Corliss rubbed her eyes then turned. She opened them then took a moment to assess before jumping out of bed in shock. That wasn't Honjo in her bed. She quietly looked and saw Honjo clinging to him like a baby monkey to its mother. Her eyes softened at the sight. She really didn't remember last night, but it didn't seem like anything happened between them.

"Boys, time to get up." she said, shaking them. "Especially you, Illumi."

Illumi groaned as he swatted her hand away. She pursed her lips and slapped his arm, causing him to sit up.

"I said. Get. Up." she said sternly.

"Did you just hit me?" he asked in disbelief.

"You aren't too old to get your ass beat." she said then covered her mouth.

They looked at Honjo who was still asleep. She sighed in relief then gently shook him. Honjo groaned and reluctantly sat up.

"Mr. Zoldyck?" he said sleepily.

"Ms. Steinbeck and I had a little conversation last night. What do you think of spending the day with Mr. Nakahara?" Illumi asked.

"Today?" he asked.

"Tomorrow." said Corliss.

"I like it. Where is he taking me?" he asked excitedly.

"It's a surprise." said Illumi with a smile.

Corliss looked at the two of them as they messed around. Her home truly felt like a warm and loving one. She blinked rapidly, then shook her head. She couldn't. To suddenly ask him like this, she should feel shame.

"Lin? You okay?" he asked, feeling her forehead.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. If you need to go, go ahead. Be safe on your way back." she said.

"Mom, can I stay the entire day with him? Can Aoyuzu come too?" he begged.

"I don't know. He does have a job... Illumi?" she said, looking at him.

"I don't mind but, I'm worried he might get hurt on site..." said Illumi, swinging Honjo. "He should probably stay with you."

Honjo looked between them with a happy smile. They sounded like parents.

"You sound like a mommy and daddy." he said with a cheeky grin.

They looked at him then at each other. Corliss sighed, unable to deny that. Illumi as well.

"Anyway, you need to get ready, young man." she said, sending him off to take a shower.

"You really do have mom qualifications." he said in admiration.

"So you're saying I didn't before?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You know I didn't mean it like that." he said defensively.

"I'm just messing with you. Lighten up." she said with a light laugh.

____

"Mr. Zoldyck stayed over? How lucky." Aoyuzu said with wide eyes. "Did he play with you?"

"Lots! But then I fell asleep..." Honjo said with a frown. "I wish he was my dad."

"You really like Mr. Zoldyck... Is it more than me?" asked Aoyuzu quietly.

"I like you both equally." he replied with a smile.

Corliss stopped by their seats and looked over their work.

"Ms. Steinbeck, are you and Mr. Zoldyck in love?" Aoyuzu asked.

"Huh? What makes you think that?" she asked.

"Honjo said you two were laughing then called each other beautiful." he said.

Honjo was listening. She knew they should've talked quieter. She laughed then ruffled their hair.

"Friends laugh and call each other beautiful all the time. Now, if we were in love, we'd hold hands a lot, give each other kisses and go on dates." she said.

"So does that mean Honjo and I are in love? We hold hands a lot." said Aoyuzu curiously.

"Not at all. You have to do all three." Corliss elaborated.

They nodded in understanding. It was hard trying to keep things to a minimum while making sure the children understood.

____

Chuuya peeked at Illumi's clipboard then looked away when Illumi looked at him.

"So, what do you think? Nice isn't it?" Illumi asked, gesturing to the half finished bedroom.

Chuuya took a photo of the room then observed it. It was coming together, that much was true. He let out a sigh then nudged Illumi.

"Lumi, I'm leaving soon. Japan that is." Chuuya said, clicking through his photo gallery.

"Huh? Why? You just got back." Illumi said worriedly. "Did someone ask for you?"

"Yeah, they did. I'll be there for a while, so don't worry about me being gone too long." he half lied. He couldn't bring himself to tell the full story. "I promise I'll bring you back something."

"I see, so what day and time so I can see you off?" he asked.

"Don't bother. You're busy with all of this. I'll text you when I get to the airport, before takeoff and when I land." Chuuya said with a smile. "And when I come back, I better hear that you and Lissy are engaged."

Illumi punched him in the arm with flushed cheeks. Chuuya started to laugh, loving getting a rise out of him.

"Honestly, how much longer will you keep her in the dark? It's obvious you want to care for her." Chuuya said. "Just tell her. Or else I'll send screenshots of our conversation."

"Okay! Just don't do that." Illumi said with a pout. "Jerk."

Chuuya walked away then opened up his conversation with Corliss. He knew Illumi wouldn't keep his word and he at least wanted to make the person he deeply cared for happy.

Chuuya looked back at Illumi who directed the workers. He'd thank him one day.

____

Corliss walked down the hall holding Honjo's hand. She thought back to Chuuya's texts then reviewed her speech. She knocked on his door and waited for one of them to answer.

"Corliss, hey." said Illumi with a smile.

She let Honjo's hand go then swallowed hard. All she had to do was say something that said she was slightly interested.

"Let's get dinner sometime." she blurted out.

"Um, okay...? I'll send you my schedule." he said, unfazed.

"Like... a date." she muttered, rubbing her arm.

Illumi blinked rapidly. Date. She said date. Was she serious? Honjo looked at them. Were they going through the stages?

"Really? A date? I guess we could... Yeah." he said, clearly flustered.

"Hey, can I go too?" Honjo asked, tugging on Corliss's shirt.

"No, you cannot. It's strictly mom and dad time." she said sternly.

"Dad...?" Illumi said weakly.

"You're marrying Mr. Zoldyck? I'll have a daddy!?" Honjo asked excitedly.

"Now you're getting ahead of yourself, Honjo. I was just calling him dad to tease." she said with an innocent smile.

Illumi shook his head as he let Honjo into his office. Corliss waved before turning on her heel. That should show him that she was interested.

"Lin." he called out.

She turned around then watched him approach her. He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her closer.

"Illumi..." she whispered.

He leaned forward then stopped as she shied away slightly. He was being too forward. Just as he was going to let go, she connected their lips. He hesitated before slowly wrapping his arms around her waist as she locked hers around his neck. Her dormant dominant side awakened, seizing control of the passionate kiss they shared. Illumi pulled away, slightly scared of what he had unearthed.

"That was..." she whispered.

"Amazing." he finished, still holding her by her waist. "A hidden dominant side, huh...?"

"I guess you can say that." she said with a chuckle. "It'll come out when we least expect it."

"Are you dating now?" Honjo asked, scaring them.

"Uh... no...?" Corliss replied, looking at Illumi, unsure.

"Hey, why don't we go play on my computer?" Illumi said, ushering the boy into the room.

Corliss chuckled then made her way down the hall and out of the building.

____

"And he cried so hard that he wet his pants!" said Chuuya, bursting into laughter with Honjo.

"Why must you tell him only my embarrassing stories?" Illumi fumed.

"Because they're funny?" he replied.

"Oh? Like the time you got separated from the group because you were stuck in the res-" Illumi said then had a hand clamped over his mouth.

"Finish the story!" Honjo said excitedly.

Illumi gave him a smug look. Chuuya glared at him, daring him to finish.

"He was stuck in the restroom. Why? Well..." Illumi said, looking up at Chuuya. "He pooped his pants and it was very visible. He's easily scared, so that's how it ended up that way."

Chuuya covered his face, his ears bright red. Of all embarrassing stories, he had to tell that one.

"Buck up, Chubear. At least it wasn't that one." said Illumi with a smile.

"I'm supposed to be the cool one!" Chuuya complained with reddened cheeks.

The door opened as they bickered back and forth. Honjo left his spot and hurried over to the visitor.

"Um, am I interrupting...?" they asked.

"Oh, Lissy! Illumi here was teaching your kid some bad things." Chuuya said with a shake of his head.

"Don't you dare lie to her!" Illumi warned.

"Scary..." Chuuya mumbled, hiding behind Corliss.

"Thank you again for watching him. Tomorrow is the last day you need to." she said with a smile. "I won't be gone long for the interview, hopefully."

"Oh? Getting yourself a new job?" Chuuya asked curiously.

"I have to. Giving Honjo a good life takes priority over everything. I'm not just sustaining myself anymore." said Corliss, ruffling Honjo's hair. "I'm really going to miss the kids."

Chuuya looked at Illumi who kept silent. He had his thinking look on his face.

"Corliss." Illumi piped up.

"Yes?" she replied, turning as she had started to leave.

"Rely on me." he said quietly.

"Huh? I didn't hear you." she said with a slight confused look.

"I want you to rely on me, especially now. I want to be there for you." said Illumi, now with firm resolve. "I'll do everything humanly possible."

Corliss's eyes softened at his determined face. She didn't know what she did to land herself such a guy like Illumi, but not once was she ungrateful for him being in her life.

"If it's not too much trouble, then I'll take you up on your offer. If I need it." she replied with a bright smile.

Chuuya started to read the mood then had Honjo follow him out the room. They weren't needed. Corliss looked away as she rubbed her arm, a habit she had started developing when she became embarrassed.

"I guess I'll go..." she said, leaving the room.

Illumi stayed seated then exhaled. He didn't know why he was holding his breath. He rose from his seat to get himself a cup of tea, only to run into Corliss. Neither said a word as they stayed motionless.

"Did you forget something...?" he asked.

Corliss hid her face in his neck in silence. Just once she'd allow herself to indulge in her uncertain feelings. She wrapped her arms around him still without a word. Illumi hugged her back, rubbing her back in hopes it'd make her feel better.

"I was really happy..." she whispered.

"Because...?" he asked.

"Because of you... I never felt so cared for in my entire life... I've never felt so at peace like I do now..." she said, lifting her head and looking at him with her blurry vision. "Thank you, really..."

She pressed a kiss onto his cheek then nestled her head back into the nape of his neck. Illumi silently leaned his head against hers, knowing she would understand his response.