"Hi-ji-ka-ta." Souji purred. The larger man didn't even squirm, but that would change. Souji loved games, even self-appointed ones with no prize, as well as challenges. This promised to be both, and he had all summer to win. "Your job must be oh-so-hard."
Hijikata grunted in reply, ignoring Souji who was draped over his shoulder like an oversized cat.
"You need a break. How about a drink?" Never mind that it was only ten in the morning.
Hijikata glanced up, "Go whore yourself to someone else."
"No drink? I'm hurt." Souji pouted, doubly annoyed because his panty hose were itchy, not to mention riding. So now he would have to nix the hose. Dressing in drag was a whole lot more complicated than it look. Now he would have to shave his legs. The high heels were bad enough. The sadist who thought those torture devices needed to die a slow death. Not to mention the torturous make up.
If he hadn't had Susumu's help then he would look like a circus escapee. Thankfully he already had a nice face and complexion, so he really only needed some highlights to his features. What annoyed him most was the way Susumu had pulled and teased his hair into submission. The clip was going down the toilet next time he visited the bathroom. Which posed another problem. Which one should he use?
Shoving that thought aside, he leaned against the desk, staring over Hijikata's broad shoulder.
"Coffee. Black."
Souji waited.
"Go."
"So, black. What about decaf?"
"No."
"You're right; that's not like you at all." Souji grinned madly, "You need your pseudo happiness."
No answer.
"Where shall I get your coffee from, Master?"
"There." Hijikata pointed to a coffee pot tucked discreetly in the corner. It was neatly unplugged and folded up. It didn't seem it was used too often. Hijikata probably sucked at making it.
"Do you want it hot?"
The pen stopped scratching and Souji could feel the burning glare on his back as he fiddled with the coffee maker.
"Of course I want it hot." He growled slowly like a big dog warning of attack. "What game are you playing, woman?"
"None." Souji replied solemnly with his fingers crossed tightly behind his back and a silly smile on his face. This was way too much fun! "I just want to make sure it's perfect for you."
"Get out."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Now."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Am I vexing?"
"Extremely."
"Oh," Souji said giving his best hangdog expression and slinking around the desk like he was beaten. He would save the sniffle/cry for later as a trump card.
Pretending to edge around the annoyed man, he slid a leather-bound book from under a messy stack of papers. It was cool and smooth to his palms, which were just itching to peer in it. Whatever it was, Hijikata hid it rather fast when he heard Souji coming.
"You want…"
"No."
"You sure?"
"Get. Out."
"Have fun with your work," Souji remarked cheerfully on his way out the door. It was good to be a poor college student on summer break, oh so good.
He lifted his face to the warm sunny and made a leisurely detour through the small, shaded park. He almost made it to the Starbucks down a few blocks before he couldn't resist anymore. The curiosity was eating him alive.
"Watch it lady." A man in a business suit yelped as Souji stopped dead in the middle of the sidewalk. He was sure his mouth was hanging wide open and his eyes were going to pop out in shock. Yes, in shock. The un-shockable Souji was stupidly speechless for once in his rather chatty life.
He took a few distracted steps toward the cool brick strip mall store. Tucking himself to the side of the glass display window, he fingered the first page in confusion.
He had expected… what?
Porn? Brags of his conquests? Illegal ledgers of embezzled money? Secret government files? A gallery of care bear pictures?
Okay, so maybe not the last one, but he would have guessed that over the real contents.
Who knew such a badass wrote poetry.
Some really sappy poetry if the first one was any indication.
"Haikus?" He whispered to himself, half wanting to laugh and half wanting to pretend he never saw the book. Instead, he folded his legs under him and started to read slowly and carefully, soaking in every neatly written word and feeling.
Some were beautiful, some were strange, but all of them seemed to be the well into Hijikata's inner self. Forget the eyes; poems told all. And Souji liked what he saw.
He hit the first blank page far too soon it seemed.
Glancing at his watch, he realized his stomach was grumbling in protest. Carefully closing the book, he tucked it gently in the inner pocket of his light windbreaker, intending to keep it safe until he returned it. Hopefully with a good excuse for stealing and reading the equivalent of the man's diary. It would have been better if it were porn.
Did the book change anything?
Certainly.
But did it change his goals?
His heart?
No, but it made him curious about the man who seemed so flat and narcissistic before.
He was so busy with his thoughts he almost didn't notice the line moving up ahead of him. The person behind him poked him impatiently, wanting to get some food, eat, and hurry back to the office grind. He wandered up to the counter and ordered with half a mind. Handing over a twenty, he almost forgot the change and receipt.
Weaving in and out of the waiting lunch line, his feet started on the familiar path. The familiar path back. It was almost scary how they practically went on their own… as if something was calling them, luring them.
Souji, while friendly, wasn't too adept at moving to a new place.
He enjoyed familiarity far too much.
He had been living with the Kondou family since his parents died when he was young. The only real family he had left was his sister Mitsu.
Pure instinct prompted him to throw himself to the side. It didn't stop his attacker, just stalled him. Souji was agile, but his attacker was almost as fast and far stronger. He pinned the small man easily. Souji assumed it was a he, since he didn't know of any woman so heavy, tall, and muscular.
A warm, musky scent hit him making him stop squirming and trying to break free. He leaned back against the person behind him, trying to ease the pressure on his shoulder where his arm was painfully twisted. Up on tiptoes, he had to suppress the shiver that jolted through him when the hot breath tickled and brushed his ear.
"Give it back." The deadly voice promised more pain.
"What?" Souji managed to squeak without losing too much dignity. He even managed a teasing lithe. It probably wasn't the best idea at the moment, poking the peeved bear, but his mind and mouth apparently were having communication issues.
"Bitch, you know what." The gripe tightened making Souji go up with it.
"I can't get it…" Souji held back a slight hiss, "If you don't let go."
The hand slowly loosened, but clamped down heavily on his shoulder, daring him to run. Like he would do that. He had no intention of getting away. Not when he was in such a pleasurable position.
He wasn't afraid; he was thrilled.
Masochist to a fault.
Turning deliberately, Souji ducked down and scooped up the dropped coffee. Luckily, he hadn't punched holes in the lids yet. Aside from a few drips, most of the cup was intact. He held it out like a peace offering, making sure to give Hijikata the right one. Lord knew a frappicino wouldn't hurt his attitude any.
Hijikata viciously backhanded the cup, sending the scalding liquid everywhere. Both of them were splattered. Oh, shit, Susumu was going to be pissed. This was one of his favorite skirts. Souji would have to run it to the dry cleaners in a hurry before returning it.
"Are you okay?" He asked Hijikata, who seemed to get the worst of the spray, "It didn't get in your face, did it?" Souji held up a napkin to help and his hand was smacked away.
"So that's a no to the date I was going to ask you out on?"
"Do you think you're funny?" Hijikata hissed, smoldering. Souji could see the spots where stray drops had hit, marring the skin with tiny blisters. He wanted to kiss them away. He caught himself leaning forward and made himself step back. No, no. This was only a game. One he would spoil if he moved too fast. He had already made a lot of mistakes.
Instead, he brushed gentle, questing fingers across Hijikata's face regretfully.
The bigger man's hand dug into his shoulder hard and he knew he'd have an interesting finger-mark bruise to explain later.
"No, I think this is my best chance to get to know an interesting man." Souji replied honestly, pulling out the precious little book. He placed it in Hijikata's free palm, "I tucked my number inside."
Hijikata held onto the book tightly with a suspicious glare. He didn't rip it open to find and destroy the number, which gave Souji some hope. This was spinning out of control fast and Souji knew it. Yet, could he stop it? No, did he want to stop it? No, should he stop it?
"You're a cocky little bitch. If I see you again in a more private setting, you better watch for the hunting knife because I will kill you."
Souji felt his heart plummet but managed a wistful smile. After all, he deserved that for his trespass. The uneasiness of his admission and actions had seeped throughout his body making it feel slightly tingly and numb. He was paying for his prankish actions. His stomach roiled at the realization and he stepped back.
"They're beautiful." He commented softly over his shoulder, "I wouldn't mind one of me: the poem-stealing bitch."
With that he left his untouched coffee on the bench next to them and went home.