nameless

He can't get the smug little half smirk off his face when he hears that small sound Ichigo makes. Whether or not they actually end up in a plane, he's definitely getting a pole now. He's already thinking of where he can have it installed in the penthouse.

This just goes to show that Ichigo wouldn't make a very good boss. Shiro's great at telling people what to do, the only reason he does as much actual work as he does, instead of sitting around all the time and doing little to nothing, is because he gets bored and antsy. But at least since he was taking it all on by himself, Ichigo didn't delegate tasks to the wrong people.

Ichigo's reaction seems dramatic. Damn. Whatever weird relationship they have must be awkward as hell. "Did you fuck your cousin?" He literally cannot think of what else could make it this weird. "Szayel's fine as long as you keep the upper hand with him and pay in cash, not favors. You're more likely to get blackmailed than have a kidney stolen." All that being said; "I've never let him knock me out fully though." He shrugs as he adds it. He just doesn't trust many people like that. Ichigo might honestly be the only one.

There. That’s the right level of offended. 

“Well, that’s disappointing.” Ichigo does have a nasty habit of crawling in half dead, passing out, things like that. Though, he promised Shiro it wouldn’t be like that anymore.

His attention lands back on Shiro and he frowns. “I don’t want you going to that back-alley surgeon alone anymore.” Something he likely didn’t need to say, and Shiro will do whatever he wants anyway. Still. If Shiro has to keep an eye cracked... “Or you could collect his debts and crush his business prospects until he’s totally dependent on you.” 

He gets that hand on his back, and he hates this so much he doesn’t even care that it’s probably because he looks pathetic. Forget? Funny. “I’m going to need to be knocked over the head pretty hard for that. But I’ve been through your place now, so I know you have a bat. And I’m guessing it’s not because you started a league.” 

He sighs. “Come on.”

He's sure Ichigo's trying to find a replacement for his not-cousin so he doesn't get it when Ichigo says his answer is disappointing. It sounds perfectly reasonable to him. Szayel's just like the rest of the type he hangs around; cutthroat but ultimately in it for the money and trying to make a living. Well. Knowing Szayel, he's having fun too. "Why? Cash isn't a problem for you."

Oh, there's another protective little spark. It makes Shiro feel some type of way. "Aww, you're worried about my kidneys? That's sweet." He's being sarcastic, teasing even, but mostly because Ichigo worrying over him is flattering in a totally non sexual way he doesn't know how to handle. He waves the concern off. "I'm fine. He knows I could cripple him financially and physically. But I try not to need him anyway." He's not the one getting himself into situations he can't get out of alive. That's Ichigo's forte.

"You want me to hit you with a bat? I'm into a lot of things but I think that's a bit much, even for me." In other words; absolutely not. But he knows Ichigo's only kind of serious. That sigh sounds so resigned and Shiro sees his opportunity to try to get out of being seen by a doctor. "We don't have to go, you know? If seeing him is that rough on you, maybe we should skip it."

A bomb shelter; he snorts a laugh about that despite trying to make his argument. "Yeah, that's usually what being in the closet means: hiding from who you're really attracted to. Which was me. Everyone could see it." He doesn't actually know if that's true or not, but passing up the chance to tease Ichigo is impossible. "Hot. I'd let you, too, but only a little."

He's distracted by his imagination vividly conjuring up images of Ichigo on a pole in an empty plane. Just them. No interruptions. Ichigo's answer of maybe doesn't sound all that promising. "I'm sure I'd be hot as hell on a pole, but I probably need lessons first. You show me how and I'll give it a try. With lots of hands-on guidance."

Ichigo answers like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Right. Of course." His voice is a little dry. He doesn't dwell on his situation growing up very often these days, but it's ingrained to be a little unhappy when certain things get brought up.

He gets the distinct feeling that whatever Ichigo was thinking, he's changed his mind about. The mention of spending their time drinking feels like an olive branch, or maybe like giving ice cream to a child to make sure they have a good time. He's not sure if he's ashamed by that or not. "Good. Who wants to work up a sweat on vacation?" Not him. Lazy beach walks, lounging by the water with a drink in hand, maybe even snorkeling, is more his speed. "It sounds fun, I'm sure we'll have a great time."

He matches Ichigo's shrug. He'd know better than Shiro.

He blinks hard. That… might be absolutely right. He’s long since come to terms that he was mortifyingly attracted to Shiro, but not so much that he was completely obvious about it. “Who is everyone?” Probably the entire warehouse crew. Rukia. Renji. Car guy. But his eyes flick to Shiro at the permission. A little is all he needs. Just thinking about it turns his breath shuddery. Sliding hands around that pale throat. The gesture as much possession as protection, because if Ichigo had it in his grip, no one else would ever be getting to it. 

Ichigo shifts in his seat when his brain goes places. Lessons. He wonders if Shiro has enough money to get away with fucking right here in this booth. Probably. The entire idea leaves Ichigo making a helpless sound. And he’d cover it by saying something, except if he so much as opens his mouth it’s going to be a travesty of simpery. 

He nods. “Let me unload some stuff onto Rukia and Renji.” Now that Shiro mentions it, he’s not sure why it never occurred to him. Shiro’s current guys aren’t going to be thrilled. They weren’t happy when Ichigo walked through the door either, never mind getting benched in favor of newcomers now. Whatever. Shiro will iron it out later. He’s a hell of a lot better at it than Ichigo. 

His stomach sinks immediately at that suggestion. Ask Ishida what he wants…? The answer is absolutely certain to come with a long lecture. He’s still borderlining panic while the food is taken. But this is Shiro’s skillset. Placating difficult people. “Uh…” Okay. Okay, he can do that. Gifts are easier than— 

He drops his head straight into the table top with a hollow thunk. Good thing that food is gone. But goddammit. It’s so much harder to deal with people he wants to keep around versus people he doesn’t. “Ugh. How reliable is your body snatcher? Maybe I could just get a new patch up guy. I mean, I have two kidneys. Seems excessive.”

He can't get the smug little half smirk off his face when he hears that small sound Ichigo makes. Whether or not they actually end up in a plane, he's definitely getting a pole now. He's already thinking of where he can have it installed in the penthouse.

This just goes to show that Ichigo wouldn't make a very good boss. Shiro's great at telling people what to do, the only reason he does as much actual work as he does, instead of sitting around all the time and doing little to nothing, is because he gets bored and antsy. But at least since he was taking it all on by himself, Ichigo didn't delegate tasks to the wrong people.

Ichigo's reaction seems dramatic. Damn. Whatever weird relationship they have must be awkward as hell. "Did you fuck your cousin?" He literally cannot think of what else could make it this weird. "Szayel's fine as long as you keep the upper hand with him and pay in cash, not favors. You're more likely to get blackmailed than have a kidney stolen." All that being said; "I've never let him knock me out fully though." He shrugs as he adds it. He just doesn't trust many people like that. Ichigo might honestly be the only one.

He shrugs, "Do you want other guys to be into me enough to fight you for me? That sounds crazy, y'know? Whatever he's doing, seems like he's being civil. That's normal. And for the record, smug is a good look on me, so no."

The way Ichigo seems so surprised cracks him up. "All of it, but especially the part where you were trying to be in a straight relationship." He frowns lightly at those chopsticks as they poke him, smacking them away half heartedly before he looks back up at Ichigo. He scoffs, "Exactly! Like I said; no one who's attracted to men doesn't drool over my ass. You were definitely attracted to me, I could tell. I don't waste my time on straight guys very often. You were attracted me, from inside the closet." At this point he's mostly just teasing to get a ride out of Ichigo, keeping himself entertained. He agrees with Ichigo's statement easily. "That, and you're hot. That fuckin' scowly thing you did every time you saw me? Like you wanted to strangle me in a murder way and also a kink way? Hot." Oh. There's that little jealous streak again. He grins. "Why? A little flirtatious distraction goes a long way sometimes." It's not his fault if someone is thinking too hard with their dick instead of working out the math they're negotiating.

He snorts a laugh at how casually Ichigo mentions his finances. "Good to know I'm still sittin' pretty after I hired my own kidnappers and you running my business." His brows go up, "Is that a real thing? Can I get one with a pole? Will you dance on it?" Of course his brain goes from strippers to Ichigo stripping. He's obsessed. Even if he did higher strippers, there's no way he'd find them as attractive as Ichigo.

Snorkeling. Huh. "Have you done that before?" He's genuinely curious. This all sounds a little far fetched; a tropical beach vacation with snorkeling. That's the kind of thing you see on TV, not the kind of thing he ever thought he'd experience. But he frowns. "Why would I hate it? Better yet, if you think I'm gonna hate it, why are we doing it?"

He rolls his eyes about being corrected. "How is a clinic different from a hospital?"

“I was doing fine.” He might have killed her father a little. Ichigo’s eyes narrow so much they’re little more than slits. “I think my ‘closet’ was a place for hiding specifically from you. So more like a bomb shelter.” He really wanted to get away back then. Something about Shiro terrified him in a heart pounding sort of way. He huffs. “I still want to strangle you.” There hasn’t been a minute since he met Shiro he hasn’t wanted to get his hands around his neck. 

He takes a bite, totally unsurprised that’s Shiro’s first question. “Yes.” It is a thing. “Probably. Yeah.” Though ‘can I?’ and ‘should I?’ aren’t even close to the same thing. The last question trips him up. Enough he’s turning his head with his food headed halfway to his mouth. Can he dance? Passably. Does he? Only when he’s really tipsy or a job calls for it. But the reason he’s stuck, isn’t either of those. “Maybe.” His eyes coast along Shiro. “That sounds more like your thing.” And now that idea is thoroughly stuck in his brain. He’s going to be plagued by little fantasy pole dancing boyfriends for the rest of his life. 

“Yeah, of course I have.” For most people, snorkeling wasn’t exactly unusual. School trips, family vacations…

Shiro never had any of that.

“I’m kidding. It’ll be fun. It’s not even that athletic, so it should be perfect for you.” A smirk tugs at his mouth. “You can drink while we paddle around. And if you hate it, we’ll do something else. Like see turtles or dolphins or something.” 

“A clinic is smaller.” He shrugs. “We did mostly routine stuff.” The distinction hardly matters anymore. Even with Isshin out, nobody’s lining up to see the doctor who just got out of prison.

A bomb shelter; he snorts a laugh about that despite trying to make his argument. "Yeah, that's usually what being in the closet means: hiding from who you're really attracted to. Which was me. Everyone could see it." He doesn't actually know if that's true or not, but passing up the chance to tease Ichigo is impossible. "Hot. I'd let you, too, but only a little."

He's distracted by his imagination vividly conjuring up images of Ichigo on a pole in an empty plane. Just them. No interruptions. Ichigo's answer of maybe doesn't sound all that promising. "I'm sure I'd be hot as hell on a pole, but I probably need lessons first. You show me how and I'll give it a try. With lots of hands-on guidance."

Ichigo answers like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Right. Of course." His voice is a little dry. He doesn't dwell on his situation growing up very often these days, but it's ingrained to be a little unhappy when certain things get brought up.

He gets the distinct feeling that whatever Ichigo was thinking, he's changed his mind about. The mention of spending their time drinking feels like an olive branch, or maybe like giving ice cream to a child to make sure they have a good time. He's not sure if he's ashamed by that or not. "Good. Who wants to work up a sweat on vacation?" Not him. Lazy beach walks, lounging by the water with a drink in hand, maybe even snorkeling, is more his speed. "It sounds fun, I'm sure we'll have a great time."

He matches Ichigo's shrug. He'd know better than Shiro.

He laughs, eyes straying down the length of Ichigo's neck for a second. "I know, but if you're gonna wear me out and force me to go on a run with you. I'm gonna have my fun." There's no way any of this actually happens. Even if Ichigo did have the energy for a run after however much sex, even if he did convince Shiro into letting him piggyback him, they'd probably be lucky to make it out the door. It would devolve into either tired hilarity and goofing off, or more sex, before they made it to the elevator.

Shiro watches that piece of meat fall from frozen chopsticks and snorts an amused sound as he drops an elbow to the table and props his chin in his hand. But almost immediately he straightens again, indignant. "Hey. First, I'd never need a billboard to get laid, that's gross to even think about. Second. How was I supposed to know you were out? You didn't act it. You were dating a girl, badly, but still. And no one who is attracted to men isn't attracted to me, but you were trying so hard to rebuff all my efforts. Sounds pretty closeted to me." A billboard! Insane. Disturbing. But he would make a pretty hot billboard. He shrugs, taking a bite. "Yeah. That's half'a my negotiation tactic to make some sales."

It occurs to him, as Ichigo talks, that he's never been on a plane either. He's never had a reason to be on one. Both options sound nice. Really, he'd agree to just about anywhere Ichigo suggested. But, he shakes his head, "I don't have a passport. I'm sure we could charter a private plane or something." Trying to get a passport seems like a recipe for disaster. As if the government is going to just hand a known crime lord a legal document. "Or a fake passport." He blinks and looks over again at that question. "Yeah, why?"

He feels a little bad about the way Ichigo drops his hand like touching Shiro burned his fingers: like he could feel Shiro's knee jerk hostility. "I thought you grew up in a hospital." But now that it's said out loud, it's pretty dumb of him to think Ichigo knows everything a doctor would. Whatever. Shiro's literally never willingly went to a hospital, he's not likely to start now.

His brow furrows at the clatter of chopsticks and the way Ichigo not-quite frantically digs out his phone. "It's not that big of a deal. I'm fine." Not that Ichigo's listening. Stubborn bastard. He's already made up his mind. Watching Ichigo's face while he makes that call is at least entertaining. When the phone is pulled away, he can make out the tone of that earful Ichigo's getting and snorts. "S'a good thing it's not a big deal. Damn. If this were an emergency I'd be in trouble."

He finally looks away, relaxes, huffs. “No. Why would I be glad about that? I could respect that. I just think he should stop halfassing it.” His eyes slide back to Shiro. “And for the record, I don’t think you like him more, so you can stop looking so smug.” 

Sounds like they might both have a good time. Neither of them have ever needed much prompting. And he’s not about to argue. Shiro deserves more fun in his life. And not the mean kind that comes with business. 

Ichigo had meant the billboard for announcing Shiro’s sexuality, but watching him get offended is honestly better. Until it comes back around. “Badly? What was I doing badly?” He flips his chopsticks around and pokes Shiro with the blunt ends. “You only couldn’t tell because I wasn’t drooling over your ass. I get how that’d be a new experience for you. But no one ever said I wasn’t attracted to you.” Except like hell was he giving Shiro that gun to point at his head. “You only wanted me because I wasn’t on my knees licking your boots.” Then Shiro shrugs and his eyes narrow. “It better not be.” Because if Ichigo finds out which clients, none of those people will be alive by the time Shiro gets back. 

He nods, sips his tea. “We’ll get you one. You have the money.” And there are people for that. Ichigo has three. “So long as it’s not the kind that comes with a stripper.” But Ichigo smirks some at the question, glancing back up to meet that look. “Snorkeling. You’ll hate it.” Actually, he thinks Shiro will like looking around places, even underwater. It’s the paddleboarding he’s going to hate. Maybe. Ichigo is looking forward to finding out. Shiro has a natural athleticism that pains him since he almost never uses it. 

“A clinic.” The correction is automatic. 

He hesitates. But it’s Shiro. “I wasn’t around much. And when I was, I didn’t like—“ His jaw works. It wasn’t his thing, watching people suffer. He’s used to it now. And he saw a lot of it while hunting his mom’s killer. The clinic was different. “I tried not to be in there.” 

He ignores the protest. Shiro would say he was fine even if he wasn’t.

“If this were an emergency, you’d be in the back of an ambulance.” Said quietly so as not to disturb Ishida’s rant and cause him to start all over. 

He shrugs, "Do you want other guys to be into me enough to fight you for me? That sounds crazy, y'know? Whatever he's doing, seems like he's being civil. That's normal. And for the record, smug is a good look on me, so no."

The way Ichigo seems so surprised cracks him up. "All of it, but especially the part where you were trying to be in a straight relationship." He frowns lightly at those chopsticks as they poke him, smacking them away half heartedly before he looks back up at Ichigo. He scoffs, "Exactly! Like I said; no one who's attracted to men doesn't drool over my ass. You were definitely attracted to me, I could tell. I don't waste my time on straight guys very often. You were attracted me, from inside the closet." At this point he's mostly just teasing to get a ride out of Ichigo, keeping himself entertained. He agrees with Ichigo's statement easily. "That, and you're hot. That fuckin' scowly thing you did every time you saw me? Like you wanted to strangle me in a murder way and also a kink way? Hot." Oh. There's that little jealous streak again. He grins. "Why? A little flirtatious distraction goes a long way sometimes." It's not his fault if someone is thinking too hard with their dick instead of working out the math they're negotiating.

He snorts a laugh at how casually Ichigo mentions his finances. "Good to know I'm still sittin' pretty after I hired my own kidnappers and you running my business." His brows go up, "Is that a real thing? Can I get one with a pole? Will you dance on it?" Of course his brain goes from strippers to Ichigo stripping. He's obsessed. Even if he did higher strippers, there's no way he'd find them as attractive as Ichigo.

Snorkeling. Huh. "Have you done that before?" He's genuinely curious. This all sounds a little far fetched; a tropical beach vacation with snorkeling. That's the kind of thing you see on TV, not the kind of thing he ever thought he'd experience. But he frowns. "Why would I hate it? Better yet, if you think I'm gonna hate it, why are we doing it?"

He rolls his eyes about being corrected. "How is a clinic different from a hospital?"

Ichigo could just kill his cop ex, Shiro has no doubt of it. In fact, he doesn't doubt that Ichigo wants to, with the jealousy he's seeing. But he wont, because Shiro said he didn't want the cop dead, and Ichigo's still holding to that even when Shiro insinuates he'd fuck him given the opportunity. It's wild. All that jealousy and murderous intent, tempered by the desire to not hurt Shiro. He doesn't deserve that kind of devotion. He shakes his head, and agrees. "No, I wasn't, but you'll make sure I am."

He snorts, wondering how Ichigo thinks he's going to have energy enough to carry Shiro while running after that much sex. "Ah, now that sounds like a much more fun version of running. I could get my mouth on your neck so easily from there." He finds it all too easy to imagine the slick slide of muscle between his legs, the panting breathes, heaving chest. It's guaranteed he'd end up with a boner poking against Ichigo's back, no matter how many rounds they'd already gone.

Shrugging a shoulder, he says casually. "I'm good at being a pain in the ass. I really always figured it was less that I caught you and more than I was devilishly attractive and you were closeted. And that your ego didn't like that I'd bested you."

Some of the weariness seems to drain from Ichigo when he opens his eyes. Shiro studies him, feeling a little like his heart is kicking against his sternum in a funny way every few beats. He nods to confirm. "Ok. Some place tropical." He finally breaks his study of Ichigo's all too handsome features and grabs his glass for a drink. "Never. Vacationing wasn't really something I ever got the opportunity to do." Now he could. He can afford to go wherever he wants, whenever, but the idea to just go lounge on a warm, sunny beach never even crossed his mind.

Staring at his plate, he picks out all his favorite bits while he forces himself to eat, because he likes food, he likes to eat, but his appetite is just not where it should be. "No, not really. I dunno. I was fine until it was in front of me. I'm not about to vomit, if that's what you're worried about." He takes another bite, chewing while fingers find his temple. There's a second where a week's worth of angry, agonized, ill conditioning makes him want to snap at the touch. With his teeth, like an animal. But it's like muscle memory from a fever dream, so he shoves it down and ignores it.

“Right. Better to let a killer have his way with you than have you stuck in a holding cell for a few hours. Fucking—“ He bites off the rest, tosses a bone down on his plate and sits back, scowling. “Anything could be happening to you as far as he knows. Better not risk you getting a slap on the wrist.” Ichigo wouldn’t have accepted those odds even back when Shiro was blackmailing him. 

Ichigo nods at those words, taking them with complete seriousness. He’s less sure about his ability than he used to be, but he means to pursue it entirely. He means it enough to give up whatever vendetta he thought he had because of his father. Enough to quit his work. Enough to step into his nightmare job role for a few weeks and risk his temper. 

Actually, he likes Shiro’s temper. The hotter, the better. 

An eye roll, even as one corner of his mouth kicks up. “You can get your mouth on my neck literally any time you want. But it’s a date.”

That theory throws him. A piece of meat slips clean off his chopsticks and he’s left staring as it rolls over the edge of the table. His mind scrambles tooth and nail to right itself. Shiro was always stupidly attractive. Infuriatingly so. That’s not news. “I wasn’t in the closet. I just wasn’t as loud as you. You’d rent a billboard if it got you laid.” As if Shiro ever needed one. Which has him chewing his next bite with a little more frustration. “Devilishly hot enough to make people act stupid.” And by people he means him. 

His thoughts immediately stray. The curve of Shiro’s spine. His hair gathered in one hand. A path marked with teeth and tongue all the way from tailbone to neck. Then easing hands around that throat, because what the hell else do you do with someone like that? 

Ichigo’s entire middle feels an odd combination of weak and tight just thinking about it. 

“Miyakojima is only a couple hours by plane. We wouldn’t even need to leave the country. Or Guam, if you’ve got a passport.” It’s nearly a day trip and all too easy to picture. Ankle deep in surf, ridiculous elaborate drinks, crabs skittering, the anonymity. Just another pale guy in sunglasses out with his boyfriend. All the money Shiro’s got—the access to penthouses and mansions, fast cars, power, anything he wants at his fingertips—but after everything, Ichigo’s not sure there’s anything more luxurious than being carefree, guard down, horizon stretching out of sight at dusk. But something else occurs to him. “Can you swim?”

He wasn’t worried about Shiro puking, but now he is. Ichigo hesitates. “A little.” It’s subtle, but Shiro tenses beneath his hand just enough for Ichigo to feel it. He drops his fingers immediately, remembering those first few days of withdrawal vividly. “I don’t know. That’s the point.” 

He’d asked Ishida exactly what withdrawal from heroin looked like. How dangerous it could get. What was normal. It was the only reason he’d known Shiro was going to be wrecked but not dying. Just wishing he was.

Unless he’d been mixing it with something else.

Which… 

Of course he had.

He mutters a curse and drops his chopsticks, digs around until he comes up with his personal phone, then dials Ishida. 

“Hey, I’m coming by—“ His brows snap into a more irritated, less worried scowl. “It’s not me. Would you listen before you start making dumb assumptions?” That earns him an immediate lecture, a tirade of all the dumb things Ichigo’s done in the past that absolutely no one could’ve assumed. 

His face sours and he pulls the phone away so he doesn’t actually have to listen, tuning in to only every fifth word or so. Gunshots, knife wounds, road rash. Ichigo glances at Shiro. “In case you can’t tell, he doesn’t approve of my job.” Ex job now. Maybe that will shut Ishida up. He brings the phone back to his mouth but not the ear piece. “I’m quitting. Not that you asked.” And that works. There’s instant silence. 

He snorts. Practically hears Ishida’s thoughts grinding while he processes. 

Finally there’s, “When will you be here?” 

“A half hour.”

“I’ll be out back.” 

He laughs, eyes straying down the length of Ichigo's neck for a second. "I know, but if you're gonna wear me out and force me to go on a run with you. I'm gonna have my fun." There's no way any of this actually happens. Even if Ichigo did have the energy for a run after however much sex, even if he did convince Shiro into letting him piggyback him, they'd probably be lucky to make it out the door. It would devolve into either tired hilarity and goofing off, or more sex, before they made it to the elevator.

Shiro watches that piece of meat fall from frozen chopsticks and snorts an amused sound as he drops an elbow to the table and props his chin in his hand. But almost immediately he straightens again, indignant. "Hey. First, I'd never need a billboard to get laid, that's gross to even think about. Second. How was I supposed to know you were out? You didn't act it. You were dating a girl, badly, but still. And no one who is attracted to men isn't attracted to me, but you were trying so hard to rebuff all my efforts. Sounds pretty closeted to me." A billboard! Insane. Disturbing. But he would make a pretty hot billboard. He shrugs, taking a bite. "Yeah. That's half'a my negotiation tactic to make some sales."

It occurs to him, as Ichigo talks, that he's never been on a plane either. He's never had a reason to be on one. Both options sound nice. Really, he'd agree to just about anywhere Ichigo suggested. But, he shakes his head, "I don't have a passport. I'm sure we could charter a private plane or something." Trying to get a passport seems like a recipe for disaster. As if the government is going to just hand a known crime lord a legal document. "Or a fake passport." He blinks and looks over again at that question. "Yeah, why?"

He feels a little bad about the way Ichigo drops his hand like touching Shiro burned his fingers: like he could feel Shiro's knee jerk hostility. "I thought you grew up in a hospital." But now that it's said out loud, it's pretty dumb of him to think Ichigo knows everything a doctor would. Whatever. Shiro's literally never willingly went to a hospital, he's not likely to start now.

His brow furrows at the clatter of chopsticks and the way Ichigo not-quite frantically digs out his phone. "It's not that big of a deal. I'm fine." Not that Ichigo's listening. Stubborn bastard. He's already made up his mind. Watching Ichigo's face while he makes that call is at least entertaining. When the phone is pulled away, he can make out the tone of that earful Ichigo's getting and snorts. "S'a good thing it's not a big deal. Damn. If this were an emergency I'd be in trouble."

Nothing is exactly the type of answer he expected and he laughs a little, amused anyway. But the revised answer has him looking over. Those are two very different answers. "A suit?" That's damn near the most dressed he could be, the exact opposite of naked. "Like with a tie and everything?" He motions, sort of plucking at one sleeve, "Cufflinks?" He's kind of intrigued. "What color suit?"

He shrugs, thinking a map is just as good as calling the police, but his interest in this really only extends so far as it being something Ichigo feels strongly about. He thinks it's vile, for sure, but he's not the vigilante type. He wouldn't be getting involved at all, not even just to think about it, if it weren't for Ichigo. So when Ichigo brings up the condition he may or may not come out of this engagement in, his attention snaps around and he pins Ichigo with a look that is both blank and not at all blank. "That's not an option. Do better."

Ichigo's right, but he rolls his eyes anyway. "Accepting it after I've asked my questions is still acceptance."

Ichigo's nervousness is so unexpected, Shiro practically itches to get his hands on that rap sheet and all the little notes that didn't make it into said record. It kind of reminds him of how they met; in a place Ichigo shouldn't have been, finding a person he wasn't supposed to be looking for. "Kind of a shame you didn't stay buddy buddy with 'em. It comes in handy." There's the hint of a grin in his voice about Ichigo finding his mom's killer, "I'm sure you did."

He laughs, and all in good fun calls Ichigo a, "Freak." even though he doesn't think Ichigo's a freak at all. He also doubts Ichigo's into him stalking him on his runs, or any of his day to day activities for that matter.

Aaaaand there it is. He rolls his eyes and levels a serious look at Ichigo. "Ok let's just pretend for a second I decided running was fun. Don't you think I'd actually, physically keel over and die if I tried to run with you right now? I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a mess." Detox aside, he really fucked himself up with all the drugs. He doesn't trust his stamina without the adrenaline of a fight or some other threat to give him a boost. He arches a brow. "The bushes? I don't think I like twigs in all my most vulnerable places, so maybe the hood of a stranger's car or something instead. Or my car, since I'll be driving it while you run."

That makes it all the more horrifying. People are supposed to be afraid of him, dammit. He scowls, but there's no heat in it. "Don't they know who I am by now? Goddamn I was in the news and everything."

He hadn’t been thinking of a tie but now he is. His lids lower, eyes lingering at Shiro’s throat. “Yeah. Like with a tie and everything.” The tugging gesture sends a shiver work across his skin, prickling nerve endings to life with just the idea of it. He can’t even tell if Shiro is plucking those strings on purpose. He nids, licks his lips slow. Can’t think of a single color that wouldn’t look perfect on him. “Something dark.” He exhales a warm breath. “Alright you’re going to have to stop or we’re going back to the car.” And they’ll be very late. 

He flinches at that look. Can’t hold those eyes. So his own gaze coasts to scan their surroundings. “Not like the last time.” Probably. There’s always a chance. “People you rescue can get clingy. The last thing I need is someone taking me to a hospital.” Everything will be harder if he’s in bad shape. He sighs. “I can take someone to pull me out if I need it.” Shiro comes to mind immediately, but he’s so easily recognized. If anyone saw him, they’d likely know him right away. Maybe Ichigo could get him to stay in the shadows somewhere. 

He waves an assent. Fair enough. Shiro’s accepted. For the moment at least.

“I can’t stay buddy buddy with them when we were never friends in the first place. If I was nice they’d know right away I was full of shit.” But that does snag his attention. He kind of wonders if that means Shiro is staying buddy buddy with his cop, too. “Speaking of which, it wouldn’t hurt if you called yours to let him know you’re alive. He’s convinced I kidnapped you.” It’s annoying to both like and dislike this guy. He seems decent at what he does. Which is ichigo’s biggest problem with police and authority in general. 

He clicks his tongue. “Watch it. We both know you’ve done weirder shit than I have. Keep it up and I might call Grimmjow and get your background checked.”

Shiro gives him such a hard look, Ichigo can’t hold his scowl. He snorts. “You’re the one that wanted to tag along.” Ichigo isn’t opposed to any of those ideas though. “Sex is better after a workout. Or a run.” Or a fight. 

“Yup.” But they also spent time teasing Ichigo about having pictures of Shiro on his phone. That kind of takes some of the seriousness out of it. “If you didn’t want them to like you, you shouldn’t’ve played so nice. I think they’re rooting for you.” For a criminal. Damn, his family really is unusual. Maybe it’s not just him. Not that his family in the south isn’t already a bunch of criminals. 

His eyes go to Shiro. Ichigo opens his mouth then shuts it, considers that, and finally leans back to answer seriously. “I trust you. But if I’m not doing my job, how are you supposed to trust me? I’m not letting things go back to the way they were.” When Shiro comes face to face with his addiction or when he’s just feeling extra itchy, he should know Ichigo won’t slip too. 

A suit and tie sounds so constricting. He likes tight clothes, but the kind of fabric that allows him to move, not layers of fitted, stuffy, heavy cloth. But he knows he wouldn't have to wear it for long. If the look on his face is a good indicator, Ichigo would strip him from that suit before he had it buttoned up. "Dark, huh? Maybe... Burgundy? Navy?" Black is too obvious, and too easy to get ahold of. If he's wearing a suit, it's going to be fucking fancy. "With a white tie and gold cufflinks." Stop? Pff. This is fun, he's not going to stop. "Is that supposed to be a deterent? After we fuck in the car, we can come back and finish breakfast."

He doesn't like that Ichigo can't face him. It makes that 'not like last time' sound like bullshit. He arches a brow over a dry expression. "A hospital is exactly where they should take you if you're too messed up to stop them." He sighs heavily, hating this topic. He wants to tell Ichigo to forget the whole damn idea, forbid him from going, order him into staying. But he can't. Ichigo's not one of his employees or pawns or even buisiness partners, he's not a cop on his payroll or a politician attending his parties. He can't tell Ichigo what to do, or not do. "Yeah? Who? Better be someone good."

He snorts. Fair enough. He's not sure he's ever seen Ichigo be nice to someone right away that wasn't his family. "Fine, leave the smooth talkin' to cops to me." He side eyes Ichigo. Pretty rich to suggest that when Ichigo hasn't let him get in touch with anyone. Hell, he only just now handed over his phone and only when Ichigo's around, he's sure. He scoffs. "You kinda did. Maybe I will call him. Maybe he'll bust me outta there."

For a second, that honestly does make him pause. He feels an immediate flood of embarrassment of all the shit he's done that Grimmjow might be able to tell Ichigo. He plays it off like he's not worried, waving a dismissive motion, "Pff. He was in prison for half'a the time."

"I think you're hearing whatever you wanna hear now. I did not say I wanted to tag along. I said I'd find whatever cute guy you run past. I didn't say I'd run with you to do that." And another thing! "Sex is better without the run. More energy, more sex."

He makes a face; a mix of surprise and confusion. "Ok. Right. Of course they're gonna be as weird as you. I should have expected that." The idea of sweet Yuzu rooting for a seedy criminal is honestly kind of funny. "I didn't really care if they liked me. I like you and they're important to you." He shrugs. "I'm glad they like me though. I like them too."

Why is he not expecting that response? It takes him by surprise and renders him speechless. He looks away, then down at the menu he practically knows by heart. He's not actually reading it while he nods. Ichigo's words sound... permanent. Out of all the assurances that Ichigo has given him that he's sticking around, that he wont leave again, this is what sounds the most real, the most true, to Shiro. His fingers play at the corner of the menu while he finally looks back up and over. "Ok-" He nods again.

Good thing they're out of the car and Ichigo isn’t driving, because he would’ve hit the brakes hard enough to put them through the windshield.

His brain stalls for half a second. Then every instinct he has starts screaming that Shiro’s cop needs to go. Into a shallow grave. His teeth snap together. His jaw works.

“Maybe he’d try.”

He’d also run straight into Ichigo. It takes effort not to look as murderous as he suddenly feels. “Sure, you two’ll have lots to talk about when you end up stuck in there together.” It’s not like Ichigo could just let the guy leave to call for backup. And Shiro’s made it pretty clear he doesn’t want him hurt.

Just the idea makes Ichigo feel sick. Though maybe Shiro doesn’t actually want the guy alive if he’s planning to wedge his cop between Ichigo and his goal.

His eyes cut toward Shiro at that sound. “We’re talking about you. We both know half would be plenty.” Only, as much as Ichigo doesn’t want Shiro seeing that file, there’s probably nothing he wouldn’t admit if Shiro asked. “I’ll tell you if you really want to know. Just don’t read it. They made it sound worse than it was.” He found that out from his old man’s reaction.

His lip quirks. “Seems like something we should test.” Ichigo’s asked, pleaded, negotiated, and generally made a nuisance of himself every way he can think of. None of it has moved Shiro even slightly. Not that Ichigo is a master negotiator, but it’s a decent bet Shiro has no intention of joining his runs.

“I don’t know, I hated you being a criminal when we met.” It’s one of the first things he found out about Shiro—also he’s faster and a hell of a lot stronger than he looks. Now if Shiro beat him up he’d probably get hard over it. And… Okay, maybe he shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the weird comment.

Shiro goes quiet and Ichigo wants to touch him. Wants to bring up marriage again. But it'd it’s hard to say when he knows he's failed Shiro's expectations constantly.

A phone goes off while they wait and he's tired enough, that for a second, he can’t remember which ringtone is which phone. He starts checking his clothes before realizing it's not even one of his. It's coming from the kitchen. He gives up appearances to drop his head back onto the booth. “How do you feel about beaches and daiquiris far, far away?” He’d settle for getting Shiro into the hot tub on the penthouse balcony.

But really, the reason he should is pretty obvious. He's a cop. And Ichigo would be pretty pissed if Shiro's cop did cop things about it. He snorts though. "You'd have to higher more security." He doubts that would actually be an issue for Ichigo. He really seems to know people who know people. His brow arches, "Talking, huh? Wouldn't need that vibrator if you locked us both up together." He wants to be joking, because he truly is loyal to Ichigo, but he's only kind of joking. His loyalty is a little different than how most would define it. He's very emotionally loyal, probably less physically if in the right situation and with the right person. "I can call him and tell him to lay off."

That's.... absolutely true. "Whatever. I already told you the worst of it anyway." In his opinion, he did, anyway, but the sheer quantity of shit Grimmjow could probably tell Ichigo... "How 'bout you don't ask Grimmjow anything and I wont look at your record? A truce."

He rolls his eyes, having absolutely zero intention of going on a run with anyone, unless it's running for his life. Even then, he's more likely to fight to the death than run. "Sure, we can test it. But we're starting with sex without the run first, and we might have to go a few rounds just to really get a sense of it."

He snorts a laugh. "I think you just hated me in general. You weren't exactly an upstanding citizen yourself." They really did meet through the weirdest, most coincidental circumstances.

Ichigo looks tired. He studies his profile while his head is dropped back. Shiro wants to drag him to bed and wrap a blanket around him. Sex is great, but a nap sounds nice too. They could sleep the whole day away and maybe through the night too. His brows go up a bit, surprised at how much like running away together and leaving their lives behind that sounds. "Mmm." It's not a disagreeable sound. "Sounds nice. I've never been to a proper, sandy beach."

All the security he could find wouldn’t help once the police were involved. Ichigo could sit on top of that building and pick those cops off one by one until they got tired of it and sniped him from a helicopter. He drags a hand through his hair. He’s not pissy about Shiro hiding behind this guy, except he really, really is. “Convenient he’s ready to step in now. He was around forever and didn’t do shit about you fast-tracking yourself into a grave.” Maybe the guy didn’t like it, but maybe it made Shiro easier to deal with. These mood swings are hell. But his jaw tightens. “For that matter, if he’s so sure you’re in trouble, why isn’t he doing anything now?”

The comment about not needing that vibrator doesn’t make him flinch, exactly. But out of all the threats Shiro could make and all people Shiro could fuck around with, this one bothers Ichigo the most. He doesn’t know why he gave Shiro such a large opening to call his bluff other than he must be a fucking masochist. “I told you, I’m not letting things go back to the way they were.” He’ll do whatever it takes. Even that. If he has to. Even if it makes him feel like he’s breathing knives just thinking about it. “You weren’t happy.”

Though, in the end, Shiro seems to relent. “Alright.” Except in the back of his brain, there’s the constant reminder he could just drop the guy off a bridge and be finished with it forever.

“Agreed.” Answered before Shiro has the words all the way out.

A grin tugs at one corner of his mouth and he snorts before aiming it at Shiro. “Good idea. Once you’re worn out, I’ll put you on my back.” Actually, that sounds like a great workout to him and he never complains about getting Shiro’s legs around him.

“You were the only person that’s ever caught me. It was a real pain in the ass.” An understatement really. Shiro had him and he fucking knew it. Getting rid of him was the only option left. Ichigo’s glad that didn’t work out though.

“Really?” He blinks his eyes back open and looks over, brightening. “Then we’ll go. Someplace tropical. When?” His head tilts. “You’ve seriously never built a sandcastle?”

Ichigo is halfway through his own plate when Shiro’s words register. He looks over the food, brow knitting. “Yeah.” But that isn’t like Shiro. “Still feeling sick?”

Without thinking, he reaches over and presses the backs of his fingers against Shiro’s temple, checking for the clammy heat that plagued the first few days.

His frown deepens.

Ichigo could just kill his cop ex, Shiro has no doubt of it. In fact, he doesn't doubt that Ichigo wants to, with the jealousy he's seeing. But he wont, because Shiro said he didn't want the cop dead, and Ichigo's still holding to that even when Shiro insinuates he'd fuck him given the opportunity. It's wild. All that jealousy and murderous intent, tempered by the desire to not hurt Shiro. He doesn't deserve that kind of devotion. He shakes his head, and agrees. "No, I wasn't, but you'll make sure I am."

He snorts, wondering how Ichigo thinks he's going to have energy enough to carry Shiro while running after that much sex. "Ah, now that sounds like a much more fun version of running. I could get my mouth on your neck so easily from there." He finds it all too easy to imagine the slick slide of muscle between his legs, the panting breathes, heaving chest. It's guaranteed he'd end up with a boner poking against Ichigo's back, no matter how many rounds they'd already gone.

Shrugging a shoulder, he says casually. "I'm good at being a pain in the ass. I really always figured it was less that I caught you and more than I was devilishly attractive and you were closeted. And that your ego didn't like that I'd bested you."

Some of the weariness seems to drain from Ichigo when he opens his eyes. Shiro studies him, feeling a little like his heart is kicking against his sternum in a funny way every few beats. He nods to confirm. "Ok. Some place tropical." He finally breaks his study of Ichigo's all too handsome features and grabs his glass for a drink. "Never. Vacationing wasn't really something I ever got the opportunity to do." Now he could. He can afford to go wherever he wants, whenever, but the idea to just go lounge on a warm, sunny beach never even crossed his mind.

Staring at his plate, he picks out all his favorite bits while he forces himself to eat, because he likes food, he likes to eat, but his appetite is just not where it should be. "No, not really. I dunno. I was fine until it was in front of me. I'm not about to vomit, if that's what you're worried about." He takes another bite, chewing while fingers find his temple. There's a second where a week's worth of angry, agonized, ill conditioning makes him want to snap at the touch. With his teeth, like an animal. But it's like muscle memory from a fever dream, so he shoves it down and ignores it.

Nothing is exactly the type of answer he expected and he laughs a little, amused anyway. But the revised answer has him looking over. Those are two very different answers. "A suit?" That's damn near the most dressed he could be, the exact opposite of naked. "Like with a tie and everything?" He motions, sort of plucking at one sleeve, "Cufflinks?" He's kind of intrigued. "What color suit?"

He shrugs, thinking a map is just as good as calling the police, but his interest in this really only extends so far as it being something Ichigo feels strongly about. He thinks it's vile, for sure, but he's not the vigilante type. He wouldn't be getting involved at all, not even just to think about it, if it weren't for Ichigo. So when Ichigo brings up the condition he may or may not come out of this engagement in, his attention snaps around and he pins Ichigo with a look that is both blank and not at all blank. "That's not an option. Do better."

Ichigo's right, but he rolls his eyes anyway. "Accepting it after I've asked my questions is still acceptance."

Ichigo's nervousness is so unexpected, Shiro practically itches to get his hands on that rap sheet and all the little notes that didn't make it into said record. It kind of reminds him of how they met; in a place Ichigo shouldn't have been, finding a person he wasn't supposed to be looking for. "Kind of a shame you didn't stay buddy buddy with 'em. It comes in handy." There's the hint of a grin in his voice about Ichigo finding his mom's killer, "I'm sure you did."

He laughs, and all in good fun calls Ichigo a, "Freak." even though he doesn't think Ichigo's a freak at all. He also doubts Ichigo's into him stalking him on his runs, or any of his day to day activities for that matter.

Aaaaand there it is. He rolls his eyes and levels a serious look at Ichigo. "Ok let's just pretend for a second I decided running was fun. Don't you think I'd actually, physically keel over and die if I tried to run with you right now? I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a mess." Detox aside, he really fucked himself up with all the drugs. He doesn't trust his stamina without the adrenaline of a fight or some other threat to give him a boost. He arches a brow. "The bushes? I don't think I like twigs in all my most vulnerable places, so maybe the hood of a stranger's car or something instead. Or my car, since I'll be driving it while you run."

That makes it all the more horrifying. People are supposed to be afraid of him, dammit. He scowls, but there's no heat in it. "Don't they know who I am by now? Goddamn I was in the news and everything."

He hadn’t been thinking of a tie but now he is. His lids lower, eyes lingering at Shiro’s throat. “Yeah. Like with a tie and everything.” The tugging gesture sends a shiver work across his skin, prickling nerve endings to life with just the idea of it. He can’t even tell if Shiro is plucking those strings on purpose. He nids, licks his lips slow. Can’t think of a single color that wouldn’t look perfect on him. “Something dark.” He exhales a warm breath. “Alright you’re going to have to stop or we’re going back to the car.” And they’ll be very late. 

He flinches at that look. Can’t hold those eyes. So his own gaze coasts to scan their surroundings. “Not like the last time.” Probably. There’s always a chance. “People you rescue can get clingy. The last thing I need is someone taking me to a hospital.” Everything will be harder if he’s in bad shape. He sighs. “I can take someone to pull me out if I need it.” Shiro comes to mind immediately, but he’s so easily recognized. If anyone saw him, they’d likely know him right away. Maybe Ichigo could get him to stay in the shadows somewhere. 

He waves an assent. Fair enough. Shiro’s accepted. For the moment at least.

“I can’t stay buddy buddy with them when we were never friends in the first place. If I was nice they’d know right away I was full of shit.” But that does snag his attention. He kind of wonders if that means Shiro is staying buddy buddy with his cop, too. “Speaking of which, it wouldn’t hurt if you called yours to let him know you’re alive. He’s convinced I kidnapped you.” It’s annoying to both like and dislike this guy. He seems decent at what he does. Which is ichigo’s biggest problem with police and authority in general. 

He clicks his tongue. “Watch it. We both know you’ve done weirder shit than I have. Keep it up and I might call Grimmjow and get your background checked.”

Shiro gives him such a hard look, Ichigo can’t hold his scowl. He snorts. “You’re the one that wanted to tag along.” Ichigo isn’t opposed to any of those ideas though. “Sex is better after a workout. Or a run.” Or a fight. 

“Yup.” But they also spent time teasing Ichigo about having pictures of Shiro on his phone. That kind of takes some of the seriousness out of it. “If you didn’t want them to like you, you shouldn’t’ve played so nice. I think they’re rooting for you.” For a criminal. Damn, his family really is unusual. Maybe it’s not just him. Not that his family in the south isn’t already a bunch of criminals. 

His eyes go to Shiro. Ichigo opens his mouth then shuts it, considers that, and finally leans back to answer seriously. “I trust you. But if I’m not doing my job, how are you supposed to trust me? I’m not letting things go back to the way they were.” When Shiro comes face to face with his addiction or when he’s just feeling extra itchy, he should know Ichigo won’t slip too. 

A suit and tie sounds so constricting. He likes tight clothes, but the kind of fabric that allows him to move, not layers of fitted, stuffy, heavy cloth. But he knows he wouldn't have to wear it for long. If the look on his face is a good indicator, Ichigo would strip him from that suit before he had it buttoned up. "Dark, huh? Maybe... Burgundy? Navy?" Black is too obvious, and too easy to get ahold of. If he's wearing a suit, it's going to be fucking fancy. "With a white tie and gold cufflinks." Stop? Pff. This is fun, he's not going to stop. "Is that supposed to be a deterent? After we fuck in the car, we can come back and finish breakfast."

He doesn't like that Ichigo can't face him. It makes that 'not like last time' sound like bullshit. He arches a brow over a dry expression. "A hospital is exactly where they should take you if you're too messed up to stop them." He sighs heavily, hating this topic. He wants to tell Ichigo to forget the whole damn idea, forbid him from going, order him into staying. But he can't. Ichigo's not one of his employees or pawns or even buisiness partners, he's not a cop on his payroll or a politician attending his parties. He can't tell Ichigo what to do, or not do. "Yeah? Who? Better be someone good."

He snorts. Fair enough. He's not sure he's ever seen Ichigo be nice to someone right away that wasn't his family. "Fine, leave the smooth talkin' to cops to me." He side eyes Ichigo. Pretty rich to suggest that when Ichigo hasn't let him get in touch with anyone. Hell, he only just now handed over his phone and only when Ichigo's around, he's sure. He scoffs. "You kinda did. Maybe I will call him. Maybe he'll bust me outta there."

For a second, that honestly does make him pause. He feels an immediate flood of embarrassment of all the shit he's done that Grimmjow might be able to tell Ichigo. He plays it off like he's not worried, waving a dismissive motion, "Pff. He was in prison for half'a the time."

"I think you're hearing whatever you wanna hear now. I did not say I wanted to tag along. I said I'd find whatever cute guy you run past. I didn't say I'd run with you to do that." And another thing! "Sex is better without the run. More energy, more sex."

He makes a face; a mix of surprise and confusion. "Ok. Right. Of course they're gonna be as weird as you. I should have expected that." The idea of sweet Yuzu rooting for a seedy criminal is honestly kind of funny. "I didn't really care if they liked me. I like you and they're important to you." He shrugs. "I'm glad they like me though. I like them too."

Why is he not expecting that response? It takes him by surprise and renders him speechless. He looks away, then down at the menu he practically knows by heart. He's not actually reading it while he nods. Ichigo's words sound... permanent. Out of all the assurances that Ichigo has given him that he's sticking around, that he wont leave again, this is what sounds the most real, the most true, to Shiro. His fingers play at the corner of the menu while he finally looks back up and over. "Ok-" He nods again.

Good thing they're out of the car and Ichigo isn’t driving, because he would’ve hit the brakes hard enough to put them through the windshield.

His brain stalls for half a second. Then every instinct he has starts screaming that Shiro’s cop needs to go. Into a shallow grave. His teeth snap together. His jaw works.

“Maybe he’d try.”

He’d also run straight into Ichigo. It takes effort not to look as murderous as he suddenly feels. “Sure, you two’ll have lots to talk about when you end up stuck in there together.” It’s not like Ichigo could just let the guy leave to call for backup. And Shiro’s made it pretty clear he doesn’t want him hurt.

Just the idea makes Ichigo feel sick. Though maybe Shiro doesn’t actually want the guy alive if he’s planning to wedge his cop between Ichigo and his goal.

His eyes cut toward Shiro at that sound. “We’re talking about you. We both know half would be plenty.” Only, as much as Ichigo doesn’t want Shiro seeing that file, there’s probably nothing he wouldn’t admit if Shiro asked. “I’ll tell you if you really want to know. Just don’t read it. They made it sound worse than it was.” He found that out from his old man’s reaction.

His lip quirks. “Seems like something we should test.” Ichigo’s asked, pleaded, negotiated, and generally made a nuisance of himself every way he can think of. None of it has moved Shiro even slightly. Not that Ichigo is a master negotiator, but it’s a decent bet Shiro has no intention of joining his runs.

“I don’t know, I hated you being a criminal when we met.” It’s one of the first things he found out about Shiro—also he’s faster and a hell of a lot stronger than he looks. Now if Shiro beat him up he’d probably get hard over it. And… Okay, maybe he shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the weird comment.

Shiro goes quiet and Ichigo wants to touch him. Wants to bring up marriage again. But it'd it’s hard to say when he knows he's failed Shiro's expectations constantly.

A phone goes off while they wait and he's tired enough, that for a second, he can’t remember which ringtone is which phone. He starts checking his clothes before realizing it's not even one of his. It's coming from the kitchen. He gives up appearances to drop his head back onto the booth. “How do you feel about beaches and daiquiris far, far away?” He’d settle for getting Shiro into the hot tub on the penthouse balcony.

But really, the reason he should is pretty obvious. He's a cop. And Ichigo would be pretty pissed if Shiro's cop did cop things about it. He snorts though. "You'd have to higher more security." He doubts that would actually be an issue for Ichigo. He really seems to know people who know people. His brow arches, "Talking, huh? Wouldn't need that vibrator if you locked us both up together." He wants to be joking, because he truly is loyal to Ichigo, but he's only kind of joking. His loyalty is a little different than how most would define it. He's very emotionally loyal, probably less physically if in the right situation and with the right person. "I can call him and tell him to lay off."

That's.... absolutely true. "Whatever. I already told you the worst of it anyway." In his opinion, he did, anyway, but the sheer quantity of shit Grimmjow could probably tell Ichigo... "How 'bout you don't ask Grimmjow anything and I wont look at your record? A truce."

He rolls his eyes, having absolutely zero intention of going on a run with anyone, unless it's running for his life. Even then, he's more likely to fight to the death than run. "Sure, we can test it. But we're starting with sex without the run first, and we might have to go a few rounds just to really get a sense of it."

He snorts a laugh. "I think you just hated me in general. You weren't exactly an upstanding citizen yourself." They really did meet through the weirdest, most coincidental circumstances.

Ichigo looks tired. He studies his profile while his head is dropped back. Shiro wants to drag him to bed and wrap a blanket around him. Sex is great, but a nap sounds nice too. They could sleep the whole day away and maybe through the night too. His brows go up a bit, surprised at how much like running away together and leaving their lives behind that sounds. "Mmm." It's not a disagreeable sound. "Sounds nice. I've never been to a proper, sandy beach."

Nothing is exactly the type of answer he expected and he laughs a little, amused anyway. But the revised answer has him looking over. Those are two very different answers. "A suit?" That's damn near the most dressed he could be, the exact opposite of naked. "Like with a tie and everything?" He motions, sort of plucking at one sleeve, "Cufflinks?" He's kind of intrigued. "What color suit?"

He shrugs, thinking a map is just as good as calling the police, but his interest in this really only extends so far as it being something Ichigo feels strongly about. He thinks it's vile, for sure, but he's not the vigilante type. He wouldn't be getting involved at all, not even just to think about it, if it weren't for Ichigo. So when Ichigo brings up the condition he may or may not come out of this engagement in, his attention snaps around and he pins Ichigo with a look that is both blank and not at all blank. "That's not an option. Do better."

Ichigo's right, but he rolls his eyes anyway. "Accepting it after I've asked my questions is still acceptance."

Ichigo's nervousness is so unexpected, Shiro practically itches to get his hands on that rap sheet and all the little notes that didn't make it into said record. It kind of reminds him of how they met; in a place Ichigo shouldn't have been, finding a person he wasn't supposed to be looking for. "Kind of a shame you didn't stay buddy buddy with 'em. It comes in handy." There's the hint of a grin in his voice about Ichigo finding his mom's killer, "I'm sure you did."

He laughs, and all in good fun calls Ichigo a, "Freak." even though he doesn't think Ichigo's a freak at all. He also doubts Ichigo's into him stalking him on his runs, or any of his day to day activities for that matter.

Aaaaand there it is. He rolls his eyes and levels a serious look at Ichigo. "Ok let's just pretend for a second I decided running was fun. Don't you think I'd actually, physically keel over and die if I tried to run with you right now? I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a mess." Detox aside, he really fucked himself up with all the drugs. He doesn't trust his stamina without the adrenaline of a fight or some other threat to give him a boost. He arches a brow. "The bushes? I don't think I like twigs in all my most vulnerable places, so maybe the hood of a stranger's car or something instead. Or my car, since I'll be driving it while you run."

That makes it all the more horrifying. People are supposed to be afraid of him, dammit. He scowls, but there's no heat in it. "Don't they know who I am by now? Goddamn I was in the news and everything."

He hadn’t been thinking of a tie but now he is. His lids lower, eyes lingering at Shiro’s throat. “Yeah. Like with a tie and everything.” The tugging gesture sends a shiver work across his skin, prickling nerve endings to life with just the idea of it. He can’t even tell if Shiro is plucking those strings on purpose. He nids, licks his lips slow. Can’t think of a single color that wouldn’t look perfect on him. “Something dark.” He exhales a warm breath. “Alright you’re going to have to stop or we’re going back to the car.” And they’ll be very late. 

He flinches at that look. Can’t hold those eyes. So his own gaze coasts to scan their surroundings. “Not like the last time.” Probably. There’s always a chance. “People you rescue can get clingy. The last thing I need is someone taking me to a hospital.” Everything will be harder if he’s in bad shape. He sighs. “I can take someone to pull me out if I need it.” Shiro comes to mind immediately, but he’s so easily recognized. If anyone saw him, they’d likely know him right away. Maybe Ichigo could get him to stay in the shadows somewhere. 

He waves an assent. Fair enough. Shiro’s accepted. For the moment at least.

“I can’t stay buddy buddy with them when we were never friends in the first place. If I was nice they’d know right away I was full of shit.” But that does snag his attention. He kind of wonders if that means Shiro is staying buddy buddy with his cop, too. “Speaking of which, it wouldn’t hurt if you called yours to let him know you’re alive. He’s convinced I kidnapped you.” It’s annoying to both like and dislike this guy. He seems decent at what he does. Which is ichigo’s biggest problem with police and authority in general. 

He clicks his tongue. “Watch it. We both know you’ve done weirder shit than I have. Keep it up and I might call Grimmjow and get your background checked.”

Shiro gives him such a hard look, Ichigo can’t hold his scowl. He snorts. “You’re the one that wanted to tag along.” Ichigo isn’t opposed to any of those ideas though. “Sex is better after a workout. Or a run.” Or a fight. 

“Yup.” But they also spent time teasing Ichigo about having pictures of Shiro on his phone. That kind of takes some of the seriousness out of it. “If you didn’t want them to like you, you shouldn’t’ve played so nice. I think they’re rooting for you.” For a criminal. Damn, his family really is unusual. Maybe it’s not just him. Not that his family in the south isn’t already a bunch of criminals. 

His eyes go to Shiro. Ichigo opens his mouth then shuts it, considers that, and finally leans back to answer seriously. “I trust you. But if I’m not doing my job, how are you supposed to trust me? I’m not letting things go back to the way they were.” When Shiro comes face to face with his addiction or when he’s just feeling extra itchy, he should know Ichigo won’t slip too. 

A suit and tie sounds so constricting. He likes tight clothes, but the kind of fabric that allows him to move, not layers of fitted, stuffy, heavy cloth. But he knows he wouldn't have to wear it for long. If the look on his face is a good indicator, Ichigo would strip him from that suit before he had it buttoned up. "Dark, huh? Maybe... Burgundy? Navy?" Black is too obvious, and too easy to get ahold of. If he's wearing a suit, it's going to be fucking fancy. "With a white tie and gold cufflinks." Stop? Pff. This is fun, he's not going to stop. "Is that supposed to be a deterent? After we fuck in the car, we can come back and finish breakfast."

He doesn't like that Ichigo can't face him. It makes that 'not like last time' sound like bullshit. He arches a brow over a dry expression. "A hospital is exactly where they should take you if you're too messed up to stop them." He sighs heavily, hating this topic. He wants to tell Ichigo to forget the whole damn idea, forbid him from going, order him into staying. But he can't. Ichigo's not one of his employees or pawns or even buisiness partners, he's not a cop on his payroll or a politician attending his parties. He can't tell Ichigo what to do, or not do. "Yeah? Who? Better be someone good."

He snorts. Fair enough. He's not sure he's ever seen Ichigo be nice to someone right away that wasn't his family. "Fine, leave the smooth talkin' to cops to me." He side eyes Ichigo. Pretty rich to suggest that when Ichigo hasn't let him get in touch with anyone. Hell, he only just now handed over his phone and only when Ichigo's around, he's sure. He scoffs. "You kinda did. Maybe I will call him. Maybe he'll bust me outta there."

For a second, that honestly does make him pause. He feels an immediate flood of embarrassment of all the shit he's done that Grimmjow might be able to tell Ichigo. He plays it off like he's not worried, waving a dismissive motion, "Pff. He was in prison for half'a the time."

"I think you're hearing whatever you wanna hear now. I did not say I wanted to tag along. I said I'd find whatever cute guy you run past. I didn't say I'd run with you to do that." And another thing! "Sex is better without the run. More energy, more sex."

He makes a face; a mix of surprise and confusion. "Ok. Right. Of course they're gonna be as weird as you. I should have expected that." The idea of sweet Yuzu rooting for a seedy criminal is honestly kind of funny. "I didn't really care if they liked me. I like you and they're important to you." He shrugs. "I'm glad they like me though. I like them too."

Why is he not expecting that response? It takes him by surprise and renders him speechless. He looks away, then down at the menu he practically knows by heart. He's not actually reading it while he nods. Ichigo's words sound... permanent. Out of all the assurances that Ichigo has given him that he's sticking around, that he wont leave again, this is what sounds the most real, the most true, to Shiro. His fingers play at the corner of the menu while he finally looks back up and over. "Ok-" He nods again.

His brow furrows with that short answer, confused, at least until he hears the explanation that follows. "I dont-" but a denial would be an insult. His shoulders fall a little. He changes from denial to almost-apology. "I don't mean to doubt you." He has been, though, even if accidentally. It's second nature, a survival tactic. His features twist a little. "Why do you gotta make it sound like I wanna hold you hostage? I don't care if you wanna do your own thing, I just gotta know you're gonna come back home to me." Which is just another way to say what Ichigo just said. So he sighs, "It would help though, I think."

He snorts a laugh at Ichigo's reaction. "Are you saying you'd fail the background check??" Fake shock and dismay. "Well now I have to look into it. Now it's interesting."

The light touch of fingers pulls his attention and he looks over briefly, and kind of hopes Ichigo takes his hand, no matter how grade school it feels. He can settle for a touch though.

"You liking him seems like more reason for me to kill him, honestly." Shiro? Jealous?? Possessive?? Obviously. But he knows that's not the kind of like Ichigo means. It was impossible to miss how pent up and desperate Ichigo was, both the night before and when they first got back together. There's no way Ichigo's sleeping around. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill him. Probably. Might depend how long you leave me locked up alone and how bored I get." He shrugs, casual, but also mostly joking.

He looks out his window while he considers that. “For most of them, it would be. I could call the cops once everything’s done. But I’m not looking to get myself caught either.” A lot of maybes in the air. He hasn’t decided. 

His eyes snap back to Shiro. That wasn’t supposed to be an accusation. Ichigo gave him a lot to doubt. And even before that, Shiro wasn’t the most trusting in that way. For good reason. “I’m not blaming you. And you can’t hold me hostage if I pick this.” A shrug. He’s holding himself hostage. By choice. “Don’t ruin my grand gesture, asshole. I’ve decided.” Except that little word ‘home’ sidetracks him hard. He doesn’t want to be so grossly cliche as to say anyplace Shiro goes is his home, but... fuck. “Where the hell else would I go? Even when I was staying away intentionally, I was doing a shit job of it. You’re where I want to be.” 

He frowns, chews at the inside of his lip, wonders just how honest they’re being at the moment. “I would pass.” But he cuts Shiro a hard look and huffs, realizing too late that he’s being teased. “Don’t push me. I’d be upset if I went to beat your ass and you couldn’t do anything about it.”

Shiro peels out and Ichigo just about plants a foot on the dash. Except he knows how much that damn thing cost. “Professionally.” He’s pretty sure he didn’t actually have to say it. And since Shiro went there, he deserves what he gets. “If I were going to fuck around, it'd have to be the hot guy that runs the opposite way in the morning.” 

There’s a smirk threatening, but he gives a long, dramatic sigh instead. “There’s my blackmailing boyfriend. Just when I was starting to think the romance had gone.” He likes it though. If only because Shiro is basically demanding his attention. He could get used to that kind of forceful neediness. 

His eyes flicker toward Ichigo, taking in his posture and the cast of his features. "Yeah, that's why I said drop 'em off a block away. Don't call them, damn. Get one of the people you're setting free to call. Or put in an anonymous tip."

He chews on that response for a second but he already knows Ichigo means it. And he's right, too. Shiro couldn't hold Ichigo hostage if he wanted to. Once upon a time, sure, but not anymore. He nods to himself and rolls his eyes at Ichigo. "I'm not ruining anything, jerk, I'm accepting it." It's a little funny that the grand gesture is Ichigo quitting his literally life threatening job, not the time, effort and money to restore his car.

That hesitation is telling, not that he gives two shits about whether or not Ichigo has a record hidden somewhere. "You'd pass, huh? With a background so squeaky clean it's suspicious?" He's still teasing, but not uninterested. He scoffs, "I wouldn't be." Upset, that is. "It'd just turn into a make out session and then we'd fuck dirty against a wall 'r something."

His eyes narrow and his attention swings to Ichigo. "Don't think I can't figure out your route and who you're talking about. I'm really good at that kinda thing." Stalking. He's really good at stalking. The world is lucky he's not a much bigger creep. There probably isn't even a hot guy that runs the oposite way in the morning. This is probably just Ichigo trying to get under his skin, maybe even trying to get him to start running. Hah. He rolls his eyes again, at Ichigo's long suffering sigh, at his words, but there's a small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. There's going to have to do something actually romantic when he gets out of his fast tracked sobriety program. Does he even know how to be romantic...?

His brows lift at the question. “Nothing. At all.” Easy answer.

Then after a second, “But maybe a suit.”

That thought immediately spirals into an entire series of slutty, cozy, maybe even disciplinary outfits. Shiro draped across furniture looking expensive and smug. He’s pretty much always been the king of half buttoned shirts and crop tops. And holes in strategically questionable places. Though even just in Ichigo’s lounge clothes he gives Ichigo indecent thoughts. 

He huffs. “My first idea was just leaving them a map to the nearest precinct.” His fingers tap once against his knee. “Problem is I don’t know what kind of state I’ll be in afterward.” He’d been trying not to say that part out loud. 

That acceptance remark earns a look. “Uh huh.” Mostly amused. “You do realize you’ve checked, like, six different ways to make sure I actually want this?” Accepted it his ass. 

His stomach does an odd little flip at the background check teasing. It’s different than the usual kind of nerves Shiro causes. “Not… entirely. No arrests. Just… detainments. For being places I shouldn’t.” And getting hauled in until his old man showed up. His mouth twists. He would’ve rather been booked than face Isshin. “Most of the cops liked me, which honestly just pissed me off more. I hated them. I was set on finding the guy that killed my mom, and they were set on keeping me out of it. I found him.”

Shiro casually drops that image of shoving him against a wall into conversation, and Ichigo blanks out for a second, staring ahead while his imagination tries to pin down what kinds of acts Shiro of all people would consider dirty. He hasn’t gotten his fill of Shiro yet. Not even close. There a long way to go before they’ve made up for all the sex they haven’t been having. 

“Maybe I’m screwed up enough to like the idea of you watching me.” His eyes slide toward Shiro again. Even if they’ve never used the word exclusive, he thinks Shiro must know he doesn’t actually want anyone else. And Shiro’s cop is the only relationship that’s ever made him second guess whether Shiro wanted him that same way. He doesn’t care about sex on the side. Sex is cheap. Though, he might have to murder anyone Shiro let touch him. He cares about all the guarded spots inside Shiro that Shiro doesn’t show to just anyone. 

A smirk threatens at the corner of his mouth. “Guess I’d be a shitty boyfriend if I made you hide in the bushes, though. You should just come with me.” Too transparent? Probably. “Then afterward we can hide in the bushes together while you educate me on all these dirty things we should be doing.”

That horrified expression about Yuzu nearly makes him laugh outright.

“Have you met my family? She absolutely would. You’ve been way too nice to them. They’re not even a little scared of you.”

Which he likes. A lot. 

Nothing is exactly the type of answer he expected and he laughs a little, amused anyway. But the revised answer has him looking over. Those are two very different answers. "A suit?" That's damn near the most dressed he could be, the exact opposite of naked. "Like with a tie and everything?" He motions, sort of plucking at one sleeve, "Cufflinks?" He's kind of intrigued. "What color suit?"

He shrugs, thinking a map is just as good as calling the police, but his interest in this really only extends so far as it being something Ichigo feels strongly about. He thinks it's vile, for sure, but he's not the vigilante type. He wouldn't be getting involved at all, not even just to think about it, if it weren't for Ichigo. So when Ichigo brings up the condition he may or may not come out of this engagement in, his attention snaps around and he pins Ichigo with a look that is both blank and not at all blank. "That's not an option. Do better."

Ichigo's right, but he rolls his eyes anyway. "Accepting it after I've asked my questions is still acceptance."

Ichigo's nervousness is so unexpected, Shiro practically itches to get his hands on that rap sheet and all the little notes that didn't make it into said record. It kind of reminds him of how they met; in a place Ichigo shouldn't have been, finding a person he wasn't supposed to be looking for. "Kind of a shame you didn't stay buddy buddy with 'em. It comes in handy." There's the hint of a grin in his voice about Ichigo finding his mom's killer, "I'm sure you did."

He laughs, and all in good fun calls Ichigo a, "Freak." even though he doesn't think Ichigo's a freak at all. He also doubts Ichigo's into him stalking him on his runs, or any of his day to day activities for that matter.

Aaaaand there it is. He rolls his eyes and levels a serious look at Ichigo. "Ok let's just pretend for a second I decided running was fun. Don't you think I'd actually, physically keel over and die if I tried to run with you right now? I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a mess." Detox aside, he really fucked himself up with all the drugs. He doesn't trust his stamina without the adrenaline of a fight or some other threat to give him a boost. He arches a brow. "The bushes? I don't think I like twigs in all my most vulnerable places, so maybe the hood of a stranger's car or something instead. Or my car, since I'll be driving it while you run."

That makes it all the more horrifying. People are supposed to be afraid of him, dammit. He scowls, but there's no heat in it. "Don't they know who I am by now? Goddamn I was in the news and everything."

His brow furrows with that short answer, confused, at least until he hears the explanation that follows. "I dont-" but a denial would be an insult. His shoulders fall a little. He changes from denial to almost-apology. "I don't mean to doubt you." He has been, though, even if accidentally. It's second nature, a survival tactic. His features twist a little. "Why do you gotta make it sound like I wanna hold you hostage? I don't care if you wanna do your own thing, I just gotta know you're gonna come back home to me." Which is just another way to say what Ichigo just said. So he sighs, "It would help though, I think."

He snorts a laugh at Ichigo's reaction. "Are you saying you'd fail the background check??" Fake shock and dismay. "Well now I have to look into it. Now it's interesting."

The light touch of fingers pulls his attention and he looks over briefly, and kind of hopes Ichigo takes his hand, no matter how grade school it feels. He can settle for a touch though.

"You liking him seems like more reason for me to kill him, honestly." Shiro? Jealous?? Possessive?? Obviously. But he knows that's not the kind of like Ichigo means. It was impossible to miss how pent up and desperate Ichigo was, both the night before and when they first got back together. There's no way Ichigo's sleeping around. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill him. Probably. Might depend how long you leave me locked up alone and how bored I get." He shrugs, casual, but also mostly joking.

He looks out his window while he considers that. “For most of them, it would be. I could call the cops once everything’s done. But I’m not looking to get myself caught either.” A lot of maybes in the air. He hasn’t decided. 

His eyes snap back to Shiro. That wasn’t supposed to be an accusation. Ichigo gave him a lot to doubt. And even before that, Shiro wasn’t the most trusting in that way. For good reason. “I’m not blaming you. And you can’t hold me hostage if I pick this.” A shrug. He’s holding himself hostage. By choice. “Don’t ruin my grand gesture, asshole. I’ve decided.” Except that little word ‘home’ sidetracks him hard. He doesn’t want to be so grossly cliche as to say anyplace Shiro goes is his home, but... fuck. “Where the hell else would I go? Even when I was staying away intentionally, I was doing a shit job of it. You’re where I want to be.” 

He frowns, chews at the inside of his lip, wonders just how honest they’re being at the moment. “I would pass.” But he cuts Shiro a hard look and huffs, realizing too late that he’s being teased. “Don’t push me. I’d be upset if I went to beat your ass and you couldn’t do anything about it.”

Shiro peels out and Ichigo just about plants a foot on the dash. Except he knows how much that damn thing cost. “Professionally.” He’s pretty sure he didn’t actually have to say it. And since Shiro went there, he deserves what he gets. “If I were going to fuck around, it'd have to be the hot guy that runs the opposite way in the morning.” 

There’s a smirk threatening, but he gives a long, dramatic sigh instead. “There’s my blackmailing boyfriend. Just when I was starting to think the romance had gone.” He likes it though. If only because Shiro is basically demanding his attention. He could get used to that kind of forceful neediness. 

His eyes flicker toward Ichigo, taking in his posture and the cast of his features. "Yeah, that's why I said drop 'em off a block away. Don't call them, damn. Get one of the people you're setting free to call. Or put in an anonymous tip."

He chews on that response for a second but he already knows Ichigo means it. And he's right, too. Shiro couldn't hold Ichigo hostage if he wanted to. Once upon a time, sure, but not anymore. He nods to himself and rolls his eyes at Ichigo. "I'm not ruining anything, jerk, I'm accepting it." It's a little funny that the grand gesture is Ichigo quitting his literally life threatening job, not the time, effort and money to restore his car.

That hesitation is telling, not that he gives two shits about whether or not Ichigo has a record hidden somewhere. "You'd pass, huh? With a background so squeaky clean it's suspicious?" He's still teasing, but not uninterested. He scoffs, "I wouldn't be." Upset, that is. "It'd just turn into a make out session and then we'd fuck dirty against a wall 'r something."

His eyes narrow and his attention swings to Ichigo. "Don't think I can't figure out your route and who you're talking about. I'm really good at that kinda thing." Stalking. He's really good at stalking. The world is lucky he's not a much bigger creep. There probably isn't even a hot guy that runs the oposite way in the morning. This is probably just Ichigo trying to get under his skin, maybe even trying to get him to start running. Hah. He rolls his eyes again, at Ichigo's long suffering sigh, at his words, but there's a small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. There's going to have to do something actually romantic when he gets out of his fast tracked sobriety program. Does he even know how to be romantic...?

He rolls his eyes, "Of course, idiot, but don't make me change my mind."

His expression goes blank when Ichigo tells him he's quitting. It's honestly hard to believe. Ichigo is always so independent, always so insistent that he kept a job that wasn't with Shiro, a house that wasn't Shiro's. His blank expression twists with warring surprise and skepticism. "Bull shit. You'd get so bored." It's dangerous as fuck, so he's not upset about it. The catalyst that got them back together was Ichigo nearly dying in the worst way imaginable because of his mercenary work. "I'm not complaining, I'm just- Are you really quitting?"

Like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Pff. "Dont act like you're into helpless men. We both know you liked that I knew exactly what to do with myself."

Ichigo seems so exasperated. He shrugs a little. "That's why I always make people come to me instead of the other way around." He rarely goes to meet with someone, they almost always come to a place of his choosing, during a timeframe that works for him. "And delegate. Not everything has to be done by you. Make others handle some of it. Rukia can help with that part. I'd say call me, but I don't have my phone." He sends a pointed look at Ichigo. He's under no delusion that he'll be getting it back soon. He huffs a laugh at the inclusion of the vibrator. "If your self imposed chastity is over, I probably don't need the vibrator anymore." But... maybe entertainment means Ichigo's too busy. "Unless you don't plan to visit regularly." This outing, the car, the sex, the shower, all of it, has been very good for him, but he knows how fast he goes stir crazy. He really hopes Ichigo isn't planning to keep avoiding him. But he blinks, attention snapping back to the conversation. "Oh." Breaking in his car. Damn, he's an idiot. "Rain check?"

“Yeah. Maybe.” He might be bored, but he’s been staying at Shiro’s place long enough now to know there’s always enough going on to keep his attention. And it’s turned out to be far less quiet than his own empty apartment when he’s between jobs. “I can keep myself busy. I’ve got projects.” There’s still that trafficking ring he wants to bring down, but that’s different than paid work. “…Or you could keep me busy. I make a better employee than you’d think.” It’s not like he has to step on people’s heads, it’s just a hell of a lot quicker than the usual back and forth posturing. Lets them know upfront what he’s about. He can’t tell from Shiro’s face, but he has the unsettling feeling he might get a hard rejection. Shiro probably doesn’t need a private mercenary. So Ichigo scrambles to hedge. “I still have my day job. Could still do favors. It wouldn’t be that bad, would it?”

That statement is so true that just hearing it sends his pulse spiking, has his breaths coming a scant bit quicker and warmer. “I can like both.”

Ichigo straightens. He hadn’t even considered calling Rukia, but there are a lot of places she’d be a perfect fit. Damn. Where was this advice a week ago? Even Renji, and he trusts them both. What the hell.

He looks over, huffs. “You have no idea how much I want to be rid of it. If you’re ready to handle it, you can start now.” And by handle it, he means not calling anyone to break him out of the warehouse. That phone is dropped into Shiro’s palm. “You can call me and tell me what to do.” Except Ichigo doubts he is ready. That phone will likely have to go with him when he leaves. He saw Shiro’s expression when he had that pill. “Hm. Your penthouse is too empty when you’re not in it. I’d rather stay nights with you if you’re done hating me. And that vibrator is happening, don’t even fuck with me.”

He wants to keep being annoyed, but that grin Shiro gives ruins the attempt. Ichigo could take him right up against that door. Sink his teeth into that smirking mouth. He’s half hard going down those steps and scowling about it. “Why do I have the feeling you’re more likely to swallow those keys than give them back? It’s going with me, I’m not leaving you a getaway vehicle.”

He arches a brow over a somewhat smug expression, taking some amount of pride in knowing that not just anyone can do what he does. He's genuinely surprised when he ends up with his phone. "Ok. That'd give me something to do at least." He tucks it into his back pocket, ignoring the itch to scroll through all the messages and calls he's missed in the past week. He scoffs, but softly and without heat or offense. "I never hated you... I was just hurting and taking it out on you." He winces with the admission, feeling pretty shitty about it. He snorts, "I absolutely wanna fuck with you."

It's still hard to believe that Ichigo managed to have his car fixed up. He really does want to meet Ichigo's car guy. "If I swallow them, I'd have to wait too long to drive it again." Giving them up is definitely going to be rough though. "A get away vehicle, huh? That implies you think I can take down that gorilla at the door to get out before he calls his roof goons for backup." Maybe he could. And if he gets bored and desperate enough, maybe he'll try.

His gaze flicks back to Shiro. But it’s an easy answer. “You.” Though it’s more complicated than that. “You still think I’ll leave. You say it even when you’re not saying it.” His voice lowers to something quiet. “If you can like me more than drugs, I can like you more than a job.” Shiro’s already said he needs him around in a more visible, constant way. Ichigo’s been struggling to figure out how to do it. How to make it clear he chooses Shiro when the urge to move creeps up. Being useless feels like dying, but it can’t be any worse than what Shiro is going through. He shrugs. “If I can’t leave, then you won’t need to worry about it. That’s never going to happen if I always have one foot out the door.” 

He misses the step he’s aiming for and comes down hard on the next. His head swivels toward Shiro. “I’m gonna roll you into traffic. And it’ll be easy, because you have the stamina of a tortoise right now. And stay away from my background unless you plan to have one of your lawyers wipe it clean.” Might need more than a lawyer. Like a magic fucking wand.

Those words might have him bringing an entire box of sex toys. They work straight into his blood, and his fingers brush the back of Shiro’s, then his wrist, almost catch his fingers. He really wants to touch him. 

His brow furrows with that short answer, confused, at least until he hears the explanation that follows. "I dont-" but a denial would be an insult. His shoulders fall a little. He changes from denial to almost-apology. "I don't mean to doubt you." He has been, though, even if accidentally. It's second nature, a survival tactic. His features twist a little. "Why do you gotta make it sound like I wanna hold you hostage? I don't care if you wanna do your own thing, I just gotta know you're gonna come back home to me." Which is just another way to say what Ichigo just said. So he sighs, "It would help though, I think."

He snorts a laugh at Ichigo's reaction. "Are you saying you'd fail the background check??" Fake shock and dismay. "Well now I have to look into it. Now it's interesting."

The light touch of fingers pulls his attention and he looks over briefly, and kind of hopes Ichigo takes his hand, no matter how grade school it feels. He can settle for a touch though.

"You liking him seems like more reason for me to kill him, honestly." Shiro? Jealous?? Possessive?? Obviously. But he knows that's not the kind of like Ichigo means. It was impossible to miss how pent up and desperate Ichigo was, both the night before and when they first got back together. There's no way Ichigo's sleeping around. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill him. Probably. Might depend how long you leave me locked up alone and how bored I get." He shrugs, casual, but also mostly joking.

He rolls his eyes, "Of course, idiot, but don't make me change my mind."

His expression goes blank when Ichigo tells him he's quitting. It's honestly hard to believe. Ichigo is always so independent, always so insistent that he kept a job that wasn't with Shiro, a house that wasn't Shiro's. His blank expression twists with warring surprise and skepticism. "Bull shit. You'd get so bored." It's dangerous as fuck, so he's not upset about it. The catalyst that got them back together was Ichigo nearly dying in the worst way imaginable because of his mercenary work. "I'm not complaining, I'm just- Are you really quitting?"

Like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Pff. "Dont act like you're into helpless men. We both know you liked that I knew exactly what to do with myself."

Ichigo seems so exasperated. He shrugs a little. "That's why I always make people come to me instead of the other way around." He rarely goes to meet with someone, they almost always come to a place of his choosing, during a timeframe that works for him. "And delegate. Not everything has to be done by you. Make others handle some of it. Rukia can help with that part. I'd say call me, but I don't have my phone." He sends a pointed look at Ichigo. He's under no delusion that he'll be getting it back soon. He huffs a laugh at the inclusion of the vibrator. "If your self imposed chastity is over, I probably don't need the vibrator anymore." But... maybe entertainment means Ichigo's too busy. "Unless you don't plan to visit regularly." This outing, the car, the sex, the shower, all of it, has been very good for him, but he knows how fast he goes stir crazy. He really hopes Ichigo isn't planning to keep avoiding him. But he blinks, attention snapping back to the conversation. "Oh." Breaking in his car. Damn, he's an idiot. "Rain check?"

“Yeah. Maybe.” He might be bored, but he’s been staying at Shiro’s place long enough now to know there’s always enough going on to keep his attention. And it’s turned out to be far less quiet than his own empty apartment when he’s between jobs. “I can keep myself busy. I’ve got projects.” There’s still that trafficking ring he wants to bring down, but that’s different than paid work. “…Or you could keep me busy. I make a better employee than you’d think.” It’s not like he has to step on people’s heads, it’s just a hell of a lot quicker than the usual back and forth posturing. Lets them know upfront what he’s about. He can’t tell from Shiro’s face, but he has the unsettling feeling he might get a hard rejection. Shiro probably doesn’t need a private mercenary. So Ichigo scrambles to hedge. “I still have my day job. Could still do favors. It wouldn’t be that bad, would it?”

That statement is so true that just hearing it sends his pulse spiking, has his breaths coming a scant bit quicker and warmer. “I can like both.”

Ichigo straightens. He hadn’t even considered calling Rukia, but there are a lot of places she’d be a perfect fit. Damn. Where was this advice a week ago? Even Renji, and he trusts them both. What the hell.

He looks over, huffs. “You have no idea how much I want to be rid of it. If you’re ready to handle it, you can start now.” And by handle it, he means not calling anyone to break him out of the warehouse. That phone is dropped into Shiro’s palm. “You can call me and tell me what to do.” Except Ichigo doubts he is ready. That phone will likely have to go with him when he leaves. He saw Shiro’s expression when he had that pill. “Hm. Your penthouse is too empty when you’re not in it. I’d rather stay nights with you if you’re done hating me. And that vibrator is happening, don’t even fuck with me.”

He wants to keep being annoyed, but that grin Shiro gives ruins the attempt. Ichigo could take him right up against that door. Sink his teeth into that smirking mouth. He’s half hard going down those steps and scowling about it. “Why do I have the feeling you’re more likely to swallow those keys than give them back? It’s going with me, I’m not leaving you a getaway vehicle.”

He arches a brow over a somewhat smug expression, taking some amount of pride in knowing that not just anyone can do what he does. He's genuinely surprised when he ends up with his phone. "Ok. That'd give me something to do at least." He tucks it into his back pocket, ignoring the itch to scroll through all the messages and calls he's missed in the past week. He scoffs, but softly and without heat or offense. "I never hated you... I was just hurting and taking it out on you." He winces with the admission, feeling pretty shitty about it. He snorts, "I absolutely wanna fuck with you."

It's still hard to believe that Ichigo managed to have his car fixed up. He really does want to meet Ichigo's car guy. "If I swallow them, I'd have to wait too long to drive it again." Giving them up is definitely going to be rough though. "A get away vehicle, huh? That implies you think I can take down that gorilla at the door to get out before he calls his roof goons for backup." Maybe he could. And if he gets bored and desperate enough, maybe he'll try.