Story Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club, any of its characters, trademarks, or other properties.

Chapter Disclaimer: I also do not own any of the songs mentioned within this story. "First Love" belongs to Utada Hikaru, and "The Sound of Silence" belongs to Simon & Garfunkel; version referenced within this story belongs to Disturbed (Immortalized, 2015). No profit is made from the writing or publication of this story.

A/N: This is my first OHSHC story! I've always been a fan of Kyoya/Haruhi... This will be a drabble/one-shot series for them. Not all entries will be connected; I have a lot of ideas for this ship and I plan to write as many of them as I can.

For this chapter: Another fic I read on this site inspired me to think about what kind of playlist Kyoya would have to help him deal with his feelings for Haruhi. Italics are for both thoughts and song lyrics; it'll be made clear which is which. Also Kyoya is really hard to write in-character in emotional situations for me... Hope you enjoy!

"Kyoya-senpai?"

Haruhi's voice snaps him from his reverie. "Yes, Haruhi?"

The Host Club has been studying in Music Room #3; it's exams week so the administrators are letting students stay overnight on campus on conditions of safety and signed contracts. It's late and everyone's exhausted, although Tamaki and the twins are still managing to make a racket.

"Do you have a music player I can use? I have my headphones, but my music player died. I didn't think to bring the charger for it, sorry."

He quirks a brow at her as he adjusts his glasses. "You study better with music?"

She tosses an annoyed look at the hyperactive trio. "It depends. If there's too much outside noise, it helps; if you don't have it, it's fine, I just thought you'd be the best person to ask..."

He smiles at her and pulls out a small device. "Here, feel free to borrow the charger as well," he says, quickly pulling his earbuds out and handing the bundle to her. "I must warn you, my music taste is rather eclectic. Unexpected, even."

"That's fine, Senpai. Thank you," she gives a small bow and returns to her corner of the room, unlocking the device and putting her headphones on. "Ah, much better," she sighs as she curls into herself, reading a text for her English class.

It takes a few minutes for him to remember the playlist; by then, he's too tired to care. Kyoya finds a couch to stretch out on and quickly sets his glasses on a coffee table before drifting to sleep. If she finds it, she finds it. Her reaction will be interesting to watch, at any rate.

Another instrumental piece; very Kyoya-senpai, Haruhi thinks to herself. She gasps as she realizes the time: 2:00 a.m. It's been that long!? Ah shoot...

She glances around the room; all the boys - including Kyoya - are asleep. May as well take this time to do my maths - what's this?

The 'playlists' option pops up on the music player's screen. Interested, Haruhi follows the prompt and sees that Kyoya has dozens of playlists: Flights, Drives, Call Holds, Elevator Music - the brunette quietly giggles at that - Family, Writing, Studies, Train Rides... It seems the man has a playlist for everything. Maybe music helps him deal with things since he's so reserved.

That doesn't explain the Haruhi playlist though. The font for it is different from the rest; it's a soft purple with a diamond on each side. With another look at a still-sleeping Kyoya, she clicks it excitedly. No one's ever done something like this for me. Hope he's not too mad when he wakes up.

Hyde's "Season's Call" is the first one to play, and it surprises her. Why would this make him think of me? she thinks to herself, nodding her head to the beat. Maybe the power of emotion behind it? I don't know.

Kyoya's music player is on shuffle, so when she clicks the 'next' button, "First Love" by Utada Hikaru plays in her ears. Her eyes widen and she gives a small gasp. Well, there's no misinterpreting that. Let's see what's next, maybe it was a fluke...

Song after song, his heart opens itself to her. She almost feels dirty, like she's stolen a secret, but the small pulse of happiness running through her eases the guilt. Haruhi's surprised most by a favorite song of hers coming on; tears prick her eyes, and she skips it to keep from crying.

A few minutes later, she's silently sobbing in spite of herself. It's a new version of a song her dad likes; to her in this moment - emotional and sleep-deprived at 2:25 a.m. - it sounds like an unrequited love song, particularly two stanzas:

People writing songs
That voices never share
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools" said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach to you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

This song practically screams 'Kyoya': withdrawn but desperately reaching out for love and acknowledgement. Haruhi feels blindsided, although she can't quite place why. I can't study like this. I need to sleep. She rubs her eyes with a shallow breath as she stands. Despite her tears, she puts the song on repeat - she feels safe with his music (his heart) ringing in her head.