A full day passed with almost no progress in the case, and it was starting to grate on both guardian's nerves. Time was quickly running out for the abducted guests, and if they couldn't find a lead soon, more bodies would be piling up. Hisoka lay awake in the dark, thinking hard about this. Could they find the culprit in time? How many victims were still alive to save? The two of them hadn't been on a case so difficult in some time, and having been out of the game for so long… were they rusty? Was this case really so hard, it was it just that them? There was so much to ponder and not nearly enough minutes to ponder them all, for soon, rustling from the other bed stole his attention.

Looking over, he saw Tsuzuki stir, tossing lightly as if in a bad dream. Knowing Tsuzuki, he was probably reliving the events of two days ago, with that poor young girl… The other victims were at least over 21, and if it took so long to fully drain their lives, how long could a child last? He didn't want to think of having to look down upon her cold, lifeless body… Tsuzuki moved again, this time sitting upright in bed, his face buried in one of his hands. Hisoka was amazed at just how much he stuck out from the dark room, and how the dim light coming in through the window surrounded him… He looked so..magestic.

Years before, Tsuzuki had been under the impression that he was some sort of demon, but at that moment, seeing him like that, Hisoka thought something else. It was more…like he was an angel. Tsuzuki hadn't seemed to notice his staring yet, lifting his face from his hand and giving his partner a view into his inner soul. He still looked stressed, worried, frustrated…but in a strange sense, surrounded by the dark, he looked almost content. And his eyes… those eyes may have been seen by others as odd, unusual, and unnatural, especially because of how they seemed to glow and shimmer in the dark, but Hisoka was different. He loved those eyes… he loved every emotion that flashed through them, especially when they were directed at him. This man, this wonderful, poor, unfortunate soul… he was…just so beautiful… Caught up in this man in all his thoughts, Hisoka didn't notice as a name brushed past his lips oh so softly.

"Tsuzuki…"

The brunette across the room heard him, even though Hisoka hadn't heard the call, himself, and turned his head to look at his partner. He seemed surprised to see the younger guardian awake, but once he got over that shock, he smiled. This smile… this beautiful, wonderful, intoxicating smile was meant only for Hisoka… only for him. Seeing it made Hisoka's heart jolt, and he set a hand over his heart, fearing that it would leap from his chest. Why…? Why did he have such strong feelings for this man? He hadn't felt like this for anyone; his parents, a pet, other co-workers, and yet with Tsuzuki, every moment just felt so significant. Looking at him, being with him, almost made each passing moment painful, but it was a pain Hisoka was sure he couldn't live without. He needed to be hurt by this man… hurt by something he couldn't say aloud, but in his mind, he screamed it: Tsuzuki, I need your love…!

"Still awake, 'Soka?" Ah, the pet name… Hisoka often pretended that it bothered him, but it wasn't so bad. It was actually cute… and he was honored to feel close enough and special enough to be given one. Shaking his head and sitting up, Hisoka looked his way, trying to get his thoughts and feelings under control.

"Baka, it's Hisoka. And yeah. Couldn't sleep." Even though he was offended, albeit softly, Tsuzuki was still smiling. This was normal, this was typical, this is what they wanted between them. …Right? Hisoka was afraid to lose this closeness, this attachment to his partner, but what if he could have more? What would happen to them if they tried to take it a step farther…?

"Yeah, me, neither…" Tsuzuki continued, leaning on his bent knees. "It's hard to relax and sleep when so much is going on…" Hisoka nodded his head, not wanting to break the spell of calm between them, and let Tsuzuki continue to talk. "I hope we can find a lead tomorrow. Those people are counting on us." There was so much sadness in his voice, but under that sadness and worry was a slight twinge of hope. It was weak, but there…

"I'm sure we will. We just have to put our heads together." Hisoka replied, trying to boost his confidence and relieve some of that worry. Again, Tsuzuki smiled, making Hisoka's heart flutter.

"Yeah… You're right, Hisoka."

For a long while after, there was only silence. Neither knew what to say, and were honestly too tired to get up and do something. A yawn finally broke through, though it was hard to tell whom it came from.

"We should try to sleep. We need to be at our best tomorrow." Hisoka said, rubbing his eyes. Tsuzuki replied with a nod, carefully laying his head down on the pillow.

"Good night, Hisoka…"

"Night….Tsu."

Tsuzuki inwardly smiled at the nickname, loving how softly it rolled off Hisoka's tongue. It was sweet like sugar, which everyone knew Tsuzuki loved, but nothing could be as sweet and wonderful as his partner… his, and no one else's. Just before his eyes closed and he slipped back into the dark world behind his eyelids, he thought he heard the faintest whisper of 'Suki…' He couldn't be sure if he heard right, but Tsuzuki hoped with all he was that it was meant for him.