Solitaire with Friends

Chapter the Tenth

In Which Vacation Happens, Phobias Resurface and Hunny Apologizes

Haruhi left the Host Club party early, but in much better spirits than she arrived. Tamaki waved good bye, but as soon as she was out of sight, he whirled around to Mori.

"What was that!" he shouted.

Mori didn't react.

"Really, what was that, out on the dance floor?"

Mori didn't answer, he didn't feel he had to. Karou and Hikaru snaked up on either side of him.

"You're just friends, huh?" Hikaru said.

"I don't know. You two were pretty chummy out there," Karou added. Mori still didn't respond.

"Look, Mori, we like you. But we just need to know the nature of your relationship with Haruhi. Is it really just friendship?" Hikaru asked.

"Yes," he said. And he had never given thought to pressuring her into more, though he'd be lying if he said he didn't want it.

Tamaki of all people was the one to tell the others to leave, leaving it just him, Mori and Hunny. Tamaki's face became suddenly very serious.

"Listen Mori, you need to be honest with yourself. Do you view your relationship with Haruhi as a friendship?" he asked. Mori turned to Hunny. Hunny nudged his arm. Mori looked down at his hands.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked.

"The truth," Tamaki said. Mori wasn't overly emotional, though he held some very deep seated emotions. Even now as he looked up at Tamaki he couldn't quell the surge of unease the idea of even telling someone how he felt about Haruhi.

"You love her, don't you?" he said. Mori hung his head in defeat.

"I do. I love Haruhi," he admitted. He hadn't quite realized how deep he had let her into his life. It was why he shut down so much and briefly pushed her away. The way she constantly insisted they weren't as close, that they were just friends. It was truth, but the fact that she'd so flippantly insinuate that what he felt for her was the same he felt for anyone else. It wasn't true she meant more to him than anyone and he could not tell her so. He wanted to push her away but now he couldn't. Tamaki didn't lean back triumphantly as Mori thought he would at his confession. Instead he put a hand on his shoulder.

"I've been there. I know it's hard. She's difficult sometimes," he said. Mori didn't answer. He was probably just as frustrating to her as she was to him. She was just as guarded as he was sometimes without even trying. He wondered if she knew that about herself.

"But...if you're willing to put forth the effort, I can see this working," he said. "Does she feel the same way?"

Mori shook his head. He knew that to her they would always be just friends. To some degree, fostering this closeness with Haruhi and still never having her was just more agonizing. Mori would rather know that he could never be with her than be tempted by seeing how wonderful and warm she could be once he let her in.

"I think she does love you," Tamaki said. Mori looked up at him.

"What makes you say that?" he asked.

"She was upset that you didn't talk to her," Hunny interjected.

Mori was stunned. That's why she cried the other day?

"She probably doesn't even know why she was upset if I know her," Tamaki said. "We need to get her to figure out how she feels!"

"Don't force her," Mori said. "I would rather wait endlessly for her than let you back her into a corner."

"Fine. But we're all going on a trip together. That will help us figure out what's going on."

Mori didn't want to go and he might not have gone. But when Haruhi heard the idea, she agreed to extend her time off and go on a vacation to Kyoya's private island. Now it was Mori's turn to be unsettled by Haruhi's reaction to the suggestion. However, he did not have it in him to ask her about what she was thinking. He somehow felt that asking her would reveal Tamaki's motive. He might have even backed out at the last minute, had she not turned to him and told him how happy she was to go to the beach with him.

He sighed deeply as he thought of her bright smile. He supposed he was going on this trip anyway.

Mori continued to be unsettled over Haruhi for the next couple of days. The day of their departure was coming and Haruhi had returned to her old self. The enthusiasm she once had for the trip vanished and she groaned and complained as the twins bought her new things for the trip. She called him the night before to tell of her shopping woes. He was glad to hear her voice on the phone again.

"It was all just silly. I really didn't need so many bathing suits, or cabana dresses, but they just kept buying and buying. I have a whole new summer wardrobe. I'm going to have to get rid of what I have back home," she said. "Are you all packed?"

"Yes."

"We're staying at Kyoya's house. I hope his father isn't there. He's been trying to marry me off to him for years. I think he should just let Eclaire and Kyoya get married. They're obviously made for each other."

"I agree."

"I won't keep you up much longer. So, good night, Takashi."

"Good night, Haruhi."

And he couldn't say it. He couldn't tell her that he loved when she said his name, or that he didn't mind when she talked endlessly of mundane things. He just couldn't. It was such a shock to find that someone his size and with his strength could be so taken by someone so small. Not that Haruhi wasn't strong, but he was a bit different from her, with his martial arts background.

Maybe I'll teach her some judo, he thought. Hunny may have been a bit better than him, but he was no slouch. Maybe that was something fun they could do when they got back home.

Mori had been to many a small island, but to this day, he still liked Kyoya's the most. Maybe because it was because it belonged to one of the few friends he actually had. And Ootori estates were nothing short of decedent.

And so they arrived at the Ootori private island for a few days of relaxation. Mori didn't quite know what to do with the time that he now had. The others settled into the mansion easily. Mori put his things away, ignoring the servants offer to do it for him. Sometimes doing his own chores distracted him from the dire thoughts in his mind. Did Haruhi know about the plan to get them together? If she found out, would she be upset?

The first breakfast on the island was delicious. Haruhi, having a taste for fine food, was relishing every minute of it. Then came the question he was dreading.

"What are we going to do today?"

He decided to enact his right to be antisocial and opt out of any goings on.

"I vote we go to the marina and view my new fleet of yachts," Kyoya said.

"Not everyone likes boats," Eclaire said. "Why don't we just enjoy the beach?"

"I vote a spa day!" Renge said.

"The beach seems like more fun," Hikaru said.

"Fine. We'll go to the beach on the north shore," Kyoya said. "We can take a yacht there."

"It's all about what you want, Kyoya, isn't it?" Tamaki said.

Kyoya adjusted his glasses, "In the end, yes."

"I'm not going," Mori said. Haruhi swallowed her food and looked up at him. He didn't look at her, because he could see from the corner of his eye, that her expression would sway him to go if he gazed at her fully.

"But why?" she asked.

"I'm tired, that's all."

Hunny cast him a sorrowful look but nodded. Haruhi said nothing and began to eat again. So after breakfast, he watched everyone including Haruhi go off toward the docks. It was just as well, he wanted to go swimming on his own for a while. Kyoya had several pools around the establishment but Mori decided it was probably best for him to go to a lagoon. He liked nature around him more than anything.

So he dove in, letting his cares go for a moment. He lay on his back and let the sun beat against his face. For an instant he forgot about Haruhi. And he might not have thought about her had he not heard footsteps on the sand. He opened an eye and cast his gaze toward the path. There in a blue bathing suit was Haruhi. She waved to him with a bright smile. He righted himself so he could tread water.

"Takashi! What are you doing here on your own?" she said. He didn't answer but lowered himself into the water so only his eyes were showing.

"Did you need some time to yourself?" she asked.

"For right now," he replied.

"Okay."

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"I didn't want to go. I…I changed my mind."

She rubbed her arm and Mori knew something had upset her. He'd ask her about it later.

"I'll be at the house," she said.

Now he was a bit worried. What had made Haruhi so upset? Was it Tamaki or Hikaru? Or had Mitsukuni said something to her about him?

He stayed in the lagoon for a while,but soon heavy drops of rain began to fall. He hadn't seen the clouds rolling in while he was under the water, but he headed back quickly. He dried off as best he could in the mudroom before continuing into the house. Haruhi was no where to be seen, but that was all right, he just wanted to get to his room. He changed as the rain got very heavy. Well, I suppose the others are in one of the auxiliary houses right now, he thought. Thunder clapped in the distance. He breathed sharply. He had to find Haruhi. He checked her room first. When she wasn't there, he went downstairs.

He found her in the living room sitting on the arm of a chair and staring out the window. Her hands had balled into fists that gripped her white dress and wrinkled it. She swallowed and winced as the next clap came. Mori put his hands on her shoulders. She didn't look at him but put a hand on of his.

"I...I'm just...it's silly. I'm still afraid of thunder and lightening," she said. "I usually take pills so I can sleep through it. My psychologist said I was afraid of the sound because it brought back memories of being alone. But that's silly. I like being alone."

Mori sat in the chair and kept on hand on her back.

"I mean, I live alone. It's not such a big deal. So I don't know why she said-"

Haruhi fell backwards at the next peal of thunder. Mori caught her and she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I"m sorry, this is stupid," she said. He held her head against his chest. His heart was beating fast, he hoped she wouldn't notice. She slid a hand from his waist and laid it against his chest. He felt her tears soak his shirt.

"Takashi..." she said. Thunder sounded again. She gripped his shirt tightly.

"It's all right," he said. She swallowed and cowered closer against him.

"I know," she whispered. He pulled a blanket around them that was laying across the back of the chair. It wasn't long before she was comfortably settled. Though the sounds still scared her, she didn't flinch as often and was soon asleep. This wasn't a beautiful, peaceful sleep, it was fitful, and she seemed to be fighting exhaustion. With every squirm of apprehension, she seemed to know she was in the circle of his arms and never moved away, only snuggled closer. She sought his warmth, his solid strength, and as long as she wanted it, he would give. He pressed his cheek against the top of her head and stroked her hair.

Eventually, her fitful sleep faded into something deeper and the hand that gripped his shirt relaxed. But he nearly froze as she slid her hand down his torso and wrapped her arm back around his waist. The touch was gentle and ticked slightly but it caused every muscle in his body to tense just to quell the shivers that tingled along his spine. He did not expect such an intimate gesture from Haruhi even in a haze of unconsciousness. Mori didn't quite know what to make of it all. Still, he was glad to be there for her when she needed him. And he would gladly be there for the bigger storms in her life.

He carried Haruhi to her room when everyone returned and Hunny walked beside him. Haruhi did not seem to want to relinquish the closeness and warmth she had with him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Hunny grinned thoughtfully and put his hands in the pockets of his hoodie.

"I don't know how she feels but you two are adorable together," Hunny said. Mori said nothing, the feel of her so close to him was right and it almost pained him to know he would have to let her go and possibly never be so close to her again.

"You know I put her up to spending so much time with you," he said. "I didn't want you to be alone."

Mori knew. He lowered his head and breathed deeply through his nose. They came to Haruhi's room and Hunny opened the door.

"I didn't think…I wasn't sure where it would lead. But it had to be better than you constantly wanting to follow me around," Hunny said. Mori just glanced at him before going into Haruhi's room. Hunny came in and pulled the sheets back from her bed. Mori eased her onto the mattress. She slowly removed her arms from around his neck her fingertips lighly grazing his skin and rested them across her stomach. He brushed her bangs away from her forehead and pulled the covers over her. He wanted desperately to kiss her good night but not without her consent. Not without knowing how she felt.

"I'm sorry for this, Takashi," Hunny said. "I didn't want for you to pine for someone else. I wanted you to know that it wasn't just me who needed your love and support."

"My students need my support and guidance," Mori said, never taking his eyes off of Haruhi.

"And what about Haruhi? If she doesn't return your feelings…"

"It's fine. She's my friend always."

Hunny stared down at the floor. Before Mori could stop him, Hunny had gotten on his knees and bowed low to the floor.

"Takashi, I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I didn't want you to be like this. I didn't want you to be so unhappy," he said. "I just wanted someone else to be important to you in your life. I just wanted you to enjoy the company of someone else. So I used Haruhi to try and bring you out. I used my friend to try and make you happy and I'm only making things more complicated and now you're miserable."

Hunny's sobs stabbed at Mori. He came down to his cousin's level and forced him to sit up right.

"Mitsukuni, you did nothing wrong," Mori said. "I'm glad to be friends with Haruhi, even if that's all we'll ever be."

"No, no, you can't be like this, Takashi…"

Mori hugged him and Hunny quieted down.

"I'm actually very, truly happy," he said. Hunny returned the hug. "You protected me this time around. Thank you."

Hunny dried his tears and the two of them left Haruhi's room, thankful she was such a heavy sleeper.

"Haruhi's love would make life sweeter," he said. "But I am loved by so many, I'm not starved for affection."

Hunny grinned and Mori put an arm around his shoulder. Yes, he was not lacking for love in his life. With so many friends and family surrounding him, he could not stake all his happiness on just one person.

Oh come on! I built up the reasonableness of this relatonship enough, I think we deserve some fluff. Mori truly is the kind of person who you want to curl up with during a thunderstom. That's my opinon though...