17 Months
Chapter 9: Sometimes It Doesn't Go As Planned
Week 20
Grimmjow came early to Ichigo's house to pick him up for the trip. The sleepy eyed orangette opened the door in his t-shirt and shorts he probably slept in, scratching his bedhead. Grimmjow didn't think he could look any sexier.
"Hey, you're early," said with a yawn and a hand covering his mouth, "I was just making some tea, you want some?"
"The rest of the gang won't be here fer another half hour, I thought maybe we could have breakfast together? I brought bagels and cream cheese."
"That's great. Just lay your jacket over the couch; no one will be up before us. Meet me in the kitchen."
The blue haired man pulls off his jacket and boots, he's got similar styled cycle gear to Ichigo's, but in his obligatory blue and black. He turns from the couch and picks up on a familiar scent. He breathes in the heavy, sweet and spicy fragrance deep through his nostrils as he strolls into the kitchen, "Mmm, that smell. It's so familiar but it's so strong right now. Wher've I smelled this before?"
"It's Chai tea. My mom used to make this all the time, it was her favorite. Here," he pours some for Grimmjow in a mug, "It's best with milk and honey," and Ichigo adds the other ingredients.
The bluenette takes a sip and it dawns on him how this flavor and scent is so familiar, "Oh wow... it's you." Grimmjow's voice states in his lower more seductive range as he sets down his mug on the counter and wraps his arms around his confused orange haired warrior, drawing him near and caressing his nose against his ear and trailing it along his slender but strong neck, breathing in deeply, "Mmm, Tricky Berry. Ya smell like this. Ya taste like this," he licks and nips at the taught skin and Ichigo shivers, producing goose bumps all along his lightly tanned flesh, "I smelled this scent the first time I came ta see ya all those months ago. Tasted this the first time we kissed, every time we kiss. I couldn't figure it out. Never smelled this scent before ya... It's drivin' me wild right now."
"Ungh, Grimmjow. N- not now! M- my... Someone could walk in!" He pushes against the bluenette's hard chest with his captured arms. He manages to pull from his grasp only to quickly turn around, back to Grimmjow, seemingly in panic and heads in a sprint towards the stairs, "Shit. I gotta get dressed," he calls out softly and disappears with his hands fisted in his gym short pockets, pulling the fabric away from the front in a strange way.
Realizing what Ichigo was trying to hide, the front of Grimmjow's pants twitch as his hand comes up to squeeze his awakening member, calming his own rampant hormones. He's going to have an awfully hard time keeping himself in check this weekend in such close proximity to his orange haired obsession, though he's anticipating the event in store for him. Grimmjow accidentally caught the tail end of Ichigo's conversation with Urahara, how he was going to properly answer his confession, and the bluenette couldn't be more on cloud nine. Grimmjow smiles to himself as he cuts and toasts the bagels. About 7 minutes later, as he's setting the meal at the table, Ichigo comes down the stairs wearing his cycle trousers and a white v-neck t-shirt, carrying his jacket and boots. His lithe muscled chest and tight abs show through the light cotton, sculpted against the fabric and Grimmjow can't help but bite his lower lip at the sight. Shit. He was going to see a lot more than that this weekend.
"Cinnamon sugar with strawberry cream cheese? My favorite." Ichigo plops down, at his usual seat and digs in. His cheeks are flushed and he's not making eye contact. Grimmjow imagines he took care of his little problem while he was up there, oh to be a fly on the wall...
Grimmjow clears his throat as he takes his seat across from Ichigo, taking on a mock affronted act, "I notice things! Like how ya order yer bagels!"
Ichigo laughs wholeheartedly. Grimmjow loves his smile, he should do it more often, "Yes, yes, you notice a lot. More than I give you credit for I bet," and that eye-opener put a hot ember glow about the orangette.
"Why yes, that's very true. I notice all. Glad ya've caught up." Grimmjow smirks across from him, piercing his soul with knowing cyan blue eyes, "Eat up. They should be here any minute now." Ichigo snorts embarrassingly.
They eat in silence for a few minutes until there's a knock at the door. Ichigo pops the last little bite of the bagel in his mouth and gets up to answer the door. The Girly is there with Feisty and Ichigo waves to their greeting as he's still chewing.
Ichigo swallows, "Lemme just clean the dishes up real quick and I'll get my bags."
"I'll clean up," comes the rich baritone voice from around the corner already heading to the sink with the dishes, "you go bring your bag down and get it packed in the van. I'll meet you by the bike."
"Thank you!" Is what Grimmjow hears first, then a clatter of limbs falling on the stairs echoes thought the house, "Dammit, Keigo! My family's still sleeping!" The pissed off ginger yells under his breath.
Grimmjow annoyed, peers around the corner. Handsy's gripping Ichigo around his calves, head cuddling the back of his knees and croons in a loud whisper, "Iiiiichiiiigoooo! We're gonna have so much fun this weekend!"
"Get off me, dumb ass!" Ichigo pulls one foot free and plants it square in his face, successfully pushing him away, "now get in the van before I kick your ass! I don't got patience for this shit so early in the morning!" Then he carries on with his task.
"Pull that shit again and I'll kick your ass." Grimmjow glowers at Handsy as he inches towards the door, waving and smiling, and trying not to turn his back on the huge muscled man. When he gets just across the threshold, he turns and sprints to the gate calling for his friends to save him from the blue haired beast.
Grimmjow meets Ichigo at the bike after cleaning and locking up. He takes his duffle bag off the back of the bike and hands it over to The Big Guy who's packing up the trunk of the van, adjusting the luggage to make sure all the bags will fit. He then goes back to unhook Ichigo's helmet, "Gotta surprise for ya. Put it on," as he hands over the gear and reaches for his own. When both helmets are on, Grimmjow projects in a seductive tone, "Hey ya, Tricky Berry."
"Funny... I can hear you in the helmet, that's cool." The ginger drones at the nickname then genuinely comments about the awesome tech.
"I know, right! Bluetooth! And that's not all," The bluenette takes out his iPhone and presses some buttons. Black Eyed Peas' "Rock That Body" plays over the speakers and Grimmjow starts to bob his head, "Ha! Cool right? And we can speak over the music uninterrupted! Fuckin' technology. Love this shit! I love American music!" Then Grimmjow starts to full on dance in the driveway.
Ichigo laughs so hard at the sight before him, not because it was ridiculous, but because Grimmjow looks and sounds so happy, and he looks so good dancing, even with the helmet on. Grimmjow could tell it was that by the way Ichigo started jumping up and down to the beat of the music then making some moves of his own. The bluenette knew the kid could move, but wow. Every little new thing he learns about his obsession makes him more and more desirable and lovable. Grimmjow laughs out loud at Ichigo's shuffle, it's awesomely perfect, "That's so hot! Haha! How did you learn to dance like that?" The blue haired warrior needed to know.
"Watching music videos. I'd dance in the front of the TV for fun when nobody was home. Shit! I haven't danced since... Well, ya know."
"I do that too! We should go to a club when we get back before breaks over! I haven't been yet, ya wanna take me?"
"Haha, yeah sure I'd lo-"
A horn blares behind the two, interrupting their reverie. Grimmjow turns around and sees Ishida stretching from the back seat behind the passenger across to the drivers side, slamming on the horn and yelling something they obviously can't hear. To the blue haired man's surprise, Ichigo grabs his crotch and flips the nerdy jerk off to the beat of the song that's ending, cussing for the four eyes to suck his dick. "Hey! Watch who yer telling ta do what!" Grimmjow chides over the comm.
"Only you would take that literally. Looks like they're ready to leave. And, uh, just so you understand, when I'm being literal, you'll know it."
Grimmjow had started to walk to the van, but on that last note, abruptly turns around to walk backwards, hands coming to both sides of his helmet in a pretend pulling-hair-out gesture, "Christ, Tricky! Ya can't say those things ta me! I may just drop ta ma knees right here in front of everybody just from the insinuation alone! Don't start whippin' it out till I get back, Berry! I wanna savor the moment!"
"Alright! You win! You're the king of dirt! I bow to your superiority." Ichigo bends forward in play defeat.
"Shit, I could go on forever with what ya just handed me, but I digress, hold on," Grimmjow pulls off his helmet and turns toward the van military style, clicking his heels and saluting, "Sir, refrain from getting your panties in a bunch. If you are ready for departure, we gladly send you on your way with a slight head start. GPS is calibrated to our destination and watches synchronized to arrive by 1200 hours Japan Standard Time. And now, without further ado, we bid you fair thee well, oh high-exalted ruler of Stickupyourassville! …An' remember, this is vacation, turn up yer music and enjoy yerselves, have fun, kiddies!" The van laughs and claps and yays for the beginning of their vacation, all except for Ishida, who folds his arms across his chest and grumbles obscenities under his breath, and if Grimmjow is not mistaken, in a mixture of Japanese and German. The ex-Espada clicks his heels and bows again as the van pulls away, then turns to walk back up to Ichigo and the bike, his voice turns deeper, "Now, where was I, oh yeah, ya crowned me King. What exactly do I win, Ichigo?"
Ichigo stills after his laughter at his interest's antics, pulls off his helmet and brown and gold eyes gaze fixedly into bright blue, "So cocky, you just couldn't wait till we got to the Ryokan, huh." The orangehead sounds desperate and sultry as he feathers his long fingers into the hair at the nape of Grimmjow's neck, pulling him into a fire filled open mouth kiss. For the first time their tongues touch in the most intimate of ways, it's warm and wet and soft and hard at the same time. Ichigo's tongue darts and twists around the bluenette's own wet muscle as deftly as he is with his sword and Grimmjow matches his agility sliding and gliding his way beyond the ginger's full parted lips. Grimmjow brings his free hand up, caressing the ginger's cheek and grazing the side of his neck with soft pleading fingertips all while trying not to miss a beat of the other's tenacious ministrations.
Unfortunately, not all sexy scenes can be just that and to the preoccupied young men's misfortune, they did miss a few other things going on around them. Like the black Mazda they miss that pulled off the side street just down the block to follow the van with their friends inside. Like the two Shinigami they miss peering at their passionate exchange with anxiety and doubt on the rooftop across the street. Like the set of dark brown sympathetic and vigilant eyes peeping at both the boys and the Shinigami from the pulled down shade slats behind the Kurosaki Clinic's window.
Ichigo releases the devastatingly handsome man's lips with a small disappointed grunt, "Now, do you think that can hold you till we get to the Inn? Please concentrate on driving, okay?"
Grimmjow wipes away the wetness from his ginger's bottom lip while sucking in his own. He chuckles softly, "Yes, I think I can manage that. I'll be careful, promise."
The two dress in the rest of their gear, hop on the bike, and head off to their destination. They pass the van in no time, waving to their group of friends. The first hour is quiet, both enjoying each other's comfortable company listening to the rest of the playlist. It's a great mix of pop, rock, and punk, electronic and 80's, American and Japanese songs intertwined with each other. The ginger is marveled at the wide range of music and the amount of knowledge Grimmjow has about technology. He realizes, although he and Grimmjow spend a lot of time together, they never really talk enough about anything of real importance, their likes and dislikes, how Grimmjow is getting along in the human world, their pasts, what they want in the future, so Ichigo makes it his mission for the rest of vacation, to learn as much as he can about his blue haired passion, starting with his taste in music.
They turn off the major highway to a route that will take them through the mountains to the Onsen. At the light, Grimmjow takes out his phone and changes the playlist. It's chill electronic music. It goes quite well with the change of scenery and it's better to talk over because there are very few words.
After about another half hour, Ichigo decides it's time to get off the pot. "Grimmjow?" Ichigo says quietly so as not to startle the driving man.
"Yes? Do you need a break?"
"No, I was just wondering... How did you get such an extensive taste in music so quickly? How did you learn so much about technology? Who taught you to ride a motorcycle? Do you like the Human world? Do you miss Hueco Mundo?"
"Ha, wow. That's a lot of questions. Why so sudden?"
"Well, I guess I just want to know everything about you. Is that ok?"
"Of course it is. I want to know everything about you, too."
"You already know how I like my bagels, you're so observant. I feel like a big dummy compared to how much you pick up on."
"Aw, don't say that. It's understandable, you were very much not yourself when I first came here and I see more and more of you returning to your former self, everyday. Besides, I'm sure you know more about me than you think, come on, tell me something you think you know about me."
"Shit, I'm on the spot, huh. Ok, uh, your favorite color is Blue, mostly paired with black but you wear other colors too, but not white, you hate white, unless it's a little accent."
"Yep. Love blue. I don't hate white, I'm just sick of it on me. That's all I saw in Las Noches. White on white on white on white, eesh. Aizen was a weird guy. I love that white shirt you're wearing under your jacket today, very sexy, I can see all your-"
"Okay, okay I get it," Ichigo laughs, "concentrate on the road. I do like how forward you are, most of the time, and your mannerisms, so domineering and confidant, but you let me give you shit, so you're not easily offended. And you're playful and hilarious, I've never seen Ishida so worked up and the rest of our friends you put in stitches. You're also more articulate than I thought you would be. I love your voice."
"Mm. I love yours, too. It's deep and commanding one moment, everyone stops ta listen ta ya, but then, there's a tone of voice ya only talk to me with. I like that a lot."
"Your eyes, they're so blue, so regal... intelligent with a huge streak of 'don't fuck with me'. Your stare is intimidating, hell, your whole body is, but somehow I only feel protected near you, like nothing bad could ever happen to me if you're there and I like the way you look at me... God we are mushy."
Grimmjow laughs again, "Gettin' a little carried away, but I like it. I like knowing how ya think of me. Only you though, and only when we're alone. I don't want anybody else knowin' I love how yer eyes sparkle in the moonlight."
"Shut up! They do not! Now you're just being mean and makin' fun!" Ichigo laughs and smacks Grimmjow playfully on his back, "You're lucky we're driving, you'd be laid flat out in the middle of the road right now if we weren't!"
"I know! Yer so violent! I thought I was the destroyer, ya put me ta shame, Tricky Berry. Anyway, back to yer previous questions, hmm, ok now, I remember. Internet. I've got a computer in my room, The Little Punk taught me how ta use it, mostly I surf the web while playing music when I'm not at work or with you. I like Internet radio, and YouTube, and anything I'm curious about or don't understand, the knowledge is there. Urahara says knowledge is power. I get that. No matter how strong or quick a human can be, it seems the smarter ones always come out on top. Not like Hueco Mundo where it's survival of the fittest, not that ya don't need intelligence there too, it's just more of a survival smart than a book smart, though Ulquiorra and Aizen did read a lot.
"What's next, oh, Tessai. He taught me ta ride. He drives the delivery van and has a few bikes of his own. I saw him riding and immediately needed ta know how. He's a great instructor."
"Do you think you or maybe he could teach me too? I mean, I like riding with you but maybe we'd have more fun with me riding next to you?"
"Aw, I like ya holdin' on ta me."
"Yeah, but... Maybe I could fulfill that need, uh, other ways."
"Are you blushin'? I can hear ya blushin'. So damn cute."
"Cute? Cute! That's it! I'm ridin' in the van on the way back! I can sit between Keigo and Mizuiro!"
"Over my dead body!"
"Honestly, I don't see why you're so jealous over them! They're my friends."
"Dude! If there's anything ya could be less oblivious about, is how people ogle ya and come on ta ya all the time! Guys and girls. Girls are much more subtle, they stare at ya from afar-"
"What are you talking about? No girls like me! I've never gotten one love note or confession my whole school career!"
"Yeah, cuz ya never give them a chance or a word in edgewise, yer aloof and not openly friendly and The Girly's in yer circle, a/k/a the most beautiful girl in school, none of them dares get in the middle of that. If ya were more outgoing, like Shorty, not that he really cares for all their attention, all the chicks would be swarming ya. Shit! I don't even know why I'm telling ya this! Don't get any ideas!"
"What?! Noooooo! I'm not!"
"And Christ! Guys?! Ya walk down the street and some douche walkin' in the opposite direction, turns around ta follow ya! Checking out yer ass! Ya don't see that? Comin' up ta ya, askin' 'bout the magazine yer readin' or, which color shirt ya prefer at the department store, or- or- Shit! That guy at the appliance store? When you were buying a new hand mixer for Yuzu? Do ya honestly think that university guy thought ya knew more about microwaves than the chick who worked there? She was standing right next ta both of ya! That one almost touched! Fuckin' hell! And all of them were really nice lookin' too. But, ya've never paid attention ta any one of them, no extra glances, no nervous blushes. Only polite answers and back ta your business. Ya should have seen the looks of defeat on some of their faces, ha! Serves 'em right! I'm so glad I got this gigai. I get the blushes! Ya only get nervous 'round me! I only catch ya staring at me! Do ya know how happy that makes me? That I get the attention of the man everyone else wants the attention of?
"...Ichigo?... Hey... Ichi? A- are ya okay? Babe?"
Grimmjow finds a wide shoulder after he turns the bend in the road and stops the bike. He puts the kickstand down, pulls his helmet off and turns around to face the quiet teen behind him. Ichigo is still. Head straight forward, it doesn't even look like he's breathing which panics the bluenette. He gets off the bike and stands next to the silent youth, "Come on... say something. Yer scaring me." He reaches out to turn the young man's helmet to face him but the boy jerks his head away. Grimmjow grabs the mouth piece and yanks up his metallic reflective visor to see large wet eyes and wet tear streaks running down the boys visible cheeks, "Oh!...Heeeeey... I'm not mad or anything... I didn't mean ta-... please," Grimmjow soothes as he's unstrapping the helmet and pulling it off carefully.
When his head is finally free, the tears manage to run the rest of their linear course down the orangette's cheeks. Grimmjow tries, with every fruitless swipe of his thumbs, to wipe the tears away as he holds the weeping young man's face in his large tender hands. Ichigo finally lets air fill his lungs in a huge deep sigh, "I guess I don't need to tell you how I feel about you. You already know. You didn't need me to tell you properly."
Grimmjow motions for the boy to get up from the ride, he takes his hand and leads him into the wooded area just beyond the road. The slightly older looking teen looks around and muses, "Huh, back in the trees. I love the woods, so peaceful and beautiful but wild looking. When I grow up, I'd like a lovely small home surrounded by big beautiful trees, away from prying eyes and the hustle and bustle of the city. Would you like that?" The younger man nods and brings his hands up to clasp the bigger ones that are back on his face, still trying to dry the tears. "Now please, Ichigo. What is it that you want to tell me?"
"I- I love you so much! I'd follow you anywhere!" Ichigo fervently proclaims and Grimmjow's smile gleams like the sun under the shadow of the forest and he presses his eyelids closed for a moment in silent awe before he opens them up and takes his precious orange haired warrior's lips with his own.
Grimmjow trails soft kisses all over the younger teen's face, savoring the salty taste of his tears. "That- was- the best thing- I've ever- ever heard- in my- entire- life." He pauses to taste sweet red lips again; "I hope ya plan on telling me often, because I will never, ever get tired of hearing it."
"Never?"
"Never ever."
"I love you."
"I love you, too." They both lock lips one more long, savoring time, both not helping but to smile during each breath. Grimmjow keeps the tender moment going until his beautiful orange haired warrior's eyes are dry and he hears him take one final, deep cleansing breath.
After the heavenly moment is over and it's time to get back to reality, Grimmjow makes a mockingly pained, scrunched up face. "Shit. Now I gotta pee. Damn inconvenient interruptions."
Tapping foreheads together, Ichigo chortles, "Yeah, me too."
