Hehe, finished it! I think it's longer than the last one and it took me weeks to write! Clearly getting into the swing of the story. It's all very fluffy, going to have to change that...
Chapter 4
Grimmjow cursed himself repeatedly the whole next day. He cursed himself when he saw the closed door in his upstairs hallway that morning. And when he saw the spotless kitchen.
When he changed the bandages to plasters in his workshop he was still scowling and he knew he was a little curt towards a few customers but he still managed to book in a kitchen refit which would help him pay off his Christmas debt. He never meant to spoil his girls but he did tend to get carried away when online shopping.
The afternoon was quiet and it allowed Grimmjow to sit in his workshop and finish a commissioned clock. He had a monitor for his front door which he could see from his work bench but the door didn't go often. The clock was a mahogany granddaughter clock that was destined to sit in a local law office as a commemorative piece for a recently deceased former partner. Grimmjow didn't know the man personally but the job paid well enough for him to be extra creative and hand-carve the face and surround to make it a masterpiece. He'd inlaid different hardwoods to create effects on the body of the clock and it only needed the door hinged on and a spray of lacquer before the face details and clock hands were put on.
He was just arranging the hands in the right order when his door opened, his eyes catching the movement quickly and he recognised his sister easily, shouting to her to just come into the back. A lot of his regulars would get the same greeting as well.
Nel lumbered through, flopping into Grimmjow's comfortable break chair and lifting her feet to rest on his pile of woodworking texts and suppliers catalogues that had been made into a foot stool. "I am exhausted. Make me a cup of tea?" Nel's voice was pleading but Grimmjow was immune to her attempts.
"Make your own damn tea. I'll have a coffee." Grimmjow didn't look up at his sister, looking through his magnifying goggles as he dealt with the clockworks.
"Such a mean man." Nel huffed but put the paint and varnish splattered kettle on to boil before lifting a couple of old and worn mugs out of the drawer, putting the necessary sugar and things in the mugs before waiting for them to boil. "Saw Ichi this morning, he was even quieter. Did anything happen last night?"
"Ichi? Did he tell you to call him that?" Grimmjow found the chance that his sister was that close to the other man unsettling.
"Nope, decided to do it anyway." Nel walked over to his workbench and dumped the cup of coffee onto the littered surface. Grimmjow grabbed it instantly, frowning at the puddle of coffee now on his workbench and mopping it up with a handy rag. He placed the mug onto the floor before returning to the project. "What happened to your fingers?"
"Cut them when I was doing the dishes last night. Ichigo helped me wrap them then I was too nosey and asked too many questions. He walked out and I haven't seen him since. Is he alright?"
"Dunno, wasn't really speaking this morning, didn't want any breakfast or anything. House is looking good though. What did you ask him?"
"What he did for a job and why he stopped. He said he was a swimmer and was training to be a physio but stopped two years ago. How old do you think he is?"
Nel walked over and leaned on the bench, bumping into it and making everything move. Grimmjow took a breath to keep his temper and not snap at his sister. "25? Probably younger to be honest. And a swimmer? I like swimmers' bodies."
Grimmjow rolled his eyes. "Don't think he's been keeping in shape. You saw him that first day. He's as thin as a rail. So damn nervous all the time as well. He flinched when I dropped my fork last night."
"And borrowing your jammies isn't helping, have you seen him in your bottoms? If I didn't think it would do him mental harm I'd laugh at him. His own clothes aren't exactly fashion statements."
Grimmjow dropped his tweezers for a moment, pushing the magnifying lenses onto his head. "I don't think they're his. I think he's picked them up at a thrift shop or something. The shoes he had didn't fit him either. I think he ran away with nothing."
Nel huffed before pushing her backside further onto the bench. "But what the hell was he running from?"
Grimmjow turned and leaned against the bench as well. "A girlfriend? Boyfriend?"
"Father?" Nel's voice was quiet when she asked and Grimmjow reached out automatically and took her scarred hand, kissing it and holding it with his two large ones.
"We'll never know unless he tells us."
"Can we go and get him some clothes or something? Something to make him feel more comfortable?"
Grimmjow rummaged in his back pocket, pulling his wallet and removing his credit card. "Go and pick him some stuff. Get a 30inch waist, long leg. It'll be big on him but he'll hopefully put a bit of weight on. Probably medium size top. I have no idea about shoes so we'll have to take him for that."
Nel threw her arms around her brother. "You're a good man Grimmjow." She pecked him on the cheek before drinking more of her tea.
"I'll expect receipts without makeup or earrings on them."
"You're so mean Grimmjow."
iiiiiiii
Nel was surprised to see Grimmjow sitting outside with his dinner plate in front of him later. She had two big bags in her hands filled with man things but she stopped on the top step, the question clear in her eyes.
"Don't ask."
Nel walked into the house, closing the door after her before heading through to the open plan kitchen/living room. The girls were sitting in their places, Ichigo opposite Emi and picking through his dinner with his face down.
"Hey guys!" Nel dropped the bags over the back of the sofa onto the seat.
"Aunty Nel!" Emi waved violently at the table, nearly unseating herself but quickly turned to her dinner again.
Nel walked over and snagged a chip off Sofi's plate before nibbling on it. The chicken looked good on the plate but Ichigo wasn't really touching his. "What's wrong Ichi? Do you not like it?"
Ichigo turned his head, his eyes looking shell shocked. "It's fine."
"Daddy gave Ichi a fright. Daddy walked out with his dinner."
Nel sat in the vacant seat, concerned at the look on the other's face. "What happened Ichigo?"
"He, helped me into my seat." Ichigo clearly realised how ridiculous it all sounded.
"He helped you into your seat?"
"Yeah, I had two plates in my hand and tripped a bit; he took my arm and stopped me falling. I might have over reacted."
"Ichi screamed."
Both adults glanced at the youngest who was looking at her plate as she stuffed her face. Ichigo turned back to his plate, looking at his barely touched food. "I didn't mean it."
"Do you know where Grimmjow is?" Nel asked gently, making sure to not show any annoyance. She watched the girls concentrate on eating but was sure they were both listening in, especially the older one.
"No, he just took his plate again."
"Again?" Nel glanced over at the girls, not getting any eye contact.
Sofi answered her aunt, cutting her last piece of chicken into smaller chunks. "Yeah, Dad gave Ichigo a fright yesterday as well. He left then too." Sofi clearly thought it was reasonable that her father chose to leave since he was the one to hurt Ichigo.
"He's sitting outside in the cold. Looking pretty miserable." Nel rubbed her face with both hands. She was really struggling to think of what to do to fix the situation. She looked to see the girls pretty much finished. "Girls, go clean up and keep yourselves busy. Sofi, make sure Emi washes her face properly."
Emi's face fell into a frown. "But what about pudding? Ichi made cake."
"You will get cake when you are given cake! Go get cleaned up." Nel's tone made it clear that she wasn't messing around and the two girls trotted off. Ichigo stood up and reached out for one of the girl's plates when Nel put a hand on his shoulder. She felt a slight flinch bit it wasn't bad and it didn't put her off. She pulled him back to his seat and looked pointedly at his plate before looking back up. "And you sir, there will be no cake for you until your plate is cleaned."
Ichigo blinked at her before realising she wasn't joking and he cut a small chunk off his chicken. He quietly ate, trying to ignore the direct stare he was getting from the woman at his side. He glanced around as he chewed, noticing the bags the woman brought in with her again. "What have you been buying?"
"Eat." She didn't answer him until he had another mouthful in. "It's for you actually. Some basics to keep you going. And some jammies that stay up over your skinny backside."
Ichigo nearly choked as she said the last part. He took a mouthful of water before continuing. He didn't take long to eat his small portion and soon placed his cutlery neatly on his plate. Nel had removed the girls' plates to the kitchen as he ate and was waiting for his. "I'll get them."
"No, you won't. Pass me your plate. You'll go and try on your new clothes in case I need to take anything back. And I want to see them on you. Not the underwear obviously."
Ichigo went over to the bags, too scared to open them. They looked full, like they contained more clothes than he'd had ever. Nel clearly got frustrated with him just staring at them and she came over and upended them onto the sofa. Boxes of underwear fell to the floor at Ichigo's feet as fabric hit the sofa with a light thud. Ichigo bent to get the boxes to see they were boxer briefs, stripy ones in bright colours.
"Is the size right, I had to guess though Grimm had a good idea what to get you for some reason."
Ichigo looked at the medium tag on the box but was still shocked by the shape.
"What's wrong? Do you not like the colours?" Nel took the box from him, opening it and pulling out a pair of orange and blue striped ones. "I think they are fab."
"I don't normally wear these."
Nel frowned and looked automatically at the grungy jeans on the other. "What do you wear?"
"Normal briefs? That's what my, liked."
"You're what? Father? Girlfriend?" Nel couldn't help but press the question, seeing the other slouch into himself automatically. "I don't mean to pry."
"Are they comfortable?" Ichigo felt the stretchy fabric in Nel's hands, liking how soft they felt. He'd seen other men in them, obviously; just not on himself.
Nel shrugged. "If they're not then give them to Grimmjow. Think he still wears a medium. I'll get you something else."
Ichigo put the box down and looked through some of the clothes. There was two pairs of jeans, one darker than the other and they both looked like they'd fit better than the two pairs he had with him. The shirts were all basic and plain, the navy polo shirt was his favourite though. It had large embroidered numbers on it in white and was slim cut which would suit his currently underweight figure.
"Go try some stuff on."
iiiiiii
Grimmjow felt like the weather had got colder again. He didn't know why, it was February and it should realise they were heading to spring but clearly someone missed the memo. His dinner had got cold very quickly that night, him having to cut into it to eat it took longer but it was good. The cheese and ham sauce pouring out of the breaded chicken breast was very tasty and thick enough to cling to the skinny fires that had been cold when the plate hit the log table.
He cursed as his fingers twinged using the knife. He'd been heading to his seat, not wanting to spook Ichigo but then the other had tripped, two plates in his hands and Grimmjow had done what he thought was right: reaching out and catching the other. Ichigo had screamed like Grimmjow had shot him. Grimmjow hadn't even sat down, lifting his plate from its place and walking out.
Thankfully Nel had arrived after Grimmjow had managed to blink away the tears in his eyes. He hated that the smaller man was so scared of him. He hated being that figure in his own house. He'd lived the opposite life before and was struggling to believe he was on the other side now.
He headed back in after a reasonable time had passed and found Nel in his living room, folding piles of clothes onto the back of the sofa. He didn't see Ichigo in the room so headed over. Nel looked up as he reached her but it wasn't to him, glancing towards the door he saw Ichigo standing in a pair of fitted jeans and a neat polo shirt. Grimmjow blinked for a moment, speechless at the sight.
"You look amazing." Both Nel and Ichigo stared at him, Nel with a smirk on her face. Grimmjow blushed as he realised what he'd said but he looked back to see Ichigo smiling lightly.
"Thank you."
"Well?" Nel directed the question at Ichigo but shot her brother a wink.
"I really like the stuff. I don't know what to say. I'll repay you, whatever it cost."
Nel waved him off with her hand. "Nah, don't worry about it. I'm glad you've got something to wear that actually fits you. And it wouldn't be me you'd be repaying; Grimm was the one footing the bill."
Grimmjow ducked his head, hands in his pockets when the other two stared at him. "It's nothing, really. Please."
Ichigo walked up to Grimmjow, bending slightly to catch his eye. "Thank you Grimmjow, you didn't have to do this."
Grimmjow nodded, keeping his chin down. "I did, I made you miss your bus. I hurt you. I will never forgive myself for that."
Ichigo lifted his hands carefully, slowly approaching Grimmjow more. He laid his palms on Grimmjow's upper arms gently, drawing Grimmjow's eyes to his. Chocolate brown met cerulean blue but Ichigo didn't stop there, leaning in and pressing up onto his toes a little, wrapping his arms higher until they were around Grimmjow's shoulder, hugging him properly. Grimmjow was frozen for a moment but relaxed and gently held the other back. Nel held back a squeal at the sight.
Ichigo raised his head a little, looking Grimmjow in the eyes again. "Thank you for the clothes. And please don't eat outside."
iiiiii
The next night Grimmjow was surprised when his place had moved. Emi was now in his usual seat, tucking into a big plate of pasta but nothing was said as Grimmjow took a seat. He warily lifted his fork, noticing Ichigo looking at him out of the corner of his eye as he ate.
"It's just a spicy tomato sauce. Sofi said you like spicy things."
"I do, thank you."
"Ichigo made the bread Dad, I helped." Sofi reached out and lifted a triangle of bread from the plate in the middle, plonking it onto Grimmjow's plate. Grimmjow lifted it and dipped it into the sauce, tasting the garlic in the bread as well as the spice in the sauce. It was lovely.
"You're spoiling us Ichigo."
Ichigo just smiled, tucking into his dinner more. Grimmjow ate carefully, making sure that he made no sudden movements or loud noises but nothing disturbed them, all four eating quietly until the plates were finished. Grimmjow noted that Ichigo was not taking his share of the meal while piling Grimmjow's plate high.
Grimmjow finished and lifted his and Sofi's plate before heading through to rinse them. He glanced around his kitchen, wondering again if he could squeeze a dishwasher in anywhere. He returned to get the other two plates only to have to freeze as Ichigo was right behind him with them.
"I'll do the dishes tonight Ichigo. Go and relax a bit. There is nothing sharp here to hurt myself on."
Ichigo chuckled a little. "No, I'll do the dishes. Your back is hurting and you're still wearing plasters on your fingers. I've been doing nothing all day, again." He sidestepped Grimmjow, standing at the sink with his back very close to Grimmjow's. Grimmjow took a breath and sighed lightly, happy that things seemed to be getting a bit better.
"Right girls, let's see that homework!"
iiiiiiiii
A week passed with a similar note, Grimmjow working six days out of the seven and only really taking one day off to take Ichigo to see Byakuya and get some much needed work done in the house.
Ichigo's ankle was not broken, thankfully and his other injuries were healing nicely according to the doctor.
Nel also came through, telling Ichigo that the bookshop owner was looking for a part time worker to cover two days a week at the moment. With his injuries healing and his face no longer telling everyone what had happened; Ichigo happily went to work in the quiet, if slightly dusty bookshop.
The owner was an aging man with a lot of stories to tell himself but was now having to visit his sister in a home in the next town, which is why he was looking for some help with the shop. It was busier than Ichigo was expecting but still quieter than a bookshop in the city Ichigo was from. He got to sit and drink tea with regulars who were very patient with the young man's lack of experience. One of the regulars even helped other customers when they were in, knowing how to work the stock software for the older titles in storage.
Ichigo had agreed to be paid fortnightly and was returning home on the evenings he worked with a smile on his face. He still cooked for everyone but it tended to be easier things, things they were more used to than proper meals from fresh. Grimmjow had insisted when getting a shopping list from the younger man that some things were bought in that didn't require hours of preparation and cooking. Ichigo was there as a guest and not as a maid. Not that Grimmjow complained when presented with roast beef and potatoes.
The first week turned into three quickly and Ichigo returned home one night with his very first pay check for one hundred and eighty four pounds. It wasn't a lot but he felt good because he'd earned it. It had been too long since he'd earned anything for himself. He'd had it made out to cash since he didn't have a bank account he could access.
He walked in and was surprised to see Grimmjow lying on the sofa, face screwed up and eyes closed. Ichigo hurried over to the sofa, unthinkingly putting his hand out and resting it on Grimmjow's shoulder. The blue eyes shot open but were filled with pain.
"Grimmjow, what happened?"
Grimmjow grimaced a little, turning himself onto his side with a moan. Ichigo walked round the sofa and went to his knees to look the other in the face. "Damn fool of a client insisted on helping me rip his old kitchen out. Idiot didn't know to warn me he was loosening the upper cabinet when I was under it taking the stove top out. Bloody thing landed on my back."
Ichigo could feel the anger in the other man along with the pain but was managing to keep himself from reacting. The anger wasn't towards him. "Turn around and let me look." Ichigo pulled gently at the upper shoulder and Grimmjow turned slowly, lying out on his stomach. Ichigo pulled the grey t-shirt up, noticing the smell of a man as he did. It wasn't a filthy smell but clearly Grimmjow worked hard in his job.
Across his shoulder and diagonally down to his side was a deep bruise, sore looking and red at the edges. Ichigo hissed as he looked at it. "You're not bleeding at least this time. Hang on; I'll get some stuff to help."
Ichigo quickly got a clean tea towel and laid it over the sore area, gently placing a full back of frozen peas onto it. Grimmjow cried out, jerking at the cold and the weight on his injury but he remained down. He pulled his shirt off, over his head and tucked it into his side. Grimmjow could smell himself after removing his shirt and grimaced at his need for a shower. "Sorry, I stink."
"It's fine, you've been working hard. You can go for a shower later. If you went for one now the hot water would make your bruise worse. I'm just going to go and put some dinner on alright? Are the girls' home?"
Grimmjow went to turn to look at the other but Ichigo stopped him. "No, Nel took them when she brought them in and saw me here. She said she'd feed them. God I hope she orders in."
Ichigo sniggered at that. "Is she not the best cook?"
Grimmjow tried to make himself more comfortable, laying his head on his crossed arms and turning to look at Ichigo. "She considers herself the next Gordon Ramsey. The only likeness is their language unfortunately. That time you made the Mongolian beef with the rice? I thought she'd been cooking again and was so scared I'd have to eat it."
"Well, luckily for you I'm here and I'll cook you something. What would you like? I don't actually know what you like to eat. The girls I know, they have been making requests."
Grimmjow looked at the other, shrugging then instantly regretting it. "Ow, I dunno really. I eat what I'm given mostly. I've loved everything you've made so far. What would you like?"
Ichigo blinked at him, sitting back on his heels. "Me?"
"Yeah, you're the one cooking it tonight for sure. I think if I move I might cry and neither of us want to see that."
Ichigo sniggered. "If you need to cry I'll get you a tissue. Do you fancy pizza? I could make one easily?"
Grimmjow shook his head. "How about we order in? You've been at work all day too. Pizza delivery on a Wednesday should be fast and you won't have a kitchen to clear." Grimmjow slid a hand down into his work jeans and fished his phone out. He flicked to the online ordering app and pulled up his favourite pizza place. "Order a big one of whatever you like, unless it's anchovies, or pineapple. If you want those order me something else. My details are all saved, just click order."
Ichigo accepted the phone, glancing down at all the options for base, sauce, cheese and then toppings. He didn't get to eat takeaway food like this before let alone get to choose what he wanted. He flicked through, deciding on a meat feast one that was spicy because he liked that and he knew his host did too. Thin base sounded better, he didn't like when his bases were doughy and he liked stringy mozzarella so he went for that as well. He ordered the biggest size they did since Grimmjow ate a proper man's portion and he wanted to be able to eat as much as he wanted too.
"Twenty minutes?"
iiiiiiiiiii
Twenty minutes later saw Grimmjow getting the peas removed from his back to allow him to sit up. He cried out as he moved, eyes screwed shut but he managed to get to a sitting position.
"Do you want any pain killers? Or me to phone the doctor? It's a bad bruise but it shouldn't hurt this much." Ichigo put the peas back in the freezer, marking them with a pen that they were not to be eaten before returning to the injured man's side.
"Trust me when I say I've had worse. I might have bruised my kidney as well or something. My ribs are fine though. It's just at a bad bit on my back. It'll be better in the morning."
The pizza arrived and Ichigo plonked it onto the coffee table before getting two plates. Grimmjow sat with his plate on his knee, looking at the open box of pizza as Ichigo got some drinks while trying to stop his mouth watering. He had been injured before lunch and had only had a light breakfast which meant he was ravenous but when he tried to lean forward to get a slice, his back wouldn't let him.
Ichigo hurried over with two glasses of water when he saw Grimmjow wince. Instantly realising what had happened he sniggered before lifting a big slice onto Grimmjow's plate. He took one for himself and sat next to Grimmjow, not noticing his leg pressing against the other. Grimmjow did and looked down as he brought his slice to his mouth. He bit down with a smile, glad to see the other so comfortable around him.
Ichigo was in heaven with the greasy but epically tasty food on his plate. He managed to scoff three large slices before having to stop. Grimmjow only had three as well but that was mainly because he felt bad asking for a fourth. Ichigo leaned back on the sofa when he was done, the two plates stacked on the closed box. "How are you feeling?"
"Better after some food, honestly. Good choice by the way."
Ichigo grinned, looking round and up at the other man. "Thought you'd like it." Grimmjow grinned down at him, realising again how close they were. Ichigo was almost behind his arm and Grimmjow lifted it, Ichigo slumping into his side. Grimmjow hesitated for a moment but when Ichigo didn't move, he wrapped his arm around the smaller man and let out a contented sign when Ichigo leaned in a bit more.
Ichigo remember his pay check then. "Oh, I have something for you." He fished the folded paper out of his pocket, holding it out to Grimmjow.
"What's this?" Grimmjow reached for it with his free hand, too reluctant to lift his arm around Ichigo.
"My pay check for the last two weeks. We've not spoken about how much you want to take for the room but I've got the clothes and shoes to pay for still."
Grimmjow's face darkened. "Keep it, get yourself whatever you need or save it up. I don't want it." His hand dropped and he considered lifting his other hand.
Ichigo huffed, turning more towards Grimmjow with a light scowl on his face. "I'm not a free loader. I can pay my own way."
Grimmjow huffed as well, leaning into the sofa too much and regretting it. "I don't think of you as a free loader."
"Then what am I?"
Grimmjow hesitated, looking down at the man half leaning on his chest. "My friend."
"You don't know anything about me." Ichigo went to lean away but Grimmjow locked his arm, stopping Ichigo leaving.
"Yes I do. I don't know anything about your past but I know stuff about you. You don't know my past either but you know me well enough to pick my favourite pizza."
"That's nothing. You don't know who I am; you don't know what I've done."
"Yeah, and? I don't know everything that Nel's done. Especially with that new boyfriend."
"You are impossible."
"See, you do know stuff about me." Grimmjow grinned, seeing the other scowl at him was a huge improvement on him shrinking in fear. Ichigo saw the grin and felt one creeping across his own face. He fought it for a moment but it was in vain. Grimmjow pulled him in gently, Ichigo accepting the hug, pressing a hand on Grimmjow's chest, feeling his strong heart beat through his skin.
"I know something else about you."
Grimmjow tucked his chin in, looking down to see Ichigo leaning his head on Grimmjow's shoulder. "Oh?"
"You stink."
Come on folks, two chapters in a day? Leave a little note if you liked it ;-P
