A/N: Long time no see! No, I haven't moved on from HaruEru, and I hope you haven't either. Thanks for the new followers and favorite, this story is cut a little short because I'd rather show what I have instead of stalling.

Enjoy!

ハルエル

The breakfast today started civil. L-elf had dutifully prepared food because he woke up earlier than Haruto, though it was the opposite which happened more often. The steamed white rice never looked so delicious as he couldn't wait to start eating. Ouji seemed slightly down; it came from last night's conversation, no doubt. But Haruto didn't know how to tackle the matter. He looked at L-elf, who seemingly intent on not looking back at him. Pang stabbed Haruto's chest; was their conversation last night a fluke?

But something was different that morning. Instead o starting on their own like usual, they kept silent on the table. Haruto wondered why, until he guessed the message; he clasped his hands, chopsticks on palm, and slightly bowed, "Itadakimasu." To his relief, the two silver-haired males in the room followed suit.

The food was warm and tasty, and he particularly loved the broth of miso, but he almost choked on it when Ouji broke the silence.

"Dad, I don't want us to be separated," he said. His blue eyes were wet with tears, and he was flushed to his ears. Haruto felt stunned. He had made a child this young expressed this kind of wish. His heart felt clenched from the thought.

With slightly quivering hand, Haruto ruffled Ouji's hair. It didn't need his help to be slightly messier than the other owner of silver hair, but he hoped his affection got transferred in the gesture.

"We won't," he said with a smile. He felt his face flushed, warmer than before, but he couldn't help it. "I treasure you and your mother way too much to do otherwise."

"Really?" Ouji asked hopefully. Haruto grinned and messed with his hair more.

"Really."

He retracted his hand, and his mind flew back to last night.

Haruto had asked for another chance to love his family even though he would only have pain in return. L-elf might never be his, not really, but Ouji would heal his heart every single time. No matter what, this was the one thing he would never trade for anything in the world. He wouldn't let himself think so negatively like last night anymore.

Ouji ate a little more happily afterwards, and the other continued. This kind of civil breakfast wasn't rare, but there was almost no warmth between him and L-elf. And yet, after last night's confession... (Could he really take that as one?) He had hoped to mend things, to approach L-elf, ask him about it. Yet it felt really personal. It couldn't be done with Ouji around. It surely wasn't meant to be done over breakfast.

Excuses. His own voice accused him. Haruto cringed. True. They were simply excuses. He just wasn't ready to confront his own feelings, he wasn't prepared to hope that he could take L-elf's words as affirmation that indeed, L-elf loved him.

Ah, he blushed from the thought.

Haruto blinked, feeling like a pair of eyes were piercing him, but when he glanced upwards, L-elf was talking with Ouji, smiling.

But when he returned eating, the same sensation came back. L-elf... your eyes were really sharp, do you know that?

"I'm done! Can I go to the neighbor? They have a new baby girl!"

"Of course, you may go," L-elf said. His shoulders were a little tense, but his voice was sincere. Ouji beamed and bid them goodbye before going out of the door.

Haruto didn't even know one neighbor – aside from those he met when getting out the trash.

However, he put away his bowl and chopsticks. "I'm done too," he said, which was true considering he finished all the rice. L-elf created this opportunity deliberately, he knew his spouse enough to be able to guess just how cunning the other could be, if he wanted to. But... what now?

L-elf didn't move either, and right now, Haruto didn't feel the piercing glance at him. This is my turn, he thought, and gulped hard. He wondered what to say, but, he couldn't find any which was wise enough or anything. Drastic situation called for drastic measure, and with that in mind and resolution that he had nothing to lose, Haruto stood up. L-elf visibly flinched, and probably couldn't guess that Haruto didn't make his way to the kitchen counter, but to L-elf.

"L-elf..." he said, standing right behind the silver-haired man.

Even though his bangs hid his eyes, L-elf still tilted his head up. And, despite all common sense, Haruto leaned in and kissed his spouse on his lips. Pressing softly, he held as long as he could without feeling like his heart was going to jump out due to nerve.

"I love you," he whispered before the lips, mouth tasting breakfast for all he knew, but he felt like this time, he had to get his feelings across, blatantly.

Say something! – he wanted to say, but his throat was too dry. His eyes could focus on L-elf's ace again, but the bangs made it invisible. Haruto bit his lips, and gave a throaty, bitter laughter. He probably wouldn't dare to do something like this agai—

Suddenly his T-shirt's collar got grabbed, and he was pulled in again.

"L-elf...?" he asked hesitantly, but the man in question simply closed the gap between their lips. It soon got warmer, and there were exchanges of breathed air, and Haruto felt feverish way too quickly. What was this? He didn't understand at all. What were they doing?

They were out of breath really quickly – obviously out of practice for far too long, but L-elf, his hand was shaking as he slipped some of his hair strands behind his ear, accentuating his lovely neckline. Haruto gulped. Was he being seduced right now?

"Haruto, I..."

He was hesitant, but finally, he let his knuckles grazed against L-elf's white collumn. Soft. Warm. He could see L-elf's Adam's apple. L-elf shivered under the ministration, but he was rigid, stoned to the chair. But there was unmistakable blush on the top of his ears.

Why did he reciprocate? Could Haruto interpret it the way he desperately wanted to?

ハルエル

A/N: If everything goes well, next chapter will be rated... uhm, mature. XD