It's been a while. Work caught up and I lost some inspiration. Hopefully this will be enough to get me back into the groove of things. Enjoy.

Screws are tightened- Chapter 3

Haruhi found herself in yet another club with the Host club sans Kyouya. This time, the twins were celebrating Honey's birthday and took the great task of organising a birthday party upon themselves. She had initially resisted attending, dreading the thought of meeting Kyouya. Somehow, Karou had won her over, albeit in a very underhanded manner, she thought as she sipped on her long island tea.

"For the last time Kaoru, no. I am already having lunch with Honey-sempai next week to celebrate his birthday. I don't need to celebrate with him again." Haruhi's fingers flew over the keyboard, pounding out the last words to a court submission due the following day. Kaoru sat languidly next to her computer.

"Oh come on Haruhi, you haven't been out in what? 5 years?"

"For the record, the last clubbing event was only 3 months back."

"3 months!" Kaoru gasped. "That's 90 days! TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY HOURS. Doesn't that sound like a lifetime?"

She rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a drama queen. And do remember it did not end too well the last time."

"Kyouya kissed you."

"Yeah, that turned out really well didn't it?" She said sarcastically, although there was an edge of hurt to it. Kaoru must have noticed because his eyes softened.

"Haruhi, I'm sorry it didn't turn out too well. Just forget Kyouya and join us. It will be a fun night! Plus Tono has been dying to see you." She allowed herself a wry smile. Tamaki, in general, had been dying to see more of the host club ever since he got married to Éclair. Not that she was a bad wife, but she was a little strict with Tamaki, which Haruhi thought was not too bad an idea.

She nodded wearily. "Oh! Before I forget. Kyouya said he will be attending." Her eyes widened and before she could protest further, he winked at her and left her office. As though he had never been there in the first place.

She had not heard from Kyouya ever since that last text exchange. Thank goodness her job allowed her little to no time to think and drive herself crazy the way most females would but in those short, blank spaces, there was only Kyouya.

Yep, she was undeniably female, contrary to popular belief. Her phone beeped and she took it out, the sudden glare from the screen blinding her momentarily.

How's the party? Oh, Kasanoda. He had been texting her these few weeks. The texts did not come every day, but were sent at short, blank spaces when she would have been thinking of Kyouya. A lifesaver indeed, although she questioned whether she was using him as a spare tyre. Meh. That thought, however, was a bit too much for Haruhi to handle at the moment, with the long island tea starting to cloud her vision.

She took a quick look at the noisy club and spotted the Host Club hogging the podium, being cheered on by the crowd. Even Mori had gotten into the action and was currently swinging Honey around. Show-offs.

A bit too crazy. As usual. How did you know there was a party going on?

The next text came quickly. She laughed when she saw the screenshot of Tamaki's status update "FEELS GREAT TO NOT HAVE THE WIFE AROUND", posted probably by the twins.

Need me to save you from the party? Her face reddened. She did not know quite know how to respond. Kasanoda was on all counts, a great guy. He was a gentleman despite his scary appearance, cultured, well-read and pretty good-looking. It was just that… she never thought of him in that light.

Why not? She replied and just then, an arm snaked around her waist suddenly and she gave a small yelp, nearly dropping her phone. "What on…Kyouya?" She sniffed. The distinct smell of alcohol was present- someone had been drinking a lot.

"You seem to be pretty busy on your end." He drawled. Haruhi thought she detected some annoyance through the velvety tones. Her heart started to race. The man she had been thinking of all those lonely nights was right next to her, his face so close to hers. "And who may you be texting?"

"None of your business and get your hand off me." She pried herself free from his grasp.

"You didn't say that the last time you were all over me."

"That is low, Kyouya."

"Say my name again."

"Fuck off." Haruhi sputtered and turned to leave. Kyouya grabbed her arm, his eyes narrowed and dark. She shuddered involuntarily and swallowed hard.

"You don't tell me to fuck off. Any guy, but me." And with that, he pulled her towards his body and crushed his lips upon hers. Haruhi resisted, her fists flailing but his grip was firm. The woody smell of his cologne overpowered her and her shoulders sagged. He took that opportune time to slip his tongue into hers, mixing the taste of whiskey with long island tea.

They parted eventually for air.

"You're an asshole." She spat out.

"You seem to have a problem resisting me." He said smoothly. "What do you really want from me, Haruhi?"

"What on earth are you talking about?" She staggered backward, flabbergasted. "You didn't text me after you made out with me, as though I was some floozie!"

"I am not ready for a relationship. What do you want me to do? Text you and say 'Hey that was great let's do it again.'"

Haruhi felt her heart pounding, alongside the music blasting from the speakers. She noticed Kaoru looking in her direction and saw him making his way slowly through the crowd towards her. "If so, then why are you still kissing me?"

"Because I like you. But I can't give you anything more than that."

"Oh for crying out loud Kyouya! There is something called 'responsibility'. If you aren't ready for anything, then don't go around giving people the wrong idea!"

"It was just a kiss! DAMN IT HARUHI. Stop making it so difficult for me! Kisses don't mean anything! Nor do holding hands! I am sorry but that's the way men think and it's time you got round to that. Stop being the fucking, naïve schoolgirl you were back in high school. Grow up." She bristled with anger. So, Kyouya Ootori was nothing more than a normal guy. True, a kiss didn't mean anything. But the fact that he said he liked her but didn't want to do anything about it simply meant…

"You're just so damn insecure. You are worried if you give your heart away, the girl will break it and trample it to pieces. For goodness' sake Kyouya! That's a LAME EXCUSE."

"Hey guys, woah chill man. There are enough daggers glaring around here." Kaoru had reached them by then but it was too late. Kyouya cocked his head to one side, his eyes glinting with anger.

"You're crazy, Haruhi."

"I'll admit it once. I was crazy about you Kyouya Ootori. But not anymore. Screw off." She turned to leave, grabbing her purse. "Kaoru, leave me alone!" She yelled at the twin and stomped off.

Kaoru turned to look at Kyouya, who was downing the rest of Haruhi's untouched tea. "Kyouya, what the FUCK do you think you're doing."

"Delivering the hard truth."

"You're crazy ABOUT HER. You stalk her, you tap her phone lines, you read all her emails. Heck, you care for her more than you admit!" Kyouya spat into his tea. Damn Fuyumi, he knew his sister was one to go around talking about her younger brother's seeming inability to commit.

"Okay, you know what? If you don't give a shit about her, it's fine. Someone else would. And that someone is called Kasanoda. He's on his way over now, FYI. He text me to ask where she is." Before Kaoru could react, Kyouya was out of his seat.

He smirked. Things were about to get interesting, but first, he had to save the rest of the Host Club from the podium.


Kyouya was furious. No girl had ever insulted him to his face, nor told him to fuck off. They all begged him to fuck them instead! Fuck off! Was she insane? She should be grateful he had even BOTHERED to stalk her.

But he just could not comprehend why the way she responded to his kisses was so intoxicating. He needed more of it, to the point he wanted it only for himself. And that lay the inherent contradiction- Kyouya Ootori did not just fall for ONE woman like that. He had gotten himself drunk before entering the club so that he would hopefully be wasted enough to not do anything.

Instead, he saw her at the bar looking bored, alone and oh-so vulnerable. So, he took his chances.

And look where that landed him. A half-ass confession, a gut-spilling admittance to his commitment-phobic ways, and an outright reprimand from the only female he truly cared for. Oh screw this shit, Kyouya Ootori did not do soap operas.

He stumbled slightly backwards as the chilly autumn wind slapped his face at the entrance of the club. He squinted, looking for a sign of the auburn-haired woman who had caused him much grief. In the distance, he saw her and wait, was that a red Ferrari pulling up alongside her?

The driver of the Ferrari jumped out and hurried towards her. A cold, tight fist clamped over Kyouya's (supposedly) non-existent heart as he saw the driver place an arm around Haruhi's shoulders, ushering her into the car. She bent and slid into the passenger seat.

The driver closed the door and turned to walk over to his seat. Kyouya tried to step back into the shadows of the club but it was too late. The damned red-haired one had spotted him. His hands fisted as Ritsu Kasanoda smiled, and flashed a small V-sign at him.


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