Hey there! The in-laws are visiting so updates are going to be slower unfortunately. Can't exactly write porn when they're hovering nearby. :P

Ichigo couldn't stop gaping at their unexpected third wheel, who had essentially just invited himself to their date. After staring at his best friend for a few seconds, looking absolutely baffled, Szayel had simply shaken his head and smiled apologetically at Ichigo.

What could they do anyway? Kick Grimmjow out of the restaurant?

Smooth as always, Szayel somehow managed to get conversation flowing again after a long stretch of awkward silence, but Ichigo could barely pay attention, not when Grimmjow was there smirking at him. His mind kept churning, wondering how Grimmjow found them, why he showed up, and just what the hell was he doing. The idiot was acting like a jealous lover, and though Ichigo knew better than to take it seriously, he couldn't stop the wild beating of his heart, nor the blush that was threatening to overtake his face. Ichigo already knew Grimmjow was possessive, but this seemed a little excessive even for him. If Ichigo didn't know any better, he'd think that Grimmjow was fighting with Szayel for his attention. It was almost...cute.

The rest of the night was a bust, obviously. Szayel eventually gave up and, heaving a sigh of resignation, called for the tab. Feeling sorry for Szayel, Ichigo offered to pay, but he was quickly rebuffed by Grimmjow, who gave him a wide, shark-like grin. As usual, Grimmjow had won. Again. The glint of triumph in the man's eyes was hard to miss. The message was clear as day: You're Mine.

But that was not all he saw, though. Ichigo's stomach clenched under the penetrating gaze.

There was no doubt he would have to pay dearly for this.

Punishment came swift and hard.

His back slammed into the wall, knocking the breath out of him, and before he could recover, a pair of lips were on him, hot and wet and demanding. Hands tugged harshly at his waist band, pulling his pants down over his hips until they pooled around his feet.

"Slow...down," Ichigo groaned breathlessly, even though he knew full well that wouldn't do anything.

Teeth bit down on his lower lip in response, and Ichigo jerked in pain, letting out a moan that he regretted immediately. Grimmjow's laughter cut into his ears and pride like a cruel blade.

"You know you want this," the man growled, his palms rubbing over Ichigo's swollen length.

Ichigo clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, his body arching unconsciously into the touch. There was no point denying it. His body craved for this, even if he didn't want to. He hated himself and hated Grimmjow even more for seeing through him each and every fucking time.

He was pushed onto the desk and barely had enough time to grab the edge before Grimmjow plunged deep into him. He stifled a cry, burying his face into his arm. The next thrust drove his hips into the side of the desk and his knees nearly buckled. He wrapped his hand around himself, partly for protection but mostly for his own pleasure. The familiar high crashed over him, and soon he was lost, surrendering his body to instincts and at Grimmjow's mercy.

This time, when Grimmjow finally hissed in his ear, "Who do you belong to?", Ichigo didn't even hesitate.

Grimmjow had been waiting for it, but Szayel didn't approach him until two weeks later, right before everyone else were due to arrive for poker night.

"Why, exactly, are you doing this to me?"

Grimmjow grinned inwardly, pleased to see that Szayel was genuinely annoyed. It was always fun to rile him up, but this time it was even more satisfying. Served him right for getting his grubby paws all over Ichigo. Grimmjow had been angry the other day, but after successfully ruining their date, he was feeling more gleeful than anything else. Surely Szayel would back away now?

Just to provoke his friend, Grimmjow shrugged and asked innocently, "What am I doing?"

Szayel rolled his eyes and huffed. "Stop yanking my chain, Grimmjow Jaegerjaques. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

Chain? An image of Ichigo bound and helpless on his bed flashed in Grimmjow's mind, and he smiled. "Tch, what's the big deal?"

"What's the big deal?" Szayel echoed, eyes large. He pursed his lips and looked around as if to make sure that nobody would overhear. "Well, the big deal, Grimmjow, is that I really like Ichigo, okay? So stop messing with me!"

The glass that Grimmjow had been putting away slipped out of his hand, only to be intercepted by Szayel as Grimmjow stared at his friend in shock. All sense of victory left him with a whoosh.

"You serious?" Grimmjow blurted, straightening up and snatching the glass back. He felt like he was punched in the gut when Szayel nodded. "I thought you're just playing him," he added lamely.

"To be honest, I was, at first." Szayel smiled dreamily. "And then I realized what a gem he is."

Yeah, my gem, Grimmjow thought fiercely.

"Do you not agree?" Szayel asked, peering over the top of his silver frames.

No. Ichigo's mine.

"Tch, he's just some kid," Grimmjow muttered. His heart was suddenly beating very fast, and he had to turn away to hold back the urge to hit his friend.

Szayel clicked his tongue. "Well then I guess there's no problem. Unless..." He paused long enough for Grimmjow to look back at him in curiosity. "Are you interested in him too? Is that why you're doing this? Because if you are, it should be a fair competition-"

"No! Of course not!" Grimmjow said reflexively. A bit too quickly, on hindsight.

He was only doing this to keep Szayel away, because...well, because Ichigo belonged to him, that's why. There was no other reason.

So what was this heavy sinking feeling in his stomach?

The confrontation with Szayel left Grimmjow restless.

It was one thing to see his best friend flirt and fawn over Ichigo, but to know that Szayel was actually serious about it...was a whole other story. Heck, Szayel had never said that about anyone for as long as they knew each other, not even about his dead wife.

Szayelaporro Granz was supposed to be a player; one who could sweet-talk just about anyone into his bed, and he'd never been short of a companion in the bedroom. So why serious now? And why Ichigo, of all people?

Grimmjow groaned, smacking his own forehead with his fist as he bent over the sink. He'd thought that washing his face with ice cold water would take his mind off things, but all he'd managed to do was give himself a headache.

He told himself that it was bound to happen one day anyway. His twisted arrangement with Ichigo was not sustainable, no matter how much he liked the feeling of claiming the younger man for himself. But to lose out to Szayel...it was a bitter pill that he couldn't swallow.

Syazel is so much better than you, asshole!

Grimmjow winced at the memory. That still stung, and he couldn't comprehend why. He didn't need to anyone's approval, much less from his plaything. That was all Ichigo was, wasn't it? Just a form of entertainment, completely disposable when he tires of it.

A pair of warm, intelligent brown eyes flashed in his mind, and he suddenly thought about Ichigo's taut muscles and smooth skin beneath his palms. He'd never had a lover as passionate as Ichigo, nor one who responded so well with his desires. Ichigo satisfied him as much as he did Ichigo, he was sure of that. They were absolutely compatible in the bedroom, even if nothing else was. Although, he had to admit that he liked the kid's fiery temper, the stubborn streak that-

He caught himself, eyes widening in surprise. What was he doing, weaving poetry? He shook his head and smacked his own forehead again.

He needed to stop thinking.

Ichigo felt a little apprehensive as he arrived at Grimmjow's doorstep. He hadn't seen Szayel since their disastrous date, and to be honest he wasn't sure if coming here was a good idea at all. He didn't want to stir up any drama in front of the others, but given what Grimmjow did the other day, drama seemed inevitable.

So he was surprised when, an hour into the evening, nothing eventful happened. Szayel was as charming as ever without being overly affectionate, and Grimmjow was...well, he seemed...distracted. It was as if he was only half there, his laughter not quite reaching his eyes and his brows were knitted, lips pursed, like he was feeling annoyed. If anyone else noticed, they kept it to themselves. Ichigo tried to do the same, but he'd caught himself staring for the third time now. Somehow his eyes kept straying over to Grimmjow's direction, his curiosity getting the best of him. Usually by now, Ichigo would've been whisked away already, but Grimmjow had barely even looked at him since he'd arrived.

Was Grimmjow sick or something? Maybe the lights were playing tricks on his eyes, but Ichigo thought the man looked a little pale tonight. It was almost disturbing to see Grimmjow this quiet, without his obnoxious attitude and trademark grin. Ichigo frowned and tried to read the man's expression. Something was definitely bothering Grimmjow - but wait - why would he even care because it was so not his business...

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when Grimmjow stood up suddenly. Ichigo immediately straightened up, even setting down his cards, ready to excuse himself from the game too. But the signal never came; instead of giving Ichigo the usual knowing look that always made his heart race, Grimmjow simply mumbled an apology to the table and walked off, not even sparing a glance in his direction. Ichigo was so stunned that he just sat there open-mouthed like an idiot for a good five seconds, something a lot like disappointment and worry pooling in his stomach.

"Yo, your turn, kiddo," Starrk drawled, nudging Ichigo with his elbow. "You okay?"

Ichigo blinked, finally noticing the curious looks from the other players. "I'm...uhh..." He caught Szayel's concerned expression and looked away quickly. "Umm, gotta pee." Then he left, heart suddenly hammering in his chest. He had no idea what he was doing, why he had the urge to run after Grimmjow. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he should be thankful that he didn't have to endure another humiliating encounter this evening, yet he couldn't seem to stop, his legs carrying him up the stairs where he knew Grimmjow had retreated to. He followed the sound of footsteps, down the hallways that he was familiar with by now; and then he rounded a corner and promptly collided into Grimmjow.

"Where the hell are you going?"

Ichigo held his throbbing nose and scowled up at the older man, who had clearly been waiting in ambush. He opened his mouth, ready to retort, and then realized that...he had absolutely no clue what to say. 'Are you alright?' suddenly seemed ridiculous even in his own mind.

"Oh, I see," Grimmjow said, stepping closer, forcing Ichigo to backpedal automatically until his back was pressed against the wall. Grimmjow's gaze turned cruel as their eyes locked. Leaning down, he licked the shell of Ichigo's ear and whispered, "You want me to fuck you."

Ichigo paled. His stomach lurched, and for a horrifying moment he thought he was going to be sick.

"I didn't do anything, yet you still follow me around like the dirty slut you are," Grimmjow continued to whisper, his breath hot and wet against Ichigo's neck. "And you're going to beg me to give it to you, aren't you? You like my cock so much that you can't even stay away-"

It hit Ichigo like a slap. It was stupid, coming after Grimmjow like this, because of course that was what Grimmjow would think. After all, it's not like they were even friends. Even though Ichigo knew Grimmjow's house so well now that he could navigate the place with ease even in the dark, when it all boiled down to it, they were nothing but strangers, thrown together by some twist of fate. Grimmjow was possessive, yes, but only in the way one would lay claim to a piece of property; nothing more.

"Shut up," Ichigo found himself saying, his voice cracking a little.

Grimmjow wasn't done. His lips curled into a sneer, and his eyes made Ichigo want to curl further into himself. "You want me to spread you wide open," Grimmjow said, one hand dropping away from the wall to pinch Ichigo's rear. His nails dug into the soft flesh there as he made his way further down, his fingers kneading, squeezing crudely. "And then you want me to-" His knee slipped between Ichigo's legs. "-fuck you because you're a sick, dirty-"

Ichigo struck without thinking. It was too much; he couldn't take this anymore. Screw his damn secret. If Grimmjow wanted to rat him out then so be it. He'd had enough of this shit. He could deal with the consequences, which was what he should've done from the beginning. Instead, he'd given himself over to this...this...he wanted to say monster but this 'monster' had made all his darkest fantasies come true, so what would that make him? Chest heaving, he stared at Grimmjow and watched the expressions shift on the other man's face.

"Get the fuck out of my house," Grimmjow growled, clutching his cheek with one hand. There was a tiny streak of blood at the corner of his mouth, but he didn't seem to notice. His eyes were narrowed, full of anger, and his finger shook slightly as it pointed in the direction of the front door. "Get out."

Ichigo didn't stop running until he reached the main road, and it wasn't until a car sped by that he realized that he'd left his at Grimmjow's driveway. Out of breath and covered in a sheen of sweat, he doubled over and grabbed his knees.

Shit.

He couldn't go back for his car; Renji would have to drive it back or something, because he would never go back there again, ever. It was all over.

No more frantic groping in the dark; no more struggling and wild kicking as he was pushed onto his back. No more biting or scratching or bruises to cover the next day, or kisses that would leave him breathless, or lewd demands that were sinful enough to make his knees go weak. No more wicked laughter, witty remarks, or lustful gazes from eyes as blue as a bottomless ocean, and - shit, why was he even thinking about all this right now?

He shook his head and straightened up. He must be in shock or something. He needed to pull himself together, goddamnit, not dwell on stupid things like this. Letting out a tired sigh, he turned his attention back to his current predicament. He would have to walk; it'd be a pretty long trek on foot, but perhaps fresh air was exactly what he needed. Just as he squared his shoulders and composed himself, he heard voices coming from his right. He squinted, not seeing anything at first, and then two figures appeared around the corner: a petite young woman holding the hand of a small child. Even in the fading light, the shade of pink was unmistakable.

Yachiru was talking animatedly to the woman, her tiny fist waving in the air as she twittered on. The young woman - the nanny, Ichigo presumed - listened intently with a soft smile on her lips, nodding occasionally as she kept a tight grip on her charge. A noisy, bubbly young child was the last thing Ichigo needed at the moment, so he turned around and jogged down the road in search of a hiding place. Finding a small alley that forked off of the road nearby, he quickly ducked into it.

Their voices drew nearer. Now Ichigo could hear what Yachiru was saying - "I'm going to ask daddy if I can keep a little kitty, like the one Grimmy drew for me!" - and he pressed himself further into the alley.

Grimmy, eh? Ho ho! Just wait till he tells Grimmjow about that-

Except, no, he wouldn't be seeing that man again. He felt a strange twinge in his chest at the thought and had to clamp his mouth shut to stifle a groan of frustration. Was he seriously so desperate that he was already beginning to - he flinched inwardly - regret walking away? God, just how pathetic was he?

He reached up and was about to pull at his hair when a sudden screech of tires sliced through Yachiru's endless chatter. And then there was a loud bang from a car door sliding open and the nanny was suddenly screaming.

To be continued...

Cliffhanger! What do you think happened? ;)