Return to the Light
Chapter Two: Touching Down
Tokyo's electric skyline lit up the night. Through the plane's window Misaki watched the millions of tiny lights come into view. He drew a deep breath, his chest suddenly too tight for all the tumultuous emotions it contained. Gratitude, joy, fear, nostalgia, sorrow all churned with a river rapid's power within him.
Pulling his eyes away from the hypnotic glow of the city, he turned and glanced over at Akihiko. If he was feeling any similar sorts of emotions, Usagi-san didn't show it, sitting straight-backed and solemn faced in his chair, tapping an unlit cigarette on the table beside him.
The tapping stopped and Akihiko looked up. When their eyes met, though Usagi-san's expression didn't alter, Misaki felt a wave of uncomfortable gratitude wash over him, understanding that more than just wanting a smoke, his lover was nervous too.
"Still feeling better, Misaki?"
Misaki felt his cheeks pink, hating that Usagi-san continued to see him in such compromised states. He nodded.
His sickness hours before seemed to have passed. Though anxious, the additional medications Dr. Pena had provided were keeping this at a manageable level too. In fact, he was feeling so much restored that he'd been awake for some time now, sitting up, Suzuki-san seatmate beside him, as he flipped through a pile of manga that the flight attendant provided.
"I'm feeling better now, Usagi-san. I think that last, long nap really kicked whatever it was."
Akihiko nodded himself. "Your color does seem much better. Though it's had to tell sometimes what's fever and what's blush."
Misaki dropped his eyes, his cheeks heating further at the tease. "Stupid, Usagi-san."
He didn't look back up when he heard the click of Akihiko's seatbelt release, or when he felt Suzuki-san shift, soft fur pulled away to be replaced by a leaner, harder body.
Cool fingers brushed the bottom of Misaki's jaw, catching it, and his head was turned and tipped back up. When he at last met the pale gaze, the look of love on Usagi-san's face made him shiver.
Akihiko's eyes were cool, violet pools, bottomless in the concern they held.
"Misaki, we're going to be landing in fifteen minutes. Are you ready for this? I can make this plane turn around right now. We can go anywhere you want in the world."
To be held in such regard made Misaki's chest ache anew and he struggled to keep his breathing even.
"All I want is to go home, Usagi-san… Our home."
Hearing the sureness in his boy's voice, a tight smile curled the corners of Akihiko's mouth.
"You know, Misaki, things will be different now… You saw a little of this when we left New Days... People know you, they know us… From the news… There will be questions… You'll be recognized…
"It's not going to be easy."
Misaki hunched into himself at these words, the truth of them frightened him but he wasn't about to let Usagi-san know this.
"Like life was easy before?" He snorted. "Living with a famous author that everyone adores… Press and fangirls after you all the time… I think I can handle it!"
Akihiko snorted himself and his smile loosened just a bit. He knew that Misaki's bluster was just that. Even so, it warmed his heart that after all he'd endured his lover could manage this bravado.
"You know there will be people waiting to meet us too when we land."
The fire in green eyes flickered at these words.
"Takahiro?"
Akihiko shook his head. The brothers had spoken several times on the phone during Misaki's recovery, but there was so much healing that the two still needed to do.
"I talked with Takahiro and he thought it would be best for him to come see you once you'd gotten settled. He didn't want to overwhelm you.
"Plus, I know that he prefered your reunion to be a private affair. No need to have a bunch of people looking on. Eh?"
Misaki dropped his eyes and studied his hands. He understood this was for the best and was grateful for the consideration. Even so, over the last few weeks his desire to see his older brother had become all but unbearable and knowing that he would have to wait even longer brought impatient tears to his eyes.
"Then, who will be there?"
"Well, Aikawa-san for one."
At this Misaki's head popped up. Wiping the tears away with the back of his sleeve, he smiled. He had cried so much in front of Akihiko the last few months he was much less self-conscious about it these days.
"It will be so good to see her again. I've missed her!"
"Me too." Akihiko nodded and couldn't help press a kiss to Misaki's forehead. His lips turned into a frown at how warm Misaki's brow still was.
"Who else?"
Buoyed by the new of Aikawa, Misaki was suddenly eager. His enthusiasm left him, however, at Akihiko's next words.
"My father.
"I told him to stay away, but he insisted." Akihiko felt the immediate ebb in his boy's energy.
"I'm sorry, Misaki. But after all he's done for the survivors, I could hardly deny him, even as much as I wanted to."
The thought of encountering Usami-chichi, the man knowing so much about everything that had happened to him, to them both, made Misaki want to pull away, but Akhiko had anticipated this and pulled him closer, holding him an a tender but iron embrace.
It didn't take long for the stiffness to leave Misaki's thin frame and for him to lean in, all but hiding himself in Usagi-san's arms.
Akihiko rested his chin lightly atop Misaki's dark head. Knowing when to hold tight and when to release was a tricky step in their relationship dance these days, as they both vacillated in their various healings. He was glad he'd chosen correctly this time. He wasn't always so fortunate and the results, when this happened, were often disastrous.
Right now though, Misaki snuggled closer against him and Akihiko could feel his lover tentatively drawing on his strength. There was nothing vampiric in this need, in fact if anything, when Misaki pulled on him in this way, it bolstered Akihiko. It made him feel useful after so many months of utter, maddening, helplessness. And Korovin had taken so much from his boy, left Misaki so drained…
"Whatever happens, Misaki… I will be here for you. There is nothing that you have to face alone."
There was both truth and falseness in this assurance and, after all they'd endured, each man knew this too well. Misaki said nothing in response, but some of Akihiko's own tension left him when, finally, he felt the dark head against his chest nod.
A slight bump as the landing gear descended startled them; Misaki straightened and gently pushed back. This time Akihiko released him, settling into Suzuki-san's seat. The bear regarded him from across the aisle with affronted, black eyes and Akihiko offered the stuffed toy a nod of apology before turning away.
For the remainder of the trip both he and Misaki sat silent, eyes fixed on the city as it rose up to meet them. Two hearts tied together, their beats accelerating, each with his own uncertainties.
They were coming home… but home to what?
Misaki's green eyes widened once the plane had landed and the small jet didn't stop at any of the usual deplaning stations but continued along the tarmac. He turned and looked questioningly at Akihiko.
Akihiko nodded to a hanger that loomed ever-larger on the horizon.
"We're going to pull in there, Misaki. Like Brazil, the press has been swarming around the airport for the last three days; ever since it was leaked that we were returning."
Misaki swallowed the lump in his throat as the dark mouth of the hanger opened before them.
"Isn't that a lot of trouble, Usagi-san? I mean, so someone takes a few pictures." Though it frightened Misaki to imagine that they could possibly encounter similar throngs here in Japan.
Akihiko gave Misaki another tense smile and ruffled his head, watching with sad amusement as his hand was batted lightly away. The urge to keep Misaki from all that was waiting beyond the wings of the Usami jet welled in his chest once more.
When the plane at last rolled to a stop, Akihiko popped up quickly and reached for his laptop case, coat, and the single cigarette still resting atop the table.
Misaki got up too, his legs a bit shaky, but he straightened his stance when he noticed Usagi-san watching him so warily. Reaching for his extra hoodie, despite how warm he felt, Misaki pulled it on over his head, the weight of the overlarge shirt and its softness helping to ground him.
"Ah, Misaki…" Akihiko tipped his head at the waiting Suzuki-san. "Will you grab Senhor Suzu?"
Smiling at the nickname Santo Justino had given Suzuki-san, Misaki nodded, happy to do something useful to distract him from his mounting unease. He scooped the big, golden bear up in his arms, not knowing that Usagi-san had given him this task on purpose.
Not only did Suzuki-san's bulk make a good, if fuzzy, shield but holding the toy was another thing Akihiko had learned helped keep Misaki from disassociating in stressful situations.
As they stepped out into the tall expanse of the hanger, Misaki inhaled deeply, longing for fresh air after so many hours breathing the canned air of the plane. Instead, however, he was struck by the overwhelming smell of asphalt and jet fuel and it made his stomach uneasy again.
He wondered what was wrong with him lately; his sense of smell seemed over-acute these days. Holding Suzuki-san up to his nose, he breathed through the bear's fur. Suzuki smelled comfortingly of both New Days and Usagi-san.
Any further thoughts about his olfactory sensitivity fled from his mind when Misaki's eyes finally took in the scene before him. There was a large contingent of people all milling around, and behind them, half a dozen limos with their engines at idle.
In the midst of this stood Usagi-san's father talking to a man with a camera. The Usami patriarch looked just as imposing as usual, wearing an expensive camel-hair longcoat, his neck draped with a pale, cashmere scarf.
Feeling Misaki's eyes on him, Fuyuhiko raised his head from the conversation he'd been holding and their gazes locked. Misaki was mortified when his body began to automatically tremble. He dropped his head down behind Suzuki-san's fuzzy ears.
Usami-chichi had never held back his disapproval about the relationship between he and Usagi-san. And now, because of what had happened with Korovin, not only had his son's relationship been exposed, but Fuyuhiko had spent literally millions of dollars cleaning up the Russian madman's mess.
What Usami-chichi must think of him now, what he might say, these thoughts suddenly made Misaki feel faint. Before his knees could give out, a large hand pressed against his shoulders.
Akihiko nodded down at him, his impassive mask slipped into place. His voice was low and warm, however. "Remember, Misaki. I am by your side." Placing his cigarette between his lips and lighting up, he coughed lightly.
"Come on, we should go greet your father-in-law."
Of course, they weren't married, but that Usagi-san used these words only solidified once more for Misaki his place in his dear Rabbit's life. Feigning annoyance he grumbled, "That's not funny, Usagi-san."
The hand on his shoulder gave a comforting pat. "It wasn't meant to be, Misaki."
Before he could begin to protest, Misaki felt himself and Suzuki-san pressed forward. Glancing over his shoulder behind him, he realized that the rest of the Usami entourage traveling with he and Usagi-san was just as eager as he had been to get off of the jet.
He blushed, feeling badly now for holding everyone up.
Squeezing Suzuki-san tighter against him as he and Usagi-san neared Fuyuhiko, Misaki felt his anxiety spike.
Drawing on the calming techniques he'd learned at New Days he'd been doing okay, not quite stumbling along. But his feet came to a halt and refused to go further when the familiar, dark head of Haruhiko emerged from out of one of the parked limos.
While Haruhiko had never done anything too terrible to him, seeing the older Usami brother, Misaki's immediate associations slipped from strawberries to unlawful confinement in an instant. The memory of Haruhiko locking him in the Usami mansion a trigger, sparking a dozen other far more awful memories.
Misaki dropped his eyes, his breath suddenly leaving him.
Over the last months Akihiko's senses had become honed to every subtle shift in his boy. He noted the sudden misstep, the hitch in breath, and saw the way Misaki's thin, scarred fingers gripped Suzuki's golden fur tighter. Pale eyes darted amongst the crowd to see what had set him off.
He exhaled a dark aura along with his smoke the instant his eyes fell upon Haruhiko.
Throwing his cigarette to the ground, Akihiko strode over the last remaining steps to his father.
"What the hell is he doing here?"
"Good to see you too, my son," Fuyuhiko's brow creased at how quickly Akihiko had slipped into his old rudeness.
"The president asked me to come, as I am handling certain arrangements." Haruhiko closed the phone he'd been talking on and intercepted his brother. "And besides, it doesn't seem inappropriate as family, to wish to be among the first to welcome you and Misaki back home."
The way Haruhiko's voice held Misaki's name incensed Akihiko. There was no doubt in his mind that Haruhiko could care less about greeting him and had, instead, come only to oogle the unrequited object of his affections.
"You, stay away from Misaki! The last thing he needs is your harassment!"
Akihiko's voice was sharp, his posture puffed up protectively, at least until a fit of coughing caught him. Haruhiko's brow rose in mock surprise and he was hard pressed to hold back the pleased smirk that wanted to settle on his features. He had not expected to be witness so soon to his half-brother's compromised health or one of his undignified outbursts.
"If you care so much for Misaki, I would recommend you spend your time keeping a better eye on him and not wasting your energy, abusing well-meaning family members."
There were few things Haruhiko could have said that could have cut Akihiko more deeply. Not one hour since Misaki had first been taken had he been free from a sense of guilt; that all that had happened could have been prevented if he'd only kept Misaki closer to him.
Following the nod of Haruhiko's dark head, Akihiko turned his own quickly. A look of panic seized his features seeing Misaki behind him, crouching low to the ground, Suzuki-san lying nearby. Aikawa had rushed from where she'd been on the sidelines and was kneeling beside him.
"Misaki!"
Dr. Pena was already bending down next to Misaki as well, his hand on a thin wrist checking his pulse. Several more physicians numbered among the attending crowd, and these too had stepped forward.
Aikawa was leaning in towards Misaki, their faces were close and she seemed to be whispering to him. One of her hands was in his hair, lightly stroking. Akihiko all but pushed Pena aside as he knelt down beside her.
"Misaki…"
His boy's dark head was bowed and though Akihiko couldn't see his face, he saw the growing spots on the concrete below, tiny stains left by falling tears. Placing a careful hand over Misaki's he called out again.
"Mi-chan…"
After a few moments of terrible silence, Misaki's broken voice stuttered out, "You're g-going to ruin your p-pants on the concrete, Usagi-san…"
Akihiko grunted at this. "To hell with my trousers! Misaki, are you okay?" He knew even as he asked, this was stupid question: Misaki had been far from okay since the first moments he'd been kidnapped.
Even so, Misaki nodded. "I j-just… I…"
"This is s-so embarrassing…"
"Nothing to be embarrassed about Misaki. I'm sure you're just overtaxed. It was a long flight, after all."
Above Misaki's still-bowed head Aikawa glanced over at Akihiko as she said this and he shot her a look of gratitude back.
"I remember when I first got back from Brazil. Isaka-san came to meet me and I was so overwhelmed to be back in Tokyo, I almost passed out in his arms in the baggage claim. It was so mortifying.
"Even worse, now he won't stop teasing me about it."
Not looking up, Misaki emitted a sniffled huff of humor at the thought of Aikawa, fiercest of editors and rescuer of bears, swooning amongst circling suitcases.
"Do you think you can stand?" Akihiko lightly pulled at Misaki's hand. He was relieved when Misaki followed him up with little difficulty. Soon the three of them were vertical again, Aikawa now holding a recovered Suzuki-san.
"Usami-sama, you should let us check Takahashi-san's vitals."
Frowning at one of what was obviously one of the Usami Corps numerous medics, Akihiko shook his head.
"Really, Akihiko… you should let one of them look Takahashi-kun over." Fuyuhiko's strong voice carried over the hubbub as he drew close. In an instant the milling around Misaki and Akihiko stopped and the hanger grew quiet.
Aikawa started to step to the side, but Akihiko reached out a hand and lightly touched her wrist. Understanding what her author was asking, she stepped out of the way, but remained close to Misaki.
"Do you need a doctor, Misaki?" Akihiko asked the question but his pale eyes held his father's in challenge.
Misaki looked up for just a moment, his eyes still wet with tears, his cheeks burning with shame at causing such a commotion. He dropped his head down again and wiped his eyes with the arm of his sweatshirt.
"N-no… No, I'm s-sorry to have worried anyone. I'm fine."
After working so carefully to orchestrate everything, Fuyuhiko felt that already the situation of his son's homecoming had gotten out of hand. And after all his planning, he was not about to let things get out of control. Rather than risk another outburst from Akihiko, he nodded his head in assent, but not without adding.
"Well, we'll trust Takahashi-kun to know his own state. However, I really must insist that one of the family physician's accompany you home and look Takahashi-kun over once he's settled."
This idea didn't sit well with Akihiko. He felt he'd already allowed his father too much leeway in controlling how things had unfolded at New Days and with Jadir. At the same time he didn't want to stress Misaki further with anymore conflict or commotion and, knowing what still lay ahead of them tonight, having a doctor on hand would undoubtedly be wise.
"Fine. But I want Pena-sensei attending… not, yet another one of your minions. I want to get Misaki home as soon as possible."
Behind Misaki, Dr. Pena frowned, obviously not entirely happy to have his appointment extended.
Fuyuhiko looked from his son to his son's lover. The dark head before him remained downcast.
"I would like to take a minute to welcome Takahashi-kun back to Japan, back home, and if he feels up to it, we should get a picture or two."
Akihiko was incensed by his father's words. "This is not a fashion shoot!"
"You know as well as I do, Akihiko…" Fuyuhiko's voice had taken on its boardroom cadence. "This situation needs to be managed carefully. Having something from Usami Corps to give to the press won't keep them away, but it might slow their frenzy!"
"I won't have Misaki exploited further!"
A quiet noise to the side caught both Usamis' attention. They stilled and their bristling smoothed out a bit seeing the wide, green eyes flashing back and forth between them.
Misaki hated that the two men were talking about him as though he wasn't present. And while he didn't want to go against Akihiko, at the same time he wanted to placate Usami-chichi.
"P-please, Usagi-san…" his voice was hesitant. "I don't mind… I'm much better… And happy to do it if it will help the company… After all Usami C-corps has done…"
"See, there?!" Fuyuhiko offered a tight-lipped smile to his son, his tone pleased. "Takahashi-kun is agreeable, why can't you be?"
Akihiko's expression was grave. He did not like the way Misaki looked at all. His boy's face had grown increasingly pale since they'd stepped off the plane and he could tell by the way Misaki was clenching his fists in the pockets of his hoodie, his tender nerves were taxed to their limit.
"Usagi-san…"
Hearing the quiet plea in Misaki's voice, Akihiko relented. The sooner they finished with all his father's P.R. hoopla, the sooner he'd have Misaki safely ensconced and resting.
"Fine." He ground out. His long fingers unconsciously shifted, seeking in his pockets for another cigarette. He knew he'd promised to quit, but Misaki's wasn't the only one whose nerves were stretched at the moment.
The ten minutes it took for the exchange of formal greetings and welcomes and the cameraman's careful posings seemed like hours to Akihiko. He was grateful however that Haruhiko at least had the decency to withdraw back to their father's limo without pressing himself upon Misaki too.
The minute the photographer nodded to Fuyuhiko that he'd gotten all the needed shots, without saying goodbye to his father, Akihiko stubbed out his newest cigarette, took Misaki's hand, and began leading him to one of the waiting limos. He motioned for Aikawa to follow them and she climbed into the car, Suzuki-san in tow. Dr. Pena followed too, but took to the limo's front with the driver to give the three their privacy.
As soon as the door closed, Akihiko breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped an arm around Misaki pulling him close. With Aikawa present, Misaki was reluctant, but he tolerated the embrace, knowing that this was what Usagi-san needed. He was just as conscious of his older lover as Akihiko was of him. Misaki knew that whatever had happened between Usagi-san and Korovin, Usagi-san was still not entirely himself and he worried about what the stress of their landing had done to him.
Now that they had a little more privacy, Aikawa began asking gentle questions and chattering on about things at Marukawa. It was her own way of pulling two of her favorite men's mind away from the drama that had just transpired. With her high spirit and bright voice, soon both Misaki and Akihiko began to relax.
When the car began moving Misaki looked out the windows. He was stunned to see all the other limos beginning to move as well as a dozen other vehicles, the hanger now all but empty of people. The cars formed a caravan off of the tarmac, but once they reached a certain point, the limos separated. Misaki watched the other long, black cars split off. It looked like they were each seeking out a different exit.
Akihiko noted this too along with Misaki's wondering expression. Settling himself back against the rich leather he sighed. "All of the limos are going to different places. It was planned this way to throw the press off, keep them divided."
"Our car will take us to a secure underground parkway and we'll switch vehicles there before going home."
Misaki's expression became incredulous. "I don't understand, Usagi-san… Why go to so much trouble? Are the reporters really so much of a problem? And anyways, it's not as though where you… where we live is a secret."
At these words across the seat from him, Aikawa's eyes grew wide. She looked at Akihiko with shock.
"Sensei… Didn't you tell him?"
Akihiko shook his slivered head. Then he drew a deep breath, and dropped his eyes away from his editor's hard stare. He'd put it off as long as possible and now he could no longer postpone the inevitable.
"Tell me what, Usagi-san?"
Violet eyes rose at the tremor in Misaki's voice. Akihiko had known that in his precarious emotional state, unexpected shifts could set Misaki back significantly. He also knew how important it was that his boy felt he had some control over his life. At the same time, he hadn't known how else to handle the situation.
"I'm sorry, Misaki… We've moved."
Misaki pulled back. His eyes shifted between Aikawa and Usagi-san, his head shaking lightly in disbelief.
"What are you saying, Usagi-san?"
Akihiko reached out to take Misaki's trembling hand. His expression became even more grave when his boy pulled his hand quickly away.
"Please forgive me, Misaki… It's not just the reporters. It wasn't safe for you there … for us… any longer… Not after what's happened.
"We're going to a new apartment tonight; one where, hopefully, we can have some peace for a while as things settle down.
"The way things are, this is the only way. We just can't go back… That's not our home anymore, Misaki."
Thank you for reading and hope to hear from you.