Kurosaki Hisoka.
He had confessed his love for his partner, to his partner, while under emotional stress and now, as he was able to get some distance, he wondered what Hisoka would make of it. He loved the boy and he didn't want to lose him over this.
Hisoka was there when he came back, face as neutral as always, green eyes scanning him closely. Tsuzuki gave him a half-smile.
"Hey."
"Hey," was the careful reply as those intense eyes continued watching him, looking for something.
"Uh… Hisoka…I…"
"Yes."
Tsuzuki stopped, blinked, then frowned. "What?"
"Yes," Hisoka repeated.
"Yes… what?"
The smaller shinigami approached him, still unreadable. "The answer to your question is yes."
"I didn't ask…"
"You were about to. Or you were about to give me some crap about you being under emotional pressure, that I should ignore what you said, which I won't, and that I might be misinterpreting things, which I'm not. My answer is yes, Tsuzuki Asato. I love you, too."
Tsuzuki could only stare at his partner, breath leaving his lungs in a gasp, and then had a slender body in his arms and a pair of lips crushing down on his own. He had no time to think, only to react, and he did. He reacted and he kissed Hisoka back, holding him tightly, feeling everything and nothing at all.
Hisoka gazed at him, face tilted up to look at the taller man, as he remained in his arms.
"I think we should talk," he said softly.
"Whatever you want," Tsuzuki answered giddily.
Hisoka chuckled. "I wonder how long that lasts."
Tsuzuki just kissed him again, loving, appreciating the soft contact, unable to get enough of his partner. He felt incredibly happy, his emotions echoing through the bond. Touda's presence was like a background hum, resonating his pleasure and agreement.
Took you long enough, shinigami, the fire serpent muttered.
Tsuzuki only smiled at him, brilliant and relieved, so unbelievably glad.
Thank you, he sent.
Touda didn't reply, just moved back, giving the two men their privacy. But Tsuzuki could detect the faint ripples of satisfaction.
Touda leaned back into the pillows – Byakko's pillows, he reminded himself, in Byakko's bed, Byakko's bedroom. He was slowly feeling better, day by day, but, as his host had also reminded him, he was to stay in bed until he had healed. Master's orders. The wounds had been deep, he had lost a lot of blood, his malnourished body was unable to compensate accordingly for the blood loss, and at the moment just sitting and eating was taking a lot of energy.
A part of him – make that a big part – was entirely glad Tsuzuki had taken him back, had forgiven him for what he had done. He was even allowed to be without the control mechanism as long as he was to stay at Byakko's. It was a monumental decision and Touda knew that Tsuzuki was probably getting hell from Sohryu and the others for it. Knowing his master Tsuzuki was more than up to the task. There were only a few blips over the bond as Tsuzuki and Hisoka were starting to explore their new relationship, something that pleased Touda greatly. He would accept the lack of presence from his master because he knew it meant that he and Hisoka were talking or otherwise engaged.
The fire shikigami had felt a little uneasy when he had found out that he was actually staying in the tiger's own room, invading his personal space, but for whatever reasons the other shikigami didn't seem to mind. On the contrary. He was bringing him food, ordering him to eat – "Tsuzuki said you're far too thin, and I second that," – and was even keeping him company when he had the time.
Byakko was a God after all, Protector of the West and therefore had his duties although he seemed to cut them down a little now. He had even managed to bring his guest a TV and – very much to Touda's surprise – had curled up beside him on the bed and watched a movie the other night.
The simple fact that anyone, anyone at all who wasn't Tsuzuki, would think of spending time with him was hard for Touda to grasp. Byakko was relaxed around him, no tension at all. His mouth worked a mile a minute when he was excited, but there were intense moments, serious moments, when Touda could see the God, the Protector, and the Commander. And he could see much more. He saw layers to the cheerful shikigami's side he would never have suspected.
One side was also annoying. It was the long, striped tail. It was a barometer of Byakko's moods, relaying excitement, disappointment or tension quite clearly. It twisted and twirled and whipped around, it was in motion or completely still, and it had started to fascinate the black shikigami.
Until that movie night.
The tail had a mind of its own and throughout the movie, it had ended up brushing against Touda more often than not.
Until Touda had grabbed the long tail that had once again bumped only accidentally against his face, and had told Byakko in no uncertain terms what he would do with it should it appear within his reach again.
Byakko had apologized – and grinned at him, curling his tail around himself from that moment on. Well, for that evening that was. It had happened again, Touda had grabbed the tail – and had been deeply shocked to hear a very soft purr from his companion some time later. Almost blushing he had let go of the tail, realizing he had stroked the soft fur the entire time.
Ever since he couldn't get the sensation out of his mind.
Now was the sixth day he was at Byakko's place, and it was the first evening he was actually spending alone. Byakko had urgent matters to take care of, had apologized for leaving him alone, and had left, looking less than pleased. Touda had waved off the apology. He didn't need a baby-sitter, be it in the form of servants, Byakko himself or his master. He was able to walk short distances and, in the absence of a movie night companion, had made himself comfortable on the balcony that belonged to Byakko's bedroom, enjoying the nice view, the peace and quiet and the good book Byakko had recommended.
In other words – he was bored.
Letting the book sink, he gazed at the horizon where the sun was already setting in the west, wondering when Byakko would be back. Closing his eyes Touda imagined the wide open smile, the sparkling red eyes, the humor, or the way Byakko's mouth would go a mile a minute when he was excited. Or the way how soft and silky the fur on his tail felt…
Touda blinked in surprise when a realization slowly set in.
He missed the tiger.
Impossible!
He had spent a few days with a companion and was already missing him? He, Touda, the independent fire serpent half GensouKai feared? He, the loner, was missing a fluffy overgrown flying cat with a mane?
Yes, you do, part of him muttered. Accept it. You miss someone. You miss the warmth of his company, his laughter, his life energy.
Damn…
Damn! He didn't need this!
"Hey, honey, I'm home," a cheerful voice behind him cut into his thoughts. "Oh, you've made it to the balcony, good. Want some hot chocolate?"
Touda buried his face in his hands and groaned.