Sugar and Spice – Chapter 8
Pour Your Sugar on Me
By the time Ichigo got back to his apartment, it was close to midnight. It started to rain moments before Byakuya parked his motorcycle in the lot, fat drops splashing off of their visors. He urged Byakuya into the lobby for shelter.
They stood in front of each other, clothing dotted with water, eyes directed at the glass doors, watching the as the rain began to pour down as if the heavens had opened its floodgates.
It didn't look like it was stopping anytime soon.
"I don't want to send you out in that. Why don't you stay over?" Ichigo suggested and immediately began to fluster. "I—I mean, you can have my bed and I'll sleep on the couch or something. No pressure." He let out a pent up breath.
Byakuya's eyes were thoughtfully watching. "I would like to see your place."
Ichigo beamed and led the other man up to his apartment. When they got there, Ichigo held the door open for him.
Byakuya entered the apartment and looked around. It was a typical place for two men that were just starting out in life. It was moderately furnished, surprisingly clean and there were not any strange odors. His eyes found the kitchen with its bar-styled eating counter and the Professional Cook book resting on top, next to an old cup of cold tea.
"A very decent book," he pointed out. "One can learn plenty from it."
Ichigo chuckled dryly as he removed his shoes and hung up his jacket by the door hook. "That's what I was hoping," he mentioned deviously. "I didn't want to look like a total ass when I showed up to work for you on my first day."
Byakuya secretly smiled to himself. "You're being too hard on yourself, Ichigo," he alleged. "I'm surprised at how quickly you are picking up on everything. You do things often without me having to tell you—like an instinct, a certain grace for the kitchen. And your choux paste always gets more air than mine. I may have to observe how you prepare the batter next time. Perhaps... you are a natural."
"You really mean that?" Ichigo wondered skeptically.
"I would not say so if I did not mean it and that is not because we are romantically involved." Byakuya informed hotly. "Trust me when I say, with more training, that you could be a very good cook."
This information had Ichigo blinking carefully even if Byakuya sounded as if he were lecturing him. The idea of changing career paths just after he finished school seemed a little crazy. "But the two years I spent in school. I can't just let that go to waste."
"That is entirely your decision, hmm? It also depends on what you see as 'waste'." Byakuya answered. "Education is never a waste."
Ichigo frowned as he thought about that. He never even contemplated becoming a professional cook. He was an avid student, he got good grades in high school, and he discovered he was great with numbers. Going for accounting or some similar kind of office job seemed the most logical. But he really didn't want to go there right now, he shoved the thoughts aside stubbornly. It was too late to think about all that and doing so, made his head hurt in a frustrating way.
"Did you want some tea, coffee, or water maybe? I gotta have some water after all that beer." Ichigo headed into the kitchen after setting the motorcycle helmet on the counter next to the cookbook. Hastily, he grabbed the dirty teacup and placed it in the sink hoping Byakuya had not noticed it. Then he opened the fridge, removed a bottle of water and drank the entire thing in about fifteen seconds.
Byakuya was watching the younger man silently as he removed his jacket, hung it up, and slipped his shoes off by the door. "I'll have some water, too," he said resting his helmet next to Ichigo's borrowed one on top of the cookbook.
Ichigo gladly handed over a bottle of water to Byakuya and the man took a long sip.
Suddenly, Ichigo yawned loudly. He balked. "Oh man, sorry about that," he apologized immediately, realizing he did that so rudely in front of Byakuya. He hadn't even covered his mouth.
"Do not apologize." Byakuya claimed patiently. He thought the yawn was pretty darn cute and his eyes took on a more mischievous glint.
It was quiet in the apartment at such a late hour. No car noises from outside, no chatty neighbours and Ishida wasn't home either. Not that he was noisy. The still of the night was virtually palpable. There was this awkward silence invading the room as Ichigo watched Byakuya and Byakuya watched Ichigo. It was a little overwhelming when Ichigo realized he had this man in his home, in his kitchen even. The handsome baker he saw through the window was standing right here looking so calm and so very fetching.
Thankfully, Byakuya broke the silence.
"Does your hand hurt?" he asked with concern, setting the bottle of water down and coming closer to inspect. He took Ichigo's hand gently in both of his own, and this time Ichigo didn't get all weird about it.
"It smarts, but when I feel the pain, I remember why I punched that asshole and I feel really good," Ichigo answered righteously.
"Thank you," Byakuya told Ichigo genuinely. "Tonight... you are my hero." He brought his lips to the back of Ichigo's bruised knuckles, placing the softest, sweetest kiss there.
Ichigo's breath was simply taken away...
His body tingled and shivers prickled over his skin. "A hero…? For protecting you from that creep? I mean, who does that?"
"Depraved people like him I expect," Byakuya replied, releasing Ichigo's hand.
A look of concerned flashed over Ichigo's eyes. "You're alright, right? That guy didn't hurt you, did he?"
Byakuya sighed. "He did not. I'm fine, believe me."
With a sigh of relief, Ichigo began to ramble with all this 'hero' talk. He was too humble for his own good and had a hard time dealing with such over-the-top compliments. "If you need a shower or something—anything—please feel free. You can borrow a shirt and a pair of shorts to sleep in. I have tons. I even have extra toothbrushes because Ishida brings freebies home from the hospital and..."
Byakuya pressed two fingers to Ichigo's mouth gently and hushed him. He gazed into a pair of beautiful cinnamon brown eyes, lost in their warmth. He brushed his thumb across Ichigo's bottom lip wondrously.
"Byakuya..."
The pâtissier hushed him again patiently as he took a step closer, closing the space between their bodies. Slowly he brought his lips to Ichigo's and kissed him softly.
Ichigo inhaled sharply behind the unexpected kiss, but the shock subsided swiftly. He kissed back, closing his eyes, feeling as if he were bursting into flame. Quietly he kissed Byakuya in the kitchen, his hands unsure where they should be and feet nailed to the spot that he stood his body rigid.
Pulling back slightly Byakuya studied Ichigo's adorable tormented expression. Kind of like the one, the younger man gave him the first day he started at the café. While he was touching his hands, pretending to look for calluses. Byakuya made an amused sound at how much this man delighted him and delicately smoothed his hand across Ichigo's cheek, sliding his fingers into wild ginger locks lovingly.
"I... I thought you didn't want to rush," whispered Ichigo, his voice tentative. He looked confused.
Byakuya brushed his lips against Ichigo's cheek, working his way back to his mouth. He said arrogantly, "I changed my mind."
Once more, they kissed and Byakuya urged Ichigo to part his lips. He entered Ichigo's mouth, sighing deliciously when their tongues touched, tasting wetly. His fingers kneaded into thick orange hair as Ichigo dared to wrap him up in his arms.
They moaned softly in unison.
Ichigo was drowning in bliss, his body tight and aroused. He held Byakuya against him harder, feeling the heat of the other man's body. His breathing came faster, his fingers gripped into Byakuya's shirt and back, as if attempting to tear the clothing right off him.
Byakuya gave a deep groan of pleasure, the pace of his kiss increasing, the desire he felt pouring from him and into Ichigo's mouth. Ichigo tasted so luscious, his nectar sweet, his mouth moving over his possessively.
Breaking the kiss Byakuya murmured, his cheeks flushed, lips swollen and damp. "I believe I will accept your offer of a shower only—"
"Oh, of course," Ichigo immediately cut in and began to move to go fetch a towel, but Byakuya reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.
"Not so fast." Byakuya chided. "I want to have a shower... but only if you'll join me."
Ichigo's mouth hung open.
Scoffing with amusement, Byakuya smirked slyly and wandered off to find the bathroom and the towels on his own. He wandered down the hallway. "Don't stand there catching flies, Ichigo."
Giving his head a dull shake, Ichigo trailed after the raven-haired baker like a pet slinking after its master.
Switching on the light, Byakuya entered the clean white-tiled bathroom that had a well-crafted rug on the floor. It was soft and white with a big blue cross stitched into it. Stepping on the rug, Byakuya moved aside the frosted coloured shower curtain and turned on the water. When he got it nice and hot, he began to take off his clothing, folding it neatly and placing his items on the countertop.
From the hallway, Ichigo said he was grabbing some towels.
Toeing the water with his foot first, Byakuya stepped into the squared-shaped tub, under the hot spray and sighed, titling his head up towards the water, parting his lips. He enjoyed this type of shower, which he did not have in his own home, the detachable shower head hooked up high on the wall like a Western-styled home. His bath was a tub you sat in and filled with water, if one chose, or one that you had to sit in and use a hand held shower to wash with.
He bent his head downward, letting the spray beat off the back of his neck, wetting his hair and looking down at his full arousal that ached with a yearning to be touched. And Byakuya nearly touched himself... until a pair of hands came around his middle as Ichigo stepped into the shower behind him.
Byakuya said nothing, nor did he move.
He watched.
He felt.
And he quivered as those strong, yet, gentle hands brushed over his swollen desire, one after the other, up across his smoothly sculpted abdomen and all the way up to his pectorals sensuously. Ichigo brought his hard naked body flush up against him, pressing his own heat against his backside.
On contact, Ichigo murmured passionately, nosing into the nook of Byakuya's neck, pressing hungry kisses there, "So beautiful, so fucking sexy."
Byakuya closed his eyes and gave Ichigo better access to his throat, the water spraying and dribbling over them like tiny little streams. Ichigo's mouth explored perfect pale skin with his tongue and lips, tasting Byakuya's sweet flesh. He gently nibbled on his ear lobe with his teeth, remembering what Byakuya had said about his sensitive ears over the phone one night.
Byakuya Kuchiki moaned out softly.
Just when Byakuya did not think this could get any hotter, Ichigo turned up the heat. Glancing down his front again, water running in rivulets down his face, Byakuya watched as Ichigo lathered up his hands with some aromatic shower gel from a bottle on the edge of the tub. The scent of the soap was as intoxicating, as the man working the lather all over his body. Everywhere, Ichigo's hands roamed and explored, washing his lover sweetly before finally stroking Byakuya's length in his slippery grip.
"Ichigo…" he said deeply, unable to stay silent any longer.
"Like that, hmm?"
"Mmm… yes."
Byakuya braced himself with one arm propped against the wall as Ichigo began to grind his own hardened flesh against his rear, stroking him eagerly all the while. He sighed feverishly, enjoying the way Ichigo fearlessly handled his body. However, he did not want to release just yet, so he reached down and removed Ichigo's hand.
Ichigo got the message and urged Byakuya to trade places with him. "You're hogging all the hot water," he murmured teasingly, watching as Byakuya wiped his wet black hair away from his face, looking at him with those smouldering grey eyes.
"I was a little distracted," Byakuya replied playfully in his cool tone. "Perhaps, it's my turn to distract you."
At that, Ichigo bit his bottom lip.
Ichigo got to work washing himself with the shower gel, with a bit of help from Byakuya who would hold out a hand for more soap when he ran out. Byakuya spread the soap all over Ichigo's muscular chest and stomach, gently massaging the lather, thumbing over nipples, and drawing his hands, down along his sides and boldly over the swell of his bottom.
Byakuya gave a murmur of pleasure as he firmly squeezed Ichigo's supple rear end. "Mmm, perfect," he claimed as if testing for ripe fruit.
"It's all yours," Ichigo replied with a silly chuckle.
"And this…?" Byakuya palmed over Ichigo's length, cupping the entire package as if he already did own it.
Ichigo groaned profoundly. "You're killing me, Byakuya."
When Ichigo felt clean and all the lather rinsed away, he drew Byakuya against his body again, relishing in the feel of their hot, wet skin touching. He kissed Byakuya deeply.
The passion burned between them, words and thoughts forgotten. There was only this craving that took over their mind and soul. Hands pawed recklessly over flesh and fingers explored sweet spots, dipping into tight hidden areas.
"I want you so bad," Ichigo mewled, fiercely aroused.
Byakuya turned off the water and grabbed a towel off the rack. He rubbed it over his hair a bit and then wrapped it around his waist. Ichigo quickly dried a little, leaving his towel on the floor. Then he grabbed Byakuya's hand eagerly and led him to his bedroom.
Once there, Byakuya threw away his towel and pushed Ichigo gently back on the bed, crawling over top of his long, well-toned body. He admired Ichigo's soft peachy skin, feathering delicate kisses along his collarbone. He moved lower to nip and swirl his tongue around a perfect pink nipple.
Ichigo felt Byakuya's wet hair trailing over his skin as he moved lower and lower, sampling his skin along the way. He watched the raven-haired beauty draw his tongue along the shaft of his throbbing length and dropped his head back against the pillows, groaning euphorically.
"Oh man..." Ichigo curled his toes.
Grey eyes flickered up to watch Ichigo in the throes of passion. Byakuya wanted to see exactly what he was doing to the man that made his heart yearn for love. He wanted to see this incredible, selfless man bend under the will of his mouth, his tongue and his desire.
Byakuya wanted to give Ichigo everything. Everything, if he could give it.
Ichigo licked his lips as Byakuya went down on him, those sultry eyes of his watching him. Astonishingly, the man swallowed nearly the entire length down his throat. The maddening way he wriggled his tongue, the gentle bite with his teeth at the tip and the prodding of his fingers prepared Ichigo for so much more.
Ichigo always had lube in his nightstand and handed it over. Byakuya prepared himself and Ichigo properly before he urged Ichigo to roll over on to his stomach. Byakuya crawled over top of him like a blanket and entered him gently, bit by bit, until every inch filled the man beneath him.
A soft whine escaped the ginger-haired man underneath Byakuya's body, wrapped up in his arms securely. Slowly, at first, Byakuya began to thrust until Ichigo felt ready and then he increased his pace.
Together they made the sweetest, hottest love. Byakuya grunted and Ichigo cried out softly, flesh slipped and slide. The bed complained a little against the wall.
"Oh fuck, Byakuya. Holy fuck."
"Am I hurting you?"
"Only in a good way," Ichigo replied breathily.
"Shall we change positions?"
Ichigo rolled Byakuya off him and lay on his back, spreading his legs open, not so shy now. "I want to be able to see you," he requested. "I want to kiss you again."
"Anything you like," Byakuya purred. He pressed himself back into the tight heat, enjoying the scowling pleasure and gritted teeth Ichigo displayed when he did so. "Does this feel good?"
"Amazing," he breathed out. "Are you enjoying this?"
"Mmmhmm..." Byakuya sounded. He began to pump his hips, making Ichigo moan out and cling to him. He held him back just as hard, leaning down to kiss him while fucking his ass.
"Harder, Byakuya..."
"...my Ichigo."
Byakuya was panting hard next to Ichigo's ear as he fucked him into the next world. Ichigo was mewling unevenly until finally he shuddered, wetness pumping between their stomachs. All it took was hearing and feeling that climax and Byakuya grit his teeth squeezing his eyes shut, quickly pulling out and spurting all over Ichigo's navel.
Both men caught their breaths and Byakuya lay down next to Ichigo on the bed. "I need water," he panted.
"Me too…."
They continued to catch their breaths, bathing in the afterglow. Ichigo was pulling tissues out of a box, cleaning the mess from their bodies.
"Go get some," Byakuya ordered stubbornly.
"Geez, what do I look like?" Ichigo muttered with a scoff, setting the tissue box aside.
"A baker's assistant."
"Exactly, a baker's assistant, but when the assistant is at his home he is not an assistant," Ichigo teased and pointed out.
Byakuya whispered. "But he is definitely adorable."
"Yes he is." Ichigo answered indignantly.
Byakuya chuckled softly.
"Please, go get me some water." Byakuya tried again.
Ichigo smiled hugely now. "That's all you had to say." He shuffled off the bed and dashed to the kitchen.
Byakuya admired the naked rear he had just screwed leave the room, before dropping his head back down and sighing blissfully against the pillows. As the sweat dried on his forehead, he stared up at the ceiling blinking as a huge wave of guilt washed over him, trying to disturb his newfound happiness. A frown knotted his brows. Do you hate me, Hisana?
"I thought you might want to eat something. I know you don't really like sweets, but I made something last night and I want you to try it," Ichigo said as he wandered back into the room bearing water and a small dish filled with four chocolate truffles. He stopped when he saw Byakuya's expression.
Byakuya had not put on his mask fast enough.
"Is something wrong?" Ichigo wondered worriedly as he sat down on the bed, watching him.
The older man closed his eyes and shifted onto his side facing Ichigo, resting his head in his hand. He said, "No, it's alright. I was just thinking."
"About...?"
"It's nothing really," he assured much to quickly and looked at the confections Ichigo held in his hand. "What did you bring there? Are those truffles coated with crushed cocoa beans?"
Still unsure about Byakuya's response, Ichigo studied him carefully before shrugging it off. "They are," he replied. "Remember the farmer's market? Well, I found this serious hand-made chocolate all organic and whatever and I made a hand-rolled truffle with it. The center is ganache made with that chocolate."
Byakuya was speechless. He felt even worse now for harbouring guilty feelings because he knew right then that he was falling desperately in love with this man. A feeling he had not felt in over six years. It was very overwhelming and daunting.
"It shouldn't be super sweet, maybe you'll like it." Ichigo held the truffles out for Byakuya.
Pushing his solemn troubles aside, Byakuya picked up a truffle and bit into it. At once, the bitterness of the cocoa beans reached his tongue, they crunched between his teeth, but then the chocolate began to melt and the ganache released a gentle, earthy sweetness. It was decadent and rich with a powerful pure chocolate taste, very little sugar.
Ichigo popped a whole truffle into his mouth happily. "I love this stuff," he murmured goofily with his mouth full.
"Ichigo, this is truly outstanding," Byakuya finally commented, completely in awe. "You must make these at the bakery."
"I will," Ichigo replied his entire face lighting up. "I wasn't sure what you'd think."
Byakuya licked his fingers. "I'll say it again. I think you're a natural, Ichigo. I firmly believe it."
It was the first time in a long time Ichigo truly felt a deep sense of pride.
A/N: Not a huge chapter but *winks* I really hope you liked it. I want to try and give you a few lemons in this story, but I want to try and make them different flavours teehee! A variety. Be warned the next chapter contains agnst but it also introduces Sojun Kuchiki! :) He'll come to the rescue! Fweee!
Reviewers: I'm kind of in a rush atm lol! Going to a bday party lulz! But I wanted to post up this chapter for you guys, because you are all made of AWESOME. Thanks to all the reviewers and your wonderful comments. They are food for my soul! I'm really touched so many are enjoying this silly fic. Thank you Niji Akahana, CallMeSenseiKuchiki, Sekai95, ctofi1, Guest, Jushiro Ukitake, MrsByaKuchiki, hollykaye, Yonaka Kyoki, Kirschflower, igotmoneymoney, Shenigmatic (OMG! Your comments make be believe~! Whenever I'm in doubt I will read you comment! *hugs* Thank YOU), and geecee (Yay! You're back!).