Hello there- I know this update has come ridiculously late and I'm sorry if I've made you wait and then you read this and it actually wasn't worth it... I hope you do =/

Misaki

I was floating again, down a wide road… there was a bright light at the end… something too bright… a silhouette… something not quite real… A small part of me was trying to grab 'me' from the road and away from the shadow in the bright light. A part of my conscious self was shivering. Cold sweat… Cold hands… feet still pacing towards the light, still trying to push myself out of the way at the same time… same time… same. Time.

"Ah!" Misaki jolted out of his nightmare, breathing fast and air tight in his aching throat. He felt a film of tears cover his eyes before he blinked them away, cursing himself. It's just a nightmare. Just a… nightmare… It still hadn't quite sunken in that he had almost been in a car crash the night before last. He could tell by the light navy light coming in under his door that it was early morning.

Car crash… Pant, pant, pant. Are they really that common or… or has someone divine decided that I should have gone with my parents… or… Oh. God. Pant, pant. I need to get out of here. Deep breath. These days in this apartment have been nothing but one big whoosh. Akihiko, that enigma of a man… touching me, holding me, just being there for me… why… why aren't I scared of him… isn't he the very replica of the warnings people are constantly raving on about?

"No, I just think that maybe…" The rest of Akihiko's words were muffled from downstairs. Swallowing, Misaki put a hand to the back of his neck as he felt a wash of relief pass over his body- Akihiko's here. It's fine. Everything's fine. Such an instantaneous feeling of security with the man made Misaki's head go fuzzy with confusion. Why him? He's so egotistical… but… always there…

"Akihiko, with all due respect, he's my brother and-" Takahiro! Misaki shot from his bed and skidded to the door, pulling it open and looking over the banister into the large living room.

Sure enough, Misaki could see the back of his brother's black-haired head as he sat opposite Usami Akihiko. The silver-haired man looked up the instant Misaki's bedroom door opened and raised his head from the fist he had been balancing it on. Takahiro turned his head a second later.

"Misaki? Are you okay?" Akihiko asked, eyes wider than natural for a man who had known him four days. Takahiro did not seem to notice the concern in Akihiko's voice.

"I-I'm fine, thank you." Misaki gave Akihiko a small smile before he looked to his brother. "How are you?"

Upon coming down the stairs and seeing the cast on Takahiro's leg, Misaki swallowed.

"Would you like some tea?"

"No, Misaki, thank you. Akihiko has already made me some," Takahiro smiled. "I'm sorry if I woke you, I intended to be here earlier tonight so that you and I could talk about the leaving plan, but there was traffic. Akihiko was, thankfully, awake."

Oh. Right. The leaving plan. God, this is fast… Why do I feel so choked up about it? It would be an amazing opportunity. I should be happy about it. Smile and nod at your brother instead of looking down at your feet.

"Sit down, Misaki. Have some tea." Misaki complied to his brother's wishes, sitting opposite Akihiko who was scarily still. He did not, however, reach for any tea.

Akihiko's eyes held a very pensive appearance and Misaki flinched as Akihiko stood up as soon as he sat down. The man flicked on the main light and Misaki and Takahiro squinted for a minute as they adjusted themselves to the light. Straight after, Akihiko was sitting back down with the same stone like immobility and thinking expression on his face as he leaned forward, mouth pressed to the sides of his index fingers.

Akihiko

Damn this senseless bout of protectiveness, this undying need to snatch Misaki from his brother. Granted, granted, I don't know him extremely well but I love the person I become with his every defiant or nervous action. I love the person Misaki is. I feel like I comprehend his nervousness far more than anyone else could… like the trait some may perceive as naivety… I know it to be a self-flagellation for the fact he doesn't know… and he likes to know a lot so he wont offend anyone…

"Misaki, I know this is extraordinarily rushed, but how do you feel about coming with Manami and I?"

Akihiko glanced up at the boy and noticed the slightly stunned expression his face held. Misaki looked down into his lap and Akihiko couldn't help but notice the way his matching blue pyjamas- matching being a phenomenon to the erratic author- hung off his attractively petite body. Maybe it is just a physical attraction I have for him… he has been nothing but explosive whilst he's been here… but who am I to talk? Besides, I'm supposed to be the adult in the situation… Lord. I'm supposed to be the mature one. Why isn't he saying anything to Takahiro?

"Misaki? Are you okay?" Takahiro asked, twisting his body a little towards his younger brother, his casted leg seemingly stuck to the ground with its stiffness.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just tired." You're confused is what you are.

"I'm sure you'll love it in America, brother. It's so big and there are so many things to see and do-"

"What part of America, Takahiro?" Takahiro did not seem phased by Akihiko's interruption. He smiled, genuinely, as he replied.

"New York." That'll be too busy for him. He'll panic. Might decide to turn to alcohol again. He didn't do anything harmful two days ago. But who knows how he could harm himself.

Misaki

Misaki was looking down into his lap, eyes blurry and face expressionless.

America would be amazing. It would be even more amazing if Akihiko came too, though… I think I've had more fun arguing with him than I have any of my friends… If I was in trouble, I'd call him…

"So, Misaki- Again, I know it's rushed, but what do you think?" Your loyalty is to your brother, Misaki.

Akihiko

Do what you want to, Misaki…

"It sounds great." Misaki looked up with an almost detectably fake smile on his suddenly bright face. Akihiko closed his eyes slowly and tried to block out Takahiro's exclamation of satisfaction. He tried not to pay attention, as he reopened his eyes, to the enthusiastic hug the brothers shared.

He tried to quench to stabbing pain in his stomach.