Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Winter Kisses ❯ Part 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Title: Winter Kisses - Part 1

Author/Artist: theablackthorn

Rating: 15 +

Prompt/Summary:

Warnings: BL shonen-ai males kissing

AN:

 

Ishida stood at the doorway to his apartment more than a little surprised to see Kurosaki peering out at him from under a rather childish Santa hat. He eyed the taller male taking in the thick blue coat that swamped the shinigami's form and the skintight jeans that encased his toned legs, down to the hiking boots encrusted with snow.

 

He couldn't help but admire the other man, the Quincy had realised quite some time ago that he was attracted to Ichigo and those trousers fit him like a second skin. When he looked back up to stare into tea coloured orbs he could see the slightest flush adorning Ichigo's cheeks and it made his heartbeat quicken.

 

Ishida was further surprised when the other teen spoke, mumbling his words, “Ishida ...uhm...we... I wanted to ask you over for Christmas dinner. I thought ...you might want some company. Though Dad, Karin and Yuzu are rather a lot of trouble... but Yuzu makes a really great turkey roast.”

 

The Quincy couldn't help the smirk that tilted his lips as Ichigo rambled away on his doorstep finding the shinigami's nervousness rather cute. Though he'd been surprised at first he had studied Ichigo's behaviour enough to know that he had been concerned about him, but the question was how he had found out. Ishida felt his chest swell with warmth at the idea that Ichigo had been worrying about him but he tried his best to quell the feelings that wanted to tumble free from his rigid control - concern wasn't the same as want.

 

Ishida turned to stare into his empty apartment, taking in the cool air and lack of anything festive. It had been quite a few years since he had celebrated the festive season - his grandfather had died and he didn't speak to his father unless he had to so the traditions of Christmas had remained uncelebrated in his apartment. It had to be said though, not that he'd ever admit it, he missed the company. He could imagine Ichigo's house being full of noise, laughter ringing in the holiday and it made something inside him ache at the quiet of his own place.

 

He turned back to Ichigo only to find a frown adorning his brow, not that that was unusual but he couldn't resist reaching out and poking the furrowed skin speaking in his normal quiet sardonic tone, “Your face will stay that way... oh wait it already does.”

 

His witticism was rewarded with a glare that was followed with a soft smile that he hadn't been expecting and he fought down the heat that tried to suffuse his cheeks and the warmth inherent in that smile. He scoffed at Ichigo's next taunting comment, “Didn't know Quincy could tell jokes.”

 

Ishida wrapped an arm over his waist, trying to retain the heat in his body even as it seeped out the open doorway. He waved his free hand around airily whilst replying, “You're Shinigami there are a lot of things you don't know.” He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he looked challengingly at the other man, waiting for Ichigo's temper to fray as it always did. There was something about the way he could press his buttons that made Ishida always push that little bit harder - Ichigo's reactions were priceless.

 

“Hey... I came over to try and get you out of this musty old apartment and this is the thanks I get!” Ishida watched Ichigo growling and stomping his foot in irritation, snow falling off his black boots to land on his once pristine brown doormat.

 

He let himself indulge in the others fuming form for a few blissful moments before responding to the pointed barb the idiot had labelled his apartment with. Ishida gave Ichigo a cool calculated look, speaking succinctly, “It's not old nor is it musty.”

 

Ishida could have sworn Ichigo's lips were pouting for all but a moment and then it was gone again and those lips spilled more annoyance, “Still musty.”

 

He caught the whispered words and raised a brow in response speaking in a tone that brooked no argument; he'd had enough of the idiot's insults even if he had incited them, “Kurosaki.”

 

Ishida watched the other mans shoulders slump, his features softening from his customary scowl to look out at the white-blanketed world beyond before he heard him speak again, “Fine - but will you come to dinner the girls are expecting you.”

 

When he looked at Ichigo more closely he could see a hint of red touch the tips of his exposed ears but he didn't read too much into it - it was cold after all. What shocked him was that Ichigo's two sisters were expecting him to come to their home and impose on their family Christmas. He had never been inside the substitute shinigami's house before and wasn't aware the two youngest Kurosaki's were even aware of his existence.

 

He looked up from where his gaze had dropped to the floor and nodded, forgetting Ichigo's back was facing him until he was staring fixedly at the tiny bit of brightly coloured hair sticking out from under the ridiculous white fur-lined hat.

 

Ishida spoke quietly, a little uncertain of what was really happening here, “Ah...alright for them.”

 

He didn't wait for Ichigo to turn, darting into his house to turn the heating down and shut off the lights. He came back to the door to see Ichigo leaning against the doorframe, hands cupped before his face breathing gusts of warm air onto his bare fingers.

 

Ishida shook his head at the sight as he slipped into his black button down peacoat, wrapping a scarf securely about his throat he tsked at Ichigo. When the other man looked up from his task he reached into the cupboard by the door where he kept his coats and picked up two pairs of mittens, self knit of course. He shut the door and walked up to the shinigami, pale hands tugging the cold hands forward and slipping first one then the other red mitten onto chapped hands before pulling on his own.

 

Ishida turned then pulling the front door closed as he shuffled Ichigo further out onto the path speaking back over his shoulder, “Shouldn't you know that people die of hypothermia in this weather?”

 

All he got out of Ichigo was a snort, but when he turned to look he could see that warm blush across his cheekbones as he admired his mittens.

 

Ishida did his best to ignore the feelings expanding inside his chest at the sight and turned to start walking, Ichigo falling into place beside him.

 

It didn't take long for the silence that had fallen to become a little uncomfortable so he chose to fill the lull with his own curiosity. He had a fair idea who had told Ichigo but he couldn't understand why. But he wanted confirmation of the first, “Who told you I'd be here alone?”

 

Ishida turned to watch the man walking beside him as he answered, but Ichigo's gaze never left the floor as he spoke, “Sado. He was worried.”

 

Ishida wasn't happy that Ichigo wasn't looking at him when he was speaking it was common courtesy after all but he did sigh quietly and confirm his suspicions, “Yes - I thought it might be him.”

 

“You could have said something, we'd all have invited you over you know.” When Ichigo's dark hazel eyes turned to him then, filled with a familiar intensity he felt a weight press on his shoulder. He hadn't told anyone because he didn't want this, peoples pity - he didn't need it. Call it Quincy pride but he didn't want to burden others and he always contented himself on days like this one.

 

He couldn't help the snippy tone of his voice, “Maybe I didn't want to have company.”

 

“Oh... sorry.” Ishida looked back up at Ichigo, seeing his brow creased in another frown that he had caused. He didn't know when it had started but the sight of that indelible furrow, especially when he caused it. It made something stir in his gut, he wanted to take away that frown, he just didn't know how.

 

So Ishida resorted to the age-old tradition of changing the subject, “No - this will be interesting.”

 

“You got that right.”

 

He could hear the smirk in Ichigo's voice and he found himself smiling in response. He knew this was going to be different but how bad could it be…?

 

 

oo-----oo-----oo

 

It was bad…well Ishida couldn't say it was as bad as the Arrancar or anything but he supposed it was just very different. Apparently Ichigo's Father had far o much energy to spare and upon arriving had excitedly gushed about the him coming to their humble home before preceding to get into a tussle with Ichigo.

 

They had spent the afternoon alternating between talking, fighting and eating. Ishida couldn't help but watch from the sofa as the odd dynamic of this unusual family played out before him. He was surprised by how welcome they tried to make him - never treating him like a guest but getting him to pitch in with different things. Though Yuzu cooked the meal it was he and Karin charged with clean up and Ichigo and their Father where put in charge of organising the gifts when they had finished. He'd never been to a house were he was required to help and it made him feel strangely at home.

 

All in all the afternoon which slipped into evening hadn't truly gone badly but the constant energy and life that filled the house was in turns exhausting and enchanting. He had felt a little out of place when they had sat down to give out gifts but Ichigo had steered him out of the kitchen were he'd gone to make tea for everyone and back to plop down beside him on the couch. He had given Ichigo a scathing glare for making him feel so awkward when a badly wrapped gift was deposited in his hands from a red faced Ichigo.

 

Ishida had stared between the gift and Ichigo for a few minutes before the other had told him not to gape and that presents were for opening. Ishida had quietly unwrapped the red paper, loosely tied with strong to find a small sewing kit held inside a beautifully crafted wooden box. He had felt his cheeks redden and he ran a finger over the polished surface, stunned by the thoughtfulness of the gift. He felt guilt flood him when a few other small gifts made there way to his lap - things that would have taken time to make and buy. It would seem that the Kurosaki's had been planning for his visit far longer than Ichigo had let on.

 

The Quincy promised himself that once he returned home he would make sure to return there thoughtfulness of all the gift's these kind people had given him. He felt something pang inside his chest at the thought of returning to his cold apartment but pushed it aside to thank the people surrounding him.

 

The evening was spent snuggled up on the couch, playing games and watching the festive programmes on the small television in the corner - Ishida had never felt so content around people before. He'd always found others a hassle to pay attention to until he had met Ichigo. He felt the shinigami's heat pressed next to him no the sofa, Yuzu sat in his lap as they only had so much space on the plush couch.

 

He couldn't help but smile at the sight they made, he'd never really thought of Ichigo as a family person but, even with the odd relationship between Father and son, you could see he loved them very much. Ishida couldn't help but want that for himself, to see Ichigo look at him with the same concern and adoration he showed his sisters - but he wanted more than that. He shook his head at the sappy feelings trying to fill him. It was getting late and he needed to start out for him, the pathways would be getting icier the longer he remained.

 

Ishida nudged Ichigo and nodded to the door, and he watched the other rise and carefully deposit the tired girl where he had been seated. Ishida was going to say thank you to the eldest Kurosaki but when he turned to look the older man was sleeping soundly, Karin resting against his shoulder. It looked as though all that energy took its toll.

 

He followed Ichigo out to the front door quickly slipping on his shoes and coat, carefully wrapping his scarf around hi neck and pulling on his gloves. He spoke quietly, “Please thank your family for having me over today Kurosaki… and thank you for the gifts.”

 

He looked up to see Ichigo watching him intently, and when his own brow furrowed at the look and he went to speak again he found his lips covered by Ichigo's war ones. He had been unprepared, eyes wide open as the other man caressed his partly open lips and then pulled away, face a vivid red. He listened in silent surprise as Ichigo spoke, “Mistletoe…” He saw Ichigo's hand point up at the green foliage adorned with white berries and Ishida felt himself vaguely nod. He had no idea what to do now - stunned at the soft press of chapped lips against his own. That had been his first kiss and he'd been so surprised he'd not taken advantage of it - plus it was Ichigo that had kissed him. Not just a friendly kiss on the cheek but a full on the lips kiss - chaste though it was. He turned his flushed face to look at the floor, awkward silence filling the small porch as he pushed up his glasses. His voice came out a little stilted at first, “Th- thank you Ichigo.”

 

He looked up at the other man when he shifted, clothes rustling as he fidgeted, “You didn't mind?”

 

Ishida really looked at Ichigo then, seeing the serious expression adorning his features, familiar scowl in place and he moved instinctively, finger's brushing across that drawn skin his voice barely a whisper, “No.”

 

Ishida watched as Ichigo moved, one hand wrapping around his wrist and pulling him in so the other could curl securely around his back, the bag of presents slid from his hand and he grabbed onto Ichigo's sleeve for balance, “What are you…mpfff…”

 

He felt it again, the warm press of Ichigo's slips against his own. It took him but a moment to push back, fingers releasing Ichigo's sleeve to tangle in orange locks and tug him in. The kiss was awkward but nice, a forceful press of lips alternating with gentle caresses. Ishida wasn't sure what to think, his mind lost in the feel of Ichigo pressed up against him, holding him tightly and kissing him so sweetly. He felt his heart fluttering in his chest in excitement whilst his stomach was roiling with nerves; he hated being out of control and not knowing what was going on.

 

As those warm lips moved back he felt a pressure against his brow and as his eyelids opened he looked up into Ichigo's whisky coloured orbs to see a warm smile tilting his lips and a gleam in his eyes, “Good. I should have done that a while ago.”

 

“You… I don't understand.” Ishida gave the Ichigo a puzzled frown, his fingers still burrowed in Ichigo's hair. He started to feel awkwardness set in as he stared into those hazel orbs.

 

“And you call me the idiot.”

 

He watched the smile stretch wider at Ichigo's words and he felt annoyance start to rise in his gut. But it vanished as soon as Ichigo spoke again, a flush tinting his cheeks, “I like you.”

 

“Oh.” It was all Ishida could say, his mind trying to wrap itself around the idea that Ichigo actually liked him back - after all this time it seemed odd. Untrue in some way - he needed proof.

 

So he asked for it. “Do that again.”

 

“Pfft… demanding as always Uryuu.” Ishida shivered at the lazy drawl of his name, and he gave his own smile to the leering male.

 

He just went with it though he did ask nicely, “Now please.”

 

He chuckled at Ichigo's retort, “Yes master.”

 

“Mmmm sounds good...” before he shifted forward lips brushing against Ichigo's before the taller man pushed forward, pressing his lips more firmly against Ishida's silencing any other words.