I'm laughing at how Aizen is deluding himself this is a game. He is a goner already.
Notes: continued Lolita references, Kyouka Suigetsu and Rangiku totally shipping Aizen/Gin (which i'm currently enjoying. A lot.), continued cat and mouse games, some teacher/student fantasy and general perving on Aizen's part. Author still regrets absolutely nowt. Also, a nod to Kitamura Koume's doujinshi, Suifuyu.
Let the game begin :)
Chapter 2: Let the Game Begin
So, what will you do, Aizen-sama?
Kyouka Suigetsu was curious as ever. All excitement and fidgeting in the back of his mind. Sousuke couldn't help but smirk to himself.
Now, now, good things come to those who wait. I'll let it be a surprise.
Oh, you are awful.
Don't I know it.
He kept the pace leisurely. After all, he was in no rush. There was plenty of time. And even if he did happen to be late, who cared? No-one would say anything about it. Not to him, at least. Some others weren't so lucky, or well liked enough to get away with even slight infractions. From the beginning Sousuke played his cards right and managed to ingratiate himself, sucking up to those who needed to be sucked up to and kind to those who were ants in comparison to him. Truth be told, he simply couldn't wait to get out of this restricting place. It was tiring, putting a mask on all the time. He'd truly relish the day he'd be able to take it off. And then the world would be bowing at his feet. Hopefully Ichimaru Gin, his perfect darling, would be beside him when that day came.
But until that day, he would have to wait, and at least try to enjoy things. Besides, if all went well today, hopefully he'd be soon enjoying a certain someone. But that was the endgame. It was the opening moves he had to put into motion first.
Walking into his classroom with an air of jauntiness, he found his class already waiting for him. One quick glance at the clock on the wall let him know he was exactly on time, right down to the second. As expected, Ichimaru was there, although it disappointed Sousuke that he was in the middle of the fourth row rather that right up front. He hid the frown forming on his lips, and instead put on his brightest smile, however false it felt.
"Good afternoon, class," he beamed to them as he set down his book on the desk. "Today, we'll be covering kidou spells of levels fifty, sixty, and if we have time, level ninety. Though I doubt you'll have much use for the latter. If you'd please open up your textbooks to page eighty five, we'll make a start. Now, this stuff will be on the exams, so I suggest you pay attention."
He opened his own textbook and folder of notes on his desk and scanned through his lesson plan. Then picked up his chalk and proceeded to write his notes on the board, while pratting on about mundane kidou spells. Of course, he tried to keep his lessons engaging, inviting discussions and debates and the like, however today would be mostly theoretical knowledge parroted to the class while they made notes. Which, unfortunately meant he couldn't engage with Gin. But it did allow for some surreptitious admiration of the boy while he wasn't paying much attention to his teacher.
At some point, he caught Matsumoto throwing Gin a note, which the boy looked at once before scowling and scrunching it up. He pretended to not see, not notice. But whatever happened, Gin was where his eyes always gravitated to. Though he did try to look at every face in the classroom. He'd have loved to know what the note said, though. Then the idea hit him.
"Ichimaru, you know better than to pass notes in my classroom." he reprimanded. Gin blushed beet red at the remark, at the sternness to Sousuke's voice. Jeers emanated from the rest of the class.
"But, I wasn't, I-"
Sousuke held up his hand to stop him. Everyone fell silent. "Class, please. Show some maturity." he said, "Ichimaru, see me after class."
Gin shot a scowl over at Rangiku, sitting nearby. She grinned and gave him a sly thumbs up. Gin groaned and let his face fall onto his desk. The class laughed.
"Ichimaru, what did we say about heads on the desks?" Sousuke asked. Gin only groaned louder. And Sousuke had to silence the class again before continuing his lecture. Looking forward to the end of it. Once again morphing into Humbert Humbert salivating over his darling Dolores Haze.
Let the game begin.
. . .
Once the class had ended, Gin was still packing away his books and pencils while everyone else walked out. Gin scowled at his friend as she walked past him. It was, after all, her fault he was in this predicament.
"Go get him, tiger."
"Fuck you, Ran."
She only laughed, ignored his insult and skipped out. Leaving only Gin and Sousuke in the room.
"So, what ya gonna do?" Gin asked. "Lecture me? Make me write 'I will not pass notes in class' a thousand times?"
Sousuke considered telling Gin the truth as he cleared his desk. That he asked Gin to stay behind because he would absolutely love to bend Gin over his desk and fuck him stupid. Or perhaps get his ruler out and discipline him. No, that he had another lesson in mind, to teach Gin the art of love. No, even better, that his punishment for passing notes would be to give him a strip tease and then put his lips and hands to good use.
He was tempted.
But that would get him nowhere, and only earn him strong words and disciplinary procedures from the higher ups. And gossip flying about staining both their images. And potentially a slap from Gin before he stormed out. Which would not do. Not after so much careful planning and scheming. So he went with his rehearsed answer.
"No, actually I have some business I'd like you to accompany me on." he explained. "Telling you off for passing notes was just a convenient ruse."
He caught the frown as it spread over his Gin's face. "A ruse?"
"Yes."
Gin was clearly not impressed by this answer. "And, why couldn't you have, say... just took me aside and said that we had an errand ta run?"
Sousuke raised an eyebrow, amused.
You are all sass today, aren't you, my darling?
"To keep up appearances." Sousuke replied cooly. Putting the rest of his notes and folders into his briefcase. "So, shall we?"
Gin rolled his eyes and pushed off his lecture chair. "Fine. Let's go."
Sousuke led Gin out of the classroom and out into the spring air. They made their way past students and other gotei thirteen members who greeted Sousuke in passing. It bothered him that Gin was often ignored in these greetings, irked him even. But Sousuke contented himself with the knowledge that when Gin officially became his second in command he would never again be ignored as if he were dust on the pavement. A time that would hopefully come around sooner rather than later. If only he could find a way to get rid of his current captain, Hirako. Then everything else would follow smoothly.
Just as planned.
"So, where are we going?" Gin asked, walking in step beside him. His voice breaking the older man's reverie.
"I have to pick up an order."
"And you need me for that, because?"
"You'll see."
Gin fought to suppress a groan. "Did I ever tell ya I hate surprises?"
"You have now." Sousuke smiled. Gin ignored him, choosing to glance off to the side. Sousuke ignored his scowls, hoping quietly that given time, the scowling would diminish into smiles the longer they were around each other.
"So, no hints?" Gin asked. "Nothin'?"
"We are going to pick up a package."
"Gonna tell me what's in said package?"
"No."
Gin rolled his eyes again, as the two of them walked up to the dispatch office. Gin waited quietly and impatiently as Sousuke collected the brown wrapped package and carried it under his arm. Gin trailed in his footsteps as he strode off.
"Come, Gin. We'll go to my house."
Gin balked. "Eh?"
"What's wrong with going to my house?" Sousuke inquired gently. Watching Gin as he tried to search for words without offending him.
"Nothin'. Just... why your house?"
"I want you to have tea with me." Sousuke supplied. "You work hard. You deserve a break."
Gin eyed him, wary. And Sousuke knew then it would take a lot of time and effort to break down Ichimaru Gin's walls to truly know him.
"Don't worry." Sousuke smiled. "I'm not going to do anything to you."
He left off the 'yet' at the end of that sentence. Besides, if Sousuke was going to do anything to him, he would ensure Gin would want it first. In fact it was paramount. Consent was a beautiful thing, and it got you much, much farther than forcing an issue, Sousuke had learned.
"Fine." Gin relented, though his gaze suggested he'd be keeping an close watch on him throughout his visit. And that if he tried anything, Gin would cut his balls off. "Your house."
"Of course." Sousuke gestured, "This way."
. . .
Sousuke unlocked the front door to his house and told Gin to make himself comfortable while he prepared drinks. He left Gin in the sitting room, looking around at the exquisite furniture and artwork while Sousuke left the package on the coffee table and went into his kitchen.
"Do you want tea, Gin?" he called out. "If you don't, then I can make coffee or..." he smiled, "I even have wine if you prefer."
"Tea is fine." Gin answered. Sousuke had to admit he was a little disappointed. Having a drunk Gin in his arms would have been very pleasing. But his darling obviously wanted him to work for his affections. And Sousuke always loved a challenge. The harder it was to make someone fall for him, the more desirable they were. And Gin would no doubt be his biggest challenge.
It was like a game of chess, and this was no different. Gin was a game and he was playing to win.
He made the two cups of tea carefully, and carried them in to the main sitting room. Gin sat on one of his armchairs, waiting for him.
You haven't drugged his tea, have you? Kyouka Suigetsu asked, worry coating her voice.
Of course not. He told her. I may be corrupt, but I am not that corrupt. And besides, he has to come to me on his own.
This seemed to satisfy his sword, and she fell silent for the moment, letting him set their mugs on the coffee table onto two leather coasters. The coffee table was mahogany, after all. And very expensive. It would not do to scratch it.
"Thank ya." Gin said, and Sousuke took a seat on the sofa. He had to smile. Despite all Gin's roughness and snarkiness, the boy possessed excellent manners.
"It's not a problem, Gin." he answered. "Ah, I can call you Gin, yes?"
Gin shrugged. "Gin's fine."
"Excellent." Sousuke beamed at him. "I didn't want to be overly familiar or make you uncomfortable."
"Don't worry, ya aren't."
"Good."
He took a sip of his tea, keeping his eyes fixated on Gin. The boy was all grace and fluidity as he picked up his tea and took a sip of it, leaving him to wonder if all Gin's movements would be as graceful. Or whether it was just because Gin was in his presence. He made a mental note to find out.
"So," Gin said, breaking his train of thought. "What's in that so very important package ya had to get me to accompany you to collect?" Gin asked. Sousuke just smirked at him.
"Why don't you open it and see?" he answered. "I ordered it for you, after all."
Gin eyed both him and the package suspiciously. "If this is some trick-"
"No tricks." Sousuke smiled, setting down his tea and holding his hands up. "I promise."
Gin looked at him again, but his curiosity won out over his suspicion and he got up to retrieve the brown paper package from the coffee table. He took it back to his chair and sat, untying the string holding the paper closed. Gin very carefully opened the brown paper and the little O shape his mouth slipped into was utterly delightful.
"This..." Gin gasped, examining the contents of the package, his fingers tracing over the black cloth, "This is..."
"Your new uniform as a shinigami." Sousuke finished for him. Unable to suppress or hide the smile creeping across his face. "I had one made for you. The standard ones only come in one size, and would only swamp you, due to your thin frame. Do you like it?"
"I..." Gin was lost for words, "You had this made for me?"
"Yes." His smile then was softer, more gentle. "Do you like it? I didn't know your exact measurements, but I am very good at measuring with my eyes. So it should fit you."
"I dunno what ta say, Aizen-san." Gin said softly. Incredulous. Fingers gently, delicately running over the black fabric. All too aware of the cost of it. "I can't take this."
Why? Sousuke could feel his heart sinking. His smile vanishing. This was not the reaction he'd hoped for at all.
"Of course you can." Sousuke told him, "I want you to have it. If you are going to have a uniform, it should fit properly."
Gin's eyes flitted up to meet his, and the world stopped. Looking at him now, Gin looked so vulnerable. So unsure what to do. But somewhere in that gaze, he could sense there was gratitude, as well. Fighting to free itself from the feelings of being in debt to him.
"It's too extravagant." Gin protested. "I can't."
"If it is the cost that worries you, I assure you I am not out of pocket." Sousuke tried to explain. "So you needn't worry about accepting it."
Gin hesitated for a moment. Opening and closing his mouth before finally speaking. Trying to reason with himself. "If... if yer sure."
Sousuke smiled again. "I'm sure." he told Gin. "I want you to have it."
Gin's mouth twitched and tentatively lifted into a small smile, putting a stop to the older man's heart.
"Thank ya, Aizen-san."
A warm feeling spread through Aizen's chest and through his body, a wide smile spread across his face. And Aizen Sousuke knew then that he was absolutely done for. That that smile would be the end of him. That he would do anything and everything to keep that smile on Gin's face.
"You're very welcome, Gin." he said, searching for calm while his heart leapt up and down like a lunatic, "Now, why don't you go try it on?"
