Peaceful Interlude

"So, who's the greatest in the world?" Kisuke said to the couple in front of him. He had run into them before they attempted their escape from the hospital.

"Not you. You can't even make a decent gigai," Grimmjow grumbled.

"I'm deeply hurt," Kisuke said, bowing his head in fake shame.

"What do you want? Not to be rude or anything, but I don't want to waste any time on you," Ichigo stated, glaring at the shop keeper.

"I just wanted to offer you use of my cottage," Kisuke said.

"What cottage?" Ichigo asked.

"Oh I have one for when I need to get away. Kind of crude and all of that, but nice and secluded and on a small lake," Kisuke answered. "I thought that maybe you'd like to run away for awhile."

Ichigo blinked. "You...really?"

Grimmjow was grinning. "Sounds great. Let's get going!"

Grimmjow had refused to take a car, saying that traveling by sonido would be faster. It was true but meant that they couldn't take that many supplies. To be perfectly honest, Grimmjow was scared that Ichigo was going to lose his ability to see him at any moment. Wasting time on the road wasn't in his game plan. At least if he was running, Ichigo was still in his arms, feeling solid and warm, snuggling against his chest and holding on to him tightly as they sped across the countryside.

I didn't remember his smell, Ichigo was thinking, his face against Grimmjow's skin. Such a little thing, but I can't believe I forgot. I hope...that I don't forget again...Ichigo tried to steer his thoughts away from what would happen in the future, just wanting to focus on now.

"What made you come back?" Ichigo asked as Grimmjow ran.

Grimmjow inwardly groaned but said, "That stupid shinigami captain friend of yours, Renji. A lot of the shinigami have been scouting the area around Las Noches, I guess to see who has taken over after Aizen, or maybe they're just curious. Normally it was just regular guys I left alone, but for whatever reason, they sent Renji. He told me that you had started school...and I realized how long I had been away from you. I'm sorry, I was just planning on being gone two weeks or so."

"What? You were never planning on listening to me?" Ichigo asked.

"I did listen. You never directly said to never come back, just to go. I figured I'd give you time to cool off. I didn't mean to leave you alone, didn't mean for you to...be open to attack," Grimmjow said, holding Ichigo slightly tighter.

"I thought that you were gone forever," Ichigo said, his hands clenching into fists in Grimmjow's jacket.

"Well then next time don't ask me to leave," Grimmjow told him quietly. "I'm...supposed to listen to you, you know. Don't ever do it again."

"I...won't," Ichigo promised.

"You didn't er...get lonely or anything did you?" Grimmjow asked.

"Of course I got lonely."

"I meant..." Grimmjow was having trouble framing the question. "You didn't...go out and find anyone else did you?"

"Oh," Ichigo said. He didn't answer.

Grimmjow was beginning to feel a small amount of panic. "The longer you don't say something the more I'm freaking out," he said honestly.

"No, I was too sad to do anything like that," Ichigo stated. "I did consider trying to move on. I went to a party and started flirting with someone, but when he touched my hand I...I basically ran out of the room. Ha, I probably confused the hell out of him," he finished with a smile.

"And who was that?" Grimmjow said sternly. "Someone I know?"

"Like I'd tell you," Ichigo laughed. "But no, no one you know."

"This looks like it," Grimmjow said, stopping running.

"Well gee, what clued you in? The "Urahara's Cabin" sign in the driveway?" Ichigo joked. He stopped joking as he felt Grimmjow's lips on his own.

Grimmjow kept walking as he kissed Ichigo, managing to unlock and open the door without releasing him.

"Feels weird without the bone," Ichigo said, gasping slightly, as Grimmjow pulled away briefly as he considered where the bedroom was. Ichigo reached up and ran his hand alone the now clean surface of Grimmjow's jaw.

"It feels weird for me too," Grimmjow admitted.

Ichigo leaned up and licked Grimmjow's jawline. Grimmjow clasped him closer and Ichigo began to bite at it gently.

Grimmjow was happy that the first room he walked into had a bed. He put Ichigo on it and leaned over him.

"No," Ichigo said.

Grimmjow frowned.

"Undress for me," Ichigo told him. "You see me naked all the time...I want to see you."

Grimmjow grinned widely and began to undress. He ran his hand along his own chest as he pulled off his jacket, rubbing over his nipples. He slowly dipped his hands to his hakama, running his hands along the rim before resting his fingers over the ties.

"Grimmjow," Ichigo warned.

"Ah, don't like being teased?" Grimmjow joked, not speeding himself up at all. He slowly untied his pants and allowed them to slip off his hips, pooling on the floor.

Ichigo's eyes were glued to the bulge in Grimmjow's fundoshi. "Hey, I thought you didn't wear underwear," he said.

Grimmjow laughed. "You're just upset that I'm not naked yet." He lightly stroked himself through the fabric bound around his hips.

"Grimmjow," Ichigo pleaded.

With another laugh Grimmjow gave a sharp tug and the whole thing fell apart. He pulled the fundoshi off, standing in front of Ichigo naked, his eyes on fire as he took in the lustful looks of his lover.

He approached Ichigo, pushing him back down onto the bed, enjoying the small gasp that Ichigo gave as his erection pressed into Ichigo's leg. Grimmjow pulled off Ichigo's clothing quickly, backing off of him only briefly to get Ichigo's pants and underwear off.

"You still smell like the hospital," Grimmjow said, his nose tracing a path along Ichigo's bare chest.

"You...didn't let me take a bath," Ichigo groaned.

Grimmjow paused in consideration. He wanted to taste Ichigo, not whatever the hell chemical stink was on him now, but he also didn't want to let Ichigo out of his sight for even a couple of moments.

"You can take one with me," Ichigo said. "I doubt you were bathing out there in Hueco Mundo."

Having to shower and bathe had taken a little getting used to, but Grimmjow found that it was actually relaxing once you got used to it. The heat was so different than the cold sand and wind he was used to that he could soak in a tub for hours (until Karin yelled for him to get the hell out).

"Yeah, let's take a shower," Grimmjow said, speaking directly into Ichigo's chest, still relishing his closeness. He hefted Ichigo up and carried him towards the first door he could find, which wound up being a closet. The second door however, led to the shower.

Grimmjow was confused once they were actually in the shower though. "What the hell?"

First of all, the shower was a lot larger than the one at Ichigo's house, and had a large glass door. Secondly, there seemed to be at least three shower heads, one on two sides and another on the ceiling. There was also a bench.

"Uh, I'm going to try and not too think to hard about why Kisuke set up the shower this way," Ichigo said. "Maybe he just really likes showers."

"Ha, maybe he really like having sex in the shower," Grimmjow said with a wide grin.

Ichigo groaned. "Yeah, that's why I said I didn't want to think..." He gasped as a cascade of water poured down on him.

"Oh, guess that's the top one, sorry," Grimmjow said, laughing at the glare that Ichigo was giving him. He turned up the heat and started fooling around with the various dials until all three shower heads were shooting comfortably warm water on them.

Ichigo began to curiously run his hands along Grimmjow's wet body, enjoying the slickness. Grimmjow wrapped his arms around Ichigo's back holding him close, his hands wandering Ichigo's body as well, cupping at Ichigo's ass and caressing at his upper inner thighs.

"Mmm," Ichigo moaned, closing his eyes.

"Keep your eyes closed," Grimmjow said. Ichigo did as he was told and then felt Grimmjow began to massage at his head, foam beginning to run down his back as the sent of ginger and orange filled his nose.

Grimmjow tilted Ichigo's head back slightly to rinse off the suds without getting into Ichigo's eyes. Seeing Ichigo completely as his mercy though, he had to take advantage at least a little, and he placed his lips at Ichigo's adam's apple.

"Ah!" Ichigo's eyes flew open as Grimmjow sucked at his neck.

Grimmjow pulled back with a smirk, loving the flush that had settled across Ichigo's features. He looked around and found a washcloth, pouring some body wash on it and rubbing at Ichigo's body.

"It would be easier if I did this myself," Ichigo said, lifting his arm so that Grimmjow could get at his armpit.

"Not nearly as fun though," Grimmjow replied.

"Is this a cat thing?" Ichigo asked.

"Hey," Grimmjow growled slightly. Then he laughed. "If it was a cat thing, I'd be cleaning you with my tongue. But that's going to happen later."

Ichigo clutched at Grimmjow, wishing he'd just hurry up. He was painfully hard. His eyes went wide as he felt Grimmjow fingers trace along his hole, automatically widening his legs to give Grimmjow more access.

"Eager?" Grimmjow said roughly into his ear.

"Grimmjow..." Ichigo just moaned, not bothering to answer Grimmjow's stupid question.

Why bother taking him out there? Grimmjow thought to himself with a grin. Too much wasted effort when he's begging me right now. He vaguely hoped that the water would be slick enough, but even if it wasn't, his finger was practically trembling being so close. He pressed it into Ichigo, using his other hand to hold Ichigo close to him. Ichigo gripped at his back, his fingers becoming slightly claw like as they dug into him.

Grimmjow began to move his finger in and out, enjoying the broken breathing of the boy pressed up against him. He put in a second finger and began to stretch at Ichigo, at the same time as he began to bite at Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo leaned his head over, exposing his neck to Grimmjow, who greedily ate at him, licking and biting and kissing the soft flesh offered. He paused as Ichigo gave a particularly lusty moan and then focused on that spot, feeling Ichigo's blood pump in the veins beneath his lips and teeth.

He had three fingers moving in and out of Ichigo. He pressed in deeply, curling his fingers until he made Ichigo cry out and grab onto Grimmjow's shoulders to not fall.

Too much, Grimmjow thought. I can't take anymore. He sat down on the bench swiftly, pulling Ichigo onto his lap. He looked deeply into Ichigo's eyes, moving his wet hair out of the way. "I love you," he said to to the boy now straddling him.

"Grimmjow..." Ichigo's eyes were wide. "I love you too. I've missed you so much."

In response Grimmjow lifted up Ichigo's hips and grabbed onto his hard erection with one hand. Ichigo held himself up on Grimmjow's shoulders, using a single hand to slightly spread himself. Grimmjow moved forward, pressing in steadily but deeply once he felt himself at the barrier of Ichigo's body, loving the way that Ichigo opened up for him and then closed back down on his cock; hot and tight and indescribable after not being able to enter Ichigo for so long.

I almost thought that I had over blown it in my mind, Grimmjow thought as he waited for Ichigo's body to adjust to his. I thought it couldn't possibly be as good as I remembered it, or maybe it was just because I was so shocked, because it was my first time. But no, this is even more than I had imagined. I feel connected to him...and I want more. Grimmjow groaned as he felt the urge to completely dominate Ichigo. Just wait, he told himself, trying to retain control.

Ichigo's forehead was resting on his shoulder, the water still pouring off of them.

It was worth the wait, Grimmjow thought to himself as he held Ichigo. Ichigo, you better hold yourself to that promise of never telling me to leave, because I won't do it.

"You...can go now," Ichigo said.

Thank goodness, Grimmjow thought with a groan. He began to pull himself out but then felt Ichigo move off him him, lifting himself off and then slamming back down.

"Oh god!" Grimmjow howled, his hands digging into Ichigo's hips. Ichigo didn't stop, but kept moving, harshly impaling himself on Grimmjow.

Grimmjow eventually got himself together enough to rise up to meet Ichigo's descent, their two bodies meeting with a harsh slap.

Ichigo felt like he was drowning, and not from the water. He felt like he was being pulled away in a tide that he couldn't control. He was vaguely aware that he was moving his body, but he was barely in control.

"Shit...Ichigo..." Grimmjow got out. "It's...too good..."

Ichigo understood. He wasn't going to be able to hold on too much longer, and he didn't want to. He'd wanted this for so long that he didn't remotely fight against the rising of emotions and sensations that were threatening to overwhelm him. Grimmjow tilted himself slightly and every thrust was now hitting Ichigo's prostate. Ichigo reached for himself, but felt his hand restrained. He looked up into the lust darkened blue eyes of his lover, not looking away as he felt Grimmjow's hand begin to pump at him. He didn't look away as he felt his orgasm approach, feeling like he was falling into Grimmjow's eyes as his body convulsed with pleasure.

Grimmjow didn't know why it felt so good, it probably shouldn't, but feeling Ichigo's come pump out onto him, coat his stomach...Grimmjow wondered what it was with him and Ichigo's come. He was always greedy with it, always wanted it, loved the smell and taste and feel of it. Ichigo's body was shuddered and clamping down around him, and he could barely thrust into the volcanic heat once more before biting his lip and coming himself, watching the pleasure in Ichigo's eyes as he poured himself out in the boy, pressing himself in as deeply as possible.

The two sat for awhile, still joined, not wanting to unwrap themselves from their intimate embrace.

Grimmjow brought out a blanket for Ichigo, tossing it over his shoulders and then cuddling up next to him.

"Sunsets are...weird..." Grimmjow said.

Ichigo had come out onto the dock and was watching the sun go over the horizon, the sky reflected in the water of the lake. He dangled his feet off the edge, almost skimming the water below.

"Don't you mean, beautiful?" Ichigo asked with a smile. "I know you're not used to them, but you have to admit that they're pretty."

Grimmjow looked at the sky critically. "Well, it does have a nice color," he admitted. He wanted to say that the orange light reminded him of Ichigo's hair, but thought that might be too sappy.

Ichigo snuggled in closer to him as they watched the stars get brighter. "I want it to always be like this," Ichigo said sleepily.

"Don't know about that, having sex this much will probably drive your family crazy. And it's not like you're quiet," Grimmjow joked, thinking about their recent sex session that had almost broken Kisuke's bed.

"Oh really, I'm the one making all of the noise?"

"Well, maybe not all of the noise," Grimmjow admitted.

"Besides, I wasn't just talking about sex," Ichigo said.

"I know."

Isshin had wondered how long his two boys would be gone. Well, not that he considered Grimmjow his son, but he did feel responsible for him. After a couple of days had gone by he wasn't that surprised to see Grimmjow on his doorstep, Ichigo in his arms.

"Enjoy yourselves?" Isshin asked with a grin.

"...yeah..." Ichigo said quietly, not meeting his eye.

Isshin clenched his hands. He really wished there was something he could do for Ichigo. At first he had been mad, of course, but it's not like Isshin could really give a lecture on who to not fall in love with, considering his background.

"So...you can't see him anymore?" Isshin questioned.

"...no..." Ichigo said. "I'm going upstairs to change."

Grimmjow hadn't said anything, just watched Ichigo walk up the stairs with pain in his eyes.

"Grimmjow, don't give up. Kisuke has something he wants to show you," Isshin said.

"I've heard that before," Grimmjow replied glumly.

"You know what they say, try, try again. Besides, you can't say that the reward wouldn't be worth it," Isshin pointed out. "And by the way...don't ever leave again," he said, a slight harshness entering his voice. Seeing Ichigo that way had been hard on all of them.

"It won't happen," Grimmjow agreed.