It was right around midnight when the unmistakable snores coming from the guys indicated that they would all be spending the night. Kyoya appeared from what Haruhi could only assume was the bedroom with three blankets, and the two set upon covering the sleeping lumberjacks.
Pressing a finger to his lips, Kyoya took Haruhi by the hand and headed for the back door. Once on the back porch of the house, Haruhi let out a slight gasp. The stars blanketing the pitch black sea glittered like tiny diamonds laid with tender care across a velvet surface. Pausing for a moment, Kyoya smiled tenderly at the woman, his face hidden in the dark, before tugging her hand gently and continuing down the stair to the beach.
They walked a short distance away from the building before he let go of her hand. They casually strolled along side by side, neither wishing to break the spell cast upon them at that moment. Secretly wishing that he would take her hand again, Haruhi swung the offending limb before him pointing out to the sea. "I don't think I've ever seen it look like this," she whispered, taking the risk of breaking the silence.
Kyoya resisted the urge to reach out and pull her into a tight embrace. Instead, he took a step closer to her, turning his head towards the water and taking in the sight that, until recently, held no merit for him. Haruhi watched as, behind his glasses, his eyes grew wider at the sight. She knew as she watched them soften in appreciation that it was something that he had never paid much attention to.
How did I resist this man all of those years in high school, she reflected as she watched him. Even now, she wasn't sure where she stood with him, but oh, was she willing to find out. The scene from the beach house so many years ago flittered through her mind unbidden, his words once again ringing through her ears. "If you want, you can pay with your body." Haruhi took in a slow deep breath, thankful at the moment that they were shrouded in darkness. She hated the idea of him asking why she was blushing suddenly.
Kyoya, hearing her breathe, turned his head back towards her. "Are you okay, Haruhi?" He reached his hand out to her and she placed hers in his, stepping up beside him. A comfortable silence fell between them once more as they stood, staring out to sea, each lost in their own thoughts.
It was some time later when Hikaru woke up to Mitsukuni and Takashi pondering the back door. "What's going on," he asked the two groggily. Never turning his gaze away, Mitsukuni responded. "Haruhi and Kyoya have been out there for a long time." Hikaru came to his senses quickly, a worried look in his eyes as he glanced back and forth between the door and each of his friends. Takashi met his eyes briefly before turning his gaze back to the entryway. "They're fine," he stated in his quiet way. Mitsukuni turned back towards his friends and smiled. "I'm happy they're finally seeing it," he chirped.
"Seeing what," Hikaru questioned, still not quite understanding their current situation.
"Didn't you know, Hikaru? They've been in love with each other since we first met her."
After a time, the couple had gotten tired of standing and decided to sit down in the sand together. They passed their time quietly, neither saying a word aloud. As more time passed, Haruhi began to relax into Kyoya's side. Feeling his heart begin to pick up its tempo, he gently placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Are you ready to go back, Haruhi," he asked, unable to keep the longing from his voice.
Haruhi felt her lips twitch upwards. "No, let's just stay here." She nuzzled under his chin, closing her eyes as she breathed in the scent of him. She could hear his rapid heartbeat and felt her own pick up in response. If he noticed, he never said a word. They remained like that, watching the sun rise over the vast expanse before getting up to rejoin their companions.
Neither Kyoya nor Haruhi could have expected what happened as she walked through the door he held for her. She hadn't made it more than a step inside the house when she was wrapped in a tight squeeze and spun around in circles. "Haruhi," shouted Mitsukuni as he stopped his rotations. "Are you okay?"
"We were worried about you when we woke up and you and Kyoya were gone," piped up Hikaru from the table, a slight agitation tinging his voice. He covertly eyed Kyoya over the brim of his coffee mug as he proceeded to take a drink. Takashi walked out from the kitchen at that moment carrying a platter of food, nodding to the two missing persons as he set it down on the table. Mitsukuni put Haruhi down and rushed towards the table, grabbing a stack of pancakes from the platter and smothering them in syrup and whipped cream.
Haruhi shook her head. "I'm fine, just a bit sandy," she told to boys as she dusted the small bits of earth from her hair. She and Kyoya had wound up falling asleep on the beach just after sunrise. She awoke to a weight across her chest before realizing that Kyoya was spooning her from behind and letting her use his arm as a pillow. A brief blush crossed her cheeks at the memory. "I'm going to go wash up," she announced, turning slightly to look back at Kyoya. He was slightly pink himself. "I'll make us some coffee," he replied, retreating to the kitchen.
The others looked back and forth between the doors, each of them reaching their own conclusions. Takashi laid a hand on Hikaru's forearm before the younger man could get out of his seat and shook his head in warning. Kyoya had never taken the Hitachiin brothers well when they interfered with his plans.
Takashi stood and walked towards the kitchen, leaving Hikaru and Mitsukuni at the table by themselves. The two watched as he walked into the kitchen after their friend. Hikaru glanced at the bathroom door before turning back to the blonde. "Do you think anything happened?"
"I don't know, but I've got a feeling it's going to be an interesting day," Mitsukuni replied before shoving the next bite of sugar laden pancake into his mouth.
Takashi walked up to the counter opposite of where the other man stood, reaching up to grab two more plates. "I suppose you're wondering if something happened," Kyoya sighed as he poured coffee for Haruhi and himself. Turning to look at the taller man, Kyoya smiled faintly, a light blush still staining his cheeks. Takashi caught his eye before picking up the plates. He laid a hand on the shorter man's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "You're both safe. That's what matters," he said before heading back out to the dining area.
After breakfast, the five of them began to discuss their plans for the day.
Haruhi – "I've got to get back to the hotel. Dad's got this big idea that he's going to dress me up before the event tonight.
Hikaru – "Yeah, I've got to go to my parents house. I promised mom that I'd bake something for her."
Mitsukuni – "Takashi and I have to head to the dojo. We've got a couple of classes before tonight."
Takashi – "Your parents house is on the way. Want us to drop you off?"
Hikaru nodded, taking another drink of his coffee. "That would be great. The sooner I get there, the more time I have to make something good."
Kyoya looked at the other three men, his brain very quickly catching onto their ploy, before turning his gaze to Haruhi. "I've got nothing major going on," he mused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Shall I take you back, Haruhi?" Haruhi smiled, feeling her heartbeat quicken at the thought. "T-That would be wonderful, Kyoya. Thank you."
Mitsukuni and Hikaru shared a secret smile and stood. As they reached the vehicles, Hikaru pulled Haruhi to the side. "Mom's going to be by later to help with your hair and makeup, so try to get some rest before then." Haruhi smiled and shook her head. "Dad's been at it again, I see," she chuckled. After hugs and handshakes were exchanged, and each of the guys made her promise them a dance that night, the two cars loaded up and went their separate ways.