Once again, I'm back. This time with chapter 10 (as if that isn't obvious). Now, before anyone points it out, I know that this is a shorter chapter, and I'm very sorry. Believe me, I wish it was longer, too. However, I just can't think of a damn thing to add to it that would fit in right now (evil writer's block!), so I just stopped before I screwed it up. I'm beginning to wonder where I'm going with this story... Right now everything seems very cozy for Watari & Tatsumi, so I can't very well write a few chapters of nothing but mush (eww). So to fill up the space before the Tatari angst resumes, I'm considering adding an element of Tsusoka. What do you guys think? Would that please you or make you run away? Any other suggestions are most welcome. Maybe I just need some sleep... .;;

Anyway, let me know your opinions and if you liked this chapter! Oh, and I did a little Watari pic the other day. Thought you might be amused by it: really has nothing to do with the story, but hey, it's Watari. Review time:

LinaLau - *grins* Man, I wish I knew you in real life. I have a feeling we'd get along famously. As always, I'm glad you liked the chapter. I aim to please!

Nikki - I'm glad you liked the cinnamon buns part. It just seemed so appropriate for Tsuzuki, ya know? At least he didn't molest them (although singing to your desserts isn't exactly normal...).

Kara Angitia - There's always another chapter! Well, not always...but this isn't done yet. Not nearly. I plan to drag it out until Tatsumi strangles me in my sleep with those shadows of his. .;;

Lothlorien1 - LOL. *meeps* I'm glad you didn't kill me! Naw, the official end of the experiment doesn't mean the end of the story...or Watari's troubles.

nobody's home - Yes he will! Yes he will! Just not yet... :p

Watercolor-Dragon - *lets out the breath I've been holding* I'm glad he didn't seem OOC. Ugh, I sympathize with your computer problems. Mine's broken down twice in about 3 years... . Anyway, glad you liked it!

Ikki - Sankyuu again, Ikki! *huggles*

Kyraille Fade - Aww, you're not a bad...er...story-follower-person! Not at all. I'm glad ya liked Watari's angst. I sure enjoyed writing it! ^_^

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tsuzuki sighed, stabbing his fork into the piece of lemon pie he was supposed to be eating.

"Eat...the...pie..." Hisoka growled, tired of seeing his partner moping around.

The older man looked up mournfully.

"But 'Soka...I was way too harsh on Watari. He only means the best for Tatsumi... I'm just afraid that they're both going to get hurt."

"Baka...Watari-san can take care of himself. I'm sure he's forgiven you."

Tsuzuki blinked, looking hopefully at his partner.

"You think so?"

Hisoka nodded, going back to the newspaper he was reading.

"Of course."

The violet-eyed man smiled warmly, getting up from his chair and hugging his partner from behind. Hisoka made a protesting noise, shrugging the older man off half-heartedly.

"Sankyuu, 'Soka! I'm glad you think it'll be okay."

The boy looked uncomfortable for a moment, unused to being thanked or shown any sort of affection, even after having worked so intimately with Tsuzuki Asato.

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

Watari blinked sleepily, not wanting to open his eyes but aware that he had to eventually. Slowly, he opened them, wincing at the sunlight that filtered through the flimsy curtain on the window. It took him several minutes to gather his bearings and realize that he was in his bed at home.

'Oh... Worked some at the lab last night, after Seii asked me out...then came home...and slept. So...shit!' He glanced over to the nightstand, gazing at the clock in horror. 'I'm already two hours late for work! Oh gods, Seii's gonna kill me!! I gotta hurry...gotta hurry.'

Jumping out of bed, Watari shook his hair out of his face, hastily throwing a hair tie around it. He sunk to the uncomfortable carpeting, digging through piles of dirty and clean laundry that were intermingled.

"Where's the turtleneck?! Dammit, where did I put it?"

He threw clothing over his shoulder frantically, only pausing when he heard a small thud and a muffled 'hoot'.

"003? Are you under there?" he asked, peeking under a sweater. The little owl fluttered indignantly, squawking as she flew away to safer territory.

"Sorry!" he yelled to her as he continued his digging.

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

Tatsumi pointed to the projector screen, indicating the latest number of murders. Tsuzuki let out a snore from his place at the table, causing Hisoka to glare and shrug apologetically. The Kagetsukai began to clear his throat, but was interrupted as the door burst open and Watari rushed in, nearly running into Tsuzuki's chair.

"I'm so sorry I'm late!" he gasped, pausing to catch his breath. He dared a glance up, shrinking back slightly at the irritated look on Tatsumi's face.

"Watari-san...please make an attempt to be on time from now on."

The blonde nodded meekly, missing the slight softening of his partner's blue eyes.

"Perhaps we can adjourn this meeting for now and continue in a few hours," he suggested, much to everyone's relief. Trading glances with Hisoka, Tatsumi left the room. The youngest Shinigami stood, but was stopped by a hand on his wrist.

"Where are you going?" Tsuzuki whispered rather frantically.

The green-eyed boy rolled his eyes.

"Unlike you, I actually have work to do."

Shrugging the hand off, he left the room. Tsuzuki glanced over nervously, worrying his lip. Watari noticed this and smiled slightly in response.

"It's pretty bad when you're here before I am," he quipped.

Tsuzuki sighed, tugging at his jacket nervously.

"Watari...I'm really sorry for what I said yesterday. I was way too harsh on you, and I have no business getting involved in the situation. I wish I'd never said those things. I understand if you don't want to talk to me now..."

"Tsuzuki," the scientist interjected firmly, "I'm not mad at you. You were completely right in what you said. I just wish I had realized it sooner... You have every right to be angry with me. I know Seii means a lot to you, and I'm sure I would have done the same thing you did. I'm actually glad that we had that fight, because...well...Seii asked me out."

Tsuzuki blinked blankly.

"He did?"

Watari nodded. The violet-eyed man slowly began to grin until he resembled the Cheshire Cat. Jumping up, he clasped the other man's hands in his own excitedly.

"That's great, Watari! I'm so glad! You said yes, didn't you?"

The scientist rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Of course I said yes." His expression became more serious. "Furthermore...I ended the experiment. The whole point of it was to make Seii open up so he could find someone...I never intended for him to fall for me like this. And I really never anticipated that my own feelings would change in response. But I'm glad that it happened that way now, because I really care about Seii."

"Are you going to tell Tatsumi about it?" Tsuzuki inquired gently.

Watari sighed, lowering his head.

"If I had a choice in the matter, then no. But I don't think I can live with myself if I don't tell him eventually. I just don't know what I'll say. I mean, telling someone 'hey, I used you as an experiment that turned awry but now I genuinely like you' doesn't sound very good, does it? And Seii's so sensitive about relationships...I'm really afraid that he'll just shut me out if I tell him." He looked up, his amber eyes blurry. "I don't want to lose him, Tsuzuki! But I have to tell him. I just know he'll leave me, though!"

Tsuzuki rested a hand on his friend's shoulder, rubbing it soothingly.

"Hey...listen to me. He will be hurt by it, that's for sure, but I'm sure he'll understand once you explain it..."

"I used him, Tsuzuki. I used him!"

The older man smiled sadly.

"That may be true, but you've hurt yourself as much as he'll be hurt. Maybe more, even. Just let him see that, Watari. Let him see how much suffering you've caused yourself on his behalf, how much it's tearing you up inside now. No matter how angry or betrayed he feels, Tatsumi won't be able to turn his back to that. He won't let you hurt yourself more. He cares way too much for you, both as a friend and more, to let you suffer. Even if it means he has to come to terms with his pain sooner. He won't leave you, because he can't stand the thought of failing someone he loves. He already feels like he failed me, and look how that ended. Trust me, Watari, he won't leave you alone to ruminate on this. He'll be angry and hurt, but he won't leave you. Just...give him time to deal with it and don't push him. Let him know how much he means to you. He'll hear it, even if he doesn't seem to be listening."

Watari stared at his friend, astounded not only by his wisdom, but by his insight into Meifu's secretary.

"Tsuzuki...I can see why everyone loves you so much. Bon's a very lucky guy."

He smiled at the other man's surprised and perplexed look. Leaning forward, he wrapped his arms around Tsuzuki, hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek.

"You never cease to amaze me," he said as he left the room, leaving the older man sitting in bewilderment.