Grimmjow stopped at the double glass doors, and pointed at a small black keypad to the right. "Scan us in."

Neliel had to bite her tongue to avoid snapping something back, and held the card to the screen. The little machine beeped, and a door clicked unlocked. Grimmjow shuffled Starrk out of the way, and she pulled it open, letting him slid wordlessly by. She let it close behind them, and followed him into the building's large lobby.

She slowed to take in the aura of the place. It looked like a hotel, with expensive looking couches and chairs arranged tastefully around the room. The ceiling was high enough that she couldn't see it from the foyer where she stood. The whole thing just reeked of elegance. There was a front desk that was currently empty; but she caught glimpses of a few people, some in uniforms, moving through various halls and doors.

"It's this way." Grimmjow's rough voice pulled her attention to where he was waiting by an open elevator. He was staring at her with his normal frown, but it didn't look so angry this time. It just looked like his face.

"You live here?" She asked, scooting past them.

"No, I just have an access card and know the codes 'cause I don't live here." His back was to her as he reached around to click the elevator doors closed and hit a floor number.

She squinted at the back of his head. "Was that sarcasm?"

"Yes." He gave her a side eye. "Thought you would be able to understand that much." He shifted Starrk to his other side, so that he was now next to her. He stared right at her, and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Guess not."

The elevator dinged before she could think of a comeback, so she just rolled her eyes, and walked out. What the hell.

"This way." He didn't look at her as he started down a hall to the right.

She followed him, and immediately slowed to take in the view. The whole center of the building was open, balcony walkways running all around it, on every floor. The ceiling was made of glass, with beautiful crystal sculptures and chandeliers hanging from bronze crossbeams to create a breathtaking centerpiece that glittered in the sun.

She stood mesmerized. "Wow." She whispered.

"Huh?" Grimmjow almost yelled from a ways behind her.

"Oh, that?" He came to stand behind her. "It's alright I guess. I never really pay attention to it."

She stared at it for a moment longer. Then she turned to follow him, but found him staring at her, his face uncharacteristically blank. "Whatever." He shrugged. "You gotta open the door." He stalked away, and waited for her outside what was apparently his apartment.

She grumbled to herself, and stepped around him to swipe the keycard. Once it beeped unlocked, she pushed it open, and shuffled out of the way for Grimmjow to haul Starrk's unconscious body in.

His apartment was huge, luxurious, and spotless. She didn't know if she was surprised or not. He gave off the vibe of someone who was very messy on the inside; so in contrast, kept his outside immaculate. And his well groomed appearance and nasty attitude hinted at exactly that.

He practically threw Starrk into the conversation pit in the middle of the floor. Neliel let out a yelp in protest as he fell onto the couch, rebounded off, and slammed into the coffee table before crumpling onto the floor in a giggling heap.

"You don't have to be so rough with him!" She snapped at Grimmjow's indifferent back. "I get that you're mad about having to pick him up, but still. It wouldn't kill you to be nice every once in a while."

Grimmjow actually laughed out loud, and the sound startled her. "It did almost kill me once, I'd rather not do that again." His whole face was split into a mildly psychotic grin as he yanked open the fridge and pulled out a bottle. He shook his head as he poured a glass, glancing over where Starrk still lay, barely conscious. "He can take it. He's not such an old man that he'll die from getting tossed around a little." He came back toward her, muttering something she couldn't make out. He came uncomfortably close to her, his blue eyes boring into hers. "What would you know about it anyway." He shoved the drink into her hand before turning away.

She stood frozen for a moment, irritation crawling across her shoulders. Bastard. She opened her mouth to snap back, but the sound of Starrk throwing up interrupted her.

Grimmjow sighed, growling slightly at the back of his throat. He turned on his heel and stepped over the entire couch easily, dropping into the pit. He gathered Starrk up in to his arms, looking like he'd picked up a pile of blankets, not strained in the slightest. Neliel watched wordlessly as he carried him across the room, and disappeared down a hallway. She started to follow them, but Grimmjow yelled as soon as she took a step. "Unless you want to see Starrk naked, stay out there." She stopped cold.

The room fell quiet, only the distant sound of the ac turning on to break the silence. Neliel wandered, studying the room fully. It looked like it had been plucked straight off a hotel's website. Everything was neutral colored, orderly and pristine. There were no pictures hanging. No personalized decorations. No sign it was lived in, besides Grimmjow's leather jacket that he'd dropped on a counter top. Just crisp, modern designs. The kitchen and living room were one big space, with a single hallway leading down to wherever Grimmjow and starrk had gone. A small dinner table sat across from a thin countertop, every chair was pushed in to pine up perfectly with the table edge. There wasn't a dish in the sink, no plates or cups sitting around carelessly. She walked past the table to look out the giant windows that filled the whole wall. It was a beautiful view, looking over a quiet part of town,

She finally took a sip of the drink he had given her, and her head snapped back in surprise at the bitter alcohol.

"Is it that bad?" She whirled at his voice, doing her best to keep her face expressions under control as she swallowed the stuff down.

"I wasn't prepared for it." She wiped her mouth, putting the glass down. "You good to go get his car now?"

He blinked, like he'd forgotten about it. He nodded, scooping up his jacket before heading for the door. She stepped aside to let him pass, and she caught a whiff of his cologne as he walked by. He smelled amazing. She curled her lip back and followed. Why was it always the jerks?

They left the building in silence. As they neared the cars, Grimmjow stopped, and looked back at her, letting her go ahead of him. She was suddenly very aware of the dirt on her tires, and the mottled grey paint. Behind his spotless, glittery black Jaguar, she was a little embarrassed of her old Camry.

But thankfully, Grimmjow didn't say a word. Didn't even make a face. He waited until she unlocked and slid in to follow her. Neither one of them said a word as she backed out, heading to the restaurant.

The car rumbled under them, and she glanced at him. "Did you want to play music or anything?" He turned toward her, a funny look on his face.

"Huh?" He blinked, "Oh, music? No, I'm good."

She nodded, and they fell back into the quiet. A heavy, awkward silence filled the car. She glanced at him occasionally, but he said nothing. He didn't seem bothered at all. He just stared out the window, his hands resting on his thighs. It was all she could do not to speed through every light and stop sign just to end this horrible ride.

Neliel kicked the door shut behind her, finally back in the comfort of her own home. She deposited her groceries on the kitchen floor, then collapsed into a dining chair. It was her day off, why couldn't she have just run her errands in peace? She would have much preferred her chores over the suffocating time with that blue haired asshole.

They'd gotten to the restaurant no problem, and he'd barely thanked her for the ride before practically running out of her car. Not even a goodbye as he stormed off.

She rolled her eyes, kicking her shoes off. It was already dinner time, and she still had quite a few things to do. She reached in her cart pocket for her phone, and froze at the card she grabbed instead. Already dreading what she knew this was, she pulled it out.

Townsend Apartments. Entrance key card.

God damn it all.

She groaned in frustration, and sank back, glaring upwards. "Why are you doing this? Haven't I had enough of him?" She pinched the bridge of her nose. She didn't have his number. He didn't have hers.

Fuck.

She reached for her shoes again, and headed back out the door.

Hi Reader! I'm so happy you're reading my story, and I hope you're enjoying it :D

I'm going to be on vacation next weekend (September 18 - 19, 2021) so I won't be updating. The week after will pick up like normal, and I hope you'll join me again :3