November 5, 4:56 PM

"You're enjoying yourself way too much, Kurosaki." Ishida said as he was walking ahead of Ichigo going home from school.

"Is that a crime?" Ichigo asked while he had his hands intertwined behind his head, still being the happy one.

"I can out right make it one if you continue this insolence." Ishida said with acid in his voice. "And I'll be the one laughing."

"But I'm sure you'll be the one to bail me out, too." Ichigo said confidently.

"Think again."

"Oh, come on, Ishida! I was only kidding around, you know that."

"I mean it, Kurosaki." He said with much authority. "You'll be ending up with no celebrant tomorrow if you keep this up, understood?"

Ichigo then ran ahead of Ishida to block his path, stood up right, and brought his hand up to his head to a salute, "Yes, sir!" he said in the most adorable way possible.

Ishida groaned, rolled his eyes, and pushed him aside to keep walking, and like an obedient dog, Ichigo followed.

"Hmm, but I do have a bad feeling that I'll be in prison some time soon."

November 5, 5:13 PM

They reached Ishida's apartment quicker than usual that afternoon. Probably because Ishida was anything but in the mood, Ichigo was the only one having fun, and they couldn't find a nice dark alley anywhere. Most definiteley the last one.

Ishida stopped in front of his door with Ichigo behind him. Ishida just stood there not moving an inch, and with no intention of getting into his apartment. Ichigo could tell that Ishida was thinking again, but as always he didn't know what about. It was even harder because Ishida had his back to him. Ichigo knew he should keep quiet, but that wouldn't lead to anything.

"Are you mad?" Ichigo asked, concerned.

"No." Came the straight reply.

"Do you hate me?"

Ishida sighed, "No."

Ichigo paused, looked down at his feet and then said in his most sincere tone, "Hey, um. Sorry, Ishida. You're right, I am enjoying myself too much."

Ishida didn't say anything.

"I mean, it is your birthday that's coming up. Not mine."

Nothing. It was killing Ichigo.

"Please, Ishida. Just-just say something." Ichigo raised his head to check for any sign of reaction.

None. Silence.

"If you aren't gonna accept my apology then at least-"

"I forgive you." Ishida cut him off quickly. One of his specialties.

"What?"

"Do I have to repeat myself?" Ishida said, like a teacher.

"N-no, I mean..." Ichigo ran his hand through his hair to hide his embarrassment, "Just like that?"

"Yes." Ishida turned around to face his lover, "I mean, it's not like you did anything bad. It's no big deal, really."

"But what's with the whole-"

"I was just thinking." Ishida smiled, "And I am a bit tired."

That made Ichigo blush, "Oh-! Well, um, sorry about that..." Ichigo then brought his head down again in shame.

Ishida then put his slender fingers to Ichigo's chin ever so delicately, and raised his head to get a good look at him. Ichigo had his "You win, Ishida." face on, but then smiled when he saw Ishida smile, too. Their faces were, at the most, 5 inches apart. It wasn't awkward for them to be breathing each other's air anymore.

Ishida sighed again, "Why must you be so difficult?"

Ichigo just smirked at that, "Because being easy wouldn't be fun at all."

Ishida snorted, "Like that's an excuse."

"It is if you want it to be." Ichigo suggested, feeling a little bit more at ease.

"Oh, shut up." Ishida snorted.

"Kiss me first." Ichigo invited, confidently now.

Ishida was hesitant, and their lips met as such. It wasn't a hard lusty kiss, it was more like a soft and warm kiss. One that they rarely had.

For what seemed like just a second later, Ishida pulled back and sighed once more.

"Sorry, I'm just really tired right now." Ishida said in a small voice.

Ichigo, understanding where Ishida's coming from, didn't argue and nodded, "Alright, Ishida." Ichigo turned around, started walking and waved, "See you tomorrow."

Ishida just stayed where he was, motionless. His eyes closely followed Ichigo until he was out of sight before reaching for his door with a devious cocky grin on his face.

"Too easy." Ishida said to himself, opening the door. "Don't you worry, Kurosaki." He entered the apartment, closing the door behind him, "I'll be enjoying myself soon enough."