Disclaimer: All rights reserved by Bones. I'm just borrowing the wonderful ideas for an adaptation. Besides I'm not making money from this!
Author's Note: Personally, I'm not very happy about the outcome of this story. Nevertheless, I will face it like Haruhi would, in the face.
Haruhi waited till she could no longer hear her fathers' curses and creaked the door open. Ranka was no longer mad but he was sulking in the kitchen. Pulling the mini fruit knife out, Haruhi took a chance and dragged a very sheepish Tamaki in.
"Ranka-san…" Tamaki started a tentative little step towards the okama as Haruhi dug out a first-aid kit. Ranka refused to acknowledge Tamaki's presence - back turned against him, face grim. Yet, upon seeing his daughter, his features softened.
Softly, without malice, Haruhi ticked her father off and rubbed some medicinal cream on his little bruises. Tamaki watched this gentle Haruhi, feeling a lump rise in his throat. He felt tingly all over. It's this feeling all over again, the same one he had at the beach, when he rescued her from the band of thugs – an overwhelming realisation.
This was Haruhi's true form - soft, gentle, kind, the girl of tenderness and love. Unknowingly, she brought out the goodness of people, even the worst of the lot (think Kasanoda-kun!) It made Tamaki impulsive. Everything about this commoner girl made him want to be irrational. He knew he was flaky and insensitive at times, but he also knew that there were rules to be followed, lines to be drawn. Tamaki was not one to cross those lines, invade others' private comfort zone and burden them with himself. Yet Haruhi seemed to bring out this spontaneous protective feeling every time they were together. Even in a crowd, Tamaki was sure he could pick her out in a jiffy. She shone with this pure unassuming character of hers that he found irresistible.
'Perhaps, one day, my turn will come,' Tamaki swore that he would shield her from every storm. Come rain and shine, he won't let her smile fade away.
And at once, Tamaki knew what he had to do. Kneeling on the tatami with his head bowed low, he apologized. Haruhi smiled but the okama pretended not to hear, turned and walked away. Just as he was about to pass Tamaki, he stopped in mid-step.
"What are you waiting for Tamaki-kun?" Ranka drawled, tilting Tamaki's head up to return his steely gaze. Ranka had to admit he was impressed. The blonde stared back, not with defiance or finality, those violet eyes brimmed with genuine tenderness, and perhaps, a little something more. Ranka felt something in him stir.
Tamaki wasn't sure if he saw it because it happened so fast, but he could have sworn he saw the okama smirk. But Ranka wasn't going to let him off so easily.
"Clean up the mess and bring the garbage out!"
Immediately, Tamaki snapped to attention with a mock salute. The okama waved goodbye to Haruhi (apparently it was time for work!) It's just the two of them again.
Tamaki couldn't believe his good luck but he didn't dare move. He wondered if Haruhi would forgive him for the mess he made, on top of ruining her Sunday (he knew she liked to spend her Sunday with her homework and chores) and also…
"Stop daydreaming Senpai," Tamaki stopped short and found Haruhi's gentle eyes and easy smile. For a moment, he wanted time to stop. Anything else didn't matter.
'Just let us stay like this a little longer.'
But there was work to be done and in the speed of light, Tamaki created a bigger mess. As though expecting it, Haruhi pulled out a garbage bag and held it out to him.
'That's enough for me.'
Maybe three more chapters, or should I end it just here.
Hnnnn… Till then :)
