Disclaimer I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club or its characters/places/etc., Bisco Hatori does.
Author's Note: I apologize in advance if there are any mistakes with wordings, spelling, grammar and punctuations or if the flow and plot are unsatisfactory! I'm very extremely new at this writing thing. :)
Please, feel free to read and review! Constructive criticism is incredibly welcomed, I'm all for comments that will help me improve! (Please refrain from being blatantly rude...I'm a sensitive soul)
Chapter 4:
Night passed without incident, though Haruhi was confused at her divine yet night-like surroundings. It was like her head was resting on a cloud, both warm and cool to the skin of her cheek, caressing her flesh with satiny luxury. She drew the velveteen coverlet further upon her shoulders to absorb what ever was left of the pleasant dream she was still trapped in between unconsciousness and the waking world.
Surely, she wasn't really this cozy laying in her own bed or anywhere else in her apartment. She burrowed her head deeper into the pillows breathing in deep in preparation for a contented sigh. Musk, herbs and spice filled her senses, intoxicatingly familiar though not the scent of her own home. Her heart thumped quickly in her chest and she felt the heat spread across her cheeks as the happenings of the night before came rushing through clearly. A sharp gasp sounded from her and she shot straight to a sit on the bed, fabric falling to pool in her lap.
Willing her heart to stop beating so hard and her nerves to calm, she sat silent in the massive bed. She pulled up her legs to sit cross-legged, noting with embarrassment, that she was still wearing her uniform shoes. Pulling them from her from her socked feet and letting them fall gently from her hand's lowest stance from the edge.
She sat in silence allowing her eyes to adjust to the tenebrosity of the room. It was an oddly calming experience being separated from sight, enveloped in luxurious fabrics and scents that lulled the mind into a delicious fog. So, is this what meditation is like?
A soft sputter sounded from somewhere in the distance before her snapping her from her serene trance. It was very quick, returning to a deep even frequency within a few seconds but just long enough to preoccupy her.
She disentangled her limbs from the fabric and stepped out of the bed on light feet. Having let her eyes adjust, she could make out the outlines of the Victorian furniture surrounding her and a candelabra in the stretch across the wood floor settled grandly upon a ledge of what looked to be a desk piled with trinkets, pedestals and idols.
She reached the setup, fingering the match book beside the metallic base of her light source. With a small crack and hiss the small flame burned fiercely at the end of the little stalk. The spark dancing frantically with her movements, dropping its luminosity to bloom on the tips of three white tapered candles. Haruhi waved the tiny stick in front of her until the flame extinguished and set it in a dish she noted with other defunct matches.
Wrapping her delicate fingers around the cool metal, she tip-toed across the wood to the origin of the measured hum. A small smile spread across her features as she took in the sight. Head cushioned on the arm of a plush leather couch Nekozawa was curled on his side wrapped a cocoon of black. His face was relaxed with the smallest hint of a smile, long lashes splayed against creamy alabaster that glowed gold in the candle light. One hand tucked beneath his cheek seemed to have mussed his wig during the night and it laid adorably haphazard against his temple, long pale amber tresses curving the line of his cheeks. He was quite the sight.
A small sigh escaped his aristocratically plump lips and Haruhi felt her stomach do a fluttering turn. The flush returned to her cheeks and she diverted her eyes and busied herself setting down the light on the squat rounded side-table to the side of the sofa.
Her eyes stole another glance at the man on his couch. A teen that struck fear into most of their high school population was nestled in the cushions of his couch looking the most innocent she'd ever seen, aside from Hani-senpai. It was a baffling vision, then again, nothing about this boy was purely black and white. He was pitch-black with a heart of gold, loveless with overflowing affection for those he was close, cultured and occultist. He was a human contradiction and it was amazing to ponder.
She caught herself staring and was unfortunately not the only one. Drowsy eyes peered back at her with a lustrous blue, dazed with traces of a lazy smile washed over his features.
"Good morning." He purred with a thick sleep-filled rumble, running a hand over his head, he removed the messy wig and sat upright laying it on the arm of the furniture.
"Uh, um... Good morning, Senpai." She struggled to string together an intelligible sentence, still embarrassed to have been caught staring at his sleeping form like a peeper. Her cheeks burned as her eyes darted everywhere in order to not land on the boy in front of her. "I'm sorry to have put you out. I didn't mean to fall asleep."
She dared a small peek at him before bowing apologetically, his head tilted sideways and his eyes narrowed in confusion.
"I .. uh...can show myself out." She stood straight to look for her things, a soft warm hand grasped at a couple of her fingers, startling her.
"Nonsense, I didn't mind. Besides, it's the weekend and we haven't had breakfast yet." He flashed her a glowing smile that made standing a difficult feat. "...and you make the most charming noises in your sleep! Almost like you're channeling your animal familiar."
He chuckled lightly at the mortification that grew in scarlet trails across her cheeks and down her slender neck.
"I do not!" She declared with fake indignance and he threw his hands up in mock resignation.
"Just kidding!" He wasn't kidding. Her little snores and snorts would be the things he'd think about when he would need to lighten his mood. Though, she didn't need to know that.
"Oh!" He added, stepping across the room, cloak dragging along behind him. "I've got some things you can wear while we get your things cleaned and pressed."
He grabbed two outfits and with the slightest pause, boxer shorts for each. Coming back to the girl suspiciously pink and avoiding eye-contact. She took the clothes he offered, fighting an amused grin at his discomfort, and bowed to hide the tiniest smirk that formed.
"Thank you, Senpai."
~O~O~
Somehow throughout the course of the morning, Haruhi found herself being held up like a prisoner. Gripping the nineteenth volume of a particularly questionable manga between numb and throbbing fingers, she sat with legs folded in the center of a brightly lit pink and lilac playroom filled with over-sized stuffed animals and a very large very fuzzy white rug. Lovely bundle of blue eyes, flaxen pigtails and squealing cuteness she was, Kirimi was a relentless critic when it came to the voices of her beloved manga heroines. Having had to read entire episodes over multiple times until it met the preschooler's exact expectations had been a daunting task. The chocolate-eyed brunette's only saving grace was the apologetic eyes and gifts of precious liquid to soothe her aching throat by her enthralled senpai.
At least she hadn't been asked to act anything out... Yet. She wasn't about to put it past the girl. Though, as tiring as reading to the miniature slave-driver was, it was... fulfilling. Seeing the beaming face and sparkling blue eyes of the little girl when Haruhi got a scene right filled her with a sense of pride. Not one that she would boast about to anyone, but it felt good to make the tot happy.
That didn't stop her from wanting to hug Kuretake when the dramatic maid came in declaring that the 'Little princess must take mid-day rest! One day your prince will come to take you away and you will have absorbed the beauty of dreams in your sleep!'
Kirimi skipped out of the room giggling hand in hand with the maid, and Haruhi could only stare at the doorway breathing out a sigh of relief. How Kuretake could handle the little girl and her part of the housework while still maintaining that much energy was mind boggling.
Piceous material and an outstretched hand reeled her back to attention. Setting the book on the pile of others to her left, she took it hauling herself up to stand on sleeping legs.
"Ah, crap!" Legs like tingling useless jelly, she stumbled forward into the surprisingly strong arms of Nekozawa. Steady, despite the blatant display of clutz, he didn't move an inch.
"Are you okay?" The question was a half-laugh filled with a knowing that made her return the sentiment with a few small chuckles of her own.
"I take it you've done this before?" Haruhi looked up with a smile on her face straight under the folds of his hood. Shadowy crystal azure met her widening gaze as she realized just how close she was. Somewhat reluctantly, she straightened hoping her legs had gained some feeling.
"Yeah. But instead of just numb legs, I tripped on this," He grabbed and shook a section of the ebony cloth, "and fell on my face. More than once. Bereznoff wouldn't quit cackling at me." Sure enough, the felted aforementioned sat trembling, doubling over and shaking an amused stump with the relayed memory.
She quirked a brow at this but let it be. Haruhi was just glad at that point to not have had the same fate. As comfortable as his clothes were, they were a bit big for her. Soft blue cotton hung from her loosely, sleeves drooping to her forearms and the hem hitting the middle of her thigh covered in black slacks that weren't any better in fit. Having had to cuff the bottoms a few times (understatement) and tie the top off with a belt, she was glad to have hips that no one else seemed to notice. It was the only hope those pants had of staying up. With those revelations, she also noted to never wear boxers under pants again.
Deciding to humor him a bit, Haruhi turned to the puppet with a glare.
"That's not very nice, Bereznoff." Relaxing her face a bit she grinned at the feline-like companion and patted it on the head area with a wink. "You're too cute to be so mean."
'You hear her, Umehito? She thinks I'm cute. Maybe I have a better chance than you.' The jovial entertained prompting echoed in his brain.
"Shh, you!" Nekozawa snipped, evoking an owlish probing stare. "Uh... Sorry, not you."
"Right." She blinked a couple more times for good measure. "So, what did he say?"
"In short, he likes you." It was true enough. He'd never really heard any different from it.
"Oh." Flat, she had to think about what to really say. It wasn't every day an appealing foreigner with aversion to light and an affinity for cat-deities and comfortable cloaks tells you that his puppet likes you. It was obvious that this is real for him, what harm could there be to humor him a little. She threw on her brightest smile looking to both Bereznoff and Nekozawa. "Well, I like him too."
'Somehow, I have a feeling she's trying to tell you something.'
"I had hoped." Distracted and breathy, it was an answer for both of them. He cleared his throat and willed away the heat forming in his cheeks. "If you're not too exhausted with books, I was wondering if you'd like to browse the library and maybe share some tea?"
"Actually, I should probably get going. I feel like I've over-stayed my welcome as it is." Her mouth twitched downward wanting to frown but she fought it away. "I thank you for your generous hospitality, Nekozawa-senpai." She gave a quick little bow.
"Haruhi?" She cocked her head in question.
"Do you want to leave? Because personally, I rather enjoy your company. But, I wont ask you to stay if you do not wish to be here." It was gravelly and low, serious.
He prayed it got his point across, he liked being around her. But he would never force her into staying. He wouldn't be selfish like the company she was used to keeping. She was not an object, she was not a child. She was a woman capable of making her own decisions and right now, all he could do was hope that she would choose to be in his company.
She was taken back by his sincerity, speechless. In all time she spent with Nekozawa recently, she hadn't felt lonely or empty. He had catered to her every need, whether oblivious or not he was, she was thankful. But such generosity deserved a payment that she had no idea how to pay. She was a commoner, orphan, debtor student paying back the Host club and only granted scholarship for her hard work. Nothing in life came free, including the incredible kindness she had received. She wasn't worthy. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to sort her thoughts.
Deciding quickly before her emotions overruled her logic, face set in doleful determination, she wrung her hands.
"I have to leave." She replied weakly. Nekozawa nodded his understanding, not really comprehending.
"Very well." The atmosphere grew thick. The two stood longing for more words, unwilling to move, not wanting to proceed. Too heavy to part on. "Just know, my offer stands and I am here for you. You are welcome in my home at any time."
She wanted to smile, to laugh, to accept his words. But something inside of her couldn't. Wouldn't. It was unthinkable. Her own father left her at the drop of a hat. Her own friends, concerned only with themselves, never bothered to notice her in any of the way that were important. Did she deserve his welcome, his companionship? Eyes burning with tears she was not willing to shed, she shook her head looking at him through his layers of cloth and wig.
"You've already done too much."
Heavy cold pitted in her stomach, freeazing her to the core. She couldn't breathe past the guilt building as a lump in her throat.
"I will return your things to you at school... Thanks." Her voice broke as she passed him to collect her things. Watching her leave, his heart cleanched in his chest and his stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot. What do I do?
~O~O~
Haruhi had politely refused a ride home in attempt to reign in her thoughts. It was a long trek, but the burn in her legs helped her to focus on more than self-deprecation. When she trudged up the noisy steps and stopped in front of her door, she was glad to be home. If anything, to be able to finally sit.
Pulling her key and fiddling with the lock, she found it met no resistance. Her door was already unlocked. Heeding caution and anticipating faux pas, she stepped inside.
"HARUHI!" Six voices booming in unison sent the startled girl to the floor clutching her chest.
"Wha-" Haruhi started, wide-eyed and panting from the unexpected fright. But she was cut off from the jumbled voices.
"YOU WEREN'T HERE THIS MORNING! WHERE DID YOU GO?!"
"We were worried."
"Yeah! Where were you? And-"
"What are you wearing?"
"I was so scared!"
"Hn."
"Haruhi,... How are you?" The crowded questions and statements left her head spinning, but one voice, curiously devoid of it's usual cold nature, brought her to a screeching hault. Ohtori Kyoya, asking of her well-being. She pinched herself and paled.
"I'm fine. What are you guys doing in my apartment?" She asked in an ominous timbre. Astonishment aside, the fury grew. Not only had they come into her home without her permission, they were grilling her on her whereabouts as if they had the right.
"We just wanted to check on you Haru-chan!" Bright brown eyes welling with upset willed her to calm. She wasn't going to listen.
"I'm fine. Why are you all inside my home." Her face twisted to an enraged glower, emphasizing each word slowly behind gritted teeth.
"I have a spare key." Kyoya dangled the object dully from his pointed index.
"Please. Leave. Now." It was not a request but a demand. What right do they think they have? They aren't my parents. They haven't felt the need to 'check up' on me before, and I'll be damned if I'm going to be dragged anywhere today. I need to be alone. They need to get out. NOW.
"But-" She shoved her flat palm to stop any commentary. It was the last thing she wanted to hear. They were invading her privacy, they had no authority to speak in her home. Rich bastards in line to direct future companies or not. This was her sanctuary and they were tainting it.
"Leave the key, Senpai." She watched them file out with slitted eyes, fuming silently. When she shut the door behind them, she made a few steps deeper into the room away from the empty entryway sliding down to the matted floor and allowing the frustration, isolation and dejection wash over her crumpled shaking form.
She did it. She accomplished removing the hosts from her home, exactly what she wanted. Looking up, she saw the metal object sitting on her small table. Her sobs were muffled by trembling hands.
Too late.
The hollow ache in her chest grew unbearable as she allowed the tears to spill.
They were far too late.
~O~O~
"BIG BROTHER~~!" Newly rejuvenated giggles sounded with the running clacks of tiny feet. Kirimi reached her brother's room and came to an abrupt hault, her own little cloak licking at her bare ankles. "Where's pretty nerd girl?"
Nekozawa let out an exaggerated sigh that threatened the flames of his candles, throwing one arm over the side of the furniture and covering his face with the other.
"-shrrrfffee rrreeffftttt-" The melodramatic garble stimulated the shoujo-saturated toddler's interest. Letting her blonde head fall to the side, she regarded her big brother with her large sparkling eyes before launching across herself across the room and onto his chest in an astounding and asphyxiating blink of an eye.
Coughing and sputtering, he managed to move her pudgy body so that he could breathe.
"Now, what did you say, Big Brother?" The little girl's small shrieks and squeals of amusement brought a small smile to his gloomy face.
"I said: She left." He let out another sigh, then looked down at the tiny tot on his chest with brows furrowed and lips pursed in confusion. "Wait... How did you know she's a girl?"
Her little jaw dropped and her eyes opened wider than before followed immediately by a devilishly wide grin and throaty childish chuckle.
"Isn't it obvious? You're a dummy." A sticky little palm tapped him in the forehead. He sighed again.
"You're sad, huh?" Kirimi's lips pouted adorably causing him to give her a half-hearted smile with softened eyes.
"Just a little. It makes Big Brother sad to see Haruhi sad." The little girl perked. With her straightened posture, the candlelight flickered beautifully in her crystal-like eyes, glazed over in a dream-like repose. He could swear he could see hearts but shook the thought off. Trick of the light, I suppose.
"I like her." She balled her chubby fist under her chin, slanting her little pout in a precious rendition of a 'serious thinking pose.' Suddenly she poked the adoring boy on the nose. "Go make her happy."
Nekozawa opened and closed his mouth, speechless at her simple solution, while she wriggled her way down to the floor, kissed his cheek and giggled her parting.
"I'm going to Papa's! Bye-bye, Big Brother!"