(no subject)

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki woke up in his bed in Peter Pan's Flight bright and early, like usual. Something was off, he knew, but as he lie in bed, it wasn't coming to him. It wasn't until he rolled out of bed to get dressed that it hit him.

He looked ill for a full minute, with his hand to his mouth, not moving at all. He tried very hard to pass it off as a dream, but he knew it wasn't. For one, he had never met Rukia before, and had no idea what she was like or what she looked like, so dreaming of her was completely out of the question. For another, if he did act like that in his dream world, then he was just as guilty as if he had actually acted that way out of a dream.

Feeling quite sick, he climbed under his covers again and curled up for another half an hour, before deciding that moping about it did no one any good - least of all himself.

He finished getting dressed, and got out some paper and a pen, and then set to his apology letters - he could have, and normally would have - seen Kyouya and Rukia in person, but he was sure that after his performance yesterday, they'd never want to see his face again.



Dear Rukia,
I apologize profusely for how I treated you, and acted toward you yesterday. I don't know what overcame me, but I want you to know that I'm not usually like that. I will do anything and everything I can to make my behaviour up to you, but I understand that no matter what I do will be able to erase what I did to you.

If you never want to hear from me or see me again, I'll understand, but please, allow me to at least try to make up my cruel behaviour to you. I don't know what I can do, or how long it will take to earn your forgiveness, but I am willing to do anything.

With the deepest apologies and regrets,
Tamaki Suoh


Dear Kyouya,

I'm soooooooooooo sorry for how I acted, and how I have acted all these years! I had no idea that's how you felt! I'm sorry if you felt abused by me, I really didn't mean for you to! I just thought that's how friends acted! I can change, really! If there's anything you want me to do differently from now on, I'll try really really really really really really really hard to do it! Because you're my best friend in the whole wide world and if I had known that that was how you truly felt I would have acted different.

Also, I never knew that you felt that way about Rukia! I'm sorry for how I treated her yesterday, and how you thought that I stole her from you! I really do wish you two all the best, and I hope that you're happy together! Also, if you love her that much, you can resign as a member of the Host Club if you want, because making the woman you love happy is the most important thing in the world and she might not be okay with you being in the Host Club now that you two have found one another and love one another with all your heart so I understand if you want to quit even though I'll miss you I hope we can still be friends because your friendship means the world to me really it does it's one of the most important things ever to me and definitely the best thing about moving to Japan was becoming friends with you and I had no idea that your father treated you that way I'm sorry I wish I could have protected you better because you are my bestest best friend and I don't want any harm to befall you ever I don't know how he could have acted that way but maybe I shouldn't've brought that up because I can only imagine the pain it causes you and if you want to hit me for my behaviour yesterday and my insensitive behavour for the rest of the time we've been friends I understand and you can hit me as often as you want except on the face because to rob the world of my beauty is just too cruel for the rest of the world even on the face if you feel that it's necessary I hope we can still be friends and I hope you can forgive me because I will do my best to change just for you Kyouya~~ ♡

With the Deepest Regrets,
Your Friend?
Tamaki

Comments

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

You don't need to make anything up to me. I know you weren't acting of your own accord. For what it's worth, I'm not usually like that, either. Normally, I'd put my foot up the ass of anyone who treated me like that. I don't know what happened yesterday, but it wasn't your fault.

- Rukia

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Dear Rukia,

I'm so glad that you don't hold it against me. I'm sorry to hear that you weren't acting yourself either. I still feel that I should make it up to you somehow, though. I would love to do something for you, and perhaps get to know what such a beautiful girl is really like?

Yours,
Tamaki Suoh

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

What happened yesterday was out of your control, and you aren't obligated to do anything for me. I appreciate your concern, but you don't need to worry. I would appreciate it if you'd cut the "beautiful girl" nonsense, though.

- Rukia

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Dear Rukia,

It's not nonsense. Your skin is as clear and as fair as your soul. But if you would rather I stop, I will.

How silly of me to ask though. I'm sure that you and Kyouya would like some time alone together. I wish you both the greatest happiness!

Your Friend,
Tamaki

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

Good. You seem to be under the impression that I'm a gentle, sweet girl who actually cares if people find her attractive. So I'll repeat myself once more: I wasn't acting on my own accord. I'm not that kind of girl. And I don't appreciate being hit on by womanizers.

I'm not interested in Kyouya, either. To be honest, I'm not even entirely sure I like men.

- Rukia

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

The letter was enough to send Tamaki to the corner for a good fifteen minutes.

Rukia,

Womanizer? I'm not a womanizer...

Don't like men...? Don't like them how?

Your Friend?,
Tamaki

He wasn't very well versed in the ways of homosexuality.

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

I'm sure. That's why you go around flirting with every woman you come in contact with.

...I mean I'm not sure I'm attracted to them sexually romantically.

Your friend,

Rukia

Well, there was Ichigo, but that complicated. She wasn't going to burden him with that now.

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Dear Rukia,

...I just want to make them happy...

You're not? Why not?

Yours,
Tamaki

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

...I'm sorry if I was harsh. But when you go around complimenting everyone on the same thing, that makes it hard for everyone to believe you, or take you seriously. It seems like you're just saying what you think they want to hear rather than what's actually in your heart. And not all women like being complimented on their looks at all.

...I don't know...

- Rukia

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Dear Rukia,

But that is what's in my heart. All women are beautiful. What do women want to be complimented on then?

Oh. Well, I hope you find out!

Yours,
Tamaki

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

That depends on the woman. Personally, I don't mind being complimented on my looks sometimes, but I'd rather be complimented on my intelligence, or my speed, or my abilities. Having people think I'm pretty is nice, but I don't enjoy feeling like the entirety of my worth is based entirely on who thinks I'm pretty. But other women might feel differently. "Women" are not a monolithic group who all like the same things. We're individuals, just like men are.

...thank you, I think.

- Rukia

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Rukia,

Well, I don't know your speed or abilities because I've never seen them, but you seem like an intelligent, beautiful woman to me! Your intelligence is You're hair is very smooth and straight just like your wit In fact, I would even say that it rivals that of Athena herself.

How will I know what woman want to be complimented on?

... All men like to be flirted with by beautiful women as well, don't they...? I mean, unless they're gay. Then they like to be flirted with by beautiful men. Right?

Yours,
Tamaki

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

You're overdoing it. Maybe you should lay off the compliments? At least when it comes to me.

Get to know her personality?

... Not in my experience. I know a lot of men who don't really care. I guess a lot of men might like that, though.

- Rukia

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Dear Rukia,

Not everyone likes to be complimented?

... I... see.

Yours,
Tamaki

It seemed like everything Tamaki ever knew about the world didn't apply anymore.

Probably because it didn't apply to the real world.

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

No. Most people do. I, personally, like compliments very much, but when you lay it on that thick -- comparing me to Athena, talking like I'm the smartest/prettiest/whatever girl you've ever met -- it gets embarrassing.

Are you going to be okay?

- Rukia

For her part, Rukia wasn't sure that anything she was saying would make any kind of impact. But it was worth a try.

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Rukia,

But you are in your own way. I understand. I'll try not to be as heavily on with the compliments.

Of course I will be! Why wouldn't I?

Yours,
Tamaki

[kuchiki.livejournal.com]

Tamaki,

Thank you. I'm glad what I'm saying makes sense.

Just checking.

Yours,
Rukia

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

Kyouya woke up rather later than Tamaki, remembered the events of the past day, cursed loudly to himself, and then debated whether he wanted to go back to sleep or have someone killed.

Unfortunately, the answer would turn out to be neither, as he soon found Tamaki's letter and read it, frowning in annoyance the entire time. He pulled out a piece of paper to right back, and then with a long-suffering sigh decided that no matter how much he would like not to, he really had to go speak to Tamaki in person.

He dressed and then walked down to Peter Pan's flight, glaring randomly at cutesy park decorations. The events of yesterday weren't doing anything to improve his normal morning mood.

"Tamaki?" he called. "Are you in?"

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki heard Kyouya's voice and gave a bit of a jump. He headed toward him, and when he saw him he gave him the most pathetic, regretful, puppy-dogged eyes that he had ever mustered. "Good morning," he said.

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

Kyouya was about to return Tamaki's greeting, but that ridiculous look sent him right over the edge. He sighed in a way that he hoped quite effectively betrayed his frustration.

"Tamaki, did it ever occur to you that if you weren't acting out of your own volition yesterday, perhaps I wasn't either? I am certain I have never behaved in such a manner that would indicate that my actions yesterday were in any way in character, and I assure you that even if I had ever met Rukia before, I wouldn't have any particular feelings for her. As for that nonsense about my father, it is entirely untrue and I'd appreciate it if you didn't bring it up again."

The rest was annoying, but the bit about his father abusing him was downright dangerous. That kind of rumor could destroy the reputation of a prominent family, and he knew his family's public behavior was considered cold enough that it might readily be believed. Even if Kyouya didn't have the sort of relationship with his father that, say, Tamaki had with his, there was nothing that could be considered abusive.

For everything else, he could only hope Tamaki would see logic and he would never have to talk to Rukia again.

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki broke out into a grin. "I'm so glad!" he said. "Not that you weren't yourself, but that you don't hate me! And that your father doesn't abuse you." Tamaki would have to do something if he thought that Kyouya's father was abusing him. He wasn't sure what, but he'd have to do something nonetheless. "But you really don't like Rukia? I thought you guys suited each other nicely..."

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"I've never met her before," Kyouya said, frowning. "And I doubt her behavior yesterday is at all similar to her actual personality, if both of our actions are any indication." He gave Tamaki a wry smile. "I'll let you know if I ever do fall in love with an absolute stranger, I promise. Now, are you finished moping? Obviously what happened yesterday was some kind of park event, so there's absolutely no sense in making a fuss." He smiled brightly. "It's much wiser to accept that you had no responsibility for yesterday and resolve to make those responsible pay if you ever do get a chance."

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki nodded. "I'm finished now," he said. "As long as neither of you are angry at me." He frowned at Kyouoya's mention of making whoever was responsible pay. "I'm sure they didn't mean any harm by it..." he said, pushing his index fingers together. "I think if we find out who it is, we should ask them why instead of making them pay." It might have been Mickey after all, and Mickey was his friend.

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"So you don't mind the idea that someone can and has forced you to behave in a way that is distasteful to you?" Kyouya remarked. "I can't say I'm happy with the notion, personally."

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

"I do," said Tamaki. "But I don't think anyone got hurt..." This was all very confusing. This entire day was just a very, very confusing one for Tamaki. "What if... uhm..." he honestly couldn't think of a good reason why anyone would do that but there had to be one, didn't there? "What if they just wanted friends? Or they wanted us all to be better friends! We met Rukia because of the event, right? I bet that was it! They wanted us to meet new people!"

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid I don't see it that way," Kyouya muttered. "But we don't know who did it as yet, so there's no point arguing about it."

He didn't really care about meeting new people and he wasn't particularly glad he'd met Rukia. But Kyouya especially hated being out of control, especially if whoever was controlling him was going to make him so embarrassingly emotional and stupid.

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki nodded. "Yeah, I don't want to argue..." he said.

He was silent for a full five seconds before he turned back to Kyouya. "Do you think that I'm a womanizer, Kyouya?"

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

Even if it meant Tamaki would capitulate more easily, Kyouya didn't like the idea of Tamaki still acting as though he should be guilty for everything. It reminded Kyouya of how stupid yesterday had been. "Stop acting as though you think you're 'abusive' to me," Kyouya commanded. "It's insulting that you think I'd put up with being treated that way. It would be better if we acted as though yesterday didn't happen."

At Tamaki's next comment, though, Kyouya couldn't help but to stifle a laugh. "A womanizer? Why?"

The truth was, when he'd first met Tamaki, he had thought he was a womanizer. But now that he'd known Tamaki for some time, he'd realized that in fact, Tamaki was just an idiot who thought that was a good way to please women, and didn't know how he might come off. Actually, most people at Ouran had apparently realized this, as women generally appreciated his attentions, men didn't resent him, and Kyouya made a very decent profit off of it.

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki nodded. "Okay," he said brightly.

He frowned a little at Kyouya's why comment. "Well, Rukia says I was. I never really thought about myself as a womanizer, but do womanizers ever think of themselves as womanizers?"

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"I think quite a few of them do," Kyouya remarked.

"I'm sure there are some who would consider what we do as hosts womanizing, but I'm inclined to disagree. Our purpose is to please women, not to act to fulfill our own sexual gratification, so the term doesn't really seem to apply."

Of course, he flirted with women entirely for his own benefit even if it wasn't a sexual benefit, and out of all the hosts, Tamaki was really the only one who was there for unselfish reasons. On the other hand, the Host Club was a good diversion, and a very profitable one. If Tamaki did decide he morally objected to hosting, Kyouya was sure they'd find another venture, but it might not be as challenging and useful as the current one, so it would be better if Tamaki remained a host.

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki nodded. "Right!" he said. "Because I don't intend to have my sexual desires -" did Tamaki even have those? "- met, then I'm not a womanizer?" He frowned. "But maybe the Host Club should stop focusing so much on woman's looks and instead focus on things like their speed and abilities and intelligence?"

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"We could certainly do that," Kyouya replied. "Although many women appreciate having their looks complimented by handsome men," he added. The sort of girls who spent millions of yen on Tamaki's favorite glitter pens, for one. That wasn't a demographic Kyouya intended to let get away. "Rukia simply doesn't appear to fall within that category. And of course, many girls here just don't understand hosting. Maybe your work as a host should include learning to predict your customers' wishes better, hmm?"

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki flashed Kyouya a stunning smile at 'handsome men' and then nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'll work really hard on that! We should make a host club here and we can practice!"

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"If you want to," Kyouya agreed, smiling to himself. "We can give everyone a few days to recover from yesterday, and then open it. Do you have any ideas for a suitable location?"

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki shook his head. "I can't really think of anywhere," he said. "Probably a cafe, with soft couches that we could sit on. Or! We could do individual boat rides on the Storybook land boat ride ride!"

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"A boat ride might be a nice place to take customers, but not to meet them. They would have to wait too long while the ride goes around. But a cafe in Fantasyland near that ride is a good idea."

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki nodded. "I'll go look for a café tomorrow!" he said, smiling. "Unless you think we should both go looking today!" He was getting excited about this. Haruhi didn't seem to eager to restart the Host Club here, but he knew that he could count on Kyouya!

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

Kyouya considered this. Even though Tamaki was quite obviously president and king of the host club, and was therefore the one to make decisions, Kyouya tended to take on a lot of little details, such as everything that was necessary to do to get the club to run. He didn't really care how efficiently the Host Club ran here when he wasn't going to make a profit or expand his reputation, but it still might be worthwhile to see that it worked. It would certainly be a more interesting diversion than rides.

So he ought to go with Tamaki to pick the spot, and today seemed like as good a time as any, considering he didn't need Tamaki to get bored and decide to dwell on the previous day or Rukia's comments about womanizing.

"We should both go today," he decided. "I'd like to see the place you choose beforehand."

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

"It will be just like the first time!" said Tamaki, growing more and more excited. Of course, the first time he had found the third music room all on his own because of his father's position with the school board, but sometimes Tamaki's shaped past events to whatever was convenient.

[yourshadowking.livejournal.com]

"Hmm," Kyouya not-quite-agreed. "Are you considering asking anyone else to join, or do you think that with the small volume of potential customers here, the two of us will be sufficient?"

[imyourking.livejournal.com]

Tamaki thought for a moment of the guys who he had met in the park so far. He could think of quite a lot of good-looking guys, but not as many who would actually benefit from the Host Club. Except, maybe...

"I made a friend here!" he said. "His name's Crowley! He's a little older, and that the Disneyland female population all seem to be adults, he could probably appeal to them!" He had, of course, blocked the masturbation conversation completely from his mind, but he did remember meeting Crowley once, and Crowley had been awfully nice to him.

"And there was Logan, who met me when I first arrived! We talked about pirates!"