So, because I'm having trouble with the post-argument – pre-work argument chapter and it's being really irritating, I'm going to make this chapter a bit of a Christmas themed bonus/filler chapter. To be clear, it's set sometime after they get together. It may or may not contain spoilers for later chapters because I'm likely to just write and need to explain a little bit about their relationship.

Who knows.

Have fun! Thank-you for reading.

XXX

Grimmjow awoke, blinking into the darkness. His brow furrowed as he became acutely aware of the lack of Ichigo by his side. It wasn't as if Ichigo's bed was big. There wasn't exactly room to lose him in it.

Frowning, he turned his head, checking the clock which was blinking an angry 3.41 AM. Staring up at the ceiling as his eyes slowly adjusted to the dark, he fixed his look at the ugly mould spot.

Ichigo's middle-of-the-night awakenings were becoming more and more frequent and his broodings were becoming heavier and heavier.

Throwing the covers off and rolling out the bed, Grimmjow crept towards the lounge-room, slowing as he reached entry to it.

Ichigo was bent over the coffee table, papers spread out in front of him as he sat in almost complete darkness, only the lamp shining down on his orange hair, making it appear a deep red.

Grimmjow crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he watched his boyfriend in silence. After the confrontation with Aizen and Gin, Ichigo had been working on his mother's case non-stop, pouring over the evidence in the file and his journal tirelessly.

Ichigo rested his head on one hand, rubbing his temple, putting the pen down to stare at the information in front of him.

Grimmjow understood Ichigo's desire – his need to have his mother's killer found, to see them pay for what they did, but he hated the worn-out look it left his lover with.

It was almost Christmas for God's sakes! Well, it was Christmas Eve now – as it was past 12. Pushing himself from the wall, Grimmjow walked over to Ichigo, letting himself be known by stepping a little more firmly.

Ichigo glanced up distractedly, pausing only after he seemed to realise it was Grimmjow. He sighed; face softening as he looked back to Grimmjow, leaning in his seat.

Grimmjow reached out, hands running along Ichigo's shoulders before settling at the base of his neck so he could massage him.

Ichigo moaned gently, leaning into the touch, Ichigo's response making tingles go up his spine. He let his head roll back and he met Grimmjow's eyes.

"I was thinkin'," Grimmjow started, interrupting whatever Ichigo was about to say – which he knew was going to be something self-deprecating or pessimistic. "You should come back ta' bed."

Leaning down to let his lips brush Ichigo's ear, he murmured, voice gruff, "I can think of a hundred other things I'd rather have you doin' right now."

Ichigo rolled his eyes at the crude suggestion, sitting back up and leaning forward again, therefore forcing Grimmjow to drop his hands off his shoulders.

Exhaling through his teeth, Grimmjow slid his hand along Ichigo's shoulders before he walked off to the door, grabbing his keys from the hook Grimmjow himself had hung there. "I'll be back in a sec."

"Seriously? It's like… what? 2 o'clock? You're going out?" Ichigo questioned, sceptical.

"It's more like 3.30," Grimmjow replied, poking his head back in the door. "And no, I'm just going to my car."

"You should really take the bus here or something because your car is just asking to be stolen," Ichigo told him, voice tinted with teasing and amusement.

"Especially in this neighbourhood," he quipped.

"Just go to your damn car."

Chuckling, Grimmjow quickly got to his car, reaching over into the back seat for the bag for Ichigo as well as a smaller present which he slid into his back pocket.

When he got back inside, he flicked on the lights before settling on the couch next to Ichigo's armchair, placing the bag on the table.

"Here," Grimmjow reiterated, nodding towards the bag. "It's meant to be for Christmas but I thought I'd give it to you now."

Ichigo huffed out a breath, grinning ruefully at his boyfriend. "Grimmjow, you really didn't have to."

"Yeah, I fuckin' did Ichi. Anyway, open it up."

"It's not Christmas yet," Ichigo told him.

"Just open it already, will ya'?"

Ichigo gave an exaggerated sigh but reached for the bag, taking a poorly wrapped present out of it. He struggled to unwrap it, the layers of sticky tape making it hard to open.

"Sorry about that," Grimmjow said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Finally managing to open the package, Ichigo carefully lifted up a hardcover journal with gold and black embossing on the cover.

He stared at the journal almost reverently, sliding the book between his fingers, flipping it over and over. Then he opened it up, brows furrowing heavily as he saw the name; Grimmjow,scrawled on the first page.

He glanced up at Grimmjow, a half-smile of bemusement on his face. "Grimmjow… your name is on this."

"Yeah – because… well, yours is almost finished and I was think – well it's you know, symbolic I guess – 'cause I – I guess I'm trying to say that I'm always going… going to be-" Grimmjow spoke haltingly, embarrassed but trying very hard not to show it.

Ichigo grabbed Grimmjow's hand, squeezing it as he laughed. "Grimmjow, thank-you-"

"No, let me…" Grimmjow cleared his throat but continued, "What I'm trying to say is that you don't have to do this alone Ichi. I mean, it may take a while but we'll get them – together."

There was a sort of comfortable stillness for a moment before Grimmjow cleared his throat again, saying, "Well, something like that anyway. Oh-" He shuffled forward on the couch, letting go of Ichigo's hand to reach for the other present. "Then I got ya' this."

He held out the small, rectangular gift and Ichigo took it in disbelief. "Another one? This doesn't have your name on it too does it?"

Grimmjow scoffed. "No, smartass. And there's no need to be so confused by getting gifts, I hear people do that when they care about others."

He knew Ichigo had trouble with his family, though he'd never asked why, and he knew Ichigo hadn't had the best time growing up so he assumed that Ichigo was simply not used to receiving such genuine affection. He was more than willing to be the one to give it to Ichigo however.

Rubbing his hands along his pyjama pants excitedly, he waited for Ichigo to open it.
Ichigo gave him an uncharacteristically gentle smile, peeling the paper away

carefully. He grinned, elated at the book that tumbled to his lap.

He picked it up, glancing at Grimmjow before flicking his gaze once again to the book. "How did you know?"

"Hey," Grimmjow protested loudly. "I do listen sometimes okay? You – you like to quote Shakespeare sometimes and I remember that you mentioned liking it."

Ichigo grinned, the smile turning sly in moments and he scooted closer to Grimmjow, placing both the journal and book on the table before leaning over to kiss him chastely on the lips.

It turned heated in moments when Grimmjow tilted his head and opened his mouth, warmth spreading through him like a fire when Ichigo responded unconsciously. Ichigo tumbled forward in moments when Grimmjow gripped his wrist to pull him closer.

Unfortunately, Grimmjow's actions forced Ichigo to collide with him bodily and fumble, knee leaning on the couch to stop anymore unnecessary movements. They were forced to break their kiss, teeth knocking against lips messily before they parted properly, chuckling breathily into each other's mouths.

Silence stretched and they stared into each other's eyes before Grimmjow leaned up to attempt to kiss Ichigo again.

Ichigo stepped back though, a smirk firmly in place and although Grimmjow tried valiantly to keep a hold of him, Ichigo slipped between his fingers and moved towards the kitchen.

"What are you doin'?" Grimmjow demanded testily, watching Ichigo walk off, though he still took a moment to admire Ichigo's form as he reached up into a cupboard.

He pulled down a neatly wrapped box and returned, not sitting back on his armchair thank God, but next to Grimmjow on the couch.

"Since you're starting the gift giving early, I may as well give you this now." He passed the box to Grimmjow who took it.

"I thought you said you weren't gonna' give me anythin' 'cause you didn't know what to give me," Grimmjow teased with a grin.

"I didn't. So if you hate it, don't tell me," he replied, faking seriousness.

"I doubt I'll hate it," Grimmjow told him as he began to pull the gold ribbon free.

When he pulled the lid off, he snorted a laugh at the sight.

"Because I broke yours," Ichigo explained awkwardly, hand rubbing through his hair as he looked to the ground.

Grimmjow took out the heavy, silver watch, admiring the piece. "It looks expensive," he said, words full of question and flattered disapproval.

"Don't give me that Grimm, you're worth it and it really wasn't that big a deal," Ichigo told him sternly.

Grimmjow glanced at him, finally caving in and rolling his eyes, the hand not holding the watch reaching out to grab Ichigo around the head, pulling him in and kissing him on the crown of his head.

"Thank-you, it's great. You know, you really didn't have to replace it."

"Are you kidding?" Ichigo's brows knitted. "It was because I was being petty that it was broken."

"Petty is a good word," Grimmjow muttered, securing the watch on his wrist. "You ran over that thing like five times."

Ichigo flushed in embarrassment, scowling in weak frustration. "Yes, alright, I get it. That's why I apologised – and got you the watch."

Grimmjow lifted his arm to admire the watch before catching Ichigo's eye and giving him a half-grin, letting his hand cup Ichigo's cheek. "Thank-you."

Ichigo scowled at him more deeply but cocked his head into the hand, eyelids fluttering as Grimmjow stroked his thumb along the soft skin below his eyes.

The gap between them was closed excruciatingly slow, but it was, eventually. The kiss was slow and firm but it soon changed to quick, desperate movements as Grimmjow's other hand moved to Ichigo's neck and Ichigo's hands lifted to cling to the front of his lover's shirt, ensuring that they were unable to part.

Ichigo bit Grimmjow's lip as they parted to breathe and he rasped to him, "I think you're probably going to want to take that watch off again."

Grimmjow smirked, pecking Ichigo on the lips before replying, "Yeah, I think I am."

XXX

So, tell me what you think about my drabble, just because if I get stuck again, I wanna' know if you're okay with me sticking in another chapter like this! :)

Thank-you for reading and all the lovely things you leave me with :) Thank-you for your support!

Remember to review xx