It was a simple assignment. Just a lost soul, no magic, no devils, no demons, and no possessed humans. Still it grew complicated because the human in question was running from the two angels of death, fled from his death, and both Tsuzuki and Hisoka were doggedly following the trails. It took them more than a day to find the woman in question and by the time they had finally located the house, she was running again.
It was tiring.
So in the end the two shinigami booked a hotel room for one night, even though Tatsumi muttered about expenses. Well, that was just him.

Tsuzuki, though usually not easy to rouse, was awake in an instant, sensing the presence of someone else in the room. Eyes darting through the semi-darkness he spotted the outline of the other – rather small and slender …
"Sshh, it's me."
"Hisoka? What…?"
The younger shinigami was now standing in front of his bed, the silvery moonlight running over his form like quicksilver. Big green eyes stared down on him and Tsuzuki started to feel more worried by the minute.
"Are you all right, Hisoka?"
Hisoka didn't answer right away, which didn't help Tsuzuki's apprehension.
"Talk to me?"
"I had a nightmare," Hisoka answered softly.
"You want to sleep here?"
"Kinda."
Tsuzuki's eyes almost popped when he saw Hisoka shrug out of his robe, wearing nothing but skin underneath, watching him intently, and he felt panic rose inside of him.
"Hisoka! This… I… wait… "
The boy had simply grabbed and lifted the blanked and slipped underneath, and Tsuzuki could feel the nude body press against his as the smaller shinigami was snuggling into his arms.
Oh god… he wants… but I can't… I don't… his thoughts were whirling.
"Asato?" Hisoka asked, clearly sensing his anxiety. It was the first time he called him by his name, too.
Don't make such a fuss!
Touda!
C'mon – the boy's more experienced than you are. And you told him you're a virgin already, remember
Touda!! Tsuzuki cried, mortified and outraged in one.
"What's wrong? Is it that you… you don't want me?"
"Hisoka…"
Tsuzuki bit his lower lip, unsure of what to say.
"Hisoka, I… I think I want you. I just don't know… I don't know how it… I told you I've never…"
Green eyes stared at him for a long minute, than the blond head fell on his chest as Hisoka let out a long breath that almost sounded like a snort. The heat brushing over his skin made Tsuzuki shiver, though.
"Yes, you did… Only you, Asato. You're a one hundred year old virgin!"
"Well, technically… I'm not hundred years old."
"Details. If I wanted to get laid by a nitpicker I'd have asked Tatsumi."
The image this awoke made Tsuzuki shudder inwardly and at the same time something inside him clenched. And then the words really registered.
"You want to get laid by me?!"
"Tsuzuki, you're so dense sometimes. If someone climbs into your bed in the middle of the night stark naked I'd say that's a slight indication into that direction, yes."
"Hisoka…" Tsuzuki felt utterly helpless, and blushing, too.
"Did you never have a girl friend or something? Just a friend?" Hisoka asked.
Tsuzuki shook his head. "As long as I'm a shinigami, no. According to… some files… I spent the last eight years of my life in a hospital, trying to kill myself. I died at the age of twenty six, so that makes me eighteen. And before that… I really don't think so. I'm not human, people didn't want me close…"
A soft hand on his face stopped his rambling and he turned, looking into the expressive green eyes.
"You are human, Tsuzuki Asato. I don't care what anyone says, what your genealogy reveals. You're very much human. Now… kiss me?"
It just needed a little shift to bring their lips together. Shyly at first but with growing excitement Tsuzuki deepened the kiss, letting his arms come up and around the rather delicate body he was holding close, until Hisoka pulled back to breathe. Head coming to rest on his chest, the smaller shinigami inhaled deeply and Tsuzuki stroked the naked back as soothingly as he could, given the fact that he felt totally off kilter himself.
"Hisoka, I…"
"No rushing things," Hisoka whispered against his skin. "This is too precious to rush."
"Would you – like to stay?"
"Yes. I'd like that."

Rikugo had returned to Byakko's palace to check on Touda, to see how the shikigami had healed. He wasn't happy to be here, but Tsuzuki had asked him to take care of the serpent and he would never disobey his master.
The terrible wound had healed nicely and Byakko had apparently taken very good care of him. A long reddish line ran across the muscular chest. It would disappear in a day or two, given how the healing powers had recovered as well. Touda had filled out nicely once again, looking strong and ready to leave this confinement.
Evading the uncovered eyes, Rikugo straightened. Behind him an eager Byakko watched him closely.
"So?" the tiger wanted to know, bouncing in place without even moving.
"The wound has closed and there are no signs of infection or muscle damage," Rikugo said calmly, unnerved by the unrestrained fire serpent.
The control mechanism was still off; there was nothing to hold Touda back from attacking any single one of them with his full powers now… He pushed that thought aside. Touda had been a model patient with Byakko; there had been no complaints.
"Great!" Byakko exclaimed, beaming. "That's good news!"
The astrologer had to smile at the undisguised happiness. "Yes. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
"Sure! Thanks for coming by."
Rikugo only briefly glanced at the man sitting on the chair. Touda was redressing, not even looking his way. Rikugo knew he would feel better the moment the control mechanism was back. They all would.

Byakko watched Touda dress, smiling. He was pleased his guest and friend had healed, but then something niggled into that happiness.
Touda was healed.
He would leave.
Disappointment was added to the relief.
Touda would go…
The fire shikigami rose and walked over to the drawer that held the visor. He opened it and looked at the device, then simply took it out.
"Touda…" Byakko started, but he wasn't fast enough.
With a stony expression Touda slipped the visor on, fastening it quickly. The beautiful eyes were once again hidden behind the tinted visor and the man who had shared weeks with him was replaced by the almost unapproachable creature everyone hated.
Byakko stepped in front of the slightly taller man, sadness creeping into his eyes. Red eyes tried to pierce the black shield, find the eyes he had been looking into in the past days. Eyes that held emotions Touda denied even feeling. Eyes that relayed so much loneliness and pain.
"You don't have to go," the tiger said softly.
"Yes, I do. I'm healed."
"My invitation extends beyond that time, you know…"
Touda silently looked at him, then a small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth.
"Yes, I know Byakko. I know."
One hand, not yet wearing the dangerous metal claws, came up to cup his face and Byakko felt the warmth this man could give.
"Thank you for your hospitality, my lord. I will repay your kindness one day."
Touda leaned down and brushed his lips over Byakko's, catching the shikigami slightly off guard.
And then he was gone.
Byakko gave a silent mewl of distress and gazed forlornly at the empty bedroom.