WARNING: MANGA/ANIME SPOILERS

Parings: TsuSoka (Tsuzuki x Hisoka).
Disclaimer: I own a blender, but not Yami no Matsuei. I wouldn't mind trading, though.

Title: What If We Could
Author: EggDropSoup

Chapter 2.

Chidsuru glanced back to study Hisoka's profile, face set in a frown. "You guys have been partners for nearly three years now. And from what I heard, he jumped in to save you from Touda's flames in Kyoto. No one jumps into the fires of hell just for their partner. You might want to think about that." She released his arm and walked away, melding with the crowd, leaving Tsuzuki all alone.

"You know, you look like an idiot when you stare off into space like that?" Hisoka's voice sounded like he was laughing at him.

Tsuzuki turned around. "Where did you run off to?"

"Food. I brought you some punch too." He handed Tsuzuki a small plate of cookies and a glass. "Knowing you, you're probably hungry."

"Sankyu, Hisoka!" Tsuzuki said cheerfully in broken English as he devoured the plate's contents and took a sip of punch. He grinned. "My Hisoka is the sweetest!"

"Idiot!" Hisoka turned his face away to hide his glowing cheeks. "Don't talk with your mouth full." He used anger to cover his embarrassment.

"You left right when she was asking how serious we were~." Tsuzuki teased, taking another sip of punch as they walked out onto the balcony.

Tsuzuki glanced up at his partner. He caught the faint scent of cologne that wasn't Hisoka's usual clean-soap smell, but something more woodsy and exotic. His eyes dropped to the exposed skin of his partner's collarbone and he felt heat flash through his body only to settle in the pit of his stomach. He forced himself to take another drink his punch, and pulled those feelings back quickly behind strong shields.

"And?" Hisoka's voice rasped out as he crossed his arms and glared up at his partner. Leaving Tsuzuki to wonder if his slip up had gone unnoticed or just because Hisoka chose to ignore it. Whatever the case, Hisoka didn't show any sign of it being one or the other.

"Nothing. It's just amusing, that's all." Tsuzuki grinned.

"People have too much time on their hands. They should mind their own business."

"I know. It's funny, isn't it?" Tsuzuki laughed as bent down to ruffle his younger partner's hair, earning a scowl in return. "That they need something to spread rumors about—"

"They should be more concerned about him then looking for gossip." Hisoka glanced away, bringing his arms tighter against his chest.

"Hisoka."

"The reason no one can seem to find a trace of that bastard is because their heads are too filled up with unimportant matters."

A warm hand on his shoulder distracted him from the dark memories of the past. "Someday we'll find him and make sure he can't hurt anyone else, ever again. But until then, it doesn't do us any good to be all depressed about it, right?"

Hisoka feigned indifference. "Right." He turned slightly away, avoiding Tsuzuki's gaze. His stoic face not displaying any of his troubled thoughts.

'He's still so distant with me...' Tsuzuki sighed. "Hey, Hisoka…how about we go somewhere else? I know you don't generally like to go to these things…with your empathy and all." He turned towards the glass doors that separated the balcony from the rest of the ballroom. The music was still audible through the glass and he stopped to watch a few couples sway on the dance floor. "I was surprised that you even wanted to go." He placed his empty glass and plate on a nearby bench.

"It would have been rude to not accept the Count's invitation." Hisoka murmured from his side.

"Well, the reason I came, was to dance." Tsuzuki's voice sounded like he was right behind him and sent cool, tickling air down the back of Hisoka's neck. "I haven't danced."

Hisoka turned his head and stared at Tsuzuki, not understanding.

Tsuzuki's eyes seemed to light up as he smiled. He took a small bow. "May I have this dance?"

"What?"

"Dance with me."

To be continued.

Additional Notes:

Thanks for reading. :) Sorry this chapter was so late and short. I'll be sure to update the next chapter soon. And a potential lemon will be in the last chapter. I'm gonna update Vivid soon too and start on the other fanfiction I have going. I'm sorry I'm so slow with the updates. A lot of things have happened that has caused me to postpone a bit with writing. Thanks again for all the support from everyone.