Hey, all! I just got a new computer, which means faster updates (hopefully)!

So, I just wanted to clarify, Misaki is going to love the baby, but it's completely normal for WOMEN to feel disconnected from their pregnancies, and Misaki is kind of going through the same thing, only worse, because he NEVER expected to get pregnant.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY POLL AND VOTE ON THE BABY'S GENDER! And big thanks to the four people who've already voted, and to everyone else who has reviewed!

Warnings: Yaoi, Mpreg

Pairings: Akihiko/Misaki, mentions of Nowaki/Hiroki

Disclaimer: I do not own Junjou Romantica.

Akihiko was pleased to note that the air had lost its acrid, burning tinge by the time Misaki came down for breakfast. His lover slumped at the table, looking less mind numbingly exhausted than he had two hours ago, though not as well-rested as Akihiko would prefer. He carefully placed the small plate (containing Toast Attempt #16) in front of his lover, beaming proudly when Misaki looked up in shock.

"Wow," his boy murmured, sounding grudgingly impressed. "This actually looks...edible."

It damned well better, Akihiko mused, turning around to rummage in the fridge for butter. It had only taken him two hours to cook two pieces of toast. The eggs were a total loss, but hopefully the loss of Misaki's least-favorite pan would go unnoticed-his lover didn't need to know about certain failures in Akihiko's life. "I'm not completely hopeless, Misaki," he returned, straightening up and placing the butter within the boy's reach. He tried not to radiate smug pride as he sat down across from him.

"Apparentally not," Misaki agreed, shooting him a small, grateful smile. He buttered his toast, visibly braced himself, and took a bite. After a brief moment of chewing, his eyes widened marginally. "This actually tastes like toast."

Akihiko tried not to grin, forcing himself to maintain an air of nonchalance. He wanted his lover to think he was capable, after all. "What else would it taste like?" he wondered, picking up a book that was laying on the table and casually opening it.

Misaki gave a quiet laugh, quickly finishing off his small meal. Akihiko's heart almost leapt out of his chest when Misaki paused by his chair on his way to put his plate in the sink in order to quickly peck him on the cheek. "Thanks, Usagi-san," he said sincerely, lips still quirked affectionately.

Akihiko couldn't help but grin like a fool after that.

After doing the dishes (Usagi-san had tried to help, but Misaki had shooed him him away; he still wasn't completely certain that Usagi-san could do kitchen chores without breaking things), Misaki and Usagi-san had retired to the living room couch to watch television. When Usagi-san casually reached over to draw an unresisting Misaki against his side, the younger man decided that it was time to have a talk with his lover.

"I've been thinking," he began, keeping his eyes locked onto the sitcom ahead of him, "that I should probably try to make it through classes pretty soon." Usagi-san went completely still, but Misaki forged on ahead. "I'd probably start feeling better if I went out and did something, you know?" he added, wincing slightly at the emotional blackmail. "So, would you be willing to give a ride...tomorrow?"

There were a few moments of dead silence, during which Usagi-san stared intensely at the side of his head and Misaki refused to look anywhere near him, but after a while, Usagi-san gave a forced-looking smile and said, "Of course I will, Misaki." Misaki sagged against him in relief, prompting Usagi-san to squeeze him tightly in a brief hug before he extracted himself and stood. He smiled at Misaki's confused expression. "If you'll excuse me for a minute, I have a phone call to make." He leaned down for a chaste kiss before striding off.

Misaki, though pleased, couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Something told him that that was way too easy...

Alrighty, short chapter! So, Misaki goes back to school tomorrow, and Usagi-san has mixed feelings about that. (I'll give you three guesses who he's calling, and the first two don't count AT ALL.)

Reviews?