Here we go, folks! Chapter 8, and just in time for Valentine's Day. There's no romantic gooiness in this chapter, though - just pure angst. ^_^ I'm so evil. Hope you enjoy it, as always! Review time:

Ikki - I'm very glad you enjoyed reading the story. It's a relief to be assured that I'm keeping them in-character. Thanks for the support!

Kara Angitia - LOL. I totally agree with ya there.

LinaLau - ^_^ It can be hard to meet my self-imposed deadlines at times, since I'm a perpetual procrastinator. I do it for my readers, though. *dramatic sniffle*

Konnie-chan - Glad you enjoyed the kiss and the plushie. ^_^ Plushies are fluffy…

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Watari found that he couldn't focus on a single task without his mind wandering to Tatsumi. The kiss they had shared that afternoon was fresh in his mind, overriding all other thoughts and quickly becoming top priority. Even when he tried to divert his attention elsewhere, Watari discovered that everything he focused on reminded him of the handsome secretary. The clock on the lab wall reminded him of Tatsumi's obsession with promptness, the five beakers he had broken not hours ago reminded him of the man's money-grubbing.

'Why can't I stop thinking about him?' Watari wondered in frustration, unable to do anything but sit and contemplate, lest it remind him of the Kagetsukai.

'I mean, sure he's gorgeous…those smoldering blue eyes, that seductive half-smirk…the way he adjusts his glasses when he fidgets. But this…you'd think I was falling for him or something!'

The scientist's logical mind reminded him of the fact that he very well could be, but his emotional self balked at the idea of becoming attached to anyone.

"This is so confusing…!" he muttered, holding his head in his hands. The more he thought about it, the more complicated things seemed to get. He had kissed Tatsumi, after all. And he had enjoyed it far more than the experiment required. Far more. In fact, throughout the day afterward, he had sporadically caught himself fantasizing about kissing his partner again…and again.

"I just need to get laid," he said to no one in particular, trying to rationalize his sudden and very distracting interest in Tatsumi.

"I can't figure this out alone," he decided, standing and exiting the lab. He had to find Tsuzuki.

*************

Tsuzuki Asato couldn't get enough of the cinnamon rolls in the break room. 'So soft and sugary…especially after you pour sugar on them!' His thoughts reminded him of an American song he had heard before. 'What's that, cinnamon rolls? You say "pour some sugar on me"? Why, I'd be happy to! Just don't tell 'Soka - he gets jealous easily, ya know.' He dangled the sugar container over the plate, shaking it rhythmically.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting something private?"

Tsuzuki whirled around, facing the doorway in which Watari stood, a bemused look on his face. The violet-eyed Shinigami laughed.

"Naw, we were just finishing up here. What's up?"

The blonde entered the room, taking a seat next to where the other Shinigami stood.

"I need to talk to you about something personal. I figure since it's a subject you're familiar with, you can help me figure it out."

Tsuzuki sat as well, stuffing a cinnamon roll in his mouth.

"Fut ish ih?" he asked.

Watari smirked at the scene. Clearing his throat, he began.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about Tatsumi."

Tsuzuki swallowed his food and blinked.

"What about? You two are going out, right?"

The scientist furrowed his brows.

"No, we're not. We've just been on a few dates, that's all."

To his surprise, Tsuzuki actually looked disappointed.

"Oh…sorry. What's on your mind, then?"

Watari shifted uncomfortably.

"Tsuzuki, I'm…" He started to say he was scared, but stopped himself. "I'm worried. I can't really explain the situation, but suffice to say that it's a mess I've gotten myself into. I mean, everything was fine until I kissed him-"

"You kissed Tatsumi? Way to go, Watari!"

The scientist gave him a withering look.

"Tsuzuki, focus here, please."

The violet-eyed man looked sheepish.

"Sorry. So why's that a bad thing?"

Watari sighed.

"…I think I'm beginning to really care about him."

Tsuzuki grinned warmly.

"That's great, Watari. I think you're just what Tatsumi needs."

The blonde growled.

"No, it isn't great! It's awful! I'm not supposed to care about him like this! I'm supposed to help him open up so he can move on from you, not so he can be with me!"

Tsuzuki frowned deeply.

"Watari…I don't know what's going on, but let me tell you this: When Tatsumi cares about someone, he doesn't let go easily. It's obvious to me that he cares a great deal for you, and I think you feel the same." He lowered his head, catching Watari's eyes with a stern, serious expression. "Don't hurt him, Watari. I don't think he could handle it. Whatever you're doing, knock it off and be honest with him and with yourself."

Watari blinked in shock.

"Tsuzuki…"

The other man shook his head, standing.

"I mean it, Watari. Tatsumi's not the kind of person who you can just toy with for whatever selfish reason you have."

The blonde stood as well, genuinely angered.

"It's not selfish! I'm doing this for his own sake!"

Tsuzuki snorted.

"His sake? Really? Are you sure it's not so you can feel justified in screwing with his emotions? That sounds pretty damn selfish to me! Keep telling yourself it's for his sake, Watari, but the truth is this: You can't stand the fact that you need him so much. You're afraid to tie yourself to him, to admit that you actually have a heart."

The Shinigami stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Watari stood numbly, unable to so much as blink. He wanted to maintain his anger with Tsuzuki, but the truth of his friend's words and the harshness of his tone made all anger die away.

"I…but I…" He felt his amber eyes filling with burning tears. He closed his eyes tightly, letting the tears fall. "He deserves so much better than me…"

***********

Tatsumi didn't know what concerned him more - Tsuzuki's angry demeanor, or Watari's absence from the staff meeting being held. The blue-eyed secretary had a sinking feeling that the two circumstances were somehow related, but he held his tongue. There was no use interrupting the meeting because of his worries. There would be time later to approach Tsuzuki and seek out Watari. It was lucky that Kachou was directing the meeting this time, because Tatsumi wasn't paying a bit of attention. It wasn't like Watari to be absent to a meeting. And it was even more unusual for Tsuzuki to be acting so sullen and antisocial. Yes, something must have happened involving the two men he held dearest in his life. His eyes were caught by Hisoka's, the boy's expression one clearly of concern. 'He must have more insight into the situation than I do,' Tatsumi realized, remembering the boy's empathy. He nodded to Hisoka, and the young Shinigami reluctantly turned his attention back to the meeting.

As the staff meeting came to a close, the Kagetsukai found himself cornering Hisoka. The boy waited expectantly as the man gathered his thoughts.

"I presume you have some idea of what is going on with Tsuzuki-san?"

The green-eyed Shinigami shook his head.

"I have no idea, actually. I can only sense that he's very agitated and upset about something… I also sense a mixture of anger and concern directed toward Watari-san."

Tatsumi nodded, expecting no less.

"What can you sense from Watari?"

The boy frowned, focusing for a moment. He looked up finally, his expression one of concern.

"…All I can sense from Watari-san is incredible doubt and pain…none of which has anything to do with Tsuzuki." Hisoka bit his lip, hesitating. "In fact, it has to do with you, Tatsumi-san…"