Disclaimer: I think it's more than clear by now that I will never own the beautiful and exciting world that is BLEACH. All rights and credit go to Kubo-sensei
A/N Welcome back to Drunken Seahorse AKA the thinly veiled high school fic posing as a reunion/coming out of the closet fic that I have no regrets writing. Thank you to those select few (HollowIchigo-Ichigo and Narutopokefan) for your endless support. Means a great deal to SLY!
Warnings:, AU, OOC-ness, DIALOGUE, plot-holes, angst, fluff, crack, humor, flashbacks, VIEWPOINT-SWITCHING, spelling, language, punctuation, citrus bits down the line, cross-dressing, shameless behavior, daydreaming, reckless behavior, UKE!ICHIGO, SEME!GRIMMJOW other pairings mentioned, etc etc etc…
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DRUNKEN SEAHORSE
Chapter 18
(Grimmjow)
FLASHBACK TO SCHOOL DAYS…
It hadn't been preplanned. Much like any other restless night Grimmjow's feet had simply brought him to a random destination. The quiet solitude of the old abandoned train station was almost comforting to the blunet teen. Much better than Yama-jii's stuffy old mansion any way.
"You're not supposed to be here." A voice called out from the dark suddenly.
If Grimmjow had been the type to jump at shadows he probably would have pissed himself just then. But he wasn't the type. Electric blues pierced the darkness and a grin stretched across his face as he recognized the other figure. "I didn't peg you to be the stalking type, Kurosaki."
The strawberry teen stepped out from his hiding place, infamous pout planted on his boyish face, hands shoved into the pockets of his too tight jeans.
"I wasn't stalking," a sneer, "Not that it's any of your business Grimmjow but I'm actually waiting for someone."
Grimmjow raised an electric blue brow. 'Waiting for someone? Who the hell could he be waiting for at this hour?'
Kurosaki was such a damn goodie-goodie most of the time…almost to the point of being a spaz and yet he was meeting someone in the middle of the night at an abandoned train station? 'What would his mother think if she found out he was hanging around shady characters?'
Hell if Grimmjow cared…accept he kind of did care. More than he probably should.
"Who the hell are you planning to meet at this hour, Kurosaki?"
"None of your business now get the hell out of here. I won't let you ruin this for me."
Ruin? What exactly might he ruin for his orange-haired rival if he decided to stick around? Interest peeked Grimmjow moved closer to the other teen. "Oh come on don't be like that," he winked, "I can keep a secret."
Unless it was too juicy to not repeat that is, then well…anything could happen.
Chances of it being so though were highly unlikely since the berry teen was practically a prude and all. It's not like Kurosaki would be engaging in late night sexual activities or something. So that could only mean the scowling princess must be scoring some type of drug.
'Not like it'll be anything cool, probably just pep-up pills to help with his cram tests,'
"Tch. You couldn't keep a secret if your life depended on it and even if you could…," the berry teen sneered, "I still wouldn't tell you."
Grimmjow expected as much but it still didn't stop him from pressing the other for information. "I can always make you tell me."
Kurosaki snorted, clearly unimpressed "Whatever just get the hell out of here before I force you out."
Force him out? HA! There was a major laugh! Grimmjow outweighed the smaller teen by several pounds. "I'd like to see you try, princess."
Brown eyes flashed in warning, "Don't test me Grimmjow, I'm not in the mood."
"Heh, too bad for you Kurosaki I'm always in the mood."
The berry teen's cheeks grew flush with anger and he balled his fists. ""You think I'm bluffing? I mean it if you don't hurry up and leave I'll finish what I started on Monday."
"No need to get so hostile, constantly going around with that pout on your face is gonna give you wrinkles, why don't you try to crack a smile once in a while?"
"I'm not getting hostile! I'm getting rightfully pissed the fuck off because no matter what I do and no matter where I go somehow some way you're always there to irritate me. And what the hell do you mean wrinkles? I don't have any wrinkles! And why the hell should I smile for you? Last time I checked you weren't my mother so-
Electric blues flashed and darkened, "Technically I'm not your anything Kurosaki but I do know who your mother is and where to find her and I'm sure if she discovered that you were sneaking out in the middle of the night in order to participate in shady dealings with perverse old geezers and drug addicts it would break her heart."
"Haaaah? What the hell are you talking about? I'm not going to do anything illegal you big idiot! And how many times do I have to tell you to leave my mother out of it?"
Too many times to count. But Grimmjow would not stop. Refused. It was part of the fun after all.
"Sure you can try to deflect all you want to but you've grown visibly pale all of a sudden…it's because you know I'm right."
"No you're-Shut up just shut the hell up!"
"Make me!"
A small part of Grimmjow's brain recognized what was suddenly happening.
Grimmjow didn't respond well to the threats but Kurosaki really wasn't much of a threat at the moment. He was blowing a bunch of hot air.
'And just think if only we could kick our egos to the side long enough to admit that we like each other Kurosaki could be blowing me instead.'
Yes it was so much more than simple bantering and bickering…he and his rival were flirting with one another. It was subtle…so subtle that Kurosaki didn't catch on but then again the strawberry boy never caught on. Or maybe he simply chose not to acknowledge it.
'All in good time.'
Kurosaki pulled at his unruly orange locks in frustration and then took severable steps back. Grimmjow couldn't help but grin and crowd in other the other boys' space once more. And why? Because of the simple fact that he could-that's why.
The strawberry glared up at the blunet, "Do you mind backing off a bit? I'm nervous enough as it is without you crowding all close to me."
Nervous? Heh perhaps his rival was about to do something naughty and completely out of character after all?
'There's no way I'd miss such an opportunity.'
The only question remaining who was the other party member? Someone from school or a complete stranger?
Was it a girl or was it a guy or was it a guy who dressed like a girl? During one of his many strolls through Karakura Town the half Canadian had come across many things…an entire district with flashing red lights and dudes dressed in drag. He never would have pegged Kurosaki to be the type to take an interest in such activities or people but then again…there was a lot Grimmjow didn't know about his rival.
And there was a lot his rival didn't know about him.
"What's there to be nervous about? Its late in the night and no one is around accept for the rats but it's not like they can open there mouths and tell the entire town what you're up to."
"What are you talking about Grimmjow? There are no rats around here." Despite saying this Grimmjow couldn't help but notice how the other boy started to twitch and fidget and look over his shoulder.
Electric blues rolled skyward, "You're missing the point here Kurosaki what I mean is-
"Save it because I couldn't care less about your opinions or whatever! You're just trying to get me worked up because you have nothing better to do with your time."
It was an obvious insult and while it might be partly true Grimmjow didn't need the other teen pointing it out to him. Clenching and unclenching his fists, feeling the shades of anger rising to the surface…
()
He didn't really want to inflict harm on the smaller teen-didn't really plan to turn another encounter into something violent-didn't intend on throwing Kurosaki on to the tracks-it just sort of happened.
Much like these kinds of incidences tended to happen. Grimmjow knew he had a problem…a couple of problems really but now wasn't the time to be thinking or dwelling on his unstable personality.
But in the blunet's defense how could he have known? The train station was supposed to have been abandoned…the tracks unused so even though Kurosaki fell he shouldn't have been in any real danger of being harmed.
What were the odds that an ancient myth would prove true and this particular train station would be haunted by some old conductor who died like more than half a century ago? Some old conductor who apparently had some sort of vendetta against redheads?
The sound of a whistle being blown…it could have been anything including the howling winter wind or an owner calling out to his hunting dog.
Accept…it wasn't and Grimmjow quickly realized that if he didn't snap the fuck out of it his number one rival was about to take an impromptu trip to the pearly gates and then he'd forever have Kurosaki's death on his hands.
Grimmjow wanted no part of that. Just the thought of all that vibrant orange hair and peach-tanned skin being splattered was a horrifying thought.
Jumping on to the tracks in order to save the other boy wasn't even something he had to consider…Grimmjow's body moved before his mind caught up with him. And good thing too.
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Kurosaki was understandably in a great deal of shock…probably more from the appearance of the ghost conductor rather than the fall itself.
()
It took a while before the orange-haired teen managed to find his voice again but rather than swinging his fist or letting out of string of curses he just cocked his head to the side and looked at Grimmjow curiously.
"I don't get you. You're the one who knocked me off to the tracks, seemed to find the whole thing amusing what with the way you were cackling like a mad man and all. You could've walked away and just left me there and yet the moment you heard the train…
Grimmjow shook his head cutting the other boy off. He didn't want to hear another word. Kurosaki was basically thanking him but he didn't want to be thanked. Would have preferred it if the other teen had screamed and hit him. It was easier that way.
"Forget it. What I did was stupid, haunted or not train tracks are not a playground…y-you could have died just now and I know you might find it hard to believe but I don't want that-
Brown eyes grew wide with surprise and Grimmjow backtracked a bit realizing he might be saying a bit too much-revealing a side of himself that he didn't wish to show…at least not yet. "Look I just don't want your death on my hands is all so just consider it fair trade for the time you rescued my ass from that ugly boar."
"Ugly-she wasn't ugly she was misunderstood."
"Whatever. We're even now. That's it."
But it really wasn't it. Grimmjow did not want to end the night like this. What he wanted…what he really wished to do was pull the strawberry princess into his arms and hold onto Kurosaki until the sun came up. What Grimmjow really wanted/wished for was to card his fingers through the unruly orange locks he was coming to love-to feel the other boys' breath against his face-the thump thump of the berry's strong heartbeat-all definite assurances that he was indeed alive.
But life wasn't a romance novel or some chick flick so the only thing Grimmjow could do was offer Kurosaki his beloved leather jacket.
"Lose it or stain it and I will hurt you."
The berry looked reluctant to take the jacket even as he shivered while they stood on the platform "I'm not a girl you know."
True enough but…
"Well if you really intend to meet some shady fuck in an underground station for sexual favors then you practically are a girl."
"Sexual fa- the berry turned bright red and glared fiercely "What the hell? I'm not doing anything like that!"
Of course not. His little princess was too much of a saint to do something so naughty.
Because he enjoyed teasing Kurosaki-because he really is in no hurry to get back to the stuffy mansion Grimmjow moved in real close nearly brushing his mouth against the smaller youth and repeated his previous question
"Then what are you doing here Kurosaki?"
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FLASH END and RESUME PRESENT NIGHT…BACK IN THE CAR WITH GRIMM AND ICHI
"Grimmjow?!"
"Hmm yeah take a right at the next-
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU IDIOT? YOU'RE THE ONE BEHIND THE WHEEL?"
"HAAAAAAH? OH SHIT! WHERE THE HELL DID THAT TRUCK COME FROM-?"
"NEVER MIND THAT QUICK TURN LEFT, TURN LEEEEEEFT!"
Sure Grimmjow had met a few close calls during his life but he never really felt the need to worry since he was essentially like a cat with nine lives and all but of course during those other times he wasn't half asleep at the wheel and so deeply caught up in his memories.
And more importantly during those other times he hadn't had to worry about someone else.
Such was not the case on this night…this endless night of endless nights. The night unlike any other.
One minute. If Ichigo hadn't realized that he had spaced out-if the other man hadn't grabbed the wheel…and steered them towards safety Grimmjow realized if he had come out of his latest trip down memory lane exactly one minute later both he and Ichigo would be dead.
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Grimmjow shut his eyes silently cursing his dumb move. 'How could I have been so stupid?'
At his side the berry ranted and lectured, "What the hell were you thinking?! You could have killed us just now? And my car you could have crashed my car-my mother gave me this car you know and I have a perfect driving record never been given a single ticket in my life. You're a bit of a hypocrite you know that claiming I was gonna put us in danger by nodding off earlier when you are clearly far more out of it then I am and if I hadn't woken up and grabbed the wheel we could be lying dead in a ditch right now. And oi are you even listening to m-mmph!"
Listening well yes technically Grimmjow had heard each and every word that Ichigo had spoken and he knew the other man was right but rather than admitting his mistake he simply decided to grab his berry and kiss away the anger, the worry and the irritation. Getting all worked up and emotional wouldn't solve anything. So rather than complaining or ranting it was best to just cherish the moment. They were alive. Celebrate life. Celebrate being together.
Rather than letting the guilt of putting the other man in harm's way get to him Grimmjow rather pour all his emotions into the kiss-let Ichigo feel his regret, remorse, relief. Actions spoke volumes and Grimmjow was more determined than ever to show just how deep his love for Ichigo ran. In truth he was probably more of an emotional wreck than the berry was at the moment-he just masked it better.
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(Ichigo)
It had been a long night. Too long and just when Ichigo thought the most dramatic portions had ended he and his former rival nearly wind up becoming road kill. It all happened so fast…like most things in life. Grimmjow had assured him that he wouldn't wreck his car…
(FLASH)
No matter how much Ichigo tried he just couldn't get his brain to shut up. He decided he just couldn't wait he needed to know more. He needed Grimmjow to tell him more.
"So then you've been on the receiving end before?"
The blunet took a lazy drag from is cigarette and answered in a flat tone. "Nope."
Ichigo scratched his head in confusion…not that that was anything new. "But you've thought about it? Being on the receiving end?"
"Nah."
Another lazy response.
Ichigo should take a hint and let it drop…he pressed on.
"Not even once?" It was hard to picture Grimmjow in such a vulnerable state…no not just hard it was almost painful to picture. Ichigo literally winced and yet he continued with his questions.
An electric blue brow was raised, "What do you think?"
"Honestly I'm not sure what to think…just a short while ago you did tell me you like to wear panties and things so…
"Tch, dressing up once in a while hardly makes me a bottom bitch."
"Then…why do you do it?"
"Why?" a careless shrug, "Because it's fun, what other reason do I need?"
Because it's fun? Is that the only reason? "I'm not saying that you need a reason exactly it's just…the idea of you wearing something so silky seems strange to me is all."
A grin, "Sometimes being a little strange is a good thing."
"I guess but-
"But what?"
"Well it's just…do you really-am I really supposed to believe that you're just some kind of natural born sex god?"
"You could say that."
An eye roll. "I'm serious Grimmjow."
"So am I."
Ichigo released a sigh, "Fine so you're a natural sex god and you've never made a single mistake in the bedroom. What else should I know?"
"Ha! I wouldn't go that far. Like any other asshole, in the beginning I made plenty of mistakes, at one point I couldn't aim for shit, wound up getting more black eyes inside the bedroom then I did outside."
"So when did you start getting good at it?"
"Heh, well technically I was always good at it just lacked finesse but with practice I became well…who I am today."
"Aren't you kind of contradicting what you said not even 2 minutes ago?"
"Even if I am. Who cares? You'll see for yourself all in good time just what I'm capable of. What's with all the questions anyway? I thought you hated when I talk about this kind of stuff."
"I don't hate it per se its just-will I like it?" Ichigo let out a yawn and felt his eyelids becoming heavier.
"Haaaah? Will you like what? Sex?"
Ichigo felt his face grow warm and was grateful that he didn't have to look at Grimmjow at the moment. "Yes."
The blunet laughed, "You serious Ichigo? Of course you'll like sex-hell you'll grow to love it so much that there will come a point where you can't even get through a whole day without having it?"
Really? Could that really be true?
"How do you know?"
No matter how skilled Grimmjow might be he didn't exactly live in Ichigo's body or his brain so…so how could the other man be so sure?
"Well for one…I'm just that damn good at it," he'd bet anything that if he looked over he'd find Grimmjow wearing that infamous Cheshire cat grin, "And for two… those that deprive themselves until they can no longer stand it any longer will feel it more intensely."
It made sense…still
"How do you know? Speaking from personal experience?"
Grimmjow chuckled as if finding the whole damn thing amusing, "Yeah right I've never deprived myself of anything…except for you but even then I found alternative outlets."
Ichigo did his best to keep his anger in check at the glaring reminder and asked the other to further elaborate. "Then how do you know?"
"I've been told as much and I do pick up a book or a newspaper and read every now and then, you know."
"Ya don't say."
"Heh, yeah I say. Anyway Ichigo if you got any more questions go ahead and ask I already said I won't keep things from you."
The reminder of the promise made Ichigo feel warm. He lifted one of his hands off the steering wheel and mirrored Grimmjow's earlier actions and interlaced their hands together. "Uh…so this next question is gonna make me sound like a total chick but…does it hurt?"
"Hell if I know! Some have complained about feeling levels of discomfort or tightness, others had no problem," a shrug, "Everyone's body is different."
Everyone's body is different. This made sense too. "You've either given this a lot of thought or you pay close attention when no one is realizing it."
Electric blues twinkled, "I pay attention to what matters and…I've also convinced myself a long time ago that you were bred for bottoming just as I was born to top."
"So sure of yourself all the time aren't you?"
"What can I say? It's a natural gift."
"One of many I'm sure."
"Bet your sweet strawberry ass it is."
Ichigo released another yawn wishing to fall asleep right there.
"Keep talking, it's the only thing that will keep me awake at this point."
"I've got a better idea princess, why don't you pull over at the next gas station and I'll take the wheel."
"Yeah riiiiight like I'm really gonna just hand over my keys to you."
"Stop being stubborn Ichigo just pull over and let me take over."
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Watching someone talk with their mouth full was normally a major turn off and just in bad taste-yet somehow watching Grimmjow talk and grin around a mouthful of yellow cream puffs was actually kind of cute…but then again Ichigo's brain reasoned it was probably just the lust/love he felt towards the other man talking.
Grimmjow turned the key in the ignition and then turned to Ichigo, "D'you want shome?"
Ichigo resisted the urge to lean over and wipe off the dollop of cream on Grimmjow's nose and feigned disgust, "No, thank you."
"Oh come on these are showf good."
"You sound like an idiot right now you know, close your mouth and chew your food properly."
But of course Ichigo wasn't going to let on that he thought the blunet looked cute in that moment.
He needed to keep some secrets to himself after all.
Grimmjow shrugged and then pulled out of the gas station and on to the street.
"Alright just go ahead and get some shut eye princess and leave the driving me to me."
"Fine. But if you wreck my car I'll wreck you."
"Yeah, yeah sweet dreams."
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(FLASH END)
'Sweet dreams my ass!'
It was a damn good thing Ichigo really couldn't get comfortable in a car and a really damn good thing that his instincts had told him to wake up when he had. But he didn't understand how Grimmjow could have been so stupid in the first place. And he really didn't get why the other man apparently thought that kissing their problems away was the best route to take. Not that it didn't feel nice. Because of course it felt nice. And of course Ichigo didn't want to pull away from the kiss…at least not right away.
()()
"So…you mind telling me what that was all about just a few minutes ago?"
There was a momentary pause and then blue eyes locked on brown and Grimmjow held Ichigo's face in his hands "It was stupid spacing out behind the wheel like that. I'm sorry if I scared you Ichigo but you need to know that I would never intentionally try to hurt you. You need to know let anything bad happen to you and you need to believe me when I say that I would give every last drop of blood from my body if I had to just to ensure that you live on."
Ichigo wasn't sure what to say. There was so much love-so much desperation-so much need in the blunet's gaze it was almost hard to breathe just then.
"I-
"Just say you believe me when I say that I love you! Say you believe me when I say that I would do anything for you! Say you believe me-just say it Ichigo!"
It was too much. Just a little too much. Ichigo was flattered…more than flattered really but it was just too much. He was too exhausted to deal with another earth shattering declaration of love and so he pushed Grimmjow away and told the other man. "You need to calm down and stop being so dramatic. Yes okay we had a bit of scare a few minutes ago but nothing happened. I'm safe and you're safe and no one is on the verge of death so let's just dial it down a notch and-
"How can you say that?" Grimmjow growled "How can you act so blasé when I almost-
Angrily slicing his hand through the air between them and cutting the other off Ichigo shouted, "Nothing happened but I'll tell you what will happen if you don't chill the fuck out," He didn't want to be mean but enough was enough…he just wanted the rest of the night to be peaceful and uneventful, "I'll take my keys back and dump your ass right here on the road and you can forget all thoughts of snuggling up in your King Size Bed and feeding me breakfast in the morning.
It was a bit harsh but it was also (apparently) the perfect thing to say. Because after another minute or two Grimmjow was back to his normal self.
Electric blues sparkling, he leered at Ichigo and purred, "You'd really let me feed you breakfast?"
Sure why not. It would be kind of cute eating off each other's plates. 'We'd be like a real couple.'
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TBC
Bottom note: My excuse for another short chapter? I got a new laptop and I'm still getting used to all the functions. Sighs, sly will do better next time. This I swear!