thanks so much for the reviews, everyone! I greatly appreciate it. Here's a little doodad for yous. r&r!

prompt: key
disclaimer: i don't own jack.

His heart was stubborn, a solid piece of iron. Hidden behind a visage of scowls, growls and "screw off"'s. And in that seemingly contumacious piece of steel was a tiny..so very tiny keyhole.

You'd ask Ichigo about it and he'd probably beat your face in a thousand times before ever admitting that he was waiting for someone, or specifically that one to unlock it. (and then beat your face a thousand more times for admitting such a thing.)

Everytime he looked into her eyes, pierced by the smile that only she can give, the keyhole grew..just a little bigger, a little more wider. Until one day it just consumed him, engulfing him from the root of his hair to the tip of his toes, with every simple question about how he was doing and if she could do anything for him was answered by a kind "No, thank you, Inoue."

But inside..oh how he pleaded..

Love me. Only me. Please..

"Kurosaki-kun..I.."

Love me. Only me. Please..

"I just wanted to tell you..."

Love me. Please. Only me.

"I..I love you."

Love me. Only me. Ple-

.

.

.

oh.

And the key was a perfect fit.