DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH THOUGH I WISH I DO.
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Chapter 3
Ichigo was reaching for a Neil Gaiman novel when he felt a pair of strong arms wrap around his waist. A slight blush spread on his features. He was still a bit embarrassed about Shuuhei's public displays of affection but he appreciated it nonetheless.
"You've finally begun reading works other than Shakespeare's." the older man's chin rested on the berry's shoulder.
The said berry smiled. Shuuhei's warmth enveloped him like a glove. He turned and placed a chaste kiss on the man's cheek, blush still in place.
"I need to broaden my perspective or else I'm going stagnant," hand on the other's chest,"… you were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. What took you so long?"
Shuuhei grinned sheepishly. "I realized that I was such a slob and cleaned up my apartment." At this, he placed an apologetic kiss on Ichigo's temple.
"You're the sexiest slob that I know then, but you could've called me up you know." Both men laughed. Shuuhei's arms tightened a fraction around the berry's waist. If possible, the blush deepened on his face.
"I'll just pay for this alright. Meet you here?"
"Sure." The older man reluctantly let go of the other. He stared at the berry's slowly retreating back, eyes straying to the other's bottom. He just loved the way Ichigo's jeans rested on his hips, snugly embracing them. He loved the fact that the berry loved tight fitting shirts and the way it accented his lithe frame.
The tattooed man browsed through the books. The man appreciated his boyfriend's taste in literature, classical and eclectic at the same time. This was one of the many things he discovered during the six months that they were dating. He also found out that Ichigo does not smell as his name implies. He actually smelled like chocolates, just like the ones the berry liked to eat while studying. He also tasted like it too, come to think of it.
"Shuuhei?" A familiar voice called out to him. It was Izuru.
"Izuru? Wow, what are you doing here?"
"Just browsing for something to entertain me." Looking for that limited edition Mark Danielewski novel that you wanted was actually what he wanted to say. "Are you waiting for someone?"
Shuuhei again had that sheepish grin, though he felt that he had nothing to be guilty about. He just was not ready to introduce Ichigo to his ex-boyfriend of all people, for crying out loud!
"Uh, yeah. I think here he comes."
True enough; the man in question was already approaching the other two, with a subtle scowl on his face. This was another thing the tattooed man loved about the berry, he was just too transparent, it was just too cute.
"Shuu?"
Izuru froze, but immediately recovered. He felt his gut drop a few meters though. He was not about to meet his ex-lover's new boyfriend, he was not…
"Ichigo," a kiss to the cheek, "this is Izuru. Izuru, this is my boyfriend, Ichigo."
An uncomfortable silence stretched for a few seconds before Ichigo managed to croak "How do you do?"
The blond man was of course equally at a loss for words but then again nothing beat "I'm doing great, thanks."
The tattooed man could just barely take the tension between his past and present. It was just so thick you could actually eat it with a fork. It was not until Izuru broke the silence that again overtook the three of them.
"You know what, I really have to go. I have an appointment that I cannot miss. So see you guys around then, alright?" He was just a bad liar…
"Yeah. See you around then. And nice meeting you." The berry said, if not a bit awkwardly.
"Uh, yeah, goodbye then, Izuru."
Ichigo waited until the blond man left the store. He then turned to his boyfriend, wearing a rattled look on his face.
"Was that…?"
"Yeah."
"…"
Both men slowly walked out of the store. He took the berry's hand in his own and squeezed it tightly. The younger man looked at him and gave him a small apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry. I guess I got a bit jealous back there."
Shuuhei let loose his breath that he realized he was holding. He let go of the berry's hand and wrapped his arm around the other's shoulder. He pulled the berry's head toward the junction of his neck and shoulder.
"I'm just glad it's finally over. And I'm glad that you felt that way… it just means you can't live without me." He received a light punch to the shoulder instead of a kiss that he was expecting.
"Idiot."
Big fat raindrops then started to fall.
"Shit." Shuuhei cussed. The tattooed man took off his jacket and proceeded to shield both himself and his berry from the rain. As they were running toward the nearest shed, Ichigo gave him a warm smile that told volumes. Clearly, life is good.
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A/N: it seems weird that i keep on projecting my own interests in my fanfics. first there was garbage, then my love for neil gaiman and mark danielewski (i have this guy's house of leaves, which is like the blair witch project in the form of a novel). just thinking out loud.
oh yeah, before i forget, a gazillion thanx to the people who read the 2nd chap. )