/*Hi all! A quick story filler one shot for you! This is short and sweet, but I should have the next chapter out for Eyes of a Ghost very soon. Thanks for reading! Just a quick note: I wrote this under the assumption Karukara Town is very traditional as I kind of felt it was one of the only motives that really worked for Grimmjow (imo). */
First Comes Love, then Comes Baby?
"So let me get this straight…" The orange-haired man said with some amusement, "you're going to let him knock you up and not get married?"
"Yes." Haruka said seriously.
"Why?"
"Because marriage is only a thing for humans and the high class in the Seireitei." She replied.
"Ok first, I don't think that's true. Second, you two are practically human now, so it's going to be looked down upon when you are walking around with a kid and no ring on the finger."
"I don't really care what the rest of human society thinks of us." Haruka pouted.
"Well you might not, but what about your future kid? He or she is the one that's going to get all the jeers about having unwed parents." He continued to argue.
Haruka glared at him. "Are humans that strict about their traditions?" A little bit of worry had formed on her voice.
"I guess it depends on where you live, but it's pretty strict around here." He said idly.
"Well what are you suggesting, Ichigo? Propose to Grimmjow? That's even less traditional." She scoffed.
"But not unheard of."
"Let me guess: you already had this discussion with him."
Ichigo frowned.
"Didn't go the way you wanted it, did it?" She smiled victoriously.
"Not much does with him, yet at least I put the idea in his head. And now I also put it in yours." He grinned as he got up from his seat, throwing a few bills on the table to pay for their lunch. "Good luck with the whole baby making thing."
"Yea, you too." She smiled sarcastically as he waved absentmindedly in her direction. "He's such an ass."
Haruka stood up and massaged her temples briefly before beginning to make the walk back to her car. One of the disadvantages to living on the outskirts of town was having to drive everywhere, but at least it gave her a few moments alone to just think.
"Marriage. Ha. Could anyone really imagine that man standing at an altar in a tuxedo spitting out vows of love and devotion?" Haruka laughed to herself coldly. The thought triggered a chain of thoughts that instantly soured her mood. "I guess it would be a solidifying vow…"
Her face twisted disdainfully, "listen to yourself, Haruka! It's Grimmjow you're talking about! Like he would follow any traditional human vow as his own!"
The remainder of her drive continued much the same with her conversing with herself and doubting many decisions she had made. When she finally pulled up the driveway and made her way inside the house, she had successfully ruined her mood.
He was waiting for her in the main entryway. He looked tense, his hands wrist deep in his pockets. It startled her when she first saw him standing there as she was not expecting it. "Hey." She said, attempting to find a greeting smile behind her foul mood.
"Yo." He mentioned, his unease only increasing.
"Why are you standing here?" She nearly laughed as it all seemed very strange.
"I, uh, wanted to catch you right away while I was thinking about it…" He began but then paused.
"Thinking about what?" She enclosed the gap, her arm wrapping around his midsection before catching his surprised expression with her lips.
It happened in an instant. He had pulled his hand from his pocket and lifted it in front of her. A small round object with a glint that caught her eye was firmly stuck between his thumb and pointer finger. Her brow scrunched with confusion at first, but then realization shocked her.
"Are you-?" She began.
"You know I ain't good at this shit," he started, "but Kurosaki made some good points despite being a fucking idiot." He spat out and she had to hold back her smirk.
"Yea, he had a few good points." She agreed.
"We don't have to do anything now, but apparently this works like a promise. I'm promising you that one day I'll make it official to all three fucking worlds that you're mine… and that I'm yours."
She smiled. "You're supposed to kneel and say that." She teased. She hadn't actually expected the man to kneel. She knew him better than that.
Her absolute shock when he begrudgingly got to the floor on one knee and held the ring out to her told her more about his devotion than anything else. "Get up, of course I'll fucking marry you." She practically laughed as she took the ring from him.
"Just to be clear, I don't need any human's acknowledgement that we're in this for the long haul." He corrected. "This is just so our kid don't get shit for our image."
Haruka caressed his shoulder reassuringly. "I know, babe. And for what it's worth, I'm glad you're thinking beyond your own dealings with the world. You'll be a good dad."
"Yea, well if the kid ends up with your personality, they're going to need all the help they can get."
"Hey, what is that supposed to mean!?" She scolded before slapping his arm.
He chuckled. "Nothing, beautiful. You're perfect."
"That sounded sarcastic."
"Nah.." He mentioned playfully as he started moving inside the house.
She followed, amusement lighting her features and sheer joy filling her heart. "I can't believe you actually listened to Ichigo."
"I didn't fucking listen to Kurosaki. I made my own decision." He seethed.
Haruka's laughter filled the home. "Of course, babe."