Returning to this story for equilibrium, headspace, and some sanity. Because between Survive and Cold Feet – I need it. Also updating for everyone who fell down the heirverse rabbithole after me, however far down it they are at this moment. There is no escape my pretties, you're stuck here with me now :)
Oh GOD I've just received THIS FANTASTIC PIECE OF PRETTY! It's SO inspiring ch21 omg!
sta .s h/ 01axbmldpaqk [just delete the spaces]
[incoherent screaming and crying because it is so pretty and done just for me and Heirverse fanart and I jshuiasihknsdsejoi]
My undying love to the artist. She'll be drawing all my illustrations and covers for me and I'm so very happy. Am still very much eagerly awaiting the art for the moment where Aizen finally says those 3 words! Also I know Aizen isn't a captain yet in this story thus far but I don't even care. It's Heirverse fanart, i'll take it. *hugs the pretty art forever*
Notes on this: AiGin teasing, banter, playfulness, more ambiguous chessplay, and the snarkiest zan spirits in the world. Enjoy!
Oh, and another quick note: [Timewaster brought this to my attention, but just to clarify for everyone else] Aizen does a lot of jumping/switching back and forth with himself over what he wants in this story. This is intentional. And a tightropewalk to write. He's drawn lines and those lines are blurring horribly and he's getting too carried away and now he can't keep track of what is chessplay and what isn't. In short: he's getting attached, loathe though he is to admit it. The writing reflects this, so it may seem confused but that's only because Aizen himself is confused. Its supposed to be a game, but he's craved companionship for SO long, and he connects with Gin, and his brain just crashes. This line here illustrates it best: "He'd have reasoned with himself that he was acting, but even he couldn't tell at the moment, the line was becoming so blurred. It was hard to keep up with what was real and what was false."
in summary: game backfires and Sousuke falls flat on his face in love but I think everybody already knows this bit.
Chapter 20: Light and playful teasing
Gin's descent back to reality when the kiss broke was a slow one. He lay there panting underneath Sousuke for several moments, steadily regaining a normal breathing rate and feeling very satisfied with the most recent turn of events. A sly grin spread slowly across his face as he ran a hand through his hair to push his bangs off his sweat slicked forehead.
Damn, Aizen was good with his hands. "I could get used ta this." he said softly, with an equally soft smile. The man was still sitting straddling his hips, eyes fixed on his face. Gin lifted his eyelids for a few moments, treating the man to a good, long look at his usually squinted eyes. A reward of sorts for wrapping himself so willingly around Gin's slender fingers. For moving into the position on the mental chessboard Gin wanted him in. For gazing at him like he were the only source of water in a vast desert wasteland. He caught Sousuke smiling at him in that moment and saw something akin to tenderness in the man's gaze.
Yes, Gin thought. Look at me and only me.
"You know," Sousuke said gently, "I could too."
Gin widened his smile at that, and feeling brave after his small victory, reached out to Sousuke again. His hands quietly finding the older man's cheeks and neck and pulling him in for another deep lingering kiss. His hands gentle but firm in their actions. Letting Aizen know there would be no argument, no resistance. Not that he needed to do such a thing, because Sousuke would be a willing participant in whatever he initiated. The man was already putty in his hands. Of course, catching the man by surprise helped too. Made it so he opened his mouth up in a silent gasp and made it easy for Gin to push his awkward tongue inside and attempted to lead the kiss.
He tried to mimic the movements, the gentle yet demanding, hungry way Aizen's tongue had so often claimed his own. He couldn't say for sure if he was very skilled at it – or just any good at all. But after the initial shock had worn off, Sousuke came alive at his touch, his kiss. His stillness quickly replaced by passion as he returned the kiss, equally hungry. Graciously letting him lead this time. Letting him experiment a little. Gin still wasn't sure just how well he was doing, but when the man moaned softly into his mouth, into the kiss, it was all the encouragement he needed.
Yes, think of me and only me.
When he had to break away for air, he found himself staring up into the warmest chocolate coloured eyes he'd ever seen, and the softest smile that answered any questions he had about being a good enough kisser.
"You're getting good at this." Aizen told him, his low and sensual voice sending jolts of excitement up Gin's spine. And lust, that too. But Gin pushed that aside for now so he could focus on the compliment.
He couldn't help his bright happy grin at that compliment.
"Ah, I am?" he asked, somewhat incredulous but pleased nonetheless.
"Oh yes," Aizen purred down at him, "very good."
Gin felt heat flush into his cheeks again and his grin threatened to split his face open at the thought of Aizen enjoying his kisses. Ah, but then, he realised he needed to weigh up the truth in such a statement before he got too excited.
"Ah yer sure ya aint sayin' that ta be nice?" he asked, unable to keep the shyness from his voice. Because a part of him did hope Aizen wasn't just saying that to make him feel better about his lack of experience. Wasn't just letting him save face and sparing him the embarrassment of being told he wasn't very good at it. But he did have hope he was at the very least improving.
"Of course not," Aizen answered him, tone light and playful. "I mean what I say. I do very much enjoy it when you kiss me."
Gin flushed again and his smile widened considerably. "Ah, I'm glad," he answered, "Cuz I do worry bout no bein' up to yer expectations."
Cuz I wanna tame yer heart that jumps from here to there. I can't do that if I aint good at pleasin' ya.
Aizen chuckled at him, then. But it wasn't mocking. It was more like indulgent laughter, light and amused – but not cruel.
"Oh Gin," he drawled, "you always exceed my expectations."
And then he leant down and captured Gin's lips again for another slow and passion filled kiss, one Gin felt himself simply melt into.
. . .
Aizen felt Gin moan softly into their kiss and suppressed a smile. It was so adorable. His darling, his beautiful, brilliant Gin – highly skilled at strategy, kidou and absolutely lethal with his Shinsou – was insecure about something so simple as his skill at kissing. Oh, if only Gin knew just how ridiculously turned on he got just from kissing him. Alright, admittedly Gin's tongue was still a little clumsy, his lips somewhat awkward, and Gin still wasn't exactly sure what to do with his hands when they kissed. But the boy more than made up for it with passion and enthusiasm.
But Gin would learn. Was learning. And with himself as a teacher, Gin would surely become proficient at kissing. Perhaps in time, he could make Gin into a very adept lover too, who knew just how to please him.
He moaned into the kiss himself at the thought of it. Multiple scenarios and sexual positions running through his quick and dangerous mind. Gin's expression at varying stages of ecstasy... those hands on him... those lips... that tongue...
Yes, by the end of this, Gin would be very adept at pleasing him indeed. And right now, with such a willing and eager student, Aizen found himself more than happy to teach Gin the art of love. About physical pleasure. The passion of sex. When the time came, of course. One couldn't rush these things. He'd wait until Gin was ready. Like he'd promised.
Another one of Gin's soft moans brought him out of his thoughts and back to reality again. As did the sensation of Gin's fine lovely fingers sliding into his thick hair again. Ah yes, he wanted to grin, you're definitely learning.
When he broke away from those lips, he couldn't help but grin. Unable to hide his pride in his lovely Gin for picking things up so quickly, just as he'd come to expect. It was just another affirmation that he'd made the right choice in both a sexual partner and a second in command.
Yes, Gin, you'll definitely flourish under me.
He gazed down at his darling, drinking in his flushed cheeks and those absolutely gorgeous red eyes, heavily lidded with desire and satisfaction. That soft, lazy smile.
In more ways than you know, you'll definitely bloom for me.
"So," he drawled, still keeping his gaze fixed on Gin's face. His smirk melting into a soft, lazy smile of his own, mirroring Gin's. "What shall we do with the rest of our day?"
He caught Gin's sly little grin, his darling laying beneath him, still delightfully flushed and catching his breath.
"Oh, I dunno," Gin sighed, still in that blissful state after his orgasm. "But I can think of a few things..."
Aizen could not miss the subtle seductive tease in his Gin's voice, and pride tugged at him again. He might need to reward his student again, at this rate. You're definitely learning quickly, Gin.
"I'm certain you can," Aizen answered, shooting back a seductive grin of his own, letting his fingers slide slowly down Gin's exposed chest. "But I was looking for suggestions that lay outside of my bedroom."
"Oh." Gin gasped. Blushing at his mistake, his pale cheeks tinged that wonderful shade of deep pink that he'd grown to love seeing. It was just so endearingly innocent. He'd have believed it if Gin hadn't just given him a glimpse of the passionate, hungry lover he'd become with that last sentence. One who'd love nothing better than to sit astride him and fuck him hard into his mattress all night, every night. Aizen had to chuckle at the deliciousness of it all.
"Unless," he added, "that's where you wanted to spend the day... the night?"
He watched Gin blush an even deeper red, and listened intently as Gin stammered about for words.
"Um, ye-yes. No- I mean... um..."
Sousuke chuckled again. Oh, his young Gin was adorable when he got all shy. Stumbling over his words in that way he did, only endearing himself more to him.
Oh, will you stop teasing the poor thing? Kyouka huffed at him. Honestly, he's trying so hard to keep up with you and all you do is push his buttons.
He watched Gin try to glare up at him, red-cheeked, attempting to keep a scowl on his face at being teased in this way. He could feel Kyouka muttering her clear disapproval in his mind at all of it, but Aizen ignored her, choosing not to rise to the bait and instead focus on Gin, letting his hand gently caress the delicately soft skin of Gin's cheek. Smiling gently, tenderly as he did so.
"Ahh, forgive me." he said, "It's so much fun to tease you, I just couldn't help myself."
"Yeh ya said tha' already." Gin huffed. "That it's fun teasin' me."
He wanted to laugh at his darling's frown, his indignant outrage. His frustration at having his buttons so easily pushed. "I know." he said gently, "Do forgive me. We don't have to do any more than we already have today."
He watched Gin try to maintain his frown, try to weigh up the sincerity of his words. He interrupted Gin's train of thought with a soft kiss on the forehead.
"Let me make it up to you." he told Gin, "Let me take you out again."
Kyouka huffed again in the back of his mind, her irritation easing off a little at his last request of Gin. That's a bit better, she told him.
Again he ignored her. Fighting the strong impulse to tell her to shut up. Silently cursing the fact that he had to have the most nagging, sarcastic, meddling sword spirit in existence. But thankfully Gin was a good distraction from that fact.
. . .
Gin looked up at the man, his frustration giving way to curiosity at how Aizen was planning to spoil him to make up for his earlier teasing. He had to suppress a grin at this; Aizen really was wrapped around his fingers.
"What'd ya have in mind?" Gin asked. Trying not to sound too eager. Because it wouldn't do if he sounded too eager.
"Oh, maybe dinner, some dancing..." Aizen mused aloud, "with perhaps a little less wine this time."
Gin smirked up at him, fighting the urge to wince. Yes, he remembered that wine and oyster fiasco. But he wanted Aizen to try a bit harder. The man was trying to make it up to him after all. He had to work for it. Put the effort in. So Gin thought he'd push the man's buttons a little bit to get him to aim a little higher.
"Oh?" he asked, pretending innocence, "That all? I thought ya said ya were gonna make it up ta me? Not to mention ya made me clothes unwearable jus' now..." he added, "I can't go out'n public in dirty clothes! What'll people say?"
He heard Sousuke laugh somewhat nervously at that remark, undoubtedly remembering just why Gin was lying here all sticky and flushed and dishevelled. "Ahaa, well, if you put it that way..." Aizen drawled on, "I'll take you for dinner and then we'll go somewhere a little different, a place you can relax. I'm sure you've been quite tense with these upcoming final exams, yes?"
Gin smiled up at him, his curiosity well and truly piqued now. "Ohh someplace different. Gonna tell me?"
"Hmm, no. I think I'll surprise you."
Gin pouted. "Oh, yer no fun."
Aizen chuckled down at him indulgently again. "Oh, my dear Gin," he crooned, "I beg to differ. I do believe a few moments ago you thought I was very fun."
Gin tried, in vain, to fight the heat and redness that rushed to his cheeks at that comment. Damn him! Why does he always do this to me?!
"I- I... I just..." he began, but the argument died in his throat. Try as he might, he could not refute the words. And to further add to his embarrassment, Sousuke just chuckled again. Gin scowled at him, unable to do or say much else.
"Don't worry," Sousuke told him, grinning knowingly, like they were sharing a secret, "I won't tell anyone."
"Ya best not. Cuz it'll be bad for ya if ya do." Gin retorted, catching Sousuke smile that smile again, like he were proud of Gin for his remark. Sousuke just laughed and captured his lips again.
"Yer enjoyin' this." Gin accused. "Embarrassin' me."
"Oh, I am." Sousuke smirked.
"Uh-huh. Bu' don' think ya can kiss yer way outta repayin' me fer it."
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." Sousuke smirked down at him, eyes smouldering with an odd mixture of mischief and desire. "Now go and shower. I'll find you some clean clothes."
"Yeah, yeah," Gin said, Sousuke letting him up so he could put his clothes back on properly, and go and wash himself. "Though a th' rate yer goin' lendin me clothes, ya won' have much left ta wear yerself."
Aizen shot him another mischievous, troublemaking grin. "Oh, Gin," he called, making Gin pause in the middle of the living room and look back at him, "Who says that wasn't my intent? You do flush such a lovely pink colour whenever you think of me naked, after all."
This, of course, made Gin's face hot and red again. Made images of what Aizen might look like without a stitch of clothing on spring to mind. Aizen smiled knowingly, oh so infuriatingly knowingly at him, as if he could see what he was thinking.
Shinsou cackled loudly in his mind. Oh Gin, just admit it, you wanna see him naked. See his penis. Everyone in this room knows ya do!
Gin turned away from him, scowling, embarrassed again. And as he stomped off to the bathroom to use the shower, he could hear Sousuke laughing at him and Shinsou making comments about wanting to see Sousuke's penis that he tried to ignore but couldn't.
. . .
Aizen kept chuckling even after Gin had left the room. Oh gods, it really was such fun to tease him! And Gin did always turn that lovely shade of pink whenever he teased the boy. It was all in play, of course, moves in a game designed to push Gin where he wanted him on the board. Not intended to be malicious. Although his zanpaktou disapproved. Though she tended to disapprove of a lot of what he did of late. It was beginning to irritate him.
He could hear her sighing even as he finished that thought.
What now? He asked. Knowing she'd been sitting on this little comment for a while now, but hadn't wanted to interrupt his moment with Gin.
You. She said. I'd say you need to go to the fourth division, but I doubt even they can cure foot in mouth disease. He could feel her shake her head. 'Don't worry Gin, I've had a lot of practice giving others pleasure', she mocked. Such a stupid thing to say. And stop teasing the poor thing, for goodness sakes! Or you'll put him right off you.
He frowned at her. Sarcastic little witch.
Just because you know I'm right, she teased him, her tone haughty. He really wished she'd quit it with that high and mighty attitude of hers. Particularly where Gin was concerned. He was a master of chessplay, he knew what he was doing.
Yes, well, keep your opinions to yourself. He shot back. And I don't have foot in mouth disease.
She snickered a bit more at him.
Oh, you do, she answered, you do. But nonetheless, she obeyed, fading into sweet blissful silence. Though he knew there'd be no keeping her from truly expressing her opinions. With a frustrated sigh, he wondered fleetingly if Gin had an equally snarky sword spirit, but immediately dismissed the notion. No, his darling was perfect. No doubt he'd also have a perfectly obedient zanpaktou.
Much unlike his old nag of a sword spirit.
I heard that, she snapped.
I don't care. He sassed back at her, reaching for his pack of cigarettes on the coffee table, and his lighter. Taking one out of the pack, sticking it in his mouth and lighting it up. Inhaling the smoke deeply before breathing it out in a long, satisfied sigh, letting his frustrations with Kyouka Suigetsu melt away so he could focus on more pleasant matters. Like Gin. Because good gods, he'd needed a smoke after that experience of pleasing his Gin. It got him excited just thinking about it. Gin's quick wit at picking up the meaning of the gladiolus, the flush of heat and desire on those pale cheeks, those sensual moans... calling him 'Sousuke'...
He took another drag from his cigarette just so he could calm down and made his way into the garden. He tried to smoke outside these days because the smoke made everything in the house stink, and he didn't want his home to stink of cigarettes. A lesson learnt the hard way in his academy dorm that he didn't care to repeat.
He moved slowly through the house, though there was more than a little swagger in his walk as he went through to the kitchen and outside into the fresh air.
Where are you taking him this evening, anyway? Kyouka asked him, her curiosity roused too, now that she'd gotten her digs at him in.
Ah, he smiled, leaning against the wall by the back door with his cigarette in hand. Now that's a surprise.
. . .
Gin closed the door of the bathroom behind him and locked it, and then let out a deep, satisfied sigh, his legs turning to jelly. He sank against the wood of the door, heart fluttering and giddy with excitement. An idiotic grin threatening to split his face apart even as he covered his face with his hands. He sighed happily again.
Damn, Gin grinned between his fingers, heat flooding his cheeks again at the though of it he's good with his hands. Gin tried to suppress a giddy laugh. An' he only had eyes fer me.
Shinsou snickered, feeling and joining in with his excitement. Oh, he got you so turned on... best be careful else you really will end up in his bed before too long!
Gin grinned, despite himself. Though he knew Shinsou was right. He had to be careful. One false step and his traitor of a body might just surrender itself a bit too willingly. Not that that was necessarily a bad thing, especially if it would feel like that... but he had to be rational. If he did that, he'd get nowhere and just go the way of all the others that man bedded.
Yer right, yer right. He breathed, I gotta start bein' careful. Careful as I can anyway.
He took several long, deep breaths to refocus and calm himself before he stripped off his dirty uniform. Risking a glance at his reflection in the mirror after he did so.
He was more than a little horrified at the sight.
Hickeys. Hickeys everywhere.
On his collarbones, on both sides of his neck... dark and purple and stark against his moon-pale skin. His eyes widened in horror. Oh gods... what would people say if they saw these, right after he left Sousuke's house?! His classmates... his teachers...
No, worse, what would Ran say about them? Good lord, he'd never hear the end of it!
More importantly, how was he going to hide them? It was the middle of spring, he couldn't exactly go about wearing a scarf... unless Cherry counted, which he was pretty sure she didn't. Not that anyone else but Aizen would let the fox into class with him. Well, Ukitake might, he had a soft spot for cute little critters... but the vast majority wouldn't.
He sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. "Sousuke you moron!" he hissed.
Immediately Shinsou commenced cackling. Oh, he marked you nicely, don't ya think Gin? 'property of Aizen Sousuke'.
Shut up! Gin snapped. This aint funny! What'm I gon' do 'bout these?!
Shinsou snickered some more, but offered no help. As expected. Gin decided there was nothing to it. A scarf it would have to be, unless he could borrow some of Ran's makeup to cover the more visible ones, because he sure as hell couldn't chalk them up to sparring bruises.
But there was nothing he could do about it now, so he just sighed, defeated for now, and used his time in the shower to wash off and try to think of a plausible story for his new hickeys. Maybe he just might have to bring Cherry into class after all...
. . .
When Gin emerged from the bathroom in his towel, he found a clean yukata waiting for him on the floor outside the bathroom. Another of Sousuke's. Gin took it into the bathroom, locked the door again, and changed into it. This one was smaller than the last one he'd borrowed, either a leftover from Sousuke's younger days or shrunk from washing. Gin suspected the former. It was a soft navy blue thing, clean and warm, and as Gin stared at himself in the mirror wearing it, he tried to imagine what the man might've looked like wearing it. A slightly younger Sousuke, a student like him perhaps, young and fresh and full of ideas. Dashingly handsome, even back then. It struck Gin that people probably would have killed for a chance at him, even then.
Gin's thoughts returned to the present again, refocusing on his own reflection and his bruise littered neck. He pulled the garment around him; at least this borrowed yukata hid most of them. He had to suppose Aizen was thoughtful in his choice, knew the bruises were there and made his wardrobe choice accordingly in an attempt to cover the marks.
He sighed again and turned to leave the bathroom, feeling refreshed despite his latest predicament. And he was feeling more relaxed than he had in a while. Though he did wonder where Sousuke would take him after dinner this evening.
He returned to the living room, where he found Sousuke waiting for him. He was sitting and reading a book, with the hair pushed off his face, wearing a casual black yukata. He wasn't wearing his glasses, though, which surprised Gin. Didn't he need those to read? But then again, he hadn't worn them when he read his music sheets before, so maybe he was just short sighted and didn't need them for reading.
Gin marvelled at how at ease he looked. How calm. Serene almost. How approachable. Until he sensed he was being watched and his mask slid firmly back into place again.
Gin couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed when it did.
"Ah, Gin," he smiled, still looking at his book, "I've been waiting for..."
And then the man looked up at him, and Gin heard Aizen's voice die off and saw the man try and gather his thoughts together again. As if his mere presence made them scatter and fall apart in his head.
"You look..." Aizen smiled broadly at him. A giddy, stupid and very out of place thing on his face. But Gin thought it endearing. The fool was like a schoolboy with the biggest crush. "You look amazing."
Gin couldn't help but flush at the compliment and give a shy little smile. "Thanks." he answered, "So ah... ya ready ta go?"
He watched Sousuke quietly gather his thoughts up and bundle them together, the intelligence once again returning to those expressive chocolate eyes. "Of course," the man answered him, closing his book and setting it on the coffee table before standing. He reached his hand out to Gin and gave a soft smile. Offering Gin his hand again.
"Shall we?"
Gin didn't hesitate in stepping forward and taking hold of that hand, the shy smile still on his face, and the both of them set out into the evening air.
