Title: If only I could tell you…
Fandom: Natsume Yujin-cho
Author: kira
Words: 271
Rating: PG
Summary: In the aftermath of battling a youkai and returning its name, Tanuma wishes he could tell Natsume how he feels about him…
Warnings: none

For Jen…

888

Friends should not fall in love with friends…Tanuma thought sadly. That kind of thing was taboo for a reason… He sat down on the grass next to his friend, Natsume.

"Are you alright, Tanuma?" Natsume asked, pulling his friend from his reverie, and unknowingly teasing him, when he lightly brushed his fingertips against Tanuma's cheek, before placing his cool hand on his friend's forehead. "You look feverish," he said softly as a look of concern settled on his face.

Tanuma smiled and batted his friend's hand away. "I'm fine; just…" He stared into Natsume's eyes for a brief moment, "I'm just tired."

"Yeah…" Natsume smiled. "That was some youkai. And thanks for your help."

Nyanko-sensei made a small sound of derision. "Hmph! I did all the work," he huffed. "And what thanks do I get?"

"Of course you did," Tanuma soothed. Besides, I really didn't do all that much… It was mostly you, Natsume, and Ponta… "And we appreciate it."

"That's right. Without your help, Sensei, who knows what would have happened, before I gave that youkai back his name."

Tanuma nodded.

The maneki-neko-shaped youkai said crossly, "Exactly!" Somewhat mollified, he shook a tiny paw at them, and added, "If anyone is going to eat you, it should be me."

Natsume laughed. What had once been serious between them, now took on a more teasing tone and Tanuma was glad. Sighing softly, he hoped next time he tried to tell his friend how he felt about him, no youkai, friend or foe, would interrupt. Still, he did get to spend time with Natsume and hear him laugh, so all was good...