Chapter 1: An Unexpected Visit

June 22nd, 2016

Present Day

"Are you sure this is his room?"

"Calm down Yuzu. It's the number we were given. Why would they send us to the wrong place?"

"I'm just going to be so embarrassed if we bother the wrong person. Nobody is even awake here yet!"

"But it's ok to bother Ichigo?"

"That's-I mean-Stop it!" Yuzu was crimson by now, Karin barely containing her laughter.

"Look, I'll knock, and if someone else answers, I'll do the apologizing. Ok?"

"Oh, no you won't! You're terrible at apologizing!"

"I'm knocking now." Ignoring any further complaints from her sister, Karin confidently and loudly rapped her knuckles against the polished wooden door.

221

How Ichigo was able to afford to live in such a nice apartment was a mystery to them. Admittedly they were all single rooms, but the apartments were very high-end, brushing up against one of the town's richest neighborhoods.

After a lack of response, she knocked again, and then hit the doorbell.

"Lazy jerk…"

After a moment, they could hear somebody stumbling through the apartment bumping against and kicking furniture in turns, clearly too sleepy to properly navigate. There was the noise of a chain being unhooked, and then the door pulled back to reveal a man who was most definitely not Ichigo.

He had lazily spiked blue hair, as though he had been running his fingers through it as he made his way to the door. He was a fair few inches taller than Ichigo as well, and the rather distracting fact that he was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts made it obvious he worked out as well.

"I...uh...um…"

"Hello?"

Karin was, for once, at a loss for words, utterly distracted by the sleepy and somewhat annoyed man in front of her.

"We're so sorry!" Yuzu said, jumping in as she wrapped her arms around one of Karin's. "We had the wrong room number, I am so sorry we woke you. Come on, Karin!" She dragged her sister away from the man, who was frowning at them slightly.

"I told you we should have double-checked Ichigo's room number!" She said as she dragged Karin down the hallway.

"Uh...Hey!" They stopped and turned to look back at the man, who was leaning on his door frame and fighting a yawn. "You're looking for Ichigo?"

Yuzu released Karin as they exchanged a confused glance.

"You know Ichigo?" Karin asked, disbelieving.

"Yes, we are." Yuzu said, overriding Karin. "Do you know what room he's in?"

The man arched an eyebrow at them as he jerked a thumb behind him into his apartment. "He's still asleep, but I can go get him."

"Wait, what? I thought these were single-bedroom apartments," Karin asked, confused.

"Yeah, but there's plenty of space," the man said, apparently not understanding Karin's question. "What do you need him for, anyway? I don't wanna wake him up if this some kind of sales call. He's a grouch when he's woken up."

"Uh...well, we came into town to visit," Yuzu said. "He's our big brother."

That seemed to wake him up. His face lost a little color and his mouth fell open slightly, looking at them with something like fear.

"Are you alright?" Yuzu asked, taking a step forward in alarm.

"I-um-fine, I'm fine. I just, uh, didn't know you were visiting." He seemed to only now be aware that all he was wearing were shorts.

"Neither does Ichigo," Karin said, her tone and gaze now both suspicious. "That a problem?"

"I-no, of course not. Come in, I'll go get him up. Give him...well, more warning than I got."

"Hopefully he'll be wearing more clothes when we see him too." Karin said sourly. She caught sight of the man's cheek reddening, but he said nothing.

"Karin? What do you mean?"


August 2nd, 2014

The man beckoned him over to his car, and Grimmjow wasn't willing to stay in the rain, accepting shelter as he hurried into the passenger side of the small car. He closed the door a little harder than necessary, but heard a similar slam from the driver's side.

"Geez, it's really pouring out there." The man said, shaking some water off himself. He turned to Grimmjow. "Are you alright? Did those people really throw out of their car? I couldn't see very clearly."

"Not physically throw me out, no. Otherwise...yeah."

"Bastards." The man muttered, which made Grimmjow feel a little better. He took the opportunity to study his unexpected savior. They were definitely in the same age group-early 20's-though pinning an exact age was impossible. He was a little shorter than Grimmjow, and slimmer, and had bright orange hair. He looked up, caught what Grimmjow was looking at, and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Go ahead. Make fun of my hair. I dare you."

Grimmjow chuckled and shook his head, running a hand through his own blue locks. "I know better, thanks."

"I should hope so," the man muttered. "I'm Ichigo, by the way," He offered Grimmjow a hand, which he shook.

"Grimmjow. Thanks for the save."

Ichigo waved a hand as if it were nothing. "Don't worry about it. Can you imagine the kind of asshole a person would have to be to just speed right by after that?"

"The same kind of asshole who would throw someone out of their car onto a dark, rainy highway."

Ichigo opened his mouth, closed it, and then shrugged. "Fair enough. You have a place to stay?"

"I have some friends in Seireitei. Was gonna crash with them while I figure things out."

"Well, that's where I was heading. I can give you a ride."

"Thanks, man. You're a lifesaver."

"I'm pretty sure that's literally true. Walking there in all this would be suicide."

Grimmjow laughed slightly, drawing inward as the car started back up fully. He was lying through his teeth to Ichigo, and he wasn't sure why. He didn't know a single person in Seireitei. Or any of the nearby towns, for that matter. They'd been driving to the airport nearby, but he couldn't pay for a ticket anywhere.

"So what happened?" Ichigo asked as he drove. "Unless you're not comfortable saying."

Grimmjow shrugged. "It was my 21st last month. Got drunk. Made out with a guy. Dad got upset."

"Why, he didn't want you drinking?"

"...You're joking, right?"

"Of course I am," Ichigo said sourly. "It's just hard to believe there's still people like that around."

"I didn't really know he was like that either, to be honest with you. He's not super-religious or anything. Just an ass, I guess."

They were alone on the road, no other cars or lights to be seen. Ichigo didn't seem to know what to say, and Grimmjow didn't want to say anything. Ichigo wasn't wrong-he might well have saved Grimmjow's life-and he was grateful for that. But he didn't want to be reliant on somebody he didn't even know. This whole situation still hadn't really sunk in, and he needed to be alone to figure out what he was going to do.

Ichigo pulled off onto a side street when they entered town.

"Where's your friends place?"

"Uptown. But I'll catch a bus." He unlocked the car door and got out, ignoring Ichigo's protests.

"Hey! Wait!" Grimmjow sighed and turned back to face Ichigo, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I can drop you off closer." There was a hint of exasperation in his voice. "At least as far as it's on my way."

"I'm grateful for the ride, really-but the rains stopped, and I can take care of myself."

Ichigo frowned at him. "You're ridiculously stubborn, aren't you?"

Grimmjow tried to think of an answer, but just shrugged instead. "Yeah. Guess I am."

Ichigo looked down at his car, then back at Grimmjow. "You're sure?"

Grimmjow flashed him a reassuring grin. "I'm sure." After a long moment, Ichigo got back into his car. Grimmjow turned and began walking the opposite way, listening as the engine started back up and the car slowly drove off. He glanced back when he reached the end of the street to see that Ichigo was gone. He could see the city sprawling out before him, street and house lights making it a confusing, glimmering sight.

He took a deep breath.

"I'm doomed."


Present Day

"What!? They're-" There was the distinctive thump of a body falling out of bed. Karin and Yuzu exchanged an amused smile. "Just-ugh. I'll be out in a minute, you two! Go wait out-put a shirt on you idiot!"

"I'm so glad we didn't tell him we were coming," Karin murmured to Yuzu.

"Don't be mean," Yuzu admonished her, before looking around. "This apartment is really nice."

Karin was forced to agree with her on that. It was spacious, with separate kitchen, living room, and even a small dining area, not to mention its own bathroom. The living room sported an impressive plasma screen TV, though it had a sticker stating plainly that it was the property of the complex. The door to the bedroom opened and the blue-haired man emerged, a fair bit more presentable this time. He flashed them a smile and he walked over to the kitchen.

"Ichigo'll be out in a moment." He said, rummaging around in some of the cabinets. "You two staying for breakfast?"

"Uh…" Yuzu glanced at Karin, who shrugged. "Yeah, sure!"

"Well it'll be a few. Go ahead and sit down, don't need to be standing like that." He had his back turned to them, setting up a pancake skillet on the counter, and Karin led Yuzu over the table, pulling back a couple of the stools around the little island counter. The man glanced over his shoulder at them and raised an eyebrow, before turning back to what he was doing.

"I'm Grimmjow, by the way."

"I'm Yuzu, and this is Karin."

"You're wearing your hair differently," Grimmjow said lightly, and both girls hands flew to their heads.

"Um...how do you…?" Yuzu started to ask, but Karin cut her off.

"That's weird." Grimmjow glanced over at her, and she crossed her arms. "That's a weird thing to say."

The man shrugged. "Sorry. Ichigo keeps a picture of you all, but you had longer hair in it. That's why I didn't recognize you."

"Still weird."

"Do you want to eat or not?"

The bedroom door opened and a rather flustered Ichigo emerged, trying to flatten his hair back to normal. He glanced over at Grimmjow and asked, hopefully, "Coffee?"

"Water's heating. Wasn't expecting to be up this early."

At that, Ichigo turned his attention to his sisters. "No. We weren't."

They both gave him their best smiles.

"We just wanted to surprise you, Ichigo."

"Yeah, we weren't expecting your boyfriend to answer the door."

"Karin!"

"I'm just saying what we were both thinking."

Ichigo and Grimmjow exchanged another look, before Ichigo sat down tiredly, across from his sisters.

"Please let me be the one to tell Dad."

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"It was hardly your business," Catching the look on their faces, he sighed. "I don't care if I sound rude, it's true. You don't need to be involved in my private life. Besides, it's been an...interesting couple of years. I was enjoying the quiet."

"Not sure that's the word I'd use," Grimmjow commented. The smell of coffee and bacon were mingling in the air now. "But yeah. We were enjoying the time to ourselves."

"I hope you don't think we're surprised that you're gay." Karin said. "After everything with Orihime-or maybe I should say the lack of things with Orihime-"

"Yes, thank you Karin."

"You are a grouch when you're woken up."

Ichigo shot a glare at Grimmjow, who pretended not to notice.

"I wasn't worried about you guys. Just didn't feel the need to share."

"We haven't really been together that long either," Grimmjow added, turning around and placing a mug of coffee in front of Ichigo, who gratefully accepted it. Grimmjow leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, causing Ichigo to turn a deep shade of red. "What?" He asked innocently. "We're hardly in public."

"It's still PDA," Karin said.

"My apartment, my rules," Grimmjow said nonchalantly, turning back to the skillet.

"Ours," Ichigo muttered darkly, taking a long drink from the mug. "Where's Dad at?" He asked, very deliberately changing the subject.

"Dad went to go check in at the hotel. He dropped us off on the way."

Ichigo nodded, digesting that information while he drank his coffee.

"Are we just eating here then?" Grimmjow asked.

"I don't feel like moving," Ichigo muttered.

"Well, I could always-"

"Pick me up and I'll pour this coffee on you."

Grimmjow set a full plate in front of Ichigo's, his grin not wavering in the slightest. "I'll wait till you're done drinking it then." He passed plates and utensils over to the girls before pulling up a seat beside Ichigo.

"This looks great!" Yuzu exclaimed. Karin was already eating, though she grunted appreciatively.

Grimmjow just smiled, glancing at Ichigo in amusement.

"Thank you," He said quietly.

"First impressions are important," Grimmjow replied, winking at him.

"Is Dad coming here or are we supposed to go to him?" Ichigo asked.

"Coming here," Karin managed between mouthfuls, and Ichigo wondered how long it had been since they'd eaten.

"I guess we're just waiting," Grimmjow said, and Ichigo nodded in agreement.

"This is going to be fun."


I've really never written anything like this...ever, so I hope it's turning out alright. I was really nervous about putting this out there, but there's really no other way to find out if people like it.

Thanks for reading!