Akihiko impatiently tapped his finger on the table, slugging in his chair and every so often glancing up at the clock that seemed to be ticking slower than the company's representative was speaking. He grunted in annoyance as he sat up out of his slumming stance and laid his elbows on the table, folding his hands and resting his chin on them.
Misaki is probably awake by now. . . Akihiko thought. I need to get home, damn it.
The man who was speaking couldn't help but notice the rabbit's uninterested look on his face.
"Usami?" He called out.
"Hmm?" The author snapped out of his haze and turned his eyes towards the end of the long table.
"You seem to be having trouble focusing. Is there a problem?"
"Uh. . ." Akihiko thought about faking a discomfort to excuse himself, but decided against it when his eyes glanced across the table and was greeted by Aikawa's piercing ones. The devil woman was glaring daggers into his soul, as if to say, 'you had better stay put.'
The silver-haired man let out a lengthy sigh. "No problem, sir. Please, continue."
Misaki wandered around the penthouse, exploring rooms he hadn't before after finishing his meal. He looked out the large windows, gazing in awe upon the rest of Tokyo. He felt like he was on top of the world. He then headed upstairs and looked around up there. The boy reached the end of the hallway and peeked into the guest room, seeing it in the same condition as the night he got up and went to Akihiko's bed. He smiled a bit at the thought, and proceeded to fix up the bed. He fluffed the pillows and pulled up the blanket nice and smoothly without a wrinkle in site.
He then went to the next room, which he found to be Akihiko's work room. There was a desk with a laptop, a couch, and several bookshelves with a myriad of titles. The teen curiously looked through each book side with his eyes.
"Usagi-san must be really popular after all. . ." he murmured aloud to himself. His features widened when he noticed a familiar looking book. Reaching for it with his small hand, the boy removed the book from the shelf and held it in both hands, flipping through the pages carefully, scoping it.
"I've read this book before," Misaki realized. It was true, he had read this book before. In fact, when he looked around the shelves, he had read several of these books. Back when he was just a princess locked away in a tower. All he did while he was locked up was read books, if Takahiro was nice enough to bring him some. He kept reading on account of his second-grade education being all that he had, since his brother had yanked him out of school. On top of this low education, Misaki only knew what he read in books.
These books.
So Usagi-san is the one who writes these. . . he sighed smiling in amazement. Akihiko was truly for him. Not knowing what else to do while the author was away, he picked up another book he had never gotten around to reading, sat down on the couch and dug into it.
It was nightfall by the time Akihiko had returned. He opened his front door (which he had gotten fixed between events of bringing Misaki home and waiting for him to awaken) and threw his coat on the couch, followed by his keys. Putting a hand in his pocket, he noticed the table was clear of the food he had laid out.
So Misaki is awake, Akihiko thought happily before climbing up the stairs to greet the withered flower.
Misaki was so engrossed in the story he was reading that the sudden knocking on the door startled him, causing him to peer in that direction and hold the book to his chest. The author opened the door carefully, not wanting to surprise the boy (unaware he had already slightly done so.) Misaki immediately recognized the figure as his bunny, and stood up quickly, still holding the book close to his heart. Thousands of thoughts scurried through the boy's head in that moment. He wasn't sure if he should scramble to hide what he was doing, thinking he might have been invading the man's privacy, or stand his ground and let the author decide what to do first.
While his mind was busy, Misaki was left speechless at the site of him. Sure, they had already had their reunion, but he felt that familiar gleam in his heart as soon as they made eye contact. A small smile formed on both of their faces upon the presence of one another. They simply took a few moments to imbibe each other.
"Hey," Akihiko said nonchalantly, closing the door behind him.
"H-Hey," Misaki replied shyly, but still smiling. He felt a small blush form on his cheeks. "Uh. . ." he set the book down before continuing, "s-sorry. I didn't mean to invade your-"
He was cut off when Akihiko was suddenly on the other side of the room, pulling the boy into a tight embrace. Misaki shivered, but at the same time melted into the contact, not remembering a time where he felt so secure. He didn't hesitate to return the gesture, snaking his arms under the authors and placing his hands on Akihiko's shoulders once the man kneeled down to allow him to do so, since Akihiko had wrapped his own arms around the boy's neck.
"Welcome home, Misaki." Akihiko said gently, reaching up to stroke the teen's hair with his large hand.
Misaki closed his eyes and nuzzled his face into the man's neck. "Thank you. . ."
They stayed like that for several moments before pulling apart to look into each other's eyes. The two shot each other a warm smile.
"Uh. . . are you hungry?" Misaki asked, breaking the silence.
"I could eat," Akihiko replied, retracting back to his full stance and ruffling Misaki's hair. "But you've had a rough week. You should rest. You don't have to cook for me."
"It's okay, I want to," Misaki said, looking back up at the man bashfully. Unable to turn down again, Akihiko nodded in agreement.
Misaki stood at the stove, preparing a nice dinner for Akihiko. It was the only thing he could think to do to thank the man for. . . well, everything. His hospitality and determination. The boy couldn't help the guilt he felt at the thought of causing the man so much trouble. But he pushed it aside, simply reveling in the enjoyable fact that he was "home." He smiled at the remembering of Akihiko referring to this place as Misaki's "home."
Yes. It was their home, now.
He also remembered when he first saw Akihiko at the police station, alive and well. He thought about the words that were exchanged. . .
"I love you!"
Misaki blushed intensely. How could he have said something like that?! It was beyond embarrassing. But then again. . .
"Misaki, I have always loved you."
Misaki stilled his stirring hand and blinked a couple of times. Did he remember that right? Or did he just imagine it in the bewildered trance he was in at the time? He turned his head and peeked over at the man, who was sitting on the couch reading a newspaper with the TV playing quietly. Turning back to the rice he was making, he poked at it a bit with his utensil, lost in thought.
Once the table was set and the two twitterpated males in seat, they both put their hands together and bowed their heads saying, "itadakimasu." They ate peacefully for awhile before Misak's inscrutable thoughts forced him to blurt out something he'd regret during full self-consciousness.
"Hey, Usagi?"
Akihiko looked up from his dish with a mouth full of rice. "Whurt?"
Misaki giggled when he saw several grains fall from the author's mouth and land on the table. Realizing this, the rabbit looked down and groaned before proceeding to pick them up with his fingers and wipe his mouth with a napkin after swallowing.
"I'm sure that was very attractive," he commented quietly before clearing his throat and laying his napkin back on the table neatly. He noticed Misaki trying to contain his laughter, and raised an eyebrow accusingly.
"Something funny?" He asked amusingly before resting an elbow on the table and leaning forward, as if to appear intimidating.
Misaki shook his head, covering his mouth and letting out small noises, desperately trying to swallow the giggles. Once he felt calm enough, he removed his hand and set it in his lap again.
"You're like a toddler," Misaki said, still smiling from all that giggling.
"What?!" Akihiko asked, humorously surprised. While Misaki was serious, he played along anyway. "I am the Great Lord Usami!"
This only caused Misaki to laugh more. Akihiko should've been upset, but he couldn't help but join it. Laughter was contagious, after all.
"You are great, Usagi-san." Misaki turned his face back up to look at him. Akihiko's heart glowed at the boy's features. His cheeks were flushed, his big green eyes warm and drowning in love and compassion, a small smile played on his lips and never left.
Chuckling a bit more, the author leaned back in his seat. "So, what were you going to tell me?"
The silver haired man was a tab bit worried when he saw Misaki's smile fade, but his blush intensify.
"Um. . ." Misaki looked down at his plate, poking his wanton with one chop stick. "I was just thinking. At the police station, you uh. . ."
"Yes?" Akihiko pressed for more words.
"You said, 'you've always loved me.' W... What did you mean? Well, I guess I know what you meant. But I mean, did you mean that? Uh, we haven't known each other that long, so what did you mean by "always?" You mean since the night you found me on the beach? To be honest I think I've loved you too since then, but I've been too shy to admit it, and-"
A big smile was painted on the Great Lord's face as he listened to Misaki continue to babble on. Without even thinking, he reached his large hand and placed it on Misaki's small face before leaning in for another kiss, which obviously forced Misaki to stop talking. Misaki should've been surprised, but he found himself melting into it like the last time, only this time, it didn't end.
Akihiko's tongue came out to play, brushing against Misaki's innocent one. Misaki's eyes closed, his face flushing even more at the contact. He remembered Takana doing this to him several times, and he had hated it. But maybe that was just because it was Takana. Because right now. . . it felt really good. And he wanted more.
To the older man's surprise, Misaki got up from his seat and sat in the man's lap, wrapping his arms around the larger neck and kissing him again, pulling him strongly into it to deepen it. Akihiko didn't give himself time to be too surprised, not wanting to miss the opportunity. He placed his hands on the flower's waist and continued to dominate that small mouth. It was like this for God knows how long, before they parted for air, which they took in loudly and slowly.
The man reached up to caress Misaki's soft cheek once again. "What I meant was. . . I've always loved you. And I mean it."
Misaki smiled brightly and leaned in to peck the man's lips again before hugging him firmly. He enjoyed the physical contact for awhile, feeling happy and safe and loved.
Loved. . .? Yes.
He had forgotten what it felt like to be loved.
And this was not the love he felt for his parents, nor his parents for him. No- this was different. This was what romance was like. Pure Romance. Junjou Romantica. He had read about it in stories but never understood what it meant.
But now he did, thanks to Akihiko.
He only wished it would stay like this forever.
A/N Whew! Well I hope that was a nice, long chapter compared to some of the last few.
And more contact between the two as requested.
It's been meaning to happen, anyway. XD
ili777: Nope! I'm still here. 8) There's no way I could forget about this story, considering the fact I've already done so much with it in my mind. But unfortunately that doesn't make me any less lazy, or busy for that matter. T.T I may have to do something about the court stuff, but it hasn't come into play yet. I don't know. I may or may not. Depends on how I end up deciding to fill all these damn plot holes XD
Soulhearts: Not to worry, the "hurt" in this story will be a commonly used theme. And by that I mean this is going to be a LONG ass story with lots of hurt. . . but also happiness. It's hard to explain right now XD but as time goes by it will all come together. And this story will have tragic moments but like most stories, in terms of the old days, it will be a comedy.
OneDayPineapple: I want that buffet too. All I really pictured is steak. Steak. XD Steak is good. But I'll be eating it tomorrow at my sister's 21st birthday. And I hate growing because I suddenly have all these responsibilities that I don't feel like doing and I don't have time to write my story DX
TP009: Don't worry friend, it may not be as bad as you think :) no need to cry any rivers. . .yet XD
NezumiLovesShion: Thank you, and there aren't any holes from what people have read here on fanfiction because I've filled them up. But there are a lot to go in chapters I've planned but haven't written out yet. But I've managed to fill them up nice and easy so far so hopefully I can continue doing that. (Fluff. XD) Thanks for staying interesting and putting up with me!
Jenmoon1: Will do, glad you're enjoying it!
SuzukiChiyeko: The fluff is strong in this chapter, too. Almost lemon. XD But I didn't want to put them quite there yet. After all, Misaki isn't going to accept sex so quick after being raped. Just more holes to fill. TxT And just I have Akihiko call him sweetheart because of this mindset I have of the two that I can't really explain. I do picture Misaki a lot like Ayase, but not Akihiko like Kanou. Kanou is caring but he's way to forceful and aggressive. And I keep Akihiko high and mighty, but give him a soft side too, which is where the "sweetheart" nickname comes to play. I don't know. I'm just dumb XD
Storm Cycle: Thanks so much for the encouragement, it really helps the story go along!
Guest: I've never even heard of that fanfiction you're talking about. It's not impossible for two people to come up with the same ideas. (:
TechSavvy123014: (- That's the first time I typed out your username correctly without looking at it! The number order was hard to remember. XD) I agree completely about the angst. Like major character death is okay with me, like. . . 2% of the time. Yeah, not often. XD Stuff like that blows me away. Hehe I'm glad we have a lot in common. Thanks for the continuation of your interest and patience!
To be continued! Thank you for your feedback!
-Tiny