Tamaki hadn't even been given the opportunity to explain a thing to his remaining friends. His father, unable to speak to him at the moment due to an impending meeting, had simply sent him back home. He hadn't said more than he needed to, but it hadn't been necessary. Tamaki was sure that news of his confession was already sweeping through the campus, seeing as it had clearly already made its way to the ears of his father. He didn't know how he was going to get out of this one.
He took the stairs one at a time, contemplating turning and running with each step forward. Just as he made it to the top, he thought he might've worked up just enough courage to follow through, but was thwarted by the figure of his surrogate caretaker at the second mansion, Maezono-san, stepping through the doorway to meet him. "I've just had a phone call from your father, Tamaki-bocchama. He explained to me that you would be coming home from school early. You are not feeling well?" Her voice was moderately concerned, but none too impressed.
"No, Madame."
"I'll have one of the maids tend to your needs and the cooks set straight to work on food for you. For now, I recommend immediate bed rest."
Tamaki gave a gracious bow before stepping in quietly. Then he headed immediately up to his bedroom, not wishing to spend more time in her presence than necessary for fear he would crack in front of her from the stress.
He dropped his books onto the desk near the door, slipping his shoes underneath it. He didn't bother to change out of his school clothes before climbing into bed, except to drape his blazer over the back of the matching desk chair. He truly wasn't feeling well: there was an ache in his stomach and head and chest, and he almost hoped for a stress-induced fever. It wasn't very classy, but it would keep him out of school for a little while; those ornate walls and grand hallways only reminded him of Kyouya and he was having enough of a time trying not to think of him as things were.
Laying his head on his pillow, Tamaki thought a little sleep might do him some good. He shut his eyes and hoped for the best, but wasn't expecting a lot. Still, he found himself drifting off quite pleasantly despite his troubled mind, and didn't awaken until he heard a sharp knock on his door. By then, daylight was gone and he hadn't the slightest idea of the time.
He slid out of bed and crossed the room to open the door, expecting a maid. Instead, he found his father, looking stern, but not upset. "Did you rest well?" Tamaki nodded. "I'd like to speak with you about some important things, Tamaki." He nodded again and stepped aside so that his father could enter the bedroom. The pair took up seats across from each other at the table Tamaki often used for either homework or breakfast, depending on the time of day. Right now, it was completely empty, save the vase in the center with one red and one white rose resting neatly inside of it.
"Father, I can explain."
"You don't need to, Tamaki. However, it will cause a few problems in our relations with the Ootori family."
"I didn't mean for it to happen."
"I know you didn't. I understand that we don't control with whom we fall in love." Tamaki knew this well enough. He watched his father closely, observed the face that could still so frequently be seen pining, but said nothing. "You've got to understand, though, that you can't force someone to return your feelings."
"I know, Father."
"Kyouya Ootori is a fine boy and I think that he will make his father very proud someday. But when he came to me explaining that you had tried to kiss him, I didn't know what to think."
Tamaki went blank.
"Still, it's been difficult enough trying to convince your grandmother to accept you as the Suou heir. This will surely only complicate things. There are better ways to unite empires, Tamaki."
"F-father, I..." He stopped himself; he hadn't given Kyouya up to Haruhi, so he certainly couldn't give him up to his father, despite this news. "I understand."
"What about that Fujioka girl, hm? You two seem to get along quite well and she has a brilliant mind. She would make—"
"I can't marry Haruhi, Father. I can't betray myself like that." He wasn't quite comfortable speaking out of turn this way, but the words had come flying out of him before he had gotten a chance to censor himself. His father smiled anyway.
"I understand. For the sake of appearances, though, and especially in light of the new rumors traveling around the school, I suggest you find yourself a girl, even if it's just until you find someone you can truly love."
Tamaki nodded, though his whole body felt numb. His father wasn't upset, simply sad. "I will talk to Haruhi about it soon. Maybe she can help me to find someone."
His father smiled. "Good." He stood, gently pushing the chair back into place at the table, and walked around it to set a hand on Tamaki's shoulder. "You know, for all that I have done and seen, there isn't a single way I wouldn't accept you, Tamaki. Remember that."
Now, too, Tamaki smiled, and looked up at his father. It was good to feel this level of comfort, this level of love; it put him at ease. "I think I am just going to sleep through the night. It looks like it's already pretty late."
"A wise decision, though I do expect you to attend school tomorrow." Tamaki's displeasure showed on his face. "You have a bit of a mess to clean up, n'est-ce pas?" ["...do you not?"]
Tamaki only gave an empty laugh, and his father ruffled his hair a little before turning to leave. As the latch clicked, a strange feeling of familiarity came over him. His father had been placed in a similar situation, following love or money. But if it hadn't been for love, he wouldn't be sitting here in this predicament in the first place. It was difficult, yes, and it hurt very much, but there was nothing he wouldn't do for love. There was nothing he wouldn't do for Kyouya.
He swallowed, his face falling with the realization. At every turn, life seemed to want to take something from him and it looked like this time was to be no different. But, if that's what it took then that's what it took, and Tamaki wasn't going to try to fight things. He would speak to Haruhi tomorrow about the situation. Although he did wish all it would take to remedy things was her, but he knew enough that she'd never give herself up even for this. Besides, the lot of them had come too far for her to have to quit the club now.
Life could and would continue without Kyouya. Even if he came to the club tomorrow, Tamaki would treat him no differently. Even if he felt miles away from him, Tamaki would cherish the two years they spent together, inseparable — much to Kyouya's chagrin — but complementary.
Besides, with the way everyone had come to his rescue today, there was no room for him to continue being so selfish.
