Blanket Disclaimer: I do not own Junjou Romantica or any of its characters. It's Nakamura's sandbox, I'm just playing in it.

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever."

– Keri Russell

Misaki practically leapt into the empty elevator and pummeled the Close Door button frantically. Only when the elevator finally started its smooth descent from the ridiculously high floor his landlord's penthouse was situated on down to the lobby, did he allowed himself to slump against the elevator wall and breathe out a long sigh that was equal parts relief and exasperation.

Every morning. Every freaking morning he had to deal with one overly affectionate Usami Akihiko that couldn't seem to keep his damned hands to himself.

He turned around and focused on his opaque, slightly distorted reflection in the steel wall of the elevator. Bright green eyes stared back at him and it was clear that they didn't like what they saw. Namely, a flushed youth that looked like he had just wrestled free from the grip of a giant squid. Brown hair was sticking up in every direction, his shirt was partially unbuttoned and hanging off of one shoulder, the tie he was supposed to be wearing still clenched in one hand along with the bag he had just managed to grab in his escape.

Glowering, Misaki tried to straighten himself out the best he could, deft hands quickly buttoning his shirt and tying a perfect knot in his tie through years of practice.

Ever since that incident with Ijuuin-sensei in Kyoto a few weeks ago, Usagi-san had been much quicker to pounce than usual, something Misaki hadn't thought possible. It seemed like Usagi-san was around every corner, stalking him like a great lion would a defenseless gazelle, waiting patiently for the perfect chance to strike. This morning he had gone so far as to try to get him to skip work!

Determined to stay angry, Misaki tried not to think about the way Usagi-san's arms had wrapped around his waist that morning, like it were the most natural thing in the world. Or about how the older man's warm, broad chest had pressed against his back making him immediately lean into his touch, if only for a brief second of weakness. Or about the shiver that ran up and down his spine when Usagi-san had pressed his lips against the nape of his neck softly, whispering a single word against his skin: "Stay."

Misaki blushed furiously at the memory. He tried not to think about it.

He shook his head in an attempt to dislodge any stray thoughts and squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself. There was still one last thing he needed to make sure of. He ran his fingers down the side of his neck, and winced when he brushed over a sensitive patch. He immediately flushed with equal parts embarrassment and indignation. He knew it! The bastard had bitten him while he tried to get away! Even without looking in a mirror he already knew that the mark left would be an angry red color.

Misaki hid his burning face in his hands and fought the urge to groan. Just the thought of having to walk around with something as mortifying as a hickey on his neck made him want to crawl into a hole and never come out.

His spirits reaching an all-time low, Misaki rummaged through his bag until he found what he was looking for at the very bottom: a small box of bandages that looked like it had seen better days. Again using the wall of the elevator as a makeshift mirror, he carefully applied a bandage over the offending red mark. It was probably still glaringly obvious what he was trying to hide but it was the best he could do.

He could practically see the look of smug understanding that was sure to appear on Isaka-san's face as soon as he laid eyes on him and it made him wilt all the more. He then pictured the satisfied smirk that he knew would appear on Usagi-san's face if he knew what Misaki was so preoccupied over and his earlier dismay quickly changed back to full-blown irritation at the thought. That bastard had probably bitten him in such an obvious place on purpose "to mark what was his" or some other bullshit.

Oh, he will definitely pay for this.

He was interrupted from his dark musings by the elevator doors opening with a cheery ding! Misaki walked down the lobby where the aged security guard named Gen gave him a stiff nod in greeting, which Misaki returned.

Misaki had never actually heard Gen speak, Gen had only ever nodded to him in greeting or given a noncommittal grunt in response to any question Misaki threw at him. The only reason Misaki even knew his name was because of the shiny brass nametag Gen always had pinned to the front of his crisp uniform. Misaki had even asked Usagi-san if he'd ever heard Gen speak, but he had answered only by lighting a cigarette and giving him an indifferent "Who knows".

Thoughts returning to the cause of his earlier irritation, Misaki stalked out onto the busy street towards the train station. The bright and sunny day did nothing to lighten his mood.

Misaki glanced at his watch and had to suppress another groan. His train left in eleven minutes and if he didn't catch it he'd be late getting to Marukawa for sure. Misaki sped up to a pace that was in the range between brisk walking and outright sprinting, cursing his landlord-turned-lover's possessiveness every step of the way.

After nearly bowling over a mousy woman that had her nose stuck in a book and having to wait impatiently for a train of primary school children in bright yellow hats to cross the street, Misaki finally saw the crosswalk leading to the train station dead ahead. With a sinking feeling he noticed the light was already flashing in warning, a few seconds away from turning red. He glanced down at his watch again. Four minutes until his train left.

He really couldn't afford to wait for the light to change again.

Throwing all caution to the wind, Misaki sped up to a full-on sprint and took off across the street, willing the light to stay green for just a bit longer.

He had never even seen that car coming.

/Cliffhanger

AN: Hello all, Peanut here. Thanks for reading my story! A bit short I know, but it's definitely gonna start picking up. I'll try my best to keep to a weekly schedule, maybe even earlier if this chapter is well received since I have chapter 2 mostly done. So please, drop me a line and review, tell me what you think! ( -∀-)ﾉ

Well, ta-ta for now! *waves lacy hankie*

~Peanut