For a moment Hemalyn thought she wasn't going crazy, but with each word that came spewing out of Vani's mouth stated otherwise.

"-Little gingers with purple eyes running around, staying over at their Aunt Vani's almost every single day to give their parents alone time~" Hemalyn blushed madly, pushing Vani away as they sat outside in the gardens, deciding to spend the rest of lunch outside since it was a beautiful day.

Vani had been going on like this for a good 10 minutes once Hemalyn told her what she did yesterday after school, and the odd feeling she felt whenever around Tamaki. It reminded her too much of... Hemalyn found herself shaking her head, feeling Vani sling an arm around Hemalyn's shoulders.

"Oh come on! Hemalyn, sometimes I really wonder how you have stayed this innocent for this long."

"What do you mean?" Hemalyn inquired. A smug smirk pulled Vani's lip up, "Something called the internet. I shall so no more... Unless you want me to-" Hemalyn shook her head furiously, she would rather not hear what Vani found on the 'internet'.

"Pff, fine... Anyways, did Tamaki tell you what you are going to do this weekend?"

"Uh no, I don't think... But he did tell me that y-you could come along."

"Aww, that's sweet of him. Sign me up! If it means seeing you get all flustered with him I will always be onboard!"

"You don't even know what we are doing though-"

"Yeah so? That certainly isn't stopping you from spending time with your man." Hemalyn shifted in her seat uncomfortably, not enjoying what Vani called him, 'your man' as in 'her man'.

"Please don't call him that..." Vani blinked, the wheels in her head turning before her playful tone turned into a more serious and concerned one.

"Hey." She rested her hand on hers, holding it up between them. "Things are different now, it won't be like back in Lobelia. You have matured and have had more time to figure things out. I'm here, hell even Tamaki will be there for you no matter what."

"Why would he."

"Huh?" Hemalyn looked up at Vani firmly.

"I may not have a good grasp on well... W-Whatever I'm feeling. But I know that T-Tamaki wouldn't like to know that my past relationship was with a girl." Vani couldn't help but roll her eyes, about ready to biff her on the back of the head.

"Let me ask you this. He is part of a Host Club with twins who do that weird incest thing- Calls Ootori 'Mommy' quite often, and Haruhi is a girl dressed up as a boy... With the topping on the cake of sometimes there being male customers, these certainly don't faze him, so why should you having a past relationship with a girl be any different? He will still like you no matter what." Hemalyn didn't know why she was feeling all the sudden doubtful of how Tamaki viewed her, ever since the outing they had (Vani called it a date) he would do nice things for her and make her feel better in anyway that he could. It was the bad thoughts that plagued her mind from seeing that, and Vani knew that as well.

"His view is clearly that he doesn't give a shit. He sees everyone as equals in terms of attraction, he is cool with everything by all means. If you want to keep your past relationship from him, then fine go for it, but you will have to tell him at some point." Vani was right, Hemalyn knew that and could only sigh with a slight nod of her head. There was no use arguing a lost battle.

The two left the garden area and headed back inside to get to class.

---

Hemalyn's POV

I gathered my things, feeling relief in my tense shoulders. My test for French was today- And I wasn't so lost anymore, I could actually get a decent grade on it because of the help from Tamaki. Speaking of the blonde, I spotted him at the corner of my eye as I grabbed my textbook and shoved it into my bag, the book bag filled to the brim and the leather straps could easily snap from the weight of the textbooks and notebooks contained inside, Tamaki spoke up.

"Here." I saw a flash of paper enter my vision, my hand hesitantly taking the brochure out of his hand. I furrowed my brows, 'A resort..?'

"The Host Club went last year, and so we collectively decided to go again this year, with two new people." Tamaki smiled at me and I looked back down again at the brochure.

"I-Is it public or-"

"Kyoya's family owns the property. So the only people will be there shall be us and a few selected others selected by Mr. Ootori. We will only be staying there for three days." 'Three days?'

"But we have school-" He chuckled, his smile widening. "We leave tomorrow evening after school. Kyoya already phoned your mom about it." I opened her mouth to speak but stopped, hesitant to ask. Vani's words played in my mind, deciding with anxiety filled mind to put it to the test.

"W-Which one?" Tamaki blinked at me a few times in confusion. A thoughtful expression crossed his mind and I could feel my heart lurch nervously.

"I believe Mythica? Why?" Hemalyn let out a relieved breath, shaking her head and smiled.

"It's nothing." I could feel a small smile tug my lip up, relief washing over me. Maybe now my dark thoughts will stand at bay at this information.

"Are you coming to the Club today? Honey has been ecstatic since yesterday about the different types of cake you could try- We also added a new menu item in your name."

"Huh?" He gave me a charming grin, slowly grabbing hold of my hand to bring it up in between our faces, his grasp light incase I wanted to pull away. "Hot chocolate, milady." My heart thumped against my ribs, my face growing hot at not only the small nickname but also the fact that they added a new drink to the mix because of me.

"Y-You didn't have to-"

"We wanted to, Kyoya also found it more approachable to other customers who don't consume tea or coffee, this way others like yourself can enjoy something warm to drink while chatting. And since the weather will soon be getting colder, the timing couldn't be more perfect." I bit my bottom lip, ready to unconsciously tear away any skin since my lips were chapped before Tamaki stopped me, using his thumb to pull my bottom lip between my teeth gently away, my face getting hotter by the second.

"Don't ruin your lips, they are quite sensitive." 'Red alert, red alert!' He seemed to take notice of how warm I had gotten, his dazed eyes seemed to snap back to their original state, purple eyes slightly wide as he reeled back, his face going beet red.

"S-Sorry... Went into Host Mode-" I could only awkwardly laugh, his frazzled state and beet red face and ears was certainly a sight, and I didn't expect myself to feel as if I was rubbing off on him on how he immediately acted.

"Host Mode?"

"Uhh- Y-Yeah... I call it that when I show affection to young ladies during Host Club Hours, even when I don't feel romantic feelings towards them." I could help but notice him fumble with his collar. I furrowed my brows, realizing that in the order that he did it- It could be a nervous tick when in fear of being caught lying. Something I learned from therapy when it was confirmed that I smile unnaturally when I lie.

"Is there a switch for that?"

"Huh? Oh I guess." A brief moment of silence passed between us as we both calmed down the searing heats on our skins, feeling my mood improve slightly just from the short exchange.

"How did you do during the test for French?" He asked, switching the topic smoothly.

"I think good? I mean things seemed to be easier than before, thanks to you." He nodded, "Of course, I will continue to tutor you as long as you need it. I honestly don't mind." This brought a question up, remembering one of the first tutor sessions we held with one another.

"Um Tamaki?" He rose a brow questionably, but nodded for me to continue.

"I was wondering if I could give y-you a nickname- But-t it's not a really a n-nickname-"

"What has got you so nervous? You can call me whatever you like." He stated. I wanted to bite my lip again but instead opted to rubbing my forearms.

"Uhh... C-Can I call you..." I looked away, feeling uncomfortable about this but I genuinely wanted to know, wanted to know if I could call him this.

"René?" The name glided past my tongue easily, after secretly saying it under my breath when I was alone to get used to it. Ever since he told me what he used to be called when he still lived in France- I began practicing saying it so if I ever did muster up the courage to ask him about it, I would be ready.

After not receiving an answer, I hesitantly looked back up, the fallen hair out of my braid partially blocking my vision but I could clearly see the shocked look on Tamaki's face, along with the prominent blush. I let out a small squeal of embarrassment, immediately bowing in apology.

"I-I'm s-so sorry for m-making you uncomf-f-fortable!" I apologized, muttering under my breath more apologies as I felt uneasy, my stomach queasy and my throat wanting to close up on me, tears stinging my eyes but never given a chance to fall when I felt a hand placed onto my shoulder, lightly pushing me back up to stand straight. With my gaze still towards the ground.

"Y-You didn't! I was just... Surprised to say the least, I didn't expect to hear that name from another person." He rubbed the back of his head with his free hand, the blush still on his face.

"But, I... I wouldn't mind if you did call me René." His voice was soft and reassuring, telling me and granting me permission. I stared at him fully, taking in his features once more before my eyes resting onto his eyes, the purple orbs that seemed to either be a lilac color or a dark purple depending on the lighting.

"Okay... René." He smiled, leaning forward and planting a small kiss onto the top of my head.

"I better get going before Kyoya has my head, if you do have time please do stop by." He left me, his retreating figure walking down the hall. He sure did seem to be... Brighter?

To be continued