"Nothing," Ichigo murmured, eyeing the screen of his phone as if she would call that very minute. "She will, though. I know she will." Masaki wasn't home. That made Ichigo a little uncomfortable. He wanted to go right home and tell her about this.

His heart pounded in his chest. "I feel like I'm gonna throw up."

.

"Ah. Thanks." Even if it didn't sound like it, those words meant a lot to Ichigo. Yes. They were always in on things together. One's problems were also the other's. They were best friends. They shared responsibilities.

Ichigo nudged Grimmjow until the other lifted his arm, allowing Ichigo to get under it and walk closely to Grimmjow with his head rested against the other's shoulder. The town at night did look pretty, a few cars roaming the streets but more people returning from work or from going out to dinner. In particular, Ichigo saw a mother and her daughter, such a small little thing, holding hands. The little girl almost stumbled as if she didn't have much experience walking. Ichigo thought briefly about holding his own child's hand.

It was one thing he really wanted.

With one arm, he held the blanket-- with the other, he grasped Grimmjow's arm so he wouldn't fall. He was in some slight pain, but it would hurt even more later. Just as long as he was given time to heal everything should be okay.

"Yeah. I wanna, but I dunno if I can," a stressed out Ichigo muttered. "Will you help me?"

He stuck his lower lip out in a childish pout. "Okay. Yeah." Besides, it was only the initial reaction that Ichigo feared. Even if she did have a meltdown, Masaki would calm down eventually. She was always there to help. "Can we go now?"

.

"Oh, shit," Ichigo cursed quietly, as if trying to hold himself back. "We'll have to wash it, okay? I have to do laundry anyway."

Just thinking about Masaki finding out what Grimmjow and Ichigo had been doing, and his situation with Orihime, made fright boil in the pit of Ichigo's stomach. She had always been a loving mother, yes. But he knew the way she got when she was angry. And if she didn't get angry, she'd be disappointed.

Maybe even cry.

He shuddered. "How are we gonna tell her, anyway? About... Ya know."

"A little. It's just the wind." Ichigo flashed that childish smile of his. Really, as long as he was with Grimmjow, the cold didn't bother him. Well, at least he wasn't thinking about Orihime right now. His mind felt settled. The game would also help with that. "Are YOU cold?"

"Nah. I always want you near to me."

But even with Grimmjow close to him, the near-evening air made goosebumps rise on his skin. This was fun, but maybe they should go home before it got dark. They could always cuddle in bed... If they really wanted to. "Wanna play Mario Kart?"

"Oh," Ichigo replied stupidly. He never really knew what to say. That was fine. Grimmjow and Ichigo didn't necessarily have to talk to express their feelings. They were just happy to have each other's presence and company. "You are, too. You keep me from getting cold during the nights."

And that relaxed him. Grimmjow knew all of Ichigo's 'spots': what made him feel good, what made him feel calm, and all else. He yawned, curling up against the bluenette.

"Not an exact date. Sometime in the next few months, maybe. I think they're both still saving money, and working things out..."

Ichigo immediately crawled up to his friend, resting in his embrace. That was his favorite thing, much better than even their sexual relations... But only a little.

"Yeah. Maybe someday," he agreed quietly.

"Yeah. It is." But, well, what were they supposed to do next? The atmosphere suddenly felt a little strained. Couldn't they just relax and think about each other, one last time before they had to get serious about the situation with Orihime? Ichigo shrugged.

"... Oh. Nothing."

The orangette looked up at Grimmjow's face, but he was obviously focused on something else. That was okay. Ichigo just wished the time after sex wasn't so awkward. He didn't really know what to say at this point, but that was okay.

Ichigo lied down, resting his head on Grimmjow's thigh, watching as the water lapped against the shore. A boat must have past, sending small rippling waves throughout the water. It was pretty. Ichigo wondered if Grimmjow was enjoying it as much has him, or if he still was thinking about earlier's revelation.

"I... Eh."

"Really? Wow." It occurred to Ichigo that Grimmjow was pretty open about that stuff. The fact that he liked Ichigo's actions made him feel so much better, too. He was nibbling on whatever foods were left, starving after their little session. "Well, okay." The slightest of smirks made its way to Ichigo's lips and he looked away as if to hide it from his friend.

"I mean... When I was scratching you. That was really sexy." Ichigo smiled almost innocently. He was finally getting comfortable using words like that, talking about... Well, sex. "Your face, and... The sounds."

"I ain't--"

Ichigo shut up when he felt his face get hot. He knew Grimmjow was just trying to work him up and his intentions were good. He wasn't going to deny the compliments. So he said quietly, "You are, too."

With his mouthful, spitting out small pieces of rice, "Shut up." He swallowed, nearly choking on the amount of food in his mouth. "We're out alone here, and I'm grown up. I don't gotta have manners all the time~"

He felt a little dumb. But Ichigo was hungry. So he nibbled almost nervously at the sandwich before finishing it within a couple of minutes. Then he took hold of the remaining riceball, stuffing half of it into his mouth and smiling like an idiotic kid.