Warning: Plot twist might cause whiplash.
I luv reviewers!
(Oh and be nice to Grimmy, he's a bit of a jerk at the start of this.)
Chapter 7
"Nothing happened really; we argued and had a fight, nothing really major. I just had to get away for a bit."
"So if I go round to your house that asshole is in the same sort of condition? Is that arm broken or dislocated? And your cheek, that looks sore. Anything else that I can't see?"
Ichigo just shrugged, looking at the floor as he rubbed gently at his sore arm. He knew it was dislocated and he could take care of it himself but he'd just been too raw to do it yet. He knew it had been a mistake to come here, Grimmjow wasn't going to give him the quiet haven he needed.
Grimmjow was fuming, doing his best to contain it but the kid was making it very hard. "I need an answer Ichigo; did you give as good as you got or did you just lie there and take it? Cause I'm having difficulty seeing how a third Dan can get his ass handed to him."
Ichigo sank into himself more, his already small body shrinking on the sofa as he hunched his shoulders. "I'm sorry I came here. I'll just leave." Ichigo got up to go when Grimmjow stopped him, grabbing him by the upper arms, Ichigo crying out as his shoulder was jostled.
Grimmjow started pulling at his clothes, Ichigo fighting him all the way as best he could. Grimmjow managed to get the shirt open, ripping most of the buttons but saw the torso and the purple blotches on his side. He also clocked a couple of scars that hadn't been there seven years ago along with more bones than he was used to seeing. Ichigo kicked at him, turning and trying to get away. Grimmjow forced him to the table, pressing his front down as he ripped the trousers open, pushing them down with one hand as the other held the boy in place, Ichigo's struggles magnified as he was exposed.
"Please Grimmjow, you can't. Please don't do this. I'm sorry I came round here, please don't, not you." Ichigo was screaming, tears flowing down his cheeks as Grimmjow pulled his boxers down, pulling his cheeks apart to check him for damage, instantly knowing he'd been ripped before releasing the boy, pulling his underwear up and pulling the boy onto his knee, arms round him. Ichigo gasped for breath, clothes half off him as he clung to the man. Relief flooded his system as he realised he wasn't getting raped again and that the other man was just getting his questions answered in the only way he could. Ichigo couldn't relax even when the familiar smell surrounded him, the arms holding him securely but gently.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you. I would never touch you like that. God I am so sorry." Grimmjow started to rock the man, feeling the body in his arms start to sob. "What can I do? I'll take you to the hospital, we can call the police."
"No, no police. I'd rather not go to the hospital but I think I need to see someone. Can you just hold me for a bit? He's never done as much, never on purpose."
"So he hurts you 'by accident'?" Grimmjow scoffed at the thought.
"No, I mean like the time I fell down the stairs because I'd struggled with him."
"That's not an accident. He shouldn't have attacked you on the stairs." Grimmjow ran his hand through the soft hair on the other's head, memories of the past filling his mind even if the situation was horrible.
"He didn't attack me; he was trying to get me back to the bedroom to change. He didn't approve of what I was wearing."
Grimmjow scoffed again, thinking it was ridiculous for an adult to get pissy at another for their outfit. "Were you going out in a mini skirt and crop top?"
"No, I was going running in shorts and a tank top."
"I remember those shorts; you looked damn fine in them." Grimmjow sniggered at the weak punch sent his way. "You going to leave him?"
Ichigo sighed, making an attempt to get out of the other's lap but was held firmly. "I don't know Grimm. I wish it were simpler, that I could stay in your lap forever but I'm really feeling quite shit, think I better see a doctor." Ichigo used his good hand to push between his legs, bringing it back into view and grimacing at the blood on it.
"How often does he rape you? Because I am going to take each and every one out of his hide one day."
"He's just too rough, it's not rape." Ichigo managed to get off the other that time, going onto his knees before standing, wincing fiercely as he straightened.
"It's fucking rape." Grimmjow muttered under his breath as he stood up but the other man heard him fine. "Come on, I'll go and tell Nel I'll be away for a bit. You want anything before we go? A drink or something?"
Ichigo asked for some water, wincing as he swallowed which made Grimmjow lift his head, checking out the red marks around his neck. Grimmjow was still frowning as he left the living room, going to head up the stairs when he saw the figure on the top step, Nel hugging her knees with tears in her eyes.
"What's wrong with Daddy?"
Grimmjow groaned quietly before joining his daughter on the step, wrapping an arm around her. "He's hurt and I need to take him to the hospital to get him checked out. I don't know when I'll be home but if you don't want to go to school tomorrow then don't, send me a text and I'll call in for you. I'm not going to work. Please don't get upset when you see your daddy tomorrow, he's a bit bruised and sore but he'll be alright, we'll take care of him yeah?" He ruffled her pillow squashed hair and smiled as she nodded, turning and heading to her room. Grimmjow went back downstairs, seeing Ichigo standing in the ripped shirt and trousers, still no shoes on his feet. Grimmjow grabbed a pair of his lace ups from the shoe rack in the hall and bent down, holding them open for the man to slip his feet into before tying them tightly, Ichigo's feet being two sizes smaller than his own. Lifting his jacket, he grabbed his soft burgundy zip up hoodie, slinging it round Ichigo's shoulders before leading him to the door and into the car, shutting the door before going round to his own side and helping the man put on his belt.
The drive to the hospital was a short one and they parked in a space quite near the accident and emergency department entrance, Ichigo walking by himself but not very quickly. They went up to the reception desk together and stood, waiting for the girl behind the desk to turn to them, a kind smile on his face. She frowned in sympathy as she took in the injured man in front of her.
"Sir, what's wrong, how can I help?"
"I got jumped, they got me pretty badly and my arm is dislocated."
"Can I have your name please sir? I'll get the doctor to see to you quickly."
"Ichigo Kurosaki."
The girl took other details from him before gesturing for them to take a seat. The doctor took about twenty minutes to call them, Ichigo feeling worse and worse as he sat there aching. When he stood his legs wouldn't hold him and only Grimmjow's quick reactions stopped him planting the floor. Unfortunately Grimmjow grabbed his closest arm which happened to be the dislocated one and he howled, legs fully gone now and he fell forward, hanging from his injured arm. Grimmjow wrapped his other arm around him, releasing the sore arm before lifting the man up, Ichigo dazed with the pain and just lying there. The doctor was shocked at what had just happened and gestured for Grimmjow to follow him, ultimately leading them to a small cubicle with a curtain and a bed inside where Grimmjow laid Ichigo out, Ichigo turning onto his side instantly and curling up, leaving a red ass print from his blood saturated trousers.
"Mr Kurosaki, I need to talk to you and then examine you."
"Can't you see he's hurt? Go just do something to help him. He was attacked, raped and beaten up. Fix him." Grimmjow was angry and doing his best to control himself but that only went so far.
"I'll need to get a nurse to help me; did you witness the attack Mr?"
"Jaeggerjaques, and no. He turned up on my door step and I brought him here."
The doctor brought in a female nurse and the pair donned yellow plastic aprons and gloves before starting to examine Ichigo. They spoke to the man and Ichigo replied quietly, keeping his gaze down. Grimmjow stood in the corner with his arms across his chest, frown on his face as each injury was revealed.
Ichigo had to submit to a rape test for evidence to be collected even if he didn't want to alert the police. Grimmjow had been asked to wait outside as they did that due to him not being family but he didn't go far. They brought stirrups in and hitched Ichigo's legs up, exposing his injured entrance for tests and treatment.
Ichigo was sent away with painkillers, antibiotics for the inevitable infection and a sling for his relocated shoulder. He was also given a solution to put into a bath every evening to alleviate the pain in his rear. He still hadn't really spoken to Grimmjow since they'd left the other man's house and the ride home was similarly quiet, pulling up to Grimmjow's house just as the sun was rising. It was about half past five in the morning and Ichigo was so tired he felt like crying again. He seemed to be doing that a lot that day though so he stopped himself, allowing the man to lead him into the house. Three pills and Ichigo was tucked up in Grimmjow's bed in a pair of Grimmjow's pj trousers and out like a light, the bigger man sitting with him until it was clear he was asleep.
Grimmjow headed back down the stairs to make himself a coffee, not wanting to go to bed before he had to call into work and school. He'd have to figure out where Ichigo worked so he could call into them. He'd not found the man's phone in his clothes meaning he'd probably left it back in Aizen's flat and there'd be no way to get it. Hopefully Grimmjow could get hold of Renji or Ichigo's dad and they'd know where he was working.
The coffee helped but didn't work miracles and he was feeling three grades of awful when half seven rolled around. He went up-stairs, checking in on his daughter first and finding her bed empty. There was no sound from the main bathroom either which made him frown. A look in his own bedroom answered his problems however, the girl curled up on the end of his bed, one arm outstretched to lie on her daddy's ankle as they slept together. Grimmjow rolled his eyes, going over and shaking the girl gently.
"Hey baby, you wanting to go to school today?" Grimmjow spoke quietly, pushing the hair out of her face as he stroked her. She shook her head, stretching a bit before getting comfortable again. "If you're sleeping here can I crash in your bed? I'm buggered." She nodded this time before closing her eyes, a small sigh escaping her lips. Grimmjow stood and went over to the man, pressing the back of his hand to his face, feeling the slight flush. Ichigo stirred slightly at his touch, wincing as he tried to move. "It's ok, I'm just checking on you. Do you have your work number and I'll call them for you? I'm calling in sick for me and Nel too."
"I can't call in again, I need to get up." Ichigo tried to sit but froze half way, eyes screwed shut in pain.
"Yeah, ok now can I have the number?"
Ichigo rattled it off, repeating it when the man had his phone ready before lying back. Grimmjow said he'd pop back in before he went for a nap, leaving the pair to snooze.
He waited till eight to call the three places, Nel's school being the first and easiest. He got through to his work, his receptionist answering and he said he was having to take a personal day because his daughter was sick; again not that difficult and Mila Rose said she'd cancel his appointments and set up a reply message for his email. He did say anything important can come through to his cell phone if needed.
It was Ichigo's work that was the hardest; he wasn't his lover or his dad and didn't have much business calling in sick for him. He asked for Mr Kuchiki, as Ichigo had ordered and had to wait a few seconds as he was transferred.
"Hello, I'm calling in sick for Ichigo Kurosaki. He won't be in work this week at all due to an injury."
"Who is this and why is Ichigo not calling me himself? What has happened this time?" The voice on the other end was firm and clearly pissed.
"This is Grimmjow Jaeggerjaques; I'm a friend of Ichigo's. And he's not calling you because we were at the hospital until five this morning getting his arm put back into the socket. He was attacked last night."
"Jaeggerjaques, as in Ichigo's ex-boyfriend? Did he 'fall down the stairs' again? Or walk into a door? What rubbish has he made up to cover this one up?"
"He's maintaining he got jumped. I take it you are aware about what is going on?" Grimmjow was pissed, another person in Ichigo's life knowing that he was getting hurt and not doing a damn thing about it.
"I take it you do not remember me, I am Rukia's brother and I have known Ichigo longer than he had worked for me. And yes, I am aware that he does not have a stable home life. Please give him my wishes for him to have a swift recovery and not to rush back until he is ready. Was it bad Jaeggerjaques?"
"The worst, he turned up on my door step bleeding from everywhere. I'll tell him and I will keep you informed if he needs more than a week off alright."
They parted ways after that, Grimmjow vaguely remembering Rukia's stoic older brother. The age gap had been extreme for the two, Byakyua being in his late teens when Rukia was born. He'd only been around when acting as a taxi for his younger sister or just in the house when the others had been round to see her. Grimmjow didn't know much about him except he was a very serious man who didn't speak unless necessary and defended those he cared about fiercely. When Renji had been dating Rukia years ago he'd been terrified of the brother. The pair had broken up but remained friends as far as Grimmjow knew and he bet Byakyua was happier about their relationship.
Grimmjow trudged up the stairs, cracking the door open to check on the sleeping ones one last time before heading to Nel's bed, trying to ignore the fluffy pillows and sparkly bed knobs as he drifted off.
iiiiii
Grimmjow wasn't sure how long he'd slept but a noise woke him up, easily identified as the TV downstairs. He pulled his watch from the bed side table and saw he'd been asleep for about five hours and it was probably time to get up so he wasn't too awake at bed time that night. His stretch brought a groan as his back creaked; he missed his plush mattress topper and wondered how long it'd be before he'd get to sleep on it again. If Ichigo stayed with them he'd need the bed with his injuries and with Nel having school the next day she'd need her own as well. That relegated the master of the house to the sofa and he wasn't looking forward to it, he was too long and too wide to fit comfortably.
After a quick trip to the bathroom he went into his room, seeing the bed totally unoccupied and grabbed some sweatpants and a t-shirt, just wanting to be comfortable. He padded down stairs in his bare feet, opening the door to see Ichigo sitting cross legged on one of the sofas, a plate balanced on one knee with half a slice of toast on it, the other half currently in his mouth. The smaller man looked up and gave Grimmjow as small smile, Grimmjow returning it. Nel came through from the kitchen with two mugs, handing one to her daddy before she noticed the other man in the room, giving her dad a beaming smile.
"Morning Dad, I made us some breakfast, do you want any, or some coffee?" Nel was very enthusiastic about her offer but Grimmjow wasn't as enthusiastic to take her up on it. The girl could cook alright but she couldn't make tea or coffee that could be drank. Her coffee was always so strong the spoon could stand up and the tea always tasted like tar.
"Morning baby, no I'll sort myself out but thank you. How're you doing Ichigo?" Grimmjow timed the question brilliantly, looking over at the other man just as he took a taste of the hot drink in his hand, his face going pale as he struggled to swallow it. He managed and after swallowing once more to clear his mouth a bit he smiled up at the other man before replying.
"Yeah I'm ok. Did you sleep alright? I'm sorry for putting you out of your bed."
"Nah I'm alright. Missed my squashy mattress though. How did you sleep?" Grimmjow headed over to the kitchen, Ichigo getting up to follow him with a wince.
Ichigo followed him all the way into the kitchen, plate in hand before he answered him. "I slept alright, feeling shit now though."
Grimmjow put the kettle back on, lifting two mugs out of the cupboard and making them up to the men's preference. The water didn't take long as it had just been boiled and he filled the mugs, passing Ichigo his, black and no sugar before lifting the milk out and putting a couple of dollops in. Ichigo looked at the second cup in confusion, Grimmjow putting out his hand for the first.
"I love our girl but he sucks at making coffee. Thought you'd like a drinkable cup." He grinned at Ichigo's look of relief as he exchanged the mugs.
Ichigo took a lungful of the coffee now in his hand, a small smile on his face not just from the aroma but from the way Grimmjow referred to Nel as 'our girl'. It brought up memories of them together where Nel was 'our girl' until she was gross then she became 'your girl' to both of them, neither wanting to deal with the clean-up. She'd been in nappies till she was three as both men had been useless at potty training but Ichigo finally cracked it mainly due to him usually having to deal with the nappies. Ichigo had worked from home after he'd finished university and had taken care of the child while working on projects.
"So, what is the plan now then? Are we going round to his house when he's gone to get your things or do I get to go round when he's there for a word?"
"No, I'll go back tomorrow. I just need to give him time to cool down."
Grimmjow slammed his coffee cup down on the surface, slopping coffee on the surface as he turned on the other man in fury. "You're going back to him, after he did this? Do you like it, have you become some sort of masochist. Jesus Christ Ichigo grow a pair of balls and stand up for yourself."
"This is nothing new, why would this change anything. You come back, assume you know everything, storm into his house and start stirring shit and then just leave me there to deal with it. What the fuck do you want me to do?"
"I want you to leave him, I want you to be safe and happy not living in fear with a maniac rapist. Or I want a damn good explanation for you just submitting to this. You're not a pussy; you've chosen to let this happen for some reason. Hell we used to fight but it was a fight not a beating."
"You want an explanation, fine. We'll go and see my dad. Hopefully then you'll shut the fuck up and realise you can't ride in on a white horse and fix this."
"Fine, maybe I can get Isshin to talk some damn sense into you."
Ichigo borrowed a pair of Nel's jogging bottoms; they were a tad short for his longer legs but better than anything Grimmjow could have given him. Grimmjow came up with a smallish t-shirt that still drowned him and that with the too big shoes and hoodie over the top made him look even frailer than he was.
Nel stayed at home, the girl wanting to see her grandpa but Grimmjow insisting he needed time with Ichigo and his father alone. Ichigo had been surprisingly quiet since their argument and spent the drive just staring out of the window. Grimmjow had asked where he was going and Ichigo had just said to go to the hospital.
Grimmjow reasoned that the man must be at work and followed Ichigo's directions to a side car park that wasn't as busy as the main one. They got out and he followed Ichigo into the main building and into an elevator. They had to go up four floors before getting out, Ichigo walking confidently as if the path was that familiar to him. He stopped at a ward, the number written in huge board cut out above the door and Ichigo paused to use the hand sanitizer inside the corridor. He wandered down the length, different rooms with blue curtains blocking out their inhabitants with Grimmjow still following behind. He'd started to be a bit confused about their destination but he assumed it must be Isshin's ward. He was just wondering how often Ichigo got to see his dad with all this nastiness going on.
Ichigo stopped outside one door, hesitating in the entrance before going in, pushing the blue curtain back. Grimmjow became level with him, looking over his shoulder, face growing pale as he looked down at the figure in the bed, dark hair familiar as well as a scruffy beard, much longer than the man used to wear it seven years ago. Ichigo's dad was laid out on his back with his eyebrows closed and a large tube going down his throat connected to a machine that was clearly doing his breathing for him. Other tubes and wires led to and from the man and the machines, some beeping at regular intervals and some just displaying numbers or trace lines as they interpreted the information coming from the patient. Grimmjow reached out and gripped Ichigo's uninjured shoulder, Ichigo's hand coming up to hold it, twining their fingers together.
"Understand yet?"
"What's wrong with him?"
"Benign tumour pressing on a gland in his head, his lungs won't work but they can't operate. Sousuke is the only thing stopping them from turning the machines off, there is a trial next year on tumours like dad's and he's scheduled to be on it. Without Sousuke I would've never got him a place on it and he'd have been dead long before it started."
Grimmjow released the shoulder, drawing the man round and into a full embrace, Ichigo pressing his palms up against Grimmjow's chest. "How did this happen? How long as he been like this?"
"He's had the tumour for about nine years; it only got big enough to cause him major issues in the last three. He slipped into a coma two years, five months and three days ago."
"And how long have you been dating Aizen?"
"Two years five months and one day."
Bet you didn't see that coming! Review please!
