Nakamura Shungiku's characters.

(Ugh. It's morning. I really want to see him. Ritsu...it'd be nice to wake up with him in my arms and to be able to burrow my face into his neck...)

Ritsu woke up with his ears ringing and a throbbing headache.

(What time is it? 8 a.m. Why am I awak-oh stupid stomach. Breakfast...? Salad and some scrambled eggs maybe?... It's still way too early to be awake...I think I still have some cherry tomatoes at the back of the fridge...) A sleepy and low voice whined in Ritsu's head.

Ritsu roughly rubbed his eyes with his hands trying to figure out why it was so noisy and why he wasn't at home knocked out in his foyer or some other equally uncomfortable place in his house. Once he managed to peel his resisting and heavy eyelids open, he winced at the bright light streaming in. His features contorted into a grimace and then he realized he was in his house. In some uncomfortable place, his neck reminded him.

Ritsu lifted himself off the cool wood and pulled a paper, stuck to his face by some dried drool, off with some difficulty, hoping to every Shinto and Buddhist deity that it was not a manuscript that his saliva had ruined.

Luckily, Ritsu saved himself from being murdered by his boss. It was just bills and taxes; they continuously reminded him that because he was living on his own, he had to be a responsible adult, and he was definitely not coping well. Probably because he was a mangaka's editor...and he had the most wonderful neighbor next door. Really. Hands down. The most wonderful.

His eyes had finally adjusted and he slid his hand through his bed (or foyer) hair and yawned, realizing that the noise had quieted.

Where had the noise come from? It was probably some neighbor with his radio on too loud. Ritsu sighed. The walls weren't as soundproof as he had expected.

Now that he was awake, he realized he has a shitton of work to get to. The young man began his day making a list of what he had to do: he still had to check over Satou- sensei's revised script and check on Mutou-sensei's progress. There was also the matter of the dirty laundry littering his apartment floor. Not to mention the new manga he had bought to study. He also need to call his mom and...and...Ritsu blinked and scrunched his face up, drawing a complete blank. His mind felt heavy, lethargic, and then suddenly, a rush of noise flooded his mind. The sharp and screeching sounds filled with static made him wince, until they cleared into understandable words.

(And some toast for the toaster. I should probably read over some manuscripts while I wait...coffee first. A spoon of sugar and to mix.) The voice was crisper and more focused.

Ritsu felt slight amusement tinge his panic. Coffee first. Definitely. Rough drafts could unbelievably dull. Not to mention pouring over them repeatedly searching for any needed changes...and yet, the joy of watching the evolution of a writer and his or her story, Ritsu had felt no greater pleasure in his life before. Like a dizzying high that made him grin perpetually.

In his thoughts, the voice quieted and once Ritsu noticed it and remembered that he shouldn't be hearing voices in his head, he panicked.

He couldn't...be going insane could he?

No.

He...insane people didn't wonder if they were insane did they?

Wait. Wait.

Ritsu fumbled to organize his mind. He had woken up hearing static and a male voice. The voice had disappeared. It had then reappeared again.

He should've been shocked, but the voice felt familiar and soothing more than anything else.

No one else was in his apartment right?

At that thought, Ritsu's neck snapped to the sides quickly as he scanned the room. Maybe someone had left microphones...no one had been in his apartment recently and who would be interested in driving someone as dull as himself insane.

(Do I have any jam?)

Ritsu tried covering his ears.

(Butter...jam...nutella...powdered sugar...they're too far for me to get this early in the morning) The male voice held a hint of mirth in them.

The brunette's mind quieted again and then suddenly, he heard the tune of a low voice singing ('The only thing I've been wanting to convey and send to you is "I love you." It's not "What time is it?" or "How are you doing?" or any other casual talk.' Dammit. This song's stuck in my head. Is getting butter worth it? At least the tune's not too bad 'I've always been screaming "I love you." in my heart. I will send it to no one else but you, always." It'd be nice to try and drive Hatori up the wall if I sing it all day at work. Pop songs should be classified as plagues. "Only to you. ' ...It fits how I feel about him though. Onodera Ritsu...)

And with his name, Ritsu felt a flood of emotions. He suddenly recognized the voice, embarrassment galore as he realized he should've recognized it much earlier . Heat flooded his face and he knew he must be blushing furiously right now.

(It was nice. That one time he actually ate breakfast with me.) The warm words were accompanied by a sense of nostalgia and a desperate longing and desire. It leaked into his own emotions and Ritsu, with trepidation, had a hard time slowing the flutter of his heart.

Ritsu tried to shut it out. Although if it were real, it was an invasion of Takano-san's privacy not Ritsu's, but all the same, he was the one feeling unbelievably embarrassed. And he was pretty sure his ears and neck were burning to a crisp.

(Is he eating breakfast?) The voice was filled with warmth, concern, and slight mirth. It was his voice. It was Takano-san's voice. (No. He's probably lying unconscious snoring on a pile of manuscripts.) Ritsu turned indignant.

(I want to see him.) Those words weren't said exactly, but Ritsu could feel the emotions that implied it resonate through his body and he felt slight chills run under his skin, his emerald eyes growing wide. Pleasure and fear shot through his heart. This was not the time or place for that kind of reaction, Ritsu reminded himself.

"S-shut up! I'm just hearing voices. I'm just. Shut up shut up shut up." Ritsu whispered in flustered irritation under his breath.

Oh crap. Oh crap. He clutched the ends of his sleeves, chanting a plea to make it stop. Still, the weight of emotions trickled into his body as they crept into his thoughts and made his skin tingle with the memory of faint caresses and soft kisses. The tickle of soft black hair along his skin. The smooth skin and the curves of the muscles under his hands. His faint smile that made his eyes crinkle.

He...he couldn't be going insane. But there was no other explanation.

Yet a little part of him hoped that it was real. Desperately.

The brown haired man scrambled to stand up, feeling embarrassed for letting even a little part of himself think that, and then slid on the scattered papers, hitting his head. Ow.

(That noise. Is that idiot doing something stupid again?) His voice, low, smooth, with a rough edge to it...like he had just...just...had s-se...

Ritsu blushed, rubbing the crown of his head. He quickly gathered his papers in his arms and placed them onto the coffee table in a messy pile after pushing off the junk dwelling there. Right. He added cleaning to his list.

Could Takano-san really hear through the walls of the apartment that well?

Ritsu was definitely going insane.

Takano-san's voice was clearer this time. (He's probably alright, but...jeez, this is embarrassing, worrying over a little noise...it's nothing compared to how loudly he can yell when he's pissed.) The concern washed over Ritsu and one of his eyes twitched.

He was insane. He was definitely insane.

He didn't want the alternative.

But if this was his form of insanity, did that mean he was that despera-NOPE

No.

He was just insane because his nagging boss bothered him way too much, way too often.

(I want to see him) Love, desire, admiration, anguish, yearning, bitter nostalgia, love, Love, LOVE.

Ritsu's already palpitating heart felt like it was about to leap from his mouth; the conveyed emotions had Ritsu swallowing a lump in his throat as his eyes stung. He swallowed, biting his lip, trying to ignore the transferred emotions. Right. He moved from his rigid position to go wash his face and slap himself awake- at this point he'd be willing to stab himself awake. With a fork too. Or even a spoon.

He rushed to the bathroom, his bare feet sliding a little against the smooth floor, checking his hands to make sure it wasn't a dream. He had heard that in dreams complex images such as hands weren't replicated very well. He had five fingers on a very normal looking hand. He glared at his reflection in his mirror with rebellion and then splashed water on his face, relishing the cool touch of water on his heated face.

At least he wasn't seeing things. That thought didn't comfort him very much though.

(I want to touch him.) Takano-san's -supposed Takano-san's- memories of a slim body wrapped in his arms mingled with Ritsu's own of strong arms squeezing him in a warm, raw, and constricting but gentle embrace.

And Ritsu collapsed on the floor leaning against the sink as blood began rushing down to another place. He slide down the bathroom counter and flinched slightly at the touch of icy tile. The thought was brimming with memories of pleasure and desire. He fingered the foot towel and balled his hands into fists.

(I want to kiss his lips, tug on his soft pink lips until he lets out a moan, so I can slip my tongue in and ravish his mouth until he's about to collapse.)

Ritsu's green eyes were huge, glazed over, as he shivered in pleasure at the low voice seeming to surround him. He could feel the ghost of fingers sliding along his skin, drawing little circles along his hip. He could feel the warmth and safety of being in another person's arms. The momentary oblivion and contentment it offered where each slight movement from Takano-san would leave echoes in him. He crossed his legs, trying to ignore his obvious arousal.

Then he doubled over at the impact of the...other... thoughts searing through his mind. It was as if Takano-san was next to him now, his arms around Ritsu, whispering these thoughts, but worse. Much, much worse.

(I want to feel his warmth...maybe I could time it right so that we have to go to work together...he'd probably start screaming again though...he doesn't have high blood pressure does he?)

Even while shuddering in pleasure, Ritsu blushed and couldn't help but let out a little insulted chuckle. So Takano-san had done these types of things on purpose.

And Ritsu realized he had come to believe that it was actually Takano-san's thoughts in his head so easily. The brown haired man colored pink at how much he realized he wanted it to be. He wanted Takano-san to be thinking about hi-NOPE

Ritsu shoved his desire down and then figured he should check whether he needed to make an appointment with a psychiatrist or not. He needed to focus. He had to go to work today. Work. Work. Shoujo manga. Love GODAMMIT. Work. Work. Manuscripts. Approval. His BOS-GODAMMIT. This wasn't working. He reached into his jeans pocket and braced himself, trying to find some mental fortitude as he called his boss.

One deep breath.

Two deep brea-NOPE.

He couldn't do it.

Okay. Again.

On three.

One.

Two.

Three.

...

Four

Five

He cou-Ritsu forced himself to click the call button.

"Hello? Onodera?" Ritsu barely contained a squeak of fear at the sound of the voice at the other end.

(He's...shit. It's actually him calling me. Must be Christmas already.)

"Ah...Takano-san." Ritsu's voice cracked as he heard Takano-san's thought reverberate in his mind.

"Yes? Is this a booty call? Or did you just want to hear my voice first thing when you woke up"?" (Is he alright? He couldn't be sick could he? He wouldn't take a day off unless he was dying and if he was dying, he wouldn't exactly be able to call. He really needs to learn how to take care of himself. Wonder if he'd ever let me nurse him...he'd probably freak if I joked about cosplaying in a nurse costume...)

Oh the irony. Takano-san's voice was what woke him up. And yes, yes, Ritsu would freak. He didn't even want to picture that...not that he would not want to spread pictures of it at work, but the older man somehow always managed to play these things to his advantage.

"No! Damm-Takano-san...I-"

"Or to confess your love?" (He's seems a bit agitated. Then again, he's usually wound up pretty tight. He needs a couples beers. More like a dozen and 24/7 masseur to get him to relax.)

Ritsu mentally groaned. Did he even have to take these insults from Takano-san?

"Just-what are you eating for breakfast right now?"

(Is he...is he flirting with me?!)

"No, Takano-san, I am not flirting with you." Ritsu slipped in a fit of anger. He grit his teeth, letting out a visible sigh from frustration tinged with agitation.

"I didn't say you were. You're the one that mentioned anything about flirting."

"Just answer the question!"

"Fine. Some toast-which just finished toasting-, salad with cherry tomatoes, scrambled eggs, coffee with sugar, some manuscripts, and hopefully a side of Onodera Ritsu."

"...NO. Can't you be serious for one moment?" But that was a considerably generic breakfast. It was possible that it was a coincidence. Right now. Ritsu couldn't really take wondering if it was or wasn't.

"Can't you relax for just one moment?"

"Yes! Yes, I can. Okay, what color shirt are you wearing right now?" The brown-haired man dug his short nails into his skin, trying to ignore the fluttering of his heart.

"Is this phone sex?"

Ritsu choked on his own saliva and his voice rose a pitch or two in incredulity. "...that, under no circumstances would ever happen between us."

(He's acting weird...he isn't actually drunk or anything is he..? What color is my shirt? Huh. Gray. Might as well say-) "Alright, stop being such a prude. It's the color of your blush when you stare at me during work."

Shit. This was real.

At least now he had confirmed that Takano-san riled him up on purpose.

"I do not stare at you during work. Stop being so childish. Now thank you for answering my questions. Goodbye, Takano-san."

"Wai-" Ritsu hung up.

And then realized the voice had disappeared again only to come back the moment his thoughts slowed down.

(What did he call for? -I want to hug him- 'The only thing I've been wanting to convey and send to you is "I love you." It's not "What time is it?" or "How are you doing?" or any other casual talk' And it's still stuck in my head. Did he want breakfast or something? I wonder how badly he'd take it if I brought some over?)

Ritsu's stomach grumbled. "Not that badly" Ritsu thought as he forlornly recalled his empty fridge and cupboards.

And then suddenly RItsu realized that something had been off. The voice in his head and Takano-san's voices were different. The voice in his head was lower, smoother...sexi-they were different was his point...then he burst out into a fit of giggles, his face finally turning red for a different reason as he struggled to breathe.

Takano-san thought his own voice sounded like that. Ritsu snorted in disbelief. Egoist. Idiot.

How could Ritsu possibly stop himself from poking fun at Takano-san with this new information he was gathering?

Suddenly he paled. Then what did his own voice sound like when he spoke. He must sound like a screeching chipmunk. He covered his face with his palms in embarrassment letting out a groan of horror. And-and his voice dur-during se-during strenuous physical activity that required the presence of another person must sound absolutely horrifying.

Ohmygod. What did Takano-san think about that? He now obviously had to become a deaf mute and move to an isolated isla-Ritsu suddenly thought that maybe if he was distant enough away from Takano-san he wouldn't hear his thoughts...was this actually happening? Would it ever go away? One of his eyes twitched. It had better.

But there was so much he use to make fun of Takano-san with.

But it was unethical.

But it would be so goddamn much fun.

(I love him) Takano-san's thought was a whisper among Ritsu's other thoughts, but it seemed to silence everything else.

Ritsu blinked. And then slid down lower onto the ground, thinking that he needed to find a corner to crawl into and pretend that he was a turtle or a snail or-or...a dead corpse would work too. Because at this rate, his heart would end up bursting out of his chest anyway.

Takano Masamune stared at Onodera Ritsu. Blatantly. (To the chagrin of the other party.) His gold eyes bore into the younger man in confusion, curiosity and plain disbelief.

Today, so far, the younger man, besides the random odd phone call -which Takano-san had tried to get the reason for out of Ritsu, but had failed- had been oddly quiet, barely responding to his harassment and come-ons.

The only thing I've been wanting to convey and send to you is "I love you." It's not "What time is it?" or "How are you doing?" or any other casual talk.

He saw a silent flinch from Ritsu as he finished the thought and the younger man suddenly stood up, walking woodenly out of the department.

The raven haired man crossed his legs and rested them on his clutter table and while he grabbed another manuscript.

'I've always been screaming "I love you." in my heart. I will send it to no one else but you, always.

Not to mention, the younger man had done everything almost robotically well and had completed tasks before Takano-san had even mentioned it. He would say that the younger man was at the top of his game or something, but Ritsu had crashed into a grand total of seven people, three walls, and almost a car in the three hours Takano-san had seen him so far today. He must've set a record for himself.

"Only to you. ' The only thing I've been wanting to convey and send to you is "I love you." It's not "What time is it?" or "How are you doing?" or any other casual talk

It was...worrying...somewhat hilarious, of course, but worrying all the same.

Suddenly Ritsu ran back to his seat out of breath and he peeked up at Takano-san. His green eyes flickered with an emotion that Takano-san couldn't identify. Strange. Usually the younger man didn't acknowledge his presence unless necessary. He blushed before turning back to his work. Takano-san's brown eyes lingered as he watched the way Ritsu's hair fell to cover his slight blush and the curve of his neck, his slender arms and fingers...

Biting the back of his pen, Takano-san stifled a slight smile.

Today...was turning out to be extremely odd, but...it had potential.

The only thing I've been wanting to convey and send to you is "I love you." It's not "What time is it?" or "How are you doing?" or any other casual talk. I've always been screaming "I love you." in my heart.