Part 4: Peace Offering
When Gin had trudged out of the library and gotten well out of sight and earshot, Sousuke breathed a big sigh of relief. It had been hard, sending Gin away like that. Especially since they'd had so little quality time together lately, but it had to be done. How else could he keep the sun he'd create a complete surprise?
He leaned back in his chair and tilted his head back. "That was a close one."
You're telling me, Kyouka agreed. Knowing how clever he is though, I don't think it'll take long for him to catch on.
Aizen smiled at that. Well then, I guess I better work quickly, he answered, picking up his pen and scribbling another equation onto the already crowded page of his notebook.
. . .
Elsewhere in Las Noches, Gin stalked through the corridors, his spiritual energy terrifying away every arrancar within a five mile radius. Only Cherry wasn't bothered by it. She knew the anger wasn't directed at her.
"Can't believe he don't want me 'round to help," he muttered. Trying to resist the urge to kick over some furniture. By his side Cherry gave a little whine. Gin continued ranting.
"This's my area o'expertise, dammit!"
Gin growled to himself again. "If he don't want me around somethin' must be up. This's real suspicious an' if he's 'avin it off wi' anyone else I'll really kill 'im this time!"
Gin finally found an empty lounge and sat on one of the large, comfortable armchairs. Arms crossed. Scowl on his face. Cherry leapt up onto his lap and settled, and he began softly troking the white fox.
Somewhere in the back of his mind Shinsou sighed. Did you maybe think he doesn't want you around for a reason? The zanpaktou asked. Immediately Gin bristled.
An' whats that s'pposed to mean? He snapped.
He felt Shinsou roll his eyes. Think about it. Use those two braincells of yours. What did you say to him just yesterday? About the sun?
Gin frowned. I said I miss sunlight. So what? It doesn't mean anything.
I think you'll find, if you actually use that noggin of yours, it means everything.
Gin snorted. Don't think so.
Shinsou groaned in frustration. Wow. You really weren't paying attention back there, were you? You know what, nevermind. I'll let you figure it out on your own. Aizen's right. You learn best that way.
Gin was about to make a snappy comeback to that statement, but by the time the thought formed, Shinsou's presence has already faded into the background of his mind.
. . .
Back in the library, Aizen finished up making the notes he might need and set to putting the bulk of the books back on the shelves. The rest – the ones he'd need to read over again – he put in a little pile ready to take back to his quarters. The astrology one especially. That one was a sort of peace offering for Gin. His Gin, who always did love gazing up at the moon and stars and learning all he could about them.
He sighed softly as he gathered up the small pile into his arms and set off, done for the day.
Do you think I was too harsh when I sent him away this morning? He asked Kyouka, wincing at his use of the word 'morning'. It hadn't translated across to his new world of eternal night. Suddenly he couldn't make this sun fast enough.
Not really, Kyouka said. Why? She smirked. Feeling guilty?
He smiled at that, though it was bitter and sad. Always.
She stood and leant against him. Hey, it'll be okay.
His smile turned considerable less bitter with her reassurance. I hope so. Now come on, we're done for the day. Let's go home.
She flicked her tail and looked up at him, blue eyes full of mischief. And make it up to loverboy? She teased. He just smirked.
Something like that.
. . .
Gin was lazing in bed that evening – ugh, they had to find better words to describe the passing of time here, Gin thought. Some words just didn't work here – and waited for his partner to come back. He wanted to tell Aizen about all the havoc he'd been causing. Cherry shitting in Kaname's shoes and then stealing his brand new visor. Throwing the bucket of ice water over Grimmjow. Blowing up part of Szayel's lab... that one had been fun. He'd have to do it again sometime. Of course, he'd been very careful when he'd rigged the explosives to make sure the hollowfication experiments remained unscathed. It wouldn't do to go wiping any potential data that might help them get rid of the Voice for good.
And hey, at least this way, Szayel wouldn't be distracted by petty unimportant projects now. Really, he'd done Aizen a favour. Any fun he may have had in the process was neither here nor there.
Cherry lay curled up on the bed next to him, quite enjoying the fuss Gin was giving her. Long, gentle stroked down her back. Scratches behind her ears and all that jazz. She too, was waiting for Sousuke to return. Just resting her eyes for the moment.
Gin must have started to doze off, because the next time he opened his eyes, Sousuke was walking through the door, several textbooks in his arms and if gin didn't know any better he'd say the man looked guilty.
Good. He should feel bad fer blowin' me off earlier.
Shinsou only groaned at that, wishing he could shake some sense into Gin. Muttering something about his master not having two brain cells to rub together to make one coherent thought.
"Gin?" Sousuke called out to him.
"I hope you've come to make it up to me fer earlier."
"I have," Sousuke smiled. Looking tired. Whatever the man had been working on, it must've been taxing. "Here, I brought you this."
Gin looked up at that and his partner moved closer to hand him the object. He held it out and Gin took it carefully. Turning it over in his hands. A smile slowly spreading across his face as he read the title of the book he'd been given.
"A map of the stars?"
"Of course," Sousuke smiled softly. "You were so upset all the constellations were wrong here, I thought you'd appreciate a map of them."
Gin flicked through the book of constellations in the Huecco Mundo sky and then hugged it to his chest, wholly won over by the gesture. He couldn't even be mad at himself for being so easily bought because this would let him really see the stars now.
"Perhaps we could sit in the gardens and you can point them all out to me?" Sousuke suggested.
Gin smiled and nodded enthusiastically. Still hugging the book. "I can do that," he grinned. "But first when we get there I'mma tell you all about my day."
Sousuke chuckled. "Agreed. Come on, I know the perfect spot we can sit."
Gin grinned, laughing softly as his partner all but dragged him out of the room. "Alrigh', alright, I'mma comin'!"
. . .
When they sat down in the garden, right next to the koi pond, they lay back on the grass together. Gin had already chattered away about his day of causing chaos on the walk down there, and now he was pouring over the book and pointing out all of the different constellations.
"And where are we?" Sousuke asked after a time. "Where's our constellation?"
Gin consulted the book again and scanned the sky, searching. Pointing when he'd found it. "There."
Sousuke squinted until he could see it. "Ah, yes, I see it. I'm glad one of us knows where we are," he added, giving Gin a conspiratorial grin. Gin returned it with one of his own.
Hey, someone's gotta hold the braincells," he teased.
Sousuke couldn't help but laugh at that. Feeling a hell of a lot lighter now Gin had forgiven him for blowing him off before. Able to rest that little bit easier.
"I wish every day could be like this," Gin said, sighing softly. "Ugh. Night. Whatever. God I hate how we can't measure time passin' here."
"I know," Sousuke agreed. "Don't worry, I'm working on it.
"Mmm," Gin thought, laying on the cool grass and enjoying the peace of this moment with his lover. "Tha's good, but I kinda want ya t'work on somethin' else fer now though."
Aizen, his interest piqued, opened his eyes a fraction. "Oh? And what would that be, pray tell?" he said. But Gin's lips against his quickly answered that question for him.