Thank you so much for reading and for your reviews and encouragement. Hopefully the tone isn't flipping around too wildly for people, I worried about that a little with the last part. In any event, this should be a bit lighter. Those of you who have read this story in in prior incarnation may recognize some of the old chapter three worked back in here.

"So that small guy is your lover, yeah? Did you know I had him as a student?" Hiroki's tone was casual, but he knew Hiroki well enough to guess that his friend was dying of curiosity.

Akihiko smiled and then sighed dramatically. "You don't read my work, do you?"

"What are you talking about Bakahiko, you know I've read every single-" Akihiko didn't let his mask slip as Hiroki realized which books he meant, even though Hiroki's expression really was quite funny. His friend didn't take well to being laughed at.

"That trash?! Why on earth would I ever read even one page of that prurient garbage?"

"Really? Kusama hates me and he still went out of his way to mention that he made you read the scenario he'd requested in the last one I published and that you couldn't wait to-" Akihiko was abruptly cut off by a blow to his trunk that knocked the wind right out of him.

"Don't you dare. Say. Another. Word." Hiroki looked like he was having a hard time deciding who to murder, but Akihiko didn't doubt he was the more expendable in Hiroki's mind. "He doesn't actually hate you."

Akihiko gave a benevolent smile and said "Well, as close as Kusama gets to hating anyone, then. I don't mind. It's fair enough, after the things I did." After a pause, he continued "It seems like the two of you are very happy together. I'm glad for you. Really."

"I notice we somehow aren't talking about you and Takahashi. Is he or isn't he?" Damn, Hiroki knew him too well to misdirect easily. It's not that he minded anyone knowing about his relationship with Misaki, especially Hiroki, but he was feeling a bit unsettled about how they'd left things last night.

Akihiko nodded once.

Hiroki's eyes widened as if some part of him hadn't believed it. "Listen, you. I know I haven't had much time to catch up with you, but you could have mentioned the fact that you've had a live in boyfriend for the past four freaking years." He shook his head in disgust. "Especially after all the crap you not only know, but publish about my personal life!"

The expression on Hiroki's face said he wouldn't give up until Akihiko told him everything. "Care for a drink?"

"Oh no. We'll stick to coffee thank you very much."

"So what exactly do you want to know?"

"Don't make me pull teeth, asshole. Start at the beginning. How did you even meet someone like that. I can't imagine him travelling in your usual circles."

"He's Takahiro's baby brother" Akihiko explained. Funny, the time before Misaki almost felt like another life. It wasn't something he considered often.

Hiroki sputtered. "What!?"

"Yes, so back when I was still head over heels for Takahiro he asked me help his brother prepare for college entrance exams."

"Hm. I wondered how that kind of kid made it into M. He's not the studious type, but unlike some people" here he glared daggers at Hiroki, "who also seemed constitutionally allergic to putting forth any effort in school, he couldn't carelessly skate by."

Akihiko did not rise to this bait. It was an old sore point with Hiroki, who worked incredibly hard and had still come in two slots behind Akihiko that the author, who didn't bother with much besides his writing, in the T University rankings when they graduated.

"So" Akihiko interrupted the rant before it could really get going. "we ended up spending a lot of time together."

"Hmm, tutoring," Hiroki muttered. "Dangerous thing, that."

"So it would seem," Akihiko replied mildly.

"And then you switched your affections from one brother to the other? They don't seem very much alike."

"They are and they aren't. Misaki is good natured and simple the way that Takahiro is, but his parents passed when he was so little, and he was always trying not to be a burden to his brother. Even as the kid in that relationship, he became kind of a care-taker. He's got a very highly honed sense of empathy. He's quite remarkable."

"Does that mean he can see through your crap?" Hiroki snarked.

"Better than anyone I've ever met. I'd hardly met the kid and it was like he knew every important thing about me. Hell, he even guessed the kind of damned dog we had growing up. He doesn't let me off the hook, either. He's worse than my editors about that."

"So he saw the great Usami-sama and set his sights on you?" Hiroki asked. After all their varied intimacies, ill-advised and otherwise, Hiroki still thought too highly of Akihiko at a basic level.

Akihiko shook his head and laughed "No. He didn't even know he was gay." He actually thought Misaki might still not have figured that out, but if Misaki wanted to think of himself as Akihiko-sexual, he wouldn't complain. Not at all. "I think back then, he would have told you I was a pathetic jerk."

"I fail to see the makings of a great love story here."

"Hiroki," Akihiko said softly. "He knew, he knew how much I loved his brother, and he knew it wasn't going to happen and he cried, Hiroki. He couldn't stop crying because I was hurting. He knew every messed up thing about me, at least the big things, and he still-" Akihiko shook his head. "I've tried. I've written entire novels circling the feeling, but I can't describe it adequately." He sighed. There are just no words for what it was like, but that cliché, that when someone is 'the one' you just know. It was like that."

Akihiko took a sip of his still scalding black coffee and cursed. "And he's so damned cute. It's like the kid has a neon signs painted all over him saying 'fuck me'. I keep waiting for him to come to his senses and realize he can do better. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to let him out of the house."

Hiroki gave him a disgusted look "That's creepy."

"So I'm frequently reminded." Akihiko said flatly.

"Huh." Hiroki looked like he was pondering something, "You're obviously head over heels for the boy, but he's the last person I picture putting himself in your bed. Whenever we read or discussed even very mild sexual content in class, he turned red as a tomato. How is he still so shy after four years with you, of all people?"

"I wish I knew." Akihiko said, careful to keep his tone neutral. He was thinking of last night, when the intensity of Misaki's arousal practically seeped through the condo walls. No doubt his young lover suffered it like any other physical pain. "I just grab him when I want him and it works out alright."

"And that's frequently, is it?" Hiroki inquired mildly, in that tone that meant he was very pleased to know something Akihiko didn't.

"Of course it's frequently. You've seen him, who could keep their hands off such an adorable-"

"Yeah, not what ever went through my head when I've been around the kid, Bakahiko." Hiroki sighed. "For someone so smart, you sure are an idiot, you know?"

"Really," Akihiko said dryly, "What is it that I'm missing, professor. Please, illuminate me."

"Has Takahashi ever voluntarily come on to you." Hiroki held up his hand for silence "when there hasn't been some kind of emotional duress he was trying to fix?"

Akihiko thought. There had to be a time. Maybe-no. Finally, he shook his head slowly. "Unequivocally? No."

"And you're sure he's actually gay and didn't know it before you pounced on him?"

"Given how infuriatingly he went on about how good looking and strong that giant of yours is?" Akihiko smirked. "I think so."

"Don't bait me." Hiroki rolled his eyes and huffed. "So he's probably never allowed himself to freely consider what he actually wants, he just lets you sweep him along and probably still manages not to think about it most of the time." Hiroki sighed. "Part of growing up is learning what you want and overcoming the fear of seeking it out. Doubtless your aggression has coddled him, and he's never really needed to do that work."

"So you are suggesting, what, exactly?" Akihiko thought of Takahiro's insistence that Misaki move out to gain independence and could feel his eyes narrow with annoyance.

"I suggest you keep your hands and various other parts to yourself for a while."

"I don't want to." Akihiko said immediately.

"Then is it fine the way it is?" Hiroki looked at him. Was it? Things with Misaki certainly weren't bad. Akihiko didn't exactly mind taking the lead, he generally preferred that in any case. Still, there was a world of fun to be had if Misaki managed to level up. All of it he could live without. Misaki the way he was now would be fine forever. He was about to say as much when Hiroki, seeming to intuit his train of thought, kicked him in the shin. "Honestly, Akihiko, how long before you knew what you wanted and when you sought it out?"

"You know perfectly well how long, but I was practically a child, then. This is different."

"I suspect delaying these things doesn't reduce their duration. However, having a safe and willing partner at the ready will probably be a considerable advantage."

"You know," Hiroki said, a gleeful spark in his eye, "hearing some of those old stories might do so good in this situation. Maybe the two of you should join Nowaki and I for drinks sometime." Of course, many of those stories were, conveniently, quite embarrassing to Akihiko, who'd been rather wild in his teen years.

"Problem?" Hiroki finished his coffee with a smug expression. He was always entirely too happy to have one up on Akihiko. He'd been that way since they were kids.

Akihiko didn't answer. It wasn't a terrible idea, and Hiroki would, of course, regret it more than anyone if he really thought he could escape a trip down memory lane unscathed. "Fine, tell me when. The two of you should come to mine. I don't trust the thinness of your walls."

He set his half full cup down and pulled out a cigarette. He had just taken a drag when his phone sounded the alarm tone assigned to all editors. He was about to decline the call when Hiroki, damn his martial arts training, made a quick grab and answered it.

"I see." Hiroki said, after some brief conversation. "Yes, I'd be happy to deliver him to you."

Akihiko shook his head frantically, then pouted and batted his eyes. "That hasn't worked on me for years, asshole." Hiroki spat. "Come on. Someone named Onodera is going to chain you to a computer for the rest of the day until you're up to date with your writing."

"Ah-haha. " Misaki scrambled for new topic, but came up blank. He really did not want to talk about that. How awkward could one conversation get? He glanced at a new text message that had just come it. It was from Usagi saying he'd be going over to Marukawa for an afternoon meeting and would probably miss dinner. "N-n-not so much lately." He mumbled. Where the heck had that come from?!

'Are you going to eat with Takano-san?' Misaki typed out.

'Why would I?' came the response.

'Thought you were getting inspiration' Misaki tapped, glad that his irritated tone wouldn't come through via text.

'What" I'll eat out somewhere alone, probably'

'Do whatever you want.' He typed back. Only then did he realize Todou had said something. "Sorry, looks like I can go out for a drink after all. What was that?"

"I was saying with all the work I guess that makes sense, still, two guys must be really easy. You don't have to deal with a girl being all 'oh we shouldn't' or 'I'm embarrassed'. You can just do whatever you want."

"Can we please not talk about this?" Misaki begged.

"Yeah, fine. It's not like I'm asking you for the dirty details, jeez."

"Looks like I'm free tonight after all." Misaki said.

"Oh, sorry." Todou replied. "Well, let's make the best of it."

After a couple hours of companionable drinking, Todou watched Misaki stand, then giggled when his friend tripped over his own feet. Not that he'd do much better at the moment, he knew. Still, Misaki seemed to drink quite a bit more than usual. Unexpected hands circled his friend's arms and saved him from collapse. Todou looked up, expecting to see Usami-san. "Ijuuin-sensei!" He said. This was a surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Misaki about jumped out of his skin before he managed to turn and greet the man.

"Just taking a walk to clear my head." The mangaka smiled. "I saw you through the window and thought I'd say hello. It seems you started early."

"Ah." Todou nodded. "Yeah. Would you like to join us for a round?" Amazing. He might actually get to share a drink with his idol.

Ijuuin smiled and sat, tugging Misaki down in the booth beside him. He nodded thanks as the waitress brought him a cup. Todou tried desperately not to babble, but knew he was anyway. He was incredibly happy, and yet he was also aware of a vague tension in the air.

"You know," Ijuuin-sensei said as he emptied the last of the sake into Misaki's cup. "I don't live far from here. You want to come back to my place for a while? I have better sake there, and I'd appreciate the company." Ijuuin acknowledged Todou's agreement, but he was clearly more interested in Misaki's response. "Of course," the mangaka was looking right at Misaki now, "you're more than welcome to sleep over."

Misaki sat bolt upright. "I really don't think that's a good idea. I should be getting home soon, actually." Todou was surpised at Misaki's declination until he stood up several minutes later and noticed Ijuuin's hand rubbing slow circles on Misaki's denim covered thigh. Misaki swatted him drunkenly away before collapsing against the man's chest. "Sensei, s-stop. I'm sorry. I can't."

"That's okay. Just come to mine for a few more drinks. I have a spare room for your friend, and if you don't want to sleep with me, you can stay in there, too." Todou noticed that the Ijuuin's hand was creeping higher on up Misaki's leg, and suddenly he was pissed. Obviously Misaki was more than a little drunk and definitely not interested, and Ijuuin seemed completely willing to take advantage of his friend.

Todou couldn't bring himself to confront someone like Ijuuin, but he had to do something. He sat back down and said brightly. "Let's stay here a little more." He ordered food and another bottle of sake, as well as water for Misaki, who obviously needed it. He pulled out his phone, careful not to actually illuminate the screen as he held it. "Shit." He said. It was a little too dramatic, but no one seemed suspicious. "Misaki, can I use your phone? Mines dead."

Misaki shifted away from Ijuuin as he rummaged in his pockets. Finally, he handed Todou his phone. "I'll be back in a moment." Todou stepped out of the small bar and took in a deep breath of night air. Feeling a bit more sober, he opened Misaki's contacts. Of course "Mr. Rabbit" was number one. He pressed the call button and prayed he was doing the right thing.

"Misaki, come home. That meeting was awful. I need a recharge. I can't work anymore tonight."

Todou immediately felt like he'd trespassed into some private space. Well, no turning back now. "Usami-sensei? This is actually Misaki's friend, Todou, sorry."

"Is everything okay? Where's Misaki?" The author sounded panicked already.

"He's here. We're out at that bar across from campus. I'm actually calling because I think you'd better come get him."

"On my way." He heard the clatter of keys and a door slam. "Did something happen?"

"Not really." Todou really hoped he wasn't going to cause some kind of problem for Misaki. "There's someone trying to pick him up, and he's pretty trashed. I don't want him to get taken advantage of." Todou heard the screech of tires and blaring horns through the phone. "You'd better pay attention to your driving. Don't get in an accident on the way here or he might seriously never forgive me."

When he returned to the table, Misaki seemed to be drifting rather happily on the edge of consciousness. Todou pulled Misaki away from Ijuuin and sat him up, trying to be gentle. He shot a warning look at Ijuuin. This guy was seriously bold. Did he think that just because he was handsome and famous he could do whatever he wanted? "Misaki." Todou shook him. "I think you need water."

Takahashi sipped half-heartedly at the proffered glass of water. "I think I'd better go home." He slurred.

"Yeah. No kidding." Todou agreed. "Your ride will be here soon."

"Todou-kun, don't worry about a cab." Ijuuin said. "I don't mind taking him home."

"How generous. Fortunately, that won't be necessary." Usami's voice was unnaturally pleasant. A shiver made its way down Todou's spine as he stepped back as quickly as he could. Usami bent down and picked Takahashi up easily, as if he weighed no more than a child. Todou was impressed. Didn't that guy sit at a desk smoking all day? "I wouldn't want you to go out of your way." Usami casually tossed an absurd roll of cash on the table and gestured for Todou to precede him out the door. "Be well, Ijuuin-sensei. Until we meet again."

Todou gave a little wave and practically ran outside, wanting to be free of the tense situation. "Usagi-san?" Takahashi sounded confused. "How did you get here?"

Todou looked at Misaki, hoping his friend wouldn't be mad. "I called him. You were passing out. I didn't know what else to do."

"You're a good friend." Takahashi squirmed out of Usami's arms and hugged his classmate. Todou awkwardly patted his friend's back and met Usami's "get off my boyfriend" glare with a helpless "get your boyfriend off me" look of his own.

"Oi, Takahashi." He shoved the young man away and nearly lost his own balance. "Go jump on your man if you want to cuddle. Quit hanging on me."

"Your as smashed as he is, aren't you?" Usami asked, clearly irritated.

"Yes, sir"

Akihiko sighed. "I suppose I'd better drive you home, too then, hmm?"

"Oh, thank you, please don't worry about me." Todou declined politely.

Akihiko was tempted to leave it at that, but the boy had proven himself to be a good friend to Misaki, so he insisted until the offer was accepted. Todou disembarked at his apartment and Akihiko immediately said to Misaki, "You're too innocent. What if Ijuuin had insisted on taking you home tonight?"

"Then I would have crashed in his spare room and come home tomorrow. I've told him no, Usagi."

"Like you tell me no every damned day?" Akihiko tried desperately to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Why was it so difficult to stay calm around Misaki.

"It's not the same."

"Isn't it?"

"No!"

"Then explain to me exactly how one 'no' is different from another, Misaki." Akihiko might not have asked this if he were feeling more charitable. He'd been on the receiving end of all styles of Misaki rejection, and he understood well enough when Misaki meant "I'm too embarrassed to admit I'm doing this" and when he meant "Absolutely not."

"You just do things that make me embarrassed and you go so fast I barely know what's happening half the time. I just want you to back off and let me catch up." Misaki kept his eyes on the passing scenery outside his window.

"What are you talking about? Last night you wanted me. Don't you dare lie. I know you did, I can always tell with you, and I backed off, and you didn't do anything besides get mad and shut me out."

"Because you were writing about Takano-san!"

"So?"

"So he's going to ask you out on a date!" Misaki's sounded nearly hysterical. The alcohol wasn't helping any. "And if you're already thinking about him like that . . . "

Akihiko's eyes widened in surprise and he smoothly pulled over so he could look at Misaki. He cupped the boy's face in his hands, despite resistance. "Misaki, you idiot. Takano is head over heels in love with Onodera. He doesn't want anything to do with me, nor I with him. He's just sniffing around me because he thinks his boyfriend wants to jump me."

Misaki's rich, verdant eyes flew open in innocent shock, "He does?" He whispered.

"No!" Akihiko sighed. "Those two only have eyes for each other. They were high school sweethearts, actually. Takano is being jealous and stupid like you are right now." Then he grinned wolfishly, "Not that it doesn't please me. Jealous Misaki makes me feel very loved." He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Misaki's lips. Since they were more or less in public, Akihiko didn't press further. Was he imagining disappointment on Misaki's face?

"Usagi-san?" Misaki asked, very shyly.

"Yes?"

"Let's go home." Misaki's scarlet cheeks indicated, as if Akihiko didn't already know, exactly what Misaki wanted to do when they got there.

So there you have it - no more drawing out the misunderstandings. Some Usaagi/Misaki citrus up next time, and then we'll revisit our Nostalgics and see how they might be faring.