1. Plots.
T: Sequel to Manila and I'd really, really, recommend reading that before reading this! Warnings of: my vain attempt at crack, flangst, randomness, the abusing of Yami characters for my own means, slow updates, slash, het, etc, etc. I own nothing you see here other than the vain attempt at plot!
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Last month everything had been stupidly simple. He'd been mind numbingly in love with his partner and 100% certain that the other would never, ever, return that feeling.
Then Hijiri had clattered, unceremoniously, back into his life and suddenly there'd been a weight and heat in his partner's eyes that spoke of more than friendly concern.
He'd eventually convinced himself that he was placing too much meaning into the thing, that what he was sensing was little more than the other's envy of Hijiri's age and experience. Had convinced himself that the distance and diffidence with which the other had begun to treat him was something that he could blame himself for.
Then…
Then he'd gone to the party, had witnessed a Hisoka that he'd never even known had existed and had stood numb as the boy had spoken words that had all but been a love confession.
By the time his mind had caught up with his ears it'd been just that little bit too late, the morality of taking advantage of the other as he was now, along with the need to sew back together the things that'd been pulled apart by the boy's misunderstanding, having made pushing for a solidification of the other's feelings all but impossibility
Of course by not 'striking while the iron was hot' he'd made life stupidly complex, for he could not find the courage to ask the other of such things and Hisoka was doing all that he might to pretend that the party had never happened.
At his wits end he'd stolen Hijiri away from Camille for a few hours and proceeded to pour his heart out to the younger man.
At which point he'd given the response of, "How about you just blurt out a confession and then run for it?" with a bright, optimistic smile on his lips
In an attempt to douse that enthusiasm as little as possible he smiles what he hopes is an encouraging smile and responds,
"It's certainly something to consider."
A rolling of the eyes and then,
"It's certainly a great deal more pro-active and positive than your idea of 'angsting to the point where copious amounts of alcohol seem like a good idea'." An expression of sudden enlightenment springs then onto Hijiri's face and, smiling an unnerving smile he says, "Actually that could work…a good atmosphere and just the right amount of booze to loosen the tongue…"
"And that line of thinking is what got us in this mess to begin with."
"Actually I think you'll find that was your crazy partner's over active imagination."
"He's not 'crazy' he just has anger issues…also…"
"The idea of you and I being a couple was somewhat plausible while I pretended to not have feelings for my own partner." Hijiri concludes.
"That's correct." He responds before enquiring, "How are things with you two?"
Hijiri's face all but lights up as he responds,
"Good, no, absolutely mind numbingly amazing." That shear, unadulterated, joy remains in place as he adds, "Though you're trying to change the subject and I'm afraid that's not allowed."
"You spoil all my fun."
"Guilty." The other counters, before adding, "How's about a few days somewhere isolated and romantic…in that sort of setting there's bound to be a moment where bringing up the party wouldn't be so very silly."
"It'd be perfect, but…"
"Money, as all ways, is an issue, right? You know as well as I do that Kurosaki-san has far too much money stashed away in some savings account somewhere. If you can find a way to convince him that this sort of trip would be ideal…"
"I guess it can't hurt." Of course he was certain of the very opposite but to voice that fact would be hurtful to Hijiri and so…
Sometimes he couldn't help feel that Hisoka was right about him being a little too nice for his own good.
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He'd woken up with the worst sort of headache, had had several miniature disasters occur to him before even getting into work and had almost forgotten to be extra especially mean to his partner.
It was, therefore, fair to say that even before Tsuzuki had snuck out of the office without so much as a buy you leave, that his mood would easily have been described as sour.
Thus once he'd discovered the disappearance…well it was probably be safe to say that now was not a good time to be Tsuzuki.
A sudden void appears amid the wall of emotions and, eyes lifting to settle on the doorway, he thinks simply 'talk of the devil'.
His partner is wearing a cheery little smile as he steps into the room which remains fixed firm in place as he makes his way back to his desk. It fades as he detects the ice in the room and, turning in his direction, he enquires,
"Is something wrong?"
He takes a deep breath and then, with an unrelenting forcefulness, proceeds to answer that question as accurately as possible. It is a fierce tirade that leaves his partner a snivelling, ball of overtly apologetic Shinigami.
"...I didn't mean to be gone so long, 'soka, honest…it's just that Hiji and I got talking and I lost track of time and I really, really am sorry!!!" And there was the much talked about and 100% patented 'Inu- Tsuzuki' look…
Internally growling at his soft, soft, nature he sighs an overly dramatic sigh and says,
"Yes, yes, I believe you! Now how's about doing a little work??…"
As quick as lighting the elder man is up on his chair, pen in hand and brows wrinkled in a look of intense concentration. It's just for show, of course and about three minutes after adopting the pose his partner places his pen back onto the table and enquires,
"What would you say to a little break in the mountains? You know, get a little fresh air, see a few sights and sample some of the delightful mountain deserts?"
"I would have thought that deserts don't change simply because of the altitude, Tsuzuki." The response is more a stalling tactic than an actual rebuff, his mind being engaged as it was in a vivid imagining of just what could happen in such isolated climes.
Willing every scrap of teenaged hormonal ness far, far, away he very deliberately thinks of the most anger inducing thing he can think of. The white hot rage that this endeavour encourages is more than enough to 'sober' his train of thought enough that he is finally able to respond,
"There's also the issue of money and paperwork to consider. You've got a potential avalanche situation around that desk as it is; I dread to think what it'd look like if you left it alone for any length of time."
Tsuzuki's expression fixes in place a moment then fills with a deeply unnerving curiosity,
"If I fill out every inch of paperwork on this desk would you come with me then?"
The risk involved in consenting to such a foolish notion is so very tiny that he barely hesitates in replying,
"Why not."
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There is a small crowd outside of 'his' office when he gets into work and, catching a hold of the first likely target, he enquires,
"What the hell is going on here??"
Said target turns out to be a slightly petrified Watari, whom, after several false starts, responds,
"We're witnessing a miracle!"
Blood running cold he ceases onto the scientists collar and, in a voice filled with murder, he enquires,
"What sort of miracle?"
"Um…a Tsuzuki desk free of paperwork …." The scientist utters the sentence in the same careful manner of one talking to a terminal patient who is, as yet, unaware of their condition.
Perhaps because of this nicety, or maybe because of the overwhelming urge to see this 'miracle' with his own eyes, he lets the scientist go and ploughs his way through the assembled masses.
As he finally breaks back into daylight he is greeted with the sight of a very tired, though ridiculously smug, partner.
"So, about that vacation…" The words are accompanied by a lazy smile and an even lazier feeling of hope. That he can feel even that much of his partner's emotional state is as a clear sign of just how tired the other is and, folding his arms, he enquires,
"Tsuzuki, was a holiday really worth your health?" The other responds with a foolishly enthused nod of the head and, skin heating he says simply, "Baka!"
Something about the all but habitual rebuff has his partner radiating a nauseatingly strong joy and, wincing, he enquires,
"How about going and getting a little sleep?"
Understanding blooms in the elder mans eyes and, emotions fading slightly, he says simply, "I'm sorry, 'soka," before gaining his feet and stumbling his way out through the crowd.
The unexpected nickname has him flushing a spectacular shade of red, something that catches the attention of the crowd and, rather unfortunately, reminds the fiery Shinigami of their presence.
"HAVEN'T YOU ALL GOT SOMEWHERE BETTER TO BE???" The murderous enquiry leads to the very swift dispersal of the horde and allows him to be alone with his thoughts.
The third time his eyes drift up to the barren desk opposite his own he mentally smacked himself about the head and gained his feet…
…he had a holiday to research.
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T: Update ASAP!