AN: -Clasps hands together- You all are the best. Even though I bug you for more reviews, don't think for a moment that I am unhappy with what you have written me thus far! Every word ya'll have typed is music to my ears. Keep it up! See how fast I can update? I have the ability!
i would like to preface that you will probably hate Ichigo in this chapter... I don't like this chapter... So much drama.
Chapter Four - Let That Be A Lesson
Passion Pit - Little Secrets
Never let it be said that Ichigo is a good make-up artist.
In fact, never let it be said that Ichigo is a make-up artist in general.
The redhead examined his reflection doubtfully. He was trying to disguise himself for his spying expedition, but thus far he had only managed to succeed in making himself look like a hooker. How do people do it? He had smeared a little of Tatsuki's unused make-up on his cheeks to make them look softer and ever-so-slightly thinned his eyebrows using skin-color eyeshadow.
It was all going nicely until he, out of curiosity, opened a jar that had no label. He made the mistake of exhaling as he unscrewed the top and his breath sent purple glitter flying everywhere like a sparkly swarm of gnats - mostly into his lungs and on his face.
"Fuck." He muttered, wetting a paper towel and dabbing at his face. The glitter stuck like herpes.
"There must be something." He said aloud as he rummaged through the cabinets. He hoped Tatsuki wouldn't hear him and go on a rampage. His hands settled on a lint roller, which he eyed cautiously before rolling it across his face.
"It kind of works..." He rolled it over his chin and cheeks, effectively removing the makeup as well as the horrendous, purple glitter. "Whatever."
He ended up throwing on a stocking cap, a pair of black Ray-Bans, and a long, heavy scarf to cover his scowling face, despite the pleasant spring weather they were having in Wherever, Oklahoma.
Ichigo shifted uncomfortably as he watched Shinji walk toward the downtown area. The blonde whistled Passion Pit's Little Secrets for three blocks straight. Damn, seriously? Ichigo was going to have to break disguise to throttle his boyfriend. While Shinji pressed that he wasn't a flaming homosexual, his music taste said otherwise. Ichigo sometimes wondered how they were together when they argued over what to listen to in the van. Lady Gaga or B-Dash? Ichigo felt the answer was obvious.
When Shinji shut up, Ichigo guessed that they were at the place where he was having his secret date.
Ichigo lingered while Shinji entered the restaurant. Best not to follow too close. However, Ichigo was known for being brash and impatient.
He waited about twenty seconds before scurrying into the building. He took a seat where he could monitor the pleather booth Shinji had just sat at. Only moments after Shinji had sat down, a man slid into the seat across from him.
No, this was no ordinary man. This was a... seriously attractive man. Gorgeous, y'know, if he didn't look so sketchy.
He wore his sleek, designer suit as if it were a pair of pajamas. It fit his thin frame perfectly. It was clear he had money and he wasn't afraid to spend it. His butter yellow tie was impeccably straight, and a small, matching kerchief poked out from his pocket. The only thing that seemed off about him was the way his thin smile and narrowed eyes were completely focused on Shinji, who was talking up a storm, smiling happily.
Ichigo only caught pieces of their conversation.
The more he heard, the more gin and tonics he ordered.
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The Unicorns - Les Os
Shinji leaned forward, his head resting on the backs of his hands as he listened intently.
"I do have a secret talent." The narrow-eyed man said.
"And what would that be, if I may ask?"
The man leaned forward a whispered something into Shinji's ear. A million different hues of red graced Shinji's face, which made Ichigo grip his empty glass tighter. The man retreated with a devious smirk, and Shinji with wide eyes.
"R-really?"
"Really. Would you like me to show you?"
Shinji crossed his arms and flailed dramatically. "Oh, no! Please, not here. Not in public! Maybe some other time when innocent, unsullied people aren't around."
"Okay!" The man grinned, completely unperturbed. "Let's go on!"
Shinji looked down at his lap. Was he nervous or was he holding something? Ichigo looked over the rims of his sunglasses to get a better view, but had to turn the other way when he nearly locked eyes with Shinji.
"Um..." Shinji looked down again, and then up at the man. "Are you planning on seeing anyone exclusively?"
"Well, I can see you-" The man motioned to a family a few booths down. "I can see them." His eyes settled on Ichigo, who was furiously downing another drink. "And I can see that man. Perhaps he should be cut off, neh? But I can see everyone. Not just one person, "exclusively," as you put it."
Shinji stared at Ichigo for one moment before turning back to the man. "I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry if the question is intrusive, it's just a general-"
"FUCK IT."
All eyes in the room turned to stare at the man who sported sunglasses, a scarf, and a stocking cap.
"Sir," one of the waiters held his hands out cautiously as if Ichigo might attack him. "I need you to calm down or leave."
"Well, fucking pardon me." Ichigo sneered, slamming down some money. He didn't know how much - he didn't bother to count and he wouldn't have been able to if he tried. "You know what? Fuck you." He pivoted to stare straight at Shinji, who was realizing who the masked crusader was. "And fuck you, most of all, Shinji." He turned on his heels, stomping out of the restaurant like a spoiled child throwing a temper tantrum.
"Ichigo?" Shinji stood up suddenly, the nearly-filled notebook that had been on his lap falling to the floor with a slap. "Ichigo!"
He was too late. The temperamental redhead had already stormed out.
The man furrowed his eyebrows. "Did ya know him?"
"Yeah-" Shinji stopped himself. "Yeah. Sometimes, I don't."
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Chester French - She Loves Everybody
Ichigo stared at the slip of paper in his hand. It was the One Night Stand Note. He had kept it in the back of his pants and never taken it out.
His eyes ran over the number for the millionth time. He had memorized by now, but the handwriting was comforting to read. He reached for his phone and stared at the screen. It was a picture of the rising sun. He had taken it right after the plane landed in Florida.
"Are you sure it's okay that I came with you, Ichigo?" Shinji gripped the sleeve of Ichigo's hoodie tightly, eyes brimming with doubt.
"Of course, Sunshine!" Ichigo beamed. To prove his words, he nuzzled the top of his boyfriend's head lovingly. "Why wouldn't I want you here with me, experiencing America?"
"I just hear stories..."
"Pssh! Stories, stories! Are any of them really true? Who cares?" Ichigo rummaged in his pockets for his phone.
"What are you doing?" Shinji lifted his head to look at what Ichigo was doing.
"I'm going to prove to you that bringing you with me was the best choice I ever made." He switched the phone to its camera setting. "I'll take a picture of the sun and set it as my background. So I can remember the first day we arrived here together. I guarantee that every time I look at my phone background, I won't regret it." He snapped the shot and Shinji beamed.
Ichigo glared at his phone background. He switched to the camera and took a snapshot of the vast, blue sky.
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Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man
"It's Grimmjow... Leave a message."
"Grimmjow, it's Ichigo." He mumbled in a monotone. "I'm coming over."
He distinctly remembered the way. Past the park, through the ghetto neighborhood, the brown house second from the corner.
See? Perfect memory when it comes to useless shit.
Before he knew it, he was pounding on Grimmjow's door.
"Who the fuck-" Grimmjow opened the door and stared at Ichigo, who looked like a mess. An angry mess. "Ichigo? What do you want?"
"It's Shinji. We're over."
Their eyes met. Blue mingled with brown for what seemed like hours until something flickered on. Like a lightbulb. They came to an understanding.
"Why don't you come inside?"
AN: Agh, please don't tell me how horrible and short that chapter was. I already know. I just had to write all of this drama, and I hate drawing that shit out. This is by no means, close to the end of the story. There's still a lot more to happen. Remember, nothing is 100% clear yet! I like fluff... I want to write fluff... Ichishin is so fluffy compared to Grimmichi... Eh. I'm off to start writing my next story. I won't abandon this, however. You'll probably get an update in the next few days! Remember to review or else I won't update as fast.