Confrontation
Ichigo yawned. "Hey, babe?" he asked
Shuuhei smiled at him. "Yeah?"
"Orihime is going to come back soon and finishing healing me, but for now could you go and check on Grimmjow and make sure that he's ok?"
"Er, yeah, sure," Shuuhei agreed, not without pause.
"I know that…it's probably hard talking to him, but try to have a little pity, ok?"
When the door opened and revealed Shuuhei, Grimmjow didn't let the disappointment he felt show. Instead, he decided to look on this as a good thing. A really good thing. He was happy that he'd enjoyed himself before because he knew now that his cell probably reeked of sex and that he was glowing from his exertions.
"Hey there, pretty boy, just stop by for a chat?" Grimmjow asked, stretching nonchalantly, leaning in awkwardly close to Shuuhei.
Shuuhei ignored the nickname, and refused to step back. "Ichigo wanted me to check in on you."
Grimmjow perked up. "How is he?"
"He's still not fully healed, but he should be soon."
"I'm looking forward to seeing him once he's completely better," Grimmjow said with a wide grin.
Shuuhei froze a little.
Fantastic, he knows, Grimmjow thought to himself with a smile. "Definitely looking forward to it," he reiterated.
Shuuhei didn't say anything.
"So tell me, did you just instantly give up on Ichigo and fuck everything in sight or did you at least wait a couple days?" Grimmjow asked.
"You fucking…" Shuuhei was on him now. He pulled himself back before hitting Grimmjow, telling himself he was above hitting a man who was in shackles. He kind of wished he wasn't though. "I've been looking for him the whole time you dick! I'd never leave him, never cheat on him, never move on while there was even a sliver of a chance that he was alive!"
Grimmjow could tell he was telling the truth and it bummed him out a little. Ichigo seemed like a loyal true blue type of guy, if Shuuhei had been running around on him, even if he thought Ichigo was dead, it would have at least given him a little bit more of a chance.
"So tell me, does it bother you that I'm the one who rescued him?" Grimmjow asked.
Of course it does, you asshole, Shuuhei thought. "I'm just glad he's back, no matter how he got here," he said out loud. I wish he hadn't had to promise a kiss to you to get free, but I'm so thrilled he's home that I almost don't even care, he added to himself.
"Tell me, what have you ever done for him?" Grimmjow prodded.
"What?"
"I know all about you. How you guys got together, how long Ichigo chased after you. Tell me one thing you've ever done for him, one thing you've ever given up for him," Grimmjow continued.
"You think you know everything, don't you?"
"I know that I've given up everything for him. I know that if I die, it will be worth it because he's not chained up to a wall anymore. I know that I've betrayed my entire kind by loving him, and I don't give a fuck."
Shuuhei winced at hearing the words "loving him" come out of Grimmjow's mouth.
"So tell me, have you ever given up one thing in your pathetically pampered life for him?"
"My life has not been pampered…"
"You can't answer me," Grimmjow said with a low laugh. "And don't give me any bullshit about giving up women for him, because that doesn't count."
Shuuhei was trying to get a hold of his anger, but it had been a draining couple of days and his patience was wearing thin. Grimmjow could tell that he was getting to him.
"See, the thing is, you don't deserve him," Grimmjow whispered with glee. "You don't deserve him in the slightest, and I am going to take him from you!"
Shuuhei glared at him. He tried to dwell on Ichigo's words. Pity. Could he pity Grimmjow? The guy was 100% made of asshole, annoying as all fuck, and practically declaring war on him. But…but he did bring Ichigo back. There was no reason for that unless what he said was true, unless he really did love Ichigo. In that case, could he find at least a little pity in himself for the espada in front of him? Maybe, but that didn't mean he was going to go easy on him either. Shuuhei pulled himself up and smirked.
"Heh, you don't even have a clue do you? You've probably never even been in a relationship so it's not like you know how it works. You could try night and day and it wouldn't make a dent between Ichigo and me," Shuuhei said. He smiled. "Thank you so much Grimmjow, for bringing him back to me. I've been lonely and I can't wait to have him around all the time again."
Grimmjow was shooting him daggers with his vivid blue eyes.
"I'll make sure to thank you in my mind the first time I wake up next to him again," Shuuhei said.
"Fuck you," Grimmjow said.
"I'm looking forward to that part too," Shuuhei said with a grin.
"I'm taking him away from you, whether or not you like it!"
"You said I don't deserve him. Of course I don't. That doesn't matter though, because we love each other. That's kind of the thing you're lacking," Shuuhei dug in.
Grimmjow felt that jab about Ichigo not loving him but he was also…didn't Ichigo say that Shuuhei had never said…
"I love him, and there's no way you're going to take him from me," Shuuhei said.
Shit. Does that mean he's told Ichigo that he loves him? Grimmjow thought. Yeah, look at those eyes, the fucker has. Damn it. Damn it!
"SHUT UP!" Grimmjow yelled.
"Enjoy your stay," Shuuhei said on his way out. He felt kind of like a bastard but all was fair in love and war, right?
"How did go?" Ichigo asked.
"Um," Shuuhei hesitated.
"That bad?" Ichigo laughed.
"How is he, Orihime?" Shuuhei asked.
"Pretty good," she replied cheerily. "They had a team of shinigami working on him last night too, so it's even easier than before!"
He smiled at her fondly. Thank goodness for Orihime, he thought. There's no way to repay her for fixing up Ichigo.
Ichigo was flexing his newly repaired arm with ease. "Mmm," he sighed. "Feels good to be able to move it without pain!"
"Well that's just depressing," Renji said from the door.
"Not anymore, since it's gone though, right?" Ichigo grinned.
"Yeah, you need to get back into the office ASAP. You have no idea how much paperwork you have backlogged," Renji answered.
"WHAT?" Ichigo yelled. "You didn't even know if I was coming back! Why would you just let it pile up?"
"Well, I tried to do some of it but it just made me depressed. Then the stacks of papers made me depressed too so I started sticking them in the filing cabinet. So now basically all of the file cabinets are just full of unfinished and unsigned papers."
"ALL of the file cabinets?" Ichigo groaned. "You're joking right?"
"Um…sure, why not?" Renji laughed.
"Maybe I should have just stayed away," Ichigo said.
"Maybe you can just have an accidental fire!" suggested Orihime.
"Hey!" Renji blinked as if getting a brilliant idea.
"Maybe that could work," Ichigo pondered.
"No!" Shuuhei said firmly.
"Oh come on!" Renji and Ichigo said in protest.
"All done!" Orihime said, slight weariness in her chipper voice.
"Thank you so much, Orihime," Ichigo said.
"Seriously, thanks," Shuuhei added.
"You look a little beat, why don't you take a nap or something for a little bit?" Renji suggested.
"Oh, maybe just a little sleep wouldn't hurt," Orihime admitted.
Once Orihime and Renji had left Ichigo got out of bed, stretching his limbs. "Mmm, nice," he said, flexing his restored muscles.
"I agree," Shuuhei said his arms now wrapped around Ichigo's stomach, his head pressed into the back of his neck.
Ichigo allowed himself to fall back into Shuuhei's embrace. He was also realizing that if he really meant that whole "I'm not going to kiss Shuuhei until I kiss Grimmjow" thing he better get to it, because right now he was thinking of doing a lot more to Shuuhei than just kissing.
Shuuhei could feel the tension in Ichigo, the heat rise off his body. He pulled Ichigo even closer, and kissed at his neck.
"Shuuhei," Ichigo breathed. He blinked. "Um, Shuuhei, can you…?"
Shuuhei sighed and pulled himself away. "Are you going to Grimmjow right now?" he asked softly. He wondered if Grimmjow would still be in a rage when Ichigo got there.
"Yeah, and then you'd better kidnap me and get me home, because I'm dying to lay in my own bed again," Ichigo replied.
"Your own bed would be…?" Shuuhei wondered if Ichigo wanted to go back to his old place or to Shuuhei's.
"Our bed," Ichigo clarified.
Ah, Shuuhei thought, my…"our" place. He smiled at the thought of it, of finally actually having Ichigo live with him. He sighed. Ok, I can do this, I can let go of Ichigo and let him walk out that door to Grimmjow because he's coming right back to me.
It still took a lot of will power to release Ichigo. Ichigo turned towards him. "I'm sorry," he said.
"Don't worry about it," Shuuhei said. Honestly, I would have forgiven you for murdering orphans to get home, Ichigo, he thought.
"Alright, I'll see you a few minutes," Ichigo promised.
Shuuhei stood in the room, alone, with his fists clenched. He tried to not think about what was going to happen down the hall. He tried to not think about Grimmjow's smirking face, about Grimmjow's damn hands touching Ichigo, his mouth on Ichigo's.
"Fuck," Shuuhei said, staring out the window.
Grimmjow was prowling. It was hard to prowl a ten by ten cell, but he was definitely doing it. Shuuhei…that fucking bastard Shuuhei…Grimmjow denied the fact that Ichigo could find anything attractive about him. The door opened behind him. "What the fuck do you…" Grimmjow stopped short when he saw who was coming in. "Ichigo."
It was Ichigo, looking exactly how Grimmjow remembered him, exactly how he always pictured him in his fantasies (albeit with more clothes).
"You look great, Ichigo," Grimmjow said, admiring Ichigo's repaired body.
"Yeah, Orihime's really something," Ichigo said with a nervous smile.
Nervous? Nervous because he's going to kiss me? Is he really going to do it? Grimmjow wondered anxiously.
"You…have to pretend for me," Grimmjow said quietly, intensely.
"I know," Ichigo said. He walked forward, putting his hands on Grimmjow's chest.
Grimmjow closed his eyes for a moment, laying his hands over Ichigo's, trying to commit every single second to memory.
Ichigo slid his hand up and around Grimmjow's neck. Grimmjow opened his eyes, looking down into Ichigo's. He wanted to smash his lips against Ichigo's, wanted to take him, every drop of him, but he knew that the slower he went the longer Ichigo would have to be there. So he dragged it out, feeling every instant of it. He drew his hands into Ichigo's hair, leaning forward and embracing Ichigo before pulling away slowly dipping his head towards Ichigo's upturned face. He pressed his lips against Ichigo's, savoring how soft they felt, no longer torn apart and swollen. He used his movements to open Ichigo's mouth more fully so that he could taste Ichigo. His tongue darted in, sinking into the warmth and feel of Ichigo. Grimmjow shuddered when he felt Ichigo respond, his tongue running along Grimmjow's, his mouth pressing against his, his hands moving to pull Grimmjow in closer.
Ah, Grimmjow thought, too much. There's no way I'm giving this up. Not to Shuuhei, not to anyone. It's too good.
Ichigo was realizing that he probably should have spent a couple of minutes cooling off before coming in, because between getting hot for Shuuhei a moment ago, the long time it had been since he had been kissed or touched in any way, and the fact that he had been trying to ignore…the fact that he really was attracted to Grimmjow in some way, he was feeling the heat. Grimmjow practically oozed sex appeal in general, and right now he was trying with everything to capture something from Ichigo. Ichigo could feel it. He knew what was behind it, but he still couldn't help but give in to it just a little.
Grimmjow moaned as he felt Ichigo's movements become more forceful, more passionate. Yes, Ichigo, please…
Ichigo's hands were traveling down his back.
Keep going, Ichigo, Grimmjow thought. Don't you dare stop.
He did though. Grimmjow felt the second that Ichigo gathered himself. He felt like screaming as Ichigo pulled away from him, pulled his hands off him. Please, I need more, his eyes begged Ichigo.
Ichigo buried his face into Grimmjow's chest, catching his breath. Grimmjow clung to him tightly, breathing in his hair.
"I should go now," Ichigo said.
"Like hell you should," Grimmjow replied.
"You need to let go of me," Ichigo stated. Grimmjow reluctantly complied.
His eyes seared Ichigo's as Ichigo looked at him one last time before leaving.
"Ichigo," Grimmjow said.
"Yeah?"
"You'll come to my execution, right?"
"You're not doing to die," Ichigo promised him.
Grimmjow looked at Ichigo, seeing determination written in his face.
"No matter what, I won't let them kill you," Ichigo said.
Grimmjow didn't have an answer for that. Ichigo closed the door.
Grimmjow was torn between rage and elation. The kiss had been fantastic, and it had promised at some sort of latent attraction that Ichigo surely had for him, but then he had still gone. Still, Ichigo kept his promises. If he said he wasn't going to let Grimmjow die, he wouldn't. Grimmjow thought about it for awhile before smiling. Surely the Soul Society would try to kill him, right? Ichigo and he would escape, live some place off the radar. Ichigo wouldn't want to drag Shuuhei along for something so dangerous, would he? Naw…it could be…it could be just him and Ichigo.
Grimmjow knew he was stretching, but a small part of him believed it very determinedly. He wondered if Shuuhei were to say, just accidentally die, if that would help things along. He thought of ways of making that happen.
"Let's go away," Ichigo said as he walked back into the room.
"Are you sure that you don't need any more treatment?" Shuuhei asked.
"I do, but it's nothing they can give me here," Ichigo replied.
Shuuhei didn't need any further prodding, his wrapped his arms around Ichigo and hoisted him up. He leapt out the window with Ichigo in his arms, running across the Seireitei in a series of flash steps.
Just like the first time, Shuuhei thought, and just like right before he left. He clenched his grip on Ichigo. No more. You're not getting away from me again Ichigo, Shuuhei promised himself.
"Kenny! Kenny, did you hear?" Yachiru asked.
"I heard that Ichigo is back, if that's what you're asking. They told me to piss off when I got there though, that he wasn't even awake yet," Kenpachi replied with a grunt.
"No, I mean that they have an espada at Squad 4."
"An espada?"
"Yeah, wouldn't you like to go and play?" Yachiru suggested.
"Well now, that is an idea," Kenpachi threw his feet of his desk and head for the door. "It's been boring as hell around here!"
"Thank you, Head Captain Yamamoto," Captain Kurotsuchi was saying. "I assure you that this subject will give us much information about how hollows work, how arrancar are made, and how the espadas functioned. Plus, we can get a good idea of how the current hollow government is run!"
"Just keep him in one piece," Yamamoto warned.
"Of course, I want him to last a long time. He will retain all of his pieces as long as possible," Mayuri assured him.