7. Infatuation.
T: Weee it's up on time! Warnings and disclaimers remain the same!
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For a long moment he believes that Hijiri will not be able to cope with the reality that he has just presented, that the truth that one he had thought strong and brave was little more than a week coward, will do the younger Shinigami irrevocable harm. It is a fear that is dissolved an instant later when the other says,
"I wish that I could have been there, Tsuzuki, wish that I had been able to show you that there was need of you in this world." There is a note now in the other's voice that he recognises well and, aware that he is treading now on thin ice, he says,
"I believe I was too far gone for such sentiments to reach me, for, in the end, even the rawest of words and most extreme of gestures almost failed."
"Both of which came from Hisoka?"
"That is correct."
A strong mix of anguish and understanding crosses Hijiri's face, then, his voice still calm and composed, he says,
"You love him."
"Yes."
"Does he love you?"
"Yes."
"If you will excuse me…there are things that I need to get back to." The other remarks as he gains his feet.
He has no want for things to end in this manner, has no want for Hijiri to suffer simply for his sake and so he enquires,
"Would you stay a moment more?"
Silently the other gains his seat once more and placing his kindest smile on his lips he says,
"I know that you believe yourself in love with me, Hijiri and yet I am not sure that is the case. I think that you found a fascination in me and that both the extremity of the situation that we found ourselves in, as well as the shear force of trust you needed to place in me, made you make more of that fascination than was necessary." Pausing a moment in order to allow the other to process these words he then says, "I am certain that it sounds as though I am, myself, ignoring reality...that I am making you doubt your feelings because it is the easiest way to deal with this matter. I assure you that is not the case, that I am saying these things only because I have no want for you to tie yourself to me on false pretences and to be unnecessarily scared by that connection."
The boy remains in his seat for but a brief instant after he has finished talking and then, mute still, he gains his feat and heads out of the room.
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"Perhaps it would be better for you to go home."
For an instant she does not believe that her partner has registered the statement for he remains in precisely the position he has held now for the last few moments; body lent over his desk, right hand clutching tightly to a pen and hovering just inches over a random piece of paperwork and his eyes fixed on some unknown middle distance. Then, in a strange sort of slow motion, he blinks, turns in her direction and says,
"That will not be necessary."
"Then perhaps you would like to discuss whatever it is that's dominating your thoughts and keeping you from your work."
His head moving in an absent minded nodded motion Hijiri begins to tell her of all that had occurred between Tsuzuki and himself after she left their side. She listens to the tale, to her partner's anguish without comment and only once the other has talked himself dry does she say,
"I know how much you must be hurting at this moment, know that you truly believe yourself in love with him and yet I understand why Tsuzuki-san has done things in this manner…understand all too well the harm that can be caused by confusing intrigue with genuine infatuation." This statement piques the other's curiosity and she is preparing herself to tell the other of her own 'tragic past' when the office door swings open and Kanoe-san steps over their threshold.
"There's been an unexpected development in the cult case,"
"What sort of development?" Her partner enquires as he places his pen to one side.
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T: Next chapter Friday. Review?