"I..."

Misaki hesitated and bit his lip.

"...I..."

The millions of thoughts that mixed and mashed in his head fought for control as he tried to move his tongue once more.

"Nii-san...I..."

Misaki! What is wrong with you? Say it! SAY IT!

"...I..."

It was no use. His mouth wouldn't form the words he wanted to say and his throat refused to let air pass, suffocating him and preventing him from speaking.

But he had to say it.

Somehow.

He has to prove to his brother that he can stand by his own decisions, no matter how strange they may seem.

...He has to prove to Usagi-san that he could stand with him.

Taking a deep breath in, he closed his eyes and just focused on the warmth that was radiating from the hand of his partner. Just as he was about to open his mouth...

"Takahiro. Maybe we should wait another time..." Usagi-san said, stepping in to cover for the stumbling boy.

Misaki looked at Usagi-san, his eyes wide with objections. He squeezed his hand but got no response.

No, Usagi-san! I...can say it...

"Misaki seems to be a bit disturbed." the man coolly continued, not looking back at him.

...No.

...

Stop.

He felt his hand move on its own, out of the gentle grasp of the older man and slowly, up to his lips. Using the palm of his hand, he stopped the rest of the words from flowing from Usagi-san's mouth.

Sorry... but...it's my turn now.

He gave Usagi-san a reassuring glance and nodded, a small smile spreading across his face.

I'll be fine. Besides, I'm with Usagi-san right now...

...so I will always be strong.

With renewed determination and confidence, Misaki turned towards the dimming conversation. His mouth no longer felt locked in place and his body was filled with electric energy.

"...Nii-san...for starters...I'M SORRY!" Misaki started and quickly bowed his head towards his brother.

Surprised at the sudden apology, Nii-san and Nee-san glanced quickly at each other, each not having an answer for the other.

"...What for?" His brother said, a slight gleam of worry in his eyes.

"For not telling you first-hand...and...for keeping this a secret for so long...I AM REALLY REALLY SORRY!"

"...Misaki...I don't understand. What secret?"

Without a pause, Misaki gripped his pants tightly and looked straight up at his brother.

If I'm going to do it, I'd better do it right! Nii-san! You better be ready!

He took a deep breath and...

"I love Usagi-san!" Misaki shouted, his voice ringing throughout the spacious condo and bouncing off the large glass windows and wooden floors.

A slightly paused followed this grand confession but Misaki didn't let that hinder him.

"...so...Nii-san...that's why I've stayed for such a long time...BUT it won't be because he's supporting me or anything...I promise!...but rather...I'll be living on my own...in some place safe...close to home...and with a person that I care for...so...please...

I want to stay with Usagi-san."

With this, Misaki felt a large weight lift off from between his shoulders and replaced with a sensation of satisfaction and relief. Worst comes to worst, Nii-san would reject their relationship, but either way, it felt great to get it off his chest.

I...I DID IT! YES! SCORE FOR MISAKI!

Content, the boy cautiously stole a glance at Usagi-san, who hadn't said a word or moved a muscle. The man was utterly speechless with the word "OMG" written across his face. If this had been any other situation, Misaki would have laughed at him and teased him, but...now was certainly not the time. Usagi-san eventually realized that Misaki was eyeing him and without warning took Misaki's head and pressed it against his chest. With his eye directly above Usagi-san's heart, Misaki struggled a little a first but was stopped by a

Ba-dump

And another

And another...the time between each beat decreasing as he listened.

...it's...so loud...

"I knew it!" Nee-san suddenly squealed, lifting the tense atmosphere with her motherly voice, "I had a feeling that something was up between you two, with the way you guys interact and all. Especially with how Misaki behaved: consistently talking about Akihiko-san and all. My my. So THIS is what you've been hiding all along."

"Ah..ha ha ha...so you knew Nee-san..." Misaki nervously chuckled, pulling away from Usagi-san.

Her face beamed with pride.

...So Nee-san seems to be okay with it. That's...somewhat reassuring...but I'm really worried about...

Nii-san, however, still hadn't made a noise. He looked lost, deep in his thoughts, good or bad Misaki couldn't tell. Judging by the look on his face, however, Misaki had a sinking feeling that it would be the latter.

Well...at least he doesn't LOOK mad...but at the same time...he's not really happy either...what should I say?

"...umm...Nii-san?" Misaki softly called out.

The man jerked in his seat and the expression of deep thought was replaced by one of surprise, as if Misaki had just found a way to read his mind.

"...what...do you think...?" Misaki continued, probing his brother for the answer he was dying to hear.

"...?"

"...I...don't know what to say...I really wasn't expecting anything like this... How long has this been going on?"

"...err...maybe since that day you told me that you and Nee-san were engaged...? Right...Usagi-san?"

The grey-haired stone nodded slightly, his face reverting back into his usual "No comment" expression.

"HAAHH?! THAT LONG?!" his brother suddenly screamed, scaring Misaki senseless, "...t..that's like...ALMOST FIVE YEARS!..as...e..fs...e..f.a...df...f..."

His brother cradled his head in his hands and his eyes continuously darted back and forth between his younger brother and his best friend.

What?! What's with that reaction?! Is he okay with it or not?

Misaki watched his brother's movements closely but couldn't come to a conclusion. But, unfortunately, his brother wasn't finished yet.

"Okay, so! If you guys eat together, drive home together, travel together, work together...and...and...sl-sleep together...doesn't that mean...YOU GUYS ARE DATING..."

Misaki could only hang his mouth in disbelief.

Nii-san...HOW DENSE ARE YOU?!

"Yes." Usagi-san coolly replied.

"You guys HUGGED!"

"Yes."

"You guys KISSED!"

Why are we talking about this...?

"Yes."

"You...you...umm...how do I put this...umm-"

"Do it? Of course. What did you expect?" Usagi-san said nonchalantly.

GAHH! NO! I KNEW HE GOING TO SAY THAT!

Misaki glared gleaming daggers at the outrageously embarrassing man.

"USAGI-SAN!"

"It's not like I'm lying."

"That's not my point!"

"Then what? Do you want to put on a live demonstration?"

"HAVE SOME SHAME!"

Realizing that his brother's eyes were still drilling into him, Misaki brought himself under control and tried to bring the conversation back together.

"...a...anyways Nii-san...what do you think about what we were talking about?"

"...The 'live demonstration'? Umm..." his brother said.

"WHAT?! NO! BEFORE all that."

Misaki huffed in disbelief of the immaturity of the group of people he was currently with and he knew...he KNEW...that Usagi-san was smirking behind him, ready to "put on the show", at any second.

"I remember hearing you say that you want to stay here...and..."

"...yeah..."

Geez! Did he not hear any of it?! Seriously Nii-san...

His brother thought from a moment and clapped his hands together.

"...Then that's that."

"Huh?"

"I don't think there is anything I need to stay. You've made up your mind."

What...WHAT?

"I know you, Misaki. You barely ask for anything and...well...it is concerning at times because I always wonder if you do have something in mind, but you refused to tell me. But when you do, it's either some necessity or a part of a surprise gift. Seeing how you conf-...opened up your feelings, I can tell that...well...you really want to live here. I really happy to hear that this time...it's something for...so...

I know that you'll be happy here...and that's all I want."

Misaki's mouth hung open as he tried to process what his brother had just told him. They were words that he wanted to hear, but they were also so much more than what he had expected. Once again, his thoughts were no longer coherent as he stared blankly into his brother's wide grin.

"Aren't you mad that I didn't say anything earlier?"

"Nope!"

"What about...Usagi-san not telling you?"

Nii-san shook his head and smiled.

"...then...are you going to blame youself...for not kicking me out sooner?"

His brother carassed Misaki's hair and said, "The only thing I'll blame myself with is the fact that I didn't figure this out sooner. Misaki. I'll support you and don't forget. You still have Minami and Mahiro! If you guys get into an argument, the three of us will always be around."

Misaki smirked at this but was overjoyed to hear such a positive answer. Although his back was too him, Misaki could see Usagi-san's reflection in a nearby mirror. They met eyes on the reflection and smiled at each other.

Success!

"Yay! A happy ending to a happy night! I brought some pretty good wine as well...so let's celebrate!" Nee-san shouted out of no where, holding a bottle that also seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

Misaki laughed and joined Nee-san in opening the fresh liquor.

Nii-san turned to Usagi-san and dropped his smile.

"Can I have a word?"


Oh boy...I sure hope that was alright :( Recovering from a nasty cold so I'm really sorry for not updating. DX Hope everyone's been doing great~~

Anyways...thank you for sticking to this so far :) You rock! As always, comment on how you feel about this. Maybe later, once I finish, I'll come back and do some polishing as there are a few rough places here and there that I would like to work on...

Yay~~