Author's Note

My second chapter for Insanity. I wasn't really sure what to do at first. I changed a lot of things around. Pretty happy with the final product. Plus it's my birthday so yay! Also, an early birthday chapter to Saruhiko because I won't be posting on that day. It's gonna be short. Anyway, here you are.

Insanity: Chapter Two

That day was coming. That one specific day where Misaki would get overexcited and celebrate each separate, passing moment that it would bring. That one good day where everything was perfect, even if it wasn't his. That day was always marked on his calender, circled in a vibrant shade of red. It would stare at Misaki tauntingly, when he'd flip through the pages just to count how many days were left. That day, as the weather got colder and the leaves changed colors, made November feel like the first day of spring. It felt new. It felt fresh. Nothing could ever make that day feel any less than what it was. Misaki had loved that day. He had always cherished it, even though he was the only one that ever did. Now, he wasn't so sure anymore.

Waking up that morning didn't feel so bad. He slept better than usual and his mood was good. The white walls around him shined in the morning glow that came from the window. It made the room feel a bit warmer from the chill November sent through the cracks of the window and the space under his door. His blankets were heavy, which held in the warmth his body gave and just made him want to stay in bed all day. Unfrotunately, his nurse came in at that very moment, demanding that he rise out of bed and start a good day. A very good day, she had stressed.

"Come on now, can't keep the day waiting," Yumi, his nurse, said. She pulled back the covers, taking away the warmth Misaki had previously been enjoying. He groaned, falling back onto his pillow and closing eyes. He could see the sunlight from behind his eyelids, prompting him to do as Yumi said and get out of bed. He didn't agree.

"The day sould let me sleep in and go away," Misaki said. His eyes were still shut, not being able to will himself out of what was left of his warmth. Yumi only chuckled.

"Come on now, get up." She patted his cheek and gave his hair a short ruffle. It only made Misaki want to cuddle deeper into his pillow. "It's a good day, this November seventh, a little bit warmer than the beginning of this."

Misaki's eyes quickly opened themselves, widening at the expense that life was giving him right now, at this very moment. It wasn't until now that he remembered what today was. Sitting up slowly, he left his body soften. Slumping his shoulders and letting his eyes droop lower, like they usually did. Today had been diferent. All of last month he had been willing himself to forget about this day. Misaki manipulated himself into thinking that nothing was out of the ordinary, perfectly normal. A passing day. Yumi didn't notice the gravity of what she wrought upon him.

"Is something wrong?" She questioned, frowning at the change in his behavior.

"No, nothing's wrong,'' he whispered. Misaki, at that moment, truly wanted to curl back up ino bed and pass the day without facing it at all.

"Happy birthday!" He exclaimed into the ear of his best, now deaf, friend. Misaki swung his arms around the very slim waist of Saruhiko, tightly embracing him. Today was a special day, he thought. Saruhiko, on the otherhand, frowned at the mention of it. He let Misaki hold him tightly, only because they were the best hugs he'd ever had. Misaki let go, grinning up to the face of his favorite person. "Happy birthday," he repeated.

"Please, don't make this a big deal," Saruhiko drawled, clicking his tongue once. This only made Misaki's grin widen. He fished into his school bag, trying to find something at the bottom. Saruhiko already knew that it was a gift. Finally, grabbing whatever he was looking for, Misaki held it up to the face of his not so enthusiastic friend.

"Ta-da!" He sang, waving his gift in the air. "Their tickets to a robotics and automation convention!" Saruhiko's uniterested facial expression did not leave his face, but his eyes betrayed him as they twinkled with supressed delight. It was then, as Misaki's smile widened at the sight of them, that he knew he had caught Saruhiko in his web.

"Thanks but no thanks," the taller declined. Misaki waved the tickets in the air again, excitedly, knowing that he'd get his way in the end. "No," Saruhiko stressed. Misaki pouted, looking up at his friend in mock disappointment.

"..."

There was a pause. The pout deepened. Saruhiko stared.

"Tch, fine."

Misaki grinned and once again embraced Saruhiko in the rush of his excitement. The other sighed, not at all disturbed by the strength that was put around his waist.

In the end, their trip was amazing and the day could only brighten more.

"I love it when your birthday comes, Saru."

"Okay."

Misaki lifed his head off of the pillow and pushed himself out of bed. Yumi watched, knowing she had said something wrong. She could tell as Misaki glared outside his window, eyeing the sun beyond the strong, clean glass.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked. For a moment, Misaki was silent.

"I'm fine," he replied. "I just really hate the seventh day of November."

Yumi furrowed her brow, not sure what that really meant. She also wasn't sure why Misaki glared at the sun, as if he was angry at it for brightening and warming this good day.