Chapter 26

Disclaimer- I own nothing!

René didn't dislike this birthday, far from it, but it did depress him. His birthday meant the end of summer and the end of baseball with the return of school. Some schools played in the fall, sadly his school didn't even have a team so this weekend would be his last game of the season. Apparently the team he was on wasn't allowed to play during the fall so the high schools could use the field for their practices and games. The good thing was that he was definitely playing again next year and Michael was in his class this year. After the amazing summer he had he hoped this school year would be just as good. He didn't want to get his hopes up though because he knew the let down would be harsh.
"René are you ready yet? If we don't hurry the store will close."
"Yea, I'm ready, sorry." Pushing off his bed he met his father at the bedroom doorway. They were going out so he could get new shoes for school. They didn't have the money to get all new clothes bur he desperately needed new shoes. Tamaki saw they were falling apart the other day and got upset that he hadn't mentioned it sooner. They weren't loaded with money but his son shouldn't go around looking like a slob. He could get him new shoes and clothes that fit, luckily though René hadn't grown that much so his clothes still fit nicely. If not they would have had to get the shoes one day and the clothes the next week since he didn't really have the money for both.

Tamaki could tell René didn't want to go out. He was ready to get the first pair that fit and he refused to agree with that. There was no reason to do so, they were in no rush. René wanted to hurry so his father could relax. He had just gotten home from work before they went out. Not to mention he really didn't want to spend his father's money. Sure his shoes were a mess but his toes weren't sticking out so he could still wear them. He grabbed the first cheaper pair he could find in his size and threw them on.
"These fit." Showing Tamaki he let him see.
"René your toes feel squished why don't we try a bigger size and are you sure about this style?"
"It's fine."
"What's wrong René? I know you weren't crazy about this but you really needed something new."
"It's fine."
Well so much for that. God he hated this, this whole, barely caring attitude. He could tell something was bugging him but he refused to say it. Why? They never really got into arguments so why would he never talk much?
"What about these? I don't see the others in a bigger size I guess they are sold out."
"Okay." Taking the other pair from Tamaki he kicked off the current pair and slipped them on. These were pretty cool looking; they had strips of green across the side which was his favorite color.
"Oh hey, René what about these? These have baseballs on them." Glad they caught his eye he brought them over for René to check out. Maybe these would get some sort of reaction from him.
"They are cool, can I try them on?"
"Of course. I think I grabbed the right size." It seemed to work, he got a "they are cool" from him, that was something. "Do they fit?" Kneeling down he waited for René to finish tying them so he could check.
"I think so." Giving him his foot he let his father check to see if he had any room in his toes. "You seem to have some growing room. Walk to the end of the aisle and back and see how they feel." Doing as he was told he got off the bench to see how they felt.
"So?"
"They feel good."
"Do you like them?"
"Yea."
He seemed generally happy which was a good thing. Having him change back into his old shoes they paid and left the store.

Coming back to the apartment Tamaki got started on dinner. He was starving and would have eaten before but he feared they wouldn't get to the store in time. René put his new shoes in the bedroom before lending a hand. He could hear his father's stomach on the walk back. They probably would have eaten out if they had the money so he could have eaten sooner. This was when René really wished he was old enough to work. Then they could have the money for things like eating out or ordering in. His father worked all day then took him out, and now he had to cook dinner. He wouldn't even get to relax long since he insisted on helping him with his homework. If he said he didn't need it he wouldn't listen. All he wanted was for his father to take it easy for once but would he listen? No of course not. He also knew that he didn't sleep all that well on the loveseat.
"René, you alright kiddo?" Tamaki watched as René stood in front of the sink just standing there.
"What? Yea I'm fine." Finishing what he was doing he left Tamaki wondering what happened. He had noticed that René was spacing out more and more lately. A part of him figured it was normal, the other part debated if something was wrong and if he should take him to a doctor to be looked at. He would hate to do nothing and find out it was something serious. Hearing the timer go off he tossed it around while he finished dinner. After he ate something he could think about it more.

Tamaki was glad he got to go see René's last game of the season. He always enjoyed watching him play and seeing how focused he was on the field made him happy. He could tell René really enjoyed the game and was glad he joined. Sitting with Sean, Sara, and Abby they cheered the boys on as the team scored another run. Both of their boys did well when it was there turn up to bat. Tamaki knew it was too early but he believed René could have a future in baseball if he stuck to it. He would only get better the longer he played and he seemed to really enjoy it. If course he would make sure he stayed in school and graduated from college but he could pursue making a career out of this if he so desired. Watching René come up to bat again he was on his feet as he hit it down the field. He was so proud of him; even if he wasn't a great player he would still be proud though.

After the game everyone went out for ice cream to celebrate winning their last game of the season. René was happy his father could come watch, only he wished he wouldn't cheer so loud. It was nice but a little embarrassing. Not heading straight home he was shocked when they joined Sara and Sean for ice cream. This was something they didn't do that often at all. He was excited to go but again felt strange that his father was spending money on something that wasn't an essential. Ordering they all sat around and joked with each other, happy to be spending the time all together, seeing René joking and laughing brightened Tamaki's mood as well. He still thought René had a beautiful smile and he loved to see it. When they finished they parted ways so the boys could shower and get out of their uniforms. The one good thing about the season ending was Tamaki didn't have to wash his uniform anymore. It was a pain to wash since René could have it covered in field dust sometimes.

With school back in session Tamaki didn't feel so bad working so much. He still hated it but at least René wasn't home alone most of the day. It helped too that he decided to join some clubs the school offered so that decreased the time René spent alone even more. While he still hung out with Michael some days he knew René was getting tired of going there every day for hours. Nothing was helping him work less hours though as a few of their bills increased which tightened the already tight budget. Hopefully René wouldn't find out because he seemed to become quieter and more independent when he did. The boy was nine he shouldn't be doing any of that.

With the weather changing René was staying at Michael's after school instead of going straight home. He wasn't sure how to turn the heat on or even if he should and he still wasn't allowed to use the stove. Not to mention that he still hated being home. He would hang out with Michael until his father was getting out of work and then would meet him at home. Again it didn't help that much or make his thoughts over being home any easier but he tried to believe it might. The good thing would be that Christmas was coming up soon and he enjoyed spending the day with his father along with his Aunt and Uncle. He also got the day off so he had one day to relax all day and seeing how exhausted he was looking he could use it. Coming into the house he noticed the lights didn't turn on. Fantastic, his father couldn't pay the electric bill again. Good thing they had canned foods like soup and the stove could be lit by a match. His father would probably feel terrible like he always did when they shut off something for not paying. He would scream though if his father apologized like he tended to do when this happened. Making his way carefully to the bedroom he dropped his school bag and searched for the flashlight they kept in here. It should be right next to the dresser. "Ah-ha found it!" Clicking the button he made sure it worked before going into the living room. Tonight would be interesting it looked like.

"René, I'm home." Entering the apartment Tamaki noticed everything was dark. Perhaps René was still at Sara's. "René?"
"I'm in the living room." Turning on the flashlight he brought it over to Tamaki so he could hang his coat up.
"Why don't you have the lights on?"
"They won't turn on. Did they shut our power off again?" He didn't mean it as a question but didn't want his harsh tone to hurt his father.
"No I paid that I'm sure of it. Let me change and I'll figure out what's going on." Together they walked into the bedroom so they could share the light. "Have you been home long?"
"No more than a half hour, the usual."
"That's good; I would hate to have you deal with this for a long time while I was working." Quickly changing he left the room to dig up the electric bill for the phone number. René sat near him already figuring what it was that was wrong but thought he should be close. Hanging up Tamaki sighed not liking the current situation but knowing there was nothing he could do about it.
"So according to the electric company there as a transformer fire and from it power was lost in the area."
"Any idea when it will be fixed?"
"They said not for a day at least. With that we need to run out and get ice to keep things in the fridge from going bad. I'll cook dinner after that for us alright?"
"Okay." Tamaki felt bad for René knowing he had homework to finish and with only a flashlight and a few candles it wouldn't be easy. They would figure something out though but right now they had to go out for ice. Losing the food in the fridge would not be a good thing.

When the power came back on two days later Tamaki was thrilled. He was able to save most of the cold items and cook up what probably wouldn't last. What really made him happy was just the fact that they had power again. He knew René thought it was from not paying the bill, though he never accused him of it. He probably figured he was lying since it seemed to happen around the holidays it seemed. For once he would like to not have to worry about money and Christmas. René probably became so guarded because he was preparing himself for when he would say that he couldn't really do it this year; although, he never had to say no to having a Christmas before. He would have to show René that was nothing to worry about, no problem, he was sure he could do that. He would do anything for him after all.

René woke up Christmas morning surprised to say the very least. He couldn't believe Michael was right, Santa was real and incredible. He had started to have doubts but seeing actual presents under the tree was unreal.
"Merry Christmas René. You know the drill, coffee first. Do you want hot chocolate?"
"Merry Christmas father and okay."
"Milk or water?"
"Mmmm milk. Do we have marshmallows?"
"I think so." Together they got drinks ready before going into the living room to open presents. Tamaki was beyond words at seeing the glow on René's face. This was what he lived for, seeing the happiness on his face. After René opened a few things he jumped up from the floor remembering something and ran into the bedroom.
"René?" Running back in he was thrust a gift.
"This is for you. I hope you like it." He had hid it under the bed and nearly forgot about it. Taking it from René he opened it to see a coffee mug he had designed just for him.
"Wow, thank you René. Did you make this at school?"
"Yea, at the holiday fair. It was at one of the booths and I wasn't sure what you would have wanted."
"Well thank you. I really like it." Taking a closer look he tried to figure out what was written around the cup. Every year René gave him really great gifts that he made at school it was unbelievable.
"Your welcome."

Around two they started to head over to Sara's for dinner as they did every year. Tamaki always found it strange that she never had their families over. She said it was because Sean's parents lived too far and refused to come the distance and she refused to make her kids travel to them on Christmas. And as for her own parents she never said. As much as he loved going there if she wanted to spend the day with family he would cook and stay home with René. He didn't want to hold them back. He did enjoy having them all together though. Everyone filled the house with laughter and love. Not to mention René was all smiles as he played with Michael and even Abby.

The next day Tamaki ran from the restaurant to his next job. He was running late thanks to not being able to clock out on time. It was a good thing the convenient store wasn't too far from the restaurant though it was far enough. Standing at the corner he waited for the light to change so he could cross. The bakery close by smelt so good, it reminded him of Mirabelle and Denis's bakery. Thinking about it he should really go say hi soon. He hadn't seen them in years and he had been close to them back then. He needed more free time; there was so much he had to do, so many he had to see that helped him throughout the years. Seeing the light change he ran across and down the street unaware that someone was now following him. Knowing the street the store was on was still being worked on he ran inside the mall to cut across and come out at the back entrance of the store. The one following him ran into the mall moments later, out of breath and disappointed they lost who they were trying to catch up too.

Rough nights equaled rough mornings, this was a concept Tamaki was very familiar with. He was cutting across the street, walking briskly trying to check his watch. He got René to Sara's a little later than he usually did and was now running behind. He didn't need to run but he couldn't drag his feet either. Being late was not an option. If he was he could be fired and that would help nothing right now. He was already having trouble paying his bills thanks to cut hours from his afternoon job. He did not want to have to worry about not having enough to put aside for rent. Crossed to the other side he looked down at his watch since it was a straight line from here to the restaurant. Not paying attention he didn't see someone pull open a door to a coffee shop and was hit in the face by it.
"Ow, ow, ow, that's what I get for running late and not paying attention." Covering his face he hoped he wasn't bleeding, or that he didn't just break his nose.
"I'm so sorry, are you okay?" Feeling hands on his own they were moved so the other could see his face.
"Tamaki?"
Tamaki's eyes went wide as he stared at the face in front of him. He would recognize that face anywhere, he saw almost the same one every day.
"Kyouya, is that really you? Wha…what are you doing here?" Why was he in the country? More importantly what was he doing here, so close to where he lived?
"I'm here on business. I should be asking the same thing to you." Tamaki could feel his heart racing hearing Kyouya's voice again. He wanted to tell him everything but knew now wasn't the time and here wasn't the place.
"Look I gotta get to work before my boss kills me. Give me your arm." Pulling out a marker he used for work he wrote his address on Kyouya's arm semi-surprised he actually gave it to him. "I get out at six; you can meet me here since I doubt you know how to get around much. But, if you do you have my address to my house."
"I'll see what I can do."
Capping the marker he took off down the street to get to work on time. Coming into the back entrance he made it just in time. His heart still raced at the thought of speaking to Kyouya after so long.
"Tamaki lets' move, its busy here!"
"Yes sir." He had to push Kyouya to the back of his mind for now. Hopefully after work they would meet up and talk. Maybe he would tell him what he should have told him ten years ago. Hopefully if he did learn the truth he wouldn't get mad and leave. Hopefully René wouldn't hate him once he met his birth father. This was the day he had been waiting for for years but now he was terrified by it. His world could fall apart harder than he could ever imagine by the truth being exposed after so long.

At six Tamaki took off his apron and punched out. He hoped Kyouya wouldn't mind waiting a few minutes since he never really got out on time. At least he wasn't running super late, he didn't want Kyouya to think he ditched him. Actually he wasn't even sure that he would be waiting for him. Coming down the street he saw Kyouya there and ran up to him wishing his heart would stop trying to beat out of his chest and the butterflies in his stomach to calm down.
"Sorry, I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."
"No, your fine."
"Ready to go then?"
Together they moved down the street not saying a word to each other. They could feel how awkward the air around them was. It had been over ten years since they last saw each other and it wasn't like they left on normal terms, he ran away not saying a word to Kyouya about why. Shoving his hands into his pockets he tried to settle his nerves, not knowing what would happen once Kyouya learned why he left Japan in the first place. After not seeing him in so long, after dreaming about him at night, after dreaming about this moment he didn't want his mistakes to make this the last.
"How is your face?"
Tamaki felt his face blush and his ears heighten their senses at hearing Japanese. He was glad he spoke it at times with René, though it wasn't the language they spoke most often.
"It's okay, hurts a little but it's fine." He could tell Kyouya relaxed a little hearing him answer him in Japanese. It seemed someone was still not that great in French.
"I'm really sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it. I wasn't paying attention either." Leading them up the stairs to the apartment he could feel himself start to sweat as he pulled out his house key. His blanket and pillow were still on the loveseat and he had dirty dishes in the sink. Not to mention the apartment wasn't the best in the world.
"I need to apologize for the mess, I haven't been home much to clean."
"It's fine don't worry about it."
Opening the door he let him in trying to act natural, that he had come over all the time, He could tell Kyouya was checking the place out while trying hard not to. Trying to picture Kyouya was Sara he slid in next to him and closed the front door. Out of habit he re-locked it.
"Here give me your coat, sit, relax, do you want something?"
"No, I'm okay thanks." Gesturing him towards the living room he hung up their coats in the closet. Joining him he sat in the recliner across from him and saw he was sitting half off the cushion to avoid the blanket. Quickly getting back up he moved the blanket and pillow so Kyouya could sit back and relax.
"Sorry, if I work late I usually end up falling asleep on the couch watching TV."
"Stop apologizing it's fine."
Tamaki sat back down on the recliner to exhale happy that Kyouya was still understanding.
"Why did you leave Tamaki?"
He knew that was coming, Kyouya never was one to beat around the bush. It was better to get to the point right away though, no point in dodging it. He could already tell he figured out he ran away and how his actions hurt Kyouya deeply. They were madly in love back then, Kyouya deserved his answer. Taking a deep breath he opened his mouth to tell him.

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Please review I'm about half way with the new chapter already. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
~Femalefighter~