Alright, the reason this chapter took so long is because I was waiting for danasy, my translator to reply to me with this chapter's translations. I had written this down a week ago actually so it's not danasy's fault! I'm just incredibly lazy and she is a busy girl! So the German phrases here are not the actual translation but until danasy gets back to me, they will have to do for now. I'll change them once I get the proper translations. So sorry for taking so long! Hope you like this chappie!

'You're keeping Renji away from Ichigo,' Grimmjow said fiercely as he and Shinji loaded the dishwasher.

'Still burning up?' Shinji teased but the look of pure loathing across the bluenette's face quickly wiped the smile from his face. Shit, Grimmjow was pissed.

Though nothing bad had happened, really. Ichigo just seemed to be discussing a lot with Renji. And whenever Grimmjow would ask what they were talking about, Ichigo would just wave it off with a smile and a, "Oh, nothing, babe," to which Grimmjow would force a smile and then snarl at Shinji once they were alone in the kitchen.

Shinji kinda had his own complaints. What was with the heated glares the Japanese orange-head kept giving him? The sexy-as-hell Renji had explained it was a Twitchy Eye Disorder but Shinji was doubting it was incurable.

At least Ichigo had the common courtesy of commenting on the mashed potatoes which were Grimmjow's specialty. Though Shinji knew that wasn't going to be enough to calm his short tempered friend for the rest of the night.

'Anything else?' Shinji asked, biting his tongue before he could say, "Your Highness" as well.

Grimmjow bit his lower lip as he closed the machine, his hand still resting on it.

'Not something you could help me with,' he muttered, lowering his gaze. Shinji could tell just by the look on his face that he was worried about his Onkel Gin.

Shinji sighed and slung his arm over the cerulean-headed guy's shoulders. Grimmjow gave him a perplexed look.

'Cheer up!' he chirped and stuck his hip out so that it bumped playfully against Grimmjow's. 'Everything's going to work out fine if you stop overthinking stuff!'

'Someone's gonna get hurt, Shinji,' Grimmjow mumbled. 'Someone's going to get hurt real bad and I don't want it to be either of them. I don't want to lose them but now, I think it's best if neither of them even knew me.'

Shinji frowned. He hated negative thinking. And having Grimmjow think like that was bringing him down.

'Hey!' he said sharply. 'Get your head out of Gloomy Town and start thinking straight! No wonder you're so confused! Now let's talk it out! Come up with a plan! That always works, right?'

'Right…'

'Right! So, what're you going to do?'

'Give everyone dessert.'

Shinji smacked him across the head. Grimmjow gave him a bewildered look.

'Think straight!' Shinji snapped. Then, he paused. 'You know, that statement's kinda ironic right now…'

Now Grimmjow rapped his head hard.

'Don't do that again unless you have something smart to say!' Grimmjow growled. Shinji rubbed his head, a wide grin in place.

'That's the spirit! You're starting to act like yourself now!' Shinji chuckled. Grimmjow rolled his eyes. 'Right, so what's the plan after dessert?'

'I talk to Onkel Gin.'

'And what do you tell him?'

'I tell him I want to be with Ichigo.'

'And then?'

'I apologize.'

'And then?'

'With a…kiss?'

'Focus!'

'I don't know what I should do next!'

Shinji sighed.

'You go make out with Ichigo and have wild sex in bed!' Shinji rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. 'Duh!'

'Forgive me for forgetting the obvious,' Grimmjow said sarcastically and copied his best friend's pose.

'In the meantime, I'll go have me some red angel cake,' Shinji cackled and started skipping out of the kitchen. Grimmjow smiled lightly at his friend's retreating figure.

'You really like him, don't you?' he said softly. Shinji stopped and turned around, looking rather sheepish.

'No way! He's just really sexy!' he scoffed though he couldn't hide how fidgety he was being. And Grimmjow knew that when Shinji fidgeted, he was trying to hide the truth.

Chuckling a little, he strolled up to his best friend and gave him a hug.

'Hey, it doesn't hurt to like someone more than you should,' he murmured in the blonde's ear.

'This is so dumb!' Shinji groaned but he hugged Grimmjow back.

He knew Grimmjow was just trying to help him come to a decision about his screwed up love life but Shinji didn't know if he was ready for such a big change. "Settling down" and "Shinji" in the same sentence? That was so unheard of! Then again, having those two phrases and "Renji" as well didn't seem like such a bad sentence.

'Keep telling yourself that,' Grimmjow laughed. 'Because in the end, you know it feels good.'

Damn Grimmjow for always being right about him.

Shinji broke out into a toothy grin. Then, they heard someone cough behind them.

They broke apart to see Ichigo standing in the doorway, one eyebrow raised.

'Should I be jealous?' he joked though his voice sounded strained. Shinji raised an eyebrow now. Maybe the orange-headed Japanese was jealous.

Grimmjow laughed and just held up plates with a slice of Frankfurter Kranz each.

'Just getting the desserts, love,' he remarked, past anger and anxiety forgotten.

'Thank God,' Shinji thanked silently. He was even proud when Grimmjow went up and pecked a surprised Ichigo on the lips before walking past him to lay out the desserts. It oozed confidence which is what he needed right now.

When the shocked Japanese looked at Shinji, the blonde just grinned widely.

'Better keep an eye on him before someone takes him away from you!' he joked and started walking past the orangehead. Ichigo frowned.

'I plan to,' he mumbled.

'You're keeping Shinji away from Grimmjow,' Ichigo hissed. Renji gave him a bewildered look.

'Well, aren't you pissed?' he muttered. He looked across and saw Nel staring intently at him from her high chair. He looked away and looked back. She was still staring. 'Ichigooo, she's starting to creep me out…'

'What's his problem?' Ichigo muttered crossly, eyes sliding over Shinji and Grimmjow as they carried the plates away from the table. Gin and Grimmjow's mother were busy chatting away. 'I mean, does he not know that Grimmjow's committed? Freaking asshole…'

'Do kids stare that much?'

'Are you even listening to me?'

'Are you?'

'Yes! Nel's just over perceptive and she probably thinks your red hair is a wig!'

'I don't mean that! Though thanks for the info, I think. I meant is that are you listening to yourself? You sound like an over-possessive boyfriend or something!'

'Well, after what I know and saw about that skanky blonde do you blame me?'

'Okay, okay, fair enough. But instead of whining about it shouldn't you, like, talk to Grimmjow about this instead of whispering stuff to me about Shinji all through dinner? In case you haven't noticed, you've been giving the guy dirty looks throughout and I don't think they'll buy it when I keep saying you have a Twitchy Eye Disorder!'

'Okay, okay, I'll talk to him!'

Ichigo sighed, plastering a big smile, and excused himself from the table to go check if Shinji and Grimmjow needed any help with dessert. Leaving Renji all alone with Nel.

'Uh, my hair is real, by the way,' Renji said nervously. Nel kept on staring. 'Nel wants a cracker?'

'Es ist echt, Nel,' Gin sighed to the little girl. The green-haired toddler gasped and stared at her uncle and then at Renji and then back.

'What did you tell her?' Renji asked curiously.

'Just the truth. Or so I assume,' Gin smirked, placing an elbow on the table to wave his hand elegantly in the air. Renji had to admit, the guy knew how to carry himself, even though he seemed kinda creepy. 'So, how long have you and Ichigo known each other?'

'Ummm, we met through school friends actually. Been close ever since,' Renji answered politely.

'Haben Ichigo ziehen Sie hier oder sind Sie auf der Suche nach einem Seitensprung?' Grimmjow mother giggled as she asked. Gin chuckled a little at her comment.

'Wha-what?' Renji stuttered.

'She asked if you came here to hunt for a lover or did Ichigo drag you here?' Gin teased.

'Oh!' Renji felt his cheeks color and he stared down at the empty space before him to hide his obvious embarrassment. 'Well, um, I-I don't know…'

'Desserttt!' Shinji sang as he and Grimmjow waltzed in with plates of some kind of delicious cake perched on them. Shinji sidled next to Renji and smirked mischievously at him. 'Mind if I have mine in a bedroom?'

If Renji hadn't been heating up before, he knew he was burning up now.

'You're…' he struggled to say. 'You're not funny!'

'Who said I was joking?' Shinji laughed. Renji scowled and spotted Ichigo. His scowl lessened. Ichigo didn't look too happy. Did something bad happen?

'Umm, Ichigo, can I ask you about something?' Renji said suddenly, standing up. Ichigo looked at him, a kind of lost look in his eyes. Apparently, Grimmjow was staring at Renji too though he had a more alarmed look in his eyes.

'That can wait!' Shinji said quickly and yanked Renji back roughly into his seat. 'I need to ask you something too, Renji!'

'You do?' Renji said in confusion. Wait, why did he care? Ichigo needed him right now.

'Umm, Shinji, it might be something important so why don't you let them talk,' Gin remarked politely.

'That's very nice of you, Onkel Gin,' Grimmjow said quickly. 'But Ichigo and Renji had talked a lot today so maybe it's okay for Renji to listen to Shinji for once. I mean, he has a lot of interesting things to say sometimes!'

Ichigo scowled. Renji gulped, knowing that Ichigo probably got pissed at that line. Renji had to admit, it sounded kinda rude like Grimmjow thought Ichigo was boring when it came to conversations.

'I suppose Shinji entertains you plenty with his interesting topics,' Ichigo said dryly. Renji felt like smacking his forehead.

'Not a smart thing to say out loud, Ichigo,' Renji groaned inside his head. He could barely look at the look Grimmjow was giving Ichigo now and wondered how Ichigo could stand it. The German's face reflected not only confusion but irritation.

'Well, I don't get bored when I'm around him if that's what you're implying,' Grimmjow replied, his voice slightly tense as well.

Grimmjow's mother gave him a scolding look. She probably sensed the rude tone he was using and was trying to convey her anger through her face. But he wasn't paying attention to her. His focus was purely on Ichigo as they stood facing each other with narrowed eyes.

'If you want to believe that's what I'm implying then go right ahead,' Ichigo said dismissively, breaking their intense staring to take his seat. However, Grimmjow moved to block his way.

'Then what should I be implying, Ichigo?' Grimmjow bit out.

'Whatever you want, Grimmjow,' Ichigo gritted out.

'Seems like that's not what you want.'

'Like you'd ever listen to me.'

'Bullshit.'

'Oh shit,' Renji thought, his heart plummeting. That wasn't a good tone.

'Grimmjow!' Grimmjow's mother gasped and stood up.

Gin raised both eyebrows and gently pushed the elderly woman back in her seat so that he stood up. He cleared his throat. Well, at least an adult was taking control of the situation. Renji was too afraid to speak up in case he became the punching bag for the angry couple.

'Do you boys wish to carry this someplace else so we can eat in peace? Grimmjow?' Gin said delicately, fixing said boy with a grave look, no smile in sight. Though it seemed Grimmjow wasn't in the listening mood.

'I'm done actually, Onkel,' Grimmjow muttered heatedly. He turned around, getting ready to leave. 'C'mon, Shinji, let's go for a walk.'

Renji sighed as the blonde got up to accompany his angry friend while Renji went to console his own.

'What? You need Shinji to cool off?' Ichigo muttered angrily under his breath. Unfortunately, Grimmjow heard.

'What was that?' Grimmjow said sharply, turning around to glare at Ichigo's back. Shinji groaned and grabbed Grimmjow's arm to prevent him doing something drastic probably.

'Forget it, Grimm,' Shinji scolded. 'It's not worth it.'

Renji noticed how Ichigo tensed up. Shinji should not have said that.

'Since when did he start calling you, "Grimm"?' Ichigo blurted before he could stop himself.

Renji instantly grabbed his best friend's wrist. He knew what Ichigo was capable of when he was pissed. Didn't matter how well Shinji could probably defend himself. Against Ichigo, he'd be admitted to the ICU for days.

'Easy, Ichi,' Renji coaxed. 'Not a good idea.'

Now Grimmjow glared at Renji which made the redhead stare in surprise.

'What about him calling you "Ichi"?' Grimmjow snapped. He wrenched his arm from Shinji's grasp and stalked up to Ichigo.

'I asked first,' Ichigo intercepted coldly, pulling away from Renji to saunter to his so-called lover.

'You pissed me off first,' Grimmjow reprimanded icily.

'We're going down that track, huh? Okay, since you put it that way, your blondie pissed me off first!'

'My blondie? What about your redhead?'

'Since when was I possession?' Renji retorted angrily.

'Same here!' Shinji agreed in annoyance. 'Not that I mind being fought over but certainly not by my best friend!'

'Oh please!' Ichigo snorted. 'Like that's going to stop you!'

Shinji blanched.

'Excuse me?' he sputtered, glancing from a surprised Grimmjow to a seething Ichigo.

'What the hell are you talking about, Ichigo?' Grimmjow uttered, not knowing whether to be confused or angry.

'I'm talking about your so-called best friend!' Ichigo snapped and pointed accusingly at Shinji. 'That guy can't help keeping his hands to himself and trying something that already belongs to someone else!'

'Wait, wait, wait, are you talking about me?' Grimmjow said in shock and pointed to himself. Then his eyes narrowed. 'Firstly, I don't belong to anyone! And secondly, don't act all innocent! I know what you and that redhead were up to while I was here!'

'And just what would that be?' Ichigo demanded.

'How the hell should I know how far you two have gotten?'

'How far we've…' as soon as it hit Ichigo, his eyes widened and his skin flushed the darkest red it ever had. Even Renji was surprised at how red his best friend was. 'What the hell, Grimmjow? I would never even think of doing that with Renji!'

'You don't have to! Your redhead practices it on you instead!'

'The redhead has a name!' Renji spoke up angrily.

'STAY OUT OF THIS!' Grimmjow and Ichigo yelled at him simultaneously. They went back to glaring heatedly at each other. Shinji whistled.

'Wow, this is intense!' he remarked but the couple ignored him.

'Just where the hell did you get that idea about me and Renji?' Ichigo demanded.

'I could ask the same of you!' Grimmjow retorted.

Ichigo pointed at Renji whereas Grimmjow stuck a thumb out in Shinji's direction.

'From him!' they both snapped. Shinji and Renji blinked in shock as they stared at each other before returning their gaze to the two bickering lovers.

'You thought I was in love with-?' Renji blanched and pointed at Ichigo.

'You got the idea I was banging-?' Shinji stuttered and raised an eyebrow at Grimmjow. Then he burst out laughing. 'Aw man, guess I was wrong! It really was just bromance!'

'You call it bromance too?' Renji said incredulously, the hint of a grin on his face despite the tense situation. 'I thought I was the only one!'

'Nah! It's the easiest and nonsexual way of explaining a guy/guy relationship!'

'I know right? Guess I got Ichigo worked up for no reason!'

'Oh wow, same here! Maybe we should…'

'You will.'

Onkel Gin was standing in front of Grimmjow and Ichigo, pulling them apart roughly. Grimmjow scowled but then stopped when he saw it was his Onkel Gin. Ichigo, however, continued to look disgruntled.

'Grimmjow, you have displayed atrocious behavior right now,' Gin said quietly but his voice was scary all the same. Even Ichigo's frown lessened. 'Your mother is upset and dinner has been ruined. You have also embarrassed your lover and his friend. Now, apologize so that we can at least scrounge whatever is left of this lovely evening.'

Grimmjow lowered his gaze and Renji felt sorry for him. To have someone else point out what you did wrong in public was just plain humiliating. If Ichigo still thought something was going on between Grimmjow and his Onkel, well, the way Gin was scolding Grimmjow right now might just erase that suspicion.

'Sorry,' Grimmjow mumbled. Gin cleared his throat loudly. 'I mean, I apologize for my behavior. I did not intend on hurting you. I hope you can accept my apology.'

Ichigo stared at his lover. Renji couldn't even tell what was going on through the guy's head. Ichigo's face was a blank. At least he was still breathing.

'Umm,' Ichigo finally said. Grimmjow looked up, eyes wide, wondering what Ichigo would have to say. 'I…gotta go…'

Grimmjow's mouth fell open but Ichigo didn't see that. He just walked past the bluenette and out of the house, leaving Renji behind with his own mouth hanging open.

'Well, ummm, that went…well…' Shinji said weakly.

There was a crashing plate and everyone looked into the dining room. Nel laughed playfully as she played with the creamy cake mess in front of her and on her face.

'At least someone liked the cake,' Shinji muttered.

TRANSLATIONS:

-Es ist echt, Nel: It's real, Nel

-Haben Ichigo ziehen Sie hier oder sind Sie auf der Suche nach einem Seitensprung?: Did Ichigo drag you here or are you looking for a fling?

Frankfurter Kranz is Frankfurt Crown Cake. Google it. It looks delicious! :D