**I've recently fallen in love with Ouran (I had refused to watch it for so long, and when I did OMG!). I absolutely adore Haruhi and Hikaru. I was totally fangirling during episode 16 (Operation Haruhi and Hikaru's First Date!), which is when this first chapter takes place. I was going to make a oneshot, but I'm too tired and wanted to get this up today, lol. I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think!**

His arms, they were shields for her, blocking out the storm that raged on around them. They blocked out the crashing thunder that would have made her whimper and jump. They blocked out the howling wind that would cause her to shiver, anticipating the coming crash. His thin arms not only acted as a shield for her, but they cast a serene aura over her, helping her to ignore the terrifying thunder and bright lightning.

Listening to the soft rock that played in her ears also soothed her, even though she didn't listen to that type of music on a daily basis. It soothed her because she knew he had placed the headphones over her ears in an act to comfort her, to protect her, and to apologize.

Haruhi wanted to say something to him, anything, but she feared the thunder around them; It beat against the walls, shaking them, vibrating in her chest. Even though she couldn't hear it… she knew it was still there, trying to break through to her.

"Hikaru…" Haruhi whispered softly as she snuggled closer into his side, shivering slightly from the cold. She wrapped the altar blanket tightly around herself, but the flimsy fabric barely blocked the cold.

"I'm here, Haruhi. Don't worry." The boy tightened his arm around her, gently lifting her so that she sat snuggly on his lap. "Better?"

"A-A little…"

Haruhi pressed the headphones tighter to her ears, trying to drown out the soft echoing of thunder. A blush rose to her cheeks as she felt Hikaru's rough yet gentle fingers gliding over the fabric covering her arm. His touch was so… serene.

Haruhi thought back to when Tamaki had held her during the last storm. She hadn't felt this calm in his arms. Sure he was trying to soothe her with light touches and soft words, but the way Hikaru held her tightly… there was something other then comfort floating around inside of her. Haruhi knew the feeling, but kept it hidden deep inside of her, almost in fear of it. The feeling was slowly growing inside of her with each caress of Hikaru's fingers, and Haruhi was sure it was going to be able to overpower the key she used to lock it away.

As she thought about the way she felt so calm and… worthy in Hikaru's arms, Haruhi hadn't noticed the way her head was bobbing softly further into his chest, the way her eyelids had grown so heavy.

Hikaru glanced down at the sleeping girl in his arms. She looked so peaceful and beautiful as she slept. When she wakes up… maybe I should tell her how I feel… Even if she doesn't feel the same… at least I will have get it off my chest… But no. I mean, I don't know. I can't just open up to her like that… Not like the way I do to Kaoru. But… it was Kaoru who told me I needed to be more open to people… Dammit…

The boy looked back down at his sleeping companion and sighed, pulling her closer. He didn't know how long she would sleep; However long it took, he had time to think about what he'd do.

*.*

Haruhi stirred slightly, a gentle warmth touching her cheek. As she opened her eyes, blinking to allow her brown eyes to adjust, she realized that the sun was out. A small smile graced her lips as she felt the warm kiss from the sun on her face. At least the storm was over.

She stirred slightly, tugging the headphones over her head and resting them on her lap. A soft, warm breath swept over her face, causing Haruhi to look up. Red rose to her cheeks as she saw Hikaru sleeping. His eyes closed, head tilted downwards towards her, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist.

Haruhi tried to climb off his lap, but couldn't since Hikaru tightened his grip and mumbled softly as he slept. As his breath swept over her face again, Haruhi couldn't help but stare at him. He's so… No! What are you think?! Stop that, Haruhi!

Haruhi's cheeks reddened as she began thinking about Hikaru. He really was attractive, she couldn't deny that. His sharp facial features, the beautiful fiery shade of his hair, the dull golden depths of his eyes. He really was quite the sight, the same as his twin brother, Kaoru, but there was just something about Hikaru that was… more appealing than any man Haurhi had come across in her life.

Maybe it was his attitude, the way he had to take control and was always so upbeat. Maybe it was the way he was so passionate about things to the point it hurt the ones around him at times. Maybe it was just the simple gesture he had made by covering her and holding her to protect her from the storm…

Whatever it was that caused Haruhi to see Hikaru in a brighter light than others, she really wasn't complaining much. Having a crush on a boy made her more… normal. It made her a more feminine. Right? That's what those around her- her friends, her father- wanted. They wanted her to wear dresses and skirts and bikinis. They wanted her to have her hair all cute. They wanted her to be a girl, not a girl who just didn't care. Having such a crush on Hikaru was… girly.

Haruhi gasped softly as Hikaru's arms tightened around her waist, pulling her right against him. His breathing had stopped, and when it picked back up Haruhi could tell he was awake. "Mmm… Didn't mean to fall asleep…" Hikaru mumbled to himself, not realizing Haruhi was already awake.

"The storm has stopped." Haruhi said softly, resting her small hand against Hikaru's beating chest.

Hikaru jumped slightly upon hearing the soft voice, but smiled gently. "Good, are you better now?"

"Of course. Thank you, Hikaru." Haruhi's eyes were glued on her hand laying against his chest. Her fingers tightened over the fabric, bunching it in her fingers, and she rested her cheek on his shoulder. "You're nicer than others think."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means… It means that even though you put on a front about caring for your brother the most, and putting others third- yourself being second- you're not a bad person. You may be self-centered, but really… you have a kind heart. It's obviously hard for you to accept new people in your life, and even though you like to play around and toy with me… you still care."

Hikaru would never get over how well Haruhi saw right through him. Whenever she told him and Kaoru apart, it never ceased to amaze him at how well she knew them apart. Perhaps it was just the type of person Haruhi was; Able to read people and see straight through them, but in a good way.

"You found me out, Haruhi." Hikaru's hands slowly moved down to the small of her back and rested there, rubbing circles with his thumb against the soft fabric of the dress.

"Hika-"

"Haruhi, there's something I want to tell you, okay?" He lowered his gaze to look into her wide eyes. As innocent as those beautiful brown orbs looked, he knew the owner wasn't too innocent and naïve. Maybe a little absent-minded at times, but certainly not naïve or dull.

"Sure, Hikaru…" Haruhi's heart was pounding in her chest, and she didn't know why. It was as if she was anticipating something, but she didn't know what!

Hikaru took in a deep breath, trying to steady his quick beating heart that he was sure Haruhi could feel underneath her knuckles. He wanted to tell her, wanted to confess his love for her so very badly. It was three simple words he had to say. Three easy syllables he had to pronounce. Eight letters he had to get past his lips. Those three words, three syllables, eight letters were so easy to say… but they held so much meaning behind them. Sure, he said it to his brother every night they went to bed, but saying those three words to Haruhi… They were so much stronger, more meaningful.

"Haruhi, I…" Hikaru's heart echoed in his ears, his face became heated with the unsure flush that covered his pale skin. "I…"

Come on, you damn wimp! Just say it! Kaoru told you to express yourself to others you care about, so just… come on…

Staring into Haruhi's eyes, Hikaru realized he just couldn't bring himself to say the words. As much as he wanted to, longed to tell Haruhi how he felt about her… he just couldn't. Looking into her eyes made him realize that she was too good for him. She was so smart and beautiful, commoner or not. She didn't deserve someone like him. She deserves so much better.

He had abandoned her because of his own jealousy. He had left her alone in the storm. At the time he didn't know her fear of thunder, but if he had just paid attention to those small hints that she had unknowing given… If he had cared to notice the way she had flinched slightly when she thought she heard thunder… Haruhi deserved someone who would notice those things in an instant. She deserved someone who didn't let his emotions overcome everything else.

"I think it's time to go."

Haruhi felt something inside her fall and crash into a million pieces. She felt tears starting to build up in her eyes. Why was she reacting this way? What did she expect Hikaru to say? Why am I acting and feeling so weird?!

It was then, as Hikaru grabbed her arms to pull her off of him, that Haruhi realized why she was feeling the way she was. I wanted him to tell me he liked me… I wanted him to… to…

"Hikaru, wait." Haruhi placed her hands over his and looked into his eyes. If he wasn't going to say anything- whether he liked her or not- she would. It was something so bold and so sure… Haruhi was almost terrified to tell him.

"Haruhi?"

"I really like you, okay?" Haruhi said, a blush staining her cheeks.

Hikaru felt his chest tighten, but he knew her words didn't have the same meaning as the ones that were stuck in his throat. "I like you too, Haru-"

"No, Hikaru. I really like you." Haruhi's face was red as she said the words to the boy who was the object of her very dreams, her love, her desire. She had never admitted it to herself fully, but she knew how great and strong her feelings were for Hikaru. Once the words had left her lips, she had finally admitted to herself her true feelings for the boy.

Hikaru's eyes went wide as he heard the almost forceful words fall from Haruhi's lips. She… She likes me? "Haruhi… Oh, Haruhi." Hikaru's hands left her back and gently cupped her cheeks, pulling her face towards his until their lips met.

As their lips touched, as Hikaru's sly tongue made its way into Haruhi's mouth and toyed with her own, Haruhi felt so at ease.

It was so hard to chose to tell the boy her feelings, but as she moaned softly, feeling his hand moved down to caress her side, she knew she made the right choice. As she mumbled against Hikaru's lips that he was moving too fast as his hand slyly moved up under her dress against her thigh, she knew this was right.

It was so… serene. Curled up in Hikaru's lap, exchanging soft kisses… It was just so calming. It was pure serenity. Haruhi knew that she had made the right choice in impulsively telling him her feelings. The way he was holding her, kissing her, caressing her… It all felt so right. Perfect.