Chapter 2: Animosity and Preparations
A/N: Sorry for the over a month long wait, I wanted this chapter to be released on Aizen's birthday because you know, why not?
Minutes ticked by in agonizing silence and you'd chosen to detach yourself from the situation. Honestly, you can't believe that you've settled into a calm enough state to even consider eating the food prepared exclusively for you. You can't lie, the food is delicious but you can't enjoy it given the circumstances. All you can do is focus on chewing the food albeit disinterestedly. There was so much going on earlier in the day that you hadn't had time to eat and you ended up skipping breakfast due to your anxiety. Because of this, you pretty much went through the whole day on an empty stomach. Sustenance is needed since you were practically running on empty. You'll need all your energy when it comes time to make your escape but who knew when that would be? An opportunity would have to present itself soon.
Though it's not like you can actually focus on how good the food is when you can plainly feel his smothering gaze on your person. You refuse to make any further eye contact with him, having to look at his confident smirking face staring back at you isn't warranted. He's made it clear that he has a talent for analyzing people and being psycho-analyzed every second is something you can't deal with. You can barely handle sitting with him and maintaining conversation.
The gift remains on the table beside your plate. So far you've done your best to avoid looking at it. The appeal of having it in your possession has long since passed. If he thinks you would give into him so easily then he obviously doesn't know you as well as he thinks.
You haven't said a word in fifteen minutes. Other than the soft clink of your fork occasionally hitting the plate, you dared not make another sound. In your opinion, there was nothing to talk about. Being forced to sit here and entertain him is infuriating. Worst of it all, fatigue is starting to settle itself in. You made up your mind to put up with it for the time being but there isn't enough mental preparation in the world. Who does shit like this?
"Is the food to your liking?" Aizen asks from the other end of the long table. He gives off the demeanor of a man constantly in control of every situation.
Keeping your gaze focused on the edge of the table, you considered his question carefully and took some time wondering how you'd respond. "It's good." He probably expected optimistic answers to his questions but you could care less. As much as you loved food, this is one of the rare instances where you couldn't relish it. How could you?
"I'm pleased."
Of course he's done his homework...the prick.
Aizen watches you intently as he elegantly takes a few sips from his wine glass. The smile has yet to vacate his lips. He's so irresistibly charming to the point of it being implausible. "I assume you have some reservations?" He asks, obviously having picked up on your social cues.
"I do...but I really don't want to get into it right now." You stated tentatively. The full frontal honesty from you might be off-putting but you couldn't find it in yourself to care.
"You seem very quiet. You were very talkative a few short moments ago."
"Does it really make a difference?"
"I would say it makes all the difference."
Honestly, you're sick of him attempting to ask personal questions and make conversation when he clearly knows the answers. "I don't have that much to say."
Pristine brown eyebrows went up slightly. "Is that so?"
Anyone that says that is obviously up to no good. Their intentions can immediately be called into question. Why can't he understand that you don't have the patience nor the inclination to maintain small talk. Not after what he just revealed to you so casually. You've been kidnapped, brought to a whole other dimension that would put any sci-fi movie to shame, and proposed to all in a span of what you think is an hour. It's a welcome surprise opposed to what ultimately brought you here in the first place. This is without a doubt one of the wildest things to ever happen to you.
If what he says is true then all he wants is civil partnership; and everything that entails. It's obvious that he had his heart set on this for a long time so persuading him against it was out of the question.
You can't just sit here and act like he didn't drop a bomb on you the size of Texas. He literally admitted to secretly stalking you for three years. One could say that he's overly brazen in his intentions and wants. But it's apparent that he doesn't see it that way. If that wasn't creepy enough, he expects you to enter a kind of romantic partnership with him. And he was honest about it - not that it made it any less horrifying. Even so, you wonder just how his 'watching' took place. You think about all the times you felt someone watching when you were alone.
Could it have been him the whole time?
With the question, you feel a pounding headache coming on and it pretty much goes hand in hand with the absolutely shitty night you've been having. You're still waiting for cameras to come out of nowhere like on an episode of Punk'd. You refuse to believe this is reality.
Out of shock, you'd agreed to comply with his softly spoken request of becoming his lover. Though it was mostly fictitious on your part, it still felt wrong to do so. You faking being compliant with his desires was still considered aberrant for you and your normal disposition. Despite wanting to tell him to go to hell, you knew such a reaction would likely yield you less favorable results. All you have to do is keep a cool head and stick to the plan. The plan that wasn't fully formulated but still considered a plan nevertheless. Anything is possible if you put enough effort into it and believe it.
Just how had one of the most exciting days of your life turned into one of the most stressful?
With everything that happened, you hadn't had the time to process that other dimensions like this exist. It's so surreal. How were you expected to become acquainted with this?
"I must say...I expected a great deal of resistance from you. It's surprising since I know you have quite the temper. This is much more pleasant."
You bit the inside of your jaw. No need to go there.
You can't even bring yourself to continue looking into those soft brown eyes. He presents himself as a suave, soft-spoken intellectual, but you know better than to simply take it at face value. He's already shown you that he's highly perceptive with tremendous intellect. He's not even willing to be straight-forward with all his answers. This isn't acceptable seeing as it's your preference to remain straight-forward rather than beat around the bush. You're already uncomfortable as it is, why add to that?
There was something else at play here that you didn't know about. You know it. No theories or real suspensions can be conjured at this moment. In a way, you're being imprisoned here. Only he makes it as if you have a choice. And even a fool could see that this man had no intention of letting you go. You're trapped by circumstance but figuratively and literally. To have your freedom compromised in such a way is devastating. Still, you refuse to believe that it's hopeless so you'll keep pushing. Instead of walling in a rising sense of helplessness, you gained a strong resolve to escape the circumstance no matter what.
Added, there are no romantic feelings and if you had it your way, there would never be any. The killing part about it was that if he were normal, he was definitely someone you could see yourself liking. Since you've been sitting here, you've tried to gain a deeper sense of him, a deeper sense of who he is. You can see why people obey him. He's charismatic and his confidence permeates throughout a room with ease. Strongly enough, you find yourself wanting to know more about him.
With how slick your mouth can be at times...he'll probably find himself more irritated than awestruck.
What made him feel like you would be fine with this? Was he in his right mind? Clearly not.
A knock at the door halts the conversation. That suited you just fine, anything to divert his attention.
Aizen, who doesn't seem all that bothered, bids the messenger permission to enter. "Come in."
The doors come open and a female voice cuts softly into the space.
"Please forgive the intrusion Lord Aizen. but there is a serious matter that requires your attention."
Rising gracefully from his seat, Aizen begins a confident stride towards your end of the table. A long finger finds its way under your chin and lifts your face upwards. He speaks to you in that same rich, velvety baritone that's full of dignity. "Please continue your meal, I will return shortly."
Afterwards, you listened to his evenly paced footsteps withdraw from the room altogether. Finally, you're allowed some peace of mind for an unspecified amount of time. You'd had enough of being under his intense scrutiny. Bringing a hand to your face, you rubbed at your eyes to get rid of the fatigue.
In spite of you trying to train your mind not to go there, you wonder what your family is doing right now...if they've noticed that you're gone. Come to think of it, you hadn't called your mother and tell her that you made it home safely. The realization makes your chest seize up painfully.
"So...you are a human." The unknown female voice stated. "I didn't believe it at first until a got a good look at you."
You didn't even notice that she was still in the room. She looked like a teenager with her pigtails and whatnot. You recognized her from the huge room the clown guy brought you to with all the other weird looking people in it. Another subordinate perhaps?
As strange as some of the people look here - you're stick sure to stick out like a sore thumb. It's only made worse because you're not sure that the people who inhabit this place are human.
"And now you're having dinner with Lord Aizen. Isn't that something?"
You let out an annoyed sigh. Truthfully, you don't get what the point is, her regurgitating known information. It wasn't so much her words but something about the tone of her voice that made it clear that she didn't think too highly of you - not that you gave a damn. At least she's being upfront about it unlike some people. Too bad she was still a nonfactor in your current predicament.
"You're the woman of the hour. Everybody is talking about you." The vocalization carried an inkling of contempt and you noticed it right away, though it wasn't exactly logical to you since you both were strangers who have never met.
You couldn't be more unconcerned with what she is talking about. It was going in one car and coming out the other. You shrugged your shoulders. "Yeah so?"
The one visible violet narrowed and she slowly rose from a kneeling position.
The hell is her problem?
When you spare her another confused look, anger is written all over her face. You saw it easily in the pinched features, clenched jaw, and how her eyes burned into yours. Clearly this woman had some animosity. Honestly, you're not in the mood to deal with anyone's animosity except yours. The level of calmness you've managed to preserve is astonishing.
You can see the subtle shaking of her now clenched fists. "Don't think you're special."
In an unconscious reaction, your lips turned up in distaste. Where did she get the idea that you felt special? "What do I have to feel special about?"
Tension made itself known in your form. Okay, you know what this is now. And you want no parts. Your hand slowly closed over a knife just out of her life of sight. If she thought you to do you any harm, you'd slice and dice her to hell. You won't take any chances with your safety.
She took a step towards you.
"Just what are you doing...Loly Aivirrne?"
She looked genuinely surprised at his sudden arrival. Seems he's shown up at just the right time.
"I came to deliver a message to Lord Aizen."
"The message has been relayed. You are dismissed."
From your spot at the table, you can practically see the burning rage in her face as she clenched her jaw tightly. She gave you one last scathing look before she stormed out of the room.
Whoever clown guy was, it appeared that he was someone to be respected or feared.
You completely forgo eating the rest of the food, your appetite was ruined. All the while, you can feel eyes on you.
"Can I help you with something?" You bit out.
"Once you have finished I will escort you…"
Immediately, you're narrowing your eyes. "No."
"You don't have a choice." He declares.
"I don't want to go anywhere else but home."
The usual man stared at you with a cold finality until he asserted. "This is your home."
True to word, the clown guy practically shoved you into a room and swiftly shut the double doors behind you. He'd already made it known that you wouldn't be given an opportunity to backtrack and attempt to escape. You don't appreciate that he's basically taken Aizen's place in watching you. For this reason, you're starting to hate him with all your being.
The room is beyond lavish and white just like everything else you've seen so far. Everything is so polished and smooth. With expansive pallid walls and furniture. The entire place is like a blank canvas. The bed itself was enormous with crisp white sheets and two intricate nightstands on either side of it. Large floor to ceiling windows allow for a general view of the outside night sky.
On the balcony, you realize just how high you are. If you were to tip over, the fall wouldn't kill you because your heart would give out well before you hit the ground below. You couldn't see anything but the endless desert and the starless night sky. Whatever this place was...it wasn't normal by any stretch of the imagination and you'd never seen anything like it. First and foremost, it looked as though the place was very secluded.
"...What are you doing standing out there?"
The sound of a man's voice startles you enough to make you jump - you didn't hear him come in. The male sovereign is standing there, poised in the middle of the room. The only reason he's present is that you figured he'd swiftly taken care of the business that required his immediate attention.
A new layer of anxiety comes over you. The two of you would be left alone again. And that was never good. You wouldn't take your eyes off him for a second. He was a man that needed to be watched at all times to ensure your safety. Frankly, you didn't even want to move from your place on the balcony.
"I assume you'd like to shower before bed?" He proposed.
"I can shower in the morning. I just want to go to bed." You replied somewhat prickly.
Showering would leave you in a vulnerable position around him and you're not trying to set yourself up like that. Then it suddenly dawned on you that you have absolutely nothing to sleep in.
And as if he read your mind, he offered a convenient solution.
"There's sufficient clothing in the closet for you to wear. I had it stocked full in preparation for your arrival." He says as he politely gestures towards a door on the right side of the room. "You can find a gown hanging there."
This gives you pause. He's providing you clothing to sleep in like a generous man would but you feel as though it doesn't come without a price. That's how it usually works.
Giving him a suspicious look, you slowly make your way towards the closet. When you open it, the sight isn't exactly what you expect.
The closet was well-organized and filled with masculine and feminine clothing. It wasn't a lie, the closet is full to capacity as if it were awaiting your subsequent arrival to be worn. And you were beginning to think a number of things had been 'prepared' for your arrival. Just by eyesight, you can tell that the clothing that it looks to be your exact size. Still, you refuse to believe that it is.
How did they even know your measurements?
If that's not alarming then you don't know what is. Your airways felt as though they've thinned significantly and that terrible ache in your chest has returned. You didn't even realize that you held a white-knuckled grip on the doorframe to the point where it hurt. At this juncture, it didn't matter how many times you shook your head in denial, this shit wasn't a fantasy.
Consequently, you don't remember grabbing the gown from the hanger nor do you remember walking past him to enter the bathroom. Every action afterwards, you had you feeling despondent. You changed very slowly, not at all in any rush to leave the bathroom and face your captor again. Mainly because you know what awaits you on the other side of the door. The overwhelming hesitation you feel is worrisome.
In a situation like this, you can't really be expected to think or act normal. It just wasn't going to happen. But being impulsive causes mistakes to be made and being naïve could make you trust.
You glanced around the room. "Um...where do I sleep?"
"You and I will be sharing a bed." He answered, his smile omnipresent.
You set your lips into a hard line, physically displaying your acute displeasure. Why does he think flashing his pretty smile will make you let your guard down? He couldn't be more wrong. You have every reason to be leery of this man for that reason alone.
Clearly, he was out of his fucking mind. Sharing a bed? How slick did he think he was? You would rather sleep on the floor. The smile at his mouth seems to deepen as he must know you're mentally seething at him. Clearly you have reservations about being coaxed to sleep in that bed with him. The hand rubbing at your lower back was enough.
"I'll take the couch."
Predictably, he showed opposition. "Now now...I want to have that kind of talk. Sleeping on the couch isn't at all acceptable."
You shot him a look that mostly likely resembled a sneer. It would be like you not to fight this. A strong will and stubbornness had practically been ingrained in you at birth. "I don't see what's wrong with it."
"A couple does not sleep in separate places do they?"
The words were like a cold knife stabbing you in the chest and you tensed. He's right couples don't sleep apart. But then a couple? Is that what he saw them as?
Frankly, you're completely baffled at the thought process behind his actions. He expects you to adjust seamlessly into this new life he's meticulously carved out for you. Sadly for him, it wouldn't be possible. He wants you both to function well as a couple when you want nothing of the sort.
Reluctantly, you took the white sleeping gown and darted into the adjoining bathroom to change. Once inside, you closed the door only to be thoroughly surprised that there was no lock in place. No lock meant no real privacy. Even the bathroom was glaringly lavish. Who could admire such opulence at a time like this?
Your reflection in the mirror looks no worse for wear. All the anger, disbelief, and exhaustion were edged deep into your features. All of those emotions that you had no real intention of concealing. Not that it truly mattered.
For Aizen, it seemed like being unwanted and ignored isn't classified as an impediment. Like your continued resistance makes him want you all the more. No matter how mean and uncooperative you are, his efforts will not be deterred.
Everything about him screamed regality from his clothing, to his posture, to the way he spoke, and even down to the way he carried himself. He spoke with such assurance almost as if he knew things would go his way. All things considered, navigating around him is a slippery slope especially when you know that he'll have to show his true colors eventually.
Will that realization, who knows what's on the horizon?
It takes you a few shaky breaths to compose yourself enough to leave the bathroom. When you do the first thing you see is Aizen's bare chest as he strips and prepares for his nightly routine. You quickly averting your eyes is more of a natural reflex than anything else. You had no desire to look at his naked torso.
While you were mildly repulsed by his body, clothes or no clothes, he seemed fairly satisfied with your appearance. You stopped short when he very smoothly glided up to you. A hand with long fingers places itself at your back. "You look lovely."
His intoxicating cologne is still lingering heavily on his body and it physically pains you to have to stare into his angular facial features.
"I don't feel lovely."
"Give it some time, you'll begin to feel wonderful." There's an impassioned gleam in his eye. It's unmistakable. It seemed so uncharacteristic for him to openly show his lust towards you. He's planning to do things to you, you know it. And you're scared because you're not sure if you'd be able to prevent it from happening. All the while, you have to pretend to remain oblivious to his male desire.
"Now you're in need of sleep aren't you? Poor thing. I can't have you tired." The sound of his voice lures you into a false sense of security.
Truthfully, you are. You're more tired than you've ever been. But that doesn't mean you want to share a sleeping space with him. But not giving in to the small battles would hurt your cause. Plus they weren't worth running your blood pressure up.
Sighing, you made your decision.
Pulling from his hold, you begrudgingly pad over to the side of the bed that you assume to be yours. Your gaze runs over the pillows and soft-looking covers. The bed looks softer and more comfortable than any fluffy cloud the sky can produce.
As an afterthought, you only catch onto the subtle manipulation he implicated on you a minute ago. The thought leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. For some odd reason, your body felt naturally compelled to do his bidding. And so you reluctantly complied. You reluctantly climbed under the silken linens and turned towards the opposite wall facing around from his side of the bed. The bed feels heavenly. As tired as you are, it's difficult to force yourself to sleep in bed next to him.
The bed shifts and you feel him sliding in. "Goodnight."
You didn't give him a reply.
You jolted awake in the darkness of the bedroom. When had you even fallen asleep? You likely stared at the wall until you fell asleep.
Aizen lay slumbering soundly on his back, shaggy brown hair spread out over the pillow and face fully relaxed. Long lashes nearly touching his cheekbones. For the time being, the gloating smile wasn't plastered on his face. Even in the midst of him being asleep, he looked absolutely perfect.
A burst of adrenaline rushed through your veins. It was now or never.
As silently and carefully as you could you began to ease off the side of the bed. Downright grateful that your feet touched plush carpet instead of a cold hard floor. Creeping towards the door felt like an eternity with the undercurrent of nervousness running through you. It probably didn't help that you kept looking back at Aizen to make sure he was still out of commission. You can't risk him waking up at a time so critical. You'd rather move slower than a snail than for that to happen. You couldn't stay here another minute.
After a tense period, you were able to beat a hastily but quiet retreat out of the bedroom. Relief fills you in an instant. You closed the door softly so as not to make a sound. Alright...time to get a move on. The sound of your feet padding across the floor is loud and echoing in the walls. That just further solidified the sheer size of the place as a whole. Merely walking around wasn't going to cut it, you're going to have to start going through rooms and doors.
Even through your frustration, you know what you should look for. There has to be a machine somewhere that can transport you back home. Just like in the movies. You assume Ulquiorra had used it to take you. You're holding out hope at this point.
The place is massive - way bigger than you originally thought. That presented a whole other host of problems for you to overcome. This led to you transversing the endless hallways with no real idea of where to truly go. There wasn't any way for you to remember certain routes or pathways to avoid getting lost as you currently were. This whole unknown place was nothing but a giant confusing ass that you desperately wanted to get out of.
A furrow settled deep in your brows.
Where the fuck where you supposed to go?
It's dead silent. Eerie. Given that so many individuals supposedly live here. Some areas are darker than others. With it being nighttime, you don't expect to run into anyone. That's a relief in itself. A particular door manages to catch your attention and you find yourself creeping towards it just before a familiar deep voice has you nearly jumping out of your skin.
"Just what are you doing wandering around in the dead of night?"
Widened eyes shot to the source of the disturbance and Aizen is standing there completely unruffled and composed. Every muscle in your body became stiff straight away. Your current stance might be incriminating but attempting to frantically move might not be any better. He wasn't supposed to be up, you were positive that you hadn't made any noise for him to hear. He probably noticed that you were gone from your side of the bed.
What's more concerning is that you hadn't heard him coming. How in the world had he been able to sneak up on you like that? Unfortunately, asking him might not yield you an actual response.
That surprise soon gave way for anger - you hadn't expected to get caught so soon. It pisses you off how you can't ever win.
Merely being under the weight of his gaze was intense as he waited for an answer from you.
"I couldn't sleep so...I decided to take a walk and I ended up getting lost." The lie was a believable one despite the challenge of you having to make it up on the spot. Why clue him into your true intentions?
Pure amusement became visible in his eyes at the explanation and you couldn't tell if he believed you or not.
"Oh? I hadn't considered that you might like to learn to navigate your new place of residence."
It took everything in you not to grimace.
"...perhaps you'd like a tour of the fortress. I can have it arranged for tomorrow if you'd like." He kindly suggested.
"I'd like that." You nodded.
"Very well. I'll have it arranged."
A few moments passed with the two of you just standing there and you grew more anxious by the second.
"Well, it is rather late and I can't have you wandering out here by yourself." The timbre of his deep voice shouldn't have ignited the heat in your loins the way it did. The man is just so skilled at moving that sculpted mouth.
On cue, a pleasant smile appeared just above that sharp jawline and he held a hand out.
Swallowing pensively, you took the offered hand.
"Let's get you back to bed."
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