A/N: Thanks for coming back and reading Chapter 2 of WLGYL! It's my birthday today and, since I've had such a lovely day, I'd thought I'd share this with you all :) That's right, I've turned the grand old age of 25, so by all means, leave a review as my birthday present ;) I hope you enjoy!
He walked into the bar, scanning the room for his friends. The place was quiet, but crowded, most people just looking for a quiet bit of respite from home or work - like himself. There was always one or two groups that would be a little rowdy, but it wasn't necessarily anything to frown at. Grimmjow would kill to be like them again. Young and free, not that he wasn't young. He just wasn't free.
Over the crowd, he saw a tell-tale head standing a foot above most of the people at the bar and made his way over.
He punched Nnoitra lightly in the back, making the giant look over his shoulder with his one good eye and smirk. "Hey kitty."
Grimmjow scowled, "Fuck you, you can't call me that, bean pole."
The man chuckled and picked up a bottle and few little cups from in front of him. He titled his head to the left and walked away, leaving Grimmjow to follow him. They moved between the tables and waited for a guy to make his move on the snooker table before they passed him and arrived at their destination. A man was sitting at a table with two free chairs, staring off into space with a neutral expression. Grimmjow pulled out a chair and void green eyes focused on him, a small smile tipping up the corners of the man's thin mouth. He was usually pale with jet black hair, with a short and frail looking frame that was highly deceiving.
"Good evening, Grimmjow."
"Ulquiorra," the blue haired being nodded, settling down at the table as Nnoitra collapsed into the other chair, slamming his cargo on the table top.
Grimmjow rested his elbows on the table, putting his head in his hands and scrubbing them over his face, today had been a terrible day.
He heard a quiet 'clunk' in front of him and he peered between his fingers, seeing a small cup.
"I gathered you all here today..." Nnoitra grinned, showing all his teeth, "To get absolutely hammered."
Grimmjow groaned, "Nnoi, don't tempt me with that poison. I have to get home sober tonight."
"Tch, sack that. When are ya gonna stop being such a tight ass?"
"It's not being a tight ass, it's called being responsible. And trust me, I've had a shit day and I'd like nothing more than to take that bottle off you and drink it in one," he growled. "But. I. Can't."
"Then how about this weekend? We need to get back out there! We're still young, let's fucking act like it, ne?"
Grimmjow just looked at him.
"It's Wednesday, ain't it? Plenty o' notice."
He thought about it. A night out probably would do him a world of good, let out his frustration in an alcohol-fuelled haze. He shrugged, making Nnoitra grin and bang his fist on the table in triumph. "It's a date Grimm-kitty." Over the answering growl, he turned to Ulquiorra. "Can I count on you emo?"
The small man stared him down before he answered with a simple "Trash."
"That's what am talkin' 'bout!"
He picked up bottle and unscrewed the lid, quickly pouring a little into each cup. "A couple won't kill ya Grimm."
"No, but Nel might." He grumbled, picking up the cup anyway, draining half of it in one.
"Fuck that bitch."
"Hey!" Grimmjow growled yet again, this time pointing his finger straight at the lanky man, who looked at the appendage in amusement. "I told you not to talk about her like that."
Nnoitra scoffed. "Whatever."
The trio sat in silence for a while after this. Nnoitra had poured himself a second and third helping of sake, and had gone to pour Grimmjow another, who had covered the cup with his hand and shook his head. It was comfortable silence, rather than an awkward one, until Ulquiorra brought up something that Grimmjow didn't even want to think about yet.
"What was so bad about today Grimmjow?"
Grimmjow furrowed his brow and reached up to his tie, working it with one finger until it hung loose around his neck. "Just been tired and trying sort through papers is a bitch. And I got offered an account today that could lead to a big promotion."
"That sounds like a good day to me."
"Sounds like his lady kept him up all night, more like." Nnoitra interjected.
A mumbled 'fuck you' was heard over the low din of the bar before Grimmjow spoke at full volume. "Not when being offered is more like being given with the false option to say no. And I don't know if I want the promotion. Head of Local and Foreign Accounts is a big position to fill, lotsa long hours and time out of the country."
"But lotsa money!" Nnoitra grinned.
Grimmjow gave him a look. "It's not right for my situation."
In response, Nnoitra poured Grimmjow another drink, which the Titan sipped at, and checked Ulquiorra's cup, nudging it towards the black haired man when it was still nearly full.
"Somebody has to be sober enough to take get you home after that bottle," Ulquiorra stated, picking up the cup but not drinking from it. "And I am unfortunate enough to be the one charged with the task."
Nnoitra grinned, but didn't deny his words while Grimmjow chuckled.
The next hour was spent in idle chatter, with Nnoitra going into detail about his most recent exploits and his days' work. Nnoitra also worked closely with Grimmjow's company, though his role wasn't as… legitimate.
When he checked his watch and saw that it was seven o'clock, he finished his cup and abruptly stood up. "Duty calls, I have to go."
"See, this is wha' a mean!" Nnoitra slurred, somewhat. "It's a duty to ya, i's jus' all wrong."
"Ahhh, shut ya mouth and have some more sake." Grimmjow said, picking up his briefcase and clipping his friend around the head, jostling the bandana he wore to cover his bad eye.
Grimmjow saluted in farewell to Ulquiorra and left the bar, his mind a little fuzzy around the edges from the alcohol. He stopped by a late night sandwich place on the short walk home, intent on removing any effects of the sake before he had to face Nel, and ate it quickly as he walked. He took out his phone when he was done and only a few minutes away from his apartment block, telling the woman he would be home soon.
As he entered the building and grabbed the elevator to the sixth floor, he rubbed a hand over his tired eyes once again. He would wait until tomorrow to finish his work. He had things to do that were more pressing than paperwork, and he needed a goodnight's sleep.
He pulled his apartment key out of his slacks and forced it into the key hole, turning it roughly until he gained access to his home. He closed the door behind him, not locking it yet, and walked down the small hallway. He stepped into the spacious living room and glanced around.
Grimmjow was a very minimalistic guy; he didn't see the point in over-excessive decoration or lots of funky patterns. The white walls and grey carpets gave the illusion that the room was even bigger than already was. The black leather sofas and coffee table contrasted to the room, as did the black flat screen T.V on the wall. The black shelf beneath it, which contained an X-Box One, a PlayStation 4 and a Nintendo Wii, hung as if suspended by nothing.
At the back of the room sat a silver dining table with a glass top and six black leather seats and a set of French doors that led onto what could be generously described as a balcony. The only part of the room that contained any colour was a large canvas of a birds-eye view of the Ginza district, in the Chuo Ward near Aizen Worldwide, all lit up at night because Nel forced him into it.
In his sweep of the room, he saw a woman leaning against the door frame that led into the kitchen, her sea green hair rolling down her shoulders in loose curls. She smiled at him and nodded, as he heard a rush of feet coming from near the bedroom door. A small force slammed into his legs, wrapping around them.
"Kitty!"
He looked down at the little girl who was hugging his legs, staring up at him with big shining cerulean eyes that were so like his own. He reached down, patting her head somewhat awkwardly. She smiled, brushing brown hair out of her eyes, before rushing over to the woman who bent down and picked her up.
"I don't know what I prefer." He said, making his way closer to the two. "Kitty or Daddy."
"Both work," she grinned, holding the little girl with one hand as she brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Isn't that right, Shi-kun?"
The child nodded, grinning wide.
The woman smiled back, but when she looked back at Grimmjow, her smile turned to slightly sad one. "You know, at one time, I would have said she grins just like you, but I haven't seen you grin so genuinely for a long time." Her tone was light but there was concern behind her words.
Grimmjow shrugged, watching the little girl who was trying to shift in the woman's arms in an attempt to see the TV around him. "I haven't got much to smile about Nel, I haven't known what I'm doing for the last two and half years."
Nel put the little girl down, letting her run off, as she frowned at him. "I hate it when you say stuff like that. You have Shiomi, and more going for you than you realise."
Grimmjow didn't answer, instead he just watched his daughter make her way over to the sofa and crawl up onto it.
"Anyway," He looked back down at the woman as she spoke. "I've fed her, so you'll just need to bath her." She put an arm on his shoulder. "Despite what you think, you're doing a great job. Just don't forget to look after yourself too, ne?"
He laughed, flicking her on the head. He always did it when they were children, to make a point that she was shorter than him. "I will."
He followed her as she kissed Shiomi and practically bounced to the front door. She pulled a light coat over her womanly and curvaceous body, before turning and wrapping her arms around the man and giving him a sudden and tight hug. She turned and opened the door, going to walk out before Grimmjow suddenly remembered something, his voice stopping her in her tracks.
"Hey Nel?"
She looked over her shoulder, her hand on the door knob.
He scratched the back of his neck, feeling slightly bad about asking something else of her. "Do you think Shiomi could stay at yours on Saturday night? Nnoitra wants to go out and, you know… I haven't really been out for a while."
She grimaced at the mention of that man, "Oh Grimm, isn't there someone else who can look after her for one night?"
He pulled a face. "If there was, I would ask them. If you can't then it's fine, I'll just try and figure something else out."
She sighed, but smiled at him. "Of course I'll do it. But only because I love you both. Honestly, what would do without your favourite cousin?"
She walked through the open door and started off the down the corridor.
"You're my only cousin!" Grimmjow threw down the corridor, getting the wave of an arm in response before he closed the door, locking it with his key and a deadbolt.
Nelliel was an absolute lifesaver; he didn't know what he would have done without her. She was like the mother Shiomi never had, and she was so much better with kids than he was. He genuinely had no clue what he was doing.
He made his way back into the living room, heading straight over to the back of the sofa and picking his daughter up from behind, grabbing her under the arms and carrying her like so.
"Come on, kid. Time to make you clean again."
"But I'm not dirty daddy!" She moaned, pouting as she persisted in trying to look at the T.V.
"You're always dirty. And you've watched enough television."
The little girl moaned and even started to cry a little as he made his way to the bathroom. He grimaced from behind her, not completely sure what do. It was easier to let her do what she wanted, but he also knew that he had to teach her some form of discipline while she was young. He planted her on her feet on the white linoleum floor and she turned, looking up at his towering form with now teary eyes as she clasped her arms together.
"Please daddy?"
Grimmjow pulled a face. He had to admit it, his daughter was a cutie. And it even hurt him to say what he was going to say next.
"No Shiomi. And if you keep asking you'll get no T.V tomorrow."
Her lower lip trembled as she began to cry again. He leant over to turn on the tap of the bathtub and heard the pattering of her feet again. He turned and saw her vanishing through the door, making him sigh. He put the plug in and added her bubbles, before he returned to the living room – where she was hiding behind the window's curtains – to retrieve her. He saw her head whip behind the curtain again. He walked over and ripped the curtain away, shaking his head at her.
"Let's not mess around Shi."
"I want Auntie Nel!" She cried as he picked her back up in the same fashion as before and carried her to the bathtub.
"Well Auntie Nel's gone home; you're stuck with me now."
He plonked her down again, this time holding her in place as he turned the water off. He took off her clothes, piling them up on the toilet seat, before he sat her in the bath. He took off his watch and rolled up his shirt sleeves as he knelt beside her. Silence ran around them as she sniffled in indignation while he went to work on washing her, soaping up a soft sponge and running it along her arms. After a while of silence, he finally thought of something to say. "So, what did you do today?"
"We painted with our fingers at kindergarten…" She started, still pouting.
"Was it fun?" She nodded big as he cleaned her back with a soaped up sponge. "Then what did you do?"
She shrugged then, obviously in a mood with him about not letting her watch some more television. He frowned at her, before telling her to close her eyes so he could wash her hair.
He hated how awkward he found it, dealing with his own child. This sort of shit was supposed to come naturally, wasn't it? Then again, he hadn't exactly planned or expected any of this.
When he was done with her hair, he rinsed it off and handed her a little squeaky duck, watching her eyes sparkle as she squeezed, giggling quietly. He shifted so that he was sitting cross-legged on the floor, watching her play with it for a little while. He picked his watch off of the sink and checked it, seeing it was coming up to quarter past eight. Deciding he would give her a few more minutes, he reached over to a little wicker basket and pulled out a little boat. He placed on top of the water behind his daughter and pushed it so that it floated past her. She laughed loudly then, grabbing at it and dunking it under the water, letting go so that it shot back up to the surface and bobbed about. Even Grimmjow cracked a smile at her brightening up.
"How about I read you a story before you go to sleep?"
She whipped around in the water, clambering to her feet. Grimmjow grabbed at her as she wobbled in the slippery tub. "Whoa! Calm down before you hurt yourself!"
"Will you really read to me, Kitty?"
He nodded, getting back to his knees and lifting her out of the bath and onto the mat. He reached for her special towel and slipped her head through the hole, so that she was wearing it like a poncho. He pulled the hood over her hair and towel dried it, trying not to do so too hard. He then dried the rest of her body before pulling it off, dumping it into the laundry basket along with the rest of her clothes.
He picked her up, a little better this time – actually holding her in his arms – and carried her into her bedroom. He pulled out her pyjama's, laughing when he turned around and saw her getting into bed already. "Hey little lady, you need to put these on first."
She giggled, letting him dress her in her nighty, before finally clambering into her bed. It was a child's bed, so it was a lot smaller than Grimmjow, but he perched himself of the outer side of it, one leg hanging off the bottom while the other balanced him on it. He picked up the book on her bedside table – a book adaption of Disney's Hercules – and opened it. He was somewhat shocked, like he always was, when she snuggled into his side. He put his arm underneath her awkwardly, aware that it was a somewhat normal thing to do and began to read. His voice was steady, not changing in pitch or tone, but she liked him reading to her anyway. And it made him feel like a father doing it, which was what he needed sometimes to remind him to act like one. Shiomi reached up and turned the page for him, so he didn't have to let her go. He smiled down at her before continued on. Yeah, it was times like this that he needed to remind him that life wasn't that bad.
He stood in the doorway, looking back inside the room that was illuminated by a Hello Kitty nightlight. Shiomi looked so peaceful, lying there fast asleep. Despite his brief moment of relief from his stressful life, the same recurring thoughts came back to him as he sighed and closed the door. He'd imagined having kids one day, but he'd never have imagined that he would have one this young, never mind having to take care of it alone.
He cursed under his breath, padding through the apartment to the kitchen, opening the fridge and scanning the contents. He pulled out a beer and popped the lid off of the bottle. As he went to close the fridge door, he paused and grabbed an apple as an after thought. He returned to the sitting room and walked to his blazer, once again reaching for his box of vices and his lighter. He pulled open one of the French doors and stepped out. The balcony was about half a metre deep, so there was no space for a table or chairs – but he couldn't care less. It was fit for purpose – which was stopping him from smoking in the apartment and saving him from traipsing up and down six floors every time he wanted a smoke. He pulled the door too behind him, so it was only open a crack, and lit up his tab. Taking a deep breath, he looked over what he could see. He was not particularly high up, so some buildings restricted his viewing pleasure, but he still enjoyed watching the people mill around on the streets. He leant on the black iron fence that bordered the balcony, bent over as his elbows bore the brunt of his weight. He watched the smoke disperse as he exhaled, and then took another drag. He didn't really like to smoke in front of Shiomi, so when she was awake – on the rare occasion he couldn't wait to have a tab – he would smoke it ridiculously quickly, a skill he still had off his days smoking on school property when he was younger. Now, when the time was his own, he liked to savour it, enjoy it.
When he was done, he stubbed the tab end out in the small bucket of sand he kept for an ashtray in the corner, before he stepped in, locked the door, and collapsed on the sofa. He propped his feet up along the cushions and crossed, the arm holding his beer resting on the side and the other resting along the back cushions. For a moment, he sat there staring at the TV before he actually realized what he was watching. He groaned, stretching to grab the TV remote off the other end of the coffee table. He nearly rolled off of the sofa in the process, but managed to stop himself by punching his fist into the floor. He growled at the pain shooting through his knuckles as he pushed himself up, clenching and unclenching his fist. Satisfied that there was no lasting damage, he settled back into the cushions.
He flipped through the channels, barely paying attention to what was on as he finished his apple and threw the core onto the table. He stopped on a sports channel, where a game of soccer off earlier in the day was being replayed, and stuck with that. He liked his soccer, no matter who was playing. He just couldn't concentrate on the television enough to relax though. His head was in two different places, at the dining room table with his briefcase and in the bedroom with his daughter. He sighed, resting his head back as he stressed over everything. The only thing keeping him together was the thought of a good night out, and the fact that he wasn't entirely alone in this. He had Nel to rely on, but he couldn't keep passing everything off onto her, he'd done that enough in the last couple of years. He cursed Shiomi's mother into the pits of hell, his hatred towards the woman the strongest he had felt in his life. He took a long drink of his beer, sinking into the sofa further, the noise of the game on the TV being the only sounds in the house.
MisaxMisa: OMG, Grimmy has a child?!
Grimmjow: Yeah, so?
MisaxMisa: Where have you been hiding her all of this time?
Grimmjow: Misa... This isn't real.
MisaxMisa: WTF, why would you lie like that?
Grimmjow: *Facepalms* And so it begins...