AN: Hello! It took me forever to edit this to the point where I think the result was just right. Their actions may seem OC, but I hope ya'll can understand where both of them are coming from. Keeps fingers cross on outcome

Remember, happy ending is near. So don't kill me please!

-Takamiya's POV-

Izumi was trembling terribly. Or was it his nerves? Takamiya couldn't tell the difference. The other's body felt so fragile within his arms. He tightens his hold, feeling the need to sooth his young lover as his own body welcome the familiar shape and scent. It had been so long. It felt like forever since he truly held Izumi like this. He didn't even know he had held his breath until he released it in one shuddering breath.

As if that was the signal, the pliant body within his fold turned rigid. It was too soon, he never wanted to let go. But Takamiya relented and loosen his hold. He pulled slightly away from the younger form and peered down to meet a pair of dead eyes laden with sorrow.

His heart dropped upon the sight. The translator had never seen that look on his young love before. It was frightening to behold for the once beloved orbs were open with warmth and burning with life. But, the fire was gone. The hearth long dormant.

Takamiya couldn't fathom this change. He felt desperate to sooth the other and return hugging the other with a vengeance. He tried channeling his thoughts and love to the other. He will bring life back to the other, he will.

Then he heard a hoarse voice. Barely there, but it punctured his internal mantra. Breathing harshly, he tried silencing his thoughts and strain to hear it again.

Then the barely there whisper was repeated, "Let go of me."

A choked sob escaped his lips. His eyes began to water. Without words, he knew something profound was happening. It frightened him. Takamiya hadn't expected to encounter this Izumi.

Desperate, he pulled away once again and tried placating in quick breaths. "I'm sorry Izumi, for ever hitting you. I shouldn't have. There's no excuse, I know. Just come back home with me. You can deal with me however you like. Please, Izumi."

Takamiya searched the other's eyes: no response. The only indication whether the other even heard him was a slight turn of Izumi's head to stare vacantly at the wall. Then another flat whisper, "That doesn't matter anymore."

He tried again and was interjected by that same flat, hoarse whisper, "Its over. We're over. I'm sorry you've come all this way to find me. But there was no need. Now if you would please excuse me, I'm tired. I had a late night."

Takamiya kept shaking his head in denial. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Never like this. Where had the fight in the other gone to? It was as if the other was reciting a script he no longer had interest in. It didn't make any sense. It felt disjointed and surreal. Izumi sounded as if he's tired of dealing with him. It made him frustrated and he stared at the profile of his beloved Izumi, trying to fathom why. And jealousy rode to the forefront upon a new discovery. The proof that put his faith into question.

The translator glared at the tale-tell mark and accuse Izumi with much hurt lacing his voice, "That's it then?"

When he heard no response, he felt the unfamiliar onset of rage burned within his gut. It needed an outlet and for once, he allowed it to vent, "I'm sorry for hitting you, but why did you have to run away like this? Even after seven years, you can't simply talk to me? How could you treat me so casually? As if I don't factor in your life? What did I do wrong, Izumi? Tell me! Seven years. We have seven years together, Izumi. I love you for seven years and you— you can just walk away to another so easily."

Izumi's dead eyes had widened in alarm upon realizing what he'd implied and they had cringe at his every sentence.

Finally a response. Despite being somewhat aware of what he'd said, in the back of his mind, Takamiya still felt a slight twinge in his heart. He'd never spoken to Izumi quite like this before and his heart pounded against his ribcage as if in protest to the mistreatment. Nevertheless, he felt the need to press onwards and hurt the other further despite the fact he was hurting himself in the process.

Luckily for him, whatever he had said had gotten through to Izumi and Takamiya saw the life back within the other's eyes. Amidst the swirl of emotional chaos, he felt oddly relieved to see the glow within return besides his verbal onslaught.

Izumi finally turned to face Takamiya and looked him square in the eyes. The older man caught a glimpse of sorrow shadowing the other's face before it was replaced with this new found determination he was not familiar with. In addition, his Izumi who was forever shy in admitting romantic feelings and speaking of them did just that. Only though, it wasn't how he imagined it would be.

The other bent low at the waist for a long respectful bow and apologized firmly, "I'm sorry, Takamiya-san."

He immediately closed his eyes, refusing to see any further when he saw Izumi straighten then touched the red mark on his neck tentatively and blushed. At that moment, the translator dreaded every single word that came out of what use-to-be his Izumi's mouth. Yet, he couldn't help but limply stand there at the apartment hallway and listen as the young man broke his heart.

"I'd felt stifled when I was with you. As if we were going in circles: replaying the track on a broken record.

If it weren't for Kuroda-san's presence in our lives, I wouldn't have seen that.

I think you know it too.

So I ran away. I wanted to start over. I'm glad I did or I wouldn't have run into… him."

Takamiya kept shaking his head in denial. He didn't want to listen anymore. Even though there was life in Izumi's voice now, it still didn't sound anything like him. Takamiya opened his eyes and pleaded for the real Izumi to return.

But the boy he once knew was replaced by this unknown grown man who'd readily fought for what he wanted. Takamiya felt a painful stab in his heart that he wasn't the one to bring this forth from him. That he wasn't the influencing factor. That his love wasn't strong enough for Izumi to stay with him. Despite seven years, he hadn't helped his beloved to grow at all. It hurt him to acknowledge this.

He couldn't confront this version of Izumi any further. Takamiya knew he was being a coward, but it hurt too much. Thus without knowing it, he nodded either in understanding or goodbye he didn't remember. His body was on automatic as it staunchly moved away from the source of his pain and he almost missed the other's muffled parting words.

"I never meant— to… to cause you any pain, Takamiya. I wish… I wish you both… happiness…"

-Izumi's POV-

Izumi remained rooted to the spot as the last patter of the other's footsteps echoed up the long flight of stairs of his apartment building.

He thought some semblance of relief should awash him by now; none came. There was not an ounce of any happy sentiments he could squeeze from his resignation. Despite making such a mature decision for a change by reaching a resolution that would best accommodate everyone, Izumi felt completely drained from the ordeal; more so than the initial discovery of his past lover's infidelity. The only thing that kept him from breaking down to a renew sob fest altogether was the firm belief that Takamiya is finally free of him despite longing for another embrace from the other again. It had felt so good when the older man held him.

But he couldn't remain like so. It was wrong even though it had felt so right. He was the burden that chained the man down after all. He was the abuser dangling the sweet meat of affection before the other. Takamiya will no longer suffer Izumi's barbed tongue and jabbing right hooks. Takamiya can finally be able to love someone who is not afraid to love him back just as openly. Now, Takamiya have someone who will equally cherish him in return.

With a last shuddering breath and a shaky first step, Izumi began his despondent walk back toward his lonely studio apartment. It took all his will power to mutter up the strength to walk each step until he opened the door and collapse. His body immediately relented and thud against the wooden frame as it closed shut. His feet soon gave way beneath him. Izumi then slid dejectedly down until he hit the cold tiled floor and rightly curled into a ball.

He banged his head a couple of times against the hard wooden door just to feel something, anything. His body was beyond numb. He felt too much pain, yet felt nothing at all. It did little to ease the gaping wound seeping in his heart.

It's better like this. Izumi tried to console himself. It didn't work though, no matter how much he chanted those words to himself, he couldn't forget the anguish in the other's eyes. But hope for the other was the only thing he had left.

I'm sorry, Takamiya. I can't keep my promise. I won't be the one in the end to see you off after all.

And the tears Izumi thought he could no longer produced, flowed non-stop.

Review Responses (thank you for the comments):

Pombella4 –No run around game. At least that is not my aim. Izumi has his own ideas about what he thinks is the right thing to do, unfortunately for the both of them, certain key events are missing. Yes, as a friend who's witnessing all this can't help but feel frustrated. So, watch out. I'm not done with those exact meddling friends just yet. So thank you for reading.