Chapter 15

Warning: last chapter =(

Renji's back though!

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Renji was having coffee in this small quaint café which recently opened. He spent the last hour and a half staring at the people passing by, in a rush to get home because of the cold. The year was almost at its end, and the red head was feeling a wee bit lonely. He was also feeling a tad jealous of his two friends, Shuuhei, who had Ichigo, and Izuru, who had Gin.

To say Renji was relieved was an understatement. Seeing his friend Izuru with a mega watt smile on his face after what seemed like decades was good sign that he was moving on. Besides, he looked better like that.

"You're looking damn good, Izuru."

The blond man blushed. He really had no idea how to tell his best friend about the latest developments between him and Gin. But he knew that Renji would understand.

"Thanks." He shyly said. He then took a deep breath. "It's Gin."

Well, the red head wasn't expecting this. All Gin did was to wreak havoc. But if he made Izuru smile like this, he couldn't care less, so long as he didn't hurt him. Wait, scratch that. So long as he didn't continue hurting him, then he guessed it would be alright.

"Uh, what do you exactly mean? Can you at least elaborate?" the red head said.

Again, Izuru gave him that shy, albeit mega watt smile. "You see, we're officially together now."

The red head had to blink a couple of times then stared intently at the man in front of him before it him that the other was serious.

"Uh, congratulations?" Renji offered.

Izuru beamed. He knew it, Renji would understand.

Later that night saw the red head having a much missed drinking session with his senpai. He noticed the man was sporting bandaged knuckles, though he could tell they were almost healed. Renji kind of had an idea where that came from.

"So, senpai…" he started a bit queasily, he knew talking about Gin was dangerous ground.

"Yo," Shuuhei was slightly inebriated, he was still coherent though. He was lying on the couch. He looked like he was in a session with his shrink.

"You know, I was kind of wondering where you got that injury of yours."

"Why Renji I never knew you could be so subtle!" the tattooed man sarcastically said.

"Well, what happened?"

"Gin was being an asshole who never knew when to stop."

"Oh man, I knew it. What if he presses charges against you or something?" the red head asked worriedly.

"I don't care, so long as I got to pummel his face to a fucking bloody pulp. He harassed Ichigo in our own home!" Shuuhei sat up and looked Renji straight in the eye. "Would I rather stand by and wait for something worse to happen?"

Renji sat there speechless. He knew that if something similar happened to him, he would probably do something like that, maybe even worse. He was such a jealous bastard. He pinched the bridge of his nose, he felt a headache coming.

"Is Ichigo okay?"

"Yeah, he was just a little traumatized, that's all."

"Yeah, as long as he's okay."

Shuuhei slumped back, and then said as he stared up the ceiling, "I don't think I can take it if anything happens to Ichigo."

They drank the rest of the night in silence.

Damn it, this holiday was not just for him. I need to get laid were the words his mind was screaming at him. He was startled out of his reverie when his mobile phone rang. It was Shuuhei.

"Yeah?"

"Ichigo and I would be spending the New Year together with his family. They would be throwing a year end bash at their home in Karakura. Why don't you join us?"

"Senpai, wouldn't that be a little awkward?" the red head worriedly asked.

"Nah. Ichigo's dad might be a tad weird, but his sisters are lovely. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't mind. Besides, I know you need the company." The other man snickered.

"Yeah, thanks for rubbing it in." Renji retorted as he rolled his eyes.

"Hey, come on, you know I was just joking", Shuuhei placated the man, "Anyway, are you coming or not?"

Renji was silent for a few seconds then, "Yeah, why the hell not."

"Good. I'll tell Ichigo then. Bye."

The red head was again back to contemplating and he did not notice a man holding a coffee pot walking toward him.

"Hi, would you like your cup to be refilled?"

Renji had a moment to process the vision in front of him. Here was a good looking pink haired guy, a bit on the skinny side, and he had the most unusual amber eyes behind a pair of silver rimmed glasses. He was wearing a simple pair of jeans and a thick woolen black sweater with a white apron over it.

Said guy shyly smiled and repeated the question as the red head continued to gawk at him.

"Uh… yeah, sure…" Renji mumbled intelligently. This guy is too cute to be working here!

"My name is Szayel by the way. If you need anything, I'd be by the counter or you could just call my brother's attention. His name is Ilforte." He said after refilling the red head's cup.

"Yeah, I'd do that." Then, with a blush, Renji asked before the guy had a chance to walk toward the counter, "Uh, Szayel? Uh, yeah, well… can I ask for your number please?"

Szayel gave him his number and gave him such a dazzling smile that Renji had to blush even more. And of course a date for tomorrow night had been set up. Renji just had to call his senpai to inform him there had been a change of plans. I'll end the New Year with a bang!

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A/N: hope you like it. There's a bit of OOC action from Szayel but I really like him together with Renji. I really have no idea why.

I would like to thank everyone who read and reviewed this story; you rock, because ya'll encouraged me to write more!

Omake anyone?

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(In Ichigo's bedroom, Kurosaki family home, with Shuuhei; New Year's Day, around 8am)

Ichigo: why didn't Renji come again?

Shuuhei: he met this cute guy at that newly opened café, remember?

Ichigo: he must be having a lot of funright now… hmm? (He said this while drawing circles alluringly on his lover's chest)

Shuuhei (nuzzling Ichigo while holding the hand which previously drew circles alluringly on his chest): yeah, I guess so…

(In Szayel's bedroom, Grantz brothers' apartment; more or less same time)

Renji (with Szayel's head resting on the crook of his shoulder): achoooo!