For those who have stuck around from the very beginning; thank you. I loved sharing this story and revisiting my love for this amazing pairing with all of you. Thanks for all the lovely comments. Until next time!
That night after Ulquiorra's hat trick won them a spot in the World Cup Finals a year ago, Grimmjow felt for certain that the World Cup was in their hands. But if Grimmjow had learned anything it was that life is a cruel and unpredictable thing.
The soccer world was abuzz over the course of 2018. Fans reactions to Grimmjow and Ulquiorra's relationship were mixed, but so far, no one had bothered them. They were sent the occasional hate-mail or booed when they walked onto the field, but they kept their chins up. They kept their public displays of affection subtle and saved their more intimate celebrations for once they were alone team was supportive and to Grimmjow's relief, Kenpachi was hardly surprised.
In January, the 32 qualified teams were drawn into four groups of eight. In June, Japan played three games against Senegal, Poland and Columbia and emerged as victors in the group stage.
They entered the knockout stage in July and competed against the remaining teams. They triumphed in the knockout stage and quarterfinals. Grimmjow thought that Mexico was the most intense game of his career, but throughout the semifinal, his heart had been in his throat. They'd won three to zero and earned themselves a place in the final game on July 15th.
In November the team traveled to Berlin to battle Germany for the greatest prize in soccer. Grimmjow knew from the start it would be a hard won game. Ywach, captain of the Wandenreich, Germany's beloved home team, was a formidable defender. The team looked up to him and his aggression on the field fueled their desire to win at whatever cost.
When Ywach assisted in Germany's third goal of the match only within the first leg, Grimmjow's frustration was a bitter taste in the back of his throat. In a desperate attempt to turn things their way, Japan scored their second goal in the second leg, evening the score. Grimmjow's hopes were high; one more goal, and Japan had could be World Cup champions.
The hopes of their country fell on their shoulders. In the stands, Japan dried their eyes and cheered, and not one person took their seat as Japan and Germany were brought neck to neck. Grimmjow thought they could win. It only seemed fair that they should win; he'd faced his demons and overcome so much to be in Germany, fighting to win the World Cup for his country.
He deserved to win. What was it all for if he couldn't win?
With the ball under his feet, Grimmjow ran for goal. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Ulquiorra running to meet him, eyes locked on Grimmjow's as he awaited Grimmjow's pass. They would win it together, Grimmjow couldn't think of any other way he wanted to win than with Ulquiorra.
Then with only five minutes remaining, Ywach stole the ball from under Grimmjow's feet. The world spun before Grimmjow's eyes and the wind was knocked from his lungs. He scrambled to his feet, shredding grass and dirt under his fingertips, and looked up to see Germany score the fourth and final goal of the World Cup. The referee sounded the whistle and it was over. After everything, Japan lost.
At first, Grimmjow was numb to everything, unwilling to believe it. Ichigo's roar of fury and defeat shook him to his core and as he watched his teammates despair and saw Ywach and his cheering teammates hoist the cup that should have been theirs into the air, Grimmjow realized what he'd lost.
Grimmjow couldn't react, it didn't feel real. Without a word to his teammates, he left the pitch and ignored the reporters hounding him for questions. A week went by and it still didn't feel real. A month later, Grimmjow didn't want to get out of bed. Everything he'd worked so hard for had been stolen from him. Yet through the bitter disappointment that left him in a haze, through the ache of loss, anger burned deep inside him that nothing could extinguish.
Grimmjow wanted to do it all over again and this time, he wanted to win. And he wanted Ulquiorra to be beside him every step of the way.
Until then, Grimmjow and Ulquiorra began another kind of adventure. One they hadn't imagined they'd undertake with anyone. Ulquiorra spent the night at Grimmjow's apartment as he usually did. As per their usual routine, Grimmjow made them both breakfast, they watched television curled up under their blankets, and then it was time for Ulquiorra to leave.
Grimmjow followed him to the door with a heavy heart and kissed him goodbye. Not for the first time, a thought sprung into his head of what it might be like to give him a welcome home kiss instead. Before Ulquiorra could leave, Grimmjow gripped his hips and held him fast.
"Move in with me."
He'd been expecting a barrage of questions, a quirked brow or dead silence. Instead Ulquiorra said, "I would like that."
Grimmjow was helpless to stop himself from grinning ear to ear. "Really?"
"It makes sense. We live in the same district; you keep leaving your clothes at my place."
"Yeah, never mind the fact that we love each other and wanna spend more time together, right? Let's do it because it's practical."
"At this point, it is the most practical thing to do."
"I'm tired of having to wait twenty five minutes to fuck you 'cause the train was slow. But if you're here and I'm here…"
"Did you want to move in with me, or would you rather I moved in with you?"
Grimmjow hesitated. He hadn't expected Ulquiorra to so readily agree, but would Ulquiorra to open to his next idea? "I'm tired of Tokyo. I was thinking we could move to Kyoto."
Ulquiorra was silent, his face unreadable as he digested Grimmjow's idea. Grimmjow gripped Ulquiorra's shoulders and said, "Come on. You love it there. My aunt and my nephews are real close by. My ma is, too."
"What's the price of living?"
A pin popped Grimmjow's hope and it slowly began to deflate. "Not that much better than Tokyo."
"Have you been looking at houses?"
"The hell do you think I am, stupid? I found a great, traditional house. It's only a fifteen minute walk to my aunt's. It's real nice; it's in the country, it's quiet. It's way the hell cheaper than this place."
"It's fine. Money isn't an issue. I just wanted to know you've thought this through."
"Course I have! I'm fuckin' serious about this. So, what do you think?"
Ulquiorra stood up on his toes and kissed him. "I'm surprised by you. When were you thinking of moving?"
Grimmjow hummed against Ulquiorra's lips, his heart doing a dance for joy in his chest. "When do you think? As soon as possible."
"Alright. How soon?"
"Before the end of the year." Ulquiorra opened his mouth and nothing came out. Grimmjow held his breath.
"How about within a few months?"
"Come on, what do we have to wait for? What's the problem?"
Ulquiorra pursed his lips, brows furrowing. Grimmjow's chest tightened. He'd thought for sure the timing was right. Grimmjow said, "Fuck Kyoto. It was an idea. If you want us to stay in Tokyo, that's fine." He'd fallen in love with the idea of them living in Kyoto, but at the end of the day, it was Ulquiorra he wanted to be with.
"No, I like the idea. I like Kyoto, and I would love to live there with you." Grimmjow could scarcely believe his luck.
"Seriously?"
"Do I need to spell it out for you?"
Grimmjow grinned and tugged him closer. "Go on."
"Fine…I would love to live with you, Grimmjow. Good enough?"
His heart aflutter for the first time since their loss against Germany, Grimmjow covered Ulquiorra's lips in eager kisses and they made sure to let Grimmjow's old bedroom know how much they would miss it.
In late December, Grimmjow and Ulquiorra finished preparations for their move at the end of the week. Ichigo and Orihime threw their traditional Christmas party and the pair attended. As Grimmjow stepped onto the driveway, he felt like he'd stepped back in time.
Kurosaki's family home was decorated the same as it was a year ago. Grimmjow remembered Kurosaki sputtering in horror when he realized Grimmjow had come to his party. He remembered meeting Chad and how excited he was to play against him. More than anything, he remembered Ulquiorra stepping out of his car in a suit and stealing away all the breath in his body.
He'd wanted him so much and he'd felt certain he would never have him and here they were, a year later, arm in arm as they rang Kurosaki's doorbell and waited out in the cold to be invited in. The door flew open and Orihime and her baby bump greeted them. "I'm so happy you came!" she cried, throwing her arms around them.
"Watch it, woman, you'll poke my eye out with that thing!" Grimmjow squawked, untangling himself from her.
"Thing?" Orihime's eyes swelled with tears. "What do you mean? That's my child, not a thing, Grimmjow-kun! You're so insensitive!"
"I see your hormones haven't kicked in yet." Ulquiorra said, putting his arm on her shoulder as he accompanied the distraught red-head inside.
"No, I'm fine, don't be silly!" Orihime brightened instantly, alarming Grimmjow. "I'm just so excited for you to meet the baby!" She began to cry again and Grimmjow shuffled away towards the cookies and eggnog.
Instead, he bumped into Ichigo as he rounded the corner. Ichigo tensed, eyes widening as his eggnog splashed against Grimmjow's sweater. Grimmjow scowled, internally dancing with glee as Kurosaki looked more and more like a dog that shit in the house.
Grimmjow raised his hand and Kurosaki jolted, ready to defend himself. Grimmjow slapped him on the shoulder. "Kurosaki."
"G-Grimmjow." Ichigo deflated like a popped balloon and Grimmjow sniggered as he went to pour himself a drink. By the roaring fire, he saw the back of Ikkaku's bald head, red hair that resembled a pineapple, and Yumichika's bob haircut decorated with festive bows. "Yo, losers!" Grimmjow bellowed and they all whirled around to face him, beaming.
"Hey, Grimmjow!" They cried, leaping up to greet him. Grimmjow crushed their hands in enthusiastic handshakes.
"Merry Christmas, you sorry assholes. Seriously, what the hell kinda game was that? You guys sucked!" Grimmjow said.
"No one sucked more than him," Ikkaku cried, leaping to his feet and wrestling Chad into a hug as the giant marched inside, covered in snow.
"Oh man, did you suck!" Renji exclaimed, slapping Chad on the back. "How did you not see that nutmeg coming?"
"That was a very talented shot," Chad commended, turning to Ulquiorra, "You all played very well."
"Oh shut up," Grimmjow grinned at the sight of Kenpachi, covered in snow, jingle bells attached to every spike in his wild hair, "Don't flatter them, it goes straight to their heads. So let's get one thing straight; you guys blew. That last game was asinine! I retired because of you morons."
One by one, Grimmjow watched as his teammates' faces fell. Grimmjow found it hard to meet Kenpachi's gaze. He felt like he'd let his coach down. He wanted to win for him; the only man he'd considered a father.
"But we got this closer than any other team I've coached, and I'm proud of you assholes. So come here!" Grinning viciously, Kenpachi shook his team's hands, wrestling them into bear hugs and letting them go with a hearty clap on the back. When his turn came, Grimmjow crushed Kenpachi to him and held him tightly. Their hug didn't last longer than any of the others, but Grimmjow savored every second of it.
The team gathered around the fire, drinking and munching down Orihime's homemade cookies. They sang carols and laughed until Grimmjow's voice was hoarse and then the time came for them all to go their separate ways.
"So, Grimmjow, any plans for the new year?" Ikkaku asked, tying his scarf.
Grimmjow said, "I'm moving to Kyoto in a week." The chatter died down and his friends' faces turned solemn. "I'll probably get myself signed to a team there. I'm not giving up soccer, no way in hell. It's been a blast, guys."
Ichigo frowned. "Yeah. It has."
"I'm going with him." Ulquiorra announced and every head in the room turned his way.
Orihime's face fell. Renji said, "That's a shame. We'll miss seeing you guys."
Kenpachi stood up, grabbing his scarf. "Good luck on the move, kids. Look, I'm heading out. It was a pleasure to work with you guys. I'll be watching the next Cup. I hope to see you all on the big stage."
Grimmjow left his team alone and followed Kenpachi to the door. "Hey." Kenpachi turned in the doorway, the wind ruffling his scarf. Grimmjow said, "Thanks. For everything." Two years ago, when he'd been a paranoid and insecure addict, knowing Kenpachi believed in him had meant the world to him. Without that support, he didn't know if he would have had the motivation to recover.
"The hell are you thanking me for? You did it all yourself. Give yourself some credit, Jaegerjaquez. But not too much. And work on your discipline on the field, alright? You've got more potential than any other guy I've worked with." Kenpachi looked at him with pride, and those fleeting seconds he held Grimmjow's gaze mattered more than the fifteen years he'd spent with his father.
Then he was gone and Grimmjow watched him leave even after the door closed behind him. The time came to say good bye. Grimmjow bid farewell to Ikkaku, Yumichika, Uryuu, Hitsugaya, and Chad. Renji and Rukia wanted to stay a while longer and chatted on the sofa while Ichigo and Orihime said goodbye to their guests.
"This is it…" Orihime's eyes welled with tears and she took Ulquiorra's hands in hers. "It feels like you're going so far away, but it's only a plane ride away. You have to keep in touch, okay?"
"I will." Ulquiorra assured her and though he was composed, his eyes were sorrowful and Grimmjow wanted to yank him into a hug.
"And you have to come and visit the baby. Both of you."
"When's the little sucker due?" Grimmjow asked.
"June 20th," Ichigo said, smiling widely as he rubbed Orihime's baby bump, "Come down for the birth. We want you guys to be there."
"I'll miss you, both of you." Orihime wiped her eyes and when she opened her arms, Grimmjow walked into them and gave her a quick squeeze. She'd been a good friend to Ulquiorra and he appreciated her for that.
Grimmjow wasn't sure what to do when he faced Ichigo. Kurosaki coughed and stuck out his hand. "Grimmjow."
Grimmjow grasped his hand and crushed it in his grip. "Kurosaki." They left it at that. Orihime wrapped her arms around Ulquiorra and pulled him close. Ulquiorra held her tightly and though his voice was quiet, Grimmjow heard him say, "You are like family to me. Thank you for everything. I'll see you soon."
"You, too." Orihime was crying as Ulquiorra pulled away and he planted a quick kiss on her cheek. More than a little envious, Grimmjow put his arm around Ulquiorra's shoulders and Ichigo got the door for them.
"It was great playing with you guys," Ichigo said, "Even if we did lose."
"Yeah, maybe you lost. My name's gonna be on the roster again in a few years." Grimmjow assured him, fetching Ulquiorra's scarf from the coat rack.
"Sore loser." Grimmjow scowled at him and Ichigo redeemed himself by saying, "But hey, at the end of the day; we made some really great memories. Yeah, I wanted to win; but maybe winning wasn't what really mattered, you know?"
"That kinda attitude lost us the game, Kurosaki."
"No, you lost us the game 'cause you wanted to show off and score us a goal!" Sighing, Ulquiorra grabbed Grimmjow's scarf and wrenched him out the door.
"Someone's whipped!" Ichigo hollered.
"Shut up! You're gonna see my name on the roster in 2022, you shitstain!"
Later that night, Grimmjow nestled up beside Ulquiorra and watched the flurries of gently falling snow blanketing Tokyo's skyline with Ada curled up between them. He would have fallen right to sleep, but Ulquiorra was still wide awake. Grimmjow snorted in disbelief. "The hell are you still awake for? I must be losing my touch or something…"
"You really see a future with me?"
"No, I asked you to move in with me for the fun of it."
"I'm only asking because you were so excited about playing in France. I thought you would leave right after the World Cup was over."
Grimmjow laughed, unable to stop himself. "You sound so clingy. What, you think I'm really gonna up and leave after all the shit I went through to get you?"
"I'm surprised, that's all."
"Why? You're not that annoying. Look, playing in France was an idea. What I want with you is way more than just ideas, Ulquiorra."
Ulquiorra rolled over to face him, emerald eyes searching Grimmjow's. "Then what do you want?"
"Tell me what you want, first."
Ulquiorra slipped his fingers through Grimmjow's. "I want us to keep on playing together; in the championships, in the World Cup, in the Internationals, it doesn't matter what we do." Grimmjow couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
"Then that's what we're gonna do." They fell down to bed together and Grimmjow held him close as they kissed. As Ulquiorra fell asleep in his arms, Grimmjow nestled his face in his shoulder and closed his eyes. "I love you."
"You, too." Grimmjow tensed, his face burning hot enough to fry an egg. He hadn't meant for Ulquiorra to hear those words, though he meant every word. Ulquiorra would never let him live it down.
"Shut up and go to sleep, schnitzel."
"I'm expecting breakfast in bed in the morning, my little frog. Don't put a ring in the croissants; I'm not quite ready for that yet."
Grimmjow seethed, fighting down the urge to smother him in his pillow. Instead, he fell asleep with a tingling in his chest.
Not quite ready, huh? Well, that's not a no, is it? He thought as he drifted to sleep.
As hard as it was to admit, Grimmjow agreed with Kurosaki for the first time since they'd known one another. He'd worked so hard to get to Germany and even though the outcome was a hard pill to swallow, Grimmjow wouldn't change a thing.
After so many years of playing for himself, he'd found someone to play for. He wouldn't trade Ulquiorra or any of the memories they'd made together for a trophy. Over the years, he and Ulquiorra had come together and apart; each encounter leaving them more broken than the last.
But as he fell asleep beside Ulquiorra, their future before them, Grimmjow knew they'd come together for good this time.
Two halves made whole by the beautiful game.