This is an Ouran short-story I've been racking my brain over for months now, and I finally came up with an idea. It's short and fluffy, with – of course – Tamaki's little depression-sessions. This takes place after the last episode of the Anime, with the host days continuing as they used too.

~*~ The Melancholy of a King ~*~

1

"I'll take You"

Squeals of delight admitted from the half-open doors of Music Room #3. Inside the once abandoned room, the members of the Ouran Host Club were enjoying another day of business.

There were more girls that usual that day, for the hosts were cosplaying as Japanese emperors. They were all wearing silk kimonos with a crane pattern, Tamaki in a long scarlet one, the twins in gold, Mori in navy, Honey in sky-blue, Kyouya in charcoal-gray, and Haruhi in a light shade of lavender – something Tamaki had insisted upon. The king was currently charming a red-faced brunet while holding her gasping form in his arms.

"My princess," he muttered silkily. "Nothing could compare to the beauty in your soul…" He ran one hand through his hair, gently pulling the girl to his chest. "My heart beats frantically for you! Even with such luscious looks, I am no comparison. Say you shall not leave me…"

Tamaki's indigo eyes sparkled as he said this, his blonde eyebrows arching in sadness. His face crept closer to hers, his long fingers cupping her face with their noses nearly touching. The brunet gasped once again – you would think she would have hiccups by now – and with her face growing redder with each second, she cheered, "Ooh, Tamaki-senpai! I won't!"

As the princely blonde stepped away from her, the girl swayed in a daze with her eyes popping into hearts.

Haruhi, who had watched the scene, rolled her eyes in disgust. She loved the host club very much, but part of her was starting to get annoyed by the king's effortless charm.

"Tamaki-senpai," she muttered as the young man walked over to her. Tamaki glanced at her, and his face turned red. He had not seen her dressed in the cosplay theme yet, for customers had poured in from the second they opened.

"You're…so…cute!" he cheered immaturely, hugging Haruhi tightly while spinning in circles.

"Senpai –" Haruhi growled, trying to break from the weak imprisonment. Tamaki reluctantly stepped away, but was still smiling giddily.

"Looks like Tono's sexually harassing Haruhi again," Hikaru and Karou said in unison. Tamaki gasped in horror and turned white. With a whimper, he crouched in his corner, utterly depressed. The twins laughed, resting arms on the other's shoulder while Haruhi let out a tired sigh. It seemed that every day began to repeat itself – a normal day of hosting, Tamaki giving his charm, finding her cute over something, and then taunted by the two red-heads. She almost felt bad for him.

"Give him a break," Haruhi said bluntly in her tomboyish tone. She walked over to Tamaki and patted his shoulder. "Come out of it, senpai," she continued.

"Haven't I told you before?!" Tamaki snapped, suddenly bolting to his feet. "Don't call me "senpai". Besides, I…"

Trailing off, the blonde tilted his head to the ground and turned a dark shade of crimson.

"I-I'm your father!" he blurted, as if trying to cover his mistake. Haruhi simply cocked an eyebrow bluntly, sending Tamaki to the corner again.

-*-*-

It was a long day for the hosts, and by the time the final girl had left, the last rays of sunset had been blanketed by a sheet of gray clouds. Tamaki was folding the kimonos and placing them back in the storage closet, seeming rather depressed about something.

He stood up slowly, loosening the striped tie around his neck and draping the light-blue blazer over his shoulders.

"Why did I make up such a stupid excuse?" he muttered. "Damn it…"

Tamaki shut the door to the closet and walked down the marble floors of the deserted music room. He paused when a faint rumble went over the sky.

Haruhi…

Immediately she came to his mind. But, she would be home by now… There was no need to be concerned – she had left hours ago. Tamaki sighed and closed his eyes. He worried too much.

By the time he had locked up the music room and flipped the sign, having it say, "The Host Club is now closed," rain was pattering against the roof of Ouran Academy. It was rare that he was here so late, so Tamaki found himself glancing down the empty corridors as if expecting Nekozawa or something else to turn up.

When he came past Library #4, he thought he heard a soft whimper.

"No…she's not here…" he reassured himself, prying his hands off the golden handle. He took a few steps down the hall. However, lightning cracked through the sky, and Tamaki heard a loud yelp.

"Haruhi!" he yelled, spinning on his heel. He dropped his blazer and tried to open the library door. It was locked. "Haruhi, are you in there? Haruhi?!"

There was no reply. Tamaki was becoming desperate.

"I know that was you! Open the door!"

Still, there was silence. But a yell of fear came as another bolt of lightning shot through the sky. Impatient, the blonde tried to fiddle with the exposed part of the lock. He managed to find a lose piece of metal, and with a few moves, there was a faint click. Tamaki slammed the doors open and scanned the library. It didn't make sense that she would coop herself inside the room, not to mention there were windows on every wall. He spotted the shivering girl underneath one of the studying tables.

"Haruhi!" Tamaki shouted, running over to her. He collapsed to his knees and crouched down, peering underneath the table. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought you left already!"

"I-I did…" Haruhi stuttered feebly. "But then Hikaru –" She yelped again as two more bolts of lightning were shot through the sky. Tamaki's anger vanished and he lowered his head in shame.

"Why did you stay here?" he muttered. Haruhi's chocolate eyes swam with tears as she stared at him. His body began to take control of himself, and he extended his hand. She took it, and he gently pulled her out from under the table.

"I'm sorry you had to come save me again."

"Daddy wants you safe," Tamaki stated, worry coating his expression. "I had a feeling you were still here." Haruhi didn't say anything, curling herself into a ball and whimpering as thunder boomed and the rain pounded harder; Tamaki wrapped his arms around her instinctively. "I told you I'd always be here for you," he continued.

Haruhi clutched the back of his shirt, but suddenly pulled away.

"You're – you're not g-going to use earplugs and a blindfold, are you?" she muttered between sobs, furrowing her eyebrows angrily. Tamaki slung his arms off of her, shouting rants in shock.

"I was never doing anything perverted – I was trying to help you!! – it's all Hikaru and Karou's fault – why would daddy harm his little girl?! –"

"Senpai, I was just being sarcastic," Haruhi grumbled. She sniffed before continuing – mostly to herself, "Ugh…what is dad going to say? I-I was supposed to be home by now but the bus already left."

Tamaki's eyes widened.

"Then you're coming home with me," he said bluntly. "Come on."

"What?!" Haruhi blurted. "I – but –"

"No buts."

Tamaki unexpectedly slid one arm underneath Haruhi's legs and pulled her into his chest. He stood up and walked slowly out of the library, leaving the girl in his arms to lie against his shoulder. He bent down and retrieved his blazer, giving it to Haruhi while pulling his cell from his pocket. He hastily pressed a speed dial, the phone clicking a few times before a woman's voice came on the other lie.

"Hello? Yes – I need a ride," Tamaki blurted.

"It's already on its way, sir," the woman muttered.

"Oh…good. Thank you."

Tamaki flipped the lid closed and placed the phone back in his pocket.

"Don't worry, Haruhi," he muttered, looking over at her and smiling. "It will be alright once we're there."

"Senpai, I don't think this is such a good idea…" Haruhi muttered nervously against his shirt, holding his wrinkled blazer in her lap.

"Forget about that."

As they came to the entry hall, Tamaki pulled Haruhi's dainty form closer and bolted into a run. He continued outside, being careful not to slip, where a black limousine pulled up to the main gate just in time. Wrenching open the door, the two bolted inside like a stampede. Haruhi hastily regained her composure and put on her seatbelt, handing his blazer to him.

"I still don't think this is a good idea," she grumbled. "What about my dad?"

Tamaki suddenly turned pale. He said he would take care of everything. But Ranka Fujioka had gotten a bad first impression…what would happen if he said Haruhi was with him?

"Uhm…" Tamaki's face was red. "I know. I'll have the twins call him and tell him that you're at their house."

He sympathetically chuckled. Haruhi's eyelid twitched.

"You moron," she snapped; Tamaki's white form crouched against the door.

I know the first chapter is kind of cheesy, but there you have it! Hope you like it so far – sorry if it was a little long. The story will eventually be a fluffy romance fic, since that seems to be the only kind of fanfics I can write xD