Title - New Year's Bells
Disclaimer - not mine
Summary - She wasn't expecting them for New Years
Author's Note - written for day 9 of 12_daysofficmas and for fanfic_bakeoff. Also written for sonjajade's prompt of 'New Years celebration for Haruhi and Tamaki'
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"Why exactly are you all here?" Haruhi knew she probably shouldn't have opened the door. Who else but the Host Club would be on her doorstep on New Year's Eve?
"You said your father had to work tonight," Hikaru said, sailing past her.
"And no one should be alone tonight," Kaoru added.
Haruhi sighed; there went her plans of a quiet night of reading. "Won't your families miss you?"
"In those big parties?" Tamaki shrugged then set down a basket in her kitchen. "We brought the osechi."
She peered inside to see sushi, fish cakes and hopefully that was mashed sweet potatoes with chestnuts. "Thank you."
"We brought games," Honey said.
Haruhi gave in. There was no sense in fighting it. Later in the evening, Tamaki pulled her away from the games, fishing out a small book from his jacket pocket.
"I thought you might like to indulge in another tradition." He grinned. "Poetry. I picked out a few I thought wouldn't offend your delicate sensibilities."
Delicate? Who could keep those around these people but he looked so earnest how could she tell him no? Haruhi had to admit there was something pleasing about hearing Tamaki read renga to her. It was unsurprising that he had good taste in poetry. A strange ringing broke the moment.
"The temple bells," she said. "It's the new year."
Tamaki smiled, leaning close to her. For a moment, Haruhi thought he would kiss her but Honey bounced over.
"Happy New Year's!"
The spell broken, Haruhi melted back into the group but Tamaki's soft poetic words lingered in her ear.