Chapter 8
"Hey Toshiro you never told me you had such a big movie collection! You've been holding out on me!" Ichigo yelled from Toshiro's living room, making Toshiro roll his eyes. For their second date Toshiro thought it fair to invite Ichigo to his apartment, seeing as he'd been to Ichigo's.
While Ichigo looked for the after dinner movie, Toshiro was busy on the dinner part. He decided to just keep it simple and make spaghetti and garlic bread. Not that Ichigo had cared; he had suggested ordering take out. Toshiro had immediately vetoed that. Takeout on the second date? Not classy at all.
"You need any help?" Ichigo asked, startling Toshiro.
"Yeah, you can take the garlic bread out; it should be about done now." As Ichigo did that, Toshiro got some plates and silverware. Somehow, just like their last date, things passed so effortlessly between the two of them. Things just clicked between them.
"I can't believe you have actual dishware." Ichigo stated as he set the garlic bread on the counter.
"Ichigo, normal people have dishes and silverware."
"Hey, I'm normal! Why should I by stuff that I can get in disposable?" Ichigo stopped when he realized Toshiro was messing with him. "You're mean to me Toshiro." He said pouting.
"Yes, I am so mean that I invited you over and made dinner for you. That is the definition of mean." Toshiro said smiling. Ichigo just nodded and laughed, before he leaned down and kissed Toshiro lightly.
"Thanks for dinner Toshiro."
"The Lion King, you chose The Lion King to watch? Out of all the classic, meaningful movies I have, you chose Lion King?" Toshiro asked, shocked at Ichigo's choice.
"You dare say that Lion King has no meaning?" Ichigo argued back. Toshiro rolled his eyes as he sat on the couch.
"Well of course it has meaning. It's just rather…young." Ichigo smiled and pulled Toshiro to lie over his chest. Toshiro momentarily thought about fighting him, but he just so comfortable.
"That movie really makes you emotional doesn't it?" Toshiro asked, seeing those beautiful brown eyes filled with sadness. The movie had just ended and the credits were still playing. Neither had moved from their previous positions. "If it makes you feel this way, then why do you watch it?"
"It reminds me a lot of what it's like to live in a gang, the whole fighting for power and everything. There's also the fact I used to watch this with my sisters." Toshiro watched as emotions seemed to overcome Ichigo.
"What happened to them?" Toshiro asked softly, stroking the orange locks.
"They died five years ago, along with my dad; they were hit by a car. They never figured out who did it either." Toshiro continued to comb Ichigo's hair, thinking.
"Five years ago, isn't that when you left the gang?" Toshiro asked, hoping to get more information out of Ichigo while not somehow hurting him.
"Yeah…" Ichigo's eyes took on a faraway look. "Yuzu she- before she died she asked me to leave the gang. Her last words, the last thing she physically asked someone wasn't for herself but for me. She wanted me to have a better life. What kind of brother am I, whose sister on her death bed still loves that much, after all I did…" The small man watched as his boyfriend breaks down in his arms, the man who can take out multiple people at once, sobbing.
"Oh, Ichigo." Seeing him like this clicks another piece of the puzzle for Toshiro. All of Ichigo's tough exterior really hides a wealth of pain.
"I keep thinking if I had somehow been there, maybe I-"
"Ichigo, you stop that right there. There was nothing you could have done. You can't blame yourself for this anymore." Toshiro gripped the man fiercely, letting him know he was there, and he supported him.
Gradually Ichigo's sobs wore down, though his chocolate eyes were still dull. Ichigo gripped Toshiro tighter, almost as if he was a lifeline, but Toshiro didn't mind. Ichigo had helped him physically; it was Toshiro's turn to help him mentally.
"What would your sister's do if they were here?" Toshiro asked, hoping to make Ichigo remember the good memories. He seemed to think for a second before a ghost of a smile appeared on his face.
"Karin would probably knock me over the head for acting like a crybaby and Yuzu would probably cry and tell me big brothers aren't supposed to cry." As Ichigo talked, a certain lightness began to come back into his eyes. Toshiro felt immensely relieved.
"Don't you think you should take their advice? Don't forget them Ichigo, but let the bad go, remember the good, the things that make you smile. That's what you treasure." Ichigo nodded when Toshiro finished talking. "Come on, it's late. Let's go to bed."
This time Toshiro took the lead to the bedroom and this time it was not passion but caring and reassurance that guided him. This time, Toshiro held Ichigo as they fell asleep.