Disclaimer: I don't and never will own. I have not beta-ed this story, so forgive any mistakes. Arigatou minna-san.

/GG/

Not Alone

Aside from the mishap of the morning the rest of Keito-kun's school day was a breeze. Even though he was generally ignored, most people when they did converse with him were at least respectful enough. His first class of the day was missed, but he attended his second and third class, followed by a study group session, and one final class before heading off campus.

His voice was kept silent for the remainder of the morning and he just nodded and spoke simple phrases when necessary during the study group. All of his group mates were coming around and had even started offering to bring him to other activities, which he politely declined since that would mean less time with Serizawa.

When the professor dismissed the final class Keito was in happy spirits and completely giddy about his upcoming date with Seri-san. There was nothing better than drinking a sugary latte with his lover's hand held firmly in his. He silently hoped that the two could sit at the park, sip lattes, and hold hands until the moon was in the center of the night sky casting its pale light upon them. Dreams were meant to be happy and that was a happy dream.

Keito was surprised to see Riri-chan waiting for him at the gate. She was still in high school and his classes ended way before hers, so for her to be showing up it must have been important.

"You are beyond the slowest idiot on campus Keito." She chastised and pointed at her watch. "Your class got out 20 minutes ago, what took you so long?"

"Sorry Riri-chan, I wasn't expecting you today or I would have walked faster." The boy said truthfully. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?"

The girl sighed and linked arms with her friend. "I know you are going to your house today and I know what's in store. I figured I could come give you a heads up since I seem to be the only one in our little area you've made privy to your little affair with Serizawa-san."

This comment caused the towering student to duck his head in mild embarrassment. "I will tell my parents when the time is right."

"I never hold back with you Keito and I am going to lay it on the line for you, the longer you wait the harder it will be when the truth comes out. I have a feeling there are going to be guests at your house today when you show up for dinner. I am also sure there is a girl who is going to accompany these guests and that both sets of parents are going to try to press for an arrangement."

This news startled Keito-kun who stopped walking and looked at his best friend. "What do you mean? This is the 21st century, who does arranged marriages anymore?"

"People all over the globe still work with arranged marriages, they're just not as common. In your case, you big idiot, it's because you are so shy your parents don't think you will find someone of your own."

All of the happy and cheerful thoughts in Keito's head vanished along with the color in his face. Riri-chan had no reason to lie so he doubted she'd fabricate such an elaborate hoax. On the other hand, his parents wanted grandchildren and to see him settled down, so he wouldn't have put it passed them to try for some arrangement.

"How do you know this?" He finally asked quietly.

"Your mom told my mom today and I happened to overhear on my way out the door. I'll be the first one to say that I am happy for you and Serizawa-san since he can babysit you now and I don't have to, but I think it's about time you came clean and the sooner the better. Have that bookstore clerk come over tonight and he can help you tell your family."

Keito wanted to pass out again for the second time that day. While senpai was being an ass, his parents were on a completely different level. He didn't know how they would react to such news and the conversation on telling them had not really come up with Serizawa-san before. Was it even okay to make such a request of the older man? A fresh set of tears formed in his eyes as he thought about what his parents might say to discourage Seri-san if the man did show up at his house. To the boy, the thought of losing his lover was more than his heart could take and without further ado the tears freely fell.

"Hey!" Ririko snapped in annoyance. "Don't cry before know what is going on. I already told you to speak to Seri-san and tell him what's going on. I am sure he'd drop everything and come to your aid like a white knight."

/GG/

Said white knight was currently returning to work after a strange encounter with Tazaki-san. The idea of what she was talking about was completely over his head and he was beyond confused and had he not been at work he would have thought more about the subject. As it was there was little he could do at that moment, so he went back to work.

There were five boxes of new books he needed to be catalogue, followed by placement on the shelves. This task would take around an hour at which point the day would only have an hour more on the clock. Then he could head off to find food and kill some time before Keito-kun returned from his errands.

Serizawa wouldn't admit this to many people but he always felt giddy when he thought of his loveable giant returning to his home, to sleep in his bed, to kiss him goodnight, and hold him like a comforter.

As he had stated before, his prior partners had all been dead weight and never once thought about their own shortcomings. Keito-kun was anything but dead weight, but always considered himself as such. The self-esteem on that kid was depressing at times, but that cute face when he confessed on a daily bases, when they were locked together in love, or just when he was rambling unnecessary apologies reminded Serizawa on an hourly basis how much he loved him.

The hour passed by quickly followed by most of the next hour. Before the man knew it his shift was almost over and it was time to start the shift change process. Okano was busy doing the last of her shift inventory as were a few other employees who were making way for the college-aged students who worked in the afternoon and evening.

It was when the then that the clerk noticed someone who towered over everyone coming in with the night crew. This individual looked completely nervous in a way that made Serizawa's heart break because something big must have happened if Keito-kun was looking this dejected. Not caring if he was chastised, said clerk walked over to his boyfriend to show him that whatever it was he was not alone.

"Keito-kun," Serizawa said with a slight smile in hopes of helping the boy regain some of his spark. "I am glad you came to see me at the end of my shift." Whatever was wrong could easily cause the younger man to bolt which would be a problem when his older lover followed him.

Keito hung his head and rubbed his hands together. He could do this. The pep-talk Riri-chan had given him earlier was more than enough.

"Um…Seri-san…c-c-cou…" He was having a rather difficult time getting his brain and mouth to function together.

"Keito-kun, would sitting down help you?"

The taller individual shook his head no and continued. "S-S-Seri-san…um…uh…" he continued to stammer and started to turn red with humiliation as his composure started to bleed away faster than the bullet train.

Serizawa knew whatever it was must have been important so to help his younger lover out he reached out and grasped his hand in order to give a reassuring squeeze. He let his fingers linger with the other's for a time until the student dropped his posture into a bow which caused the other to jump back so as not to get clocked in the head.

"Seri-san!" He said with gumption. "P-p-please come and meet my p-parents-s-s tonight."

He'd said it! In the back of Keito's mind he was listening to the Halleluiah Chorus, but while he applauded himself on getting the words out right he was worried about the outburst, as well as what Seri-san's reaction might be. On one hand he didn't want to see the look in his lover's eyes, especially if he had done something wrong in asking. On the other hand, he would need to stand up at some point because he knew he was causing a scene and that made him all the more timid.

The shock came when he finally raised his body and then looked down at the shorter man in front of him. A huge smile adorned the man's face. It wasn't a fake smile, the kind worn to alleviate any sort of dissatisfaction about a situation, this was a true smile reserved only for Keito and the boy knew it.

"You really want me to come meet your parents?" Serizawa was in happy shock since this was the first time anyone had wanted to bring him home.

The other nodded his head slightly and lowered his eyes when he felt all of the other patrons' eyes on the back of his neck. He'd messed up again, but at least he spit the right words out.

"I guess I should get ready to go so I can change before this meeting." The smile on Serizawa's face could be heard in the man's voice. Keito looked up from the floor and the two locked eyes for a brief moment and in that moment he knew that he wasn't alone, nor would he ever be as long as Seri-san was around.