A/n – I don't know what it is but whenever I revisit this I end up grinning like a loony.
I've had the next few written out for a while but I just need to type them. I've sketched out the story up until about ch18-ish so there will be things happening plot wise. Mass spoilers for a huge chunk of this fic will come in the next chapters of Heir (ch76, potentially ch77). But there was absolutely no way around that.
Notes on this: I think I left romantic comedy behind and veered into crack town when Ran made her re-appearance. Aizen perving as usual. Some Love vs Sex cropping up on Aizen's part- But a lot of the Heirverse covers this issue.
Chapter 9: A Very Perfect Evening
As soon as they were outside, Gin let go of Aizen's hand, albeit a little hesitantly. But Sousuke comforted himself with the knowledge that it was just shyness and unfamiliarity with such intimacies. Because really, he'd just stolen his darling's very first kiss from him. A feat he hadn't thought he'd get away with. But he had. Oh, he had... and Gin had tasted so good, better than he'd imagined. And his Lolita was such a good kisser, so talented for one so inexperienced. And under his tutelage, Gin could become very skilled indeed in pleasing him.
And Sousuke had to admit he'd gotten a little twist of excitement in his stomach when Gin admitted that had been his very first kiss. A perverse little thrill at the knowledge of being the first one to explore the warm, wet cave of Gin's mouth. That later, he'd be the first one to explore Gin's slender, pale body, untouched by anyone else. Just the thought of it made a sly smirk creep across his face as he once again morphed into the lecherous Humbert. It was only a mental swat from his zanpaktou that forced his thoughts from the gutter.
Right, right, He told her. Mind in the present.
"So where are we goin' fer dinner?" Gin asked him, walking beside him down the street towards the heart of the city.
"I've booked us a table at one of my favourite resteraunts." he told Gin. "I think you'll like it."
"At this point I'm happy if it's jus' edible." Gin replied, which only drew out a light chuckle from Sousuke.
"Well, you're in for a treat. Because the food there is both edible and delicious."
Gin smiled across at him as they walked, his hands loose by his sides. Sousuke thought for a moment about offering Gin his arm, or giving Gin his hand to hold as they walked. But it was an impulsive thought, so he pushed it aside. He'd already pushed Gin enough for one day. Kissing behind closed doors was one thing. Asking him to openly show affection in public might just be a step too far.
There will be plenty of time for that, he reasoned, and so he contented himself with walking beside his Gin in the moonlight.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" he asked, smiling gently down at Gin beside him. Keeping his pace leisurely.
"Yeh, it is." Gin answered, sighing softly as he glanced up at the sky. "Th' moon's pretty."
Sousuke had to smile at him. "Not half as pretty as you, though."
Gin covered his face again in an attempt to hide his blush. "Aizen-san!" he hissed, "D'ya have ta do that? An' in public too."
Sousuke's smile was smug. "Yes."
Gin dropped his hand and scowled at him, folding his arms across his chest. It was truly adorable. The tinge of pink colouring Gin's cheeks, the flustered breathy voice. The feigned indignant huff at such shameless flattery. Gin really was beautiful in those moments.
He let a soft laugh leave his throat as he looked down at Gin, his chocolate coloured eyes meeting Gin's.
"Don't worry," he assured Gin, "I'll stop."
"Good. Cuz yer just embarrassin' me."
Sousuke could not help the knowing smile spreading across his lips. Oh, don't pretend you don't like it, Gin.
But he knew better than to voice the thought, so in the end he just held his hands up and set to assuring Gin he'd behave. "Alright. No more embarrassing comments, I promise."
Of course, he left off the 'for now', he'd have usually tacked onto the end of that sentence.
Gin scowled at him a moment longer, but eventually he let it melt away and slowly uncrossed his arms, letting them hang by his sides again.
"Alright." he said, prompting another soft smile from Sousuke.
"Come on," he said, deciding to grab hold of Gin's hand anyway. If only to lead him through the city streets through the crowds. "Let's go and eat. You must be starving. I hope you like seafood."
Gin's smile widened at that. "I like seafood." he grinned. "Though if I'm honest, I really aint picky when it comes to food. Growin' up where I did... ya learn not ta be picky."
"Ah, yes, you're from the outer Rukongai districts, aren't you?"
Gin nodded, averting his gaze downwards. "I hate admittin' it. Tha' I came from such shameful beginnin's."
Sousuke studied Gin a moment, listening as Gin continued. "I mean, people pick on me an' call me names when they find out. Seems they think I'm dirty somehow. So I try an keep it quiet like. So people don' start treatin' me diff'rent."
"Different?"
"You know," Gin told him, "Like I'm somehow less of a person than 'em."
Sousuke frowned, sighing. Of course, he knew this place was full of small minded, arrogant people who looked down their noses at anyone they thought beneath them. But the idea they considered Gin – his beautiful, brilliant Gin – no more than dirt under their shoes simply because of where he came from infuriated him. It was just one of the many things wrong with this place.
"Gin," he stated calmly, because it would not do to grow angry. Even if his anger was not directed at Gin. "Believe me when I say you are not dirty."
Gin's eyes flitted up to meet his again, and his heart stopped because Sousuke knew he had Gin's full attention. His smile softened, his gaze grew tender, and his voice carried gentle tones as he spoke. "You are a wonderful young man with a promising talent, good qualities in abundance, and for me you're perfect the way you are. And anyone who calls you such demeaning things is a fool."
And I will slaughter anyone who dares to call you such.
He watched as Gin digested his words, and then observed as a soft, shy smile passed Gin's lips. And again that warm feeling started to spread through his chest again. Along with a vague feeling his heart might be turning into a puddle somewhere inside his ribcage.
"Tha's real nice a ya ta say." Gin said softly. Sousuke squeezing his hand reassuringly. His smile turning more knowing as he added, "Though I think ya might be a lil bit biased."
"A little, yes," Sousuke smiled warmly. "But it is true. And I think your dear friend Matsumoto-san would agree with me."
Gin's smile at the mention of Rangiku was soft and warm, lighting up his whole face. And Sousuke could tell from that alone that the boy held a deep affection for her.
"Yeah," Gin said quietly, "She would."
"You see?" Sousuke teased, "That's two people who think you are wonderful. And the both of us can't be wrong."
Gin smiled again, allowing a little laugh to escape him. "Well, ya could... but I appreciate th' sentiment."
Sousuke's smile never once faltered as he eyed Gin. I could get used to that smile. I really could. The question is, will he give me a chance to?
"Even if yer biased." Gin added.
Sousuke laughed, then. A good natured laugh. "Oh yes, we're both very biased. I know I am. But that's only because I like you so much."
Gin's cheeks coloured a very delightful shade of pink, and Sousuke would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it. Although, it was the first time he'd openly admitted to liking Gin aloud, so he supposed that had to count for something. But at the moment he could only hope Gin reciprocated his feelings. The boy kept his cards close to his chest, so it was difficult to read how Gin was feeling. Though that was part of the attraction; the challenge Gin presented to him. The fact Gin laid obstacles in his way and threw wrenches into his plans to make Gin fall for him. Though time would only truly tell how Gin felt about him. If Gin had any feelings for him at all.
But he kissed you, Kyouka suigetsu quietly told him, Why would he kiss you if he didn't like you?
Sousuke thought for a moment. Hormones. Endorphins. The fact this is all new territory for him. He may have just got carried away in the moment.
Sousuke turned his attention to Gin again, choosing not to draw attention to Gin's flushed face.
Many reasons.
He wondered if Gin was thinking about it, too. Analysing it and breaking it down the same way he was. The first of many kisses, he hoped. A satisfied grin crept across his face as he thought of the potential for more kissing in the immediate future.
"I hope you're thinking about earlier." Sousuke told him, the smile never leaving his lips.
Gin turned to face him, "Which bit?"
"Our kiss." Sousuke answered.
He watched, with great amusement, as the redness spread from Gin's face all the way down his neck. "Whether you liked it." His smile widened, and he just couldn't resist teasing Gin just a little more, "If I tasted good."
"Sousuke!" Gin hissed, clearly uncomfortable talking about this. "Ya can't ask that!"
"It's a legitimate question, Gin." he said, perhaps a little too matter of factly. "I'm curious about whether or not you enjoyed it." he feighed innocence, looking into Gin's face questioningly, as if he needed reassurance. "Did you like it? Kissing me?"
"It was... it was..." Gin swallowed, clearing his throat. Trying to find his words. "It were real nice. An' I did really enjoy it. Ya made me feel all all warm and tingly, like there were moths flutterin' in me belly, and... and and ya tasted..." Gin's voice softened as it died off, "Ya tasted..."
Sousuke watched intently as Gin took a moment to compose himself. Breathing in deeply and sighing softly, happily. "Ya tasted so good."
He watched, quietly satisfied, as Gin's chest heaved with the admission. His pale face flushed with a renewed heat, even as Gin studied his face quizically, as if trying to puzzle something out. "Are all kisses like that, Aizen-san?"
Sousuke raised his fingers to rub his chin, thinking. His mind retracing over all of his previous kisses. The mere manipulation of tongues designed to pry what he wanted from all of his sexual partners. Manipulations that, by design, were enacted to get them to spread their legs for him and swear to fulfill his every desire. Not warm and loving, but cold and mechanical. Illusions of affection and desire. Pretences. Acts. A play at being in love. Sousuke certainly hadn't felt anything remotely like what Gin had just described. Not until kissing Gin...
"No," Sousuke told him, "At least, not for me, anyway."
He paused, smiling tenderly at his darling beside him. Deciding it would be better in the long run to go for an honest response. "Not until you."
"Oh." Gin said. Obviously a little stunned by the words. Lips forming a cute little O shape for just a moment before they resumed their trademark grin. "So..." Gin asked hesitantly, "You felt all a that stuff, too?"
Gin's eyes met his, and with a smile hopeful enough to melt even the iciest heart, Gin squeezed his hand. Pale and slender fingers tightening their grip on him. And Sousuke could have sworn Gin had just released a horde of moths inside his stomach. A desire to taste those perfect lips again filling from head to toe. So much for resisting in public...
"Yes," he answered his darling softly, "I did."
Gin's relief was palpable, permeating the air around them. Sousuke watched Gin's smile soften, morphing into one of tenderness.
"Tha's good." Gin murmured. And Sousuke smiled.
"Yes," he agreed, slowing to a stop so he could lean in close and capture Gin's lips with his again. "It is."
He brushed their lips together, gently, kissing his darling softly. It was only a moment later, however, that Gin pulled back, frightened and shy.
"Ah, Wh- what if people see?" He protested, turning his face to the side. Breathing heavily, face flushed as he spoke.
"It doesn't matter." Sousuke's voice was low with affection as he spoke, and laced with desire. He let his fingers move to gently hold Gin's chin, turning his darling's face to him again, once again casting his magic spell over Gin. "Let them see."
"Sousuke," Gin breathed, though he only had time for that one word before Sousuke's lips were on his again. His tongue gently encouraging a response. Gin gave the softest of moans into the kiss, no doubt experiencing the warm tingly sensations he'd described earlier. And when Sousuke broke away again to let him breathe, he smiled.
"I don't care if they see." Sousuke told him, eyes fixed on his beloved like he were the only thing in the world worth looking at. He smiled again before leaning in again and giving his Gin another impassioned kiss. Deep and warm and slow, designed to lull and hypnotise and bewitch his senses.
When he broke the kiss, he took in Gin's flushed face and smiled. There would be a few glorious seconds before Gin remembered where he was, and Sousuke was determined to carve this vision before him into his memory before Gin switched back on to reality again. He made mental notes on the dreamlike expression in his eyes, those O shaped lips, those delicately flushed cheeks, and knew the expression Gin wore would appear in his dreams tonight.
But the moment was short-lived, and Gin returned to the real world again, clearing his throat. "So," Gin said, a little too loudly, in an attempt to change the subject away from kissing, "Where is this place we're goin' to? Is it very far?"
"It's not too far. Just along the next street." Sousuke answered. "There's usually a queue, but I planned ahead and made a reservation."
Gin blinked in surprise. "On such short notice?"
Sousuke allowed himself a small smirk. "Well, being a vice captain does have its perks."
Gin returned the smile, a hint of mischief in his grin. "Aint that called abuse of power?"
"Hm, I suppose," Sousuke conceded, "Though what is the point in having power if you cannot abuse it?"
"Yer devious, ya know." Gin teased him, gently elbowing him, looking up and grinning widely at him. "But I guess ya have a point. It's really th' reason anyone wants ta get power."
Sousuke allowed himself a little laugh, "Oh, Gin," he drawled, "You know that's why you like me."
Gin answered him with a swat on his arm and a prompt command to shut up that was only answered with another of his light laughs.
. . .
They reached the restaurant after a short walk through the busy city streets, passing numerous people along the way. As Aizen had said, there was indeed a long line of people waiting to go inside.
Sousuke led Gin to the doorman and gave his name, saying he'd booked a reservation. The man looked at his list and then promptly let them inside. Gin trailed nervously behind him as he was led over to the maitre d' to be shown to their table, eyes taking in the sheer elegance of the place. Especially the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Trying not to feel out of place in such a high class establishment. Though he couldn't help but feel relief when he saw the maitre d' was Rangiku's boyfriend, Shuuhei, wearing the black yukata all the waiting staff wore. Here at least was one familiar face.
"Hello," Sousuke smiled politely, "We have a reservation for a table for two." He paused for a moment before adding, "Preferably a quiet table. We do not wish to be disturbed."
Shuuhei returned the smile. "Ah, yes, Aizen-fukuutaichou. Right this way."
They followed Shuuhei to a table at the far back, in a quieter area of the resteraunt. They each took their seats, and took the menus Shuuhei handed to them.
"Do you want to order drinks now, or would you like a moment to look over our selection?"
Gin opened his menu to look at the food, and Sousuke had to smile at him. His darling certainly had his priorities. Shame, really... getting to witness a drunk Gin could be amusing. It may even turn out that Gin was an amourous drunk, who wanted to kiss and fuck the night away. Which might amuse him for a little while, but that would be too easy. This little game was all about the chase. Getting Gin to fall for him. And besides, Sousuke wanted his Gin to remember their night together. One night with him was all any of his lovers got, and he wanted that one night to be unforgettable. Even for Gin.
And somehow, Sousuke didn't think he could accomplish that by getting Gin drunk. Because drunk people never could remember anything after they woke up.
However, that didn't mean they couldn't drink a little.
"We'll have a bottle of your finest red," Sousuke told Shuuhei, "Please. With two glasses. Is that alright, Gin?"
Gin looked up from his menu, confused and clearly distracted by the lure of food. "Huh? Oh, yeah, whatever ya think's good."
Shuuhei smiled and nodded, "Excellent choice. I'll be right back with your drinks."
. . .
Shuuhei made his way over to the bar and grabbed a tray, one of the more expensive bottles of wine, and two wine glasses. He set them on the tray, ready to take back to Aizen-fukutaichou's table. He'd only just turned back around to take it over to them, wheen he caught sight of his girlfriend strolling over to him.
"Shuuhei!" she cooed, sitting on one of the barstools beside him.
"Rangiku," he answered, surprise in his voice, "What're you doing here? Better yet, how did you even get in here?"
Rangiku just smiled at him. "Ah, the doorman owed me one for covering for him the other day." she told him, "But listen, honey, I need a favour. My friend came in here with his date earlier, and I just want to keep an eye on them." she did her best to keep her voice sweet and light, "You know, just in case anything bad happens."
Shuuhei studied her sceptically. "You mean Gin?" he asked, "Yeah, he came in here with Aizen-san a little while ago."
"Yes, I know." She told him.
"Jeez, what'd ya do, follow them?" he asked, "And no. I will not help you spy on them, before you even ask."
Rangiku sighed. Damn him, he knows me too well. "No, of course not!" she cooed sweetly,"Well, maybe a little... but mostly I just wanna make sure Gin doesn't get into any trouble."
Shuuhei snorted at the ridiculousness of her logic. "With Aizen-fukutaichou?" he asked, incredulous, "Please. With that guy around, Gin couldn't get into trouble if he tried. You just want to eavesdrop."
"I... well, I..." she stammered, "Oh, alright! I wanna see how well they hit it off. Because they both really like each other and I know Gin won't tell me things."
She folded her arms and huffed. Shuuhei just looked at her with a deadpan expression.
"And what do you want me to do about it?"
She smiled, "Let me borrow your work uniform and pose as a waitress. I can't see or hear anything from here, and I need to get up close."
Shuuhei shook his head. "No."
"Aww, but Shuu," she cooed, pouting, "Please? For me."
"No. I am not risking my job for you."
But she pouted and gave him her puppydog eyes, tracing the tip of her forefinger in small circles on the smooth black surface of the bar. A look she knew would melt him. "Not even for me, Shuuhei?"
He fought it for a while, but eventually he sighed. "Alrigh," he told her, "You can borrow my spare uniform in my locker. Just try and keep out of the way of those of us who actually do work here."
Her smile brightened immensely, lighting up her whole face, and she leant in to give him a quick kiss to show her gratitude. "Thanks, Shuu." she purred sweetly, "I mean it. I promise I'll make it up to you."
"Yeah, yeah." he pretended to grouch, "Just be quick about it."
Rangiku nodded, and grinning like a lunatic, she hopped off her barstool and scurried off through the door to the staff locker room.
. . .
Creeping stealthily into the locker room, Rangiku kept her eyes peeled for any of Shuuhei's colleagues that might rat her out and get security to escort her off the premisis. She poked her head around the door and, seeing no-one, sighed in relief and walked in.
She made the few steps over to Shuuhei's locker and opened it, knowing the combination already, and spied the spare uniform. It was neatly folded, like all of Shuuhei's clothes, so she took it out carefully so as not to crease it. She took it into the ladies toilets to change into it in one of the cubicles, emerging perfectly disguised as a member of staff. Moving quickly, she replaced her civilian clothes into her boyfriend's locker and strode back into the toilets, to make sure she looked the part.
She examined herself in the mirror, checking she looked presentable. The uniform was simple yet elegant, in keeping with the elegance of the place. It was big enough to cover her ample chest, for which she was grateful, as she couldn't be falling out of her clothes in a place like this. She scrutinised her reflection in the mirror. She would have preferred one of the kimonos the waitresses wore, cut to better fit the female figure - but she couldn't afford to be choosy. At least with this, she could actively spy on Gin and Aizen-san.
"Alright," she told her reflection, "It's time to go undercover."
