Disclaimer: I own nothing, get over it already

Misaki: Are you crabby today or something?

Chey: Yes.

Misaki: Then don't work on this. Go watch House or something.

Chey: I am.

Misaki: …

Chey: What?

Misaki: Nothing. You said the disclaimer already, so let's get to the chapter.

Chey: Fine.

Misaki: *muttering* Big, grumpy baby.

Romantica Act Four Part Two

Akihiko finished cooking fresh weenies and was deep in thought. Sumi-san had said that he and Misaki Sensei looked cute together. Did that mean that they really were compatible? He thought the two of them were sort of a couple but—Akihiko's eyes widened. He didn't even know if they were exclusive. It was true that he wasn't sleeping with anyone else. He'd played around with Hiroki in an attempt to help him deal with the loss of his boyfriend when he disappeared but he hadn't done anything at all with the other student since he'd started sleeping with Sensei.

Did Sensei do the same? Or was he seeing someone on the side. For a moment, he saw a faceless man holding Misaki while the man smiled and knotted his slender fingers in the stranger's hair. Then the man became Sumi-san and Akihiko jerked, physically trying to shut out such implications.

Fighting those thoughts, he wondered if they were considered a couple at all. What constituted being a couple even? Akihiko thought about it; he and Sensei kissed and slept together, they ate meals at the same time, Sensei picked him up from school and they lived together…

But he didn't really think they were a couple. Akihiko thought harder, ignoring the headache that was starting to sprout. Misaki flirted with him, kissed him, went down on him…but he never went out with him except occasionally joining him for shopping since Akihiko had no idea what he was doing when it came to cooking.

They were a couple in every way but the one that was important. This didn't feel like a real relationship. He put the weenies on a plate and sliced them into octopi then brought them out to Sensei. "I'm going out," he said abruptly.

"Eh?" Misaki asked. "Where?"

"Hiroki's," he replied stiffly. He hadn't actually decided to go there but he hadn't ruled it out. Right now though, he just wanted to think about some things.

"Oh, okay…" Misaki looked like he wanted to stop him but Sumi-san grabbed his head and pointed it at the table.

"See you later, Usagi-chan," Sumi called teasingly.

"Don't call him that!" Misaki snapped.

"Don't call me that!" Akihiko snapped in the same moment. He blushed, looking at the ground and muttered, "I'll be back later," before hurrying to pull on shoes and a light jacket and dashing out the door.

…

When Akihiko returned to the penthouse apartment he found Sensei lying fast asleep on the couch and using one of his precious bears as a pillow. Poor Sensei… Misaki had clearly worn himself off. Akihiko sighed and went to get a blanket. He returned and placed it over him and sat down, staring at Misaki's passive and sleeping expression. He was so cute. He leaned down and kissed his hair softly, recalling the pain of his previous thoughts.

When he pulled away he saw the green eyes were open and vibrant. He realized that Sensei had been messing with him in the split second before Misaki slid his arms around him and kissed him for a second. Akihiko wanted to continue but Misaki pulled back, resting his head on the bear once more. "Have you been smoking?"

"So what?" Akihiko looked down at the artist. Smoking was something he actually hadn't done in awhile. He did it when he was stressed.

"That's illegal," Misaki snapped. "And bad for you. You should quit."

Akihiko's stubborn streak made its appearance. "You're not my dad. I'll do what I want and quit when I'm dead."

Misaki really didn't like that. "What the hell—? After what I've—"

"Are you worried about me?" Akihiko asked, the teeniest touch of lust returning to his eyes.

Misaki gave him a dirty look but his lust was building as well. But he was the adult here and had to be the mature one. He grabbed the bear and swung it into Akihiko's face. He was startled, giving Misaki a chance to get out from under him. "You should quit smoking!"

Akihiko rolled his eyes and got up. He stalked into the kitchen for some coffee, trying to get his emotions under control. Unfortunately, jealousy, guilt, irritation, confusion and lust all made for a seriously dangerous emotional cocktail.

The fastest way to fix the situation would be to have sex with Misaki, curing the lust, jealousy and irritation, then have an in-bed conversation that would handle the guilt and confusion.

He returned from the kitchen with every intension to pin Sensei down on the couch, but…

"Akihiko, are we a couple?" Misaki asked.

Akihiko froze. Had they been thinking the same thing? "I…"

"I mean, we've never gone on a date before."

Akihiko hesitated, then said, "Do you want to go on a date?"

"Well, I've really wanted to take you out but Sumi-san and the publishing company are quite evil people. I haven't been taking care of you properly."

Akihiko frowned. "I didn't mean it like that."

Misaki smiled suddenly, warming his features and sending shivers down Akihiko's long spine. "Nonsense! We're going out tonight!"

"Um, alright," Akihiko murmured.

Misaki got to his feet and walked over to the younger man and took his hand in his. "Leave everything to me."

Akihiko leaned down and kissed him. "Okay," he murmured against those soft, pink lips. "I'll be waiting." He slid his hands down, cupping Misaki's ass. "I'm looking forward to it." He released the smaller man after a moment, leaving him totally breathless.

"Yeah…" he whispered finally. "Definitely, Usagi-san."

To be continued…

Chey: Urgh, this act is frickin long.

Misaki: Just deal with it.

Chey: Yeah yeah, at least I finally finished writing this chapter. I'm kind of blocked on this one:(

Misaki: Will you get over it if people review?

Chey: …Maybe.

Misaki: *Sigh* Readers, review and help her out.

Chey: Thanks for reading!

~CheyanneChika