CHAPTER 10

In class, Sumi was staring at Misaki with a big smirk on his face, "So...you're getting married, Misaki?"

Misaki blushed, no use hiding it now that Akihiko had brought it into the open like that, "Y-Yeah"

"Hmmm...do you love him?" Sumi asked.

Misaki's heart skipped a beat and turned his head, looking the other way, blushing furiously, "U-Um...sure, of course I do! I'm marrying him, aren't I?"

"And he obviously thinks the world of you. Hmmm, that is very troublesome..."Sumi said thoughtfully.

Misaki blinked in surprise, "Troublesome? Why?"

"No reason. Tell me something else, is your relationship stable?" Sumi continued.

"W-What do you mean?" Misaki asked, shocked.

Sumi smirked, knowing he hit a nerve, Misaki was an idiot and would believe anything he told him, "Well, marriage is a big step. If you rush into it, it won't last long"

Misaki swallowed nervously and stared down at his finger, playing with the ring. "So...y-you think we should hold it off until we know each other better?"

"Definitely" Sumi replied. Misaki stared at him, a scared look on his face, almost at the verge of tears. "But hey, your relationship is none of my business go and do what you want!"

Misaki's heart was racing, he squeezed his eyes shut, tears falling down his face, I...I knew we were rushing into everything too fast! What am I suppose to do?

The rest of the class time, more books than usual were thrown at him and he was shouted at a lot more too, he couldn't really concentrate as his head was full of doubts and fears.

XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX

Misaki ate lunch with Sumi quietly, lost in his own thoughts. Sumi smirked, proud at his accomplishment. Happily, he continued prying information out of the boy, "I was wondering, how you two met?"

Misaki looked up at him, "I...I met him at a pond under a tree. It was behind my house and I was about to leave when he stopped me-"

"And did what?" Sumi asked.

Misaki blushed and stared down at his food again, "He...asked me to kiss him"

"Oh really? See? You are going too fast! You shouldn't marry him at all!"

Once again, tears rolled down Misaki's cheeks but Sumi didn't look sorry or worried in the slightest, "Aww, don't cry! I'm sure he wouldn't mind!"

Misaki kept crying, "I...I'm going to go to the bathroom, be right back!" Misaki cried and ran off. Sumi smirked, happy with himself and continued eating. Misaki didn't go to the bathroom like he said but went home.

If it's true, I must be causing Usagi-san a lot of trouble! I better call it off before something bad happens!

XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX

"Welcome home, Misaki" Akihiko said from the couch, a book in his hand.

Misaki forced a smile, "Thankyou Usagi-san. How was your day?"

"Terrible. I missed my Misaki" Akihiko said.

Misaki rolled his eyes and walked in, putting his bag to the floor. He sat on the couch. Smirking, Akihiko grabbed Misaki's chin, pulling him into a kiss. Then, not letting go of the kiss, he pushed him down onto the couch and straddled his hips. Misaki stared up at him, tears in his eyes.

I have to tell him...

Misaki broke the kiss and said, "U-Usagi-san, I...I need to tell you something"

"Go ahead" Akihiko said, showering the boy's face, cheeks and neck with kisses, his hands already unbuttoning Misaki's shirt.

"I...I think...I think that we should..." he started, but he couldn't do it. He turned his head to the side, tears rolling down his face, "N-Never mind, it's not important"

"Alright then, whatever you say" the man started kissing down his chest, "I love you so much, Misaki"

"I...I l-love you too"

XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX

He knew he had to say it but every time he saw Akihiko's face, he immediately teared up and couldn't do it. So he ended up just avoiding him, he avoided him for a couple of days until it soon passed into 2 weeks...But Akihiko was no fool. The writer was smart and caught on quickly. "Misaki, are you avoiding me?" the man asked him one day.

Misaki's eyes widened as he did the dishes, his heart skipped a beat. "U-Um...no, of course not. What are you even talking about?" he laughed nervously.

"We haven't been spending much time together anymore...and when we do, you feel distant" Akihiko frowned, "Is something bothering you, Misaki? If there is, I want you to tell me right now"

"N-Nothing's bothering me, don't worry" Misaki lied. He added hastily, "Oh, look at the time, I better do my homework!" then he ran upstairs without even finishing the dishes.

XXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXX

The next day before he had the chance to go to school, Akihiko grabbed him and pushed him against the door, "I know you're avoiding me, Misaki! Tell me why!"

"I...I'm not, you're just imagining it. Let me go so I can go to school"

Akihiko narrowed his eyes angrily and tightened his grip on Misaki, "You can go after you tell me!"

"B-But-"

"NOW MISAKI!"

I have no choice... Misaki thought in defeat and he bowed his head, his hair covering his face, "U-Usagi-san...I think...maybe we shouldn't get married"

Akihiko's eyes widened in shock, "What?" Akihiko stared at him for a long moment, "Is that really what you think?" "Y...Y-Yes" Misaki said.

Akihiko glared at him, "Are you having second thoughts? Are you saying you don't want to be with me?" he let go of the boy and stepped back. He stared in shock, not really knowing what to think, and then he said very seriously, "Then take off the ring!"

"W-What?" Misaki looked up at him in disbelief.

H-How...can he ask that?

"I said take off the ring!" Akihiko ordered. "And don't say you don't want to just because it's pretty! That ring is a promise of my love for you! It means something!"

Misaki stared at him, shocked, then he stared down at the ring and tears filled his eyes. Shaking, he slowly tried to remove it from his finger, but he ended up falling to the floor, sobbing like a child. His tears fell down his face all messy and wet and they just wouldn't stop. "I...I...I can't do it! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I l-love you so much, please...please don't make me...nnngggh...WAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Akihiko let Misaki cry, just watching him. Then a smile appeared on the man's face and he sighed. Misaki felt his strong arms gently wrap around him. "Misaki..." he whispered and cupped Misaki's face in his hands and wiped his tears away with his thumbs, "I love you...this is about how fast we are going, isn't it? You're scared...Takahiro has given us his approval so there is no way I am not marrying my beautiful Misaki...but if you still think we are going too fast, we can postpone the wedding and we'll have it at a date that makes you feel most comfortable. I don't mind, I just want you to be happy. I want you to want to be with me" Tearful green eyes turned and looked at his lover, "U-Usagi-san..."

Akihiko smiled gently and took Misaki's hand in his and kissed his hand, right on the ring, "Keep the ring on though, for me. It will remind you that we are meant to be together." Misaki smiled tearfully and hugged Akihiko, burying his face into his chest. Akihiko held him tighter, stroking his hair, "I love you, Misaki"

XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX'

When Misaki eventually went to school, Sumi was there. "So...did you call it off?"

"No. Usagi-san said we can take our time. He said that we can have it whenever I want, whatever makes me feel comfortable," Misaki said happily.

"Oh...well, that's great! Good for you!" but he was really thinking 'shit, they didn't break up? That sucks... Oh well, better luck next time!'