Author's Note: Hikaru's words are in regular text and Haruhi's words are in italics just so you can follow who-is-who, ok? If you like it and can spare a word or two of appreciation, that would be awesomesauce!
A Bedtime Story
by Queen Nia
Setting: A darkened bedroom somewhere in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
…K-pop song playing softly from a cellphone…open line…
Hikaru: "Hey."
Haruhi: "Hey."
"You awake?"
"I am now."
"Sorry."
"What's wrong, Hikaru?"
"Nothin'."
"Can't sleep?"
"That would be an understatement."
"If you studied a little every day, you wouldn't have to worry about exams, you know?"
"Yeah, yeah. But I like the thrill of the unknown. You know that."
"Uh-huh. So you're awake and you figured you'd like some company."
"Yours, preferably."
"It's one a.m."
"I'm aware of the time, Haruhi; but I miss you."
"I'll see you in the morning."
"Too long to wait."
"You really can be sweet, sometimes."
"I try."
"And sometimes, you can be a real pain in the ass."
"Like I said, I try."
"What's keeping you awake? Worried about mid-terms?"
"Is that the reason for my insomnia?"
"Even you know that, Mr. Class 3A by the skin of his perfectly straight teeth who still got into Harvard."
"And here I thought it was late-night pizza."
"Eating spicy or heavy foods at a late hour can keep you awake, but I'm betting on my former hypothesis."
"And, Fujioka-san, you'd be right."
"So..."
"Your buttons."
"What?"
"Sew your buttons."
"What are you talking about?"
"Didn't you ever hear that phrase?"
"Sew your buttons? Nope. Must be some new lingo all the cool kids are using."
"My Literature prof says it all the time. It's an American-ism."
...giggles... "Excuse me, but I never heard that particular phrase before."
"Okay, okay. Quit already."
"Don't sulk."
"I'm not sulking."
"Of course you are. So what's on your mind, Hika?"
"You. I was gonna stand outside and throw rocks at your window."
"That is so-o high school and we're now in college."
"But I didn't, so I guess I'm maturing."
"Though it isn't as if you haven't done it before."
"Matured or throw rocks at your window?"
"Come by in the middle of the night. I can recall more than one 'I need you now' visit at odd hours."
"I really put you through Hell, don't I?"
"Do you believe in Hell?"
"I'd say it's within the realm of possibility."
"And Heaven?"
"Not so sure."
"So you're willing to believe that there's a final destination for those who do evil, but not good?"
"Evil should have a final destination, an end. But good? We need to keep that around... Recycled."
"Recycled?"
"Reincarnation, transmigration of the soul, rebirth of the consciousness into a new form."
"I suppose it's possible."
"Wait. Let me write this down. The ever-practical Haruhi Fujioka is admitting that there may be more to life than meets the eye."
"I'm more open-minded than you think."
"Point taken. Besides, I like to think all that Haruhi-niceness will always be around."
"You're nice, too."
"Good, maybe. But nice?"
"I've seen you do volunteer work at the shelter. You're very gentle."
"That's just being a human being and only because you insist that I do it to become, as you say, a more rounded individual. But nice? No way."
"Why do say that?"
"Because I know me and you don't."
"I think I know you, Hikaru."
"You know pieces of me - not the whole me."
"I know you."
"You don't know what you're saying. I'm a guy, remember?"
"And?"
"We're a disgusting lot."
"I used to be a member of the Host Club, remember? Though Mori and Honey were always respectful."
"Not the others?"
"Tamaki was and still is a bit flaky, and Kyoya was and still is a bit intimidating.
"What about Kaoru?"
"He's a little more focused than you, but just as naughty."
"Are you saying you like that or not?"
"Maybe. Seems like you guys had way more fun than I did in high school."
"Regrets?"
"No, but sometimes I wish I'd been a little - less - good."
"I think I like the sound of that."
"Thought you might."
"So, tell me, what would you have done that you didn't do as a high school girl?"
"High school? Ummmm, let's see..."
"And no namby-pamby crap like cheat on an exam. I want juicy."
"Juicy?"
"Yeah, good detailed stuff, Haruhi."
"Hikaru-"
"C'mon. Humor me."
"Well... I might have taken advantage of having six gorgeous boys at my beck and call."
"You're not saying what I think you're saying, are you?"
"What do you think I'm saying?"
"Sex."
"Ah. Well, I still wouldn't have gone all the way back then. High school boys are just too... too..."
"Quick?"
"That's one way of putting it. But there's lots of other things I might have tried."
"Y'know, I don't know if I want to hear about this, after all."
"Why not?"
"I think I'm jealous."
"I didn't do anything, now did I? Besides, you were my first."
"Yeah, but..."
"And the only one with privileges."
"And it's a wonderful privilege."
"Hikaru-"
"Yeah?"
"I wish you were here."
"Me, too."
"Talk to me."
"I am."
"No. Talk to me."
"Are you asking...?"
"Uh-huh. And no namby-pamby crap. I want juicy."
"So... What are you wearing?"
"Pajamas."
"The blue ones?"
"Red."
"With the Chinese things on them?"
"They're called glyphs."
"Don't go technical on me now."
"You were saying..."
"They're the silk ones, aren't they?"
"Satin."
"Yeah, and the fabric is cool and slippery on your skin."
"Mmmm."
"Touch the fabric."
"Where?"
"Anywhere you like. Then tell me where your hand is."
"Okay... Over my heart."
"Playing coy, huh? Okay. Hand over your heart. I like that and the morsel that sits just below."
"Now what?"
"Start unbuttoning. And take it - slow."
"Hang on, Hitachiin-sensei. One... at... a... time. Hika?"
"Right here."
"What next?"
"Let's say you slip off the bottoms."
"Hmph. …rustle… Oooh, that's better."
"It is?"
"Definitely. You okay?"
"Huh?"
"You sound odd."
"Just letting my memory fill in the blanks."
"And your memory would be reminding you of what, exactly?"
"You. Me. Your naked curves warm against me in all the right places."
"That sounds nice."
"Can you feel me there?"
"Yesss."
"Where do you want my hands?"
"Wherever you want them."
"You're awfully non-specific."
"I don't want to do this."
"Wha-?"
"It's just..."
"This was your idea."
"I don't care. Turn off the phone and get in here, now."
…click…rustling bedcovers…
"So much for telephone sex, Haruhi."
"It was just an idea."
"Knew you couldn't last."
"Oh, be quiet and kiss me."
"Now you're talking."
End - A Bedtime Story - by Queen Nia
