Seven Reasons We're Together
Part 3: Bored
Disclaimer: Tite Kubo is the author of Bleach.
One way or another, Grimmjow and Halibel found themselves stuck in the world of the living after the Garganta system mysteriously malfunctioned, so they basically have to make do until a week passes and the rift to Hueco Mundo can be restored. But then again, a whole week here could give the two Espadas enough time to spend with each other... exactly seven days.
**
Day: Tuesday
The rain outside was getting very annoying, Grimmjow fumed as he sat on the living room's couch, craning his neck so he could watch the heavy gray clouds release their endless torrents of heavenly water. The plants on the front lawn had their leaves and flowers bob and twitch constantly as the water droplets struck them, and a patter persisted on the roof. In the distance, the rumble of thunder could be heard.
Now Grimmjow turned away from the window, yawning widely and nudging the coffee table with his foot to see how far he cold push it. It was too rainy to visit anyone today, and Grimmjow wasn't sure if he wanted to show up on Uryu's or Ichigo's front door totally sodden; both he and Halibel had forgotten to get any umbrellas or rain coats, so they were grounded for now. The ticking of the dining room clock suddenly felt very loud and clear; tick, tock, tick, tock...
"There you are," Halibel said once she entered the living room from the hallway, seeing her friend on the couch. "How long have you been there?"
"For a while, like several hours. Bleh," Grimmjow responded, now lying down on the couch and stretching out, flexing his toes. "Did I ever mention how I don't like human world rain? There's never any weather in Hueco Mundo, and it makes conditions much better there."
"Missing our home land?" Halibel commented, approaching as she set a book down on the table. Grimmjow adjusted and sat back up on the couch, allowing Halibel to sit on his lap, and he welcomed her warm presence after just sitting there forever. "I never thought I'd hear you miss it."
"Going to the human world is only fun for a little. Usually," Grimmjow commented. "I mean, I had fun yesterday and the day before, but today? I dunno, there's only so many times we can play go fish or Monopoly before it gets old. You sure know how to take in the cash in that game, though..."
"Well, I just make a strategy and pursue it," Halibel smiled mysteriously, turning to face Grimmjow. "I'm one of the ten generals of the Arrancar army, after all. And my fraccions all look up to me as well. I can't let them down, or anyone else. And I certainly won't let you down."
"Thanks," Grimmjow thanked her, messing with one of her two pig tails out of boredom, feeling her soft golden hair in his fingers. He turned and looked back outside the window again, with the same scene confronting him; the swarm of incoming rain drops, the sheet of clouds, the trees dripping water and droplets running down the window pane. "Man, though, it's really bleak today. Rain! Did I ever mention how I don't like it?" Another roll of thunder accompanied his words, a rumbling basso in the near distance.
Halibel couldn't help a small laugh, tapping Grimmjow's forehead. "Yes, you already said that," she teased him. "Is your mind being affected by boredom?"
"I – no! I'm as sharp as ever. Nothing ever gets the best of me, Hallie," Grimmjow sputtered, but grinned in spite of himself. Halibel always knew how to rile him up one way or another, and it must come from them spending all this time together. No one else had gotten close to him, but Halibel was someone special to him and he knew that he could be with her like this. "I just don't go for this blandness. It's like... the world is holding still."
"Holding still? I don't think that at all," Halibel commented, her emerald eyes fixed on the outside world beyond the glass. Though it was dark in this room, her expression was mildly bright.
"Well, the rain drops are moving..." Grimmjow offered, watching with her. "Thought I doubt that's what you mean. What's on your mind, Hallie?"
"Think about it. The seasons go in their cycle of cold winter, wet spring, hot summer, and crisp fall," Halibel said. "And here is the spring, bringing life and vitality to everything it touches. It's a process that goes on and on, with the flowers blooming, the trees growing taller, birds and animals drinking from ponds, all of it."
"Hmmmmmm. Natural cycle..." Grimmjow pondered, rubbing his chin. In idea struck him, and he picked up Halibel's train of thought. "Well, I guess it could be put this way: even if it seems that nothing important is happening, time goes on and the world always moves forward, sometimes needing a rest like a spring shower. Even if we don't always see it, the world is always breathing, always growing. Anything but holding still."
Halibel couldn't help a wide smile. "Why, that was very wise of you," she complimented, before she took Grimmjow's head in her hands and leaned forth, giving him a kiss. As soon as they parted, she added with a blush, "though sometimes, there are things you are very much aware of."
"Ha ha. Yeah, I agree with that," Grimmjow grinned, the pattering of the rain now sounding much more comforting, the cool dampness outside welcoming. "Thank you, Halibel, today seems much more interesting now. You know what? I've figured out a third reason we're together."
"What would that be?" Halibel asked, curious.
"It's because we spend time together, and we grow closer with every passing moment," Grimmjow told her gently. "I like you more today than I did yesterday, and I will like you even more tomorrow than I do today." He wasn't sure exactly what their relationship was just yet, but he knew that being with Halibel Tia is what he wanted more than anything else.
The rest of the rainy afternoon was just like the morning, but it was spent quite comfortably by the two Espadas in their rental house. And later, the spring rains slowed to a stop for the evening and Karakura Town's streetlights flared on, illuminating the world.