Thank you all for the nice comments and the two of you who were supportive of my RL situations. They are slowly resolving, which is a great step. I really wanted to get this finished before the holidays so I pushed out the rest of it tonight, though I know it's a little bit short. I'm sorry. :( I'm already planning a fourth chapter--the next morning. I felt like the pace this relationship was going that I didn't want to rush it juuust yet, but I still want to get a smutty chapter in there. Horrible person that I am. So hopefully a quicker and longer update will be coming soon. Again thank you for the comments, I hope this chapter is alright. :)
"Damn it," Renji cursed irritably as he fit himself through Ichigo's window once again. The younger shinigami was already shucking his clothes in favor of some that were less torn and bloody, being careful of scrapes and bruises.
Ichigo glanced up as he pulled on a new shirt, "Find yourself some clothes I guess, I'll be right back." Renji nodded affirmation before easing his own kimono off with some pain and a good deal of cursing. The hollows hadn't been very strong but there were lots of them, courtesy of Aizen; both men were sure. Renji began helping himself to Ichigo's closet, attempting to find clothes this size. After several minutes of rummaging, Renji settled on a pair of sweatpants that approximated his size, and no shirt.
Grumbling, Ichigo moved back into his room after retrieving the first aid kit. It always saw a lot of use when Renji came to "visit". As he walked through the doorway he paused for a minute to watch Renji stretch sore muscles. His hair was down, thick and tangled covering wide shoulders. Stark black lines mixed with streaks of dark red blood, rippled as he moved his arms above his head groaning slightly. Ichigo sighed lightly to himself, allowing the trance to break and quickly crossed the room.
"Sit down," he said to Renji, nodding at the bed. For once the redhead actually complied without an argument, something Ichigo would later have to question. Ichigo moved to kneel behind the redhead, and gently began to work ointment over the scrapes and gashes on Renji's back and shoulders. Renji hissed in mild discomfort but kept mostly still. Ichigo's fingers were soft on his back, each touch almost a caress. The larger man found himself relaxing despite the pain, and even went as far as to lean back into Ichigo slightly. Ichigo mulled words over in his mind, heart beining to beat rapidly. He finished the treatment of Renji's wounds with practiced ease and patted him lightly on the back.
"I think you'll live."
Renji stretched his arms up experimentally while rolling his eyes, then grunted approval. Ichigo never did a poor job patching him up, for which he was grateful. He turned so he could look more closely at the man behind him, he could feel the nervous energy swirling around them. He watched as Ichigo chewed on his lower lip slightly and fidgeted under the redhead's gaze, then sighed.
"Nothins gotta change yanno." Renji murmured softly turning back around to gaze at the floor and fidget as well. He sighed, "Dun worry about it," as he moved to stand. Before he was on his feet hands had caught his shoulders and pulled him back down rather forcefully. He felt slender, yet dangerously strong arms coil around him and hold him there. Warm breath ghosted across still bare skin as Ichigo's chin came to rest in the crook where his neck and left shoulder met. His whole body immediately melted back into Ichigo's while his heart ran a marathon in his chest.
"I don't want to just forget it Renji." Ichigo spoke, barely more than a whisper, lips brushing Renji's skin causing the older man to shiver.
"I just didn't know…" Ichigo trailed off awkwardly. Renji twisted around in his grasp to once more look into the teen's eyes. Ichigo quivered visibly upon the eye contact and licked his lips hesitantly, trying to calculate the situation. Renji smiled inwardly then moved abruptly, ignoring the pain in his back in order to change their position. He was now the one holding Ichigo, who was flipped on his back under Renji.
"I don't either." Renji said, voice barely more than a breath, though the force behind the words was heavy. He stared down into chocolate eyes for a moment longer before leaning down to touch his lips to Ichigo's.
Ichigo felt like he was going to explode in all directions. It wasn't as though this was the first time he had kissed the other man, but the intensity behind such a simple gesture was mind blowing. He gripped at the sheets beneath him, afraid he might drift away as he drank in pure Renji. All inhibitions had been forgotten, his mind couldn't focus on anything other than the warm sensation on his mouth, the solid pressure all around his body. Sweetness consumed his mind as his lips molded against Renji's and danced with ease, almost too much to bear.
He felt Renji's weight start to press down on him as the redhead's arms collapsed. For the second time Renji was completely surrounding him, both holding him and being held by him at the same time; a delicate sort of balance that Ichigo couldn't quite comprehend. Roaming hands and the heated merging of their lips had Ichigo gasping, he couldn't really remember how to breathe anymore. The red curtain of silky hair that surrounded both of them allowed this to become their own private world. Ichigo wove his hands into the fiery mane and hungrily pulled Renji more firmly onto him while their tongues proceeded to entwine, tasting each other with curiosity and burning lust. These tender touches weren't enough anymore, he wanted everything he could reach, then Renji broke away. He pulled back only a few inches, eyes ablaze and breathe coming short and shallow.
"Air's good," Renji commented through quiet gasps. The man below him nodded, breathless as well and loosened his hold on Renji's hair. Damn, he was already getting addicted to this feeling—didn't even want to think about when Renji would have to go back.
"Everything alright?" Renji questioned, seeing the brief flash of unhappiness on his lover's face. Ichigo just nodded, eyes warm as he pulled Renji back down. This time Renji settled more toward the side of Ichigo instead of on top of him, allowing them both more space to move—a sort of equality. Ichigo felt himself smiling, at this point he didn't really care that he probably looked like a lovesick idiot. He felt Renji's fingers tugging slightly on the hem of his shirt, and allowed the offending piece of clothing to be removed. Now when he pressed himself to Renji, they both audibly sucked in breath. Bare skin pressed to bare skin, flesh attempting to merge together. Ichigo suddenly forgot where he ended and Renji began. He traced the coal black tattoos with trembling fingers and watched Renji's eyes drift shut.
"Was yesterday the first time ya thought about this?" Renji muttered forcing his eyes half open.
Ichigo glanced at him quizzically, and nodded. Crimson eyes shut once again and he felt Renji nod against him then begin to nuzzle and lick at the hollow of Ichigo's collarbone. The teen decided not to question Renji about his comment and instead returned the treatment to Renji. Smirking to himself, he also lapped at Renji's neck, then nipped a few places watching with satisfaction as small dark marks started to appear. He suddenly felt rather possessive, something he found odd at best.
"What are we Ren?" Ichigo asked into his ear, breath hot. Renji raised his eyebrows at the pet name but didn't comment.
"Whatever ya want," he answered honestly. He realized that whatever made Ichigo happy would make him happy as well. Was that what it meant to love someone?
Ichigo blinked a couple times, indecisiveness written all over his face, then shook his head. He glanced over at his clock, a replacement he'd found in the basement, and grimaced. It was almost one in the morning and now that his heart wasn't racing he was beginning to feel tiredness seep into his muscles. He turned his attention back to Renji and sighed, "We need sleep."
"You're not gonna make me sleep on the futon again are ya?"
"Of course not idiot."
"Hey—"
Ichigo cut him off with a short but firm kiss before the bickering began.
"I want you to stay right here Renji," he murmured against the other man's lips before settling himself more comfortably against the redhead. Renji flattened out onto his back and allowed Ichigo's slighter form to mesh around his own, fitting them together almost seamlessly. Moonlight was streaming in, licking Ichigo's wild hair and tired features. Right then Renji was sure he had never seen anything quite so, beautiful—was the closest word he could find to describe it. He watched as Ichigo fought to keep his eyes open and started to lose, relaxation seeping into his face. Renji curled him a little bit closer against his own body and brought his lips down to brush Ichigo's forehead.
"Sleep," he said quietly and watched as the teen complied almost instantaneously. Eyes half lidded now fell shut, and breathing slowed down to a steady rhythmic pulse against Renji's skin.
Renji sighed inwardly, he was being so careful with this one. He didn't understand it, but Ichigo was something he was desperate not to lose. This situation had been on his mind for a while, something he decided not to inform the teen of just yet, but he never imagined that he'd actually be holding the object of his desire. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Ichigo off, his mind was racing as he watched Ichigo sleep. He was absolutely gorgeous, completely tempting, but the redhead would have to steel himself and allow Ichigo to come to him.
Although thoughts of all sorts tumbled through his mind, one stood out above the rest.
He voiced it softly, the barest whisper, "I just want you to be happy."
He didn't sleep for some time, instead he watched Ichigo sleep against him peacefully and imagined a thousand more moments that he might have the good fortune to share with the teen.