It didn't miss Aizen's notice that Szayelaporro was missing from the Espada meeting. He had delayed it for as long as possible, giving the Octava as much time as he could to arrive. But he could delay no longer, and thus got the meeting started. He didn't pay much attention to what there was to report, as there wasn't really much at all. Nor did he pay much attention when Nnoitra and Grimmjow began to bicker as usual, just enough to settle them.
"Enough. Where is the Octava? I notice that he is strangely missing." He commented on what had been bothering him, finally. To his surprise, it was Grimmjow who spoke.
"He locked himself in his lab, last I knew. Yylfordt has been trying to get him to come out for days, to take care of himself. Yyl last checked in last night, I think." The Sexta reported. Aizen sighed.
"He's right. I've been checkin' th' security footage, since Szay lets us see too from 'is cameras. I ain't seen 'im since..." Gin counted on his fingers for a moment as he spoke... " I ain't seen 'im on th' cameras or otherwise since 'bout a week ago."
"Damn, it's been that long already?" Grimmjow raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I'd better stop Yyl then. He's neglecting himself in his worry for the Octava. Are we dismissed, so I can get him out of there?" He looked to Aizen, who nodded absently as he thought about it.
He waited in his chair until everyone had left and returned to their own palaces, and then a little longer to allow Grimmjow to retrieve his fraccion from the Octava's palace. It was only then that he finished his tea and stood to make his way to the lab that Szayel had locked himself in.
He tried knocking, and frowned when it didn't get him entrance.
"Szayelaporro, I know that you can hear me. Either let me in willingly, or I will use whatever means necessary to break down the door." He ordered. He was pleased when the doors opened, and entered. He was not pleased with what he found.
Szayel had been neglecting himself, clearly. His pink strands were dirty and greasy, and he was thinner than normal. It was also very apparent that he had not slept in a long while either, if the bags under his eyes were anything to go by. Aizen stepped closer, to lightly grip Szayel's shoulders in his hands as he inspected him.
"Whatever could have stolen your attention so thoroughly as to prevent you from going to an Espada meeting, and worrying everyone?" He murmured in a soft question, lightly brushing a hand down his love's back. He heard Szayel give a soft sigh of pleasure at the touch. It didn't escape his notice how the other's eyes fluttered some as he struggled to stay awake, nor how he had rushed to hide whatever he had been working on when Aizen entered.
"It's nothing for you to worry about. I am simply... Trying to fix something that is clearly broken. I just can't figure out how it is broken, and as such can't figure out how to fix it." Szayel murmured softly, cuddling into Aizen's warm embrace.
Aizen brushed a light kiss over his forehead. "Whatever it is, unless it threatens your life it does not matter. You are perfect, just the way that you are. Please believe that, and stop this to take a break and take care of yourself."
Szayel hummed in thought, before nodding. "Only if you promise to stay with me."
"Always, My Queen. I would never leave you. Let's get you cleaned up, fed, and into bed."