When Haru woke up he smelt something he hadn't smelt in a long time. The smell of sweet delicious pancakes. It had been ages since he made them for Makoto.

So why could he smell them now?

He rolled over and pushed himself out of bed, he'd better go see what was going on. Makoto wasn't allowed to use the oven and there's no way Nagisa could cook anything that smelt that nice. He padded down the corridor leading into the kitchen.

When he got there he saw a stranger standing in his kitchen, a frying pan in hand. He had blue hair and wore a pair of glasses with red frames. Behind those were two deep purple eyes that shone with happiness. But Haru couldn't care less, at that moment he just wanted to know why there was an intruder cooking in his house.

"Excuse me." Haru said in his usual bland tone.

The blunet jumped at the sound of a new voice. He turned and regarded Haru with a surprised look that Haru probably should've been wearing. The nervous man placed the pan down and wiped his hands on his dark jeans. Weather that was to get batter of sweat off Haru didn't know.

"Ah, hi, sorry about this, it's probably kind of strange to wake up to some guy cooking in your kitchen. It's just that Nagisa mentioned pancakes and then Makoto really wanted them and you had all the right things in your house and- wait, sorry, I probably should've said before. I'm Rei. Rei Ryugazaki, Nagisa's boyfriend. Pleasure to meet you." He rambled, extending his hand out towards Haru, who shook it with a firm hand.

"You too. Nagisa has said a lot about you." Rei seemed to blush slightly at this, Haru could tell he loved Nagisa a lot.

"Yes, well, pancakes will be done shortly; the others are in the front room if you want to go in." He suggested.

Haru walked over to the door, only stopping because he was sure Rei had mumbled some equations to himself before flipping the pancake perfectly. He shook his head and walked in to see Makoto and Nagisa playing Mario Kart intensely.

"Aww, no fair! You blue shelled me! I would've won that." The blonde said with a pout, shoving Makoto gently.

"Maybe if you'd picked a better character you'd have won." Makoto retorted.

"Hey! Don't dis Toad, he's short and fun, just like me!" Nagisa said with a giggle.

At that moment Makoto noticed his father and squealed. "Daddy!" he called out, running and jumping into his dads arms.

"Mako, you're getting way too big to do that." He said with a chuckle. Makoto only poked his tongue out in response. "Did you have fun with Nagisa last night?"

"Yeah, lots! And with Rei too! He taught me how to do a two way win in noughts and crosses! He's really clever daddy!" Makoto bragged for the blue haired man.

"Oh really? And how long has Rei been here?" Haru said, glancing accusingly at Nagisa who shied away from his look.

"He came round after you left last night! I think he had a sleepover with Uncle Nagisa." The innocent boy giggled.

"Hmm…" Haru said, throwing a glare Nagisa's way. "Well, I know you want pancakes, but I was thinking we could go out today, just us. How does that sound?" Haru said, a small smile playing on his lips as he saw his son nod enthusiastically. "Go get yourself dressed and washed, then when you come down we can have breakfast and then go, okay?"

Makoto nodded, jumping down from his father's shoulders and rushing up the stairs.

Haru turned to Nagisa. "The whole night huh?"

Nagisa moved to the other side of the sofa in defence. "Nothing happened! I swear! It's just… I didn't want to blow rei out, so I thought he could come round here and play games with me and Mako; I didn't do anything I promise." Nagisa said with a nervous giggle.

"I usually wouldn't believe you," Haru started, sitting down on the sofa. "But considering I just met your nervous boy toy I find it hard to believe he would do that so okay, I'll believe it."

Nagisa looked relieved to hear that and shortly after forced Haru to play him on Mario kart.

Haru won. Every game.

The four of them had a nice breakfast with the best pancakes ever and good company. Usually Haru didn't interact well with new people, but with Rei it was different. It felt like he belonged to the group. They all fit together well, almost as if they were part of a team.

When the time came for the couple to leave, Haru told Nagisa to never let Rei be the one who got away. Nagisa told him he didn't intend too.

After packing a bag and getting ready himself, he and Makoto set off to the park.

"Hey dad?" Makoto asked as they sat on a bench at the park with ice creams in hand.

Haru had let Makoto run riot at the park for a while, before they ate at a small restaurant and were now back at the park- but to relax, thank god.

"Yeah?" Haru replied, taking a bite of vanilla.

"What does it feel like to be in love?" Haru nearly choked on his vanilla.

In between coughs he managed to get out "Aren't you a bit young to be asking that kind of stuff?"

Makoto went bright red and looked away from his father. "I just… I just want to know."

Haru sighed. "Love is… complicated. Love is when you desperately want to see someone every day, even when you know you can't. It's a feeling that stays with you forever, you can't break love. Love is like… having a best friend but it's more than that. There's a bond between you that no other can match up to. Love isn't easy Mako, but when you find the right person it can be absolutely beautiful." Haru said, turning to see his son wide eyed with amazement at his father's speech.

"That's what you and mum had?" Makoto asked, and Haru froze. Because throughout his speech, he hadn't been thinking of the woman he once loved. He had been thinking of a totally different person. Red hair, red eyes, sharks teeth, male.

Rin.

Haru nodded nevertheless "Yeah, that's exactly what we had."

After a few minutes of silence Haru spoke again. "So who is she?"

"What do you mean?" Makoto asked looking genuinely confused.

"C'mon Mako, no one asks about love if they don't have a crush, so who is it?" Haru said, nudging the blushing boy.

"Dad it's not like that. It's not… but I want to… umm… I…" the sandy blonde boy started to stutter.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want too."

"No, no! I do want too; you're the only one I can share everything with. But you might over react. If you promise not too, I'll tell you." Makoto bargained, Haru nodded in answer, waiting for the boy to carry on.

"We were talking the other day about TV and he- uh, they said that two people in their mum's programme kissed. And we talked about how gross kissing is but then they asked me if I wanted to try it, just to see what it's like. And… and so we did. Not like they do in the movies, but just… nicely. And it felt kind of cool. And I think I like them. But I don't think they like me back." Makoto said, his face burning red as he licked his chocolate ice cream.

"Makoto…" Haru said in awe of his son. He knew he should be angry that his son was going around kissing people, or disappointed he had had his first kiss so young, but he was so happy. Makoto was growing up so quickly, he couldn't remember where all the time had gone. "How can you know that?"

Makoto shrugged. "I just don't think they like me like that. I was just a test I guess. Doesn't matter anyway, plenty more fish in the sea? Is that right? I think I heard you say it to Nagisa once."

"You're growing up so fast. I'm really proud of what you turned out like. I love you. And I'm pretty sure your first kiss is never your last, so don't worry if they don't like you back, you're young anyway." He said smiling and kissing the top of his son's head.

Makoto looked up at his dad, biting his lip. "It's the same for two guys' right? Like love is the same?"

Haru looked at his son, scared that Makoto had somehow found out about him and his English teacher, but thought it must've been Rei and Nagisa this morning. It was the same. Which Haru found surprising. He was completely shocked that he found someone he could love as much as Hana, and it turned out to be a man!

"Of course it is. Gender doesn't matter, as long as you're happy who cares?" he told his son, hoping that when one day he told Makoto about Rin, his son would be accepting.

The child gave his dad a huge grin "That's good."

Haru and his son drifted away from the topic, both feeling much more relaxed. After Makoto was bored of the park Haruka offered to take him to Mikoshiba and bro. to get one of the milkshakes he loved.

As soon as they entered, Makoto ran right over to Momo and leapt into his arms. Momo and Makoto had always gotten along extremely well, which made Haru happy. Seijuro and Makoto got along fairly well too, but Haru assumed that Sei was too mature for Makoto to befriend at his age.

From the counter where he was ordering drinks, he could see Makoto whisper something into Momo's ear. He could see the ginger gasp and laugh, pulling his son in for another hug. The father smiled as he watched the two of them. He wondered if Rin would be as good with Makoto as Momo was…

Haru collected his drinks and went to sit down at a table. Momo came over and sat opposite him. Alone. Glancing around, Haru could see his child was now talking to Sei, more calmly than the ginger had.

"Senpai… Please forgive me!" Momo started with a sitting bow. "I didn't realise Sousuke hadn't told you about us. H-he said he had and I just…" He drifted off.

"Momo, its fine. It's not you I'm angry at." Haru said taking a sip. He saw Momo exhale loudly and dramatically.

"Well that's a relief! If it helps I'm angry at him too!" He said, looking to excited to be angry

"You are? Why?"

Momo scratched the back of his neck shyly. "Heh… We kind of had a fight… Nothing big. I hope." The bubbly boy said with a small smile. He looked as though he wanted to say more, but he was called over by his brother to help make drinks. He excused himself and left, his place being taken up by Makoto within the minuet.

The door chimed open and in walked a tall figure. Dark hair and teal eyes. Haru sighed inwardly. Sousuke. He really didn't want to deal with him today, but figured if he came over he'd be able to deal with him.

The tall man seemed to rush over to the boy with orange hair. Both Haru and Makoto watched as he enveloped Momo in a crushing hug. Something was whispered in his ear, but obviously the father and son were too far away to hear.

They watched in silence as Momo seemed to go limp in Sousuke's muscular arms, clutching him tighter, his body shaking slightly as if he were crying. Sousuke gently moved his head up and kissed him softly on the lips. Momo blushed and smiled slightly, pulling away and whipping his eyes. He saw the bug enthusiasts eyes widen as he pointed over to Haru.

Shit.

"Daddy, I didn't know Sousuke and Momo were boyfriends." Makoto said, blowing bubbles in his milkshake.

"You and me both." Haru replied, watching as Sousuke made his way over to the little family.

"Haru. We need to talk." Sousuke said with a plain tone.

"I'm kind of out with Makoto at the moment Sousuke, can it wait?" He said with a sarcastic tint to his voice.

"No, it can't. Meet me outside." The P.E techer said, before leaving to wait outside.

Trying to stay calm Haruka asked his son if he could stay with Momo and Seijuro for a bit. Makoto, being the angel he is, agreed.

Sousuke lead them to an ally behind the coffee shop. They stood in silence for about a minute before the taller spoke. "Haru-"

"Oh sorry? Were you talking to me? Sorry, it's just that we don't seem to share a lot with each other anymore- oh no wait, that's just you." Haru said, his rage finally being let out. He didn't get angry often, but when he did even Sousuke knew to steer clear.

"Look Haru just listen to me." Sousuke said in a pleading tone. But Haru wasn't hearing it.

"No Sousuke, you listen to me. I tell you everything. Everything, okay? Do you know how it makes me feel to know you don't tell me things? Do you not trust me? Because we've been friend for god knows how long now and if I'm not worthy of your trust now, I never will be. Just… Fuck Sousuke- you make me so mad! I knew nothing about you too for yesterday; do you know how much of an idiot I felt?"

"It wasn't like that. It's complicated!" Sousuke protested.

"And? I've been through more complex things than you have Yamazaki. And yet I always came to you. Who was the person I came too when I was failing school? Who did I come to when Hana was pregnant? Who did I turn to when she was dying-" Haru said, choking on his words and blinking to stop tears falling. "Whenever I thought I'd be a terrible single parent? When I found out I'm falling for a guy? Always Sousuke, it was always you. What was so bad you couldn't tell me about it?!" He screamed at his best friend, his volume raised now.

"Because it went against everything you told me you thought was wrong, okay? Because our relationship isn't conventional! Because we have a friends with benefits relationship that I know you hate! That's why I didn't tell you Haru, I didn't want to hurt you. After your parents-" Sousuke tried to reason.

"Don't! Don't even go there Sousuke. I… I can't do this right now." Haru said, his voice slowly becoming a whisper.

"Haru you have to know I was going to tell you. But he… there's someone else he's seeing, alright? I knew I couldn't tell you until I knew I was the only one there was."

"But even then you'd still have the friends with benefits relationship wouldn't you?" Haru said, trying to push down memories from his past.

"And that's why I didn't tell you. I know you look down upon it because of what your dad did, and honestly Haru, I just didn't want you to think less of me." Sousuke said his voice cracking.

"It didn't occur to you that lying to me would hurt me more than your relationship? Did it not occur to you that two men can't conceive so I may have been able to accept it? The fact that my parents had that kind of relationship and accidently had me has nothing to do with this anyway Sousuke." Haru said, his face going red with effort to stop him from crying.

"Haru please. I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you like this. I didn't think it meant that much to you." Sousuke said, a tear falling down his cheek.

"I love you like I'd love a brother. I love you like I love Makoto. I don't understand how you don't know how much me telling you things affects me. I thought the feeling was mutual. I guess not." Haru said turning away from the taller man.

"Look after Makoto for me for a while. I need… I need to go somewhere." He started to walk off.

"Haru! Sousuke called after him, he ran up from behind and gave him a hug from the back. "I'm so sorry. I understand. I love you too." He said through a choked voice.

Haru nodded before moving out of the embrace and away from the coffee shop.

By the time he got there he was crying, he couldn't stop his tears from falling. He sat down facing her and punched the ground.

"I don't understand. I don't understand why it's gotten so hard. These past few weeks… everything's gone to shit and I can't deal with it anymore Hana." He cried, leaning his head on the cold grey slate of the gravestone. "I hurt Sousuke, and over what? My stupid obsession that we need to tell each other everything? I… I constantly feel like I'm betraying you whenever I'm with Rin, but I want to be with him more and more, I don't know what to do. I'm falling in love with someone else Hana, but I don't want to forget what we had. I know I'm being stupid and I know you told me to move on, but I'm scared. I'm scared without you Hana. Sometimes I wish we could go back. But we can't can we? And the worst part is there's a huge part of me telling myself that I don't want to go back because then I wouldn't have met Rin. Is it okay? Is it okay to be with him? Is it okay to let go of the past?" Haru spoke in a harsh whisper as the tears fell from his eyes.

He waited there for 30 minutes. Waiting for an answer he would never get.

Haru carried a sleepy Makoto up the stairs to their apartment. He managed to open the door and lay Makoto down in his bed. After his detour, he returned to pick up Makoto. He gave Sousuke a firm nod that assured the teal eyed man they would be okay with time.

Haru changed himself for bed, and clambered into his duvet when his phone buzzed. He picked it up and unlocked it with sleepy, exhausted eyes.

From: Rin

To: Haruka

Sleep well beautiful ;) xxx

Haru smiled softly, closing his eyes and dropping his phone onto the bedside table, content and relaxed as he drifted off to sleep.

And somewhere, looking down on her love, a woman who no longer walked the earth whispered-

"Yes honey, it's Okay."