a/n's:

Wolfy- at this point I'm just gonna say I own Aizen's flower language dictionary now. And of course the lovely Cherry. And the Heirverse itself. But nothing else. Big thanks to Sesh for letting me feed the Stew to the Kraken that is this series, even though I wrote that bit of Game before I even read that part of HtM :)

Sess- I own the Wolf Den but nothing else :)

Warnings: Head-hopping between Aizen and Renji. Mild 'Game' spoilers/crossreferences.

Notes: Flower language. Some good advice. Jealousies and suspicions emerging.

Chapter 2: Plans

Renji sat at a quiet table in The Wolf Den, his favorite bar. He'd sent a Hell Butterfly to let Aizen-taicho know he'd be here. Not knowing what the older man wanted, he was unsettled, and so had chosen a place he considered his turf.

He ordered a mixed drink and nursed it, not wanting to get drunk. The afternoon was creeping into evening, cooling the air and giving a sense of calm. Renji sighed, knowing he'd gotten here early. He'd much rather be all tangled up with a certain noble right now. What could his former captain possibly want from him?

The questions and possibilities whirled around his head as he waited. Everything from the most likely to the downright outrageous. Thankfully he didn't have to wait very long, as Aizen walked into the bar about five minutes later. Renji watched him scan the bar, searching for him, and saw the older man smile when he set eyes on him.
Renji watched him walk over and sit down opposite him in the booth.
"Ah, Abarai-san. Sorry I am late. There were some things I had to take care of. It's good to see you. You're doing well in your new position, I trust?" he asked, smiling warmly across at him.

He almost choked on his drink, thinking about all the 'positions' he'd been in lately. "Just fine, Aizen-taicho. I get more responsibility as a lieutenant, but more perks, too."

Renji had to fight a blush at his own words- that had sounded dirty. "So, what'd you wanna talk about, sir?"

Aizen had to suppress a wicked grin. Yes, he'd meant that question to sound how it sounded. It certainly was fun to tease people. Of course, teasing his former subordinate wasn't as much fun as teasing his lovely Gin - for one, Renji didn't go nearly as pink - but it was still fun. Even Kyouka was snickering at the redhead's reaction.

"Ah, well, about that..." Aizen began, thinking for a moment how to phrase this. "You see, I wanted to ask for your advice. Ah, what would you recommend from the drinks menu, by the way? I haven't been here before."

Renji shrugged. "They have a great variety of sake, and all their mixed drinks are pretty good. If you want something non-alcoholic, their tea is excellent, even to a discerning palate."

"Ah, in this case, I'll try some fire sake." Aizen replied, rising from his seat. "I'll be back. Do you want another drink?"

Renji said he'd be fine with tea, watching as Aizen walked towards the bar. Advice? What kind of advice would the intelligent captain need from him?
The very thought confused him to no end, not to mention the way Aizen seemed to be manoeuvring the conversation, left Renji with the disconcerting sensation of playing chess.

He decided that when the brunette came back, he'd get to the bottom of the reason his former captain had called him.

Aizen returned with their drinks, and sat Renji's cup of tea, complete with saucer, down on the table in front of him before settling back into his seat and taking a sip of his fire sake.
"This is good," he said gesturing to the fiery drink.

Renji nodded. "Yes sir, it is, and thank you for the tea. Not to be rude, Aizen-taicho, but why did you call me? What kind of advice could you possibly want from a Rukon mutt like me?"

Aizen smiled at him, almost ruefully, and sighed. Well, Kyouka prompted, a little impatient. Go on. Tell him.
Aizen took a swig of his fire sake, feeling it warm his insides as it slid down his throat.

"Well," he began, "I need some relationship advice. And I figured you'd be the best person to go to on this subject."

Renji gaped at the other man, sure he'd heard wrong. "I... you want relationship advice? From me? Why?"

Aizen pressed his lips together into a fine line. Feeling Kyouka nudging, pushing, shoving him to answer the question truthfully.

"Well, truthfully, because I think Gin still doesn't trust me." he said. "And- forgive me for this- I've seen how Kuchiki taichou is with you, how... open, you are with each other. And I... well, I'd like to have that with Gin. And you're the only one I trust enough to help me."

Well, this was a surprise. Renji hadn't expected that at all. But Aizen seemed sincere. He took a deep breath. "There's a lot that goes into a relationship, and each one is different. I'd say fairness and equality are a big part of it, and so is trust." He paused thoughtfully. "For me to give you advice, it'd be helpful if I knew what issue is being addressed?"

Aizen took a deep breath, thinking for a moment. "I don't think he trusts me." he said quietly. "He's still guarded around me. Even though we're..."
He trailed off, let that thought die. No, nobody could know about that. The scandal would be outrageous, and Gin was adamant he didn't want it broadcast except to a select few. He sighed again. Drank more fire sake, enjoyed it burning as it went down him. This was going to be difficult to talk about without revealing everything.
"I've done everything for him, and I still don't think he trusts me. I mean he's told me he loves me, but... I don't know. Maybe it's just my reputation coming back to bite me."

Renji nodded in understanding; Aizen's player reputation was well-known, and he used to have a bit of a reputation himself. "I see. I'm assuming this conversation is confidential?"

When he got a nod, he leaned forward. "Byakuya had trust issues, too. I don't know exactly how your relationship with Gin works, but don't hide anything from him. Always be prepared to tell him, truthfully, what you're feeling or thinking. Even little things, cause if he feels you're hiding or lying about anything, in his mind, you could be hiding or lying all the time."

Aizen gave a small smile. Truthfulness. That... would prove difficult. Because, well, old habits died hard, slow deaths. But for Gin, who was everything he'd dreamed of, he was willing to at least try. "Yes. That makes sense about the little things. Start small, right?"

Renji nodded. "Exactly. Also, don't have sex if he says no. No seducing to try and change his mind. Even if he enjoys the hell out of it, if he said no first, it'll hurt him afterwards."

Aizen tried not to bristle at that remark and all it insinuated. But rationalized with himself it was coming from a good place and Renji was just trying to help. "I understand that." he said. "If he says no I do back off. I'd never want to hurt him..." he had to smile then, remembering all the times Gin said he wanted to wait, to go slowly. How he himself had even said to Kyouka he'd move at a glacial pace for his Gin, if necessary. "Actually, I waited a long time, for him to be ready for that level of sexual intimacy."

Renji nodded, pleased to hear this. "Didn't mean to insult you or anything. That sounds like you got that part down. Do you do nice things, like cook for him or give him massages? That helped me win over Byakuya."

X~X

At that moment, Byakuya Kuchiki sneezed. Someone was talking about him, but who? Probably Renji. His boyfriend would extol his virtues to a dented lamppost if he could.

Hm, speaking of Renji, where was he anyway? The younger man had said he had to go and meet someone but that was over an hour ago. He sighed. It must be important, he reasoned, if Renji had made time from their afternoon together to go meet this person. Though he did wish his sweet Renji would hurry home so he could tangle himself together with the Rukon dog again.

He sighed again. Wishing Renji would just hurry back to him already. Hell, he couldn't even focus on the book he was trying to read.
"Renji where are you?" he muttered to himself.

X~X

Meanwhile, Renji was telling Aizen how he'd cook for Byakuya. "He likes everything I make, and I think it makes him feel special when I cook for him."

Aizen nodded, mentally taking notes. If the redhead could bring such life out of the Kuchiki heir, he intended to listen close.

"Hm, so maybe I could surprise him with a romantic meal perhaps," Aizen mused, "Gin does like it when I cook for him. Although, he does return the favour. There's a particular stew I like Gin makes for me that he knows is my favourite that he makes on some of my more trying days. I know it's his favourite too, but I don't know how to make it."

Aizen thought for a moment, putting some pieces together, "Do you think..." he hesitated for a moment, somewhat uncertain, "Might cooking our stew together be a good idea?"

Renji felt his eyes widen. "By any chance, has he ever called it 'Rukon stew'?" When Aizen nodded, he couldn't stop his soft laugh. "Byakuya makes that for me, too. And yes, cooking together is a good idea; it can be surprisingly romantic." He was struck with an idea, and excitedly suggested it. "Maybe they can cook it together and we can have a sort of double-date?"

Aizen could not help the grin spreading across his face at the idea. "Oh, that sounds perfect. I'll bring up the suggestion to Gin." He smiled. "I'm surprised Byakuya knows how to make the stew though, being a noble. Who taught him?"

Renji hesitated a moment before replying softly, "Hisana taught him." He lowered his eyes to the table, chest tightening at the thought of his lover's suffering.

Aizen paused. Sighed sadly. Wished, yet again, he hadn't gone and put his foot in his mouth. "I'm sorry, Renji." He said, offering his condolences. Apologising for bringing up such a painful subject.

Renji shook his head. "It's alright. He's just been through a lot, and it hurts to think about. He didn't really have anyone to comfort him-" he cut off, meeting deep brown eyes. Aizen had asked for advice, not Byakuya's life story. His boyfriend had trusted him with those precious details, so that particular subject was nobody else's business.

"What do you do for Gin?" he inquired, and Aizen smiled. "Well, early on, I taught him the language of flowers."
Renji tilted his head. "Flowers have a language?"

Aizen smiled wider. "It's something humans used to use in the Victorian era to express their sentiments. A bit of a dead language now but... Each flower has a meaning, sometimes more than one, so interpretation and context are important when selecting your floral offerings." He explained. Once again slipping into the role of teacher as he'd had so long ago. "One can express any feeling with it. For example, a red tulip is a declaration of love, yellow roses can mean jealousy or infidelity depending on the context, Jonquil is desire-" He added unable to suppress a little smirk, "and heliotropes mean devoted affection. Gin and I have been conversing in the language for decades. I don't know if you noticed the flowers at my desks here and at the academy?"

He paused there, waiting for Renji's reaction. Rushing in to fill the silence when it stretched on for too long and he began fearing Renji, too, would be opposed to such an inappropriate teacher-student relationship even if it was so long ago. "Of course flower meanings vary between sources." He finished quickly, drinking more sake.

Renji was staring at the other man. "That... that's beautiful. Can you teach me so that I can use this for Byakuya? It seems like something he'd know and it seems so appropriate for him. The Kuchiki estate's garden has every kind of flower there is."

"Oh, yes, this is something I think I can do for you. And I'm sure the books at the library may also help you." Aizen smiled. "What sentiment do you wish to express?"

Renji thought for a moment. "I'd like to pick him a bouquet. I desire him, love him and I'll never leave him. He's really too good for me. Are there flowers that could convey all that?"

Aizen paused, thinking for a few moments, scanning the entries in his mental flower dictionary for the corresponding flowers for those particular sentiments. "Red tulips to declare love," he began, speaking slowly to give his mind time to think, "Jonquil for desire, ivy for fidelity and loyalty, globe aramanth for unchangeable unfading love, crown imperial for majesty and power, madwort for happiness, and field lilac for humility." he finished.

"All together conveying the message: 'Though I know I stand but a humble man before your power and majesty, I want you to know that I am happy you have chosen me, that I desire you, and I will love you forever."

Renji mentally noted the flowers and their meanings. "That's perfect. That's exactly what I wanna say. Shit, I better write that all down..." He smiled happily, and Aizen noticed, quietly reaching into his uniform and pulling out a little notepad and pen. He opened it to a blank page and slid it over the table towards Renji.

"My, it seems as if you are quite happy in this relationship. You appear to have settled down."

Renji nodded, scribbling away. "Yeah I settled down for him- didn't wanna ever cause him to doubt me. He completes me. I know that sounds so cheesy but it's true."

Aizen smiled, Renji really did look happy. Kyouka just giggled.

This is the bit where you smile all goofy like you do and say you feel the same way about your idiot...

Ha. As if I'd go broadcasting that. He sassed at her. But he smiled his goofy grin nonetheless, unable to help himself. Just hoping Renji wouldn't notice just how much Gin softened him up over the years. Which, of course, he did. Because Renji always had been smarter than anyone gave him credit for.

Well, you were being blatantly obvious about it. Kyouka sassed again. He ignored her.

Renji looked up to see Aizen smiling. He must be happy, too.

X~X

At that moment, Byakuya was setting down his book. Renji had been gone long enough- it'd been over an hour and he needed his lover by him again. He locked Renji's quarters and began searching for his partner's energy. He cast about for it, seeking out that familiar siren's call, and managed to get a location.

It was hard, as Renji was actively working to suppress his reiatsu, and thus his presence. But he was a captain, after all. And though it took some doing, Byakuya did find him.

The Wolf Den? What are you doing there, Renj i?

He frowned to himself, thinking. Was Renji giving him the run around?

He thought about it for a few moments. Of course his beloved Renji had assured him he'd stopped sleeping with his 'benefit friends' since they'd become involved, but... then again, Renji had never hidden from him before.

Who are you with, Renji?

His mind recoiled. No... Renji wouldn't... would he?

But it bothered him that he didn't know. So he decided to go find out. He frowned, placing his cold, untouchable icy mask back on, if just to hide the doubts creeping through his stomach. It was one thing to let Renji and the pack see him express his feelings; the rest of the world was another matter entirely.

With a deep breath and a sigh, he suppressed his riatsu and stepped out in search of his beloved.

X~X

At the same time, Gin was wrapping a cloak around himself and talking to the snow-white fox at his feet. "Imma find out if 'e's runnin' 'round on me." He'd lost track of Sousuke's riatsu because the older man had suppressed it. Yeah like tha's not suspicious.

He crouched to meet Cherry's bright, clever eyes. "Can ya find 'im, Che-Che? Take me to Aizen."

Cherry yipped and wagged her tail, running excitedly in a little circle. Gin smiled at her and opened the door. She was out of it like lightning, a white streak at his feet. Gin chuckled to himself and stepped out, finding her waiting for him outside.

He grinned. Like Aizen had said when he'd first met the fox, 'it's hard to not love her.'

Gin had snorted at the time. More than a little smug. 'Well duh. How can ya not love that cute face? Everybody loves Cherry!'

"C'mon then, le's go spyin', Che-Che."

Cherry barked once more and then fell silent, understanding this was a stealth mission. She sniffed the path Sousuke's feet had taken and the two of them set off on their way. Gin dutifully following his little Cherry, who's caught Aizen's scent and begun tracking his partner. Trying hard to ignore the suspicions clawing at his insides.

Where are you, Sousuke? Gin wondered, tugging the reiatsu masking cloak tighter around him. Why're ya hidin'?

Gin stepped over a tree that had fallen in the path following a storm that occurred just last week. He and Sousuke had spent those rainy days together, playing chess and lounging around like lazy foxes. Cherry dozing alongside them. And the nights they spent tangled together in between bedsheets while the thunderstorm raged outside.

Gin shook the memory away. No. No more of that. He was the hunter now, and Sousuke was his prey. To catch his prey, he needed to focus.

Where are you, Sousuke? He wondered again.

And more importantly, who are you with?