Some notes:
Gin took over this chapter, but it is perfect because it flows so smoothly into the next one. Also, it's good to see what Gin is thinking. I rode the borderland to angsty town with this one, but I am AiGin trash so take a wild guess how it ends. The man makes Gin a sun in this universe, come on.
There's more Rangiku today, because I love her. And some Phantom of the Opera references because I am Phantom trash, with slight Phantom-Aizen/Christine-Gin that will continue in ch5. I am tempted to ruin it, so I will stop now and let you enjoy the story.
Chapter 4: It is a Date
The next day in his lecture, he noticed Gin's eyes were everywhere, except on him. He also noticed the way Gin pulled his little friend Rangiku by the arm to sit on the back row. As far away from him as physically possible. Sousuke couldn't help but feel a little disappointed and rejected.
It's your own fault. Kyouka Suigetsu chided, if you didn't say such lewd things to him, he might still like you.
Sousuke frowned at his sword's words. Loathe to admit she was right. She usually was.
Hm. perhaps I should apologise for offending him.
Yes. You should. Kyouka huffed. And Sousuke knew he would have a very uncooperative sword on his hands unless he apologised to Gin.
You were far too lewd and sexual. His zanpaktou hissed. Remember how young and shy he is.
Sousuke thought on this. Yes, perhaps I have been going about this the wrong way.
You think?
The lesson he taught went slowly. That is to say, it dragged along at an incredibly slow pace. He tried to keep focused, talk with at least some enthusiasm about his favourite topic, level sixty kidou spells, but in reality he wasn't really feeling it. Gin, who normally engaged in discussions and answered questions, kept silent, which only served to make his heart sink further into the floor. He'd clearly upset Gin. It had been exactly the opposite effect he'd been aiming for. This would have to be remedied as soon as possible.
It was a blessed relief when the bell rang, signalling the end of the school day, putting them all out of their misery. Though Sousuke could hear the class muttering quietly among themselves – particularly the girls – about how Aizen-sensei wasn't as chipper today.
"Aizen sensei seems off today. I wonder if he is alright."
"Did something happen?"
"Maybe he is just tired. Everyone has bad days, right?"
"Perhaps his girlfriend broke up with him."
"No way! Who would dump that guy? He's so hot."
"No, you're both wrong. Aizen fukutaichou never has anyone for more than one night. He doesn't have a girlfriend."
"I'd sell my soul to have him for just one night."
He frowned at the group of girls as they walked out of the classroom, truly loathing such gossip. Thinking that the sooner he left this place, the better. Because if there was anything Aizen hated more than anything, it was idle gossip. He quietly made a mental note to kill them first when he returned with his army to decimate them all.
Gin and Rangiku were in the last little group to leave, and Sousuke supposed it would be too much to ask of the universe that Gin would not hear such gossip. He sighed, watching Gin leave. He picked up his book and followed him, deciding there were far more important tasks ahead of him than clearing his messy desk. Like making things up with a certain silver haired student of his. Because it would not do if his darling hated him.
. . .
Gin and Rangiku sat down together in the communal garden again, on one of the wooden benches under a peach tree in full bloom.
"Gin," Rangiku pried gently, "You've been quiet today. Is everything alright?"
Gin gave a non-committal shrug. "I'm fine." he answered. "Jus' thinkin' is all."
"Oh," Rangiku's face broke out into a smile, "Thinking about your hot date with Aizen yesterday?"
Her grin was devilish, and Gin fought the urge to blush.
"It weren't a date, Ran." Gin told her, with an air of superiority to his voice. A very I-told-you-so tone. "All we did was pick up a package. That's it."
"Oh." her smile faded. And Gin hoped that would be the end of it. But Rangiku had known Gin for too long not to be able to tell when her best friend was still hiding something.
"Are you sure that's all that happened?" she pried, hoping for further details. At least a kiss, or even a snog. Exciting, juicy details. Gin averted his eyes for a second – just a second – but t was enough of a giveaway for Rangiku.
"Well-"
"I knew it!" Rangiku was triumphant, her voice raising an octave. Maybe several octaves, if Gin's ears were any judge on the matter. "Tell me everything! Leave nothing out!"
Gin winced at her high pitched voice. "Alrigh', alrigh', jus' stop squealin', jeez."
"Talk!"
Gin sighed, knowing full well she would not give him any peace until he sang like a canary.
"Alright." he began, "But first," he pointed his finger at her, "you better promise me ya won't tell anyone. I fuckin' mean it, Ran."
She held her hands up, "Okay, okay. I promise. I won't tell another soul. Now talk!"
Gin cleared his throat, ready to tell the story. "Well, we went an' collected his order, like I said. Then we went and had tea at his place."
Rangiku smirked. "Just tea?"
"Yes." Gin said, much to Rangiku's disappointment. "Just tea."
"Oh." she frowned. "Shame. I was hoping for at least a kiss. Even some snoggage."
"Ran." Gin frowned, shooting her a warning look.
"Okay, okay. I'll be quiet. Please, continue."
Gin huffed quietly, pleased that she'd dropped the subject – at least for now. Gin knew the subject would definitely crop up again, knowing his best friend.
"So we get to his place," Gin continued, "Ya shoulda seen it, Ran, it were so elegant. Everythin' mahogany. Coffee table, dinin' chairs. He even had a soft plush three piece suite, couple a armchairs an' a sofa... but anyway. He makes us both cups of tea and we talk a bit." Gin gave another little non-committal shrug. "He seemed real nice."
Rangiku gave a little dreamy sigh, with her hands in her lap. "Oh, Gin, just admit you like him. Life would be so much easier if you did."
Gin said nothing to that comment. Choosing not to add any fuel to her shipping fires. It was bad enough she was trying to push them together, to set them up and play matchmaker. Gin didn't need to give her any more motivation to do so. And Gin was certain if he told her he did like Aizen in that way, he would never hear the end of it.
Ever.
Besides, Gin wasn't stupid. Even if Rangiku got her way and set him up with Aizen, it would only be a short term arrangement. Because who hadn't heard the gossip? That Aizen fukutaichou was a notorious playboy, that he made people fall for him only to cast them aside, that all anyone ever got with him was one night. Him and Aizen together as lovers? Forget about that. How could Gin in his right mind pursue a man like that? How could anyone? He was too easy to get, and just too easy to lose. Aizen was a man who liked to break hearts and play with people like toys. It wasn't going to happen with him and Gin. And the sooner Ran accepted this fact, the better it would be for everyone.
"But anyway, carry on." Rangiku's chirpy voice pulled him back to reality. "I wanna know what happened next. Did you ever find out what was in that package you collected?"
Gin had to press his lips together at the memory of it. But he forced himself to be calm. He had to keep calm. He could not keep on blushing like a schoolboy every time someone mentioned Aizen Sousuke.
"Yeah." Gin answered slowly, "He'd got me my new shinigami uniform." The laughter, high and nervous, bubbled out of him as soon as the words left his mouth. "It's weird, right? He had it tailored to fit me an' everythin'. Is that weird, Ran? It's weird, right? He had me model it for him, to check the fit."
Rangiku allowed a moment to pass, to find her voice again.
"What did he say?" she asked, the excited smile creeping back across her face, "I mean, did he compliment you or anything?"
This time, Gin could not beat down the tinge of pink colouring his cheeks. "He said... he said I looked..."
The embarrassment was too much. Cheeks the shade of red to make all tomatoes envious, he had to bury his face in his hands. "Oh, gods."
Rangiku's laughter was light and soft, and kind. "Aw, come on, Gin," she said gently. "You have to tell me. I want to know what that charmer of a man said, to make you go all pink."
Gin slowly lifted his face from his hands to look at her, willing himself to calm down. He supposed he could tell her. After all, she'd told him all about Shuuhei when he asked, to make sure he would treat her right. It was only fair he told her about Aizen. Besides, who better to confide this sort of thing in than your best friend?
"Well, he said I looked real dashin'." Gin told her, shyly, "I said no, that I had 'bout as much sex appeal as a kidou textbook. And he just said that he never met anyone who didn't open up a high level kidou textbook and say..." Gin's cheeks flushed a light shade of pink again as he hesitated, "and say 'fuck me'."
A moment of silence came and went, and it was so unbearable, Gin had to fill it. So he babbled.
"And... and then he held my hand and said some stuff about how we fit together, like out fingers and stuff, and then he said..."
Gin glanced up at her. She was sitting there, dumbstruck and mute. Which only added to Gin's current anxiety.
"Well, say somethin'!" he spouted.
Rangiku's smile only broadened into a delighted grin. "Aww, Gin!" she clasped her hands together and sat beaming across at him, "I knew it! I knew he liked you!"
Gin looked at her, confused. "How?" he asked, full of scepticism, "How could you possibly know that?"
"Oh, I just have an eye for that sort of thing." Rangiku said dismissively, waving her hand. "I notice things. Like how his eyes always find you in class. And how he always smiles when you talk to him-"
"Psh. Please." Gin rolled his eyes. "He smiles at everyone."
"Not the way he smiles at you, Gin." She countered. "There's a warmth to it, when he smiles at you. Oh! And let's not forget the time he dropped his chalk when he first saw you." she sighed dreamily again, "Oh, you took his breath away. Made him act all dorky afterwards as he tried to recompose himself. It was so cute."
Gin rolled his eyes again, if only to cover his feelings on the topic. "Yeah, right. That's just how he is. I bet he just acts tha' way ta bond with his students."
I know what he's really like. Gin added mentally. I bet he can't even keep it in his pants.
"I don't think so." Rangiku said calmly. "You don't know, you've never seen someone in love before. I have. Honestly, Gin, you could so much worse that Aizen fukutaichou. He's so sweet, and gentle. He'd be good to you."
Gin thought again, about the things he'd heard about Aizen. Not just from his classmates, but from other Gotei Thirteen members as well.
"Nah. You've been readin' too many trashy romance novels."
"He would." Rangiku pressed. "I know he would."
"I doubt it." Gin frowned. Because everyone knows you only ever get one night with him. That he don't do relationships. And I will not be his little fucktoy he can throw away when he gets bored. I want everything, or nothing. I want all of him, or none of him. It aint worth it otherwise.
"Oh, Gin," Rangiku just sighed again. "If only you could see, just how besotted he is with you. It's just like in that story we saw at the theatre, with the Phantom and Christine. So romantic."
"Ugh! Ya didn' jus' call me his Christine!" Gin scowled, folding his arms across his chest. But she only laughed, and Gin couldn't keep the smile from his face. Her laugh always made him smile.
"But it's true!" she protested, "You're Christine, and he's the Phantom. I wonder if he plays any music... if he did I bet all of his songs would be inspired by you. I think he's a piano playing sort of guy... he could seduce you with his rendition of Music of the Night."
"Gimme a break, Ran." Gin replied.
"Nope! You're his Christine. End of discussion."
Gin smirked, "Oh, so then, does this make you Raoul?" Gin teased, poking her stomach playfully, making her laugh more.
"Who's Raoul?"
The both of them clammed up at the sound of his voice, letting silence permeate the air as they turned their heads upwards, gazing up at Aizen. He'd come over to them unnoticed, since they were so deep in their conversation.
What does he do? Gin wondered, Spy on us?
Aizen was smiling down at them, genial and polite as always. "Ah. You're talking about that musical, aren't you? The Phantom, right?"
He must spy on us. Gin thought.
It was Rangiku who broke their silence. "Aizen fukutachou!" she greeted him, "We were just talking about you!"
He laughed gently, "Oh, all good I hope."
"Of course." Rangiku beamed up at him. Gin just wanted him to get to the point and then leave.
"Why are ya here?" Gin asked him.
Aizen turned his gaze to Gin, who was clearly less than impressed at his sudden appearance. "Ah, about that," he began, "I came to apologise to you, for my comments the other day. I appear to have offended you and made you uncomfortable. I'm sorry."
"What?" Gin blinked.
That threw Gin off. He hadn't expected Aizen to apologise for embarrassing him. He'd expected more of the same. More lewd remarks, embarrassing him in front of Rangiku perhaps. But not this.
"I..." Gin struggled for words, but no words would come to him.
"Before you say anything, please allow me to make it up to you." Aizen continued, "How about I take you out for dinner. As an apology?"
"I..." Gin started, "Ya don't hafta do that."
"But I want to." Aizen pressed. "Please?"
Gin eyed him warily, trying to figure out his angle, what he wanted. What he could possibly gain from this proposal if he accepted? He was about to respond, but unfortunately Rangiku answered for him before he could speak. Before he could refuse.
"He'd love to!" she chirped, placing her hand on Gin's shoulder, "Wouldn't you, Gin?"
Gin sighed, defeated. He knew full well she'd never let it drop, never give him a second of peace if he refused Aizen now. She'd make it her mission to force Gin to traipse to his home and apologise, and then sit them down for dinner together. He may as well bite the bullet now, and get it over and done with.
"Yeah, sure." Gin put on his most winning smile, "why not?"
Aizen smiled at him like a puppy who'd just been told he was going for a walk. All happy and excited. This time Gin could not miss the man's warm smile Rangiku had talked about. Gin had a feeling if he weren't already sitting on the bench, his knees would have gone weak and failed to support him.
"Oh, that's perfect!" Aizen said, still giving Gin that smile. Gin suspected that smile had broken many hearts over the years. "I know the best place we can go. Meet me at my place at seven. You remember where it is, right?"
Gin glanced quickly at Rangiku, who currently had a big shit-eating grin on her face.
"Sure." Gin smiled. "I remember. See ya at seven, Aizen-san."
