Ichigo stares up at his water-stained ceiling, laying spread eagle on top of his futon. His eyes were blank and glazed over, body frozen stiff. He breathes out over the cigarette, letting the smoke billow out of his mouth.

Paint and paintbrushes were thrown everywhere, some paint dripping off of the still wet canvases surrounding him.


"I didn't actually expect you to stay by the food and alcohol the entire night," Rukia states, walking towards the heavily scowling Ichigo. He glares at her before going back to watching the crowds of rich assholes who keep glaring back at him and whispering about him like he wasn't there.

"I thought you knew me better than that, ice queen," Ichigo states, his scowl slowly easing into his casual one. Rukia gives him a hug with a small smile.

"I do, you're just really hard to–"

"Kuchiki-chan~! Hello!" A new voice speaks up, making both young adults jump. Ichigo looks up and feels his breathing stall.


Ichigo takes in a stuttering breath, paint drenched hands twitching, as he leans his head back. His eyes close as he remembers those beautiful eyes.

God, was everything about him beautiful.


Long pale blonde hair fell to the man's shoulders, some of his bangs falling over his nose. Silver grey eyes pierced through Ichigo like a shock of electricity, glittering with calculation and intrigue. A slight stubble grew on the man's sharp chin, the rest of his pale skin completely unblemished and smooth.

He wore a montsuki kimono on his tall frame with a dark green haori, striped hakama pants, and geta sandals. He tapped his closed fan on his cheek, a quirky smile on his handsome face.

Pretty. He's so pretty.

I want to touch him.

He'd look beautiful in crimson.

Doused in bloo–

"Who is this? A boyfriend?" The question startles Ichigo out of his thoughts from the disgust that wells inside of him.

"God no," Ichigo and Rukia immediately answer at the same time. It wasn't like that with Rukia. Never like that. He only loves Rukia as one of his.


Ichigo opens his eyes as all of the champagne he drank makes him heat up. He licks the inside of his teeth as they start to ache.

I wonder what he tastes like.

I wonder what his face would look like, covered in blood.

I want to taste his blood.

Ichigo chokes off a whimper at the thought, his mouth going dry. He moves his hands to grip at his torn and unbuttoned shirt.


"This is my best friend and my date for the night," Rukia starts to introduce Ichigo to the man.

"That I was blackmailed into." Ichigo prays to every god in existence that no one can see his darkening eyes or his increasing want for the man in front of him.

"Urahara Kisuke. I occasionally work with Kuchiki-kun and his associates. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Kisuke holds out his hand with his quirky smile edging a bit wider.


"Kisuke~!" Ichigo breathes out the name, scratching his nails down his own stomach. Beautiful. He was so beautiful!

Ichigo doesn't pay attention to the paint getting smudged on his skin and pants. He arches his back as he imagines what that man would look like above him, below him, beside him.

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful! Ichigo grabs one edge of his shirt and shoves it into his mouth. He moans through the fabric before reaching a hand into his underwear.

Ichigo whines as he starts to stroke himself. He imagines Kisuke stroking his cock, whispering in his ear before biting it.

"So pretty, Ichigo~! Cry for me some more, hmm?" Ichigo imagined what Kisuke could say to him. He arches his back, already half out of his mind from his thoughts.

Would he mark him up? Leave bruises and bite marks along his neck until he bleeds? Until it scars? Show everyone that Ichigo was his? Oh God–

Ichigo clenches his eyes shut, imagining how painful it would be. Pleasure curls in his stomach and makes him arch his back at the thought. He reaches back and grips his pillow, whining through his soaked shirt.

He wants it, he wants it, he wants it so bad! He wants him so badly...

Ichigo fastens his pace, rutting into his hand like some schoolboy. God, how long has it been? How long has it been since he's wanted anyone as much as Kisuke? Not since–

"Once. Just this once!" Ichigo thinks in his manic. He arches his back as he jumps over the edge. His hand and underwear gets soaked with his cum, left ignored as Ichigo rides out his fantasy.

Would Kisuke be sweet to him afterwards? Would he milk everything he can give him and then even more? Will he continue even if Ichigo pleads for him to stop?

The pleasure continues to buzz under Ichigo's skin at the thoughts, making him sigh wistfully. He takes his hand out of his underwear and lays back in a spread eagle.

"I'll probably never get to see him again. He's clearly someone that's connected with Byakuya," Ichigo thinks as the pleasure slowly disappears, replaced with exhaustion and longing.

He closes his eyes with a heavy sigh. With thoughts filled with stormy grey eyes and pale blonde hair, Ichigo peacefully falls asleep for the first time in months.


"You stick out like a fucking sore thumb in these pictures. How did Rukia even get you to agree to go with her?" Ichigo rolls her eyes at Tatsuki's statement, skimming over the shelves of food for what he's looking for.

"Blackmail. The articles are already posted an' everything?" Ichigo grabs a bag of cheap rice and tosses it into his handheld basket.

"'we congratulate the beautiful lady, Kuchiki Rukia, as she attends her family's party, for her success in her latest case.' Man, they really like to kiss the Kuchikis' asses," Tatsuki reads a part of some random article about the party last night. Ichigo snorts loudly as he walks out of the aisle.

"Everyone does. You comin' by anytime soon?" The young man ignores the odd stares and whispers that follow after him, grabbing some random boxes of crackers when he walks by.

"Not anytime soon. The dojo's gotten busier and school's just killing me." Tatsuki sighs heavily into the phone, something rustling on her side. "Summer break's coming up though. You and the other two are coming by for the festival, right?"

Ichigo takes his turn to sigh. "Yeah. I've already promised Yuzu and Karin that I'd be there to celebrate. I dunno about Rukia or Renji though. I'll ask 'em."

"...you seem happy. Did something happen?"

Ichigo stops walking in the middle of the aisle. He looks up with a slight smile and silent yearning.

"I... guess something did happen. I found some inspiration and it made me happy," Ichigo says as he starts walking again.

"Well, I look forward to seeing the art that comes from it. Ugh. Looks like my break's over. I'll talk with you later, Ichi," Tatsuki states brightly. Ichigo smiles at the encouragement before chuckling.

"Talk to you later, Tats." The orange haired male ends the call, lowering his phone. He looks down at the screen, staring at Tatsuki's contact. Her birthday is coming up... he needs to get her something.

Ichigo turns the corner, heading towards the cash registers. Someone walks out of the other aisle, reading the ingredients on the back of some box. Ichigo stumbles back to avoid running into the woman, pausing when he glimpses ocean blue eyes and blonde hair.

She's here... She's here!

She's even more beautiful up close!

I want to touch her.

I want–

"Oh crap–" Ichigo drops his basket to quickly grab the woman's arm before she could fall backwards in her attempt to not run into him. His hand twitches to feel how smooth her tan skin is as he helps her keep her balance.

"Oh crap, I'm so sorry! I was focused on making sure this wasn't made from almonds and I–"

"It's okay!" Ichigo smiles, forcing himself to let go of the woman. "I should have paid more attention to where I was walking. Are you okay?"

A pretty blush slowly crawls up the woman's neck as she stares into tawny eyes. "O-oh. I-I'm okay. You stopped me from falling, s-so..."

"He's handsome... and pretty..." The woman thinks to herself, blushing even more. With sunset orange hair that ended at his shoulders, brown eyes that almost seemed to glow gold, and freckles dotting his peach skin like stars. Ichigo blinks before he smiles just a bit wider and inclines his head.

"Kurosaki Ichigo," He introduces himself. Ichigo looks down and notices all of his groceries scattered across the ground.

"Oh crap–I'm so sorry! Here, let me help! I'm–I'm Naitō Jessie..." The woman stutters out as she kneels to help Ichigo gather his groceries.

She's not Kisuke though...

Maybe she should bleach her hair a lighter blonde...

The grey film would look even better in her eyes.

Ichigo discreetly pinches his own thigh to flush out the thoughts of him. "Nice to meet you, Naitō-san."

Jessie ducks her head with a coy smile. She brushes some of her hair behind her ear and stares down at the floor.

"N-nice to meet you too, Kurosaki-san!" Jessie states brightly. Ichigo continues to smile as they continue to pick up his groceries.

"Sorry, but.. have we met before?" She continues, staring at Ichigo's hair. His smile freezes on his face for a moment too long before he laughs softly.

"Probably not. Orange isn't really a color you can forget. I won't say you haven't seen me somewhere else though." Ichigo shrugs, standing up with his basket in hand. Jessie stands up too and dusts off whatever dust was on her knees, if there was any.

"Maybe... oh! Sorry, I have to go! Again, it was nice meeting you!" Jessie grabs her hand basket and rushes off as quickly as she had appeared.

Ichigo waits a few moments, watching where the woman had gone. He slowly takes out the wallet he had taken from Jessie when he can tell she wouldn't come back, for a bit. A soft smile grows on his face as he reads the university ID card.

So, she goes to the women's university a few miles away. Jessie probably lives there too...

"Work won't need me for another three hours... All these ideas... I can get some more drawing done." Ichigo's eyes flicker to a dark licorice in his satisfaction and joy. He closes the taken wallet and tosses it over his shoulder, starting up his walk once again.

He purposely ignores the incessant, yearning, obsessive thoughts of him. There was no way Ichigo would ever even get to see him again.


A bright and hopeful hum echoes throughout the empty basement, stormy grey eyes glittering with delight. Kisuke continues to work on autopilot, long since used to doing his procedures perfectly even with the most awful of distractions around him, fully focused on the information he had just learned.

"I'll have to write out his schedule before I do anything too drastic. I still have to meet him though. A simple pass by." Kisuke brightens even more at his own thoughts, carefully and easily slicing through cartilage and bone. He hums in tune with the muffled screams of his work below him as he sets down his scalpel to dig his gloved hands into the wound.

Kurosaki Ichigo, recently turned 20 year old and working full-time as a waiter at a decent restaurant and a freelance artist. Graduated high school in the top 20 of his class, notorious in his hometown as a recluse and outcast. Best friends with Kuchiki Rukia, Abarai Renji, and Arisawa Tatsuki. Has two younger sisters, both 16 years old, a father who runs a clinic, and a mother who had passed 11 years ago. Lives in one of the poorer, never sleeping, districts alone.

Kisuke's sigh is completely overshadowed by the loud screech from the person he was dissecting when he rips open their chest with a sharp tug. He stares down at the rapidly beating heart between the heaving lungs, smiling wistfully.

I know Ichigo's heart will be even more beautiful.

I want to hold his heart.

I want to have him watch me cut him open.

"Do you think Ichigo-kun's heart would fit perfectly in my hands?" Kisuke asks the man who had been unfortunate enough to be sent to steal his research. The man continues weeping loudly, body twitching and writhing like a worm against his restraints.

Kisuke sighs heavily with a pout, resting his chin on his bloody hand. "Not only do you try and steal my work for Aizen, but now you don't even answer me. Mah, Aizen hires such rude people now!"

Kisuke shrugs, leaning back once more. He reaches into the man's open chest and forcefully grabs his heart. The man starts blabbering behind his gag, Kisuke looking down at him in disinterest and rips out his heart.

"I wonder how loud Ichigo would scream... would he enjoy the pain?" Kisuke hums again and starts to fidget with the heart in his hand. He watches it continue to beat as normal for a few seconds more, mildly disinterested.

The pale blonde walks away from the table, leaving the twitching corpse alone to look for a jar. This will be a nice gift for the man's family... and a nice message to Aizen Sōsuke that he failed once again.

Kisuke stares at the heart once more. Would Ichigo appreciate it if Kisuke gave him the hearts of those trying to separate them from each other? Would he keep them forever? Give them a special place to watch them?

"I know he won't like the gifts I give him... I have to be patient. He'll love them with all his heart eventually... I know he will." Kisuke smiles at the thought. What was Ichigo even doing now? Since he's a waiter, he's probably working...

He checks the time, his smile growing wider. It's almost dinner... he is a bit peckish actually.


The shrieks of children and the irritating laughter of tipsy adults grate on Ichigo's ears, becoming the hammer that slams against his head every second. Ichigo pinches the bridge of his nose with his eyes scrunched closed.

It's just so he can survive as an artist. That's all. Ignore the urge to just hit people over the head with a brick.

Ichigo takes a deep breath and straightens his posture. "A few more hours and I can go home. Just a few more."

"Kurosaki-kun~! You've got another one! Table 12," The hostess of the night states as she walks into the hallway. She leans forward with her arms crossed underneath her chest, staring at Ichigo when he sighs.

"Hey, Kurosaki-kun. You look so tired! Is everything okay?" The woman, Muramoto Nozomi, asks worriedly. Ichigo doesn't give her a single glance, walking by with an indifferent expression.

"Just a headache," Ichigo answers before he walks out of the hallway and into the hellscape of his job. He turns towards where his section for the night was and catches a glimpse of pale blonde hair sitting at Table 12.

He quickly backtracks and slams his backs against the wall. Ichigo covers his own mouth, his breath stuttering.

No way. No fucking way. No. Fucking. Way. He can't be here. His mind is just playing tricks on him. Fuck, it has to be!

"It's not him. It can't be. I only glanced at him. It's just some random guy. Okay... Okay. Yeah." Ichigo runs a hand through his hair and nods his head. He takes a deep breath and walks back out.

Kisuke... Kisuke's here...

He's beautiful.

I want–

Ichigo forces himself to walk towards the table Kisuke sat at. He keeps an indifferent expression on his face, hands shaking in his excitement.

Kisuke sat looking down at the menu with a quirky smile on his face. He glances up when he hears Ichigo walking closer.

"Oi, Urahara-san. What're you doing here?" Ichigo asks with his hands on his hips.

"Kurosaki-kun! What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?" Kisuke asks cheerfully, his smile brightening at the sight of the young man. Ichigo fights to keep his satisfaction from showing on his face as he waves a hand towards his work uniform.

"I work here." He wore a simple pair of black slacks, a black button up shirt, and a black apron tied around his waist. His hair was its usual untamable mess, but he wore his black skull earrings instead of his normal silver.

Kisuke gives Ichigo a glance over, making him suddenly fidget with his footing. He didn't like wearing any clothes that hung off his body like a curtain or hugged him too tightly.

The years of malnutrition and making sure his twin sisters ate first still affected him physically and mentally. His ribs still poked out of his skin and his weight was nearly 15kg less than what someone of his height should be at. He forgets to eat and when he does, he can't even eat half of what's on his plate without feeling full.

"I had just finished a meeting when I realized what time it was. I heard good things about this restaurant, so I decided to give it a try." Kisuke answers Ichigo's first question. "Black looks good on you."

Ichigo's face bursts into a bright shade of red at the compliment before he quickly averts his gaze.

"Sh-shut it! You're wasting my time! What would you like to drink?" Ichigo asks, crossing his arms and turning his head when Kisuke chuckles.

"Tea, please," Kisuke says, his tone clearly amused.

Ichigo scowls at him before he turns around. "Currently we only have the English teas in stock. I'll get you something good."

"Thank you, Kurosaki-kun!" Kisuke calls out brightly, making Ichigo blush even more. He walks back towards the hallway, incredibly tense in an attempt not to be too fast.

When Ichigo reaches the hallway, he bolts for the employee bathroom. He quickly shuts the door behind him and locks it before his weakening knees go out from underneath him.

He breathes heavily, a hand in his hair. Kisuke's here–actually here, and he... he complimented him...

He likes me! He has to like me!

He wouldn't have said that if he didn't!

I want him.

Ichigo bites the inside of his cheek, a metallic taste covering his tongue. A manic smile grows on his blushing face with dilated eyes.

I need him.

I was wrong. This can't be a one time thing.

This is a sign. It has to be!

Kisuke... Kisuke!

Ichigo stutters out a gasp, blood dripping out of his mouth. He groans quietly as he licks the blood before it could drip on his clothes. Oh, how he wishes it was Kisuke's blood in his mouth...

"I... I won't be able to do anything today. This damn job! That's... that's fine. That's okay... there'll be other chances..." Ichigo takes a few deep breaths to calm his rapid heartbeat. He closes his eyes before standing up.

He needs to wash out the blood from his mouth before getting Kisuke's tea. It'll look suspicious if he takes too long.

"...which tea would he like? Black teas? White teas? Maybe I should go with a simple Earl grey..." Ichigo mutters to himself. His thoughts pause as he stares at himself in the mirror.

Almost too pale skin clashing with the too bright orange of his hair. Tired tawny eyes surrounded by days of sleepless nights and nightmares. A uniform that hung off of his body like a damn curtain.

"Black looks good on you." Ichigo scowls and bends down over the sink, turning on the faucet. Like hell he does.

He doesn't have a single chance at trying to get the scientist to fall in love with him. Definitely not... but hell will freeze over before he even thinks about not trying. Kisuke will fall in love with him... one way or the other.


Hey! Hope you all like the second chapter!

After MONTHS since the first chapter... the second one's finally finished! Woo! I deeply apologize for the long ass wait, but I hope you all enjoy it!

I literally just finished it and am now posting it at 4:30 in the goddamn morning... I sleep, I promise.

I hope you all like the story so far! Stalking from both sides are probably going to be happening in the next chapter. We'll see where it'll go together. Bye!

WhovianWhoudini