Title: scholars and gentlemen
Author: tasteslikemiso
Characters/Pairings: Ichigo/Tatsuki, one-sided Shirosaki/Tatsuki
Rating: T; language
Word count: 879
Notes: Title taken from the October 9, 2005 prompt for the livejournal community 31_days. Companion to chapter 7 "fly, vultures, fly"
Summary: Today's assignment is to get over it, and Shiro is not a particularly fast learner.
Tatsuki taps her pencil absentmindedly against the desk, brow furrowed in confusion. Exasperated, she slams her textbook closed and groans.
"It's no use. I'm hopeless at math."
Shiro, lying on his bed, flicks his eyes over to her. Her eyes were fire-bright with frustration, mouth twisted in a frown.
"It's not so hard, really."
"For you, maybe. After a few minutes of staring at a problem my head starts to hurt."
"Well there's your problem, Tatsuki. You're not supposed to stare at the problems; you're supposed to solve them."
Tatsuki scowls. "Very funny, smartass. You weren't laughing when you needed my help on your last essay."
"So are you saying you're asking for my help?"
"No!" she exclaims. "I can figure it out on my own." She gently reopens the calculus textbook and appraises her messy answer sheet, covered in chicken scratch, calculations, and cross-outs.
Shiro sits up from bed, watching her struggle with the problem set. She rubs the back of her neck anxiously. He notices the smooth rustling movement of her dark hair brushing her shoulderblades. He thinks about bending her over the desk and abruptly cuts off that train of thought before it gathers any more momentum.
"I'm bored," he says suddenly, standing up and stretching his limbs. "I think I'm going to go for a run."
"Don't you have any homework to do?" she asks, with more than a little jealousy.
"Finished it earlier," he says carelessly. "Don't worry, I'll be back before you're done. By then you'll be begging for my help."
She snorts. "Don't count on it."
He pulls a ratty T-shirt and a pair of shorts out of his dresser and goes to the bathroom to change.
"What about the reading for your lit class?" she calls out.
"I'll do it later" he yells back, pulling the shirt over his head. He comes back to the bedroom and gets his running shoes out of the closet. "Besides, that shit is boring."
"Yeah, but you should really try to get your grades up. Otherwise everyone's gonna think you're a dumb tough guy who doesn't care about school."
"So what if I am?"
Tatsuki rolls her eyes. "Yeah, you're right. Fuck college and getting a job when you could just beat up small-time street gangs for the rest of your life. That sounds productive."
"At least it's fun. Besides, this is one stupid class. I'm doing fine in everything else."
"It's one stupid class that you're going to have to pass to graduate," she reminds him.
"General education requirements are stupid anyway. No one's going to give a fuck what I think about Othello when I'm working at a software company."
"Yeah, yeah," she waves her hand dismissively. "Why don't you go ahead and write a strongly worded letter to the university once you get back from your jog, okay?"
"You just focus on your own work and I'll focus on mine." He leaves the room, popping his headphones in as he exits the apartment and takes off down the street.
Half an hour later, he climbs the steps up to his and Ichigo's apartment. He thinks about Tatsuki glaring at her textbook, then dropping her frown as he leans over her to explain the correct approach. He imagines her eyes focused on him, full of determined energy.
He opens the door.
"I'm back." No response. Ichigo's keys are on the counter, so his brother must have just gotten back from work. Great.
Shiro heads back to his bedroom. "Miss me, babe?" he asks, opening the door onto his brother kneeling next to the desk gently explaining a difficult problem. Tatsuki's eyes watch Ichigo closely. He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
Tatsuki looks up after a few seconds and smiles at him. "You're back! I didn't hear you come in."
Ichigo lifts his hand in greeting. "Hey."
Shiro is suddenly annoyed. "Yeah, hi. Look, I gotta shower so could you guys move the study party elsewhere?"
Ichigo stands up. "Sure thing," he says easily. "Tatsuki, we can go to my room if you want. I think we're really close to finishing anyway."
Tatsuki rises from the desk. "Don't forget to actually do your reading, Shiro." She goes to hug him, and he recoils sharply. Even as he imagines enclosing her in his arms, he sees Ichigo catch her small hand in his.
"Sorry, but I'm all gross and sweaty. I'll see you guys later."
"Yeah you better help us with dinner. He who doesn't help, doesn't eat," Tatsuki says.
"I don't know, Tatsuki," Ichigo says. "I'm pretty sure we're better off without him. Shiro's terrible in the kitchen."
"Maybe that's just how I get out of cooking," Shiro replies.
"Whatever you say," says Ichigo.
Tatsuki gathers up her books and papers. "Ok well, I guess we'll see you in a bit." She and Ichigo leave his room, and Shiro's feeling of irritation lessens slightly.
He goes to the bathroom, peels off his sweaty clothes and steps in the shower. It's never going to go back to the way it used to be. The sooner he can get used to it, the better. Ichigo and Tatsuki. Better off without him. He feels burning under his skin and turns the water on cold.
