#u w u hewwo i appear with this reply 10 years later. had to make a new post because it was in the legacy editor. that's how long I took.

[godkilller]

HITMAN AU thread continued with @dokuhai from here.

BOLD OF RANGIKU TO EVER ASSUME GIN WASN'T WATCHING HER AKIN TO A CIRCLING HAWK, especially in the midst of her shows -- where the venue was packed tight, patrons were allowed up close and personal within arm's reach of her. He made some minor adjustments to the performance's allowance of crowds so close, putting up a railing barrier between them and the stage, but there was only so much allowed that could still offer everyone an unobstructed view of the Karakura City beauty. Ultimately... someone who was willing enough to commit by all means a suicide killing to send a message and spark further gang violence wouldn't mind scaling the 4-foot-tall barrier to knife her in the throat. Security guards spaced apart could react in time, ideally, but the opening still remained -- no matter how slim, it was one that Gin intended to focus upon outside of the various other ways Rangiku's heart could be stopped.

Needless to say, his own heart rate was elevated for more reasons than one during her performances. Perhaps one day, if the venue was smaller and more easily manageable, he'd have the time to truly appreciate her craft. For now, he seemed fully capable of appreciating her beyond the scripted dance and sway of her body upon the stage -- she needn't try, he was already entranced, though Gin did his damnest to not show the success of her allure. Did she know he thought of her endlessly?

He couldn't help but let out a single brief scoff of a chuckle, her words on his tattoo -- the brand of belonging to the corrupt nightlife of Karakura City, to the most dangerous and powerful man within the country no doubt -- of how it suited him, despite its negative connotation and often fear-inspiring realization it granted to any who caught a glimpse. He was not a person who brought on the feelings of 'safe' like Rangiku now experienced -- contradictory of her to glimpse upon a mark of ink that signified just how much of a killer he was and feel as though she was with a protector. How quick romance could wedge its way into murderous skill ---- there was a softness to the fact that he'd kill for her, wasn't there?

The serpentine slithering up his arm and over his shoulder, splaying into rolling coils onto his back, was extensive, and yet only those who knew Ichimaru Gin well enough to get his shirt off of him could ever know the full extent of his devotion toward killing in the name of Aizen Sousuke. Their discussion, her seeing more than a glimpse, was inherently intimate.

❝ Suits me, eh? ❞ A low murmur whilst pale fingers delved through stray wavy strands, the back of his knuckles brushing in a feather-light graze against the slender formation of her shoulder blade. His smile was tangible, spreading slow, easing into the playful purr of his voice. ❝ Why, Rangiku, are you admittin' you like a bad boy? ❞

For all of his dismissive and diverting ploys, Gin wasn't stupid; annoyingly so, he was aware of the fact that Rangiku seemed interested in him in return. She was accustomed to acting that way with her clients, no doubt, but the tells were there for this being a spark of mutual interest. So he flirted back, unrestrained, easing away from the futility of attempting to remain uninterested in her.

The space between them felt addled with yearning, as though tugging at the edges of themselves to step forth and close it -- a simple biting urge that could equally so speak of soul recognition; you know me, even if Aizen took everythin' away -- you'd still know me. At least, he hoped that was the case, as though banking the entirety of himself still existing based on the possibility that she could see what he could no longer recognize in himself. They were both stripped of armor here, her of her performer's outfit oddly used the same way Gin donned a bullet-proof vest.

He'd be an idiot if he ever tried to convince her or himself that this was merely part of his job. Did his gaze linger now, stealing away a glimpse of her as she dressed to engrain into his memory? Well, yes, and he didn't feel too terrible about the fact that he caught her topless from the bar portion of his attached kitchen -- considering she wasn't cowering to cover herself, he felt no guilt in enjoying a more human indulgence of checking her out, her breasts and curves silhouetted against the bright haze of the television screen behind her as she slid his shirt over her head. He'd not dart his eyes away if she looked toward him, he had a hunch she wouldn't protest the intrusion. Matsumoto Rangiku was a bombshell in whatever she was (or wasn't) wearing. The shirt was baggy on her frame as it wasn't snug on his, either, but she was still voluptuous enough for her figure to shine through.

That in and of itself was an oddly instinctual thing to feel pleased by -- the sight of the woman of his affections wearing his clothes, as though the deed left her scent-marked and claimed, scratching an itch he didn't know existed until now. He thought shamelessly of kissing her whilst pouring them both a drink, eager to return from the connected kitchen and be near her again. Gin approached and subsequently sat, placing their drinks on the coffee table a few feet in front of the couch she was now nested upon, looking comfortable and far more relaxed herself. His shoulders mirrored that sentiment, and Gin sank in his seat with a huffed breath as she clicked through the scrolling selection of action movies available to watch.

❝ I could go for somethin' mindless -- how 'bout one of those stupid racin' movies, y'know, there's one where they drive a car into space or some shit. ❞ His hand reached to skim atop hers, not quite snatching to take the remote and relieve Rangiku of her browsing duties, but playfully wriggling to slip the device from her grasp, leaning in to be more playful about the act. That, or he'd inspire her to demand she retained it and hijack their movie session away from some ridiculous car-themed action movie toward something of her tastes instead -- he wouldn't mind either way.