Deadlines

Disclaimer: I don't own Junjou Romantica.

Akihiko: Woman, what are you doing?

Cheyanne: I looked at my other story with this pairing and realized it has forty reviews and it is the only story that lists Ijuuin Sensei as a main character.

Akihiko: So this is all about reviews!

Cheyanne: Pretty much. If it's any consolation, I still don't condone the Misakijuuin pairing.

Akihiko: It doesn't.

Cheyanne: Oh well, moving on now.

Prologue

Ijuuin Kyou sat next to his cell phone where his editor screeched on the speaker about how he wasn't writing or drawing anything for the deadline. He was unable to come up with any ideas. The Kan was doing well but he was so blocked.

He spun in the swivel chair and grabbed the phone. "Morimoto-san, I understand. I'm doing the best I can. Just give me a few more days." He paused for a moment, conserving an idea that was slowly forming in his head. "Actually, I could use some help…"

…

"I don't like it." Akihiko was glowering at Misaki from the doorway of Misaki's bedroom while the young man was throwing things in a bag.

"Look, it's all just part of the job. Ijuuin Sensei requested my help specifically." He sounded annoyed but privately he was overjoyed to be working once again with his favorite mangaka. "I will do whatever it takes to make sure the next chapter is published on time."

"Whatever it takes?" Akihiko growled pointedly.

Misaki cast him a dirty look before returning his attention to the clothes he was stuffing into his bag. Karukawa Publishing had requested he spend three days playing assistant for Ijuuin and staying with him to ensure he worked and didn't screw off. "Whatever it takes has a completely different connotation for you than for the rest of society."

"Ijuuin is just like me, Misaki."

"Don't be ridiculous," Misaki snapped as he zipped his bag shut. He hoisted it on to his shoulder and tried to get past his lover who immediately stopped him.

"Misaki," he whispered. He slid the strap off Misaki's shoulder and cupped his chin. He stared into Misaki's green eyes then bent down to kiss him. Their tongues danced the moment Misaki's lips parted. The kiss lasted so long, Misaki was flushed and gasping when they finally parted. "What was that for?" he asked when he got his breath back.

"I love you," Usagi-san replied.

Misaki licked his kiss swollen lips. "I'll be back in a few days," he said at last, looking at Akihiko's shoulder rather than meet his gaze.

…

Misaki barely knocked before the door was opened by Ijuuin Kyou. "Takahashi-kun," he said with a sparkling smile that made fangirls' hearts do flip flops. "Please come in."

"Thank you," Misaki said, his face already a healthy shade of pink. "Sorry to intrude."

"Not at all, if you don't intrude, I'll just lie around and get nothing done."

Misaki laughed a little awkwardly. "Well, we'll have to see that doesn't happen. Um, where should I put my bag?" He looked around the apartment that was nearly as big as Usagi-san's.

"Ah, of course, this way. He led Misaki to a closed door and opened it. Inside was an immaculately clean room with dark carpeting and beige walls. The bed was a double and covered by a beige quilt.

"Is this your room?" Misaki asked, his suspicious nature, courtesy of Usagi-san, showing itself.

Ijuuin laughed. "No, this is the guest room. My room doubles as an office down there." He pointed to the closed door on the other side of the living room. "Do you expect to share my room?"

This time, Misaki's laugh was awkward and guilty. "No, of course not."

"Is that the sort of relationship you have with Usami Akihiko?" he pressed, sounding concerned.

"Well," Misaki hedged, "anyway, how is your chapter coming along?"

…

"This is everything?" Misaki asked. He was looking at twelve rough sketches and sloppily written kanji. On average, each chapter was thirty-five pages and was updated monthly. At Sensei's nod, he asked, "When is the deadline again?"

"In three days."

Misaki bit his lip then continued. "And does the inking have to be done before that?"

"Yes."

"And the typesetting and typing?"

"No, that part is up to your colleagues." Misaki nodded. "So basically, I have three days to draw and ink nearly every page."

"Don't you usually have assistants to do the inking?"

"No, just backgrounds. She'll be here tomorrow."

"That's only two days!"

Ijuuin ran a hand through his longish black hair. "She usually comes sooner but I just told her to wait since I had nothing done."

"But you still have nothing done!" He backpedalled instantly. "What I mean is that, well, uh…"

"Takahashi-kun, you have to remember that being an editor means making your mangaka do what you want him to." Ijuuin smiled warmly.

Misaki smiled back. "Then I suppose I should say, 'Don't show me around and get back to work'?"

"That's the spirit," he said cheerfully. Then he turned to look at the table where his art supplies were scattered. "Okay." He sighed and headed over there.

"Do you want some tea?" Misaki asked, trying to think of something helpful.

"Coffee's in the pot, one sugar and a splash of cream from that blue carton in the fridge. Help yourself if you want some as well." Ijuuin was already sinking into drawing mode. With the bishounen in his kitchen, his clothes in the spare bedroom, he was already coming up with new ideas.

His muse had arrived and was here to stay for awhile.

Cheyanne: So, let me know what you all think of this latest idea. This will have smex in it and lemons upon request. I'm not sure how many chapters this will be but I am going to add this to my already heavy workload of fanfiction. Also, this is dedicated to my lovely friend JFantisist/Idem Nine who totally loves this pairing.

Akihiko: Hmph, and she's supposed to like me.

Idem Nine: But I want you for myself.

Cheyanne: Anyway, please review and tell me if you like it.

Thanks for reading!

~CheyanneChika