HI Guys! I know I haven't uploaded in a while but I was seriously stuck on inspiration for this chapter. It took me a while but I finally managed to push through and write it even though I don't think it is as great as the previous chapters. It has fluff but not as much as the other ones. I'm trying to update as soon as possible and I should be able to as all of my big end-of-the-year projects are through with. The only thing I have left is to study for finals. I do hope that all of you will enjoy it though. :)

Tuesday

"Go ahead without me. I'll be working a bit late." Mumbled the deep voice in the already dimmed office.

Said owner of the voice, Takano, was sitting at his desk and had been so diligently working, that when he spoke up over the light buzzing of the heater, it startled me a bit.

Glancing up, I turned my chair to his direction, holding back a quiet yawn. "Mmm, alright."

Arising from my chair, I gathered up my belongings, taking my time.

With everything packed up, I mumbled a good night before rushing out into the cool night air.

The wind nipped at my bare cheeks and I rushed over to the train station, attempting to take comfort in the ride home, which felt a bit lonelier than usual.

Alone, I walked back, the fresh air lingering in my frosted lungs. The streets, brightly illuminated, passed by me in a blur as I reached the apartment building miserably.

Walking in, I cringed at my well-lit surroundings. The mail boxes were to my right and I gathered my mail quietly.

As I walked over to the elevator, struggling to stuff the offending papers into my bag, the land lady walked out from her office.

"Ahh, Onodera-san." She greeted, politely, bowing slightly.

Faking a smile, I bowed back, responding to her greeting with hello. She must've noticed how I was without Takano today as she smiled nicely up at me before digging through her bag, to reveal a bag of cookies.

"I was planning on giving these to my grandchildren tomorrow, but they have plenty of sweets back home."

And just like that, she gave me the small bag of desserts, before she bowed again to leave.

But just as we began to continue our separate ways, she turned on her heels to face me again.

"And please share this bag with that neighbor of yours."

The mention of him touched off something in my head and as I spun around to thank her, she seemingly disappeared, leaving me alone again in the lobby.

Reluctantly, I pressed the button to go up. The elevator ride was short, and soon enough, I found myself at my floor.

Finding my keys proved to not be a hassle as I stepped into my cooled and darkened apartment.

"I haven't been here in a while", I murmured quietly into the darkened space, searching for the light switch.

Switching it on, I was a bit surprised at its tidiness before I reminded myself how Takano cleaned it up last time he was here.

With the door closed, I made my way inside, leaving my shoes behind. Collapsing on the couch, a wave of exhaustion flew over my already worn body and I laid still, contemplating whether to shower or not move. My bag was laid across the floor and the sweets right beside it, completely undisturbed.

As much as the latter appealed to me, I slumped over to the bathroom and turned on the shower, washing myself in the bitter warmth that was not Takano's.

Emerging from the bathroom, I laid across my bedspread, inhaling the clean scent deeply. It filled my lungs deeply and oddly enough smelled of him too.

It's been so long since I've slept by myself. The feeling felt so foreign and new to me. It was bothersome and I had difficulty falling asleep.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Takano's POV

Sitting alone in the dimly lit office building, Ritsu's image was burned into the back of my sleepy he looked as he was leaving, but also a bit lonely.

Longingly too.

Maybe it was my imagination but it spurred me to work faster so I could hurry home and possibly sleep beside him. I

honestly can't imagine being alone in my bed tonight.

Hours passed on by and soon enough I found myself nearly finished. "Shit it's 2 o'clock" I mumbled to myself, walking over to the copy machine.

The only other noise to be heard was the sound of the electricity, which buzzed throughout this building and reminded me that I wasn't the only one awake. It filled my ears with noise as the silence would never be able to keep me comfort.

And that's the only thing I wanted right now. I found myself slowing down as I completed my task.

He's probably already asleep, so it'd be useless to head over at this hour. This realization weighed me down as I headed home, walking alongside the wind of this night.

It would also be a bit weird if I just walked into his apartment too.

Biting my lip, I walked slowly, dreading my destination.

Maybe I should've just made him stay...

Scolding myself, I reminded myself of how that could affect us tomorrow.

I mean, I could function on a couple hours of sleep, but I knew Ritsu well enough to know how he just can't.

Upon reaching the train, I sat by myself, seemingly alone. I could feel the loneliness around me.

Like a fog, it surrounded my very wellbeing and confronted me in my hollowed out emotions.

I really missed Ritsu right now.

As soon as the train stopped, I hurried out of there, wanting to leave the feeling behind.

I know the stars would always keep me company, just as they did the 10 years I was without him.

The walk back to the apartment was that of an unmistakable longing that I needed to rid myself of.

It was troublesome to behave like this but I couldn't bring myself to fix it, as I was afraid to do so. It was my problem and I definitely didn't need to trouble him.

Upon reaching the apartment, I grabbed my mail and boarded the elevator, pausing to step out on my floor. My eyes immediately sought out Ritsu's own apartment and I frowned, pulling myself in front of my own.

"I am completely ridiculous" I grumbled, shifting around my bag to find the keys.

Once they were found I walked into the darkened house. It was completely silent and the smell of breakfast lingered into my mouth from the stale air. The very same breakfast that I had eaten with Ritsu this morning.

Removing my shoes, I walked inside, cautiously turning on the light.

The kitchen lit up and my eyes found a shiny metal key on the counter. I almost forgot that he left me a key.

Running my fingers along the surface, I listened intently through the walls, attempting to find proof that Ritsu was awake, hoping that it will give me a reason to go over.

Shaking away that thought, I made my way to the bathroom, needing to take a shower that will hopefully remove these thoughts from my mind.

...

I showered but it didn't help one bit.

I was completely reminded of his presence here.

His shampoo and conditioner sat on the tub and his tooth brush laid lonely beside mine.

It drove me crazy and I hurried out of the shower and bathroom, changing into a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt.

It didn't help that my bed smelled so strongly of him either.

He wasn't even here and his presence still had control over me, just as his memory did these past 10 years.

As I laid alone on the bed, I began to seriously doubt my reasoning, making up reasons and explanations as to why I should go over.

I obviously wasn't going to get to sleep and you know, he did leave a key, so do I really actually had a reason to go over.

He is my boyfriend after all.

Giving up, I made my way over to him with silent eagerness, slightly irritated at myself.

Leaving my bag at my apartment, I made sure to throw some clothes on the bed for tomorrow.

From my own abode, I could hear his door unlock with a click as I stepped out to see him.

All the lights were off behind him and stared at me wide-eyed, startling us both equally. I honestly didn't expect him to be awake at all.

"T-Takano-san?! What are you doing up so late?!" he announced in a loud whisper, walking closer to me.

He was clearly still dressed in pajamas and his hair was an absolute mess, sticking up in all directions.

He definitely had just woken up. "… I was coming over to your apartment. And where are you heading to, looking like that?" I spoke up, looking over his figure.

Now I definitely didn't miss the blush that creeped up his face. Nor did his nervous rocking escape my sight.

"U-um…. I was going to get my mail. I forgot to grab it earlier." He lied, clearly embarrassed.

"Bullshit", I thought, sighing quietly, secretly smiling at his attempts to hide it.

"Well, while you go to grab your 'mail' I'll be in your apartment." "Wai-Wah? Why?" he asked.

Moving closer, I sweetly pecked him on the cheek and passed by him to go into his apartment.

Standing outside, flustered, he must've figured it and soon enough, he slowly followed me inside, not forgetting to lock the front door.

"Heh, so I guess you grabbed your mail earlier then?" I spoke up from the kitchen, confronting him.

"S-S-Shut up" he stuttered, hiding his face. I watched as he passed by me to approach his own bedroom. And right after him, I began to follow and we both made our way into the comforter, which was still warm from earlier.

Dropping off the key on the nightstand, I turned over and wrapped him inside of my arms closely, pecking him on the forehead.

"I love you, Ritsu", I murmured into his ear. He was very red, his cheeks an entirely different shade of the beautiful color. I could hear feel his heart against mine, which fluttered like a butterfly as I cupped his face. He refused to look me in the eyes, preferring to close them tightly.

"Too cute..." I mused, giving him a kiss on the nose.

It was adorable to watch him scrunch up, squishing his face into my neck embarrassed.

Chuckling a bit, my fingers found its way into his mess of hair and I massaged his scalp, enjoying the feeling of his perfect warmth pressed against me.

I guess he must've fallen asleep because soon enough, he relaxed and began breathing evenly, his breath tickling my hair.

Pulling back, I watched him sleep peaceful, his chest rising and falling in tune with my own. The blush never really left his cheeks as he slept, the rosiness bringing color into his face.

Grinning, I cocked his chin up and left a kiss on his lips. Thankfully, he didn't wake and still slept comfortably.

Engulfed in his warmth, I soon found myself asleep in his embrace.

And we slept well for the rest of the night.

Alrighty! I'm truthfully happy with the way this fic is progressing. It makes me happy that I'm actually getting reviews too like woahhh. It's awesome that you guys are enjoying it and since I changed the rating to M, do you all think I should write a chapter full of smut? I've been debating with the thought for a while and it's be cool to have some feedback.

See you guys later! C:

Don't forget to review!