Disclaimer: Ouran belongs to Bisco Hatori, not me.

This story is basically a collection of moments between Tamaki and Haruhi as they gradually fall for each other. Each segment is based on a word prompt :3 I'd like to dedicate this story to my wonderful friends at the Ouran RP boards: Roxii, Kaoru, Matsuki, Haruhi, and Chi. (Long live plaid! XD) And to Rosychan, who asked me to write another fic about Tamaki and Haruhi. I love you all so much!

Beginning

The first time she meets Suoh Tamaki, it is a complete mess. She wanders into the music room searching for solitude, and finds them instead, which is more than a bit unsettling for her. Why does she always get more than she bargains for? Those indigo eyes flash and sparkle excitedly in her direction as he speaks to her, his soft blonde hair falling unceremoniously into his eyes as he moves energetically around the room.

Haruhi knows it's mostly his fault that she happens to stumble backward, that she happens to hit that pedestal that stands so unwisely in the center of the room. And as the vase falls, it falls in slow motion. She watches it, tries to catch it, because she knows unconsciously that if it does hit the floor these people will become intertwined in her life somehow. She grasps desperately at it, trying to remedy the situation.

But nevertheless, the vase shatters into a thousand glittering pieces. And with it shatters the remainder of her normal life. From the moment she sees the determined look in those eyes of his, she knows that she will be paying for her indiscretions for years to come in more ways than one. Because in those eyes she sees a person who will not give up easily.

Eyes

As a Host, Haruhi must admit she enjoys herself far more than she did as the club's dog. She actually enjoys getting acquainted with the ladies; it is a good way to interact with people while still keeping a bit of distance. It is an odd feeling, being made into something for girls to fangirl over when she is secretly a girl herself. But this is not something to worry about; she must concentrate on doing her job. Of course, it's more than a little difficult trying to do so when Tamaki is watching her so intently.

She can feel his eyes in the back of her head when she turns away from him, can feel him keeping his overprotective watch on her from his place on the next sofa. He is the only person she has ever met who is shameless enough not to at least pretend he wasn't staring when she looks at him. He just keeps those smiling eyes focused on her and locks them with hers when she glances at him. It's nearly impossible to look away from those eyes, as many a girl will contest if she asks them, and she finds that working is harder than it should be when she is faced with them. They are neither blue nor purple, but somewhere in between, a harmony of colors that calls to mind the end of a sunset, just before darkness creeps in. There is something eerie in the way she can't bring herself to look at anything else. But she dismisses it as a moment of weakness. Every girl has them, she tells herself.

Host

As far as hosts go, Tamaki is by far one of the best. Haruhi has little to go by, but as far as she can tell he certainly must be good. The ladies giggle and swoon and he plays his part flawlessly, fawning over them and always knowing exactly what to say. But the strange part is, Haruhi can see sincerity in his eyes with every word, as though he isn't just making it up... as though he really does think every girl he speaks to is as beautiful and special as he says. It is of course a charming thought, but Haruhi isn't ready to buy it just yet. She watches the blonde smile and give out roses, pour tea and kiss hands, and eventually she starts to believe that maybe he really isn't just full of it. Maybe all that sincerity she senses coming from him really is genuine.

"Haruhi-kun? Are you alright?" asks a light feminine voice, which makes her realize she has been ignoring her own clients.

As far as hosts go, Haruhi is not at all bad. Tamaki has plenty to go by, and as far as he can tell she is certainly skilled. She listens intently to what the girls have to say and when she compliments them, she is always sincere. She does not waste time on idle flattery or charm and spends her time making them feel like they are really spending quality time together, like they are really getting to know each other. And he can't help but think, does she treat them the way she wants to be treated? Is Haruhi the kind of girl who dislikes being fawned over as much as she acts like she does? He once wondered if it was just a modest front, but now he isn't so sure. He watches her smile and make conversation, laugh and pour tea. And he starts to think maybe he would like her to be his host for a while.

"Tamaki-kun? Are you okay?" asks a concerned female voice, which makes me realize he has been ignoring his own clients.

Family

Tamaki has declared them a "family". He has named himself the father, and Kyouya the mother. And of course, Haruhi is their daughter. They are a mismatched, dysfunctional little family. Tamaki has found a way to transfer his strange urge to protect her onto a canvas of this theoretical family, and it is a relief not to wonder if perhaps what he feels is something a bit more. And now it is just fine to voice his opinions on how cute Haruhi is. Because she is his daughter! What proud, loving father wouldn't find her cute? It is no longer perverted to long to see her in a frilly dress or feminine skirt. That is what fathers want, isn't it!? Tamaki keeps himself content with this thought.

It is nice, having a family so closely knit. Since he last saw his mother he has not felt such a close bond of kinship. Kyouya has always been like family to him, but now that they have a "daughter" between them he can feel free to gush and shout and embrace his new family as much as he pleases. Because though the other hosts see it as just Tamaki being Tamaki and letting it all be in fun, Tamaki honestly needs this. There is a loneliness and a vulnerability he hates to show the world that hides somewhere behind his usual consciousness. But now with this new chapter of reality begun, the one with Haruhi always there and always within his reach, his smiles are always genuine, never forced.

Could there be something more than family here, he wonders occasionally as he feels a tug of warmth in his chest when Haruhi smiles. Could this be something else? But he must dismiss it, because at this moment such things are far too complicated to grasp, and he is afraid of them.

Storm

For reasons Tamaki has never understood, he adores thunderstorms. The bright, exciting light and the tremendous noise of the thunder have always exhilarated him. Apparently, however, Haruhi does not share his sentiments, judging by the way she leaped into a wardrobe the instant the first crash of thunder sounded. And so, it was this odd order of things that led to him holding her tightly in his arms, her head buried safely under his chin. With every boom of the thunder, she would squeak or tremble, and it made him ache to see her afraid.

"It's okay," he said softly into the soft hair beneath his lips. "It's going to be alright." as she stands nestled against him, that warmth in his chest rises yet again, and though he does his best to push it back down it stays right where it is. A tug of affection, nothing more, and suddenly he finds himself holding her far too tight.

"Sempai..." she croaks, "You're crushing me."

He loosens his grip. "Sorry, Haruhi," he tells her quietly, lowering the both of them to the floor, where they sit in silence save for Haruhi's small fear sounds that she does her best to stifle. There is something undeniably wonderful in the fact that he is standing here holding her, that she is holding him back, and that he can almost feel their hearts beating in synch. She smells warm a sweet and every bit as wonderful as he could have imagined. But why has he ever imagined that? It is a question that won't stop running through his head.

Smile

Haruhi can't help but notice as time goes by that Tamaki has a wonderful smile. When he is happy, it breaks across his face like a sunrise running across the horizon. His entire face lights up, his eyes sparkle, and the room is brightened significantly by that smile. His smiles are never faked or forced, however. She can see genuine happiness in his face, hear it in his voice as he moves extravagantly around the room. He waves his arms in excitement as he speaks, rambling on about any number of things. Sometimes she listens and sometimes she doesn't, but whatever the case she likes to watch him sparkle.

Haruhi has the most adorable smile Tamaki has ever seen. It only took one smile for him to realize it, and since then he has been hooked. Her smile is like a flower blooming; small at first, almost hesitant, but then it grows and widens, lighting up any space and making him smile himself. When she smiles and laughs, it makes him feel giddy and glad all over with a feeling of complete contentment. There has never been anything quite so wonderful in his life as the sight of that smile. Sometimes he will speak to her to see if he can make that smile grow, other times he won't, but whatever the case he loves to watch her shine.

Gratitude

When Haruhi gets out of the bath on Sunday morning, the doorbell rings. She has to hurry to get into her clothes before whoever is standing at the door decides to take their leave. When she finally does make it to the door, her hair still dripping wet, a certain blonde host stands before her, wearing a blue sweater and a smile.

"Haruhi!" he chirps happily, his eyes glittering in pure pleasure. She finds herself happy to see him too, and she steps back to let him in. Rays of sunlight from outside come in with him.

"Tamaki-sempai, what are you doing here?" she asked, though not harshly. Not rudely. She even smiles a bit, honestly happy to see him standing there when she knows there are a million much better places he could be right now.

"I came to say thank you..." he sounds almost shy, which is a rare occurrence. Standing there in the living room, he looks oddly small, and he lifts his eyes to hers with more restraint than usual. "For bringing me back... for making me see that I was needed."

"You already thanked me, sempai," she reminds him, touching his arm lightly. "You don't need to do it again. It was nothing, really..." Did you really think I would let you leave me?

"But it wasn't nothing," suddenly, he is moving, and in a display that only he would dare attempt, he has grabbed her and pulled her fiercely against his chest. Haruhi is surprised beyond action, but the blonde doesn't seem to care. He has bent slightly and nestled his face into the crook of her neck. "I thought I needed to go to be happy... I thought if I went with Éclair and was able to see Mother, things would fall into place," his lips are warm as they move, brushing lightly against her skin. "But you showed me how wrong I was. Because when you were in danger I realized that... I could never stand to be so far away from you, to not be able to be there when you needed me."

"Sempai..." Haruhi says softly, slightly stunned. She has always known there was more to him than the others gave him credit for, but she is still surprised by the candor of his words. He smells fresh and light, just as always, and she tentatively buries her face against his chest and keeps it there. I couldn't stand be to away from you, either, she wants to say. But the words get lost somewhere between her brain and her mouth. So she says nothing.

Tamaki pulls away slightly and gives her the warmest smile she has ever seen. They simply stare at each other for a moment, and Haruhi knows they are both waiting for the other to speak, to say what so desperately needs to be said. She hates herself for remaining silent and being a coward, but the moment slips away.

I'll post the second part very soon, since it's already mostly finished. Before I do, feel free to send me a few more word prompts you'd like to see used in it!