Hey folks,

Thanks for the reviews guys, so glad people are liking this one. It's proving to be a difficult little beast to be written but i'm enjoying it. Always glad to find out someone else is as well!

Phoe
xxxx

Chapter 3

Grimmjow drove into his parking space, noting Nel's car on the street and glad his girls were all home. He got out of his car slowly, groaning at the pain in his back as he stood up. It wasn't a long drive from his shop but after the day he'd had, it was long enough to be stuck behind the wheel. He tried the door, glad when he found it locked and he used his key on the ring with his car key to let himself in. He could smell some sort of meat cooking, and it smelled good. He wasn't used to coming home to food except when Nel had been watching too much of the cooking channel and thought she'd give it a go. None of her creations had turned out right yet and the smell of food that he hadn't cooked had become an unwelcome thing.

Grimmjow's jacket went on the end of the bannister like always, his work boots getting toed off and left under the jacket. He padded through to the kitchen in his socks and grimaced when he saw his sister standing over a pot on the stove, wooden spoon in her mouth as she leaned over.

"So, any good?" Grimmjow smirked when she jumped; clearly he'd given her a fright when he spoke.

Nel had to swallow before she spoke. "Amazing actually, Mongolian beef apparently."

Grimmjow's smirk dropped back into a grimace again. "When did you have time to watch Gordon Ramsey today?" He wandered over, taking a closer look and sniff in the pot. There was rice being cooked in a second, smaller pot just behind it.

"I didn't cook it, Ichigo just asked me to watch the rice for a minute. Sofi asked him to help her with her homework. It's nearly done. If you're here though I'm going to dive away; I've got a hot date tonight."

Grimmjow raised his eyebrows as his sister shuffled over to the kitchen table, lifting her bag and jacket at the same time as she headed to the door. "I hope it's not with Gordon Ramsay."

Nel glared at him as she tried to figure out where she'd gone wrong when pulling her jacket on. Her bag was underneath the coat and on her shoulder and she was trying to pull it off, unsuccessfully. "No, if you must know, his name is Renji and he's home from collage for Winter Break."

"College boy, tell me he's a scientist or something? I'm picturing Sheldon's twin." Grimmjow smirked again as his sister stuck her tongue out.

"Nope, he's doing mechanics or something like that. With a sports scholarship for basketball. He's really tall and gorgeous."

Grimmjow shook his head. "Well enjoy yourself; don't do anything I would do." He chuckled at her eye roll, turning back to the food as she left the room. The rice looked almost ready and he gave the pot of beef a stir. The sauce was rich and shiny and smelled so good that he couldn't help himself, dipping in a clean spoon and scooping a piece of sliced meat up. He just got it in his mouth when the kitchen door opened again, Grimmjow guiltily looking over his shoulder.

Ichigo had frozen as soon as he'd clocked the new person watching the dinner. He did find the look on Grimmjow's face to be amusing but he was more shocked that he hadn't heard the man come in the house which meant he could sneak up on him. Grimmjow swallowed the mouthful, pulling his hand and spoon behind his back as if that would make Ichigo forget what he'd just seen.

"Is it good?" Ichigo voice was quiet and he looked at the floor when he asked.

"It's really good, really tasty. Thank you for cooking."

Ichigo just shrugged, walking towards the stove while keeping the maximum distance between them. Grimmjow skirted the units to allow the timid male into the stove, standing by the sink as Ichigo tested the rice before pulling the sieve off the wall and heading to the sink to drain it out. He stopped as soon as he glanced up, noting Grimmjow standing exactly where he needed to be. The water in the pan didn't stop quite as quickly as Ichigo did though and it slopped up and over the side, splattering onto the floor. Ichigo's face paled at the mess he'd just made. "I, I'm ssorry, I'll clean it up." Ichigo dumped the rice into the sieve, placing it onto the pot and into the sink to drain while he grabbed the dishcloth and sank to his knees at the puddle of water.

Grimmjow had back away as soon as Ichigo had darted to the sink, realising it was his fault Ichigo had made the mess. Ichigo was running the cloth over the floor, his breath coming faster as he worked. It really only had been a little water that had hit the floor and realistically, Grimmjow would have just left it to dry anyway. He wasn't the best at keeping a tidy house anyway.

At that thought Grimmjow looked round, seeing his kitchen tidier and cleaner than ever. He turned and looked into the living room to find it the same, and the carpet looked vacuumed as well. "Did you clean up in here?"

Ichigo froze, the cloth not moving anymore. That question had been asked of him before, in a different house and in a different way but it made him start to shake. He crouched lower, making himself as small as possible as he waited for the other man to spot something he'd missed or had done wrong.

Grimmjow knelt down, reaching out and tugging at the cloth in Ichigo's hand. Ichigo slowly craned his head round, looking up wide eyed at the bigger man in front of him. "I'm sorry."

Grimmjow took a breath, trying not to lose his temper since he was only mad at himself and it wasn't going to help the situation. He fell back onto his ass, crossing his long legs in front of him. He sank his hands into his hair, elbows on his knees. He started to speak, but then stopped himself. He looked over at the other man, frowning as he rested his chin on one hand. "Look, I don't know where you were before but no one here will touch you without asking first. You are not here to clean or cook for me or the girls. Make mess, make noise but please stop apologising."

"I'm sorry; it's just hard to stop." Ichigo's face dropped again.

Grimmjow reached out a hand gently, touching his chin and lifting it slightly. He met the timid look with a small smile, tilting his head. "You might not believe me, but I do understand."

Grimmjow stood first, groaning again as he stood. He cradled his lower back as he made it to vertical and he winced as he stretched against the counter top. Ichigo looked over at him, looking curious but obviously not enough to ask. "Hard day at work." Grimmjow was expecting a question after that but when it didn't come he didn't chase it.

Ichigo quickly pulled out four pasta bowls, tipping the cooling rice into them, making one portion much more generous. The meat was then divided up over the rice, the bigger plate getting heaped. Grimmjow grabbed two glasses and two plastic cups out of the cupboard at his head then opened the fridge to grab the jug of water. He took them to the table and then went back for cutlery. Ichigo lifted two of the smaller portions and headed over to the table, giving Grimmjow a wide berth.

"Where do the girls sit?" Ichigo asked and met Grimmjow's eyes when the bigger man looked over with made him smile a bit. He gestured to two of the seats on the same side and Ichigo put the plates down before returning for the other two. Grimmjow went and shouted on the girls, smirking at their squeals of delight and their thumps as they ran towards the stairs. Grimmjow certainly wasn't raising delicate little mice.

Both girls appeared at the table at the same time, sitting in their usual seats and looking into the bowls in front of them. "Daaaaaddy, what's this? Do I like this? Is there something else?"

Grimmjow rolled his eyes at his youngest. "It's beef, you like beef and no, it's just beef."

Emi nodded as she lifted her fork and stabbed a big mouthful. It went in without complaint and she started to chew. Her face was already spotted with the rich burgundy sauce but she didn't care. Sofi was a little more delicate about it, taking the tiniest piece and holding it to her nose before touching it to her tongue. She considered the flavour for a while before allowing the morsel into her mouth, to be chewed slowly and with consideration.

"Don't mind them Ichigo, they are the worst critics of food. That one will question everything but eat anything and that one eats next to nothing unless forced. I'm just glad to be eating something other than chicken nuggets for once." Grimmjow took his seat opposite Emi and only had eyes for his meal. Ichigo had still not sat down and was standing holding his bowl, shuffling on his feet. Grimmjow lifted his fork and was about to tuck in when he realised his guest hadn't joined him yet. "Are you not sitting down? Sofi won't kick you, Emi is the leg swinger."

"Here?" Ichigo gestured to the seat next to Grimmjow which made the other man nod before tucking in to his dinner. He nearly drooled as the food got near his mouth, chewing and holding back little moans of appreciation. He tried to ignore Ichigo as he sat down, not wanting to spook the other. He saw the bowl getting sat on the table gently and felt the warm body at his side but he still didn't say anything. He just concentrated on eating the wonderful meal and wondering what else the man could make.

"This is really good Ichigo, do you enjoy cooking?" Grimmjow didn't look at him as he asked; noticing the other still hadn't taken a bite of his meal.

"I guess, I like baking more though."

Grimmjow chuckled, turning to look at the other slightly. "Got more of a sweet tooth then?"

Ichigo dropped his head and looked at his lap. Grimmjow took a breath and let it out quietly before taking another mouthful. Grimmjow glanced at his girls, Sofi having made a good start on her dinner and Emi wearing most of hers but they didn't seem to feel any tension in the room. Grimmjow dropped his fork suddenly, feeling the body at his side flinching majorly at the noise. Grimmjow's fists clenched automatically which made Ichigo start trembling and made Grimmjow's mind up for him. He stood and lifted his bowl off the table, disappearing from the kitchen into the hall. He stuffed his feet into his work boots, lifting his jacket and threading one hand then the other as he transferred his dinner. He quietly unlocked the front door before opening it and stepping out onto his porch. He'd put a table and chairs out on it for the nicer weather, when him and the girls could sit out with burgers and salads or he could just sit and watch them ride their bikes. He didn't think he'd be using it when there was frost on the ground let alone doing it alone.

He sat in one of the wooden chairs he'd made himself and pulled it to the trunk slice table top where his quickly cooling dinner sat. He blew into his clenched fists to give them a boost of heat before scoffing his dinner down. He didn't waste any time to avoid having to eat cold food but it meant he was left outside for a while, just to give the others time to finish theirs.

When he finally entered the house he heard his little darlings upstairs, clearly they had finished so Grimmjow felt comfortable entering the living room. Ichigo was just lifting the girls' bowls when Grimmjow opened the door and he froze a little when he saw the other man.

"Here, I'll do the dishes." Grimmjow extended a hand for the bowls, keeping the table between them and reaching out as far as he could. Ichigo hesitated, looking into the kitchen before back at Grimmjow. "What? Do you not think I can do my own dishes?"

Ichigo blushed a little before dropping his gaze. "Well,"

Grimmjow glanced into his tidier than normal kitchen, the sink filled with the two pots and the rest of the dirty dishes neatly piled next to it. "I know, you don't want me to mess up the kitchen again do you? Undo all your hard work?" Grimmjow was grinning when Ichigo looked up, a small smile on his face.

"It did take me a while to get it like that; I don't mean to be rude."

Grimmjow laughed, smiling widely and shaking his head. "No, you have every right to point it out. This place is a bit of a shit hole at times. I'm just really busy at work and sometimes when I get home I can barely move let alone clean. How about I wash and you dry? That way you can keep an eye on me?"

They settled into the domestic task, Ichigo seeming a little more relaxed as he lifted the items off the drying rack and piled them at the side to put away when they were done. Grimmjow slopped water on the surface and onto himself often, but he made sure that every dish was clean to avoid Ichigo having to point it out to him. Bending over the sink made his already sore back ache and he shuffled around a bit to change positions. Ichigo was concentrating on getting the dishes perfectly dry as he put them away as the same time, seeming to already know his way around the kitchen well.

Grimmjow took the opportunity to study the other, looking at him as the dishes were placed on the drying rack. He was a little shorter and too damn skinny for his height but Grimmjow thought the slump from his shoulders was gradually leaving. The dark bruises on Ichigo's face had swelling around them which meant Grimmjow couldn't see his bone structure properly but he did think the other was a handsome man regardless. More so when he smiled.

Grimmjow exhaled deeply when that thought crossed his mind, realising he was looking for attractive features in the other. It had been years since his last real relationship, six years since his wife died and then his few disastrous dates afterwards hadn't gone anywhere. Ichigo wasn't the first male he'd been attracted to, but he was the first that Grimmjow had beaten the shit out of; might make asking him out on a date a bit difficult.

"Grimmjow!"

Hearing his name snapped him out of his thoughts, glancing over at Ichigo but he was looking into the water. Grimmjow looked down as well, seeing the previously clear and soapy water now pink. Ichigo dropped the dishtowel in his hand and grabbed Grimmjow's hands out of the water to look at them. The problem was immediately obvious, with the bright red droplets flowing off his fingers into the water.

"Shit, must have been a knife. My bad." Grimmjow ran the tap quickly, rinsing the blood off and seeing he'd sliced across his three long fingers just above the middle knuckle. It wasn't too deep but since he'd had his hand in warm water, the blood was flowing fast. Without thinking Grimmjow leaned into Ichigo and ripped a few bits of kitchen towel from the holder on the wall. He didn't spot Ichigo's face flushing or see the big brown eyes looking up at his face but he did feel the breath on his skin and he looked down into the eyes. He gave a half smirk, using the kitchen towel to wrap his fingers. "Maybe you should have washed."

Ichigo broke into a smile, his eyes dropping initially but rising to meet Grimmjow's again a second later. "Does it hurt?" Ichigo reached for his hands hesitantly but gently unwrapped the white paper. When the blood flowed he bound them back again, holding them tightly.

"I've had worse. I'll go wrap them properly in the bathroom. I'm sorry for making more mess."

Ichigo just smiled at him. "I'll finish the dishes."

iiiiiiiii

Ichigo changed the water in the basin quickly, rinsing the things in the basin as well before quickly washing, drying and putting them away. He wiped the surfaces and put the last bits away before stopping.

He looked around the silent downstairs before heading up to his room. He still did not feel welcome in the building, felt that he didn't belong but he was used to feeling that way. He did like the warm feeling he got when Grimmjow smiled at him but he couldn't stop the flight instincts when the larger man moved to quickly or made a loud noise. Even just some of the thing he said twanged memories and made Ichigo expect rebuttal.

Ichigo decided to retreat to his bedroom, at least the other had promised to not enter without knocking and so far no one had bothered him in there at all. When Ichigo got to the top of the stair he glanced into the bathroom to see Grimmjow still in there, sitting on the toilet seat lid and frowning at his hand as he tried to wrap tape around his three fingers. The tape roll slipped out of his hand and unrolled a bit, twisting on its self. Ichigo heard Grimmjow curse even though he was quiet and Ichigo fought his fear for a moment, changing his destination.

"Can I help?"

Grimmjow's scowl lifted as he looked up at the other man, Ichigo hanging in the doorway slightly, his feet still outside but his torso leaning in. "Please?" Grimmjow liked the smile he got for saying that.

Ichigo lifted the scissors from the open first aid kit on the floor and cut the tape at the roll, twisting the ruined tape up and unrolling it from Grimmjow's fingers. He rolled it into a ball and tossed it into the little bin next to the basin. Ichigo took the tape and started to wrap it round the fingers with the white gauze pad still covering the wound. "Wouldn't it be better to wrap them individually?"

"Just want it to stop bleeding just now; I'll be able to go for basic plasters tomorrow. Bled right through them tonight." Grimmjow nodded his head at the used plasters on the back of the cistern."

Ichigo made sure the tape was tight enough to put pressure on the bleeding parts but not cut off the circulation. He'd had to deal with his own wounds many times. He noticed that the hand he was working on had its fair share of scars, not unlike his own skin. He traced one round the big thumb pad into the palm as he smoothed the tape, surprised at the size of the scar.

"Perks of the job, my hands are a bit messed up." Grimmjow flexed the taped fingers, glad he could bend them and that the white pad wasn't turning red too quickly.

"What is it you do?"

"I'm a carpenter, and I've got a DIY shop. Folk round here like to have a go at doing their own work so they need somewhere to get the kit. Fortunately for me, they aren't very good at it and end up getting me to do it for them. I always make sure to not charge anyone twice though."

Ichigo nodded as he spoke. "How did you get the big scar on your thumb?"

Grimmjow shrugged. "Don't know how most of them happened. I work around lots of sharp things and rough materials. What about you, what was your job?"

Ichigo's head ducked, looking away from Grimmjow. "I've not worked for a couple of years. I was a swimmer, training to be a physiotherapist as well but I didn't finish."

"Why'd you stop?" Grimmjow was throwing things back in his big first aid kit, thanking his brother-in-law in his head for making sure he was always kitted out. No answer came and when Grimmjow glanced up he was surprised to find he was alone in his bathroom. "Shit." Grimmjow stood and headed into the hall but the door to the guest room was closed.

Am away to start writing the next chapter right now!