Title: Birthday Surprise

Author: Triskell

Rating: PG-13

Fandom: YnM (Tatari)

Disclaimer: Yoko Matsushita owns the gorgeous guys, I own my writing. No copyright infringement intended.

Authors' notes: written for Tatsumi's birthday on 27 December. Was meant to be a drabble, but ended up at 580 words (incl. title). Waves a "Happy Birthday, Tatsumi" flag.

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BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

© Triskell, 27 December 2004

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Watari had planned his birthday surprise very carefully. Tatsumi hated being reminded of his age, his past (both living and dead), and most of all he hated people making a fuss about him.

However, Watari had had a good twenty-five years of experience in handling the birthday boy in exactly the right way. Watari didn't grab him in a hug and squeeze the life out of him (like Tsuzuki), didn't glower and blow cigarette smoke in his face (like Terazuma), didn't thrust a cake at him (like Wakaba), and most certainly didn't wrap his present in pink sparkly paper (like Saya and Yuma).

Watari also didn't ascribe to formality like Konoe-cacho or Hisoka. Watari was subtle. He sent 003 with an envelope that was only slightly singed from his last project, containing a few lines wishing Tatsumi a happy birthday.

The main event aka gift-giving, he had already planned for the evening, once the office had been closed down. A staged explosion brought Tatsumi into the lab, fuming, at exactly 8:39pm.

From there, it was only a matter of having 003 lock the door (she was surprisingly skilful with her talons) and planting a firm kiss on Tatsumi's lips to forestall any protests.

The flying clothes and glasses ensuing was as much expected as Tatsumi's initial reluctance to actually lie down on the futon and let Watari work his magic on him. But Watari's hands and lips were persuasive enough to make coherent thought and intelligible speech fly out the window after an indignant 003 (she'd been hit by one of Tatsumi's socks and was now sulking).

They lay together afterwards, Watari draped on top of Tatsumi to ensure that getting up was not an immediate and easy option.

"I saved you some of Wakaba's cake. You only had one piece at lunch."

Tatsumi didn't answer, Watari smiled against his shoulder and continued, "You can stay if you want. In fact, you have to stay, because I'm not moving anytime soon."

That, finally, prompted a response, "I never stay; why today?"

"We're both too old to be choosey in our bedmates. We get on well and the sex is great," a questioning raise of one eyebrow that made an almost-smile flit across Tatsumi's face in response, "so we might as well take today as an opportunity to start something a bit more serious."

"Like dating?"

"Tatsumi, we're beyond dating! I've got this apartment that I never use and I'm sure we can fit your stuff in there along with a big futon we can share. Then I'll just post a notice in the office, and we're all set for congratulations."

Watari chuckled at the speculating look he received, "Unless you have the desperate need to stage a wedding. I'm sure Saya and Yuma will find you a lovely dress and Bon will be a sweet bridesmaid."

"Why would I wear a dress? You're the one looking for a sex-change potion."

"White doesn't suit me and a bride dressed in black is a bit too gothic, don't you think?"

"You're insane."

"But you still like me, Tatsumi, so, are we moving in together?"

Tatsumi gave the matter a moment's thought, then said, with a long-suffering sigh, "If you insist. Although I won't allow any potions ingredients in our living room or kitchen."

"Deal," Watari laughed, "and Tatsumi?"

"Hm."

"Happy birthday."

The timing was exactly right. Instead of indignation at the reminder, Tatsumi smiled, wrapping his arms around Watari.

End.