A/n – Celebrating me quitting my awful cinema job with some Heir-verse updates. Last shift on tuesday. Can't wait. Really, it was awful. I hated it. It was so bad. The hours were dreadful. But new horizons and all that jazz.
Notes: Aizen being a bit devious, and more sap. Shameless fluffy waffle really. Actually, the whole story is really just sappy waffly fluff. But Heir is killing me slowly and this story never fails to make me smile, so let's just run with the fluff :)
Song played: Love Never Dies, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. On a sidenote – it's difficult to describe music but I tried my best.
Chapter 8: For you, Only you
Gin looked up at Aizen expectantly. "I can pick any one I want?"
Aizen only smiled indulgently at him. "Yes. Any song you want."
Gin smiled softly, carefully opening the folder of music. "Can I sit? I don' wanna drop yer music everywhere."
In answer, Aizen scooted over to one side of the piano bench and patted the empty space beside him. Gin took the invitation and walked over, perching himself on the bench next to him. Their bodies pressing together.
Gin gently set the folder on his lap and started to peruse the selection. Turning the sheets of paper carefully, knowing they meant a great deal to the man next to him. Some were his own compositions, and the result of a lot of hard work. And the rest had no doubt taken a lot of money to add to his collection.
"Ya have so many." Gin said softly. "How'm I supposed ta choose just one?"
Aizen's chuckle was light and musical, reverbating through Gin's body. Full of amusement.
"Who says I'll only play you one?"
Gin looked up at him, flushing pink at the words, his smile, and all the statement insinuated, and quickly looked down at the musical scores again. Hoping to distract Aizen from the fact he was blushing. Again. He flicked through them, eyes studying the notes on the lines. They meant little to Gin. But then, Gin's knowledge of reading music was very basic. But if Aizen could translate the dots and lines on the bars into the beautiful music he'd heard earlier, Gin was determined to treat them with the utmost respect.
Gin let a quiet sigh leave him as his fingertips ran over the dried ink of the notes. "I wanna hear em all."
He glanced up, quick and shy. He hadn't meant to say that. Not out loud. But Aizen's smile was so soft, and warm, that Gin made himself swallow his protests and apologies for being so forward.
"Well, I'd be happy to play them for you, Gin." he answered, "If you like."
Gin looked up at him, surprised. Until a smile of equal warmth and softness crept its way quietly across Gin's face as he turned his eyes to the music again. Though Gin was sure the smile hadn't gone unnoticed.
"That'd be real nice, Aizen-san."
"Yes, it would." Aizen agreed, his voice soft and far away. And Gin thought that perhaps he was imagining some rainy days spent together, Gin listening to him playing his music. And possibly singing along to it...
"Perhaps not all in one day, though."
Gin smiled. "Yeah, there's a lotta songs here. It might take a few days. Plus, if yer gonna write s'more, it might take even longer." Gin looked up at Aizen, smiling sheepishly, "Are ya writin' any more songs, Aizen-san?"
Now it was Aizen's turn to grin sheepishly. "Ah, actually," he began, "I'm working on one right now."
"Oh." Gin gasped, flush with excitement. "Ya are? What kinda song is it? Are ya writin' it fer anyone? Oh, no, yer probably not since nobody knows ya play... right?"
Aizen could only stare back at Gin, shocked. Because oh, if only his darling knew. If only Gin knew the half composed aria hidden underneath the score resting on the piano now was intended for him...
"That's right." Aizen told him, "Although, when it's done I can play it for you."
Gin's face brightened. "Ya will?" he asked, somewhat incredulous.
"Of course." Aizen reassured him. "But only when it's done. I don't want you to hear it until it's perfect."
Gin nodded, smiling again. "A course. But if Aizen-san composed it, it'll definitely be perfect."
Sousuke returned the smile, though it was a touch sceptical. "You have a strong faith in my abilities."
Gin raised his eyebrows in answer, resisting the urge to lift his eyelids. "And you don't?"
Aizen regarded him for a moment, "I am merely a little dubious of your optimism, since you've never heard any of my compositions before."
Gin took a deep breath and sighed. Were all artists like this? So self critical all the time? "But you play so beautifully," Gin said softly, "How can it be anythin' but perfect?"
Aizen smiled very gently at him. "You're very flattering."
Gin had to fight to stifle a laugh. "Tha's rich, comin' from you." he retorted, "Since ya flattered me ta death yesterday."
Aizen's chuckle at the remark was lighthearted and full of amusement. "I suppose it is," he said gently. Then, more seductively, he added, "Though I don't recall you complaining at the time."
Gin swallowed, flustered both by his words and the sultry tones they were spoken in, and – why not admit it? - the man's close proximity. Gin could feel heat flood his body, rising to his neck and face, and he cursed his traitorous body for having such a reaction to him. The chuckle Aizen gave him told Gin his cheeks were red again, so he turned his face away, hoping the older man hadn't seen him blush. But the touch of gentle fingers on his jaw, the tingling of skin against skin, set his heart racing. And Gin knew then that Aizen had seen.
"You are adorable," he heard Aizen tell him, "When you blush." He smirked, then, and Gin thought he caught the devious glint of amusement in his eyes as he spoke. "I'll have to make you do it more often."
Gin tried to find his voice, to search for words. But his traitor of a body defied him, determined to make him fight for every single syllable. For every breath of air. "Ah, Aizen-san... I don't... don't think that... you... tha' we should..."
But Aizen only smiled. Whether at his confusion or embarrassment Gin couldn't tell. There was just a hot, twisty feeling in his stomach, a lightness in his chest. Heat flooding into his body, spreading from his chest, making his heart threaten to escape his ribcage. Making him desire to both touch and be touched. And it had everything to do with the man beside him gently lifting his face up to look at him. Fingertips gently resting under his chin.
"Oh?" Aizen inquired, "You don't think we should... what?"
Gin swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to ignore the moths fluttering in his stomach, even though the man's voice was gentle. Or were they butterflies? Gin was sure they were moths, but Ran had said something about getting butterflies...
He tried to ignore the doubts, too. Because Gin wasn't too sure is these feelings were things he was supposed to be feeling about another man. And he wasn't at all sure if pursuing anything with Aizen Sousuke was a good idea. But the moths were fluttering, his body was hot all over, and Gin couldn't have moved or resisted if he tried.
"You don't think we should do this?" Aizen asked, softly caressing Gin's cheek with a smirk on his lips, "Or this?"
Gin opened his mouth to speak, but only the first syllable of Aizen's name left his mouth before he felt the older man's lips firmly pressing against his own. Gin's eyes shot open, shocked at the sudden intimate contact. His whole body tensed, too. Because he knew this was definitely a bad idea. That Aizen would only take advantage of him, and then leave when the sun came up. But once the initial shock had worn off, Gin felt a warmth, too. Like the sensation of a hot drink filling his stomach on a cold winter's day. It spread through his body, warm and curious, lighting up all the dark spaces inside him. Like the first spark of a fire. And when Gin tasted that warm, wet tongue, he was in no place to resist it. He could feel himself melting into the kiss, trying to return it. Because it was so soft, and warm, and deep, and very gentle besides.
Gin closed his eyes and lost himself in it. Allowing himself to feel how good Aizen tasted. Giving himself over completely to the kiss and reciprocating as best he could. Because this was his first kiss, and Gin wasn't too sure how good he was at it. Which should make some sort of impression on Sousuke, he supposed.
Aizen broke the kiss not long after, leaving Gin hot and breathless – and definitely wanting more. He gave Gin another smile, soft and clinging, a lover's smile, and Gin wanted to melt into a puddle.
"I've been wanting to do that." Aizen told him, his smile still soft as he gazed at Gin.
"An' was it how you expected?" Gin asked. Trying to remember how to breathe normally.
Aizen's face cracked into a wide, delighted grin. "Oh, Gin, do I have to answer that?"
"Well, if ya could it'd be nice."
"It was one of the most satisfying kisses I've had."
The words brought Gin up short, and he blinked in surprise at him. He's jokin'. He's gotta be jokin'.
"Ah... ya mean I weren' clumsy er nothin'?"
Aizen's answering smile was completely disarming, though his eyes studied Gin curiously. "Why would you be clumsy?" he asked, realising the reason quite suddenly. His smile morphing into a wide grin. "Was that your first kiss, Gin?"
Gin said nothing, but his pink cheeks spoke for him.
"Yes." Gin bedgudgingly admitted. Somehow getting the feeling he ought to be a bit more experienced for the man. More adept at the physical intimacy Aizen was used to. More skilled at pleasing him. "Why?" Gin probed, worried now the man might be disappointed. "Wasn' it good?"
Aizen smiled at him, looking like the cat that got the cream. "It was very good, I assure you." he smirked again, "So good in fact, I want to do it again."
The laughter burst out of Gin before he could stop it. Part of it was nerves, and the ridiculousness of being complimented on his kissing by the biggest player around who was doubtlessly trying everything in the book to get in his pants. And the other half of it was a genuine relief that he could please a man like Aizen, and elation that the man just might actually want him.
"You're a wonderful kisser, Gin." he purred into Gin's ear, and Gin tried to calm himself again, his jaw hurting from smiling so widely and for so long.
"If ya say so, Aizen-san."
Aizen smiled softly, touching Gin's face again, creating more butterflies in Gin's stomach.
"Sousuke." he corrected, "Call me Sousuke."
"Huh?"
"I think if we are going to get familiar with each other, you can use my first name." And again he smirked, morphing quickly back into the seducer, his words drawling and sultry, "Especially if we are going to kiss."
Gin flushed pink at his words, and all they implied, but he agreed all the same.
"Sousuke." he corrected himself. Causing a bright smile to spread across Aizen's face. Leaving Gin to wonder at how this man could so easily change his face, and dance between the drawling seducer and the softer, warmer Aizen who'd play him the loveliest music.
"Perfect." Aizen beamed at him, rewarding Gin with a second kiss, "Now, I do believe I promised you a song. You should hurry and choose one."
Gin breathed in and out slowly, in an attempt to calm himself down. Dragging himself back to the present moment and free of the spell Aizen had cast over him. "Oh. Right. Of course, Aizen-san. uh- I mean- Sousuke-san."
Gin heard the light chuckle and tore his gaze away from the man, trying to ignore the amused expression on his face by looking through the music folder again. But Gin knew he wasn't fooling anyone. And so he sat there quietly kicking himself for stammering about like an idiot. But Aizen – no, Sousuke now, he had to remember – just seemed to have that effect on him. Gin couldn't help reacting the way he did around him.
Thankfully though, Sousuke didn't seem to mind. Though it did make Gin wonder if it was like this for everyone else who'd been with him. Whether they'd stumbled around for words around Aizen Sousuke, too. Whether they'd felt all hot and bothered when he'd kissed them. Or was that just how it felt when you kissed someone? He'd have to ask Rangiku about it later. Now though, he'd just focus on choosing a song to have Sousuke play for him. A task in itself, since there were so many, and Gin had only just remembered how to breathe again.
He did say he'd play them all for you.Shinsou reminded him, Just pick one already.
Yer right, yer right. Gin took a deep, quiet breath. I'll just pick one I reallly wanna hear righ' now.
Gin leafed through the folder, turning the pages slowly. He could feel Sousuke beside him, looking over his shoulder.
"See anything you like?" Sousuke asked him. And Gin had to fight the urge to answer, you.
"I like this one." Gin told him instead, pointing to his musical selection. He could feel Sousuke peer over his shoulder.
"Ah. Love Never Dies." Sousuke smiled, "Excellent choice."
Gin shrugged. "I never heard it before. Be nice ta hear somethin' new."
Aizen warmed up his fingers by hitting a few notes on the piano lazily. "It's an aria. Supposedly composed by the Phantom for Christine. Highly appropriate, as she was his muse as you are mine "
Gin rolled his eyes. "Don' you start, too. I get enough of being called your Christine by Rangiku."
Aizen smiled, genuinely amused. "Oh? Would you like to be my Christine, Gin?"
Heat flooded to Gin's face again, which only invited more chuckling. "Jus' shut up and play."
Sousuke gave another of his light chuckles as he took the music off Gin and set it on the piano. But nonetheless, his fingers aligned themselves with the ivory keys, and the soft and lilting music began, while Gin's eyes followed the lyrics on the sheet because he couldn't read the notes too well. The melody started slowly, softly, giving Gin his first clue this was a song for one voice. The notes high and soft as they floated through the air.
It was a few bars into the music before the words appeared, and Gin read them, trying to fit them into the melody amid all of Sousuke's beautiful music.
Who knows when love begins
Who knows what makes it start
One day it's simply there
Alive inside your heart
It slips into your thoughts
It infiltrates your soul
It takes you by surprise
Then seizes full control
The music was soft and light, and surprisingly Gin could relate to the words. He hadn't even known himself when he began liking Sousuke. He couldn't even say why, exactly. There was just something about him that made his heart start thumping and the moths – no, butterflies – start to congregate inside his stomach. He hadn't intended to like him, it had just happened.
Try to deny it
And try to protest
But love won't let you go
Once you've been possessed
He'd fought it, at first. Outright denied it. But Rangiku had pried it oit of him. And if the words of the song were true, Gin knew it to be hopeless to fight it. Because no matter what he did or what happened, those feeling would not just cease existing. Especially not the way his music made him feel. Gin sighed softly as he listened to it, letting it carry him off to somewhere else.
The melody continued at a slow and lilting pace, and Gin knew this was to be a passionate piece. After all, Christine was a soprano, and the Phantom had written it for her voice alone. There was a pause, a space for the singer to collect her thoughts and her voice, right before the main chorus. And then the melody altered its course, the notes full of passion and love, played expertly by Sousuke's clever fingers.
Love never dies
Love never falters
Once it has spoken
Love is yours
Love never fades
Love never alters
Hearts may get broken
Love endures
Hearts may get broken
Love endures
The notes became soft and high and light for the next verse, the notes floating into the air. Gin tried to imagine what the words might sound like if they were being sung. Imagined singing them himself. He could do it. The song was simple enough. And it was passionate, and soulful, and everything Gin liked in a song.
Not that he would. Not for Aizen anyway. There wasn't enough trust there yet for that. But he hadn't sang in so long... maybe he could sing it for Rangiku. But for that he'd need a copy of the words. And the song. And Gin didn't think Aizen would part with either. Besides, it was a big enough ask just to ask the man to play for him. So he let the idea go with a sigh and just listened. Trying to hear the words in his head.
And soon as you submit
Surrender flesh and bone
That love takes on a life
Much bigger than your own
It uses you at whim
And drives you to despair
And forces you to feel
More joy than you can bear
Love gives you pleasure
And love brings you pain
And yet when both are gone
Love will still remain
Gin let his eyes drift over to Sousuke. His fingers, his hands... watching them dance over the keys. Floating almost. The skill it must take, Gin thought, to play like this without even looking at what his hands are doing. All the practice...
Gin felt his breath catch in his throat as his gaze quietly wandered up Sousuke's arms, to his chest, his neck. And finally his face. The strong jaw, the perfect skin, those focused eyes flying over each musical note on the pages in front of him, never once glancing down. It was as if another world blinded him to Gin, and Sousuke was in his own little bubble where nothing existed but him, his piano, and the music. Every so often, Gin noticed, one of his hands would deftly turn the page of the score in front of him, with not one pause or interruption in the song. Gin's eyes followed his hand, turning his attention back to the score again.
Perfect, Gin thought, He's perfect.
Love never dies
Love never alters
Once it has spoken
Love is yours
Hearts may get broken
Love endures
Hearts may get broken
There was a pause in the song, a quick moment to breathe before the tempo picked up and the song built up into something passionate, soulful, beautiful. Gin watched Sousuke concentrating, losing himself in the song. He didn't know what it was, but Gin couldn't take his eyes off him.
Beautiful... Gin sighed, shutting his eyes and allowing a soft smile to cross his face. Losing himself in the song as well. Listening to the final chorus. He's beautiful when he plays.
Love never dies
Love will continue
Love keeps on beating
When you're gone
Love never dies
Once it is in you
Life may be fleeting
Love lives on
Life may be fleeting
A pause. A breath for the voice, for the singer. For Christine, to compose herself before she sang the final line, slower and softer than the others. Gin opened his eyes and read the last verses, and took in the words.
Love lives on
Gin let out his breath as the last notes died, reverbating through the quiet around them. Fading into silence.
There was another pause while the both of them returned to reality and collected their thoughts again. Gin floated back down to earth from the musical dream, and Sousuke slowly returned from his own world.
And this time, instead of a harsh jarring back to the real world, the spell was broken quietly. Gently.
"How was it?" Sousuke asked softly.
"Beautiful." Gin sighed, "Thankya... fer playin' that fer me."
Sousuke smiled at him, full of warmth, and this time Gin returned the smile without hesitation. The moment was broken however, by the sound of Gin's stomach growling loudly. Inviting a laugh from Sousuke.
"I think we better go to dinner." he said, standing up and offering Gin his hand. "Shall we?"
Gin nodded and stood, quietly placing his hand in Sousuke's. He watched as Sousuke mussed his hair into his traditional librarian style and placed his glasses back on before he led Gin out of the house.
