Days
Cherish thine days. May they be clear and bright with the ones you love the most.
A breeze flowed gently through Grimmjow's vast mansion. For some reason, the windows were open on this hot summer's day. Neliel, dressed in a large white t-shirt and mini green shorts, lay stomach down and chin rested on her hands on the couch in her living room, staring at Ichigo.
"What's wrong, Nel?" he asked.
The girl closed her eyes and flopped over onto her back then sighed heavily.
"I'm gonna miss Grimm." She replied solemnly.
"What do you mean? He hasn't told you…?"
"Hm? Told me what?" she asked.
"Oh… uh, nothing…"
"You know something I don't? Tell me, Ichigo!"
Ichigo kept his lips sealed. If Grimmjow hadn't told her, then maybe he wanted her to find out over the weekend. Last week, his boss had sent him a schedule online and it showed that he had Friday through Sunday off. He would be working Monday through Thursday from two in the afternoon to ten at night. All the while, he would be making seventeen dollars per hour.
At first, it seemed like a lot, but then Ichigo made him realize that living in Tokyo was not going to be cheap.
"Ichigoooo! Tell me what he said!" Neliel whined.
"Neliel, why do you always have to be so annoying?" Grimmjow asked as he entered the room.
Ichigo and Neliel turned to look at him. Today was his last day in Karakura. He had packed, with help from Ichigo, and made all the arrangements necessary to move tonight. But for now, he and Ichigo were going out on a date.
He was wearing a navy button down with the sleeves rolled up and first two buttons undone showing off his powerful chest. For the first time in his life, he had decided to wear a pair of skinny jeans. They were gray with a criss cross design along the sides up near his waist. The only accessories he wore were a pair of metallic bracelets he found after cleaning his room. Finally, he wore a pair of swayed black converse with hints of white to them.
Ichigo smiled. He looked very nice today.
Neliel turned from Grimmjow to Ichigo. He was wearing a tight fitted white v neck t-shirt to show off his more slim figure. He too was wearing skinny jeans. They were a dark purple with a slight rip design to them.
"You two look so nice for once." She quickly covered her mouth, "That last part slipped." She giggled.
Grimmjow rolled his eyes and looked to Ichigo, "You ready?"
"Yeah."
"Where are you guys going?"
"Out for lunch and to the beach." Ichigo answered.
"Dressed like that?"
"We're gonna change once we get there! Mind your own business!" Grimmjow answered.
Standing from his place on the couch, Ichigo picked up a bag and turned to the girl.
"Beach clothes are in here." He grinned.
"Oh! I wanna go to the beach! That's a two hour drive away from here!" the girl complained.
"See ya later, Neliel." Grimmjow said, exiting the house.
"Sorry, Nel. Maybe next time?" Ichigo offered, quickly following the other out the side kitchen door to the garage.
"Grimm can be so mean… ALL the time…" Neliel moped.
She picked up the remote, turned on the television, and started flipping through the channels. Contemplating Grimmjow and his personality was not something she wanted to spend her day doing.
The sub shop on the way out of Karakura was admittedly a nice place. Senna said that she got a job here in May and started back working a few days ago after getting home. Today, it appeared as though she was off.
"What can I get for you sir?" the sandwich artist asked.
"I'll take two of your daily specials." Grimmjow said.
The girl looked back and forth between the two males in front of her. Her cheeks turned red and she became unbearably silent.
"Can I get a Coke with mine?" Ichigo asked.
"I'll take a Dr. Pepper." Grimmjow added.
"Yuck."
"Don't yuck my drink, Kurosaki! Coke is what's gross." The bluenette sneered.
"I'd pour Dr. Pepper down the drain before I drank it. It's absolutely the worst tasting drink ever. I think liquid fart might be an accurate description."
When the girl over the counter squealed, both pairs of eyes turned to her.
"Kawaii! You two are soooo cute!" she exclaimed.
"Eh…?" Grimmjow remarked.
"Are you two, you know, on a date? Oh this is TOO cute! Here! Let me take a picture!"
Immediately, the girl pulled out a camera from the counter and snapped a picture of the two.
"What are you…doing?" Ichigo asked.
"I'm putting this up on the wall! Only the cutest couples get this honor!" she smiled genuinely.
"Can…can we get our order? What the heck's going on here?" Grimmjow asked.
"Right! Of course!" she quickly rang them up, "That'll be thirteen dollars and forty-seven cents."
Ichigo made to pull out his wallet, but Grimmjow threw his hand up in front of him, "I got this."
"Oooh. Mr. Big Shot." The shorter boy mocked.
"Can't help it. I spare no expense, you know."
"KAWAII!" the girl jumped.
After the brief wait and then finally getting their food, the two walked out of the store and went back to Grimmjow's car.
The time now was a little past eleven. The drive to the beach would take about an hour instead of the two it would normally take since Grimmjow always sped on the highway.
Ichigo sat in the passenger's seat sipping his drink through his straw. He usually ended up drinking until it was all gone when it was time to eat, but this time he was pacing himself. He wasn't about to ask Grimmjow for that liquid in his cup and give him reason to boast.
The drive hadn't taken long for them to get out of the city limits. On both sides of the road, there were now trees and rocky shores.
"I'm glad I get to spend this last day with you." Grimmjow spoke, breaking the silence in the car.
Blushing, Ichigo responded, "I'm glad too, Grimm."
"Hey, didn't you say Senna worked at that sub shop?"
"Yeah, but she's off on Sundays."
"Man she's so fucking lucky. I wanted to make her job a living hell." The bluenette truly was disappointed that he couldn't torment the girl at work.
Brown eyes rolled and then turned to look out the window. Ichigo was just as lucky Senna was off. That meant he didn't have to stop a petty argument.
Despite the fact that the car went back to silence after that conversation, it wasn't awkward in any sense. Just being in each other's company was more than enough for both men.
Upon reaching the beach, Grimmjow swerved perfectly into a parking space and complimented himself for his badass driving skills.
"Let's just hurry and get changed." Ichigo said.
After grabbing their lunch and the beach bag, they got out of the car and walked over to the restrooms.
"Wanna watch me change, Kurosaki?"
Ichigo shook his head and entered an empty changing booth. One thing he would always, always know about Grimmjow was that he was very proud of his moderately chiseled body. It was something he worked hard on. Just like cars. He gave just enough effort so that he didn't overdo it.
He smiled when he thought about how devoted and productive Grimmjow could be when he was actually interested in what he was doing. Sometimes, that's all anyone needed was something that kept them interested and motivated.
"I think…" the orange head started once he rejoined the other, "Nel was right. We probably should have just gone in our beach clothes."
"We don't need to take advice from friggin' Neliel."
"I know. I'm just saying…the whole changing thing was just a waste of time."
Brown eyes found themselves drawn to the solitary figure walking just ahead of him. Grimmjow had changed into a royal blue, tight-fitted, sleeveless muscle shirt with a necklace hanging from his neck. He wore black swimming trunks with blue and white circles lining the lower hem.
He himself was wearing a white tank top with red along the straps, gray swimming shorts, and an ankle bracelet made from threaded string.
"You look nice, Grimm."
"I know I do. I work hard for this body."
"…I'd almost forgotten how modest you are."
Ichigo was inwardly disappointed. Grimmjow hadn't said a word about how he looked. Did he even care?
After eating their lunch, the two sat down near the water and watched the clouds move about the beautifully blue stained sky.
"Kurosaki."
Ichigo turned to look at the man calling his name.
"Huh?"
"I don't really know how to say this...but, when I'm with you, I notice we do the strangest things. Like watching the stars, lying pointlessly in the grass, watching the clouds and so on."
"So? Is there something wrong with doing stuff like that with me?"
"That's not what I was getting at. What I mean is, it's different, but I've kinda started to like it. I can't think of anyone else in this world I'd rather be with like this."
"That's sweet of you to say. I feel the exact sa-"
"That being said, you should work out with me. I mean, look at those scrawny arms compared to mine. I can't keep being seen with you like this. It's bad for my rep."
"Way to completely ruin the moment, Grimmjow."
With a smirk on his face, Grimmjow leaned over and kissed the smaller boy gently on the neck. It was his way of saying he was only kidding.
Ichigo got the message and fell onto his back pulling Grimmjow down with him.
Day quickly turned to dusk as the two lay beside one another watching the sunset. This beautiful occurrence was not one to celebrate though.
The two packed their beach bag and walked silently back to Grimmjow's car.
Ichigo walked a few steps behind to figure out what he should say. Grimmjow was leaving tonight to move into his new apartment. He was leaving him here in Karakura. No matter how often he visited, it just wouldn't be the same. He needed Grimm here by him, but saying that would make the other feel compelled to stay.
What love would that prove? Seeing his boyfriend on the right track was all he could ask for. Especially considering his previous employer and line of work. To take that away from him…that would just be selfish.
No matter how great their relationship had come to be, there was no stopping the inevitable. One day, Grimmjow may leave for good.
He looked up at the mess of blue hair that was dyed in orange from the sunset. How many steps ahead of him would he jump? Was this simple distance between them all there would ever be?
Unbeknownst of the mental turmoil the one behind him was enduring, Grimmjow unlocked his car and got in. He then quickly unlocked and opened the door for Ichigo.
The drive back was depressingly mute. Soon, the sky turned a mix between navy and violet. Ichigo looked out his window at the stars littering the sky. He made a silent wish to one. That wish was that no matter how far the two drifted, or what trials came their way, that they be able to still stay true to the way they feel now. To change without necessarily changing. Just like that song by Miwa.
When the car came to a stop in front of the clinic, Ichigo gave a fake smile to Grimmjow, kissed him goodnight, and stepped out. It was important to hide just how unhappy he was inside about this matter form him.
"Night, Kurosaki."
"Good night, Grimmjow. I hope you find your way back home safely."
Ambiguous. That was what he wanted that statement to be. Whether it be back to his mansion tonight, back home on the weekends, or back to his arms in this town, Ichigo hoped Grimmjow would just be safe. After all, now he couldn't watch him and tend to his needs as much as he used to.
"I'll see you Friday. Don't miss me too much." The bluenette grinned.
"Idiot…" It was like he couldn't even tell how much this was killing him inside.
"Kurosaki." Grimmjow called when Ichigo reached the door.
"Yeah?"
"You'll always be mine. I promise you that."
Before Ichigo could utter a response, Grimmjow pulled off into the night.
"Yeah. No matter what." He said to himself.
Glancing up at the sky once more with a promise in his heart, he unlocked the front door and entered his home.