Pumpkin, cinnamon spice, and everything nice.

.~~~.

I ran up to my room and shut the door, my heart pounding. Think, Adeline, think. How had this started? Tamaki had suggested a date. Typical Tamaki. Kyoya had agreed, without hesitation or objection. Definitely not typical Kyoya. That was red flag number one. But fine, whatever. He agreed. Next. I shoved ice cream in his face and he didn't react. He didn't give me the stare of death or even call me a fool or some other eloquent snarky response. Red flag number two. What else? He had picked the restaurant. He already had it in mind, didn't he? Had he planned ahead? Did Madame look like she had been expecting us?

The jacket. The whole catching me thing. He could have let me fall, if he wanted to. And then that kiss, just now. Blaring, loud, mega huge red flag. Too many flags. It was making my head spin. I couldn't get a solid breath in me. Did Kyoya Ootori like me? Me, of all people? I was the definition of derp.

More importantly, did I like him? I thought back to when he smiled at me, and my heart fluttered, my face melting into a smile of its own.

Goddamn.

Was this for real? This was so typical of me. Not even realizing I like a guy until I'm completely head over heels.

Get a grip.

Ok. Ok, this had a logical solution to it, I was sure. So maybe I liked Kyoya. But who wouldn't? He was so…mature? Ok that was the wrong word. God I couldn't think. I liked him and I didn't even know why. He had a nice smile, I'd give him that. And he smelled really good. But I think most of all I found him annoying. Like really annoying. Is that why I was so fond of him? I thought of my mom and dad.

"Bickering is the fondest form of love." My mother would say. They really were always going at it. But they loved each other more than anything. Is that what was happening here? Kyoya and I didn't exactly bicker per say…

I flopped on my bed. This was too much. So, let's say for argument's sake I liked Kyoya. As I thought of his name I thought of that smile. And those eyes that he kept hidden behind glasses. My heart skipped a beat. Yeah. I liked him.

I pulled out my notebook and began to write.

He was like snow. Cold and unyielding, but beautiful. And yet, there was something about the way he smiled at her that made her think that maybe his walls weren't made of solid ice. She was quirky, and not always in the best sense, but she loved him. More than he knew. More than she knew.

"Hello, Kaz." She smiled, taking her seat next to him in class. He nodded at her, hardly a response at all, but the corners of his mouth were tugging upwards, in a discreet smile. She smiled to herself, wondering if he was the only one she did that for.

"I made cupcakes last night, would you like some?"

He looked up from his notebook, dropping his pencil. "What kind?"

"They're pumpkin." She grinned widely.

He cringed. "No thank you."

She rolled her eyes and pulled out a little box of Tupperware. She held out the cupcake to him. "Come on, you never know unless you try."

She didn't think, and extended the cupcake out to his face, but he had already turned back to his notebook, and so the frosting kissed his face in a messy splatter. She stood frozen. Surely, he'd never forgive her for this. But then he did something she wasn't expecting. He burst out laughing, throwing his head back and everything.

"Honestly, Anna, you're so clumsy." He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his face. She blushed crimson red. "It if means that much to you I'll taste the darn cupcake."

She couldn't look at him, her cheeks burning, as she handed him the smooshed cupcake.

He took a bite that could only be described as a "Kaz" sort of bite. Analytical, slow, and it really looked like he was hosting his own debate about the taste in his head.

"W-well?" she asked nervously.

"I love pumpkin." He nodded, "You did a good job."

She half-smiled. "Thanks, I guess."

He took another bite, genuinely enjoying the sweet. "Do you think you could show me?"

Her eyes went wide. "Oh, well, there's lots of recipes online. It's not hard, really-"

"Anna."

She looked up at him, a light blush on her cheeks. "Yes?"

"I want you to teach me."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Oh." She grinned widely at him, flashing him a solid nod. "Yes! Let's do it then. I'll make a baker out of you!"

He chuckled lightheartedly, and she could feel his walls melting. It made her own heart flutter, causing her to smile, and as the bell signaled the beginning of class, she couldn't stop thinking of his laughter.

I smiled to myself, pretty happy with this little drabble. I spent the rest of the weekend adjusting my story and working on the best batch of snickerdoodle cookies I'd ever made.


When I walked into the Host Club that Monday, I was surrounded. At first I thought it was because of the tray of cookies I was holding, but then I realized they were all curious as to how our 'not-so-date-actually-possibly-a-date' went.

"Adeline! Such a beautiful sight for tired eyes!"

I laughed, Tamaki was always so dramatic.

"So, how did the date go?" Kaoru asked.

"Yes was he a gentleman?"

"Or did you wish-"

"You were with us instead?"

I had one twin in front of me and one behind. It was like a weird ginger sandwich.

"Oy, let her breathe." Haruhi tugged at my arm, pulling me out of the bundle.

"Did you have fun?" Honey-sempai said excitedly.

I grinned. "Yeah it was great, wasn't it Kyoya?"

"It was a pleasant day." He said, not looking up from his notes. I couldn't help but smile to myself.

Mori walked over to me, took one of the cookies from the platter I had been holding, and walked away.

"Oh, yes! These are for everyone. They're snickerdoodle cookies." I smiled proudly.

"So thoughtful!" Tamaki put a hand to his forehead, "An angel of generosity!"

I giggled, "You haven't even tasted them yet."

I offered him one, and he took it gladly, scarfing it down in one bite. His eyes shimmered, and he fell to his knees, taking my hand.

"Such an exquisite dessert!" He stood up, lifting my chin with the edge of his fingers, "They're as sweet as I can imagine your lips to be."

I could feel my cheeks warming up. "Tamaki…honestly."

"Ha, these are pretty good! Hikaru, try one!"

Hikaru embraced his brother. "Only if you feed it to me."

Kaoru blushed, "But Hikaru, we're not children anymore…"

"Then let's pretend we are…" he said, cupping his brothers cheek. It made me sort of anxious.

I made my way to Kyoya, who was leaning on one of the columns, still scribbling in the Host Club notebook.

"Want one?" I said, trying to show off my best smile. But my voice sounded unintentionally shaky.

He pushed his glasses up. "Perhaps later."

I bit my lip and nodded, making my way to Haruhi. I was sort of grateful I didn't have to be around him anymore, as he was making my heart pound like crazy. Being this level of nervous was sort of embarrassing.

I spent that afternoon chatting with Haruhi, and explained to her everything that had happened.

"I just hope I get to talk to him." I told her.

She smiled kindly. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to get everyone out of here for you."

My heart flopped. "You're the best."

Once all the guests had gone, Tamaki was going on and on about something or other to Kyoya. Mori, Honey and the twins had been long gone by that point. It was a wonder how Kyoya stood the endless babbling.

"Tamaki! It's clear he's not listening to you. Come on, let's go."

The King glanced at her, confused. "But, but this is important!"

She rolled her eyes, "Come on," she insisted.

"Ok, ok, but I want another cookie-"

"Let's go Tamaki." She grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away. "See you tomorrow Adeline!" she said, throwing me a wave.

"Haruhi! You shouldn't hurt your papa!" The door shut and I giggled.

Being in the same room with Kyoya alone was nerve-wracking. With shaking legs, I got up from my chair and walked over to his desk.

"Did you like the cookies?"

"They were delicious, yes."

Kyoya Ootori likes my cookies. I inwardly squealed.

"I figured Tamaki would hog most of them, so," I reached into my bag, and pulled out a little package, placing it in front of him, "I made you a small batch. They have extra cinnamon." I felt myself blush. "Not too much though! It doesn't overpower it or anything." I cleared my throat, "If you liked them I could make you some more. If you want." I knew my cheeks were only getting darker. He was right. I talked too much.

"If you like." He said.

Dear lord my heart was pounding like crazy. I couldn't help it. I mentally slapped myself. Get a hold of yourself, Adeline.

"I enjoyed Saturday." I said, a sheepish smile on my face.

He nodded and continued typing. He was so dedicated that way. Even so I wish he would look at me. No, maybe not. That'd only make me even more nervous.

"Would you like to do it again sometime?" I suggested hopefully.

He glanced up at me. "I would have thought it was enough inspiration for you."

I smiled, giving him a half laugh."Yes, well," I reached into my bag again, ready to pull out my story for him. "when you kissed me-"

"I was merely bidding you goodbye." I glanced up. He didn't bother to look at me, and his fingers never left the keys.

Everything slowed down. In the worst way. I felt my heart turn to lead, weighing me down like an anchor.

Just. Goodbye.

I was an idiot. A complete and total idiot. I quickly shoved the mess of papers back into my bag. How could I possibly have thought he meant anything else by it? This was Kyoya. And I was of no duchess, I had no value to my name. I was just Adeline. It was like what he said about the girl at the mall. Still just a commoner.

"Oh."

He couldn't have heard it. It was just a breath of a sound. I mean, I'm not even sure if I actually said it or if it had just been in my head. But at that moment he stopped typing and looked up at me. Like really looked at me. And I panicked.

"Oh," I said again, laughing it off, "that's so awkward, oh jeez." I cleared my throat. "Don't worry about it. I'm bad at the whole reading people thing." I laughed some more. I was laughing too much, I knew that, but I couldn't help it. It was the only thing stopping me from crying. Why did I feel like crying over Kyoya Ootori?

"Um, so I'll work on the story, I guess. And you can read it when I finish it. Or not. I don't know. Um if you still want the cookies it's not problem. For me. But don't feel like you have to eat em or anything. You know like no pressure or anything at all. I don't know why you would feel pressured or anything I mean it's whatever, like I said."

Stop talking, Adeline.

I picked up my bag. "So I'll see you tomorrow. Not like that, I just mean I'll be at the club. Maybe. To talk to Haruhi. Or you know whoever. Um."

I couldn't stand it anymore. I ran out of the room. I didn't care that I hadn't finished my sentence or that I hadn't made any sense. That was the longest I had ever seen Kyoya stop typing for someone. All so that he could watch me stutter and crumble like the mess that I was.

Sadistic bastard.

I pushed down the hallway until I felt a tug on my wrist, and before I realized what was happening, I was pushed up against a wall.

"You can't give up on him so easily." Tamaki's voice was serious. His eyes didn't have his usual playfulness.

"W-what?"

"He's under a lot of pressure. Don't give up so easily."

He let me go and made his way back towards the music room.

I was left alone, in the hallway, panting. And before I could stop myself, I was crying. I wiped away my tears, angry at myself.

This is what you get for falling for Kyoya.