Work Text:
Ichigo seethed. That guy was clearly making passes at Uryuu.
They were in their first year introductory lab class for Genetics, and while he and Uryuu had managed to register for the same lab section, the instructor insisted on pairing up the students at random. So here he was, paired up with some girl who seemed to have no idea what she was doing - why was she even in this class when she can’t even do basic math calculations??? And Uryuu was paired up with some guy Ichigo recognized as being a regular at their university’s sports and gym facilities.
Ichigo hated him. He looked like some asshole opportunist, and…and… he was not so subtly trying to brush his hand against Uryuu’s right now! He wished he wasn’t seated at a lab bench all the way across the room or he’d absolutely be glaring at the guy right now.
“Ah, sorry, Kurosaki-kun.. Can you help explain this question to me again?”
Startled into paying attention to his lab partner…what was her name again…?
“Oh, sure…ah.. Sayako. You have to look at these ratios here.” Ichigo pointed to their corn cob counts. “And then see if they fit what we expect. We went over those in lecture class earlier this week.”
It took almost the entire allotted time for the lab before Ichigo finally got out of class. He was still mildly annoyed at being paired with such a slow lab partner. She was nice and all, but couldn’t seem to understand the basics.
Uryuu had long since left since he and that asshole lab partner of his were actually both pretty good at this subject, so they managed to finish the lab activity early and leave.
Ichigo sent a quick text to Ishida, asking where he was.
“Kurosaki!” Ichigo saw Uryuu wave him over at the school cafe located near the biology building. Wait. Was THAT GUY sitting with him?!?
Ichigo saw Uryuu turn to speak briefly to that asshole lab partner before getting up to meet him at the cafe entrance to walk back in the direction of their just-slightly-off-campus apartment.
“Should we get something for dinner before heading home?” Uryuu asked him, but Ichigo was still a little bit distracted glaring daggers at that guy, who unfortunately was looking down at his phone.
“Ichigo, what’s with you? I can tell you don’t like Daisuke…but must you be so obvious?”
“Daisuke? That’s his name? I hate his guts.”
“He’s a perfectly acceptable lab partner, unlike yours…”
“He’s not acceptable when he keeps trying to flirt with you!”
Uryuu paused and turned to look at Ichigo, “Oh my god, that’s what this is about?”
“Yeah! He kept trying to brush his hand against yours today in class… and why were you having coffee with him?!?” Ichigo complained, while trying to keep his voice low so as to not attract attention.
Ishida covered his mouth, but his shoulders were shaking, a telltale sign that he was laughing. “First of all, he asked what I was doing after class, so I said I was going to wait for you. He suggested we go to the cafe since he’s apparently also waiting for a friend of his.”
“Ugh. Likely excuse to hang out with you. He’s probably not even waiting for anyone.”
“Secondly, it doesn’t matter what he tries, you idiot. You’re the one I’m with.”
“Okay, yeah. Sorry. I just…I don’t like it. Have you told him you’re taken?”
“No? It wasn’t a conversation topic that has come up?” Uryuu looked at Ichigo with some exasperation.
“Great! He probably just assumes we’re roommates or something.” Ichigo continued fuming.
“We ARE roommates by definition, Kurosaki.” Uryuu rolled his eyes.
“What?! No! We share the same bed! We kiss and do stuff! That’s more than ‘just roommates’!”
“Alright, alright…” Uryuu conceded, “We’re roommates who also happen to be a couple. Happy?”
***
Next lab class, Ichigo was again staring at that asshole Daisuke. Uryuu’s Quincy cross had dangled out of his sleeve and that asshole was touching it…!
Ichigo brought a hand up to his chest and felt for his five pointed cross which he kept on a chain around his neck, under his shirt. He REALLY hated that guy.
And so, once again, Ichigo was one of the last to leave lab class, and once again, Uryuu was at that cafe with that asshole Daisuke having coffee.
This time though, Ichigo pulled out his Quincy cross to have it visible around his neck… hopefully that asshole Daisuke notices and takes a hint. Matching jewelry must mean they’re a couple, right?
Thankfully, when Uryuu got up to leave, Daisuke looked up and saw Ichigo. His expression definitely indicates that he noticed Ichigo’s pendant.
Beside him, Uryuu sighed and just said, “Come on, let’s go home. And put your cross away.”
Which Ichigo did right after.
“I was just trying to show that asshole…”
“I can tell.” Ishida turned to face Ichigo with a raised eyebrow, “However when mine fell out earlier, and he inquired, I mentioned that it was a family symbol. I’ll assume he thinks we’re probably relatives now.”
“WHAT.” Ichigo’s jaw fell open.
Uryuu wasn’t even trying to hide his laughter this time.
***
Alright. Ichigo fingered the small box in his pocket. He had spent quite a bit on this, but it was worth it. He had taken the train into town yesterday and headed straight for one of the jewelry stores. He was determined to put a ring on Uryuu’s finger. That way everyone would know that Uryuu was claimed. Not single. Not available.
He had told Uryuu that they would have dinner out at one of the nicer restaurants around the university this evening, and Ichigo had planned to present the ring to him during their meal. He hoped Uryuu would like it. Ichigo had picked out a simple silver band with a square blue sapphire stone set into it. It should fit Uryuu’s tastes, and the blue gem would match his eyes.
They were currently making their way over to the restaurant, and just ahead of them someone was waving and calling out, “Ishida-san!”
Shit. They just HAD to run into that asshole Daisuke. Ishida greeted the asshole back.
“Ah, where are you both headed to?” Daisuke asked, seeing both Ichigo and Uryuu a little more dressed up than usual.
“Oh, Ichigo wanted to have dinner at that Italian style restaurant a few blocks down.” Ishida replied.
“Yes. Ah, sorry, we’re in a bit of a hurry, we have reservations and don’t want to be late.” Ichigo put a hand on Uryuu’s shoulder to indicate the two of them should move along.
“Oh, that’s a nice place. I’ve been there before. Is it someone’s birthday, or a special occasion?” Daisuke looked back and forth between Uryuu and Ichigo.
Ichigo saw Uryuu glance sideways at him before speaking.
“Actually, it’s our date night. We haven’t had the chance to go out somewhere nice since school started.” Uryuu replied.
“Oh.” Daisuke seemed momentarily stunned, but he recovered quickly, “I hope you two have a nice evening then. I’ll catch you in class, Ishida-san.”
With that Daisuke hurriedly walked away, leaving Ichigo and Uryuu alone to continue their way to the restaurant.
“FINALLY.” Ichigo muttered.
“I took pity on you.” Uryuu smirked at him.
“What do you mean ‘took pity’?”
“I mean that it was as good a time as any to let him know about our relationship status, and also so that you would stop being such a crazy, jealous…boyfriend.” Uryuu stumbled over the last word.
***
The waiter had just taken their plates away, and they were waiting for dessert to be brought to the table. Ichigo thought this was as good a time as any, so he deliberately took out the small box from his coat pocket.
Opening the box which held the ring, he presented it to Uryuu.
“Um. So, I got you this.” Ichigo looked up into Uryuu’s eyes.
“Ichigo, what’s this? Are you.. you can’t be proposing?” Uryuu gasped, nervousness and confusion apparent in his voice.
“Well.” Ichigo grinned, “Not exactly right now. But more like a promise? For the future?”
Uryuu was speechless as he gingerly plucked the ring out of the box and examined it in the dim restaurant lighting. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Ichigo.”
“We’re supposed to be Quincy kings right? I want more than just boyfriends, that sounds too casual.” Ichigo spoke.
“I.. Can’t disagree with that.” Uryuu looked up and smiled softly at Ichigo, making the Shinigami-Quincy’s heart flutter. Uryuu was beautiful, and Ichigo promised to himself at that moment that he would do anything to make Uryuu happy.
Ichigo was just about to say something when Uryuu leaned over their table and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Ah, Uryuu.” Ichigo couldn’t help the giddy grin spreading on his face.
Uryuu slipped the ring onto the ring finger of his left hand and frowned. “Huh, it’s a bit big.”
“Eh?” Ichigo’s eyes grew wide in alarm.
“There.” Uryuu moved the ring to the middle finger of his left hand instead. “Fits perfectly.”
“That’s… I’ll get it resized.” Ichigo offered.
“Don’t be silly, it fits perfectly on this finger.” Uryuu held up his hand, the band catching the low light of the restaurant. Ishida paused for a moment, scrutinizing Ichigo’s face, then narrowed his eyes. “You got me this ring so you could tell everyone I’m taken, didn’t you?”
“Uh. Not exactly.” Ichigo shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Maybe? But I really do want to be with you forever!”
Uryuu’s shoulders shook with mirth, while he covered his mouth with his hand. “You are such an idiot.”
“I’m your idiot?” Ichigo replied in a tiny voice.
“You are.” Uryuu smirked back. “And my idiot needs to get it through his thick skull that I’m his too, and that NO ONE has a hope in hell to take me away from you.”
Ichigo gawked at Uryuu’s proclamation, slack-jawed. In an even tinier voice, Ichigo uttered, “I’m so in love with you.”
Uryuu gaped and covered his face with his hands. “Oh my god, don’t embarrass me in public!”
“Too late.” Ichigo took Uryuu’s left hand and kissed it where he wore the ring.
It really was cute to see Uryuu flushed red.
***
End.