*So* sorry I have been so incredibly slow updating this chapter. I erratically realized I wanted the plot to go a DIFFERENT direction than what I originally wrote. So I scrapped most of the chapter and goddamn that put me behind schedule. However, I like the flow of this way better and I think it was overall worth it. Apologies once again for the delay though.

But with this new way there will actually be one more chapter after this. So, maybe that's a plus? :D 3

Nevertheless, we finally got it thank goodness! Enjoy Chapter 16!

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Grimmjow's POV

The rest of that day is a blur, almost feeling like a dream. He had gotten me horny in a way that was reminiscent of puberty. He got me so aroused it rivaled the hard-on I'd pop when my History teacher in 7th grade would walk into the classroom. Or when she'd bend over to pick up the pencil I dropped.

But with Ichigo…there is so much more than physical chemistry. His mind, his heart. His sarcasm, his wit, his fearlessness. Fuck. I love them all. I love every single thing about this man.

Ichigo and I made out then, but we didn't have sex. And we didn't make out the entire time, for a lot of it we simply laid there in each other's arms, basking in each other's heat. Ichigo's body is a furnace I want to be forever burned by.

But all too soon, Ichigo falls asleep with his head on my chest, and I join him not long after.

Now it's a new day, and we're both at Rukongai for Ichigo's work shift. I had fought adamantly about not wanting Ichigo to push himself, but his fierce stubbornness was fucking impenetrable.

I grunt into my beer as I inconspicuously watch Ichigo serve beers to two women at a nearby table. Without meaning to my gaze falls to his ass.

I had taken him back to his place this morning so he could put on a change of clothes that fit him, instead of having to wear mine (though I certainly wouldn't have minded it). And goddamn. It's like the dark denim jeans he's wearing right now are jeans he was born in.

He turns around and I immediately whip my head away. Fuck how embarrassing, I hope I'd been fast enough to go unnoticed.

I want Ichigo, I want him bad. But…I can be patient.

Ichigo smirks lightly as he makes a martini. "Are you behaving Bluebird?"

Ah, the bastard caught me. I avoid eye contact, "You know me, I'm not very good at behaving..."

He laughs, and that brings a smile to my face. He continues making his martini, and I look around the room. Despite my countless outings at Rukongai, I feel oddly out of place today. I am sitting on my usual stool, but it feels weird to be back somewhere so normal. We have dealt with so goddamn much, it almost feels like we don't belong here anymore. Like we have somehow entered a different emotional plane, and this dimension can't contain us any longer.

Of course, I say that but maybe it's just me. I watch as Ichigo now expertly cleans the wineglasses in front of him. Honestly, he is performing his job and doing as well as I remember. If anyone interacts with him they will probably just think, "huh, what a sassy bartender." They won't see the depth, they won't see all the pain and suffering he has endured in his life.

I think back to the first time I met Ichigo, months ago now. I was that same unknowing, ignorant fool. And, then I think about what I know now. That he lost his parents when he was a kid, that he's endured a level of torture no other person could survive. 47,550 minutes…

I clench my hands into tight fists. Wow. How I've aged.

I'm still lost in my thoughts, and a gentle hand places itself on top of my fist. I look up to unexpectedly see Ichigo in front of me. "It's okay, Grimm. Everything's okay."

I grit my teeth. Ichigo is the one with the agonizing, bloodcurdling pain, yet…I'm the one being comforted? No. I won't allow it.

I can be strong too. I take his hand from on top of mine and give it a gentle kiss, maintaining eye contact. "I know everything's okay, and I will protect you. You know that right?"

He holds my gaze with his own, offering a small grin. "Yeah…I know ya bastard."

Our eyes are staring into each other's like we're reading each other's thoughts. This moment feels so right. Butterflies explode in my stomach. When Ichigo leans in I do the same, and I am so excited for our lips to meet again.

Then, a vaguely familiar female voice suddenly emerges from behind the bar. "Oh my gosshhh! Ichigo you sly dog!"

A short, dark-haired female comes prancing and she jumps onto Ichigo's back, hugging him tightly from behind.

"Gah!" Ichigo yells, startled. When he recognizes the culprit, his surprise quickly turns to annoyance. "Damn it Rukia go away! Can't you see I'm busy?"

The sheer excitement on her face reminds me of a kid's opening presents on Christmas Day. "Are y'all officially finally a couple? Please tell me you are. I mean sure initially I wanted you and Inoue to work, but I am so much happier with how this turned out, besides y'all are so cute oh my gosh I can't believe it." She falls off Ichigo's back and seamlessly pulls out her phone. "Renji is on his way, I have to tell him to hurry up. Oh and I should probably break the news to the rest of the gang—"

Ichigo whips the phone out of her hand like a hurricane. "Hell no Rukia, it's none of their business." He huffs, and speaks a little lower. "I'm still tryin' to figure this all out myself. I don't want to be sharing this with everyone yet." His cheeks are the faintest pink, and for some reason it makes me absolutely ecstatic. Sure, he doesn't want to tell people about me. That's fine. Just the fact that I'm someone—someone who can put that coral blush on Ichigo's cheeks—is enough to feed my happiness for a decade.

Rukia makes an exaggerated, "Finneee, have it your way. But I'm giving you one week. That's it!"

"Yeah yeah," Ichigo grumbles in response, and he starts wiping down the countertop with a wet rag.

It's not long until Renji shows up and the three of them are behind the bar causing a ruckus. I'm not too ashamed to admit I watched their interactions with a wide-ass grin on my face that rivaled the sun.

While I don't usually like sharing what's mine, I can tell how happy Ichigo is to be around his friends again. With everything he's been through the last few days, with Yammy and Nnoitra, and Aizen…I'm just fucking happy. Just seeing a smile on his face makes it worth it for me to be in the background for a bit.

Renji is animated as he speaks to Ichigo. "I got a new PS4 game where you can attack green aliens with giant space rockets. It's fuckin' awesome, you wanna come over this weekend and play?"

Ichigo chuckles, almost as if amused by Renji's antics. Ichigo has been the diligent bartender, continuing to serve and make drinks, even while talking to his friend. His friend, on the other hand, really hasn't worked at all.

Rukia is sitting on the nearby countertop dangling her feet. She smacks the back of Renji's head. "Idiot! You said you'd take me to the spa this weekend. Don't make me hit you."

Renji is holding his head, and he gazes at her in disbelief, "But you just hit me! You already did the thing you're threatening!"

She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression sly. "Yeah, with my fist. Next time it won't be."

Renji gulps, and Ichigo is smirking on the sidelines. Even if Ichigo isn't part of the conversation, my gaze still always lands on him.

The door to Rukongai opens, and for a reason unbeknownst to me I turn curiously to see the newcomer.

My top teeth grind harshly against my bottom teeth…well I'll fucking be…

The ordinary-looking, simply-dressed man walks into Rukongai and toward the countertop. Peter Gollifield takes a seat two stools to my left, not even noticing me or his other surroundings. His palms are sweaty and his gaze never leaves Ichigo.

Just like mine…this fucking bastard. Does he not realize Ichigo is mine, stay the fuck away.

And damn I was not fucking expecting we'd run into him. Ichigo has been through so much lately. And here Ichigo was moments ago smiling, laughing with his friends. And now this fucking bastard comes and wants to fuck it up?

I stare at him so intently I can feel my eyes dry out from the lack of blinking. This is now my…third time meeting Peter Gollifield? The first time I remember being so fucking confused by his bizarre interest in Ichigo. Shit, I even vaguely remember spitting my drink in some chick's face.

But…now I know the truth about him. That it's not an interest in Ichigo, it's a fucking obsession. An unhealthy obsession I will sooner squash than risk allowing Ichigo to be hurt again. Ichigo has goddamn been through enough.

I think that to myself, and I'm about to stand when my pants are suddenly sloshed with a cold wetness.

In a second, Ichigo had forcibly knocked my beer over, spilling its contents onto my lap. The stark cold is a shock to my system, but it doesn't take me long to connect the dots. That orange bastard did it on purpose.

I wipe myself off while cursing under my breath. That bastard can be quick on his feet when he wants to be.

"What can I get ya?" I hear those words spill smoothly from Ichigo's mouth as he addresses Gollifield. I see the tautness in his skin, the firm purse of his lips. But they are subtle nuances; otherwise he looks completely apathetic, as he intended.

The simple-looking man is nervously fidgeting with his hands. After a moment he stutters out, "W-Well, I was hoping…you. Erhm. I f-feel as though I know you from somewhere, but I don't know where, or h-how." Gollifield is staring at Ichigo as though he's the puzzle piece that's been missing from his life this entire time. As if that one puzzle piece will complete the puzzle, and his existence will finally hold meaning.

I grit my teeth hard enough that I hear the crunch of bone. He is not yours to have you disgusting asshole! He's my missing puzzle piece!

I notice Ichigo's eyebrow twitch, and I realize I had just caused the legs of my stool to squeak. I had put one foot on the ground, but evidently didn't do it quietly.

Peter Gollifield—the dumb gross bastard—doesn't notice though, his ugly eyes only on Ichigo.

Ichigo picks up an already-clean wineglass and starts robotically cleaning it. It looks like he just needs something to do with his hands.

Ichigo shrugs, "I don't know what to tell you. I meet a lot of folks, doesn't mean they're anything special."

Gollifield nods. "I understand. I'm just so deeply f-fascinated by you, and deeply attracted to you. I-I couldn't resist coming in here."

Initially in the background, Renji now steps in. His expression is unfiltered annoyance. "Hey bub, I don't mean to judge but you sure seem like a creep. How about ya move along before I have to get other people involved, k?"

I appreciate Renji's protective stance. I appreciate knowing I'm not the only one who is willing to sacrifice for Ichigo's wellbeing.

I still have one foot on the ground, but I'm doing my best not to intervene. Especially knowing Ichigo doesn't want me to…if the spilled drink is anything to go by.

Gollifield nods jerkily, "O-Of course, I-I'm so sorry to bother you all. H-Have a good day." Intermittent tremors run through him as he leaves, and his head hangs low. Fuck, he is nothing like our previous foes. Poor thing is one big ball of anxiety.

I had already promised myself and Ichigo that I won't kill Peter Gollifield. But…an illuminating spark courses through me, and I stare at the now closed Rukongai door. Gollifield…Peter Gollifield is leaving…

Suddenly I stand and march to the exit. I nearly knock the door off its hinges in my haste, and I seek out the simple-looking man.

I catch him trudging away not too far off, his hands deep in his pockets and gaze on the ground.

I shout, "Gollifield!"

His head spins, and his eyes are expectant and excited. But when he sees blue hair instead of orange, his gaze falls.

I catch up with him, and he asks, "H-How do you know my name?"

I respond with a firm fist in his shirt collar. He whimpers, and I ignore the quiet gasps from nearby bystanders.

My blue eyes are electrified as they stare into his. "That kid in there…is mine."

"W-W-What? I don't k-know what you're talking a-about."

"Don't play dumb with me. I know what you do when you get home." His eyes are wide and glassy, and he almost looks like he's going to pass out from sheer terror.

He…He paints Ichigo. In his free time, all he does, day after day…is fucking paint my Strawberry.

There are innocent paintings, as well as erotic. Hell, in any other instance I would even be interested in buying a few. As it were, though…

Hell to the fucckkk no.

And Jesus Christ, I bet this fucking bastard masturbates to thoughts of Ichigo.

Suddenly, I've made my decision. I turn around quickly to peer at Rukongai. Ichigo didn't follow me, and I suspect Renji and Rukia are manhandling him to stay behind the bar as we speak.

With my fist still in Gollifield's collar I yank him into the nearby alleyway. I distantly realize this is the same alleyway I found Ichigo being attacked by Nnoitra and Yammy. Fuck.

Gollifield is whimpering and crying out, "P-Please please don't h-hurt me! I s-swear to God I-I-I won't do a-anything t-t-to anyone!"

With my free hand I pull out the pocketknife in my back jeans pocket. I release his shirt collar and grab his arm. "I'm going to hurt you, but I won't kill you. But if you move I may slice an artery, so fuckin' hold still."

I cut into his arm. Enough to scar, but not enough to kill. I actually barely cut the skin, which is a courtesy Gollifield doesn't deserve.

He is a sobbing mess by the time I'm done, but he is surprisingly obedient and waits until I'm done carving letters into him. His entire body is trembling.

When I'm done, his left arm reads, Stay away from the redhead. It is written in large font along his forearm, ugly and smeared in red. Even in a week, or a month from now, when Peter Gollifield ultimately forgets this encounter…he will see that knife wound on his arm, and he'll know…don't chase after the person you're dreaming of. Or you'll get fucking carved up again.

I put my knife back in my pocket and release him. He is staring at his arm in awe and ill-concealed horror.

I hadn't planned on doing this today. Fuck I hadn't even planned to confront Peter Gollifield today.

But…I'm honestly glad I could take advantage of this moment. I'm sorry I'm handling this on my own Ichigo, but…I promise I won't kill this man.

I now pull my wallet from my other back pocket, and I pull out all the cash inside. Counting it up, it's about $400.

"Here's what you're gonna do." I deftly slip the bills into the front pocket of his shirt. "You're going to jump on a plane, today, and leave the city. Go anywhere you fuckin' want, I don't care."

My eyes are slits as I speak, "But if I ever see you again, what is on your arm will be carved onto the inside of your skull. You will never, I repeat never come back here." He is frantically staring at his bloody arm and his pocket full of cash. I roughly grab his jaws and yank him toward me. Our eyes meet, and I demand once more, "You will never come back here again. Got it?"

He is nodding spastically against my grip. "Y-Y-Yes of c-course! I'm s-sorry I'm sorry I-I'm so sorry!"

I nod. "Now go." I shove him away, and he immediately takes off running. It's clumsy and frantic and I don't even know why he's running deeper into the alleyway. Honestly with him already being brain-damaged, I likely just broke him more. I can hear him chanting, "I-I'm going I-I-I'm going I'm g-going I'm going."

I sigh and shove my hands in my pockets. This wasn't the classiest way to handle a dilemma, but it certainly wasn't my worst. Regardless I'm glad I was able to resolve this. One less enemy Ichigo has to battle.

My mood sours. But, fuck. Now I have to go back to Rukongai and face him…fuck.

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"What the flying fuck is going on? What did you do Bluebird?"

Ichigo and I are now alone in the employees' room of Rukongai. It hadn't been an easy feat, and Ichigo was just as furious as I anticipated. When I made it back to the bar Renji barely had him pinned, and Rukia was trying to calm him with verbal reassurances. I had walked in on her saying, "You know Grimmie-chan is good for you, he's not gonna do something stupid, okay? Just give him a chance."

I had really appreciated them backing me, at least giving me a chance of redemption. I want full transparency with Ichigo. And what I have to admit to is not exactly a public matter.

So while it took some coaxing, I had been able to lead Ichigo away to the employees' room. Rukia agreed to man the bar in his stead saying, "I'm here so often I pretty much know all the drinks by heart anyway. Hurry up Ichigo, what are you still doing here?! Get!"

I take a deep breath. Ichigo is awaiting my response, his arms crossed over his chest. The veins in his forearms are protruding impressively. I clear my throat. "I want to begin with, I know I handled this on my own again, like an idiot, and that was a disservice to you. I'm sorry for that. Fuck I'm really fuckin' sorry." I reach a hand out between us, hoping he'll take it. He very reluctantly does, and I once again make eye contact with him. "But I promise I made sure to do you justice this time. I absolutely, 100% promise Peter Gollifield is still alive."

"Of fucking course he's alive." Ichigo takes his hand back and stabs a finger into my sternum. "You're not so stupid you would kill a third person in my name. What did you do instead? Maim him? Rough him up with brass knuckles like Lank and Thick? Is the guy even still in one piece?"

He's angry. I get it, sure. But how dare he compare me to those disgusting buffoons?

He's upset, rightfully, and I try to coax myself into not getting just as enraged as he is. He's fucking lucky I love him so much.

But Ichigo cringes right after the words leave his mouth, and I can see in his eyes the moment he realized what he said. He grimaces now, muttering a remorseful, "Sorry. I didn't mean that."

"It's okay Strawberry." He's already forgiven in my book. I get back to the matter at hand, and I speak as earnestly as my yakuza ass possibly can, "I hurt Gollifield, yes. But barely, I fuckin' swear. Hell he doesn't even need a fuckin' hospital." I pull out my now empty wallet. "I bribed him into leaving Ichi, for good. He's either packing up all his disgusting paintings as we speak, or he's leaving them behind and never fuckin' seeing them again. And good riddance."

Oh no. Not even a split second after I speak I realize the significance of my words. I don't think Ichigo knows how disgusting Peter Gollifield is. Because I've never told him that.

Ichigo's expression is still disdain, but he cocks his head to the side. "…Paintings? What paintings?"

Fuck. My brain is flying a million miles a minute. While it had never been my intent to tell Ichigo details of Gollifield's fixation…I'm done lying to him. He deserves nothing but my honesty. Damn it.

"Well…" I scratch at the back of my head. Shit this still isn't fucking easy to admit to. "I had sent my assistant—the one you met yesterday—to scope out Gollifield's house. And what he found was…very inappropriate portraits he had painted…" Ichigo finally meets my gaze, and I hold it. "…Of you."

Ichigo swallows audibly, and he suddenly looks down at the ground. "I see…" Long seconds of silence stretch out, and he finally takes a deep breath. It seems like a sigh of sorrow. He speaks then, low and soft, "I, I knew he'd just been wanting to bang me, but…" He's pensive and sullen. "It kinda sucks knowing I'm right." He chuckles nonhumorously. "Irrational optimism is dangerous huh."

He's not wrong, and my heart aches deeply for him. No matter how irrational, so much of human nature revolves around trying to sugarcoat something abominable. It's a lie you cling to, because often the façade is more convenient than the truth.

"I'm…" Ichigo pauses, as if needing a moment to sort his thoughts. "…sorry that you've had to fight through so much of my past. I know I…have a lot of baggage."

I hear no anger in his words, as I'd anticipated and mentally prepared for. Instead, he seems self-deprecating and small, and hearing his words makes my soul shatter.

In my eyes this is even worse than anger. I walk toward him until my face is mere inches from his, but he is still looking down at the ground, avoiding my gaze. "Please look at me Strawberry." Surprisingly, hesitantly, he does. His eyes have the barest film of wetness, and I gently hold one of his cheeks in the palm of my hand. My thumb glides over the smooth skin. "Your baggage…? Is my baggage. I love you Ichi. I want to help carry your baggage the rest of my life."

The earnestness of my words must have struck Ichigo in a way he hadn't expected. He nods frantically. "I didn't even know I was capable of these fucking emotions. But goddamn it Bluebird, I love you too. I really, really do." He throws his arms around me and I can feel myself hyperventilating as I squeeze him so tight he nearly pops. Is this moment even real? Is this happening? Holy fuck in what sick universe do we live in that Grimmjow Jaggerjaquez, the evil yakuza man, gets the love of his life? What did I do to deserve this amazing, beautiful strong man? I'm starting to wonder if there's a god after all…?

Thoughts for another time though, as I excitedly plant kisses on Ichigo's neck, cheek, and ear. He's giggling and squirming, and I tease him and play with him like he's the most precious thing in the world.

Finally after a while Ichigo pushes me away, grimacing dramatically. "Okay, this has been fun, I love you, and it feels really nice to say that. But…" He looks behind him, glancing at the door that leads out of the employees' room, then looking back at me as though he's seen a ghost. "Rukia is out there waiting for us, and if we stay in here much longer she is gonna have questions. Questions I do not want to answer. Ever."

I'm shocked into silence for a brief moment, and then I bark out a laugh. "Aww, you poor thing! You really are scared of her sometimes aren't ya?"

"Honestly? Yes."

I fling an arm over his shoulder, so goddamn happy I can do that now. Because he's mine now. Mine for as long as he's willing.

I'm still laughing as I lead Ichigo back to the bar area. "Come on, let's see how much Rukia has figured out by the time we get there. You might be screwed."

Ichigo gawks, "Shit, she'll probably think we screwed."

I laugh, nearly to the point my intestines feel like they'll burst out of my abdomen. But in a good way. Fuck I get to spend the rest of my life with this man.

When we get back to the bar, the second Rukia makes eye contact with us I smack a big, wet kiss on Ichigo's lips.

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As promised, one more chapter to go now. ^_^ I did feel slightly rushed knowing this revision was taking so long. After I finish up the fanfic I'll polish off these last 2 chapters and make them more readable. Sorry if this wasn't my usual quality.

But, for now I hope that sufficed! I hope everyone is well ^_^ Until next time!