Chapter Text
If there was anything Tami liked about modeling.
It was nothing.
Standing and posing for photoshoots for hours on end, the endless outfit changes, the creepy comments from the old men from behind the camera, and most of all the heat from the artificial lights that made her sweat. Which apparently it was frowned upon for her to do.
The restrictions were terrible as well. Anytime she whispered a word about food- especially sweets, she was quickly shut down. For her modeling career, her father insisted she not weigh anything over 108.
It was ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.
Because of her modeling as well, she’d been confined to homeschooling. Which meant she’d missed out on all the social gatherings her brother got to attend.
She did have one saving grace.
Her skateboard.
The old board was nothing special, just a ragged thing that she’d literally found in an alleyway dumpster.
But it was hers. And no one knew about it, so they couldn’t take it away.
Or they didn’t…
Until Tamaki heard her practicing at 3 am one cold Thursday.
She’d been trying to learn how to use it in her room, and had fallen, completely taking out one of her bedside table lamps.
The ruckus pulled out her twin brother who poked his head into her room, with an alarmed look.
”Tami are you alright? What in the world are you doing in here?”
”I’m ok-!” She squeaked, throwing herself over the skateboard in an attempt to hide it.
But it was too late. Her brothers all seeing violet eyes locked on the board, but to her surprise, he merely chuckled.
”Are you trying to be a punk now Tami?”
”Yah! It’s not punk! It’s literally just a skateboard!”
Her twin simply waved her off. “I’m picking little sister. I’m just surprised you want to pick up a commoner’s sport.”
”You’re only older by a few hours. And besides, its fun.” She said defensively. “Just because it’s a commoners, doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.”
”Perhaps. Just don’t let dad catch you with it.” He went to ruffle her long blond hair, which had managed to tangle itself. “You might also want to get some sleep. You have a photoshoot at 6, and you know they hate when you show up with bags under your eyes. And judging by the looks of your hair, you might have to go in even earlier to get it untangled.”
Tami groaned. “Aww, is that today?! I forgot all about that! I can’t sleep Tamaki! I’m not tired!”
Tamaki suddenly held out his hand, motioning for her to stop talking. “Hey sis..? You’re bleeding.”
Immediately the two siblings raced to the bathroom, and Tami stared in dismay at the nice cut across her nose. It was little. Almost unnoticeable except for the little beads of crimson starting to form.
”Does it hurt?” Tamaki asked, rummaging in the medicine cabinet for some bandaids.
”Does it hurt?!” Tami looked at him, aghast. “My stylist and dad are going to murder me and you’re worried about it hurting me?!”
“Shh.” Tamaki spread the bandaid on her nose and smiled. “I’m sure it’ll heal up no issue. You just… have to come up with a believable story about how you got it.”
”I- I was sleep walking, ran into my bedside table and destroyed my lamp?”
”Hm…. You’ve never sleep walked before.”
”Uhh…. I- I tripped over the rug in my room and THAT made me fall into my table and destroy the lamp?”
”…Yeah that’s plausible.”
The girl sighed and looked up at her brother with a pleading look. “Tamaki can’t you talk to dad? I’m so tired of modeling, I wanna go to school with you! And just… be normal.”
”You know I would… but I’m afraid Father is stuck in his ideals. And his ideal for you… is to be a model.”
”But I’m so tired Tamaki…”
“I know.” He gave her a pitying look. “I’ll try to talk to him. But I can’t promise anything.”
”Thanks Tamaki…”
”You’re welcome. Now come on little one, we really need to get you to bed.”
Tami couldn’t help but smile a little as her twin dragged her off.
Despite only being a few hours older, Tamaki had matured a lot more quickly due to his school exposure.
He’d become both mother and father to her, as their mother wasn’t around and their father… merely saw her as a business opportunity.
He tucked her in bed and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Good night princess.”
”Oh cmon Tama… I’m not one of your little host club fan girls.”
”I know.” He smiled as he headed back to the door. “But you’re my little sister. And since I’m the king, that makes you a princess.”
”Oh Tama. I love you.”
”I love you too sis. Sweet dreams.”
Tami smiled as she cuddled into her blankets and stuffed animals. No matter what happened.. at least she would still have Tamaki.