I'm updating again. It's a miracle!
Friends and Family
(F/n) let out a long sigh as she sank back into her chair's cushion. Cradling a steaming mug in her lap, she turned her head to look out the large windows overlooking the beach. The sky was bright blue without a cloud in sight, eventually meeting the ocean's darker blue on the far horizon. (F/n) raised her drink and took a cautious sip before exhaling heavily again. School had only been back in session for one week and (F/n) had almost forgotten what a calm morning was supposed to be like. She was going to savor the moment while it lasted.
Hearing a door open, (F/n) turned her head and watched as a petite woman with long brown hair walked into the dining room. Sakura Matsushima. Takashi's girlfriend. Spotting (F/n) sitting at the table, Sakura smiled and walked over, taking the open seat beside her.
"Good morning, (L/n)-san!"
"Good morning, Sakura-san. You know, you can call me (F/n)."
Sakura beamed, her head tilting to the side adorably. "Okay! (F/n)-san, it is!"
(F/n) smiled back and took another long sip. Noticing how Sakura followed the mug with longing in her eyes, (F/n) quickly pointed out the drink station near the door to the kitchens. Sakura was out of her seat before (F/n) even finished extending her finger.
"So," Sakura called out over her shoulder. "Do you know what the plan is for today?"
"Not entirely," (F/n) said. "I know Tama-chan was upset about not going to the beach when we got here yesterday."
"I know! Mitsu-chan was the same! When Takashi said it was too dark to swim he argued that we could all swim with flashlights." Sakura shook her head, wearing a matching fond smile with (F/n).
"Oh, to be little again."
"Oi." Sakura glared at (F/n) over the lip of her own mug. (F/n) held up a placating hand and tried to withhold her giggling. For someone who had such a bubbly and sweet personality, Sakura sure had a short fuse when it came to her height.
Thankfully for (F/n)'s wellbeing, a chorus of loud footsteps and excited shouting started flooding down the hall. (F/n) counted her blessings as Sakura's face once again broke out into a smile. Sakura reclaimed her seat beside (F/n) just as the doors burst open, giving way to Tamaki, Kaoru, and Mitsukuni as the three boys stormed into the room. (F/n) bit her lower lip and faintly heard Sakura squeal a bit. The three boys were wearing matching swim trunks and they looked so cute.
"Daddy, c'mon! It's time to go swim!"
"Breakfast first, Mitsukuni-chan," came Takashi's reply. To (F/n)'s relief, he was not dressed in his swim trunks just yet. She still needed to change into hers and she didn't want to be the one person who made everyone else wait.
The three boys whined, but eventually they climbed into the chairs across from (F/n) and Sakura and started making plans among themselves for the day. Takeshi came over to the two women, greeting (F/n) with a polite hello and pressing a kiss to Sakura's head before walking away to get his own drink. (F/n) gently nudged Sakura's knee beneath the table.
"You're blushing," (F/n) said.
"Shut up, you'll be just as bad when Ootori-san comes out," Sakura shot back.
As if proving her point, when the doors opened again (F/n) found herself smiling at her own boyfriend. He was talking to Hikaru while his friend acted as a crutch for his very pregnant wife. Akane, however, appeared to have a different plan. Even as Hikaru ran ahead to pull out the chair at the head of the table for her, Akane ignored her husband and waddled over to the empty chair on (F/n)'s other side.
Taking Akane's independent streak in stride, Hikaru took her morning drink order and whisked away to fulfill it. (F/n) raised her eyebrows and shot Akane a thumbs up, but deep down she found it incredibly endearing how smitten the man was for his own wife. She could only hope that she had found the same kind of man in Kyoya.
"Good morning, Darling," Kyoya whispered as he leaned down for a cheek kiss. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did. The beds here are so soft," (F/n) said, smiling up at him and decidedly ignoring Sakura's snickering from the chair beside her.
"I'm glad you liked them." He smiled back, looking incredibly pleased by her compliment. Like he really cared about her opinion on the mattresses he kept in the guest bedrooms.
"Papa! Breakfast!" Tamaki shouted.
"Yeah, so we can go play!" Mitsukuni chimed in.
"Break-fast! Break-fast!" Kaoru started chanting before immediately falling silent. (F/n) glanced to her left and saw Akane fixing her son with a stern look. (F/n) took another sip from her mug and made a mental note to ask Akane to teach her how to do that.
"Boys," Akane chided, keeping her voice level. "I know you're excited that we're at the beach, but we still need to eat breakfast, put on sunscreen, and gather all of our things so we aren't running back and forth all day. Please be patient for now. I promise you will have plenty of time to play today." She waited for the three boys to nod in understanding before tacking on, "Thank Ootori-san for hosting us this weekend, too."
"Thank you, Ootori-san!"
"Thank you so much, Papa!"
"You are welcome. I'm happy you're all here. I enjoy spending time with you all," Kyoya said before walking away, disappearing into the kitchen to inquire about breakfast. As soon as he left, (F/n) turned towards Hikaru.
"I'll be proposing to your wife now, Hitachiin-san. I hope you don't mind," she said.
Hikaru made an offended squawking noise while the rest of the adults at the table laughed. Akane brought up a hand to her forehead and pretended to swoon onto (F/n)'s shoulder. The children didn't understand what was going on, but joined in the laughter anyways. (F/n) felt like her heart would burst as Hikaru stood and challenged her to a duel for Akane's hand in marriage. She had almost forgotten what it was like to have friendships that weren't long-distance...
*One hour later*
"Ahh… I could get used to this. Right, girls?" Akane said as she lounged back beneath the umbrella, her feet buried in sand.
"Absolutely," Sakura agreed, laying on her stomach just outside the umbrella's shade.
"Without question," (F/n) added. She sat forward and curled her arms around her knees. It was shaping up to be a hot day and she was taking her time enjoying the umbrella's shade.
A few meters away just past the shoreline, the three fathers were currently being used as aquatic playgrounds by their children. It was cute and, in (F/n)'s opinion, necessary father-son bonding time, and the three women were quite content with lounging around as the men catered to their children. (F/n) gave her beach bag a half-interested look. Inside were her notes she had been developing for next week's classes. She'd need to take care of those sometime today if she wanted to avoid stressing out over it tomorrow. But not now. Right now, she was busy being entertained with watching Kyoya toss Tamaki into the water. Every time, Tamaki's head barely bobbed under the water before his duck floaties brought him back up. He would laugh hysterically and beg for Kyoya to do it again.
(F/n) was drawn away from the scene when she felt a nudge to her side.
"Ooo, (F/n)! Tell us about the Canary Islands!" Sakura had rolled onto her side to look up at her new friend, her blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
"Huh?" (F/n) asked.
Akane scooted closer, too, leaning into (F/n)'s space. "That's right… you went with them. What was it like being alone with the Ootori's on vacation?" (F/n) giggled nervously at the sudden attention.
"It was nice," she said.
"Nice?" Akane echoed.
"That's all you're going to say?" Sakura said.
"Nice?" Okay, now Akane was just being sarcastic. (F/n) stuck her tongue out at her before looking back out to the horizon, trying to quell the flush in her cheeks.
"What I meant was it made me really happy to be on vacation with them," (F/n) confessed. "I like spending time with Kyoya and Tama-chan at home, but there was something special about traveling with them where it was just us."
Sakura cooed, "That's so sweet!"
"Adorable," Akane deadpanned before leaning in close. "But what about your alone time with Mr. Roboto? Anything of interest?"
If (F/n) wasn't blushing before, she certainly was now. Behind her, Sakura started giggling. Akane's expression was one of innocence, but (F/n) knew better than to trust it. There was no way she'd be able to dodge the question.
"Ugh. Fine… we made out in the hot tub-"
(F/n) cut herself off as the two women cat-called her with a vengeance. She gently shoved Akane away when she tried to wolf-whistle, but (F/n) couldn't help laughing along with the others. It was harmless fun, and (F/n) felt comfortable around the two of them to allow for it.
"Momma!"
The women looked out to the water, hearts melting as they watched Kaoru stumble his way up the sand in his cartoon floatie, Hikaru right behind him. Kaoru was dripping wet and shivering a little, but he had the biggest smile on his face as he stopped just in front of Akane.
"Yes, Kao-chan? Are you getting cold?" Akane asked, already reaching for her son's towel.
Kaoru shook his head, sending a spray of salt water around. "No! Come play, Momma!"
"What Kaoru means to say," Hikaru grunted a bit as he crouched down to peer under the umbrella, giving the three women a similar smile as his son. "He and the other boys would like for you to join us in the water. If you'd like."
(F/n) exchanged a look with Sakura and Akane each before giving Kaoru a smile. "I wouldn't mind swimming a little bit."
"Of course I'll go!"
Akane sighed last, but she was still smiling at her son as she said, "You go on ahead. Momma's friends will help her down to the beach."
"Okay!" Kaoru spun around and ran back the way he came, kicking up sand in his wake. Hikaru chased after him, shouting something that was carried off by the breeze. Akane sighed and shifted a bit on the towel. (F/n) rolled up to her feet and walked in front of Akane, taking her hands to pull her up. Akane groaned as she was stood up and her right hand immediately went to her lower back.
"Just so you girls know," she began. "Once you hit month eight, you won't want to do anything ever again."
Sakura appeared at Akane's left elbow, leaving the right for (F/n). "Come on, let's get you down to the water. I've been told the buoyancy helps with back pain," Sakura said.
"It better," Akane warned, huffing in annoyance when (F/n) and Sakura laughed before steering her down to the shoreline.
*\/*
"No. No, no, no, no," Mori continued to repeat quietly even as he marched back to his seat, waving away everyone's "Thank you's". The radio station he had settled on was in the middle of a commercial break, but anything was better than listening to that song for the third time in the past hour. Sakura immediately snuggled her way back under Mori's arm as soon as he sat down, poking at her boyfriend's cheek until he turned and accepted a quick kiss.
The sun was barely clinging to the horizon, hues of red and oranges staining the patio despite the lanterns lit up around the six adults. Kyoya took a shallow sip from his wine glass. Shallow because Hikaru was still in the process of telling his story and there had already been more than one spit-take tonight.
"So I'm sitting there stunned because this old dude that, I will remind you, we don't know, is talking to my wife in a hushed tone with a serious look on his face. I'm actually starting to prepare myself to fight someone because I thought he was trying to be a good person and say he saw something happen to Akane's food or someone was staring at her."
"Nope," Akane interjected, taking a long drink herself. Kyoya had asked earlier why she insisted on having her tea in the wine glass, and she said she needed to fit the aesthetic of the night. He hadn't argued. The last time he had argued with a heavily pregnant lady, his sister had demonstrated what a truly terrible idea that was.
Hikaru threw his hands up in the air, eyes cast skywards. "This dude had the audacity to tell Akane he was there to "escort her to the restroom". She asks why and I swear his nose fucking wrinkled. Even the old CEO's I make deals with don't act like such pompous assholes!"
"Can we trade?" Kyoya asked. (F/n) turned and gave him a pitying look before laying down her next card. Akane cursed softly and set her glass down, glaring feverishly at her own cards.
"Not on your life, Cyberman. Anyways, he then says, "Because it is a more fitting space for your current activity." Bastard was talking like the damn Riddler."
"Don't you disrespect The Riddler like that," (F/n) said offhandedly, too busy organizing her cards for eye contact.
Hikaru nodded and continued. "Fair enough. But, like, he's not being subtle about it and I can tell Akane's starting to get angry. Hell, I'm angry. We're tucked away and Kaoru's head is blocking the view so who even cares? This dude, apparently. Now, I usually let Akane fight her own battles, so I'm contently sitting back and watching as she tells him that she will not be going to the bathroom, and if he would please leave us alone to enjoy our lunch before she called security over to escort him out. That's when he fucking turned to me and said in the most serious voice I've ever heard, "Sir, please control your wife"."
The four adults hearing the story for the first time hiss in unison while Hikaru nodded solemnly. Akane sipped at her tea.
"Akane stood up with Kaoru still attached to her boob and she waved down our waiter. He walks up like the old man isn't even there and asks what's wrong. Akane says the guy was harassing us and we'd like for him to be forcibly taken back to his table. The waiter looks at the old dude who then starts complaining that Akane is breastfeeding in public. Waiter looks at Akane like he hadn't even noticed and turned back to the man and was like, "What of it? People are here to eat. Baby needs to eat, too"."
"Cheers to that man," Sakura said, lifting her wine glass. Everyone raised their glasses as well, but most couldn't drink because they were too busy laughing at Hikaru's story. Akane set down a playing card and Kyoya faintly heard (F/n)'s laughter cut off as she whispered, "How dare you," back at her opponent.
"Needless to say, the old dude ended up getting kicked out of the restaurant because he wouldn't let it go, the restaurant gave us a gift card for our next visit, and I gave the waiter my business card in case he needed help getting a job after college."
"Hell yeah," Sakura said into her wine, looking decidedly more tipsy than the rest of them. Mori didn't seem to mind, gladly pulling his cuddly girlfriend into his lap. Kyoya might have done the same if (F/n) wasn't currently face down on the table between her and Akane, the other woman cheering.
(F/n) sat back up and looked over her cards. "You'll pay for that," she muttered.
"That's no way to speak to the Queen of Spades!"
"Yeah? How about this!"
(F/n) slapped one of her cards down and Akane broke out into loathsome wailing.
"You and (F/n) better sleep with one eye open tonight, Kyoya!" Hikaru called over the sounds of his wife's calls for justice.
Kyoya smirked and slid an arm around (F/n)'s waist, his girlfriend wiggling about in victorious delight. "Spoken like a sore loser, Hikaru."
"Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family," Akane shouted. "Hikaru, make a note on this. Dishonor on (F/n)! Dishonor on Kyoya! Dishonor on their children!"
"Excuse us."
The adults paused in their celebration and turned their heads. In the doorway that led back into the beach house, Mitsukuni was standing by the knees of the head chef, Sawadai. Mori carefully set Sakura down on the couch beside him before walking over to his son and scooping the boy into his arms.
Sawadai cleared his throat and said, "This young man came in looking for a drink of water. He was very polite during the encounter, but asked for help finding his father so he could be put back to bed. I apologize for disturbing you all."
"It's no trouble," Kyoya insisted, standing up as well. "We should all probably call it a night, anyways. Thank you for your services today, Sawadai-san."
"Of course, Ootori-san." The head chef bowed politely towards his employer before giving Mitsukuni a bow of his own and walking back into the beach house. Mitsukuni giggled weakly before resting his head against Mori's shoulder, already falling back asleep. With his son in one arm and a wobbling Sakura on the other, Mori bade the others a good night and walked inside.
(F/n) gathered up the card game and stood, helping Akane to her feet before handing the pregnant woman off to Hikaru. She hesitated as she looked around the now empty chairs and couches.
"Shouldn't we take the wine glasses inside?" (F/n) asked.
"No need," Kyoya promised. "The busboy will collect them in a moment. Come on, let's go to bed." (F/n) yawned and did not argue further, sliding into Kyoya's hold as they followed everyone else indoors.
The hallway was empty by the time they made it to the bedrooms, having taken a brief detour so (F/n) could return the cards to the game cupboard. (F/n)'s eyelids were drooping, but her grip on Kyoya's arm was solid and warm. Kyoya never wanted her to let go. (F/n) seemed to feel the same, nuzzling her face against Kyoya's shoulder when they stopped between their two rooms.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow," she sighed.
Kyoya glanced over to Tamaki's bedroom door before turning to properly face his girlfriend, (F/n) looking up in surprise as he grabbed her hands and leaned in close. Kyoya smirked at her flushed cheeks.
"Then let's not part," he whispered before stepping backwards towards his door. Not once breaking eye contact, he opened the door and pulled (F/n) into his room. To his delight, (F/n) quickly caught onto the program and surged forward herself, looping her arms around Kyoya's shoulders and drawing him down into a kiss. He almost forgot to close the door.
(F/n)'s lower lip slid in between Kyoya's like it belonged there. Kyoya shut his eyes as the world dissolved around them. Her fingers gently wove their way through the short hair at the base of Kyoya's neck to help guide him back to her lips over and over again. He felt her hot exhales across his cheek in between kisses. Kyoya opened his mouth and drew her in closer, still able to taste the wine on her lips.
They slowly worked their way across the room, nearly falling over when (F/n) accidentally stepped on Kyoya's foot, but they were so engrossed in their kiss that it didn't even matter. Kyoya barely had the sense to break their kiss before pulling (F/n) with him back onto the mattress, the two of them still knocking their foreheads together just a little. (F/n) laughed it off and crawled her way over Kyoya's lap, her warm hands smoothing over his cheeks before they came back together.
Kyoya groaned and licked across her lower lip. The vanilla lip balm (F/n) had applied after dinner didn't taste great when mixed with the wine, but Kyoya hardly cared when (F/n) gave a sweet sigh in response and sank more of her weight onto his chest. He tightened his grip on her hips, hoping to convey just how much he was enjoying her being on his lap. (F/n) withdrew her tongue and Kyoya took the opportunity to sink his teeth into her bottom lip. (F/n) made a little noise that forced Kyoya to pull back and catch his breath.
And it was a good thing he did, too. The couple barely had five seconds to scramble away from each other when they heard the bedroom door squeaking open.
"Papa?" Tamaki rubbed at his teary eyes as he peered into the room, holding a brown teddy-bear that was as big as his head tightly against his chest. "C-can I come in?"
"Of course, Tama-chan." Kyoya double checked that he was decent before standing up and walking over to scoop his son into his arms. Tamaki immediately buried his face into Kyoya's neck, sniffling quietly. At once, Kyoya felt all his gears shift from "boyfriend" to "father". Rubbing Tamaki's back, Kyoya carefully carried the boy to the bed and sat down beside (F/n).
"Tama-chan? What's wrong?" he asked.
Tamaki sniffled again and pulled away, his lower lip pushed out in a pout. "It's nothing. Dumb."
"Since when are you dumb? You're the smartest kid I know," Kyoya said, bopping his son on the nose with a finger. When that didn't get Tamaki to even crack a smile, Kyoya's teasing smile immediately gave way to a frown. "Tell me what's wrong."
"Thought I heard something… in the closet. Kinda scary," Tamaki confessed quietly, not looking either adult in the eye. Kyoya glanced at (F/n) and found her clutching a hand to her chest. It was sweet how much she cared for his son. Like if he was her son, too. Filing that daydream away for another time, Kyoya carefully eased Tamaki back until he could look his son in the eye.
"That does sound pretty scary. Would you like me to look around your room, or would you rather sleep here with me tonight?"
Tamaki turned around to look at the bedroom door for a moment before looking up at Kyoya. "I'd like to stay here, please."
"Okay. I need to get changed into my pajamas first," Kyoya said, gently settling Tamaki down by the pillows. Behind him, Kyoya felt the bed shift as (F/n) stood up.
"I guess I should go to bed, too. Good night, boys-"
"Wait!" Tamaki pushed himself forward onto his hands and knees, grabbing at Kyoya's sleeve and tugging. "Can't (F/n) stay, too?" The adults looked at the boy in surprise and he pulled back, returning to staring at his own lap.
"Please?" He added.
*\/*
When (F/n) slipped back into Kyoya's room twenty minutes later, he and Tamaki were both already under the covers. Kyoya was on his back, making shadow puppets on the wall in the light from the bedside lamp. (F/n) hesitated by the doorway, enjoying the scene from afar. The door clicked shut behind her and the Ootori's turned in her direction. (F/n) was almost worried that she had interrupted the moment, but then the boys smiled at her and Tamaki nearly tumbled out of bed in his attempt to greet her.
(F/n) smiled down at Tamaki as he padded across the floor and took her by the hand, leading her back to the bed where Kyoya was waiting on his elbow, his other hand lifting up the sheets so they could crawl in beside him. (F/n) let Tamaki go first before climbing in behind him. She gave her pillow a quick fluff and laid down with a sigh.
Tamaki echoed her sigh, eyelids already starting to droop despite the smile on his face as his body suddenly remembered how tired he had been half an hour ago. He wiggled closer to Kyoya's side as (F/n) carefully tucked a lock of blond hair out of his face.
"'M happy you're here, (F/n)-san."
"I'm happy, too," (F/n) said. She glanced over the boy's head to smile at his father. To her surprise, Kyoya looked about ready to nod off as well. Although, she supposed that entertaining Tamaki all day had sapped a lot of his energy. Tamaki yawned again and pulled at (F/n)'s pajama top, reclaiming her attention.
"(F/n)-san? You'll stay, right?"
"Of course, Tama-chan." (F/n) moved her hand to rest over Tamaki's legs above the covers. The blond blinked sleepily, lower lip moving into a pout.
"Forever?"
(F/n)'s heart stuttered a bit in her chest. Forever? Forever was a big ask…
Licking her lower lip, (F/n) gave Tamaki a small smile as she answered. "I'll stay as long as you two will have me."
"Good. 'Cause I want you forever. Even when you're not my teacher." Tamaki yawned widely and rolled over into Kyoya's chest. "Papa, too. Right, Papa?"
(F/n) felt something take hold of her hand, but couldn't tear herself away from Kyoya's sleepy gaze. He smiled at her from over Tamaki's blond head of hair and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Right," he said.
Seemingly unbothered by the romantic tension filling the bedroom, Tamaki let out a slow breath that tapered into a long inhale, signalling the boy finally falling asleep. (F/n) shifted herself into a more comfortable sleeping position, taking extra care to not accidentally pull her hand away from Kyoya's. Her boyfriend watched on with that same fond expression until (F/n) gained enough courage to speak again.
"Did you mean that?" she whispered, barely able to maintain eye contact.
"Yes," Kyoya said. He ran his thumb over the back of her knuckles before drawing her hand up for a brief kiss. "Will you please stay with us?"
(F/n) smiled and turned her face into her pillow, trying to hide her blush in vain.
"Yes," she said.
Kyoya sighed, pleased with her answer, and shut his eyes.
"I love you," was whispered out like an afterthought. (F/n)'s breath caught in her throat for a second time. Sensing this, Kyoya cracked his eyes open ever so slightly. This time, not even the darkness of the bedroom was able to hide (F/n) blush.
"I love you, too, Kyoya."
Ending a crappy year with an official "I love you". It's not much, but it's honest work.
I hope you all are staying safe, and you have a wonderful New Year's!