Akihiko and Misaki laid together in their toy-land bedroom that night, cuddled up together comfortably. Misaki missed the man's strong chest as the perfect pillow, the warmth from his body all he needed for a blanket, those strong arms serving as the most crowning of comfort. It was almost as though all the discomforts and unpleasantness of those past few weeks, these past few years, were completely forgotten. All he could think about was how happy he was to be residing peacefully with his rabbit again. He felt that calming feeling in his heart, the same one he had felt before when he became comfortable at this penthouse. When he got right down to it, he felt as though he nothing to worry about anymore. Unfortunately not the same could be said for Akihiko.

The splendid and joyous feeling of their reunion hadn't completely passed, but a smidgen. Akihiko cradled his precious flower close to him, as if he were going to disappear again if he let go. Misaki was careful to not apply pressure to the man's bullet wound, but he didn't seem to mind, anyway. It felt good to be together, and they wanted it to last for as long as possible. But the unlucky author was left with the horrors sweeping away in his mind. He was helplessly recalling the words Yumi had exchanged to him that night.

"He had the gun to his head, and he was perpetually pulling at the trigger."

"What do you think could have possibly happened to get the boy to resort to that?"

The silver-haired man found himself gazing down upon Misaki once more. Much more of the teen was exposed, on account of him still wearing nothing other than Akihiko's large gray turtle-necked sweater and socks. His face winced in distress upon seeing the bruises, the scars, the marks that covered the boy's body. And it hit him in that moment that half of them probably weren't left by Takana, but by Takahiro as well, as if it would never stop for Misaki, like there would never be anyone to pull him on his feet and keep him there.

Akihiko had his chances. He felt pitiful for allowing that to happen to Misaki. The man was not blood-related, nor was he any type of legal guardian. He was afraid of what was going to happen when it got down to custody issues involving Misaki after he got him back from the rapist. He was thankful that Yumi never brought it up, but he was still left with the uncertainty of whether or not that was only temporary. And...

"The other officers got a pretty good glimpse of how he got away. Boy... oh man, that must have been a sight for squeamish eyes."

The man blinked. His mind automatically pictured the most gruesome scenario, and there was no denying that it was fate to resort to such violence in order to escape from such a deplorable man. Akihiko didn't care what happened to Takana, as long as Misaki made it out okay. And even if the flower had managed to rip the blonde to shreds somehow, he deserved it. Akihiko knew that. He would have done whatever Misaki did ten fold. He only wondered if Takana was even alive, not that he cared, but also if Misaki would trust him enough to bring it up. He hated to potentially make Misaki relive those memories, but he felt useless if he couldn't help Misaki talk out his problems. He left it all up to the boy, because if it wasn't bothering him, Akihiko didn't want to let it bother him either. But there was one thing... just one thing he couldn't bundle inside.

"Misaki... are you awake?"

The boy slightly shifted in his sleep, letting out a small, tired sigh as he did so. One eye blinked open tiredly to look at the man. "A little bit."

Akihiko couldn't help but smile at the tweeness. But just as quickly, his smile faded, and he let out a deep sigh, wondering the consequences of what he was about to say. He sat up and leaned his back on the headboard, and a curious Misaki followed his actions and sat on his knees before the man, still slightly flushed with the man's chest.

"What is it?" Misaki asked in a small voice.

The author placed his hands on Misaki's shoulders, and rubbed his thumbs up and down soothingly. "Misaki. . ." he started. "I hate to bring this up, I really do. . . I hate to make you uncomfortable and have to rethink anything horrible... I have decided that... you are now my responsibility and I'm going to do everything in my power to make you the happiest boy alive. It's nothing more than you deserve... I only ask that you do one thing for me..."

Misaki tilted his head in confusion. What was the man so worked up about? Confessing something he would hate to do while also revealing his plan for a happy future... the boy wasn't sure what to think. Whatever the man was about to say, it couldn't be that amiss, could it?

One of Akihiko's hands found it's way down to Misaki's, and grasped it gently before squeezing it. His other hand brushed a strand of his luscious brown hair out of those beautiful green eyes as the man looked at him desperately.

"Twice... twice now I know you have attempted to... to..." Akihiko trailed off, squeezing Misaki's hand a little tighter. He didn't have to finish in order for the boy to realize what the problem was. Misaki's face winced in remorse upon remembering both times. Though the pain did not lie in reliving the horrors he felt in those two moments, when he thought he had nothing to live for... it was upon hurting Akihiko by trying to do it both times.

"Usagi-san... I... I'm sorry," Misaki said, but was shushed by one of the rabbit's long fingers.

"No, Misaki, please... don't apologize. I... I can't even begin to imagine what you went through. I... I think anyone would have done it... I am only thankful it didn't go so far as to work both times. It's in the past, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you're here with me now, and I don't intend to lose you ever again... but you need to do something for me... Misaki. Please, never attempt to commit suicide again. Please. Never again."

The teen looked at the man with extensive eyes. It was a silly request... 'never attempt to commit suicide again.' It was not like Misaki had a reason to anymore, as far as he was concerned, and more importantly... how did Akihiko know of his second attempt?

Duh, Misaki thought, dumbfounded. Of course the police officer would have told him. He gulped hard upon wondering what else Akihiko knew what had taken place that night.

"Misaki?" Akihiko worriedly placed his hand on the teen's cheek when he was unresponsive. He was afraid he had triggered some unbearably painful memory, which is exactly what he didn't want to do.

"I won't," he answered, snapping back into reality.

"Promise me."

Misaki looked down at the bedsheets, avoiding Akihiko's gaze. He wasn't sure he could make a promise like that. Misaki knew... better than anyone else he knew that his life was never going to be easy. His scars were too deep. He was sure the man would be true to his word, about living a happy life together... and Misaki was grateful. God, he had never felt so happy in his life upon hearing such a promise. But he wasn't sure if he could hold up to a promise like his bunny could. He knew that life could fool you by making you think you're happy, then take it all away in one fell swoop. Hell, if Takana hadn't died, he could come back, kill Akihiko, and take Misaki away again as far as he knew. And Akihiko Usami was the only person in the whole world he had to live for. It wasn't a cheesy saying a normal couple would say to each other to gain each other's affection... it was true. His parents were dead, his brother abused him and sold him out. The author was all he had. There was no telling what could happen and how Misaki would feel if they were to be separated again. He only hoped it would never happen. By asking him to make this promise, he was indirectly asking him to live on after any potential danger that could happen. And Misaki already knew that he couldn't do that.

"I promise. . ." Misaki trailed off, not wanting to lie. He knew his place in the matter and intended to carry it out fairly. "I promise I won't. . . as long as I don't have a reason to."

Akihiko's heart stung just for a moment before realizing, that was completely fair. If he was serious about taking Misaki into his hands and strive to make him happy, then that shouldn't be a problem. A smile was painted on his handsome face before he nodded once. He took what he was going to get for now. "Alright. But if for some reason you do feel the need to do it... I will stop you. Misaki, I love you. And as long as I love you, I will always, always stop you from doing it."

Misaki felt conflicted about that for some reason. Something was still eating him up in the back of his mind. "Usagi-san... can I ask you something now?"

"What is it?"

"What..." Misaki brought his thumbs together to twiddle them nervously, a bead of sweat rolling down the side of his small face. "What else did that woman tell you?"

Now it was Akihiko's turn to avoid the gaze by turning it to the side. What should he do? He really didn't want to get into some sort of deep conflict now that he and his flower were back together and happy again. He only wanted to clear that one issue up with Misaki before anything else. But this was something they had to face. Should he tell the truth, tell him what he knew? It was obvious Misaki was forced to come to a brutal last resort to get away from Takana, there was no denying it. And again, Akihiko didn't care. But anyone who even just laid eyes upon Misaki could realize that maybe he did care. Misaki had every trait to not be okay with something like that. Even if it had been him to do it, that's not something that's easy for anyone to live with. A sight for squeamish eyes? If there was one word to describe Misaki, it was squeamish. He was about to confess when he rethought Misaki's exact question. What else had Yumi told him? Yumi didn't mention any kind of blood, violence, gore, or anything like that. Akihiko had come to that conclusion on his own. While it was obvious, it was merely implied by the officer, not clearly stated. He then realized he could dodge this bullet peacefully.

"She only told me that it wasn't a pretty sight when they found... you-know-who," Akihiko answered honestly, not wanting to say his name. He laughed nervously, trying to avoid any tension.

So he does know, Misaki thought sadly. His eyes watered and he hid his face in his sleeve, wiping at the tears. He felt the bile form in his throat, the need to upchuck coming back at the images of Takana bleeding out on the floor. And the look on Akihiko's face when he found out, Misaki didn't want to imagine it.

"I... I... I didn't want... I mean..." Misaki said through his tears, "I had the gun... I wasn't going to... do anything to him... I... I didn't want to... I didn't think I could... I had him in the c-corner.. and I was going to leave but he... he came up behind me a-a-and grabbed me, so I..."

The teen was cut off when the older man pulled him into a tight embrace. That was far enough. He didn't want Misaki to have anymore thoughts of Takana. At this point, Akihiko hoped he was dead. He hoped Misaki had killed him, and that they would never have to see his rotten features again. He knew Misaki thought otherwise, the thought of killing someone shamed him and made him feel sick. Akihiko wished it would've been him to fire the gun, so he could've protected Misaki and saved him from the guilt and sickness that would probably eat him away for the rest of his life.

"That prick only got what he deserved." Akihiko said.

Misaki's eyes squeezed shut, the tears flowing freely as he returned the hug with just as much gusto. "I know... but I still... I can't believe I... I mean... you're not afraid of me... are you?" he asked hopefully.

"Sweetheart, of course not..." Akihiko raised a hand to brush through Misaki's soft hair comfortingly. "I am only glad that it's over. You need to forgive yourself, you only did what you need to do. He deserved it."

The bit of stubbornness that resided in Misaki on account of him automatically taking the blame for every bad thing that ever happened to him felt compelled to continue arguing with the man, about how he was a monster for killing, and if not, almost killing a human being. But when the man said those words... they just instantly seemed true and right. Relieved and exhausted, Misaki loosened up his clenched muscles and melted into the hug. After all, Takana had shot his bunny. Misaki could live with Takana through the rape, the abuse, the scolding, the humiliation- but not at the reality that he had hurt Akihiko. And Misaki found himself content with what he had done. His wishes were now the same as the other man's... he hoped Takana was dead.

Because he just wanted to live happily with his bunny.

And he was sure, at this point, that he could.

No! It's still not over.

Still got a long way to go!

I just wanted to end on a happy note... for now.

NezumiLovesShion- Thank you, I tried my best to make it cute, considering the fact that up until that point was pretty... not cute. XD

OneDayPineapple- He hadn't found out before, but he sure did now! And it was still managed to get cleared up so they could still be temporarily happy. Of course I'm not done torturing them, though. .w.

SuzukiChiyeko- Yeah, I made that an aspect of the story so that I could completely rid Misaki of his stubbornness. XD "He only knows what he's read in books." That completely saves me from having to wonder if it's weird for two guys to be together, stuff like that. Also I want Misaki to be helpless and having little knowledge of the world helps that a lot.

a writer in paradise- Yes he did, and I'm happy for him too. And you got your answer! I think anyone would have done that to Takana. I still can't believe I managed to make such a horrible creature. -shiver-

Jenmoon1- Thank you! I hope you continue to love it, cause it's not over! C:

TechSavvy123014- Thank you! You can expect a lot more fluff from here on out now that they've settled their feelings for each other. I'm going to stretch out just a little bit more before I put the lemon in (I really want to because I love lemon but the situation here makes it difficult to rush it XD)

ili777- I'm trying my best to fill the plot holes, I still have a little ways to go before I come up to the BIGGEST one, which is going to be the ultimate turning point for Misaki and Akihiko's relationship (and it's not going to be pretty, either... I can tell you there is going to be something, something big to happen, that will devastate the both of them...) problem is, someone got around to publishing it before me! So I'm having to change it up, and I'm not sure how I'm going to do that, but I'll probably think of something. Eventually, lol. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it! For now, they're happy. c:

Ino Death- This is definitely not the end! I still have a lot more planned for these two, and I hope you continue with me on the long journey I have planned c: thank you!

claymoreduck4- I love Okane Ga Nai too! But you probably knew that already, lol. Thank you for reading my story!

Edward0Elric- Thank you so much. That was my goal, to get mixed emotions out of people who read it. But it's far from over! So I hope my goal will continue to achieve (:

Lovestruck Devil- Haha aww well thank you, sorry I don't update as much as I should, life is hard sometimes. But I hope this chapter is satisfying for now.

TBC,

Tiny