Hello again, it's been a while since I posted this one, sorry :P thanks for the reviews!

Neither of us had really realized it but at some point, I'd become accustomed to calling him by his given name and he'd begun to use the nickname his brother had given me.

At first I thought that it would be weird, painful even, to hear that constant reminder of Takahiro's presence fall from Misaki's lips. But somehow when the boy spoke it it became endearing in an entirely new way. I learned quickly that although these two are blood brothers, they are very, very different.

The doorbell rings and on impulse my heart begins to pound, because I know it's Misaki that waits outside. When I open the door, my eyes widen because standing just behind a nervous-looking brunette is... Takahiro.

"Usagi!" he says cheerfully, waving. "How have you been?"

"I've been well," I reply. "It's nice to see you."

"That's good! I was wondering who my brother had been visiting these past couple of days, and when he told me it was you I figured I'd drop by to say hello. I hope he hasn't been too much of a bother!" That's right. It's been three days since I first met Misaki, and every day he has come over to visit me and talk. He's been trying to cheer me up, and I can't believe that I've become friends with such an observant and kind person.

Misaki is standing anxiously in the doorway with his head slightly down. Is something wrong? "No, he's wonderful," I assure Takahiro. "It gets a little lonely around here sometimes and he's great company."

"That's good to hear! I didn't know you guys were acquainted."

"We ran into each other a few days ago at the station."

"Oh, that explains it. Say, Usagi, I was going to ask you this anyway but it's even more convenient now that you two already know each other. My brother's having a little trouble in school and I was wondering if you could tutor him."

Misaki's head snaps up, scandalized. "N-nii-chan—!"

"Of course. He's welcome here any time," I reply smoothly, trying to cut off any objection on Misaki's part.

He looks between us frantically. "Nii-chan, this is really unnecessary!"

Takahiro looks at Misaki pointedly. "I think it's a great idea. Usagi is very talented and smart and he could help you get into a good college."

"But—"

"He's right," I add. "I'm more than willing to assist and you can drop by any time."

"That settles it then! Thank you so much! Now if you'll excuse me I have to go meet up with Manami. I'll leave Misaki in your care!" My heart throbs uncomfortably as he says her name, but it's nowhere near as terrible as it had been before. He waves again and exits, leaving Misaki and me standing in the doorway.

"Hi," I smile. What's he still standing there for? I take his hand and lead him into the room. He looks a little flushed but tries to compose himself. I frown. "Is something wrong?"

"N-not really," he says. "It's just— sorry about that."

"Huh?" What's he apologizing for?

"My brother... I didn't expect him to come, but he was worried who I was going to see three days in a row, and I couldn't not give him an answer… and after he found out he insisted on coming with me. I'm sorry if that made things worse."

Once again, he's being so considerate that my heart rate speeds up. He's standing there timidly with the soft pink dusting his cheeks and I want to kiss him, but I haven't touched him since that first day. I don't want to scare him off— if anything, my relationship with this boy is more important than Takahiro's.

The Takahashi brothers are both so innately kind. It's the reason I fell in love with Takahiro in the first place, but I realize now that it had been futile from the beginning. It had always been one-sided, and Takahiro had been too unseeing, too oblivious for me to even fathom confessing to him. But Misaki is sensitive and so perceptive, and most of all he didn't seem to hate it when I kissed him. That gave me hopes beyond all else— that he was willing to stay with me even knowing my history with Takahiro.

"It's fine," I reply, patting his soft chocolate hair.

"Also, don't worry about what my brother said— you really don't have to tutor me."

"No, it's completely fine."

"I don't want to impose or be a burden—"

"Misaki," I say, cutting him off. "Stop worrying. I want to tutor you."

"No, it's not that. I- I can't." He bites his lip and I realize that throughout this entire conversation, he hasn't met my eyes once. Those viridescent orbs are always focused elsewhere.

"Why not?" I ask. "You know you're not inconveniencing me in any way, and Takahiro wants me to help you."

"No, that's not it at all," he says, shaking his head. "Sorry, Usagi-san, but I don't think I can come over any more."

My heart stops for a moment before furiously resuming. What does he mean? Did I do something wrong? Maybe he really was scared by that kiss.

"It's not your fault," he whispers softly. "It's my own problem."

"Why won't you let me help you?" I plead. "I promise, there's nothing about you that could bother me. There's nothing you could tell me that could make me hate you… there's nothing you could do that could make me hate you…"

"Usagi-san, this is none of your business. I have to deal with it myself."

I grow a bit desperate as he seems to remain resolute, so I add quietly, "...except if you left me..."

He gasps and looks up sharply, and as I see the wetness in his eyes I immediately regret my words. "Usagi-san... w-will you r-really hate—"

I cut him off quickly with a hug. "Shhh, shhh, I didn't mean it. I just don't want you to leave." I pull back and see tears gathering at the corners of his eyes. "Shit, I'm sorry. I love you, so stop worrying."

His eyes finally meet mine and his huge emerald eyes are wide in surprise. Then I realize what I've just said and clap a hand over my mouth, but it's far too late.

"Y-you..." his mouth can't form the words and he suddenly blushes and looks away. "That can't be, you are still in love with my brother..."

Fuck. What do I say? "M-Misaki, it's not like that. I don't feel that way towards him anymore, but…" This is an ultimatum… I either tell him the truth, or I lie... Taking in a deep breath, I finally exhale the words that contain my pent up feelings. "I do love you."

My face falls as he laughs nervously. "Stop joking, Usagi-san. It's not funny any more."

I finally frown, because even after I've said it twice he either doesn't get it or doesn't want to. "Misaki." He won't look at me, and finally in a bout of impatience I surge forward, holding him snugly in my arms and crashing my mouth over his. His lips part in surprise and I take the opportunity to kiss him deeply. He didn't back away last time, so he must be okay with it… right? I feel a pressure pushing me away but I am too wrapped up in his taste, too desperate for him to understand. I can't let things end up like they did with Takahiro. So I suck at his tongue and explore his mouth, which has completely surrendered to me, and press him tightly against me so that I can feel his heart beating quickly and frantically— and now I know that this love isn't one-sided. I finally back away and watch him pant and bring a hand to his slightly swollen lips. He stares at me in shock.

"What was that for!" He shouts angrily, and I'm glad to see the fight back in him. For now, his nervous temperament is gone.

"Because you wouldn't believe me," I reply simply. His shoulders droop.

"So you were really serious?" he asks softly.

"Do you need more proof?" I reply with a smirk. He glares at me.

"No! I-I get it." He drops his bag on the couch and makes his way over to the kitchen. "Are you hungry?" he asks, trying to change the subject.

I let him. "A little. I just finished my work."

"Alright. I'll make you something!" he says, dashing to the refrigerator. It's been like this for the past couple of days; he visits and makes me something to eat, then we sit and chat for a while or watch TV. Somehow it feels like we've been doing this for years rather than just days and already he knows his way around my kitchen better than I ever have. I sit at the table and watch him slice up vegetables with a practiced hand until he notices me.

"What are you looking at?"

"Just observing you."

"Hmm," he replies, flushing a bit and going back to preparing the food.

It smells delicious. His cooking is better than any restaurant and it has the taste of "home," which I have never experienced. I come from a rich family, and as a child I was always served food cooked by our professional maids. Being in a setting like this is unusual for me, but I quite like it.

"Omurice," he says, setting the plate in front of me. He seats himself at the opposite end of the table and eyes me for a moment before staring out the window.

"You're not going to eat?" I ask.

"No," he replies. "I'm not hungry." His face is blank, like he's contemplating something deep, and although he makes an effort to conceal his worry I can see the pained creases of his face. I don't mention it though, because I know he'll just deny it. Not yet, at least.

I honestly wish he would just tell me what's troubling him. It feels like he's keeping a secret from me. Then an ugly thought crosses my mind— Is he with someone else?

I try to expel the thought. No, he wouldn't do that. He wouldn't accept my kisses and my confession like he did... but the idea lurks unbidden in the corner of my mind like a virus infecting my thoughts. Then again, that wasn't really acceptance, was it? that dark part of my mind speculates. He is telling you he doesn't want to be with you. He's trying to leave, so read between the lines.

"-san?" A worried voice pulls me back to reality and I am again met with glowing green orbs. "Usagi-san, are you alright?"

I bottle up my emotions as best as I can and realize that I've ceased eating for the past five minutes. I move my chopsticks again to cover my discomfort. "Yes, why?"

"You..." Misaki gulps in discomfort. "You looked scary for a moment there."

I remember again that there is no hiding anything from this boy. As someone who has kept secrets from his former beloved for so long, it's become a habit of mine to drift off into my own isolated thoughts. My interactions with this boy are so different from those with Takahiro that I sometimes feel like I am learning how to speak again. He's not Takahiro... I can just ask him, right?

"The truth is, I'm worried."

"About what? You can tell me anything, Usagi-san."

I know that, I think, smiling inwardly. "You."

That embarrassed pout covers his face. "What do you mean?"

I try to think of a more tactful way to ask, but none comes to mind so I say it bluntly. "Are you seeing someone right now?"

He blushes and looks away. "N-no."

A feeling of relief washes over me. "Hm... well, there's another thing troubling me a lot, actually," I mutter.

"What?"

I honestly don't know if I should tell him, or ask him what's on his mind when I already tried and he made it clear he doesn't want to tell me... would it be too much? I don't think he would take too kindly if I pried into whatever he doesn't want to tell me, and I feel like I've taken enough risks today. "...Never mind."

"Tell meee," he pouts again.

"It's nothing," I reply dismissively. He frowns but drops it, leaning back in his seat.

I don't know why I'm getting so worked up over what probably should be a trivial matter… but it's important to me, for some reason. I feel like if I could get him to rely on me a little, things would progress, and maybe he would look less distant and preoccupied. But I know I can't force things and I'm too insecure to put him in the position of having to tell me, because I don't know how he will react. So I keep my mouth shut about it, but I can't resist adding, "You know, if you ever have any problems, feel free to rely on me a little."

Then I realize I must've spaced out again because Misaki's head is on the table, his brown locks splayed out before him. He's asleep and his lips are slightly parted as he inhales and exhales gently. Like this, he looks like an angel, and I bend forward to kiss his forehead before lifting his body in my arms.

Holding him feels so good that all of my fears and insecurities are momentarily washed away as I carry his limp body up the stairs. He weighs next to nothing and it takes very little effort to bring him to my room. I have to put him in my bed, because my other rooms are filled with… bears, among other toys I've amassed over the years. I hear a phone ringing downstairs and I stroke Misaki's hair before closing the door behind me.

Misaki's phone is still ringing on the table when I reach it, and I see Takahiro's number and pick up. "Hello?"

"Hi! Is this Usagi?"

"Yes, it's me. Misaki's currently asleep. He looks really tired."

"That makes sense. He's been working a couple of part time jobs and I'm sure it's been a long day for him. Thanks for watching over him."

"It's no problem. I don't want to wake him though, since he could probably use the sleep. If it's okay with you, I'll let him sleep over tonight."

"That'd be great, actually! I have plans with Manami, and it would be nice to be able to have some alone time with her at home." I grimace a bit, but only a bit.

"That works out well, then. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks! Bye!"

I end the call and sigh, leaning back. What to do, what to do… I make my way up to my office and shut the door, pulling out a laptop to write.

It's around 11 o'clock when I hear footsteps outside my door and I close the screen of my laptop and exit. I'm greeted with the sight of Misaki ambling out of his room, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. His hair is tousled and his eyes are still hazy with sleep… and for some reason the image makes me slightly aroused.

"Misaki?" I ask.

"Hmm?" he mumbles. "Sorry… I fell asleep, didn't I? What time is it?"

"It's eleven right now." His eyes widen.

"Crap, I need to get home," he says, making his way down the stairs. I follow him until he reaches the bottom and I pull him into my arms, his back against my chest.

"No, stay," I whisper into his ear and he shivers in my grip.

"I need to get home to nii-chan, he's probably worried sick."

"It's okay. I already told him you're staying over tonight."

"I-what?" he asks, confused. "You did?"

"Yes, and don't bother thinking that it's inconvenient for either of us, because he said he could use some alone time with Manami," I say suggestively. I can't see his face, but I notice his ears redden.

"Oh," he mutters.

"So just stay here."

"I guess it's okay, then…" he says slowly, and I release him. "But where am I going to sleep?"

"In my bed," I answer immediately.

"No, I couldn't make you sleep on the couch!" Misaki protests. "I'm the one imposing, after all."

"Nobody's going to sleep on the couch," I smile mischievously. "We can share the bed."

His reaction is to back away as he futilely tries to hide his blush. "No! It's okay; I'll sleep on the couch!"

"Misaki," I sigh. "You are not sleeping on the couch."

"Then…"

"Stop this nonsense and come sleep with me."

"But…"

"Misaki. It's a king size bed, so there'll be plenty of room for the both of us."

He glares at me. "Promise you won't try anything stupid?"

I grin at him. "Hm, like what?"

"N-nothing. Just… keep your hands to yourself."

"Will do," I reply, happy that he has finally consented. Little steps.

hmm, I hope this chapter was okay. thanks for reading! drop a review if you have time. thanks :)