Drunken Seahorse
Chapter TWENTY TWO
(Ichigo)
It might appear like Ichigo was running away since he had literally raced out door down the stairs and towards his car and then proceeded to turn the key into ignition and back out of his parking space at lightning speed and head towards the highway but…he wasn't running.
Not really he just needed to cool his head and collect his thoughts. He glared at the shiny object he had carelessly tossed into the passenger seat as if it was the cause for his present mood.
And it was. Yes it was stupid to take the box with the ring in it, stupid and very, very wrong to snatch something that didn't belong to him but he hadn't cared at the time.
Or rather he cared a little too much and now had half a mind to dump the offensive object off the bridge.
Not that he would really do such a thing.
His mother raised him better than that. "Damn you Grimmjow!" Ichigo cursed violently and raced even faster towards the highway.
Ichigo didn't have a destination in mind per se.
He considered heading towards Ishida's certain that he'd find Chado crashing with the other man.
It had been awhile since he had a heart to heart with his shaggy haired best friend.
Chado had been gone for nearly half a year and Ichigo had no idea when the other male intended to go back to Mexico so he should definitely visit soon.
They had a lot of catching up to do. Plus Chado always had a way of reassuring Ichigo. The shaggy haired male could often see what others couldn't see. He was very observant and had a natural ability to see beyond the beyond.
Even with out knowing every detail of Ichigo's complicated and often over dramatic life Chado helped put things into perspective.
So yes he should definitely-would definitely visit his long time friend. In a day or two.
If history was anything to go by then Ishida wouldn't appreciate him getting in the way of their precious couple time.
Indeed the dark haired bespectacled man could be quite possessive over Chado at times.
Not wishing for an even bigger headache then the one he currently had Ichigo opted against it.
Deciding to set off in the opposite direction where Renji used to live. Heck chances were pretty high that he probably still lived there.
The tattooed red head had never been the type to bounce around from location to location.
What Ichigo would do once he got to Renji's place…well he wasn't entirely sure. But maybe just maybe his friend (wait were they friends again?-well whatever) could shine a light of sorts on things.
And if not the redhead then Grantz definitely could. Grantz probably knew every nitty gritty detail about Grimmjow's life.
What the blunet bastard did after high school, where he currently worked, who he fucked both in the past and the present, who his parents were, if he had any other family members living in the area, back in Canada or in neighbouring countries and any other question that came to mind.
"I'm such a fucking idiot. Seriously falling for that guy when I know next to nothing about him."
Ichigo scowled a moment later. Hating how he sounded even though he was talking to himself and no one else was around.
"What am I talking about? Sure I don't know everything about Grimmjow but I know some things. I've seen his sweet side and his not so sweet side I've seen his careless side and his caring side. I've seen his raging temper and I've seen him act cool and casual.
He can be clever and calculated when he wants to be. He doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve but did let some of his walls down and bared his soul.
There were times in the past when he looked almost totally human rather than a beautiful exotic beast from a foreign land.
A snort, "Of course he's human you idiot."
Ichigo chided himself as he continued to ramble and bitch a loud to himself.
"Fucking bastard once again why didn't he come after me? He could of stopped me by jumping on the hood of my car or something!"
A sigh "Gah I miss him. Its barely been 20-25 mins and I miss him like crazy."
Ichigo glared at the sparkling jewelry box in the passenger side once again. "Who were you intending to propose to anyway? I don't think even the most flamboyant of fairies would wear something like that? So…a women maybe?"
Ichigo's lip curled in disgust. Some how his bastard rival turned lover or almost lover wait could Grimmjow really be considered his lover at his point? Sure he loved the guy and they fooled around a bit but-whatever!
Ichigo slammed his head on the steering wheel repeatedly.
It was a good thing the highway was practically deserted at the moment.
"Grimmjow how are you gonna explain this one to me? I mean really how? Is it gonna be something like
'Well ya see being a man its only natural for me to spread my seed all across the globe but women are complex so sometimes ya gotta give back a little.
A ring doesn't mean anything its all part of smokes and mirrors-we can still have fun-I'd only have to entertain the twat on certain holidays and charm her 'rents ya know.'
Or some such shit like that.
It better fucking not be!
Ichigo would not be some cabana boy for Grimmjow and his stupid plastic whore of a wife!
"Maybe I've got it all wrong. Maybe I'm jumping to the wrong conclusion. What if the ring doesn't belong to him at all what if it belongs to that Ashido person?
Guy probably left some things behind before he was unceremoniously kicked out on his ass.
Maybe the reason the ring is so girly looking is because Ashido likes to dress in drag too? Is that how they met?
Halibel said a club but didn't elaborate on it as much as she did some other things so maybe-?
Hmm? Costume jewelry wasn't entirely un heard of. Shiro and Ulquiorra would probably know. The pale duo could probably recognize right away if the ring was real or fake.
If it was costume jewelry then Ichigo had stormed off for no good reason at all. If it was costume jewelry then maybe this time tomorrow he could be back in Grimmjow's arms?
If it was costume jewelry and not a ring with true significance then maybe he could apologize to his bluenet love by inviting him out to dinner.
Or better yet cook him dinner? 'I'll ask Yuzu for one of her easier recipes. Yeah she'll be thrilled.'
Feeling some of his anger sadness and hurt subside Ichigo turned at the next exit.
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Showing up unannounced was bad manners but the orange berry couldn't bring himself to care at the moment. Barely hesitated before he knocked on the door.
A pink rose colored iris peeked through the small eye hole on the other side and the all too familiar pompous and slight nasally sounding tenor reached Ichigo's ears.
"What have we here an ickle berry on the run?"
Ichigo glared and snarled darkly.
"Screw you Grantz open the damn door so I can speak to Renji."
Ichigo was met with silence. And for the next 10 minutes or so he stood waiting on the front steps tapping his foot impatiently.
Just as he was contemplating kicking the door in it finally opened and he was met with the pink haired man.
Even in a silky fushia colored bathrobe and matching fuzzy slippers Grantz looked 70 shades smug 20 shades bored and 10 shades mildly curious.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, pray tell what brings you by at this hour, Grimmjow not living up to his reputation in the bedroom? Don't tell me you've grown tiered of each other after just one night?" Szayel clucked his tongue, "All those years of pining and he couldn't even fuck you properly."
Ichigo felt his face grow hot and resisted (just barely) from socking Grantz right in his slightly feminine looking face.
"Get out of my way I already told you I'm here to see Renji."
Szayel sneered at Ichigo. "Yes I heard you quite clearly but my dear sweet Ren is indisposed at the moment. So you can either try coming back later or you can come inside now and we can have a little chat? Your choice?"
Indisposed? What the fuck did that mean? It was probably better for Ichigo not to ask.
"Fine I'll sit and wait."
The berry let Grantz lead him inside and towards the kitchen and chose to ignore the uneasy feeling that had suddenly rushed over him.
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Ichigo stopped himself from gasping at the sight of Renji's (and apparently) Grantz kitchen.
It looked nothing at all like the kitchen he remembered from his high school days.
Gone were fire brick bar stools, scratched oblong table, the light gray walls with multiple cracks and holes and giant broken down steel freezer/refrigerator and outdated oven and microwave.
The place had been entirely redone, the walls crack free and painted a soft peach color, with a top of the line electric stove and oven and fully refurnished cabinets, a brand new microwave and fully stocked refrigerator.
A square off white colored table meant to seat 4 with a floral print place mats and matching chairs sat in the middle of the room.
Ichigo took a seat and waited for whatever it was that Grantz wished to talk to him about.
The pepto-haired male carded his fingers together and rested his chin on his hands as he studied the berry.
"Ichigo-kun, tell me what exactly is so special about you?"
While Grantz hadn't exactly purred his name there was something about the other man's tone that Ichigo definitely did not like.
Not in the least. He scowled. "Don't call me that."
Szayel's eyes flickered behind his glasses, "I can either call you Ichigo-kun or I can call you ickle berry bitch cakes?"
Fucking asshole.
"Whatever. You're probably more of a bitch then I'll ever be."
"Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that," Grantz' voice carried an almost musical tone, "While I enjoy a little back door action from time to time like the average queer I'm not exactly what one would call a pillow biter."
"Yeah well neither am."
Grantz laughed mockingly just then. "Silly ickle berry you don't know what you are…at least not yet."
"Oh shut the fuck up! You don't even know me."
"True I don't exactly know you but I know enough about you to conclude some things."
Ichigo knew he would regret asking Szayel to elaborate and yet he still did. "Like what?"
Pink rose colored eyes glittered, "Oh many things but we'll save that for another time. How about some coffee?"
With out waiting for his response Grantz got up and started moving around the kitchen, reaching into various cabinets for mugs and coffee grounds.
Coffee? Ichigo didn't want any damn coffee. He wanted answers.
"How much longer do I have to wait for Renji? What is he doing exactly?"
"Never you mind that. What exactly is it that Grimmjow failed to tell you last night? Perhaps if you ask nicely I can fill in some blanks."
Where to begin?
"How often does he dress in drag? And why?"
"All of the questions you could start off with and you choose that one?"
"Well its weird! I mean I know a couple of guys who do the same thing too but Grimmjow is so well…I mean he's so muscular and-
Grantz let out another laugh as he pressed brew on the coffee machine, "A man's body build has nothing to do with whether or not he chooses to cross dress. How naïve Ichigo-kun."
Ichigo frowned. What did being naïve have to do with anything. "So why does he do it then?"
Without missing a beat Szayel answered.
"Because its fun. Life is a lot more fun when you experiment explore and unleash your inner diva. Everyone has one. Some just mask it better than others and even Grimmjow himself only does it on occasion and its usually more frequent in the summer compared to the winter months."
"Does he feel like he should have been born a women instead of a man?"
"Do you?"
Sometimes. Inside the privacy of his own mind Ichigo considered such a thing but no way in hell was he going to tell Grantz!
"I don't dress in drag!"
"I never said you did Ichigo-kun. Anyway I'm sure one day Grimmjow will show you his inner diva but you can't expect it right away. Things like that take time."
That was perfectly fine with Ichigo. He still wasn't sure how he'd feel about seeing the bluenet in drag.
He'd probably laugh his ass off once he got over the initial shock.
"Do you take your coffee black or with cream and sugar?"
"A little bit of light cream is fine."
A moment later Szayel set a coffee mug in front of Ichigo and sat down across from the berry with his own mug.
"That was quite the soiree last night, I dare say I was almost impressed."
Ichigo shrugged. "It was alright I guess."
"So many lights and costumes, one would have thought everyone was there to see a major celebrity not a mere unripened berry."
Ichigo scowled. "My name doesn't mean strawberry and the party wasn't my idea. My family just wanted to support me in the best way they could."
"Hn. Well enough with the small chat Ichigo-kun. Why are you here instead of spending the afternoon getting better acquainted with Grimm's cock?"
Ichigo nearly spit out his coffee just as he had taken his first sip.
Grantz smiled a not so friendly smile.
"Drink slowly and remember to swallow."
This asshole! Seriously?!
"What I do or don't do with his cock has nothing to do with you."
Not that Ichigo had done as much as he would have liked to have done with said cock.
Things had taken a sour turn. But next time…in the near future because damn it he would have a future with Grimmjow -he would blow the bluenet until he fucking saw stars!
But one thing at a time.
"Oh I beg to differ," another smile, "You see Ichigo-kun I've known Grimmjow for many years and that includes his sexual appetite and while its true he'd probably jump in front of a moving car or train in order to save your life you are kidding yourself if you honestly think he'd seriously settle down and play house with you. He's just not capable of long term commitment."
Grantz paused in order to take a few sips from his coffee mug, "Not that Ashido didn't try to change his mind. Multiple times in fact."
Ashido. There was that name again. Who the hell was this guy that had managed to capture Grimmjow's attention long enough for his friends and room mate to know all about him?
"Actually many have tried both male and female alike but I'm afraid our dear Grimmjow is just set in his ways…but then again," eyes flickered behind designer lenses, maybe just maybe you can rewrite the script so to speak."
"What the hell are you talking about? What script?"
A laugh, "It's a figure of speech."
Ichigo snarled. He really wanted to strangle Grantz by now.
Not that it would solve anything but it might make him feel at least a little better.
And what the hell had the bastard meant by calling Grimmjow dear?
He couldn't recall flirtatious energy between the pink haired male and the bluenet but-
"Are you-exactly how close are you and Grimmjow?"
Szayel laughed even harder, hard enough that his eyes started to water, "Your jealousy is almost cute at this point ickle berry. Keyword here is almost because to be perfectly honest I kinda wanna slap that boyish looking face of yours."
A sigh, "Pity I can't though Grimmjow would never forgive me and it is a far more beneficial for me to keep him as a friend rather than make him an enemy. But the fact remains I really don't like you."
"Tch. I don't like you either. Never have."
Grantz had always come of as slimy sneaky and manipulative.
He didn't speak in riddles exactly but-
"And yet here you sit in my kitchen drinking coffee out of my mug and inquiring about my best friend. Life is rather funny like that sometimes isn't it."
"Actually I'm sitting in my friends kitchen drinking out of the very same coffee mug that I gave to him back in high school waiting for him to bring his ass down stairs already. You just happen to be his lover who now lives here."
Ichigo almost felt a little bit smug when Grantz noticeably bristled just then.
"Ahem be that as it may you have come here for information. So…next question?"
Right. Yes focus. He needed to stay focused. Not waste his energy on the pompous prick in front of him.
Ichigo fingered the small box in his pocket, "Has Grimmjow uh-did Grimmjow ever talk about proposing to any of his lovers?"
"Proposing?" Szayel raised a threaded brow, "What on earth are you talking about? We've been over this Grimmjow doesn't do long term."
Ichigo hesitated for a minute. "Well you see I was up in his b-the sound of hurried foot steps and a loud voice cut him off-
"Oi Szy how much longer are you going to make me wait before you come back and finish what you star-gahhhh the hell Ichigo?! What the hell the are you doing here?!!"
Only Renji could enter the room looking equally flushed, furious, embarrassed and horny all at the same time.
He was practically dripping from head to toe, all slick with sweat and other sticky fluids (no doubt) his fire engine red colored hair was flowing all the way down his well muscled back, a tiny cloth wrapped around his waist, hardly concealing the raging organ between his legs.
Ichigo did his best to ignore the tattooed redheads nearly naked state and answered calmly and honestly.
"I'm here to get some answers."
Renji understandably looked utterly baffled, "Answers to what? Not that I'm not glad to see you and all cuz' I mean we didn't even get to finish our convo last night what with Jeager dragging you off and all but uh well uh," Renji scratched lightly at his chest
"I figured it would probably be some time before he let you out er I mean before you came a knockin' at my door not that like I said that this is a bad thing or anything but uh well you uh that is it would prob'ly make more sense for you to spend the day with him because uh you know the years of tension and stuff and uh he did basically tell the world last night that uh you're his for all eternity and everythin'.
"It's cool I mean I'm tryin' to be cool about it cuz' I still don't really think that ass deserves you but uh I well that is-look Ichigo I'm not as dumb as everyone thinks I am.
I know even if roles were reversed and you were this big hot shot King of orgasms and everythin' and Jeager was unsure about his sexuality and stuff that uh whoever is up there in the great beyond still would have brought you two together.
Took me a while to realize this-being fucked numb certainly helped put things into perspective of sorts and uh heh uh wait what was the question again?"
Renji rubbed the back of his neck and shifted from one foot to the other, "So uh Jeager waitin' for you out in the car or somethin? He could come in-fucker doesn't really need an invitation at this point er um you can go ahead and call him inside if you wanna?"
Well that was a mouthful. Sure sometimes Renji rambled but-
Ichigo felt like banging his head on the table.
But refrained.
Instead he took a few more sips from his coffee mug then breathed in deeply counted to 20 and then responded,
"He's not here. With me I mean we got into well not a fight exactly but uh long story short a lot of things happened last night and now I'm trying to sort it all out in my head.
But I can't think clearly when I'm in his presence and like I said I just-I need answers."
And sooner rather than later would really be ideal because rather than spending the rest of the day pissed off and confused Ichigo much rather crawl back into Grimmjow's King size bed and just snuggle beside the other man for rest of the weekend.
And maybe do some other things too.
Like more petting and licking-definitely licking-and being licked. Yes licked all over-well maybe not all over just yet- not until the test results arrived but-
'Damn it Grimmjow why can't you just hurry the hell up and come and find me already? I haven't had my fill-not even close'
As usual Ichigo's thoughts were all over the place.
But now on top of that he was starting to feel a little flushed and he didn't really know why.
He frowned into his coffee mug.
Grantz voice cut into his thoughts
"In a nut shell you've come here because you want some one to lick your wounds and who better than the friend who betrayed you all those years ago?"
What the fuck?! That is not what Ichigo wanted at all.
What the hell was the matter with Szayel? Once again he wondered what the hell Renji saw in the pepto-haired prince.
"I did not come here to get my wounds licked asshole. I came to get answers. And I'm not leaving until I get them!"
Szayel scoffed and Renji still looked confused.
"Answers to what Ichigo? Are you saying that you and Jeager didn't even talk last night and just fooled around like a couple of horny teenagers?"
"Well…not exactly I mean we talked a bit and uh did some other things and it was good better than good actually until…," Ichigo paused, suddenly feeling like had a bad taste in his mouth, "he compared me to his ex."
Renji and Grantz shared a look just then.
The redhead slapped his forehead while his lover muttered, "that fucking moronic fool I told him not to-"
"Anyway,"
Ichigo adjusted himself a little, not understanding why the borrowed pair of shorts suddenly felt tighter and continued, tone now irritable, "one thing led to another, his roommate Halibel informed me that some guy named Ashido had gotten really close to Grimmjow during the past couple of years and I tried to ignore it but then today well when I was upstairs in his bedroom getting ready for our first real date I found this ring inside of his closet and it was…well it was just too much for me so I had to get away. I couldn't bare to look him and yeah."
"What kind of ring?"
"Uh well I don't know but it looks kind of like an engagement ring to me."
Ichigo explained right before he slipped the stolen box out of his pocket and opened it so the couple could get a look at it.
Renji frowned.
"Why would Jeager hide a ring in his closet? That's strange even for him."
He crossed his arms over his chest and ignored how the tiny towel began to slip lower.
Ichigo coughed and looked away.
"So uh neither of you know anything about a ring. How much do you know about this Ashido guy? What's he like? How old is he? Did Grimmjow ever um do something crazy and over the top to express his interest in him?"
There was a pause and then…
"You can rest easy Ichigo-kun Grimm has never jumped out of helicopter and crashed through a broken stained glass window for any one but you."
The reminder made Ichigo's chest hurt. In a good way.
"So are you saying I shouldn't view his ex as a threat?"
Grantz looked like he was considering his words for a few minutes before offering a reply,
"I didn't necessarily say that. I only met Ashido-san a couple of times and even I have to admit he's quite fetching. I'd probably snatch him up for my self if I hadn't had my own heart stolen by my dear Ren all those years ago."
Szayel looked wistful and dreamy just then and Ichigo resisted the urge to mock the other man.
"So the ring-
"Hmm…like I said I don't know anything about a ring but I could give you the address to Ashido's work place, for a price."
There was a certain twinkle in Grantz eye.
Ichigo didn't trust the guy for a minute. He readjusted himself again and glanced in Renji's direction.
But the tattooed redhead suddenly seemed more interested in polished wooden floors.
Deciding that starting somewhere was better than no where Ichigo met Szayel's stare head on.
He was not going to intimidated.
He was not going to back down.
"What do I need to do?"
Szayel smirked, "It's quite simply really. All you need to do in order to get the answers you seek is… strip."
Renji's head shot up so fast Ichigo could swear he heard some of the muscles in the other male's neck crack.
The tattooed red-head's apple seed colored irises seared into him like a knife or a laser.
In all the years Ichigo had known Renji he'd never seen the other male look at him with such intensity, fire, longing-
"Ichigo." Renji's naturally raspy voice suddenly turned huskier and slightly pained.
Ichigo swallowed. He didn't understand it. Why would Renji be looking at him with such want?
And why the fuck did it suddenly feel like a million fucking degrees inside of the kitchen?
Ichigo shook his head. Renji's eyes were still on him. What the fuck was that look?
Hadn't the tattooed redhead basically given his blessing of sorts? Didn't he just state a few minutes ago that being fucked into oblivion by Grantz had been like the best thing that happened or whatever?
Orange brows furrowed. Unless…it couldn't be-?
Was the person who fucked Renji until he was numb not actually the pepto-haired male but Grimmjow?
And the only reason his tattooed friend was looking at him with so much hunger right now was because the berry had spent the night with the blunet.
Did Renji want Ichigo to strip down in the kitchen so he could check him for bites scratches bruises and other bits of evidence left behind from his heavy petting and fondling session with Grimmjow?
Would Renji then ask if he could run his hands all over Ichigo's body so he could trace the bruises welts and marks on his skin.
Would he then go into some embarrassing rant about how what a wild animal Grimmjow was and ask the berry if his ass was sore?
And then start like comparing notes stating that during his random hook ups with the blue-haired bastard Grimmjow wouldn't even let Renji leave his sight let alone the bed or couch or whatever fucking surface they had fooled around on?
Would the tattooed redhead then follow up with something along the lines of.
If you need a few pointers Ichigo I can give you a couple seeing as I've been doing this gay scene stuff longer than you have and all?
Sure Jeager is still an ass but there's no denying the man has got some real skill. And he's pretty damn hot when he's got his mouth occupied with other things.'
'What the hell? This is Renji there's no way real feelings developed between him and Grimmjow!
Sure Renji had always been a bit of a closet sap daydreamer type and flowery words made him weak in the knees kind of like a chick but no no absolutely no way had he fallen for the half Canadian!
He couldn't have.
Ichigo all but slammed the coffee cup on the table and snarled viciously-
Why the hell am I even having these thoughts. Did Grantz put something weird in this coffee? It that why it feels so ridiculously hot in here.'
Images of well-muscled rock hard heavily entangled bodies flashed through his mind.
Ichigo continued to snarl and curse under his breath.
Grimmjow had sworn up and down that he never officially fucked Renji but Grimmjow had sworn a lot of things.
The berry wasn't sure what the hell to believe any more.
Ichigo felt his stomach churn.
He wouldn't he couldn't he fucking wouldn't-his rival wouldn't really have done something so fucking twisted and-? Had he? Surely not!
'Please don't let this become some sort of fucked up love triangle/ well…square if you include Grantz!'
Ichigo felt like screaming and crying at the same time.
But he refused to fall apart in Renji and Szayel's kitchen.
Keeping his voice even and measured as possible, he asked "What exactly can you guys get out of watching me strip?"
Grantz chuckled softly, "What can we get out of watching you strip? Ickle berry bitch cakes its not we its Ren. My dear sweet Ren while his love burns hot for me it burns hotter for you still. What kind of man would I be if I didn't do everything and anything to make him happy?"
At these words Szayel came over to Renji and draped a long toned arm around his lover and pulled the other man towards him possessively.
"Just do it already Ichigo!" Renji was practically pleading.
"Ren will certainly look. But he most definitely will not touch."
Fire blazed in Szayel's rose pink colored orbs turning a deep amber, "And neither will you. Now hurry up and strip Ichigo-kun. The longer you take well…let's just say Grimmjow won't wait forever."
The berry scowled. What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Wait for what?
Was Grimmjow in on this?
But how? The blunet wasn't a fucking mind reader.
What the hell was going on?
Why was Renji almost whimpering by now as Grantz wrapped a confident well practiced hand around the pulsing flesh between his legs?
Ichigo swallowed the lump in his throat and averted his gaze from the couple.
He still felt like he was missing a lot of important facts.
'Damn you Grimmjow why did you befriend this guy? Why does he hate me so damn much anyway? You better not be fucking with me or I swear on every cell in my body I will make good on my promise all those years ago and bury you.
A frown.
I don't want to hurt you. Please tell me last night wasn't just some game for you. Please tell me this morning- shit!
I'm getting to the point where I almost don't even care.
Even if you were engaged to some one else in the past I know in my heart underneath the millions of layers of bullshit you have love for me.
How deep that love runs….well that's gonna take me some time to figure out apparently.'
"The clock is ticking ickle berry' its either now or never."
He would not back down. He refused to back down. How different could it be from stripping inside of a men's locker room?
Mind made up…at least for the moment, Ichigo returned Grantz harsh gaze and reached for his zipper.
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TBC
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