Bum. Ba-da-dum. Ba-da-dum-dum-dum-da-da-ba-da-dum-dum-dum... Chapter 3!
Yeah, yeah, lots of fanfare, but I'm excited. Don't judge. By the way, I'd like to give a very special thank you to Queenglitch, AusllyBeliever, Moonlit Mia, and a guest reviewer for giving me the support to continue on with this story idea. It means a lot to me that there are people in this fandom who appreciate and enjoy my writing. This is for you guys.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the story idea.
(F/n) = First name
(L/n) = Last name
(h/c) = Hair color (Blonde, ravenette, brunette, redhead)
(e/c) = Eye color
(f/h/a) = Favorite hair accessory
"Hey, Kyoya. Listen, I've have been asked to critique a show this Friday and Akane is still in Switzerland working out that deal. But before you freak out, it's an evening show and I'll probably pick Kaoru up before midnight!"
The ravenet sighed, leaning backwards in his chair and rubbing a hand underneath his glasses. He should've assumed that would be why Hikaru was calling, in all honesty. He couldn't wait until he got to interview those potential secretaries tomorrow, so that by next week he could be directed to the important calls immediately and when he spoke to his friends he didn't have to worry about getting another call that might have to go unanswered.
"Alright… exactly when are you dropping Kaoru off? Or am I picking him up? Please remember I have to pick up Tamaki as well. I'm already usually the last parent there and I really shouldn't ask (L/n)-san to stay any later. She's-"
"Wait."
There was a faint shuffling on the other end before Hikaru continued, voice surprisingly tense, "(L/n)-san?"
Kyoya blinked, "Tamaki's teacher."
"Is she… nice?"
"Hikaru." The man leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk, "You need to stop trying to set me up on dates. Especially with people you've never even met."
"Oh, come on, Kyoya. You need to at least start dating! I'm married, Takashi is finally going out with that girl from the bakery, the only one left is you. You and I both know that Tamaki would love to have a mother. Does he like his teacher?"
"I'm going to hang up on you if you don't change the subject."
"Well, that certainly says a lot."
"Good bye, Hikaru."
"I'll drop Kaoru off around 4:30 with an overnight bag just in case the show goes on longer than anticipated!"
Kyoya pressed the 'end call' button and all but dropped the phone onto the table. Groaning, he picked up his pen and went back to signing off on the papers in front of him. Why not? He figured. Tamaki and Kaoru haven't had a playdate in two weeks now. And even though Kaoru sometimes drives Tamaki mad, I know they'll be thrilled to spend some time with each other.
Now... how am I going to get Hikaru to not bring up (L/n)-san in front of Tamaki? If he starts going off on a tangent about his teacher, and Hikaru mentions that there's one way he could have (L/n)-san around all the time...
The man groaned again, pressing the heels of his palms against his forehead. What have I done?
)(
The ravenet let out a deep sigh as he parked his car in Ouran's parking lot. For a moment, he simply relaxed in his seat, glad to have made it through the afternoon traffic in one piece yet again. As per usual, he was able to get a close spot to the front entrance of the school, and today he was especially grateful. Through his car windows, he could see the heavy downpour bouncing on the pavement and flattening the green grass surrounding the large buildings. As tempting as the inside of the car seemed, he unbuckled his seatbelt.
Pulling a rather large black umbrella from the floor just behind his seat, he slipped outside and opened it as soon as possible. Shutting and locking the car behind him, Kyoya ran up to the school building. There was no one around to see him, so why should he hide how eager he was to reach his son? And, if he were to be completely truthful, he was also looking forward to his typical talk with (L/n)-san.
As he was always the last parent the pick up their child, when he and Tamaki were walking out to their car, they were occasionally joined by (L/n)-san as she started walking towards the train station. Kyoya couldn't help but feel grateful that not only did (L/n)-san not mind staying behind for an extra five or ten minutes with just Tamaki as her company, but she also seemed to enjoy talking with him on the way out of the school and on the sidewalk for however long Tamaki allowed before he got bored.
His son might complain about the delay, but Kyoya truly enjoyed those talks.
Stepping inside the large building, he shook out his umbrella as best as he could and began hurrying down the hallway. He rounded the first corner and almost ran into someone.
"Oh! I'm terribly sorry, sir!"
"It's alright."
The two men calmly walked around each other and Kyoya was about to continue on his way when, "Ootori-san?"
He turned his head, "Yes?"
"Dear me, I almost didn't recognize you! I apologize!"
The ravenet managed a strained smile, returning the bow he had received from the strange man, "As I said before, it's no trouble. Now, if you would excuse me, I must fetch my son."
"Your son? Oh... young Tamaki, correct?"
"Yes."
The man nodded, though he wasn't smiling very much any more, "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself. Ebina Kazuo. I teach Kindergarten here, Class D."
"Oh." Kyoya nodded, maintaining a polite grin though he couldn't help but wish Ebina-san would get the hint and let him go to his son. "Is that right?"
"Quite. Though, I would've have the pleasure of teaching Tamaki myself if... the school board had not elected to bring in a novice instead." He gave Kyoya an almost pitying gaze, "I do hope the best for your son's education, Ootori-san, but, if it's not to forward of me to say, I believe his true potential might not come to light until next year."
Taking Kyoya's silence as his cue, Kazuo nodded his head and started backing up down the hallway, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Ootori-san! I do hope we may speak again in the future!"
"Yes. Have a good day, Ebina-san."
The other man rounded the corner, just missing the sudden glare Kyoya was sending in his direction. How dare he? Clearly, Ebina-san was wrapped up in his own delusions, believing (L/n)-san had stolen his job, and was content with blaming her for the council's decision.
"Papa?"
The small voice instantly caught the man's attention, turning him around just as effectively as someone physically forcing him.
"Papa!"
The moment he saw his son running towards him, every negative event that had gone on during the day disappeared. Smiling softly, Kyoya dropped down to one knee and hugged Tamaki tightly, making sure his still-wet umbrella was pointing in the opposite direction.
"I couldn't stop him, Ootori-san. Not once he heard your voice."
The ravenet looked up, still holding his son close. After the phone conversation he'd had with Hikaru a few hours ago, Kyoya hadn't been sure how he'd feel seeing his son's teacher again. But it was the same as always. An odd shift in his lower gut and the urge to smile.
Slowly rising to his feet, he was given his usual evening smile from the (h/c). She was wearing the usual today. A solid color blouse and black pants. Today her hair had been pulled back with a (f/h/a), which really brought more attention to her face and (e/c) eyes. She had her school bag in her right hand... and nothing at all in her left. Kyoya frowned.
"(L/n)-san? Where is your umbrella?"
"Um... I forgot it." The (h/c) looked embarrassed, (e/c) eyes flicking to the windows lining the right side of the hallway. Outside, she watched as the rain pelted the glass. The barest hints of lightning glowed in the far off distance and she grimaced. Kyoya couldn't blame her, it looked terrible outside.
"Don't worry, (L/n)-sensei! Papa and I can give you a ride! Can't we, Papa? That would be the gen-tle-manly thing to do, right?" The small blond flashed a toothy smile at his father, currently unaware of the man's racing heartbeat.
"Of course we can." He smirked at the woman, who looked both shocked and flattered at the same time, "And this way, the two of us can continue our conversation without you," Tamaki squeaked as a random tickle attack hit his sides, "getting annoyed." The boy continued to laugh, dropping against his father and shoving at his arms.
A different voice suddenly joined in. Full peals of laughter echoing down the hallway, mixing beautifully with the occasional roll of thunder. It was (F/n). She was laughing along with Tamaki, showing off a pearly white smile on top of the song-like sound. Unfortunately for Kyoya, hearing the (h/c) laugh for the first time brought his hands to a standstill, giving his son the opportunity to escape and calm down. Which make (F/n) stop laughing as well.
The ravenet cleared his throat and stood, "Well, we should probably head out, then. Both of you have all of your items?"
"Yup, Papa!"
"Just this bag."
"Good. Let's go."
The trio started walking down the hallway, Tamaki running along ahead while the adults lingered behind and began talking. Nothing too interesting today. Just comments on how much longer it would be raining. (F/n) was especially concerned, because her apartment's neighbors had an adorable younger daughter who was terrified of thunder and lightning. The poor thing could hardly move during storms like these. Kyoya went to inquire a name when they suddenly reached the front of the school. Without further ado, he opened up the umbrella. It was fairly large, thank goodness, but with three of them it might still be a tight squeeze.
Attempting to hide how that made him feel inside, Kyoya offered an elbow to the woman beside him. (F/n)'s cheeks changed into a rosy hue as she went to link their arms... but she was cut off.
Tamaki shoved his backpack into his father's left hand and raced out the door, laughing as his school uniform quickly became soaked.
"Tamaki! Your uniform!"
"What was that, Papa?" The blond boy hopped feet first into a puddle, splashing brown water all over his shoes and pants before turning around to smile at his father. Kyoya's mouth was set in a straight line, as he attempted to reel in his emotions.
"No dessert. For a week." He promised to himself. Even so, Kyoya knew it wasn't that big of a deal. Tamaki had other uniforms he could wear, the laundromat could take care of the stains on this one, his car seat would dry, and it was a little heartwarming to watch his son play in the rain. There were days that Kyoya wished he possessed the ability to enjoy the simple joys in life. Tamaki was clearly enjoying getting wet from the rain and playing in the puddles. Why couldn't he?
Remembering that there was still one other person he had to share the umbrella with, Kyoya turned back to (F/n). She was staring out after Tamaki, a soft smile on her face as he continued to laugh and dance around.
"He was staring out the window all day, today. I remember when I used to do that." She reached one of her hands out into the drizzle, letting a few drops land on her palm. She smiled a little wider.
Clearing his throat again, pretending as if he hadn't been staring at her, Kyoya swapped the hands holding the umbrella and Tamaki's bag, offering his elbow once again. (F/n) looked at him, the umbrella, his elbow, and blushed again. Except this time she stepped closer and took it.
Giving her another smirk, the man lead them out of the building and into the storm. Despite the pouring rain, Kyoya could swear he could hear his heart beating in his chest. The two were completely silent as they walked, keeping an eye on the small boy just a ways ahead of them. Tamaki jumped into yet another puddle, laughing hysterically as a bit of muddy water hit his cheek.
"I'll give him this much: he certainly finds interesting ways to entertain himself."
There it was again, that laugh. (F/n) clutched Kyoya's arm a little tighter, eyes soft as velvet when she turned to present her smile full force. Kyoya looked forward quickly, surprised to find the three of them already at his car. Somehow managing to pull his keys from his pocket, he unlocked the doors and allowed (F/n) to climb into the passenger seat before turning back around.
"Tama-chan! We're going now!"
"Comin' Papa!"
The small blond raced to the car, his hair plastered to his head and his clothes looking the same. Kyoya would've been mad, but Tamaki was smiling so widely he couldn't find it in his heart to berate the small boy. He could only hope that sitting in his own wet clothes until they got home would be punishment enough. And then the dessert thing.
"Let's get you strapped in, Tama-chan."
Kyoya lifted his soaking wet son into the car, glad that he had a spare blanket in the back to lay as an extra padding between the child and the car interior. It only took three minutes to strap the boy in, but by then Tamaki was already tugging at his shirt sleeves unhappily. This would be a long car ride for everyone.
Hurrying to his own seat and tossing the umbrella behind him as he did so, the ravenet glanced over at the woman seated at his side. For whatever reason, seeing her there felt... right. No matter what his head was trying to tell him.
"So, shall I use GPS or can you give me directions?"
"I think I'm capable of directing you. First things first we need to get out of this parking lot. You'll take a right turn."
Kyoya smiled and turned the car on, "As you wish."
The rest of the car ride went on like that. (F/n) providing directions, Kyoya following them, and the two engaging in small talk in between. Kyoya liked it. It felt... domestic. Something he didn't get often with only a small boy in the house.
Except, what he was unaware of, was that the same small boy was sitting oddly silent in the back seat of the car. Staring at his Papa and his Sensei as they talked and laughed in the front seat with that strange deeper understanding in his eyes.
Ahh... here we go! I'm honestly really excited about this story! I've got quite a bit planned for it! But I'm also a little concerned... with all of these stories on top of my steadily growing schedule at work, school, and my extracurricular activities, I may not be able to keep up with monthly updates. I'm very sorry if it comes to this.
But until then, please enjoy my stories! Follow, favorite, and leave a review if you like it!
See you next chapter!