Recap: After some awkwardness, Hisoka and the gang are informed at the meeting of some of the history behind Tsuzuki's demon heritage and his need for a mate. After clarifying the misunderstanding between them, Tsuzuki reveals that he's been in love with Hisoka and wants to mate with him.
Author's Note: I'm not going to apologize for the lateness – we moved and school started, both big things that demand time. But I am sorry that you had to wait so long. I had a hard time with this chapter. When I start a fic I like to stay consistent with the tense or POV I start with, but aRocketgirl mentioned she'd like to read a Tsuzuki POV and I couldn't agree more. Time to see the inner workings of Tsuzuki's demon urges.
Dedication: aRocketgirl (for your in-depth observations), sammycrusinix (for your spamming of the word "Update"), Sekre (We go way back from my PoB days), ElvinaPotter (Remind me to get that "portrait of a regal Tsuzuki" for you), Eovin (You're too cute), and Snowy Leopardess as always (I freakin' love you!).
A Demon's Kiss
By Scarlet Willows
Chapter Three – My Human
I could tell my human was shocked. Oh and there was no doubt about it – he was my human. I would have once thought this logic odd, but I'd given up fighting my demon instincts years ago. Wherever I went, I could feel his body heat pulse, the steady calm beat of his reanimated heart, his breath stir in the air, the flutter of his thoughts, the tingle of his powers (which were juvenile compared to mine, but I found it cute in an odd way). The golden wheat of his hair, the acid green of his discerning gaze, that supple, creamy pale skin, his lithe little figure – I'd wanted it all for myself for a long time, to wrap myself in him and bask in the glow of his attentions, to please him. Especially to please him...to make him mewl and whimper as I knew he would, to take away the taint of a madman and replace it with my own, to ultimately make him mine, to mark him with my body and scent so no other would dare touch. But more than that, I wanted to make him happy - to serve him, cook for him, bathe with him, talk with him, share with him, be with him. I wanted to be the reason why that rare and sweet little smile alighted on glossy coral lips in secret moments. I knew it sounded ridiculously selfish and possessive. But I'd embrace my instincts if it got this shrewd little hellcat in my arms.
And I knew without a doubt that, once unleashed, he would be a hellcat. I could smell it on his skin beneath the chemical smells of soap and shampoo. It was a spicy smell that hinted at fire and I wanted so badly to bury my nose in his neck where the scent was strongest and rut against him. But my human upbringing held me back of course. I didn't feel very human anymore.
You wouldn't feel human if you constantly saw the pulsing color of others' auras, could hear their breath from rooms away, hear the stir of their thoughts, taste the sharp smell of their emotions. You wouldn't feel human if you could bend others to your will if you wished, move so fast the air hardly stirred and the world looked like a statue, could summon matter and create or destroy at a whim. You wouldn't feel very human if you could speak to animals and they welcomed you as their own, if you could converse with the trees, if the mountains bowed to you. You wouldn't feel human if you had to struggle to keep your "human suite" on, to keep your horns and markings under your skin whenever you were angered or aroused. Oh, that happened often lately. It hadn't been this bad a year ago. I hadn't had an apathy toward any of the going-ons of my humans, but now, everything seemed trivial and alien, and almost beneath me if I didn't make the effort to stay interested. I just wanted my mate. To make him safe and happy and heavy with my seed. Though, for a little longer I would cling to humanity for him.
I'd hoped to spare him the brunt of my demon urges, but I'd waited too long and I didn't know how much longer I could hold out. I could feel the power swelling inside me more and more everyday, searching for release. Lately, I've had to hold myself back from acting...well, non-human; I've had to hold myself back from joining with nature and transforming, and I react most strongly around him – frequently I can feel my fangs lengthen and my eyes flash to their natural cat-like slits. Didn't want to scare him, because on top of that hellcat scent was one of fear. Fear of being forced, fear of pain, fear of the unknown. Fear of me. One might think fear would smell acrid and unpleasant, but it didn't. It was a meek smell, a little subtle, a little sweet-'n-sour. And god, but it made me lose it. It appealed to me because it was a submissive smell. All I knew was that it made me ache deliciously in all the right places. I did everything I could to not let his smell get to me, 'cause if it did, then so help me but I wouldn't be able to stop myself from having him.
My little human put on a good mask of indifference and an air of calculation which he'd had twenty plus years to hone, but I knew different. I knew he was just as vulnerable as any of the humans around us, even more so in some ways. Not to say he wasn't strong mentally or physically, because he'd proven time and time again that he was, but his childhood and the Muraki Incident had certainly left its fault-lines that, if pressed hard enough, would crack. And I was determined to protect him because he was already my human, he just didn't know it yet.
So as I was saying in the first place before I digressed, my human was shocked. I had to snap him out of it. "Hisoka? Did you hear me?" I asked gently because his eyes were a little too wide, his body a little too taut.
He shook himself a little to gain back his composure. He nodded, "Yeah, I heard you. You...want to-"
"I want to mate with you." I deadpanned.
He rushed and stammered. It was so cute to see the blush of frustration creep into his cheeks. "I...well, yeah, but, uh...right now? I don't think I've had enough time to process. And we're in a bathroom, don't you think a more romantic setting–"
I couldn't help but chuckle at my little human. "Not here, or now, silly!" I ruffled his hair a bit and pecked him on the nose and cheeks and finally leaned down to brush against those sweet, soft lips, which were growing eager to meet mine. I leaned back to give him some thinking space and I held out my hand to escort him out. "Come, 'Soka. I don't need your answer now. I simply wanted to make my intentions known before I court you." I'd been born in an older time period after all and that's just how things were done back then, and I didn't want my little human to be surprised in any way. He didn't do too well with surprises.
I could see him relax and the corners of his mouth quirked in that small smile as he took my hand. I could feel his giddiness, excitement, and nervousness. I had to kiss him for it. I wouldn't be able to stop myself from sneaking in a kiss here and there, now that I had tasted those lips and felt the tremor of his body against mine.
…
The rest of the day felt like a blur. I knew I didn't have a lot of time. I could feel myself losing my grip on my "human suite" everyday. Soon after, my powers would follow and all my loved ones would be in danger. Of course, I would die before I ever let anything happen to them, but it was always a sobering reminder of how out of sorts I'd been and I reprimanded myself every second for ignoring my instincts and waiting this long. Never again.
I told Hisoka we would talk more later that night and he seemed content enough, if a little nervous. He'd left for home about a half hour ago while I'd stayed behind to chat with Watari as he straightened his lab for the evening. I didn't care for the lab too much, and tried to visit as little as possible because it was infused with a subtle sulfuric smell that humans couldn't pick up on. And it reminded me of my years in the hospital. My friend was busy sweeping, his hair falling in his face, as we spoke. The optimistic, if absentminded, scientist had been an absolute blessing to confide in all these years as I'd struggled with my humanity, my feelings for Hisoka, and the fear of scaring him. "...Kurosaki's a big boy now. He can handle it, Tsuzuki. Maybe...maybe now that you know where the other stands, you can 'let your hair down' so to speak. It's probably straining keeping those horns in all the time." I nodded. Of course Watari was right.
"We'll see. Thanks, Watari. Oh hey, I'll get you that report tomorrow and, um, maybe I'll have some time to investigate that cult that has the book you want. 'Course you and Tatsumi will have to do the dirty work as 'Soka and I will have assignments to complete this week, but I could gather some intel."
"Oh thanks, that would be great! It would save me and Tatsumi some time anyway since we aren't able to teleport as far as you." Guardians could teleport, but their range was limited by their powers and they could tire out if they pushed themselves. I could go anywhere in the world easily. I knew most low-level Guardians didn't bother with it for long distances and would resort to human transportation, but it was great if one was ever in a bind.
"Huh? Where is this cult located anyway?"
Watari put his broom away and was gathering some files to take home when he replied, "In Italy. I've already contacted the Italian Bureau and they've given us clearance to do field work there."
"Alright, I'll get the specifics tomorrow then." I turned to go, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.
I turned to my friend and saw his face set in seriousness, his orange eyes so wise and understanding in that moment, which was rare.
"Tsuzuki, you're a good friend. And you know Hisoka better than anyone. Probably better than he knows himself. You need to trust yourself with him, okay?" I let myself breathe – I hadn't realized I'd tensed up in anticipation of teleporting to 'Soka's house – I would need to be relaxed to keep from...changing. I smiled through the churning in my stomach as was reflex for me. Just another mask that Watari had seen through. I'd needed to hear that. I hugged Watari, felt his encouragement, before exiting to the teleportation site beyond the Bureau's boundary.
...
I appeared at Hisoka's doorstep again after I had run a quick errand. I decided I would knock from now on, since we were on different terms now. I steeled my mental barriers before knocking so I wouldn't "thought eavesdrop." He answered the door in a few seconds, Porker curling around his ankles. He smiled and a happy scent wafted through the air, as well as that of miso soup and ozaku. I couldn't help but lean in to kiss my human since he had such an awestruck look on his face, which he was trying to hide. He leaned into my kiss readily and I felt his little tongue sneak out confidently to poke at mine. I smiled and tried to coax him into doing it again as I stepped through the door, still clutching him to me. "Now that was the best greeting in the history of our friendship by far," I whispered into his ear just to see the blush that I knew would blossom across his cheeks.
He tried to play it off nonchalantly as he said, "Dinner's ready if you want some."
"Aw, you didn't have to cook for me," I ran my hand down his back to settle on his hip, pecking his cheek.
"I just thought it'd be a nice change from noodles." The small smile crept onto his lips again for the third time today - it must have been some kind of a record for him. I was so glad I could bring it out in him. After dinner, Hisoka, Porker, and I moved to the couch to watch some TV. This was pretty routine, the only real difference was that we were holding hands, and I would occasionally bring the back of 'Soka's hand to my lips for a sweet kiss. I could feel the little flutter of his heart and smell the waves of contentment rolling off of him every time I did this. I could also smell the hint of anticipation and nervousness and I could feel the suspense expanding in his gut the longer we sat in silence.
It was very dark outside when I decided to assuage his anxiety. I clicked the power button on the remote to turn off the TV as I turned to face him, tucking one leg under me in a casual pose, one arm thrown over the back of the couch in his direction. I kissed his hand again to relax him as I had felt his stomach drop somewhere on the floor in panic. "Hey, we don't have to do anything you don't want to. I just want to talk, okay?" He nodded, only because his voice had failed him; I could tell. Unbeknownst to him, I began to secrete a calming pheromone that was better than any anti-anxiety medication. It would help him to relax and it wouldn't do any harm; he would never need to know. The poor thing was such a little virgin and it got me so hard.
"I want to take this slow, I really do. I think we deserve it, to get acclimated to thinking of each other in these terms...But I'm running out of time. I can feel myself slipping further and further each day. But I want to court you, 'Soka. I want to date you. I want to give you anything and everything you desire because you're everything I always wanted. You complete me, Hisoka, and I love you. And you'll never have to guess at what I'm feeling for you because I'll tell you how much I'm in love with you every day so you'll never forget it." I said this gently as I stroked his cheek, tracing the happiness on his lips.
"I was scared that you were...gonna push me into it basically. I mean, not that you would ever force me or would ever have to, but in the bathroom, I just felt like everything was happening so quickly...I'm just still waiting to wake up from this dream, I guess," his voice was soft and he wouldn't look me in the eyes. "I understand that you're on a time-limit, but I appreciate that you'll still give us time – it's all right – I guess twenty years of foreplay is enough," he giggled at his own statement and I shared in the laugh. "I...I mean I...I've wanted to be with you for so long. I trust you, Tsuzuki."
I brushed the side of his face with the back of my hand and tilted his chin up to meet my eyes. "I'm sorry you felt rushed. You should know me better than that after twenty years," my tone became deeper, softer, rumbling and sensual and I made sure he could feel it up his spine as I leaned in, this time laying feather-light kisses on his temple that trailed down the side of his angelic face. He gasped quietly when I came closer to his lips. His pupils were dilated (as I'm sure mine were) and his eyes half-lidded. His plush lips formed so perfectly to mine it must have been some kind of sin. I could see the delicate fanning of his black lace eyelashes against his cheeks as we shared several slow, sensuous kisses that made our hearts race.
As I reluctantly withdrew, he held onto my face, whispering against my lips, "I am so in love with you," and ending with a little peck that warmed my heart.
"Well that makes this all more convenient then, doesn't it?" We shared another laugh and snuggled closer together. "So I just have to throw this out there so no one can say it was never said. So there's no misunderstanding. My ultimate goal is to Mate with you. It's like marriage, only...deeper. We'll be tied together in every sense. If you have any objection to this, please tell me now." Hisoka just looked at me with innocent eyes and shook his head, smiling and blushing. "Good. But I still would like to do one thing in keeping with tradition," I pulled him closer and held him against me so our bodies were pressed together, twining my fingers through his soft hair. I distracted him with a kiss while I summoned my purchase that I'd made before arriving and slip it onto his finger. We broke our kiss and he gazed at his left hand in awe. It was a simple white gold band, nothing too fancy since I knew Hisoka valued practicality over frivolity. "This is a promise," I said, gazing into his field green eyes. He was practically beaming; I thought the width of his smile might crack his face in two.
"I've always been yours," he replied. I moaned against his mouth when his tongue darted out to flick against mine, sneaking away back into his mouth. Oh, I couldn't have that! I was going to get that little pink tongue. I licked at the seam of his lips and his tongue snaked out once more and before he could retract it, I sucked it into my mouth, my own wet muscle rubbing against his as I gently sucked. He groaned and wrapped his arms around my neck tighter, shifting his legs around my hips. Our kisses became more passionate as I gently laid him out before me on the couch, wrapping his legs around my hips. He pulled away to gasp for air, his neck arching in just the right angle for me to devour. I could feel my aching member struggling against my pant seem and my fangs lengthen in preparation for a Mating Bite that would not come tonight. I nipped at his Adam's Apple, running my tongue down his jugular vein, kissing his collar bones, then nuzzling my way back up to his jawline. He was unconsciously rolling his hips as he moaned, his trousers barely grazing at mine while he clutched his fingers into my shirt. I was going crazy with all his little noises, sighs, and whimpers, so soft and almost desperate like a mewling kitten. And his smell! Oh gods, but it almost undid me! I couldn't help but nuzzle into his neck and just inhale. It was a fresh rain scent with hints of sweetness, like peaches or coconut and it was so very addictive. My horns and spine spikes were straining against my "human suite" and I was afraid that if 'Soka opened his trusting green eyes now that he'd be confronted with piercing violet demon slits.
"It also needs to be said," and now my voice was rough, and almost unnaturally deep, on the verge of a demonic growl that I could feel at the back of my throat the more I was aroused, "that I want to make you heavy with my seed." Here I illustrated my point by grinding my pelvis against his like he'd been hinting at, feeling our hard arousals pulse against one another through thick fabric. He whimpered and shuddered against me, the musky smell of his arousal drowning me. "I want our baby to have your beautiful full lips, and your silky soft skin." He purred and panted under my attentions as I caressed his stomach under his shirt and kissed his lips.
"I...I want them to have your...your eyes, your sense of humor," he stuttered as I sucked on his neck, wishing so very much that I could sink my teeth into the young flesh and leave my permanent mark of possession and love. My hand ran down his flank to grip his hip, my thumb sneaking past his waistband to caress the dip between thigh and torso, my favorite part. He moaned loudly and I could feel him quivering, "Gods, Tsuzuki!" When he finally straightened and opened his eyes to look at me, I heard a little gasp, but I held his gaze, trying so hard to keep the predatory look off my face, which I'm sure I failed at. "Your...your eyes. And your skin," he whispered, paralyzed by the unfamiliar sight.
"I know. I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you." There was an edge of a growl in my voice, but it was too late now to get it fully back under control.
"No, I mean...it's beautiful. They're like...like a rich purple...like swirling ink tattoos...like-"
"Demon markings." The smoky plum whorls wrapped down my cheekbones and neck, spilled over my shoulders, sides of my arms, and flanks, snaking down my hips and ending at the backs of my thighs. My talons had emerged as well, black points on both fingers and toes. I smirked. "I have horns too."
"Really?" I nodded.
"I've been trying to keep them in. I don't want you to be afraid. I'm still the same ol' Tsuzuki." It was getting harder to keep them in as I was still turned on and I could feel Hisoka was still hard against me.
"Can...Can I see them?" He asked tentatively, biting his lip and I wanted to take him right there. Oh he didn't know what he was asking for, but I'd oblige because, honestly, I didn't know if I could hold them in any longer.
I relaxed, feeling the pinching pleasure of the hard masses lengthen and emerge from the sides of my forehead, bending back to curve against my skull, and then gently curling upwards at the ends. They were black like my talons, bone hard, and oh so sensitive. Just having them out was almost a pleasure overload. Horns were a demon's metaphysical tools to heighten psychic and physical sensations, and Gods but it had been too long since they'd been unsheathed. I had to close my eyes and breathe to settle myself, and I gasped harshly when I felt curious fingers brush against the tight ridges of my horns. I moaned, but Hisoka mistook my reaction for pain.
"I'm so sorry, I-,"
"Do it again."
"I thought it hurt-,"
"Not pain."
I opened my eyes to watch him look at me with wonder and curiosity as he reached for me, this time a little more confident. His touch was soft and sweet as he stroked the ridges on the curves of my horns more firmly and I moaned and thrust against him. He gasped, grabbing onto both horns and moaning as my grinding sped up, the demonic growl that I'd been holding in gurgling out my throat like a cougar's. "Oh God, what was that? You sounded like a lion!" he whined, not wholly unaffected from my thrusts even through his fear, the smell of which only heightened my arousal.
"Can't help it. Should've warned you," I was too far gone for complete sentences, the lustful demonic growl in my voice making speech difficult.
"Just...s-startled me." He grappled at my shirt again, wrapping his legs around me more securely as I leaned down to kiss and nuzzle his neck. My grinding thrusts were becoming faster and I could better feel his orgasm approaching as if it were my own with the use of my horns, hear his little pants and whimpers that he tried to keep quiet. "Tsuzuki..." I thought I was going to climax when I heard my name emerge from those lips in such a sweet, innocent, desperate plea just then. "Tsuzuki...I...I'm scared. I...I've never done this before."
I slowed to a stop, caressing his smooth face, brushing the golden locks out of his eyes. I tried to catch my breath enough to sound composed. "We don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with, 'Soka." I pecked him on the lips quickly. "But I would like to bring you pleasure if you'd allow me to. We don't have to go any further. We don't even have to take off our clothes. We can feel pleasure together just...like...this, if you want." He looked into my eyes, so trusting and loving, with a little apprehension of the unknown.
He nodded. "Alright. I trust you, Tsuzuki. I just...I'm just not ready for more yet, you know?" I smiled understandingly at his flushed face and kissed his forehead. I weaved my clawed hand through his hair, guiding him back against the cushions more comfortably, kissing his lips and playing tag with his tongue. I could feel him tentatively run his tongue across my fangs and quiver as I began to set our pace once more. His body quickened to mine and within moments he was absorbed in the feeling of our cocks sliding together, separated by only a few layers of clothing, and I could feel him let go and enjoy, secure in the reassurance I'd given him that I was content with this and would not press for more.
I could tell when he was close, not only because my own body could feel it, but by his heavy breath, his rolling hips, his hands that buried themselves in my hair, brushing against my horns in a sweet inadvertent torture, and when he hid his face into my neck at the moment of our shared climax so I wouldn't see the nervous tears of his first consensual pleasure.
We laid together, unmoving for several long moments and I could feel him shaking underneath me, holding in the adrenaline-induced cries. I held him closer to my body so there wasn't even and inch of space between us. "It's okay to cry. You're safe with me, 'Soka."
"I'm just so glad it was with you," he sniffled, tears quickly averted and I smiled into his hair.
"Me too. That was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with me." I kissed him on the forehead, and then his mouth greedily and slowly, tasting the salt of his tears, and stealing the embarrassment that threatened to creep into his heart. I pulled back only to whisper against his lips, brushing them teasingly, "I love you."
"I love you, too. Will you stay with me tonight?" he asked shyly, burrowing into the couch to hide his nervousness.
"Of course, sweetheart! You didn't think I would leave you alone after that, did you?" He shrugged, so I kissed him to prevent any doubt. By the time I scooped him up in my arms I could feel my markings and all manner of pointy appendages sinking back into my body while I began walking to the bedroom, "C'mon, let's get cleaned up." I was lethargic and satisfied...for now, and I could feel and smell the contentment coming off of him. I had been looking forward to holding him in my arms the whole night through for a long time. After we each had a shower and snuggled into his double bed, I did just that, petting his hair and feeling his breath even out in sleep, drifting off myself easily for the first time in a long time with a purr in my chest.