Hello everyone! I really hope you enjoyed the first chapter of "Second Chances". I wanted to note that I edited chapter one a little. I just fixed some grammar mistakes and added a small paragraph. It doesn't really add anything to the story except that it is in fact Sunday and that it's unusual for Yoshio to have a meeting on Sunday. I'm not sure if that's going to be important to the story later on. I also wanted to say that this story will have some adult themes as well as possible triggers for some. I will post at the end of the chapter if the next chapter will have a mature rating with any triggers. Please feel free to message me and ask about the content at that time. I can send you an edited version of the chapter if it does happen to contain a trigger for you. Please read and review to let me know how you liked it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran.
He made his way through his massive home to where his father's study was located. The door to the room was securely closed, as it always was but Kyoya knew his father was in there. He stood in front of, not making any movements. He had an idea of what he wanted to talk about, but he wasn't really sure if he was ready to face him just yet. It wasn't like he really had a choice though. So with a heavy heart, he took a deep breath, and knocked on the heavy oak door.
"Come in."
With apprehension flooding his veins, Kyoya slowly turned the handle and opened the door. His father was seated behind a massive oak desk, typing something into his laptop. He looked up at Kyoya as he entered and gestured for him to sit in one of the arm chairs opposite him. Kyoya did so silently, remaining at the edge of the seat with his hands on his knees in a show of apprehension. Yoshio paid no more attention to him as he returned to his computer screen. Only the sound of keyboard keys filled the air, further building the tension coiled in Kyoya's stomach. It was an unspoken rule that Kyoya was not to speak unless he had been spoken to first during these meetings.
Finally his father closed the lid on the laptop and turned to him, his face carefully schooled into a mask of indifference and his fingers interlocking in front of his mouth. Kyoya's spine automatically straightened and his fists wrapped around the fabric across his knees.
"How is school going? I trust your still at the top of your class?" This was expected. Yoshio Ootori had a way of easing you into a conversation, making you feel at ease and coaxing information out of you, hanging you with your own words.
"School is going well, as expected. Of course I am still at the top of my class." Kyoya had long ago learned the best way of dealing with the man before him was to give only the direct information that was asked of him. Yoshio nodded, still studying his son's face.
"I expect nothing less. My resources tell me that Tamaki Suoh is only a few points from taking that spot from under you." Of course he would bring Tamaki up. After yesterday's revelation, Kyoya was unsurprised that he would. He would not willingly give him any information however; if the man wanted to know about his and Tamaki's relationship, or lack thereof now, he would have to ask him outright directly. The patriarch's face was still unreadable.
"I won't allow that to happen. It's true that Tamaki is a lot more intelligent than many would give him credit for, but I assure you Father, I will maintain my top spot, no matter the cost." Yoshio seemed please with this response.
"I see…. How is that club of yours doing?" This question took Kyoya off guard. His father had never asked about the Host Club before. He only cared about academics and business endeavors. He had never before shown interest in Kyoya's extracurriculars, school related or otherwise. He supposed he shouldn't be too surprised at this point, considering the club's president.
"The club is doing well," he responded curtly.
"And Tamaki's capriciousness hasn't overwhelmed the business side of it? Are you still able to turn over a profit despite his unpredictable behavior?" Yoshio fixed Kyoya with a stern look as he awaited his response.
"Yes. We manage to turn over a small profit by selling merchandise and having online auctions. Tamaki is no obstacle; in fact Tamaki brings in the most revenue from the auctions," he responded with more than a little bite in his tone. He knew he was being defensive of Tamaki and he should keep his temper in check, but he didn't like the way his father had said that. Like Tamaki was a bane to the host club. The corner of Yoshio's mouth twitched and Kyoya cursed to himself. He had played right into his father's hand.
"You seem rather fond of the boy." Yoshio's critical eyes burned into Kyoya.
"Wasn't it you who told me to get close to him?"
"Once again, it appears as though you have exceeded my expectations. How long have you two been intimate?"
'So we're done with the game then?' Kyoya thought to himself. Out loud he answered, "Tamaki and I were together for almost two years. However, we ended things last night." It took everything he had not to choke on his last sentence and maintain his cool exterior.
"Lover's quarrel?" Yoshio was back to his usual indifference.
"Something like that." Kyoya would not reveal the true reason Tamaki had ended things with him to his father. Yoshio nodded curtly.
"I trust that you will make things right between the two of you. I don't really care about what happened but if this affects our business relationship with the Suoh's, I will not be happy Kyoya. Does his family know the extent of your relationship?"
"No. The only person who knew was Fuyumi and now you," Kyoya responded, his face betraying nothing of his inner turmoil. Yoshio nodded again.
"That's good. It's likely that he will continue his friendship with so as not to bring up suspicion. As long as you can continue that facade, our families should be able to continue being on good terms. That is all for today," he finished, standing up to gather some paperwork for his meeting. Kyoya stood as well and bowed politely before heading to the door. His father's voice stopped him as his hand reached the handle.
"Times are changing Kyoya. People are becoming more and more accepting of relationships like this. However, Shizue Suoh is not the type of person who would accept her grandson being homosexual. Especially considering where he came from to begin with. A relationship with him was never going to work out for you." His voice was almost gentle as he spoke these words. Kyoya wasn't really sure how to respond. Did he know the extent of Kyoya's feelings for Tamaki when Kyoya only just realized them himself?
"I will keep that in mind, Father," he responded quietly and left the office.
Back in his room, Kyoya checked his phone, squinting at the screen hoping maybe Tamaki had tried to contact him. His heart jumped into his throat when he saw the blond had sent him a text and then sank into his stomach when he saw that it was just a message telling him he wouldn't be able to make it to their standing meeting that night and a list of things he had wanted to go over that evening. Typically they met on Sunday nights to discuss plans for the host club the following week. Kyoya read through the list and responded with his suggestions.
He should feel a little relieved that Tamaki was still making the effort to be friends but it just made him feel worse. His father had been right; a realtionship with Tamaki was impossible from the beginning. But he had never even wanted that in the first place! Suddenly, Kyoya was suddenly overcome with anger as he threw his phone at the wall. Tamaki had to have known that when he kissed him that first time. In fact, Kyoya knew the blond had known. It had been Tamaki who first suggested they keep their relationship to themselves.
'Just what was he thinking?! And now he's angry with me?! He knew from the start that we had an expiration date! And yet he still chose to pursue a relationship with me." It really pissed him off. He wouldn't be feeling this way if Tamaki had just thought about the consequences of his actions. He always did whatever foolish things that popped into his idiotic little brain; and Kyoya was always the one left to deal with the fallout. He had gone too far this time.
He couldn't deal with right now; a migraine was threatening the edge of his consciousness. Ignoring the familiar ringtone from his phone on the floor, the brunette made his way to the bathroom where he ripped open the medicine cabinet a bit too harshly. Quickly finding what he was looking for, he tore the lid from the prescription bottle and placed two small sleeping pills on his tongue, following them with some water from the bathroom tap. He stared at his blurry reflection in the mirror, remembering, again where he had left his glasses.
The tears began to flow freely again, only this time they were hot and angry. He took a deep, calming breath and turned to his shower. The combination of drugs and the lulling effect of hot water flowing across his tired muscles had Kyoya barely able to make it to his bed before sleep took him once again.
Kyoya woke up early Monday morning; unsurprising since he had passed out so early the afternoon before. He sat up in bed and glared once more at his glasses. Sighing, he decided enough was enough and reached over to pull them onto his face. Finally able to see clearly for the first time in over 24 hours, Kyoya glanced at his alarm clock; 2:39 am. On a typical night, he might just be crawling into bed. Another sigh escaped him as he dragged himself out of the comfort of his bed.
After he had taken care of his morning routine, he remember his abandoned phone. After plugging it in and allowing a small charge, he was shocked to see that Tamaki had texted and called him several times last night after the initial exchange.
- 1:37 pm: I for sure want to go with the fairy tale theme for Wednesday's cosplay. Can you order the costumes from that same shop you got the mid-eval costumes from?
- 2:13 pm: Maybe we should wait until Friday to do it? Considering everything going on maybe we both just need time to get ourselves together.
- 3:45 pm: Kyoya are you there?
- 3:50 pm: Why aren't you responding to me?!
- 4:03 pm: Fine. I can see you need some space right now. I understand. I won't bother you again until your ready.
- 8:28 pm: Are you okay?! I'm starting to get worried about you now. It isn't like you to ignore me like this! And you responded to my first text so why wouldn't you respond to my other ones at least to tell me to leave you alone?!
- 9:04 pm: Please answer your phone Kyoya! I'm worried something has happened to you!
His phone must have died shortly after this because he now began receiving several more messages, all of them consisting of Tamaki's worry for him and being upset about his turning his phone off. He sighed as he began to compose a text to let the blond know he was fine and that he had passed out. Just as he was about to press the send button, Tamaki's ringtone once again came blaring out of the speaker. He hesitated briefly, not really wanting to speak to the blond directly, but thought it better to get this over with.
"Hello?" he answered, voice betraying nothing of the array of emotions brewing beneath the surface.
"HELLO?! IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ME AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE PUT ME THROUGH TONIGHT?!" Kyoya held the phone away from his ear as he listened to the blond's screeching voice on the other end. "HOW COULD YOU JUST TURN YOUR PHONE OFF WITHOUT EVEN MESSAGING ME TO LET ME KNOW YOUR AT LEAST OKAY?! I TOLD YOU HOW WORRIED I WAS ABOUT YOU! I HAD HALF A MIND TO SEND SOMEONE OVER THERE TO CHECK ON YOU! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING SCARING ME LIKE THAT?!" Tamaki sounded like he was on the verge of tears at this point and Kyoya couldn't help but feel a little smug at that. He continued to listen the blond work through his emotions until he finished with, "ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!"
"Yes I'm listening," he responded in his usual tone. Typically he might have said something to further agitate the blond, but he really just wanted to end this phone call as quickly as possible. The self proclaimed must have sensed this.
"Well I'm just glad your alright. I see you tomorrow in class," Tamaki responded curtly, without any of his usual dramatics. He hung up before Kyoya had a chance to respond. Kyoya sighed once more as he stared at his cell phone, wondering if the blond had slept at all. They had school today, not tomorrow.
The remainder of the morning was passed by catching up on all the work he had neglected yesterday. Kyoya finished up some weekend homework and worked on some budget worksheets for the host club, as well as checked up on how his personal investments were doing. By the time breakfast rolled around, he was famished, having not had anything the previous day. Getting dressed and packing his school bag, he made his way down to the breakfast table.
Yoshio sat at his normal place at the head of the table and Kyoya took his normal place next to Akito.
"You didn't make it down for dinner last night Kyoya. You know the rules regarding Sunday night family dinner," Akito prodded him. He was always sticking his nose where it didn't belong, this time likely hoping for Father to scold him.
"I was feeling unwell yesterday afternoon so I took a nap. I must have slept through dinner." The Ootori family had dinner together every Sunday evening. Fuyumi and Yuuichi both came with their spouses and it was something that was usually inexcusable to miss.
"I had to skip the dinner last night as well, so I'll give you a pass this one time, Kyoya. Don't let it happen again," his father reprimanded him from the head of the table. It seemed everyone was out to surprise Kyoya recently, for he was again found himself at a loss for words. Akito was displeased.
"Excuse me, sir," a maid entered addressing Kyoya. "Your friend called you several times throughout the night last night. We didn't want to wake you, but he did seem agitated and kept asking if you were alright. Here are the messages that we took from the calls." The maid held out a silver platter with several cards on it. Kyoya dismissed them immediately, already knowing the gist of what was written on them. He should have suspected that idiot would call the house.
"Kyoya, I shouldn't have to tell you again what is expected of you regarding that boy. Blowing him off like that isn't going to help this situation," the patriarch reminded him. Of course he knew that. He didn't need to be told like a child.
"I'm not blowing him off, Father. I spoke to him this morning. He messaged me several times yesterday to confer plans about the Host Club," Kyoya responded, purposely remaining vague. Akito looked back and forth between the two suspiciously. Yoshio only nodded, a satisfied look gracing his features.
The rest of breakfast passed in silence and soon Kyoya was gathering his bag and leaving for Ouran.
