And we're on to the last chapter ! Very pleased that I managed to finish it but devastated at the same time cause it has come to an end ! *wails*
Anyhoooo, a million thank yous for everyone who followed, reviewed and favorited my fic. Loves ! x
Disclaimer : Tite Kubo and Nicholas Sparks
Warnings : Yaoi, OOCness, Swearing
"Where'd you go
I miss you so,
seems like it's been forever,
that you've been gone."
- Fort Minor, Where'd you go
Seven months later
Stuttgard, Germany
Captain Coyote Starrk gathered his men in the briefing room. The sleepy eyed man stood up front to address his troops.
Starrk scratched the back of his head and announced confidently from his position. "The army has asked anyone who's up for separation within the next year to re-enlist for another tour right now. At this point, re upping is still voluntary, I want to stress that, knowing how tough the whole situation is at the moment. But this doesn't apply to all of us. If any of you would like to-"
"Requesting permission to extend my tour, Sir." Syazel Apporo Grantz spoke up first.
Number nine, Yammy Riyalgo was next to join the pink haired soldier. "Requesting permission to extend as well, Sir."
Grimmjow's face fell, tortured. One by one, the soldiers volunteered to re-enlist. He and Nnoitra trade a heavy look. Then the lanky man shrugged. "Two more years ain't that big of a deal. I'm in, Capt'n."
"Listen." Starrk looked at his troop, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We're gonna get our orders from operations on Monday. So before we do anything rash, let's take the weekend off to mull this all over, all right boys ? got a wife and kids to think about here."
"With all due respect Sir, you don't have to stay on too, Captain." The usually quiet Ulquirra Schiffer uttered.
Starrk shook his head, face went serious. "This is my team. Where you go, I go. Where we go, we all go. If everyone still wants to extend on Monday then we'll do it. Together."
Grimmjow just sat there without saying a word, rubbing his temples.
Two more years. What would Ichigo say ?
"Tell the world I'm coming home,
let the rain wash away,
all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits,
and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home."
- Dirty Money, Coming Home
Charleston, North Carolina Spring 2002
Ichigo was sprawled on his king size bed, grinning stupidly at his bedroom ceiling, rays of early afternoon sun slanted across his cheek. He have graduated last week. And Grimmjow, his Grimmjow was coming home, today.
"Ichi-boo !" A sing songy voice called. "When is the lovely Grimmjow coming over, hunny bun ? your father and I can hardly wait to finally meet this lovely boyfriend of yours." His mother tend to go overboard with nicknames.
Ichigo sat up. "He should be here soon, mom. Do you need help with anything downstairs ?" He hollered.
The orangette's family was throwing a graduation party to congratulate their only heir and everyone was invited.
"No everything's fine, sugar. But you better go get change, our guests would start arriving any minute now. Okay ?" Mrs. Kurosaki said sweetly.
"Kay."
Ichigo sighed, but it was a happy sigh. He started to take off his ratty old sweatshirt. Despite of the horrifying terrorism act that took place in NYC last fall, it didn't falter his excitement to finally see Grimmjow again.
"Love is like war. Easy to begin but very hard to stop."
- H.L Mencken
Ichigo spotted the old black mustang pulling into his driveway from his bedroom window. He smiled widely, turned on his heel, snuck a quick glance of his reflection in the mirror and hurried downstairs. The orangette sprinted to the front door, his heart pounding against his rib cage.
Ichigo's legs was wobbly as he stared at the parked vehicle. The driver's side swung open. Pair of feet appeared, then the rest of Grimmjow followed.
"Grimm !" The amber skinned male launced himself at Grimmjow, legs firmly wrapped around his waist, planting a soul searching kiss on the man's full lips. The blunette grinned into the kiss, both hands cupping Ichigo's upturned face. The instant their lips met, it was as if Grimmjow had never left Charleston.
The majority of newly arrived guests gasped upon the sight, others stared in astonishment.
"Hey baby." Grimmjow whispered, pulling away from the kiss slightly to be lost in his lover's mesmerizing honey brown eyes.
Ichigo's eyes were filled with tears, he was thrilled and anxious at the exact same time. "Hey soldier." Ichigo said softly. "It's you. It's really you." Ichigo murmured against Grimmjow's lips.
"Course' it's me, who else it's gonna be." The blunette replied teasingly.
Ichigo sputtered before he managed real words, smacking his lover's arm in a playful manner. "Shut up. Don't be a smartass"
Grimmjow kissed Ichigo's cheek. "Ya miss me ?"
"You bet I do." The orangette grinned, detaching his legs from his lover's waist and tugged the blunette's wrist. "Come on, everyone wants to meet you. Oh hey, where's your dad ?"
"Yeah uhm, he's not feeling too good so I let him rest." Grimmjow intertwined Ichigo's fingers with his own.
Ichigo furrowed his brows. "Oh no. I hope it's nothing bad, we should go check on him after."
An elegant lady wearing a bright yellow dress sauntered over, her hair was a similar shade to Ichigo but darker. Ichigo smiled at her. "Mom, this is Grimmjow."
"Oh my ! It's nice to finally meet you, Grimmjow ! Ichi-boo wouldn't stop talking about you !" Ichigo's mother suprised Grimmjow by hugging him vigorously. Ichigo blushed at the nickname his mother blurt out. "I'm Marion Kurosaki, but you just call me Masaki, dear. I picked up a Japanese name after I married Ichi's father." She took Grimmjow's hand in hers in a motherly way. "Where's your father ? Did he come too ?".
"No, Ma'am. He's feeling under the weather today." The tall soldier answered.
"Oh that's quite alright, I'm glad you made it home safe !" Ichigo's mother exclaimed lovingly.
"We thought of cancelling with everything that's been going on." Masaki linked her arm through Grimmjow's, pulling her orange haired son along by his wrist. "Now, you two, there's a lot of people to meet, things could get ugly."
Grimmjow smiled, unsure how to respond.
Mrs. Kurosaki played a great hostess, introducing Grimmjow to party guests with Ichigo next to him. When Masaki told somebody what he did for a living, guests began to come up and shake his hand, thanking him for his service. Ichigo beamed, his boyfriend handled it all terrifically.
Grimmjow spotted a familiar fire-engined red hair in the centre of the room and turned to Ichigo.
"What's he doin' here ?" His voice was low enough only for Ichigo to hear.
Ichigo frowned. "He's my best friend, Grimm. I invited him" The orangette rubbed his thumb over Grimmjow's soothingly. "Be nice, he's not so bad once you get to know him, go kiss and make up." Ichigo grinned, giving him a light slap on the bum. "I'm gonna go get my dad."
Renji was already standing in front of Grimmjow. "Hey dude. How are you doing ? Good to see you again."
Grimmjow's jaw shut tight, still refusing to say a word to the red haired man.
"We got off on the wrong foot and I want to apologize for the way I threated you before. If I'd known that Ichigo was actually gonna stay with you, I wouldn't have messed with you. In all seriousness, I'm sorry." The red haired male apologized.
The blue haired man sighed, and thought, "do it for Ichigo's sake". "Aight, fair enough." He finally said, shrugging.
"So, we good ?"
Grimmjow rolled his eyes, but a grin stretched his mouth."Yeah we're good."
Renji grinned back as he slapped the blunette on the back as he was leaving. "Sweet. Well enjoy the party, dude. Catch you later."
Before Grimmjow could follow up, he was pulled aside by a black haired man in his late forty's.
"So this is him eh?" The man smiled goofily at Ichigo, who appeared two seconds later.
"Oyaji, please, no tough guy routine this time." Ichigo glared at his father, and by tough guy routine he meant the flying kick attack the goofy man used to wake him up daily. "Don't embarrass me today." The orangette grit out.
"Ichigo my son ! Why so mean to your papa !" Kurosaki senior dramatically wailed.
Ichigo snorted. "Jesus, not again. I need a freakin' drink, be back in a sec, Grimm."
Grimmjow cleared his throat and held his hand out. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kurosaki, Sir."
"Ah! pleasure's all mine. No need to be so formal with me, call me papa Isshin." Isshin Kurosaki exclaimed shamelessly as he pumped Grimmjow's hand heartily. "Glad you could join us !"
"Thank you, Sir." Grimmjow said politely.
Ichigo's father let go of the blunette's hand just as a couple he knew walked in, a shaggy haired blond man and a tanned woman with dark purple hair. "Kisuke- san ! you actually showed up ! and you brought your lovely wife too". Isshin waved at them, instantly distracted.
"Guess the hard part's over." Grimmjow muttered to himself.
"Scuse' me, you're Grimmjow right ? Ichigo's Grimmjow ? A man around the age of Ichigo's dad came up to the blunette, probably one of his colleague.
"Yes sir."
The man shook Grimmjow's hand. "I want to thank you for what you've done, know that our prayers are with you, whatever happens, it will be over soon so you boys can come home safe and sound."
War talk always attract man. Isshin Kurosaki and his friends were no exception, they jumped in freely.
"Oh I doubt it. Afghanistan will just be the first stop of many, believe me. Pretty soon they're gonna be asking you all to re-enlist for another tour. " Isshin said seriously.
Another party guest chipped in. "He's right you know, slowly but surely, they'll stop asking and start telling. I bet every soldier in the service will do it, no questions asked."
Grimmjow stiffened. "None of the soldiers I know need to be asked, Sir. And we sure don't need to be told."
"What do you mean by 'we' ?"
Ichigo's shaky voice cut through the crowd.
Grimmjow turned to find Ichigo behind him, face expressionless. The orangette eyeballed Grimmjow hard, potentially about to blow. He didn't. Instead, Ichigo stomped towards the backyard, his back to Grimmjow. The azure eyed man wrapped his arms around Ichigo, trying to cut past the tension.
"So you're gonna re-enlist ? just like that ?" Ichigo mumbled sadly.
Grimmjow sighed. "It's something we should talk about."
"Two more years, Grimm." Ichigo rubbed his face. "Have you already done it ? have you already re-upped ?" His voice strained.
"No."
Ichigo turned to face Grimmjow and forced a smile, but then stopped when he saw something flashed in Grimmjow's eyes and immediately knew what it was.
"You decided that you're going to." Ichigo's heart dropped to his stomach.
The blunette looked distressed. "Ichi.."
"Don't you fucking lie to me. That's one thing you cannot do, don't look me in the eye and lie." Ichigo snapped.
Grimmjow tried to put his hands on Ichigo's arms but the orangette slapped it away.
"You son of a bitch. Do I get a say in this ?" The orangette cursed angrily.
Grimmjow ran his hand through his sky blue hair. "Ichi, ya don' understand. Don' make me choose between ya or my duty ta serve the nation."
"Don't ever tell me I don't understand. In case you forget, Grimmjow, America is my home, too. What happened to the leap we're taking together ? need I join the army ? is that what you want ?!" Ichigo sent Grimmjow a pleading look.
"Don't be stupid, Ichigo."
Ichigo spun on his heel, once again, his back facing Grimmjow.
"What do ya want from me, Ichi ? jus' tell me what ya want from me, because, I mean, ya wan me ta quit ? is that it ? look, I don' fuckin know how we got here. I don' know what the hell happened. " Grimmjow's voice turned intense, blue eyes desperate.
The blue haired man unconsciously wiped a hand against his forehead. "One day skyscrapers were suddenly falling, and people dying. I had a plan, Ichi, but now I've no idea what ta do. I'm tryina' frigure out what is the right thing ta do but I don' hav any fuckin' idea how ta get there because, I need ya ta tell me. Ichigo, can ya just tell me please ? tell me what do ya want me ta do.."
Ichigo balled his fists on each side, eyes on the wooden floor.
"Ichigo, look at me." A heavy sense of dread settling in the pit of Grimmjow's stomach.
The orangette raised his head and sniffled, turning back around to gaze at his lover's face. Grimmjow looked like he was six years old all of a sudden. Scared. Vulnerable.
"Promise you'll come back to me in one piece." A frown marring Ichigo's brow, then the frown turned to a scowl.
Grimmjow cupped the orangette's chin and ran his thumb over Ichigo's lips. "There's no way I'm gonna die. Knowing that yer here waitin' fer me, it's like a force field."
Ichigo's anger quickly melted away. The orangette sighed, he took Grimmjow's face in his hand, brushing the man's lips gently with his own.
"All I know is I wanna stay here, with ya as long as I possibly can. Yer all that matters, yer all that matters ta me, okay ?" Grimmjow murmured. Ichigo's honey brown gaze soften and he pulled Grimmjow into a tight embrace.
"Grimm ?"
"Mm ?" The blunette hummed.
"Come with me upstairs." Ichigo's breath tickled Grimmjow's neck.
"I need you like a heart needs a beat."
-One Republic, Apologize
Teeth clashed together as they made out eagerly, stumbling through Ichigo's bedroom door.
The younger pushed Grimmjow down on his bed, falling on top of the man and bed springs creaked in protest. The blunette's heart beating widly in his chest as Ichigo helped him undress, then the orangette quickly discarded his own clothing.
Ichigo attacked Grimmjow's mouth, slipping his tongue inside, hands gripping the side of the man's face as he sucked his bottom lip greedily as their painful arousal rubbed together. Ichigo boldly fondled the blunette's balls. "Fuck, I missed this." Ichigo grunted.
Grimmjow groaned in delight. "Shit, Ichigo", his battle calloused hand tugged Ichigo's orange locks, pushing him gently off his lap. Grimmjow got on both knees, hand still on Ichigo's hair, he bucked his hips forward, his impressive length inches away from Ichigo's face. "Suck it."
Ichigo wrapped his mouth around the flushed head of the leaking cock presented at his face. Grimmjow moaned loudly when a wet tongue flicked the head of his rigidly palpitating cock, while his other hand stroked Grimmjow's erection, his grip on the amber skinned youth's hair tighten.
Ichigo bent lower, sucking on Grimmjow's testicles, then slowly licking his way along the side of the man's cock. Ichigo's mouth wide opened, a pink tongue peeked out, licking his lover's pre cum off and Grimmjow wasted no time jamming his aching shaft into the back of Ichigo's throat. The orangette gagged but didn't stop sucking.
"Fuck, Ichi. Yer damn beautiful with my cock in yer mouth."
Ichigo moaned in agreement, the slurping, sucking noises he made sounded so obscenely dirty.
"Mmmh yeah jus' like that my lil cockslut." The older man husked.
Just as Grimmjow was about to come, his thick cock throbbed with power, signaling his impending release. Hands fisted in Ichigo's hair roughly, pushing the youth further down on his length and ropes of milky white cum filled Ichigo's hot mouth, dripping down his chin. Grimmjow grinned smugly. Such a beautiful sight indeed.
The blue haired man panted heavily, pulling Ichigo by the hair and into a needy kiss, tasting his own essence.
"Bend over." Grimmjow commanded.
Ichigo whimpered, rolling onto his stomach, lifting his perfectly round ass in the air and Grimmjow took that as his cue. "Fuck me, Grimm." The orangette's own arousal begging for release.
Grimmjow groaned, the sight brought his spent cock back to life, straining as it pulsed and throbbed, wanting to feel the heat and tightness inside of Ichigo. Grimmjow carefully pistoned two fingers in and out of the tight passage, prepping the orangette.
"Unn.." Ichigo shuddered involuntarily and tried backing his ass up again, the orangette wanted to be full of Grimmjow.
"Damn, I can't take it anymore." Grimmjow removed his digits and pounded inside the smaller male with reckless abandon, Ichigo thrusts back until he felt every smack of Grimmjow's balls against his own, moaning as the man gripped his hips and groaned.
Ichigo writhed as Grimmjow's thick shaft sliding deeper and faster, the blunette leaving soft, wet kisses on his lower back.
"Oh god. Yes...unhhh..ahh.." Ichigo's finger nails dug into the sheets, breathing through his nose and out through his mouth from Grimmjow's desperate pounding
"Fuck, baby ya like it rough dontcha-" Grimmjow growled against Ichigo's reddening ear, Grimmjow's grip on his orange haired lover's hips turned into a bone crushing one, it was sure to leave deep bruises.
Ichigo panted like a dog in heat. "Harder." Ichigo drew his knees up beneath him and rocked back into Grimmjow's frenzied pace with more force. "Harder, Grimm, fuck me harder." Ichigo breathlessly pleaded, earning a hard spank on his ass from Grimmjow who oblidged.
Ichigo kept his chest pressed against the bed, back angled up so Grimmjow could take him easily. He could feel Grimmjow's thick cock pulsing within him, thrusting erratically, the bed creaking beneath them.
Grimmjow kept up a brutal pace, pumping harder in and out of his writhing lover. Grunts and moans, as well as the sound of swift slapping of skin escalated. "Shit, ya feel so good, baby." The blunette reached down to pinch Ichigo's sensitive nipple harshly
Ichigo cried out in ecstasy as he came untouched, his release left him like rapid fire, dirtying and splattering the sheets with his load.
"Ngggh. Holy fuckin-I'm cummin'..." Grimmjow soon followed. He snapped his hips forward one more time, slamming against Ichigo's prostrate, letting the spasming cavern milk his orgasm, Grimmjow bucked his hips a few more times, releasing as deeply as he could with a loud guttural moan.
Both of them were panting, chest heaving, sweat a thin sheet cooling over their bodies. The orangette's body shivered when Grimmjow's softening cock slipped out of him with a soft pop, feeling bit of hot cum seeping out of his entrance and slipping down his thighs. Ichigo couldn't be fucked to complain about the stickiness of the sheets against his skin as his lover slid behind. Ichigo watched the sun disappear below the horizon with Grimmjow fast asleep beside him, one arm wrapped around his lithe waist.
Two years.
What's two more years after those two weeks.
"Sons of the mountains cry in the vials
warm and tender in her arms
so you'll stay though you're gone
as we gather to say goodbye
until we see your face again
but seasons come you're going soon
everybody leaves in the end."
- The Temper Trap, Everbody Leaves In The End
Pristina, Serbia Army Base
Grimmjow stepped out of the copter, saw a grinning Nnoitra waiting in a nearby jeep, the number five soldier mock saluted him and Grimmjow grinned in return.
Both soldier reunited with their team as they watched U.N troops marched through the city of Pristina, to aid the Serbians in peace keeping efforts with the Albanians.
Since touching down in Serbia, Grimmjow kept himself busy, sorting through boxes of small arms weapons, futilety looking for the correspondence package or coordinating the delivery of more supplies.
Dear Grimm,
The problem with time is , I've learned. Whether it's those first two weeks I got to spend with you, or the last eighteen hours we spent together. Eventually, time always runs out. I have no idea where you are out there in the world, but no matter how many days, weeks, or months go by, I know one thing to be as true as ever was. I'll see you soon then.
Ichigo
Kurosaki Residence, Charleston, Autumn 2003
"Ichigo, sit down, son." Ichigo didn't like his father's concerned voice and the seriousness in the tone.
"What is it, dad ?" The orangette asked cautiously.
Isshin sighed loudly. "Son, I understand that you love Grimmjow, your mother and I know that very well."
Ichigo lowered his eyes at Isshin. "I thought that's fairly obvious. Can you please get to the point."
"Ichigo, two year's a heck of a long time, and who knows if he decides to extend for, well, God forbid, an extra year ?"
Ichigo sucked in his cheeks. "We've talked about this before, he's coming back for me."
Isshin tapped his finger against the table. "I just want what's best for you."
"You don't know shit about me and I sure as hell know you've got no idea what's best for me." Ichigo hissed.
Isshin frowned. "Ichigo. I happened to know a very sweet girl who is suitable for you, and I think you know her well too. You can live a happy, uncomplicated life together, have a couple of kids. "
Ichigo jumped from his seat angrily, slamming his hands on the cold marble table, nearly knocking over the mahogany chair. "What the fuck, dad ? all this just cause you wish for grandchildren ? since when did that matter to you? I thought you adored Grimmjow."
"Son."
"Oyaji, I'm gonna stop you right there." Ichigo warned.
Without waiting for a reply, Ichigo stormed upstairs and slammed his bedroom door, his eyes glassy. He slid motionlessly to the floor, feeling even more pathetic than ever.
What if Isshin was right ?
What if Grimmjow changed his mind ?
What if.
Dear Ichigo
It's hard being away from ya. Yer in my thoughts every single day and I hope ya'd think of me twice as much. I need ya ta know, though, that no matter how much time passes, no matter how far away ya are, on nights like this,
Grimmjow glanced up at the full moon in the dark sky.
ya will always be here with me, and more than anything else, I hope that part of me is out there with ya
Grimmjow
At the Makeshift Helipad, Serbia, Winter 2003
Six weeks passed and still no letter from Ichigo. Grimmjow greeted the pilot anxiously as he touched down.
"Please say ya've got like, seven letters for me." The blue haired soldier almost pleaded.
The pilot dug into his bag, pulled out a single letter, a familiar sight. Ichigo's handwriting was on it, normal, clean white envelope. But it brought no comfort to Grimmjow, the lone letter scared him to death.
He sat over by his crate, far away enough from others to have privacy. Grimmjow took a deep breath as he unfold a sheet of paper inside.
The letter began as they always do.
Dear Grimmjow,
It's been way too long since I last wrote you. I've been staring at this blank page for the last two hours. If I gotta be honest, I've been staring at it for the last two months. Please forgive me for what I'm about to say, and know that this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
Grimmjow's hands started to shake.
My life without you has no meaning. Not with you out there and not knowing if you're dead or alive. Paranoia is eating me alive, when your letters take longer to reach me. I can't live like this anymore.
Every muscle on Grimmjow's face tensed.
I am engaged. Therefore, I have to let you go.
Grimmjow fought back stubborn tears that began to form in his blue eyes.
Words can't describe how sorry I am, Grimm. Be safe wherever you are.
Goodbye.
Ichigo
Grimmjow sat perfectly still on his crate, all alone in the horizon. He got up as he gripped the paper in his hand, until it completely crumpled. Grimmjow roared in anger, kicking a metal briefcase across the room. He barreled out carrying a footlocker. Nnoitra nodded him a hello as he walked past.
Grimmjow poured everything out from his footlocker, took all one hundred and twelve of Ichigo's letters and dumped them out loose on the ground. What had been a carefully organized chronological stack was now just a messy pile. He pulled out a flint and magnesium block from his pocket, shaved the magnesium off over the letters.
"Needa' lighter ?" Nnoitra appeared beside him. Grimmjow grunted a no, face focused on the flint. A spark caught the magnesium and the letters ignite. His cold blue eyes watched the fire spread.
"You wanna talk about it ?" Number five tried again.
Grimmjow looked away, knowing he was completely transparent right now and he hated himself for it.
"Not much ta talk about. He found somebody else, somebody who's there, and not here." He gruffed.
Nnoitra crossed his wiry arms over his bony chest. "You know who it is ?"
Anger flashed in Grimmjow's azure orbs. "He didn't say but I got a pretty good idea."
Nnoitra sighed and put a hand on Grimmjow's shoulder. "Don't worry, man. You'll get 'im back, as soon as you go home, he'll come runnin' back, you know it's true."
Grimmjow stared into the fire, wearily shaking his head. "No, it ain't happenin."
"Trust me, Sexta, this is what -"
A vein twitched on Grimmjow's forehead. "Nnoi"
Nnoitra kept going. "I know what I'm talkin 'bout."
"He's already engaged, aight." The man called Sexta said in a monotone.
That stopped Nnoitra cold.
"Ah shit, that's fucked up, man." Number five muttered.
Grimmjow didn't respond, he took out Ichigo's break up letter and dropped it onto the flame.
"If you ever leave me, baby
leave some morphine at my door
'cause it would take a whole lot of medication
to realize what we used to have,
we don't have it anymore.
if I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies
If I lose you, baby
just like the clouds
my eyes will do the same,
if you walk away
everyday it will rain.
-Bruno Mars, It Will Rain
Ichigo woke with clenched teeth and sour taste in his mouth.
His cell phone beeped, buzzing non stop on of his bedside table. Ichigo reluctantly flipped it open.
15 missed calls
8 new messages
The amber skinned youth went to the first message.
Renji.
Yo, we haven't hung out in ages, you sort of fell off the radar lately. You okay ? call back when you can.
Ichigo smiled dryly, his tear stained face stretching uncomfortably.
Deep down he knew
Nothing was ever going to be okay anymore.
"I have died everyday waiting for you
darling don't be afraid I have loved you
for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
and all along I believed I would find you
time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more."
- Christina Perri, A Thousand Years
Kosovo City, Serbia 2004
Grimmjow brushed his teeth, staring at his reflection, dark shadows formed under his eyes.
A knock on his bathroom door.
"Sexta. I need to talk to you."
Starrk.
Grimmjow followed starrk out into the hall.
Starrk's usually sleepy eyes now alert. "I'm putting you on the next plane back to Germany."
"What ? why ?" Grimmjow complained.
"You've been granted a week of emergency leave. I tried to get you more but it's just tough right now."
"Emergency leave ? what happened ?" The azure eyed soldier asked in confusion.
"It's your father, Grimmjow."
"From the moment the lights went off
everything had changed
lie awake in an empty room
in my head it all feels the same
like the taste of the day you left
that still lingers on my breath
and the dampness of tears that left
a stain where you had wept
all alone with the negligee
that still hangs off of my bed
I keep meaning to give it away
but I just leave it there instead
no need to cry about it
I cannot live without it
every time I wind up back at your door
why do you do this to me
you penetrate right through me
every time I wind up back at your door."
- Maroon 5, Back At Your Door
New Hanover Hospital, North Carolina
Grimmjow stared into Barragan's room with an equally blank look on his face. Inside, his father was asleep in a hospital bed, looking sickly and paler than ever, surrounded by medical equipments. Barragan didn't open his eyes.
The blue haired man considered calling Ichigo, but shook the thought out of his mind, almost as fast as it came.
Once his old man gets discharged, he'd go back to his duty.
Period.
"If only I could let go,
but his love is still in me,
like a broken arrow."
- Pixie Lott, Broken Arrow
Akerni, Albania 2005
Grimmjow stood at attention in front of Captain Coyote Starrk, who was catching up on some paper work.
"Ya wanna see me, Sir ?"
Starrk put his pen down and looked at the blunette honestly in the eye. "I'm being transfered, Grimmjow. Back home. It's time to go back to my family. Gilga and Schiffer have decided to leave too, everyone else is gonna be re assigned. Now you have less than four months until separation yourself. You served your country well, Sexta. There's no point to go the extra mile at this point." The sleepy eyed superior shrugged.
Grimmjow stood even straighter. "Requesting permission ta re-up, Sir."
Starrk stared at the man opposite him in disbelief.
"Let me get this straight, Staff Sergeant Jaegerjaquez. I'm handing you a one way ticket back home and you're telling me no thanks, cause you actually wanna go back out there for another year ?"
Grimmjow didn't move a muscle, still rigid as a board. "Better make it two, Sir."
"Tu es dans toutes mes pensées" - You are in all of my thoughts.
Saudi Arabia, Army base 2007
Standing tall in full uniform, Grimmjow jaegerjaquez's once sparcely decorated jacket was now full of bars, medals, accomodations and badges.
Four years have passed and Grimmjow was in his early thirties.
An F-15 eagle jet screamed overhead, blocking out the sun for an instant and casted the Sergeant Major, a brief shadow. Grimmjow watched it land at a nearby airstrip. After a moment, a private appeared behind him.
"The Colonel's ready for you." The private said shortly.
Colonel Reroux sat at a desk as Grimmjow entered.
"Sergeant Major Jaegerjaquez. Have a seat."
Grimmjow did as he was told.
Reroux shook his head dismissively. "I'm going to cut to the chase here, you have loyally served our nation for many years. Time to go home, son. "
"But Sir-" The blue haired soldier protested, rising from the chair
Colonel Reroux held up a palm. "It's not up for debate, Sergeant Major."
Grimmjow had a pained look on his face, but Reroux just nodded to the door.
"That is all, you may leave now."
"We don't let go, we can't get close
I still need you when you still need me
this tug of war, can't go on anymore
nobody wins from this misery
well, oh can't you see
I wanna be
I want you to be
oh can't we be free
I wanna be free."
-Haley Reinhart, Free
Jaegerjaquez Residence, Spring 2007
"Hey pop. I'm back". Grimmjow yelled into the house.
Silence.
"Pop ?" The blunette called again, louder.
Grimmjow strode into the kitchen and could tell that something wasn't right, there were dirty dishes stacked in the sink. His father would never leave a dish dirty anywhere in his life.
What Grimmjow witnessed in the living room made him drop his bag.
"Fuck !"
Barragan slouched on the sofa, pale and weak, eyez glazed and shirt soaked from sweat as his whole body shook intensely.
"God save us everyone
when we burn inside the fires of a thousand suns
like memories in cold decay
transmissions echoing away
far from the world of you and I
where oceans bleed into the sky."
- Linkin Park, The Catalyst.
New Hanover Hospital, North Carolina
Jaegerjaquez Senior lay helplessly on a hospital bed, with tubes coming out from every angle. If he looked older three years ago, now he looked downright ancient.
Grimmjow spoke quietly with a doctor. "Hey doc, if I..if I had come home earlier, would it have made a difference ?"
Seeing the look on the doctor's face, Grimmjow turned white. "I doubt it, son. I'm sorry, we did what we can, but the stroke was too significant."
The doctor's face creased with sympathy. "He doesn't have much time, Grimmjow. I'll give you privacy."
With that Barragan's doctor excused himself.
Minutes later, Barragan opened his eyes, partically lucid. Heavy eyes flashed with recognition when he saw his son. Although he was very weak, he reached up and tried to pull the oxygen mask off his face, Barragan was trying to say something.
Grimmjow gently grabbed his hand, pulling it away from the mask.
"It's okay, pop. It's fine."
Grimmjow took a seat in the chair, next to the bed.
"Pop, I know that, I haven't been around in the past three years, I'm so sorry, and I-"
Grimmjow choked back a sob, guilty tears dripped out of his azure eyes.
Then Barragan reached his hand out, putting it on top of Grimmjow's, it was remarkably steady. They looked each other in the eye, and through his tears, Grimmjow could see, his father understood, as if he was saying,
I know, son
And It's alright.
"I've been lucky, I'll be lucky again." - Bette Davis
Later that evening
It was getting dark and storm was coming. One or two adventurous surfers still remained, but most had given up and headed home.
Except for a blue haired man, he was heading out. The waves were huge, but he wasn't interested in catching anything. He paddled straight into the waves, took the brunt of their force.
A big wave hit him, nearly knocked him off his board. Grimmjow forced his way through it. Another wave coming his way, an enormous one, the kind you'd brag about for weeks afterwards.
Grimmjow barreled straight into it, the wave smashed into him so hard, his surfboard was ripped right off his leg strap.
He went underwater, lost in the current and a sea of saltwater.
Finally, Grimmjow regained his bearings, found his footing. But he stayed below, no rush to pop back out, his tears got lost in the water surrounding him.
"I've wasted my nights,
you turned out the lights
now I'm paralyzed,
still stuck in that time
when we called it love
but even the sun sets in paradise.
If happy ever after did exist,
I would still be holding you like this
all those fairy tales are full of shit
one more fuckin' love song, I'll be sick."
- Maroon 5, Payphone
Orihime Inoue was the last person on earth that Grimmjow expected to find, standing there at the shore, waiting for him.
"Hi." She squeaked.
The blue haired man shot her a death glare.
"What do ya want, woman ?" Grimmjow seethed, narrrowing his eyes.
Orihime tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You're back."
"Wow, thanks captain obvious." The blunette said with a snort.
"Have you gone to Kurosaki, yet ?" Orihime asked meekly, briefly glanced towards Grimmjow.
Grimmjow sneered. "Why should I ?"
It was childish really, going all heart of darkness at a girl. But, who could blame him. Grimmjow was more than ready to leave.
The auburn haired girl stepped in front of him, not letting him pass through.
"What the fuck er'ya doin ? look, as much as I could stay and chat, I really don' wanna stay and chat. Especially not with ya." Grimmjow spat.
Orihime stared at Grimmjow oddly. "What's wrong with you ?"
"What's wrong with me ? No. What's wrong witchu', if ya here ta brag 'bout how picture perfect yer married life with Ichigo is, do yerself a favor and fuck off." Grimmjow snarled viciously.
Orihime shook her head vigorously. "Grimmjow, what are you talking about ? who's married to who ?"
"Ah, thought ya were smarter than yer looks, but turns out yer just plain stupid." The blunette said coldly.
Orihime frowned. Suddenly her mouth gaped open. "No way." And burst out laughing like a lunatic.
Grimmjow thought Orihime Inoue have officially lost her mind.
"You got it all wrong, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez." She hiccuped between laughter. "Kurosaki and I aren't married, we never were." The long haired girl made a snorting sound inside her nose, arms folded under her abnormally large breasts." Truth is, he did get engaged to a family friend's daughter, but Kurosaki decided to rebel and called it off in the end."
Then Orihime resumed her high pitch laughter. "This is histerical." She ran a hand through her long auburn hair.
It took a moment until it sunk in. Now Grimmjow felt bad, he didn't know what to say.
"Er, I should apologize, woman."
Orihime waved her hands around. "Oh don't be silly, I clearly understand how you feel."
"Sorry fer yellin' at ya like an axe murderer." The blunette huffed.
Orihime smiled. Grimmjow gave an awkward smile back as he started to walk past her.
"Where are you going ?" Orihime wanted to make sure, even if she already knew the answer to that.
Grimmjow shot her a grin over his shoulder. "Somewhere I should've gone three years ago."
Small drops of rain began to fall.
"And if you have a minute why don't we go
talk about it somewhere only we know.
this could be the end of everything
Ss why don't we go, somewhere only we know."
- Keane, Somewhere Only We Know
Brunswick Community Hospital, North Carolina
As Ichigo Kurosaki exited the coffee break room, the sight of a soaking wet blue haired man caught him off guard, his files scattered all over the hospital floor.
"Gr..Grimm ?"
Ichigo tried his best to recover from the shock. There, right in front of him, four years older than he last saw him.
Grimmjow took a step forward. "Ichigo." That deep, sinful voice Ichigo missed so much and haunted his dreams on nightly basis.
Ichigo shakily walked over to where the blunette stood. "Grimmjow, what are you doing here ?"
Grimmjow was silent, pain crept onto his handsome face then he pulled Ichigo into his arms.
"It's my dad, Ichi." he murmured in Ichigo's hair.
Ichigo's heart stopped for a second. "No. Oh, Grimm, I'm so sorry, I wished I'd known."
"Ain't gonna change anythin'. Grimmjow said hoarsely, but didn't let go of the orangette. Ichigo hugged him tighter, burying his face at the crook of the taller man's neck.
"I'm still sorry, Grimm, it might not be worth much, but I am truly sorry. He was a good man."
Ichigo tilted his head back and they eyed each other.
Then agonizingly slow, Grimmjow kissed Ichigo's forehead, his left brow, on the bridge of his nose, until the older man's lips ghosted over Ichigo's soft ones. Ichigo leaned in and their lips met.
They kissed languidly, sharing the warmth.
"Yo, intern."
Ichigo's tall, dark brown haired supervisor interrupted.
Honey brown eyes widen in shock, he recognized that voice. "Shit, sorry Chief." Ichigo broke away from Grimmjow.
The man Ichigo called Chief smirked. "Your shift's over in an hour, but considering how deadly quiet here is tonight, you're free to leave now."
"Ah, and take a week off too. You look like you need it." The brown haired male cocked his head at Grimmjow, winking at Ichigo.
Ichigo blushed shyly. "Are you sure that's okay ? I mean, I don't know if the Chief of Staff will allow it."
"Tch, it's me you're talking about, orange. Ivan Azgiaro, Chief Resident." He said with a proud smile. "Now scoot, get your ass out of here before I change my mind." Ivan made a shoo-ing motion with his hand.
Ichigo grinned ear to ear. "Thanks Chief."
Ivan chuckled as he disappeared behind his office door.
"Grimm, I'm gonna get my things. Wait here ?" Ichigo breathed in a rush.
Grimmjow nodded, too tired to talk.
"I'll be there in a heartbeat."
- Simple Plan, Summer Paradise
"How'd you find me ?" Ichigo smiled, mostly with his eyes. His lips a thin upturned crescent that kept his teeth hidden.
Grimmjow flashed a grin. "Tried Chapel Hill but they told me no one by the name of Ichigo Kurosaki work there, so I stopped by yer folks' house, had to arm wrestle yer dad fer the address."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Guess we know how that turned out."
The one bedroom apartment was small, but was not suffocatingly cramped. Laying down on Ichigo's bed, facing each other, it felt right.
"I really did miss you." Ichigo cradled Grimmjow's chin and pulled his head to his, kissing him delicately.
"Missed ya too."
Ichigo kissed Grimmjow again, a kiss that started slow, lingering, and goes from there. The orangette's hand on the side of Grimmjow's face, the blunette's hand on the small of Ichigo's back, feeling the tight contours and the smooth porcelain feel of the orangette's amber skin beneath the tips of his fingers.
"C'mere." Grimmjow pulled Ichigo to him. He felt as though he couldn't get close enough to the orangette despite their bodies being pressed tightly together, his hand running down up Ichigo's back.
Both breathing heavily as they kissed.
Ichigo caught Grimmjow watching him and they stopped kissing.
"I kept writing you letters, every seven days. I felt terrible about it but I couldn't stop,couldn't stop writing to you. Never sent any of them though, never even finished them-" The younger's mouth trembled.
Grimmjow pushed Ichigo's orange bangs out of his eyes. "Why didn't ya tell me ya called off the engagement ? I'd be there in a heart beat and never look back."
"I was scared, Grimm. I was too scared maybe If I told you it wouldn't have changed a thing, and you would still hate me for what I'd done, for hurting you." Ichigo admitted, biting his lip.
The azure eyed man felt a surge of relief wash over him. "I could never hate ya, Ichi. Even if I tried."
Grimmjow lower his head until their foreheads touched, they stayed that way wearing ridiculous grins on their face.
"How're ya ?" Grimmjow asked, kissing Ichigo's cold fingers. "What are things fer ya around here right now ?"
"Better now." The orangette confessed, his slow, crooked smile spreading across his face.
Suddenly Ichigo's lips quivered. "You're really here. I'm not dreaming am I ?"
"I'm right here, right in front of ya." Grimmjow assured, kissing Ichigo's cheek and his neck.
Ichigo ran his hands feverishly over Grimmjow's short blue hair between his fingers.
"I love you, Grimm, always." Ichigo said breathlessly.
"What's not ta love ?" The blunette coudn't keep the giddy grin off his face.
"Asshole." The smaller male grumbled lazily, pressing a palm to the blunette's chest.
Grimmjow rested his forehead on Ichigo's. "I love you more."
Ichigo blushed and opened his mouth. "I want you to know, that if you need help with your dad's-" Ichigo stopped himself, unable to find a way of saying it.
"His funeral arrangement ?" Grimmjow finished his sentence for him.
Ichigo nodded. "Yeah."
"That'd be nice, Ichi, thank you." The blunette gave the love of his life a small smile.
"Here we go, come with me
there's a world out there that we should see
take my hand, close your eyes
with you right here, I'm a rocketeer."
- Ryan Tedder & Far East Movement, Rockeeter
St. Lawrence Cemetery
Present day
Strangely funny weather today, warm, but cloudy.
Ichigo stood alongside Grimmjow by Barragan's grave up at the hill.
It was just like the other gravestones, grey and black marble, Ichigo had picked out the flowers, a bouquet of yellow carnation and white calla lilies was placed on top.
IN MEMORY OF
A VERY DEAR FATHER
BARRAGAN LUISENBARN JAEGERJAQUEZ
22 September 1955 – 16 May 2007
SADLY MISSED NEVER FORGOTTEN
Ichigo took Grimmjow's hand in his, squeezing gently. Grimmjow smiled at him and leaned close to whisper into Ichigo's ear. "Forever."
Ichigo smiled back. "Forever".
With Ichigo by his side,
Nothing else in the world matters.
So, that's about it folks! Thank you for reading ! I apologize for any mis-spellings or grammar mistakes. I did the editing myself and hopefully my English Literature knowledge hadn't worn off !
*CURTSY*
Sorry for the 2005-2007 time skip, didn't want to bore you into too much details ! ARGH !
Reviews makes me a happy happy girl :)
Have you guys check out this GrimmIchi tumblr blog ? It's ridiculously hilarious and entertaining ! just remove the spaces.
grimmichiasktime. tumblr . com
See you next time !
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