Hey chaps, loads of peeps seem to be enjoying this which is amazing. I'm having fun with this little bit of nonsense.

Phoe
xxxxx

Chapter 3

The wind was not working. Usually it freed Ichigo from all of his worries; it was his only way of escaping his course, his idiot father, overbearing friends and occasionally his total lack of sex life. Right now he needed his head and his heart clear of any thoughts of a miserable bastard mechanic that may or may not have stolen a teeny tiny part of him. That teeny tiny part was thudding in his chest and making it a bit difficult for him to catch his breath which of course was making him feel more pissed off.

The thing that was pissing him off the most was the moisture collecting in his eyes which was majorly blurring up his vision. He took a corner too sharply and wiped out, skidding then rolling on the ground until he stopped, a sob breaking free mainly from frustration.

"Kid, are you alright?" A male voice asked the question, hands coming to help Ichigo turn around. He twisted off his front, sliding onto his rear before actually trying to assess any damage. His arm and shoulder were nipping from the skid; his knee was throbbing as well. A quick glance down showed he'd skinned through his jeans, gravel embedded in his skin and his t-shirt was ripped at his upper arm and shoulder with grazes over the exposed flesh.

Ichigo swore under his breath before starting to get up.

"Whoa Son, no I think you should stay down." The hands on him kept him from rising, his knee wobbling and refusing to push him through. "I think you should get an ambulance."

"No, I'm alright. Not the first time I've wiped out. Thanks, honestly I'm fine." Ichigo flexed his hands, the scratches from that bitch neighbour open again and filled with dirt as well as new scrapes from the fall.

"At least call someone to come and get you, do you need to borrow my phone." The man was crouching down beside Ichigo. He looked to be around Ichigo's dad's age, greying blond hair and a worried expression. "Call your parents; I'd want to know if my boy had hurt himself." The man extended an expensive smart phone Ichigo's way but the boy shook his head, pulling his own out and sighing with relief when he saw it wasn't damaged.

"Honestly sir, I'll be fine. I'll call my roommate and he'll come and get me ok?" Ichigo was grateful someone had stopped, it could have been a worse fall but he didn't need coddling.

The man took him at his word and clapped him on the back, standing and leaving the boy in peace. Ichigo hauled his legs into a more comfortable position, his knee complaining when he bent it. He really didn't want to have to get all the way back to his dad's again. His phone started ringing on its own, Ichigo assuming it would be Shinji checking on him so he answered without really looking.

"Yo, I'm on my way back. Wiped out on the road a bit though."

A voice that didn't belong to any one his dance crew responded. "Wiped out as in crashed? Are you alright, do you need an ambulance or something?"

Ichigo's gut response was to hang up the phone, followed swiftly by a push to chew the other out over the line. "None of your concern. Is there a problem with the Chevelle?"

"No,"

"Then why are you calling me?" Ichigo did mean to be rude; he'd been through enough for one day.

"Because I had an amazing night with you and wanted a repeat, possibly with something more yet you didn't leave me your number. Then you pull in to my work with a classic and an attitude like I killed you cat or something. So I wanted to know, what is your real hair colour?"

Ichigo blinked at the change of tone. Grimmjow had been working his way up into a seriously pissed off tone that dropped out at the last question, throwing Ichigo's head. "This is my real hair colour; you got a problem with that asshole?"

"You think I would have a problem with an unusual hair colour, I think you look damn hot. What gives with the cold shoulder?"

Ichigo picked himself up, the adrenalin in his system being enough to counter the pain in his body. He started to skate home, not going overly fast but in the right direction. "Ask you damn neighbour with the talons, or your twisted work buddy with the filthy mouth. Ask them why the dirty slutty whore you slept with might give you the cold shoulder. I guess a stupid stripper shouldn't even ask these questions of one so clearly loved by all but why the hell didn't you just throw me out yourself, at least then the message would have been clear from the start."

The line went quiet, Ichigo glancing down at the phone to check it hadn't been cut off before he was done chewing the other out. He rolled round a corner into a walkway between some houses, his momentum keeping him going with no effort. "Lose my number and hope to god I don't tell my Uncle about this or you'll never get another of his cars in. I don't think your boss would be very happy. Have a word with that skank down the hall or get a strait jacket on her before she kills someone in her fucking jealous rage and finally, cut your god damn balls off and drown in them Dick."

iiiiiiii

Grimmjow was not expecting the tirade from the other but at the details of Ichigo's issues came out, he seemed to deserve them. Indeed he did not object to Nnoitra's description earlier that night but he knew the other didn't mean it, Nnoitra had been saying he was a little jealous and both of them knew Ichigo wasn't a stripper. It wasn't really his fault Ichigo overheard a private conversation. And he knew that Loly was making up shit when she came round to his door, the mention of talons telling him that possibly the marks on Loly's wrist were put there in self-defence of the rapid bitch. The threats of losing Urahara's business was potentially serious, Starrk would be pissed as the two men knew each other personally.

"Ichigo," Grimmjow heard the scoff from the kid but it was cut off by another voice.

"You lost kid?"

"No, and I'm just leaving."

Grimmjow held the phone to his ear, fingers turning up the volume on the call.

"Oh that's funny, you think you're leaving. But you just got here."

"Ichigo where are you? I'm coming to get you." Grimmjow was already grabbing his truck keys, bolting out the front door and hitting the unlock when he got near.

"I'm fine, I'm hanging up now."

"Don't you fucking dare, tell me where you are, I'm already in my truck." Grimmjow wasn't answered, he could tell the call was still open by the breathing on the other end but when it broke into a whine and then a cough, Grimmjow turned the engine over, prepared to start trawling the streets.

"I'm behind the shopping centre at the square. In-between the houses, fuckers' have got a bat. I'm stuck."

"Get down somewhere, over a fence, anywhere. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Grimmjow roared out of the staff parking at his work, the V8 in his Dodge making it known in fading light. He pulled around behind the shopping centre, bumping up the kerb until he nearly hit the bollards, throwing the door open with his long chrome tyre wrench in his hands. He was nearly spitting fire when he heard braying laughter, two distinct voices calling out.

"You can't hide forever kid, we'll find you."

"But what if someone finds you first?" Grimmjow slid the iron through his grasp, the clear ding echoing as the metal struck the ground.

"Move along man, nothing to do with you." Two guys, early thirties maybe but nothing particularly impressive as judged by Grimmjow. One was wearing a sleeveless top and he held an aluminium bat in his hands, no baseball to be seen however.

"Oh I think it does. Have you seen my boyfriend? About 5'11, bright orange hair, gets around on skates?"

The guys glanced at each other, both backing away from the fence they'd been looking through. "We barely touched him, he's around here somewhere. Honest man, he's hiding."

"You barely touched him? Meaning what? You gave him a little kiss with that?" Grimmjow gestured towards the bat with his iron, the guy dropping the weapon immediately like it burned him.

"No man, I mean yes but hardly a hit. HEY KID, COME OUT AND TELL YOUR BOYFRIEND YOU'RE FINE ALRIGHT? WE'LL CALL IT QUITS AND FORGET THIS EVER HAPPENED."

Grimmjow watched the men back away, both with hands extended and making calming gestures towards Grimmjow but he had no plans on calming down until Ichigo was visible. His voice sounded out from the fences behind Grimmjow telling him that Ichigo was nowhere near where the guys were looking. "I don't know, I think it might be fun to watch him beat your asses like you were planning to do to me."

Grimmjow breathed a sigh of relief, his body calming when he was the hands grip the top of the fence and the whole figure pulling him over and down onto the ground, skates and helmet still attached. Grimmjow clocked the bleeding arms and knee along with a split lip and a clearly tender abdomen where one of the arms cradled it.

Grimmjow turned incredulous eyes to the pair of men. "This is your version of barely touching him?" The two men bolted, Grimmjow sniffing in distain before he turned towards the other, Ichigo leaning heavily on the fence behind him, abdomen still held firmly. "Shit are you alright? Stupid question I know."

"I'll be fine, thanks for coming, you can go now."

Grimmjow snorted, holding out the tyre iron for Ichigo to take. Ichigo cocked one eyebrow at the other as he took the tool, face quickly turning to panic as the larger man swept him off his feet, holding him like a princess as he walked back towards his truck. Ichigo immediately started to struggle, Grimmjow gripping him securely until he stopped. "You aren't in any fit state to skate home. Tell me where it is and I'll drop you. And for the record, I'm sorry for what I said back at the garage."

Ichigo kept quiet, mortified at being carried like a girl but his body wouldn't let him protest much. He relaxed slightly into the other's grip, breathing in a lungful of his scent. It was mixed with the smell of metal and oil but it didn't hide the smell he'd lost himself in a few nights ago. Grimmjow opened the passenger's door, sliding Ichigo into the seat and steadying him as he shuffled in properly. Grimmjow grabbed a leg in turn, undoing and removing the skates one at a time before tossing them in the back. Grimmjow took the injured knee in his hand and straightened it slowly, one hand under the joint to feel it but he deemed it okay and released it.

"You're knee is just grazed, where else are you hurt? Did they do anything else to you?"

"I'm scratched from my fall earlier and from your neighbour. They are responsible for this and this." Ichigo clutched at his stomach again before thumbing near his split lip. Ichigo unsnapped his helmet and sent it towards the skates.

"Did they hit your head with the bat?" Grimmjow used both of his large warm hands to move Ichigo's jaw around gently, turning his head to the side to check for swelling.

"No, it was a fist from the other one. Just the bat to the middle. It'll be alright. Look I live in one of the warehouses in the East Industrial Park, can you just drop me there, I'm just tired."

"You can come back to mine, I can take care of you." Grimmjow said it without thinking but only realised how much he meant it once it was out.

Ichigo flushed, shaking his head. "Thanks but I think I'd better not. Thank you, for coming I mean."

Grimmjow didn't respond, just slung the seat belt around the other man. He checked that all of Ichigo was inside the car before shutting the door and heading round to the driver's side. He was pissed that the other had been hurt but he was more upset that things weren't alright between them. Ichigo hadn't said anything about his apology and Grimmjow didn't want to make things worse to an uncomfortable silence settled over them. Grimmjow started the engine and reversed out of the bay. Grimmjow kept his eyes firmly on the road, turning at the roundabout and heading into the industrial estate.

"It's the big black one over to the left; just drop me anywhere over there." Ichigo pointed towards his temporary home, unclicking the seatbelt but he was surprised when the truck pulled right up to the side door. "Um, thanks for the lift." Ichigo went to open the door but hesitated when Grimmjow got out of his side and headed round. Ichigo swung the door open, Grimmjow taking it and opening it to its fullest, one hand extended and wrapping around Ichigo's waist, pulling him out. Grimmjow's other arm grabbed the two skates and he elbowed the door shut. "You know you don't have to come in."

"I'm coming in and helping you with your wounds."

Ichigo put the brakes on, trying to look authoritative in his socks. "Look, I don't need you to; I've got my crew in there. Just leave."

"No," Grimmjow started walking again, his arm around Ichigo's waist meaning Ichigo had to go along with him. Grimmjow just looked at the other man when they got to the door, since both of his hands were full. Ichigo rolled his eyes before turning the knob, pulling the door open for them.

Three pairs of the eyes turned to them, Kensei, Lisa and Hiyori stretching on the floor, the girls pushing the male into a deeper splits. They took one look at Ichigo before standing, heading over to them.

"Damn Prima, when the hell did you turn into a masochist?" Hiyori grabbed his chin and turned his face into the light.

"Fuck off Snaggletooth."

Kensei and Lisa both exchanged glances before looking smug towards their youngest crew member. They had both clocked the arms around each other that had not moved once in the warehouse.

"Oi, you know I appreciate a text if you're going to be late. I don't like to wonder if my baby dancer is dead or not." Shinji was walking down the stairs from the upper level, heading their way with his hands in his pockets. His frown grew as he got closer to Ichigo, turning a sneer on the stranger. "Why is it when he has spent some time with you he turns up hurt?" Shinji wrapped his arm around Ichigo and pulled him away from Grimmjow. He'd expected a little resistance but Grimmjow just allowed it.

"I picked him up when he got jumped on the street. Which happened just after he wiped out on his skates so I'm not to blame for his injuries, I take responsibility for him not having any more."

"Oh really? And these ones? Are they your responsibility?" Shinji pulled Ichigo's ripped sleeve out of the way, showing the healing scratches, some of them now ruptured and the sticky plaster.

Grimmjow frowned, wondering what caused them. "What happened there? You didn't have these when we, eh the other night."

Ichigo shuffled on his feet, his head spinning slightly from everything that had happened. "Yeah, your psycho neighbour tried to put me out of your place, saying you told her to." Ichigo raised his arm, shadowing his eyes for a minute. His knees wobbled and he leaned heavier on the leader of his crew. Shinji pressed his free hand on Ichigo's chest, worry on his face. "I'm alright."

Grimmjow exchanged an expectant look with the kid's friend before asking with a nod and lifting Ichigo back up, Ichigo's head lying on his shoulder. "Where can I put him down to rest? And he needs someone to look at his knee and shoulder."

"Hiyori take Grimmjow upstairs to Ichigo's bed, I'll go and find Hachi. We might need to get Ichigo's dad out here, he's a doctor." Shinji added the last bit when Grimmjow frowned.

Grimmjow nodded at the sense of calling a doctor, hefting his burden before tackling the stairs behind the small blond girl. Ichigo's breath puffed on Grimmjow's neck and it soothed some of the turbulence inside him. Once up the stairs Grimmjow saw a smallish sitting area with a kitchenette that reminded Grimmjow of the one at his work. There were three doors off the sitting area and they went through the right one, a communal sleeping area with some drapes sectioning the room off. Ichigo was laid on the one with the blue and white cover, Ichigo's eyes heavy when he was set down.

"Oi, kid no sleeping yet. Not till someone that knows how to unwrap a band aid checks you over." Grimmjow poked Ichigo in the ribs, the younger male huffing and moving away, his eyes opening and glaring at the other man.

"Right Prima, strip. Come on. Grimmjow, help him get his jeans off, I've heard you can get them off pretty quickly." Hiyori sniggered at Ichigo's blush.

Grimmjow had to bite back a smirk before reaching for the fly, Ichigo covering it with his hands. They had a glaring contest for a few seconds before Ichigo conceded, knowing there was little point in fighting. Grimmjow kept eye contact as he undid the button and pulled the zip down. He grinned as Ichigo's face flushed more but the smaller male pushed his ass up to allow the jeans to come down, the skin tight boxers he was wearing staying in place.

Grimmjow hissed as the huge bruise getting exposed on Ichigo's thigh as well as the gravel embedded kneecap. "Shit that looks awful." Ichigo weakly slapped Grimmjow's thigh, sniggering at his glare.

"I've had worse." Ichigo sat up, stopping and blinking when his head spun before stripping his t-shirt off, hissing a bit as his shoulder complained but he tossed the shirt on the floor, it was ruined anyway. He'd keep the jeans; a rip in the knee wasn't a reason to toss the them when he was strapped for cash.

Grimmjow glanced at the scars now revealed on Ichigo's chest, wishing he'd asked about them when they were well lubricated the other night. Ichigo caught his attention and flushed slightly, covering his chest with one arm subconsciously. "Hey, I'll not ask till you're ready to tell me." Grimmjow took Ichigo's hand in his, lacing their fingers. Ichigo looked like he wanted to pull away for a moment but he sighed and squeezed back, rubbing his thumb on Grimmjow's.

Quick upload before bed. send a wee message if you enjoyed!