a/n: updating because I am laid up in bed with the flu, in a lot of pain and could use some nice comments :) also I need to get some of my heirverse backlog typed up before I start wearing the ink away thumbing through the pages. I know I wanted a day off work but not like this.

Notes: NSFW near the end for the direction it ends up in and Aizen having a play at some teacher/student dynamic. Also: More of the flower language and Aizen being devious - but thats not news.

Gin's line about the lamp post I write for Gleish26. Because we both know what happens to the idiot a bit later. The gladiolus sections get referenced everywhere in this series, as well, so it's probably a good idea to check out some of the other stories too. That flower is one of my favourites and I really enjoy writing those sections out. Enjoy.

Edit: I think I've caught all the typos, but I was ill when I wrote this up so if you spot any spelling mistakes please tell me and I will correct them.

Chapter 18: You Pierce My Heart

It was hard not to laugh at his little fox.

Gin's face was still hot and red even as the two of them walked down the street. Gin was quietly furious that his face was still the colour of an angry red sun, and Sousuke still found the sight most pleasing to his eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself at his Gin muttering obscenities under his breath at his friend for embarrassing him again. He was cute, all angry and scowling and with cheeks a very nice shade of red. He did think about chastising the boy for spouting such vulgarity, but he decided this would be more fun.

And there will be plenty of time for that later, he rationalised, smiling at the thought of it. He would indeed teach Gin many things. Things preferably involving ropes and a bed...

Aizen-sama! Kyouka Suigetsu chided him, You behave!

He frowned as he felt her settle on his shoulder again, still taking the form of a robin. You never let me have any fun.

She pecked him on the shoulder in response. Hard.

So? He's clearly not ready for any of that yet!

He is, Sousuke told her, he just doesn't want to admit it yet.

She pecked him harder, on the neck this time. His frown deepened.

You do things at his pace. She ordered. Not yours.

He sighed at her. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Yes. Fine. You don't have to peck me. I shall take things at a glacial pace, if that's what he wants. If that's what this game requires.

He felt her fluff up her feathers, satisfied with his reply. Happy it was a genuine one. Well, as genuine as it could be, anyway. Hm. Good. She said. Because I know what you're like. Ripping the petals off flowers before they're ready...

Sousuke kept his frown firmly in place. Somehow, I don't think you are talking about my plants here.

I'm not.

Because I'm an excellent gardener, you know.

I know.

And as such, do you really think I'd not look after him? He let his gaze focus on the object of their discussion, his face softening into a smile, Take care of him?

Kyouka studied him a moment, considering. Searching his soul, his intentions. She was a part of him, and she could see these things. Feel these things. Hidden away though they were.

No, she said finally, her voice soft. But it doesn't hurt to make sure.

Sousuke smiled at that. Of course.

It was then that he felt his darling's attention shift onto him again. A change he was always instantly aware of, and always in tune with.

"Sousuke?" Gin called out to him. Making his smile broaden.

"Yes, darling?"

His little Gin's blush returned at the endearment, and he felt his smile widen considerably.

"Ha- have ya been watchin' me grouch this whole time?"

Sousuke was amused by the question, by the fact that Gin felt the need to ask it, and he smiled happily down at his Gin. Feigning innocence.

"why, yes, I have." he replied, and he got to watch his darling redden further.

"Aizen-san!" Gin exclaimed, chiding him almost. It was cute though, how Gin thought he could tell him off. The student scolding the teacher. It did make him wonder, though, how else Gin might reverse their roles in the future. Who knew? Maybe many years from now Gin might even switch their roles in bed.

Hm, I guess only time will tell me that. But back to the matter at hand...

"What?" Sousuke laughed, pretending innocence again. He was good at that. He had spent decades pretending innocence. "What's wrong with me looking at you?" He caught sight of Gin's frown, and let his grin soften a little. "You're very pleasing to look at."

He watched a variety of expressions and emotions play across Gin's face, from pleasure to awkwardness to embarrassment to joy. It made him smile. Oh, my darling, you really do need to work on your pokerface. As you are now, I can read you like a book.

Gin opened and closed his mouth, fumbling around for words, blushing furiously. "Ah, yeah... well... do-don't ya think ya better watch where yer goin' instead? Ya might walk inta a lamp post er somethin' if ya aint careful."

"Oh, you needn't worry about me," Sousuke replied, waving away Gin's concerns. "I'm always careful."

Gin frowned at him, no doubt sceptical of that statement. "Uh-huh. Well then, be even more careful."

Sousuke only grinned broadly in answer. "Aw, this is cute. You're worried about me."

His Gin's cheeks flushed that delicate shade of pink he liked again, as the boy folded his arms across his chest in defiance of the assumption. Even though it was true. Gin was obviously worried about him getting hurt.

"No!" Gin spluttered, "I jus' don' want ya walkin' inta stuff and havin' people blame me."

But Sousuke just kept on grinning. Oh, Gin. I'd believe you if you weren't blushing so hard.

"Oh, I think you're worried about me." he teased, thoroughly enjoying this. Gin only folded his arms tighter and looked away defiantly. Scowling.

"Nope." Gin told him. Adamant. Sousuke fought back an amused chuckle and frowned.

"Oh," he said, feigning hurt now, "Well, now I'm disappointed. And here I thought you actually cared about me."

Gin's facial expression at that statement was a mixture of horror and satisfaction, with some panic thrown in there, too. Though Sousuke suspected the panic won out, because Gin's invariably closed eyes opened, just for a second, and gave him a glimpse of his gorgeous red eyes. He suspected Gin wasn't aware of this. It was all he could do not to laugh. It was so much fun to push Gin's buttons. So easy to manipulate Gin's emotions.

"Because I care about you," he added, laying on the pretense of dejected disappointment thickly. "I care quite deeply for you, actually."

He placed his hand flat on his chest with that last statement, and then sighed heavily. It was difficult to not burst into a fit of maniacal laughter at the look of guilt on Gin's face. Because his darling was no doubt thinking of the lavender and feeling awful about it.

Just admit you like me, Gin. It'll be so much easier.

Though when Gin's expression morphed into one of dejection, his stomach did twist in on itself. That was when his zanpaktou pecked him again. Hard. A warning to cease and desist if he ever wanted to build anything with the boy.

Enough. She hissed. Fix this. Now.

He sighed. He supposed he'd had enough fun at Gin's expense. It was time to remedy the situation, the only way he knew how.

"If I had a gladiolus, I'd..." he began, having intending to say, 'I'd give you one and show you'. But the sight of the cluster of the red flowers he was speaking of stopped him mid-stride and mid-sentence. They were at the side of the pavement, right by the entrance to the park, long stemmed and vibrant. Gin stopped beside him, confused.

"Wait here." Sousuke told him, and walked over to cut one of the gladioli with Kyouka Suigetsu.

He chose a smaller one of the spear-like blooms, so it would fit comfortably in Gin's hand. Gladioli could grow to be quite long and tall, and he wanted one that wouldn't look ridiculously large when Gin held it. So he cut a younger gladiolus, with six bright red flowers. Each one perfect, unblemished. He unsheathed his zanpaktou and carefully cut the stem reasonably short, leaving enough length so it could sit in a vase. When he was done, he re-sheathed Kyouka Suigetsu and smiled at his choice, satisfied.

Yes, perfect, he thought. And then walked back over to where Gin waited for him. Each of his strides long and confident.

. . .

Gin watched him walk off, amazed at how easily distracted the man was. But when he saw Aizen cut off one of the bright, spear-like flowers, he understood. Oh, it must mean something in our new language.

Shinsou snickered quietly in his mind. I like how you're claiming the language already, he teased. Clearly approving of this.

Gin only rolled his eyes. Well, duh. I do wanna share more than spit an'... Gin couldn't help his blush, body fluids with him.

Shinsou started laughing, but Gin ignored him. Deciding to watch Aizen instead.

The man returned, stopping in front of him, beaming the brightest smile, proudly presenting Gin with his latest offering.

"For you." he said.

Gin reached out and took it, slowly. The moths in his belly taking flight again, his heart bashing against the cage of his ribs as their fingers brushed together again.

"A gladiolus." Aizen told him, answering his question of what the flower was before Gin even had a chance to ask it. Gin couldn't help but notice how Aizen's voice and general mood was so much more animated than before. "Remember, I showed you them in my garden the other day?"

How can his moods change so quickly? Gin wondered, a little shocked. Jus' minutes ago he were all sad an' disappointed. What happened?

He thought of a way to make you happy. Shinsou supplied.

Gin smiled at both Shinsou and Aizen, holding the flower carefully. "Yes, I remember. The flower of the gladiators."

"Yes." Aizen grinned at him. Clearly pleased Gin had remembered the information. Remembered that day.

"An' what's it mean?" Gin asked, "In the flower language?"

Gin watched as the man's grin grew considerably wider, but whether it was with joy or amusement, Gin couldn't tell.

"You have your own flower dictionary now," Aizen told him, "Why don't you look it up?"

Gin grinned back in answer. Oh, yes. That's right. I can. "Good idea. I will."

. . .

Even before Aizen opened the front door to his home, Gin already had the dictionary open, searching for the G section. The second the door was open, he made a beeline for the sofa, set his bag down beside him and sat down heavily. Fingers holding the little hardback book close to his face. Somewhere in the doorway he could hear Aizen chuckling at his eagerness, but he ignored it.

"Hmm, lessee," he pondered, grinning to himself because now finally, finally, he had something to translate the offerings of this whimsical, capricious magician without any help. Not that he didn't appreciate help at all, but it was just nice to be self sufficient.

"Gladiolus... gladiolus..." Gin ran his finger down the page, searching for it. Going down the list in alphabetical order. The book sitting on his lap. "Garden sage, gardenia, gathered flowers... jeez, how many geranium varieties? Gillyflower... aha! Gladiolus!"

"Ah," Sousuke said, materialising behind him, sounding pleased, "You found it."

"Uh-huh," Gin nodded, holding the book up to his face, reading the meaning of the flower.

"And?" Sousuke prompted, sitting down beside him and setting two mugs of tea on the coffee table. Gin had to do a double-take at his speed. When did he have time to make me tea? He wondered. But Aizen's arm around the back of his shoulders pushed the thought from his head.

"What does it mean?" Aizen asked him, his voice that of a teacher about to ease his student into a lesson. Albeit with very sensual undertones. "The gladiolus?"

Gin swallowed, skin tingling at his touch, trying to force his body not to tremble too visibly. "Ready armed," he answered, reading the printed words. Trying to keep his voice steady. "You pierce my heart. But you've scribbled some other stuff here, too."

"Ah," Aizen said, letting his fingers lazily roam first down, then up, the length of Gin's spine. Sending little jolts of excitement through his body, even through his clothes. "Then this will be a lesson in context for you. Can you read what I've written?"

The large hand came to rest on his hip, and Gin had to take a deep, shaky breath to let himself think. Because the man was just so close and whenever they were in close proximity his brain tended to shut down all rational thought processes in favour of other desires.

"Ye-yes..." he said, clearing his throat in an attempt to remain composed. But even that was difficult with his traitorous body reacting the way it did whenever the man so much as looked at him. I'll read whatever ya want me to.

"You wound me." Gin read. "Or, you pierce my heart with passion." He frowned at the words, "I'm confused. Which is it?"

Aizen smiled at him, "Well, that depends on the situation. Remember what I told you about context being important?"

"Yes," Gin said, thankful that hand on him was still and not distracting him by drawing lazy seductive patterns on his body. "I remember."

"Good," Sousuke praised, "Now, because the meaning of the gladiolus is subjective, there are two ways you can interpret this," he began, "Depending on whether you look at it from the perspective of your latest offering to me, or..." Aizen let his hand move again, slowly, up along Gin's waist, curling around his chest. "From looking at our earlier conversation, before I gave the flower to you."

Gin gasped at the gentle touches, heart crashing around inside his chest, the touches were so damn arousing and distracting. Sexual and yet not sexual. Making his heart race. The worst part was that Sousuke could feel it, and Gin knew he could feel it, his hand now resting flat over his heart as it beat away like a mad thing. Gin had a fleeting thought that this was why ribs were cages, because hearts were wild animals that would escape at any opportunity presented.

"Your heart is racing." Sousuke told him. Waiting for Gin to puzzle out the answer. Not that the man was making it easy, what with his hands on him. "Don't tell me I'm distracting you."

Gin took a deep breath in and out. Settle, he willed his thumping heart. I can't think if you don't settle.

It took a moment, but amazingly, Gin's heart obeyed him. It calmed and slowed, stopping it's thrashing and resuming beating at a steady pace again. Allowing Gin the space he needed to think. Because he knew this was going to be an important lesson.

"Hmm, I think I got it." Gin said, his sharp mind quick to put it together. "If I take it from wha' ya told me earlier about how ya cared fer me, it means you pierce my heart with passion. As in, you have pierced my heart and made me love you. Cuz yer in love wit' me. But ya also said ya were disappointed I wasn' worried about ya, so if I look at it that way... then it means you wound me."

"Good." Sousuke nodded, "And if you take into consideration the lavender you left me..." he prompted gently, waiting for Gin to make the connection.

"Then it means the same thing." Gin finished, "But given that yer tryin' ta convince me you love me, it could be both."

He risked a glance up at Sousuke, and saw the man nodding and smiling. "Yes, go on."

Gin pointed his finger to Aizen's handwriting in the book. Rangiku was right. He really did have lovely handwriting. "Cuz ya put here, You stab/pierce my heart. So what ya really wanna say ta me is, You wound me, I care deeply for you. You have pierced my heart with passion and made me love you."

Gin cocked his head to the side, turning it a little towards Sousuke, smiling at his explanation. "Isn't that right, Aizen-sama?

. . .

Aizen-sama.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Aizen's lips.

Aizen-sama.

The words sent a spear of heat through him. Mm. Yes. I like that. Call me that again.

"Yes," he said, letting his hand roam slowly down Gin's chest. His thumb brushing gently against his darling's soft skin as it moved down the centre line of his body. Eliciting a quiet gasp from Gin as it traveled slowly downwards.

"That's right," he smiled, moving his hand back up again. Thumb, palm and fingers ghosting steadily over pale skin. Enjoying the gasps Gin made. "That is precisely what gladiolus means in the flower language... exactly what I wanted to say."

He let his hand caress dangerously southward down Gin's oh so delectable body. Gin's facial expressions and slight moans only adding fuel to the desire sparking in him to touch and taste every inch of Gin's body. Arousal curling its way slowly around him, pooling in his stomach, his groin, as he thought of all the ways he could make his Gin moan and scream his name.

Aizen-sama. Or better yet, Sousuke.

He wanted to completely dominate Gin's thoughts and be the only thing he thought of. To be the sole object of his darling's focus and attention. He'd had a taste of what that felt like the last time he'd had Gin on his back, in his bed, moaning loud and breathless and calling out his name in the throes of pleasure.

Sousuke! Oh, oh gods-

He smirked. Yes, that was certainly an experience I'd like to repeat. Let's see if we can...

He moved in closer and shifted so he had better access Gin's neck with his lips, so he could murmur in Gin's ear.

"I can see I was right about your sharp mind," he breathed, voice low and sensual, hands working their magic on Gin's lithe body. His lips connecting with the skin on Gin's neck for a mind melting kiss. "You've picked this language up quickly. I'm very pleased."

He felt Gin moan, then, quiet and soft as he punctuated his sentences with more hungry kisses on the delicate skin of Gin's neck. Each one long, lingering, ravenous. "I think," he said, kissing him again, "I should reward my student for showing such proficiency."

"Aizen-" Gin gasped, closing his eyes and trying to suppress another moan, "Oh..."

Sousuke answered him with a deep, throaty chuckle. It was obvious that his darling was beginning to lose all rational thought now. Beginning to fall under the magical spell he was casting with his hands roaming over his body. With his lips kissing his skin. Another smile passed his lips as he savoured the moment. Yes. It won't be long now before I get another taste of you.

"Now, now Gin," he chided gently, shifting his weight again so he was straddling Gin. Feeling Gin's slim, bony hips under his thighs as he gently pressed Gin down. "We've talked about this. You should be addressing me properly."

He heard Gin moan again, half aroused, half frustrated as Sousuke picked up the book from his hand and set it on the table. Because it wouldn't do to get cum all over it now, would it?

Gin's breaths were harsh and laboured, his chest heaving with each intake of air. The dazed expression on Gin's face told him his darling was trying so, so hard to turn the gears in his brain, even through the thick fog of lust he'd been thrown into. A strangled moan escaped Gin's throat at being pinned down like this, at being touched and kissed and desired. Pressured ever so slightly by the energy Aizen himself exuded.

"Ai..." Gin began, though his thought died when Sousuke let his hands roam upwards, pushing the blue and white fabric of his uniform off his shoulders, palms and fingers running freely over naked skin. His hands continued their journey over Gin's body, down over his chest, his waist, his ribs... exposing more and more pretty soft skin as they went. Soft, pale skin that was untainted, unmarked.

Sousuke figured it was time to change that.

Gin gasped, fighting a moan and failing as Sousuke's fingers ghosted over his ribs, and it drew another chuckle out of him.

"Oh, you have sensitive ribs." he said, moving his hands across them, laying his palms flat and sliding them down either side of Gin's slim waist and over his ribs, enjoying the little shivers of pleasure the caresses enticed out of Gin. "And a sensitive waist."

Aizen smiled, quietly enjoying his Gin's reactions to such subtle touches and presses. "I wonder where else you like to be touched. Perhaps we can find out... if you address me properly as we discussed."

Sousuke let his hands come to rest on either side of Gin's waist, pausing for effect. To give time for the boy to miss his touches and kisses. Although that didn't take very long.

A heavy sigh left his darling, thick with disappointment. No doubt he was trying to string together a coherent thought through the mist of desire coursing through his body, clouding his thoughts. His mind. Pale hands reached up to touch him, but those slim wrists were gently captured and held down. Gin whined softly in frustration, and Aizen couldn't suppress his devious smile as he looked down at his darling Gin lying pinned under him. Slim wrists in his grip, panting, pale skin flush with the heat of desire. Eyes propped half open to reveal a set of gorgeous red irises... beautiful. In all aspects, beautiful.

So much so that it was taking a large amount of self control for Sousuke to keep himself restrained. To look but not touch. Not devour. Not consume.

Do you know how beautiful you look to me right now, Gin? Pinned under me, looking at me the way you are? At my mercy, completely trusting me?

At this rate it will take all of my self control to wait for you.

Gin moaned softly, ad Sousuke couldn't tell if his darling was aroused or frustrated at being restrained, however gently. He suspected it was a little of both.

"Aizen-sama," Gin sighed breathlessly, like a needy lover, "Please... touch me."

The words sent another spear of heat through him. As did Gin's expression. His vibrant red eyes... his dazed, lustful smile...

Aizen-sama. Touch me...

Sousuke's breath caught in his throat, but only for a moment. The smile, however... that tugged the corners of his lips into a wild grin... that stayed there. Again the gladiolus came to his mind, as did it's meaning. You pierce my heart with passion.

Appropriate. So very appropriate. Because he was certainly feeling a lot of passion right now.

He'd struck the match and watched it burn, and set their world ablaze with passion. With fire. Him, the pyromaniac, with Gin's veins all full of gas, burning high and hot for him. Desire spreading like a wildfire, ready to scorch them both to ash.

But then, he always did like to play with fire.

"Mmm, very good," he purred, relinquishing Gin's wrists and leaning himself down to continue kissing his darling's bare neck, trapping him with his body, his arms. "But I think you can do better than that."

Gin let out another soft, breathy moan as his neck was attacked again by lips and teeth and tongue.

"Aizen! Fu-fuck!"

Aizen paused in his ministrations and smirked into his Gin's neck. "Now, now," he chided, "There's no need for any profanity. I believe it was a very simple request. Not all that difficult."

Gin let out another strangled moan of frustration and arousal both as Sousuke let his fingers resume working their magic again. Trailing lazy lines up and down and around Gin's body. Oh, he was enjoying this. Having Gin at his complete mercy. So naïve, so beautiful, so trusting... no, not quite trusting yet. There was still the lavender, sitting unassumingly on his desk. That was an issue he'd have to overcome to gain Gin's trust. Indeed, it would be difficult. A challenge. But he always did enjoy the game of pursuit and capture. And when in the end, Gin finally did cave in and spread his legs for him, he'd enjoy it all the more after having to work so hard for it.

Until then, he'd savour every moment of this cat and mouse game they were playing. Take the time to truly enjoy moments like this.

And there would definitely be many more moments like these. He was certain.

"No," Gin whispered, just about capable of words, "Not that difficult"

"No," Aizen smiled down at him.

Ah, Gin, I'd believe you if you weren't concentrating so hard just to string together a coherent thought. I can see the little wheels and gears in your mind whirring and clicking, working overtime just to keep you focused on my words and not my touches. My kisses...

"So," Aizen began again, "Do you want to try again?"

Gin smiled up at him, once again snatching his breath away; his cheeks were still flushed with the heat of desire he'd ignited, and his eyes were heavily lidded, open just enough to let him see those gorgeous red eyes of his.

Beautiful. Truly.

There was a little extra something in Gin's smile this time, though. Something sly. Devious. Cunning. Something no-one else but Aizen Sousuke would notice. And it made him pause for a second. But only for a second. Because he was Aizen Sousuke, and he could not let his mask of control slip for even a moment. Instead, he just smirked back.

He's enjoying this. Is he playing me at my own game?

Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, he felt his zanpaktou give a little smirk of amusement. I don't know, Aizen-sama. You tell me.

Gin's pause and feigned thoughtfulness was his answer.

Oh, you sly little fox.

"Yes," Gin panted, finally breaking the silence. That same devilish smile playing on his lips. "Sousuke."