When Ikuya came to sit with Haruka at lunch, Haruka took it as a good sign. However, when the only one doing any talking was Kisumi, Haruka felt uneasy. Worse than not talking, Ikuya was barely looking at him; he hardly bothered to raise his head at all, mostly staring at his food. In fact, he noticed that Ikuya's hair was pulled down over his face more than usual, too.

"Man, you guys are no fun!" Kisumi whined. "I might as well be talking to myself."

Haruka had to resist the urge to ask, "Aren't you?" and instead simply shrugged. He looked to Ikuya for a reaction, but the quiet boy didn't change.

At last, as they were packing up their dishes, Ikuya spoke, asking, "Haru, will you meet me after class?"

With a nod, Haruka agreed, and he watched his boyfriend return to his own classroom with his head hung low. He wondered, though he couldn't but sure, if Ikuya was hiding something- not verbally, but physically. He had never seen anything until they became involved, but on the night he and his father showed up at Haruka's house, he was sure he saw evidence of it. A red mark on the cheek… he wondered if this was the same.

They met in their usual place. For the first time Haruka was able to get a good look at Ikuya; though it wasn't obvious, he confirmed his suspicion. "Your eye," he said, gently brushing Ikuya's hair away. It looked swollen, though any discoloration must have been covered in makeup.

"It's not that bad," Ikuya told him, turning his head away. "Anyway, I got curious about what's in Tokyo that has my dad so interested, so I was snooping through his things. He's definitely been talking to a hospital. Before I could get even the doctor's name, though, I got caught and he gave me a slap across the face."

"Whatever it is," Haruka said, clenching his fists, "it can't be good."

"I know," Ikuya muttered. "I'm even more determined now to find out."

After thoroughly looking around and ensuring they were alone, Haruka leaned in and gave Ikuya a soft, warm, lingering kiss that made Ikuya squeak in surprise before he melted into it, reaching his arms out to pull Haruka closer.

"Don't go to Tokyo," Haruka breathed. He placed another soft kiss on Ikuya's lips.

Ikuya smirked. "You can't get rid of me that easily," he teased. "Besides, even if he tried, I'd just end up sick again and he'd have to let us be together."

"I hope he would have that much sense," Haruka mumbled.

Nuzzling into Haruka's shoulder, Ikuya gave a contented sigh. "I feel better now. I should get going to swim club, though."

"Okay." Haruka sighed. He felt a cold draft as soon as Ikuya pulled away from him and wished they could have stayed that way longer.

In the morning, Haruka walked with Makoto. His friend's usually cheerful smile was dulled and his eyes betrayed him. Haruka waited until they were past the bustle of morning commuters and other school children, then caught Makoto's eye.

"Makoto," he said, his eyes conveying the message, "I know you're hiding something."

Makoto sighed, his shoulders slumping forward. "I hope it's okay," he said nervously, "but I talked to my mom about the hospital in Tokyo after what happened the other day. At first, she didn't know anything, but this morning she said she heard something on the news last night."

Watching him, Haruka waited for him to continue. If there was an easier way to find out than risking Ikuya getting caught again, he wouldn't mind if Makoto had told his mother everything.

"She said there was a story about this experimental procedure being tested in Tokyo for people who have 'fate's hand' on their arm. Apparently, that's what they call it when you have someone's name appear out of the blue like that." He paused, his brows scrunching together worryingly. "She said the procedure is supposed to cause the bond to release without the need of the other partner."

Haruka's breath caught in his throat. "What?" he choked. His insides felt as though he had eaten rocks for breakfast, and his head began to wobble before he took a deep breath to collect himself.

"Considering the situation, I can't help but wonder…"

Nodding, Haruka grimaced. It's what Ikuya's father had wanted from the start. He was certain that had to be it. As he walked through the school gate, Haruka knew one thing- he wouldn't let it happen. A raging fire burned in his chest and his skin prickled at the thought of confrontation.

Concentration was impossible. Every fiber of Haruka's being was telling him to go to Ikuya, but he couldn't. When at last the lunch bell rang, he was the first out of his seat, rocketing out of the room so quickly people began to whisper.

"Ikuya," he called into the other classroom. When he had his boyfriend's flustered attention, he motioned for him to follow him into the hallway.

"What is it?" he asked, his cheeks tinging pink as classmates in the room behind him watched him go.

"It's about Tokyo," Haruka said quietly. He hesitated, the fear in Ikuya's eyes making him wonder if this was really the right time. "I'll tell you about it after class."

"No," Ikuya insisted. He met Haruka's gaze with firm resolve. "Tell me now."

Haruka made his explanation brief. When he finished, he could see tears welling up in Ikuya's eyes. "I won't let him take you." It was a declaration and a promise.

"How are you going to stop him?" Ikuya murmured. He sighed and shook his head. "Even if I don't want to go, as my father, he has the legal right to make me go."

"I don't care!" Haruka snapped. His heart pounded in his chest and his eyes focused on Ikuya's. "I won't let him take you away from me."

Though they sat together in their usual way, neither of them ate more than a bite of lunch, despite the worried protests of their friends. When classes were over, they said their goodbyes in passing in the hall, not meeting in their usual place. Haruka knew if he had even a moment alone with Ikuya, he would be tempted to keep him by his side and not let him go. He also knew that if he did so, he would only make the situation worse.

Haruka dunked his head under the bath water. He had to come up with a way to stop Ikuya's father from taking him to Tokyo. If he could just make him understand how he and Ikuya felt about each other… No, he was too stubborn for that. He had something to prove now and that something was going to risk the safety and happiness of his own son.

When Haruka raised his head, he could hear his mother talking. He listened, but he couldn't make out what she was saying through the closed bathroom door. It sounded as though she were on the phone, and soon, she stopped.

"Haruka!" she called. Her footsteps came softly to the door and she knocked. "Haruka, I have something to discuss with you. May I come in?"

As his mother, he shouldn't mind it, but it still felt awkward. "I'll get out."

With his pajamas on, Haruka went out to see his mother. She was downstairs, sitting at the table, and, oddly, had a fresh pot of tea set out. She waved him over to sit with her.

"I got a phone call from Ikuya-kun's mother," she said. Though she wore a gentle smile, her eyes looked down sadly. "I'm not entirely sure what happened, but it seems Ikuya-kun ran away and she thinks he'll come here."

"Damn it," Haruka muttered.

"Do you know something?"

Haruka clenched his jaw and nodded. After explaining about the hospital in Tokyo, he cast his eyes down. "I bet they were fighting about it and that's why he ran."

"I see," his mother muttered. "Well, if he is coming here, he'd have to catch the last train, so he's not going home tonight. I'm sure if we talk it out together we can come up with something."

Glancing at the clock, Haruka rose. The last train already came and went; if Ikuya was coming, he was sure-

Knock-knock.

Haruka opened the door. Standing on the other side, shaking, wet-faced, and shivering cold, was Ikuya. "Come inside," Haruka said softly, stepping aside to let him in.

"Haru," Ikuya cried, "I'm sorry to show up like this but my dad, he- he was going to take me to Tokyo tomorrow and I- I just couldn't-" His voice cracked until it was choked out entirely.

"Tomorrow?"

"Haruka, was it him?" Haruka's mother called, appearing in the doorway. "Oh, my. Ikuya-kun, please, come inside and tell us all about it."

"You knew I was coming?" Ikuya sniffled.

"Your mother called," Haruka replied, taking him by the hand and leading him in to sit down. "She figured this is where you would come."

"I guess it is the obvious choice," Ikuya mumbled. After taking a seat at the table, he looked up at Haruka's mother. "Is it alright if I stay the night?"

"Of course," she replied. She poured him some tea and sat down. "You're always welcome here, Ikuya-kun."

"Thank you." Ikuya blushed, taking a drink of tea to hide his embarrassment. After taking a moment to compose himself, he addressed the unasked questions he could feel burning in Haruka's eyes. "At dinner tonight, my father announced that he would be taking me with him to Tokyo tomorrow. I couldn't play dumb- I asked him if it was to go see that doctor, to get the marks removed. He seemed irritated that I knew, but he confirmed it. My mother just sat there silently, and Natsu-nii tried to argue on my behalf, but he wouldn't hear it. So, I grabbed my bag and ran."

Haruka bit his tongue. Nothing he could say was good, and neither was it helpful. Instead, he watched his mother, waiting to see what she would say.

"As a mother, it's my responsibility to make sure I let your parents know you're here," she said, standing up. "In any case, you're not going anywhere tonight. The bath should still be hot if you want. Haruka can get you a towel."

"I understand," Ikuya muttered. "Thank you."

After getting Ikuya a towel and resisting the urge to ask if he could join him, Haruka excused himself and went out to listen in on his mother's conversation.

"Kirishima-san, this isn't our decision to make," she was saying, her previous gentleness ebbing from her tone. "Just what kind of extremes are you willing to take this to? Even if you did have the doctor release him, they still want to be together. Would you really force your son's entire life to change to avoid him being near my son?"

Gritting his teeth, Haruka felt grateful for three things. One, that Ikuya wasn't there to listen to this. Two, that he has such an understanding mother. And three, that Kirishima-san was not here for him to chew out himself.

"In that case, he can live here."

Huh?

"If you won't have a gay son living under your roof, then he can live under mine."

"Kaa-san…" Haruka muttered. He had never admired her more than at this moment.

"I am being serious! My husband won't mind, not once I explain the situation."

"Yes, he knows about it. He agrees with me that it's Haruka's happiness that matters most."

"You will?"

"What's that?"

"Hm… Well, I think I know the answer to that, but I should really ask the boys before I agree on their behalf. Is it alright if I call again in the morning with a reply?"

"Alright. Good night."

Click.

"Okaa-san?"

"Oh, Haruka, you were standing there the whole time?" She smiled. "Listen. When Ikuya-kun comes out of the bath, tell him he doesn't have to go to Tokyo. I'll explain the details in the morning- there are a couple of catches, as you might expect. But, for now, at least he should sleep better tonight." She leaned down and gave Haruka a kiss on the top of his head. "Goodnight, Haruka."

"Goodnight," Haruka replied, watching her walk away in awe. If he had been the one to confront Ikuya's father, he knew he would have lost his temper. Yet, his mother maintained her composure and resolved the issue with ease.

As Haruka walked upstairs, he could hear Ikuya leaving the bathroom. Quickening his pace, he caught up with him just outside his bedroom door. "My mom spoke to your dad," he said. He watched Ikuya hesitate before reaching around him to let them both into his room. "You don't have to go to Tokyo."

"I don't?" Ikuya's voice cracked. He turned to face Haruka, his lower lip quivering. "How..? What did she say?"

Haruka glanced away. "I didn't hear the whole thing," he said, though he had a good idea of what the resolution was. "She said she'd talk it over with us in the morning. For now, let's go to sleep."

Forgoing a futon, Haruka let Ikuya sleep in his bed. He felt arms wrap around him and the soft warmth of Ikuya's breath on the back of his neck. He could tell the other boy was asleep already, and as he settled in to drift off as well, he couldn't help but wonder from his mother's conversation if this would become his new normal.