So sorry for the waiting, but as you can definetely guess, due to the crisis, I had a lot of homework to do, and I needed to focus on that first. I hope you understand. I apologize again.

Please enjoy!


chapter 17: Intriguing notions

Tamaki remained silent, as he did not know what he was supposed to tel Haruhi. He wanted to help as well, but what would be the best solution.

Back when they were teenagers, Tamaki was trying to do anything so that Kyoya can feel comfortable. He was never mad at his friend, when the latter teased the former, because he knew that Kyoya lacked the luxury of expressing himself in front of his family, and the teasing was simply his way of letting his hair down. Kyoya was just not the extroverted type.

-"I think..."-Tamaki finally spoke, rather sheepishly.-"..that now is not the time for this-it is getting late. Maybe we can go home for now and think about this tomorrow. Someone has to make sure the children will go to bed, after all."

-"Wow, you have a point."- Haruhi said, replied in a slightly sarcastic tone.

-"We will find a way to help Kyoya. I promise. In fact, next morning we are coming back here."

Haruhi smiled and the two went home. Right now, she was so glad to have Tamaki for a husband- a man who always thinks what is best for everyone."

Back at the Ootori mansion, Kyoya isolated himself in his office. He needed to spend some time alone. He has had moments of helplessness before, but this time was the most painful.

Kyoya never knew how hard parenthood can be, until he became a parent himself. His own parents were not the best example, and yet, thanks to the way they raised him, he knew what not to do, although that was still not enough.

It is not that he has forgotten to prepare himself, though. While Ren was still pregnant with the twins, Kyoya made a little research about parenthood- reading every book and article on the Internet he could find about the subject. Even with his busy schedule, he tried to be there for his babies.

When children get closer to puberty, things start to get much more complicated. Now being there physically is not enough-he has to support them emotionally. Not every parent is capable of doing that, and emotional intelligence has always been one of the few things he did not understand completely, despite showing occasional interest in it.

Usually, he preferred to deal with a problem on his own, but this time he was probably going to require the help of someone else. In this case, Haruhi and Tamaki.

Next morning, Haruhi and Tamaki were on their way to the Ootori mansion. Once they reached their destination, they knocked on the door and waited for the maid to open it:

-"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Suoh!"- the maid greeted them, after opening the door, and bowed.

-"Good morning, Ms. Priti! Is Kyoya here?"- Haruhi asked politely.

-"Well, yes, of course. Coincidentally, I was just going to call you as he ordered me to do, this morning."

Her response surprised both Haruhi and Tamaki.

-"He wanted you to call us? Why?"- Tamaki asked, out of curiosity.

-"I do not know either. He did not tell me. It must be something that he trusts you for."- Priti replied, sounding more confused than disappointed.-"I will inform him that you have arrived. Please wait."- after she bowed, she went to her boss' office.

-"Did you hear that-Kyoya wants to see us?"-Haruhi aksed her husband.-"What could it be?"

-"I don't know."- he said simply.

Their attention was quickly distracted by Kyoya's arrival:

-"Tamaki. Haruhi. Welcome!"

-"Fellow Kyoya, we heard you wanted to see us. What is the matter?"-Haruhi asked.

-"Whatever it is, we will..."-Tamaki suddenly raised his voice while talking, but he stopped after Kyoya politely gestured him to.

-"Just come with me to my office. I will tell you there."- he turned his back and led them to his office. He suddenly stopped walking, right next to the maid and asked-"Could you bring us some tea, Ms. Priti?"

-"Of course, sir!"-and she bowed.

After the three reached the office door, Kyoya opened it and gestured the guests to enter:

-"Take a seat!"- he gestured to two chairs. Haruhi and Tamaki both sat on them and prepared themselves to listen.

-"I know you wonder why I require you help now."-Kyoya said after he sat on his own chair. They both nodded.-"Usually, I do not do this, but I need some advice about parenting."

This caught the couple off guard. They could hardly believe what they were hearing:

-"WHAT?!"-Tamaki shouted.

-"Advice about parenting?"-Haruhi was more reserved.

Kyoya could not blame them for reacting this way. Even he himself could hardly believe what he was saying:

-"Let me explain, please!"- and he stood up from his chair. He turned his back and looked through the window.-"Throughout my life I have always had the answer to my own questions- always knew what was the right thing to do. Being an Ootori meant I had to be this well-prepared- you never know who to trust. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." father always said. I never let anyone get too close to me, no matter the intentions. This changed when I met you, Tamaki. Besides my sister Fuyumi, you were the first one in front of whom I did not feel the need to pretend. You gave me a chance I never knew I wanted. Being a host with you, Haruhi and the others inspired me to become what I am today."

Tamaki felt touched by Kyoya's words, which caused him to cry:

-"Oh, Kyoya!"

-"Please don't start crying."-Kyoya said in a deadpan tone.

-"I won't."-Tamaki tried to hold his tears. His friend could hardly believe it- how can an adult man still be so emotional, yet again this was the reason he called them today. Ironic.

-"However, there are still a lot of things even I fail to understand- I am not good at expressing myself properly."

-"What an intriguing notion, fellow.-Haruhi said in a semi-mocking tone.

-"Back to the subject! Recently I did something that hurt Nandini's feelings and made her feel like the "unfavorite". My question to you is: How can I fix that?. What can I say to make her feel better?"

Tamaki and Haruhi exchanged looks between each other, like they were saying "So that's what this is all about". They did not answer him immediately- needing some time to think. Kyoya did not mind waiting, he gave them their time.

After the long pause, Haruhi finally decided what to say:

-"Well, Kyoya..."- she began hesitantly.-"I think that the first thing you need to realise is that family is family".- Her words confused the man a little bit, but, fortunately for him, she explained what she meant.-"I mean, you have always been a smart man, capable of seeing details only a few can see. Although, you have always had a flaw-thinking too much. I remember back in high school, when you were doing big efforts to seem selfish and exploitative, despite actually being a very nice guy deep down, and I had no idea why."

Haruhi has seemingly done talking, so Tamaki finished for her:

-"Kyoya, being a parent is not a job, it's a chance. A chance to experience something you have never experienced before- to finally be free of your duties to society. To be yourself for someone who needs you. To give someone all the love you are capable of. What is better than that?"

-"In other words, if you want your daughters to know how much you love them, than what is stopping you from telling them."

Kyoya did not say anything, but just seeing his expression, the couple knew that he was shocked by what he was hearing.

Finally, he found courage to talk:

-"It is not as easy as you make it out to be."

-"You can, at least try."-Haruhi encouraged him.-"Those are your children, after all."- she and Tamaki both smiled, and Kyoya returned the smile.

Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard. The door opened slowly and the trio saw Priti bringing them some tea.

Tamaki and Haruhi were currently preparing to leave, and Kyoya suggested to escort them:

-"It was a great pleasure seeing you again, Kyoya."-Tamaki said with a charming smile.

-"I sincerely hope everything is going to be okay."-Haruhi added.

The couple left, leaving Kyoya to consider their advice. He remained at the same spot, not moving or talking, seemingly just thinking. This did not go unnoticed by the maid:

-"Is everything alright, Mr. Ootori, sir? You need anything?"

-"Actually, yes."- he turned to face her.-"Wish me luck, Ms. Priti!"