Neliel woke up long after the sun had risen, glad for the chance to sleep in. It was the first full day she'd had off in about two weeks. And while she had plenty of errands to run, she had all day to do them. It felt nice, to not be under a time limit.

She sat on her phone for a few minutes before actually getting up to brush her teeth. She wasn't feeling the energy for nice clothes or makeup, so she tied up her hair, and pulled on the first sweatshirt and sweatpants she could find. They were at least clean. It would have to do. She scanned her nearly empty fridge, before sighing and leaving the house. Groceries were first then.


The store was thankfully full, so she fit right into the stream of people. She grabbed a cart, scanning her list as she went.

Probably should have gotten breakfast before, she sighed. Have food for now, or food for later?

She decided on later, and forced herself past the bakery, where the smells of fresh bread only made her stomach growl. With the rent due last week, she didn't have to worry about that for another six months. But that meant she had less money than usual before her paycheck came in. So she'd have to make due until then.


Not too long later, she was checking out, with a cart half full of the next few week's groceries.

She pulled her card out of the machine, and slid around to get her bags into the art when she slipped on a bag on the floor, and slammed into somebody.

They caught her easily, and both of them instantly apologized as she found her balance and whipped around to face them.

Neliel blinked in surprise, coming face to face with the tall, nice man from the nice before.

"Neliel! Hello again!" He smiled so big, his whole face split in half. "It's nice to see you so soon! Grimmjow, isn't this lovely?" He turned to his companion, who had stopped a bit ahead of them.

He shrugged, barely glancing at her, his eyes cold.

She blinked. What's with him? She avoided looking at him.

"Uh, hello. Sorry for running into you." She didn't mean to sound so snippy, but Grimmjow's bad attitude was contagious. "I didn't see you."

"Don't be, it was entirely my fault. I should make it up to you. Would you let me take you out for a meal? Since the three of us are already here."

"I don't want to." Grimmjow snapped, glaring at him.

He looked unfazed, "Don't be like that, you've got nothing better to do."

Grimmjow's eyes narrowed before he barked "Take her yourself." And marched off.

"What's his problem." She muttered.

"I'm sorry." The man turned back to her, his smile still as wide as ever. He seemed used to his companion's rudeness "He's not mean, he's just not very good with new people, especially not beautiful women."

She smiled. She didn't know this man at all, but he gave off friendly, harmless vibes. Like he was a genuinely good person, and not just a 'nice' guy. Even if she didn't even know his name, she liked him.

She held out her hand, "I know we've met before, but we haven't been properly introduced. Neliel Odershvank."

He shook her hand warmly, "Coyote Starrk. But you can call me Starrk." He poked a thumb over his shoulder, where his companion had vanished. "That's Grimmjow. Grimmjow Jaggerjack. He's a real piece of work."

"Just a bit." She laughed dryly.

"So what do you say to lunch?" He stuck his hands in his pockets, bouncing on his heels. "You absolutely don't have to, please don't feel pressured. I just want to get to know you a little, you give me good friend vibes." He grinned.

As friendly as he was, she didn't really want to go to eat with a man she'd barely met. But…she was hungry. And Starrk seemed safe enough.

"I suppose. If you insist."

He grinned again, and cocked his head like a puppy before glancing at his watch. "I do have a small errand to run beforehand, but how about we meet at that new place on the corner? 'Terry's', I think? How does an hour sound?"

She nodded, smiled, and waved as he turned to leave, tossing a casual goodbye over his shoulder.


About two and a half hours later, she sat across from him, laughing so hard there were tears in her eyes. While she had only gotten water, Starrk had decided it wasn't too early in the day for stronger drinks. And he was already turning into a mess.

The two of them took a moment to calm down and take another sip before he took a deep breath, and sighed.

"Wellll, I do wish Grimmjow would have been able to join us. But he's too busy skulking to be sociable at all."

Neliel shook her head, "He's just angry all the time, isn't he?"

"Well which one of us isn't. Aren't." He paused to think about the word. "Isn't." He shrugged. "But even though he's got lots of reason to be angry, that's really just how he is. I've known him for years, and he's always been a grump. All stoic and closed off. Like he's fighting a battle he can't tell anyone about. I mean, he can't tell normal people anyway, but he won't even tell the rest of us."

She paused, mid-reach for her water. "'Normal people'?"

He traced the rim of his glass, staring into the distance. "Yes, people like you." He frowned, then looked up at her, studying her face "I assume." He narrowed his eyes, then shrugged to himself. "You don't strike me as anything more."

She stared at him. What on earth was he saying? "And…you are?"

"I am? I am what?"

"More than human."

"Yes, I'm human." He grinned, "Why, aren't you? Aren't we all?" He cackled, "Haha, of course human."

Neliel said nothing, just watched him. Meanwhile, Starrk seemed to have forgotten the conversation already. He just looked around the room, his eyes swimming as he frowned and glared at various inanimate objects.

"I don't think—" He stared through his cup. "I don't think I'll be able to drive home like this."

She burst out laughing, "No, I don't think so either." He made a face as she reached over to take his drink out of his hand. "Can I call you a cab or something? I'll take care of your car."

He waved her off, "Oh, no, just call Grimmjow. He'll be lurking around here somewhere. He can drive."

"Alright.." She opened her bag to dig out her phone, then paused.

"Let me use your phone, I don't have his number."

"Sure thing, boss." He pulled it out of his pocket, and dropped it into her hand.

She smirked as he handed her an old flip phone. Who had one of these anymore? She flicked it open, and started scrolling through his contacts. E. F. G.

A name caught her eye, and she stopped.

Gilga. Nnoitora Gilga.

Why was… Why did Starrk have Nnoitora's number? Did they know each other?

Did that mean Nnoitora know Grimmjow? Did Rangiku? What on earth.

"Uh, Jaggerjack." Starrk's voice cut into her thoughts. "Don't know if you knew."

"Yes, you told me." She smiled, and kept on scrolling. J… Jaggerjack. She clicked his name.

She waited a moment while it rang, then Grimmjow's voice snapped on the other end.

"What do you want, shit brain? I thought you were having lunch with that bimbo waitress?"

Heat flared in her chest. "The name's Neliel, thanks." She snapped right back. "And we did have lunch. But Starrk is too drunk to drive, so he said to call you. He said you can take him home."

"Of course he did. Where are you?"

There was no change in his voice, not even a hint of apology. She took a deep breath. "'Terry's'. It's right past the in—"

"I know where it is." He cut her off, "I'll be there in 10 minutes."

As soon as he finished the sentence, the call came to an abrupt end. Neliel snapped the phone shut, fuming. Who the hell did this idiot think he was!?


Exactly 10 minutes later, a sleek black car pulled into the parking lot; right in front of where Neliel was standing with a babbling Starrk propped up against her. Grimmjow slid out from behind the wheel, looking particularly slick in a leather jacket with a thick fur collar. It might have been hot if he wasn't an asshole. He walked around to pull open the passenger door before coming toward them.

"Heyy, Grimm old boy!" Starrk threw an arm around his shoulders, and Neliel steadied him as Grimmjow took his weight. "Glad you could make it! We were just talking about how we wished you'd join us."

"No we weren't." Neliel gave him a petty smile. He frowned at her.

She waited as he hauled Starrk to the car, and stuffed him in. He walked back over to the driver's side without saying another word. But then he turned back toward her.

"Are you going to follow us, or should I send you my address?"

She blinked. "What?"

"For his car." He pointed at a dark blue truck a few slots over. I need to come back for it, so you're driving me back."

"Oh, am I?" She raised an eyebrow. It made sense, but she didn't want to admit that he was right. "Am I your personal chauffeur? Just get a taxi."

He blinked this time. "That's dumb, you're already here. And you owe me for making me drive all the way out here."

She huffed, "'I owe you'? It's not my fault your friend got himself fucking wasted. Maybe you should have come with us in the first place, uh, like he said. So you wouldn't be so put out of your way."

They glared at each other for a second, the atmosphere tight.

But then he cocked an eyebrow, and almost smiled. It came out more of a nasty smirk. "Yeah, okay, whatever." He pulled open his door. "So are you following us?"

She stuffed her hands in her coat pockets.

"Fine."

He nodded, and got in the car, not looking at her again.

She rolled her eyes, irritated, and dug her keys out while she made her way over to her own car. She climbed in and turned the key, turning back to watch Grimmjow. He backed out smoothly, and set off, going slow for her to catch up.

She followed him easily, and was impressed with just how safely he drove. He was never too far over the speed limit, and he didn't run a single light or sign. It wasn't what she had been expecting, and wasn't sure what that said about him.

After a short drive, they pulled into the lot of a very expensive building, and she parked behind him. She settled in for a wait; but he looked back and motioned her to follow. She rolled down her window, and leaned out. "Do you want me to come in?"

His glanced to the side, "Uh, yeah, that's normally what this means." He repeated the gesture. "It'll take me a bit to get him settled, and I don't really want to get my ear chewed off about 'making a lady wait' once he wakes up."

He sounded like a normal human, like he didn't want to rip someone's head off for once. She wasn't sure how she felt about it.

"So are you coming or not?" He snapped. There was his usual self.

She responded with a huff before turning her car off and climbing out.

Grimmjow was already helping Starrk out, who looked like he was unconscious now. "You get doors." He handed her a keycard, and barely waited for her to take it before stomping off, dragging his friend along. She made a face as she followed behind them. Dumbass.


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