Chapter 12: I Want to Hold Your Hand
~Ichigo~
Despite the accusations made by his nakama, Dr. Ichigo Kurosaki was not a pervert. He did not stare at women inappropriately nor did he drool at the sight of tantalizingly exposed skin on said women. There was however an exception to the case and almost certainly a magnetic pull that drew his attention to the sway of his former best friend/current love interest's hips as she sashayed before him.
The heat had her tying her hair in a sloppy ponytail and the plain white sundress she had on hugged her waist perfectly. There was a light breeze in the air that day and the soft breezy material caught on to it, flowing free and billowing out around her.
His face softened as his lips twitched into a smile.
As usual the summer heat had made her forego her gravity-defying Jimmy Choo and she had on a pair of sensible sandals instead. According to the drama queen, meeting his gaze was now a feat that required neck-stretching and careful coordination so she didn't "look into the sun accidentally and blind herself".
The midget had insisted on walking at least five steps ahead so as to keep the "risks" to a minimal.
Ichigo let her.
Mostly because she just made it easier for him to ogle at her and the height difference between them had only made her irresistibly cute in his eyes- like the fluffy, doe-eyed bunnies that she always cooed about except cuter.
If he were an honest man he would tell you that all he wanted to do now was to squish her and keep her tucked into his pocket and carry her wherever he went- she was certainly tiny enough for it, and that the aforementioned woman was his whether she liked to admit it or not.
If any man so much as look at her- well, he cracked his knuckles, he still had one good arm so just let them try.
That being said, he was also a smart man who valued his life and that of little Ichigo so he wisely kept his mouth shut and tried his absolute best to at least look like he wasn't staring.
XXX
"Are you even listening to me?"
"W-Wha?"
Oh shit!
XXX
He had completely zoned out and missed what the bun- I mean, Rukia was saying to him. And boy did she look pissed!
Her cheeks were flushed from the heat as they made their way across the car park into the air-conditioned supermarket.
She rolled her eyes, hands on her cinched waist and eyes twitching with annoyance by his antics or rather his lack of attention on what she was saying.
Rukia clenched her fists. She growled, stomping her foot indignantly like a child.
It's just too hot to think and act rationally. Yes, she thought; she blamed it on Ichigo- the stupid idiot and the heat. Being constantly around stupid, ultimately made her stupid and childish too. That, and the heat was setting her on the edge.
"This is all your fault!"
He shrugged.
"Sure it is. It's my fault we're completely out of grocery and hadn't had a chance to do any shopping since last week. Just like it was my fault that the girls in the office now think that you live with a hot doctor who by the way isn't your boyfriend?"
He was greeted once again by the sight of her rolling her magnificent set of cerulean eyes and angrily stalking away towards her air-conditioned oasis, mumbling something about how he was absolutely impossible to deal with and the heat that was going to be the death of her.
Unaffected by the slightest, Ichigo laughed and yelled back enthusiastically to her disappearing figure as the glass doors opened at her arrival, "Yeah, love you too babe!"
XXX
Cool air hit her body at the exact moment she stepped into the premises, offering her a much-needed respite from the sweltering heat outside.
She sighed. It felt good to be out of the Sun's glare. The feel of sweat sliding down her back was making her feel all sorts of sticky and gross.
But even that was nothing compared to the way she felt with Ichigo's stare on her- it made her skin tingle and had her gritting her teeth hard when she cast a sly glance to see his shirt practically a see-through at this stage from the sweat and molded to his chest.
Sometimes she worried about him and his penchant for tight clothing. Honestly how did he even breathe in those tight pants of his?
"Oi! Earth to Rukia!"
She whirled around and there he was- good hand on a trolley and the other in a sling. He just looked so calm and unaffected by the heat. She envied him- just a bit, mind you- at his composure.
The heat tended to drive her insane and turn her into Grinch.
She wondered sometimes how Ichigo put up with this 'Mr. Hyde'-version of herself. If she were allowed to be perfectly honest to herself, she would admit that she is probably not the easiest person to get along with- a tad too bossy and stubborn enough to think that her way is the best once you get to know her well enough and the heat brought out her worst.
Rukia walked towards him with her arms folded and her neck craned. There was an inherent mischievous glint within her that was just itching to mess with him.
It was hardly fair for her to be the only one suffering from the heat.
She wrinkled her nose. "You stink!"
"Do not!" he insisted though she did catch him tentatively sniffing himself and she smiled.
"Nah," she grinned. She stood on her tiptoes and patted his cheek condescendingly. "You're right."
And without so much as a by your leave, dusted off imaginary dust on her dress and sauntered off into the fresh produce section.
"I'm just messing with you!" she told him in a sing-song voice.
He scowled but caught up with her in two long strides and started trailing behind her- trolley in tow.
"We need more strawberries," he told her as she loaded two boxes of the fruits into the cart, "Grab two more boxes of those."
She frowned. "No way, I swear we still had two boxes in the fridge when I checked last night."
"Ah-" he scratched the back of his head sheepishly, clearing his throat- "I might have finished them this morning when you were still sleeping."
The lines around her eyes wrinkled and her apple cheeks rose unwittingly. She couldn't even hide her smile even if she wanted to. He just made it too easy sometimes.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, you cannibal!"
"Shut up! I made smoothies and you drank them too!"
"Is that your excuse?"
XXX
He growled and in hindsight she should have known that she was pushing him too far and may have conveniently forgotten that the man that she was teasing didn't have much patience to begin with. He also happened to confess to being in love with her and was on a personal mission to seduce her.
In other words he was a dangerous man and she was playing with fire.
He abandoned the trolley and marched towards her until they were literally hairs' breadth from each other. He was frowning but there was something in his eyes- the way that he was looking at her that made her breath caught.
She gulped as she took a step back involuntarily and the back of her knee hit the crates of the fresh fruit display.
Oops.
XXX
The proximity made her blush but old habits die hard. She simply refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her back down. So she crossed her arms and squared her shoulders. If this was a good old-fashioned stare down contest she was hardly going to be the first one to throw in her towel just because the man has feelings for her.
A saucy smile played on her lips and she stared back confidently.
Experience taught her that the doctor had always been the first one to break eye contact but what she didn't expect was for him to move.
In one fluid motion, he had bent down to her eye level and kissed her on the lips. Taking advantage of her shock, the sneaky bastard wrapped his good arm around her waist and lifted her into his arms, deepening the kiss as he pressed her against himself.
The kiss left her breathless, had her putting her arms around his shoulders against her better judgment and ignoring how damp and sweaty he was with the way his shirt clung to his skin. She shut her eyes and surrendered herself to the thoroughly engaging onslaught.
Rukia curled her toes. More, she realized; she wanted more. The scrape of his teeth on her tongue, the touch of his nose against hers and the curve of his thin lips pressed against hers as they melded together.
She wanted all of it.
Nothing frustrated her more when he pulled away from the kiss just as quickly as he had initiated it.
She pouted and blinked owlishly at the man holding her captive in his arms. His eyes were twinkling with glee and a smug grin tugged at his lips.
"Admit it. You so have the hots for me, Rukia," he teased as he playfully nudged at her with his nose, "You were definitely puckering just now."
She forced herself to look away- a faint cloud of pink dusted her cheeks as she awkwardly motioned him to put her down. Her skin felt like it was on fire as she hid her face in the crook of his shoulders.
Kami-sama!
XXX
She was mortified by the public display and her reaction to the kiss. She wanted him to kiss her again and even felt disappointed when he pulled away! What in the world was wrong with her!
She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, not when he was sporting the most ridiculously smug grin she had ever seen and she was just torn between the desire to throttle him and kissing him.
"Put me down," she hissed. This was the third time it happened. Since when did he turn into this freakishly strong caveman who was capable of lifting her with just one arm?
And she bristled; what gave him the right to man-handle her like that- in a public place no less.
"NOW!" she insisted when it became apparent that a crowd had gathered around their vicinity and she could see the suggestive looks thrown in their directions by strangers. God forbid should any of them start wolf-whistling at them or recording them.
She did not fancy becoming a segment on the local news for a video gone viral. Imagine the disappointment on Nii-sama's face.
"As you wish," he murmured and gently set her on the ground next to him. He ran a hand through his hair, annoyingly pleased with himself.
Her eyes twitched.
"If I knew that this was the best way to shut you up, I would have done it years ago."
She glared at him and before anyone else could react, stomped hard on his foot.
He had yelped in surprise and flailed about, hopping on his other foot awkwardly. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she quickly ducked and disappeared into one of the other shopping aisles.
XXX
She was not alone when he found her.
There was a woman standing opposite her. They were talking or at least seemed like they were talking with how earnestly the other woman's mouth was moving. The stranger was taller than Rukia, dressed in a dark dress that reminded him vaguely of a maid café uniform, especially with that ridiculous hat sitting on top of her head.
The smile on the other woman's lips was almost cruel as she pointed her perfectly-manicured French nails at his best friend and then laughed at something she said herself.
He wasn't close enough to overhear the conversation but he had caught the clenched jaw and rigid stance Rukia had taken. Her shoulders were too tight and she was practically gritting her teeth as she forced herself to smile and exchange niceties with the other woman.
Rukia didn't like the other woman and he trusted her judgment implicitly.
"There you are, babe!"
He swooped in to the rescue and felt the weight of two sets of eyes settling on him. He hooked his uninjured arm around her as their gaze met and he could almost see the stress leaving her bones as she leaned into his touch.
"I thought I lost you in the crowd," he said and sneakily planted a kiss on her lips. The fact that she hadn't even protested spoke volumes about the severity of the situation. Ichigo tightened his hold on her.
Whoever this woman was- Rukia was wary of her and was angry enough to overlook their very public display of affection just now.
It was interesting to say the least, so just who was this stranger?
"Well, Ru-KA aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
The magenta-haired woman twirled one of her ponytails absentmindedly as she flashed him a winning smile and bit her lips. Her sultry eyes winked as she proudly puffed out her chest, making the outline of her chest stretch all the more prominently against the tight dress she had on.
The look she shot him was pure predatory and the smile she gave suggested that the mystery woman was very much interested in him but unfortunately the feelings were not mutual. If anything the way she put Rukia on defensive mode made sure that he wouldn't even spare her a second glance once their meeting was over.
"It's RUKIA, Riruka," the heiress was practically growling and spitting the words out syllable by syllable as though it was causing her physical pain to speak to the woman. It was nice to see Rukia focusing her anger at someone else other than him every now and then.
"And this is Ichigo, my-"
He interrupted her before she could finish the sentence.
"I'm Dr. Ichigo Kurosaki. I'm Rukia's boyfriend."
He could feel Rukia's eyes snapping over to him in disbelief and he gave her arm a gentle squeeze.
Play along.
XXX
"Boyfriend?" the other woman scoffed as she eyed him from head to toe.
The way this Riruka woman was practically leering at him made him uncomfortable especially when her tongue darted out to lick her lips in what she hoped was a seductive invite.
Satisfied with her findings she told him, "You look like you belong on the front page of Vogue. And the way you carry yourself-" she tapped her finger against her full lips- "There's no way Rukia could have gotten someone as sophisticated as you."
He snorted inwardly. He was about as sophisticated as a monkey at a tea party. He only knew enough about how to get through the sparkling soirees and various dinner galas with careful prompting from Rukia. The way this woman was just layering it on so thickly and kept pushing out her chest at him just made him gag a little.
"Why haven't we seen you at any of the high school reunions? Rukia has done a very nice job of hiding you for herself. It's almost as if she's ashamed of you. Is that why you never talk about him, Rukia?"
He could feel Rukia's hackles rising with that comment. He silently slipped his hand into hers to calm her down. She squeezed back and he took over the conversation before she lost her fiery temper and lashed out.
"I'm afraid that's my fault. I am a very private person and I have been very busy- you know being a brain surgeon and all. Rukia is such a supportive and understanding angel, aren't you my love?"
"Brain surgeon?"
Riruka's eyes widened as she playfully leaned in to touch him on his injured arm and Ichigo had to fight the urge to slap her offending digits away.
He was a gentleman and he would never hit a woman but that being said he hated being touched by anyone other than Rukia, so if the woman tried to touch his face or anywhere else, you can rest assured he wouldn't hold back.
"No," she giggled, drawling out the word with glee, "you're just making things up, right?!"
She turned her rose-coloured eyes at Rukia.
"Rukia," she cooed and he could feel his best friend's grip tightening on his hand, "He's making this up, isn't he? I mean no offence but you're just too young and good-looking to be a brain surgeon, Ichigo. "
"Actually-" Rukia cleared her throat loudly; stepping into her role as the supportive and understanding girlfriend with as much giggling schoolgirl enthusiasm she could muster- "he can. I must have forgotten to mention that he's a genius. Graduated top of his class from Harvard and you know how hard it is to get accepted there, right?"
Riruka's smile faltered but she had replaced it quickly enough with a saccharine smile.
"Well you're just so lucky, Rukia! He's so dreamy. Just what sort of black magic have you got him hooked on? How did you two even meet? Like no offence Rukia but Ichigo is way out of your league."
Ichigo twitched. How dare that woman speak like that to her!
Fake boyfriend or not.
That bitch was going down!
"We were in the same class for Literature in Harvard actually," came his smooth reply, "It was love at first sight for me but it took years before I worked up the guts to ask her out for coffee. Still we got there in the end, didn't we honey bunch?"
The Kuchiki heiress blushed as he planted another kiss- this time on her cheek. The glare she threw him spoke about her displeasure over the use of cutesy terms of endearment but it was half-hearted at best.
He grinned. The way she was being so compliant to him and his kisses was making this a very good day indeed.
Cooing loudly, he said, "She's just so adorably shy and has absolutely no idea how cute I find her to be."
With the years of familiarity and friendship they had between them, he supposed that it should be no surprise with how quickly Rukia caught on to his game and was going toe-to-toe with him in the competition for the world's mushiest couple.
She batted her eyelashes at him.
"Oh but that's nothing compared to you, darling!"
She flashed the other woman a smile, being enormously proud of her man and letting it show for once. And in a way having Ichigo as a partner was easy- she was genuinely proud of Ichigo's work and what he did for a living.
"Did you know that the local news did a segment on him a few weeks back? He saved a pregnant woman. Hurt himself in the process- the big baby but his department head just adores him. He's such a hero!"
"Oh but that's nothing compared to how kind Rukia is! She's just so selfless and practically throws herself into taking care of her friends when they're in need."
His hand felt warm, giving her the strength and confidence she never knew she had within her. Rukia smiled before turning the dial from 'enthusiastic girlfriend' to 'utterly besotted fangirl'.
"He's so modest, isn't he? But I swear he's just the most hardworking man I've ever met and all those people he had helped with those long hours he puts in just makes me so proud of him!"
He grinned at her. "You must be the most talented woman I have ever met. You're a best-selling author who also manages a day job at a fashion magazine. I'm so proud of you when you accepted the job at Meow!Meow!-
"Hang on, you're telling me Rukia Kuchiki works at THE Meow!Meow!?" Riruka screeched rudely, "No way! Ms. Shihoin is notorious for being picky about her editorial staff! There's no way in hell!"
It felt as though her world was thrown off its orbit as she clenched her fists and had her eyes sought out Rukia's in disbelief, "How the hell did you even get in?"
Both of them wisely chose to ignore her outburst as Ichigo continued unperturbed,his eyes glinting as he grinned and pecked at her lips. "Is it any wonder that I have fallen in love with you?"
Rukia gave an evil schoolgirl giggle as she spied the thinly-veiled look of disgust on the woman's face. Their corny gushing and nauseatingly sweet way they had cooing over each other was ridiculous- it was enough to drive anyone reaching for a bucket to heave, let alone a spotlight hogger like Riruka who would very much wilt like a flower without the sun if she felt there wasn't enough attention being paid to her.
Worse than that of course was the jealousy that was practically tearing the woman apart on the inside and karma they said was a bitch. Her disbelief and anger that Rukia had gotten her coveted position was the kindling of a flame and the Kuchiki heiress wasn't going to stop until it became a towering bonfire.
She looked forward to every second of it.
The dark-haired woman wretched Riruka's hand off Ichigo's forearm under the guise of admiring her engagement ring. The latter's face became pinched as she tried valiantly to free her wrist but Rukia held on with a death grip and a gleam in her eyes. Ichigo swore if it wasn't because he was in love with her already he would have fallen in love with her all over again.
"That's a beautiful ring you got there," she cooed, "You and Tsukishima-san got engaged last year didn't you?"
Riruka had faltered as if unsure where the conversation was headed but ultimately recovered and ceased her struggles. Beaming haughtily, she eagerly shoved her hand into Rukia's face, proudly letting the diamond on her ring finger catch the gleam from the surrounding light.
"I thought you'd never ask," the other woman preened, "The wedding preparations have been so tedious and time-consuming. I keep telling Tsuki-chan's mother that lace is so last century and I've got the bridesmaids' dressed picked out and the wedding dress- have I told you about the dress? It's a one-of-a-kind Vera Wang and I-"
"Yes well I hope he's got a better ring lined up for the wedding," Rukia interrupted.
"Excuse me?"
"Well I mean no offence but a two carat diamond engagement ring is just so common these days and almost disgraceful for people in our social circle. You know Rurichiyo- the Kasumioji heiress right? Her engagement ring was at least a four carat and you know what her husband's family does for a living. I only thought that Tsukishima-san with his family business in real estate would buy you a bigger diamond."
Rukia shrugged and cooed sympathetically, "I mean it's the least he could do, right? Doesn't he love you?"
The other woman snatched her hand back hastily as if she had been burnt and evil Rukia couldn't have been happier. She just smiled as she released the woman's hand and watched as her world fell apart.
Mission accomplished.
XXX
Poor Riruka stood there with her mouth gaping like a goldfish and if she were a nicer person perhaps Rukia might even feel sorry for her. Bullies however got what was coming to them and Rukia had no sympathy for them.
With a bright innocent smile that would have put the stars to shame, she bid her farewell. There was no use for sticking around to see the carnage after the victory after all.
"Well I would love to stick around and chat but we've got to be on our way," she chirped.
The smile on Ichigo's face mirrored hers as he said, "Bye, Itsuka! It was nice meeting you."
That seemed to have snapped the stunned woman out of her stupor as she scowled viciously and growled, "It's RIRUKA!"
Rukia had a hand to her heart in mock apology and her theatrical charms poured forth.
"Oh you must forgive Ichigo! He's not being rude intentionally. He's just a bit forgetful when it comes to faces and names, especially the unimportant ones."
With that last repartee, the heiress smirked at the fuming woman and sashayed away with her man- head held high and positively glowing with pride.
XXX
"Well that certainly came from a deep and dark place," Ichigo said as they made their exit, "I have never seen you so vicious and the way you tore into her- a bit of an overkill, don't you think, Rukia?"
Rukia snorted, "She made my life a living hell in school. I was surprised to see her here in the States actually. I pretended I didn't see her but she just came right up to me and started acting like it was high school all over again!"
Her grip tightened on his hand.
"I didn't expect an apology, Ichigo," she told him, "but the way she behaved like she thought I would just cower and roll over like I did all those years ago just brought back all those bad memories. High school was over like ten years ago. Did she honestly think her stupid cheerleader routine was going to work? That I would stay the same helpless victim I was all those years ago?"
She growled, "It just makes me so mad!"
He squeezed their linked hands in response.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, "I didn't know. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you. Had I known she bullied you I would have-"
"No, you've done enough," she told him firmly, "playing the part of one half of the world's most sickeningly sweet couple is a lot to ask for, especially from you."
She smirked, "If I have to listen to you gush about how perfect and lovely I am for another second, I don't think I would have been able to hold my breakfast down."
"Hey!" Ichigo protested, "I meant every word I said just now- albeit less exaggerated! To think that you doubt the depth of my feelings for you, Rukia? And I really liked the way you were bragging about me- listing my achievements, lauding me as a genius in front of that woman. Tell me," he paused, "was that a lie too."
Rukia squinted at him.
"Stop being ridiculous! You know I meant them! I'm really proud of you and appreciate what you did for me back there. I know I don't say it enough but Ichigo," she smiled, "thank you!"
His face turned pink.
"Yeah well you're my girl. As if I would let anyone mess with you."
It was unfair how easily he could throw her off course with his words. Knowing that he meant what he said made it all the more harder to brush them off.
Ba-thump!
Ba-thump!
Ba-thump!
XXX
"I-I-I'm not your girl!"
He shrugged, "Not yet, you mean. We both know that I'm going to win eventually."
She glared at him, forcing him to look away and clear his throat loudly.
"On a lighter note, should I take it to mean that you won't accept anything less than a four-carat diamond as an engagement ring?"
"WHAT? NO!" she spluttered, "Who would want a gaudy thing like that? Anything more than a two-carat belongs in a display case if you ask me."
"Really?" he asked, "I mean you did just tell the bitch that anything less than four carat is disagreeable to someone in your 'social circle'. I have to wonder if that's some stupid upper class unwritten rule that a guy just inherently has to know before he pops the big question."
"I was acting, you big dolt!" she snorted, "Did you really think I was going to be so shallow? It's a rock that sparkles. I couldn't care less about them."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Wait! Why do you care what nobles think?" she asked, "You hate these things."
"Oh no reason at all-" He chuckled nervously, suddenly finding the display signs hanging above them very interesting- "I was just curious that's all. It's almost like a social study or social science thing isn't it? Seeing how the 1% of the world live and breathe and conduct themselves in affairs involving holy matrimony."
She rolled her eyes. Ichigo can be such a weirdo at times.
"Whatever," she said, not paying the subject any more mind, "Material girls like Riruka Dokugamine are insecure and attention-seeking. They think the only way to prove you love them is by buying them big-ass diamond rings. Hardly the kind of the people I would share the same opinion with."
"Ah," he said. If she thought it was weird how his grip on her hand relaxed after that she didn't let it show on her face.
"Well after today I don't think she'll ever bother you again."
She nodded with pursed lips.
"You think you can let go of my hand now?" she eyed their linked hands suspiciously. "My palm's getting kinda sweaty."
"W-Wha-NO!" he tightened his grip, refusing to let go, "I mean- we're supposed to be a couple aren't we? For all we know she might still be lurking somewhere inside this place trying to catch us out."
He winced.
It sounded lame and if he had a free hand he would probably face-palm himself so hard it would leave an imprint enough to last till the next century. Rukia could see through his whole flimsy excuse easily and -
"Okay."
What?!
XXX
He turned to look at her- mouth gaping and probably the furthest thing from dignified when he noticed the faint blush dusting her cheeks. Her eyes were the deepest shade of indigo blue- like the colour of the midnight sky and all the mystery of life contained within them. Her lips were pressed into a thin line and he could feel a slight tremble in her grip.
She had been the first to pull away from his gaze. Cheeks still flaming red and eyes pointed straight ahead. Her face was unreadable- expressionless even but she didn't let go.
He squeezed back and smiled.
"O-Okay then."
Hese's corner:
Dorks! What happened to the shopping? Who's gonna push the trolley? XD
You guys get two updates in a month because I'm nice this way. ;)
Domestic scene #2 features our two dorks shopping and being gross af.
It goes without saying that the award for the mushiest fake couple in the world goes to my babies in this chapter.