This is a chapter about what happened before and at the party.

"Why do I have to go?" Misaki glared at Isaka who was obviously tricking him... again.

Isaka just smiled at him. "Because he won't go if you don't."

'Seriously? Usagi-san won't go if I don't?' "Fine. But only until he finishes his speech and then we leave!"

"Yeah, yeah. Usami does his speech then you two can leave and make out somewhere. Whatever." Isaka turned away, still smiling.

'I'm going to kill him!' Misaki glared as he pulled his blue suit out of his closet. "If you don't mind, I would like to change." The senior managing producer just gave a wave of his hand as he walked out, closing the door behind him to give the boy some privacy. "Finally..." he began pulling his shirt over his head until his door slammed open.

"Misaki-kun!" Aikawa shouted with happiness. "I'm so glad you're coming!"

"I'm only going so Usagi-san will go! Now will you please let me change in peace?!" Misaki grit angrily. 'God damn it. I'm never gonna get any privacy with Isaka and Aikawa here!' Aikawa quickly left the room, leaving him alone again. Sighing, Misaki continued changing. "Geez, I swear next time I'm not going to a party! Even if they beg and end up on their hands and knees I still won't go!" He pulled the blue jacket on just as Akihiko opened the door.

"Ready?" Misaki turned and stared at him. The author was leaning in the doorway, looking as dashing as ever.
A light blush spreading across his cheeks, he replied nervously. "Y-yeah. Let's go. Isaka-san said we can leave after your speech." He smirked up at Usagi. "But I don't think Aikawa will let you go so easy." Misaki started stepping out of the room until Usagi's soft voice reached him.

"We have a problem." The author stared down at him.

"What is it?" He looked up at him with confusion written on his face.

Sighing, Akihiko ran a hand through his silver hair. "Haruhiko. He's going to be there."

"What?! Why?" Misaki panicked. The author just shook his head, not knowing the reason, before walking up to his lover. "You always seem to screw up your tie." He lightly smiled as he took hold of the black cloth and the boy blushed with embarrassment.

As Misaki watched Akihiko for the second time fixing his tie, he thought of a comeback. It wasn't the best one ever but he didn't think before saying it. "Says the guy who can't even make instant coffee without burning himself..." He glared and looked away before noticing Aikawa staring at the two of them with stars in her eyes.

"SO CUTE!" The editor squealed causing Akihiko to slightly glare and Misaki turn a dark shade of red. "You two make the cutest couple, you know that?"

Misaki just hopelessly smiled at her as Usagi straightened his tie before answering. "Can we get this night over?"

'Yes, let's get this night over with, please?' Misaki continued smiling as he made his way towards the front door, seeing the senior managing producer next to it looking at the floor, his somewhat dark brown hair nearly covering the man's blue eyes and his usual smile, a frown. Misaki wanted to say something to him but saw how lost in his thoughts he was.

'I can't help thinking about Asahina and Haruhiko's harsh words to him. Why would Haruhiko, practically my only friend, tell Asahina, my lover, that he had to stop 'bothering' me? Asahina has never bothered me so what would make Haruhiko think he is? He's my secretary for one, plus he's always there to comfort me even if I yell at him.' He shook his head lightly to rid himself of the plaguing thoughts and focus more on the situation at hand. "But if I am bothering him, why won't he say something about it?" Looking up, he saw Misaki staring at him with bright and concerned eyes.

"I'm sure he doesn't want to bother you when you're busy, Isaka-san." Misaki tried giving his boss a reassuring smile though it was plain to see he felt sorry for the senior managing director. Thinking of a way to help him, the brunette stood on his tiptoes, knowing his lover and Aikawa were watching. "To be honest, I think I bother Usagi-san sometimes." He whispered sadly, shocking the older man. "But he never says anything to me about it so I try to leave him alone when he's working. Unfortunately, Usagi abandons his work half the time to spend time with me. Maybe Asahina wants to do the same with you?"

Isaka looked up at his best friend's brother curiously. "Maybe... Anyway, let's get going. I'm sure we've kept everyone waiting long enough." He turned away from everyone, keeping Misaki's words in mind as the others followed him out the door.

Akihiko had seen the shocked expression on Isaka's face when Misaki had whispered something to him. 'What did he say to him?' He thought curiously as they all climbed into the back of a black limo. Sitting next to his green-eyed lover, the author looked out the window, and tried to get lost in thought as Isaka kept speaking nonsense to him. He couldn't help but begin thinking what Haruhiko was going to end up doing. Was his half-brother going to try to make a fool of him? Was he going to try and take Misaki away from him? Akihiko never really knew what was going through his brother's mind at times of extreme stupidity. 'Misaki already told him he loves me so when will he quit this stupid charade and give up?'
The silver haired man felt someone poking him in the shoulder. He knew it wasn't Aikawa. She would be yelling at him if he wasn't listening to her. And it wasn't Misaki either. The kid was never really into teasing him. So Akihiko could only assume that it had been Isaka who was currently poking him. Sighing, the author turned his head from window to stare at the senior managing director. "What do you want Isaka-san?"

Removing his finger from the man's shoulder, Isaka continued smiling even as he spoke. "We're here, Usami-san." The smile widened when the door was opened and cameras began flashing in Akihiko's face and the loud voices of reporters entering his ears. Receiving a slight, encouraging nod from Misaki, he sighed and stepped out, a forced smile on his face that looked so real. He knew it bothered the boy a bit but it was his job so he couldn't really help it. He hated going to these parties because he had to interact with other people and most of those people he disliked. Sighing lightly, knowing Misaki would be close behind, the author began heading into the huge building, ignoring all the voices that annoyed him and that was every single one.

Misaki, however, still couldn't get a grip on the flashing lights and the loud voices coming from both sides of him. It made him want to cringe and squeeze his eyes shut tight but he didn't dare. He felt like if he did, he would embarrass Usagi and he didn't want that so all he could do was pick up his pace until he was safely and calmly inside. Taking a deep breath, the brunette relaxed for a moment, glad to be away from the noise and cameras, before freezing when he realized he was alone. 'How did I end up by myself!? I have to find - !' A hand on his shoulder made him slightly jump before turning to face the culprit.
"Usagi-san!" He could feel his eyes swelling up with small tears. Misaki wanted to hug the author, knowing that he wouldn't have to worry anymore about being scared of being alone. He stared up into a pair of shining, violet eyes that stared into his green ones, causing him to blush and look away nervously as butterflies filled his stomach.

"I started to worry when I realized you weren't close to me," said Akihiko, "so I thought I'd search for you. Isaka and Aikawa went on ahead. We should catch up so I can get this speech over with then go home." He smiled and began leading his small lover towards the elevator, a hand on Misaki's upper back as they walked in comfortable silence.

But the silence didn't last even for a minute. Misaki stopped when he saw someone out of the corner of his left eye. He noticed how stiff they were walking, how the man calmly brought his somewhat large hand up to push his black-rimmed glasses up to keep them on right. And those dark brown - almost black - eyes... it was like they were watching the brunette closely. Green eyes widening in fear, he grew cold as the man grew closer. He didn't like this kind of cold because he knew it wasn't the safe and arousing cold that Usagi's body had. 'Haruhiko...' He took a step back only to bump into Usagi's chest, feeling arms beginning to wrap around his chest and pull him into a protective and territorial hug.

Akihiko was not happy at seeing his half-brother so soon. He didn't want the bastard here but he supposed it was unavoidable no matter what. The silver-haired man grimaced when he stopped right in front of him and his lover. "What do you want Haruhiko? Misaki and I have somewhere to be." He tightened his hold on the boy in his arms, making sure his brother didn't try and "steal" him away like the last few times.

Glaring slightly at the man in front of him, Haruhiko gently pushed back a few strands of dark brown hair from the side of his face. "I'm only here on father's orders. For some reason," he said, not looking down at Misaki, "he wants to have lunch with you and Misaki. Tomorrow." He knew how much Misaki was afraid of their father and why Akihiko hated the man. He, himself, hated their father but he dealt with it. Seeing the pissed look cross his silver haired brother's face, he said "Father also wants to speak with - ."

"Akihiko!" A very recognizable woman's pierced all three men's ears as the sound of heels became louder as she neared them. The author groaned irritably and bowed his head. Misaki just clutched tightly onto his lover's wrist while desperately wishing they were back at the apartment complex 'relaxing' in the bedroom, away from Haruhiko.
"Everyone's waiting for you to give your speech!" Aikawa grabbed Akihiko by the back of his white collar and began dragging him backwards, having to hold on to Misaki's left hand as the brunette was also dragged along. "Now, Akihiko, smile politely when you're asked a question..." But the man wasn't even listening. He was too focused on the annoyance following him and Misaki.

Akihiko Usami continued glaring at his brother as the man went on following them down the off-white colored hall and towards the elevator. He was about to open his mouth but was quickly jerked back by Aikawa, nearly causing him to fall and take Misaki down with him but he quickly caught his footing, pulling the brunette farther from his brother. "We are not done talking Akihiko." Haruhiko kept up his pace, pushing up his glasses once again. The author could feel his editor quickening her pace as she kept a tight hold on him. Not wanting to nearly fall again due to Aikawa, he finally brought his hand up and took hold of her wrist. The woman was too busy trying not to be late that when Akihiko pulled her wrist from his collar, she didn't even realize nothing was in her hand as she continued speed walking to the elevator.
Stopping for only a moment to turn around so he could actually walk normally, Akihiko said to the vice president of the Usami Company "Tell him that I'll be busy tomorrow. And so is Misaki."

"Usagi-san! If we don't hurry, we won't be able to leave!" Misaki began desperately pulling on his lover's sleeve, not even caring if Aikawa came for them. He just really wanted to be away from Haruhiko. He knew the guy was in love with him but they barely knew each other. Plus, Misaki only had feelings for Akihiko and knew a lot more about him since he opened up a little last year. Haruhiko, Misaki guessed, just wanted to be loved in return by someone. But couldn't the man get it through his head already that Misaki didn't love him or even want to be with him? In all honesty, the Usami Co. vice president actually scared him just as much as Fuyuhiko Usami did.

Noticing the agonized look upon the brunette's face, Akihiko frowned slightly and quickly decided it was time to get the party over with. Still holding Misaki's wrist, he began heading towards the elevator, ignoring his brother and not caring if he was scolded by his editor. He just wanted to go home. 'If I wasn't a writer and Misaki never had a job, we could stay in the bedroom.' But Misaki was easily embarrassed so there wasn't really any way that would ever happen. He smirked before remembering what he had to do in a few minutes. "Misaki."

Hearing his name, the green eyed boy looked up at the taller man who still held onto him as they approached the elevators. "Yes, Usagi-san?" Seeing his lover raise his hand to the up button but not push it, Misaki called him again, finally getting his attention.

Looking down at him, Akihiko stared at him a few seconds before lowering his hand and asking a simple question. "Do you still want to attend this party?"

He deadpanned at the question before responding by standing on his tiptoes so he was in his lover's face. "I may not fit in and I was totally tricked into coming but wherever you go, I go." He lowered himself back down and sighed. "I don't always like going to these kinds of things because I stick out but I deal with it for your sake. I'm just scared, y'know?" He clenched his fists tightly at his side. "Your brother is just as scary as your father and I've never been able to lie to you whenever they show up out of nowhere and start asking things from me. I would like to go home," He unclenched a fist and lightly held on to Usagi's hand. "But I can't yet. Not until you do your speech. I promise I'll stay away from him." He was immediately pulled into a tight hug that shocked him.

"Misaki," Akihiko spoke softly as he hit the up button and quickly re-wrapped the arm around the boy. "I don't want you going for my sake. I only want you there if you're going to be happy while you're there. You don't need to promise anything to me. I know you don't mean to hurt me when you get involved with my family. I just get pissed because they're using you to get to me." His words seemed to calm Misaki down because the boy relaxed and leaned into his chest. Hearing the elevator doors open, he pulled the brunette inside.

The green eyed boy had leaned in not because his lover's words were calming. No. The words the silver haired man had spoken had actually hurt a little and not wanting Akihiko to see that they did, made him put his weight onto the strong author. 'I won't cry. Not here. I can't cry. I know Usagi-san wanted to help me calm down and a little of what he said helped but him now knowing I don't feel comfortable here, hurts a bit too. I mean, I'm only here for Usagi so why should I care that I don't fit in?' Finally having the strength to stand on his own, he pushed off gently and mumbled to himself, knowing Usagi wouldn't hear, "I will love you for a thousand years..." He smiled lightly for actually saying it out loud though the man beside him didn't hear.

The doors opened before Akihiko could ask him why was he smiling. Stepping out with Misaki in tow, he evened out his navy blue suit and Misaki did the same thing before asking a simple question. "Should I stay here by the elevator?" Seeing how curious Usagi had become, he began explaining the reason for the question. "Well, after your speech, it would just be better if I stood by the elevator so that way we could probably leave faster. Plus, I don't want to talk to anyone here."

Lightly ruffling Misaki's brown hair, he told him it would be okay to stay close to the exit. "I should be done with my speech in less than a half hour. Aikawa wrote it this time and I have to read every word she wrote." Akihiko stared at the boy a little longer before walking quickly to the podium that stood tall above everyone, making it seem as if it gave off a radiant shine to the somewhat dull room.

Misaki stood patiently in the back of the large ballroom, looking around and feeling a bit glad no one was paying any attention to him. The walls were a dark red while the ceiling was more of a cream color and from what he could see, there weren't any windows in the room. It felt a little gloomy but the light from the large chandeliers above helped. Nervously, he leaned back against the wall, his mind going back to Haruhiko. "I hope he didn't decide to follow us up." He whispered, grasping his right arm tightly until he saw a female guest pointing her finger straight towards someone. Following it, he saw Haruhiko heading his way. Without thinking, he left his spot and went in search for something to drink. Feeling someone tap on his shoulder a minute later, he whirled around to face a servant or whatever carrying a tray of large glasses of white wine. Grabbing one without asking, the brunette began chugging it, feeling the bitterness of the liquid go down his throat. He felt Usagi watching him as he said his extremely long speech but he didn't care. He just wanted to be away from Haruhiko for good and never see him again. There wasn't much alcohol in the large glass of white wine so he grabbed another.

Haruhiko spotted the one he was searching for again and began cautiously moving towards him seeing that the boy was already on his second glass. He didn't know if Misaki was a lightweight or not but he still made his way to him, wanting to desperately speak to him. 'I want to tell him sorry for everything I've done to him.' He was a few feet away when he noticed the brunette looked off. Pausing in mid step, he carefully examined him. Misaki seemed unsteady on his feet and the boy was just staring at him, holding onto an empty glass that was once filled with wine, unlike before...

Misaki felt wobbly and his vision was blurry. He could see all different kinds of colors ranging from black to grey to red to blue to white and green. The color that caught his eye the most though was black and through the color was someone that looked familiar. 'Usagi-san?' He took a shaky step forward, stopping for a second to make sure he didn't fall over before continuing onward.

Akihiko had quickly finished his speech so he could get his lover out of this dreadful place as he watched him grab a few drinks. He had watched him closely during the entire speech and when Misaki had left his spot near the elevator, he knew something was wrong so he had to rush through his speech a little which caused Aikawa to glare at him and some of the guests to just look at him questionably. Hurrying off the stage to reach his Misaki, he noticed his brother close to him. 'Is this why Misaki left his spot? Because he saw Haruhiko?' The somewhat emotionless author was pissed at his brother for approaching his lover while the boy was drinking. Pushing through famous musicians and writers who tried speaking to him, he finally reached the two and was about to grab his brother until Misaki spoke.

"I love you." Misaki laughed at a now wide-eyed Haruhiko. Nearly stumbling over his own feet until he was held in someone's arms. He struggled a bit but stopped when he knew he wasn't going to escape. His vision felt blurrier by the time he stood still.

Sighing, Haruhiko just stared at the drunken Misaki. "Akihiko," his brother glared up at him. "He's obviously drunk so he doesn't know what he's talking about." The silver haired man went to open his mouth to say something but was cut off when the boy in his arms shoved him away. Seeing that Misaki was getting closer to him, the vice president took a step back, fear evident in his dark eyes. He didn't know why he was scared of Misaki.

Seeing his brother step back, Akihiko quickly grabbed Misaki's right arm and tried pulling him toward the elevator. But the boy shrugged him off and ran at Haruhiko who stood frozen until... "Misaki..." he watched as the brunette he loved so much, kissed his brother. It seemed that both brothers were in shock as Haruhiko didn't move a muscle until the soft lips had finally left his. After pushing Misaki away, it became quiet. The boy stiffened and just stared with large green eyes until the author saw tears streaming down his face. Feeling hurt, angry, and upset, he quickly did something he never thought he'd ever have to do to him - he knocked him out, catching him in his arms before the boy hit the floor.

Haruhiko quickly wiped his mouth, trying to get the disgusting taste of alcohol off his lips. "You should hurry and get him home. I'm sorry if I caused anything to hurt you." He bowed and watched as his brother left, taking Misaki with him bridal style.