*heavy coughing*

I'm terribly sorry for the late update. School just started and I was going through a bit of a writer's block that just led me in circles with this story. Before that, I was on this trip and a safari so I had restricted internet access ;;-;;. I'm terribly sorry if it affected my writing in Chapter 09 which I edited now :3

Special thanks to Difying Gravity, Embon, ReviewsBabe, YourTorturedSoul, Xxobsessive & LunaRise for their feedback OwO Being able to listen to what others think is really rewarding, especially when it's all positive :D So thank you very much ^w^

More thank yous to 0marsmallow0, AJSan17, SaraMatta, evav262, FanficsGALORE14, lady-uchiha08, BabyDoll98, danadue & Darky303 for following the story~ I really hope I don't fall short of your expectations for how this turns :) But I'm so happy to meet y'all, even though it's through a mere idea that came to me a long time ago :3

ReviewsBabe : I guess it was really obvious wasn't it? T-u-T I did edit Chapter 09 again and replace my phrasing here-and-there and I hope that the latest chapter will be so much better than the last :3 Thank you for the lovely review and read on to find out more~

YourTorturedSoul : Thank you so so much ;;u;; To hear that it was the highlight of your day really, really means a lot to me OwO Enjoy the update :3

Chapter 10 : "I love you, Usagi-san..."

As soon as those words left Akihiko's lips, Misaki visibly stiffened from his position in a once comfortable embrace. He locked eyes with violet orbs that seemed to display emotions that not even he could comprehend.

"T-That kind of thing... It doesn't really need to be said, right?" Misaki stammered, fidgeting with his hands as he moved away from the novelist to occupy the other side of the couch.

The truth was, Takahashi Misaki had always wanted to say those words. He had watched others throw the phrase about as though it were nothing and it had often made him wonder what prevented him from saying those three words to someone he had always treasured.

On the exterior, Akihiko was the kind of person who seemed arrogant and cold to those he had no connections with. Not even Misaki's own brother could possibly know that there was a much more kinder and sweeter side than that which he had been shown when he was was schooling.

Akihiko was kind. Painfully kind. To the point where Misaki was almost afraid that he'd end up taking advantage of that kindness. He was also the kind of person who refused to let go. He cherished his lover with all his heart and took an interest in the things that Misaki liked, just to know more and find ways he could make him happy.

"I'm off to sleep now..."

Before Misaki could even utter a word, the novelist had vanished back into the depths of his room.

About an hour had passed since their uncomfortable exchange and not even a long and cooling shower had been able take Misaki's mind off what he had been unable to say.

The brunette flopped onto his bed and closed his eyes. A few awkward positions later had proved all his attempts of sleep to be quite unsuccessful. No matter what Misaki did, the lost expression in Akihiko's eyes at that time haunted him. He had never really seen Usagi so full of emotion before.

With a groan, he made his way out of the room and headed downstairs to where Akihiko's room was situated. No matter what he said and did, all Misaki would think of was apologizing to the one he had failed to make happy.

"U-Usagi-san?"

Silence.

Clicking his tongue irritably, Misaki was about to shut the door and return upstairs when he cast his eyes towards the darkened bedside. The light from the room outside enabled him to faintly make out the figure that belonged to his lover.

Softly and slowly making his way towards the bedside, Misaki paused and managed to pull out a blanket from a corner of the bed and gently tucked his landlord in.

"Stupid Usagi, you'll get a cold..." He muttered, shoving his hands into his pajama pockets and focusing on Usagi's face.

Akihiko's sleeping expression was angelic and the polar opposite of how the man usually looked. Misaki could recall many times he had woken up to a smug smirk and the winning look of a man who had just won the lottery.

The soft heave of Usagi's chest only confirmed that the man was asleep and Misaki awkwardly stood in the corner of the room. The sight of a sleeping Usagi gave him strength that he never knew he had. Clenching his fists, he began in a softened tone :

"I'm really sorry for not being able to tell you this before but I really do love Usagi-san. It's not that I can't say it or that I don't want to, I just really don't know how. I'm terribly sorry for hurting you, Usagi-san and I hope you don't feel sad. I can never convey these words to you, face-to-face as I'm always too scared to let out my true feelings. I can't explain how happy it makes me to be loved by you, Usagi-san."

At Misaki's little speech, Akihiko's eyes fluttered open. Truth be told, he had never fallen asleep in the first place. He had missed the warmth that Misaki gave him when they were cuddling together. Rubbing his eyes and sitting up, he focused on the extremely red face of his lover and gave him a dazzling smile.

It wasn't the type of smile that he gave his readers at a meet-and-greet. It wasn't the kind of smile that even Takahiro had been able to see. In fact, it wasn't the smile that anyone had been fortunate enough to see. However, it was genuine and so full of love that even Misaki found himself holding his breath.

"Misaki."

"Y-YOU WERE PRETENDING TO SLEEP?!"

Before Misaki could utter any other protest, he found himself in the arms of his lover who had only tightened his embrace.

"U-Usagi-san?"

"Thank you Misaki... You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that."

Although facing forward and being unable to see Usagi's face clearly, Misaki felt a few droplets on his shoulder and it didn't take him long to realize that his lover was actually crying.

"Usagi-san, are you crying?"

Unknowingly, Misaki let his hands brush through Usagi's hair and inhaled the scent of soap and cigarettes that was unique to him only. His hands then rested on his shoulders and he gently patted the novelist's back.

"Thank you, Misaki."

"I'm sorry I couldn't say this earlier but I really do love you, Usagi-san..."