Forever Mine

Chapter Two: Confessions


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The restaurant was nothing like what Tsuzuki thought Tatsumi would frequent. Normally, Tsuzuki thought Tatsumi to be more of a cafe-type person. One to sit sipping tea and tapping on a laptop in front of other overly-worked employees. But here the restaurant was very formal. It had a more sophisticated atomsphere. Dim lights and a live piano player in the middle of the floor. There were crystal chandeliers hanging from each table illuminated by lit candles. It almost reminded the brunette of the restaurant he and Muraki were at on the boat, only there was no piano players.

The hostess greeted them at the door.

"Ahh, Mr. Seiichiro Tatsumi. I see you have a guest today. Will it be the usual table?"

Tatsumi pulls out a card and handed it to her.

"How about something closer to the music and the scenery?"

She looks over to Tsuzuki smiling. "Of course, sir. Right this way. I believe it to be one of our best tables."

They sat a short distance away from a large running waterfall decending into a pond filled with koi fish. It was proving to be a very soothing and sensual atmosphere.

The hostess handed them the menus.

"How about a drink to start off with? We have the finest in Nagasaki. A choice of the reds or the whites. Perhaps a Bordeaux, Chateau Lafite? Or maybe Mouton?

"How about Brunello?"

"Great choice, sir." She bows and walks away.

"So, what do you think Tsuzuki-san?" Tatsumi inquired as he fixed his glasses.

Tsuzuki looks at the waterfall splashing into the pond. He reaches down, feeling the liquid through each finger, the coldness penetrating his skin.

"This place is breathtaking, really. But isn't it a little expensive?"

Tatumi opens his menu scanning through the items quickly.

"Yes, it is."

Tsuzuki notices when he looks down through the pages that it was all desserts. He drools at the sight of all the different pastries and cakes. The chocolate and whipped ice cream petits. Oh! He was in heaven! That was until he sees the prices of most of them. Some had more zeros at the end of them then his paycheck did!

He looks at Tatumi, his face etched of worry.

"I said anything you want, Tsuzuki. Price does not matter," the secretary said softly.

Tsuzuki's eyes widen with excitment. "There is so much to chose from. I don't even know where to start."

Tatsumi closes Tsuzuki's menu looking at the brunette knowingly. "I have just the thing, Tsuzuki-san. I believe you will love it."

A young waitress comes toward their table, holding a dark black bottle within her hand. She sets down two glasses and pours a little of the white liquid within each of them.

Tatsumi lifts his glass to his lips sipping just a little.

"The year is fine."

She then looks over to Tsuzuki as he wonders why she was staring at him.

"You are supposed to taste it," the secretary whispers.

Tsuzuki turns red. "Oh."

He grabs the glass, tipping it back in one gulp, causing him to cough a little from it. The aroma was harsh against the back of his throat.

Tatsumi lets out a chuckle. "Tsuzuki, you are hopeless. As you taste the wine for flavor you are only suppose to sip it"
"Are you ready to order?" the young woman asked as she poured more of the wine into their glasses.

"Yes, by all means. I will have the Creme da bon"

"And your date?"

Tatumi smiles at the violet-eyed man, finding his boyish behavior quite attractive.

He noticed the Shinigami didn't hear her. He was still trying to clear his throat from that drink he just had.

"He will have the same."

Tsuzuki finally looks back over to them. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

Tatsumi smiled warmly. "I just ordered for you, that's all. I do hope you like it, Creme da Bon."

Tsuzuki had no idea what it was, but it sounded expensive. He knew how tight-fisted Tatsumi was with money. Why was he being so generous with him?

The waitress grabbed the menus leaving the two gentlmen to converse amongst themselves.

"I have been impressed with you as of late, Tsuzuki, with your work at the office. Normally, you would have piles of papers stacked on your desk for days. But you have been on top of everything. What, may I ask, has cured this laziness?"

Tsuzuki shrugged. "I just try to keep my mind busy. I figure if I do that other things won't bother me so much."

"Do you mean other things like Hisoka?" Tatsumi sipped his wine.
"Yeah." The brunette threaded his fingers together. "I just don't think he likes me anymore. I mean, we work in the same office, but he just never talks to me." He looks sad at the comment but he felt he couldn't hide from the truth.

"Hisoka is your partner. He never said anything different about that. But you also have to understand his feelings as well. We all care about you. I care about you. I hate seeing you like this, Zuki."

The secreatry touched Tsuzuki's hand, his face serious and concerned.

"You haven't called me by that name since we were partners," Tsuzuki said softly looking up at Tatsumi.

The waitress came back bringing two dishes and setting them on each side of the table.

Tatsumi decides to change the subject, letting go of Tsuzuki's hand. He grabs a fork poking through the cream of the dessert.

"lets not talk about this right now, lets eat."

Tsuzuki smiles as he grabs his own fork only to drop it with a clatter. He looks at the dessert as though he'd never seen anything like it.

"Tsuzuki, what's wrong? Don't you like it?" Tatsumi asked anxiously.

The mermories flood back into his head. The dessert, the creme and caramel that he tasted on Muraki. It was the same dessert.

"No. It's not that, Tatsumi. I'm sorry I...I have to go to the bathroom." Tsuzuki stands up abruptly, rushing towards the bathroom. He flings the door open and leans against it, breathing rapidly.

"Why is it that every time I think I'm going to move forward, something hits me in my face as a reminder of him?"

The brunette stumbled toward the sink, leaning against it. Tsuzuki closes his eyes briefly. He turns on the faucet, letting the cold water go through him. Bending over he splashes his face hurridly.

"Muraki! Why did you take that bullet for me? Why did you have to die?"

Tsuzuki slams his hand against the sink, breaking the skin of his knuckles.
He looks at himself in the mirror, placing a finger to his lips.

"I miss your touch. My body feels so empty without it."

With a start, he remembers Tatsumi was waiting for him to return to the table.

"I can't go out there like this. I'm a wreak. I can't even think straight right now. I'm bleeding from my hand, but it felt so good. In fact, I want someone to make me feel good all over, make me forget about Muraki. I just can't take it anymore. I'm tired of my heart hurting. Oh! I feel strange!"

Tsuzuki grabs his head as a wave of dizziness overcomes him.

"Was there something in the wine?" he wonders.

Tsuzuki managed to walk out of the restaurant. The brunette walked the streets of Nagasaki stumbling most of the way, but finally able to make it home.


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His studio was small. The kitchen was the first room through the front door. Tsuzuki preferred it that way as it was his favorite room in the house. Just opposite of it was the living room which held his bed and piles of clothes on the floor. The bathroom was the only room that had a door.

Tsuzuki threw the keys on the table missing it completely as they fall to the floor. He staggers toward his bed, but falls down before he could reach it, passing out.

Tsuzuki awakens to find himself on the floor, drool soaking the carpet and side of his face as he slowly lifted himself up.

He looks at the time, discovering it was eight o clock. He had been out for six hours! His head was pounding. The brunette gets up to wash his face.

"Tatsumi!"

He suddenly remembered leaving the restaurant without telling Tatsumi.

"Oh my god! He must be so mad at me!"

"He was so nice to me, taking me out and I walked out on him. I'm such an asshole."

He could still taste the wine in his mouth making him nauseous.

"That wine really did a number on me. Of all the drinks I ever had, none of them ever made me react that way."

He splashed cold water onto his face.

"Could that waitress or even Tatsumi have done something to my drink?" he wondered.

"No!" The brunetted shakes his head emphatically.

"Tsuzuki, you're thinking too much. You're just stressed out is all. Tatsumi's only interest in me is as a friend. He wouldn't have done anything like that. Right?"


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Notes: Okay. What is Tatsumi really up to?

Chapter Three: Unforgiving.