Alright! Now that FF.net's back on track, I can post this sucker. It's a little shorter than usual, but I've had two full projects due this week and a part of another. -_-;; I've been busy and stressed. I don't really like this chapter much, but that's just me. I can promise you that not only will the next chapter be longer, but it'll have loads of Tatari in it! I'm beginning to feel I've neglected my favorite pairing as of late, so expect Tsusoka to be in the background come next chapter. If I haven't said it before, let me say it now: I love you guys. ^_^
Kara Angitia - Well, taking care of Hisoka (read: prying Tsuzuki away from him long enough to check his vitals) took a lot out of our poor scientist. Plus, I think he's sick of having to give everyone those long, deep speeches that I love to write so much. ^^;;
Konnie-chan - *looks shocked* I could never forget about my precious Tatari! Nope, they'll be back in the spotlight come next chapter, I promise. I just needed to add some Tsusoka in there to give me time to think up what to write next. ^_^; And yeah, Hisoka is silly. It's easy to forget he's just a kid, sometimes (especially next to Tsuzuki).
Kyraille Fade - ^_^ Glad you liked them, babe!
LinaLau - *grins* I think if Hisoka-kun heard you call him kawaii, he'd kill you. *whispers* But I agree, he is! ^_~
Dreamer Kun - Sankyuu! I hope you like this chapter, too.
Kata - ^___^ In all honesty, I'm not much of a Tsusoka fan either (and for the same reasons). Every now and then, though, I'll find a fic about just them that sounds good and I'll read it. LOL. I think this is the most thorough review I've gotten yet. *hugs* Thanks!
Gohma - Ooooh, stalking...sounds like fun! I'm honored, Gohma. *bows* Love you, too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Watari entered his apartment, closing the door behind him weakly. He set 003 down on the coffee table, shrugging off his lab coat and tossing it aside. There was a thin layer of dust on the ruddy carpet, but the scientist didn't notice. In truth, he hadn't been to his apartment in five days, opting instead to sleep in the lab. He firmly believed it to be more convenient that way, and the added perk of getting to spend extra time with Tatsumi didn't hurt. On that particular day, however, Watari was tired.
"I can't believe I invited him here. Here, of all places," he groaned. He stumbled into the small kitchen, opening the refrigerator cautiously. There wasn't much to be found, save for a moldy block of cheese, some expired Pepsi, and a half-empty carton of eggs. He had learned long before not to even bother buying milk, instead using the stash kept at the office for the coffee. Sighing, he closed the refrigerator door, instead opening a cabinet and rummaging through it. There were rows of canned foods and several unopened containers of instant coffee. Watari hated the way it tasted, but hey, it's instant. He pulled out a can of Ravioli, dumping the contents into a ceramic bowl and shoved it in the small microwave by the sink. Punching the buttons, he went back to the living room and sat on the loveseat, leaning back with his eyes closed. His rest was interrupted, however, when the phone rang. His eyes popped open as he jumped up, fumbling for the cordless phone. He found it buried under a dirty shirt.
"Tsuzuki, Bon, Seii?"
There was a brief pause.
"...You assume it must be one of us when your phone rings, 'Taka?"
Seii.
"Considering that you call on behalf of Konoe-san, Tsuzuki calls to beg for favors, or Bon calls asking where Tsuzuki is...then yeah, it has to be one of you."
Watari's brows furrowed with sudden worry.
"What happened? Is Bon okay? Did Tsuzuki-"
"He's fine. I just wanted to see if...if you made it home safely."
The scientist grinned mischievously.
"You realize that I intended to sleep as soon as I got in the door."
He could feel the other man's embarrassment.
"I...I forgot about that. I apologize if I woke you..."
Watari chuckled.
"Lucky you, I was fixing food. Wait..."
He walked to the kitchen, peering at the now silent microwave.
"Something wrong?"
He rummaged in a drawer for a fork.
"Hm? Naw, food's done. I didn't hear it."
"I see. Well...I suppose I'll let you go now."
The blonde clucked in disappointment.
"Aww, do you have to? Are you sure you can't come over? I'll even clean, I swear! Pweeze?"
There was another pause on the line, longer this time.
"...'Taka..." A long-suffering sigh followed. "I don't think I can. I'd like to, really, but I'm needed here. Perhaps...tomorrow?"
Watari almost swooned at the tentative tone Tatsumi's voice had taken.
"Of course, Seii. I'm gonna hold you to it, though. I'll see you at work, okay?"
"Very well. Get some sleep, 'Taka. I lo-" The secretary stopped, quickly changing his words. "I'll see you then."
With that, the phone line went dead, leaving Watari standing in his kitchen staring at the phone numbly.
*********
Tatsumi hung up the telephone, cradling his head in his hands. 'What was that?! I can't believe I almost said... Very smart, scare him away. That was awkward... I hope he doesn't bring it up tomorrow.' He tapped his pencil on the wooden desk. It was just a natural slip of the tongue, right? That didn't necessarily mean anything, did it? He closed his blue eyes, feeling a headache forming. 'I don't know what it means...'
*********
Tsuzuki pulled back from hugging Hisoka. The boy wouldn't meet his eyes, and the older Shinigami could see a faint blush dusting his pale cheeks.
"Don't attack me again," the youth grumbled.
Tsuzuki's violet eyes widened.
"Attack? 'Soka, I hugged you!"
Angry green eyes locked on his own.
"More like molested me..."
Tsuzuki made a hurt sound.
"Aww, you know I wouldn't do that."
He watched as the boy looked away, apparently staring out the window on the other side of the room. Tsuzuki's brows furrowed in concern.
"Hisoka?"
Slowly, the boy in question turned to look at him, but the look in his eyes wasn't anger. It was weariness, unease, and a bit of...fear? Hesitancy? Tsuzuki wasn't sure.
"Tsuzuki...I can't feel anything you feel right now. I don't know if you're being sincere, if you're still hurt, if you've forgiven me, anything! I...I don't like this. You'd think I'd be happy to be rid of my empathy for a few hours, and I was at first, but-"
The older man pressed a light finger to his lips.
"Shh. I understand, Hisoka. I've never lied to you, so believe me when I say that right now, I'm very happy."
The boy's owlish eyes blinked slowly.
"Really?"
Tsuzuki nodded, his eyes conveying warmth and love with such an intensity that Hisoka could barely stand to look at him.
"...Me too."
He glanced at his partner as he stood to leave.
"Tsuzuki?"
The older man turned expectantly.
"Could you...could you stay with me? Until my empathy returns...?"
Tsuzuki sat back down, running a hand through his partner's soft hair.
"I was hoping you'd ask, 'Soka. I didn't want to stay and make you uncomfortable."
Hisoka bit his lip.
"I wasn't uncomfortable...I never am with you around. Even if you are a first-class idiot."
The violet-eyed man grinned cheekily.
"But I'm your first-class idiot!"
The boy blushed deeply, causing Tsuzuki to chuckle. 'He's too cute, like a teddy bear!'
"You know, if nearly killing myself gets you to open up so much, maybe I should do stuff like that more often," he joked.
There was the sound of a chair scraping across the tile as Tsuzuki found himself being shoved violently off the bed, colliding with the chair next to it. He stared at his partner, not sure what he had done wrong.
"Don't ever say that," Hisoka hissed venomously. His green eyes were darkened in fury and deep hurt, unshed tears trembling on his dark eyelashes.
"Hisoka? I'm sor-"
"Don't! How can you say something like that?! Do you have any idea how much you hurt me by calling Touda? How much you hurt us all?!"
Tsuzuki's eyes filled with guilt and sorrow.
"I...I was only joking, 'Soka. I'm sorry. I...I'm sorry," he whispered softly.
The youth glared at him, limbs shaking in anger. Hisoka's vision swam and he was vaguely aware that he felt he was about to pass out.
"Get out," he growled. Tsuzuki's pleading eyes met his own unrelenting ones.
"I said get out. Go. I don't want you near me right now."
Sensing that his partner's mind could not be changed, Tsuzuki nodded softly, slowly turning toward the door. As he reached it, hand clasped on the door handle, he spoke.
"I really am sorry, Hisoka. I...I just can't get it right, can I?"
A tear splattered against his hand as he opened the door and exited, closing it gently.
Hisoka stared at the doorframe for a minute before the stress became too much for his weak system, and he passed out.