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Stepping off the train, Ichigo straightened his back. He would not run. No matter how much he wanted to. The public could not know that Ichigo Kurosaki was pushing back tears for two hours then ran off a train to go somewhere. That would end his career.
A single notification was all it took to break him from fame though. Just one message and his whole world was crashing down. Nobody responded to his calls.
Renji: [EDION Arena Osaka lockers collapsed, get here ASAP]
Three hours of staring at a quiet phone and waiting for a call that did not come. He had cell service, the whole train did since it was a modern passenger railway. It was all he could do to tear his eyes off the blank screen. The scenery blended from bustling city to suburb to country and finally back to city.
Why did I agree to live so far away?
When his feet touched the pavement, he began his sprint. People jumped out of his way, birds scattering from his heavy footfalls.
There was a taxi on the road waiting for new passengers. Ichigo didn’t hesitate as he yanked open the door and jumped in. “To the hospital, please!” he barely managed to get out between breaths.
The drive was quick. Perhaps a little too fast on some of the more empty roads but Ichigo didn’t care. He shoved a wad of cash at the driver and left before he could get change.
“Thank you, Mr. Kurosaki!” the driver shouted after him.
Doors parted automatically as a tall man covered in tattoos met him. Renji looked solemn but not horribly broken apart as he led Ichigo down the corridors to the correct room.
“Hey, before you go in, just know they did their best,” Renji warned. He couldn’t meet Ichigo’s eyes as he said it. Ichigo swallowed the uncertainty in his throat as he stepped into the room.
There was a rhythmic beeping coming from a machine in the center, and the distinct smell of isopropyl alcohol. Sheets rustled, revealing their crinkly texture.
“Nice of you to show up finally,” Grimmjow joked. His skin was pale, hair limp, and a bruise was forming on his left cheek. “You missed the show.”
Ichigo wasn’t listening. His eyes were focused on Grimmjow’s left arm, or where it should have been. He staggered to the hospital cot and nearly fell onto his boyfriend’s body. “I almost lost you. I almost lost everything and I was miles away. I- I couldn’t save you.” His words were wet as he finally let the tears flow.
The body below him wiggled and suddenly there was a hand tilting his chin up. Those blazing blue eyes he had fallen for long ago looked straight into his. Then their lips touched. It was a soft reassurance. They were together again, alive, mostly whole.
“I missed you, but... I didn’t think this would be what brought us together again so soon.” Ichigo wiped his face with the back of his hand, pushing the tears away for the moment. Grimmjow looked away, almost like he was scorned. Maybe Ichigo was scorning him for being so reckless with something so precious. He couldn’t be mad though, not right now. He pushed back Grimmjow’s bangs and planted a kiss on his forehead just like his mom used to do when he got banged up from a fight. “Don’t be such an idiot next time. I can’t marry you if you’re dead.”
Grimmjow’s cheeks flushed at the mention. His voice was low as he muttered, “I didn’t even lose the fight. I kicked ass. It’s the damned arena’s fault for having shitty locker rooms.”
Ichigo laughed and sat on the bed. Now that he was here and the crisis had ended, he wanted to soak up as much time with his chosen partner as he could. Even if he could only hold hands on one side.