After Takafumi shut the door he tried to usher me back to bed, completely brushing off the bit of drama that had just happened on my own doorstep.

I hadn't talked to Takafumi about the whole 'Onodera is mine' situation as of yet, but now a talk was seeming inevitable.

It wasn't a far-fetched scenario. I could definitely imagine Takafumi making such a declaration. I was no stranger to Takafumi's slightly overbearing and protective ways, but I thought he and I were both past that brief time of romance. Besides, he was also a really good friend of mine, maybe even my best friend, and I'd much rather avoid this situation all together to prevent complicating things. I wasn't exactly the best when it came to confrontation. But after that little display it seemed things were already confrontational all on their own.

I held back a frustrated groan, sitting on my couch and ignoring Takafumi as he insisted that I go lay down. It was obvious that letting the situation blow over wasn't an option like I so wished it to be. Masamune and Takafumi were both stubborn, short-tempered men and having them work things out on their own would probably not end well.

"Can you sit for a second?" I asked him. He raised an eyebrow at me, but sighed and didn't deny my request. "We need to talk."

"Can't it wait until you're feeling better?" He replied and I shrugged a bit.

"Probably, but by then I don't think I'll have the nerve to talk about it." My scratchy voice made my ears want to curl up and my throat was protesting every word but I was determined at this point.

Takafumi merely watched me for a few moments, probably hoping I would change my mind, but he had no such luck as he gave up with a sigh.

"Alright. Let's talk."

"Uh-its-Masamune. I want to talk to you about Masamune." I managed to croak out.

He rolled his eyed and shook his head in what seemed to be disappointment. "Saw that one coming from a mile away. Since when are you on a first name basis with him?"

I feel my face flush a little and I shake my head. "That isn't the point!" I said almost too quickly.

"What's there to talk about?" He asked.

I can feel my frustrations rising as my friend feigns ignorance.

"Listen, I know how you are, you like to get all mother bear sometimes-"

"Oi-!"

"But is there more to it than just being a protective friend?" I ask before he can complain about the little nickname. "I thought...I thought we had set that part of our past aside. I told you I wanted to be friends, but just friends and I thought we were on the same page. Was I wrong?"

He paused, pursing his lips and clearly considering his next response, but his silence was answer enough.

"Takano hurt you and I'm not going to let him do it again."

"You didn't answer my question." I pointed out, not that he really had to. "Besides, you don't have to worry about that! I'm not some child, I can take care of myself. I'm not as fragile as you think I am." I gave an exasperated sigh, wondering if there would ever be a day when Takafumi didn't see me as a glass waiting to be shattered. "You've done a lot for me, Takafumi, which I am eternally grateful for, but...I love Masamune. I always have. I'm sure that isn't what you want to hear, but-"

"So there's nothing I can do to change your mind? You're going to pursue this no matter how bad of an idea it is?" He asked, struggling to hide his rising emotions. I admittedly felt guilty for putting a good friend through this, for hurting him when he had done nothing but help me, but I couldn't force myself to feel the way he wanted me to.

"I am truly sorry, but-" I began apologizing, but Takafumi interrupted me before I could continue.

"You don't have to apologize, Ritsu." He said, accustomed to my frequent 'sorry's and 'please forgive me's and was probably tired of them at this point. "But what will you do if he does hurt you again? If he just...picks up everything and disappears again?"

"I'll deal with it." I answered, though my version of 'dealing with it's would probably be tracking Masamune down and clinging on to him, refusing to allow him to vanish.

"Tch, don't try to sound so tough. It doesn't suit you." His tone held a familiar hint of teasing, one that made me let out a little breath of relief.

"Shut up." I replied easily. "But...are we finally on the same page, Takafumi? You're very important to me and I don't want this to affect our friendship, but-"

"And what about what just happened?" He reminded me. "You heard him with your own ears. I don't want to burst your bubble Ritsu, but he clearly stated that he doesn't have any romantic feelings for you and just sees this whole thing as a huge pain! Why throw your all at someone who doesn't even want it?" Takafumi questioned and I frowned because I didn't have an answer.

"I...I think I can change his mind..." I offered weakly. Takafumi merely tsked.

"You're gonna get hurt that way Ritsu. Takano doesn't seem like the kind of man whose mind is easily changed."

"Well you two should just get along great then, you both have that in common." I said a little snippy like.

"Oh, really? I'm not the one pursuing a lover from ten years ago. I'd say you're more like him when it comes to stubborness." He retorted and I bit the inside of my cheeks.

He sighed, letting his head tip back to rest on the couch. "Please, just get some rest. Don't stress yourself out over this, it won't help your health." He said, his way of saying the conversation was over and somehow I could tell we still weren't eye to eye on the situation.

"Yes mother." I grumbled, standing up from the couch and starting to make my way back toward my bedroom, the bag Masamune had brought catching my eye as it sat on the floor by Takafumi's feet.

A huge pain eh?

Who brings medicine to someone they feel is a pain?

It was a little thread of hope, but it was mine.

I felt as if Masamune and I had finally gotten into something comfortable, a routine of sorts with teasing banter and casual conversation and if I was ever brave enough at times I'd try to flirt but in the end I would end up a blushing mess and back out. It felt like we had been making progress.

But, at the same time, maybe I had read everything the wrong way. Maybe it really was just because I was his boss and he didn't want to get on my bad side by completely rejecting me.

With a sigh I laid down and hugged my pillow, enjoying the coolness of it against my warm cheek and thought of what Masamune might be doing next door as I slowly drifted to sleep.

(A/N: for those of you who enjoy the yokozawa drama, dont worry, I dont plan on having him completely back down yet after this little conversation)