Thrice The Charm

Ohtori Kyouya is the third son of the prestigious Ohtori family; a child destined not to inherit from the very order of his birth; he knows he's different from his brothers, he --

He has always been able to read people; what they hope, what they need, what they view the world around them as -- and he has always been able to manipulate all their desires and dreams, all their wishes and wants, so that all they see in the end is him.

Know your friends, but know your enemies better. Smile at your enemies -- countless peanuts of wisdom his father quotes, Ohtori Kyouya remembers all, and never forgets. He begins to learn, and to accumulate reputation. The classmates sees him as the all-knowing, younger girls worship the ground he steps from afar; Ohtori Kyouya is a heavenly figure to them. The childhood friends pride themselves for being acquainted, the families smile as they comment upon how well-behaved and handsome he is -- Ohtori Kyouya smiles outwardly for the camera, but rages inside; the third son, the last son, the youngest son, the best son, but never to inherit.

He keeps a notebook of the bare, essential information, the others he retains inside his head. Ohtori Kyouya is bitter, but he does not let it show; expressing regret is the sign of giving up, and he will not be the one loses in the end. He will not be the one who loses in the end, and Ohtori Kyouya is determined to do anything for that single victory. Connections, friends, favours... He only has to read them, and open them, before they become mere puppets before his eyes; and he, to them, the god that controls all.

He has always been able to read people -- all but one; Suou Tamaki.

Suou Tamaki confuses him, renders him helpless in the face of despair. Ohtori Kyouya isn't quite sure that he has met anyone like the supposed heir to the Suo family; no, he thinks later, not heir, not unless...

"My grandmother doesn't like me," he said once, unashamed of the truth, only mournful, "If the current situations remains, I won't be able to inherit the family business."

Ohtori Kyouya does not have to be god to see that Suou Tamaki deserves to become the person to inherit the Suou business. Ohtori Kyouya does not need his sight to see that Suou Tamaki is more knowledgeable and wiser than the average impression he renders to others on first sight -- only, he contemplates, only Suou Tamaki can pull that façade off with such efficiency that no one suspects.

Like father, like son.

Ohtori Kyouya smiles, a bitter tinge in the curve of his lips.

Like father, like son...

He has always thought himself able to read everyone -- but, now, Ohtori Kyouya realises the error of his calculations. He has never thought fate so cruel, yet so kind, to toss the heir, or will-be heir, of the Suou family his way -- but now that she has...

Ohtori Kyouya closes the book shut and makes his way onto the bed, where Suou Tamaki is waiting for him, impatience melting away into the a delightful child-like grin, which melts his cold heart of stone; Tamaki moves first and draws him into an hug, filled with warmth and something that Ohtori Kyouya does not fail to recognise; love. He returns the embrace, and moves, first, to capture Suou Tamaki's lips in a kiss that locks that eruption of emotion that breaks free from his heart inside his mind --

It does not matter that he is the third son, nor does it the fact that his brothers seemingly take pleasure in telling him that he is not to inherit, because Suou Tamaki says Ohtori Kyouya will, and, somehow, Kyouya knows that Tamaki's words are true, and will become.

owari.

Note: I cannot and will never be able to get Kyouya's character down. / Written for a friend who requested Kyouya x Tamaki.