Like North and South, I'm Drawn to You Kaleos/Shion

[praiseofblood]

Shion walked slowly, his hands in the unfamiliar Zercan clothes pockets as he strolled through the park, his pale skin catching the light just so. The air here was cleaner, lighter than Jeskara, and the sun was warm and luminescent—not at all what he was used to.

The grass was so vividly green, the colors all so bright—not at all like the cold grey world he had come from. Shion couldn’t decide if he hated it or not. For the first time, he felt the warmth from the sun, yet at the same time, it poured through his sensitive skin. It wizened him to the fact that something had been missing in his life, and he didn’t like the feeling. He felt incomplete, as if he was supposed to be a part of a better something but he didn’t know what.

“Unca Shi-Shi!” came the call from a rapidly flying bundle of flesh as it collided with his legs and broke him out of his reverie.

“Unca Shi-Shi!” came two other cries as more bundles pounced him.

Shion hit the ground, shielding the children as he laughed with them.

“Hey there, Squirts.” He smiled gathering the children to him. “Oy, you’ve grown since last I’ve seen you.” He smiled. “Where are your parents?”

“In Unca Tory’s shop.” The smallest of the three replied.

“Oh, I see, well…how about a game to pass the time, eh?” he asked.

“YAH!” the triplets cheered. Shion smiled, “Alright, now everyone sit down in a circle, alright? I’m the wolf and you’re the three little pigs. Close your eyes, and I’m going to tap one of you on the shoulder and you get up and run as fast as you can around the circle. If I catch you, you go into my…”cooking pot!” he cackled evilly, much to the children’s delight.

They sat in a circle and began to play. Shion had already caught two of the triplets, and was advancing on the third. As he tapped the boy on the shoulder, he shot up and raced off nearing the busy streets.

Shion eyes widened, and he raced after the boy, fast as his legs could carry him. “Orai!” he called, worry crossing his face as the boy neared the road, until he was caught by a large arm.
Shion stopped short of colliding with the man and stared up into a stunningly handsome face. He felt something within him spur to life at the sight of the imposing Zercan, but ignored it in favor of grabbing his nephew.

“Orai, you must be more careful!” he chided, checking the boy over. The last thing he needed was to be kept away from the children because he was irresponsible.

“I awright, Unca Shi-Shi! I run fast.” the boy giggled, as Shion swung him up onto his hip. He looked back to the Zercan, biting back the conditioned snide comment and instead saying a soft “Thank you,” to the man, his eyes downcast.

[clementine]

Sunny days meant that it was time to go to the park. The kids had been driving Kaleo's bearer up the wall, which five young kits generally tended to do, and he decided to steal...er, borrow the boys for a day at the park. There was much squealing over this announcement, the kits scattering to get ready while their Chewy waited.

In what could be considered good time, Kaleos was out the door with five younglings in hand. The youngest sat on his shoulder, being barely two with really short legs, while the rest held each other's hands in a train of sorts. Kaleos was the leader of this train, keeping a tight hold on the first child's and while making sure none of the kits let go of their partners hands.

"Are we there ye?!" One of the kits cried, causing all the others to voice their complaint as well.

"Just hold onto your tails for a bit longer." Kaleos replied in a deep voice full of even deeper patience. "Look. Can't you see? The park is just down there." He pointed and the pack of boys shrieked in happiness, causing a lot strange looks. What was really strange though was the little child seeming to race right for the street!

Kaleos didn't know what to do, wanting to dive for the kid but not able to let go of his own. He nearly shouted in relief when the father caught his child. Not caring that he'd almost been collided into, the Zercan smiled, heart pounding in his chest as he looked down at the handsome male who looked really familiar.

"Don't thank me. I didn't do anything." He grinned, shushing the cheering kids behind him. "You and your kit alright?" Kaleos had a moment where he peered into the stranger's face, nose wrinkling in thought. "I want to say you're Jikan but I really don't think so. Brothers? You kind of smell the same." Kaleos had been gone for the last six months, only hearing on the Zercan's miraculous healing and not the long thought dead brother found to be alive again.

[praiseofblood]

Shion blinked at the large man and his children. "You know my brother?" he asked before he could help himself, and then rolled his eyes. "Nevermind--everyone knows Jikan..." he muttered before readjustinf Orai. The other two triplets tottered over, clutching at their uncle's legs.

"The little bugger is just fine, but I'm not his father." Shion said, eyes attracted across the street to where Xero and Jonas were crossing.

"Daddy! Mommy!" the kids hollered, and Shion stooped to collect all three before they could shoot out into the busy street.

Xero and Jonas made it across, both of them taking in the scene. Xero said nothing to his uncle, simply taking the kits from him while he smiled at Kaleos. "Hey, Mr. Kaleos." he said kindly.

[clementine]

Kaleos just shook his head and sighed. He didn't think he'd get that kind of reaction. "Well, I'm glad he's alright then." The Zercan offered, believing that talking about little kids was a safe ground for conversation.

He was about to say more but the appearance of Xero and his mate diverted him. The large male smiled at the silver haired youth. "Mr. Xero." He replied formerly, making a funny face. "That makes me sound so old." He pretended to look put upon. "It's also nice to meet you, Xero's mate whose name I do not know. Good too see you and your kits both looking healthy."

"Jonas." Jonas smiled, taking a kits from Xero's arms and bouncing him a bit. "And likewise. Shion here not giving you any trouble? He tends to do that." The vampire said, still not liking the appearance of this new uncle.

"Not at all." Kaleos shook his head. "Me and this lot sort of bumped into him. You know how kits are." He shrugged, flashing Shion a nice smile.

[praiseofblood]

"Well...you are kind of old." Xero teased his father's old friend, laughing at the look on his face.

Shion shot Jonas a glare straight from the pits of hell. The pup still didn't know how to watch his manners.

He was about to retort when the large, bear of a Cat smiled a completely charming smile at him. Shion was a bit taken aback, surely if this male knew Jikan, he'd would've heard all the horror tales surrounding him, no? he thought.

Shion frowned, he just didn't get some people. Looking back to Jonas and Xero he said stoically. "I'll see you all tonight for dinner in celebration of Jikan's release from the hospital." he looked back at the all too handsome/kind/perfect Zercan and nodded. "Nice meeting you." he said, before he turned, hands back in his pocket and starting the long walk to Soren and Jikan's home.

Why had he even agreed to come to this Goddess forsaken planet?

[clementine]

Kaleos may have heard a few things here and there, but he didn't put stock in what others told him. He liked to make of people what he wanted and not follow the thinking of the general crowd.

The big Zercan frowned, watching Shion go. Something in him wanted to follow the male, but that was currently impossible with his bunch of children. He sighed, suddenly feeling liquid drip into one of his eyes. He blinked rapidly before realizing that the toddler on his shoulders was drooling on him.

"Cahya sweetling, you're dripping." Kaloes cooed, jiggling the baby while wiping the spit from his eye and forehead. "It's wonderful to hear Jikan is finally coming out of the hospital." He said to Xero and Jonas. "I don't know the full details of his recovery, but I heard it was a near miracle." The Zercan smiled, words sincere and full of utter relief at knowing the much beloved male was healed.

"Is he always like that?" Kaloes added, motioning to Shion's retreating form.

[praiseofblood]

Xero smiled. "Yeah, it was a right battle trying to get his medicine, but the Majikadai were more than helpful--they even healed Rykan's sight." he said, remembering the journey. He frowned as he saw Shion's retreat.

"Yeah, mostly. He only really talks to Rykan and Mom. He's a bit of an S.O.B, but I don't think he can help it." Xero said, watching the slim figure dissapear into the foliage, Xero knew that he was probably running at speeds no normal person could track now that he was under the cover of the trees. "He is my uncle though, so I'm trying to reach a common ground with him." he finished. He remembered the way that Shion responded to Kaleos, and an idea struck him.

"Hey, Kaleos...how about joining us tonight? You're as much family as the rest of us, and it'd be good to have your company." Xero beamed, the meddling wheels in his head turning a mile a minute. Maybe all Shion need was some TLC, which--unmated and rather hunky Kaleos should be able to faciliate! Master plan in motion, Xero was hell bent on not taking no for an answer. As a topping on the cake he added "Rykan and I are cooking the entire meal." he smiled. "We're making all our specialties."

[clementine]

Kaleos blinked and couldn't help but think that S.O.B has a nice ass. The Zercan smiled to himself at the thought before refocusing back on the conversation not involving Shion's nice body.

"Ah, join you? Tonight?" He flushed at the idea of seeing Shion again, even if just from across the room. "I don't know...I got kit duty tonight and..." He trailed off, caught in indecision. However, the moment that Xero mentioned that he and Rykan were cooking was the deal breaker.

"Alright, you got me." Kaloes crowed through rumbling laughter, kits crowding his legs to peer in on the conversation. "I'd be an idiot to pass of that kind of good cooking. I think you two might surpass Jikan one of the these days." He teased. "Besides, it'll be fun to watch mother fuss over the idea of a house warming gift now."

[praiseofblood]

'HUZZAH!' Xero thought-cheered.

"Great. It starts at seven!" he smiled, "We'll see you there!" he grinned, before pulling Jonas off to do some more shopping.

(Skip to then?)

[clementine]

Kaleos stood on the Hakurion doorstep pulling at the collar of his shirt. His mother had made him dress up. Although dressing up for him just consisted of a pair of grey slacks and a black sweater, the Zercan was still uncomfortable.

He shifted on his feet a moment longer, adjusting the warped welcome home gift his mother had sent more securely underneath his arm. It was a bundle of his his mother's best silk fabric, the color an elegant red with black and silver designs for health and vitality.

Finally, Kaleos rang the bell, not sure what to expect. He hoped to see Shion though and the thought made him smile again.

[praiseofblood]

Shion watched the people mill about in his brother's large home. Handsome young Zercan males roamed about, along with many children. His brother's slim form dominated the room, enclosed in the arms of his oversized mate.

He had finally found some comfortable clothing. A pair of baggy black pants and a tight dark grey shirt. He chose to go barefoot, having never liked shoes much in the first place. He headed through a small group of children to stand in the foyer.

Shion looked at all of the people, everyone here loved his brother. Loved him enough to come see him in his time of need, and wish him health in his time of recovery. Could he say the same about himself? Shion ripped himself out of his reverie and stood as he heard the doorbell, swinging the door open to reveal Kaleos.

[clementine]

"Hidy." Kaleos grinned handsomely when the very person he'd been fantasizing about opened the door. The big male eased himself past Shion and into the house where it was warm. "It's a right party in here." He said, catching sight of Jikan looking healthier than he had in ages.

"Your brother is looking very well." Kaleos added, still smiling. "I'm sure you're very happy, yes?"

[praiseofblood]

"Sure..." Shion said, restraining his urge to blush at how handsome the male looked. He frowned at himself again for acting like an adolescent schoolgirl, and resumed leaning against the wall.

"Everyone is in the main recieving room." he said, catching a small ball headed for his head and tossing the toy back without interest.

He refused to stare at the gorgeous male that was for some reason still standing near him. Why was he still there?!

[clementine]

Kaleos laughed at the ball launched at Shion's head. "Nice reflexes. The epitome of Majikadai breeding." He complimented, adjusting Jikan's gift against his hip. The Zercan didn't move from where he was, much more interested in Shion in the moment than mingling.

"So, if everyone's in the receiving room, why are you over here?" Kaleos teased gently. "Don't tell me they always put the cutest males of door duty." He pretended to look aghast at the idea.

[praiseofblood]

Shion rolled his eyes at the compliment a small smirk on his face, before turning bright red at being called cute. He turned his head away from the man so he wouldn't catch his blush, even though that was impossible, seeing how pale his body was.

"I am not cute." He said firmly, refusing to look at the man. Seriously, what was he? Sixteen?

Growing more annoyed with himself and the huge Zercan hunk in front of him, he decided to answer Kaleos' question in hopes he would leave. "I do not get on well in social settings, I will speak with my brother once everyone is gone, but I feel my presence here is the least I can do." he said.