= ramblings =
weelll.. I've changed the rating to protect my NC babies. hurhur. But anyhow, I'm thinking email for the lemon chapters.. Ok I should stop thinking. Just read. ^^;;
*************
:: love me ::
The white puppy rolling around on the grass was yawning and whimpering. Or. at least it looked like a puppy. The brown fringe that hung slightly in front of its eyes was blown back by the wind, and a teary-eyed shinigami sulked, pawing at a fallen sakura petal.
"Tatsumi is so mean..." his puppy ears drooped, "aarghh," he rolled around in the freshly cut grass.
"How long do you intend to stay there like that?" the 16-year-old asked, leaning against a nearby tree with his arms folded, "we have a new case, you know. Six souls haven't arrived." He'd been watching Tsuzuki complain to himself for the past half and hour. His eyes ran over the length of his senior's body - broad shoulders, waist, long arms, legs. he watched as the wind toyed with the chocolate-coloured hair, disheveling what it ran through. Hisoka had been wondering what it'd be like to have his hands through that hair. and those amethyst eyes were even more alluring - like it was pulling him into a deep pool; the kind you'd just drown in and stay forever...
Tsuzuki groaned, and held his puppy ears down, a baby-ish pout on his face.
"You can't blame Tatsumi-san for confiscating your sweets," Hisoka stopped thinking and sat next to his partner, "If you hadn't skipped the meeting you wouldn't have had them taken away, and now you're skipping another one."
Tsuzuki grumbled something incoherent under his breath and Hisoka sighed. "You know, at the rate you're going, the chief will be docking your pay. Which probably means that Tatsumi-san will be bringing your budget down to 1,500 yen per meal - which can't really get you much, by the way, which also means..."
The painful truth finally seemed to hit Tsuzuki as his doggy elements vanished and he sat upright. "No more sweets!" he exclaimed. Hisoka nodded.
"Quick, tell me what's our next case!"
" If you'd been present for the past two meetings..."
"Yes, yes! I know! I swear it won't happen again." He raised his right hand, and crossed two fingers behind his back.
"That's what you always say. But anyhow, we're going to Kanagawa." He paused, making sure Tsuzuki was paying attention. The latter's eyes were intense, as if trying to absorb everything he was being told. Satisfied, Hisoka continued, "victims are apparently all females between ages 16 - 18."
'Highschool students,' Tsuzuki mentally noted, motioning for the boy to continue.
"Nothing found - I think."
"You think?"
Hisoka nodded, not minding his own ignorance regarding his own case. "But Watari is digging into it. We're supposed to drop by later."
Tsuzuki frowned slightly, and got to his feet, picking his long trench coat while at it. Shaking it, he smiled, "Shall we?"
They walked past the many rooms along the hallway. The chief's office, Tatsumi's office, Tsuzuki's office, the meeting room... Watari's laboratory. Hisoka rapped on the door. There was the sound of a mild explosion, then the crash of test tubes. Following that came a sigh of exasperation. They creaked open the door and peered in. Watari's coat was stained with some greenish-blue liquid; his hands were stained as well.
"All right, Watari?" Tsuzuki laughed at the frazzled blonde.
Looking up, Watari flashed a wide grin, "Yo, Tsuzuki! Thanks for the desserts!"
"You ate them all?!" Tsuzuki whined.
The blonde waved his hands. "Tatsumi shared them with everybody in the office! Oh, I love the leaf-shaped green ones..."
"Watari, we need info about our new case." the sandy haired boy stepped forward.
"Didn't know you were there, Bon," Watari grinned again, "So sorry." He sank into his chair and swiveled across the room to his computer. "Lessee..." he began mumbling to himself as he fixed his line of vision on the screen, fingers running over the keyboard so fast Tsuzuki couldn't figure out what he was typing. 'Enter'. A whole list of data and pictures flashed up in different windows on the screen.
"Here we are!" Watari exclaimed, his golden eyes gleaming. "Your new subjects! Hmm..." he analysed the various pictures of female corpses sprawled in weird positions. "Okay, looks like all of these girls have been slit at the neck..." he magnified a certain wound and traced the line with his finger, "Right there. See it? And their expressions look pretty... pretty shocked, if I'm correct. Probably got cut out of the blue. No missing body parts - hair and such... just a normal serial murder..." he trailed, talking to himself more than to the two behind him. "Simple way to kill someone though... you think it's Muraki again?"
Tsuzuki listened and shrugged, tapping at his chin. "Can't be sure. That bastard's so unpredictable. Anything left behind?"
"Oh yes!" Watari's memory switch triggered, "There's this funny looking piece of paper..."
"A piece of paper...?" Hisoka looked skeptical.
"Aa," the scientist began fishing through his lab coat's pockets, and managed to pull out a small zip-lock bags, each with a yellowed piece of paper in it.
"It's so... tiny." Tsuzuki rubbed the back of his neck.
Hisoka winced trying to get a good look at the pathetic thing in the plastic. It was about the size of a pinhead. "How do you know it didn't fly from somewhere?"
"When there's one in each of the past six cases?? I don't think so, Bon. Besides, these were taped just above the cut in the throat." He scanned a sample and magnified the image. "Then I found out, if we magnify the paper by a hundred times, it's a page or something. And we're missing the last two pieces. Apparently, if we get all eight, it tells us when and where the ninth murder is going to take place."
"How the heck did someone manage to..." the brunette shinigami studied the miniature version of what was on Watari's screen.
"With science, anything is possible!" Watari stated proudly, happy to be a scientist "So anyway. Let me show you guys something more interesting." A few clicks of the mouse and various coding sequences, and Watari assembled the magnified versions. A piece in the middle was missing, as well as the one on the bottom right-hand corner. "Looks like you've got an admirer, Tsuzuki." Watari grinned at Hisoka, who blushed and looked away. Watari was a chatterbox, no doubt, but Hisoka knew the scientist could be trusted. He was the only one Hisoka told about his feelings toward Tsuzuki, and Watari well kept it a secret.
Tsuzuki on the other hand, was getting goosebumps reading the contents of the page. It started with
'To my dearest Tsuzuki-san...' And all the way down to explicit details that sent shivers down the addressee's spine. The location of the ninth 'dedication' was missing, as well as the name of the sender. The shinigami slumped to the floor and sprouted two ears, paws and a tail, tears welling up in his huge eyes. Now he had no doubt, Muraki was after him again. Watari smiled as he pushed up his glasses, "Think you guys better get your butts down to Kanagawa before anything else happens."
" Wow... it's changed so much..." Tsuzuki gaped as they hovered over the area, "the last time I came here the buildings weren't so tall...and the breeze is just the same!"
They quietly landed atop a squarish building. Hisoka snorted, "Honestly, the way you gawk - I'd think it's your first time here."
"But it's a nice place!" Tsuzuki spread his arms out, letting the wind caress his cheeks and cause his coat to billow out behind as he tilted his head back and closed his eyes with a serene smile on his face.
Like an angel... his partner dazed, once again finding himself looking over the form of the beautiful being. The last time he did that was when he'd summoned the Suzaku. He was dead serious then, but he looked good all the same... his lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Hisoka?" Tsuzuki waved a hand in his dazed partner's face. "Oi, Hisoka!"
"Huh? Oh. Sorry."
"You okay? You've been 'lost' quite a lot. Maybe you have a fever or something." He began feeling the boy's forehead.
The empath's blood rushed to his cheeks as he felt Tsuzuki's concern, and a slight tinge of... no, couldn't be. He shook his head and slapped Tsuzuki's hand away. "What are you talking about?" He snapped, "of course I'm fine."
Tsuzuki, startled at first, beamed. "That's good, I was getting worried."
Hisoka blushed again. "Baka," he muttered.
The brunette stretched and exhaled loudly. "For starters, we could stop hanging around and get lunch! There's a little restaurant somewhere around here that's supposed to sell really good apple strudel," he squinted, looking over the edge of the building. "We gotta wait for two more to die anyway, there's nothing much we can do right now..."
"We're on a low budget, Tsuzuki," Hisoka reminded, bursting Tsuzuki's bubble.
The white puppy slumped, "Fine, so we should be looking for our living quarters... and knowing Tatsumi, it's probably some cheap dilapidated inn again..." he got up and dragged after Hisoka.
Tsuzuki gawked at the posh five-star hotel that loomed over them. He shielded his eyes from the sun as he tried looking at the topmost level. "How high is this thing, anyway?? Is this some kind of joke? Oh I know," he snapped his fingers, "we are to stay here and work off our bills right? Ha, I knew it. That's SO Tatsumi. The bugger..."
"Actually, it isn't Tatsumi's business..." Hisoka kind of sighed.
"Eh?"
"It's Watari's treat. He figured he had lots of money left over from his previous assignments, and since he hardly comes down to earth anymore, there wasn't much point in keeping it around...." he thought back to when Watari passed him a credit card in a white envelope.
"Maa, it's really okay! Got nothing to do with it anyway," the blonde shoved the card into Hisoka's hands , "Besides, I think you and Tsuzuki need some quality time alone ne?" he winked mischievously.
Hisoka blushed at the memory and tried to avoid Tsuzuki's eyes. His senior was evidently gazing at him.
"You're cuter when you blush, Hisoka," Tsuzuki reached up and brushed the light fringe away from the younger one's eyes, "Maybe you should do it more." He smiled.
Again. Hisoka felt it again, and went a deeper shade of red. "Baka"
Tsuzuki chuckled as he made his way through the revolving door. Finally, he'd been able to do something like that - just like he'd always wanted.. just that Hisoka would've jerked away or something. He breathed a sigh and relaxed his shoulders. The checked in and collected their card keys.
"Domo," Tsuzuki flashed a charming smile at the young lady behind the counter, who had heart-shaped eyes and was nodding blindly. Hisoka snorted in disgust. Girls like that have no pride, he thought. [personally I resent that, but who cares?]
As they stepped onto the plush carpet that lined the hotel room floor, Tsuzuki gasped excitedly and dropped his coat onto the floor. It was then left ignored as he leapt onto the springy king-size and shut his eyes, looking extremely content.
"I'm going to take a bath," Hisoka suggested, "unless you want to go first."
The tired shinigami mumbled something through almost-closed lips, "..bathe... together...back.." that was about all Hisoka could catch; but he wasn't dumb enough not to catch what the senior meant. He turned a deep pink (again!), grateful that the bishonen on the bed couldn't see the colour of his cheeks. Oh... how he wished he could...
"No thanks," he resisted, "I don't take pleasure in homosexual baths." He hated lying to himself, but he didn't feel like letting Tsuzuki know - not now, at least. "In that case I'll go first..." He took off his denim jacket and left it on the chair.
Tsuzuki jumped up as his partner proceeded to the bathroom. "Wait! I changed my mind - I'll go first!"
Hisoka shrugged and walked over to the comfy chair by the huge window and decided to wait. He stared out the glass and wondered. Why was he so beautiful? What was that he felt? It couldn't have been love... he was just like a little brother to Tsuzuki. If there'd been any love it would have been the... brotherly kind. A crow flew past the window, and a solitary feather was shed. Hisoka watched as the light symbol of the devil was blown away by the wind. He remembered Hijiri, the impersonation, the Devil that stepped out of the bathroom, obscured by the oh-so beautiful image of the one he cared so much about. Closing his eyes, he remembered how the devil caressed his cheek, the tingling touch of the powerful arms wrapped around his lithe form. He remembered feeling the hatred, yet the element of helplessness from the tormented Tsuzuki lingered. It was scary, yet he couldn't resist - partly because it was Tsuzuki after all, but also because he needed to await the blow that would hurt him both ways... and when it finally came his heart hurt the most, and the gash down his front was nothing. He remembered how he fought with the damned Saagatanasu, risking his life just to bring his beloved back. but at least it was worth it. He dreamed of how Tsuzuki was so confused - almost insane, how it hurt to see him that way - even more so, just hiding how he felt. He still saw Muraki, what he did. the curse, the pain, the cold eyes, the hatred, the blood... it was too much to bear. He woke up with a start, his mouth open in a half scream, beads of sweat forming on his forehead and trickling down his temples, and tears slid down his cheekbones. He could only hear his own heartbeat, and trembled at remembering what haunted him the most. He wrapped his arms around, gripping at his upper-arms, struggling to get a hold of himself.
Stronger arms closed around his shaking figure, holding him tightly against a broad chest. Now he heard two sets of heartbeats, which amazingly synchronised. Tsuzuki stroked his back as he held Hisoka close. Hisoka couldn't resist - not that he wanted to, but he wasn't prepared for this sudden... show of affection; also because he needed to feel secure then.
"Shh..." Tsuzuki whispered into Hisoka's ear, "Daijoubu..daijoubu da..."
Hisoka turned into the strong embrace and let his sobs out, his tears flowing freely as he clenched his fist on the cotton fabric that absorbed his tears.
***
Tsuzuki allowed the hot water to run over his bare body, feeling his muscles ease up under the light patter of the water from the shower-head. Hisoka was acting strange, and he didn't find out until recently, before they came down to crack their case. Tatsumi called him in for a short briefing, and in the course of it popped an absurd question, "How do you feel about Hisoka?"
Tsuzuki's shocked expression told it all, as Tatsumi laughed and pushed up his glasses, "you've been working together for quite a while already - what I meant was, are things getting better? Or do you think you need another partner?"
Tsuzuki shook his head, "Thanks, but we're getting along fine. No need to worry."
"Sou ka..." Tatsumi sipped his tea, "But you might need to consider what that boy feels for you as well..." He left the room with a knowing smile.
Tsuzuki smirked to himself, so Tatsumi knew. No doubting then, that Watari would have known as well. So Hisoka loved him too, then... yokatta... at least he wouldn't have to be so discreet about things anymore. He wouldn't have to look at their group pictures and run his finger along Hisoka's image while wishing they could be together as more than just partners. But he knew things couldn't be rushed... he would be patient. And in the mean time, be a really good friend to the one waiting to take a shower.
As he stepped out of the bathroom, he pulled a loose white tank [think the kind that looks like a shirt with no sleeves. yup] over his head, which matched his fitting black jeans. He toweled off the dripping water and he let the wet cloth hang around his neck, leaving his hair to dry off. He looked to Hisoka, who'd apparently got a psychic attack or something... but things got worse when Tsuzuki saw the tears. Not knowing what really to do, he followed his instincts and held the boy, whose agony affected him as well.
"Shh..." what else could he have said? "Daijoubu..." he could only hope. "Daijoubu da..."
He was at a loss, but decided not to push it as he felt Hisoka lean onto him, crying even more as his shirt was pulled at by the boy who had his fists clenched.
- author's rambling -
well it's my first YnM fic, so gomen if it's not...uh... up to standard. ^^;; I'm planning a Tatsumi X Watari one for the next chapter... tell me what you guys think ne?
disclaimer: the usual, YnM characters are not mine (though I SO wish they are...sobz)...
weelll.. I've changed the rating to protect my NC babies. hurhur. But anyhow, I'm thinking email for the lemon chapters.. Ok I should stop thinking. Just read. ^^;;
*************
:: love me ::
The white puppy rolling around on the grass was yawning and whimpering. Or. at least it looked like a puppy. The brown fringe that hung slightly in front of its eyes was blown back by the wind, and a teary-eyed shinigami sulked, pawing at a fallen sakura petal.
"Tatsumi is so mean..." his puppy ears drooped, "aarghh," he rolled around in the freshly cut grass.
"How long do you intend to stay there like that?" the 16-year-old asked, leaning against a nearby tree with his arms folded, "we have a new case, you know. Six souls haven't arrived." He'd been watching Tsuzuki complain to himself for the past half and hour. His eyes ran over the length of his senior's body - broad shoulders, waist, long arms, legs. he watched as the wind toyed with the chocolate-coloured hair, disheveling what it ran through. Hisoka had been wondering what it'd be like to have his hands through that hair. and those amethyst eyes were even more alluring - like it was pulling him into a deep pool; the kind you'd just drown in and stay forever...
Tsuzuki groaned, and held his puppy ears down, a baby-ish pout on his face.
"You can't blame Tatsumi-san for confiscating your sweets," Hisoka stopped thinking and sat next to his partner, "If you hadn't skipped the meeting you wouldn't have had them taken away, and now you're skipping another one."
Tsuzuki grumbled something incoherent under his breath and Hisoka sighed. "You know, at the rate you're going, the chief will be docking your pay. Which probably means that Tatsumi-san will be bringing your budget down to 1,500 yen per meal - which can't really get you much, by the way, which also means..."
The painful truth finally seemed to hit Tsuzuki as his doggy elements vanished and he sat upright. "No more sweets!" he exclaimed. Hisoka nodded.
"Quick, tell me what's our next case!"
" If you'd been present for the past two meetings..."
"Yes, yes! I know! I swear it won't happen again." He raised his right hand, and crossed two fingers behind his back.
"That's what you always say. But anyhow, we're going to Kanagawa." He paused, making sure Tsuzuki was paying attention. The latter's eyes were intense, as if trying to absorb everything he was being told. Satisfied, Hisoka continued, "victims are apparently all females between ages 16 - 18."
'Highschool students,' Tsuzuki mentally noted, motioning for the boy to continue.
"Nothing found - I think."
"You think?"
Hisoka nodded, not minding his own ignorance regarding his own case. "But Watari is digging into it. We're supposed to drop by later."
Tsuzuki frowned slightly, and got to his feet, picking his long trench coat while at it. Shaking it, he smiled, "Shall we?"
They walked past the many rooms along the hallway. The chief's office, Tatsumi's office, Tsuzuki's office, the meeting room... Watari's laboratory. Hisoka rapped on the door. There was the sound of a mild explosion, then the crash of test tubes. Following that came a sigh of exasperation. They creaked open the door and peered in. Watari's coat was stained with some greenish-blue liquid; his hands were stained as well.
"All right, Watari?" Tsuzuki laughed at the frazzled blonde.
Looking up, Watari flashed a wide grin, "Yo, Tsuzuki! Thanks for the desserts!"
"You ate them all?!" Tsuzuki whined.
The blonde waved his hands. "Tatsumi shared them with everybody in the office! Oh, I love the leaf-shaped green ones..."
"Watari, we need info about our new case." the sandy haired boy stepped forward.
"Didn't know you were there, Bon," Watari grinned again, "So sorry." He sank into his chair and swiveled across the room to his computer. "Lessee..." he began mumbling to himself as he fixed his line of vision on the screen, fingers running over the keyboard so fast Tsuzuki couldn't figure out what he was typing. 'Enter'. A whole list of data and pictures flashed up in different windows on the screen.
"Here we are!" Watari exclaimed, his golden eyes gleaming. "Your new subjects! Hmm..." he analysed the various pictures of female corpses sprawled in weird positions. "Okay, looks like all of these girls have been slit at the neck..." he magnified a certain wound and traced the line with his finger, "Right there. See it? And their expressions look pretty... pretty shocked, if I'm correct. Probably got cut out of the blue. No missing body parts - hair and such... just a normal serial murder..." he trailed, talking to himself more than to the two behind him. "Simple way to kill someone though... you think it's Muraki again?"
Tsuzuki listened and shrugged, tapping at his chin. "Can't be sure. That bastard's so unpredictable. Anything left behind?"
"Oh yes!" Watari's memory switch triggered, "There's this funny looking piece of paper..."
"A piece of paper...?" Hisoka looked skeptical.
"Aa," the scientist began fishing through his lab coat's pockets, and managed to pull out a small zip-lock bags, each with a yellowed piece of paper in it.
"It's so... tiny." Tsuzuki rubbed the back of his neck.
Hisoka winced trying to get a good look at the pathetic thing in the plastic. It was about the size of a pinhead. "How do you know it didn't fly from somewhere?"
"When there's one in each of the past six cases?? I don't think so, Bon. Besides, these were taped just above the cut in the throat." He scanned a sample and magnified the image. "Then I found out, if we magnify the paper by a hundred times, it's a page or something. And we're missing the last two pieces. Apparently, if we get all eight, it tells us when and where the ninth murder is going to take place."
"How the heck did someone manage to..." the brunette shinigami studied the miniature version of what was on Watari's screen.
"With science, anything is possible!" Watari stated proudly, happy to be a scientist "So anyway. Let me show you guys something more interesting." A few clicks of the mouse and various coding sequences, and Watari assembled the magnified versions. A piece in the middle was missing, as well as the one on the bottom right-hand corner. "Looks like you've got an admirer, Tsuzuki." Watari grinned at Hisoka, who blushed and looked away. Watari was a chatterbox, no doubt, but Hisoka knew the scientist could be trusted. He was the only one Hisoka told about his feelings toward Tsuzuki, and Watari well kept it a secret.
Tsuzuki on the other hand, was getting goosebumps reading the contents of the page. It started with
'To my dearest Tsuzuki-san...' And all the way down to explicit details that sent shivers down the addressee's spine. The location of the ninth 'dedication' was missing, as well as the name of the sender. The shinigami slumped to the floor and sprouted two ears, paws and a tail, tears welling up in his huge eyes. Now he had no doubt, Muraki was after him again. Watari smiled as he pushed up his glasses, "Think you guys better get your butts down to Kanagawa before anything else happens."
" Wow... it's changed so much..." Tsuzuki gaped as they hovered over the area, "the last time I came here the buildings weren't so tall...and the breeze is just the same!"
They quietly landed atop a squarish building. Hisoka snorted, "Honestly, the way you gawk - I'd think it's your first time here."
"But it's a nice place!" Tsuzuki spread his arms out, letting the wind caress his cheeks and cause his coat to billow out behind as he tilted his head back and closed his eyes with a serene smile on his face.
Like an angel... his partner dazed, once again finding himself looking over the form of the beautiful being. The last time he did that was when he'd summoned the Suzaku. He was dead serious then, but he looked good all the same... his lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Hisoka?" Tsuzuki waved a hand in his dazed partner's face. "Oi, Hisoka!"
"Huh? Oh. Sorry."
"You okay? You've been 'lost' quite a lot. Maybe you have a fever or something." He began feeling the boy's forehead.
The empath's blood rushed to his cheeks as he felt Tsuzuki's concern, and a slight tinge of... no, couldn't be. He shook his head and slapped Tsuzuki's hand away. "What are you talking about?" He snapped, "of course I'm fine."
Tsuzuki, startled at first, beamed. "That's good, I was getting worried."
Hisoka blushed again. "Baka," he muttered.
The brunette stretched and exhaled loudly. "For starters, we could stop hanging around and get lunch! There's a little restaurant somewhere around here that's supposed to sell really good apple strudel," he squinted, looking over the edge of the building. "We gotta wait for two more to die anyway, there's nothing much we can do right now..."
"We're on a low budget, Tsuzuki," Hisoka reminded, bursting Tsuzuki's bubble.
The white puppy slumped, "Fine, so we should be looking for our living quarters... and knowing Tatsumi, it's probably some cheap dilapidated inn again..." he got up and dragged after Hisoka.
Tsuzuki gawked at the posh five-star hotel that loomed over them. He shielded his eyes from the sun as he tried looking at the topmost level. "How high is this thing, anyway?? Is this some kind of joke? Oh I know," he snapped his fingers, "we are to stay here and work off our bills right? Ha, I knew it. That's SO Tatsumi. The bugger..."
"Actually, it isn't Tatsumi's business..." Hisoka kind of sighed.
"Eh?"
"It's Watari's treat. He figured he had lots of money left over from his previous assignments, and since he hardly comes down to earth anymore, there wasn't much point in keeping it around...." he thought back to when Watari passed him a credit card in a white envelope.
"Maa, it's really okay! Got nothing to do with it anyway," the blonde shoved the card into Hisoka's hands , "Besides, I think you and Tsuzuki need some quality time alone ne?" he winked mischievously.
Hisoka blushed at the memory and tried to avoid Tsuzuki's eyes. His senior was evidently gazing at him.
"You're cuter when you blush, Hisoka," Tsuzuki reached up and brushed the light fringe away from the younger one's eyes, "Maybe you should do it more." He smiled.
Again. Hisoka felt it again, and went a deeper shade of red. "Baka"
Tsuzuki chuckled as he made his way through the revolving door. Finally, he'd been able to do something like that - just like he'd always wanted.. just that Hisoka would've jerked away or something. He breathed a sigh and relaxed his shoulders. The checked in and collected their card keys.
"Domo," Tsuzuki flashed a charming smile at the young lady behind the counter, who had heart-shaped eyes and was nodding blindly. Hisoka snorted in disgust. Girls like that have no pride, he thought. [personally I resent that, but who cares?]
As they stepped onto the plush carpet that lined the hotel room floor, Tsuzuki gasped excitedly and dropped his coat onto the floor. It was then left ignored as he leapt onto the springy king-size and shut his eyes, looking extremely content.
"I'm going to take a bath," Hisoka suggested, "unless you want to go first."
The tired shinigami mumbled something through almost-closed lips, "..bathe... together...back.." that was about all Hisoka could catch; but he wasn't dumb enough not to catch what the senior meant. He turned a deep pink (again!), grateful that the bishonen on the bed couldn't see the colour of his cheeks. Oh... how he wished he could...
"No thanks," he resisted, "I don't take pleasure in homosexual baths." He hated lying to himself, but he didn't feel like letting Tsuzuki know - not now, at least. "In that case I'll go first..." He took off his denim jacket and left it on the chair.
Tsuzuki jumped up as his partner proceeded to the bathroom. "Wait! I changed my mind - I'll go first!"
Hisoka shrugged and walked over to the comfy chair by the huge window and decided to wait. He stared out the glass and wondered. Why was he so beautiful? What was that he felt? It couldn't have been love... he was just like a little brother to Tsuzuki. If there'd been any love it would have been the... brotherly kind. A crow flew past the window, and a solitary feather was shed. Hisoka watched as the light symbol of the devil was blown away by the wind. He remembered Hijiri, the impersonation, the Devil that stepped out of the bathroom, obscured by the oh-so beautiful image of the one he cared so much about. Closing his eyes, he remembered how the devil caressed his cheek, the tingling touch of the powerful arms wrapped around his lithe form. He remembered feeling the hatred, yet the element of helplessness from the tormented Tsuzuki lingered. It was scary, yet he couldn't resist - partly because it was Tsuzuki after all, but also because he needed to await the blow that would hurt him both ways... and when it finally came his heart hurt the most, and the gash down his front was nothing. He remembered how he fought with the damned Saagatanasu, risking his life just to bring his beloved back. but at least it was worth it. He dreamed of how Tsuzuki was so confused - almost insane, how it hurt to see him that way - even more so, just hiding how he felt. He still saw Muraki, what he did. the curse, the pain, the cold eyes, the hatred, the blood... it was too much to bear. He woke up with a start, his mouth open in a half scream, beads of sweat forming on his forehead and trickling down his temples, and tears slid down his cheekbones. He could only hear his own heartbeat, and trembled at remembering what haunted him the most. He wrapped his arms around, gripping at his upper-arms, struggling to get a hold of himself.
Stronger arms closed around his shaking figure, holding him tightly against a broad chest. Now he heard two sets of heartbeats, which amazingly synchronised. Tsuzuki stroked his back as he held Hisoka close. Hisoka couldn't resist - not that he wanted to, but he wasn't prepared for this sudden... show of affection; also because he needed to feel secure then.
"Shh..." Tsuzuki whispered into Hisoka's ear, "Daijoubu..daijoubu da..."
Hisoka turned into the strong embrace and let his sobs out, his tears flowing freely as he clenched his fist on the cotton fabric that absorbed his tears.
***
Tsuzuki allowed the hot water to run over his bare body, feeling his muscles ease up under the light patter of the water from the shower-head. Hisoka was acting strange, and he didn't find out until recently, before they came down to crack their case. Tatsumi called him in for a short briefing, and in the course of it popped an absurd question, "How do you feel about Hisoka?"
Tsuzuki's shocked expression told it all, as Tatsumi laughed and pushed up his glasses, "you've been working together for quite a while already - what I meant was, are things getting better? Or do you think you need another partner?"
Tsuzuki shook his head, "Thanks, but we're getting along fine. No need to worry."
"Sou ka..." Tatsumi sipped his tea, "But you might need to consider what that boy feels for you as well..." He left the room with a knowing smile.
Tsuzuki smirked to himself, so Tatsumi knew. No doubting then, that Watari would have known as well. So Hisoka loved him too, then... yokatta... at least he wouldn't have to be so discreet about things anymore. He wouldn't have to look at their group pictures and run his finger along Hisoka's image while wishing they could be together as more than just partners. But he knew things couldn't be rushed... he would be patient. And in the mean time, be a really good friend to the one waiting to take a shower.
As he stepped out of the bathroom, he pulled a loose white tank [think the kind that looks like a shirt with no sleeves. yup] over his head, which matched his fitting black jeans. He toweled off the dripping water and he let the wet cloth hang around his neck, leaving his hair to dry off. He looked to Hisoka, who'd apparently got a psychic attack or something... but things got worse when Tsuzuki saw the tears. Not knowing what really to do, he followed his instincts and held the boy, whose agony affected him as well.
"Shh..." what else could he have said? "Daijoubu..." he could only hope. "Daijoubu da..."
He was at a loss, but decided not to push it as he felt Hisoka lean onto him, crying even more as his shirt was pulled at by the boy who had his fists clenched.
- author's rambling -
well it's my first YnM fic, so gomen if it's not...uh... up to standard. ^^;; I'm planning a Tatsumi X Watari one for the next chapter... tell me what you guys think ne?
disclaimer: the usual, YnM characters are not mine (though I SO wish they are...sobz)...