Sittin' Sideways, a RenjixIchigo fic
Disclaimer: Bleach is not mine.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the lack of updates. Work is stomping all over me right now. Meh. Anyway, what better distraction than fanfic? Since I'm writer's blocked, I figured this was a good opportunity to update a few storyverses and smile. So here we are again.
Oh yeah – HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to zealot1138 – zealy, it's been fun fangirlin' with you. Here's to another year of fanfic, doujinshi, manga, and hot yaoi goodness. Oh, behave (though it's more fun when you don't!) *winks*
Warnings: angst, slight AU (timeline is somewhat hazy, but takes place after Rescue Rukia arc but before Orihime goes to HM.), flashbacks of previous sexual situations, and lemons (heads up for all chapters, whether this chapter has a lemon or not)
Storytime in the place to be!
For once, Ichigo was happy to go to school. It was better than the dreams that kept threatening to turn his world upside down. They came in flashes, but given the subject matter, they might as well have been massive waves. They had the same effect, crashing down on him over and over again.
Body pressed against his, red hair dusting his shoulders and tickling his back in a way that certainly wasn't friendly - it went far beyond that...
Passionate kisses that left him gasping against the older man, his eyes unable to look away from the lust-tinged look on Renji's face...
Renji's nails lightly digging along his sides as the redhead tasted every inch of skin he could...
Ichigo found himself fighting back a shiver as he made his way down to entrance of the school. He couldn't think about all that stuff, not when he really needed to focus on school. The teacher had forgiven all the time he had spent away while he was fighting to rescue Rukia, but he realized that her patience was wearing a little thin. His bright orange hair always seemed to remind her that he had some attendance problems.
Like she could fight all of Soul Society, get cut up, and still turn in essays on time. Please.
This dual life was starting to wear him down, but what choice did he really have? He protected other people, people that couldn't protect themselves. It wasn't always easy, but if he honestly thought about it there was nothing else he would rather do.
Renji.
Why did that redhead get to him like this? They were just dreams - Renji didn't really think about him that way, did he?
He didn't see eye to eye with his inner Hollow, but Shiro had a point - if he didn't pursue the opportunity to find out, it wasn't just going to wait for him to make up his mind.
"Ichigo."
He had been in autopilot mode the whole time between his house and the entrance to the school, up the stairs and down the hallways until he had reached his classroom. By the time he looked up and realized who was speaking to him, it was too late to turn around and go back home even if he wanted to.
Renji?! I didn't think he'd be here...
Renji was dressed in a school uniform similar to his, looking very uncomfortable. "Boy, this thing sure is itchy - how do you go to school like this all the time?"
"Whatever. Just get in there."
Renji gave him that same wolfish grin he had on his face after Zabimaru had crushed Ichigo into the dirt.
He acts like he's beaten me already. Just what kind of game are you playing, Renji?
If you ain't gonna chew on Big Red, you can always send him over to me. I have the teeth for it.
Ichigo chuckled to himself, shaking his head. He remembered the hollow's words loud and clear.
Damn hollow.
As he watched Renji lean back in a chair just a few seats away from his, he realized that when it came right down to it, Ichigo had the teeth for it too. He just needed to get the chance to try it out.
There was strength in numbers. Yet it was not the type of strength that Renji could use to get closer to a certain orange haired shinigami, and it was beginning to seriously piss him off.
The fact that he could feel the chemistry between them and yet not be able to get closer to Ichigo frustrated Renji. Things were much different when he was growing up. In his part of the Rukongai, you couldn't beat around the bush. After all, you never knew if the person you had your eye on would even survive to see the next sunrise, so why try to pretend like you didn't feel anything all the time?
Renji wasn't that big on deep thinking when it came to life anyway. No days were guaranteed, so why sit around and pretend like you had it all figured out anyway? All that that type of thinking did was give you the illusion of control that you didn't really have anyway. He knew what his line of thinking would be if he were back in Soul Society, but that wouldn't make this situation go his way at all. Ichigo really wasn't the type for a good and fast fuck. The way Ichigo had flinched when he got close to him indicated that the orange haired boy was just that - a boy. Renji wasn't fully certain, but he figured that Ichigo really didn't have any experience in the relationship department. Renji found that ironic, since the carrot-top was friends with both Orihime and Tatsuki. Renji wasn't really into females as much as he was into males, but he couldn't figure out how Ichigo failed to notice either one of those women.
There were so many questions. For one, he knew that he didn't really want just a fast fuck with Ichigo - he wanted more, craved more. Yet he would be lying to himself if he didn't admit how much he wanted to bury himself inside the younger man. He would have to take either approach as slowly as he could stand, since a rapid series of steps would only drive Ichigo away.
This was definitely not Rukongai.
No, this was a different place and a far different environment. Renji wouldn't call it a safer environment - the dangers here were more mental than physical, but danger was still danger.
Dangerous, like the way Ichigo would chew on his lip during the exams at school.
Dangerous, like the way Ichigo's eyelashes would flutter automatically when he began taking notes on something that really caught his attention.
Dangerous, like the way Ichigo's eyes would light up with a strange sort of fire when he was challenged by something.
Renji was convinced. This might not be Rukongai, but Ichigo was a dangerous, dangerous man.
Good thing he liked danger, liked it enough to meet it head on and without flinching.
He would have to wait for that orange haired cluster of danger on legs to approach him and not the other way around. All he needed was an opening, a sign of interest on Ichigo's part.
The rest would follow smoothly. Over the years, Renji realized that once someone's world is tipped sideways, all following movements come surprisingly easy.
I think Ichigo isn't the only one who'se sittin' sideways these days. It might be contagious.
There were few things in life that balanced Ichigo better than a slow walk in the evening. When your other life was spent fighting Hollows and seeing spirits, there wasn't much that could frighten him in this town.
So why did the idea of Renji waiting more than just a few sparring sessions frighten and excite him at the same time?
I've never tasted a strawberry before.
Why so sideways, Ichigo?
I'm going to knock you down.
Ichigo sighed. This was going to be a long walk, but thankfully he had all the time in the world. He needed to think about what he was honestly going to do.
I'm always running from things. Not the big stuff - if Renji were a Hollow stomping through my town, I'd know what to do. But he's not.
Ichigo kicked a small stone that was in his way as he slowly moved down the sidewalk, trying to figure it out.
It shouldn't be this damn hard! Ugh!
He briefly wondered what Renji really had up his sleeve, and then he wondered why he automatically wanted to wait for Renji to make the first move.
Is it because he's a guy? Is it because he's more experienced than me?
He blushed slightly as the words formed in his head. He wasn't sure how much experience the shinigami actually had, he just knew that anything greater than his zero point three five was still, well, great.
Ha, zero point three? I sound like Ishida.
If he had to choose between the scholar and the warrior, he knew that he would be choosing hard, taut muscle over slender, light frames any day of the week. While his relationship experience was rather low, he had a surprising idea of what he actually wanted if the choices were laid out to him.
How do I get to Renji? It's not like I can just walk into his house and...
Damn, you're real slow on the draw, King-o.
Shut it, Shiro. Cut me some slack!
The hollow's maniacal laughter cut through his thoughts, and he brushed off the way it made his skin crawl. What did I do to get stuck with a crazy ass Hollow in my head? Whatever. I'll just head over to Urahara's and hope Renji's there.
He turned down a street and broke into a jog, figuring that he might as well turn this into a mini training run as well. He might not understand how to get Renji, but for right now, muscle memory would take him where he needed to go. He would figure out the rest when he actually reached his destination.
"Hey! Freeloader! You missed a spot!"
Someday, I'm gonna strangle that kid.
Renji moved the mop over to the spot that Jinta pointed at, not seeing a speck of dirt there.
"I don't see..." He stopped, realizing that arguing about it was useless. He continued mopping, waiting until the boy had walked off before letting himself relax again.
The menial task of mopping gave Renji plenty of time to think. Honestly, there wasn't much that he honestly wanted to fill his mind with - that was something that Kuchiki-taichou was more likely to do than he was. He didn't have a lot of time to think about philosophy, not with the rest of life calling to him. He'd rather sling back sake with Kira, Ikkaku, Matsumoto and the rest of his drinking buddies than sit under a bunch of trees and talk about literature and philosophy.
Unless a certain orange haired teen was also under the abovementioned trees, and if Renji ever had that particular wish granted, there were other things that were far more pleasurable they could do with their mouths than just talk.
Not that Ichigo would be interested.
Or would he?
Renji had never heard Ichigo talk about anyone, but that didn't mean that Ichigo was actually available.
He had to hope that Ichigo would get the picture. It wasn't like the strawberry wasn't smart, but Ichigo had a tendency not to really grasp things that fell outside of protecting his family, and passing his classes.
Renji could relate to that type of focus, since he often felt the same way.
"Renji? What are you doing here?"
He looked up, and then dropped the mop altogether as he identified that voice almost instantly.
Ichigo. Here.
He felt a grin beginning to form on his lips, and he made no move to hide it.
Well, now. Can I really call myself a hunter when the prey runs right into the lair?
No time for those thoughts right now, I guess.
"Uh...just helping out Urahara-san in exchange for some extra training."
"Extra training, huh? That an admission you need help, Renji?"
"HEY! CAN IT. I kicked your ass yesterday, as I remember it."
"Are you always so enthusiastic over a lucky break, Renji?"
"Why you littl—"
"Well! Ichigo-kun! So glad you decided to grace my humble shop with your presence. However, if you're going to get Renji excited, would you mind doing such things downstairs...you know, away from my potential customers?"
A snap of a fan accompanied the statement, and Ichigo watched Urahara Kisuke step in from a side door. His signature fan was over his mouth, and when combined with that hat his makeshift mentor liked to wear, Ichigo never knew what Urahara was really thinking from one moment to the next.
He still doesn't have to say everything so pervertedly.
Still, he didn't want to get on Urahara's bad side - not with more training needed to keep his skills sharp before they had to face Aizen. So he eyed Renji one more time before following Urahara down to the training area.
"Ichigo-kun, has my little freeloader told you about the extra training he's asked for?"
Ichigo nodded. "A little bit, yeah, but not much."
There was a shift in the shopkeeper's eyes that signaled to Ichigo nothing good was going to happen next. That look never indicated anything good.
The next question startled Ichigo a little bit. "Ichigo, how's your hand to hand skills these days?"
"Uh...well...I used to take karate as a kid with Tatsuki..."
"That's a good start. Renji doesn't really have much more experience than you - it's been a long time since your Academy days, eh Renji?"
The redhead nodded. "Urahara-san says that we might need to start diversifying our skills to prepare for Aizen...and Urahara is suprisingly good at hand to hand! When'd you have time to learn that?"
"Oh, you know how it is, Abarai-kun," Urahara paused to flutter his fan flirtatiously. "A little hand to hand here, a little hand to hand there. Doesn't everyone like to get their hands involved?"
Ichigo groaned. "Hey! Stop being a perv!"
Urahara chuckled and turned to look out on the training grounds. "Why don't you two take the next round on your own? You two have been training together long enough that you don't need me watching over your shoulder...unless your interests have changed, Ichigo-kun."
"Ugh! Damnit, you're such a perv. NO, that's fine."
The geta-boushi left the two shinigami quickly, slipping back up the stairs. He had other places to be anyway.
Ichigo tapped his Substitute's badge to his chest, stepping into shinigami form with no trouble at all. He watched his body slump over a rock; somewhat wishing his body hadn't fallen into such an awkward position.
It looks like I passed out drunk. Blah.
He didn't have a lot of time to consider the status of his actual body, not with Renji launching himself right at him. He dodged, spinning around again to face Renji's confident stare.
"Asshole! Who said I was ready?!"
"Do you think Aizen's going to wait for you to get good and ready, Ichigo? C'mon, let's make this realistic!"
"Fine! You'll have to make me surrender then!"
"Too easy."
Renji charged again, but this time, Ichigo was ready. They both knew the other was quite durable, so no mercy was given as each man gave as good as he got. Ichigo noticed that Renji had a fairly balanced strength profile, though he had slightly more upper body strength than Ichigo did.
Even though he's still covered up, I can almost feel how much muscle he has. Wait, damnit, this is a fight! Gotta stop thinking like that!
Ichigo felt the sharp kick to his chest before he really saw it, and it caused him to fall backward.
"You're thinking too much! That's your problem - you hesitate on stuff that really matters!"
"Shut up. Like you're one to talk! You don't make a move at all!"
Ichigo moved to charge into Renji, landing a solid kick of his own. He waited for the redhead to begin to lose balance before moving into a position where he could just throw Renji.
Renji managed to regain his balance well enough to throw a punch, which hit Ichigo in the jaw. Ichigo stumbled for a moment, but held his ground. It was clear that both of them were drawing from a pool of skill that had run a little dry, but was still relatively useful. For Ichigo, it was the long matches with Tatsuki as a younger man, and for Renji, it was most likely his time spent in Rukongai.
"Was that enough of a move for you, Ichigo?"
"Jerk."
Ichigo realized how free the movements felt; like he was unlocking more than just the old skills he gained at the dojo with Tatsuki. Part of himself was being freed, and thankfully, it wasn't the same part of himself that was more hollow than human.
While he had fought Renji before numerous times, this was a dance that they hadn't done before. Free of weapons, they had to go more basic and more fundamental: their bare hands and feet. Their arms and legs. Their instincts, wrapped up into one goal: domination, plain and simple.
It scared and excited him at the same time. He wanted to win, wanted to finally get on top of the redhead in some way that mattered.
Why so sideways, Ichigo?
Forget being sideways, Ichigo - I'm going to knock you down!
Oh no Renji, Ichigo thought to himself as he geared up for another attack, I'm the one that's going to make you fall. You just don't know it yet.
This new resolve pushed him forward, leading him to an attack that was more intense, more pointed than anything they had done before. It was just as crushing as Zabimaru's bankai, given the fierce look sparkling in Ichigo's eyes.
It took the redhead by surprise, and before he could anchor himself better, Ichigo had not only knocked him down, but had pinned him down.
Renji groaned, looking up at his orange haired opponent. "Mm, I guess you got me."
"Do I? The way you've been looking at me... makes me wonder what you want."
"What do you think I want?"
Ichigo shivered. It was hot. He wasn't so sure that it was just the weather that was to blame - the geta-boushi cut costs whenever and wherever he could, but the temperature wasn't this out of control.
He wasn't sure what the source of heat was until Renji squirmed underneath him. "Ichigo..."
The change in Renji's voice pushed Ichigo back a bit in his resolve to figure out what was going on. It was deep and alluring, but it was also part of something he had no experience in. He wasn't sure how to continue and even more important — whether he should continue.
It's just the fight and being forced out of my normal fighting style. It's okay.
He got off of Renji and offered him a hand up, sliding back into their usual friend mode. He noticed how warm Renji's hand was, and he helped the redhead to his feet. His eyes watched the way the tattoos seemed to move as Renji's muscles flexed; a very hypnotic display.
"Hey look! Urahara-san finally took the time to install that outdoor shower set down here! How cool is that?"
"Ha. Only because he gets tired of us stealing the hot water upstairs."
"Whatever. Clean is clean. Let's go."
Huh? He wants me to do what?
Getting back into their bodies was no challenge at all, save for Renji's silent snickering at the way Ichigo's body was slumped over in an odd position. Renji's body was animated by the modsoul, which gave him a jaunty salute before relinquishing control.
Man, and I thought Kon was bad.
Ichigo followed Renji's steps over to a simple outdoor shower. It was fitted at the bottom with a large drain, and there was a separate array of hooks and trays that held not only robes, towels and washcloths, but soap and shampoo as well. He noticed that the toiletries all had the logo of Urahara's shop on them.
Sheesh. I bet we're the guinea pigs for his new product line, too.
The shower area was pretty large, and Ichigo noticed that once they stepped through, there was a door to block all eyes away from the shower zone. However, that meant that Renji and Ichigo could see each other, something that Ichigo wasn't sure he was ready for either.
"What's the matter, Ichigo? Don't tell me you're going sideways again."
What the hell does that even mean?
Forget it. If Renji thinks I'm chicken, I'll have to prove to him that he's dead wrong.
He stepped through to the main shower area with Renji, closing the doors behind them. Just focus on getting clean. That's it. He followed through with his thoughts by quickly stripping down, setting his clothes off on the bench. He then turned to start the water, and shivered as he realized Renji had the same exact idea at the same time.
They were also dressed exactly the same: in their birthday suits. Ichigo noticed Renji's tattoos were on full display, and the fact that he was so into watching the way those tattoos moved embarrassed him a little bit. Part of him wanted to ask Renji when did he get all of them, and the other part wanted to do more than just look. He wasn't sure which part of himself he was more irritated by.
Ichigo pulled his hand back and let Renji turn on the water. He was surprised that the warm water was actually warm - considering Urahara's track record lately, he had expected a burst of cold water, so the comfortable gust of water was definitely welcome.
They quickly went to the task of cleaning themselves up, with Ichigo letting himself get lost in his thoughts. The warm water felt nice, and it gave him some time to think.
"Ichigo."
That voice again? What is he trying to do to me?
When Ichigo didn't immediately answer, Renji decided to push forward anyway. Ichigo felt Renji's lips brush his neck, then his shoulder.
"Renji?"
"Figured ya'd need some help with your back. May I?"
He sounds nervous. Does he think I'll say no?
"Go ahead."
The redhead's strong hand held him in place as the other hand scrubbed his back gently, moving the warm, soapy washcloth down his back slowly.
"Ichigo...I want..."
Ichigo knew what Renji was trying to say, and smiled to himself. Maybe the old man was right.
Stand your ground. If you truly do not want this man, then push him away.
Hey, I just follow my instincts, okay?
Okay, maybe the damn hollow is right too. Ugh, damn hollow.
"Renji...I don't know how...but I want...too."
It was enough consent for the redhead to move forward, and Renji wasn't keen on missing out on any opportunity. Especially when it meant getting a taste of Ichigo. He continued washing Ichigo's back, leaving little kisses down his spine when he finished a section. Ichigo moaned softly, surprised that Renji could be so gentle.
"Renji..."
Renji wanted to move faster, but he reminded himself that this was just the opening scene, an appetizer to keep both of them calm until they had space to dive into more delicious territory.
He moved to set the washcloth in the tray, pressing himself closer to Ichigo from behind. He moved his now free hand down Ichigo's side slowly, reaching around slowly until his fingers curled around Ichigo's cock.
"Renji!"
"Mm," Renji hummed softly in Ichigo's ear. "Are you so worked up by my hand on your cock that all you can say is my name?"
"No...yes...ahh...Renji...that's...nice...more..."
Renji grinned, licking the side of Ichigo's neck before continuing to stroke and tease the younger man. "More? So soon? Somebody's eager...oh no, Ichigo...you're not going to rush me today...after all...I've never tasted a strawberry before..."
Ichigo blinked, realizing that the last statement was right out of his dream. He tried to keep himself from getting too excited, since he didn't want to end things so soon with Renji. He moved his hand to try to touch Renji, but found the redhead backing away a bit from the touch.
"Ichigo...just let me...let me touch you today. We have plenty of time to explore."
Ichigo granted the redhead's wish, and was rewarded by Renji moving those lips of his over Ichigo's neck, nibbling and licking for a few moments before sucking in the soft skin briefly.
Renji heard Ichigo let out another long moan, stimulated by the way he was sucking on the man's neck and stroking his cock at the same time.
He paused his exploration of Ichigo's neck for a moment, unable to keep from teasing his new lover.
"You like that? I see you trembling, Ichigo. As much as I like pulling you further and further sideways, it's time for you to go down, don't you think?"
Ichigo shivered at Renji's words. It's like he knows my dream completely. But how? He obviously was just really good at turning him on, and Ichigo wasn't about to complain about that.
"Renji..."
"Mmm, say my name like that... and cum for me, Ichi. Every strawberry needs a little cream you know.."
That was too much for Ichigo to deal with. Between Renji moving back to clamp down on his neck for another hickey, and the way that firm hand was working his cock, he was ready to blow. The dirty language that flowed so effortlessly from the redhead was too much for Ichigo's control, especially since he had been having such strong dreams about moments like this. He tipped his head back and screamed Renji's name over and over as he let go, his cum splashing over Renji's fingers and down onto the floor of the shower.
Ichigo took a few deep breaths, trying to get his composure back. He turned around to see Renji grinning his usual wolfish grin, and sighed.
He's worse than the cat that just ate the canary.
Damn, I might get used to being the canary, if the cat can do that to me.
He noticed Renji was still excited; the redhead's cock was as full and throbbing as his had been mere moments before. He reached out to touch Renji and got his hand batted away.
"I told ya, Ichigo. Today...was all about you."
"Today?"
Renji bit his lip. "I was hoping...this wouldn't be a one time thing, Ichigo...but I mean...if you don't want to..."
"Shut up. Let's get dressed and head back."
Renji smirked as his new lover rinsed off and slipped into a clean robe. He couldn't help but keep his eyes on every inch of lean muscle and the youthful confidence the younger man's stride possessed.
Ichigo, this sideways thing of yours...I think I can get used to it.
AN: Meh, I'm not satisfied with the ending hook, but that's my usual writer's perfectionism talking. As mentioned in the top, this chap is totally written with zealot1138 in mind - I wanted to give her a really fun lemon that I hadn't done before with her Ren & Ichi, and I figured it was also a good excuse to update Sittin' Sideways anyway...it worked out. *beams*
I tried to keep Renji ridin' seme in this, but I do like it when Ichigo shows he has some backbone - I like my subbies with a little bite, what can I say?
Sorry if the lemon was a little short - I still want to ease them into lemonville, and I figured a nice shower / handjob was a good fit.
Yes, Urahara. Mm. But no UraIchiRenji or UraRenji or UraIchi - I just couldn't think of any other venue to get these two together.
Oh, re: the fight scene. I wanted something different. I know that it veers from the standard weapons match, but I tried to justify it in-story as much has I could. I also suck at fight scenes. I don't think Ichigo and Renji would ever resort to hand to hand in an actual fight, but this was an opportunity to get both of them out of their comfort zones. *smirks*
A quick thanks to my awesomesauce beta, who saved this chap from dying on the vine - I was stuck and he helped me out.
I actually wrote most of this chappy with no music - surprising. I did have some "Bad Romance" on for some of it. The odder music pick? Mya's "My Love Is Like Whoa" - I really love the song and music video. Mm.
Let's see - I'm trying to actually build a structure and flow - plot is still brewing. Since this is a storyverse, I figured that some pacing would be necessary.
Enough chatter from me. As always, I appreciate everyone's views, reviews, PMs, comments, encouragement and alerts/faves. much 3.
zealy, happy birthday babygirl! You are the best chief fangirl officer I could ever ask for! I'm gonna build one hell of an empire in fandom with your support, missy :) And to think it all started with "Pet", eh?
if you haven't read a zealy-fic, you absolutely must. I'm torn between recco'ing "Bad Romance" and "Pet" - Bad Romance is her newest one and it is now not only complete, but it's a storyverse too! YAY! I'll be writing another 'piece' of story for her universe, but that's neither here nor there - seriously, take a look. I'm sucked in and I have to share the joy :)
That's it for me, seriously. *walks it out*