I do not own Ouran Highschool Host Club.
Ch.1
Haruhi kicked the covers off of her legs with a huff and wiped the sweat from her forehead. The room was stuffy and uncomfortable. She already knew from the stillness in the air and the lack of noise that her husband wasn't here. He never was. The heat was putting a damper on her mood as well. The alarm hadn't gone off yet which meant that she would be starting her day early yet again. Alone.
Kyoya usually worked until three in the morning if they really needed him at work. If not, he was home by midnight. He worked at his family's main hospital downtown. All three of them lived in a nice cottage just outside of town. It had been a shock when Kyoya had bought the house for her. He had talked for the longest time about inheriting the vacation home on the beach. It was nice and all, but too high end for Haruhi. The morning after their wedding, he'd driven her here.
She left her room to go turn on the air. Kyoya hated the cold and would turn it off whenever he felt like it. He must have come home for a change of clothes or food and left without saying anything. Typical. Her feet stuck to the hardwood floor with every step as she made her way down the hall to turn the air back on. Haruhi was too hot and annoyed to go back to bed. Instead, she headed down to the kitchen to make breakfast. Despite them living in a cottage, it had incredibly expensive appliances. She got to work on a batch of pancakes and was just about to pour the batter when a little voice called from upstairs.
"Mommy! Mommy it's hot."
Haruhi set down the bowl and wiped her hands on a towel before heading to her daughter's room. Maia was five years old. Just like her daddy she was incredibly smart, but like her mother, she loved music. She had straight brown hair like Haruhi's and big chocolate eyes too, but when she was upset, her expression could murder that of Kyoya's. Her vision was also starting to get poor so she needed glasses.
Maia was sitting up in her bed when Haruhi came in. Her hair was a mess and stuck to her temples. She already had her glasses on her face, but they were sitting on the edge of her nose just like her father. She walked over to her and pushed them up.
"Mommy, I'm hot."
Haruhi smoothed Maia's hair down and tried to hide her annoyance at Kyoya," I know sweetheart. Daddy turned the air off last night."
"Why?"
"Because he's a sel… Because he was too cold. Do you want some pancakes?"
Maia smiled," Yay!"
They went downstairs and Haruhi finished making the pancakes. Maia was sitting at the table waiting for her. Haruhi sat the stack between them and put a pancake on Maia's plate. Maia was a picky eater, but she absolutely loved pancakes. As she was cutting it up for her daughter, Kyoya walked in. Haruhi couldn't stop the cold tingle that ran down her spine.
Maia jumped up from the table and ran over to him," Daddy!"
He picked her up and swung her around," Maia, how's my special girl!"
"Mommy and me are having pancakes for breakfast. You can have some too."
Kyoya glanced at Haruhi and his smile faltered. He shrugged and sat down his coat and briefcase before coming to the table.
Haruhi continued to eat her pancakes and Maia hers. She made Kyoya go and get his own plate and utensils. Haruhi took a swig of orange juice and sat down her fork. She thought she'd be able to hold her tongue longer, but it wasn't working this time. Oh well.
"So Kyoya, it's nice of you to see your daughter today. I mean, yesterday you weren't here to take her to school, pick her up, or put her to bed. I didn't think we'd see you today either. I had to call off so that someone would be able to take care of her. How's work?"
"You know that's not fair. My group had a breakthrough yesterday. I couldn't just abandon them."
"The same way you abandoned us? The same way you abandoned Maia?"
Maia had stopped eating and was watching them at the mention of her name.
"You're being ridiculous Haruhi. I didn't abandon Maia or you. I was only gone for one day."
"Do you know how many times in the last year that you've been gone for just one day? 78 days Kyoya. 78."
Kyoya looked at Maia who was close to tears and whimpering," See what you did Haruhi. Maia's upset now. I'm going to have to take her to school with her like this now and her teacher is going to give me a dirty look."
"She's not upset because of me. She's upset because you're never around to show that you love her and who cares about the dirty looks from the teacher," Haruhi turned to Maia," go get some clothes out Maia. You need to get ready for school."
Maia looked at her and Kyoya before bolting from the table. Haruhi was so angry she could scream. The anger manifested itself into hot tears.
Kyoya reached out to touch her, "Don't cry Haruhi. I…"
"Stop it Kyoya! I'm just so sick of this. You're never here and I don't… I miss how we were. Maia misses you too. She wakes up sometimes and asks for you and I have to tell her that daddy is still working. Or I have to force her to eat at dinner or breakfast because she's waiting for you and won't eat until you can eat with her. She's developing some terrifying eating habits that are affecting her health. You would know that if you were home."
"I didn't know."
"Of course you didn't know! You're never here!"
"Well what can I do? I love you Haruhi."
"I have a performance this Saturday at the music hall and Maia has a show at school Friday night. Try to be there for her at least."
"I'll be there, Haruhi. I promise."