Inuzuka Kyuma had a problem. That problem was entitled "The Kid I Adopted Has a Crush on Me and I Might Actually Find Him Attractive". It was supposed to be something simple. Nothing complicated.

Step 1: Welcome child into home.

Step 2: Gain public favor.

Step 3: Live happily with new edition.

Step 4: Profit.

He hadn't actually planned to make any money off of Q-vier. But money was always on his mind. Ever since his first love died there wasn't much that could occupy his thoughts. Inuzuka had wanted some time to think about this situation but most days he was working and he hadn't much free time. And the one time he did, Haruto just had to call him up and ask for them to meet up.

So the two of them sat across from each other, feasting on Korean barbecue. Inuzuka had chosen the place. If Haruto wanted to talk, this would take a while. And this restaurant was a buffet style grill place so as long as he had the stomach and the dough, he could sit and listen. And he had plenty of both. One reason these things took so long was that Haruto would dance around the subject.

It was a little annoying, but he wouldn't rush his friend. Part of it was letting him say it out loud and figure it out on his own. So while Haruto fidgeted and stammered, trying to come up with something to say, Inuzuka laid the slices of pork belly against the hot grill, watching them sizzle.

"You and your kid get along pretty well, don't you? What was his name again?"

Inuzuka raised a brow but didn't look up. "Q-vier." He was still getting used to calling him by 'Robin'. He had a feeling that was a special name that the boy only wanted him to use.

"Q-vier...That can't be his real name...The same with L-elf..."

This must have been about Haruto's adoptee. But what was the trouble? Whatever it was, it couldn't be as bad as Inuzuka's situation. His was borderline illegal. Not that the law meant too much to him. When it came down to it, Inuzuka answered to his own moral code. And that code said no relationships with minors, romantic or sexual. He flipped the meat and added some mushrooms to the grill that were looking particularly appetizing. As he did, Haruto spoke up again.

"What's your limit on age differences?"

Inuzuka fumbled and almost burned himself before righting himself, stilling his body, and looking at Haruto. "What's going on? Why would you ask that?"

"It's just a question", Haruto's eyes shifted, wondering why his old upperclassman had reacted that way. Was he against age differences in general? That couldn't be it. Aina was a year younger. He frowned at that. Maybe she was a exception. She was pretty important to him.

"It's not huge, if that's what you're wondering." He grabbed some chopsticks and ate a slice of the pork. "I'll date up to five years older than me. Up to four years younger. No younger than that."

Why was Haruto asking about that? Did he know about the things Q-vier tried? It was possible. Inuzuka had given the boy a cell phone. He could have gotten into contact with L-elf through Haruto somehow. If that was the case, he wasn't about to be lectured on dealing with children. He knew full well that nothing could happen with Q-vier. Not that he wanted it to.

"So that's your limit...I never considered it before..."

"Why are you considering it now?" With the way this talk was going, Inuzuka had a feeling that Haruto was beginning to look at L-elf in some kind of way. He wasn't sure how to feel about that. L-elf was older than Q-vier. But he was still much younger than Haruto. Still, if memory served him, the Dorssian would be of legal age soon.

The situation was complicated. Almost as much as his own. He sighed and drank from a glass of beer. Adopting seemed like such a simple task when it first came up, especially with the ages given. It wasn't like taking care of a baby but even so, difficulties arose.

"I've been thinking about L-elf...I think...I think I might have a crush on him."

"Think?"

"It's hard for me to tell! I've been in love with Shoko for so long. I didn't think there was anyone else for me. But L-elf..."

"He swept you off your feet?", Inuzuka grinned.

"Stop joking, this is serious. I never even considered that I might be gay. And now...now I'm falling for some kid that I'm supposed to be taking care of." Haruto overed his face with his hands. "I'm the absolute worst. I'm scum."

Inuzuka kicked him softly under the table. "You're not scum, Haruto. It's not like you've done anything to him, right? Relax. Have you talked to him about it?"

"How could I do that? He'd probably call the police on me. Or worse, he'll just take me out himself. He is a soldier, you know."

"Yeah, I know. I'll be honest, I'm not sure how you should go about this. I don't know L-elf this well. But you're really good with people. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

Haruto had removed his hands from his face but kept his head hanging low. "Thanks", he mumbled.

Inuzuka shrugged. "Worst case scenario, you're tried in court and I give you the number of my best lawyer."

That brought a small smile to Haruto's face and he picked up some chopsticks to eat with. "Thank you, senpai."

"How long have we been out of school and you and Shoko still call me that?", he complained lightly.

"That's because you're the ultimate senpai", Haruto praised.

After lunch, they parted ways. Haruto was going to confront L-elf about his feelings. Inuzuka was going to avoid Q-vier at all costs. Neither of them would get what they wanted.