Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight, Matsuri Hino does.

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A walk in the park!

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Chapter 2

They arrived at the park and Kaname was overwhelmed at the chaos he saw. Kids were running everyway, balls were being thrown in the air and it was so loud. This was not his cup of cake but he tried not to show it. He was always busy with his work that he never went to such places. The park was not very far away from the where they met so they had just walked. If it was up to him he would have taken his car but he actually found himself enjoying the walk.

''I wanna go to the swing, Dad.'' Taki said.

''Sure thing.'' Zero said. ''We'll just sit over there and watch you, okay?'' He pointed to a bench near the swings.

''Hai!'' Taki ran to the swings as the two adults sat on the bench.

''Will he be okay, don't you have to push him?'' Kaname asked.

''He'll be fine, don't worry.'' Zero said and then shouted. ''Taki...if you want to go higher you have to stretch your legs forwards and back...that's it... forwards and backwards!'' Taki moved as his father instructed causing the swing to take him higher and higher.

Kaname watched in fascination the interaction between father and son. He had just bought his ticket on the other counter and was about to leave when he heard Taki raise his voice about wanting that particular movie. He had felt a pang of guilt since he was the one who bought the second last ticket. At that time Zero had a distraught look on his face that made him make up his mind to give up the ticket. Looking at them now, he must have done a good thing. Taki wasn't crying and his father laso looked very much at ease.

He also remembered Zero's perusal and the comment he made about him being beautiful. He had pretended not to have heard and had to suppress a smirk. He was used to it, he got the same reaction from both men and woman so it was really nothing new. But to hear that coming from the silver-haired man, somehow made a different. Becuase Zero was also drop-dead-sexy, to say the least. And their handshake....he didn't even want to go there.

''You mentioned you have a sister, do you bring her here sometimes?'' Zero asked suddenly.

Do I? ''To tell you the truth, this is my first time to come here. I am a very busy man so I hardly have time. But I have a big compound with a garden where my sister plays.'' Kaname replied.

''Wow, you have a garden?''Zero said. ''Just how big is your house, if you don't mind me asking?'' For him to have a big compound and a garden, his house must be big.

''It's......'' Kaname hesitated because he didn't like to brag, ''why don't you come over tomorrow with Taki and see it for yourself. I will give you a tour.'' Kaname said smiling.

Zero raised his hands to object, ''I didn't mean to imp....'' He didn't want Kaname to think badly of him. He had just asked about his house without thinking.

''Nonsense! You're not imposing at all.'' Kaname interrupted. ''I'd be happy to have you over and my sister will be thrilled to meet Taki. She adores children.''

''If you put it like that, we'll be honoured. We had a garden sometime back, where we used to plant pretty flowers.'' Zero said his expression suddenly changing. Hmm. Gone are the days.

Kaname noticed, of course. ''Why don't you do it anymore?'' he asked.

''I had to sell the house after my parents died and move to a smaller apartment which doesn't even have a balcony.'' Zero answered. Not that I'm complaining, the main thing is that we have shelter. A roof over our heads.

''I'm sorry about your parents.'' Kaname said. He found himself interested to know more about Zero, that is, if he didn't mind opening up to him.

''Yeah, me too. They were good to me and Taki, I do miss them.'' Zero said. He remembered how his parents supported him with Taki, with school, with everything. They were the best parents and he was very lucky to be their child. It's just to bad that they had to die early.

''I think Taki is very lucky to have you.'' Kaname observed. The little boy looked happy, running around his father, the way the interacted. A stranger would immediately notice the strong bond between them. Any fool would see how close they really were.

''Thanks. And I consider myself very lucky to have him too. I never thought being a father could bring such joy...''

''I don't have children so I can't say so. But seeing you and your son, I can just imagine what it feels like to have someone who looks up to you. It must be a great feeling, right?''

''Right!'' Zero said smiling.

Kaname was taken aback by that killer smile. Zero had the sexiest smile he'd ever seen. How would he react if I told him I liked his smile? ''You have a nice smile.'' he said it anyway.

''Me? Oh, no 'll make me feel like a school boy.'' Zero said blushing. What is it about this man that makes me feel this way. First his looks which had me gaping, then the handshake that shook me to the core, now his comment is making me feel all giddy. What is happening to me? I don't understand myself anymore. Everything's so confusing. Argrr!

''Dad, look at me.'' Taki called. He was now standing on the swing, still swaying back and forth.

''That's great, honey! Just be careful.'' Zero was happy for the interruption. He couldn't bring himself to look at Kaname after that comment so he looked at the activities going on in the park, but he could still feel Kaname's eyes on him.

Kaname was enjoying himself. ''Zero, are you shy?'' he asked because Zero was avoiding his eyes.

''W-why...why do you say that?'' Zero stuttered, ''I'm not used to comments like that.'' He tried to defend himself his eyes still averted. I am a man, he's also a man, how can he tell me things like that so easily? Of course I have to look away. Kami, it's so embarrassing.

''Then look at me.'' It was more like a command. Zero turned his head and looked at him. ''What about Taki's mum, doesn't she tell you every now and then how much she loves your smile?'' Kaname asked.

Zero closed his eyes and answered. ''We're not together anymore.'' It was a painful reminder that he had to live with. He never talked about Jun with anyone. He had only discussed with his parents when Jun had showed up with Taki at his house but other than that, they never talked about it. It was like a forbidden topic in their house.

''I'm sorry.'' Kaname apologized. He knew by that reaction that he had crossed the line. It must have been a bad break up for him to close his eyes like that as if he was blocking out painful memories.

''No problem, you had no way of knowing. Anyway, it was over between us even before it began.'' Zero said then realized he had given too much information away, he changed the subject. ''What about you, are you married?''

''No, I'm not.''

''Heeee...don't tell me you're have problems getting a wife with your great looks!'' Zero joked.

''It's just that there are no good women out there anymore. I was seeing someone but she cheated on me, so I decide to chill out.''

''Join the club!'' Zero muttered, remembering clearly how he had caught Jun red-handed. It didn't hurt opening up a bit. It was good to talk with someone that had gone through the same thing he did. ''Women are very complicated.''

''Tell me about it! They complain that men cheat on them, when they also do the same. I have to admit that a long time ago, women were humble and would remain home and wait for their men to return, but nowadays they do the exact opposite. The man leaves the house and the woman follows after to go see her lover. Men were considered to be the players but these days, women have decided to take this role, they are the worst.'' Kaname explained.

''I have to agree with you on that one.''

Kaname sighed heavily. ''Sometimes I think I can never trust a woman again, let alone be with one.'' After the hurt he'd experienced he wasn't sure he wanted to walk down that road again.

''Maybe you should get yourself a man.'' Zero joked again. I mean, it's not unheard of i

Kaname smirked. ''Are you offering?''

''I......'' Zero began.

''Because if you are, I am taking.''

''What? B-but I am a man, you couldn't possibly want me.''

''So what? You are good looking and I'm sure you'll deliver all my needs.'' Kaname said looking at him directly.

Zero felt his heartbeat increase. Calm down. This man is only teasing me with his words. He must be a pervert thinking I would 'deliver his needs' just like that. But why is my heart beating so fast when he looks at me?Why is it pounding so hard in my chest? I haven't felt this way in a long time. Breath in...and out. Easy does it. ''My, my look at the time, we'd better go get something to eat. Taki,'' Zero called his son, ''we're leaving now.'' Taki jumped from the swing and ran over to where they were sitting. Zero hugged him and kissed his forehead. ''Where do you want to go eat?''

''Celona.'' Taki said.

''Ce... what?'' Zero asked.

''Celona!!'' Taki repeated with a serious face.

''Ah, you mean Barcelona?'' Zero laughed at his son's pronunciation.

Kaname joined in the laughter. ''He's still so young, he can't remember such long words. How old are you, Taki?'' he asked the little boy.

Taki held up three fingers. ''I am four years old.'' he said innocently which made the two adults burst out laughing again. ''Why are you laughing?'' he asked still holding his hands up.

''If you are four, you have to hold up another finger like this, okay?'' Kaname demonstrated.

''Hai!'' Taki said looking at his four fingers. ''Let's go.'' They stood up and began walking. Taki took both Kaname's and Zero's hands so that he was in the middle.

Kaname looked at the child jumping up and down between them. He was the spitting image of his father. Kawaii. He felt so alive and warm walking with those two. ''Where is this 'Barcelona'? Should we take my car?'' he asked Zero.

''No, no, we can walk there, it's not very far. It's a Spanish restaurant and they serve really good food, you see.'' Zero promised.

''Yes they do.''Taki said. ''Dad, I want to eat country potatoes with a lot of ketchup!'' he said eagerly.

''Roger that!'' Zero replied.

''I would expect him to say he wants to go to WacDonalds or something. Isn't that where kids love going?'' Kaname asked.

''Yes. But it's good to change locations once in a while. And anyway, we don't eat out much because I love cooking and eating healthy. It's also not good for a child to get used to eating junk food at such a tender age, otherwise he won't be eating what I cook and instead only crave junk.'' Zero said.

''A man who loves cooking fits into my partner search list.'' Kaname winked at Zero.

''Maybe you should try my cooking first before reaching a decision.'' Zero didn't shy away this time.

''I am sure whatever you cook is delicious, I can't wait to get a taste of it.'' Kaname said.

Zero wasn't sure if they were talking about food or something else all together, so he let it go. That was a dangerous topic to tread. What would his mother in heaven think of him, if she saw him flirting with another man in Taki's presence. They soon arrived in Barcelona and took their seats. The waiter came, took their orders and left.

Kaname took out a notepad, scribbled something on it and gave it to Zero. ''That's is my home address. We'll be expecting you tomorrow. And this are my phone numbers, you can call me if something comes up.'' He gave Zero his card.

''Really, are we gonna visit him, Dad?'' Taki asked.

''Yes, son.'' Zero ruffled his son's hair.

''I will prepare a nice surprise for you, Taki.'' Kaname said.

''A surprise? What is it? Tell me now.'' Taki insisted.

''Well it wouldn't be a surprise if he told you now, would it?'' Zero asked. ''Just be patient until tomorrow.'' Taki pouted his lips, disappointment. ''What time do you expect us to be there?''

''How about eleven-thirty in the morning?'' Kaname asked. ''We can all have a brunch in the garden, it will be fun.''

''That will be fine.'' Zero answered.

The waiter brought their meal and they ate slowly and silently. When they finished Kaname excused himself. ''Thanks for the meal, I really enjoyed your myself today.''

''Thank you for saving the day.'' Zero removed the tickets from his shirt and waved.

''Take care of your father, Taki, okay?'' Kaname asked the little boy. Taki nodded. ''I look forward to seeing you guys tomorrow.'' Kaname gazed into Zero's eyes for a few seconds before he left.

''Goodbye, au revoir, tooda-loo, hej då, tchüß, swahili....'' Taki recited just like Zero had taught him, until Kaname was out of view. Then he sat back and looked at his father. ''I like him, Dad.''

''Me too, Taki, me too.'' Zero replied. ''Are you ready to watch the movies?''


Thanks so much for the reviews, story alerts, favourites, I got a lot of those and got encouraged to know that mayn people are reading even if they didn't review. I wrote a longer chappie today, well not so long but tell me what you think! Maybe you're all wondering what Taki was blubbering about at the end, he was saying goodbye in different languages. You know, English, French, Swedish, German, Swahili respectively. Until next time, ciao.

Ebony-Knight.