I hate leaving readers unsatisfied. This is for UrFans who wanted a Tsukitachi/Akari pairing and a jealous!Hirato. This is my second attempt at your story. I hope it's more akin to what you requested.
Everyone else: Consider this a Karnevalesque AU wherein Hirato is the third wheel, Akari really hates him, and Tsukitachi is slyly observant.
Finally, I've received requests to write the beginning of the Hirato/Akari relationship. I've already done so in two one-shots. The first is 'Wingmen' and the second is 'Requital.' The first time the two meet is depicted in the 'Indiscretions' chapter of this series. That being said, Guest Anon, I'll try to write an introspective of Hirato slowly falling in love with Akari.
More than anything else I've written, I feel like the trio is OOC here (I know, I know, I whine too much). Comments solicited and gratefully accepted.
A virtuoso of masquerade himself, Second Commander Hirato is supernaturally incisive when observing others.
Yet he need not rely on his inimitable skill to know that Tsukitachi's hand rests atop Akari's thigh under the dining table. He guesses too that the doctor relishes the touch from the way he leans towards his lover automatically, unconsciously. Delicate pink lips curve almost imperceptibly, doubtless at the thought of the other's fingers exploring unclothed skin.
Sometimes, the second captain resents his perceptive faculties.
"Hirato, are you listening?" Tsukitachi demands playfully. "Or are you remembering the sexy researcher from last night?"
The brunet motions to answer when Akari cuts in. "Wait, you're sleeping with my staff?"
"I shouldn't think my bedmates would concern you, Akari-san."
"Oh, take Round Table to bed if you want," the physician barks, ignoring Tsukitachi's nervous arm slipping around his shoulders, "but keep your treacherous claws off Research Tower."
"I'm ever at your command, doctor," Hirato inclines his head deferentially, aware sincerity will be completely lost on his interlocutor. Akari's ill opinion of him determines all their interactions.
Unsurprisingly, the blond bristles. "Your insolence is second only to your depravity."
"Now, now, in Hirato's defense, Ozaki-kun is very attractive," Tsukitachi interrupts brightly. He pulls Akari near, clearly hoping to mollify him through mere proximity.
Ruby irises flash in warning. "Excuse me?"
"Right… ah, not that attractive…" The first commander falters with a poorly-advised wink. Akari remains unmoved. "And Hirato shouldn't sleep with attractive Research Tower personnel…" A light brow arches wryly at the misstep, but the twist of the doctor's mouth intimates immense amusement. "I mean… just attractive personnel… shit… personnel just because they're attractive!" Realizing he's created an incomprehensible mess, the captain shakes his head and sighs in defeat. "Screw it. It was really, really wrong of him to seduce Ozaki-kun. Better, Akari-chan?"
Akari stills, arms crossed and eyebrows drawn together. Even so, Hirato notes that he's not extricated himself from the other's hold nor flown into a seismic rage. When Tsukitachi captures those pursed lips by way of apology, Akari hesitates before breaking away. "Good effort, Tsuki-chan, but try earnestness next time," he says, sarcastic emphasis on the ridiculous nickname. But his half-smirk betrays fondness.
The blond heads to their bedroom, leaving a deflated First Commander in his wake. Hirato can only snicker.
"What?" Tsukitachi snaps.
"Akari-san is the jealous type? How cute."
"He's not, actually. He's just annoyed by your corrupting influence."
"So you've turned traitor as a result? Well, he's certainly a handful," Hirato says mischievously.
"And you'd know from watching so closely, wouldn't you?" Golden orbs level unflinchingly on violet, making it inescapably clear that the second captain is not the only one possessing keen acuity. "I've long known of your feelings," Tsukitachi admits.
"Your point?" he prompts, not bothering to dissemble. Such methods lose all efficacy before a mirror. "Are you insinuating betrayal?"
"No. You're not that sort of bastard," the redhead's affect softens. "It's that I'm sorry. But you never confessed, Hirato. So I did."
"Akari-san always hated me."
"You made it easy."
Amazingly, the brunet is unresistingly forthright. "I figured if I couldn't secure even an iota of his affection—"
"—you'd monopolize his loathing."
They may have marked one another well, but neither man catches the razor-thin strip of illumination framing the bedroom door, nor the shadow that lingers beyond.