Hideho folks,
Love to all reviewers, you guys are awesome and I am so happy this little bit of nonsense that kept me awake at night till i wrote it has gone down well.
Hope you all enjoy!
Phoebe, signing out
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Part Three
It took Grimmjow a few minutes of looking around to figure out where he was. Everything was a little fuzzy in his head and even blinking didn't quite seem to clear his eyesight. The room he was in was a good size, nicely decorated and he could see his tall brother standing at the end of his bed, talking to another man with long white hair.
He listened to the voice of the other man, but it didn't match the voice that had been speaking to him for days. The smooth, deep voice had told him so much but nothing to give him even the slightest clue what the owner looked like. Which was a shame as Grimmjow was almost certain that he was falling in love with that voice. He was funny, kind, shy and smart and Grimmjow couldn't think of any other qualities he'd want in a guy, except perhaps long legs ending in a perfect ass but even that was negotiable.
Grimmjow tried to make sense of the words being said but he struggled, sitting up to lean in. His brain felt like it exploded, the whole room taking a nose dive to the left and then kept spinning. Grimmjow couldn't help but empty the lining out of his stomach, moaning around the retches before he fell back, breathless and still heaving slightly.
"Shit,"
He understood that word, his brother always having a colourful vocabulary and he chuckled with his eyes closed as he felt the two men approaching him.
"Mr Jaeggerjaques, can you hear me?"
Grimmjow moaned as light was shined in his eyes, turning away from it as the world tilted on its axis again, his liver threatening to come up through his mouth that time. "Yeah, get that god damn light out of my face." He brushed the hand away, blinking as he looked up at his brother.
"Yo, you look like crap."
"I'm not a mirror Bro." Grimmjow sniggered as Nnoitra scowled at him before he rolled at his eyes at the fact that his little brother was still a pain in his ass, even when he wasn't well.
"Are you still feeling nauseous?"
Grimmjow looked over at the doctor on his other side, shaking his head slightly. "Not really, except from the smell I made. Can I get a shower?"
The doctor frowned. "I'd rather you stayed in bed and we got one of the nurses to wash you."
"Sponge bath Bro, can you request a particular type?" Nnoitra winked at him with his creepy grin spread.
"No, please, I really want to wash properly. And it'll give someone the chance to change these sheets." Grimmjow slowly sat up, holding his aching head in one hand.
"Fine, but not alone I'm afraid. I can get a male nurse to accompany you into the shower unless a family member is willing to help." The doctor looked over at Nnoitra who snorted loudly.
"I remember giving this squirt a bath when he was younger, fucker would never sit still. I'm out."
Grimmjow rolled his eyes, regretting it when it hurt a little. "God, I was three. You wouldn't play with me." Nnoitra just grinned, saying he was heading out for a smoke.
Grimmjow was helped into the shower room by a very large male nurse named Chad. Grimmjow felt fairly safe in his hands, that the man could catch him if he fell but he did walk to the shower under his own power with just an elbow hold to keep him steady. The hospital gown was stripped off and put in a pile under the basin before the nurse put the shower on. Grimmjow was mildly embarrassed at having another man in his shower that wasn't his lover but it wasn't high on the worst thing that had happened. His thoughts drifted to the voice he'd been listening to. He knew the name, Ichigo Kurosaki and he had a rough judgement of the man's age as well from listening to him talk about his education and his level. It did mean Grimmjow was older but not obscenely. He estimated his dream man was around twenty four which made him four years younger, perhaps five since Grimmjow's birthday was soon.
"Mr Jaeggerjaques, is the water alright?"
"I think you can call me Grimmjow, since we're in the shower." He chuckled and was glad when the nurse joined him. "And yeah, it's fine. Can you tell me how long I've been asleep?"
"Nearly three weeks. The doctor will talk to you more when you're cleaned up."
The door burst open and a new doctor stood just inside, bright orange hair being the first thing that stood out to Grimmjow sitting proudly on his head. Grimmjow noticed quickly that the doctor wasn't alright though, his face badly bruised and he was favouring his side. The nurse clearly recognised him and said the name of the man who'd been keeping him company for three weeks.
"Ichigo?" Grimmjow was so shocked that his mystery man had come in quite so dramatically and looked so beaten. The man in question clearly wasn't well however and as he stepped back he didn't quite make it, falling to the floor and rattling his head off the ceramic sink.
The two men in the shower froze initially, shocked by what had just happened before they moved to help.
Chad turned the shower off, grabbing the two towels he'd put on the rail to the side. "I'm just going to sit you on the toilet lid so I can check on him alright?" He wrapped one towel round Grimmjow's waist and draped the other around his shoulders. After closing the toilet, Grimmjow was guided onto his backside to sit and watch.
Ichigo was lying in a heap, out cold still so Chad first straightened him out, gently feeling the limbs to see if they were injured in any way. He checked for a pulse, checked his breathing before looking at his obvious injuries.
"Is he alright? Can I do anything?" Grimmjow hated feeling helpless and he hadn't imagined his first meeting with Ichigo being like that.
"Can you pull the red cord? I don't want to leave you to go and get help for him. For all I know, you'll fall and join him on the floor."
"Is he Ichigo Kurosaki?" Grimmjow stretched out his hand and pulled the emergency call.
"Yes, how do you know his name?" Chad was still checking Ichigo for injuries, checking his cast, hips and ribs.
"He's been talking to me when I was asleep. Feel like I know everything about him. This was those fucks that broke his finger, isn't it?"
Chad brushed the hair off his forehead, eyes wide as he stared at the patient. He knew Ichigo had been having problems with some of the other residents but he hadn't imagined that it had some to this. Then again his explanation of the broken fingers was a bit weak.
A female nurse knocked on the door before opening it. "Hello, the alarm has been set off."
"Orihime, get some help and a gurney, Doctor Kurosaki is hurt."
The girl pushed all the way into the room to see what was going on. "What happened?"
"I don't know, he walked in like this." Chad was glad the girl didn't ask any more questions before going for help. Two doctors in white coats came back with her, alone with the wheeled bed and Ichigo was quickly lifted onto it. They paused in Grimmjow's room to do a couple of checks and Chad lifted Grimmjow's dressing gown to give him some dignity before bringing him through. Grimmjow recognised the doctor who'd been in his room when he woke up as one of the ones helping Ichigo but the younger doctor was a stranger, even if it felt like he should know him.
"Chad, who's the other doctor?" Grimmjow was sat on his bed and chad stayed with him.
"That's Doctor Redder with Doctor Ukitake."
Grimmjow felt hostility gather inside him and he stood, his muscles tense as he recognised the name from Ichigo's stories. "Get him away from Ichigo, he's one of the ones who broke his finger, that have been making his life hell for three years and probably responsible for the state he's in."
"Are you sure?"
Grimmjow just rolled his eyes, walking forward and feeling much stronger on his own feet that he did a moment ago. He reached the gurney in a few steps and he grabbed the younger doctor's arm. He turned with a scowl, everyone in the room now staring at Grimmjow for his actions.
"Get your hands off him; you're the one that did this."
"Mr Jaeggerjaques, I have to protest. Doctor Redder is one of the residents here." Doctor Ukitake came round to the side with Redder and Grimmjow. "You need to get back in bed and let us take care of our doctor."
"You mean like he did when he broke Ichigo's finger? Or when he pulled the chair out from under him in the cafeteria? When he changed Ichigo's drug orders for a patient? Him and his friends have been terrorising Ichigo for years and I would bet good money that those were cause by Ichigo trying to stop him doing whatever he was doing. Does Ichigo have blood under his fingernails?" Grimmjow pointed at the still very red and angry scratches down Redder's neck, Redder slapping his hand over them but it was too late.
The nurse Orihime lifted Ichigo's hand, holding it up when she saw the broken and bloody fingernails on it. "There is, he's dug them into someone recently."
Doctor Ukitake turned on Redder with a fierce scowl, Redder backing up with his hands up. "You have been abusing one of your fellow residents? Broke his finger and attacked him?"
"I didn't break his finger." Redder was panicked and was glancing between the three men in the room.
"No, but you held him while your friend Aizen did though didn't you?"
"Aizen?" Ukitake turned to Grimmjow. "How do you know all this?"
Grimmjow pointed at Ichigo. "He told me. He's been hiding out in my room since I came here, since he dumped me onto him the first night. Ichigo told me I'd be better with him anyway, since Redder and his crew would have smothered me in my sleep. Oh, and who the fuck were you calling a vegetable?"
Redder's face went white, the man trembling as he stood. Ukitake was a kind and gentle man but he was fiercely protective of those he cared about. "You will take yourself to the residents' locker room. You will wait there until the chief comes for you or there will be a police car at your residence before you get there. Do I make myself clear?" Redder nodded like his head was going to fall off before he scarpered. Ukitake let out a deep sigh before turning back to the young man on the bed beside him. "You've always been trouble boy. Mr Jaeggerjaques, bed, now."
Grimmjow did as he was told, Chad pulling up the side rails in case he got dizzy again. Ukitake and Nurse Orihime pushed the gurney out in time for Nnoitra to see, the taller man coming in the room with a frown.
"What the hell happened in the length of time it took me to have a smoke?"
"Did you meet Ichigo Kurosaki? The orange haired doctor?" Grimmjow nodded his thanks at Chad as he settled against his pillows. Nnoitra walked up to the bed side to look down at his little brother. He did think the younger man was looking better, if a bit wound up.
"You mean the one flaked out on the bed that just got wheeled out? Yeah, he's been hiding out in here for a while. Seems there is a bunch of dick head doctors picking on him, they came in here just before you woke up trying to get him to come out for 'a word'. Didn't like them and I kept him in with me for a little bit. What happened to him?"
"Well, we don't actually know. He burst in on me having a shower looking like crap. The Doc is away to find out. I think they might have got a hold of him after he left. He looked beat to hell. Poor kid."
Nnoitra grinned at his little brother. "Fancy a man in a white coat? Change for you anyway. You usually go for them as dumb as shit."
"Fuck you; he's just really cool and nice. Hell I don't know if he's even like that. Or interested in me." Grimmjow humphed as he realised that in all of his conversation, Ichigo didn't mention a preference or past significant others in enough detail to make an assumption.
"He's like that, and he's interested. Just to let you know." Chad was filling in things on the iPad in the corner and the other two had almost forgotten he was still here.
Grimmjow's grin came out, quirking an eyebrow at his brother before he settled down. "Can you let me know how he's doing Chad? And anything you hear about the dick head abusers?"
"Technically I can't discuss another patient with you Grimmjow and I definitely can't tell you anything about internal issues, I'm sorry. The floor is still to be cleaned since you were sick sir, I'll have a couple of orderlies come in and take care of it alright?"
Grimmjow nodded, thanking the nurse for everything before he left. Grimmjow wasn't feeling great and still hadn't heard anything about what was wrong with him or if he was even alright. His doctor was away doctoring another doctor which was amusing to think about but it left Grimmjow wondering what was going on.
"Doc said your thick skull protected your brain for the most part but will need some time to normalise. Also said you might be dizzy for a bit."
Grimmjow snorted, the smell of his vomit was still in the room.
"You had a bleed on your liver, hence the knarly new scar but it's all fixed. Was just waiting for you to wake your lazy ass up really. You need another scan and a meet with the brain doc before you're cleared to go home. You basically slept your surgery recovery away, which is the good news."
"Going to need some serious gym time to recover the muscle loss though. I can feel my shoulders and thighs aren't the same."
"Maybe you could use this to realise that you don't need a hard and lumpy body? Some of us enjoy the sleeker, easier to maintain form."
Grimmjow laughed hard at that. "You've always been jealous that I can hold more muscle than you. Don't turn it around like it's a bad thing."
"So, about this kid doctor; you going to go for it?"
"I'm going to give it a go. God you know it's been a long time since I could hold a relationship down. He's the one that said it: he's actually busier than me so maybe he won't dump me for not being around that much."
"And maybe you'll actually get laid; god knows it's been long enough. You're a pain on the ass when your celibate."
"Just because you've got a fuck toy doesn't mean we all do."
The door opened and two young looking males paused after hearing the last statement, both looking at each other in shock. One held a bucket and mop while the other had a roll of blue paper and they glanced between the two men in the room, shrugging before they got on with their task. Grimmjow glanced up at Nnoitra who sucked his teeth for a second before he wandered over to the sofa to get out of the way.
"Mizuiro, what were you saying about Doctor Kurosaki?"
iiiii
Ichigo knew he was in a hospital bed when he was coming round. He knew the feeling of them by heart after stealing naps on them over the last few years. He processed what hurt in the order of importance, his hips and back taking second place to his thumping head. His shoulder hurt, his face ached and his fingers were nipping which was odd. Every muscle was complaining in some way and he knew he'd been given some sort of pain medication so it was definitely going to get worse.
He blinked his eyes a few times, surprised to see himself in one of the private rooms. It wasn't overly unusual for one of the staff to end up there if getting surgery as it freed a bed in the regular hospital but he was just hurt. He felt the tube in the back of his hand and glanced above himself to see the stand at his side, two bags hanging on it and filtering into his system. Looking around he recognised the layout easily but he was shocked by the body on the sofa at the side, mildly amused by the role reversal as Grimmjow sat reading a newspaper in a pair of pyjamas with a pair of black rimmed glasses on the end of his nose. Ichigo watched him for a moment, the man easily handling the broadsheet and it wasn't until Grimmjow glanced up to check on him that he even noticed Ichigo was awake.
The paper was abandoned, the glasses being shed as he walked over. A crooked grin from above made Ichigo blush and return the smile. "Hey, nice to see you awake."
Ichigo snorted. "That should be my line surely. What are you doing here, shouldn't you be in bed?"
Grimmjow grinned, hands itching to run through the soft orange hair. "Probably. Not really used to taking orders I'm afraid. And I thought I'd return the favour. You kept me company after all."
Ichigo paled quickly, realising what he meant. "You knew I was there? The whole time?"
"Yup, heard every word. Even felt you playing with my hair."
"I'm so sorry Mr Jaeggerjaques, it was inappropriate."
Grimmjow gave into the want to touch the other, stroking the fine, thick hair. He felt Ichigo respond which widened his smile. "I didn't say I was complaining did I? I wanted to meet you the second I woke up. Didn't think it'd be in my shower though." Grimmjow kept playing with the orange hair, loving the return of the blush to the other's skin. He'd been far too pale lying on the gurney in Grimmjow's room.
Ichigo stammered over an apology but Grimmjow wouldn't hear it. Grimmjow lifted the hand closest to it, pecking a light kiss next to the IV port. "No complaints from me. And I'd love to get a coffee with you, or dinner? And no, I won't take no for an answer."
Grimmjow stroked the hair once more before heading over to the door. "I will come back to see you but I said I'd let Doctor Ukitake know as soon as you woke up. He said I may as well make myself useful since I was here anyway. Feel better, you can tell me what happened later alright? I'll look forward to hearing your voice."
Ichigo blinked as he dealt with what had just happened. His crush/patient/hiding place had just hit on him, kissed his hand and asked him out all on the same day he'd been attacked. He thought it was amusing that he'd barely been able to get a word in during the conversation, especially since he'd been the one speaking for three weeks but he felt a little stronger knowing he had someone, even as new and exciting as it was, to support him a little through what had just happened. He wasn't stupid and he hadn't hit his head that hard. He was glad Grimmjow hadn't asked him for details of what had happened to land him in the bed as he didn't think he'd have been able to handle telling him then his superiors all in the same hour. He'd tell Grimmjow, just not when it was so raw.
He couldn't believe Redder was willing to go that far and it scared him to think what else they would do. Especially with him vulnerable in the bed like he was. He regretted Grimmjow leaving then, realising that even though the other was recovering and wouldn't be able to physically so much, his presence was a safe place, the others would never attack him if he wasn't alone.
The door opened and Ichigo jumped, pressing himself up against the headboard as he stared at the person coming in. Doctor Ukitake held out his hands gently, trying to reassure Ichigo that he wasn't there to hurt him. "Easy Ichigo, calm down. You've got a concussion and some serious bruising on your back so please don't move around too much."
"I'm alright sir, honestly."
"After being physically attacked in a linen closet and after getting your finger violently dislocated by a member of staff you're alright? After being mentally abused for months you're just alright? Why wouldn't you tell me Ichigo? Your dad is on his way in by the way and he is really not impressed that his son was getting treated this way. The Chief is on his way here and he is really upset that one of his residents was under such duress. Why would you carry this by yourself?"
Ichigo flushed, tucking his chin down. "How could I have done anything? It was stupid stuff, hazing and stuff that just went too far. His dad is my boss and everyone just flocked to him. God sometimes I even second guessed myself."
Ukitake raised a white eyebrow. "Yes I know. Your new bodyguard has been very eloquent about exactly what has been going on. It turns out that he has an excellent memory as well as good hearing. You couldn't tell me but you spoke to a patient about it all?"
"Sir, I spoke to a wall. There just happened to be a sleeping man against it. I didn't think he could hear me. It was nice though, nice to finally be able to let it all out."
"If you'd have come to me months ago and 'let it all out' we could have prevented this!"
"Could have prevented Redder from falling asleep on his night shift? Then prevented him trying to rape me in a linen cupboard to keep me quiet? These things would have still happened."
Ukitake was shocked, he hadn't known the full purpose of the attack and he covered his mouth with his hand. Ichigo was angry when he'd blurted it out, hating that he was getting blamed for it all for not speaking. He had been planning to keep the try intention of the cupboard assault to himself to save face a little.
"He tried to, sexually assault you?"
"He didn't want to leave any physical marks, but wanted to warn me from telling anyone." Ichigo spoke with his eyes trained on the blanket over him.
"And you weren't going to tell anyone were you? Except your unconscious new best friend. Ichigo, you don't have to burden yourself with everything. When the chief comes in I want you to tell him everything, and I want you to press charges on them. You are worth more than this shell you've been playing recently."
Ichigo glanced up at the older man, warmth filling him at the sight of the caring eyes looking down on him. "Can you stay in when I speak to the chief; I don't want to chicken out half way through."
Ukitake laid a hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "Of course, your dad will be here soon though; wouldn't you want him to be here instead?" Jushiro couldn't keep a straight face saying that however, Ichigo cracking a grin as well at the thought of his ridiculous father being serious enough for that kind of meeting.
iiiiii
Ichigo didn't like telling his story once, let alone having to repeat it to the police an hour later. He was left in peace eventually, told to rest and that he could go home tomorrow and would be staying off work for at least a week resting as well. He wasn't impressed with the weeklong break but when he shifted around on his bed, he could tell his body had taken some serious damage. Plus that would give the hospital some time to gossip in his absence.
He was just settling down for the night when his door opened and a familiar figure walked in, no glasses that time but he had a deep blue dressing gown on over his pyjamas for battle the evening chill. "Hello you, feels weird not having heard your voice for so long."
Ichigo snorted, leaning his head back on the pillows with a small smile on his face. "Hey. How are you feeling?"
Grimmjow padded over to the bed, standing over Ichigo and looking down, as if trying to memorise his face. "I'm feeling better in here with you. You must have spent a lot of time over the last three weeks at my side, I'm awake now but I'm missing your voice."
"I miss talking to you. Now I have to listen as well."
"Is that a problem?" Grimmjow shifted on his feet, hands suddenly in the pockets of his coat.
Ichigo smiled a little wider. "Hell no, I think you've got a lot of catching up to do."
Grimmjow grinned back, stepping closer to the bed and perching on the side. "Absolutely. Green, pizza and action movies."
Ichigo frowned in confusion.
Grimmjow lifted a hand and cupped Ichigo's jaw, stroking it a little with his thumb before pecking a light kiss on Ichigo's mouth. "A quick rundown on the basics, just to get us started." Both men grinned widely, Grimmjow pressing forward for a deeper, fuller kiss.
Aw, nice happy ending. Could have written more, think this is the first GrimmIchi that hasn't had any sex in it! What is wrong with me! If the muse hits I might add another chapter in, just cos the boys are so good together!