This one is for Gleish26. Who I always end up embarrassing in my author notes. (I'm not sorry about it though)

Notes: a long one at 5082 words. Silliness. Fluff. Sousuke being protective near the end. Heirverse foreshadowings, if you squint. The "I want eight decades" line hurts me, though. Knowing what happens.

Chapter 10: Or, not so perfect

When Shuuhei returned to their table with the wine they'd ordered, Sousuke thanked him and the young man left them to peruse the food menus. Gin scanned the different dishes available. So many choices. All so expensive...

"Do you know what you're going to order?" Sousuke asked him.

"I dunno." Gin admitted. "There's so many choices, an' th' prices are so high... I can't afford this..."

Sousuke smiled across at him, "Relax," he assured, "It's my treat. Order anything you want."

Gin smiled back at him. "Okay." he nodded, and held the menu up to read through the dishes. "Umm, I think I'll have the tempura. Oh, or the salmon. The salmon looks good." Gin lowered the menu from his face and looked at Sousuke. "D'ya know what yer gonna order?"

"Oh," Sousuke grinned at him, "I know what I'm having."

Gin held the menu back up to cover his pink cheeks. "Will ya behave?" he hissed. Because it was one thing to make such comments in private, but they were in public now. What would people think if they overheard?

"What?" Sousuke smiled politely, innocently, back at him. "I was talking about what I was going to order. You were the one thinking dirty things."

Gin rolled his eyes. Not believing that answer for a second. "Yeh. Of course ya were. So what're ya gonna get?"

"Hm," Sousuke thought a moment, resting his chin on his hands as he scenned the menu, "I think I'll have the lobster."

"soun's good." Gin agreed, "Do ya wanna call the waiter back or..." he set the menu down on the table and scanned the room for a waiter when he saw her. "Oh hell," he cursed, quickly lifted the menu back up again in an attempt to hide, but it was useless. She'd seen him. Begrudgingly, he lowered it to the table again, and quietly burned with embarrassment as Rangiku swanned over to their table. Posing as a waitress.

"Hi there!" she trilled, "Are you gentlemen ready to order your food yet?"

Sousuke smiled politely at her, "Ah, Matsumoto-san. I didn't know you worked here."

Gin scowled at his friend. "She doesn't." Gin told him before leaning over to hiss at her. "What're ya doin' here?"

"I just wanted to see how things were going." she whispered back, leaning over so she could whisper in his ear.

"Well, things are fine, so ya can leave now." Gin whispered back, catching sight of sousuke taking a sip of his wine awkwardly as he tried not to listen to their exchange.

"I can't," Rangiku protested, the manager's seen me and if I leave now there'll be trouble."

"Tha's crap an you know it." Gin answered back, his voice a loud whisper, "D'ya know how embarrassin' this is?"

"Oh, shush," she waved her hand dismissively, "At least this way if there's trouble or if it goes very badly I can help you get away."

Gin just groaned, quietly dying of embarrassment as Rangiku turned to address his date.

"So, what'll ya have?" she asked Sousuke, holding a little notepad she'd produced from the sleeve of her borrowed uniform. Her eyes sparkling, and a mischievous grin on her face, she added slyly, "I recommend the oysters. You know, they're supposed to be an aphrodesiac."

Sousuke grinned, playing along with her little game. Which Gin was not happy with at all.

"Oh, really?" he asked, feigning innocence, "In that case, we'll have one order of oysters on the half shell." His eyes darted up to meet Gin's, and his tone grew more seductive again, "To share. Not that we'll need any help in that department."

"Sousuke, behave!" Gin hissed at him, kicking him under the table as a sign to quit it, because clearly the man was enjoying this far too much. But if the man felt any pain, he didn't show it.

"I'd also like the lobster, please, and Gin would like the salmon."

Rangiku scribbled down their order and grinned, "Ohh, good choices. Especially the oysters." her grin morphed into a devious smirk, "Not that you'll need it, of course."

Sousuke returned her knowing grin as she took their menus away. "Of course."

Gin groaned again, sure he was pink as a strawberry in summertime. Why, Ran? He thought, Why?

"I'll be right back with your order, gentlemen." she told them, and marched off towards the kitchen, manus under her arm. When she was gone, Gin put his head on the table and hid his face in his forearms.

"Your friend is quite nosy, isn't she?"

"You dunno the half of it." Gin told him. Which only drew out another light laugh from the man.

"You didn't have to kick me, you know." Sousuke told him.

"Shut up." Gin's answer was muffled, but he lifted his head up to speak again, "Ya deserved it fer playin' along and embarrassin' me. Did ya have ta say all that stuff? Now she thinks we're gonna... oh gods..."

Sousuke chuckled again, taking another sip of his wine, "I couldn't help it. I wanted to see your flushed face again. It's cute. I also thought she might leave us alone, if I made it seem like things were going well and leading up to that outcome."

No. Now I'm gonna get the Rangiku Inquisition tommorrow about how it went and how good you were in bed. Gin thought. But instead, he just shook his head, and took a nice long gulp of his wine. Hoping the redness in his neck and face would vanish soon.

"You are one devious man, Aizen Sousuke. Lemme tell ya."

In answer, Sousuke lifted up his own wine glass, as if toasting him, and smiling smugly he answered, "I know."

Gin kept his eyes on Sousuke, tried to keep his mouth from smiling. "Ya don't hafta be so smug about it."

"Oh?" Sousuke's eyebrows lifted questioningly, amusement in his eyes, "But isn't that what you like about me, Gin?"

Gin pressed his lips together, fighting to keep the scowl on his face as he listened to Shinsou snicker inside his head.

He has you there, Gin-san.

"Hm. I s'pose." he admitted, pretending to begrudge it. Determined not to blush like a girl again. "But I wanna know what ya like 'bout me. I mean, ya could have anyone. Why me?"

Sousuke gave him one of his most charming smiles as he set down his wine glass carefully. "Well," he began, resting his chin in his hand with his elbow on the table, "Because you're you."

Gin smiled and shook his head. "That aint an answer."

"it is." Sousuke pressed. "Does love need a reason?"

Gin fought down his frustrated sigh. Ya see. It's when ya say stuff like that, that makes me mistrust everythin' ya say. Cuz love, real love, takes time, and it takes work. Love at first sight don't exist. Right now, yer just infatuated.

"Then... can ya be more specific?" Gin pressed, genuinely seeking an answer to his question. "What is it about me you like?"

Sousuke's smile softened considerably. "Well, if you want a list," he said gently, "You're clever, you're beautiful, you're very caring – I can see that from your close relationship with Rangiku-san. You have an appreciation for fine music, you're ambitious. And..." he paused, letting the words register and take effect, "You're passionate."

Gin digested the words for a moment, before he spoke again.

And then you go an' say things like this... things that make me want ya...

"You can tell I'm passionate?" Gin asked him. He was very skeptical of that. Because certainly it wasn't one of the words people would use to describe him. Sly, yes. Cunning, yes. Dangerous, yes. But passionate? No one but Aizen Sousuke had used that word to describe him.

But Gin soon got his answer to the question, with Sousuke's next sentence.

"Well, I'd say the kiss you gave me was very passionate."

The words were punctuated with a lazy, soft smile, and Gin had to smile back.

"Fair point." Gin agreed. Feeling that warm feeling again, spreading throughout his chest and limbs. It was a feeling he'd like to get used to. If Sousuke would give him the time to get used to it, that was. Gin wasn't so sure. Though Rangiku was certain the man would give it to him. What was it she said? I could ask him for the sun, and he'd find some way to give it to me...

"What are you thinking about?"

"Huh?"

Sousuke's voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality again. Jerking him back to the present moment. "Oh, it's nothin' really."

"I doubt that, if it has you preoccupied." Sousuke told him in the gentlest tones, "Want to tell me about it?"

Gin sighed, "I dunno..."

"Oh, come on, you can tell me." Sousuke prodded. And there was just something about that smile, soft and encouraging, that made Gin talk.

"I guess I'm thinkin' about how temporary this arrangement is between us." Because how long will I last, really? One night? Two?

"Oh." Sousuke said. And was Gin just imagining things, or did he actually sound disappointed? A moment passed, then two, before Sousuke filled the silence between them.

"Do you want it to be temporary?"

"I..." The question took Gin back. Did he want this to be temporary? Did he? He had to search his heart. But he reasoned, in the end, that there were worse people to spend his life with than Aizen Sousuke. "No." Gin answered. "I don't."

Because I'd like at least eight decades.

Gin definitely wasn't imagining the happiness that lit up the man's face at this answer. The smile that reached his deep eyes.

"Good, because neither do I." Sousuke answered, reaching his hand across the table to let it rest on Gin's. Noticing Gin's widening smile, he was intrigued.

"What are you thinking now?"

"Jus' somethin' Ran said about you."

"Oh? What did she say about me?"

Gin laughed a little. "That I could ask ya fer the sun, and you'd find a way to get it for me."

Sousuke's smile then stopped Gin's heart. Because it was the warmest one yet. And was so full of tender affection. Sousuke's gaze seemed far away, even though he was looking right at him, his mind no doubt far away, thinking of a place with no real sunlight to speak of.

"One day," Sousuke told him, his grip on Gin's hand tightening, fingers curling around his. "One day, I'll make you a sun."

Gin shyly returned the smile, quietly enjoying the intimate touch until Rangiku returned with their food and they had to separate again. Sousuke smiled and thanked her. Gin just sat awkwardly until she left.

. . .

Rangiku sighed happily as she sat at the bar, watching them together. She was currently sipping a margarita, courtesy of Shuuhei, and pretending she'd just got off her shift.

"You know," shuuhei said, setting down an order of tempura for her, knowing she hadn't eaten dinner yet. "You can put my uniform back now. You came to find out how they were getting on and you did that. You should go home, get some rest."

"I know," she answered, picking up her chopsticks, "But I can't leave now. I don't want to miss anything. I mean, what if they kiss and I miss it because I had to go and change?"

Shuuhei sighed. "Have it your way, Ran. But if the boss comes, just say-"

"Yeah, yeah, that I just got off shift. Shuu, honey, I got this."

"Alright," he said, giving her a quick kiss, "I gotta get back to work. Enjoy your Gin watching."

She smiled brightly back at him. "I will, thanks!"

Rangiku smiled to herself as she picked up a piece of her food with the chopsticks, and took a bite. Trying to suppress a laugh at Aizen-san's attempts to convince Gin to let him feed him an oyster. Gin was trying to refuse the offer, but the man was persistent. Waving the shellfish in front of Gin, "Try it, Gin. How will you know you don't like it if you don't try it?"

She couldn't help but laugh at them. They seemed to be getting on like a house on fire. It made her more confident that her decision to push Gin into giving him a chance was the right one. She'd never seen Gin look so happy. Quietly, she hoped they would last. That theirs was the kind of love that would last forever. Would withstand any hardship. That he was the one for Gin and Gin the one for him. That she wouldn't have to kick anybody in the balls. That the two of them would have a long and happy life together.

She sighed contentedly at the thought and took another bite of her food. Sure that they would be happy together a she listened to Aizen's continued attempts to convince Gin to let him feed him.

. . .

"Oh, come on," Sousuke cajoled him, "Let me feed you one."

"No." Gin protested. "They're all slimy, an' they jus' don't look edible."

"But how do you know you don't like them if you don't try one?" Sousuke reasoned, holding the oyster and teasing Gin with it. Wiggling it about in front of him. "You should try one, just to be sure."

"I aint biting into those things," Gin told him. "'sides, I'm full already."

"You don't chew them, Gin," Sousuke chuckled at him, "You just swallow them. You take a fork and make sure it's detached from the shell. Then you squirt a bit of lemon juice on it for flavour..."

As he talked, his hands mirrored his words, detaching the oyster from the shell with a fork, squeezing a lemon wedge onto it to flavour it with the juice, and then he held the oyster up to his mouth.

"And then you tip it into your mouth, and you swallow." Sousuke finished. "Like so."

And then he demonstrated. He opened his mouth and tipped the shellfish into his open mouth, tipped back his head and slurped the thing down. Swallowing it whole. Gin watched, equal parts fascinated and repulsed.

"They're very healthy for you." Sousuke smiled.

But Gin wasn't convinced. "And you have a lot of experience swallowin' stuff, do ya?" he asked, completely deadpan. Sousuke, who had just taken a large gulp of wine, nearly coughed and spat it out, so taken aback he was by the dirty nature of Gin's comment.

"Well," Gin added, taking hold of his own glass. They were well into their second bottle now, and he was feeling a little less inhibited. "Maybe not wine, but other things."

Sousuke forced himself to swallow his mouthful of wine and quickly covered his mouth with his napkin so he didn't cough spittle all over the table. He could hear Kyouka Suigetsu giggling to herself at both him and at Gin's comment. Oh, no doubt Gin had said it in all innocence, but Sousuke's mind was always quick to run to the gutter. As was his zanpaktou's.

Gin just sat quietly as he coughed. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Sousuke answered, his throat clearind again after almost inhaling the wine into his lungs. Strongly resisting the urge to draw attention to the lewdness of Gin's comment. I just didn't realise you had a dirty mind, that's all.

It did make him wonder, though, what Gin's voice would sound like when he talked dirty in bed. He'd have to find out. Maybe when Gin was a little more comfortable around him. When Gin was braver about intimacy. Freer with his touches and kisses. The time would come, he'd just have to wait and bide his time until it did.

"So what do you say?" Sousuke asked him, changing the topic, "Will you try an oyster? My offer of feeding it to you still stands."

Gin just looked at him and reached over to take one of the oysters off the plate between them. He looked at the oyster, decided it wouldn't kill him, and then tipped it into his mouth to swallow it the way Sousuke showed him.

"Well?" Sousuke asked, eyeing him expectantly, "How was it?"

"Kinda bland." Gin told him, not quite impressed with the taste of it.

"Here," Sousuke picked up another oyster and squirted a lemon wedge over it to give it some flavour. "Try it with lemon. It improves the taste." He leant over the table and held the shellfish to Gin's mouth. Gin reached to take it from his hand, but it was quickly pulled away again. Gin scowled. Aizen only smirked.

"Open your mouth for me," Sousuke drawled, and Gin could only sigh and obey. Letting Sousuke feed him the oyster.

"Better?"

"Better." Gin nodded. "I like it with the lemon."

Sousuke smiled across the table at him, watching as his darling took another drink of his wine. He watched as Gin's slender, delicate fingers carefully set the glass back onto the table. Growing more inebriated as the evening drew on. He made a mental note to switch to water after they finished this bottle of wine. Because if there was any chance at all of having Gin tonight, his darling needed to be somewhat co-ordinated. Sousuke knew he could hold his liquor, but he doubted Gin could hold much alcohol at all without ending up face down and passed out on the floor. It would be best if that outcome was avoided. Thankfully the bottle was nearly empty, so he drank what was left in his glass and refilled it. Filling it more than he should have just so Gin didn't have to drink any more, before he continued to feed Gin the oysters. Enjoying Gin's laughter. Ignoring the stares from some of the waiting staff who were clearly envious of Gin's current position. Although Gin didn't seem to notice it. Which was good, as he didn't want Gin feeling jealous or uncomfortable at all.

Not that he needed to worry, because all of Gin's attention was solely on him. His darling simply wasn't interested in anyone but him. It was a perfect scenario, the sort of thing he dreamed about. Among other things, of course.

"Here," Gin smiled, clearly giddy, clearly a bit drunk as he grinned. Completely oblivious to the glares and eyerolls of the waitress who came to take their empty plates away. His hands picking up an oyster and squirting another wedge of lemon onto it, "S'my turn to feed you now."

Sousuke smiled at him. Rangiku was probably having a field day, watching all this.

"Yes," he replied, giving Gin one of his warmest smiles as he rested his chin in his hand. Hoping to wind the girl up even more. No doubt she was one of his many admirers. "I do believe it is."

Gin smiled brightly back at him, and held the oyster out for him. His co-ordination was a little off, because of the wine, but Sousuke didn't mind. He simply held Gin's wrist – slim and beautiful thing it was – and gently guided the oyster to his mouth, and swallowed it.

"Mm. Nice."

Sousuke could not deny he got a little twinge of satisfaction from seeing Gin's shy little smile, the tinge of pink in his cheeks, hearing his little laugh.

"Sou," Gin drawled, tipsy with wine, "D'ya wanna 'nother one?"

Gin picked up the last oyster, and Sousuke heard Kyouka Suigetsu sigh contentedly in the back of his mind.

He's so cute, Aizen-sama.

And Sousuke couldn't help but smile softly. Yes. He is, isn't he?

"I always want more when it comes to you." Sousuke told him, the smile still on his face. Gin truly was adorable, especially when he let his guard down, when he was himself. Sweet. Indulgent. Fun. Sousuke had a sneaking feeling that Gin was suspicious of him. Of his motives and intentions towards him. But for the moment, Gin was enjoying his company. Smiling, flirting, feeding him shellfish.

If only every day could be like this, he mused, letting Gin feed him the oyster.

Kyouka Suigetsu's voice echoed again in answer. Who says it can't be?

The plate now empty of oysters, was quickly collected by the waitress who was trying to mask her jealousy with a false smile. Sousuke studied her as she approached. Long dark hair, hazel eyes. Soft, lush curves. He had a vague feeling he'd bedded her before, but who knew? His lovers were all so interchangeable. And there had been so many over the years, it was impossible to be sure. Not that it mattered. He had Gin now. Or at least, he would soon. She didn't matter. Though it did irk him that she had the audacity to show open hostility to his Gin. Even if Gin wasn't aware of it. He smirked, an idea forming in his mind.

"Would you like any desserts today, Aizen-sama?" she asked, a little too flirtatiously for his liking.

"Oh, no thankyou," Sousuke smiled at her, plastering on the false smile he gave to all his admirers, feigning politeness, "We'll have that later when we go back to mine."

As he said the words, he punctuated them with a sultry look in Gin's direction and watched the girl's face turn the deepest shade of red. Truly enjoying her indignant embarrassment. Gin cackled, the last of the wine sloshing about in the glass in his hand.

"We'll just have the bill, please." Sousuke added. She quickly bowed and scrambled to maintain her dignity and professionalism.

"Yes, Aizen-sama, of course."

And with that, she scurried away with the plates, while he smirked and Gin snickered.

"She thinks yer gonna fuck me." Gin laughed, slurring only a little. Sousuke just smirked.

"Well, I wanted to make her a bit uncomfortable." Sousuke admitted, "She's been scowling at you all evening."

"Eh? Me?" Gin trilled, "Can't see why."

"Well," Sousuke explained, "I have many admirers, and you are in a very enviable position." the smirk spread it's way slowly across his face, "Many of them would kill to be in your place right now. I don't take people out to dinner very often."

Gin smiled softly across at him then, as he set his glass down on the table again. He let his chin rest on his hand, elbow on the table. "I feel kinda special then, if yer treatin' me to dinner."

"You are."

Gin blushed a little, lifting his wine glass up again to have another drink. How did he do that? Make offhanded comments that implied feelings other than lust that made him blush so easily?

Gin glanced down to the side as he drank, thinking again of what Rangiku told him...

"What are you thinking, Gin?"

Gin looked up to see Sousuke's expression change into one of amusement, delight, and curiosity.

"Oh," Gin lowered his glass, "Just somethin' Ran said to me before... and how yer provin' her point."

The smile never left Sousuke's face. He was intrigued now. He knew Gin and Rangiku were close, but he had to wonder how he'd come up in their conversations. "Oh. Care to tell me about it?" he asked, "I'd like to know what the point she made was, and how exactly I am proving it."

Gin laughed nervously, refusing to answer. "Oh, it's nothin', really."

"Oh, come on," Sousuke prodded gently, "If she talked about me you have to tell me."

Gin smiled. It seemed he'd have to give in. "Alrigh'," he began, "Ran said that ya lo-" He stopped himself suddenly, "like me," he corrected, "So that's why yer treatn' me different. Takin' me out ta dinner and such."

Sousuke raised his eyebrows, intrigued, "And such?"

"Ya know," Gin said quietly, "Kissin' me."

"Ah," Sousuke smiled, "Yes."

Gin delighted him again with the shyest of smiles that hinted there was more he wasn't telling. But he let it slide. He was much more interested in tasting those lips again.

The waitress returned to their table again with the bill. Sousuke checked the total amount due and then pulled his wallet out from a pocket sewn in his yukata. He promptly paid for the meals and returned his wallet to where it came from.

"Thankyou," Sousuke forced a polite smile at the waitress. A smile that melted into a genuine one when he turned his eyes to Gin again. She left in quite a hurry.

"Come, Gin," he said, offering Gin his arm as he stood from the chair, stepping towards his darling, "Let's go home."

Gin smiled giddily, no doubt still a bit drunk from the wine, and took his arm. Allowing Sousuke to steady him. He was a little unsteady on his feet, again from the wine, so he was grateful he had someone to lean on for support. They walked past Rangiku, and Gin couldn't resist a cheerful wave to his friend.

"Byebye, Ran." he called out to her. But she just smiled and shook her head as she watched them go.

. . .

Once they were outside the restaurant, Gin broke into laughter. "Ya shoulda seen her face!" he cackled, "She were so offended!"

Sousuke smiled, quietly enjoying Gin's close proximity. "Yes, she was. Although it's her own fault for being rude to you."

"Aw, she's just jealous I'm with ya an' she aint." Gin said, words slurring a bit, "It's like ya said, right?"

Sousuke gave another satisfied smile. "Yes, she wants to be the one in my bed instead of you."

Gin's eyes flitted up to meet his, an amused grin spread across his face. "She's stupid, then," he drawled on, "If she thinks yer gonna bed me."

Aizen stopped walking suddenly, causing Gin to nearly trip over. He had to cling to Aizen's arm just to stay upright. His world was spinning now, and he was beginning to regret those last few glasses of wine. In hindsight, the sake he'd drank before that was also a bad idea. Gin waited for the world to stop whirling and then looked up at Sousuke.

"Aizen-sama?"

Gin felt Aizen's fingers gently brush the hair out of his eyes, softly caressing his skin.

"You underestimate yourself," Sousuke told him, keeping his gaze warm and his voice soft, but Gin could feel the lust coiling about him. Filling those deeply hypnotic chocolate hued eyes of his. "You are very beautiful and I have every desire to bed you."

"Oh." he gasped, processing this new information through his wine addled brain. "But I thought-" he stammered, "I thought you was just jokin'. To piss off that girl."

Gin felt the blush spreading over his face, bright and pink as the realisation dawned on him. That Aizen sousuke wanted him, in his bed, naked. "I thought-"

But all of his protests were cut off by Aizen's lips on his again. Aizen's tongue pushing it's way into his mouth and tasting him, and filling his body with heat again as tongue and hands caressed him. Sousuke's fingers and palms slowly, gently, brushing over his jaw and down his neck. Making his skin tingle as if on fire, only without the agony of actually being burnt. That, coupled with the earnest movements of the man's tongue, were enough to pull a soft moan out of him as he tried to return the kiss. Gin lifted his arms up and around Aizen's neck to pull him closer, wanting – no, needing more of that heat. More of the fire that burned inside him at every little touch of Sousuke's skin. Gin could feel his heart race at the touch of his skin, the taste of wine on his tongue, the way he closed his eyes and gave himself over completely to the kiss...

But it was over all too soon. Sousuke broke away to let Gin breathe again, and forced Gin to float back down to reality from the dream, and Gin couldn't help the soft, disappointed sigh from leaving him. But Sousuke only smiled at him, all softness and warmth, and when Gin met his eyes again, he could feel the heat flush his cheeks again. He let out another sigh, softer and more contented this time, as he peered into those eyes. Wondering what secrets they held.

But after a few seconds, Gin's world resumed it's spinning again, making him dizzy and sick and disoriented. The oysters threatened to make a re-appearance, and panicking, Gin very quickly disengaged from Sousuke and half-ran half-walked over to the metal waste bin outside and promptly vomited into it. Re-tasting the wine and the oysters. His fingers gripped the curved edges of the metal as he wretched and emptied his stomach, bitterly regretting having any wine to drink at all.

Somewhere in the distance, he could hear Aizen sigh. Hear his footsteps as the man approached him. The last thought Gin had was that he'd blown it. That he'd blown away his chance at starting anything with Aizen sousuke because he'd stupidly drunk too much.

Aizen placed his hand gently on Gin's back between his shoulder blades, gently ribbing his back in a comforting gesture.

"Sorry," Gin gasped, trying not to wretch again at the awful taste, "I drank too much."

"It's alright," Aizen answered, voice soft and gentle. "It was my fault. I probably shouldn't have ordered that second bottle."

Gin only groaned in answer. "I feel awful."

Aizen sighed softly. Well, so much for a night of passion.

But Gin started wretching again, and his concern for his Gin overrode his disappointment. His darling was sick. He needed to be looked after, not taken advantage of.

"Come on, let's get you home." Aizen told him, "You can stay with me. I'll look after you."