From all of Zel's descriptions, Alexander had deduced that his dad is was apparently scary looking. A giant with a soft heart.

When he saw him, it was granted he was sort of a giant, he just wasn't sure about the soft heart.

He seemed to sneer the moment he laid eyes on Alexander and if he was honest, it made him nervous.

"Papa!" Zel ran into his arms and was hoisted up into the air. He laughed heartily as he looked up at his son in his arms.

"I haven't seen you in so long, I thought you abandoned me," he said to Zel. His voice was like gravel whereas Zel's was as clear as a flowing stream.

"You're so dramatic," said Zel while giggling. "I told you I might be gone a while."

"I missed you a lot," he said. They were so different, in fact, totally different apart from the blonde hair.

Once he set his son down, Zel looked to Alexander then back to his dad.

"Papa, this is Alexander," said Zel as he put his hand out towards him. Alexander took it and walked closer.

He was aware of the murderous look sent his way but he pretended not to see it. At the same time he wanted him to like him.

"Boyfriend?" Zel's father asked and Alexander could now understand the story about the previous boyfriend.

One of them. Zel wanted to tell his father. But he knew him. He was the step by step type of person so he waited.

"Yes, papa," said Zel. "But this is different, I'm truly in love with him."

Alexander smiled. He couldn't help it. Whereas Zel's dad didn't look very convinced.

Zel walked towards him. "Alexander, this is my dad."

Zels dad stuck his hand out for Alexander to shake. He shook it. "Nate Dawson," he said as formally as it could get.

"Alexander Kane."

Zel's dad raised an eyebrow. "Firm handshake," he commented. "Hm."

Alexander didn't know what that was supposed to mean.

"I'll go check on the food," said Zel. "I told you not to overdo it." He looked accusingly at his dad then disappeared where Alexander assumed was the kitchen.

Mr Dawson didn't even stall the conversation, he went straight to it when Zel was out of sight.

"Have you hurt him before?" He asked.

Alexander didn't expect such a sudden question but he didn't show it. He nodded as he tried not to think of the tears in Zel's eyes on the first date and when he'd disqualified him. He was so stupid.

Zel's dad nodded while taking a step towards him. Closer, Alexander could see he was at least a whole foot taller than he was.

He didn't expect his large fist trying to crush his gut all of a sudden. He grunted in surprise. "Try ever hurting him again," said Mr Dawson.

Alexander recovered quickly from his shock. "Hell would have to freeze over first," he said and glared at him.

They both stared at each other like two mad dogs.

Zel came in and paused to watch the spectacle. "What is wrong with you two?" He stepped in the middle of them.

"He just told me he's hurt you before," said his father.

"And he believes I'm going to let it happen again, can you believe that?!" Alexander shot back.

"When did you even hurt me?" Asked Zel.

"I made you cry princess, twice. I'm sorry I hurt you," Alexander said. He took a loose tendril of Zel's hair and put it behind his ear.

Zel's dad bristled at the affectionate name.

"No, Dad! Calm down," said Zel.

"You heard what he called you. He has no right. Not after he hurt you," he said.

"I'm okay Papa, it's just...he's gone through some stuff, but it's all worked out now."

"You don't have to–" Alexander began.

"That's exactly what I was saying sweetheart," His dad cut in.

"Okay you know what? Everyone just shut up!" Zel's tone changed and gripped the full attention of the other two.

It was still adorable and to Alexander he sounded like a cute angry bunny. He'd never even heard the tone before. It was all he could do not to lift him up and nuzzle his neck there and then.

"Sit down, the both of you," said Zel.

"Sw–" His dad's voice was already softening.

"Now."

They sat down.

"Alexander, I don't get how you managed to piss him off right after I left the room," said Zel. "You looked like you were seconds away from fighting, did you think I'd want that?"

Alexander looked down like he was ashamed and shook his head.

"And you!" He turned to his dad. "I leave him with you for five minutes and you already want to tear him apart. What part of I love him wasn't clear?"

"But–" said his father.

"No! You've sheltered me enough Papa, I know there's lots of bad people out there but he's not one of them. I know I can be naive sometimes but I think Alexander is right for me. I feel safe when he holds me. I love him. And if you punch him again I'll I'll... I'll punch you back. I don't know just don't you dare punch him again."

His father remained quiet.

"You're both going to stay here and get along. I'll be in the kitchen. And by the time I'm back, there better be rainbows and sunshine in the room, do I make myself clear?"

They both nodded.

"Good," Zel hopped away.

When he left, his father turned to Alexander. "I've never seen that side of him before have you?"

Alexander kept staring at the door that Zel had disappeared through. His eyes were a little unfocused. "Fuck..." he said, voice almost a whisper.

"Hey that's my son you pervert!" His hands tightened around Alexander's collar.

Alexander did the same to his. "He's mine you know," he growled.

"In fact," came Zel's voice. They didn't know how but somehow it happened, they were both holding hands and smiling.

"Yes sweetheart," his dad said at the same time Alexander said "Yes princess?"

He dug his fingernail into Alexander's hand.

"Never mind," said Zel when he saw the state they were in.

From then on, it was murderous looks from each other.

Alexander spoke to Zel's dad as they ate, but he was sure he was only responding because of the daggers Zel stared his way.

"When did you even fall in love sweetheart? And with him?" His dad asked. He said the last part with a lot of contempt. Alexander sneered his way.

"Oh no Papa, Alexander's not the only man I'm in love with," said Zel.

"What did you say?" He asked Zel and Alexander smiled.

"There's a few others," Zel replied nonchalantly.

༻༺

They managed to get through dinner without turning the table over, so Zel decided it went well.

They sat in the car, ready to go. "Bringing everyone at once might have been a lot for him to take in at once," said Zel.

"Yeah, if he already hates me that much," replied Alexander.

Zel studied him with a worried expression. "I mean, he didn't attempt to kick you out of the house so I guess he likes you."

He'd been so sure this was the one person his father would get along with the moment they met, but it wasn't so simple.

"You think so?" Alexander asked.

"Yeah," he replied.

The distance between them closed little by little. "You look amazing by the way," said Alexander.

Zel's breath caught as their lips almost touched. Then a hand was pushing his face away from Alexander

Opening his eyes, another hand was spread all over Alexander's face, pushing him further away.

"No! No kissing my son in my presence," said Zel's father.

In his presence? How the f–

"What the f–" Alexander had started.

"Oh my God dad! How did you even get in here?" Zel asked.

"You said you were in love with more people, I don't know how that works but I have to see them," he said in a voice Zel knew was hard to argue against.

"You want to meet them tonight," he wasn't sure he was asking or not.

"Exactly," he confirmed. "Hey drive, Alexscoundrel."

Alexander rolled his eyes as Zel went to squeeze his hand. "He likes you, I swear," said Zel.

He turned to his dad in the backseat. "Papa, could you please let Alexander off the hook."

"I will do no such thing–"

"It's fine," Alexander groaned, stopping them both. "It's okay princess," he said with extra zeal, making sure Zel's dad had heard him. "There's more than enough room for him to spend the night."

Zel's dad leaned back and crossed his arms. Then sighed and looked back quickly. His father had leaned back and put his hands to rest on his thigh. "Papa is that a smile?"

"You didn't see anything," he said quickly. "Go on, drive."

"See, I told you he liked you," he whispered to Alexander.

Alexander just wasn't so sure yet.