RANSOM

They were never one for emotional outbursts—not even during their courting days (to come to think of it, that phase of their lives might just possibly be the most—well, not exactly embarrassing, but certainly unsettling.) But even then it was as if one could see through the other's mask, and no unnecessary emotion need to show itself.

But then there are certain times in life—and everyone is bound to get to that point—when other people take you by surprise—such as when a stranger calls you on the telephone concerning 'someone you care about'—and you find yourself unleashing all emotions that are cramped in meticulous compartments—not unlike Kyouya's current state.

'She's asleep in the bedroom, sir,' replied the maid hushedly.

'ARE YOU SURE.' Only Kyouya can state a question, and he did just that into his phone.

'Yes, sir!'

'IS..Is she breathing.'

'Well, I—'

'WELL??'

'I-I'll check at once!'

Not good at all. She could have been poisoned! Thought after horrid thought ran through his mind in fanatical overdrive.

'Are we—' he started, but realized that he had already arrived in his estate, and the rather chubby chauffeur was out of breath from rushing to open Kyouya's door for him. Upon registering this, the dignified Kyouya ran. Yes, ran like mad with his tie askew, leather shoes creased, and knuckles white with gripping the phone to his ear.

'Master Kyouya!' cried the maid in surprise; she had never seen so many creases in his face. 'Wh-what happened?'

'H-HOW IS SHE!' he yelled into his handset.

'Please, not so loud, sir. She's peacefully, sleepi—breathing! Yes!—in the room.'

Still not convinced, he curtly (and dazedly) disconnected the call and left the maid puzzled in the hallway.

He hastily swung the bedroom door open, and after a particularly thudding heartbeat later, saw Haruhi (peacefully, indeed) among the pillows and sheets.

She looked fine. In fact, the sun did well to particularly shine down on her like that.

Beautiful. Golden.

He went near and felt her pulse—a steady beat. Her forehead was a little warm, but then that would be the sun's doing. Her complexion glowed. She was...fine? Then what was that call all about?

'Kyouya?' Haruhi croaked. He did not realize that he was fidgeting with her fingers.

'You're home early.' She said with a smile.

How lovely she looked, that he really could not help himself from kissing her then and there (even though he usually would prefer for her to first brush her teeth.) And after that, he just lay there on top of her, exhausted from all the worrying, content.

'If only I can always wake up to that,' Haruhi sighed happily.

'Hm?' Kyouya wasn't really listening, he was just relieved that the woman he loved was there, safe, and her voice floated softly about his head.

Suddenly, a sense of urgency consumed him once again. She was just so…calm, carefree, anything could happen and she wouldn't even know!

'Haruhi, did anything out of the ordinary happen today?'

Pause.

'Um, well,' she thought for a long while. 'Nothing.' A bit tight-lipped she suddenly was.

Kyouya shifted a bit until he was looking directly at her eyes. Her entrancing…

'Are you hiding something? What happened?'

'N-nothing. I…well…'

'Haruhi, this is important.'

'I…' She gave him a pout. 'I did the laundry.' This she said quickly, reddening after.

He didn't know what to say, really.

'I haven't been doing it ever since you told me not to! I promise, but today was exceptionally dull. I—'

She took one look at his gaping face, and all she could do was confusedly apologize.

But really, Kyouya's thoughts were along the lines of Haruhi being a professional laundry-woman (well, he'll make it a profession if she wanted!) and still he wouldn't care, as long as she's by his side.

'Wh-what was so important about that?' she asked meekly after a while.

He buried his head in the crook of her neck.

'A few moments ago a man called my office saying that if I refuse to honor a certain request, a person I…a person I cared for would be hurt.' He could feel her face heat up.

'Quite unsettling, really,' he finished lamely. If he told her what he'd really been through, she would probably reproach him for acting like a silly woman.

After a while Haruhi realized that he had already fallen asleep.

A/N: Marvel at my late update! Sorry, exams were popping up everywhere, see. Please be kind and review! Constructive criticism will be much appreciated.