Log; Complete

[lady-camellia.livejournal.com]

When; February 14th. Evening.
Rating; R for language.
Characters; Kurosaki Hisoka [empathed] & Kakyouin Tsubaki [lady_camellia].
Summary; It's the Lust curse, but fortunately these two are not affected. Cavity-inducing fluff ensues, dinner is burnt, Hisoka laughs, and Tsubaki makes a confession to a closed door.
Log;

Tsubaki; The decorating hadn't been so very difficult. She'd already purchased the decorations the night before and stuffed them in the bottom drawer with her clothing. It wasn't really much... Just a new white table cloth, some red candles for the centerpiece and to set up around the apartment, and some pretty red and white sparkly things she'd found to dangle from the ceiling.

Okay, the last decorations had been a little bit of trouble, but only because she'd fallen off of the chair in an attempt to put one of them up. She'd succeeded, but not without practically twisting her ankle.

That seemed to be the start of the bad luck for the day. After that, she realized that Thai food was a lot harder to cook than it seemed. She followed the directions, and it still didn't seem to turn out right. The curry was far too spicy for her to like, and when she tried to tone it down with more coconut milk, it got too diluted.

And then the chicken satay burnt. Not to mention the broken nail in her rush to fix that problem.

She'd had to rush to get herself ready, and ignored the broken nail because she knew men never really paid attention to that sort of thing anyway. Fortunately, by the time she expected Hisoka home, the set-up didn't look bad at all. The decorations were in place, she was wearing a pretty lilac dress that had been a pain in the butt to hide from Hisoka, and the lights were dimmed just enough so that it didn't seem silly to have candles lit. Plus...in the dim light, you almost couldn't tell the chicken was burnt.

Then all that was left to do was to turn on some music and wait. Which she did. ...Only she fell asleep after five minutes, leaning against the arm rest in a way that was bound to mess up her hair, when she'd worked so hard to get that flower barrette to sit just right, too.


Hisoka; The ticking got quieter and quieter as he got closer to his apartment, and the empath was glad for it. As if the day wasn't bad enough in general, there just had to be a curse. Fortunately not one he'd had the good grace to be affected by and unless she was good at hiding it, Tsubaki either. One thing right for the City, a whole lot more still wrong, and he flinched as he walked past a room with a less than subtle couple inside. Fucking empathy.

Suppressing the urge to just sigh and shoot something he forced himself on, reminding himself that Tsubaki probably shouldn't be left on her own given the way half the City was acting and - ugh - feeling.

He knocked softly, used to making sure she knew he was coming, and slipped inside, only to stop short as he shut the door carefully. ...She'd decorated. The urge to sigh was back, but Hisoka quickly amended it into one of those rare near-smiles of his as he spotted the girl in question, out cold. Moving quietly so as not to wake her he surveyed her efforts before slipping onto the sofa next to her, tugging her into a hug - he could allow her that much on a day like this, couldn't he? - as he waited for her to wake up. Honestly.


Tsubaki; Tsubaki could definitely be a hard sleeper when she wanted to be, but considering she had actually gotten a decent night's sleep already, this was a light enough nap for the close presence and sudden warm embrace to rouse her a bit. It was only a few more moments before she stirred.

Ah, but it was so comfortable she didn't want to get up... With a sigh, she muttered out, "Five more minutes..." before remembering that it wasn't morning, and she wasn't in bed, and there was definitely a very familiar person next to her.

Both eyes snapped open and she jerked back. "Ah! I mean! Hisoka! How long have I been asleep?! Oh no..." One hand automatically went to her hair as she jumped up off of the couch.


Hisoka; "You could have taken five more minutes if you really wanted," he muttered, already shrugging it off. Over-commercialized holiday in the City, complete with - he frowned, hoping she couldn't tell - curse affected idiots downstairs. And upstairs. And no doubt across the rest of the City too. Hisoka moved to get himself a drink, dimly aware of the music playing. "Food's still warm, at any rate."


Tsubaki; Tsubaki didn't really want to take five more minutes, though... Especially not if the food was still warm. She didn't want it actually getting cold because then her efforts would be wasted.

Although, they already mostly had been. As she readjusted her barrette, she once again hoped that the food wouldn't taste bad enough for him to spit right back out. At least it couldn't be worse than Tsuzuki's cooking, right? Right. "I... I hope you like Thai. Oh, and I made these, too!"

The one thing that had gone perfectly, too. Rushing past him, she slid to a stop in her stockings, plucking up a simple white box and turning to hold it out. She had no clue what sort of chocolate he liked, so she had made both milk and dark chocolates in various shapes. "I... I got unsweetened, so that I could sweeten it myself? Because I've noticed that since Tsuzuki-san left, the kitchen isn't full of sweet things anymore, so, um...I only sweetened them a little bit... I hope you like them!"


Hisoka; Uh. God. As if he didn't hate the day enough. But he couldn't help but smile that same half-smile from earlier as he freed the box from her hands and - hesitantly, he had to admit for all his talk he was still just a teenage boy in mindset most of the time - kissed her on the cheek. That done he turned turned his back on her to deposit the box elsewhere and hopefully keep her from noticing the slight flush that had crept into his cheeks. "Thank you."

Satisfied that his cheeks were normal coloured and the box safe for the time being he turned to the table, pulling her chair out for her and waiting. "Stop playing with your hair, too. It looks fine." ...Or was that something he shouldn't mention? He never knew. Emotions he could work out, but girls? Like asking him if he understood why the sky was blue. They simply just were.


Tsubaki; Tsubaki was relieved when he turned away so that she could take a moment to try and not seem so flustered. She was positive she was just fine again until he mentioned her hair, and immediately she dropped her hand to her side with an embarrassed blush and hurried over to take her seat. "Thank you..."

All right, she needed to get herself together. After spending the day running around and falling off of furniture, it was time to relax and just enjoy herself. And attempt to make sure Hisoka enjoyed himself, too.

So instead of waiting for him to take the first bite, she just waited for him to sit down before she picked up her spoon to try the curry. She already knew it was going to be a disappointment at least, so the lack of surprise was enough to make her slightly at ease while she ate.


Hisoka; He snorted at the expression on her face, spoon still in mouth. It wasn't hot at all and he was thankful for that, considering that hot foods normally got him into trouble. Around Tsuzuki, at least. But she looked so troubled, so disappointed - felt that way too, he could help but notice, even if her expression was gradually relaxing as she ate - that he couldn't help but mutter more to himself than her, "It's good."


Tsubaki; The music in the background was so soft that it was practically nonexistent in the kitchen, and it was rather easy for her to pick up on his mutterings. It, at least, brought a pleased smile to her face.

"Really? Then you don't like spicy... I'll remember that." Still, it was a bit bland...at least in her opinion. She was used to Thai food being rich in flavor, after all. The peanut sauce for the chicken had turned out lovely, she found, but couldn't quite cover up the charcoal taste beneath. In the end she just tried to subtly saw off the tip of the chicken breast on her plate with the steak knife.

"Is River-san with her friend, the Captain?"


Hisoka; He almost laughed at her actions but resisted in favour of answering her question. "Yeah, I walked her over that way." He sunk back into silence while he ate, able to ignore the fact that it could have been better. For her sake, at least.


Tsubaki; "Oh, that's good..." She was relieved that River wasn't going to spend this kind of holiday alone. It would have actually been fun for them all to hang out together, really, but she'd been planning this for weeks.

The only thing she hadn't planned was what to talk about.

With a sigh, she picked up her iced tea for a drink, trying to think up subject matter in her head. She really wished they had more in common... She doubted he wanted to hear about the pretty new blue nail polish she had gotten while she was out buying decorations.

Then again, knowing Hisoka, she doubted he wanted to talk at all. He was usually quiet anyway...so maybe she was the only one who felt awkward? Probably. She was worrying about nothing.

The plus side of not talking was eating a little quicker, at least.


Hisoka; "Smile," was the only indication he gave that he was still paying attention to her, even though the empaths gaze was on his mostly cleared plate. "You'll make me think I did something wrong if you don't."


Tsubaki; "Ah? ...Oh. Sorry..." She tried, and it was partially successful just because she really didn't want him feeling bad. Tsubaki hadn't realized that she was probably looking gloomy or something along those lines.

"You've done nothing wrong! I was just letting my mind wander, that's all. Surely you do the same thing?" At least, one would assume. Tsubaki really did wonder what went on in that head of his, but she knew he liked his privacy.


Hisoka; "I try to keep my mind in one place." Made it easier to tell what was his and what wasn't, if anything unexpected hit, for starters. And it might possibly have been something as a joke, but it was hard to tell considering he didn't give anything away. Setting his utensils down, food all eaten, he sat back, glancing at her. Always so worried about her appearance... But telling her he didn't care what she looked like never seemed like a good idea.

"...Mind if I try your gift now?" Even if he didn't really like sweet things, he wanted a real smile to grace her features.


Tsubaki; The suggestion alone excited her, and she pushed away her plate of half-eaten food. She was pleased that he'd finished his meal, at least, but she really hadn't been as hungry as she ought to have been.

Damn nerves.

"Yes! I mean, no I don't mind! Yes I want you to." She hoped she hadn't made them too sweet...or not sweet enough! Oh, what if she hadn't made it sweet enough? That would be just awful. The most boring chocolate in existence.


Hisoka; He smiled once more, clearing the plates first and dumping them in the sink before going to collect the box. Honestly, she was a bundle of nerves sometimes. "Come over here," he muttered, moving to reclaim the sofa as he investigated the boxes contents.


Tsubaki; Tsubaki blinked and watched as he cleared the table, feeling guilty for not doing it immediately. This was supposed to be the night that she doted on him! He wasn't supposed to be doing any chores!

Sure, she had grown up used to servants...but since coming to the City, she had slowly grown very used to taking care of chores like cleaning and cooking. It was the only way she really felt she was of any use in the apartment.

When he moved to the couch, though, she remembered the chocolates and stood up to walk over. Sinking down next to him, she drew up her legs so that her feet were tucked partially underneath her, and she leaned against the back of the couch while watching.

"Do you prefer dark or milk? ...Or do you like white? I didn't think to make white chocolate... It's so strange."


Hisoka; Ah, she was rambling, the silly girl. Holding the box out to her with a small shrug, he nabbed a milk one to test. "Doesn't really matter to me, I don't eat it much anyway," the shinigami-empath responded before biting into it.

...It wasn't that bad. At least it wasn't overpoweringly sugary like the stuff Tsuzuki normally got.


Tsubaki; "Mm, I know. I suppose some tradition just sticks with me." She watched his reaction carefully...and it wasn't a bad one. That was good enough for her.

Looking down at the box in her lap, she decided to sneak one for herself, snatching up a dark chocolate shaped like a heart to pop into her mouth quickly.

Just that alone made her toes curl, and she shut her eyes to rest her head against her arm. Dark chocolate, in her opinion, was the best thing ever. She normally liked it a bit sweeter, but this was still pretty darn good.


Hisoka; Taking advantage of the fact that her eyes were closed he pulled her back into the hug from earlier, keeping his eyes averted. "Traditions can be overrated sometimes. Don't worry about it." He set the box off to the side, well within reach if she wanted anything further, before resting his chin on top of her head. "How are you feeling?" Hisoka really hoped she hadn't noticed the neighbors activities.


Tsubaki; She opened her eyes when she was pulled over, but then let them slip shut again with a content sigh, relaxing into the embrace. It was true! Chocolate really did make everything better.

"Oh... My back's a bit sore, and I had an ice pack on my ankle for an hour today, but otherwise I'm fine," she teased softly before opening one eye and leaning over to snatch up another chocolate, dark again.

Breaking it in half with her teeth, Tsubaki held up the other half for him to take.


Hisoka; He frowned, looking her over to see if she was really as okay as she looked but... "Just relax then." He took the chocolate hesitantly, still a little worried over her physical state. But she seemed okay, and he could sense anything wrong, and it was a long day anyway and to hell with it, anyway. He sighed softly, finishing off the offered treat.

"You'd better get a lot of sleep tonight."


Tsubaki; Tsubaki nodded, quiet while she waited for the chocolate to finish melting enough so that it was soft before speaking again. "I will."

Deciding maybe one and a half pieces was good enough for now if she wanted to keep her figure--could that change after one died?--she looked at a painting on the wall before whispering out, "I just wanted to try and make it perfect... I'm sorry it didn't turn out that way. The food really could have been better."


Hisoka; He laughed slightly, soft and gentle for once as he brushed some loose strands of hair back behind her ear. "I don't mind. Things that are perfect, they don't exist."


Tsubaki; The sound surprised her, and she was quick to look up with wide eyes. Then a laugh of her own bubbled up and she flung both arms around him while she nuzzled his neck.

"But you just did something perfect!"


Hisoka; Hisoka almost fell back back at the sudden hug, winding up with her more on his lap than before. Well now. He flushed more than before, careful not to fall back fully and take her with him. "Tsubaki-hime..." Oh, whatever. No one was watching. The empath kissed her cheek again with an inward sigh. Honestly, girls could be so... emotional.

It took him a second to realize that if she moved he probably would fall over for good, and that only made the blush deepen. Girls. He did not know.


Tsubaki; When she heard her name, the girl looked up just in time to catch his blush. It was the cutest thing ever! "Yes~? Oh, Hisoka! You're about to--the chocolates."

He hadn't actually been about to fall back, but it did sort of look like it from her point of view, only her trying to reach past him to save the box made it actually happen. Fortunately, despite the suddenly horizontal teens, Tsubaki was proud to be holding up the box of chocolates.

"Safe!"


Hisoka; Oh for crying out -

He rolled his eyes, sighed, and kept his gaze off to the side. "Tsubaki-hime... Do you mind?" As if it hadn't been bad enough, of all the things for her to do. And for the chocolates of all things. If there was a better example of awkward, he wanted to see it.


Tsubaki; "Ah, sorry! I didn't want them smashed. And they would have stained your shirt." Tsubaki strained to set the box down on the floor, then moved to push back off of him just as an odd...moaning sound could be heard. It was muffled, but there was no mistaking it.

Rather horrified, Tsubaki looked at the wall it had come from. Their neighbors? Good God! Some people had no tact.

Then, remembering their situation, she jerked away to sit back on the end of the couch, both cheeks beet red as she stared at the floor and covered her mouth. Oh, now she'd forgotten what else it was that she'd had planned.

This was one of those terrible instances where once you heard something, you couldn't stop hearing it. And...their neighbors really needed a new bed. That one was awfully...springy sounding.


Hisoka; ...Right, so the City was out to get him. With that established he sighed again, getting up and dropping a hand on her head to ruffle her hair with the smallest hint of a smirk before disappearing into the kitchen. A glass of water seemed like a really good idea, both as a distraction and something for his suddenly rather dry throat. On his own he let his expression drop into a scowl, irritation growing with the City in general, the curses, and - fuck but he wanted to shoot something - that new fucking deity. Fuck it all.

He grabbed another glass for Tsubaki, just in case, standing at the sink for a minute after he'd filled it to just think.


Tsubaki; Tsubaki took a moment to merely sit there, picking at imaginary lint on her skirt while calming her breaths. How embarrassing. Everything had been going so well, too.

She couldn't really bring herself to blame her neighbors, though. They were just a couple celebrating Valentine's Day. They were just being...louder than really needed, that was all.

Another creak made her quickly stand up and walk over to where she had the music playing, pointedly turning the volume up. That alone made her feel quite proud of herself, and she walked into the kitchen to rest her hand on his arm.

"We haven't danced in...awhile, Hisoka. Would you like to?"


Hisoka; Long day, he reminded himself. And while he'd like to be able to say yes and put her mind at rest, he really didn't feel up to doing much more than going to sleep. "Maybe tomorrow," he muttered softly, holding the glass out to her. "I'm kind of tired."


Tsubaki; Tomorrow? But tomorrow wasn't Valentine's Day. Tomorrow wasn't the day she had arranged to be nice and romantic, and River had even suggested the dancing, and it really wasn't very late at all.

But she didn't say any of that. Instead she just looked down at the glass and nodded. "...Okay. I'm sure you had a long day." She wasn't trying to make her tone clipped, but it was impossible to mask how upset she felt by the rejection. In a meek attempt, she moved past him so that she could begin rinsing the dishes properly to set them in the dishwasher.


Hisoka; Well fuck. You probably didn't have to be an empath to sense the disappointment she was feeling, but one he was, and that only made it worse.

Setting the glass down he pulled her back over with a sigh, settling into a comfortable position but taking the steps slower than usual. "I guess it can be a little bit longer." As long as he didn't have to do this stuff over and over again.


Tsubaki; Tsubaki had just been about to turn on the water when she was pulled over, and she stumbled for a moment before quickly regaining her footing to follow his lead.

Squeezing his hand, she glanced down and bit her lip. "But it's not...supposed to be like that. Making your day longer... It's not fun for me to dance with you if you aren't in the mood to do so."


Hisoka; "I'm doing it of my own free will, aren't I? So quit complaining." He spun her to distract her, trying to remember exactly where to put his feet. It really had been some time since he'd bothered, hadn't it? Oh well. At least she looked a little happier.


Tsubaki; "But--ah!" Well, it did distract her. Out of habit, since she didn't have any heels on, she pushed up just a bit so that it was easier for her to remember. She hadn't danced since the gala... Had it really been so long? She'd been so used to going to parties weekly in her life.

By the time she returned to his arms, she did have a smile on her face. "Really, Hisoka. You sure know how to sweet talk a girl," Tsubaki teased before squeezing his hand for balance and leaning up to give him a quick kiss on the lips.


Hisoka; Damn it. He blushed again, glancing off to the side. It took him a moment but he finally managed a, "Whatever you say," in response. But... he did smile again. Just a little one. She really was happy, after all. And that made a world of difference on his own mood.


Tsubaki; It was very hard not to tease him when he was blushing, but she was blushing too, so...it would have been rather hypocritical.

Tsubaki waited until the song ended before letting them come to a stop, and she squeezed his arm and carefully stepped back. She was still disappointed, because it hadn't all gone according to plan really... But there had been really wonderful moments, like Hisoka laughing.

"Thank you...Hisoka. You can go to bed now. I promise I won't be upset." As if to prove it, she held a hand over her heart.


Hisoka; "Good, because you're coming too." He shut the cd player off on his way through, not bothering to make sure she was following. She would anyway... right? Oh, whatever. He'd given up caring any more. At least certain things had stopped or at least could no longer be heard, and he dug out clothes to sleep in before disappearing into the bathroom to change.

...It wasn't that bad of a day, really.


Tsubaki; She wasn't really very tired anymore thanks to the nap, and she really ought to clean up. The chocolate box was still on the floor, and the dishes were on the sink...well...

They could wait until tomorrow. Tucking her hair back, she darted around to blow out all the candles before flicking out all of the lights except for the one in kitchen, for when River would come home. If she did, that is.

Moving down the hall, she paused outside the bathroom door and glanced over to it. Turning, she fidgeted nervously and glanced from side to side, as if she was being watched. She was sure she could hear water running... Washing his face, most likely.

It was now or never. Tsubaki hadn't gotten the exact results she had wanted, but she could at least speak her part and get it off of her shoulders, and without him able to hear it would actually workout perfectly.

Of course, it was barely even a whisper... Just hushed breaths as she mouthed out 'I love you' while lightly touching the door.

Satisfied, finally, she turned to hurry into the bedroom so that she could go hunt for her nightgown and wait for her turn in the bathroom.