Feels good to write some happy Heirverse stuff again because cwst is so sad and everything in Heir is gonna go to hell in a little bit, especially for Orihime. I do love how everything with these stories connects together, though. I think this fic gets referenced the most in the other stories. I'm not sure where people are coming into the Heirverse, as I've got people coming in at different stories, but enjoy your stay here. I do recommend reading the other stories, too.

No notes today, apart from – NSFW as always. and- Oh dear goodness, Ran why must you be so perverted? You're just as bad as Aizen. Perverted psychopaths... poor Gin, it's fifty shades of red going on with his face.

Welp. That's me. Enjoy part 16 of this chess game going on here :)

Chapter 16: Are we together yet?

Gin had to admit it was a lot of fun to see the little wheels and gears whir and click inside Aizen's head throughout the morning lectures on kidou theory and logistics as the man weighed up his potential replies to the little glass of lavender sitting on his desk. It was clear the man was distracted by it, although he did his best to remain focused on the lesson he was teaching. He was like that old man in that book by Nabokov, obsessing over the little girl. It brought Gin no end of amusement to watch it. He couldn't help but grin as he watched Aizen fight to keep his gaze away from the little purple flowers.

Go on, Aizen-san, he thought, Think about it. You know ya wanna.

Shinsou cackled. Yes, Sousuke-san, think about Gin's penis!

Gin bit back a groan, although the tiniest of sounds did leave him.

Rangiku, in the seat next to him, glanced across at Gin, eyes full of suspicion and questioning. But if she'd connected the dots and made the connection between Gin and the lavender, she said nothing of it. Probably not wanting to get in trouble for talking in class. Again. She'd already been read the riot act by Sousuke, albeit in a very polite manner, for her "disruptive behaviour". So Gin knew she wanted to keep her nose clean. Gin knew, though, if she had connected up the dots, he'd undoubtedly hear about it later when class ended. Gin suspected she'd made the connection already because she kept sneaking suspicious sideways glances at him with an increasing frequency. He felt her eyes on him when his face cracked into a face-splitting, devilish grin when Sousuke had to wrench his eyes back to what he was writing on the chalkboard, open textbook in his free hand. And Gin, suddenly feeling very self-conscious, avoided her gaze by lifting his own textbook to hide his face and what she'd only construe as a guilty grin, and what he was sure was a pink flush in his cheeks.

Gin spent the rest of those lessons pretending to be very, very interested in kidou logistics, not looking up at her once. He kept his eyes fixed on his teacher, watching him write on the chalkboard with his back to the class, explaining how incantations could be bypassed if one had skill enough. Gin let his gaze bore into the back of the man's writing hand, trying not to think about where said teacher's hands and mouth had been on his body. Thinking of nothing else.

Thankfully he had his book to hide behind.

Eventually, Aizen turned around to face the class again, chalk in his right hand and open textbook in his left, smiling genially at them all. Although nobody could miss the way his gaze lingered on Ichimaru Gin a little longer than necessary.

"Alright everyone, that concludes today's lessons. Before I dismiss you all, please note that today's subject matter will be in your final exam, so I hope you were all paying attention."

Aizen's eyes swept across the faces in front of him, a smile plastered on his face. A mere mockup of the gardener's smile he'd given when he'd handed Gin that tulip earlier. "As always, if anyone has any questions, my door is always open to you."

Just then, the bell signalling the end of class rang out and Aizen's eyebrows raised. "Ah, my timing is impeccable. Class, you are dismissed. Remember your assignment is due for marking next week, enjoy the rest of your day."

Taking their cue, everyone in the class began packing up their notebooks and pens and started to make their way out. Gin quietly gathered his things and shoved them into his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he followed the stream of students heading out to lunch. Slowing a little when he walked past Aizen, he snuck a quick glance at the man, who was smiling knowingly at him.

"And I'll be seeing you later." Gin heard him mutter, quietly enough to only Gin's ears would hear him. Words that sent a thrill through him and a pleasant shiver up his spine. Gin walked quickly out after that, not wanting Aizen to see his reaction. Because he had to keep up his charade of coldness and mistrust. No matter how much his traitorous body desired and loved the man.

Gin could feel those eyes on him, following him as he moved out. And even without looking, Gin could swear Aizen Sousuke was wearing a smug, satisfied smirk on his face. No doubt thinking about how very interesting things were about to get.

. . .

Out in the hallway, and out of Aizen's line of sight, Gin let out a sigh and leant his back against the wall as he waited for Rangiku to catch up to him. He stood with his arms folded across his chest, watching his classmates funnel out past him, chattering and laughing. He caught the odd snatches of gossip too, about the flowers on the teachers desk, and Gin knew they were talking about him. Even though they didn't know he was the giver of said flowers.

Even so, it took all of Gin's effort to appear disinterested. To keep the neutral expression on his face as he listened to a little group who'd stopped to talk.

"Hey, did you see the flowers on Aizen-sensei's desk?"

"I know. Who knew he liked flowers?"

"I wonder who gave them to him."

"Probably a secret admirer..."

"Do you think our Aizen-sama knows who it is?"

"He must! He's a highly intelligent man, after all."

"Poor girl. She has to know she'll never hold onto his heart for long. Nobody ever does."

"I wonder who it is..."

"Who cares? It's not like Aizen-sama loves her. He'll just use her and then she'll go the way of all the others..."

Gin fought to keep his gaze away from them, quietly seething inside. Firstly because they assumed he was a girl. And secondly, because they'd insinuated Aizen-sama was theirs. Bitches, he wanted to snarl, If Aizen-sama belongs to anyone, he belongs ta me. Ya'll better step off.

Shinsou snickered in the recesses of his mind. My, someone's jealousies are showing.

Gin scowled. Shut up. I jus' don't like it when people talk 'bout me.

Yes, and the sky is green. Shinsou answered him, voice dripping with sarcasm. No. You just don't like sharing your toys. You want Aizen-sama all to yourself. Better be careful, Gin, the spirit teased him, curling around his master's shoulders, invisible to all but Gin, his fox tail tickling Gin's ear as he whispered into the boy's ear, If Aizen-sama knew how possessive you were over him, you'd never let you hear the end of it! I doubt he'd even let you leave his bed.

Gin fought back against the pink colouring his cheeks, somewhat successfully, at Shinsou's last statement as he folded his arms. Don't ya think I know that? Gin snapped back, fighting a deeper blush at the images his zanpaktou was conjuring up in his brain. But you an' I both know if he knew that I'd jus' go the way of all his others, like tha' girl said. Why'd ya think I'm playin' his stupid game for?

Shinsou sighed loudly. Though Gin thought it might have been exaggerated. Yes, yes. Shinsou replied, sounding tired with him already, You want him to love you. You want him to look at you and only you. We've been through this already, when you kept me awake half the bloody night, depriving me of my much needed sleep. Though I still think you're trying too hard.

That remark made Gin's eyebrows rise, and his agitation bubble to the surface. An' what's that s'pposed ta mean?

Well, Shinsou started, bur Gin never got the rest of the answer, because it was then that Rangiku came out of the classroom and made a beeline for him. Gin sighed, resolving to prise the answer out of Shinsou later. By force if necessary. For now, though, he turned his attention to Rangiku and allowed a genuine smile to pass his lips. The kind that only Ran could draw out of him.

"Hey," he called out to her, "Ya sure took yer time."

She returned his smile, "Yeah, I just had a couple of questions for Aizen-san."

Gin studied her expression, a touch apprehensive. Something about the way she'd said the word questions told Gin she wasn't talking about the lesson's subject matter.

"Uh-oh," he grinned, "Tha' don't sound good."

She swatted his shoulder playfully. "Shut up. I just wanted to know how your date went. If he wants to see you again... you know, since I set you two up."

"Ran," Gin grinned, "You were there for half of our dinner date spying on us. What more can ya possibly find out?"

She smiled back at him; a devious, wide grin that let Gin know she was up to trouble again. "Oh, you'd be surprised at the things I can find out." she told him, and Gin was suddenly terrified Sousuke had blabbed about everything that occurred between them. Unable to fight the redness flushing into his face as he imagined a very smug Aizen-san admitting everything.

Yes, it went very well. I kissed him and sucked his dick. Yes, I will see him again.

And Gin quickly found himself praying to every deity under the sun that Aizen had tact enough to keep that bit about sucking dick quiet.

"An' what did ya find out?" Gin probed, anything to divert the attention from him, "Anythin' good?"

It seemed to work. At least for the moment. Because her grin spread further across her face, "Well," she began, "I know he's very sexually attracted to you."

Gin's face turned ten shades redder, wondering just what Aizen had told her. How much she knew about where his hands – his mouth – had been on Gin's body.

"Oh dear," Rangiku smiled softly, fighting a fit of giggles as she covered her mouth with her hand, "You've gone very pink."

And whose fault is that?

Gin said nothing, quietly dying of embarrassment beside her. Thankfully all their classmates had already gone to lunch, so it was just the two of them in the corridor, so there was no fear of any gossip spreading. But just knowing how much Sousuke would be enjoying this right now played on his mind.

"Is there something you haven't told me, Gin?" She asked, and Gin was certain that not that far away, Aizen Sousuke was laughing at him again.

He's prob'ly in there smirkin' right now.

"N-no!" Gin blurted out. A little too late.

"Ohhh, there is, isn't there?"

"No!"

"I knew it! You have to tell me!"

"Ran, no."

He watched her face morph into a joyful expression, her cheeks flushing from her excitement, "Did he touch you?"

Gin only went redder. "Ran!" he spouted. Indignant. Embarrassed. "Ya don't ask people that!"

"Why not?" she pouted.

"Cuz it's my personal business, an-"

"Aha! So he did touch you!"

Gin could only bury his face in his hands. Nothing, absolutely nothing he could say would deter her or convince her otherwise. He'd just opened up his mouth to speak again when Aizen's voice called out to him.

"Ah, Gin, there you are."

The both of them turned to find their teacher approaching them, a pleasant smile on his face. Gin could only stare at him, trying to fight the unbelievable urge to worship the man like a god in thanks for the rescue from the Rangiku Inquisition. Only Rangiku's gentle elbowing brought him out of his daze.

"Sousuke," Gin greeted him, arms folded across his chest. Trying to ignore his friend's smug little grin as she watched him interact with his new love interest. Aizen merely smiled down at him, a hint of amusement on his face.

"Oh my. You've gone very pink." Sousuke stated.

"Please," Gin answered, face red as anything, "Don act like ya aint enjoyin' it."

Sousuke smirked, "True. I do like it when you go all pink for me."

Gin only blushed harder and scowled at him. Both Sousuke and Rangiku clearly enjoying his predicament, judging from the smiles on their faces. They're in cahoots, both of 'em.

"So, did ya come just to look at me, or..."

Aizen's smirk melted back into his smooth, polite smile again as he remembered why he'd approached them. "Ah, yes," he said, holding out a copy of a kidou textbook, "You left this behind."

Gin studied the book for a moment, certain that he'd left nothing behind. That this was a ploy just to talk to him again. But it was an escape route from Rangiku's teasing and nosing, so he reached out and took it.

"Thanks," Gin said softly, smiling sweetly. "Wouldn't get very far without this."

Aizen's smile softened into something almost tender, then, as he looked at Gin. "Indeed. Oh, and I also have that book we talked about the other day, if you still want to borrow it."

Gin knew they'd had no such discussion, but he understood he had to keep up the pretense if he wanted to be rescued.

"Which one?" Gin asked him, "The flower dictionary, or the other one?"

"Both." Aizen told him. "Though I'd say you need the flower dictionary more." Gin watched his smile transform into a smug grin. "You do know lavender means mistrust, yes?"

Rangiku shot him a look that expressed her incredulity and let him know her suspicions were confirmed that Gin did indeed give Sousuke the lavender on his desk. Gin crossed his arms tighter across his chest and stood taller, in defiance of her silent reproaches.

"An' who says I didn' know that?" Gin asked, glad that it was his turn to look smug. "Who says it wasn't intentional?"

"Oh, I'm wounded." Aizen said, doing an excellent impression of someone upset by this. "After everything I've done for you, you still don't trust me." He placed a hand on his chest and let the smile return to his face as Gin watched him. "I guess I must not be trying hard enough to win you over."

Gin couldn't help but smile at this little game. This little back and forth of playful banter between them.

"Yeah, Sousuke, ya better step yer game up if ya really wanna impress me."

It was clear he was joking. And Sousuke's smile said that he was in on the joke. And for a moment, Gin marveled at this new, strange level of understanding they'd reached. It was oddly satisfying. And Gin had to admit it, it did send the moths that had set up permanent residence in his belly into a mad splurt of fluttering.

They always seemed to do that, whenever Sousuke was around.

Sousuke smiled gently, shaking his head slowly. "Then I suppose I better rise to the challenge, before somebody else comes along and snatches you up." he said, teasingly, "Come on, I've got the other book in my bag. Come on through to the classroom, I'll give them to you."

Gin nodded. "Kay. Ran, why don't you go on ahead. I'll catch you up later."

She smiled. A smile that said she had a thousand and one things to say to him later. A thousand and one questions to ask. "Alright. Meet you at the usual place?"

"Yep. The usual spot." Gin grinned.

"Alright. But you'll tell me everything when you get there, alright."

Gin smiled at her, chuckling. She really was as stubborn as he was. Just about different things.

"Fine." he relented. "I promise. Now go get lunch. Give us a few minutes alone."

She smirked back at him. "Alright, I'll leave you lovebirds to it. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

That made Gin laugh. Because if she were him, there wasn't a lot Ran wouldn't do.

. . .

Sousuke led him back into the empty classroom again, and Gin let himself breathe a sigh of relief as Aizen clicked the door shut.

"Thanks fer the rescue back there." Gin said softly. "I know she means well but sometimes she's a bit much."

Sousuke smiled, "Not at all. Besides, if word got out that things between us had gotten... physical," he put a sly emphasis on the word, a grin passing his lips, if only to see his darling's reaction to it. "It wouldn't end very well."

Gin huffed, unwittingly rewarding him with a slight pink tinge to his cheeks. Oh, no doubt Gin wanted to tell him that none of this could possibly end well, not if they had to keep it quiet. To which he could argue that what everyone else thought just doesn't matter, Gin. But he did concede that given his position as a teacher and Gin's position as one of his students, the scandal their relationship would cause would spell catastrophe. Utter ruin for both of them. That was, if whatever was between them could even be classified as a relationship. He would have to test that and find out whether they were in a relationship. Whether his pretty young Gin wanted a relationship with him.

"Yes." Gin answered, setting the textbook down on one of the empty desks, "if word got out we were together, the gossips would have a field day. And then I s'pose yer teachin' career would get flushed down the toilet... ah, that is, if we're t'gether."

Gin paused, and looked at him thoughtfully, tilting his head slightly to the side. "Are we together?"

Sousuke gave his darling an amused smirk, Ah, Gin, you've read my mind. And Gin's face gave it away that the boy absolutely delighted in seeing his amusement.

"I don't know, Gin," he said, shrugging his shoulders for effect. "Are we together?"

He didn't know what he expected. But Gin's grin widened. "I asked you first."

Touche, my darling, Sousuke thought. Wonderful. You're learning. I might be able to make a chess player out of you yet.

"That you did." Aizen answered, his smile morphing into something softer. Sweeter. It wasn't entirely forced. He was indeed proud that his lovely little fox was learning to play the game so well. That he was stepping up to the challenge of facing him on the mental chessboard.

"Would you like to be together?" he asked innocently. Though Gin would need to work on his poker face, Gin's expression told Aizen he knew full well the words were anything but innocent. Because he was still the same old Aizen Sousuke, playing his tricks and his games to get what he wanted. But Gin's expression also told him he thought he was already a step ahead of him, that he was ready for whatever charms Aizen decided to use on him.

Sousuke decided to let Gin think that was the case.

"Yes." Gin answered him, a touch shy. Hesitant. He liked Gin like this. Adorable. Innocent. "I... I want..."

He couldn't wait to destroy that innocence. Make his darling moan and scream his name.

Maybe break his heart afterwards.

He was toying with the thought of it, but Gin's next words caught him off guard.

"I wanna be t'gther. I wanna be in a relationship with ya."

And he could not help it. The warmth began from the pit of his stomach and spread through him again. And Gin watched the smile light up his entire face, a soft, genuine, ridiculous thing promising love and tenderness. And for just a moment he felt like the cat who got the mouse. It was only when Gin's smile mirrored the expression, that Aizen checked himself and morphed his facial expression back into its default devilish smirk.

"Oh, that's excellent," he told Gin, grasping onto Gin's wrist, and making Gin's pale face burn red again, before yanking him in for an intensely passionate kiss. "Would you like to start right now?"

"I..." Gin gaped at him, so adorably flustered. Having been ready for all of his charms... except that one.

"Because we can." Aizen continued, leaning in and whispering into Gin's ear, lips just brushing against the shell of Gin's ear. "I can do you on my desk right now, which I can tell you I would very much like to do."

He heard Gin swallow hard, and he smiled. Perfect. You know I like it when you're excited for me.

. . .

Gin swallowed, feeling his fucking traitor of a body begin to react to the man's dark, seductive voice and words as he closed the distance between them.

In the time it took him to comprehend it, Sousuke's lips crushed against his again, and he was flat on his back on his desk, trying to remember how to breathe and kiss at the same time. He could feel one of Sousuke's hands move down his neck, gently caressing his soft skin, roaming slowly downwards, over his collarbones. Down further, to his chest under his clothes. Warm and calloused fingertips weaving lazy patterns over him, eventually circling over his nipples. Wandering down even further, to his stomach and navel, tracing lazily up and down over his skin. Gin moaned softly, quietly, into the kiss. His brain so badly wanting the word yes to leave him. Arousal curling itself around him like a large, heavy boa constrictor as those lips descended on his neck. Kissing. Sucking.

Biting.

Gin had to bite his lip to keep from making any noise. To fight down the moan in his throat. He could feel heat pool in his stomach, feel his heart start to race, thumping wildly against his ribcage in hope of escape. His brain short-circuited, feeling a want - need - to make the word yes come out of his mouth. Because everything this man was doing, everything, made him feel electric all over. Set his blood on fire and made electricity surge through his system.

"Sou..." he whimpered, but that was all he could manage to say. So much for resistance. He should have known from the last time the man had him on his back, resistance was futile.

"Just say yes," Sousuke whispered to him. Breaking off kissing his now very red and heated neck just long enough to speak. Warm breath tickling his skin and giving Gin a pleasant shudder of excitement all the way down to his stomach and groin.

"I..."

"Say yes, and I can give your body what it craves, right now."

Gin pressed his lips together and groaned. He wanted to. He wanted so, so badly to say yes. To agree. To let this continue and give his traitor body what it craved in the hope that it wouldn't keep reacting this way.

But he clamped his mouth shut. He couldn't give in now. If he did, he'd go the way of all Aizen's other lovers, used and forgotten by the time the sun rose the next day. Used and discarded. And Gin refused to join that cast. Absolutely refused. Thankfully Aizen noticed his hesitance, paused in his ministrations, pulled back to look at him gently, and smiled tenderly.

"But, if you prefer to wait a while, that's fine too."

Gin sighed in relief, forcing his lungs to take deep calming breaths, still on his back under him. It took all of his effort. It seemed he'd forgotten how to breathe normally. Let alone speak. So he lay there panting heavily for a while, until his voice returned to him. But even then it took all of his effort and willpower to even reply to the man, and his voice came out weak and laboured.

"If it's fine... Gin breathed, air heaving in and out of his chest, "I'd like... to wait..."

. . .

Sousuke smiled warmly down at his darling, letting him catch his breath. Yes... it was best not to rush these things, after all.

"Alright." he said tenderly, retracting his hands from his Gin's delectable body and moving them to Gin's face as he leant in for a gentler, more affectionate kiss. "We'll wait until you're ready."

Gin smiled back at him, equal parts relieved and affectionate.

Ah, of course, he expected me to be a little more resistant, to push more for physical intimacy. He's surprised to find me so patient. Very pleasantly surprised, in fact.

"Thankyou."

Sousuke let him up and watched, smiling, as Gin readjusted his clothes again. Cleared his throat.

"Well, I should prob'ly go an' meet Ran for lunch. Or what's left of it."

"Yes," Sousuke agreed, "she's probably wondering why we're taking so long."

Gin nodded, the blush in his cheeks unmistakable. "So, I'll see ya later?"

"If you want." Sousuke smiled softly. "My door's always open for you. I just hope you don't take too long to come and knock."

Gin graced him with a shy smile. "Don't worry." he said, "I won't."

Gin turned to leave, only taking a few steps before Sousuke stopped him.

"Oh, Gin." he called out, stopping Gin in mid-step and turn to look at him again.

"Yes?"

"You better take these," he said, holding out the textbook and his flower dictionary. The one Gin had snuck a look at the other day in his bed. And Gin thought he hadn't noticed. "Keep Rangiku-san off your case a little bit. And also a chance to expand your knowledge of our little secret language, yes?"

Gin's face grew the colour of an angry red sun at those words. Our language. And not just his face, his ears and neck reddened as well. It was absolutely adorable.

"Yes," Gin said shyly, retracting his steps and taking the books from him. Soft, slender fingers brushing against his own as Gin touched them. "Thankyou, Sousuke."

"Oh, and you can keep the dictionary," Sousuke added. The words left his mouth without thought. "Another gift from me."

Gin nodded, and quickly scarpered out of the classroom, obviously hoping the man wouldn't see the giddy idiotic grin on his face, or the bright pink flush colouring his cheeks again.

But it hadn't gone unnoticed. And Sousuke stood smiling after his darling Gin long after the boy left.

He was just packing up the last of his things when he heard her.

"Aizen-sama, that was mean." came the voice, calling to him from the open window. It was Kyouka Suigetsu, this time taking the appearance of a little robin, perched on the window ledge, the breeze ruffling her feathers a little.

Sousuke smirked, "Wasn't it just?" he said. He was very pleased with himself. Certain that nobody else could make his little darling go pink like that except him.

"Must you tease the poor thing like that? His face is all red now. And he's going to develop a hickey on his neck, too! What will people say?"

"Ah, I was just marking my territory, Kyouka. And I doubt people will say anything."

She huffed and flew up to land on his shoulder as he left the classroom, too. Fluffing up her chest in her huff. "Hmph. They will if you keep on the way you are."

He chuckled softly, reaching up to stroke her chest with his forefinger. "Ah, you worry too much." he said gently.

"And you don't worry half as much as you should." she retorted, clearly annoyed with him. He only chuckled again in answer.