Usa-Chan Attacks
~Music Room #3
Autumn leaves swirled, and the Host Club doors … closed
Host Club was over for the day. The last of the girls were gone and Tamaki was in the grips of some fantastic delusion, from the starry eyes and occasional mutters of "your Daddy!" God only knew where the twins were, plotting mischief, almost certainly. Kyoya was tapping away, only obliquely watching the far corner where Honey and Haruki sat quietly talking, heads bent close together. Mori stared at them, his internal battle leaving no outward sign.
Haruhi smiled softly at Honey, holding his hands in hers. She hugged him, whispered in his ear, bowed and left. Mori noticed a sheen to her eyes as she passed, glancing at him quickly and away.
Mori knelt before Honey, his head bowed. Years they had been together; cousins, friends, nearly brothers, and fiercely protective of each other. "Mitsukuni," his quiet voice was rough, Honey could hear the pain in it. "You and her… Be happy together." Mori was conceding, he would fight anyone for Haruhi, anyone but Honey. If it ever came to a true fight, Honey would probably (almost certainly) win. But, Honey was also the only one who would love her without smothering, calculation, jealousy, or possessiveness. Honey would honor and protect her as Mori would have, in fact, she would likely have more fun.
Honey looked at him, a brief expression of frustration crossing his face. He hit Mori over the head with Usa-Chan and then snatched him back. "Oh! Usa-Chan, did you get hurt on Mori's big, hard, stupid head? I'm so sorry!" He held the bunny to his ear and nodded. "Yes, Usa-Chan, I know he thinks he's being noble, but he's being stupid." He nodded again and motioned Mori closer. Mori leaned in, with an eye on the bunny. "It's not me she loves, but she was hoping I could get through one incredibly thick skull." Honey whispered and looked out the window. In his normal cute voice he said "Oh, look Mori-Chan! It looks like a storm is coming! You should make sure Haruhi-senpai gets home safe!"
That last part finally made it through to Tamaki's fantasy world. "Oh no! Storm? Haruhi needs her Daddy to protect her! Honey shook his head. Kyoya's eyes were hidden in the glare of his glasses "No, Tamaki, we have club business to attend to, I want you to stay here." "Tamaki-senpai we need to decide what cakes to have with the tea tomorrow!" Honey said, glancing to Mori and the door. "Go!" he whispered, and Mori left.
The twins had reappeared from the back, whispering, and moved to follow. "No!" Honey said sharply, briefly surrounded by a black aura. Hikaru and Kaoru stared at him, had he missed his nap? Suddenly, Honey was all flowers again "Let's play a game!"
Outside, the clouds continued to gather and darken. Mori could feel the rain coming. He sped his pace until he could see her ahead of him, clutching her bag to her chest. She looked so vulnerable as he caught up. "Haruhi-senpai" he said, as she looked up and away again, "Storm." She nodded, her eyes downcast. "Ranka-sama home?" She shook her head. He stopped in front of her, crouching down so their eyes would be level, if she would only meet them. She stopped before running into him, but still wouldn't look at him. "Haruhi" he breathed tenderly, and finally, she looked at him. His eyes, much warmer than usual, pleaded for either permission or forgiveness as he bent his head to lay a soft kiss on her lips. "Are you mad?" he asked. She shook her head as her eyes began to fill with tears. "Afraid?" A brief look of confusion and another headshake. "Try again?" he asked, with a smile, just before the cold rain began to fall. He looked at the sky, sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Let's get you home." She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. He picked her up as if she weighed nothing and set off towards her home. As the rain grew colder and fell faster, he shook his head and set her down. "Mori-senpai?" she asked, as he wrapped his jacket around her. "Sorry. My phone's at school." He replied, and picked her up again. "I'm not worried about calling for a ride, Mori-senpai, but…" she stopped as he shook his head "Takashi." "What?" He looked down at her with a new softness in his face. "Call me Takashi, Haruhi." He smiled. "Okay, Takashi-senpai." "No," he shook his head again, "just Takashi." Haruhi smiled hesitantly "Takashi, would you like some tea when we get to my home? We're almost there." "Yes." Again, he smiled.