Seeking Solace (Gin x Matsumoto)
She never seemed to fit in. It felt like she was the outcasted moth trying to be a beautiful social butterfly. She always drank to her heart's content and then some leaving her in bed with men she barely recognized and sometimes her own male friends. Never before had she felt so alone.
He never interacted with anyone. He scared people and that was the way he liked it. His constant smile, his strange silver hair, his fox-like eyes and when they were open, deadly red orbs filled with spite. He never took to the other girls in the bar. Working at as a bartender, he had seen all sorts of faces but there was a constant one with her group of friends.
That damned Matsumoto with her enlarged breasts, promiscuous clothes and most of all, her green eyes that called for help. For someone to help her and to tell her that every thing was all right. Those eyes were burned straight into Gin's memory and the bartender knew that he would never forget it even if he stabbed his brains out and ate it.
There were others that came too. A short boy with white spiky hair. Of course, the boy never drank but it didn't matter. His other friends were too wild to control. There was also a cute blond boy that had caught the barkeeper's eye but he had to resist. After all, the blond was a bit too insecure and spastic which did not appeal to Gin at all. Another one was a wild redhead with strange tribal tattoos on his forehead. Gin did not remember this man for the tattoos but the strange hairline. However, Gin could really not see this man with any hairline but this one.
Some girls also came with Matsumoto sometimes. A shy girl came too. She did not seem to fit into the scene but once the girl started drinking… well lets just say that it lead to some affairs with the police department. Her hair was always in a cute little bun but was always let down when her face started to turn red. There was another one but Gin did not really pay attention to her. All he remembered was that her dresses were always short.
Some people also came along eventually to pick up some people. A stoic man with piercing grey eyes came to pick up the man with the strange hairline. Gin knew it was foolish to believe rumors but he had heard that this stoic man was the lover of the strange hairline man. Also the shy, yet wild, girl had "Whitey-chan" to take her home or bust her out of trouble. The blond had other friends too proving that this kid was not just some emo kid who just drank to fit in. The woman that Gin could never remember probably had a ride too but Gin never did care for her.
Matsumoto was always the last one to leave. She would usually leave with one of the men in the bar and would repeat the whole process the next day. However, there was one day where she came alone. Gin figured it was his chance to talk to this big-breasted woman.
The wind blew in with the snow as the woman stepped in. She was alone so she could not bear to sit at the booth where she and her friends usually occupied. Walking up to the counter, she took a seat and pounded the palms of her hands into the table's edge.
Her gaze was dark and stormy and Gin was probably the only one in the bar who had the nerve to bother this woman. He was calmly polishing a glass and looked over to her.
" Ey'. The usual?" He asked casually. She refused to answer him, her gaze constant. He put away the glass and then looked to her. " "Ello?" He asked waving a hand in front of her face.
" I heard you the first time!" She yelled furiously and snatched Gin's hand and squeezed it.
" Ouchies! You're a mean one," he said trying to pull his hand away.
" Just get me whatever," Matsumoto relented and released Gin's hand. Gin raised an eyebrow and massaged his hand. He walked away only to come back a few moments later with a Dream Cocktail.
" Enjoy," Gin said putting it in front of Matsumoto. She looked at it and then sighed.
" Do you have something non-alcoholic?" She asked pushing it away from her. " I'm…" She choked.
" Oh," Gin suddenly realized what she tried to say. " Bathroom is down that way and to the right just in case," he pointed as he went to make something else. Matsumoto groaned and Gin came back with some 7-Up. " So. 'Ya keepin' it," Gin said as he watched Matsumoto drink. He took the Dream Martini and started to drink it for himself. After all, there was no point in wasting a drink like that.
The woman slammed the drink down on the counter. " Yeah… Well, until further notice. I might not," she said brushing her hair back with a stressed hand. Gin suddenly noticed a necklace that probably ended somewhere between Matsumoto's breasts.
" Where'dya get dat?" Gin asked pointing at the necklace.
" Oh. Ex-boyfriend," she shrugged. " It's so cheap but I like it," she smiled wearily and looked at her drink. Gin nodded as he finished his drink.
" Want another one?" Gin asked her. She nodded as Gin walked away and came back with the bottle. " Here," he said. She nodded opening the bottle and poured herself some more.
Some silence ensured.
" You know," she smiled grimly. " I've been coming here for at least three months and I still don't know your name." Matsumoto said.
" Gin. Ichimaru Gin," he said to her and went to make himself another Dream Cocktail.
" Gin, huh?" She asked herself obviously humored. " What a strange name," Matsumoto smiled as she rested her arms on the table.
" Speakin' of names, what's yours? I got yer' last name. What's yer' first?" Gin asked. She rested her head on the table and smiled.
" Rangiku," she said almost melodically.
" Rangiku huh?" Gin asked as he finished the Dream Cocktail." Nice name," he said softly and smiled widely.
More silence.
" You're keepin' the kid," Gin said softly. " Whose kid is it?" He asked. Matsumoto sat up a little. " Or do 'ya not know?" Gin asked. Matsumoto smiled delicately.
" Shuuhei," she said softly. " The guy with the slashed up face and the sixty-nine tattoo under his face," Matsumoto said touching her stomach gingerly. " He hasn't said anything about the child yet," she frowned worriedly.
Gin wondered about this man and then remembered him suddenly. " Oh. Him," Gin shuddered slightly having a bad thought about the man. " Heh," Gin scoffed. Matsumoto stood up. " Do 'ya have a place 'ta stay at?" Gin asked worriedly. She shook her head.
" I was just evicted from my place," Matsumoto sighed and had her hand on the counter to hold herself up.
" Then 'ya can stay wit' me. Got enough stomach 'ta stay until my shift is over?" Gin asked. Matsumoto nodded and took a seat. She rested her head as Gin went to turn down the music a bit and get her some more 7-Up.
After three bottles of 7-Up and a quick bathroom break, Gin and Matsumoto stepped out of the bar. The snow was falling a lot more gracefully than it was about three hours ago and the snow was not as deep as Gin suspected.
" Where's your car?" She asked softly. Gin pointed at a black Honda Accord that was covered in snow and grinned. She smiled as she proceeded towards it with Gin. He unlocked it and got in with her and started the ignition.
The ride home was smooth and the apartment complex Gin lived in did not surprise Matsumoto. After all, bartenders did not earn much and Gin was no exception. " Well. It's ain't much… But it's home." He said rubbing the back of his head. She smiled as she walked inside to the ground floor.
After an eighteen second elevator ride to the fifth floor, Gin stepped out. They proceeded down the hallway but Matsumoto stopped. Gin did not realize that she had stopped until he got to his door. " What's wrong?" He asked.
" The view from up here," she started, " it's very nice," she gazed out and then turned to lean her arms on the snow-covered stone balcony. Gin walked over to join her copying her motion and looked out to the city.
" Yeah," he simply agreed. " I'll take 'ya up to the roof one day or another," Gin said. " But fer now, we gotta get inside." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and took her away from the view. She waited as Gin unlocked the door and opened it for the both of them.
Stepping inside, she saw that everything was neat. The kitchen, the living room, even the entranceway was neat. She wouldn't be surprised if his bedrooms and bathroom were neat too. Gin flipped up the switch but she quickly turned it off, her hand resting on Gin's. " What's up?" He asked looking surprised despite his eyes still being closed.
" Nothing. I just wanted to repay your kindness," she said looking up at a surprised Gin.
" 'Ya don't mean…?" Gin asked backing away.
" Oh yes I do," Matsumoto whispered. She leaned in to kiss Gin but he stopped her in mid kiss with a single finger. Her green eyes widened as she looked to him and pulled away from his finger.
" Not tonight," he said.
" Why not?" She inquired curiously. Matsumoto blinked as Gin lowered his hand.
" I don't want no STDs, woman," he grinned. " Besides, 'ya got 'yerself a kiddie and a new found boyfriend in this Shuuhei guy," Gin said to her. " I'm sure you'll get another chance."
Matsumoto looked to him, shocked. Never before had she been turned down for sex or even a kiss. Gin regained his smile as he turned around and walked over to the living room. " Shower yet?" Gin asked her. She nodded. " Okay then… Uhm… You'll sleep in my bedroom!" He said grinning widely. " I'll sleep in the living room," Gin said.
Gin walked over to his bedroom and opened the door. " Don't worry. Everything is clean and I don't masturbate or nothin'," Gin said bluntly. Matsumoto giggled softly as she walked inside of the bedroom. Matsumoto's suspicions were confirmed. Gin's room was also very tidy like the rest of the apartment. " Bathroom's right here," he pointed. " Well, good night," he said.
To Gin's surprise, Matsumoto stole a quick kiss on the lips from him. " Good night," she smiled before closing the door quietly and going to sleep.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Bleach characters that may be mentioned within this fanfiction.