When I first died, there was nothing. Just the sweet darkness I had been craving. It enveloped me and left me unthinking and without any of my senses. No touch. No sight. No sound. Nothing. I couldn't breath either. So why am I breathing now? Then, all of a sudden, I was aware of myself again. I had a body, I was breathing, I was alive. It wasn't all that bad either, even with my empathy on the fritz. At least I wasn't sick anymore. And I could think. So why am I thinking now? The next thing I knew, I was taking the job of a shinigami and I was partnered with Tsuzuki Asato. The biggest slacker and idiot that could've ever stepped into the office. But he was my partner. I think I made that pretty clear to everyone in the office. But that was my first death. I just died again didn't I? So why am I still here?
It's still the same nothingness, I'm free from other's emotions. Except for my own and my thoughts. I can think here, isn't that strange? I think it is. It's cold here. Really lonely too. There is no concept of time here. I don't know if a second has passed since my arrival here or a day. Or a week. Or a month. Or a year. Every second is the same as the first. Nothing. But comforting as well. This place has numbed me to the pain I'd be feeling if I was out there. Wherever out there is.
"Hisoka, please come back to me! Hisoka! Wake up!"
I think I first felt Tsuzuki when he had a nightmare. It was… I don't know, a while after he began lying next to me. I couldn't feel his body there, but his presence was reassuring. But reassuring me of what? There was nothing here, nothing to make me feel uneasy. I didn't like his nightmare though. I saw the whole thing. It was pretty gruesome. Somebody was dying. I think that was me. Now I remember why I was reassured that he was there. I hadn't been with him in so long. I missed him.
"I miss you, Hisoka. Please just wake up. Let me know you're alright. Please Hisoka!"
I don't like him being here anymore. He's so sad, it makes me sad and I forget the numbness. He's trying to synch with me. It's pulling me back up to where he is. But the rational part of me tries to convince me that he's not really there. He would have no reason to be near me at all. Why would he want to anyway? Why can't I just die in peace? Why do the gods have to torture me with feelings of Tsuzuki? I fall deeper into the numbness again, back into the dark where I can't feel Tsuzuki crying in my hair.
I'm thinking again. That's not good. I'm going back up to where people are. Except Tsuzuki. He's not there. Setsuko's not there either. Why? I don't remember. Oh yeah, I did something wrong. I killed someone. I killed Setsuko. Okay, time to go back to the numbness. I don't like feeling my heart rip like that. I don't like it.
"NII-SAN!"
Like I was thinking earlier, no concept of time here. I have no idea how long I've been here. I've been popping up from the darkness and then falling back under. Every time I come up, something different comes to mind. Sometimes it's memories of Tsuzuki and me in our partnership, sometimes it's me killing Setsuko, sometimes it's me hurting Tsuzuki. I don't like any of them, so I try to leave them be. My mind keeps playing tricks on me. It tells me Tsuzuki is here when he clearly isn't and that he wants me back with him when he clearly doesn't. He'd be disgusted with. He is disgusted with me. Hell, he's probably dead too. This is depressing so I think I'll sleep a little while longer.
"Hisoka… I'm so sorry Hisoka…"
Do you ever get those feelings that you're missing something completely, that someone out there is calling for you and you want to go to them but you can't get to them? I have that feeling now. Another feeling? Someone's hugging me. They want me to hug them back but I can't. The really sad part? I want to hug them back too.
"I need you, please don't leave. Don't go somewhere I can't follow. You said you belonged with me, if you do then come back. Please come back to me 'Soka!"
Did I ever tell you how much I hate Muraki? I don't know why I'm thinking of him, but something just made me do that. It's as if he just found a way into my mind. Creepy bastard. Hasn't he killed me enough? I'm dead now right? I hope I am. But then… if I'm dead who'll help Tsuzuki get away from Muraki? Someone needs to… I think I'm the only one who can right now. No one else knows what he's planning. But then, this is all a dream right? I hope so…
Every time I seem to float back up to the surface of my thoughts, Muraki is there. Even in my second death the bastard will haunt me. I guess I am connected to him forever. I don't want to be, but I don't think I have much of a choice. Tsuzuki's really sad. At least… I think he is… I really feel scared. But of what? Dead people shouldn't be scared right? Just like dead people shouldn't be sad, but I am anyway. I want to go back to the nothingness, but I don't think I can. It's like I can almost see Tsuzuki… but Muraki's there… I don't know where they are. Am I dreaming? No, I'm there too… Tsuzuki's touching me. Not in the bad way, but the good way. I like it when he touches me like this. I can see him doing it, but I don't feel it. That makes me feel bad again. The sadness intensifies, but it's Tsuzuki's mingling with my own. I missed something. Something's happening. He's doing something really stupid again I think. I have to stop him. He's talking again. No one's there, so I think he's talking to me. I can't hear him, but I feel the need to say something.
"But he'll hurt you." I'm implying Muraki, I'm not sure if I'm thinking this or saying it aloud. "If you go away, he'll hurt you. Idiot. Stay here with me. If you don't, I'll just follow you. My place is by your side. Remember?"
I don't believe a word I'm saying. He doesn't either or he must not have heard me because he's walking away. It makes me even sadder and I don't think he'll come back this time. The numb darkness opens it's arms to me and takes me down to where I can sleep again. Sleep and not be sad. It's wet here now. Oh, it's because I'm crying. When was the last time I cried? I don't remember. The tears don't have any meaning. They don't unless he's here to wipe them away. I'm tired…
"Nii-san. It's time to wake up."
It was still dark. That was the first thing emerald eyes registered as they blinked open for the first time in a while, or so Hisoka thought. Where am I? Aren't I dead? I want to be dead. Dead people don't wake up. He cringed, closing his eyes again and searching for the numb sensation that would keep him safe. Not as safe as he would've liked, but nothing could compare with his partner.
Something was shaking him again, "Nii-san, it's time to wake up! Come on!"
That voice… it's familiar… Hisoka's brow twitched, his body tensing at the quick flash of memory. Only one person had ever called him 'nii-san'. But she died. I saw her! I was holding her! I'm confused. I'm tired. Why can't the gods just let me be? He tentatively opened his eyes again, coming face to face with a very displeased looking child. Mocha eyes boring into his own, a small pout on her face.
"You can't hide here forever, you know. Wake up." she reprimanded, wagging a finger in front of him.
Hisoka was extremely confused now, "I am awake. My eyes are open now aren't they?"
"Anou, you're in your mind still. Don't you remember?" she tilted her head to the side, "You came here when you were so sad you couldn't stand it. But you can't stay here anymore. Tsu-chan is very sad. He misses you. You're sad too. You're not keeping your promise very well…"
The boy blinked, "What…? So I'm not dead?" she shook her head, "But, how can you be here? You… you died…"
"I am dead." there was remorse in her voice.
"Then how can you be here?" he demanded of her.
Setsuko looked at him with such intensity it made him recoil, "You tell me."
Suddenly she was gone, just evaporated right there before his very eyes. It had been an illusion. If it was his mind that he was trapped within, it only made sense for his subconscious to be able to play tricks on him like that. It had been a dream most likely, feeling so real because his senses had been pulled to that level. Hisoka shivered, feeling again. It became very apparent what his emotions and thoughts were. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to return to that quiet place. There was something holding him back.
Tsuzuki. Hisoka was suddenly very alert, anger flashing in his emerald optics, Tsuzuki was in trouble. Muraki was there… said something about me…? Yeah… something about saving me. If… saving me if Tsuzuki became his. Dammit. That idiot's going to sell his body to that crazy bastard! I have to stop him! But how? I'm dead… no… I'm… stuck here… how do I get out? I've got to get out. Somehow… somehow… maybe if I want to see Tsuzuki bad enough. Maybe I can wake up. Tsuzuki, don't leave okay? I'll be awake in a second. Please, just stall or something! Do anything! I… his emotions… so much affection? Concern? Or… is it…? Love? I don't know love. I want to. But I'm scared. If loving him makes him okay though, then I'll gladly do it. I'll love him. I… love him…
The filmy shell that covered his vision slowly faded. Everything was white and bright still, but it was real. It was the infirmary. For a moment or two, Hisoka lay in the bed in a stupor. He was dazed, his mind moving at a slow, languid pace. It was trying to catch up with the rest of him. He blinked slowly, trying to comprehend the events that had conspired in his sleep. Slowly, it all came back to him. Rising from his lying down position, he strained his body past the usual limit. But he was determined to do this. Gripping the edge of the bed so that he could gain balance, it didn't occur to him that it was so tight that his knuckles had gone white. Hisoka was panting heavily, bringing himself into a standing position. One step. Two steps. He was slumped against the wall, but still moving. That's what mattered.
The empath was able to push away from the wall and walk on his own. He stumbled a few times, once he was out of the infirmary, but could hold his own quite well. Tsuzuki's emotions were every where. There would be little he could do in his state against Muraki, but he had to try. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to his partner that he could've prevented. I guess this is how Tsuzuki feels. He mused, turning a corner and nearly running smack into Tatsumi and Watari.
"Bon!" Watari gasped, at the same time Tatsumi did, "Kurosaki-kun! What are you doing?"
Hisoka paid them no mind, weakly brushing them aside, "I-I have to…"
"Bon, you need to be in bed. You're too weak and sick now. Come on, come with me and Tatsumi will go and get Tsuzuki for you." Watari tried to guide the boy back to the infirmary.
He pushed away roughly, "No! I have to do it! Please… they won't believe… if they don't… see… me."
Hisoka's voice was hoarse and raspy, but full of determination. The two older shinigami exchanged glances, neither knew what to do. They followed the boy as he continued to stagger down the hall towards the building's exit.
"I think he's delusional Watari-san." Tatsumi pondered, looking at the scientist for affirmation.
The blonde nodded, "I think so too. Let's go find Tsuzuki and see if he can convince bon to go back to bed."
Tatsumi and Watari turned and went in the opposite direction of Hisoka, who had managed to open the door leading to the outside world of Meifu. It was dreary, gray clouds hung overhead and promised misery. The boy shivered in the wind, gripping the doorframe to keep himself from collapsing. Emerald eyes darted around frantically searching from the familiar figure of his partner. It was hopeless. Tsuzuki was no where to be seen. Choking back tears, Hisoka nearly fell over himself, instead resorting to crumbling inwardly and tumbling down the front steps. It was so painful, that ripping feeling in his chest. It wouldn't go away.
"Tsu… zuki..!" Hisoka coughed, trying to raise his voice so that he could reach the brunette, "No! Tsuzuki! Don't… don't go..!" he attempted to sit up, but gravity betrayed him for lack of equal balance. "I need you… here…!"
Spinning, things were spinning again. Just like when his empathy would go out of control. Too much…! Hisoka saw red mixing in with the bleak skies and dead grass and broken everything. It hadn't even occurred to him that he had vomited blood. I was too late… I'm always too late… always too late to save him…
"Hisoka!"
The voice was distant, or maybe close, he couldn't tell with all the blood rushing in his ears. He could tell if it was the earth shaking or him. He couldn't tell if someone turned off the lights or he had just closed his eyes. Another wave of sickening feelings, this time he didn't even have the energy to sit up so that he could vomit properly. The empath just lay there in crumpled heap, shivering and trying to keep his mind out of the darkness. Why? It's safer there… It's better there… I can pretend that nothing's wrong and everything's normal and none of this ever happened. Then someone wrapped their arms around him and the darkness went away. He was aware of himself and his surroundings again. He was especially aware of the pair of amethyst eyes that gazed at him with such concern he absently wondered why it wasn't leaking in through his shields.
"Hisoka!" Tsuzuki was now cradling him, trying to help him up, "Hisoka are you alright?"
The empath just stared at him, "Tsu…? Wha…?" He couldn't finish his words, mentally trying to grab a hold of something as he slipped backwards, away from his partner.
"No, don't even think about going back there." the brunette shook his head, sounding extremely serious, starting to hoist him up so he could carry him. "Stay with me, okay? Don't leave again."
"You're leaving… not me." he mumbled incoherently, falling limp in the hold that Tsuzuki had him in. "Don' want you to go… M'raki… dizzy…"
Tsuzuki stumbled at this, nearly dropping the extremely fragile boy, "Oh… I-I'm so sorry Hisoka… I… You must've seen… my dream…"
Hisoka slipped his eyes shut, it was too bright, "Dream…? Felt real… tired… you're tired… sleep 'kay? Not your fault… 's mine… I…"
Tsuzuki never found out what Hisoka had been trying to say, for he had fallen unconscious in the middle of speaking. His gaze slowly left his partner's serene face, looking back to Watari and Tatsumi who looked like they wanted to help but had no idea how. He offered them a sad smile, but it didn't work as well. A pang of fear hit him, but it wasn't his own. All three looked to Hisoka, his face was contorted in pain now. He was projecting his fear by use of his empathy. Something was scaring him. Hisoka let out a shrill scream before going limp once more, but by then Tsuzuki had already began his sprint back to the infirmary.
"You think he'll be okay?"
"He should be. I think he just overexerted himself, that's why he passed out."
"But why did he scream?"
"Who knows? Could be his bad memories or maybe a nightmare?"
"Aa, that would be a good explanation of things."
Hisoka's brow furrowed, he had no idea what was going on. He was so tired, so it was safe to assume that he had just awoken or something to that affect because he wasn't all there. He could hear voices, but they were distant and it sounded muffled as if he were under water. He knew one of them was Tsuzuki; Hisoka could distinguish that voice and those emotions any day. So, he guessed the other two were probably Watari and Tatsumi, which made as much sense as anything else did.
"Hey, I think he's awake."
Slowly, Hisoka blinked open to find himself in the infirmary once again. What do I keep doing that ends up with me in here? Oh wait, I don't have a house anymore. So technically this is my house. It's too bright. What happened? Where's Tsuzuki? He rubbed at his eyes sleepily, trying to wake up all the way. When his vision cleared, the first thing he noticed were two purple eyes gazing expectantly at him.
"Hello!" Tsuzuki smiled at his partner's awakening, "Are you okay?"
Hisoka blinked again, his partner's happiness confused him, "H-hai."
"That's good! Aw, 'Soka! I missed you so much!" soon, a chibi-inu Tsuzuki was glomping his partner and rubbing his cheek against the empath's, proverbial tail wagging profusely.
Hisoka blushed and tried to pry the over grown puppy off him. Tatsumi and Watari smiled at the scene, then walked out quietly so they would cause no further disturbance. The boy had managed to get the brunette off him, but the man refused to leave his side in anyway.
"You sure you're okay? You hungry? Tired? Thirsty? I can get you some water if you want. Or some extra blankets in case you're cold. Those really don't look too warm. You need to take proper care of yourself when you're not well. Hmm, your face is all red! Do you have a fever? Are you too hot? Are you sick? Does 'Soka need-" Tsuzuki was speaking at about a hundred miles an hour, fussing over his partner the way a mother would her child. Only way more overprotective.
Hisoka cut Tsuzuki off, "Stop it, I'm fine. I don't need anything except… except a quick explanation of what happened."
The emotions that suddenly hit him threw him off guard. The next thing Hisoka knew, he had curled up into a small ball and was massaging his temples to quell the aches. Tsuzuki gasped, building up more efficient shields. There was surprise, amusement, fear, anger, guilt, and pretty much every emotion you could think of coming off the brunette.
"Hisoka, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." he backed off the boy, giving him his space. He didn't want to chase him away like last time.
Hisoka uncoiled himself, "I-I'm okay, it's fine Tsuzuki."
Before he even started crying, the empath felt the tears that came to his friend's amethyst eyes. Hisoka stared wide eyed, unsure of what he did to make the brunette cry. Uneasiness washed over him, his own uneasiness, torn between wanting to comfort his partner and letting him have his space.
"Tsuzuki?" he inquired, edging closer to him.
Tsuzuki sniffed and looked at Hisoka with red-rimmed eyes, "Y-you said my name… gods Hisoka, I haven't heard you speak normally in so long… I just…" he broke down again, sobbing into his own arms.
It registered with Hisoka what exactly Tsuzuki was feeling and why. It had been a long time since the two of them had had a normal conversation. Everything in between had been monotone or yelling or the two of them were just separated. Actually Hisoka hadn't talked to anyone in a normal manner except for Setsuko and Watari on occasion. Thinking about that made something click. Setsuko was dead. He wouldn't get to talk to her again because young children didn't have the option to become shinigami, they were just sent on to either heaven or hell. Surely Setsuko didn't deserve hell… Jerking back into reality with Tsuzuki's sobbing, Hisoka held back his own tears to comfort the man first.
"Shh, I know Tsuzuki, I know. I'm sorry." he hesitantly wrapped his arms around his partner, both sitting on the bed so it was easy, "I'm sorry. Please don't cry."
Tsuzuki appreciated the hug and returned it immediately, "I-I know-! I'm just happy… so happy that you're okay. You're okay."
"That's right, I'm okay. I'm okay…" Even though I should be the one who's dead.
It didn't occur to Hisoka that he had spoken the words out loud until Tsuzuki pulled away from him and gave him a funny look. It looked angry at first, disappointed. Hisoka clamped his eyes shut, turning his head and tensing because he didn't want Tsuzuki to hate him for killing Setsuko. He hadn't meant to. It had been an accident. But, it still didn't change the fact that her blood was on his hands. A gentle hand cupped his chin and lifted his face back up so that his gaze was level with Tsuzuki's. The first expression was gone, replaced with sympathy and tenderness.
Tsuzuki's tone was firm, but still holding it's usual kindness, "Hisoka. It wasn't your fault. The curse would've killed her eventually. Her death wasn't your fault and don't wish that it had been you instead."
"But-" Hisoka tried to debate this, but his partner wouldn't have it.
"Don't ever think that you are unworthy of life, Hisoka. You did your best to protect her and that's all we ask of you. It was her choice to summon the angel, she knew full well what the consequences of that were. So, it wasn't your fault."
The empath swallowed thickly, then with some amusement in his voice he replied, "You… you really are a hypocrite aren't you?"
"Maybe." Tsuzuki ruffled the boy's hair, "But that's beside the point, Hisoka. What matters… what matters to me is that you're alive and safe and with me. You managed to hold up your promise to me, thank you for that Hisoka. Thank you."
Hisoka could feel more tears, but from whom he didn't know, "You kept your promise too, because you're here now. Even when you wanted to die because I was-"
"Let's not think about that 'Soka. Watari already explained to me that you were possessed. You had no control over that. And you were scared, when you had every right to be." Tsuzuki reassured, settling for stroking his partner's hair rather than messing it up. "I came on too strong and that scared you. It gave room for that demon to consume you. I can't even begin to say how sorry I am for doing that to you."
Hisoka was definitely sure it was him close to tears now, "You idiot… you didn't scare me… you could never…"
"Hisoka?" Tsuzuki blinked as the boy pulled himself closer to him, crawling into his lap as a result.
He settled his head on the brunette's chest, "I wasn't scared of you so much as it was what would happen. Physical contact is still difficult for me, especially intimate stuff. So, I wasn't scared of you, okay? I don't want you to think that. I don't want you to feel bad."
"Alright, I won't. But I'm still sorry." he switched from stroking the sun-kissed locks to gently rubbing the boy's back.
Hisoka nuzzled his head against Tsuzuki on impulse, "It's okay… Tsuzuki?"
"Hmm?" Tsuzuki had settled his own head on his partner's.
"Can we stay like this?"
Tsuzuki chuckled, "Of course we can, 'Soka. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Slowly, things at JuOhCho reverted back to some level of normalcy. Wakaba and Terazuma had some difficulty in coping with Setsuko's death, they had grown so accustomed to having around that their house felt quite empty without her. Tatsumi began forcing everyone back to their jobs and threatening to dock payments. He also began scolding Tsuzuki for overspending on dessert. Watari periodically blew up his lab, well, when he wasn't checking up on Hisoka or some such. He had managed to inform Hisoka of what had happened; apparently he'd been out of it for a couple days. After Tsuzuki had the nightmare, Wakaba asked to see him. She presented him with the new-improved teddy bear she'd managed to fix. She began to cry, as did he, both mourning over the loss of Setsuko but Tsuzuki for Hisoka as well. Then, Watari and Tatsumi were telling him that Hisoka was walking around. The scientist was laughing when he recounted that Tsuzuki looked about ready to kill anything that stood in his way to getting to his partner, even the hall door that got stuck for a moment or two. Tatsumi did not find it funny that there was now a hole where the door had once been. Well, then Hisoka was carried by Tsuzuki back to bed once he'd finished screaming and then slept peacefully for the next day. So, that was what happened with Watari's visit.
The brunette however, was a different story. Tsuzuki avoided doing as much paperwork as he could, partnered up with Tatsumi for one assignment, and pretty much was hovering over Hisoka constantly for the entire time he was bedridden. He didn't even go home at night. The only times he would ever leave the empath's side was if he was going to get food for the both of them, that in and of itself was problematic for Hisoka. Especially when he insisted on feeding the boy himself.
"Open wide 'Soka!" Tsuzuki chirped, waving a forkful of apple pie in front of his face.
Hisoka kept his mouth shut, not wanting to risk the chance of his partner shoving the overly sweet pastry down his throat. One, he would surely choke on it. And two, he'd had enough of the force feeding and refused to be shamed by it any further. The man was persistent though.
"Mou… 'Sokaa!" he resorted to whining, poking the boy's lips with the fork.
Hisoka glowered, crossing his arms defiantly and mustering up the best glare he could. That proved to be rather difficult since he was turning his head this way and that to avoid the dessert. One could only take so much of Tsuzuki in his 'super-mother-hen mode'. It was starting to grate on his nerves.
"Pwetty pwease 'Soka-chan? For me?" Tsuzuki was now chibi-inu, looking inanely pathetic with big teary eyes and a quivering lip. Hisoka could not stand that look.
Groaning irritably, the empath relented and opened his mouth reluctantly. The puppy squeaked gleefully, then proceeded to feed the pie to his partner. He was more gentle this time, to Hisoka's relief, so there was no danger of choking like last time. Besides, Hisoka figured he owed the brunette the small satisfaction of feeding him. After all, Tsuzuki had done a lot for him. It was just the aspect of being babied constantly that bothered him. The aspect of being a burden.
"You're never a burden."
He could recall someone telling him that recently, although he had been half asleep at that point. He had no idea who it had been, certainly not Tsuzuki since the empath recognized the man's voice and feelings miles away. He chose not to dwell on it. It wouldn't do him any good.
"There! All gone! Feeling better?" Tsuzuki tilted his head to the side, grinning expectantly and proverbial tail wagging.
Hisoka blushed, swallowed the last of the pie, and nodded, "Hai. Thanks."
"Waaiii! 'Soka-chan's feeling better!" Hisoka had long given up trying to prevent his partner from using that annoying pet name. The brunette hopped up from his chair and went to discard the remnants of the so-called meal that they both shared. He paused once finished, keeping his back to the boy, "Ne, Hisoka?"
Hisoka, who had gone back to reading a particularly interesting book that the GuShoShin left for him, looked up. "What?"
"You are okay, right?"
The seriousness of the question startled him, "Aa… yeah, I'm fine."
Tsuzuki still felt tense to him, nervousness seeping into him via empathy. "You're sure?"
"Hai." Hisoka arched an eyebrow, inwardly confused about why Tsuzuki was pressing the issue, "Why is this bothering you?"
The brunette fidgeted with his back still to his partner, "Anou, you're still in the infirmary and it's been a week. I'm just wondering why you're still here if you're 'fine'."
Oh, so that's why Tsuzuki was still fussing over him. He was concerned that something was seriously wrong. What do I tell him? Oh this is my new home now, why don't I make you some tea? He'd probably get either more concerned with me being homeless or mad at Tatsumi for not letting me get a new apartment. He still says no. It's not like I'm still possessed or anything. I'm not a child. Why does everyone thinks that? He sighed and raked a hand through his hair, letting the book slip out of his hands. I guess it's because they don't have Setsuko to fawn over anymore. I'm the youngest again…
"He's still just a baby!"
Hisoka's fist clenched involuntarily at the memory. Despite what Tsuzuki reassured him, he knew that everyone in the office looked down on him. To them, he would always be the kid that required assistance. He couldn't be left alone. He couldn't protect himself or anyone else. He would never get any older. He would be a 'baby' just as Wakaba had said. She's probably right…
"How many times do I have to tell you?" Hisoka's head jerked up at Tsuzuki's sudden interruption, "Thinking too much isn't healthy Hisoka. And you think entirely too much."
He scowled, "Baka. You're saying that because you don't think at all."
"Mou! 'Soka's being mean!" Tsuzuki moaned, fake tears streaming down his cheeks.
Hisoka rolled his eyes, going back to reading his book. Tsuzuki saw this and stopped his 'boo-hoo' act. Instead he walked back over to the boy and sat down on the bed beside him. The empath didn't acknowledge this, he merely buried his face further into the book.
"Hisoka…" the tone of the older shinigami caused him to involuntarily shiver, eyeing his partner from over the top of his book. "You still haven't answered my question."
The boy blushed, averted his gaze, and mumbled something incoherent. Tsuzuki blinked for a moment, then prodded him in the side, "I can't hear you." he teased lightly.
Hisoka's blush deepened, "I don't have a home."
"Nani?" Amethyst eyes widened in surprise, "Tatsumi didn't find you a new place to stay?"
"No… he said that I wasn't ready… that I should stay here where you all can… can keep an eye on me." he muttered, still not looking at the man.
Tsuzuki frowned, he didn't like the prospect of Hisoka having to stay in the infirmary for so long, what with the boy's past and all. "Ne, Hisoka? Why don't you come live with me?"
There was a comforting silence as the two merely sat with each other. Hisoka hadn't needed to say anything, Tsuzuki knew. And he smiled, because he knew everything would be okay. Eventually.
A/N: Ne, there is one more chapter after this! It's so sad to imagine this story being over... I love it so much!