"Dad, I'm home." Zero announced.
There was no reply.
"He must be working still." Zero explained.
"Maybe the old man doesn't even have the decency to welcome you when you come home." Kaname accused.
"Kaname, my dad's not all bad as you think. He's a really good person." Zero defended.
"I can't believe it, Zero. Not after what he did to you."
"Let's drop this topic. Would you like to have a shower?"
"Yeah but what are we gonna do about clothes?"
"Are you staying overnight?"
"Yes, I think I will." Zero his his bewilderment.
"Well then, let's see whether you fit into one of mine."
Kaname had come out of the shower and presently he was changing to one of Zero's night garments.
"Are you done changing, Kaname?" Zero asked.
"Yeah, but I don't think they fit." Kaname replied.
Zero couldn't help breaking out laughing when he saw the brunette. He looked like a balloon about to explode.
"Come on, Zero, stop laughing. What am I gonna do?"
"Didn't realize you were so huge, Kaname?"
"Maybe it's not that I'm huge but you're too tiny."
"You think I'm tiny?"
"Yeah, you have the physique of a girl, I think- ouch! What was that for?"
"Just reminding you my gender." Zero's voice was playful, which made Kaname relax. He didn't want to hurt the boy's pride. But what he said was not exactly a joke. Zero really looked pleasing to the eyes. Rather than masculinity, his body kind of screamed feminine vibes. Or was it all his imagination?
"Why don't you try one of dad's clothes instead?"
"I would rather not."
"Kaname, I don't think my mom's clothes would fit you at all." Zero giggled.
"No, that's not what I meant. Fine then. Let's try one of his. Just because there's no any other option."
Kaname had changed into one of Shiro's clothes and luckily they seemed to fit him better.
"Now, that's an improvement. You look like my dad in those clothes." Zero smiled.
"From which angle do I look like that psycho?" Kaname's voice was teasing so Zero let him go.
They both heard the front door unlocking. Zero ran downstairs to greet his father and Kaname reluctantly followed the boy.
"Dad, welcome home." Shiro dropped his bag on the ground and the next moment Zero was wrapped under Shiro's tight embrace.
"Dad?" A confused Zero asked. Kaname almost panicked but kind of relaxed when he saw that wasn't the case.
"Zero, my son, I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking when I did that. I was so overwhelmed by the thought of losing Hana that I lost my mind. I'm so sorry. And when you've been sacrificing your study time to earn some money too. You've been working so hard but I ... I had the audacity to beat you like that. I'm sorry... I'm sorry... My dear son..."
Relief washed over Zero after hearing the apology. He had been terrified of his father's temper being permanent. He couldn't help tearing after his father.
"I forgive you, dad. Calm down, now. I know you were stressed out a lot. And thank you... dad... thank you for apologizing. I love you, dad."
"I love you too." Shiro didn't seem to want to let go of the embrace.
"Dad, we have a guest." Zero said wiggling out.
"Oh? Your friend?" Shiro took notice of Kaname for the first time.
"Nice to meet you, Shiro Kiryu-san. I'm Kaname Kuran. Zero is my dear friend. I was worried about him and accompanied him home. Although now I see that he'll be fine."
"I'm so sorry. That was a disgraceful behaviour. I hope you can find in your heart to forgive me too."
"It's not place to question your actions when Zero has already forgiven you."
Shiro smiled and Kaname almost broke into a smile, for a moment forgetting that it was Zero's dad, for the two of them looked too similar. His dad had the same silver hair, lavender eyes and pale skin. Kaname wondered how Zero's mother looked like, considering how generously Shiro had contributed to Zero's genes. Speaking of Zero's mum... was her name Hana?
"Kuran-kun, why don't you join us for dinner. Judging from my outfit, you are currently wearing I'm assuming you plan to stay?" Kaname couldn't help blushing. I shouldn't have worn this man's clothes.
"If it's not too much trouble."
"What do you mean by to much trouble? It's the first time Zero has brought someone home. I was getting worried whether the boy was not making any friends. But it would have been a surprise if he didn't, considering his sweet personality and kind heart."
So that was how Shiro viewed his son? I have to agree with Zero. His father is not a bad person. He acted on impulse.
"Zero, you spend time with your friend. I'll patch is something to eat." Shiro said lovingly.
"No way, I don't want you making a mess of my kitchen. I'll make dinner. You two can keep each other company." Zero ordered and didn't look like he would back down.
"Zero, I wouldn't know what to talk with your friend."
"Think of something. He's not all that difficult to take with." Zero said disappearing into the kitchen.
"For starters, let's sit in the living room. We can't keep standing in the doorway like this." Shiro invited.
"Shiro-san, I'll keep Zero company in the kitchen. Why don't you shower and relax? You just arrived and I'm the one who is intruding."
"You're not intruding Kuran-kun. But I think I'll take you up on that offer." And they parted.