"What did you do to Keigo?"
Pale brows rose in confusion. "Nothing. Does it look like I touched him?"
"No, but yesterday he called you a psycho and today he's acting like we should move in together." When Shirosaki grinned, Ichigo's frown deepened. "That was a comment, not an offer."
"Can't blame me for getting my hopes up." He took a swig from his beer and offered Ichigo the other one he'd brought over. Eyeing it suspiciously, only accepting when he could clearly see that the cap was still sealed. "Part of the deal was the invite for tonight if he got you here. The other half was making sure you stayed."
"Other half? I don't appreciate you threatening my friends, Shiro."
Shirosaki blinked for a moment at the nickname. Only one other person had called him that, and the memories that surfaced were not all happy ones. He would have beaten anyone else down for uttering it. Considering for moment, he decided that he liked the way it sounded when Ichigo said it. He caught sight of Ichigo's glower and held up his hands in mock surrender.
"No threats. Promise. I just got him a couple of concert tickets that have been sold out for weeks. But he doesn't get them if you leave early."
"Oh, bribes. Much better." Preparing to disappoint the buoyant brunette, Ichigo was just about to turn on his heel.
"C'mon. There are tons of people around. What am I gonna do?"
An incredulous look passed over Ichigo's face. "That hasn't seemed to be much of a deterrent so far." Shirosaki shrugged and Ichigo sighed. "Think you'll be able to keep your hands off me for five minutes at least?"
"Probably not."
Ichigo rolled his eyes and took a sip of his beer.
"Hey, at least I'm being honest." Shiro gestured towards the dance floor. "Since you're here anyway." Ichigo gave him a level look and he laughed. He might as well really. There was no way he was going to let Shirosaki think he was afraid to be here. Forcing him to take the lead, Ichigo followed him across the floor, keeping him in his line of sight at all times. They both set their half finished bottles down on the way. When they finally got to the center of the space, Ichigo sighed and let the music wash over him. He'd never been much of dancer but if he thought about it like martial arts training, it became easier.
They danced with the beat, moving around each other in time to the music. He wasn't surprised when Shiro kept trying to cop a feel, but he easily kept his distance and slipped out of his grasp. Thinking back to the times he'd been jumped, Ichigo realized that he'd been caught off guard every time. In most cases, he hadn't even known the albino was there. That was unusual for him. He prided himself on being alert and able to take care of himself. With the exception of the first time he'd been brought here of course.
It was as if thinking about the bruises was enough to make them ache. Pain bloomed along his side and he decided to take a break. Moving off to one of the folding chairs that sat against the wall, he slipped through the other dancers. Shirosaki followed him with a mildly concerned expression on his face. He let it slip away quickly when Ichigo glanced up at him from where he sat down. He wathced as the redhead rubbed at his left side with a tired hand. Shirosaki remembered the nasty bruise that had been spreading there when they first met.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired. Hey, dammit!" Ichigo tried to squirm out of his seat when Shiro pulled up his shirt to get a closer look. A hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Hold still." The commanding tone in the usually joking voice surprised him a little. "Have you done anything about this at all?"
Ichigo glanced down at the purple smear that was gradually starting to turn green in spots. It was also a little red around the edges and starting to swell. "Not really. Wait. Where are you. . ?" Ichigo tried to pull back when Shirosaki suddenly grasped his wrist and pulled him to his feet.
