know how Ginjow was acting in the same way before breaking up with me and I-'' He inhales deeply and looks at his childhood best friend with hopeless glossy brown eyes, brows furrowed with pain and worry, ''I really like him, Shinji.''

Hirako puts his cup down on the table and reached across to pinch both of the younger's cheeks making him protest and swat his hands away roughly.

''You are so stupid, honestly, I could kill Ginjou for hurting you this much. I haven't met this Grimmjow dude yet, but by what you tell me, he sounds nice and kind. If you are so fucking worried, just ask him why he won't pick up. He might have a genuine reason, but,'' Hirako's eyes harden, ''If he doesn't then he isn't worth it.''

Ichigo's heart skips a beat and his throat goes dry. ''I don't want him to be not worth it.''

Hirako hums, ''That's right, but if you don't ask, you will never know if he is or isn't. If he isn't and you believe he is, then that would be pretty dangerous for you, don't you think? Prevention is always better than cure, Ichi. Don't start being a fucking coward. It's unlike you.''

How could Ichigo tell him that having his heart broken once changed him so much that he couldn't even recognize himself anymore?