Kiss Kiss Fall In Love

Chapter Three:


A slight frown crossed the Ootori's face as he clipped down the empty corridors. It was the middle of lunch, and Tamaki had yet to show up at the cafeteria. That meant one thing: he was hiding somewhere, sulking. The question was where. Had he even shown up to school? The music room was the logical choice, he had decided. Hardly anyone used that particular one, even during school hours. The other two proved sufficient for the faculty's purposes. That was one reason they were permitted to use it for the Host Club's almost exclusive use. He opened the door and almost tripped over Tamaki. Kyoya froze when he saw him, all vestiges of irritation, mostly at the fact that he'd left his ledger behind because of him, wiped clean away in that moment.

"Tamaki!" he cried out, kneeling immediately beside him.

A flush touched his cheeks at the sight of his nudity, but he fought off the expression as he shucked off his suit jacket and draped it over his friend's lap. He kicked the door shut to give him a little privacy; quite a bit more savagely than necessary.

"What happened?" he demanded tensely.

His fingers worked to undo the makeshift blindfold, first, then moved on to the sash. Tamaki said nothing at first, just staring down at the floor as he clutched the suit jacket over him.

"Who did this to you?" Kyoya persisted, this time in a carefully softer tone.

“....He kept me blindfolded the whole time,” came the low reply. “I never got to see his face...”

Kyoya could tell Tamaki was lying to him. However, he'd clearly been through a lot. He wouldn't push the issue. Not yet..

"Well, you are safe now," he told him softly. "Let me go get the clothes you left here yesterday, then we can treat your face, alright?"

He spoke kindly, voice gentler than it normally was, not quite as cold. He waited for an answer, in case Tamaki didn't want him to leave, yet. The other boy gave one nod in consent, looking up between golden locks of hair at the other with searching eyes. Kyoya felt his heart skip a beat, but his face betrayed nothing. Gradually, the Suoh's eyes approached something of a normal expression. The blonde gave him a small smile, sitting straighter.

"Could you get me a few bandages, too? There are some stinging spots..."

He nodded, standing up. It came as a relief to see him smile; he was at he very least not completely broken. Tamaki might even be back to his normal self within the day.

"I will be right back," he promised, then crossed the room for the clothes and the first aid kit.

It was always useful to have one on hand with both Hunny and the reckless twins about. Kyoya returned swiftly, crouching next to him again.

"Do you want to leave early, today?" he questioned him softly.

He watched as Tamaki applied the bandages to his cuts and bruises, some existent and some not, before the host club king replied.

"Yes. I... I think that would be best." Tamaki looked down at himself; ragged and bruised. “...”

He gave a short laugh, though it had no humor.

"What if Haruhi or the twins saw me like this? They would... never let me forget it."

The smile on his face wilted a bit, but he shook it away and looked about quizzically.

"Did you find spare clothes, Kyoya?"

"They did not find you," the Ohtori pointed out mildly as he handed him the promised clothing.

"They will not find out from me," he added reassuringly, then obligingly turned his back so he could change.

Kyoya hoped that would help keep his bruised pride intact. When Tamaki decided to talk about it, he would. In fact, he doubted anything would be able to prevent him from talking about it when he was ready. This evening, he decided, he would have to find time to do a little extracurricular research. Tamaki's.... humiliation had been too well thought out, and that suggested previous experience. If it had been someone new at it... He felt a slight chill. If it had been someone trying out their wings, so to speak, it would be all too likely Tamaki would be in the hospital or the crematorium. He pushed the uncomfortable thought away, or tried to. His traitorous mind pointed out that, on the other hand, if it was this well-planned, it probably wasn't going to stop with this incident. He redoubled his efforts to set this line of thinking to the side for later. Tamaki needed him now. He listened intently to the soft rustling of cloth as his friend dressed.

“Thank you, Kyoya,” the blond finally replied, indicating it was safe to look, now.

The shadow king stood and turned about, expression slightly cracked under this unfamiliar brand of stress. There was real emotion in his eyes, even if just a bit of it showed. Ah, Tamaki... The Suoh at his worst didn't deserve any of this. He was quite certain he had more bruises than physical ones. He seemed about to say something, then thought better of it, squeezing his shoulder lightly in sympathy, instead.

"Do you want to walk or take a limosine?" he queried.

Could Tamaki walk? Had any injury beyond the visible been inflicted upon his friend?

"Ahh... do you think I could take one of yours, Kyoya?" Tamaki asked apologetically, fiddling with the loose tie.

“Of course. Where did you wish to go?”

He was already dialing a number on his cell.

"Could I... stay at your place, for a little? Just to get my bearings. You know how my mansion is."

Tamaki rested one hand on his hip and the other in his hair, the very image of indecision.
The Ohtori had gone to his home as many times as he had come to his; Tamaki was never allowed in the main mansion by the grandmother that detested him, and the second one was just as lavish but smaller. Though it swarmed with smiling maids dressed in pink, it was rather lonely; Tamaki was the only Suoh that really occupied it, since his father was almost always gone on business trips. Not really a good place for someone that hated to be alone, so Kyoya nodded.

"You are always welcome to my home, Tamaki."

He, himself, would likely be questioned, he reflected with an inward wince, when his father and brothers heard about it, but he could endure such interrogations. Well, assuming they decided to care; he might not, so long as his work and grades didn't suffer for it. He glanced down and noticed his ledger. He frowned, stooping to pick it up. He had been sure he'd brought it home yesterday. He'd been using it until the Suoh dragged him to bed. Even if he hadn't, he wouldn't have dropped it so carelessly on the floor. Tamaki's face brightened visibly as he lifted it from the floor.

"You left it in your room after you left, I thought you might need it for our host club activities, so I brought it with me," explained Tamaki, a little more himself now as he smiled.

He obviously awaited praise by the way he stood straighter. So he smiled at him, a real one, if small.

"Thank you, Tamaki. That was very thoughtful," he told him softly, gratefully tucking it under his arm in its familiar place. "Are you ready to go?"

The the smile faded away as his natural expression took over.

"It should be outside as of this moment."

"You're welcome," said Tamaki, smiling proudly.

The blonde led the way out, though he walked closer to Kyoya than usual, and his hands were tight fists inside his pockets. Those blue eyes scanned the crowd for something nervously. His resolve thickened with Tamaki's insecurity. He had a feeling he knew precisely what--who, rather—the other was looking for. It underlined the fact that he knew exactly who had tormented him, or at least what he looked like. When they reached outside and no sign of it, Tamaki was walking with an easy saunter once more. Kyoya was relieved when Tamaki resumed his normal cocky little strut, like he was king of the roost. It brought a quickly smothered smile to his face. He waved the driver back into his seat, choosing to open the door for Tamaki himself, and promptly climbed in after him. The dark-haired boy felt anger at the open relief in Tamaki's eyes as they drove further and further from Ouran.. His friend loved almost every aspect of that school, and whoever had accosted him had stolen that joy.

Tamaki's eyes suddenly widened, and he exclaimed, “Kyoya, you'll be missing classes too! Shouldn't you stay at school? Your father's so strict!"

He kept his expression as blank as it usually was, even at the reminder of imminent trouble.

"There is a stomach virus circulating about the staff," he explained calmly. "I plan to claim to be ill. So long as I keep up with my assignments, a day or two away will not be frowned too heavily upon.” (he hoped) “I suggest you do the same."

As the car pulled up into the long Ohtori driveway, Tamaki straightened up.

"Kyoya, you might have to help me with this math homework, I don't understand it very well," said the blond, as the driver cut the engine.

"I would be glad to, Tamaki." He opened the door, stepping out into the sunlight.

He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts together. What, exactly, was he going to do when he found the fool who had done this to Tamaki? It would depend on who it was, he decided, and their influence. With any luck, he would be able to take care of it quietly. As he was making tentative plans, the blond walked up behind him unnoticed, then gave him a light spank on the ass before charging up the stairs two at a time, stopping at the door and looking down towards Kyoya impatiently, but with a hint of a smile on his face. Kyoya yelped in startlement and glared at Tamaki, taken completely off-guard. With an effort, he composed himself and shouldered his bag as he ascended rapidly after him. His irritation promised punishment, if he could catch him. In normal circumstances, Tamaki would have been practically giggling and wagging a non-existent tail at a chance to play around, and he almost did, but ... Tamaki pressed his back against the door. As he approached him, the blond bowed his head a bit, fiddling again with the loose tie.

"I-- I was just kidding around Kyoya, I don't like seeing you so serious..." he babbled out, glancing upward at him afterwards.

His face softened instantly, and he placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Tamaki, shhh," he soothed. "Everything will be alright. I am not mad at you."

The expression on his friend's face... Someone was going to pay. No one had any right to break that buoyant spirit.

"I promise I am not angry with you," he added adamantly, hoping that would convince him.

Tamaki regarded him with soulful eyes for a moment, then smiled and nodded his head.

"Ah... we better get inside, it looks like it's about to rain!"

As predicted, almost as soon as they stepped inside the drops began to fall, first slow and steady and then picking up in speed. Tamaki left his shoes at the doorway and padded in his socks down the pathway to his room, setting his bag at the foot of the bed. He sat down beside it and leaned back on his palms with a loud sigh. Kyoya followed at a more sedate pace, carefully putting his things away and taking a seat at his desk. He had a lot of catching up to do. And, of course, one very particular task to which to bend his mind.

"If you wish to take a bath, you may," he offered. "I will have someone wash your things. Or, you may borrow a pair of my pajamas."

Already, the Ootori was typing away.

"I'll just borrow some of yours," said Tamaki, already standing and ruffling about Kyoya's drawer, taking out a pair of pajama bottoms and then walking into his bathroom.

After awhile, the sound of Tamaki singing drifted out under the door. Kyoya kept working, but a smile touched his lips as he listened. He rather liked the sound, and the acoustics of the bathroom added an interesting counter-note to the melody. He hummed under his breath as well, making sure it was too low for anyone else to pick up on. After a while Tamaki's humming drifted off. Kyoya listened as he walked out of the bathroom and over to him, resting one hand on his shoulder.

"Kyoya, don't you ever get stressed out? Do you need a massage?"

Without waiting for an answer Tamaki positioned himself behind him, hands working at his friend's shoulders. He gave a low whistle.

"You are tense, just as I suspected."

The rain continued to patter down outside, but it made everything seem all the more cozy. He flushed, grateful that his friend couldn't see his expression. After all, he couldn't exactly refuse without causing suspicion, and additionally, such a response might hurt Tamaki's already fragile feelings. Gradually he found himself relaxing. The Suoh wasn't bad at it. Not at all.

"You're tired," said Tamaki wisely.

Kyoya heard the voice as though from a great distance. Then the Suoh's lips were next to his ear, hands still on him, unmoving, now.

"Come to bed now, hm?"

He didn't realize he had fallen asleep until he was jerking his head upright. His blush deepened. How embarrassing... Kyoya blinked at his laptop, trying dazedly to figure out how it had turned off and closed itself. The ludicrous thought brouigth him at least briefly to his senses. Obviously Tamaki had turned it off. Perhaps a little sleep would do no harm...

"...Only a few hours," he agreed mildly. "I have so much to finish this week..."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, tempted to go back to work. However, he knew Tamaki wasn't the sort to take 'no' for an answer and he was too tired to argue. He stood and turned, planning which pajamas to wear--and froze at the sight of the other, dressed only in a towel. The blush creeped across his face before he could stop it, and camped there. Satisfied that Kyoya wouldn't start working again, Tamaki went back into the bathroom, coming back with the pajama pants on, though still no top. He picked up his bag and took out a math book, pencil and notebook, then crawled into Kyoya's bed and propped himself up against the headboard with pillows. The blush deepened, but he strode over to his wardrobe to hide it. Buying time by riffling through every pair, he finally regained control. He grabbed the next pair his hands came to and all but fled into the bathroom to change.

"..."

Tamaki had a big affect on him, and he hadn't a clue. But now would hardly be the time to tell him... Not with the unfortunate events that day hanging over his head. He dressed quickly, fighting the blush's return when he saw Tamaki's bare chest. He'd blame it on his faked sickness.

"I almost forgot about this," Tamaki apologized, already squinting at the scribbled notes written all about the folder in a haphazard fashion.

"Kyooyaaaa, I don't know how to do this!" said Tamaki, brandishing the notebook at him.

There was a glitter in his eyes that suggested his mind was on things completely the opposite of algebraic equations, but Kyoya practically pounced on the opportunity to avoid the current situation.

"Hmmm."

He took the notebook, examining the work carefully. His brow furrowed in faint irritation.

"...Tamaki... You're doing this part twice. If you used clearer handwriting, you wouldn't have this problem."

There was a reason the paper had lines on it. However, Tamaki, in his usual burst of his unique brand of 'artistic creativity', had blithely jotted down his figures like they didn't exist.

"Really?" said Tamaki, raising himself up to his hands and knees and crawling slowly to the place where Kyoya stood. "But if I do it twice, won't I be guaranteed to get the right answer?"

His mouth opened to say something, but that's when his friend lunged. He suddenly lunged forward, arms wrapping around the Ohtori's slim waist and bringing him down onto the bed, laughing in a flurry of legs and arms and blankets and pillows. As the unsuspecting Kyoya was jerked down onto the bed, the notebook went flying in his startlement. Unused to such sport, he found himself quickly pinned, and the blush returned full force. Work was definitely the furthest thing from his mind at the moment. At the very least, Tamaki seemed to be recovering from his ordeal. Tamaki was flushed and panting a bit, looking down at his friend with warm eyes, head tilted to the side and a question forming on his lips. But then he seemed to think better of it and rolled off of him so that he was laying on his side instead.

"Kyoya, that person that did those... things to me in the music room... he knew my mother's last name."

That caught his full and undivided attention. Kyoya levered himself up on his elbow.

"That would take some considerable research to discover," he murmured. "And he would have to suspect from the start."

It was that carefully hidden from the public in general. It also sent another chill down his spine. It bespoke that what happened to Tamaki was more than a random selection.

"That's what I thought too," he mumbled, cushioning his head on his arm and gazing at Kyoya thoughtfully. "I don't know why he's so interested in me, Kyoya."

The last sentence was said in a subdued tone; the fear had taken hold of him again, which meant it was time to drop the subject.

"Ahh... Kyoya..." The blonde wiggled closer to him. "Do you think we can sleep... closer, tonight?"

Tamaki's eyes were wide, ready to become puppydog-like if the other refused. He really needn't have worried. Kyoya absently tucked a stray lock of Tamaki's hair behind his ear, not realizing how much lack of sleep has lowered his guard.

"Whatever you want, Tamaki," he murmured, not wanting to see fear in his eyes anymore.

He was more convinced than ever that Tamaki knew who it was. The blond pulled the covers around them and settled closer to him, almost nose to nose; he could hear the other's breaths with ease, and it was... comforting. Nearly relaxing.

All was quiet for some time, then Tamaki finally swung an arm around Kyoya's midriff in a careless gesture, and then blurted out, "Kyoya, do you like my cologne? I had it imported from France."

Kyoya blinked at him, already half-asleep. He yawned and obligingly snuggled closer, pressing his forehead against Tamaki's.

"I always love your cologne," he replied, eyes drooping shut.

He was vaguely aware of his friend saying something else, then a light pressure against his cheek, but he was already too far into sleep; he was uninterested in trying to stay awake to ask him to repeat himself.

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Thank you everyone for reading! Still not over, and I wouldn't leave y'all hanging. ;3 Another one should be out soon. Next week at the latest, but I'm going to try to have it out sooner. Wednesday, maybe.