Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club.


Also, big time jump here.


Haruhi still couldn't believe Kyoya's nerve. It had been nearly a year and half since she and Kyoya had their screaming match, but it still peeved her when she thought about it. But the irritation was always followed by a wave of regret. She hated whatever they were now. She'd tried calling and leaving him messages, but he never answered or returned her calls, and he had absented himself from group gatherings if he thought she would make an appearance.

With Suzume gone, she had no one to talk to, either. She considered locating another therapist, but she didn't want to take the time and trouble to build rapport with someone new. Plus, she'd have to go through the trauma of retelling the details about Tamaki. She was sure someone new would want to focus on her loss rather than her fight with Kyoya. She had even tried venting to Reiko and Hayame during a luncheon, but both women made it clear they would not take sides. None of the former hosts or their spouses would take sides between Haruhi and Kyoya.

Instead of finding someone to confide in, Haruhi resorted to burying herself in work. She knew it was a bad habit, but she didn't know how else to cope. In the short time Haruhi had known her, Suzume had become her rock. Now that rock had been washed away by a cruel twist of fate. It wasn't long before she'd isolated herself almost completely. Her eating and sleeping habits suffered, and her nightmares returned.

Life for the other former hosts, however, had been most eventful. A toy Hunny had designed hit the shelves and became the most in-demand product for children of all ages. He and Reiko added another little girl to their family in February. They called her Sachika and six-year-old Fumiko was over the moon about having a baby sister.

Mori successfully sued another company for copying one of Hunny's car designs, and also announced he and Hisa were expanding their family; the new baby was due in September.

One of Hikaru's photos ended up on the cover of a prestigious fashion magazine.

Kaoru's spring line was a smash, and his facilities could barely keep up with the production demand of a fashion trend set by the designer himself.

No one would tell Haruhi what Kyoya was up to, but she could imagine his life looked a lot like her own, though without the saving grace of having children.

Though the twins each owned their own homes and condos around the world, the Hitachiin manor was their central hub when they wanted to throw a joint 31st birthday party. Their parents rarely spent time there, and tonight would be no exception, even if it was the twins' birthday. The twins preferred it this way. This annual party wasn't a soiree full of fashion insiders and starlets, but an intimate gathering of their closest friends from their high school years.

As she prepared herself for the evening, she pondered what she would say to him. She knew he'd be there. He hadn't contacted her, so she assumed he was still angry. Haruhi hoped they could get through tonight without making the evening awkward for everyone else. She wore a simple navy cocktail dress with low black heels. Her hair and nails were tidy, her makeup light, though she'd made an extra effort to conceal the dark circles under her eyes. Haruhi looked at herself approvingly in the full length mirror in her bedroom. Then she shook her head and sighed inwardly, thinking about how she looked when she'd first met the hosts. I've come so far. She grabbed her black beaded handbag on her way out the door.

Haruhi was admitted into the manor by the butler, who knew her by name. She handed off her gifts and quickly located the twins in the ballroom, hugging each of them and wishing them Happy Birthday. Mori and Hisa were already there as well. Hisa struggled to stand to hug Haruhi due to her swollen abdomen. This pregnancy was more demanding than her first. Haruhi gestured for Hisa to remain seated and instead bent down to embrace her.

She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing server, and held conversation with Hayame, Mori, his wife, and the twins as they all sat on chaise lounges strategically arranged by the fireplace. Hunny and Reiko arrived about twenty minutes after her and easily blended into the ongoing conversation. Haruhi was starting to feel hungry, but she knew they would wait for Kyoya.

Kyoya finally graced the party with his presence about half an hour after Hunny had arrived. He looked terrible. His eyes looked sunken and dark, like he hadn't been sleeping. His stature looked more emaciated than thin, like he hadn't been eating. Is that how I looked after Tamaki? No wonder everyone was concerned about me. The air in the room grew tense as Kyoya joined those seated, greeting everyone personally except for Haruhi. He wouldn't even look at her, as if she didn't exist.

A maid entered the room to announce dinner was served. The friends made their way to the formal dining room. The room was tastefully decorated. Though the twins would have had ridiculous birthday decorations around the dining room if they'd had the party at one of their own homes, even they didn't dare bedeck their mother's impeccably decorated dining room with garish trimmings.

As the group sat down at the table to eat, Kyoya made sure to sit as far away from Haruhi as possible. His intentional snubs irritated her, but also made her feel sad for him. He was still hurting and probably not confiding in anyone. It just wasn't in his nature to let people in.

The night wore on with an awkward tension, though not bad as it could've been if Kyoya had chosen not to ignore Haruhi, but instead restart their fight afresh. Haruhi built up her courage on two separate occasions after dinner to walk up and speak to him, but he'd noticed each time she began to draw near and walked away to another part of the room, to another guest, to avoid her. Defeated by his stubbornness and her own mental exhaustion, Haruhi gave up any more attempts at reconciliation, for this night at least. Only three hours after he'd arrived, Kyoya made his apologies to the twins and dismissed himself from the party.

"Give him some time," Hikaru said in a low voice behind her.

She turned to speak directly to him and sighed. "I know. I just wish I could take it back."

"None of us know what happened between the two of you, which is okay by us. It makes it easier to not choose sides if we don't know the details. But it's done now. And we're all still here for both of you."

Haruhi just gave him a small smile.

"Will you come outside with me?"

"Sure, Hikaru. What's going on?" He led her out onto the patio. It was a beautiful June night. The sky was clear and there were so many stars.

"I have a birthday wish," he said with a sheepish grin.

"I brought a gift for you. It's…"

"Thanks, but it's not something you can buy. I'd like to take you on a date, Haruhi."

She was speechless. She hadn't seriously considered moving on romantically from Tamaki. She'd assumed she was done with all of that. Perhaps she was being naive. She was still young and successful, and now affluent. She was an eligible bachelorette of society.

So many questions running through her mind, she just stared at him.

What?

Am I ready to date?

If I am ready, do I want to date Hikaru?

Is this why he didn't have a date tonight?

Was this planned?

Was Hikaru ready to deal with her baggage?

Was this a big joke?

But Hikaru wasn't laughing. He was intently staring at her face, a degree of anxiety written across his features. She'd seen this look before, on their class ski trip when he admitted he loved her. Does he still love me?

"You need some time to think about this. I've already made reservations at a restaurant Saturday night, but they can be cancelled. Just let me know in the next few days." He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, then strolled back inside.

Haruhi put her hand to the cheek he'd kissed and watched him walk away. Surely not. Not after all this time, right?


A/N: Thank you to everyone for your reviews. I'd say sorry about the last chapter, but I really can't.

luxartisan - I appreciate your feedback. As I was reviewing this chapter, I realized it was lacking in dialogue. I agree that dialogue is important, but couldn't force myself to add any that wasn't already planned. I may add some in future chapters, but this story is already finished. I go over and add any detail bits before posting. Dialogue is obviously not my strong suit and I'll keep it in mind for my next story (which I've had rolling around in my head for some time now but haven't put pen to paper).

The next several chapters slow down as far as time goes. Time becomes a bit more focused, which does allow for a little more conversation.