And keepin' it goin', keepin' it goin'. I'm being productive today! Whee!

Disclaimer: Don't. Own. A thing.

(F/n) = First name

(L/n) = Last name

(e/c) = Eye color

(h/c) = Hair color (i.e. ravenette, brunette, blonde, etc.)

(f/c) = Favorite color

Kyoya felt like his day had been Hell with a capital 'H' from the moment he exited Ouran Elementary.

He'd been instantly surrounded by other parents who managed to make a few passing comments before he escaped to his car. Most of them were along the lines of 'Don't be surprised if your son gets invited to my son's birthday party, I'm absolutely sure that they'll get along famously.' And while they didn't think he did, Kyoya had seen the tightening of big hands around small fingers, as a warning of what would happen if they didn't become friends with the current heir to the Ootori Group.

Work had been no better. The day had been busy and stressful and there had been more than a few overheard comments about his father and Tamaki that rubbed him the wrong way… which lead to the quick firing and a frantically sent advertisement for an open spot as Kyoya's personal receptionist.

And the worse part? He couldn't focus for more than five minutes, because all day his head had been filled with a laugh that sounded like summertime warmth, a cute smile ready to be shared with anyone who might need a pick-me-up after a long day, and bright purple eyes that sparkled no matter how dim the room may be.

Kyoya couldn't stop thinking about his son. How he may be doing. If any of those other children had attempted to become friends with him because they "had to". If his classmates were making fun of him being adopted into a rich family and not born into one. Or if, instead, his new teacher was watching with that same gentle warmth in her (e/c) eyes from this morning as Tamaki built towering block castles with his new group of friends.

Thump thump, went his heart, and the ravenet groaned softly at himself.

(F/n) (L/n) hadn't left his thoughts much either, and he found himself on more than one occasion wondering what her thin, ring-less fingers would feel like between his own. Soft and gentle, as one might expect from someone who works with young children all year long? Or with secret callouses and a hidden strength that no one had ever bothered wondering about before? He hadn't thought to discover that when they shook hands this morning.

It wasn't until Kyoya realized his heartbeat was increasing as he walked down the hallways of Ouran Elementary that evening that he admitted to himself he might be feeling a slight attraction towards the woman. He attempted to ward himself away from the unlikely scenario that she was, in fact, single. This was accomplished mainly by telling himself that she was most likely in a stable relationship and just happened to not be married quite yet. Much like himself… but without the relationship part.

"Papa! Papa!"

Kyoya instinctively kneeled down and was tackled with a hug, "Hey, Tama-chan! How was your first day?"

"It was so fun! I made a bunch of new friends, just like you said! We played on the swings, and I ate lunch with them, Mitsu-chan, and all of his friends! And guess what? I became friends with them, too! I also played puzzles and solved one all by myself and (L/n)-sensei was so proud!"

Kyoya chuckled, "Did you learn anything today?"

Tamaki tilted his head in thought, "Satoshi's favorite color is blue. Ah… Momo-chan has two kittens, and Haruka's family is going to Hawaii for summer break. Can we go somewhere for break, Papa?"

Kyoya smirked, "We'll just have to see." He, of course, could already see his son's excited face when they arrived in the Canary Isles in late June, Tamaki probably already in his swim trunks and ready to start their vacation the moment they exited the plane.

"I think what your father meant was the Alphabet we learned today."

Kyoya pushed himself back into a standing position, trying not to openly stare at his son's teacher like he had this morning. Leaning against the doorframe, Kyoya noted the relaxed body language and wondered if she had even been partially worried about her first day as a teacher in Japan. If not, she was a remarkably confident woman. If she had been, then she was incredible at hiding it.

She must've noticed his staring, because she sent him a smile and stepped right out of the classroom, turning the lights off and shutting the door behind her, "Tama-kun was my last student here today." Oh, she thought I was wondering why she wasn't watching over her other students. Kyoya just then realized the briefcase in her other hand. A small heart-shaped charm glinted from the handle, silver jewels rimming the shape with a (f/c) jewel in the middle. It matched the color of her shirt. He wondered if she had many charms that she color coordinated, or if (f/c) was simply her favorite color...

"(L/n)-sensei? You'll be here tomorrow, right?"

"Of course, Tamaki-kun."

"Couldn't you come home with me, instead? Papa wouldn't mind, right Papa?"

Kyoya really hoped his face wasn't steaming. Wait… were his glasses fogging up?

Even the (h/c) looked somewhat embarrassed, "Um… well I have to go back to my own apartment tonight, Tamaki-kun."

"Awww… do you have a family? Are you married?"

Kyoya almost held his breath. Tama-chan, I love you, but shut up. Please. Just shut up…

"No. It's just me. My family is still back in America, no husband, no boyfriend, but that's only going to make me want to see you tomorrow all the more!" She reached down and tapped Tamaki's nose, making him giggle. She missed how Kyoya's eyes flickered with momentary hope before he shut it down. There was no telling the scandalous talk that might erupt if he actually pursued his son's teacher. Besides, what effect might that have on Tamaki's education? Or her credibility?

"Papa?"

"Mm?" Kyoya shook himself out of his thoughts, "Sorry, Tama-chan. What did you say?"

His son was frowning a little, "Did you have a bad day at work?"

Internally, Kyoya cursed himself. If Tamaki could already tell when his father had had a rough day, he was bringing more work home than he wanted. Sighing, he bent down and stroked a few stray hairs down onto his son's head. There was a stubborn cowlick behind his left ear, probably from nap time. Kyoya should know, he spent a good five minutes almost every morning trying to tame it, due to Tamaki's tendency to sleep on his back with his head facing the left.

"No. It was just long. Are you ready to go home?"

"Yeah! Let's go, Papa!" Tamaki took off down the hallway and Kyoya went to follow when-

"He's an incredible boy." Kyoya paused and looked at (F/n), who was staring off at Tamaki with that same soft look in her eyes that had been running around Kyoya's head all day, "I've only started teaching… and I get the class with the one-in-a-million kid." She looked at the ravenet, "You and your wife must be so proud."

Even as she spoke that sentence, Kyoya felt his walls slowly phasing back into existence, knowing the usual response when he said, "I'm not married. Tamaki was adopted."

To his surprise, (F/n) didn't seem, well, surprised by that information. She blinked, then nodded, "I'd heard a few rumors in the teacher's lounge, but I didn't want to insult you with a direct question. Please forgive my curiosity, it really wasn't my business to pry into your social life." (F/n) bowed and completely missed how Kyoya's mouth fell open, then quickly shut.

"It's quite alright. I appreciate how you handled it, at any rate. Most of those in… my community, as you call it, don't care much about getting the facts. They prefer to listen to the rumors, so long as they get them fast. As a result I've noticed a sort of a… personal distance between myself and them. It's now strictly business. I doubt they would feel comfortable being labeled 'my community'."

"Sounds lonely."

The two stared at each other, not quite knowing how to continue the conversation... but neither of them wishing for it to end, either.

"Papaaaaaaa!" Kyoya blinked and (F/n) jumped, a hand quickly slipping up to brush a few hairs behind her ear.

"It was nice to speak to you again, Ootori-san. I look forward to seeing Tamaki-kun in my class tomorrow."

Before he got the chance to answer, she was walking away to the other end of the hallway. Tamaki grabbed onto his father's pant leg as she disappeared around the corner, "(L/n)-sensei's nice, huh, Papa?"

"Yes. I would say that she is."

Short little thing, but it's a build up! There were a few little plot bunnies being born up in there. If you didn't see them, don't worry, they'll come to light soon enough!

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See you next chapter!