Oh god. From experience, don't read the previous chapter while listening to the horoscope song. Oh god. Hahahaha.
So yeah. It starts in Rose's POV, then flicks to Hikaru's.
Oh, and to clear something up – EVERYONE knows Haruhi is a girl. I'm going off how she danced with the hosts in a dress at the school at the end of episode 26, and the students were watching.
I don't own Ouran.
Enjoy
-
The host club was in full swing. I sat as far out of the way as possible, at the back. Times like these, I just practiced with my guitar, and watched the different Hosts in their work.
Kyoya sat alone, typing into his ever present laptop, occasionally glancing at the twins. I found this confusing – why the twins? There was nothing all that different about them. There never was unless they were apart. So that left me to wonder – why does he seem so concerned? Why does her always flash his glasses when he looks across at the intimate display? I'd never been that close to Kyoya, but he did seem distracted.
Tamaki was wooing his customers, but his eyes continually flicked to Haruhi, who would smile reassuringly when she noticed. He seemed even more cheerful than usual nowadays, and it showed to his customers, who would blush and attempt to be coy, but in the end became flustered and such as a fan girl would. Haruhi, I noticed, would chuckle at times like that.
She herself was serving the instant coffee round to the students. She would pause at tables, collecting delicate china teacups, still slightly steaming from the coffee. She was happy to be wearing her uniform this non cosplaying day, and whenever Tamaki wasn't checking to see if he was within boundaries none of the hosts had really picked up on yet, she was watching the girls wistfully. I had my suspicions about them.
The twins were currently locked in an intimate embrace, Hikaru laying back with Kaoru pulled forcibly on him, looking away shyly. The perfect 'Uke'.
"Hikaru, you say such revealing things about ussometimes..." he would pout, and feign a hurt look, faux tears trembling in his eyes, emphasis on the perfect points. Hikaru would wipe the tears away with a coy smile of his own.
"Only because I can't help but talk about you, you're all I want to talk about Kao-kun..."
"Hikaruu!"
They made me laugh sometimes. I'd often speak softly in English when I watched them, unbeknownst to myself. Oddly, I'd find myself saying the same thing over and over.
It would regress to humming.
Which would develop to gentle guitar strumming.
Which would regress to plucking the strings softly.
And I'd eventually give up, and stare at the two again.
Host club was nearing a completion. It wasn't a Friday, so I wasn't sure why I was waiting for the club to close for the day, as I usually did that day so to leave with the Twins. It was our new found tradition, however short it had lasted so far.
Suddenly, Tamaki stood, and cleared his throat. The room quietened.
"As you all know, our annual Christmas ball is fast approaching." He announced pompously. "All hosts are required to have dates – and Hikaru cannot take Kaoru nor can Kaoru take Hikaru –Nice try boys..."
"Damnit." Hikaru muttered, winking at Tamaki. The girls squealed quietly. That was SO rehearsed.
"So you might get lucky with your favourite host! But remember, they must be the ones to ask..."
"Oh come on!" Hikaru wasn't acting that time. He had managed to avoid the 'will you go out with me' situation before now. I giggled at him lightly, and he caught my eye. I waved.
"Quiet Hikaru!" Tamaki mock scolded. "Anyway, it will be held on the 24th of December, Christmas Eve!" He swooned slightly. "Any questions?"
"Are we allowed to share dates?" Hikaru and Kaoru chorused. Tamaki shook his head. "You're boring Tono!"
"Do I have to go?" Haruhi droned. I tittered. She had her hand on her jutted out hip, a grimace on her face.
"Yes, Haru-kun..."
WOAH.
"Tamaki-san, d-did you just call her Haru-kun?" One of his customers meekly simpered. Tamaki blushed.
"..." He coughed nervously, and his voice cracked. "A-any other questions?"
-
The host club was closed for the day. Sort of. Tamaki was fending off pointed fingers about him and 'Haru-kun' now that the customers had departed.
"Are you together?" Hikaru asked, prodding his chest, an evil smirk plastered on his face, with an identical one on Kaoru.
"And for how long?"
"We aren't together!" Haruhi ushered them all away impatiently. "We're friends is all, right Tamaki?"
"Why don't you call him Senpai anymore?"Kyoya droned. She paled.
"H-he asked me to call him Tamaki." She mumbled. I stayed out of the conversation – I already had a headache, I didn't need another.
"Awwwh... how CUTE!"
The twins smothered her in a hug.
"GUYS!" Haruhi failed attempts to fend them off.
"Shit..."
It was out my mouth before I could comprehend what I was saying. I put a hand to my head, the ache making me lightheaded. Tamaki looked over at the English swear and paled.
"Rose?" He gasped. The twins span around, their faces also draining of colour. I blinked, everything going blurred. I felt a hand on my neck, lowering my head to my knees, and someone grabbing my hands and speaking softly. I focused on the words, trying to comprehend what they were, but everything went black.
--
She was white.
She had always been pale...
But white?
Kyoya instructed Haruhi to fetch water and Tamaki a cloth, while he pushed her head to her knees. Kaoru panicked – he was never good in situations like this. I knelt next to her, holding her hands, and spoke gently to her, trying to bring her round.
"She'll keel over soon." Kyoya warned. I tightened the grip on her hands.
"Rose... Rose? Hey, come on, are you okay? We've got you, you'll be fine. We're here for you."
I felt Kaoru kneel next to me.
"... D-do you think this is like the first time?"
Suddenly, she fell forwards, and landed on top of me, heavy as the first time she'd fainted. I carefully cradled her in my arms
"Yes." I attempted to laugh but it came out strangled and strange. I was petrified. "Kyoya, are you sure it was a change in diet last time?"
"Well, the doctors put it down to that because she passed all the tests." Kyoya explained. "So if they're wrong, it is nothing potentially life threatening."
"... You're sure?" I felt my voice cracking. Bad Hikaru. No. Stop worrying, she's fine.
"H-hika?" Oh yeah. Just break my heart Rose.
She sounded so weak. Her voice was meek and thick. At least she was awake though.
"I'm here." I mumbled, and her eyes fluttered open. They were clouded and misty. "I'm here. Stay with us."
She made a soft mumbling sound, and fought to keep her eyes open. We tried lifting her back onto the sofa, but she shook violently if she was left alone. So, I sat against the wall, and cradled her. I was happy to have an excuse to keep an eye on her anyway.
Haruhi and Tamaki returned. They wet the cloth slightly, and placed it on her forehead, and aided her to drink. She sipped messily, still shaking slightly. She kept mumbling the same things, over and over.
"I can't see..."
Kyoya explained temporary vision loss was usual with some blackouts.
"Cold... really cold..."
I ended up covering her with my blazer. She shivered a little less afterward.
"Don't leave me Hika..."
Like I would leave her. Like that would happen.
"Shhh..." I silenced her, a finger over her lips. She relaxed a little. "I'm here. I'm here. Can you see yet?"
There was a pause.
"Yes. I can a little." She mumbled through my finger.
"What is your full name?" I asked slowly.
"Rosemarie Eleanor Margaret McKenzie Cooper." She replied groggily.
"Where do you live?"
"I don't have a home anymore."
OUCH
"I lived in a boarding school, and I've not been here long enough to call it home." She continued, her eyes beginning to calm. I held her closer.
"Where are you?"
"Hikaru Hitachiin's arms." She snuggled into my chest. "I like it here."
She obviously wasn't thinking properly, she never would have admitted that fully awake.
"Well... where is Hikaru?" I smiled slightly, fighting a blush.
"Ouran Academy. 3rd Music Room."
She was fine. She needed rest. I noticed her begin to drift off to sleep again, and the cloth fall from her head. I lifted it, and replaced it on her head.
Her words still echoed in my head.
Don't leave me Hika.
Don't leave me Hika.
Don't leave me Hika.
Don't leave me Hika.
Don't leave me Hika.
Don't leave me Hika.
"So. She likes being in your arms then." I completely forgot the other hosts were there. Kaoru was smirking victoriously.
"Oh shut up." I grunted, throwing him a look.
"It's so sweet!" Tamaki simpered. "A beautiful English Rose, trampled by her father, finding love in he whom she changed!"
"I've not changed. And what's with this love thing you're spouting?" Stop. Saying. Love.
"Who else said love?"
Kaoru raised an arm.
"Ah. Okay." Tamaki grinned. "You HAVE changed. You're much more bearable since she came along."
"Tono."
"Are you wearing aftershave?"
"Tono!"
"Hey, you are! But... you don't need to shave yet..."
"TONO!"
I hate you all I hate you all I hate you all I hate you all I hate you all...
"Hika, aftershave suits you." Rose mumbled into my shirt.
Shit she's awake shit she's awake shit she's awake...
Wait.
She totally likes it.
I'm in.
---
After a short drama-esk chapter, I wanted to drop a smidge of bad humour in.
Summary:
Christmas Ball – Host dates are mandatory.
Haruhi and Tamaki slip up – people are suspicious.
Rose faints. Revelations she might be ill – previous fainting episode.
Hikaru is totally in.
:) short, but I really felt need to end it there.
Review!