AN: There is quite a bit of adult content in the first part of this chapter. For those sensitive to that sort of thing, feel free to skip to the second section of this chapter, past the page break, for a clean(er) ending.

5

A resonant noise from across the room breaks through the barrier of his headphones. He glances up to catch Kurosaki bending over the couch arm to retrieve a hefty textbook from the floor, rising to emphatically mouth what must be another reprimand to his smirking Hollow. Shaking his head, Uryuu returns his attention to the laptop on the desk before him. The volume of his music is dialed up another increment.

It has been like this all morning and afternoon. While Uryuu would love to say he has much better things to do on a Saturday than stay at home studying and composing essays, the reality is far from kind. And since Shirosaki has been pestering his Shinigami out of much needed quiet-time, Kurosaki isn't about to run out and party, either. So, they set up operations on the sofa and Uryuu cordoned himself off on the other side of the apartment for an illusion of seclusion.

At least he hadn't woken up from another nightmare today.

On the contrary, Uryuu stirred awake from a particularly vulgar scene involving himself and the two people he is furtively avoiding because of it. 'Vulgar' though it may have been, that didn't keep him from having a very specific reaction that he still refuses to acknowledge. He knows he is only delaying the inevitable but he can't bring himself to cross that line carelessly.

A lull in the song momentarily allows external sounds to break through, except there aren't any. He warily looks up to inspect why the constant bickering has eased. Uryuu's eyes widen at the likely reason: both men are bowed close together, gazes locked on each other and noses almost touching. Tugging off his headphones, he opens his mouth to ask what kind of joke this is but sucks in a gasp instead as Kurosaki grabs the front of his Hollow's shihakusho and drags him into a kiss.

Frozen in shock, Uryuu watches as Shirosaki tilts his head to lean in closer. Again, he starts to demand answers and again, he is halted by the telltale flash of pink between moving lips. Uryuu pushes to an unsteady stand, propping a hand on his desk when his knees threaten to give. This can't really be happening! Can it?

"K-Kurosaki!" he haltingly cries, taking a few steps toward them. "T-This...What in the world is...? Stop that!"

They do, after a few more seconds of Frenching. Shirosaki laughs at his stunned expression and sits back against the cushions. Kurosaki won't look at him.

"We're takin' your advice and workin' on our bond," proudly states the Hollow in response to Uryuu's half-uttered question. "It's hard to hate a lover."

"That doesn't even—I never meant—" Floundering, he addresses Kurosaki, "You know I wasn't implying anything like this, don't you?"

"Jealous?" croons Shirosaki.

"Appalled!"

"Why?" Kurosaki finally pipes up, turning unreadable eyes on him. "Are you disgusted by us?"

"No," he hastily denies. Then Uryuu actually consults his emotions and considers the situation. "No, of course not. It's just a bit strange, you have to admit. It's not something I ever expected to see."

Unsatisfied by his reply, Kurosaki visibly closes off. The next words he speaks are colored by an acerbic splash of offense.

"It's not weird, Ishida, you're just a prude. Shirosaki and I aren't the same person. It might be kind of vain to be attracted to your own doppelganger, but it's not like I'm making out with my brother."

"Totally vain," agrees Shirosaki, "But not incest."

"Shut up," he barks at the Hollow. "We've tried talking and cohabitating for almost a week now. Nothing is working! Last night when the three of us started to...I've thought about nothing else since then and...Neither of us likes the idea of the other being alone with you, so—"

"Wa-wait a second, Kurosaki!"

"We want to do a group thing with ya," Shirosaki cheerfully confirms despite Uryuu's panicked attempt to prevent it. "So this is just a test run."

With that, he turns to Kurosaki and reinitiates a heated kiss. Uryuu stands stupefied as they go at it like they've been working up to this all week. He's starting to wonder if that might be closer to the truth than he realizes. Shirosaki takes it up a notch with wandering hands. Uryuu tracks their progress across Kurosaki's body, belatedly noticing the crafty Hollow peeking at him through slatted eyes. Uryuu can't break the seductive gaze. From the periphery, he sees a bone-white palm slide firmly over a jeans zipper. Kurosaki jumps but doesn't push the hand away.

"Enough." It comes out as a whisper, so Uryuu clears his throat to repeat, "Enough. You've made your point."

They withdraw from each other and turn to regard him in unison. He knows they are waiting for his answer. There's no way he is capable of making snap judgments about whether or not to have a threesome with two of his friends. Ideally, he would like to take them both to his bed simultaneously, if he is being brutally honest. It's not as if the thought never crossed his mind. He can't even be ashamed about it, imagining how amazing it would be with the two of them. Yet, Uryuu hesitates for one reason in particular.

"Is this even something you could want?" Kurosaki interrupts his internal debate, "Or do you want us to leave and never talk to you again?"

"No, don't—" Biting back his startled words, Uryuu shuts his eyes and takes a calming breath. "Don't say things like that, Kurosaki. The last thing I want is to end our friendship over this."

It's the one thing holding him back. Uryuu's admission summons a small smile tinged with relief from Kurosaki. He rises from the couch and goes to stand in front of him. A moment's deliberation leads him to reach down and curl a hand around one of Uryuu's. They both stare at the light connection and the changes it represents.

"Me, too. So if you'd rather forget all about this, pretend none of it happened, I'll never mention it again."

"And if I don't want to forget?"

Brown eyes flare in surprise. Kurosaki glances to his Hollow, paying rapt attention but staying out of the discussion until now.

"Does that mean you wanna do it, Uryuu?"

Between the eager look on Shirosaki's face and the warm pressure of Kurosaki's fingers wrapped around his, Uryuu is swayed. He nods. In an instant, Shirosaki is behind him, fitting their contours together nicely. His hands go to the clasps of Uryuu's shirt and set to work separating them. A giddy rush of reiatsu steals his breath for a disorienting moment. Kurosaki sees it in his expression and steps forward to halt his Hollow's actions long enough for Uryuu to regroup.

"What's wrong?" asks Kurosaki.

Shirosaki backs off and suddenly he can think again.

"Nothing. It's nothing, I'm fine."

"I've never seen you make that face before," he insists, narrowing his eyes. "What did he do to you?"

Rather than defend himself, Shirosaki laughs darkly like the villain he isn't. Uryuu looks over his shoulder to spy a knowing expression that clearly spells trouble.

"He's been keepin' a secret from us, Ichigo. Our proper, refined Quincy has a thing for power."

"What do you mean?"

"Just ignore him, Kurosaki."

"I mean," Shirosaki starts and reaches out to graze fingertips down his arms, edged with so much crackling energy that it has Uryuu biting his lip to hold back a groan, "He's enticingly sensitive to a bit of reiatsu play."

"Is that true, Ishida?"

Before he can deny it as he intends, Kurosaki sends out an experimental pulse through their linked hands. What is probably a modest spark for him translates to a kaleidoscopic roman candle within Uryuu. He yanks out of the contact and fails to hide how his breathing has gone ragged and loud just from one attack.

"Shit," Kurosaki huffs at the effect he had. "I never noticed."

"You weren't meant to," hisses Uryuu with a glare in Shirosaki's direction.

"Does it always feel like that when I touch you?"

"I suggest you shrug out of that human body confinin' your spirit and let 'im get a taste of the real deal, King."

"No!"

Uryuu's dissent comes too late. Kurosaki is already reaching for the badge in his pocket, manifesting as a Shinigami, and slinging his vacated vessel onto the sofa. He approaches Uryuu, instinctively backing away from him only to run into Shirosaki. They capture him from both sides; he doesn't stand a chance. Kissed from the front and being stripped from behind, all he can do is fight to keep his mind clear as energy is intentionally channeled into him through both men.

The next few minutes are a blur. Somehow they make it to Uryuu's bedroom, already divested of most articles of clothing. The scene goes fuzzy at the edges as his smudged, skewed glasses are lifted off and set aside for safekeeping. Shirosaki shoves down his hakama at the same time that Kurosaki kicks off his boxers. He doesn't know who to ogle first. They team up in eerie synchrony to slide the last layer from Uryuu's hips and guide him to the bed.

"Are we going too fast, Ishida?"

"You're bein' awfully quiet," Shirosaki seconds the sentiment. "Maybe we're not goin' fast enough."

Truthfully, with the way they are touching him it is taking every last shred of concentration he can muster not to start moaning like a slut. Uryuu is too determined to maintain some degree of dignity to allow himself to go that far. Although the direction this is headed, he probably won't have much choice soon.

"Keep going," he breathlessly orders.

Shirosaki grins and pushes him to lie back on the mattress. He parts Uryuu's knees and lowers his eyes, hinting at what is coming next. The sudden squeak of a foil packet tearing makes him jump. Before he can feel apprehensive about his very first blow job, Kurosaki is braced above him to deliver a soothing kiss. Even properly distracted, Shirosaki's enthusiastic attentions are startling. Uryuu instinctively struggles against so much pleasure at once, but Kurosaki is a step ahead as he takes hold of his wrists to keep him still.

Fleeting, unending moments later he tears his mouth from Kurosaki's to call an urgent warning that goes unheeded. Brown eyes watch intensely as Uryuu shivers and melts at the glide of Shirosaki's creative tongue, the press of his dexterous fingers. In spite of the intimate situation, he blushes under the scrutiny, especially when a ragged groan slips out.

"Damn, you are too sexy," praises Kurosaki, a yearning edge to his voice. "I never imagined you would make this kind of expression, Ishida."

Rising from his task, Shirosaki says, "Don't forget who put it there. He's ready for ya, King."

"You're letting me go first, without a fight?"

"Maybe I'm feelin' generous. Or maybe I'm cravin' some o' those sweet Quincy kisses."

"Yeah, or you're just happy 'cause you finally got what you've been aiming for since day one."

"Well, if you don't wanna go, I'll take your turn—"

"Hell no!"

Uryuu manages to catch his breath and regain some of his faculties during their banter. He starts to sit up and offer his opinion on proceedings but they have already decided for him. The Shinigami guides him to his knees and moves behind while the Hollow sidles up in front. Kurosaki's hands smooth down his sides to grip at Uryuu's hips and Shirosaki steadies him by the shoulders.

"Stop me if I hurt you," Kurosaki requests while kissing along the line of his throat.

Uryuu automatically tenses at the foreign pressure but Shirosaki counters with insistent lips and a skillful hand. Exhibiting a strength of will Uryuu would have sworn he didn't possess, Kurosaki eases in slowly. Arms wrap tightly around Uryuu's middle and he feels an unsteady exhale at the base of his neck. They both take a moment to breathe through it as Kurosaki makes it all the way inside. Even Shirosaki pauses, eyes burning up and down their interlocked bodies.

"How's it feel, Uryuu?"

He tries to reply but it comes out a hitched breath instead, since Kurosaki chooses that moment to start moving. Shirosaki moans at his attempted answer and reconnects their kiss. Scooting even closer, he aligns their hips so that Uryuu can feel what effect they are having on the Hollow. Now he is securely sandwiched between the two shifting men, his skin tingling from wave after wave of their unrestrained reiatsu.

The self-imposed gag order doesn't last. Right about the time Kurosaki starts nibbling at the dip in his shoulder and murmuring about how good Uryuu feels, he loses all propriety. Worse yet, Shirosaki notes the change and breaks the kiss to hear him more clearly. He even snakes a hand between them to encourage a few more short, low sounds. But by then Kurosaki is far from silent, either.

"Close," he gasps as his pace speeds up, "Fuck, nnh..."

Growing impatient, Shirosaki hisses, "Hurry up!"

When Kurosaki doesn't immediately comply, his Hollow meets Uryuu's eyes as he reaches lower to press into a certain spot. The fierce jolt of pleasure makes Uryuu cry out and tighten up as his second orgasm is wrenched from him. Subjected to considerable constriction, Kurosaki falls right along with him. Shirosaki's smug snickering earns a glare from his Shinigami.

"Bastard," he accuses amid labored panting. "You okay, Ishida?"

His initial response is a wavering moan. Uryuu lets his swimming head tilt forward to rest on Shirosaki's chest. The Hollow's placating palm pets along the arch of his neck. Gently disengaging, Kurosaki brushes his fringe back to expose his flushed face.

"I'm all right," Uryuu tells them both at length, "I think."

"Good, 'cause I'm not done with ya yet."

They take the liberty of repositioning him again, with Kurosaki propped against the headboard and Uryuu's back leaning against his chest. Shirosaki settles between his thighs and doesn't hesitate to take what he wants. He doesn't start slow like Kurosaki. In fact, he pushes Uryuu's knees towards his shoulders and slams into him with an innate ferocity. What little remained of his filter disappears under the treatment. Uryuu tries to muffle his embarrassing noises with a fist but Kurosaki tugs it away.

"Please, Ishida," he passionately implores, "Let us hear you."

Shirosaki clearly agrees, watching him with darkened eyes and sexy smirk. His fingers seek the Hollow's flexing back as Kurosaki's endeavor to stoke him back to full strength. Aided by the sporadic fluctuations of their combined spiritual pressure, he recovers swiftly indeed. Uryuu gets completely lost in it. Hips snap up to meet Shirosaki's of their own accord. Eyes clench shut and refuse to open again. Nails dig into the flesh he clings to as his only anchor. Wild moans trip out of him, one after another.

"Not yet," Shirosaki mutters, sensing his precarious state. "Don't let him come yet, Ichigo."

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Because," he grunts, pausing to shift a little higher, "I'm not ready for this to be over."

Grasping the full scope of that statement's meaning, Kurosaki curses and reaches down to lock Uryuu in limbo. He might normally agree with that decision but Shirosaki's new angle is calculated. Consequently, the frenzy Uryuu was already building up to explodes from one second to the next. Kurosaki does his best to hold on as he writhes and struggles against them. It's too much, too intense, and Uryuu is having trouble getting enough oxygen to stay conscious.

"Shirosa—Need to—" Uryuu tries but coherent speech is absolutely impossible. "Let me...Aah, aahn...Ichigo!"

A sharp gasp is followed by a faltering exhale. Kurosaki doesn't check in with his Hollow before doing exactly as Uryuu requests. He brings it to an end. Uryuu's entire body goes rigid as his release is granted, and Shirosaki has no choice but to chase after him. Belatedly, he detects a splash of warmth at his lower back proving Kurosaki was not excluded from this round.

Shirosaki drops to his back beside Uryuu with a huff. He doesn't have the energy to check on him, but Kurosaki has it covered. Gingerly slipping from behind Uryuu, he leans over his Hollow and kisses him soundly in silent apology. That seems to dispel whatever sulk Shirosaki might have been indulging. Paper-pale hands reach up to approve the gesture by tangling into orange frizz.

As he watches this touching display, Uryuu becomes aware of a mounting frisson of reiatsu surrounding them. Both of his bed partners' eyes widen as they feel it, as well. Shirosaki's solid outline starts to smudge and fade.

"Looks like we're not so different after all," the Hollow tells his Shinigami with a contented smile, "Eh, King? I'll see you on the inside."

"Wait, Shirosaki—"

Uryuu reaches for him and Shirosaki leans up to halt him with a final kiss.

"Thanks for one hell of a week, my hot lil' Quincy."

With that, his soul vanishes. Kurosaki abruptly yells and falls back in a daze.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Shirosaki, he—Ggh!" His spine arches off the bed on a low groan. Eyes snapping open to meet Uryuu's, he says, "I think I just experienced...everything he did this past week. Right up to his time with you a few minutes ago."

"Is he...Can you still sense him?"

"Yeah," Kurosaki confirms with a relieved cast to his features that Uryuu shares. "Yeah, he's back. Pissed at having to leave you, though."

"Tell him he'll just have to live vicariously through you from now on."

Laughing at that, Kurosaki soon sobers and fixes Uryuu with a solemn gaze.

"Does that mean you'd be willing to do this kind of thing again? I thought you wanted to stay friends."

Uryuu shakes his head. "I said I didn't want to lose your friendship. That doesn't mean I wouldn't be open to expanding it."

"You would seriously date a 'hopeless idiot' like me?"

"If you'll have me."

"Are you kidding, Uryuu!?" he incredulously demands, deliberately using his given name for the first time. "You did something I never imagined possible: you domesticated my Hollow! More than that, you helped make me whole again. You would have to shoot me full of those pretty blue arrows of yours to keep me away."

"Hmm. As it happens, I am practically vibrating with power right now. Maybe I should just—"

He doesn't get the chance to finish the joke. Kurosaki cuts him off with a slow, lingering kiss. Uryuu gladly returns it, scooting closer until they are wrapped in each other's arms.

"Too late. You're stuck with me now. Besides, you'll need someone around to fend off those nightmares of yours."

Uryuu leans his forehead against Kurosaki's and lets his eyes slip shut.

"I get the feeling I won't be having them anymore."