Gin took several deep breaths and clutched the phone receiver tightly. Giving himself a pep talk as he paced the living room.

"Okay, Gin, you can do this. Just type the number in and push the big green button. It aint that hard. He's just a person, same as you. Just call him and say hello."

He stopped his pacing and dialled the number Aizen had given him. Trying not to worry about what would happen if he made a fool of himself or said the wrong thing, or just hung up on impulse or just hyperventilated into the phone like some creep or...

He took another deep breath in and out and forced himself to press dial. Holding the receiver to his ear. Listening as it rang. Rangiku giving him a smile and a thumbs up from the couch.

If this turns out t'be the number fer some pizza place I swear I'll-

The man picked up on the third ring, and Gin breathed a big sigh of relief that he hadn't been pranked.

"Hello?" the man answered. But Gin found all he'd planned to say had jammed in his throat. So he hung up instantly.

Just like he told himself not to do.

"Wrong number," he squeaked to Ran. But Shinsou knew better.

You know, you'll look like a creep if you keep doing that, he pointed out. Rather unhelpfully.

Gin frowned. Shut up! Ya think I dunno that?

You tell me.

Gin fumed quietly and glanced at his zanpaktou. Dialling the number again. Forcing himself to keep his cool and his fingers OFF the red button that would end the call.

The man answered on the second ring this time. "Hello. Who's this?"

Gin cleared his throat and answered quickly. Jammed words or no jammed words. "Hey, Sousuke. It's Gin," he began. Smiling broadly. He had no idea why, the man couldn't see him. But he guessed it must have translated into his voice.

"Ah, Gin!" Sousuke answered. The smile was in his voice, too. "How are you? Are you feeling any better?"

"Uh, ye-yeah. I'm gay- um! Good! Good. I'm good. I meant good."

He glanced at Ran, who was quietly giggling behind her hand and blushed. Oh well. So much for not embarrassing himself. Even Shinsou snickered at him again. Gin covered his face with his hand, quietly dying of embarrassment. It was bad enough he'd had a Freudian Slip the first time, but to say it again was diabolical. Seriously, if the ground could open up now an' swallow me up that'd be grand.

However, if Sousuke was amused by his little fuck up, caused by his severe lack of functioning braincells, he didn't say it.

"I know," the man answered warmly. Although Gin wasn't quite sure which bit he was knowing of. The gay bit or the good bit or the fact he knew what he'd meant instead of what he'd said. It was all very confusing.

"And I'm glad you're feeling better," he added.

"Yeah, thanks," Gin replied. "Me too. Though I got a mighty big bruise from me fight with the locker."

Sousuke chuckled at that and Gin felt his cheeks heat again. Likely flushing pink as they tended to whenever his crush was in close proximity. "Don't worry, you'll win next time."

Gin smiled at that, running a hand through his hair as his cheeks heated a little more. "Glad someone thinks so."

"Yes," Sousuke agreed. "Anyway, now that you're feeling better and out of the hospital, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?"

Gin swallowed and the whole world seemed to stop turning for a moment.

"You mean, like a date?" he asked. For clarification. Because he had to be sure he wasn't hearing things wrong, or making the wrong assumption. He'd already embarrassed himself enough for one lifetime, and he didn't particularly want to again. Not if he could help it, anyway.

Sousuke chuckled softly. "Of course. What else?" he said. And Gin felt his whole body burn. Him? On a date with Aizen Sousuke? Was the universe playing some cruel trick or was this really happening? "Would you like that, Gin?"

Gin took a moment to catch up with reality again and get a grip on his thumping heart. Smiling as he spoke.

"Yeah," he said softly. "Dinner would be great."

"Wonderful," Sousuke said, and the smile was back in his voice again now, too. "Shall we say Saturday? I can pick you up at seven."

Gin's smile was broad and giddy. The moths in his belly going absolutely crazy. He couldn't believe this was actually happening.

"Sounds great."

"Perfect. I'll see you then."