A/N Chapter 7!
Well, this is it, readers. I'm caught up with myself.
So the updates maaaay not be as quick from now on, but they won't be terribly long either.
A few days at most.
Anyhoo, enjoy Chapter 7!
The door to Akihiko's bedroom quietly cracked open, revealing a slit view of a shy Misaki. He looked around the room. He hadn't noticed before, but there were... toys. Toys everywhere! He didn't question the odd fact, but rather stepped over them quietly, not wanting to wake Akihiko. But it was all in vain, as he stepped on a rubber duck, releasing a loud squeal. Akihiko's eyes shot open quickly, and he sat up a bit startled. His breathing returned to normal when he saw Misaki.
"Did I wake you up?" Misaki asked, obvious concern in his voice. "I'm.. I'm sorry! I'll go back-"
"No no, it's alright," Akihiko assured him. "I wasn't asleep."
"Oh..." Misaki looked down, somewhat relieved.
"Did you need something?"
Misaki said nothing. He, in all honesty, wanted to stay beside the man. But he also didn't want Akihiko to see him as a desperate cling whose very whim must be tended to immediately. But in reality, which he knew deep down, he was.
"Do you want to sleep in here?" Akihiko asked, reading his mind.
Misaki perked up. "Uh.. well.."
He probably thinks I'm strange...
Misaki was a newborn when it came to understanding how the world works. But he had read many books while trapped in his room, and he had some idea of reality. A teenager wanting to sleep in the same bed with a complete stranger, a complete much older stranger, was strange, wasn't it?
His thoughts were interrupted when Akihiko suddenly let out a small gasp. "Misaki, you're bleeding!"
"What?" Misaki asked, looking down at one of his wrists, where he was indeed, bleeding. "It's okay.. it's just a little-"
"No, it's not okay," Akihiko said as he got up, and sat Misaki down onto the bed. Akihiko began rummaging the closet for a first aid kit, while Misaki watched.
"Damn it... I know I have one in here somewhere... it's always here and now it's gone.. damn it.. shiiiiiiit.." Akihiko mumbled as he searched. Misaki didn't know what it was about Akihiko's behavior, but he began to giggle silently to himself.
"Ah! Found it." Akihiko pulled out a red box. He sat next to Misaki with the kit in his lap. He took Misaki's small wrist into his large hand, and began wiping the blood softly with a cloth.
"Usagi.. you don't have to waste this on me," Misaki said.
"It's definitely not a waste," Akihiko said firmly. "I told you before, didn't I? You're too precious to lose. Even every last drop of blood that is your own. And apart from that, I'm the one who cut you with a saw."
"But-"
"This wound came from a saw!" Akihiko suddenly realized, disregarding Misaki's protests. "It might be infected. Hang on, stay here," Akihiko rushed out of the room suddenly. Misaki could hear things falling over, due to Akihiko's vehement determination. Something about seeing Akihiko so agonized over something so trivial on his behalf was really endearing to Misaki. He couldn't help but laugh again when he heard Akihiko shouting as he tripped over fallen utilities.
Misaki couldn't remember the last time he had laughed.
Akihiko came back a minute later with healing cream. Misaki stood up, giving Akihiko easier access to his hands. He slapped the cream on Misaki's wrist, and topped it all off with a white bandage, wrapping it around Misaki's wrists securely.
"Is it too tight?"
"No, it's alright, thank you."
"What about your other wrist? Is it bleeding too?"
Misaki looked at his other wrists, seeing no sign of blood. "No, it isn't."
"We should probably wrap it up just in case."
Misaki didn't have time to react before Akihiko repeated the same process on the other wrist, which was cut-free. As he did so, Misaki gazed upon Akihiko's handsome face again. Admiring him and his personality, Misaki wondered about him, and why Akihiko cared so much for him. They didn't even know each other, as far as Misaki was concerned. But the poignancy of Akihiko's actions touched Misaki's heart, and he allowed Akihiko to uselessly bandage up his other wrist out of care.
He's worried about me...
When he finished, Akihiko put the first aid kit back in the closet and shut the door. He walked around to the other side of the bed, climbing in comfortably. He lifted the covers in a welcoming manner with a warm smile spread across his face. Misaki blushed a bit, but proceeded to crawl in the bed with Akihiko, who lowered the covers once Misaki was cozy. Misaki snuggled with Akihiko, resting his head on his chest. Akihiko wrapped his arms around the boy affectionately, and kissed the top of his head.
"Good night, Misaki."
Misaki closed his eyes, feeling warm and secure in Akihiko's arms.
Usagi...
Is so kind...
Akihiko knew of Misaki, and his past, and he knew that all Misaki needed was to know that someone cared about him, and loved him. Akihiko spent his high school days in horror, as his so-called best friend Takahiro have him updates on his little brother's status.
"This morning, Misaki asked me for water like three times.. it was pissing me off... so I spilled the water onto the floor. It was amusing watching him try to lick it up."
"Misaki burnt my stir fry last night. My throat felt so hot, I know he did it on purpose. Next time I should hold it up to his eyes and burn them off his face."
"Misaki finally turned eighteen last week. Thank God, I don't think I can last much longer with that little rat around. I've made up my mind, I've already spoken with the people who run the auction, all the arrangements have been made. I'm selling Misaki as a sex slave. I need the money."
Akihiko sighed. Every day, Takahiro had spoke of something new. Every story he told seemed too horrible and cruel to be true. In all honesty, Akihiko spent the rest of his life in fear of Takahiro. They were best friends, and Akihiko didn't know what else to do other than play along and pretend to comply with Takahiro's decisions. It was his biggest regret, for sitting back and doing nothing to help Misaki. But not anymore. He had Misaki now, and he intended to make him the happiest boy on earth.
A/N Done!
In no way am I a bragger, but.. I personally thought this chapter was kind of cute. ^/^
It must be nice to have someone care about you so much!
Okay the end, thanks for reading my story!
...
Just kidding. :'D
alltheotherpenameswheretaken: Thanks for your kind and encouraging words! You're a big help!
Primordium:Time will indeed tell! Thanks for staying interested. (:
SuzukiChiyeko:Of course! Your stories deserve it.
Will update soon,
-Tiny