Chapter 10: Grace Under Pressure

"If it weren't for him, none of this would have happened!"

The younger twin looked despondently at his heartbroken older brother. He knew this was going to be a long car ride home and an even longer evening. Hikaru was angry, and the only one at which he could point any blame was their bespectacled senpai. Kaoru didn't blame his brother for being so upset. He felt so intensely for the only girl to walk into their sheltered lives and see them as the unique individuals that they were. Haruhi was so very special to both of them.

But ever since summer vacation, and that fateful weekend in Karuizawa, something changed in Hikaru. Kaoru noticed right away, but let his elder twin figure it out for himself and come to him. It hadn't been until the night the Ouran faire had ended.

Hikaru's sleepy words forever stuck in his head, as he watched his brother currently fuming.

"Kaoru," he had said with a yawn as he cuddled his pillow. "You know what...?" Kaoru had hummed in acknowledgement, signalling his brother to continue.

"I think... I'm in love with Haruhi."

Right now, as they sat in the back of their limo, Kaoru merely let his hand rest on his brother's shoulder as angry tears formed in the lovelorn sibling's eyes.

"It's not fair, Kaoru! Of all people, she fell in love with-with him!"

"I know..." The softer-spoken twin consoled.

"And now, we've lost our secret princess! A-and I'm supposed to just pretend that I am okay with it? Ughhh!" Hikaru punched the back of his seat with his fist. "I was so close to telling her, and then she dropped that bomb on us! What am I supposed to do now, Kaoru?"

"You've got to let it go, Hikaru," he replied with gentle honesty. "Because Haruhi cares about us, too, you know. She'd be sad if we didn't continue being her friends. If Tono can do it, we can, too."

Hikaru heaved a sigh, lifting his head to meet his wise brother's calm, yet empathetic gaze. "Damn...this hurts, Kaoru," he uttered, his voice wavering. "So fucking bad."

The usually high-spirited little third-year sat quietly by his cousin and confidante in the back of their car. Takashi Morinozuka just watched as Mitsukuni stared at Usa-chan in his lap with his brow furrowed in contemplation. He completely understood his cousin's concern. Mori was floored when Kyouya and Haruhi revealed their budding relationship to them a month ago.

The secret crush he had harbored for her had remained locked away in his heart, only exhibiting itself in displays of protective behavior from time to time. The feeling remained unspoken, both to himself or Hunny, who had most likely intuited it despite himself. It would stay that way. Being a rational mind, he understood the connection between his two friends. The more he had observed them, the more it made sense.

But today was a big blow to him, and to the entire club. Haruhi having to reveal herself to save face was not the way he had expected it to transpire. The fact that word got out in such a virulent way, causing ignorant people to spew venom at his fellow hosts was practically unforgivable. The club will never be the same, and he knew it. Silently, he choked back the rage building within.

"Ne, Takashi..." Big amber eyes met his. "Today was awful. I can't believe what those people were saying about Haru-chan, Kyo-chan and even the other hosts."

"Yeah..." It was all he could manage while keeping his righteous anger in check.

"I wanted to put them in their places so bad!" he said passionately to the darkened privacy window in front of him, fist tight in a threatening gesture. In an instant, he tone returned to humbler shade as he looked back to his dark-haired companion. "Thanks for reminding me to keep my cool."

"Anytime."

"It's not going to be the same, even if Haru-chan gets to stay. I don't know how this is going to work."

"We'll know in time, I guess."

Silence hung between them for a few minutes. Thoughts swirling in both their heads. Mori gazed out the windows, trying not to ponder the possibilities and the things he cannot change. Hunny sat and watched him for a moment before speaking up.

"Ne, Takashi?" Hunny's tone was inquisitive, inciting a side glance from Mori. Once the pint-sized blonde had his attention, he dared to ask.

"You'll keep protecting Haru-chan, even if she is dating Kyo-chan, right? We both care about her, and we need to always be her friends." The insinuation of Hunny's word's garnered a raised brow from Mori. The sweet-toothed teenager winked at his quiet cousin.

"You've had a little crush on Haru-chan since day one, Takashi."

The dark stallion paused. Keeping his promise to himself, he refused to respond. But his lack of response was all Hunny needed to know he had been right.

"It's ok," he said with a pat on his best friend's short, black locks. "You are a good friend. Very respectful."

"Thanks."

Charcoal grey.

That was the color covering the ceiling of the Suou clan's third estate limousine. It had become an amazingly neutral canvas, acting as a screen for the wistful drama playing in the future-heir's mind. Head thrown back in exasperation, all he saw imitated all he felt: dark and blank. Today had been one of the toughest days in his life. It ranked itself just under losing his mother and public embarrassment from his grandmother. His friends were that important to him, especially his best friend and the girl he loved. It took everything he had to play his role for the clients. Today was the first day that it didn't feel natural.

Today, for the first time, he felt he was wearing a mask: A cumbersome facade that only helped him get through the end of the day. He needed to lift this weight off of his heart somehow, but was at a complete loss.

His life had changed forever back in March, when Haruhi Fujioka stepped through that door. And today, his life changed again, when he realized his little 'family' was changing once again, and so suddenly. But he knew he wasn't the only one feeling the weight of the day's events. Each and every host seemed different. The undercurrent during hosting hours was uneasy, and they all walked away exhausted. Not too much was said during clean-up, and everyone seemed to quietly go their own ways after Kyouya and Haruhi made their exit.

We'll have to get together this weekend. Maybe for dinner somewhere casual. So we can all talk about it. For now, club hours are off this week while we regroup.

Suddenly, Renge came to mind, along with her ridiculous movie and the character she had given him. It became glaringly familiar.

Have I become the Lonely Prince?

The blonde sighed, muttering to himself incoherently in French as he closed his eyes trying to escape into his thoughts and nod off.

All the girls eagerly took the neat slips of paper and pens handed to them, poised and ready to write their response and put their secret votes in the large decorative bowl. The din of private chatter rippled through the room, as some girls seemed intrigued and others, indifferent or even somewhat disenchanted. Looks were being exchanged amongst the clients, some accompanied by various gestures: smiles, shrugs and winces.

Kyouya knew this could be close. Even though the girls generally seemed okay with Haruhi being a girl, accepting a female host was a much harder sell. He watched with a close eye as both the girls and his fellow hosts handled the situation. Haruhi and the guys were trying really hard to keep an even keel in this storm of emotions and inquistion. Even the pragmatic vice-president himself couldn't loose the knot that had formed in his stomach the moment they walked through the school doors that morning.

Haruhi approached him after serving another round of tea to some of her regular clients. Her eyes betrayed her with a hint of worry. Kyouya dropped his pen in the crease of his ledger, freeing his hand to take hers in a small gesture of comfort, giving it a squeeze. He leaned in to say something under his breath, ignoring the gasps of nearby clients fawning over the new romance in their midst.

"No matter what happens, Haruhi, I have a plan. You should know that by now. I take into account as many possible outcomes as I can," he assured her with a soft look, close enough that she could see beyond the shielding glare of his glasses.

Haruhi's racing pulse found its way back to a semblance of normal as she gave him a nod and a hint of a smile.

"I'm just a bit rattled. That's all. I do have faith in your capabilities," she replied, squeezing his hand back before releasing it. "Thanks for that, Kyouya."

"Alright, everyone!" Tamaki announced as he came over with a bowl-full of votes. "We will count the votes and give you all the results in a few minutes."

The twins assisted their president in the counting and verifying of ballots as Haruhi and Kyouya stood off to the side. After a minute or two, a curious bunny-loving blonde scooted over to them, followed closely by a concerned Mori.

"I really hope the answer is 'yes'! I don't want Haru-chan to go away!" Hunny pouted as he hugged Usa-chan.

"Yeah. Me, too," Mori agreed in monotone.

"Rest assured, Hani-senpai, Mori-senpai, I won't let Haruhi be ostracized by a bunch of petty harpies," Kyouya replied, a hint of his unparalleled 'Shadow King' seeping into his words. They all knew Kyouya meant business.

A clearing of the Host King's throat made the crowd go quiet. It occurred to Kyouya and the others that Tamaki, Hikaru and Kaoru seemed visibly uneasy.

"Today, there are 41 girls in attendance, and the votes were carefully accounted for. The results...were twenty 'Yes' votes, and twenty-one 'No' votes."

The hosts all looked to Kyouya, knowing he had a plan. He snapped his new black leather notebook shut and stepped forward to address the room.

"Seeing as you are all pretty much divided on this issue, and there was no resounding answer for either side, it will be up to the hosts to come up with a solution that best suits the entirety of our clientele and the interests of the hosts. We will take the rest of the week off, and notify you all before next week's club hours. Thank you all for your input, and have a wonderful week."

With that, Kyouya turned his back to the girls and headed nonchalantly towards the back room. The girls began filing out and the puzzled hosts were left to clean house.

As they all gathered before leaving, Kyouya took Haruhi by the hand and reassured his comrades.

"I have a couple of ideas about how to deal with this. But frankly, my head hurts. We all need to go home and rest. I will type something up and email you all with said courses of action."

There was no denying the deflated looks in all their faces. Haruhi needed to add her two cents, she couldn't let them leave on such a confounded note.

"Guys, you know you all mean the world to me. You are my dear friends, and I refuse to leave the club if I don't have to. Just...please trust Kyouya," she implored. "I do."

The only one energetic enough to come up and give her a hug was Hunny. Everyone else just seemed too stuck in their gloom to get out of their seats.

Haruhi sighed exasperatedly and turned to leave with Kyouya.

The car ride had been fairly quiet for the first few minutes. Kyouya leaned back against the head rest and took off his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He does have a headache, Haruhi noted. She followed her compulsion to lean into him, resting her head against his shoulder and placing her hand over his on his thigh. Breathing deep and exhaling slowly, the worn-out brunette felt much of the day's stress leave her body. She felt even better when Kyouya took her cue and did the same.

Neither of them wanted to talk about it. They just needed to unwind, to have a moment of peace and quiet in which this wonderful thing they were developing with each other was absolutely out of the reach of unwarranted criticism.

After a few minutes of even breathing, and relishing the warmth of their bodies leaning into each other, Kyouya spoke in a low, soothing tone, as not to disrupt the calming mood.

"I called your dad earlier, and told him about most of today's insanity. I asked him if it was all right if I took you out to dinner to decompress."

"That's okay by me. Just nothing too busy. I can't take-"

"Well...I actually exaggerated a little, for selfish reasons..." Kyouya admitted, finally opening his eyes to see her curious reaction. "In truth, my father is in Hong Kong; my mother went to Okinawa to visit her sister (my cousin is giving birth, apparently); Akito is back at school, and Yuuichi is working overnight at the Central Hospital. I didn't want to go home to an empty house and solo dinner. So I have dinner being made for the two of us as we speak."

"You didn't want to be out and about either, huh," Haruhi chuckled at her boyfriend's adept planning.

"I have had enough public scrutiny for one day. Fucking ignorant people..." His tone was dry and scathing, but not violent, despite his choice of words. To her, he sounded as weary as she was.

"Haruhi..." he sat up and looked at her, fatigue evident in his softened expression. "Thank You for being the one bit of sanity in my life lately. Today may have been ultimately because of 'us', but it's also because of 'us' that I got through it with out killing someone."

They smiled at each other, chuckling at the sheer absurdity of it all. Haruhi was proud of him, holding it all together like he had. Inspired, she leaned in, fingertips reaching for his bare face.

Lips played lightly upon each other, in a little game of cat and mouse, nipping and suckling. Gradually deepening with every passing kiss, tongues came into play, tasting the corners of each others' mouths before the moist warmth enticed them into a more passionate exchange. Hands wandered as arms snaked around the other. Kyouya's hands found the small of her back and the nape of her neck, drawing her closer into him. Haruhi was overwhelmed with the desire to feel their bodies pressed against the other. Warmth bloomed from her chest, spreading up her neck to her face, and down through her belly to places that were awakening for the first time.

Haruhi's hands began to trace the ridges in his lean chest and abdomen, occasionally playing at his collar and teasing his neck and jaw. Kyouya held back as flashes of Haruhi unbuttoning his shirt played in his mind. His body sizzled at the thought of her hands on his bare skin. Before things went any further, providence intervened on their behalf.

The car slowed, a warning sign of their approach and arrival home. They separated slowly, faces glistening with the sheen of passion, lips pink and moist. Haruhi bit her lip, trying to rein in the immense feeling of her spine tingling, awakening every nerve from head to toe.

Is this what attraction really feels like? I feel unlike myself...like I'm going to burst at the seams..

Kyouya smoothed his hair and adjusted his tie, finally putting his glasses back in place. Having a clear look at his girlfriend's flushed face, he gave her a sly smile. They just shared their most intense moment to date. His body was hot, he felt a familiar tightening in his groin.

For the first time, kissing her wasn't to be sweet, it was...fiery. And I'm left desperate for more.

He leaned in for one more taste before they absolutely had to regain composure. A small groan escaped his throat at the reconnection. She replied with a soft hum of her own before pulling away.

"The way this feels, Kyouya...it's unlike anything...ever," Haruhi was clearly losing her ability to form words, and her mind spinning.

"Endorphins and Pheremones are an amazing thing," he replied with playful sarcasm, trying to regain control of himself.

An abrupt braking snapped them from their daze. They were in front of the Ootori Mansion. When it reoccurred to them that they were alone for the evening, it suddenly took on a different light.

The youngest Ootori took his brilliant companion by the hand as they exited the car and approached the entryway. After such a trying day, they had begun noticing how much comfort the simple physical contact could provide. Tachibana informed them, as he walked behind them, that dinner awaited them in the dining room.

They shed their outerwear, and Kyouya his tie as well, before making their way to their meal. Haruhi passed a mirror, and it reminded her of how much she not only looked incredibly feminine, but how he had made her feel just as much so in the way he hungrily kissed her and clung to her just minutes ago. She couldn't help the blush that crept up her neck to her face, and Kyouya took notice. He leaned in and whispered to her.

"I can't stop thinking about it, either." His breath sent a jolt straight to the junction of her legs and a rebounding shiver up her spine.

For once in her life, her reason was giving way to her physical and emotional needs. She reminded herself that it was all a part of being a hormonal teenager, and that it would pass. But it didn't quelch the fire that Kyouya lit within her.

Haruhi tried to mentally shake herself of her thoughts.

Mind over matter. There are butlers and maids everywhere. Don't be inappropriate.

They sat down for a full dinner and ate at a leisurely pace. Sustinance seemed to breathe life into their oxygen-deprived synapses. They discussed some of the random goings-on of the Tokyo business climate, as well as a few current international matters. It eased the previously rising tension between the two young lovers, bringing them back down to Earth for a moment.

At last, dessert came. A large flan of sorts, soaked in some kind of sugar and liquor, Haruhi was unsure as to what kind. Their butler carried a small torch and brazed the top of it. Haruhi watched, enthralled. She had never had whatever this was. Kyouya watched her stare wide-eyed at their flaming finale. Once the butler left, he remarked.

"You've never had creme brulée, I assume," Kyouya stated, amused.

"I've heard of it, but no. It's French, isn't it?" She asked picking up her spoon. But Kyouya held up a hand, signaling her to wait, as he grabbed his own spoon with the other.

Carefully, he chipped away at the carmelized sugar, gently cracking through and procuring a spoonful of custard. He held it out gently toward her face, a hand cupped beneath as not to allow any to fall on the floor or on their laps. Haruhi leaned in, as she opened her mouth and received the sweet morsel. It melted on her tongue slowly and she took in the gentle vanilla, caramel and almond flavors.

A hum of delight escaped her and the raven-haired boy smiled.

"I knew you'd like it," he gloated before leaning in for a soft, loose-lipped kiss. He could taste the sweet treat on her lips. He pulled away with a wry smile. "I'm glad. It's delicious."

They dug in and cleared the entire dish. With polite dabs with the napkin, they were ready to go relax some more.

"Why don't we digest over a movie. I have hundreds of DVDs in my collection."

"Sounds good to me. I don't have any studying that I need to do tonight," Haruhi concurred. "Besides, after today, we've both earned a mental vacation."

"True. Let's head up to my suite, and you can pick something."

Haruhi had never been to Kyouya's room before. When he opened the door, she stepped through into the spacious abode.

His room is bigger than my bloody apartment.

She walked past the two-story windows at the front of the room, and noticed the kotatsu on the floor. Instantly, she recalled Kyouya's story about Tamaki and his kotatsu obsession. Toward the center of the room, there was a set of three couches squaring off a sitting area facing a flat-screen TV and entertainment center. Against the opposing wall to the TV was a long, low rise dresser with about a dozen drawers. To the right of the drawers were two sets of doors, one looked like a large closet and the other, she assumed, was his private bath. As she turned back to face the entertainment center, she noticed a staircase to the left of it, leading up to the loft.

"This place is huge..." She marveled before pointing upward. "Is your bedroom that loft?"

"Complete with a western-style king-size bed," he added, in a mock-braggartly tone.

"Mind if I look? I've never seen one in real life." Kyouya nodded at her request and watched as she hustled upstairs to see. He couldn't help but chuckle at her innocent amazement. It was refreshing, since he'd long been jaded by his surroundings. She reminded him of what he truly had.

"WOW. That is a ludicrously large bed!" he heard her exclaim from above his head. He laughed lightly as he made his way to join her, if just to see her expression.

"You could seriously sleep four people on this thing!" she joked as she unceremoniously flopped herself down near his pillow.

Haruhi laughed to herself a moment, as she turned her head to regard the painting above his headboard. Instantly, she froze. She had inhaled and it hit her that she was laying where Kyouya slept every night. She turned her head further into his pillow and her senses were filled with his very distinct scent. That funny tingle was returning as his voice came from an unexpectedly close proximity, catching her off-guard.

"It's ludicrously comfortable, too," he drawled as he sat next to her.

Kyouya had admittedly had a couple dreams of Haruhi being with him in his bed. One was vague, but passionate for sure, as he awoke with a particular problem that needing aleviating. But the other dream, as he recalled, they were cuddled up together, and he had awoken with his pillow in his arms the following morning. He was slightly more embarrassed at himself for that dream than the former.

But either way, here she is...what do I do? Stay up here and let a dream play out...or be appropriate and take this back to the couch and at least attempt to watch a movie?

"It really is," Haruhi replied, pulling him from his mental debate. "This is way more comfortable than Misuzu's beds at the pension. I don't know how I am supposed to sleep on my futon ever again. Between the big dinner and this, I could just fall asleep."

Question answered.

"You could...we...could, if you like," he suggested gently, pausing before clarifying his suggestion. "A little nap, perhaps?"

"But if I don't get home before my father-"

"I can set my alarm for two hours from now. That's...Ten o'clock," he informed her, looking at his watch.

Haruhi nuzzled a little into his pillow, overwhelmed by the sensual experience of a bed that felt like a cloud and smelled of him.

"That'd be okay, I guess..." she said, getting audibly cozier. Kyouya slipped off her shoes first, then his, along with his glasses before laying himself beside her on the other corner of his pillow, bringing their faces nearly nose-to-nose.

"Looks like I should inquire about a second pillow for my bed," he said, satisfaction lacing his words.

She hummed in agreement, eyes closed.

"It smells like you, too," his sleepy girlfriend mumbled softly.

For the first time, Haruhi's natural beauty hit him hard. Her soft locks, long eyelashes and smooth skin right in front of his face. He couldn't stop himself from placing a soft kiss on her lips. Her eyes fluttered open and they smiled at him.

"You were my rock today, Kyouya...Thank you," she admitted before reciprocating with a another kiss. Her free arm slung over his waist as she pressed deeper into the embrace.

Kyouya's senses were in overload, his heart, mind and body responded in kind to her ministrations. The rush that flooded both of them with this new experience lit them from within. The impropriety of laying together on his bed, was something that these two well-educated and romantically inexperienced teens never imagined they would actually share. It was the stuff of fantasy. Intoxicated by each other, the two young lovers succumbed to the fog that hung over them, eyelids becoming heavy, kisses turning lazy and wet.

Haruhi's mind grew hazy with this new feeling. Lust. Attraction. Desire. All these words occurred to her as she indulged in the taste and feel of his mouth against hers, his muscles flexing and contracting under her fingertips. The euphoria was unlike anything she'd ever felt. It was so easy to continue down that path. The urge to touch him, the idea that clothing impeded her, the wish for him to take her over the edge she felt herself teetering...all these things engulfed her thoughts for a one beautiful langorous minute, before she quickly considered her position. The impassioned brunette was simultaneously intrigued and terrified. Finally, her rational mind gave her a nudge as she realized now, all too clearly, how many of her peers ended up giving in to their feelings.

Kyouya felt the hand at his jaw gently release its hold, drawing him out of his clouded state. As he locked his gaze with hers, he found a mirror of the intense and confusing emotions swirling before him.

"This is...a lot to handle right now," she admitted reluctantly, her focus shifting off to the side. "It's a little scary how exhilarating it is."

Kyouya chuckled, playing with the hair at the nape of her neck, his relief tinged with a hint of disappointment.

"You're not alone," he confided. "But I personally find it to be slowly lulling me; A common effect of aphrodisia." His warm lips met the the moist sheen on her forehead. "Perhaps it's just been a long, exhausting day. So, how about that nap?"

"Sure. Alarm set?"

He wrapped his arms around her, and she instantly responded in kind. With her face buried in his chest and his in her hair, he mumbled in the affirmative. She drifted away on the feeling of security and absolute comfort, the rumble of his voice in his chest the last thing she remembered.

The shrill sound of her ringtone shocked her out of her sleep. Disoriented, she shot up, taking a moment before her surroundings made sense. Kyouya shook himself of his dreamy state and they both looked at her phone's Caller ID screen: Dad. As it dawned on them, they looked at the clock on the shelf.

3:05 a.m.

Oh, shit.

A/N: Hey Everyone! Just wanted to take a minute to thank all my friends and fellow KyoHaru shippers for reading, reviewing, supporting and becoming more of a "community". There are quite of few of you that I have been getting to know through chatting on the sidelines. I enjoy the camaraderie of like minds and kindred spirits.

It's part of why many of you fellow writers see a lot of me in your reviews and follows. I spread the love and support I receive. This chapter took FOREVER, I know. It was tough to write, because it was dealing with the aftermath of the craziness.

Don't worry. I won't leave you all hanging on this "cliffie" too long. I will be starting the next chapter tonight, for continuity's sake. I look forward to hearing what you all think!

Things will lighten up a bit, as time heals all wounds. I have quite a few random things up my sleeve.

So stick around, peepz.

Peace, Love and Fiction!