A/N: Hey Minna-san! Merry Christmas! (posted this Christmas Eve/Day 2018). I'm sorry for taking so long with this chapter. Work during the holidays=hell. To top it off I've become an A.R.M.Y aka a fan of the Korean group BTS. They helped me so much during these past few months and I even got to see them in concert on my birthday (best damn day of my life thus far). But without further ado, please enjoy this chapter! You are all going to be in for a shock.

Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of the people mentioned in this story, at least the ones we know are real.

Chapter 19: Confrontations and Reveals.

Daisuke slowly opened his eyes and looked down at the sleeping form of his roommate turned boyfriend. He thought back to the previous night and the events causing a faint blush dusted his cheeks. The handsome actor could still feel Mao's lips on his own. It had been like a dream come true.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a faint meow and he chuckled softly. Seconds later both Angel and Roku came bounding into the room and crawled on them. Daisuke sighed before leaning down to kiss Mao's cheek, "Baby, wake up. You are being summoned,"

Mao groaned softly curling up closer to the older man, "No," He whined causing Daisuke to start laughing. Mao heard the laughter and opened his eyes, "What time is it?"

Daisuke looked at the alarm clock on the bedside table, "It is 7:00 am. We need to be on the set by 9:30," He reached over and checked his phone to find a text message waiting for him.

TAKEDA: Ohayou Watanabe-sama. Hinosaku and I will meet you at your apartment building at 9:00 am.

DAISUKE: Thank you Takeda-San.

Mao carefully pulled himself from Daisuke's embrace and reached down to pet both Angel and Roku, "Was that Takeda-San?"

Daisuke kicked off his covers and slid his feet into his slippers, "Yes. He and Hinosaku-San will be picking us up here at 9 am. After that, we'll head to the set and you and HInosaku-San will head to your classes."

Mao reached for his own phone on the bedside table. A text from Shinnosuke greeted him.

NII-SAN: Ohayou. I discussed it with Daisuke -feels weird being able to address him so informally- but I will ride with you to the movie set after your classes.

MAO: Ohayou Nii-San. Hinosaku-San and Takeda-San are picking us up at 9:00 am then I will head to my classes. We will swing by your hotel to collect you. I will message you when we are on the way.

Mao tossed his phone on the bed, rolled onto his side and looked up at Daisuke, "Was it a dream or did I kiss you last night?"

Daisuke turned from his spot in front of the dresser several shirts gathered in his arms, "No you kissed me," He walked over and set the shirts on the bed, "Wait, do you not remember what happened last night?"

"I was worried it had just been a dream," Mao scanned the articles of clothing before pointing to a black long sleeve, "Wear that with your burgundy sweater."

Daisuke looked at the chosen shirts before nodding in approval, "Good suggestion," He quickly pulled his pajama shirt off revealing that toned abdomen of his and causing Mao's breath to hitch. He turned to see the younger boy's face a crimson red, "You okay?"

Mao quickly recovered, "Yeah, yeah, sorry I am just trying to get used to seeing you with your shirt off up close,"

Daisuke smirked, "Well if you do not want last night to be a one-time thing you're welcome to see me shirtless more often,"

Mao's cheeks darkened even more, "Dai-chan!" He brought his face to hide his hands.

Daisuke could not help but chuckle as he pulled the black shirt over his head and went into the closet to get the suggested sweater. He completed it with his 'D' crystal pendant before turning to look at Mao, "Verdict?" He asked.

Mao's eyes widened, "You look amazing," He averted his gaze, "Then again you always do."

"Thank you," Daisuke said meaning it, "But what about you, you never answered my question."

"You did not ask one," Mao pointed out, "But can you promise me what I claimed I was afraid of will not happen?"

Daisuke walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed pulling Mao's hands into his own. He thought back to the night before and how Mao had broken his resolve and the passion between them had reached its limit. After they had both experienced pleasure, Mao had explained his reasons. After that they had just stayed in each other's arms, both content, not wanting to be separated any time soon. Daisuke learned the reason Mao was afraid of starting the relationship was that he feared Daisuke's feelings would not last.

It was a legitimate reason to be worried. Daisuke could not find any reason to blame Mao for being scared. And even if he had he would never use it against the younger.

"Dai-Chan?"

Daisuke took a deep breath and pressed a soft kiss to both of Mao's hands, "If you want me to be perfectly honest I can't promise. At least I can't promise we will always be together. Now before you jump to conclusions, let me explain. After you graduate you might want to travel, I do not know. If this movie takes off like you think it will I might get more roles and who knows I might have to travel as well. No one can really predict what the future holds. But the one thing I can promise is my feelings for you will never wane. I was drawn to you that first day at the restaurant. I immediately felt a connection to you, a connection so powerful every time you left it hurt."

Mao's chocolate brown eyes widened in shock, "Dai-Chan? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I did not want to frighten you," Daisuke explained, "But after I almost lost you I knew I could not let myself regret anything. So I confessed. I'm sorry if I-"

Mao reached up to press his finger to Daisuke's lips before leaning in to replace his finger with his own lips, "You have nothing to apologize for Dai-Chan. I am the one who needs to apologize. I had no idea you felt so strongly."

"I did and I do," Daisuke admitted, "I want you to understand I want you in my life, not as a friend, well yeah as a friend, but not only that. I want you in my life as someone I can share my heart with. When I say I love you I mean it,"

Mao bit his lip before leaning even closer and wrapping his arms around Daisuke's broad shoulders, "I love you too," He whispered causing Daisuke's breath to hitch, "I am only sorry it took me this long to fully realize it."

Daisuke pulled Mao into his lap and kissed him deeply, "You have no idea how badly I want to call Tanaku and tell him I need another day off,"

Mao looked at the handsome actor confused, "Why? Are you feeling under the weather?"

Daisuke stopped realizing the younger man had completely missed the point. But then he thought of something random, "Well no, but I wonder why the claim someone is 'under the weather'," It was obvious sleepiness was still lingering.

"What do you mean?' Mao asked.

Daisuke pointed to his window where there were a few patches of fluffy white clouds, "Aren't we technically always under the weather?"

Mao looked at his boyfriend for a moment before finally figuring it out. He fell off of Daisuke's lap in a fit of giggles, "I have never realized that!"

Daisuke smiled warmly. Hearing Mao's laughter was music to his ears. The laughter was soon mixed with two separate meows coming from the hallway and Daisuke chuckled, "You better get dressed, Baby. I will go feed the fur balls and then start breakfast. And before you try to argue you can do the dishes,"

Mao by this time had recovered, "You are learning well," He smiled before heading to his own room in search of attire for the day. Once he was dressed in a pair of jeans a black sleeveless turtleneck shirt and a white long sleeved over shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, Mao headed out to the kitchen to find Daisuke whipping up some eggs.

Daisuke turned to look at Mao and nearly dropped the spatula, "You look so-"

"Dai-Chan, you are going to drop the eggs on the floor," Mao pointed out just as a piece of egg started sliding off the cooking tool.

Daisuke turned back quickly and managed to save breakfast before disaster struck. Soon the morning meal albeit only eggs, was served, "Do you want anything else? I hope you do not mind. Some mornings I am not really in the mood to cook,"

Mao's fork was halfway to his mouth when he heard that, "Why didn't you let me cook then?"

"I wanted to thank you for last night," Daisuke answered shoving a forkful of the fluffy eggs into his own mouth.

"You do not need to thank me for anything Dai-Chan," Mao said scooting his chair closer to the handsome actor, "I should be thanking you. You have given me so much. I only hope can-"

Daisuke placed a hand over the younger boy's mouth, "If you dare say you hope you can pay me back, I'll…" He trailed off unsure of how to finish that threat.

Mao reached up for Daisuke's hand pulling it away from his mouth, "No, what I was going to say is I only hope I can show you my appreciation in certain ways, now that well…"

Daisuke could not stop himself as he leaned over to press his lips to Mao's in a soft kiss, "I hope you realize I am going to be doing that every chance we get,"

Mao's felt a surge of boldness and he returned the kiss, "And I all welcome it every time."

Daisuke smiled in return, "I will hold you to that," He turned back to his breakfast finishing up in record time, "We better head downstairs, Takeda and Hinosaku should be here soon."

Mao gathered the dishes and moved them to the sink, doing a quick rinse before double checking to make sure Angel's and Roku's water and food dishes were secure, "Okay let's go. The sooner I am finished with my classes today the sooner we can put our plan into action."

"Okay we have a lead on Leiko's location," Takeda said as he approached his charge, "You believe you know the reason behind his targeting you all correct?"

"Yes, it took me a while but I figured out the pattern," Daisuke answered checking his phone every few minutes for a text from Mao. The college student was supposed to message him as soon as he was finished with his classes. Shunnosuke planned to go with Hinosaku to pick Mao up then they were all supposed to meet on the set. It turned out Shunnosuke had a few more errands to run before he needed to meet them. Daisuke had offered for Takeda to pick him up so they could head over to the college together to pick Mao up when his classes were finished.

"A pattern?" Takeda asked.

"Yep," Daisuke responded, "Back when I auditioned for one of my first roles, one that I actually ended up getting and working with Keimiko, there was someone else who tried out for the role. Obviously, he did not get it."

"You think that Leiko is targeting you because of that?" Takeda asked.

"It is the only reason I can think of. And since Keimiko was connected to me through that I think he was trying to hurt me by targeting Kemiko. But he could not go after her directly so he went a roundabout way and attacked her fan club president instead," Daisuke explained.

"But didn't Takemoto-San say he has had trouble with Leiko as well?'

"Yes, though I am not sure the connection there," Daisuke answered turning his attention to his producer in question.

"I have worked with Keimiko-Chan before," Takemoto responded, "Since she was in connections with you, I am betting he targeted her to get to you. That bastard really did a number on the set we had."

"Well, it is obvious he has been holding a grudge ever since that first audition," Daisuke said grimly, "I am only sorry I did not notice before. He is trying to get to me by targeting anyone close to me in any way he can. And I am getting tired of it. But I can't shake the feeling I know him from somewhere else."

"So how exactly are we supposed to find him?" Morishiku asked.

"Well, I pulled some strings with one of my connections at the station and we may have found his location," Takeda answered, "At least the last location he was seen."

"It is better than nothing," Daisuke said, "We will take what we can get. For now, all we can do it wait."

"Hamao-Kun!"

Mao turned to see Yasutake approach him and by instinct, he stood guard, "Yasutake-Kun, did you need something?"

Yasutake took a moment to catch his breath before answering, "I just wanted to let you know there was someone looking for you. He was very insistent,"

Mao's hackles rose, "Did he, he give a name?"

"No, but he didn't give off a very friendly vibe," Yasutake responded, "Are you going to go meet him?"

Mao scanned the area noticing Hinosaku not too far from him. He waved him over, not wanting his bodyguard any further away than necessary. Once the man approached him he sighed, "Yasutake-Kun just told me there's someone here to see me and I don't think it is Nii-Chan. He has not texted me yet."

"What do you want to do?" Hinosaku asked.

"I am going to go meet him but I want you to stay nearby but just out of eyeshot. As soon as you get a visual on him contact Daisuke and Takeda-San," Mao instructed, "We have been trying to find him and he is basically delivering himself."

"Hamao-Kun, what is going on?" Yasutake asked genuinely concerned, "Do you need help?"

"Please do not take this the wrong way, Yasutake-Kun, but stay out of the way," Mao instructed, "Anyone who comes in contact with Dai-Chan or myself gets targeted by the guy you said wants to meet me. He is a criminal, and I do not want you to get hurt."

To Mao's surprise, Yasutake nodded, "Okay if you insist. Just please be careful. Now that I know the truth about you I do not want you getting hurt either."

Mao offered the other boy a smile before nodding towards his bodyguard and heading off in the direction Yasutake pointed in. As he walked he moved his toes inside his shoes. Earlier when Takeda and Hinosaku had picked them up they had given both Mao and Daisuke a small tracker ring that fit snug around their big toe. It was hidden inside the shoe so no one would be the wiser. If Mao happened to disappear, his location could be tracked with the device. Around his finger was also a device disguised as a ring, one he could press when he had Leiko in sight. Daisuke had one as well.

Once he rounded the corner he stopped dead in his tracks. Leaning against one of the buildings was none other than Leiko. Mao could feel his entire body starting to shake. He quickly collected himself and stepped forward pressing the ring while he did, "Risky move targeting me out in the open like this, especially with witness all around."

Leiko glared at him under the hood of his sweatshirt, "I am here to warn you. Tell Watanabe to give up the role of Mamoru, or consequences will be reached and none of the cast will be happy with the results."

"Why are you even doing this?" Mao asked knowing he has to stall for time, "Why are you targeting me, him, all of us?"

"Because that bastard took something of mine, something that should have been mine," Leiko said, "I have been suffering for 5 years now."

"Whatever Daisuke did can't warner neverending revenge!' Mao protested, "If he killed someone in your family, or severely betrayed you I might understand your actions! But I can tell that is not the reason behind your hate for him!"

"He took my chance at the biggest role of my life! I was supposed to play the role in that movie!" Leiko shouted, "He also rejected me! He knew I was in love with him and he stomped on my feelings like they were nothing! And you! You took him away from me!"

Mao's mouth dropped open, "What!?" Daisuke had never told him any of this. He nearly jumped when he felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket. He was far enough away from Leiko that the older man couldn't hear it. He knew it was Daisuke, he just knew it. A little longer. He just needed to stall a little longer.

"Watanabe and I were in acting school together, we were partners in several projects, but then we became playful rivals when it came to auditions. The biggest role the two of us went for he never told me the auditioning time had been changed. He stole it from me."

"No, I did not."

Mao turned in time to see Daisuke standing a few feet away, "Dai-Chan?"

"It took me a while but I figured it out. You always hated your name, always said it wasn't 'actor' material, and planned to change it when you got your first big break," Daisuke said taking a step forward, "I never betrayed you. The day before the audition I left a note on your pillow in the dorm room."

Leiko looked at Daisuke confused, "The day before audition I was not at the dorms. But I-" He stopped as realization spread across his features, "I never told you I was not going to be there that weekend."

"I thought you had changed your mind about the audition and that is why I never said anything," Daisuke responded, "As for your feelings, I did not know, I honestly did not know. You never told me."

"But the way I acted around you when-"

"Exactly 'acted'," Daisuke pointed out, "I thought you were just acting, practicing for the roles. You were talented, you had something. But after I was cast in that production you disappeared. I had no idea where you had gone. But soon after all those attacks happened. Anyone who came in contact with me you targeted, every time,"

"I was suffering and I wanted whoever you knew to suffer as well," Leiko said dryly.

Well, considering you tried to kill Kyosuke, in fact, you almost succeeded, I can't just let you leave," Daisuke said, "I never wanted this poisonous hatred between us. But after what you have done I do not think I can forgive you,"

Leiko pushed himself away from the wall, "You think I am going to give myself up that easily?" He was startled when a police siren wailed and his eyes widened, "You bastard!"

"You are not my friend anymore. You're not the same man from back then," Daisuke said sadly, "You are a monster now. If you had only talked to me all this could have been avoided," He nodded towards Takeda and Hinosaku who both bolted after Leiko just as the man started running.

Mao watched as the source of his nightmares was cuffed, read his rights and pushed into a squad car. Seconds later felt his legs starting to lose feeling and he started to fall.

Daisuke raced forward catching him before he hit the ground, "Are you okay?"

Mao adjusted himself so he was fully standing in before he wrapped his arms tightly around Daisuke's waist, burying his face in the handsome actor's shoulders, "I was so scared. I thought he-' He shook his head, "I did not know what he was going to do. You came just in time,"

Daisuke pulled the younger man tightly against him, "He is gone, he can't hurt you anymore. I am only sorry I did not get here sooner."

"Can we go? I do not want-"

Daisuke nodded motioning for Shunnosuke who had been standing off to the side to approach. When the older Hamao sibling was within reach Daisuke let go of Mao so his boyfriend could embrace his brother.

Shunnosuke held tightly to the younger man, "Kyosuke I was so worried about you,"

Mao buried his face in his brother's shoulder, "I am sorry Nii-Chan."

"Nothing to apologize for," Shunnosuke replied, "Just do me a favor and never scare me like that again."

"I promise," Mao chuckled, "But you have said before I need to have a little adventure in my life,"

Shunnosuke chuckled as well, "Perhaps not that much," He looked up at Daisuke who had a look of content on his face, "Daisuke-san, thank you."

"No thanks needed, not when it comes to him," Daisuke responded, "But we do need to get to the set. There will be a discussion on if and when Mao wants to testify against Leiko,"

Mao's head shot up and he turned around to look at Daisuke, "By the way, Dai-Chan, who was that man anyway?"

Daisuke held back a sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair, "That was my former childhood friend. I did not recognize him because after acting school he disappeared. Leiko is not the same man though, not anymore. His hair is different and he changed his name. He basically made himself into a new person erasing the boy I grew up with."

"We should let Keimiko know," Mao pointed out.

"Oh trust me I plan on it. But first, let us get to the set. I believe we have a few animals for you to bond with," Daisuke smiled looking at Shunnosuke, "Are you still planning on coming with?"

"Of course," Shunnosuke nodded, "I will be heading back home first thing tomorrow morning though, and if I may I would like to stay at your place. I want to see the living conditions my brother will be staying in from now on."

"Nii-Chan, do you still not trust Dai-Chan?"

Shunnosuke chuckled, 'I do, I just want to make sure you will be safe,"

Daisuke chuckled as well, "If it will put your mind at ease, you are more than welcome to stay the night. Tomorrow is a full script read through and then we will be going from there."

"Will I be able to see my brother off tomorrow?" Mao asked.

"Kyosuke, if you have classes or are needed on the set you should-"

"Shunnosuke-San, I insist we see you off tomorrow," Daisuke spoke up, "Both of us."

Mao turned to look at his boyfriend, "Are you sure?"

"Yes I do," Daisuke smiled, "And I will even autograph something for your wife if you would like. Otherwise, she will never believe you have met me."

Both of the Hamao siblings laughed in unison at that, "You are absolutely right."

Mao recovered faster and looked between his brother and boyfriend, "Come on let's go. Now that we do not have to worry about Leiko, I am going to enjoy my time with the animals on the set."

"Working with animals really makes you happy doesn't Kyosuke?" Shunnosuke asked looking fondly at his younger brother.

"Very much so," Mao responded, "But how exactly are we supposed to get to the set? Takeda-San and Hinosaku-San are not back yet."

"No worries," Daisuke said, "I've contacted my manager. He is coming to pick us up."

"Oh, Kyosuke, will your professor be joining us?" Shunnosuke asked.

"No, but he told me to keep him updated on my work and-" Mao turned to look at Daisuke, "He wanted me to ask if he could get an autograph from Keimiko."

Daisuke smiled at that, "I am pretty sure I can convince her. But we need to let her focus on her new drama right now."

Mao returned the smile resisting the urge to take Daisuke's hand into his own.

Ever since their actions the previous night, Mao had felt bolder. Now that he didn't have to try to figure out his feelings, now that he knew what they were he wanted to show Daisuke how much he loved him. He knew he did not love Daisuke as much Daisuke loved him, but he also knew it would only be a matter of time before he did.

After all, Daisuke had promised him he would always love him even if they were apart.

All he could do was trust the handsome actor. And Mao knew that's all Daisuke would ask for.

A/N: Minna-san that's it! I will say chapter 20 will take a little bit since I have a few things I need to work on in real life. But I promise as long as I get the 3 reviews one more time I will post the chapter. And hey I didn't leave it on a cliffy so you guys can't be mad at me for that! Also, for any of my readers who likes BTS, I am currently writing stories for them too and for a Thai Boys Love series called 'Love By Chance', if you like either of those topics let me know! Remember 3 reviews= chapter 20! Merry Christmas!