Title;; Whispers Of Love
Genre;; General//Romance//Angst//AU// A bit of comedy
Chapter(s);; 2/5
Pairing(s);; Tamaki x Kyouya // Otou-san x Okaa-san && Tamaki x Haruhi
Rating;; T - For now.
Warning(s);; None...
Feedback;; Is love. Comments makes my day.
Summary;; Sometimes, it's difficult for someone to realize and admit that they're deeply in love. Especially if you were someone like Ootori Kyouya. Sometimes... some people just need a bit of help to fully realizing it. This someone...was Suou Tamaki.
A/N;; I want to thank everyone who reviewed. It truly made my day, you have no idea. I bring you another chapter- I suppose you could call this a Christmas and New Year's present from me, to you. It's a late present, but a gift no less. :)

Whispers of Love
Chapter 2

"What is it this time, Tamaki?"

"...Nani, Tamaki?"

"Hai, Otou-san?"

"....You shouldn't say things that you don't mean."

You shouldn't say things that you don't mean... Those words seemed to stick forever within Suou Tamaki's mind. Super glued for life, you could say. Now, anyone that knew the blonde Suou heir, or even met him once or twice, should know for certainty that he was the type of person that wore his heart onto his sleeve. Expressed his feelings daily for others to see without any second thought, because a person should always live their life without any type of regret, right? This was the motto he has always followed for as long as he could remember; he engulfed a certain younger Ootori within hugs at any given moment he could do so. He held so tightly onto the boy and nuzzled his cheek against the other's so much, gushing over how 'okaa-san' is so smart and astounding at any given chance he could take, because he enjoyed bringing his friend - his best friend - out of his element of hiding such emotions he should display more often out within the open. To bring a blush to those pale cheeks of his every once in a while when he would surprise him... and it often earned him a good hit to the top of his head for doing so. To draw out a smile to curve at the edges of those lips. It would be a smile that seemed a bit awkward if he felt that he was smiling too widely or too much. Not the kind of smile or smirk the Ootori would display to manipulate and con others into getting what he wanted and using them. No, it was the type of smile that truly belonged to him and only him. A unique smile that often made Tamaki stare and think how it suited his friend so much and he made it his goal to try and bring that smile more to the surface for all eyes to see. But in a way, Tamaki didn't want to share this smile with anyone else. Because then, he couldn't really call the smile his and only his; it was a smile that suited only one person.

"You shouldn't say things that you don't mean..."

When you tell someone you love them, doesn't that mean that... you mean it?

But what is love, one would wonder. He believed that love was something that you have for many people such as friends and family, but the type of love the blonde had for the young Ootori... well, he couldn't really explain it at first. He thought it as appropriate that a father and mother always tell each other that they loved each other every day. It was a world wide tradition – it's completely absurd to not tell your wife that you love her! And Kyouya, being the 'mother' of their group, was no different. Tamaki always told him that he loved him, either it was when they were together with everyone or simply alone. And for passerbys to hear him, they always looked at him strangely. Yes, the fact that they were both male was very known to him, but he never thought of it strange that telling your best friend that you loved them was, well, strange. The people of Japan were very odd, he had hummed one day as he sat across from Kyouya at a café. Watching as others passed by outside where they sat at the table, his right leg crossed over his left as he sipped from his cup of coffee. Regardless of what his nationality was, he was raised half of his life within France, so to say "Je t'aime" upon the streets of France with public was no problem. He was a French man at heart, as well as Japanese. But... the more he continued to tell the other he "loved him", the more difficult it became. Slowly, but surely.

He didn't know, but he began to slowly see his best friend within a totally different light. He always admired Kyouya for his intelligent mind. Always admired the way he seemed to be so cunning, ambitious, and always achieve at something that he wanted. I mean, these were normal characteristics that one would always say they admired about their friend. But what would one say when they would notice the little things: how the other looked to seem so peaceful when deep within slumber. How his dark locks seemed to give off a soft glow if the lighting hit it just right. The way how his hair always seems to find a way to frame his face if he tilts his head in a certain way. Oh! And the way how one would think that he looked absolutely stunning when he would gaze at you with those half-lidded, sleep traced eyes. It was adorable beyond anything that you could ever imagine!

And to even dare say that it was even cuter than Haruhi when she wakes up...it terrified him. Haruhi was the cutest damn thing he has ever seen in his entire life!

Tamaki was confused at first, and it sent him within a whirlwind of emotions and changed the way how he acted; he would remain to glomp Kyouya, though to catch on at the last minute that their faces were just a little too close caused a scribble of red to burn at his cheeks instantly and he would pull back, nervously laughing and wave at anyone that seemed to look his way. He earned odd gazes, but the Ootori would shake his head and tell him to stop acting so oddly – how couldhe stop when his heart would hammer within his chest so widely, surely thinking that if his heart would beat any harder it would leave a tattoo imprint within his ribcage. Even the slightest skin against skin contact made him blush, and when he would grasp Kyouya's hand to help him to his feet, he always managed to find himself holding onto his hand longer than intended to do so, not really noticing until he would feel Kyouya's hand slip from his. And he would avert his gaze, shoving his hands nervously within his pockets as he whistled sharply; the feelings that harbored deep within his heart was a strange feeling indeed, and he didn't know what to do with theme. The only way that he knew how to relieve a bit of weight from his chest was to say:

"Aishiteru yo, Kyou-chan."

But, nothing could ever describe the weight one feels when your heart-filled words are always ignored and classified as 'something you don't mean'. Especially when you knew that the other was too stubborn to realize and admit that they felt the same way...

_____

It truly felt good to be...home.

Though the airport was a bit crowded, nothing could dampen the mood he was in now. There was a type of happiness that swelled within his chest and made his heart flutter at the familiar different language that invaded his ears. Even the cry of children sounded like music to his ears! Or the fact that people were gazing at him oddly. Was it his hair? No, it couldn't be. He was sure there were others beside himself that was naturally blonde, no? Perhaps his eyes? No, no, that couldn't be it. Many others would mistake them as contacts instead of his natural eye colour. Besides, there were many teens today that were into the whole trend of buying different colour eye contacts. Ah, the rebellious stage was a wonderful thing, indeed. Though, he himself never actually went through said stage of his teenage years. He was rather flirtatious and loved to give the young woman at his school what they wanted: a prince that catered to their emotional needs and fantasy. Oh, and had become very persistent of seeking out his mother against his grandmother's will, but...could you call that being rebellious? Non! Of course not!

"Tamaki-sempai...You could drop your arms now."

"Huh?" Said man looked to his shorter female companion, her cheeks tainted a soft shade of red as she pulled at the hem of his button-down collard shirt. It was instantly that he grinned widely and his violet eyes glistened, failing to realize that his arms were outstretched high above his head, his fingers spread. Why, just moments ago were he in the middle of announcing his return loudly to people around him– oh. That was why he was being looked at oddly. It all made sense now! Apparently, the small embarrassment did not sink in well enough – or it had, yet was completely forgotten – for he instantly reached outward to grasp her shoulders. "Uwaah~! Haru-chan's blushing!"

"T-Tamaki--"

"Haruhi looks adorable when she blushes, ne?" Tamaki cooed.

"-not here!" It was a small war of tug and pull as the taller rubbed and pinched at her cheeks with the pads of his thumb and pointer finger while the shorter tried to pull away, her blush deepening when she noticed the onlookers were still gazing at them. "Yamate, Tamaki-sempai!" She ordered, but it was a bit rushed and had lost a bit of the firmness she truly desired to hold within her words. Thus, her words not really taken seriously and brushed off – as always. Embarrassed she was, because in all truth, she was not quiet use to the random gush of affection Tamaki would decide to display for all to hear and see. She should be use to it, this she knew, but it could not be helped.

It took a while to pull Tamaki to the side and mention that they have to search for their bags, but she surely got him to do so after one last brush of his fingertips against her cheek and his chuckle of amusement. Waiting and looking through other baggage was a bit difficult, especially when certain bags looked the same and you had a blonde pick one up and declare brightly that he found one of their belongings, only to have someone say that it was theirs – eventually to have Tamaki stubbornly stick to the idea that it was he and Haruhi's luggage...only to be proven wrong after looking at the tag. "You have to look at the tag first, Tamaki." Haruhi sighed out, but smiled none the less at the shrug she received and the small pout to adorn his lips, saying how he was use to having others retrieve his bags instead of having to go through the hassle himself. It seemed that she still had a bit of work to do, she thought to herself with a small shake of her head as she returned to looking for more of their belongings.

It took them a while, but they managed to retrieve their belongings and make it towards the limo that awaited for them outside, the driver taking their bags and placing it within the trunk while the two took the liberty of getting in, sitting side by side. And as the driver made it back inside the vehicle and started the engine, it was then that Haruhi found herself trying to keep her eyes open to view the scenery that they passed. It has been four years since she has been back within the country she was born and raised within, and to finally be back she wanted to at least be able to see the familiar streets and buildings. But it was a bit complicated, since chocolate brown eyes could barely stay open and her head to stay up. Eventually, her head rested onto the Suou's shoulder, her arm wrapping around his as she made herself comfortable. The extra weight onto his shoulder instantly caused the blonde to look over only to see his Haruhi taking a small nap onto his shoulder, her arm curled around his. The sight made him smile softly as he pushed away her chocolate bangs from her eyes with his free hand, leaning a bit to place a soft kiss atop of Haruhi's head.

His Haruhi...

He didn't know why, but he wanted to wait at least a day or two before doing any real activity. He - no - they were tired from all of the traveling they had done and needed a bit of time to catch up their energy before doing any type of exploring, let alone visiting. Though, Haruhi did manage to get in contact with her father, and so did Tamaki, but the two decided to surprise their old friends a bit instead of calling in to let them know that they've arrived within town. Tamaki was the first to see Hunni-sempai, oddly enough. He was stopping by the old bakery he remembered he use to go to often after school and on the weekends to purchase his favorite cakes and sweets alike, but never would think he see the small strawberry blonde there in all of his cuteness, sitting at a table with four different types of cake and a cup of tea. He was engulfed quickly, shortly hearing the calling of Mori-sempai to come over and see who was within town as Hunni called him. Hunni pulled him towards a booth within the back (wow, he never took notice of that before.) and sat him down, pushing over one of his cakes after a bit of difficulty of wondering which one should he give the other blonde.

"Takashi~!" The blonde called out brightly, waving his arm about as he caught sight of the tall male that just entered. Tamaki turned within his seat to look over his shoulder with a bright grin of his own, surprising the usual indifferent male greatly, halting him within his tracks.

"It's good to see you again...Mori-sempai!" Tamaki smiled brightly as the other made his way towards the booth and sat next to Hunni, a smile onto his lips as he greeted the halfer. It seemed that he and Haruhi's return spread like wildfire, for Hikaru and Kaoru called Hunni to say they found Haruhi at the mall they were currently browsing within. Instantly, Hunni told them to meet them at the bakery they were within, judging that the mall could not be that far from where they were now. In the mean time, the three talked, not really wanting to ask questions until everyone was gathered in order to catch up. Twenty minutes had passed when the Hitachiin twins made their entrance, holding on tightly to Haruhi who looked as if she were ready to fall over by now with the way the twins dragged her along – gently, of course. But she was engaged within a tight bear hug just moments ago and asked so many questions of when did she arrive and wondering if Tamaki was with her and why didn't she call sooner as soon as they had reached town. Of course she didn't have time to answer any of the voiced questions, because instantly Hikaru said that it didn't matter and the matter of the fact was that she was back home – with their idiot of a Lord, of course!

The six were gathered at the booth after much wondering of who would sit next to who, the arguing coming from the 'Idiot' Lord himself and those- those blasted doppelgangers that were pulling onto poor Haruhi's arms. Hunni just did not have the heart to stop them, watching as he laughed heartedly and nudged Mori onto his side with his elbow.

"Reminds you of old times, ne, Takashi?"

"Un."

These were the words that were exchanged between the two as they watched Tamaki hug Haruhi to his chest, his violet eyes narrowed as he pointed an accusing finger at the mischievous twins. "We come back, and already you're trying to still my Haruhi from me! I will not allow it! Oka-" It was then, right at that moment, that something was not right. Something seemed a bit... off, so to say. His eyes roamed the area around him before averting his attention to gaze at the faces surrounding him: Takashi and Mitsukini were here, along with himself and Haruhi and the god forsaken doppelgangers. So, what was...?

"Kyouya..." The name seemed to come out a bit breathlessly, his eyes widening just a bit at the realization. How could he forget about Kyouya, his okaa-san? "Where's Kyouya?" He questioned, looking to the twins, Hunni and Mori. It was a bit silent until Hikaru cleared his throat with a small cough while Kaoru laced his fingers together, his eyes starring downward at the table.

"We called him when we ran into Haruhi, but he said he was a bit busy to come by." Kaoru was the first to break the silence, the other three seeming as if they were afraid to say anything. The tension was a bit odd, since the tightness within their friendly air did not make its self known until Kyouya's name was brought up from the halfer. He watched as the brightness within Tamaki's eyes dimmed somewhat, the blonde lowering his eyes to stare within his lap. It was either an action to try and hide the glimmer that dimmed or an action to show how disappointed he was to know that his own best friend could not even take the time to pull away from what he was doing to visit. After all, it has been five years since they had last saw each other. Didn't Kyouya want to come and see Haruhi? To see him?

"Mou~ unfair, ne~! Work is no fun at all, ne?" Hunni whined softly, poking at his cake with puckered lips. Takashi and the rest hummed in unison, save for the Suou heir whom only nodded his head slowly, a rueful smile curving at the edges of his lips.

"Sou ka..."

________

He heard that they had met up with Tamaki and Haruhi, and planed to have dinner with them together and try to enjoy their welcome back before they would leave on New Years day. He even heard that they had a wonderful time and that Haruhi had not changed that much since he last saw her. Well, besides the fact that she allowed her hair to grow back out. Even Tamaki hadn't changed that much, but Kaoru suggested that there was definitely a different air about him.

"Sou ka..." Kyouya hummed within his cell phone, holding a lit cigarette between his slender fingers with his free hand.

"Hai! You should have been with us tonight to –"

"I was busy, it couldn't be helped, Kaoru." Kyouya sighed softly, a string of white smoke flowing from his parted lips. He shivered softly as a gust of wintery breeze blew by, tousling his dark locks while he shrugged his jacket a bit more around his lean frame. If being busy meant spending his day within his apartment cleaning around a bit and organizing a few folders onto his laptop, then you might as well call it something that he could have easily drawn himself from to place on outing clothes and venture out to the bakery for the small gathering that was being held. Could have easily pulled himself away and oblige himself with going out to the restaurant tonight and catch up on old times. To relive and recall old memories that has already past, but he chose not to do so. No, because the minute Hikaru told him that they had run into Haruhi at the mall made him a bit uneasy. Knowing that if they spotted the brunette, then Tamaki would surely be near by. Of course, he didn't ask where he was, and was rewarded with a 'come meet us at the Yamazaki Bakery!' He instantly said that he couldn't, countering that he was in need to discuss something with his father of business matters. Sure, they left him off the hook easily earlier today, but that didn't mean that they wouldn't call tonight and try to pull the truth out of him.

They should know by now that an Ootori never gives out his reasons, he just does it. Especially if the Ootori is Kyouya.

"...You can't run away forever, Kyouya-sempai." Kaoru said after a long beat of silence. A silence that Kyouya took as a sign that the Hitachiin twin was thinking surely, but his words only made him smirk and chuckle with indifference, raising his cigarette to his awaiting lips to take in the puff of nicotine.

"Mmm? Who said anything of me running away? As stated, I could not make it." Were the last words he told the younger Hitachiin before ending the call with a good night, snapping his phone shut and stuffed it within his pocket. Looking to his slowly dying cigarette, his smirk fell from his lips to be replaced with a deep frown, and he dropped it to the cold ground only to stub the remaining life it held with the heal of his shoe. Run away, he says. Ootori Kyouya, running away? From what!? For what? He had nothing to run away from. Had no need, what so ever, to run from anything. If the younger Hitachiin twin was speaking of Tamaki, then he was sadly mistaken He had no need to run away from the idiot king, and he could always call him tomorrow and schedule a meeting with the blonde, and perhaps even ask him to bring along his fiancé.

His fiancé of three years.

Just when he had made it back within the apartment building and up the familiar way to get to his own apartment room, he found himself thinking more of the information that invaded his thoughts just earlier. Even as he stood underneath the faucet head of his shower, allowing the hot pellets of water to fall upon his exposed pale flesh, turning it a shade of light red, he found himself questioning: could he really call up Tamaki and schedule up a place they could meet to catch up? To ask him how was his mother and father doing? To ask him how has he been and wonder just when will he and Haruhi finally set a day for their wedding? Wedding... No. No, he couldn't. He couldn't possibly face Tamaki, or either Haruhi, because no matter how anyone, or either himself, looked at it, he actually was running away. Running away from something that he should be able face without any type of problems at all. With a sigh he turned off his shower and stepped out, his feet meeting the cold marble tile of his bathroom as he grabbed for the red towel at the side to dry himself off with.

That night, as much as he would have loved to get some sleep, Kyouya felt restless. Standing in front of the wide window that gave him a great view of the city below him was where one would find him at, a cup of mint tea cradled within the palm of his hands. Warming his pale slender digits that would come to trace the rim of his cup unconsciously as his mind drifted in and out of thought. Going to sleep with so much onto his mind was never healthy, his mother would always tell him. And true to her words, he found it difficult to bring him self to go to sleep. Just moments ago was he talking with Mori – just simply talking of what he did today. He found it easy to talk with the older man, he had come to discover with knowing him. Mori listened to anything you would say. Perhaps even allowed you to come to him when within dire need of help and crying your eyes out... but no, Kyouya never cried. Not in front of anyone. But, he always came to him when within difficult times, more so when Tamaki and Haruhi left to live in France. He never realized how hard it was for him with being left behind and all. But his chest tightened to a point where it was unbearable and, in all honesty, he felt like crying. Frustration and confusion of why he would feel even a little bit of betrayal because of Tamaki's actions were questioned, but Mori remained quiet, offering that nerve rattling phrase of: "It's okay to cry" He didn't want to cry, for fuck's sake! He wanted to vent his frustration out on something – like now, at this moment.

It seemed that no matter what, he never was too frustrated and careless to remove the Noh like mask he wore everyday. The same mask he has spent years of creating to hide him self behind the illusion of different emotions, hiding his true nature.

"I need a cigarette." He breathed after finishing his tea, placing the now empty dark blue tea cup onto his coffee table. Patting the pocket of his night pajama pants, he dug his hand within his pocket to retrieve the cigarette carton. Bring the square object to his ear, he gave a small shake only to hear nothing rattle inside.

"Damnit!" He murmured frustratingly as he tossed the empty carton to the side, not really caring where the hell it landed. He just wanted a goddamned cigarette, was that so hard to ask for? Of all days, today just had to be the day that the high heavens decided to say "fuck you, Kyouya". Not only did he just run out of cigarettes, he had to go through the hassle of searching for his robe and go down to the lobby and purchase another pack from the vending machine. "This must be my luck day, huh?" He murmured sarcastically, brushing his damp bangs from his eyes, droplets of water falling onto his nose. Swiping away the stray droplets of water from his cheek, he stopped by his room first to grab his robe before making his way to the door of his apartment, making sure to slip on his night slippers before closing the door behind him as quietly as he could. After all, he didn't want to disturb anyone from their slumber.

It only took him five minutes to get from upstairs to the lobby area, where the lights were still a bit on yet little workers were still up walking around. They were closing for the night, he supposed. Locking up the pool area and the sort. It was understandable that there wouldn't be much activity going on. Well, unless there were a group of drunken friends singing imaginable karaoke of Peach by Ai Otsuka or Prisoner of Love by Utada Hikaru, then... well, that he could understand. But other than thought, not really was going on. With a purse of his lips, he dug for change within the pocket of his robe and placed the right amount of coins within the slot. Punching in the letter and numbering A4. With a satisfied half smile, he grabbed the carton that fell from its prison and instantly opened it, taking out the slender white stick and placing it to his awaiting lips. It didn't take him long to fish out his silver zippo either, because his hands were instantly at work with trying to get the fuse to light a– a fucking fire! Ah, there it was – finally. At first, he was starting to think that even his lighter was going to fail on him. He inhaled needily, and personally, he could actually feel his shoulders slump in content. Because it felt as if the tension he held within his muscles were finally relaxing just as that dark smoke of nicotine made its way to the back of his throat, giving him a slightly irritated burn, but it was a familiar sensation and that soft scratchiness was comforting to him.

He sighed softly running while his free hand through his damp raven locks, not really caring for once that he was actually smoking in a non-smoking area, and turned around, leaning against the vending machine. Having the need to look at something, he allowed his obsidian eyes to gaze about the lobby once more. Ah, there was a small group of people huddled at a small table whispering amongst themselves. Oh, there was even someone just coming in towards his direction.

"Sumimasen, onegai." The somewhat taller man – a few inches taller than himself, he would say about three inches taller – asked kindly. Kyouya gazed at him, eyebrow arching slowly, dark eyes half lidded. He remained silent and unmoving for a moment before he nodded his head slowly, turning his head to blow a string of smoke to the side.

"Hai, gomenasai." Kyouya said lowly, pushing himself off of the vending machine to walk past the blonde. It wasn't until he was about to exit the lobby did he stop instantly, his fingers halting within mid raise to bring his cigarette to his lips. Blonde hair, bright violet orbs... It couldn't be -

"Tamaki?" "Kyouya?"

It seemed that they both had noticed a bit later until they had parted, only to turn around at the same time and look at each other: eyes wide and lips parted within slow growing surprise. Even their realization and words had taken affect on them in complete unison. Obsidian orbs met wide violet ones. The owner of these eyes not daring to even break the gaze that they held until the initial shock of nearly over looking each other subsided. It was then at that moment that everything seemed a bit too much for the Ootori when that bright smile curved at the edges of the Suou heir's lips, a canned drink he held within his hand clutched within his grasp. Words were passing his lips within the softest of tones, yet it seemed that it was only meant for his ears to catch onto.

"Tadaima... Okaa-san."

Yes, he was sure that they were truly meant for him, and only him to hear.

Uwaaah~! Chapter two is up! I'm really happy how this chapter turned out, but I'm pretty sure that the ending of this chapter could have been better. It was the best I could think of at that moment, but if I come up with something better, I will change it. But, if all of you like it the way it is, then I won't change anything! =]

Umm, lets see. I would like to thank GummiBear, EpsilonZero, goodnightXandXgoodbye, AkatsukiSunx666, && kc creation for reviewing last chapter. Thank you guys so much for reviewing. You have no idea how much it meant to me. And I would like to thank everyone who has placed this story on their alert/watch list and favorites. Now that really made my day, as well. And also, I want to thank everyone that's reading this. I love you guys, seriously.

Until next time, readers!

--CCB