Summary – Aizen has concussion (self induced via stupidity). Gin visits him, even though visiting hours are over.

Wordcount: 1323

A/n: This is/was a scene from a later Game part/arc i had planned, which unfortunately won't be available for public consumption for a while. At least until i get the next part finished, then i can regularly post like i did with Fisher if people are still into it :)

Notes: Waffly fluff. Taken some inspiration from Skulduggery Pleasant for the sass and some horrible bosses I've had previously for the scene with Hirako.

"Doors are for people with no imagination."

- Derek Landy [Skulduggery Pleasant]

Hospital Visit

Aizen groaned, his head throbbing. Why? Why had he gone and done that? Why had he gone and smacked himself, and more importantly, his head, into a goddamn lampost? And in front of Gin no less. Was there really no end to his humiliation? Fucking lampost. Fuck everything!

He winced again, at the pain and his stupidity. On the idiocy scale this certainly ranked quite high.

Why did I do that? He lamented. I'm Aizen Sousuke. I don't walk into lampposts.

Kyouka snorted at him in the back of his mind. Apparently you do, she said smugly. Though maybe you wouldn't if you actually watched where you were going?

He wasn't impressed. And his voice was joyless as he spoke. "You seem to have reached a new level of sarcasm. Impressive."

Why thankyou. I do try.

"That wasn't a compliment."

My point still stands though, she sang. Maybe look where you're going next time? I know loverboy's really pretty to look at but I don't think you can afford to repair all the lamposts in Seireitei.

He frowned. "Yes, that's very helpful."

She snorted again, giggling a little. You seem to have reached a new level of sarcasm, she said, playfully mimicking him. Making her voice sound like his with her ability. Impressive.

"Bite me," he said. She only giggled.

Nah. Loverboy's got that covered.

He shook his head at that, smiling despite himself at the mention of Gin. "Now that's something we can agree on."

She smirked at him, materialising as a young brown wolf, bright blue eyes full of mischief. She lay on his hospital bed with her head on his lap and he stroked her soothingly. For himself as well as her. She'd always been one of the few constants in his life, and as such her presence always grounded him.

"Speaking of Gin," he ventured, a hell of a lot calmer than he was before. "Do you think he'll come see me?"

She opened her eyes and gave him a look. "Do you always ask such stupid questions?" she asked.

"So that's a 'yes'?"

She sighed heavily, a most put-upon 'why am I stuck with the dumbest shinigami alive?' sigh.

"That's a 'yes', Sousuke," she told him. But by then he was already dozing off, the intravenous painkillers doing their work.

. . .

In the fifth division, Gin was clattering about in the kitchen, making tea and filling a thermos with the stuff because he doubted hospital tea would be any good. And Aizen would need good quality tea – among other things – to aid his recovery.

Shinsou snorted. Will you just admit you're worried about him already? He grouched. Your racing thoughts are giving me a headache.

"Fine. 'Kay. I'm worried. Happy?" Gin snapped. "There was a lotta blood an' I don't like blood."

He didn't add 'because blood usually means death', but Shinsou already knew that.

"Besides," Gin added, shoving the thermos into his bag along with the sweets (for when Aizen was feeling better), and the fruit (healthy food to boost his recovery), and some books (to keep his mind busy when the pain went away). "Who doesn't like getting visitors when they're in hospital?"

Shinsou gave him another look, and Gin blushed a little. "Also I should visit him since he did smash the lampost cuz a me," he mumbled. "An' I wanna make sure he's okay."

Shinsou smirked, materialising on the counter, all silver fur and gleaming eyes.

"Aw, you're growing feelings for him, aren't you?" the fox teased. Gin zipped up his bag. Blushing furiously.

"Shut up."

"You're just saying that because I'm right," Shinsou grinned.

"I said shut it," Gin repeated, though there wasn't any heat behind it. His mind was busy with other things. "Let's go."

He made to leave, with his bag of supplies, only to find the way blocked by his captain, Hirako Shinji.

"And where do you think you're going?" Hirako asked.

Gin swallowed, but stood his ground. "Hospital," he said. "Aizen-san's hurt."

"Then he's in the best place then, isn't he? Whereas you still have a shift to finish."

"Well, yeah, but-"

"No buts," Hirako said. "finish your work for the day. Then you can go. Unless you want a written warning?"

Gin snarled inwardly. Don't you give a shit about him?! He wanted to rage. But he knew doing that would be foolish. He was still just a new recruit after all, and Hirako was a captain. So he bit his tongue, set his bag down, and did as he was told.

"Yessir," he said. Understanding now why Aizen hated the man. He'd miss visiting hours now and it was all Hirako's fault.

. . .

When Gin finally finished his shift, it was late. Later than it should have been.

I bet he kept me late on purpose, Gin growled to himself as he stalked through the streets to the fourth division. He'd had to remake the tea again because it'd gone cole, and he hadn't been happy about it.

He'd definitely find a way to get the captain back for this. Maybe Cherry could take a shit in his shoes or something...

That idea made him smile. So he filed it away for future use. Right now he needed to focus on getting to Aizen. Maybe if he looked pathetic and desperate enough – maybe even turned on the waterworks – the receptionist would let him in...

'Please, I just wanna see if he's okay... '

But his hopes of that were crushed when he saw it was the captain herself on duty.

"Damn. So much for that plan," he muttered, loitering outside the glass door.

Maybe they left a window open? Shinsou offered. You could sneak in that way.

"We can't break in through the window!" Gin whispered indignantly.

Shinsou just shrugged. Never stopped you before.

Gin sighed and rolled up his sleeved, searching out Aizen's spiritual energy. Ah, of course. He would be on the top floor.

"Looks like I'll be puttin' my Rukon climbin' and thievin' skills to good use, huh?" he said to himself, "Good thing I still carry my lockpicking kit."

And then he walked out of sight of the door, grabbed the drainpipe, and started to climb.

. . .

Aizen opened his eyes slowly, finding the world had stopped its spinning and the throbbing in his head had eased off a bit. Maybe there really was something to these painkillers after all.

At least it's quiet now, he thought to himself. I didn't miss anything while I was asleep, did I?

His zanpaktou lifted her head slowly. No, she said. Actually, you're just in time.

Aizen blinked. Now he was confused. Just in time for what?

Kyouka didn't even have to give him an answer before he heard the window click and watched it slowly open. He then watched, easing himself into a sitting position, as Gin climbed into his room through said window with all the awkward grace of a fox.

"Hi," Gin said, standing there and smiling at him.

"Gin!" Aizen grinned, probably looking like an idiot, but he didn't care. "You're here!"

Gin grinned at him. "Course I am."

Aizen smiled. "I thought you'd come in through the door, though."

Gin's smile broadened into one that would give the Cheshire Cat a run for his money. Even as he shrugged nonchalantly. "Doors are for people with no imagination." Gin told him, with no small amount of mischief. Aizen just smiled at him. His fox was certainly full of surprises.

"I brought you tea," gin said, rummaging in his bag and producing a thermos. Definitely full of surprises.

"Do you want some now or later?"

Aizen's smile softened as he answered. "Now would be perfect. Hospital tea is dreadful."