Grimmjow didn't understand why people like his mother, people like Ichigo never accepted help when given to them. All he wanted to do was save Ichigo from the abuse. Time after time he had seen his mother crawl back to his step father after a few sweet words and promises of him never hurting her again. Was it because after time they were acceptant of their fate? Had their souls been broken and they didn't see anything better for themselves?
"I'm a fool," Grimmjow sighed as he sat on the chair in his friend Szayel's house.
"Unrequited love is a bitch, isn't it?" Szayel asked as he toyed with his blue and purple hair.
Szayel had been Grimmjow's best friend, or as he liked to say G.B.F (gay best friend), since they were children. He had always been flamboyant and into girly shit. When they'd met in kindergarten rather than play with blocks Szayel played with dolls. A few kicks mocked him and it was Grimmjow who knocked down their tower of blocks on top of them. Of course it was an "accident" and after seeing the tears of children both Szayel and Grimmjow had bonded. Grimmjow had said he liked the pink nail polish Szayel had and Szayel complimented his light up shoes.
They had stuck like glue and over time Grimmjow had helped his effeminate friend. They were thick as thieves. Grimmjow had even helped dye Szayel's hair. They had it styled at a hair salon, where Szayel would endlessly gossip with the woman who did his hair. For a while he had the angular fringe look, saying it was in style still. With tapered sides, the top layer was cut at an angle but longer, his bangs going to the side of his face. The tapered bottom part of his hair was a deep purple and the higher it went it went to a dark blue to a lighter blue. The shades bled into one another and once it was done Szayel said it was fabulous.
The fact that they were still friends and roommates astounded Grimmjow. The fact that the man took an hour to get ready in the morning was terrible; he was as bad as a woman. Today though Szayel pointed out he only took fifty-four minutes. He had to shower, which took thirty minutes of "perfection" and put on makeup. Today he adorned sparkly blue eyeliner with gold glitter on his face and silver glitter within his locks. Since it was his day off Szayel wore powder blue nail polish to match his eyeliner. No matter how much Grimmjow would dislike his friend's vanity it didn't matter; they were together forever. Inseparable even when Grimmjow moved to out of Karakura Town for school.
"Grimmjow, you remember that pine tree I got you three years ago, yeah?" Szayel asked then popped his bubble gum with a loud pop.
"Yeah?" Grimmjow answered.
"And you remember how I told you I would plant it once I named it?" Szayel continued.
"Yeah?" Grimmjow said even more worried than before.
"I've named it," Szayel told him.
Grimmjow sighed before looking at Szayel who had the glimmer of sadism that he called glee on his face. "What is it?"
"Ichigo, for all the time you've been pining after him," Szayel told him. "Get it, pining, because it is a pine tree."
"I got it," Grimmjow said dryly. "I really don't get why I don't throw you out."
"Because you lo-ve me," Szayel sang.
"God knows why," Grimmjow muttered and rolled his eyes.
"Grimmjow," Szayel said.
"Yeah?" Grimmjow answered.
"You've been in love with him for eight years, huh?" Szayel said.
"Ten," Grimmjow said before scowling at Szayel. "Fuck you."
"As if, I'm way out of your league," Szayel said.
"Go back to the mirror and fix your eyeliner, it's smudging," Grimmjow said meanly.
"Oh fuck you, you know I only use that high quality stuff," Szayel gasped even as he fumbled for his hand held mirror to check his makeup.
"Oh yeah, I bet the glitter in your hair is glitter glue!" Grimmjow countered.
The petrified look on Szayel's face was priceless. "One time! It was one time! I was seven okay, how was I supposed to know that glitter glue and glitter were two different things. I thought it'd look great with my green hair at the time. Least I didn't try to take chemistry for my unrequited love."
"Bitch please, at least I don't use hashtag gayboy as an attempt to find men on social media," Grimmjow retorted.
"It's called marketing and who wouldn't want my hotness," Szayel rhetorically asked.
Grimmjow received a dirty look from Szayel when he noticed that his makeup had not smudged or changed since he had applied it this morning. Sometimes Grimmjow could be mean to his best friend but he deserved it when he decided to make Grimmjow and his unrequited love for Ichigo a joke of some sorts. There was nothing wrong with loving someone for so long even if you hadn't seen them for several years. All Grimmjow wanted to do was save Ichigo, help him and maybe one day have them fall in love.
In the end the both of them were laughing at Szayel's response and Ichigo did remember the time his friend had put glitter glue in his hair claiming it to be just glitter. People had made fun of Szayel and he'd kicked their asses. If he was a gay boy then at least he was going to be one that could give an ass kicking.
"You're hopeless," Szayel sighed as he moved his rectangular glasses from the top of his head down over his eyes again.
Szayel was right. Grimmjow really was hopeless when it came to love and the fact his love was taken was even worse. Szayel was right, unrequited love sucked. Even if Ichigo never accepted his feelings verbally Grimmjow liked to think that when Ichigo had kissed him back that he harboured some feelings towards him.
"So, how are we going to get him to go on a date with you?" Szayel asked.
Grimmjow sighed. "You shouldn't meddle in other people's business."
"Pah-lease," Szayel said while waving his hand dismissively. "Honestly Reaper, you'll turn into a virgin if this keeps on going on…oh wait, you still are. Go get laid and find your happily ever after with a certain Spanish number. Better yet, spend the day in bed with him."
"You sound way too excited about that," Grimmjow said flatly. "I wish you never nicknamed me after death, Noodle."
"And yet you named me after that stupid instant ramen," Szayel scoffed. "Listen, the carnival is in a few weeks. I have two pre-ordered weekend pass. I bought one for you as a surprise for us. Take my ticket and take Ichigo out on a date or whatever. He can stay at my place. No one would dare come into my house. I got home security so if that fucker so much as breaks the window sirens will blare. He's safe."
"Have I ever told you how awesome you are?" Grimmjow asked.
"Only this morning at two when you called about how sweet my dream self was," Szayel said with a smile.
Aizen sighed as he laid in bed. He was an asshole but it had to be done. Ichigo was going to leave him for that scumbag. Aizen hadn't seen who he was but it was obvious the man had feelings for his Ichigo. Aizen wouldn't allow Ichigo to leave him. There was no way in hell Ichigo would leave him. Aizen refused to lose the one person left who cared about him, who loved him in this world. Gin had left him, his mother had left him and his father had pretty much ostracized him for being gay.
In his rage, Aizen knocked the lamp off the nightstand in his room and heard the loud shatter. However, Aizen didn't move from the bed to clean his mess. That was what Ichigo was for. If it were up to Aizen he'd have the little slut locked up in the bedroom to be his own personal house wife. No way would he allow anyone to see Ichigo and risk losing him to anyone else. Sadly, Aizen didn't make enough money and there was no way he could lock Ichigo up for good without fear of the authorities knocking on the door and snooping around only to see Ichigo tied up. Aizen could chalk it up as a kink but he knew the police wouldn't fall for it. Especially that nosy fuck Uruhara.
"Yer mine," Aizen growled at the ceiling as he remembered Ichigo getting kissed by someone.
Aizen look another large sip of rye. He'd managed to sneak in a bottle earlier today and hid it under the bed where Ichigo wouldn't look. He had drunk it before and had his friend Tosen came and took him to the lake so he could watch Ichigo. They had drunk and sat in the large truck with air conditioning on to keep themselves cool. Tosen hadn't dared make a comment about Ichigo's body as he smoked his weed. They both shared the dime from a pipe. Las Noches was full of potheads and no one really cared.
Then they had snuck to the trails when Aizen had seen Ichigo leave. They had managed to follow and hide behind the bushes as they watched the scene between the two from a distance. If Aizen hadn't been too drunk he might have remembered the idiots face but it was all a blur. Once they kissed Aizen had Nikki drive him home where he would wait to dole out the slut's punishment.
"Why can't you love me?" Aizen asked no one.
Groggily Ichigo woke up and tried to roll over onto his back only to feel immense pain radiate from his backside. A gasp left his lips and words wanted to be spoken but Ichigo refused. It was slightly bright out and the sun had yet to rise. That meant it was early and there was no way Ichigo would wake up Aizen only to anger him. Ichigo was far from stupid.
I wonder when I fell asleep, Ichigo thought to himself.
It had to be late. He hadn't been out long and he'd been in too much pain to move around much. Aizen had drunken himself away in the afternoon. Ichigo had been in too much pain to move. Aizen had lovingly placed Ichigo on the couch but that was it. Tears formed in his eyes as he had seen the old Aizen for a minute.
"I'm sorry Ichi," Aizen had whispered as he kissed Ichigo's forehead. "Let me make it up to you. I'll go get you some food."
Even though he was inebriated Ichigo was too terrified to reject the offer. When Aizen left the house Ichigo was scared. Tears had finally fallen from his eyes as he felt the built up emotions finally break. Would that mean Aizen had changed back to his old self. Ichigo hoped so. Maybe Aizen realized his actions had gone too far finally. One could only hope.
Now, as Ichigo lied in his boxers on the couch, wide awake he wished he was asleep. It was too early for this. What time was it? There was a clock ticking away on the stand beside him that hadn't been broken yet in Aizen's rage. Looking at it had Ichigo's eyes bug out. 5:30. Oh god, did he even work today? Ichigo had been in so much pain and had left reality for a time to just stare into space and think that he had forgotten about work. He'd laid there while Aizen tried to play doting boyfriend.
The sound of the phone ringing only proved that Ichigo worked today. It must be his boss.
Shit! Ichigo cursed mentally.
"Hello?" Ichigo answered hoarsely.
"Hello, is this Ichigo?" Ichigo's boss asked.
"Yes," Ichigo replied.
"Did I wake you?" Nel asked.
"Almost," Ichigo answered.
"Oh. Well, I just wanted to let you know the time is 5:45 and you were scheduled at 5:30," Nel informed.
"…I'm sorry," Ichigo apologized. "I got hurt last night and forgot to call."
"Don't let it happen again," Nel advised. "I've been setting up but can you get here in twenty minutes at least?"
"Yeah," Ichigo replied.
"You don't have to work if you're badly injured. I understand. I'm not a complete jerk of a boss."
"No I'll work. I need the money anyway," Ichigo replied. "I'm so sorry I'm late."
"See you soon," Nel said and hung up.
Just like Ichigo promised he made it to the store in twenty. It was painful to even move but Ichigo managed. Taking a few pain killers he had around the house. He'd ended up vomiting them up on the way to work and took a few more. His breathe was gross and in the end Ichigo bought some chewing gum and breath mints before starting his shift. With his pale skin and exertion Nel had tried to get him to go home but Ichigo refused, saying that he'd be fine. In the end she let him work.
It wasn't until a few hours into his shift that Ichigo finished cleaning the bathrooms that he heard a chime indicating a customer. Since he'd just left the bathroom Ichigo went to the counter with Nel so she could check the inventory. When he looked up Ichigo noticed Grimmjow.
"How can I help you today, sir?" Ichigo asked in a tone he used with customers.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Grimmjow apologized.
"Sir, if you're not going to buy anything I'll have to ask you to leave the premises," Ichigo warned. "We don't like loitering or soliciting."
"Damn it, Ichigo let me talk to you!" Grimmjow said through gritted teeth.
"This is your last and final warning before I notify the police about your actions," Ichigo said.
"Alright I get it," Grimmjow said. "Don't come crying to me if that bastard kills you. I won't be there to save your ass."
"I never asked for your help," Ichigo replied, having his façade fade. "Leave."
"I'm already out the door," Grimmjow said as he pushed the door open.
Once Grimmjow left Ichigo felt the tension in his body ease. He prayed that Aizen wasn't stalking him again and watching his interaction with men. If Aizen found out it was Grimmjow that harboured feelings towards him then Ichigo was a dead man walking. He refused to die and though Aizen had never tried to kill him yet Ichigo wouldn't put it past him to try one day. There was no saving him.
"Ichigo?" Nel asked.
"Yes?" Ichigo responded.
"Who was that?" Nel wondered.
"No one important," Ichigo replied.
That was true. It was no one important. It was then he felt his phone vibrate and it had Ichigo tense in apprehension. Nel was on the other side of the store but Ichigo knew it was no one else other than Aizen calling.
Please stop calling, Ichigo internally begged.
There was no stopping the inevitable and Aizen didn't stop. Nel looked at him when she neared him to restock the chips and Ichigo apologized saying that it was Aizen. Somehow Nel knew about the abuse and she tried to get Ichigo to leave Aizen but Ichigo didn't pay her any mind. She used examples of her own life, saying how her own boyfriend had done the same thing but Ichigo didn't really see the similarities. The man only wanted to own Nel from the beginning; Aizen loved him. One day he would be his old self again.
"Go home for the day," Nel ordered.
"What? No, I can't," Ichigo said somewhat panicked.
Nel sighed. "It's not a request it's an order. I see how you try to hide your pain. Go, I don't feel like firing you today."
Ichigo nodded his head glumly and began to leave the store. Really, why was Nel doing this to him? There were times she threatened to call the cops on Aizen but there was no real evidence of his abuse. The bruises were concealed most of the time and in places no one would notice. The bruises around his throat were healed now and if he had any noticeable ones he'd been smart and used makeup.
I don't want go home. Not to him, Ichigo thought to himself.
Ichigo thought of going into town but was against it. If Aizen realized he was off early and didn't go home immediately then Aizen would take his rage out on Ichigo. Holding back a cringe, Ichigo made his way home. The pain medication had worn off a while back and moving around the store had hurt. All Ichigo wanted was a nice hot bath to relax his muscles but that was as likely as hell freezing over.
Ichigo could hear music blaring as he got close to home. It wasn't loud enough to have the cops arrive for a noise disturbance and the neighbor with the child was at daycare currently. There was no one else to complain about the music that was instrumental with no lyrics.
"He's drunk," Ichigo whispered to himself.
When Ichigo got to the door he could hear the vibration of the bass from the speakers. It was louder inside than it was outside. Aizen wasn't in the living room which made Ichigo feel a little bit better.
"Baby, I'm home early. Nel let me come home so I came back right away to see you!" Ichigo called out, hoping that Aizen wasn't angry.
And not too long after Ichigo spoke Aizen emerged from the corner where their bedroom was. He had a can of beer in his hand and his hair was dishevelled.
"Is that so?" Aizen sneered.
Ichigo nodded his head and he could see the underlying ire in Aizen's eyes. Ichigo didn't know what he did wrong this time. Why could he never appease Aizen?
"Why didn't you answer my call?" Aizen asked angrily.
"I couldn't baby, I tried but Nel was around," Ichigo said, trying to placate Aizen.
"Tch, I don't like that bitch. She's nosy," Aizen said. "Where's my booze?"
"What?" Ichigo asked confused.
"Did I fucking stutter?" Aizen asked. "I asked where my booze was? Did you check the phone I gave you at all?"
Ichigo shook his head. Aizen had handed Ichigo his cellphone for the day in order for Aizen to call him whenever he wanted. It was handed to him a few days ago and Ichigo suspected it was so that Aizen could make sure he could keep tabs on Ichigo. What Ichigo wondered was if he knew of Grimmjow before the kiss.
The sound of knocking on the door had Ichigo freeze. He looked at the direction of the door and Aizen. There was still ire in his eyes but there didn't seem to be any immediate danger for him.
"Answer the door," Aizen ordered.
Nodding his head, Ichigo made his way to the door as Aizen went to open another can of beer. Ichigo sighed, knowing that he was in for it now. Once Aizen started he didn't want to stop. Ichigo hoped that whoever was at the door wasn't Constable Uruhara or else Aizen was going straight to jail.
When Ichigo opened the door he was surprised to see a fox faced male with a pale skin and ice blue eyes. Lavender like hair framed his face and he wore aviator glasses, a blue tie and a grey suit. The mane was around five-eight, still marginally taller than Ichigo and he had to look up a little if he were to meet the man's gaze. He had a nice built body unlike Ichigo that was well toned.
"Names Gin Ichimaru," Gin said, "and I'm lookin' for Sosuke Aizen."