A/N: Gasp! Grimmjow's finally seen what we have all along! How will our little Ichi-dear react hmm?
Let's find out!
Chapter 10 – How Will I Survive
Gimmjow smiled sweetly, head still held up by his fist and uttered simply, "I think I'm gay."
Ichigo swallowed and gasped all at the same time, causing him to choke and descend into a frantic coughing fit. Grimmjow hid his snicker behind his palm before letting his hand slide up and hide most of his face from view.
But Ichigo caught that nervous look in his eyes and the most adorable pink tint on his cheeks. Unfortunately he was helpless to say anything about either until he could stop hacking his lungs up.
It took a while but eventually his pitched spluttering turned to a more controlled, albeit haggard, breathing pattern. "Sorry 'bout that," he croaked and then noticed Grimmjow was still hiding, "Shit, that wasn't very smooth."
Grimmjow peeked one beautiful eye through his fingers.
'Maybe I can still salvage this,' thought Ichigo. "Well, I've never been very smooth to begin with hah," he rubbed awkwardly at his neck, "Look it's great that you felt like telling me, really I'm honoured." He smiled warmly at his companion, watching as the fingers parted to allow another blue eye to peek through, "I've been out with it for a few years now so you can ask me stuff if you want." He flushed, "W-well I mean, if you actually trust me en-"
"-Thank you." Grimmjow lowered his hand down to his coffee, tracing the lid idly.
Ichigo couldn't help but watch the finger work. It traced its way around the brim before slowly coming closer and closer to the center of the lid.
"I do actually have some questions, if you don't mind…?" the finger dipped into the creases of the lid, tracing the logo's lettering lazily but precisely. Ichigo gulped at that finger's attention to detail.
"Hmm?" he asked, distractedly.
The finger stopped and he snapped his eyes up, sweating when he noticed that Grimmjow was smirking at him, 'Holy shit this guy knows what he's doing.'
"I was just wondering if you could help me with one particular problem I have…" he leaned forward on his elbows, threaded his fingers together and rested his chin on them. He was the picture of playful innocence and Ichigo thought he looked too damn sweet for his own good.
The flustered male nodded, not really sure what else to say at the moment.
"Ya see, there's this guy I like…" Grimmjow murmured, giving off a not-quite-sincere eye flutter, "and I kinda wanna kiss him…" he trailed off.
Ichigo leaned forward unconsciously, totally caught up in the magic of the moment, "So what's your question then?" He asked softly, letting his eyes slide down to watch two pillowy lips, fantasizing how they'd feel, 'and how they'd taste…'
"Well," Grimmjow lifted a hand to trail it lightly across Ichigo's jaw, smirking as he received a light shiver in response, "I was hoping you could… I don't know…" he slowly huffed and Ichigo finally realized how close they really were when he felt Grimmjow's warm breath caress over his face before continuing, "maybe show me how to tell him…"
Ichigo took a second to process the words being said to him and tore his gaze from those tempting lips. His breath caught as he took in the gentle eyes that stared back at him searchingly, 'So cute!'
"I-I think you've got the jist of it," Ichigo whispered, heart pounding too hard for him to speak any louder, "M-maybe you should get a little c-closer though…" he stuttered helplessly.
Brown eyes flicked lower to watch Grimmjow swiftly bite down on his own bottom lip. Ichigo couldn't help but place his thumb over the little pillow and gently pull it away from the sharp-looking teeth.
"Don't do that." He breathed, barely audible.
Grimmjow heard though, "Why not?"
Ichigo shivered at the husky tone, "I might not be able to handle it…"
Grimmjow gave a slow chuckle which nearly fried Ichigo's brain, "You? How do you think I feel?" He brought his nose only a hair's breadth away from Ichigo's, "Actually, you should probably tell me 'cause I'm not a hundred percent sure any more…" he bumped their noses together gently.
Overjoyed that he wasn't the only one totally overwhelmed, Ichigo got a little brave, "Wanna find out?"
A soft hitch, "…yeah…"
Ichigo thought for sure that the butterflies in his body were going to cause him to lift off any second now; they exploded from his heart and assaulted his every nerve. 'He wants to – he wants – I can –'
His thoughts completely stalled as Grimmjow nervously brushed his lips across Ichigo's, suddenly acting all bashful and the idea had Ichigo's heart melting. He decided to finally help his poor little barista out and leant in the rest of the way.
The tentative brush turned into a more complete press as both boys finally indulged in what they'd been dancing around for what felt like hours but was really only a couple of minutes. The kiss was gentle, both respecting the other's potential reservations about public displays of affection before finally just not giving a damn.
Ichigo snaked his hand behind Grimmjow's neck, getting a firm grip as he slowly pulled his lips away to catch his breath.
Grimmjow pushed his forehead against Ichigo's, breathing just as hard, "You taste as good as you look." He grinned.
Ichigo swallowed hard before he tugged with his wrist and swooped in for another kiss, stealing Grimmjow's breath in the process and replacing it with his own. He made sure the other male was responding (he only just came out after all) before smirking against the eager lips. "You seem to have figured things out." He teased, earning himself a nip to his bottom lip and letting out a very low groan in response.
Grimmjow growled at him, "I wanna figure everything out, this isn't nearly enough."
Ichigo felt all his butterflies fly south for the winter and quickly sealed those sinful lips with his own, cutting off any more dangerous words that could potentially slip out.
Grimmjow, however, mistook the slight desperation as an invitation to let his tongue do a little exploring of its own.
Ichigo really couldn't have minded any less.
The medical-student could've twirled in absolute joy as that devious little muscle found and hesitantly probed Ichigo's own before retreating back to the safety of Grimmjow's mouth.
Nu-uh, none of that.
Ichigo took the bait and followed after that tongue with his own, causing a low groan to roll from somewhere deep within Grimmjow. The barista sealed his lips around the invasive appendage and sucked hard, flooring Ichigo with arousal.
'I have to stop, I'm going to do things to this man I don't want people to see… People to see… People… SHIT! PEOPLE! We're in public – the Reishi – the cameras – Kisuke!'
Ichigo abruptly untangled himself from Grimmjow and flopped back into his seat. His breathing was ragged and heartbeat wrecked and judging by Grimmjow's dishevelled appearance the barista wasn't fairing any better.
"Holy shit, you're dangerous!" Grimmjow gulped, face pink and lips looking just a little bit puffy.
Ichigo could only smile weakly in response, too fried to be able to return the sentiment.
This didn't seem to bother Grimmjow however, "Good thing you pulled away, I'm not sure how much longer I woulda lasted before doing something … compromising." He winked.
'This guy…' Ichigo dragged a hand through his hair and adjusted his collar before fixing his companion with a stern gaze, "I think a proper date is in order before the compromising stuff happens…"
A smirk, "You seem pretty confident that 'compromising stuff' is going to happen," Grimmjow mused, "and I get off at 9 – we can have this date then."
Ichigo nodded and watched as Grimmjow stood, "Leaving already?" he pouted only slightly. Very minimal. Truly.
"No." A laugh, "You are."
Ichigo did a double-take, "Come again?"
"You heard me, I'm kicking you out." Cue giant shit-eating grin.
"Wh-what? Why?" Cue insecurities.
Grimmjow rolled his eyes and smiled down at his favourite regular, "You're too distracting and I still have a few hours left of my shift. Annnd," he held up a finger, "I have been informed there is surveillance in this shop…" he looked around thoughtfully, "although I doubt it very much, I don't really wanna take the chance…"
Ichigo groaned, "Yes, there is surveillance." Forget insecurities, cue embarrassment. Kisuke will have seen everything.
Grimmjow laughed, "See? Now I gotta show the boss I can work too besides make out with his customers… Let me save my job and leave for a bit!" He walked around the table and brushed his hand across the back of Ichigo's neck, "Be back an hour after the store officially closes, mmkay?"
He continued walking by without letting Ichigo answer, hands deep in his apron pockets and whistling a merry tune.
'Oh I'll be back alright, question is… will I survive the wait?'