Notes: Double update in honor of Labor Day (not really, it just turned out that way).
Summary: Because it's nice to look to after someone other than herself.
Rating: K
Word Count: 598
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
a walking daydream
massage
Done with her classes, Orihime arrives to her apartment that she shares with her long time boyfriend. High off the joy over her midterm results, she steps inside ready to tell Ichigo all about it.
"Ichigo," she calls out, shrugging off her sweater and making her way into the small living room. "Guess what I got on my―"
Orihime stops in the doorway, staring at Ichigo who lies face first in the couch looking extremely exhausted. He's still in his soccer uniform and she sees there's a sheen of sweat coating the back of his long neck. And slumped on the floor, is his gear and backpack.
Ichigo turns his head toward her, his eyes tired. "What were you saying?"
"Nothing." She kneels down beside him and gives him a chaste kiss that leaves her wanting more. "Get some rest and I'll start on dinner."
"You sure?" he asks, watching her.
"Uh-huh." Orihime gets up and digs through the fridge, trying to find something she can whip up quick. "I got it."
Humming, she starts on the steamed rice and vegetables. Like clockwork, she moves about the kitchen, sprucing something relatively normal for him to enjoy. As she waits for the fish cutlets to cook in the mini-grill, Orihime heads back to the couch.
When she grabs his things and moves to put them back in their place, she feels Ichigo take a hold of her wrist. His fingers are long, overlapping as he tugs her back to him. "Wait."
Orihime stops and then sits down on the space he's provided for her. Fighting back a smile, she caresses his head. He's almost like a child around her, seeking her company and depending on her for certain thing.
But she doesn't mind in the slightest.
Because it's nice to look after someone other than herself for a change.
Her blunt nails scratch Ichigo's scalp and it results in an appreciative groan. Giggling, she moves down to his broad shoulders and strong back. Rubbing his muscles, she works to release the tension there.
"Better?" she asks.
"Much."
Orihime goes on like this for a while. She understands how tiring school and soccer is for Ichigo. He had taken up on the university's athletic scholarship for her sake, not wanting to attend a small college nearby and be separated.
The schedule he deals with is incredibly hectic but somehow he manages to walk her from the campus library. He still finds time to sit through Laugh Hour with her. And even when he's worn out, he stays up to make sure she doesn't doze off while trying to complete a paper.
He does all this without any kind of complaint, like it's his job to go out of his way for her.
Ichigo stirs when he feels her lips pressed against his temple and she utters a soft thank you.
"What for?" Confusion furrows his brows together. "You're the one taking care of me while I lie around like some useless bum."
"You're also the one I love the most."
The words come out easily but Orihime blushes madly. Although they've been together for nearly three years, she still gets raging butterflies from Ichigo. Being with him everyday hasn't faded any of the magic she feels, in fact, it's only intensified it. It's as of she's in some wonderful dream.
Ichigo pushes her hair behind her ear and holds onto the back of her head. Brown eyes gaze at her fiercely, expressing things words cannot. "Hime?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm glad you're mine."
She smiles, grateful for having him in her life.