Summary- au. Newly disvovered Pianist extraordinaire Aizen gets roped into performing live on Caesar Flickerman's tv talk show. Gin soothes his nerves.

a/n- what I like to think life might be like for these two lovely idiots after Heir, if/when I eventually give them a normal happy life :) Also, So many Game echoes agh!

Notes - Pure fluffy waffle. And an excuse to write the fabulous Caesar from the hunger games. Written on a whim on a rainy Saturday morning.

Play it for me

Aizen sighed as Gin adjusted his tie for him. "I can't believe you are making me do this."

"Stop worrying." Gin said gently, "You'll be fine."

"But I've never performed for a crowd this large. Or on television." Sousuke admitted, a nervous smile on his lips.

Gin's hands came to rest on his shoulders, a soft smile on his face as he gave Sousuke a soft, lingering kiss. "Ya jus' got a bit a stage fright is all. Yer gonna be fine, I promise."

But Aizen wasn't convinced. The frown formed on his face as he wondered how on earth he'd let himself get talked into playing his music for the whole country. Really, he'd much rather just play for Gin at home. In private. Where only one set of eyes were on him instead of the whole nation. But Gin's long time friend Rangiku had been talking to Gin about the show, and her role in working on it, how they were looking for talented people to star as guests on the program, which only led to Gin bigging up his lover's musical talent. Which ultimately led to him being pushed from all sides to perform Live on Caesar Flickerman's tv talk show.

At first, he'd refused. It was hard enough to perform in front of a crowd as it was. Let alone for anyone with a television. But Gin had pushed the issue, saying that he needed to share his music. Again, he refused. But Gin wore him down. It had taken no end of pushing, and kissing, and convincing, but eventually Gin got him to agree. Only now, moments before being due on the stage to play a piano that was cold and unfamiliar, he was beginning to regret his decision made in a braver moment.

Gin sighed, slow and soft. "Yer not convinced."

"No." Sousuke sighed, the breath shaky. His nervousness constricting his chest and making it difficult to breathe. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

Gin's smile faltered a little before the light bulb clicked on in his head and it became tender and soft.

"Hm. How 'bout…" Gin drawled, "You don't play for them."

Gin's hands quietly found his lover's and gently held them. Feeling them clammy my with sweat. "Play fer me instead. I'll be in the front row. When th' time comes, ya find me, forget everyone else in that room, an' ya play it for me. Can ya do that?"

Sousuke's eyes met Gin's, and his gaze softened. Yes. Yes, he could do that. He might not have it in him to play his music for the whole nation, but certainly he could play it for the one he loved.

"Yes," Sousuke smiled gently, "I think I can do that."

Gin's face brightened. "Good."

He leant in and gave Sousuke another kiss, gently brushing their lips together. Gin had only just pulled away when one of the talk show crew walked over to them. A young girl with dark hair carrying a clipboard.

"Aizen-san, you're on in five minutes."

Aizen nodded to her, "Thankyou, Hinamori-san." She smiled and nodded at him before turning his eyes back to Gin. "You better go take your seat." He smiled warmly, a very different smile from the one he'd given Hinamori. "You don't want to miss my performance."

"Wouldn't miss it fer the world." Gin answered, letting his hand softly caress Aizen cheek. "You jus' remember what I said. Forget everyone else. Jus' find me."

"I will." Sousuke promised, taking in Gin's warm, soft smile before the hand dropped from his cheek. He watched Gin leave, his back fading from view , leaving him alone backstage with his nerves. Pressing his lips together, he closed his eyes and breathed slowly, in through his nose and out through his mouth, counting to ten. Willing himself to be calm. Reminding himself that it would be no different from playing at home. He would be in his own little world where it was just him and the music. Though the thoughts did little to loosen the tight band around his chest, or untie the knots in his stomach.

He thought again about leaving. Just walking out. Feigning illness or a family emergency, or even just creeping out the back door. But he'd promised Gin he'd play. And besides that he couldn't have left if he wanted to because Caesar Flickerman was already introducing him, and he was being practically shoved towards the set. The applause was deafening, but he felt himself move, as if in a dream, to towards his host. Mouth dry as a bone.

Oh god, what was his name? He had to greet his host in a moment and he couldnt for the life of him remember his name.

The man, dressed in a midnight blue suit with matching hair colour, held his hand outstretched, and Aizen found himself shaking it. Noting how the man had the good grace to not immediately wipe it off on his suit the moment they sat down on their chairs.

"Ah, Sousuke, welcome!" He trilled, all big smiles and friendliness, as he waited for the applause to die off. "Firstly, let me tell you it is such a pleasure to have you here with us tonight."

Sousuke smiled back at him, the words coming out of him automatically, "Well, it's a pleasure to be here, Caesar."

"Yes, I imagine so," Caesar replied warmly, and Aizen sighed inwardly with relief that he'd greeted the man with the correct name. "But you look so nervous."

Sousuke laughed, "Well it is my first time on television."

"Oh, don't you worry about that." Caesar said reassuringly, "Our audience tonight are all very lovely, and they all came here tonight to hear you play. Isn't that right folks?"

The crowd in the studio applauded, whistling and cheering, and the knot of tension inside Aizen loosened. He knew this audience was his.

Caesar waited again for the crowd to calm, and continued his interview.

"So, Sousuke," he began, "It must have been quite a ride for you. To go from performing in cafés to playing in theatres and concert halls. You certainly made quite a splash on the music scene. Especially with that aria you performed last week. Oh it was such a romantic song. Tell me," Caesar smiled, "Did you write it for anyone in particular?"

Sousuke's eyes quickly flitted across the front row, landing on Gin. He imagined the question coming from Gin's lips. Picturing the smile on Gin's face when he'd first handed him the music score. The incredulity in his voice.

Ya wrote this fer me?

He pulled his eyes back to Caesar again, who was still smiling softly.

"Yes." He admitted, "For someone very important to me."

Big Awws from the audience. Real ones. Some of the women up front were actually swooning. He caught Gin trying not to laugh at the woman beside him wafting herself with her fan overly dramatically.

"Someone you love?" Caesar gently pried, and Sousuke could not fight his smile.

"Yes."

Caesar smiled so softly, then, "Well they do say love inspires great art." He turned to address the audience again, "Am I right, everyone?"

The crowd went mad. Deafening them with their applause and cheers. Caesar had to hold his hand up to get them to quiet after a while so they could continue talking.

"And do they know this song is for them?" Caesar asked.

"Well, I showed him the score once I'd finished it." Aizen explained, "I dont think he could believe it, that I'd composed a song just for him. Of course he got to hear it first."

Of course, he left out the part where he and Gin ended up fucking each other stupid on top of his piano after Gin heard said song, making some music of their own and hitting random piano keys in their passions before they made it to a flat surface. But the fox like grin on Gin's face told him that was on his mind, too.

"Oh, I think we can all agree that's very sweet." Caesar said. "So Sousuke, since we are running a little short on time, what will you be playing for us tonight?"

Again, Sousuke looked to Gin, and imagined the question coming from him.

What will ya play fer me?

"Oh, that's an easy one, Caesar," Aizen told him, "I think I'll play that aria we talked about."

"Ah, the one composed for your beloved."

"Yes."

Maybe not for all of you, though. But for Gin.

More swoons and applause from the audience. And Caesar laughed good naturedly at their reaction. They really did eat up all the romance stuff here. "I think our friends here agree that is an excellent choice. I just hope your beloved is listening tonight."

"Yes," he told Caesar, "he is."

He caught Caesar smiling happily, and a quick glance across to Gin's tender smile melted his heart.

"Well, Sousuke, the piano's all yours." Caesar said gently, gesturing to the white grand piano to the left of the stage. "I can safely say all of us here will enjoy your performance."

"Thankyou, Caesar."

He stood up, leaving Caesar on his chair, and moved towards the piano. His steps stiff and automaton like with legs made of lead, and took his seat at the bench.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Caesar announced, all the cameras ready to pan across to Aizen from him, "I give you, Aizen Sousuke, pianist extraordinaire!"

Sousuke took a deep breath and locked eyes on Gin. Heart in his mouth while he waited for the applause to die.

Forget them. Gin said silently. Just play for me.

He closed his eyes for a moment and imagined he was at his own piano, with Gin perched beside him. A hush fell over the audience as his fingers aligned themselves with the keys. And for no-one else but Gin, he opened his eyes, focused on the score in front of him, and began to play.