Once back home Grimmjow fell onto his couch and stared at the ceiling, contemplating what Renji revealed to him. ⌠So, Ichigo likes me, eh?■ he said to the light fixture and grinned. He thought on it for some time and slowly found himself an answer to the unasked question. To congratulate himself on his finding, he took a beer from the fridge and turned on the TV to the baseball game.

~*~

Ichigo felt good about the day. It was a Saturday, there was only three hours of school and tomorrow he didn't have to do anything but be lazy. He was so content even Grimmjow and Renji's odder-than-normal behavior didn't faze him.

"Hey, Ichi, wanna go grab lunch after school?" Grimm asked.

"Uh, sure." He answered, looking to his other friends and wondering if they were going to invite themselves along. It seemed as though Rukia was going to, but was quickly halted by an elbow to the ribs. As she glared at Renji, he shared a quick look with Grimmjow. Ichigo could feel a sort of tension in the air and acted quick, in hopes of aleving it.

"Hey how about we go bowling on Sunday?"

His friends agreed and talked over the plans and the tension was broken. They laughed and joked as they waited for the teacher to come. The day went by quickly and soon Ichigo and Grimmjow were heading to the local American restaurant. They sat down at an empty booth and tucked into their burgers.

"So I heard something about you." Grimm started.

"Eh?"

"From your pal, Cherry-pie."

"And?" Ichigo asked with interest.

Keeping his head bent, Grimm looked up at Ichigo seriously. "Oh, nothing big. Just that you're gay and you want me." He took another fry, letting it hang from his lips before making it disappear.

The burger that Kurosaki brought to his lips fell back on to its plastic wrapping with a splat as he chocked and gasped for air. Several people looked at their table with concerned or irritated glances. After forcing his food back down the correct pipe, the orange-head sputtered at Grimmjow for a few moments and to his credit Grimm didn't coo at the expression on his face.

Ichigo finally managed to hiss out, "I'm not gay!"

"Tha's not what Renji said."

"Well, Renji's a lying fuck-face."

Grimmjow finished off his burger, content to let the teen try to deny his words as he blushed fuchsia. After realizing that Ichigo might as well be ranting at himself, he stopped talking and filled his mouth with the rest of his fries. Grimmjow finally spoke again.

"Listen, even if you don't like me," Grimm faltered for a moment, unsure of how to phrase this without sounding like a pussy. "I think you're pretty hot. How about another night to think about it, eh? Talk to you tomorrow at the bowling alley."

Grimmjow hadn't intended on offering such a thing, but he knew that overpowering Ichigo and making him admit his homosexuality wouldn't end well and he would kiss his dreams of taking the kid as a lover goodbye. At a time like this he needed charm, finesse and all that other bullshit.

He stood and took his tray to the garbage bin before leaving. Once out of the building Grimm flipped open his phone and after a few numbers and words, he had plans for the rest of the day that would distract him from stray thoughts about what just happened. Ichigo was on the opposite side of the spectrum where he was left dumbstruck, and with a mouthful of half-chewed fries for a few moments before he noticed the other customers staring at him. He quickly finished and tossed his rubbish away, immediately he headed for home, feeling too tired to want to deal with the rest of his friends.

"Hey Ichigo."

"Hey Karin, Yuzu." He replied distractedly as he shut he door behind him and headed up to his room. He passed his father in the hallway, blocked an attack and merely grunted. He could hear him talk to his sisters about how he was now, apparently, becoming a man. He shut the door on their voices and fell face-first onto his bed. Once it became hard to breath, he turned his head to the side. Across the room a yellow stuffed lion stared at him through felt eyes, Yuzu won it from a claw game and in her gratitude for giving her the money, she gave it to him. He swore it was laughing at him through those fake eyes. He chucked a shoe that he forgot to take off at it and it landed on the floor with a squeak. The smirk that formed at the action faded to a brooding pout.

"Had to give him the second chance, didn't I?" he muttered without humor.

Safe in his own mind, he didn't bother to reject his gayness; he already had that argument with himself before he even knew Grimmjow. But just because he'd come to terms with being gay didn't mean he was ready to announce it to the world. Granted the world wouldn't give a damn about one gay boy in Japan, but that was beside the point. The point was that he didn't want his family knowing it.

His dad would be the idiot he always was and probably go tell everyone he knew, including that creepy hat-and-clogs guy. And he didn't think his sisters could handle news concerning sexuality, completely forgetting that at their age he was already masturbating. Plus having a boyfriend-having Grimmjow as a boyfriend would out him in a second. In any case, he didn't know if he was really liked Grimmjow in that way. Given his history, he didn't think he was the type of guy he'd be willing to come out of the closet for. He was brash, crass, rude and had a history of violence and even murder! Sure he was hot; no point in denying that, but appearance wasn't something you based a decision such as this on. On the other hand: he also liked the same things Ichigo did, knew how to have fun and was able to make him loosen up more. He was torn between wanting to be with Grimm for their similarities and the near subconscious urge to come out, and wanting to refuse the proposal for their differences and fear of becoming a statistic in a homicide case.

Tossing and turning on his bed over the matter, Ichigo weighed each side before finally coming to a decision that allowed him to fall asleep.

~*~

The next morning he was awakened by Yuzu knocking on his door and informing him that breakfast was ready. With a groan, he got up as he heard his sister's steps going back down the stairs. He realized he never changed out of his clothes from yesterday and he quickly switched out his shirt and jeans before going down to the kitchen.

"Morning!" Karin said cheerfully as she set a plate of eggs and a bowl of rice in front of Ichigo.

"G' morning." He responded and nodded at his father.

"You're feeling better today?" Yuzu asked.

"Yeah."

"Ichigo," Ishin started. "I think you and I should talk."

"And that's our cue to leave." Yuzu said as she picked up her food and went to the living room. "Call when you're done." Karin followed close behind, her own food in hand. Ichigo looked at his dad confusedly, waiting for him to elaborate.

"There comes a time in a young man's-"

"Oh hell no!" Ichigo interrupted, horrified. "This isn't going to be some after school special." He said then stood and rushed outside, grabbing his coat along the way. Halfway down the street he pulled out his cell phone to check the time then called a few numbers.

It was earlier than his friends expected, but they all promised to be at the bowling alley within the hour. Hanging up finally, Ichigo took his time walking down the familiar streets to his destination. When he finally reached the 'Pins and Needles' alley, most were already present, only Grimmjow, Chad and Uryu had yet to come. Ichigo joined his friends and added his name to the player list.

"Ichigo! You have to be partnered with someone! There's too many of us for one lane." Rukia said matter-of-factly. Ichigo looked at the roster and noticed that everyone was paired up.

"Who am I supposed to be with?"

"How about me?" Said a familiar voice from behind him.

"Ah, Uryu, finally!" Rukia said. "You're late!"

"Sorry, I wasn't ready when you called."

The group looked on as the two bickered about getting ready in the morning. Not long after Chad arrived and then Grimmjow sauntered in.

"Yo!" Grimmjow called to the group and paused at the sight of the argument. "Cat fight?" He mumbled to Ichigo.

The orange-head chuckled as he avoided looking at Grimm. Soon everyone had their partners and the game was able to begin. They played for places and soon the teams participating became less and less until it was just Renji and Rukia versus Ichigo and Uryu. It was the last frame and it was obvious who was going to win. Ichigo set Ishida up for failure, getting their pins into a seven-ten split. After a glare at the offender, Uryu stepped forward and in one graceful move sent the ball rolling down the lane at a gentle curve. Less than a hand away from the ten-pin, it took a sharp turn hitting the pin at just the right angle to send it flying at the other, successfully knocking them both over and into the trench behind. Clapping and congratulations were had as Ichigo and Ishida shook hands.

"Whoo! Go Ichigo an' the geek!" Grimm cheered in a surprising supportive way, even with the insult. Ishida didn't even bother to stare at Grimmjow in annoyance. Renji offered to get everyone drinks and Orihime and Rukia went to help bring them all, while Ichigo and Uryu joined the others at the table. Grimmjow, from across the table tried to meet Ichigo's eyes, but was failing horribly at it. He was starting to get irritated, which wasn't good.

"So, Ichi, you decide yet?" He finally asked, speaking loudly enough that the rest of the group stopped talking and looked between the two, Ichigo managed to not blush and look pissed.

"...Yes." He said icily, wondering if he might hit someone else if he tried to kick Grimmjow in the shin.

"Aaaand?"

"........Yes, but on a trial basis."

Without a thought to the others present and not wasting a moment, Grimm stood and grabbed Ichigo's shirt, pulling him up as well. Expecting a fight, his friends rose to either get out of the way or step in to help their comrade. Taking one hand off of Kurosaki's shirt, he grabbed the back of his head and near slammed their faces together in a harsh and possessive kiss, uncaring of the gasps and appalled looks they garnered. After several stunned seconds, Ichigo realized what was happening and pulled away. Grimmjow let him go albeit, reluctantly so. There was a stunned silence among the group and with the awareness of a prey cornered, Ichigo knew that just behind him was Rukia, Orihime and Renji, who had gotten back just in time. The silence stretched.

"So, you told him." Renji stated before continuing down the stairs to the lane and passing out the drinks he held. When everyone had their cups, Renji raised his. "To Ichigo, finally admitting to his homosexuality!" He announced to the patrons of the bowling alley. Ichigo wanted to punch him in the face. That is, until his friends raised their glasses as well and the rest of the bowlers went back to their own games, only now and again shooting weirded-out looks their way.

Not long after the group disbanded, having other things planned for their day off. Much to Ichigo's surprise, Renji lingered some time after the other's had left and the trio began to wander around town. He felt that there was a sort of less-than-menacing-animosity between the other two teens, but Ichigo shrugged it off. Finally Renji checked his watch and declared that he had to leave.

Once alone with his now supposed boyfriend, Ichigo felt like punching him in the throat. "Okay, what the hell was that back there?" He ground out.

"What? I though' it went well." Grimmjow teased. "Why? Don't you, love?" He pulled Ichigo closer by his hip.

Ichigo squirmed away and kicked Grimm in the back of his knees, causing him to topple. "You really going to start the abuse this soon?" Grimmjow egged. "Aren't you violent types supposed ta lull your victims into a false sense of safety first?"

"If anyone's the violent type it's you." Ichigo hissed and continued walking. Grimmjow caught up and the two sustained a conversation much like that until they got to their houses and, uninvited, Grimm followed Ichigo to his.

When they walked in they were immediately met by Ishin rushing at them, foot aimed for his son's head. Ichigo calmly ducked and turned to stare at his father with an eyebrow raised. "I believe I have taught you all you need to know about self-defense." Ichigo held back a laugh while Grimm didn't bother. Righting himself, Ishin looked between the two teens for a moment before speaking again.

"Well, it looks like I'll have to change the speech a little." He said, almost to himself. "But before that! Congratulations you two! Not what I had in mind when you were introduced, but." Ishin ended with a shrug.

Ichigo and Grimmjow looked at each other, not understanding, and then realization hit Ichigo like a bucket of ice water.

"Whu-wait-I-uh-" He stuttered out, a light blush flashed across his cheeks and ears.

"What? Did I guess wrong? Are you two not going out?" Ishin asked simply.

Author's corner: DONE! FINALLY DONE WITH THIS FREAKING FIC! AHAHAHHAHAHAHA~ It's been at least three months since I started the damn thing and I'm DONE! cB *cough* Now then. Yes, this is the end. No I have no plans on making another in this situation or a continuation of this story. It made a little part of me die. Correcting comments? Critique? Hate mail? GTFO. I don't care about you fucking opinions. Kind comments? I love you. Seems pretty simple, yes? Yes.

If you watch me as an actual writer and not just for this one fic: You won't see something new from me for awhile as I'm going to next work on one of my original stories. If you are interested [don't know why you'd be ] I post my original works at Karo-Kun on .

That's all from me bitches, see you around~3MoB