Hello followers and other perverts! XD I am so glad I have once again started writing this story. I found my flow in the last chapter and, thankfully, it has followed me into chapter seventh as well. I hope you liked chapter six though I'm sure with as long as it took to get it out some of you were expecting more. If that one disappointed in any way I hope this one will make up for it in some way. As always please review!

Chapter Seven: Not You

Usagi was hot and bothered. This wasn't unusual as he was a healthy twenty seven year old man. What was unusual is that he hadn't seen or heard from Takahiro since he'd left almost a month ago. Usagi was on his way to his room to call on one of the two remaining in his harem when Misaki came running up to him.

"U-Usagi!" The king stopped and waited for the boy to meet him. "Usagi, Aikawa wanted me to tell you that the boy was given back to his mother." Usagi continued to look at him with a blank stare. "Um, aren't you happy?"

Usagi shrugged. "The women acted exactly how I expected them to. Why would I be happy that people can be so idiotic? If the woman had been taking care of the child like she should have been there wouldn't have been an issue in the first place. And if the other woman wasn't totally insane the child never would have been put in such a position."

"But now the boy is safe and the mother will take better care of him after almost losing something so precious."

Usagi knew the boy was right. And for some reason it felt as if the kid was talking about something else now. "I've never lost anything so precious so I wouldn't know what that is like."

"Never?"

Why was his voice shaking? "Of course not. I'm not as careless as that."

"Then, my brother isn't your most important person?"

Usagi sucked in a breath. How did…? "How did you know?" His entire life had been spent with those feelings locked deep inside his heart. Yet this boy had figured it out in less than a month. Had Usagi said something that would tip him off? The boy had seen that story he'd jotted down his first day here alone but after… well after, Misaki hadn't mentioned it again.

"The last time I saw you smile, you were with my brother. And after he left, well, you've been so sad. And, I just thought, maybe that was why."

"Yes, he is my most important person."

"Are, are you okay? I mean, he's married, with a baby on the way, and I thought…."

"Thought what?" Usagi was clinging to the boy's every word.

"I thought maybe, that that's why you… t-touched me. Because, because I remind you even a little of my brother." Misaki blushed to his hairline. Usagi wondered vaguely if the blush moved to other places as well but his thoughts rushed to Takahiro. Takahiro was tall and quiet and shy. He was almost too smart for his own good but didn't know it. Everything about him screamed subtlety. Misaki on the other hand was short and loud and spoke his mind so easily and with such few, but sincere, words. He wasn't smart when it came to books but his understanding of people and life was truly amazing.

"No, you aren't a thing like your brother." For a moment Misaki looked crestfallen. Then he shook himself and smiled.

"Of course not. I don't know what I was thinking. Well, I just wanted to make sure you were alright and give you Aikawa's news. So, I'll be going then. Bye." Misaki turned and rushed away. What had that swift look been about?"

OOOOoooo

Why did Misaki feel like crying? Of course he wasn't anything like his brother. Takahiro was kind to a fault. Naïve about everything and everyone and never thought about himself. Takahiro had done everything to make Misaki happy growing up, knowing that Misaki felt responsible for what happened to their parents. He'd gone out of his way to make sure Misaki felt like they were a real family.

Even when Takahiro had met his wife he'd made sure that she and Misaki got along before proposing marriage. Did, Usagi hate him? Was that why he treated him as though he were stupid? Takahiro was Usagi's most important person, but Takahiro's most important person, up until recently, had been Misaki. Was that why Usagi did those things to him? Was it some sort of punishment for being in his way?

Misaki didn't realize he had been crying until he felt the thick, hot drops falling from his chin to drip on his chest. It's not like he expected Usagi to actually like him so the fact that the king didn't love him shouldn't have been a surprise. Usagi… doesn't love him. Well, it was better for both of them that way. After all, the king was arrogant, demanding, rude, and often selfish.

And this man was in love with his brother. He'd admitted to it. And his brother was blind. How could he not know that this man loved him? That Usagi's thoughts were for him and him alone. Usagi never did anything his brother wouldn't like. He would do anything for his brother. Even when he agreed to take Misaki in and teach him, it hadn't been for his sake but for Takahiro. He was polite to Takahiro's wife and had seemed thrilled that his best friend was having a baby.

His heart, his poor heart must have been ripped in two. It was just too much. Misaki headed to his room, threw himself on his bed and sobbed not only for Usagi, but for himself as well. If only he knew why the tears were for himself. He had everything he could possibly need and he wanted nothing. Except to make his brother happy.

Self-pity wasn't something he gave into often but he did now. Usagi's violet eyes almost lifeless flashed through his mind again and again. It was his brother's fault Usagi hurt the way he did. Usagi deserved to be loved the way he loved. He is kind and thoughtful and understanding and he knows so much about… so much. Books, history, mathematics, what was happening in other countries and he knew so much about life.

What wasn't to love? How could his brother be so stupid?

OOOOoooo

Usagi stood at a window in his room. He didn't really see anything, however. Thoughts of Misaki filled his mind. This kid was something else. He'd asked if he was anything like his brother. No, he wasn't. Misaki could read people in a way Usagi hadn't ever been able to. In a way Takahiro wouldn't ever be able to.

Misaki didn't just care for Takahiro and his feelings, he was aware of everyone's and wouldn't do anything to cause anyone trouble. In fact it was almost as if he were afraid to ask for anything. Almost like a simple request from him would cause someone bodily harm. Usagi frowned. He knew he was a demanding person and expected a lot from Misaki but for every one flaw Misaki had, he had two perfections to make up for it.

And yet it seemed as though Misaki was unaware of the appeal he held. At least, none of it seemed like an act. It was as if these thoughts and actions were a part of his heart and he was more than willing to give it to anyone or anything. Yet, he did not wear his heart on his sleeve. The boy was one contradiction after another. Usagi wondered what would happen if he walked into the boy's chamber. He'd probably find him at the window, facing the desert. He'd be looking at something quite beautiful, Misaki would do no less.

Usagi would walk up behind him and wrap his arms around Misaki's waist. The boy would stiffen, jump and yell all at the same time. He'd ask Usagi what he was doing. The answer, of course, would be 'I'm doing what I want.' Then he would proceed to do just that. He'd do exactly what he wanted. And Misaki would act just the way Usagi expected him to.

A knock sounded on Usagi's door. "Come in," he called.

Nowaki strode in with a very satisfied smile playing on his lips. Bowing deeply he announced, "A letter for you, my lord."

"Oh? Who is it from?" Usagi raised a silver brow in question.

"King Takahiro." Nowaki rose from his bow. Usagi moved to the man and took the letter from the tray.

"Thank you." Usagi turned before catching the look of surprise from the giant of a man. Turning back Usagi asked, "Where is Misaki?"

"In his chambers, I believe. I saw him running inside a little less than an hour ago."

"Running?"

"Yes, my lord." Nowaki bowed as he spoke. He opened his mouth to say something, and then shut it again.

"What is it?"

"It seemed, my lord, that he was crying."

Usagi's eyes widened. "Crying?" Nowaki gave a slight bow as answer. Usagi set the letter on his desk and moved past the servant to find the boy. Out in the hallway he grew agitated that he'd put the boy's room so far from his own. When he got to the wide double doors he didn't bother to knock, the thought never occurred to him, but strode in. Misaki stood by the window, just like in his imaginings. But instead of the bright eyed happy child, he stood, shoulders shaking.

What had brought this happy young man to such a state? Usagi had done everything in his power to break the boy down to get him to leave. Had it finally worked? Suddenly the thought didn't bring him the relief it used too. Walking up behind the boy he wrapped his arms around his waist. Misaki tried to jump but was hindered by Usagi's arms. "W-what are you doing?"

Usagi placed his dry cheek next to Misaki's soft, wet one. "Comforting you." He felt Misaki stiffen.

"W-why?"

"Why are you crying?" Misaki said nothing and turned his head away, breaking contact between their faces but he did nothing about the arms holding his waist so tightly. Usagi wondered when the last time was that the boy had been held when he cried.

"You… you love my brother. Right?"

"Why are you bringing this up again?" Usagi was truly shocked.

"He… he doesn't love you. He's so selfish."

Usagi's brows shot up. Selfish wasn't a word one usually associated with Takahiro. "Really?"

"Y-yes. He is ignorant and blind. How can he be so close to you almost every day and never see how you feel. He doesn't care about you at all. Only that stupid woman. It's his fault you're always so sad and he doesn't care."

Usagi's arms slid from around Misaki's waist to hang lifelessly at his sides. These tears were for him. After everything Usagi had said, with as many times as he'd put the boy down, these tears were for him. Did this kid understand what this was doing to him? It wasn't pity that came from him, it was sympathy, empathy. Understanding. Usagi wasn't sure when the last time someone had understood him was. Had anyone actually ever tried?

It came so natural. "You should stop crying."

"I-I can't. Once, I start I can't stop." Usagi felt something happen that hadn't happened in many, many years. His heart stopped, melted then began to race. It felt as if his heart was trying to jump out of his chest and into the hands of this kid.

Usagi turned the boy around and without thought, planted his lips against Misaki's. The boy didn't yell, didn't push or shove him. One hand lifted to rest on his arm, as if to push past him, then fell to his side. Usagi closed his eyes and for the first time in so many years, he began to feel. When Usagi tilted his head back he looked into Misaki's green orbs. "You stopped."

Misaki looked at him for a long moment. "You… you can cry too. If you want."

Usagi laid his head on Misaki's shoulder. "A kid isn't supposed to be able to understand. But you do. How can it be you? It wasn't supposed to be you."

OOOOoooo

Misaki felt Usagi's hot tears fall on his shoulder. He lifted his arms up and wrapped them around Usagi's shoulders and held on as tightly as he could. Misaki took in his scent, his feel, those large cool hands gripping his lower back. Misaki wanted Usagi to forget Takahiro and make Misaki his number one. He wanted to be Usagi's most important person. To stay by his side, always. As Usagi cried against him Misaki thought he never wanted to Usagi to be sad again, only happy. Always happy.

OOOOoooo

Okay, so first off, yes there will be more chapters. Second, when Misaki goes from crying on the bed to standing at the window, that was intentional. It's that point when you want to stop crying to you rally yourself together and promise yourself you just won't cry anymore. Then when your momentary bravado snaps you cry just as hard as before. Thank you for reading and following!