Author Note: Oh my, has this chapter been overdue. I hope you can forgive me once again. I really tried to make this chapter long, but, well I sort of failed. It is a pretty decent size, so yeah...

On a side note: Because no names have been officially given to Haru's parents I made them up for the sake of the story since I couldn't keep referring to them as Haru's mom, Haru's dad, it just got too messy. Below are there names so as to not create confusion (I rather like these names, I looked for ones that coincided with Haru's name, but I am in no way Japanese so if I somehow mess this up sorry!)

Haru's parents name: Mom: Youko ("You"=sun, sunlight or ocean, "ko"=child) , Dad: Ryouichi ("Ryou"=good or clear, "ichi"=one)

Makoto stared out at the snow covered land, the chilly wind nipping at his nose and cheeks. His head hurt and he couldn't feel his fingers. There was also low ringing in his ears, almost like the hum of static. Part of him wanted to be inside the warm house behind him, but he couldn't bear to look at anyone right now. At the moment he was not strong enough to force a calm demeanor, he was not strong enough to keep himself from breaking at the sight of that little boy inside the house.

He angrily rubbed away the tears that had began to stream down his cheeks, leaving icy cold streaks behind. Inside his throbbing mind, Makoto wondered how many hits a person could take before they refused to get up? How many obstacles did one have to overcome before they were buried underneath the weight?

At what age did one recover from the loss of both of their parents?

"You'll freeze out here." The low, yet strong voice caused him to flinch. The old woman walked closer and stood beside Makoto, face stern, but not unkind. Her black clothing matched her jet black hair perfectly.

"I just needed…" Makoto trailed off, unsure of what it was he needed. Air? Solitude? Comfort?

No…no, someone else needed that more than he did.

"H-how's Haru? I…I didn't see him when I arrived." Makoto cleared his throat, feeling his voice sounded too dry, too hollow. His throat hurt like hell now too.

"He's in his room. He's been there ever since we came back from the cemetery." Makoto nodded along, his chest tightening at the thought of the boy, alone in his room.

"Could I…" Makoto blinked, willing the foggy haze to dissipate from his eyes. He tried again, the words rolling off his tongue awkwardly.

"Could I go see him?"

"By all means, I think you'd be the best suited to go up there. He has not even tried to talk to me. Why would he? I am practically a stranger." The woman held no cynicism in her voice, but just a hint of sadness, and regret? Makoto bowed respectfully to the older woman before he entered the house, quickening his steps in order to reach the boy's room faster. Once there he noticed the door was ajar. He knocked to let the boy know he was coming in. Haru's back was to him. He was dressed in a black suit that made him look even smaller than the tender age of five.

Makoto did not know what to say. What did one say when faced with such a situation?

"Haru." That was the only thing that came out of Makoto's mouth. It was the only word he could utter. The boy shifted, slowly turning to face the brunette. Haru's eyes were red and puffy, his lower lip was trembling, and his cheeks were glistening with tears. Makoto's heart broke, a tense, heavy pressure settling in his chest. He sat on the edge of the boy's bed, head pulsing harder than ever. He wanted to take the boy into his arms and reassure him that everything would be okay, but he couldn't do that. He didn't know how. He didn't know what words to say. He didn't know how to comfort a boy who had lost so much in such a short amount of time.

He reached out then, unable to keep still, and grasped the boy's small hand in his. Haru's hands were warm compared to his cold ones. He didn't want to cry in front of Haru, but a few traitorous tears slipped away.

"I'm here for you. I'll be here for you for as long as you need me, Haru. I'll be here by your side." The words fled from his mouth, his hand tightening around Haru's. He saw those wide, blue eyes fix themselves on his own green eyes. In a matter of seconds the boy flew into his arms, small fingers gripping the back of his shirt. Makoto held him gently, afraid that he might break Haru. The boy cried silently in his arms, staining his shirt with bitter tears, and there was nothing Makoto could do. It made him feel weak and useless, but above all, it terrified him.

It terrified him that all he could do was watch as Haru suffered through this.

…

"Youko left me as his guardian, but only because she knew that I would willingly hand him over to you." The words washed over Makoto and he released the breath he had not known he was holding. Makoto faced the woman, her eyes crinkled as she gave him a soft smile.

"I love Haruka, he is my son's child, but I am too old to care for him properly." She looked away, her smile disappearing slowly. Her eyes crinkled and the expression lines around her mouth deepened. For the first time in the short amount of days Makoto had known her, she looked tired and withered.

"I don't want him to have to go through the loss of someone else." There was a tremor in her voice. Makoto didn't know what to say. He lowered his head and offered the woman words of gratitude. He had been scared that he would not see Haru anymore. After all, it would be only natural for him to go with his paternal grandmother. However, hearing this made his immensely happy, even if it was all so overwhelming.

"I will visit for as long as time will allow me, but I know Haruka is in good hands." Makoto couldn't lift his head, the emotions growing in him too strong. He wanted to ask how she knew this about him, but he guessed Youko must have talked about him.

"Sh-she struggled," Makoto began, raising his head and turning to the framed picture hanging off the opposing wall. It was the last picture they had taken together as a family, and Youko had treasured it greatly.

"She struggled and cried and sometimes shut herself away from Haru, but she also always fought her way back. She was a good mother, she loved Haru. I saw it in the way she spoke of him, the way she held him." Makoto bit the inside of his cheek as memories of her filled his head. He kept his gaze firmly on the smiling couple and baby looking at him from the framed picture as he continued.

"After Ryouichi-san…after your son passed, Youko-san struggled to stay on her feet. There was even a time when I thought she wouldn't make it back, but she did. She forced herself to continue living for Haru. She told me that if it weren't for Haru, she would have gladly followed her husband." Makoto shivered as the memory of those dark days washed over him. Makoto finally tore his eyes away from the picture and faced the woman.

"She was a strong woman and an excellent mother. I know you two had your differences, but please don't ever doubt that she wasn't a good mother." Makoto watched as the woman closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, his heart hammering in his ears. Youko had often spoken of the mutual dislike between them. She'd said that her mother-in-law had never approved of her marriage to Ryouichi, and had even refused to attend their wedding. Even after Ryouichi's death, both women only ever spoke when it was necessary. It wasn't until a few weeks before Ryouichi's tragic accident, that the younger woman had decided to breach the chasm between them. She'd told Makoto that she finally understood that life was too short to hold onto feelings of hatred and resentment. Their budding relationship had been short-lived.

Makoto's eyes focused on the woman when she cleared her throat.

"It is quite refreshing to hear someone so young speak so passionately." The woman remarked, her eyes glistening. She dabbed at the corner of her eyes, not meeting Makoto's searching gaze.

"Do not worry yourself, Makoto-kun. I can assure you that I hold Youko in my highest regards."

"Thank you." Makoto said when the woman finally met his eyes, if only briefly.

…

Makoto adjusted his green tie, giving himself one final look-over before he turned toward the sleeping raven. Even though the boy had his own bed mere feet away from Makoto's, he had crawled into Makoto's a few hours into the night. Haru hated to sleep alone. Makoto had tried over the years to get the boy accustomed to sleeping by himself, but there was no progress with the little raven. Makoto often thought it was his fault for indulging the boy, but when he saw the wide, frighten blue eyes of Haru he had no heart to send the boy away. His mother had once chided him for spoiling Haruka, saying that he was turning into his father. Although, the softness of her eyes and the smile that had been playing on her lips had told him that she didn't mind that one bit. Makoto left the memory behind as he walked over to his bed.

"Haru." Makoto whispered, lightly shaking the boy's shoulder. Haru squirmed, opening a single eye.

Makoto smiled, "It's time to get up."

Haru nodded, sleepy eyes fluttering and squinting. Makoto watched as the boy got up, swaying a bit, and disappeared into the bathroom connected to the room. He was getting so big. It felt like only yesterday he had met the babbling baby boy in a blue hat. Makoto shook his head, his lips thinning. Not wanting to get caught up in more reminiscing, the brunette headed out to the kitchen. Once there he was surprised to see his recently acquired roommate already there, sipping freshly brewed coffee. It had been three weeks since Rin and his sister, Gou, had moved in. The transition had been pleasantly easy. They had discussed their schedules and arranged them so Haru was always with someone when not in school. Makoto had been happily surprised when Rin's sister had asked for permission to also look after Haruka. So far, everything was going smoothly, and he saw how Haru was opening up more to the two siblings.

Makoto's eyes softened as he traced Rin's tired silhouette. The man worked long hours during the night and still offered to pick Haru up from school, and stayed with the boy until Makoto got home. The man was kind, witty, hardworking, and smart. And he was also one hell of cook.

Makoto felt himself blush when red eyes met his. He'd been caught staring, something he had been doing a lot of recently.

"'Morning." Rin greeted, voice light and airy.

"Good morning, R-Rin-san." Makoto cursed the tremor in his voice and shied away from Rin's questioning gaze. He busied himself with preparing a cup of coffee. They had developed an unspoken rule over who made the coffee; the first person up always made a fresh pot. As he poured a bit of milk into his mug, he had never enjoyed his coffee black, Makoto wondered what it was that attracted him to Rin. Not in that way, of course. His interest was more…Well, he was not quite sure what his interest with Rin was. He liked the other man, of course, but only a normal liking that any other man would feel for another man. How could he not like Rin after everything the man had helped him with? After all, his liking for Rin was purely platonic.

Completely platonic.

Makoto jumped, almost spilling scalding, hot coffee over his hand, when Rin brushed past him. He watched with wide eyes as the redhead washed his cup, the man's lips moving as if he were speaking. Makoto blinked, realizing that there was a loud, sort of buzzing in his ears. He felt his ears and neck grow hot when red eyes looked up at him.

"…wrong?" Makoto blinked again, catching only the last bit Rin had said. Thankfully, he was spared from Rin's curious gaze and inquires when Haru walked into the kitchen, still a little sleepy-eyed.

"G'morning." Haru yawned, lazily adjusting his backpack.

"You forgot to brush your hair, kid." Rin smirked, ruffling Haru's hair. Makoto stood back and watched the exchange between the two. Haru swatted Rin's hands away only to replace them with his own, flattening his hair as best he could. Rin then took over when Haru only made it worse.

"Your hair's fairly easy to deal with. You should see Gou's when she wakes up, it's like a bird's nest." Rin said causing Haru to smile at the silly thought. Makoto sipped his coffee from his spot against the counter, and felt his heart swell at the sight of Haru's smile. His eyes strayed to the grinning redhead, a different emotion bubbling under his skin.

Perhaps it was not as platonic as he would have liked.

…

"All work and no play…" Makoto pointedly ignored Nagisa's suggestive words, or at least he tried to. He and Nagisa had not been friends for too long, having only met two years ago when Makoto was hired at Tottori University. Their first conversation had consisted of a broken printer in the staff room and next thing he knew, he was having lunch with the energetic Art professor. The blond man had struck him as quirky and eccentric at first, someone not to be taken too seriously. As they got to know each other better, both professionally and personally, Makoto found himself with a man he cared for and respected. They didn't share every single detail of their lives to each other, but Makoto often found that Nagisa was a great listener and, better yet, always tried to lighten up his mood. Even when Makoto didn't want him to.

"You need a night out, Mako-chan." Nagisa chirped, sucking on the end of his chopsticks. Makoto remained silent, hoping that if he stayed still enough Nagisa would forget he was there.

"Nothing bad, really, just come have drinks with us. Now that those damn department meetings are over we should go out and celebrate." Nagisa's pestering continued. "Just for today, Mako-chan, please?"

"I'd rather not, Nagisa. I appreciate the offer, but I'd like to go home early. Haru got really happy when I told him that I wouldn't have to stay out late because of the meetings." Makoto finally replied, throwing an apologetic smile to the blond. Nagisa sighed and nodded understandingly.

"Your such a devoted father, Mako-chan." Nagisa said, finishing the last of his lunch.

…

Makoto smiled as he opened the front door to his home, his ears picking up on the conversation within.

"…such a cheater, Haru." Rin's exasperated voice reached him first.

"I don't think it's technically cheating, Nii-chan, you're just a sore loser." Gou chimed in.

"Makoto is better at this than you." Makoto's curiosity peaked upon hearing this. He took off his shoes and jacket, leaving his briefcase behind as well. He padded to the living room, stopping a good distance away in order to take the scene in.

All three of them were sitting cross-legged in front of the television, finger moving frantically over the buttons of the controllers in their hands. Haru was in the middle of the two siblings, an adorable expression of intense concentration on his face. Gou was grinning widely, her smile almost identical to her brother's usual teasing one. Rin, on the other hand, was frowning, his eyebrows knitted in an expression Makoto hadn't had the pleasure of seeing before now.

"Oooh, he got you again." Gou giggled. "You're really good, Haru-chan, but this round is mine."

"I hate this game." Rin huffed, Makoto couldn't hold back his chuckle at Rin's sullen look. He was met with surprised red eyes when he finally stepped into their line of sight.

"I'm home." Makoto smiled, he couldn't help it, he was so happy. From the day he decided to take a job away from Iwatobi, away from the helping hand of his family, he had worried that one day Haru would resent him for it. He worried that he would only be hurting Haru by drastically changing his environment. It had been a tough decision to make, and even after he spoke with Haru and explained everything to him, and Haru agreed with the move, his fears and doubts still plagued him. Happiness and stability is all he wanted for Haru. Seeing how comfortable Haru was right now, flanked by the two redheads he had the fortune of meeting, his worries ebbed a bit.

They spent another hour playing, Makoto switching with an annoyed Rin until Gou retrieved another controller they had stowed away. They paired off, first with Makoto and Haru in one team and Rin and Gou in the other. Makoto and Haru won nearly every round.

"Nii-chan, you are terrible. No, don't grab that one!" Gou shifted, as if that would help her character avoid the large hammer coming toward it.

"You telling me that won't make me any better." Rin grumbled between clenched teeth.

"They remind me of Ren and Ran." Haru said as he easily knocked out Rin's character. Makoto agreed with a chuckle. After that disastrous round, Gou suggested they switch partners, while Rin just wanted to stop playing altogether. Gou was quick to call dibs on Haru, who surprisingly didn't put up an argument against the change of partners. Makoto offered Rin a sympathetic smile as they got ready for another round. The redhead met his eyes briefly before he turned back to the screen, mumbling something Makoto couldn't quite catch.

"For the love of…don't let him win!" Rin squawked as he watched Makoto's character put up a sub par fight against Haru's.

"S-sorry." Makoto apologized, cheeks heating. It took them three more rounds to finally win against the other two.

Before getting caught up in another game, Makoto stood and made his way toward the kitchen. Rin followed close behind, determined not to leave Makoto alone in the kitchen. The last time Makoto was left to do the cooking, they had been treated to a bland, overcooked meal. The brunette tried, he really did, but he was just not good in the kitchen. Of course, no one had said anything outright, Rin had been tempted to tease the brunette on his lack of culinary talent, but the man's kind expression always flitted through his head just as he opened his mouth.

At least now Rin understood why Haru was so attached to his mackerel, easy to prepare and with little room for error.

After speaking briefly over Haru's school day and Makoto's workday, they settled on doing a simple pork stir-fry. Rin did most of the work, only asking Makoto to hand him the needed vegetables and meat. Haru was still very much attached to his mackerel, but with a lot of persuasion he had begun to eat a wider variety of things.

"He had always enjoyed it, but after we moved here I had less time to properly cook up a meal, and, honestly, I am a very poor cook. Mackerel was the only thing that didn't burn." Makoto had explained to him some time ago, a sheepish smile on his lips. Rin had not been able to suppress his laughter then.

Bit by bit, Makoto had been opening up to him. He'd shared various stories of his high school days, which caused Rin to offer up his own personal anecdotes. He'd also spoken of his family more frequently, the corners of his lips always curving softly as he recanted some treasured memory. Rin appreciated every shared detail, for reasons he chose not to dwell on, and tried to reciprocate with any story he could recall of his and Gou's childhood. The only subject that Makoto said little about was of Haru's parents. Just a few days ago Rin had caved and asked, while pointing of the picture of the black-haired couple holding the baby Haruka, if the couple were Haru's parents. Makoto had gone quiet for a moment, his eyes lingering on the photograph before he murmured a faint yes.

Rin hadn't touched on the subject again.

"It's not…it's not that I don't want to talk about them…it's just…." Rin froze, shocked to hear these hesitant words from Makoto, his grip on the cutting knife loosening. Rin only had to turn his head a little to the right to catch Makoto's wary expression.

"You don't have to." Rin said hastily. "I was curious, but you have absolutely no obligation to tell me anything." He added more quietly, "I don't want you to force yourself to tell me about them."

Makoto shook his head, "No, no, it's none of that. I've never…" Rin watched as Makoto bowed his head, hiding his face. "I've never talked about them with anyone. Well, anyone who wasn't family, and even with them I tried not to linger too long on the subject. I don't know why I struggle with it, it's been years, but it still feels like hardly any time has passed."

It dawned on Rin then. Of all the possible reasons as to why Makoto was caring for Haruka, this was the one Rin had hoped was not true. Rin dropped his gaze, mind reeling. Flashes of his mother and father assaulted his head. In between the haze of emotions, Rin found his voice.

"It's ok. You don't have to say anymore. I understand." Rin almost felt proud that his voice didn't waver. They didn't speak after that, and Rin kept his head down until the stinging in his eyes disappeared. There were still many things he wanted to know, so many questions that refused to die down, but for now this revelation was enough.

That night as Haru bade him goodnight, Rin crouched down and hugged the little raven. It wasn't out of pity, but understanding. Losing ones parents at such a young age must have been hell. Rin had suffered with the loss of his dad first then of his beloved mother, but he had been older, had been able to assimilate a little better than Gou. It had taken her very long to stop crying at night, he had witnessed it first-hand. But, Haru…he had lost them both before the age of ten.

When he finally let the boy go with a murmured goodnight, Rin found Makoto next to him. Rin was expecting the brunette to question him, and he racked his brain to find the right words to answer him, but Makoto only offered him a kind smile before he followed after Haruka.

Rin was grateful for Makoto's silence. If Makoto had asked him anything at all, Rin was sure he would have told the brunette everything.

He would had have told Makoto everything about him, and that scared him beyond belief.

Author Note: Well, things are definitely moving the way I want them to it's just taking me longer than expected to get there (and by there I mean when these two losers finally get together). Aaagghhh there's still so much I have to write for this fic, it has completely taken over my mind.

Thank you so much for the support! I would love to know what you guys think, I am very self-conscious of my writing and how OOC I am making these guys, and how much unexpected angst came out of this (I swear I just wanted to write a silly, fluffy MakoRin fic!) anyway thanks for reading!