Hey guys. Thanks for sticking with this story, if you still are.
I'm updating really late, but only because college just started and I'm super-duper busy. So I'm only updating on Fridays, and I'm really sorry for changing it so much all the time! This is being updated on Saturday only because the internet went down in my dorm yesterday, and I'm NOT going on ffn on any school computers.
Anyway, thanks to all of your reviews! I really appreciate all of your comments and suggestions and your wants for the story. I didn't update for a while because I got some hateful anonymous messages about the contents of my fic, and it didn't really make me want to write anything else, if I'm being honest. Enjoy this chapter!
"I love you. I love you so much, Usagi."
Akihiko drove Misaki back to his home, and helped him sleepily climb the stairs. He opened the door for Misaki, and the student slowly shuffled into the loft, turning to watch Akihiko lock the door behind them. When the author turned back, Misaki raised his arms, giving him the slightest pout. Akihiko held back a smirk and pulled Misaki's jacket off before pulling the other man into his arms. Misaki sighed, and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend.
"I'm-I'm really tired, Usagi-san." Akihiko heard Misaki mumble into his chest. Akihiko ran his hand through Misaki's hair and pulled him closer with the other arm.
"I know. I'll take you upstairs, okay?" Akihiko whispered, and Misaki nodded sleepily against him. He tilted his head up and smiled softly at him. Swallowing hard, Akihiko leaned forward and pressed his lips softly against Misaki's forehead. Misaki's eyes flickered closed and he took a deep breath in. Akihiko then took his boyfriend's hand and pulled him up the stairs, waiting whenever he rubbed his eyes or yawned, stopping on the stairs to hold his hand patiently.
In his bedroom, the author pulled Misaki into bed beside him and slowly rubbed his back in circles. Misaki opened his eyes slightly, and watched him. Akihiko swallowed again, and looked back, staring into Misaki's beautiful green orbs. Misaki's lips parted just slightly, and he whispered in the dim room.
"What do we do now?" He asked, blinking slowly at Akihiko. The older man stared back, and then shrugged quickly.
"I don't know." He admitted, looking shyly away from the younger man. Misaki smiled up at him, and Akihiko looked back. "We hold each other, I guess. I don't know how this works." Misaki nodded and inched closer to him.
"I'm okay with that." Came the soft response. Akihiko felt an arm over his shoulder, and Misaki's face against his chest, as was their favorite position. As he wrapped his arms around Misaki for the first time in several days, Akihiko felt as though he'd never want to let him go again, as though the promise he'd made to this man was etched in stone, and he'd never lose him.
The next morning, Misaki was gone. It was normal, for a Wednesday, yet Akihiko felt more heaviness than he'd felt all weekend. He shuffled into the kitchen, and saw the meal that Misaki had left for him. He chuckled to himself as he ate, the clock ticking loudly in his ears. It seemed as though time had stopped during the time that Misaki was gone, and now that he was back, it was starting again, all too fast. Aikawa needed the second draft of the manuscript. Two magazines wanted his feedback on some columns. Akihiko had the strangest sense of déjà vu, yet at the same time felt as though his life was moving forward at a pace much too rapid to even recognize. It was as though when he was with Misaki, everything stopped around the two of them, and they didn't have jobs and goals and bills. Misaki felt like freedom.
After correcting his first drafts for hours, which felt more like days, Misaki called him. Of course, the author answered on the first ring after the voice machine stated who the caller was.
"Hi Usagi-san." Misaki said over the line. Akihiko waited, breathless. Misaki sounded tired, but also refreshed, as though he were happy to hear the older man. Akihiko hoped that this was the case. "I just called to say that-that I love you. And I'll see you today around 6:00. I'm going to bring home some food, and make you a really fancy meal. Okay?"
By the time that 6:00 arrived, Akihiko was clean, well-shaven, and well-dressed for his boyfriend. Misaki came through the door with two bags, which Akihiko helped him carry into the kitchen. He stayed around, hovering over Misaki until the younger man pushed him into the living room, firmly planting him onto the couch. Dinner was ready at 6:25, and at that time Misaki pulled him up playfully, leading the author by one finger and smiling teasingly at him from over his thin shoulder. Akihiko felt dizzy with excitement.
"How was your day?" Misaki asked, using a fork for his vegetables. Akihiko watched him struggle to hold it correctly for a moment before he was successful.
"It was fine. I finished a huge part of my manuscript. It was incredibly boring." He replied, opting to use chopsticks. Misaki smiled at him and Akihiko swallowed a thick bite. Misaki's smile was incredibly distracting. "I missed you, actually."
Misaki stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth and suddenly flushed red. Akihiko looked at him, waiting patiently for his reaction. The younger man set his fork down and began to wipe his hands with his table cloth, obviously not looking at Akihiko. He took a drink of his water and wiped at his face, still avoiding Akihiko's gaze. Misaki began to blink rapidly before Akihiko took Misaki's hands into his own and forced Misaki to lock eyes with him.
"I missed you. I missed you so much, Misaki." Misaki's eyes were welling up with tears quickly and Akihiko moved his chair closer. In turn, his lover moved closer to him. "I'm sorry about what I said. And about what I did. I love you more than I ever loved anyone else. I'd marry you, and I can't say that for anyone else."
Hands curled on his sleeves, and lips met Akihiko's. Misaki tasted sweet, like the sauce he'd used for dinner. Hands roamed over arms, and tongues meshed and twisted. Misaki was in Akihiko's lap now, and they were pushed back from the table, kissing with no abandon. Akihiko slid a hand under Misaki's bottom and lifted him from the table, never breaking contact. He carried the boy into the living room, and deposited him onto the couch. Misaki made a small, "Oh!" as he landed, but reached his arms up once again, and they melted into each other. After Misaki's pants were removed and Akihiko's shirt was on the floor, Misaki whispered into his ear, "I want to give you all of me, Usagi-san," and Akihiko lost his control. Their lovemaking that night was the best they'd ever had.
The next morning, Misaki kissed him awake and murmured a sweet goodbye. Akihiko laid on the couch, staring at the ceiling, for over an hour after the boy had left. Then he called Hiroki.
"Oi. You're lucky you didn't call me right in the middle of class, you idiot." Came the gruff answer. Akihiko's heart soared from hearing his friend again, and he knew that they both would let everything he'd said be water under the bridge now. For the next hour, Akihiko told Hiroki everything that had happened, from Misaki's confession to the reunion and his plans for the future. His friend did nothing but listen and comment where he felt necessary.
"Are you sure about this? I mean, you're an idiot, but this is stupid even for you." He asked warily. Akihiko assured him that he had everything planned out, and that Misaki would understand. Throughout the day, Akihiko worked on straightening the house, reorganizing things, buying some new furniture, and fixing up their spare bedroom, which now acted as a storage room. Misaki's room lay almost as bare as when he moved in. He didn't have many possessions, Akihiko realized with a start. He'd fix that. He'd fix anything for Misaki.
It was evening by the time Misaki returned from his job.
"Hi there!" He said brightly, and Akihiko greeted him with a kiss.
"Hello, Misaki." He rumbled, and Misaki blushed, his lips parting slightly. The student swallowed and coughed, looking away from him. Akihiko took this opportunity to kiss his face repeatedly.
"Usagi-san," Misaki said, embarrassed, but Akihiko pulled his boyfriend into his arms and held him, kissing his soundly on the lips again.
"I'm just happy, Misaki." He said, pressing his lips against Misaki's temple. He felt spindly arms around him, and somehow that felt like home.
Please let me know what you think, and I'm so sorry that this took so long!