"Misaki-kun... Misaki-kun... Misaki-kun, wake up!"

Aikawa was desperately trying to wake him. It had been three months since Misaki graduated the Economics program at Mitsuhashi University. Since then, Misaki's part-time job at Marukawa Publishing had translated into a full-time career working for the production and sales department. At first he was excited to be working with people who grew to love him like a family, however this was turning out to be more tiresome than anticipated. There simply were not enough hours in the day to handle the paperwork, press conferences and data collection; and after a full day at the office, he had to go home to...

"hmrrpgh... Stupid Usagi..."

Misaki raised his head from among the scattered data sheets and used his sleeve to lazily wipe the drool off his chin. He wondered how long he'd been asleep for. It was embarrassing to be caught sleeping on the job, but at this point he was far too exhausted to care.

"You ever think about moving out?" prompted Isaka.

Aikawa grabbed Isaka by the collar, restraining his idiocy as best she could.

"You know very well why he can't do that. Akihiko would never make another deadline as long as he'd live... which probably wouldn't be more than a few months without Misaki to take care of him."

He broke away from the woman's grasp and paused to fix his shirt and tie. He crossed his arms and glanced down at Misaki's work.

"I'm aware, but at this point I think Misaki is going to die himself, and then we will have lost the guy who handles all of the numbers... I hate numbers... Besides, he's too young to be worked this hard;" Isaka bent down and lifted Misaki's chin to whisper in his ear, "isn't that right, cutie?"

"You're the one working me so hard..."Misaki retorted, batting the hand away.

He straightened the papers on his desk and began sorting through them again. He had been instructed to create a series of charts, intending to "inspire" the company to increase productivity, which would be presented at the next company meeting. This was proving to be an impossible task due to the fact that sales were at an all time high. Because even his best efforts seemed fruitless, Aikawa volunteered to use her, what she called, "creative intuition" as a reference material; but even back-up troops are useless when the commander falls asleep at his post.

"Why can't you just inspire them with some sweets? That always gets me working at full speed."

"Well then, Misaki-kun, would you like some more cream puffs?"Aikawa offered, setting a small plate of pastries down in front of him.

Misaki took one and reluctantly ate. He wasn't hungry, but he could not turn down any of Aikawa's presents.

"I heard a rumor that Misaki likes to get his 'cream' puffed by -"

"Shut up Isaka! I do not!"

"Still denying it, huh?" Isaka teased, pushing Misaki's head down and ruffling his hair.

Misaki furrowed his brow in frustration and turned back to his papers, violently chewing at Aikawa's offering. The truth was that Usagi had been in the midst of finishing the manuscript for his latest novel. Misaki had hardly seen the eccentric in a week, and sleeping alone was starting to tax his emotions.

"This is impossible Isaka-san. You'd need to manipulate the data to make it look like sales were falling."

"Then do whatever it takes, my dear young-gun."

"Isaka," Aikawa interjected, "why don't you let the boy go home for the day? If he keeps going like this, you're going to break him."

"He's only 23 years old, he should be able to handle this much stress."

Misaki turned and looked at Isaka with silently pleading eyes. Isaka sighed, looking Misaki's stammering body up and down. The boy's entire being was shaking; in addition to the that, the dark circles under his eyes made him look like a raccoon. His hair was a ratted mess and his clothes were a bit unkempt. Isaka began to wonder if the only sleep Misaki got was at work, and for just a moment in time, he began to care about the boy's well being.

"Fine, little cutie; take the rest of the day off. Though I doubt you'll get a break when you get home."

Misaki slammed his head to cold, hard the desk, scattering papers everywhere. Isaka was right. This morning, Usagi had told him that the manuscript was nearly complete. It was bound to be finished by the time Misaki got home, and Usagi will be wanting to 'recharge' as always. Misaki dreaded days like these; all he wanted to do was go home and sleep. Aikawa placed a hand on Misaki's chair and leaned in, quietly reminding him to bring Usagi's finished manuscript to the office the next day. The emotionally defeated boy sat up and nodded in agreement, grabbed his bag then stood to leave. His trudge down the hallway seemed to be an endless one, the corridor seemed to stretch on into infinity. Finally reaching his destination, he pushed the down button to the elevator as he faded off into his own world of thoughts. Misaki spent a moment considering what Isaka said about moving out, though, not surprisingly, those thoughts did not resonate with him. Maybe he was just lonely, and the loneliness wore him out. His thoughts continued to draw him away from his body, spiraling without restriction, until he was snapped back to reality when the bell sounded, signaling the elevator was at his floor. The large metal doors opened slowly to reveal none other than-

"Misaki?"

"Uhh.. Usagi-san..."

Misaki dropped to his knees and his torso fell into the elevator. Usagi looked down at him, puzzled for a moment. Asleep... he had fallen asleep, his body bridging the rough hall carpet and peach linoleum tiles of the elevator car. After pondering on it for no more than thirty seconds, Usagi gently lifted him, pausing a moment to hold Misaki close to his chest, and draped the limp body over his broad shoulders. Usagi smirked to himself; it had been over four years and Misaki still hadn't grown much, and he could still relish the feeling of Misaki laying over his shoulders. As he walked down the hall, memories of the past few years raced through his head. Of course there were good and bad times, but Usagi was happy to have him, and, after all that effort, to have Misaki all to himself. It was a short time before his thoughts carried him all the way to the door to the sales office.

Usagi leaned against the door frame.

"Isaka, what did you do to him this time?"

"Usami?" All of the faces in the room were surprised to see him. "Nothing, nothing, he's just working too hard as always."

"Tsk, you need to stop over-working him. He comes home and is too tired, leaving me to do all of the work." Usagi walked past Isaka, ignoring any offended expression. "Aikawa, I was told you were here. I know you said you needed this by tomorrow, but I thought I'd deliver it today."

Usagi handed his manuscript to Aikawa. The papers were wrinkled, the top few sheets stained with what was probably coffee, but they were finished, in Aikawa's hand, and ready to be reviewed one final time.

"This is... the first time... you're early! The deadline isn't until tomorrow and I-"

"Relax Aikawa, no need to praise him," Isaka interrupted, "he just couldn't wait to see Misaki."

Usagi narrowed his eyes and glared at Isaka.

"And if that's true?"

"I don't have a problem with it," Isaka replied in a provocative tone, "I just think it's adorable."

"I see. In that case, we'll be going now."

Usagi readjusted the awkward lump on his back, turned and promptly exited, making his way to the end of the hall, down the elevator, and to his shiny red sports car in the lot. He reclined the passenger seat and placed his precious load inside. He smiled, running a hand through the Misaki's hair.

"How childish."

Usagi hurried into the driver's seat and sped home, anxious to finally spend some alone time with his love, Misaki.

Misaki groaned a little and opened his eyes. He was laying on the couch wrapped in a blanket, using Suzuki-san as a pillow. He sat up and looked out the large pane windows, noticing it was almost night time all ready. Usagi was standing there, blankly gazing out at the evening twilight, with cup of coffee and a cigarette. Misaki adored this familiar picture of Usagi. It gave him comfort, and made him feel at home. He felt better here, with Usagi, than anywhere else in the world. Misaki adjusted the blanket so it lay over his shoulders. Usagi heard him rustling, looked toward him and smiled, softly and quietly, but that little smile was enough to make Misaki's heart pound and his head spin.

"Yes," Misaki thought,"definitely home."

That's the end of Chapter 1. I hope you enjoyed it! More soon!