Pairing: Haruhi/Kaoru because it's cute

Rating: T for kissing and teenage thoughts.

A/n: This fic is based on the anime universe. This story is nothing more than a cute fic. No massive plot, just some shippy goodness.

- Sick Day-

It was Monday at Ouran Academy, and school was now back in session after a rather uneventful weekend. Students waited patiently for their first class of the day by either chatting or reading.

Haruhi Fujioka never paid attention to the other students. She, though everyone thought she was a 'he,' was too busy studying to care about the others in her class. Haruhi was there on an honors scholarship, and she had every intention of keeping it. Regardless of her club activities and crazy host club friends, she was able to maintain her calm while she studied. That was even with the constant attempts at disruption by the boys that sat at either side of her. The Hitachiin twins.

Haruhi had arrived early to her lessons, and slowly the class had trickled in without her care. Studious as ever, she sat at her desk reviewing the homework from the previous evening.

It wasn't too long for her to notice an absolute lack of enthusiasm beside her. Only slightly curious she looked up to regard a very very depressed red-headed boy. Alone for the first time since she began attending this ostentatious school.

"Kaoru?" Concern for her friend, Haruhi put down her work and address him directly.

He looked at Haruhi granting her a weak smile. Kaoru had only ever given a smile like that a few times in their friendship, and it was always related, in a way, to his twin brother.

"Where is Hikaru?" She asked.

"Sick" Kaoru sighed.

Haruhi looked him over and risked a glance to the desk at her other side. No, he still wasn't there. "Sick?" She repeated in question.

"Yeah."

"Are you ok?" She put her hand to his forehead, testing to see if he too had some strange malady.

"Perfectly fine," he sighed and let his head fall into his hands. "This sucks."

She placed her book down, finally having something more important than homework to worry about. Kaoru was her friend after all.

"No, it's happened before. It just sucks cuz I'm not used to being alone. Hika's been sick since Friday night." He shifted his head in his hands to look at her.

With pressed lips, Haruhi searched to find the right way to go about this unusual development.

"You know," She began offering him her best host smile. "You don't have to be alone. I am here after all."

Kaoru chuckled and let himself sit up. He gave her a look of first that she soon deduced as surprised but it was quickly followed by a sweet smile. "Haruhi, you are so sweet."

"Not in the least. I'm just letting you know that as your friend I'm here for you."

The two students went silent just as their teacher entered the room. The lecture began without interruption. In fact, the instructor barely made a comment on the absence of Hikaru Hitachiin, but about halfway into the class, she noticed that without Hikaru, she was able to pay attention.

The corners of Haruhi's lips rose up just slightly at the realization; however, her smile dropped the moment she risked a glance in Kaoru's direction. He had his head in his left hand while he chewed on the pencil in his other. He looked like he was focused on the instructor, but his gaze went beyond anything they could see.

Concerned for him, Haruhi felt her heart sink at how tormented he looked. A little surprised at her need to cheer him up, Haruhi did something she would never have done before. At least not willingly.

She looked at her notebook, tearing a page and scribbled down a message. Kaoru didn't flinch at the sound nor did he show any indication that he was in the present. When the teacher's back was turned, she passed it to Kaoru after tapping his elbow gently.

He gave a subtle jump when her soft fingers brushed his jacket sleeve, wide-eyed at her breach of classroom conduct.

He took the note, reading her words requesting that he would have lunch with her today. With an amused expression on his face, he turned to her and nodded. Haruhi let out a sigh of relief seeing him revert back into a more normal variation of himself. He in return gave her his best flirtatious smirk which sparked the girl behind them to provide a squeak of delight.

Haruhi looked behind her and saw a girl staring them. Her face blushing madly. Unsurprised, Haruhi rolled her eyes as she accepted that girls at Ouran notice everything when it comes to the hosts club members.

During this slight distraction, Kaoru wrote on the note and passed it back to her.

He smiled at her without the hint of the mischief that frequently graced his lips.

'Walk with me after class.'

"So Haruhi, besides having lunch together, do you want to hang out today?" Kaoru asked once the bell rang to signify their release from their first lesson.

"I hardly think that walking between classes together counts as hanging out," Haruhi said bemused by her friend's ridiculous question.

"Silly Haru, I'm talking about during the club and after school." Kaoru evaded her quizzical expression. Pretending to be focused on their path to the next room.

"Don't you want to see Hikaru?" She asked.

"Yeah, but our parents told us to stay in different rooms until he gets better."

They arrived at the next class and entered, taking their seats as they continued their conversation.

"What exactly does he have that is making them worry so much."

Kaoru laughed, shaking his head at the silly situation.

"It's just a cold. Stupid isn't it? It's not like he has the flu or anything serious." He said between laughs, "I mean you would think he had the plague or some crazy flesh-eating virus.

Haruhi put her finger to her lips. "You know, it's possible that this might be their way of saying its time you two spent some time apart? I read somewhere that when people want to say something but have reservations on speaking outright, they look for the tiniest excuses to get their way."

"You would think so. But no, Mom and Dad gave up on separating us back in middle school." Kaoru turned in his seat to face her better. "Although there is a possibility that they think a girl will come between us soon enough."

"Really?" Haruhi said raising an eyebrow.

His eyes shot open wide, "Not like that! Haru, no. You know how we are. We like the same things... we might, you know, it's possible that we both might fall for the same girl. That's all I meant. "

"Has that happened yet?"

Kaoru paused, he looked at her like he was going to say something but instead turned back in his seat and dropped his head.

"No," he said quietly.

Haruhi, pursed her lips taking note of his posture and deduced that she didn't buy that for a second. She knew them well and based on that pause and his cowed demeanor, she was sure that her best friends had indeed fallen in love with the same girl.

A surprising ache hit her in the gut, but she pushed that feeling aside. Her affection for her friends outweighed any subtle disappointment that she may or may not know the source of.

"Well when it happens, I am sure you guys can put your differences aside. As long as you think about how the other person feels you two can get through anything. I mean, you are brothers, you shouldn't let someone from the outside come between you two." Haruhi reasoned. The romance genre was not her forte, but she tried her best to give advice that was logical regardless of the potential that their dating would put distance between the friendship of the trio.

"I guess your right." Kaoru put his chin in his hand. "Tell me Haruhi, do you think we should both pursue the girl or should we let her decide who she wants?"

"That might be a good idea, but it might also be hard. Competing with Hikaru is not going to be easy." The truth was simple enough.

"It never is." Kaoru agreed with her, eyes softening as he looked at her with an unreadable expression.

"Just don't lose your love for each other because of some girl." Haruhi quickly added, turning her face away. His eyes were making her feel things, and she didn't know what caused this reaction.

"I really like your way of looking at things. Situations and obstacles stare you right in the face, and you talk so objectively."

"What do you mean?" She furrowed her brows slightly.

"Nothing, Haru. It's called a compliment. You should get used to them, you are an amazing girl." He said in a hushed tone as the students filed into the class.

She repeatedly blinked as she tried to digest those words.

By the time the lunch bell rang, Haruhi was filled with conflicting emotions. Luckily she had plenty of practice in controlling her outward expressions. With her bento in hand, she made her way to the cafeteria with Kaoru.

She caught him staring at her lunch and gave him a questioning look.

"Can I treat you to lunch today?" He asked.

"But... I already have..."

"I know, I know," He interrupted her. "I am just offering. I want to do something nice for you since you've been keeping my company when you don't have to. Think of it as a thank you gift."

Kaoru leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Besides you know how hell-bent Tamaki is about wanting to try your commoner food."

"Good point" Haruhi laughed. "Ok, sure. It just some more of last nights leftovers again. Not like it's going to go bad or anything if I don't eat it now."

Kaoru pointed towards the tables, "Go snag us a spot. I will be there in a moment."

She nodded and found them a table in the corner of the room but her solitude didn't last long as Tamaki had been eyeing her since she walked into the hall.

"I see you are finally gracing us with your presence." He flashed a charming smile at her.

"I'm having lunch with Kaoru." She stated as a matter of fact. "Hikaru is not here today."

"We are missing a Hitachiin?" Tamaki looked around and saw Kaoru with two trays, one in each hand. "Why does he have two lunches then?"

"One is for me."

"What? Haruhi, don't tell me the twins are winning you over on to their side?" Tamaki's face began to contort into one of dramatic desperation and fear. "I can't let you become a part of their mischief. No, I will not allow it!" Tamaki stood up and blocked Kaoru's way. "What are you planning to do to my beloved daughter?"

"What are you talking about?" Kaoru scoffed and moved around him. He placed Haruhi's tray in front of her.

"You are planning something devilish, I know it." Tamaki pointed at him.

"You imagine things, Tono." He sat down across from Haruhi. "It's called spending time together. She is keeping me company since Hika is sick."

Just as quickly as his dramatics had gone into the stage of gloom and doom, Tamaki recomposed himself, standing tall.

"Oh." He nodded in approval, "That's what makes you such a natural host, my beloved Haruhi. You care so much for your brothers. You two have fun and behave yourself."

Haruhi and Kaoru shared an amused glance before simultaneously shaking their heads. Tamaki was such a weird guy.

"I guess it's a good thing that he's oblivious." He mumbled pushing the tray closer to her.

"Did you say something?" She asked as her eyes took in the display of food before her.

"Nah, just mumbling. Go on, Haru, Try it," He said indicating the food on her tray.

She used the fork presented on her tray to try some of the delicately cooked meats. The moment the rich juices touched her tastebuds she fell into bliss. Kaoru chuckled before digging into his own meal.

"What's so funny?" She asked after she swallowed that first bite.

"Nothing, Nothing. You are just so cute." He commented and continued to enjoy not only his lunch but the company beside him.

They sat there in comfortable silence while they both exchanged hesitant glances at the other. Without realizing that they were gaging each other's reactions and considering how best to continue their conversation, neither realized that time had passed and their lunch hour was nearly spent.

"Haru?" Kaoru spoke up, giving Haruhi a moment of flutters at the casual way he had said her name.

"Hmm?"

"Do you like spending time with me?"

"Of course, I do," she didn't even hesitate to say those words.

"I'm glad. I was starting to think you prefer my brother over me."

"Why would you worry about something silly like that? I like him just as equally as I like you."

She watched as his expression rose and fell in sequence. "You may be two different people, but I care about you both as my friends. It is hard to put one in front of the other unless it came to romance."

She looked up, suddenly concerned at the disappointment on his face. "We are talking friendship wise, right? Not romantically?"

Facts being facts, Haruhi knew she could be oblivious to romantic nuances but the year was nearly over, and no one had expressed any out-right interest. Aside from the crazed Tamaki, she suspected everyone assumed she had feelings for their Host King. Now she wondered if she had indeed missed something during their shared time.

He hesitated before continuing. "If it came down to romance, would it ruin our friendship?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by that."

"If a girl were to choose between myself and Hikaru. Could the one who wasn't picked lose the friendship with that girl?" He switched to the metaphorical 'other girl hoping he would throw her off with this tactic, but she knew that was what he was doing. It didn't work.

She thought about it for only a moment but remained silent as she formulated her words. "It depends on who makes the first move. If one of you makes the first move, romantically speaking, the other has no right to complain. The girl will choose eventually." She paused, "but didn't you say you two were willing to share?"

Kaoru nearly choked. "That was said for the benefit of the club!"

"How was I supposed to know that, you both come across so serious when it comes to that topic." Haruhi took another bite of her cooling food. "If you are not willing to share this girl with your brother then you should talk with him and make your move if he doesn't make his. You really need to stop trying to put his feelings before your own all the time. You deserve to be happy too."

"What if this girl rejects me."

"Ok, now stop that. Are you talking about me or some other girl? It is kinda starting to bug me that you won't just come out and say it." She put her fork down and looked at him.

He averted his eyes quickly not willing to let Haruhi see how close she came to breaking that simple balance of the trio friendship.

"You are my best friend. The first friend to come between us actually." He tried to look at her. "The first to become a part of our world. I… I know that Hikaru… likes you."

Haruhi nodded, unsurprised by this indirect confession. She put her hand on his in apology and smiled gently when he looked up at her.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. We gotta get back to class and Tamaki is about to come up behind you again." Haruhi said.

Tamaki slapped Kaoru on the back, "See you two after school! It's so cute to see my children playing together so nicely."

An hour into their next class Kaoru continued to shoot glances at Haruhi, hoping she would look at him. He was kicking himself for not saying it, for not telling her that he loved her just as much as Hikaru did. He kicked himself harder for even attempting to let her in. This whole situation was uncomfortable, but he needed to know where she stood on this entire topic. Kaoru needed clarification, or he was going to lose his mind.

He tore a page from his notebook and wrote on it, folded it and quickly stuck it in front of Haruhi.

She looked him in the eye for the briefest second before taking the note. She read it and looked at him shocked when she read the question that had been burning him since they began this lesson, 'Are you mad at me?'.

Quickly she scribbled a short reply and shoved the note right back at him, 'Never! Why would you think that!?'

Kaoru felt relief wash over him. He closed his eyes and prepared another note, 'Can I give you a ride home today?'.

He wrapped it up and passed it over for her to quickly skim over. She was baffled by the change of tone but nodded to him just the same.

This was it, He felt. This was his chance to seal his claim should she accept. He went back to his book and thought about how he was going to go about winning her over. All he could do was try and see if he could succeed in his goal while he didn't have to worry about competing with Hika.

At the beginning of the day, He was sure he would be in for the most boring day of his life, but it had all changed when Haruhi gave him her undivided attention. This was his shot.

Both Hikaru and Tamaki could see the charm that their androgynous commoner held. She wasn't like the other rich spoiled heiresses regardless of the beauty most of those girls presented to the world. Haruhi was cute, and she had a simplicity that made her far more desirable than those other simpering guests of the club. Not to mention, Haurhi had the skill to wiggle her way into the hearts of those who came to know her.

She invaded his sheltered life and became a part of the duo of Hikaru and Kaoru by converting it into a trio of close companionship. Though she couldn't read his mind like his brother could, she didn't fall for most of their tricks either. That brother of his was his other half, but he was not going to share if he could help it. Not unless Haruhi wanted it that way. There was the kicker in this whole bizarre devotion to her, he would do anything for her just as he would do anything for his brother.

Despite what she asked of him; he would give up his happiness for hers just as readily as he had done for Hikaru.

Haruhi, for her part in this time, was concerned that Kaoru would even think she was upset. Granted she hadn't brought up their lunchtime conversation. Oblivious as she usually could be, Haruhi did know what Kaoru was trying to say... she just wasn't sure he was ready to take that step yet.

She like all of her host friends. The host club accepted her regardless of her status even if they were annoying in their spoiled aristocratic ways.

Friendship, she was familiar with, but the idea of love was not on her radar, nor had it been since her entire world was devoted to studies. Back in middle school, she had guys professing their feelings for her and currently, she dealt with similar acts of devotion and admiration from the girls who visited her during club hours.

Her host club mates were a different story. They all held her attention as they continued to shower her with their own affection and appreciation. On occasion, they even stirred her teenaged hormones into overdrive.

The day that Hikaru and Kaoru jokingly asked her to marry them gave her a flutter, but she realized in the same moment that it was only to get a rise out of Tamaki. It had worked, but between all those momentary jests, Haruhi knew that the time would eventually come when the jokes had to end.

She thought about the twins separately, as two different people with the same face. She even had her mental comparison list about them. They were equally amazing people but with different qualities, likes and dislikes. She had figured that Hikaru would be the one to assert his confession before his brother, but now she was starting to see that the opposite may occur.

Haruhi smiled at the thought of Kaoru being the one to finally make a move. She really didn't know who she wanted to be with or if she even wanted to be in love at all. The question still stands, would Kaoru actually go through with it? Would he finally bridge that gap that his brother couldn't?

When Kaoru has passed that last note, she knew that he was finally trying to put his best foot forward. She was glad to accept his offer of a ride home.