Team Building by silvershadeus - Part 1
Watari watched silently as Tatsumi scanned the report in his hands, head tilted a little to one side as he read. Realizing he was staring, Watari turned his eyes elsewhere, studying the small potted plant on Tatsumi’s desk. A gift from Wakaba who’d claimed that Tatsumi needed something to ‘brighten up his office’.
“You’re sure, Watari?”
Gaze sliding back to Tatsumi, Watari shifted uneasily in his seat.
“I’m fairly certain. Office morale was lower in recent weeks than it has ever been. I’m worried that if we continue like this - “
Tatsumi halted his words with a raised hand, a slight frown marring his features.
“And you’re equally certain that - “ Tatsumi paused to double-check the report, “...team building activities will help matters?”
Watari smiled.
“Quite certain, yes.”
Tatsumi glared at Watari, who was watching the proceedings with a distinctly satisfied smile.
“This,” He indicated the barely controlled chaos around them, “is your idea of a team building activity?”
“Hmmm? Oh yes, that.”
Tatsumi’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes, Watari. ‘That’.”
Watari’s smile gentled.
“Actually...no. But I doubt the things I had in mind would have worked very well with this particular group, Tatsumi.”
Something in Watari’s voice -
“Aaaah! Look out Tatsumi!”
Watari winced as a bright yellow balloon came flying out of nowhere to hit Tatsumi in the face, water splashing everywhere as it burst.
Around them everyone went deathly quiet as Tatsumi reached up to remove the tattered remains of the balloon from his glasses.
“Er...Tatsumi...”
Watari looked over at Tsuzuki as he made his way towards them, edging past Hisoka and Wakaba as he did. The only sound the soft squelching noise he made with each step he took.
“Tatsumi...are you all right? We were playing, and Terazuma was just standing there and then he wasn’t and...” Tsuzuki trailed off as Tatsumi regarded the ragged piece of balloon in his hand silently.
“I’m on your team, idiot!”
Tsuzuki didn't so much as react to Terazuma's infuriated shout, his attention focused solely on the eerily calm Tatsumi.
“Tatsumi?”
Ignoring Tsuzuki, Tatsumi put the broken balloon in his pocket. Turning to Watari he held his hand out, palm up.
“Watari, if you would be so kind?”
Lifting an eyebrow, Watari reached into the pockets of his coat, pulling out another brightly colored balloon filled with water. Sparing a glance at Tsuzuki, he placed it gently into Tatsumi’s waiting hand.
“Thank you, Watari.”
Hefting the water balloon in his hand, Tatsumi looked over at Tsuzuki, eyes narrowed slightly.
“Tsuzuki...”
Watari smiled to himself as he saw the slightest hint of a smile on Tatsumi’s face.
“My condolences on the loss of your balloon.”
Tsuzuki frowned, tipping his head to the side as he tried to puzzle out what Tatsumi was -
Tsuzuki yelped in surprise as Tatsumi drew his arm back and threw the balloon he was holding, his aim flawless.
Smiling, Tatsumi leaned forward, clapping a hand on Tsuzuki’s shoulder.
“I suggest you run, Tsuzuki.”
Confused, Tsuzuki took a step back, eying Tatsumi warily as he held his hand out to Watari once more.
Chuckling softly, Watari dropped another balloon into Tatsumi‘s outstretched hand. “I’d do what he says, Tsuzuki. Tatsumi means business.”
“But...”
“Tsuzuki, think of me as an obstacle you must overcome with your team if you like, but I will not let this go unpunished.” Tatsumi said, indicating his suit, now soaked through.
Eyes widening, Tsuzuki smiled as understanding sunk in. Laughing, he whirled and grabbed Hisoka’s hand, pulling his younger partner with him as he headed for safety.
Watari’s smile widened as Wakaba and Terazuma turned and gave chase, water balloons at the ready.
“Watari...”
“Yes, Tatsumi?”
“What other ideas did you have for today?”
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