a/n: it's a little after one in the morning and i'm just going to post this cause idc (which means it might suck and there'll definitely be typos)

once again, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU SUPPORT it really means a lot to me that you guys still like my writing. i'm trying to get back into it and your support reminds me that i'm not all that terrible. really hope you enjoy this. and i'm going to try to get back to my other stories but it might take some time, i don't want to resume something when i'm not quite ready... anyways, this is my first update of 2015, so yay?

rating: T+

warnings: strong language

disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

like coming home

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...

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When Ichigo finally returns to his apartment in the late afternoon, Sado's shoes are already settled by the doorway. In comparison, they're slightly longer and much more wider than his. After slipping off his old sneakers, Ichigo finds his roommate in the kitchen leaning against the counter with a dark blue mug in hand.

A sweet aroma fills the air and Ichigo follows it to the stove. "What's this?" he asks, lifting up the lid to one of the pots. He inhales a strong scent of cinnamon and sees a white and creamy liquid simmering.

"Atole," answers Sado, his native language rolling off his tongue naturally. Sometimes Ichigo catches him muttering to himself in Spanish and admires the sound of it, fascinated by the ways the words flow easily into one another. "It's something my mom used to make me for Christmas."

"It smells good."

"It tastes even better."

Ichigo pours himself a cup and then sits with Sado at the table. He takes a slow sip of the beverage and is pleased by the flavor; it's sweet and warm, the texture nice and thick.

"Like it?" asks Sado.

Ichigo nods. "It's delicious."

Sado prepares Mexican dishes whenever he's bored or homesick and Ichigo has no problem trying them out. They're always tasty, if only just a little bit spicier than what he usually eats. He wonders what it's like for Sado to lead double lives as a Japanese and a Mexican. Ichigo figures it must be tiring trying to keep up with both.

They're quiet as they finish their atole, the silence comfortable and easy. It's one of the things Ichigo appreciates most about Sado; there's no need to exchange words or force a conversation. They can be together, not saying a single word, without feeling the least bit awkward.

When they're done with their drinks, Ichigo grabs both cups and takes them over to the sink to wash. "Are you going out with everyone tonight?"

"Dunno. Probably." Sado gets up and begins setting aside the leftover atole into little plastic containers. He even saves a portion for Ichigo. "You going?"

"Not sure yet."

"You should come," says Sado. "It'll be a fun break from school and soccer."

"I don't know if I can afford a break."

Sado shrugs. He never pressures people unlike someone Ichigo knows. "Good luck telling Rukia."

Drying his hands, Ichigo sighs. He can already hear her condescending voice nagging him for bailing out of another hangout. If he doesn't go, this'll be the third time in a row (not that he really minded missing karaoke with Renji and Yumichika). And he has a strong hunch Rukia will show up at his doorstep and drag him along anyway if he decides not to go again.

Begrudgingly, Ichigo grabs his backpack, pulls out his homework and starts his readings. His textbooks are rented, so he has to copy things down onto a separate notebook instead of highlighting it. This takes longer and hallway through, Ichigo contemplates throwing everything against the wall.

At six o'clock his phone vibrates.

You're coming, right?

Ichigo stares at Rukia's text with a frown.

No, he sends, just to piss her off. Then adds, Yeah, I'll be there.

You better!

Rolling his eyes, Ichigo puts down his phone and resumes his work. He'd rather take a nap than revise his essay but something tells him to just get it over with. So Ichigo opens his laptop and attempts to fix his introductory paragraphs. He has a habit of sounding wordy and it shows on the corrections Rukia has made.

After crossing out two lines, she had scribbled beside it, Stop sounding like a pretentious asshole and get to the point.

An hour later, Ichigo revels in accomplishment when he completes everything. For once, the annoying voice reminding him of school is silent and it gives him the chance to relax.

"We should leave in half an hour," Sado tells him as he steps out of the bathroom, hair wet from the shower.

Ichigo knows Sado doesn't like being late, so gets ready in twenty minutes instead.

They take a cab to Shibuya and arrive at a BBQ place that's overflowing with college kids. Renji and Rukia are already standing outside waiting in line. And by the time a waiter sits them down in a large corner booth Shuhei, Toshiro, and Momo arrive.

Yumichika and Ikkaku show up just in time to place their order. They each shove their way into their seats, loudly blaming the other for making them late.

"I'm so hungry, I'm eating for three tonight," says Renji, leaning back with his arms folded behind his head.

"Just don't forget to pay your part like last time," adds Shuhei, shrugging off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves. Behind him Ichigo notices a pair of girls giggling and trying to discreetly take pictures of him on their cell phones.

Renji's eyes narrow into slits. "What the hell, I always pay up."

"Hmm," contemplates Shuhei, barely realizing the attention he's gathering. Rather than get upset or make a big deal out of the whole thing, he raises a hand in acknowledgment and offers them a crooked smile. "Maybe that was Yumichika?"

Ichigo tunes out the escalating debate (which he's sure it was Ikkaku who skipped out on paying for drinks the last time they went out bar-hopping). He takes a moment to simply enjoy the fact that he isn't cooped up in his bedroom, stressing over all his responsibilities.

A sharp elbow aimed directly under his ribcage interrupts him.

Rukia smiles sweetly, demeanor innocent. "You finished everything, right?"

Ichigo glares but it's halfhearted. "Most of it."

She nods, pleased. "Good."

"Well, it's not like I had much of choice," goes on Ichigo, crossing his arms. With all the customers and the grills running the entire restaurant begins to feel warm and inviting. "You'd murder me if I didn't show up."

"True," admits Rukia without even slight evidence of shame. "But I only do it for your own well being."

Incredulously, Ichigo stares at her. "Threatening my life is a sign of friendship?"

"It is in my book."

"You're crazy."

The waiter returns with their side dishes and drinks that also include two large bottles of sake. Immediately Shuhei makes a grab for one and starts filling glasses for the entire table.

"If I didn't know any better," begins Toshiro, picking up his cup with a judgmental look, "I'd say you're starting to show signs of a raging alcoholic."

"Loosen up, Shorty." Shuhei hands Momo her glass with a flirtatious wink that has her giggling and Toshiro glowering. "I'm pretty sure you're the one who needs it the most."

"Then I hope you have someone else to take you home in case you get shitfaced again," snaps Toshiro as Momo nuzzles closer to his side. Just from her touch his stern expression relaxes, the wrinkles between his brows subsiding. "Because I'm definitely not."

Ichigo gets out of the waiter's way when he brings over the meat. He cuts them into smaller pieces while Sado uses the tongs to arrange them neatly across the grill.

"I call that piece!" hollers Ikkaku excitedly, pointing at a juicy slice sizzling at the center.

"Keep dreaming," scoffs Ichigo. "These are for me."

"Heeeey," wails Ikkaku and it makes Ichigo frown in disgust that a grown man can make such a childish sound. "Don't be that way."

Ichigo motions at the smallest piece. "That one's yours."

"You bastard."

Ichigo's eyes narrow. "I don't see you doing anything."

"God," hisses Ikkaku, scowling, "you're so freaking irritating, Ichigo, I swear. I don't know who I hate more, you or Renji—Holy fucking shit, who is that?"

Everyone jolts at the sudden exclamation and follows Ikkaku's line of sight. Yumichika whistles low when it becomes apparent that the waitress attending the table across the room is what caught Ikkaku's attention.

When Ichigo sees Orihime, he isn't sure what he wants more: to punch his friends or hide her somewhere far far away. He's more inclined to the former, especially because it isn't Orihime's fault that she looks great in the work uniform. Plus, it allows Ichigo the opportunity to release his frustrations over his friends' stupidity.

Rukia kicks Ikkaku directly in shin, not bothering to hold back. "Stop looking at her like that."

He winces and nearly doubles over from the pain. "Like what?"

"Like she's a piece of meat instead of a person," clarifies Rukia as Momo nods along in agreement. "You're practically salivating."

"I can't help it," defends Ikkaku. "She's gorgeous."

Ichigo doesn't think twice about connecting his fist with Ikkaku's forearm, relishing the loud smack! that echoes when he does. "Sorry," he says dryly as his friend unhappily rubs the newly forming bruise, "I couldn't help it."

Ikkaku in pain isn't enough to satisfy Ichigo, though. So he picks up the piece Ikkaku had been eyeing earlier and pops it into his mouth. He takes his time chewing and savoring the taste, and then grins. "Delicious."

"You," growls Ikkaku. "I hate you more."

.

…

.

The rest of dinner goes on like Ichigo expects. Yumichika, Shuhei, and Ikkaku try to see who can handle the most alcohol (it's Shuhei of course, he wins every time), Toshiro and Renji argue over the soccer stats of their favorite team, and Sado listens to Rukia and Momo discuss a certain class they both need to take for their major.

Rather than join his friends, Ichigo can't help the way his eyes continuously wander over to where Orihime is. He watches as she scrambles around with her co-workers, taking orders and carrying dishes back and forth. There's a couple of close calls where Ichigo thought she might trip or drop a tray but Orihime has surprisingly quick reflexes.

Ichigo can feel his body tense up when a rowdy group of guys arrive and Orihime is the one to tend to them. The way they look at her makes his hands turn into fists; they're not very subtle, openly staring at her chest.

"Hey."

Ichigo reluctantly turns away and meets Sado's concerned gaze.

"You all right?" he asks.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

One of table near theirs gets wiped down and becomes available. Orihime leads the group there to sit down and as she passes by, she senses Ichigo's gaze and spots him. At first she's startled, but that quickly fades away and her expression shifts into something warm, mouthing a hello to him with a gentle smile.

Yumichika catches this and arches a brow at him. "Friend of yours?"

"Something like that," grumbles Ichigo, taking a drink of his sake. It doesn't relax him like he hoped it would.

"That's a very pretty friend," he points out, reaching over and refilling Ichigo's glass. "I didn't know you knew any of those."

Ichigo makes a non-committal noise and then takes another shot.

When Orihime finishes sitting down the group of men, she hovers by Ichigo's table. Even in the plain black apron and skirt, she's lovely. It makes her hair color stand out, a long ponytail of red and brown that reminds Ichigo of summertime sunsets.

"Is everything okay over here?" she asks timidly, picking up the empty plates and offering to bring over more water. "Do you need anything?"

Seeing her up close makes Shuhei lower his glass and give her his trademark smirk. "Yeah, your phone number would be nice."

Toshiro is swift, smacking him upside the head with an open hand. "Please forgive this moron. He's had a little too much to drink."

Face red, Orihime waves it off. "N-No, it's fine."

"You sure?" presses Ichigo, pausing from his meal to analyze her reaction. "I have no problem kicking his ass for you."

Orihime nods, smiling in embarrassment. "It's okay, really!"

Ichigo picks up his chopsticks and takes another bite of rice while Orihime scurries on to the back to continue working. He keeps an eye on the nearby table, noting how easily they finish three bottle of sake between the four of them. As the night carries on, their voices and laughter grow louder and louder.

Ichigo's molars grind together when he sees one of the men drop his spoon on purpose to check Orihime out when she bends over to pick it up. He's about ready to get up out of his seat to do something but that's when his friends decide to leave.

They call over their waiter and each pay their share of the meal, Renji and Ikkaku pulling out the most amount as usual. Together with their stomachs full and wallets lighter, they amble their way out towards the door.

However, Ichigo lags behind the group and searches around for Orihime; she's at the main register counting cash with concentration etched upon her face.

Stuffing his hands into his pockets, Ichigo takes a deep breath and approaches. He keeps quiet and gives her enough time to complete the task before speaking. "Inoue."

She puts down the money and smiles at him. "Did you enjoy your meal?"

Ichigo nods. "It was great."

"I'm glad." She leans forward and Ichigo can smell faint traces of floral perfume. "The food here is really tasty!"

For a moment, Ichigo falters. There's a chance she'll take his suggestion the wrong way and it'll make a bigger fool out of him. But he can't shake off the feeling and pushes on. "What time do you get off of work?"

This surprises Orihime who blinks rapidly. "E-Eh?"

He clears his throat. "What time are you done?"

"Uh." She fidgets, pushing back a flyaway hair. "I'll be done in fifteen. Why?"

Swallowing, Ichigo holds her gaze and is stunned by how open it is. "Do you have a ride to get you back home?"

Realization dawns on Orihime and it makes her flush, the rosy color pretty against her skin. "Oh, um, yes, I do. I take the bus, so don't worry about it, Kurosaki-kun."

Ichigo frowns at the idea of Orihime walking alone at night. Maybe he's overreacting—it's probably true that she can handle herself—but there's a gnawing in his gut that has him thinking otherwise. He takes out two thousand yen and hands it to her. "Here, use it to take a cab tonight."

"K-Kurosaki-kun." Frantically, Orihime tries to return it, her small hands pushing against his. "Thank you, but it's okay, really. I'll be fine on the bus."

"Please Inoue, just take it." Ichigo glances over his shoulder and catches the man from earlier staring at them intently. "I'd feel much better if you did."

Orihime pauses and it seems like she understands what Ichigo is getting at. Chewing on her lower lip, she thinks things over one last time and after a second, she complies. "Alright," she says, with a bow. "I'll make sure to get home safe."

It makes no sense but Ichigo is still uneasy and he feels like a kid again, confused and at a loss as to why terrible things happen to beautiful people. "Promise me."

Even Ichigo can hear the plea in his voice, but it reaches Orihime, her gray eyes shimmering in the dim light. Slowly, she takes his hand and wraps her pinky around his. Her touch is soft, the kind that belongs to a nurse or a mother. "I promise, Kurosaki-kun."

This makes Ichigo smile and he can't stop it even if he wanted to. "Thanks, Inoue."

To his amazement, she turns redder, color spreading across the apples of her cheeks. He has to fight back the urge to cup her face. So before he can do anything really stupid, he reluctantly releases himself from her grip and leaves.

Standing by the curb is Sado, the rest of the group already gone. When he spots Ichigo, he hails down an oncoming cab. "Your friend okay?" he asks when they get in. "You looked really worried there."

Ichigo isn't shocked that Sado had seen what had been bothering him. Had it been Renji or Yumichika he might have felt embarrassed but he doesn't feel that way now. "I think so."

As he lies in bed that night, Ichigo stares up at the ceiling, hoping that Orihime kept her word.

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…

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The remaining weekend goes by in a blur of chores, homework, and soccer practice. Ichigo calls home on Sunday evening and spends a good ten minutes convincing Yuzu that he's eating right. Karin on the other hand just what's to know his team's ranking while his father harasses him about getting a girlfriend.

On Monday, Ichigo attends class feeling somewhat rested. He turns in his essay with his fingers crossed; if doesn't at least get a B, Rukia will never let him live it down.

He trudges to the library and greets Keigo with a grunt before falling into the chair at his desk. He takes a minute to stare at his backpack that feels heavier than usual and wonders if blowing off the next assignment for History would completely ruin his grade in there.

Ichigo gets to work, pushing a cart full of returns through the aisles and returning them back into place. With his headphones plugged in, he takes his time organizing shelves. A few times he winds up helping a lost student find an article or book they need.

A little after one-thirty, Ichigo catches himself stealing glances at the entrance. He realizes it's irrational to assume something bad might have happened to Orihime but he can't help it.

Just looking at her brings out his protective side. And it's not because he finds her weak—no, he's well aware that she's an adult—but she's so kind and sweet that Ichigo hates the idea of her getting hurt in some way.

He lays his head down against the table and watches students enter and leave the library. Most of them he recognizes even if he hardly speaks to any of them; Ichigo's learned who puts in their hours around this time.

Keigo pushes his rolling chair next to him. "You still alive, man?"

"Barely," answers Ichigo with sigh as he sits up. He runs a hand through his hair, certain it's even messier than this morning. Yumichika had offered to let him borrow some of his hair product but that didn't appeal to him—Ichigo was sure he didn't want to smell like tangerines.

Keigo pats his shoulder. "I feel you. I have a midterm for my philosophy class this week."

"You ready for it?"

"Not the slightest bit."

Ichigo chuckles slightly, appreciating his friend's attempt to humor him. "That makes two of us then."

A grin stretches across Keigo's face, reaching ear to ear when his gaze flickers past Ichigo. "Well, at least your Monday just got better. Look who's here."

Ichigo turns and finds Orihime arriving. She looks a little winded, her backpack full and a coffee and paper bag in hand. But nonetheless, she waves at him and Keigo.

"Guess you didn't completely fuck things up last time," says Keigo before returning to his desk.

Despite being clearly out of breath, Orihime remains cheerful as ever walking up to the main counter. "Hi, Kurosaki-kun!"

Her energy is vibrant and Ichigo can feel the affect she has on him, his shoulder's loosening and stomach tightening. "Hey, Inoue."

She smiles softly and then shyly pushes over the cup of coffee and the To-Go bag. "These are for you. I hope you like them."

Ichigo blinks at them before returning his attention to her. "Thank you but you didn't have to go out of your way."

Determinedly, Orihime shakes her head as a rush of blood slowly climbs up the thin column of her neck. "It's no trouble at all, Kurosaki-kun. I really appreciate what you did last night."

All of a sudden Ichigo feels the need to be embarrassed and has a hard time meeting her gaze. It's ridiculous really, he's nineteen. "It was nothing. I'm just glad you kept your promise and made it back home safe."

Her smiles are something Ichigo enjoys deciphering. He finds it endearing the way her mouth can tilt a certain way and express what she's feeling. This time it's rather bashful, curling tightly at the edges, but nonetheless warm.

"I had to," she tells him, a serious gleam in her eye that twinkles like dying stars. "We pinky promised on it, remember?"

He does, very clearly. Her finger had been so thin compared to his own, reminding him again how nicely he should treat her. Because Ichigo has never met someone as kind as her and he doesn't want to ruin it, doesn't want to break her in some way.

Ichigo grins a bit and it's so much easier to do when he's around Orihime. "You're right. Pinky promises are serious business."

She nods firmly. "Very serious."

He takes in her backpack that looks heavier than usual, wondering how it hasn't tipped her over. "I guess you're not here for pleasure reading?"

"No," she admits with a tinge of regret. "I have to squeeze in some last minute cramming before my Calculus midterm. Plus, I'm really behind on my lab report for Human Bio. So no space adventures for me today, unfortunately . . ."

There's a knot forming in the pit of Ichigo's stomach, growing tighter and tighter with every word. Being reminded how intelligent Orihime only makes him feel even more insignificant. He's not sure how she's real, with her gentle temperament, pretty smiles, and book smarts. It's not fair how put-together she is when he's struggling to keep himself from crumbling day by day.

"Well," says Ichigo, having trouble forming words. "Good luck with your studying. Try not to overwork yourself."

Orihime gives him a thumbs-up before heading over to favorite corner table. When she's out of sight, Ichigo opens the bag and finds a large chocolate chip muffin along with sugar and creamers for his coffee. As he starts adding them to his drink, Ichigo notices scribbles on the cup.

Thank you for caring~!

There's little stars and a smiley face surrounding the message but Ichigo focuses on the heart right next to it instead. It's rather silly to do so but he finds it cute and it makes his Monday a whole lot nicer.

.

…

.

There's really no need to reshelf the aisle nearest Orihime considering it's just a few books in the first place but that's exactly what Ichigo does when the end of his shift grows closer. He tries to be as subtle about it, keeping his head lowered and peeking over at her every other second.

His method is unnecessary. Orihime is so absorbed in her studies that Ichigo's sure that if he called out to her or dropped the articles in his arms she wouldn't even bat a lash at the sudden sound.

While Orihime reads something from her oversized textbook, she nibbles on her pen cap. It hangs there for a moment as she pauses to think about something and then returns to her hand so she write. Ichigo can't completely decipher what it is but it looks complicated, resembling some sort of chart or graph with equations tagged onto the bottom of the page.

Watching her work is different than watching her enjoy herself with a book. Today Orihime is more serious; there's a small crease between her brows and she taps her fingers against her temple when she struggles to understand a concept.

Ichigo can't tell which one he likes better.

He returns to the main counter and begins cleaning up, gathering his materials and stuffing his own notes into his backpack. He discreetly throws in the coffee cup as well. Right when he's about to tell Keigo bye and leave another familiar face walks in.

"No," says Ichigo automatically when Renji immediately makes his way over to him. "Leave. Go away."

"Don't be like that, you punk."

Renji has no sense of boundaries (or really, he doesn't care about protocol) and lets himself into the office section of the library, waving at Keigo like they're the best of friends. His hair is extra unruly today, matching his shabby attire that's most likely due to him skipping out from showering because of extra laps he had to do after morning classes for being too harsh on one of the freshmen.

"I've never seen you read anything other than game plans, let alone enter a library," snaps Ichigo. "So I know you coming here can only mean trouble."

Renji rolls his eyes. "Sorry I'm not a brooding book nerd like you."

"It's called being an English major, bastard."

"Whatever," dismisses Renji. "Look I need your help—"

"And I don't want to give it."

Renji glares. "You're extra pissy today."

"And you're extra annoying."

Renji's jaw locks and Ichigo knows he's getting under his friend's skin. "I need to write an analysis paper for my Ethnomusicology class and I have to have use the records from the school."

"That's interesting." Ichigo tries to walk past his teammate. "Have fun with that."

Renji grabs him by the forearm. "Come on, you work here. Just show me where this shit is."

"It's due tomorrow, isn't it?"

"The day after tomorrow."

Ichigo wants to punch Renji in the face. Not only is Renji risking his grades, he's endangering his eligibility to play in their upcoming tournament. And even though Ichigo hates to admit it, the team needs him on the field.

"You fucking owe me," growls Ichigo, yanking free from Renji and leading him to the staircase to the lower level where they store video and audio.

"I'll make sure Hueco Mundo stands no chance getting through our defense," says Renji arrogantly, following right behind. Despite not speaking at full volume, his voice carries throughout the library. "We'll be so solid you won't even have to block anything."

"I'm holding you to that."

It takes a second for Ichigo to realize Renji has stopped walking. He glances over his should and sees his friend staring at Orihime with a thoughtful expression.

Renji flicks his gaze back to Ichigo. "That's the waitress from Friday."

Ichigo doesn't say anything.

"You know her, don't you?"

Ichigo shrugs, trying to be as nonchalant about this as he can because he knows Renji isn't going to let this go. It's bad enough that Yumichika got an inkling over dinner. "Kind of."

Renji stands still for a moment and Ichigo hates that it's now when his friend decides to use his head for something other than receiving a soccer ball. His brows go up as a memory dawns on him. "That's why you smacked Ikkaku and looked like you wanted kill Shuhei."

Ichigo glowers but it has no affect, only making Renji grin in reply.

"You like her."

Both him and Ichigo wince. He doesn't mean to but Renji's accusation is much louder than they anticipated and bounces off the walls. They turn to Orihime's direction where she sits watching them with curious wide eyes.

He isn't sure how much of their conversation she's heard but anger rises up in Ichigo's chest. "Fuck this," he hisses, turning on his heels and avoiding looking at Orihime. "You can fail."

"What? No—!"

Ichigo's neck is on fire as he slings on the shoulder straps. In record speed, he clocks out and departs. He's halfway down the path that leads off campus when it hits him that Renji might still be at the library. Considering that he just blew him off, Renji could be tempted to speak to Orihime just to get back at him . . . Or maybe he went ahead and continued to search for the sources he needed.

Panic gets the best of Ichigo so he pulls out his cellphone and dials his obnoxious friend. His call goes straight to voicemail. And not even a minute later Ichigo receives a selfie of Renji and Orihime together.