Part 3: A Very Lonely Night

Gin blinked his eyes open slowly, stretching and groaning softly. It was dark outside, and in the few brief moments between sleeping and wakefulness he thought he was still in the Seireitei, waking up in the middle of the night.

But the his brain caught up with reality again and he remembered he was in Huecco Mundo. The Hollow World. The Place of Nightmares, as Sousuke called it. And he had to admit, his heart sank a little knowing he was so far away from home. And also because he was expecting Sousuke to be snoring beside him and for the sun to be rising steadily outside.

He sighed and rolled over. A quick glance at the clock told him it was eleven in the morning. His usual waking up time, for a Saturday. But here, without a job to have to get up earlier for, every day was like a Saturday here. It wasn't that he regretted moving here, not at all. It was just the lack of routine and actual sunshine and a set purpose was taking some getting used to. After all, back in the Seireitei, he was just another cog in the machine. Here, he was the right hand of a God. It really was quite a promotion. But again, a big adjustment.

Of course, there were some arrancar that resented him for his position. For being too close to Aizen-sama. But he paid them no mind. He'd had a lot of experience in the past dealing with people who were envious of his relationship with Sousuke. Bitter schoolgirls at the Academy. Aizen's jilted lovers. Momo. Gin couldn't help but snarl as he thought of her... but indeed people being jealous and coveting what he had wasn't new. The only difference between his earlier years with Aizen and now was that he didn't take it so personally anymore. So long as they stayed out of the way. But a lot of his confidence was due to the security in his relationship with Sousuke. And their newly found closeness Gin hoped would only grow as time went on.

He smiled softly to himself as he thought about all they'd been through together. Especially the revelations in the Central 46 chambers. The fact that Aizen – the seemingly untouchable, stoic, chessmaster – was actually afraid. That he felt human emotions like fear. That the man was scared – not just about going to Huecco Mundo but that Gin would change his mind about going with him... well, had changed Gin's whole perspective. Of course, Gin changing his mind about following him here had been a ridiculous and unfounded thought, but when had fear ever been rational? Though actually voicing those fears had let them grow closer than they'd ever been.

So Gin, with that night clear in his mind, wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around his lover and hold on tight. And he'd do that... if his lover was actually here.

Gin sat up in bed and looked around, frowning. Where was that man? Usually he never left without giving him at least some indication of where he was going of what time he might be back. Which was his first clue something suspicious was going on.

He looked outside to the balcony, only to find it empty too. He tried the en-suite bathroom, but that was empty as well. Gin tried to think where his partner might have gone, scanning the bedroom for any trace of the man, only to have his eyes land on a steaming hot mug of tea. It was nice and hot on the bedside table, in his favourite blue fox mug, kept warm and drinkable by one of Sousuke's kidou spells.

Gin smiled and shook his head. Okay, first he'd drink his mug of tea. And then he'd go find Sousuke.

. . .

After stopping by the kitchens, assuming Aizen might just be having breakfast, Gin continued his wandering through the white palace. Finishing off the last of his cinnamon swirl pastry along the way. The best part about his new position – after being with Aizen, of course – was the fact that the arrancar who lived here had to do everything he said. Including make him some lovely baked goods whenever he felt like it. And the pastries were always so delicious! Baked to perfection. It was no wonder Sousuke always praised the chefs for their skill.

Gin walked along the white corridors, savouring every bite of his cinnamon pastry, keeping his eyes peeled for Aizen. He tried all of the man's usual haunts. The study. The gardens. The ramparts and battlements. All fruitless searches. That left only one place to look. The library.

Las Noches had one of the biggest libraries Gin had ever seen. At least ten floors and grand staircases. Very large windows. And huge oak bookshelves with ornately carved patterns . And the books! Oh, the books! There were so many! Old and new and covering the widest range of subjects. Vast, deep pools of knowledge accumulated over the centuries of human existence. It was such a wonderful collection. Though it would take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to read through all of it.

If Aizen was anywhere at all in this white palace, he'd be here. All Gin had to do was find him.

Thankfully, all Gin had to do was reach out with his mind for Aizen's energy signature for a hint of where he might be hiding. If he wanted to be found that is. If the man didn't want to be found, Gin wouldn't have a hope of finding him. The man could suppress his spiritual energy almost entirely.

But Gin tried anyway. "Bingo," he grinned after finding his target, trying to be as quiet as possible in the pursuit. This was a library after all.

When he reached the top floor, he saw Aizen sitting at one of the tables, with a mug and a teapot full of tea beside him on his workspace. Next to a big pile of books.

Gin crept a little closer, hoping to remain undetected. But that wasn't to be.

"I know you're there, Gin," the man said, not once looking up from his book. Amusement in his voice.

Gin approached, abandoning stealth. "Boy, nothin' gets past you, huh?"

"No," Aizen looked up and smiled at him. "You're just dreadful at masking your presence."

"Says you," Gin huffed, crossing his arms. "Whatcha studyin' anyway?"

"Physics mostly," Aizen answered. Gin peered over the older man's shoulder and then at the scribbled notes Aizen had made. From what Gin could gather, they were about mass to reiatsu ratios, with several equations and calculations sprawled over the page.

"Tha's some heavy subject matter," Gin remarked. "Specially fer so early. Wha' time did ya start?"

"A little after five."

"I'm jus' impressed you can think 'bout that stuff so early." Gin said. "My brain ain even awake til twelve."

Aizen smirked. "That would explain your poor grades in mathematics at the Academy," he teased. "Those were always the first classes of the day. You did seem to do well in my classes, I recall."

Gin had to smile at that. "Well, that class was actually interestin'. An' the teacher was nice too. Real easy on the eyes..."

Aizen laughed. "Who's the flatterer now, Gin?"

Gin shrugged, grinning. "Couldn't help it. Besides, s'bout time I gotcha back fer teasin' me before."

"I suppose so," Sousuke said softly. Just as Gin made himself comfortable on his lap, picking up one of the random books on the pile and casually flipping through it.

"Astronomy?" Gin asked, now highly intrigued. "Why astronomy? Space physics?"

"I have my reasons," Aizen said smoothly. Seamlessly moving back into the role of mysterious seducer again. He gestured for Gin to hand the book back. Gin handed it over without further comment and simply picked up the next one, which just happened to be on astrology.

"And those are?"

"Classified information."

Gin just groaned. "Aw, no fair, ya always tell me yer little projects. Why's this one different?"

Gin was fully aware he was whining, but he couldn't help it.

Aizen just sighed. "Because I have no idea if this one will even succeed."

"But if I can help, maybe it can?" Gin pleaded.

"I don't think you can."

"But... you know I love stuff to do with stars and the heavens," Gin rationalised, waving the astrology boon in his hand. "Sure I'm crap at the physics stuff but I know this."

"It is a reiatsu based project," Aizen explained. "And involves a lot of math. Neither of which are your strong suits. And you hate math."

Gin scowled. "So I can't help?"

"Not this time, I'm afraid," he smiled, stroking Gin's hair. Possibly in the hopes it would placate him. "But I promise if I have any questions about anything in your field of expertise, I'll come and find you, okay?"

Gin sighed heavily. A little put out he couldn't help. It wasn't that he really wanted to spend his time doing boring as shit maths or complicated equations that's make him feel stupid. But he'd wanted to spend time with his partner. More so now because a lot of Sousuke's time was eaten up with the running and ruling of the white palace. Leaving them precious little alone time. But if Aizen wanted to be left alone, Gin wouldn't argue. He knew when he wasn't wanted.

"Okay." he sighed.

"Good," Aizen smiled, giving him a quick kiss that took Gin completely by surprise and sent a blush roaring across his cheeks. "Then I'll see you later tonight."

"right," Gin agreed. Resigning himself to the fact that it was going to be another lonely, boring day. Or night. Or whatever the term was for the long stretch of time he knew as daytime in a world where actual daytime didn't exist.