It only sucked because Shiro was doing exactly what he was angry at Ichigo for doing; refusing to accept help.

"...You're the one that always said we were partners. You're the one that wanted to be with me."

Settling his weight more firmly over Shiro, Ichigo bowed his head, letting it rest on the hollow's shoulder. Shiro wasn't the only one who wanted to hide the hurt that ached so raw, and pained inside the anger.

"And it's not called pity. It's called...called..."

Choking a little, Ichigo bunched his hands into fists; one in Shiro's shirt, against the hollow's stomach, and the other trembling a bit with tension near Shiro's lips.

"...It's called love."

There. He said it. But maybe it was only fair that Ichigo admit that Shiro wasn't the weak one, here.

"Don't run from me...because...because I need you."

Shiro had never been the weak one in this particular equation, anyway. Ichigo bit his lip, and tried to shove back all the hurt, and desperate hope, instead.

"...I need you a hell of a lot more than you need me."