by Rina K. Fenderson
2. Celebration
Hisoka yelped, hiding himself in Tsuzuki�s shirt as he was ambushed with a onslaught of streamers and confetti. He felt Tsuzuki�s laugh rumble through his chest and allowed himself a sharp slap to his lover�s chest. He should have been suspicious when the directions led them to a restaurant in Tokyo that he and Tsuzuki frequented. He should have paid more close attention to Tsuzuki�s smirks and little coy hints. If he had he would have been ready for the sight of his co-workers gather in the restaurant cheering "Happy Birthday."
Overwhelmed and slightly frightened, he had ducked into Tsuzuki just as the streamers flew and only felt the confetti against his skin. He didn�t intend on leaving the security of Tsuzuki�s arms regardless of the happiness he felt all around him. He felt Tsuzuki gesture with his arm, probably to tell the others to give him a moment, although they didn�t move from just inside the doorway. Hisoka just clutched closer to Tsuzuki, fearing that he would abandon him to this frightening celebration.
Part of him felt touched, this was true, but he was mostly astonished and fear-struck. He muscles were unstable, twitching and melting at the same time. His knees felt weak and he feared her would fall to the ground at any moment and Hisoka was sure that wasn�t what his friends wanted. His friends...well, that was an entirely different thought that disturbed him, or confused him, he wasn�t sure. On any accord he wasn�t leaving Tsuzuki, not even to glance up and acknowledge the others. Tsuzuki�s hand was to his nape now, running light fingers over his neck and through strand of his blond hair. "Hisoka, what�s wrong?" Hisoka could only shake his head. How could he explain this turmoil inside of him? He could taste a metallic flavor in his mouth and dimly realized he bit his tongue. Tsuzuki shifted, trying to get Hisoka out of his arms to talk to him, but Hisoka only buried deeper into his embrace. He heard Tsuzuki�s concerned and defeated sigh, then felt his breath against his neck as he spoke in to his ear. "Hisoka, it�s the guys. Why are you shaking? Hisoka? Hisoka, look at me." The smaller male was shuddering against his tall lover, trying to control the tears that were welling in his eyes. "Tsuzuki, I...I�m sorry...I just..." "Hisoka?" Tsuzuki was able to slip him out of his hold and hold him at arms length. Although his blond hair hid his feature from the others, Tsuzuki could see the clear liquid sliding down his flustered cheeks. "Why are you crying? What�s wrong?" "I don�t know how to react," he whispered, endeavoring to crush himself against Tsuzuki again. "I�ve...I�ve never had anyone do...*anything* like this for me...I�m sorry...if I�ve ruined this..." For a moment Tsuzuki stared dumbfoundedly at Hisoka, his mouth slightly parted and his brow furrowed, then he brushed Hisoka�s hair out of his eyes to see the emerald color, smiling broadly and returning Hisoka back into his desired embrace. He was laughing now. Some part of Hisoka wondered if he was laughing at him, but he knew Tsuzuki better than that. "Tsuzuki?" "It�s okay, I promise," Tsuzuki laughed, glancing up at the others. A few of them looked very concerned and sympathetic, others, like Tatsumi and Watari, were walking forward looking to help the young man. All of them heard his claim and all were touched by it. Tsuzuki put Hisoka at arms length again, his hand resting on his neck, his thumbs brushing away traces of tears as he leaned in an kissed Hisoka, who blinked in sudden embarrassment as he realized when he fell into Tsuzuki�s arms, he had announced their relationship to the others and Tsuzuki just sealed the deal with a kiss. Hisoka�s cheeks flamed, but he had no other time to respond for with a simple �Happy Birthday, lover� Tsuzuki threw him to the wolves. Watari had him first, hugging him despite his startled push on the blond scientist�s chest. "It�s time you understood, bon, that we are your family." He turned him to face the crowd and Hisoka felt suddenly like he was being set in front of a firing squad. He was never fond of being with company to begin with, this scene was a little overwhelming still. Yet, the faces looking at him were happy and friendly and he felt no malice in the air. Konoe touched Hisoka�s shoulder wishing him a good year as Tatsumi ruffled his blond hair with uncharacteristic playfulness. Then a moment later he was in Tsuzuki�s arms again, pulled into the center of the restaurant and spun as if the tables were moved away for room for a dance floor. Hisoka was vaguely aware that there was indeed music coming from somewhere, but most of his sense were honed in on Tsuzuki; his hand at the small of his back, his other clasping his own. Tsuzuki had on a mock sophisticated expression, acting as if they were in some sort of ballroom. The look made Hisoka smiled, before he jumped into Tsuzuki�s arms, wrapping his own around his lover�s neck. "Thank you, Tsuzuki. Thank you so much." "Mmm," was Tsuzuki�s reply, then a kiss to Hisoka�s neck. "Anything for my love."