NO, THAT'S WRONG! ~~Naegami~~

Chapter 18: It's All Clear Now

   "What's wrong, Father? I haven't done something wrong, have I? I'm sorry." Byakuya said, and then felt a searing pain on his cheek. He stumbled back, clutching his burning face whilst tears of pain stung his eyes.

   "Do not talk back to me. I did not ask you a question, so you do not speak. Do you understand?" His father demanded. Byakuya only nodded. If only he could have held his tongue. "Now, I called you here to discuss your future. As you know, you outwitted all of your siblings and have earned the title of my heir. So, suffice it to say, I was completely shocked and appalled to see you spending time with that... commoner. Didn't I tell you to stay away from the 99%? They won't do you any good, child."

   "He has a name, Father." Byakuya said, but immediately regretted it as he saw the thunderous expression that formed on his father's face.

   "Do not talk back to me. This impertinence will not be tolerated anymore, do you hear me? And don't think I'm blind, either. I know he's more than just your friend. What disgrace you bring to your name. A Togami man? Romantically... engaged with another man? It's despicable. It makes my stomach turn." His father grabbed Byakuya's hand, and slammed it down onto the desk, causing fresh tears to spring up in his eyes.

   "Ow! Father, please!" He begged. "You're hurting me!"

   "You're hurting yourself by spending time with that boy! Your future, do you really give it so little value? This is not how a Togami acts. I will not release you until you tell me."

   "T-tell you what?" Byakuya asked, his voice choked and full of tears.

   "Tell me that you are a Togami, and that you'll never talk to that boy again." His father replied, pressing his hand against the cold wood of the desk, causing the bones to scrape against each other.

   "I am a Togami, and...." Byakuya faltered, but the pain forced his mouth open. "And I'll never talk to that boy again."

***

Byakuya kissed him. That in itself hardly made sense to Makoto, he couldn't believe it. But he was forced to, thanks to the soft lips currently pressed against his own. It warmed him from the inside out, and sent shivers down his spine. It made him want to shout and sing, yet stopped him from speaking. It was right and it was wrong, and it was hot and it was cold, and it was light and it was dark, and it was perfect.

   Soon, all too soon, the blonde pulled away, a light dusting of pink on his cheeks, and lips in a small 'o', as if he had surprised even himself. Makoto really wanted to kiss those lips again.

   "Well, um, that's that, then." He said, for once being unsure of what to say. Makoto just smiled sweetly back at him.

   "Yes. I suppose so. Let's get onto this project then." Byakuya turned to him sharply.

   "That's it? You're not going to... say anything about it? You're not even going to tell me if you feel the same way?" He demanded.

   "Eh. I'm undecided. Y'know, if you keep blathering on about it, I definitely won't like you." The brunette replied with a smile. "So are we going to do this project or not?" Makoto was shocked that he could remain so calm at a time like this, but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He got to tease Byakuya, instead of the other way around.

   "Y-you. You little bastard. Fine, let's get on with it then." He said, leaning over to grab a piece of paper. Makoto just watched him try to compose himself. It really was adorable. He thought he'd let him hang for a while. It was only fair, what with how Byakuya had acted. The blonde caught him staring, and looked slightly put out.

   "What is it?"

   "Oh, nothing. Don't worry yourself about it."

Word count without A/N: 2036

A/N: WHAAAAAATTTT IS UPPPP MY FRIENDS???!! Yeah, I knowwww. Updating twice in three dayssss?? Idkkkk I guess I justttt felt badddd and I, surprisinglyyyy, had loaaaaadssss of motivationnn these past couple dayssss. It's a shammeeee I uploaded on the two dayssss either side of Valentine's Day thoughhhh, but it can't be helpedddddd. This wasssss..... fun to write for the most partttt. I just love these twooooo togetherrr. It makesss me sooo happyyyy to writeee about them, and afterrr all the angsttttt lately I thought I'd lightennnn it uppppp. Thatssss prettyyy much alll I had to sayyyyy, so I'll see you againnnn sooonnnn (I hopeeee). Alr peace.
—Winter