a/n – I've been missing in action for a bit. Got sucked into the writing and forgot about the actual typing and updating parts. But there's a reason for this. There's a lot of cross references to a scene (scenes?) in ch18/19 here that gets referenced in at least two other stories in this universe (cwst and Heir) and it requires a lot of story hopping while writing for all of them simultaneously. I'm trying to keep some heirverse consistency here, and it's tough. And more stories are coming... goodness.

I have a feeling Game is going to become a monster for length. I estimated 30 chapters to get to the end but I feel it's going to end up a kraken like Heir. Can we survive this? Is no better. That is estimated at least 54 chapters. Maybe even 56-60 depending on how things pan out. The heirverse is crazy big. I'm just a little bit envious of authors of shorter stories. Mine are monsters. Heir is a kraken. Survive will be a behemoth. I do love them, but they're monsters. Saying this, i'd not trade control over this story-verse for anything. Particularly my flower language.

Chapter 17: They're Definitely in Cahoots

Out of Sousuke's line of sight, and several long corridors away, Gin leant against a wall, trying to calm down enough to get the redness out of his cheeks. He wasn't succeeding.

He took several deep breaths to try and remedy the situation, because he couldn't walk around with a face the colour of an angry sun. people would think he had a problem. Well, he did have a problem. A man called Aizen Sousuke kept making his face turn fifty shades of red. Gin's fingers gripped the books in his hands tighter. It wasn't fair! Sousuke held the power to make him smile like a giddy fool and pinken his light skin so easily. With a few well timed words and foolish gestures of affection. Why couldn't he have an iota of that power over Sousuke? Why was it all so one sided?

Gin groaned and leant the back of his head against the wall, letting it leech some of the heat out of him.

This's gonna be a lot harder than I thought.

You're telling me. Shinsou teased. The rate you're going, I'm surprised you aren't hard all the ti-

Is that all you think about? Gin asked him, rolling his eyes. Shinsou only snickered. His zanpaktou was doing that a lot lately. And frankly, it was beginning to get irritating.

I only think about it because you do. The spirit teased.

Gin blew the air out of his nose. Says you.

Says a part of you. Shinsou countered. Did you forget? I am you and you are me. I think and feel everything you do.

Shinsou paused, taking note of his master's scowl. For example, right now, aside from your frustration with me, I know you're very happy because the only thing on your beloved's mind just now was you.

The scowl did not leave Gin's face. Who says he's my beloved? He retorted.

Everyone. Shinsou smirked his foxy grin. And though Gin couldn't see it, he could feel it.

Everyone? Gin echoed, his embrace of the books tightening further. Because no-one, no-one could know of this. He'd been careful, so careful in how he acted when they were around others.

Everyone who matters, Shinsou elaborated. Me. Ran. You. Him.

The last person on Shinsou's list brought his mind to a screeching halt. Him. And it made Gin wonder, was he so transparent? Could Aizen Sousuke see straight through his facade of coldness and indifference? The man was highly intelligent... it stood to reason he'd at least notice something was up with him. That something was amiss. That Gin's body was a constant traitor of him was certain. But were his emotions so see-through? He did wonder. Aizen Sousuke was an enigma, a puzzle. So it was difficult, if not impossible, to discern how much he knew, how much he observed.

Shinsou's voice cut through his thoughts. You're frowning again.

Immediately Gin's frown vanished.

You're thinking way too much over this, you know.

Gin sighed. I know, He answered. It's just... it's complicated is all. I'd walk away just based on his reputation alone. But then he goes an' does stuff like this- Gin gestured to the books in his hands, An' it makes it so much harder ta think about leavin' 'im.

Shinsou listened to his master patiently as Gin sighed.

I dunno, Gin huffed, maybe I'm jus' makin' somethin' outta nothin'. But I just don't wanna end up like his others.

Shinsou sighed softly. Is this about what those girls were talking about earlier?

Gin paused, wincing. Kinda.

You shouldn't pay them any attention, Shinsou told him firmly, materialising on Gin's shoulders.

I know. But-

Yeah, yeah, I know. Shinsou cut him off. It's hard not to listen. I get that. But listen to me – the only opinions that matter on this are yours and his. And maybe Ran's. Nothing else matters. Besides, you didn't see his face when you were grinning like a loony despite trying not to when he said you could keep the dictionary.

Shinsou's eyes squinted as he curled around Gin's shoulders and neck, pressing his cool nose into Gin's neck, with his front paws nestled just above his collarbones. I thought it was cute, the way he mirrored your expression.

"What?!" Gin blurted out, checking himself when he realised he'd shouted aloud instead of mentally. He quickly lowered his voice to an indignant whisper. "How can that pervert be cute?"

"Ah," Shinsou mused dreamily, "He looked like a happy, dorky librarian."

"I bet it was just an act." Gin continued, "Like everythin' else he does."

"Hm," Shinsou paused, thinking for a moment. "I didn't think it was an act. I think he genuinely wants to make you happy. And I think, despite what you say, he's succeeding."

Gin thought about that for a moment, considering the statement.

"It's something to think about, anyway," Shinsou added.

"You sound like Ran." Gin told his zanpaktou as he stood and slowly made his way to the spot he usually met Rangiku for lunch. Shinsou only chuckled.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Gin only rolled his eyes as he walked, pushing open the doors, enjoying the spring air outside. He wasn't in the mood to argue. Not now. Not today. Not after Sousuke had given him his very own flower dictionary – something he'd needed ever since that red tulip had been handed to him. After the man had given him what he'd craved since the beginning – his full, rapt attention.

He broke into a run as soon as he entered the courtyard, trying not to think of the possibility that Shinsou was right.

. . .

"There you are!" Ran called out to him when he came jogging up to her. She was sitting in the shade of a blossom tree – their usual spot on sunny days like today. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

Gin sat down beside her, catching his breath. "Sorry I'm... late..." he panted, "Got a bit distracted."

She smiled softly, "It's fine. I figured you'd get into talking together. What did he say, anyway?"

"Well..." Gin began, thinking of how best to phrase it in the best possible way. While still keeping the details of their more... physical activities to himself.

"Tell me!" Ran whined, "Gin, you promised!"

"I will!" Gin told her, "Jus' lemme gather me thoughts a bit."

Rangiku hushed immediately and waited expectantly, like a cute puppy awaiting a promised treat. Gin had a thought that if she had a tail, it would be wagging rapidly.

"A'ight." Gin began, "So, he gave me the textbook, as you know. And he also gave me his flower dictionary."

"What? To borrow?" she asked, highly curious.

"No. he said I could keep it." Gin told her, flushing a little despite himself. He noticed Ran's happy smile broaden at this, and he continued. "an' well, we had the what are we? talk. Are we together? Ya know?"

Gin thought of Sousuke's face then, the playful smirk as he said the words. I don't know Gin, are we together?

He must have been smirking himself, because the next thing he knew, Ran was pressing him rather insistently for more information. More details.

"And then what?" she prodded him, "Then what? Gin! Tell me!"

Gin thought, too, of his own reply in answer to those words. I asked you first.

"Well, long story short, I think we're together now." Gin added, raising his fingers to his chin in thought, his cheeks reddening. "I think he wanted to grab me an'... do things to me right then, but I got him to wait for me."

Silence reigned for what felt like an age as Gin watched Rangku process all of these new developments. Her mouth was hanging open, catching flies as Shinsou might say, and the seconds continued to tick by. Gin growing more and more uneasy with each silent second that passed them by.

"Well say somethin'!" he blurted out when it became too much.

She didn't say anything. She only screamed with joy and pounced on him, squeezing him to her in a tight embrace.

"Oh, Gin, I'm so happy!"

But Gin's face was buried in her chest, his protests begging to get her to let him go muffled by her large breasts. Yer crushing my lungs! He wanted to shout at her. But the air was being squeezed out of him, and the words died before they left him. He could only try to push her off him, while she babbled on about how happy she was for them.

"I knew you two were a match! See, it pays to listen to me." she told him, more than a little smug, " I wonder when you'll get married. Oh, you'll be so happy together, I just know it!"

Gin wanted to scream at her, I can't breathe! But she wasn't paying attention.

"Oh, it's perfect. Just perfect!"

Losing his patience, and his oxygen, Gin began thumping her shoulder with his fist to get her attention. Which thankfully, he did get, because he really thought he might faint from lack of oxygen. Or suffocate and die. And if he went that way, they'd talk about him forever as the guy who got smothered to death by Rangiku-san's great breasts. Every teenage boy's dream... but not Gin's. Gin would rather die in battle. That was far more brave and dignified. Though more likely he'd probably die being fucked to death by Aizen-sama. Especially at the rate things were going. It seemed that man just could not get enough of him.

She stopped gushing very suddenly, realising she was suffocating Gin. Quickly releasing him so he fell backwards.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "Oops! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?!"

Gin was dropped to the ground, and promptly began sucking in large lungfuls of air. Chest heaving with the effort, he crawled onto his hands and knees.

"It's... okay..." he panted, collapsing onto his back, exhausted just from the effort of breathing again after nearly suffocating. "Jus'... don't do that again. I wanna live, please."

"Sorry," she said again, her fingers covering her lips, "I just got a bit excited."

Gin had to smile up at her. "I think that were a little more than a lil bit." he teased, making her blush. Good, Gin thought, revenge fer flusterin' me before.

She smiled warmly down at him, her cheeks still a little flushed from her earlier excitement.

"I suppose it was." she said, "Sorry if I got carried away."

Gin turned his eyes to her, opening them for her, "Ran," he said gently, "Don' ever apologise for expressin' yerself. Not to me. If ya wanna be excited, be excited." Then he grinned, lightening the conversation considerably, and her mood, too. "Maybe just try not to crush me lungs so much next time."

She beamed a smile at him. "I'll try not to."

Gin laughed, an action that hurt his ribs. He groaned and clutched his body, willing the pain to vanish.

"Damn, when did ya get so strong?" he asked.

That drew another smile from her. "Well, I have been training this whole time." she told him, a little smugly, "You were the one not paying attention. Although," she smirked, "you were preoccupied with staring longingly at Aizen-san, so I'll let it slide."

"How generous of ya." Gin replied, managing a sly smirk of his own before he sighed, his body exhausted.

"Damn, this's the second time I've had ta catch me breath lyin' on me back."

Third, actually, Shinsou corrected him. If you count the time he had your-

Okay, I get it! Gin snapped at his zanpaktou, but Shinsou ignored him.

-Sucked you like a lollipop-

You can stop talking about it now!

-and he tasted you.

Shinsou was definitely smirking now. But Gin didn't even dignify that with an answer. Instead, he focused on Rangiku, who had a rather curious expression on her face.

"It is?" she asked, "The second time?"

"Yeah." Gin admitted. "First him, now you. I swear yer in cahoots."

She leant over him and grinned devilishly. A smirk akin to one of Sousuke's. "Who says we aren't?" she asked him teasingly, and he just gave her an exasperated groan and covered his face with his arm. She laughed lightly.

"Don't worry, we aren't." she assured him, "It's just fun to tease you."

Gin groaned again as he recalled another voice saying the same words. Another set of lips smirking as their owner said them, white teeth showing.

It's fun to tease you.

"Funny," Gin told her, "that's what he said. Ya sure you don' wanna date him 'stead a me?"

she smiled broadly and held up her hands, "Oh no, he's all yours. I'll let you have the pleasure of having him and making all his fangirls envious."

"Damn. I were hoping to save meself some trouble there."

She giggled at him. "You know, I'd believe you if you sounded more sincere. And if you didn't smile so much whenever he's around."

His smile at her last comment was lazy. "You know too much, you do."

"Well, as your best friend, it's my job to know everything about you." she told him, her expression smug as she lay a hand on her chest, "Anyway, let's have a look at that flower dictionary he gave you."

He reached beside him and handed it to her. "Here. Prob'ly aint nothin' excitin' in it though, if that's what yer hopin'."

she took the little book from his outstretched hand and began flicking through the pages.

"Wow, he's really studied this language," she gasped softly, "There's meanings and even different contexts for some of the flowers in here he's written. I may have to ask him to teach me some of what he knows."

She turned another page and Gin closed his eyes, resting them for a moment as she scanned over this new book.

"Oh, Gin, he has the loveliest handwriting. You should see it."

Gin smiled to himself as he listened to her, letting his attention drift. I know. I saw it.

"He really is gorgeous, Gin, even his handwriting..."

Yeah... I got me a real catch. He sighed, content as his body relaxed. He might have even had a quick nap, if it weren't for Rangiku's next words.

"Hey, what's this?"

"Dunno." Gin said, "don' care." He was so sleepy. Couldn't this wait a while?

"Well, you should care," she countered, "Because it looks like a note from Aizen-san."

That brought Gin out of his tranquility quite sharpish. "What?!"

"Addressed to you. Shall I read it out?"

"No!" Gin scrambled to sit up and snatched the thing out of her hand. Because who knew what sort of dirty things were in that note she could tease him about forever. "Lemme see it!"

"Okay, okay," she sighed, "Though it's nice to see you're eager."

Gin waved his hand and shushed her, "Quiet. Lemme read."

He unfolded the piece of paper in his hands. It had been folded twice. And each fold was crisp and precise. The edges perfectly aligned and folded the way Gin could never accomplish regardless of how much he tried. He could feel Ran's eyes peering over his shoulder as his eyes scanned across each word, searing them into his brain. But that didn't matter. He trusted her not to gossip about the contents of the note. And at any rate, at least she wasn't reading it out loud for anyone who walked by to hear. Which was a good thing, given the suggestive nature of its content.

Gin's breath caught, though, as he read the words a second time.

See me tonight. It seems I have to educate you in the language of flowers... among other things. Perhaps we can continue from where we left off the other morning? I want to taste you again.

Sousuke.

P.S. - Lavender? Really? You wound me. Expect my reply to that very soon.

Gin could feel his face grow hotter than the sun as he registered the words. His cheeks turning about fifty different shades of red. Thankfully, Rangiku couldn't see because she was behind him. At least he hoped she couldn't see, anyway.

Thankfully though, her attention was drawn to something else.

"Lavender!" she shrieked, swatting him hard, "You. Sent him. Lavender?! What were you thinking?! Do you know what it means?" she shook her head and Gin winced. Clearly she was upset by this. "Did you even read the book I gave you?"

Gin frowned. I read it cover to cover. But he couldn't tell her that. It'd kill her if she knew about the game he was playing with Sousuke.

Rangiku sighed, running a hand through her hair in her exasperation. "It's okay," she breathed, in and out through her nose, "We can fix this."

Gin's eyes found her face again as he stared at her. "We?"

"Yes." she said firmly. "We."

She leafed through the flower dictionary in search of a remedy for this situation. "I am going to help you fix this."

Gin said nothing. It was best to keep his mouth shut. Because once Ran made up her mind about something it was impossible to talk her out of it. And it wasn't like he didn't know sending the man lavender was cold. Calculating, even. But it got his attention. And now Gin was thinking of his next move, anticipating the possible replies Sousuke could come up with, and trying to pre-empt his answers to them. Thinking of the possible ways he could stick his claws into Aizen Sousuke. His Sousuke. Because every time the man looked at anyone else, Gin had to fight an urge to climb him like a tree and screech at anyone who came too close to piss off.

Of course, Ran had said he was the only one Aizen saw suiting him. But Gin knew better. At the moment, he was disposable. He needed to change this. The wheels and gears whirred and clicked in his head. If only there were a way... a way besides the flowers... But Gin supposed there would be plenty of time for a solution to present itself. And when it did, Gin was sure there'd be a lot of room for them to fall in love, too.

That was, if Rangiku didn't throw a wrench in the works. Although with her track record, it was quite likely she would. But then again, she did tend to be right about this sort of thing. She'd been right about Aizen so far... maybe he should hear her out.

"How?" he asked, "How're you gonna 'fix this'?"

"Give me a minute, I'm thinking."

Gin sat back and watched her study his flower dictionary, scouring the pages furiously for a solution. Until a thought occurred to him.

Please, he pleaded to all the deities he could think of. Please dear gods on high, if there's a flower that means 'I want sex' don't let her send him that one pretendin' ta be me.

. . .

At the end of the school day, Rangiku practically frog-marched him all the way to Aizen's classroom, the flowers of her choice forced into his hand. Well, not entirely forced, because Gin felt her choices were a pretty accurate summary of his feelings. It has to be convincing, she said, when he'd asked why she wasn't going with one of her earlier suggestions declaring Gin's ardent love for him. And fit with the lavender you sent. Otherwise you'll send mixed messages and turn him off.

It made sense. She'd chosen a branch of white poplar, for time. And peppermint for warmth of feeling.

Both together they meant: "in time my feelings will warm to you."

"Right," she said, holding his shoulders so she could look directly at him as they stood by the door to the classroom. "Now you go in there, give him those, and you pay attention when he teaches you about the flower language."

She had an air of seriousness about her, that suggested arguments would be shot down, so Gin just nodded. "A'ight. I got it."

She smiled brightly at him. "Good. Oh, and if he asks to kiss you again, you say yes. Got it?" her smile morphed into her usual sly smirk she wore whenever the topic of Gin kissing Aizen-san came up. "Because the note said he wanted to taste you again."

Gin could feel his cheeks burn. Because he knew that line of the note wasn't about kissing. "Yes. I get it, Ran."

She grinned and clapped her hands together. Gin tried to keep the scowl on his face. Misliking the fact she was making him go red before meeting Aizen again. Because she knew it only invited more teasing from the man.

They're definitely in cahoots, he thought again. Because it wasn't just his face that flushed when they embarrassed him. No. Because his skin was so pale, his whole face and neck grew hot and red, making him look like an angry, glowing sun. He could only pray the redness calmed down before Aizen showed up. Thankfully they'd waited until the building was completely empty before venturing in to find their teacher. So nobody could make any comments or ask any questions.

He took a few deep breaths and fanned his face with his hand while Rangiku peered around the doorframe into the classroom.

"Okay, he's just packing up now." She whispered to him, "Let's go."

"Wait, Ran, I need ta calm down a bit before I-"

"Nope, you don't!" she chimed, grabbing his upper arm and dragging him into the classroom.

"Wait, Ran," Gin hissed, resisting her, "Ran!"

But she wasn't listening. And resisting was useless. And before he knew it they were standing in the middle of the empty classroom, awkwardly staring at Aizen Sousuke again. Like so many others before him. Incapable of even saying hello.

Thankfully, it was Aizen who broke the silence, glancing up at him and smiling like seeing Gin was the best part of his day.

"Ah, Gin," he smiled slyly, "I see you got my note."

Gin flushed pink again. Though he tried to fight turning red. He cleared his throat in an attempt to distract from it.

"Yes. Well. It was in a rather obvious place. A bit hard to miss."

Gin couldn't read the man's smile at that, but he saw its softness and took it as a good sign.

"Yes," Rangiku added, "And I must say he really needs you to teach him about the flower language because he's hopeless."

"Oh," Sousuke smiled at them both, "I wouldn't say hopeless. Just in need of a little tutoring. Wouldn't you agree, Gin?"

"Yes." Gin answered, and with Aizen's smile, Gin knew that was the right answer. He didn't want to admit it, though, that the smile on his own face and the blush on his cheeks were because he'd made the man happy.

"Excellent," Sousuke smiled softly, warmly, again. "I'd be more than happy to tutor you in this elegant language. Shall we retire to my place? It's a bit more private than here."

Gin watched as he closed up his briefcase and stood, holding out his hand. "Shall we?"

Gin felt the smile coming long before it spread and lit up his face. His body moved of its own accord and closed the distance between them, and his hand slipped itself into Sousuke's. Somewhere behind him, he heard Rangiku sigh happily at the sight of the two of them together, holding hands. Outwardly showing the world – or at the very least, Rangiku – they were together. Despite the chessboard spaces between them.

Aizen smiled at Rangiku, then. "I'm afraid I'm going to steal your friend away, Matsumoto-san. Do forgive me. I'll be sure to return him in one piece."

Rangiku smirked at the man. "Oh, believe me, Aizen-san, there's nothing to forgive. Steal away. You two go have fun."

Sousuke smiled, and the two of them turned to face her. Gin shy and awkward. Aizen easy and confident.

"Oh, we shall." Sousuke told her, "I plan on teaching him many things."

Gin's face flushed a light pink at that. At the suggestiveness of it.

"I hope love is one of those things." Rangiku sighed softly.

"Who knows?" Aizen answered her, "Perhaps it might be." he grinned at her, and she had to suppress a giggle at the comment.

"Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds to it." she announced, "Try and get him back to me at a reasonable time, Aizen-san. Or at least let me know if he's staying the night again."

Sousuke laughed lightly at that. "Well, I'll try, but I can't make any promises. I might not be able to keep my hands off him long enough to telephone you."

Gin reddened severely at this. "Sousuke!" he hissed. Chiding, scolding. But the man only chuckled at him.

"Ah, we best go," Aizen said, "We'll see you later, Matsumoto-san."

"Okay," she cooed, "Just try to make sure he can still sit down when he comes back."

"Ran!" Gin hissed at her, very much embarrassed. Face once again the colour of strawberries.

Rangiku didn't answer him. She just turned and skipped happily out and away, leaving Sousuke to chuckle at Gin's red face.

Again.

Gin scowled, trying not to look at him. He let go of the man's hand.

"Let's jus' go." he grumbled, sticking his flowers into a side pocket of his bag before stalking out. Leaving Aizen to follow him, still chuckling to himself.

Cahoots, Gin thought again. They're definitely in cahoots.