"Don't" – Jewel

Chapter 7: Knowing Too Well

After the Host Club meeting had ended, Haruhi came home to a sight that nearly made her run in the opposite direction, had she not been such a steadfast young woman.

Ootori Kyouya was sleeping in her living room. With his head resting on a pink, frilly pillow that she instantly recognized as one from her father's bed, he looked positively cute. Nothing like the sharp, cold accountant he so often embodied.

However, her awe at this picturesque layout faded as she noticed some disturbing details. Kyouya's jacket was off, and although the white dress shirt was still in place, it was un-tucked and askew in a way of which Haruhi knew Kyouya wouldn't approve. Plus, his hair was positively disheveled.

It didn't help that Ranka was sitting nearby.

Ranka. Kyouya. Alone in the apartment. Together. After what the twins had supposed earlier – though they were certainly joking – she couldn't help but feel disturbingly curious.

She didn't have much time to consider the awkward situation, though, as Ranka launched her into a squeeze that nearly squished her small frame.

"Haruhi-chan!" he cooed, displaying his characteristic smile, "Welcome home! I made you a grocery list." He proudly shoved a piece of paper in her face. She took it from his hands, giving the items on it a cursory glance before shoving it into her pocket. "Kyouya-kun's staying for dinner, okay?"

The way he cocked his head to the side in the most adorable way a father could possibly manage prevented Haruhi from saying no even if she wanted to. True, this wasn't going to be the most comfortable of circumstances – especially if they had to wake Kyouya up – but she had some desperate questions for him. As a result, Haruhi nodded in acceptance. She turned to leave again, this time to get the supplies for said dinner.

"I'll be back soon," she said, and Ranka waved her off. Once the door closed behind her, she breathed a deep sigh. She had the terrible feeling that this was going to be one long evening.

Especially if they had to wake up Kyouya. She had heard the tales of horror from Tamaki several times over. In fact, whenever she was alone with Tamaki, that was all he ever talked about – Kyouya. (She was sure that she knew now far more about Kyouya than he realized, and perhaps even more about the Shadow King than she knew about Tamaki himself.) That and how cute she looked, which was such a superficial compliment that she simply brushed it aside to pay attention to the more important things he said. The more genuine things he said.

At times it seemed like nothing was more genuine than the smile on Tamaki's face when he said the name Kyouya. Except today, when what accompanied the name was not a smile, but a frown, since Tamaki knew that his best friend wasn't feeling well, but wouldn't tell him about it.

Haruhi was both also worried about Kyouya's health and wary of how this would effect a change in behavior. She sighed, trying to concentrate on grocery shopping. This was done quickly and easily, and so she returned to her house in good time.

Unfortunately, Kyouya was still asleep when she got there. Ranka welcomed her home and then turned back to Kotoko's shrine. His expression carried such a unique seriousness that it brought Haruhi to wonder what her father was saying to her late mother in that strange mind of his. Shrugging the concern off, she turned to the task at hand. Even though Kyouya's sleeping form was facing the other direction, she couldn't help but feel dark eyes pouring into her back as she fixed dinner, watching her every move with that precise, calculating stare of his.

Luckily – or unluckily, depending on the point of view – just as Haruhi placed the finished meal on the table, ready to serve, a rustling was heard from behind her. Both she and her father turned to see Kyouya opening his eyes. He blinked twice, assessing the situation.

"Haruhi…?" he said, as his first sight was the girl herself. She mentally noted how his tone hinted at surprise and slight confusion, as he didn't expect her to be there. But this was her house…

"Awake just in time, Kyouya-senpai," she responded, smiling warmly in an attempt to disperse any anger he held in this just-woken state. She sat down at one end of the table. "Dinner's ready."

Slowly, Kyouya sat up. He tossed a sidelong glance at Ranka, but the man was too busy savoring the apparently tasty meal that Haruhi made to notice. Mentally shrugging, he lifted himself over to the table. He might as well enjoy the food.

"Thank you, Haruhi," he said politely. "I appreciate the meal."

Haruhi nodded. "You're welcome."

It wasn't until minutes later, after she was sure that Kyouya was fully awake, that she decided to question him about his stay.

"So what brings you to my house, Kyouya-senpai, if I might ask?" she inquired in as innocent a tone as she could muster. He didn't even bother to look up from stirring his noodles around in the bowl to answer.

"Business," he explained casually. "Ranka has been especially concerned over your host club activities ever since your gender was revealed."

Haruhi began to nod in understanding, but then stopped mid-bob. "Ranka"? What happened to the "-san"?

It is to be noted that Kyouya noticed this neglectful absence as well, after the words left his mouth, but remained calm as always. His facial expression revealed no change.

"Yes, Haruhi-chan, Kyouya's being very helpful!"—Now "Kyouya"? What happened to the "-kun"?, she thought, distressed.—"You still never talk to me about school, and your chest has grown bigger, so that it must be harder for you to hide it under your uniform now—"

"Dad!" Haruhi interrupted sternly, embarrassed for good reason. "Not in front of Kyouya-senpai!"

Ranka grinned, jumping up at giving his daughter a loving squeeze from across the table. "Aww, Haruhi-chan, your angry face is so cute!"

Meanwhile, the guest expressed his amusement with a 'Heh'. Secretly, he was relieved that his appearing in the middle of Haruhi's living space when she came home had not caused too much of a scene. But then again, Haruhi was like that – calm and rational when approaching problems.

Now Tamaki…he would have reacted with such wild shock, overdramatically imagining everything possible that could have brought Kyouya into such a state.

But that was what made Tamaki so loveable. Yes, Kyouya had already come to this conclusion – Tamaki would be exactly like Ranka 20 years from now.

But wait—but wait—what that did imply! Was that why Kyouya wanted to be with Ranka so much? Because he reminded him of Tamaki?

But that couldn't be it. Tamaki didn't give him loving hugs, didn't caress his skin with soft hands. And he certainly didn't give him…fervent...kisses…—Stop. Breathe.

But that was exactly the problem, wasn't it? That Tamaki didn't give him the things he wanted, needed, that Kyouya so desired from Tamaki? Ranka gave him these things, sharing his love. As selfish as Kyouya admitted himself to be, he hated to think of Ranka as a substitute.

No. Ranka certainly did mean a lot to Kyouya. But maybe not in that way.