Review "Are you well, Watari-san?"
Watari's head jerked back from the microscope: he hadn't heard the Secretary's tap on the door. Grinning to hide his startlement, he nodded.
"Ay'm fine, Tatsumi. Ta fer askin'."
The Secretary eyed him for a moment, then moved to seat himself on a somewhat battered stool, rich blue eyes regarding the scientist appraisingly.
"You're certain? There's nothing… worrying you? Nothing you want to share?"
Watari blinked, then frowned.
"Nowt Ay kin think of… Why?"
Tatsumi pushed his glasses up his nose.
"I was wondering if you were… happy."
The younger shinigami managed to force a smile, turning back to his computer screen.
"Aa. 'course Ay am. Got everythin' Ay need right here."
"Except a partner."
Watari froze. What did Tatsumi know?
"… partner?"
The Secretary nodded.
"The others have a partner. You do not."
"Dun' need one. Me cho's very quiet. An' if Ay ever do need one, one or t'other o' the others'll come wi' me." He grinned. "Even yew, if need be."
Tatsumi nodded sombrely.
"This is true, but it's not quite what I meant. You lack… companionship."
Watari relaxed inside. Sounded like Tatsumi didn't know about Oriya. He'd worry about the fact that he'd felt guilty and apprehensive later.
"Got me co-workers and 003. S'quite enough for me!"
"It is hardly adequate, Watari-san. Do you ever relax? Go out and enjoy yourself? You seem to spend most of your time here…"
Which had been true, but now the scientist could honestly tell the Secretary that he did spend time away from his lab, get out, go for meals, for walks - even if he couldn't tell Tatsumi that this took place in Chijou in Oriya's company. He thought for a moment that Tatsumi looked faintly disappointed, but the expression vanished almost as soon as it had appeared.
"And you are happy?"
Watari sighed and turned to Tatsumi, placing both hands on broad firm shoulders and gazing into blue eyes with a wry smile.
"Aa, Tatsumi-san, Ay'm happy. Content. Satisfied wi' me life. Yew kin stop worryin'."
"You would let me know if you were not happy?"
Just what was this all about? Watari knew Tatsumi cared for his co-workers, even if he tried to hide it most of the time, but he'd never shown this level of concern before.
"Aa. I'd tell you."
Tatsumi inclined his head, then stood.
"Good. I'll let you continue your work." He glanced at the computer screen and frowned. "I assume you are working, Watari-san?"
The scientist laughed.
"Studyin' new forensic methods from Chijou. Some interestin' things bein' developed. Should be helpful to us."
Tatsumi nodded approvingly.
"I'm glad to hear it. I will see you later, Watari-san."Watari frowned as the Secretary left, unable to work out why Tatsumi had been so concerned. Unless it was related to his work performance? Perhaps that was it. But Watari wasn't aware of his work suffering at all - in fact, since he'd made his decision, he'd been more focussed, more productive, than ever. So it couldn't be that, could it?
He shook his head and returned to his research.At one p.m. Tatsumi returned - carrying two bento. Watari stared from the appetising selection to the Secretary's face and back again, then frowned.
"Tatsumi-san?"
"Time for lunch." He placed one of the boxes in front of Watari and, perching on the stool again, opened the other for himself. Watari blinked.
"Um… yew dun' normally do this…"
"You are quite correct. However, I have finished this morning's work in good time and felt the need of a break before I tackle this afternoon's. And since you often forget to eat, it seemed appropriate to take the break with you, here. Or would you rather go to the break room?"
"Na, here's fine… How much do Ay owe yew?"
Tatsumi shook his head.
"Nothing, Watari-san. It was a special 'buy-one-get-one-free' offer."
Watari chuckled. Typical Tatsumi!
"Ta. Looks good."
They ate in a companionable silence, then Watari offered to make tea. Tatsumi regarded him narrowly.
"Just tea?"
Watari grinned.
"Aa, just tea. Promise Ay wun' put anythin' in it."
"Thank you. I would prefer to return to work in my original body."
"Aw, Tatsumi - that was just the once." He bit his lip at the steely look in the blue eyes. "Aa, OK, twice. But Ay haven't tried anythin' since."
"I am very glad to hear it. And yes, thank you, I will take tea."
But they were interrupted by Gushoshin ani with a message that Konoe required Tatsumi's assistance in his office. The Secretary sighed almost silently and rose to his feet.
"Next time, Watari-san."
"Ay'll look forward t' it…"The afternoon passed swiftly: Watari was absorbed in his research and was startled to see it was evening when he finally glanced at the clock. He stretched, then grinned to himself - he'd planned to spend the night with Oriya. The thought gave speed to his fingers as he closed down, then gathered 003 and teleported home for a change of clothes.
Oriya was watching for Watari from his seat by the pool, pipe between his lips, fragrant smoke drifting in the still air. They'd agreed it was easier for the shinigami to teleport straight into the garden, it saved time, and time together was something in far too short a supply as far as they were both concerned. The air shimmered for a moment, then Watari's familiar shape formed; laying aside his pipe, Oriya stood and pulled the scientist into a hug.
"I am very glad to see you, Yutaka."
Watari kissed him gently.
"Aa…"
They stood for a moment, relishing the warmth of each others' bodies, the closeness, then Oriya pulled back a little.
"Business is slack - I am taking the night off. I wondered if you would like to bathe with me."
Watari shivered with anticipation.
"'d like that very much, Oriya-kun…"
The swordsman smiled knowingly and ushered him into the building.Hot water cascading down his body, strong hands massaging shampoo through his hair, then sleeking soap over his skin… It was intensely arousing. Watari didn't bother trying to hide the fact, it wouldn't have worked, and in any case it was blatantly obvious that Oriya felt the same way. Watari twisted to face his host, reaching for the shampoo and turning Oriya so he could reach the long sodden fall of hair, repaying the favour, feeling tense shoulders relax under his hands. He tried not to look at the scars, focussing instead on the feel of the swordsman's body, the firmness, the subtle play of muscle as Oriya quivered when he touched a sensitive spot. He wrapped his arms around the swordsman from behind, cuddling against his back, erection pressing between his buttocks - alarmed when Oriya jerked forwards out of his arms.
"Oriya-kun? Yew OK?"
The human shoved a trembling hand through his wet hair and turned to Watari, erection rapidly subsiding. He swallowed and gazed at the shinigami, eyes shadowed.
"I'm… I'm sorry, Yutaka…"
Watari frowned and cupped his face in slender hands. The swordsman had told the shinigami enough about his history to know that any kind of sudden or unexpected suggestive move would unnerve him.
"No, Ay'm sorry. Ay wusn' thinkin'." His own arousal fading, he pulled Oriya into a careful hug, stroking his back. "Le's just bathe, alright? Dun' have t' do anythin' else."
"That wouldn't be fair to you."
Watari blinked, then chuckled.
"Oriya-kun, jus' bein' wi' yew is a treat." He gestured to the big, steaming tub. "C'mon, le's get in."It was a joy being here, he thought to himself, watching as Oriya relaxed again, stretching out until their legs were entwined. The tub was big enough for two, if they didn't mind being cosy, and wonderfully hot and comfortable. He reached for Oriya's hand, looping their fingers together.
"Better?"
"Mm…" Oriya smiled at him, a sweet, almost innocent smile. "Much better. Thank you."
Watari raised their hands to his lips, kissing Oriya's fingers.
"My pleasure."
Oriya sighed, then shifted closer, free arm snaking across the shinigami's shoulders, kissing his cheek. Watari slowly turned his head, moving closer and closer to the swordsman's lips, eyes closing as Oriya brushed light kisses across his skin, lips warm and gentle on the corner of his mouth. Sighing, he twisted slightly, moaning quietly as Oriya's lips covered his own…
The faint taste of aromatic smoke, the bitterness of matcha, a hint of sake, and something that was purely Oriya. Warmth and softness, tongue stroking his, the kiss growing deeper, more arousing… gods but Oriya was good at this! Watari shivered in the swordsman's arms, and Oriya pulled back a little, the tip of his tongue just touching his lower lip. The deep brown eyes were smiling.
"Mm…"
Watari lay back against his arm, gazing up at him from half-closed eyes, lips parted, body loose and aroused in the fragrant water. His voice was the quietest whisper.
"Oriya-kun…"
The swordsman was trembling, fingers brushing over Watari's delicate face. With a low, tortured moan he pulled the shinigami to him, burying his face in the rich, golden-honey hair.
"I wish… I wish I'd met you first…"
Watari held him close, nuzzling wet chestnut-coloured hair as Oriya wept, soundlessly, miserably, against his neck."Kin Ay do anythin' to help?"
Oriya stirred from his position, curled against the shinigami with his head on Watari's shoulder, and kissed his friend's throat. It was well past midnight; the swordsman felt drained, emotionally - but also calmer, more relaxed. And the bed was warm and comfortable, and Watari held him lovingly, protectively… He felt safe. A part of him realised how ironic that was - safe, sleeping with death? - but it was an easily silenced part. He sighed.
"It's something I have to overcome myself, Yutaka. I won't ask you to wait."
Watari chuckled quietly, nuzzling Oriya's hair.
"Yew dun' need to ask. Goin' to anyway."
The swordsman shook his head.
"I don't understand you, Yutaka-kun."
"Yew dun' need to, Oriya. You just need t' know you'm… important t' me. Ay dun' wan' t' lose yew. Dun' wan' yew hurt."
Settling back again, one hand buried in the shinigami's hair, Oriya took a shaky breath.
"I trust you. I'm… so glad you came back."
"Couldn' keep away. Missed you."
And - not knowing what he'd done to deserve this but thanking his good fortune from the bottom of his heart - Oriya slid into sleep, held safely in Watari's arms.
© 2004 May 10th Joules Taylor
I have no idea if they even have 'buy one get one free' offers in Japan (or Meifu for that matter!) but it just seemed so perfectly Tatsumi...
Oriyal Tales
Mini Epics Index
The Zone
© 2004 WordWrights
Refers to the special story in manga 8 (The Path to the King of Inventors, Professor Watari) when one of Watari's potions had everyone swapping bodies. Tatsumi ended up in one of the Gushoshin twins' body - a very scary thought!
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