Pairing: Haninozuka Mitsukuni x Fujioka Haruhi
I hope you guys will enjoy this one! =D
…
"Mother!" Tamaki skipped his way to the Shadow King's lair in the Third Music Room. "We should go and pick up our daughter now!"
"Honey-senpai is more than capable of bringing Haruhi home, Tamaki."
Tamaki pouted. Why can't his best friend share the same sentiment? "Don't you care about our dear Haruhi, Kyoya?" Tamaki whined. "Why do you always allow our dear daughter to be in the care of the neighbors when she's supposed to be with us?"
The question threw the other occupants off their usual routine and looked at the Shadow King's hiding place. Did their idiot King really had the audacity to ask that to the Shadow King? More importantly… DOES THEIR SHADOW KING HAVE AT LEAST A SMIDGET OF FEELINGS FOR THEIR SECRET PRINCESS?
Kyoya, on the other hand, seemed to ponder on Tamaki's question. Did Tamaki even bother to think about his question before throwing it to him? He looked at the Host Club King and studied his facial expression. First, from head to toe, frustration and determination was clear; hands clenched into fists, shoulders tense, violet eyes rebelliously boring into his grey ones. Second, in between Tamaki's frustration and determination, Kyoya could somehow feel the jealousy rolling off from Tamaki. Lastly, Kyoya could sense the fear that was somehow floating under his reigning emotions. What he feared, Kyoya doesn't know but he'll find out sooner or later.
"Tamaki."
The violet-eyed Host Club King pouted at Kyoya's lack of reply. "What?"
"Do you trust Honey-senpai?"
Tamaki rolled his eyes. What sort of question was that? "Of course, I do! He's a friend!"
"Then why don't you like it when Haruhi is with Honey-senpai?"
Kaoru, who was eavesdropping together with his twin and Mori, widened his eyes. Is he trying to…?
A tick appeared on Tamaki's forehead. He opened his mouth, ready to shout at the ridiculous questions his best friend was giving, but Kyoya beat him to it. "Don't go ballistic on me, Tamaki. Just think about my question."
Kaoru knew what Kyoya was doing. He was stalling. Not only that, he wanted Tamaki's attention go elsewhere, which definitely would work since their King's attention span was worse than a baby. Was Kyoya avoiding the question or did he just find it unnecessary to answer? Whatever the answer is, he's deflecting it by making Tamaki reflect on his own question. That Kyoya… Did he even know what would happen to Tamaki if by accident he realized his own feelings?
Tamaki looked down, seemingly deep in thought, his fingers up to his chin. "They've been spending so much time together…"
"Why do you think so?"
Tamaki's facial expression changed from frustration to a pensive one. "They're friends." Tamaki answered. Something in Tamaki's mind clicked, his pensive expression returning to its previous frustrated one. "Hey! We're her friends too!"
"Are you trying to deprive Haruhi from hanging out with her friends?"
"What?!" Tamaki was taken aback at Kyoya's question. He'd never do that to his precious Haruhi! "I wouldn't do that!" Tamaki said with a huff, actually feeling insulted that his best friend would say that to him. "What sort of a Father would I be if I don't let my precious Haruhi have fun…" He grumbled.
Kyoya smiled at Tamaki's response. Exactly what he wanted to hear. "Now just leave Haruhi with Honey-senpai. She's in very good hands." Kyoya closed his laptop, deciding to go home to officially end Tamaki's nonsense.
The half French boy pouted and started to follow his best friend out the door while mumbling all the way to the limo. The other three, namely the Hitachiin Twins and Morinozuka Takashi, simply stared at the door of the Third Music Room. Kaoru and Mori were both sporting a frown on their faces, although Kaoru's seemed more pronounced than Mori. Hikaru, on the other hand, seemed completely bewildered but just blamed it on Tamaki's idiocy.
He slung an arm around Kaoru's shoulder. "Tono can be such an idiot, ne Kaoru?"
Well, you're an actual idiot too, dear brother… Kaoru had to stop himself from making a comment. "Let's just go home, Hikaru." He looked at Mori who was picking up his bag from the couch. "Are you going home too, Mori-senpai?" Kaoru asked.
"Hn." Mori responded.
"See you tomorrow, Mori-senpai!" The twins waved and left the Third Music Room.
Mori was holding his phone, debating whether to call his cousin or not. He, too, was also concerned of Haruhi's health but aside from that, he was itching to hear his cousin's account on the events that occurred between him and Haruhi. Mori sighed and returned his phone inside his pocket.
Might as well go there unannounced. He might be more forthcoming if I were to come unexpected…
…
They were sitting in one of the rounded tables at the garden. She could hear him humming a tune she didn't quite recognize. Her eyebrow twitched in slight annoyance. He was acting like the confession never happened! Stupid, rich bastard…
"Is there something wrong, Haru-chan~?"
Haruhi recognized that voice… it was his casual voice! Unconsciously, she started gritting her teeth to refrain from releasing words that she might regret later on. "Nothing…" She turned away, looking at the opposite direction.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Talk about what?" Haruhi was suddenly surprised herself. She was never like this. She was the type of girl who was blunt about everything. So why, all of a sudden, did she hear herself saying something that sounded like she was playing hard to get?
She heard him snickering… which made Haruhi's annoyance rise. How dare he…! She was about to tell him off for being rude but instead she felt him sit on her lap and took her face in both of his calloused hands. The scolding that she was about to give went flying from her head and all that was left was a blank brain. At that moment, she knew she was blushing real hard and couldn't stop the embarrassment from washing over her.
She took both of his wrists to pull his hands off but his hands were steady on her cheeks. "Haru-chan." She heard him. Slowly, she met his honey-colored eyes. There was something in his eyes and she couldn't quite figure out what it was but her insides simply melted just by the soft gaze that was directed at her.
Honey felt sorry for doing this to her but he knew that she needed something more than just a simple 'I love you'. Haruhi wasn't like most girls. Her brain wasn't hard-wired with romance, and for some reason he was grateful with that. "Listen to me, okay~?" Honey grinned, trying to make her feel at least comfortable.
In response, he saw her nod. Honey had to take in her expression at that moment before he could possibly and officially lose her and their friendship altogether. Her flushed cheeks paired with her pale skin, her caramel-colored orbs twinkling with curiosity and uncertainty, her naturally pink lips – Haruhi was perfect. "You have to listen to me before you say anything." He said, bringing his hand forward in a business-like manner. "Do we have a deal, Haru-chan~?"
Haruhi blinked at the offered hand. What is this? Some type of deal? Humoring her senior, she took his offered hand and shook it before releasing it. "I'm listening." Haruhi spoke.
Honey had to give himself a few seconds to arrange his thoughts. The day has finally come for him to lay out all the cards and hope that the girl in front of him doesn't shun it all away. Well, here I go…
"Haruhi." He started, purposely saying Haruhi's given name. "I'm honestly thankful that I met you before I graduated. Actually, I'm much more thankful to your parents who gave you an amazing brain that allowed you to get in Ouran with ease. You're not like the other girls, Haruhi." He paused, taking in Haruhi's expression who seems to be listening intently. "You have a good head on your shoulders. You're not easily swayed by money or status. You've got goals in life which motivates you to work hard." He placed his hand on top of hers. Her warmth was giving him strength to say more. "Your good personality shines through and I think that's what attracted me to you. You're honest and sometimes ruthlessly at that but that's also something that I admire about you. You face your problems head-on without asking for help." Honey stopped, giving himself some breather. "Haruhi, I could go on all day and tell you all the things that I love about you but one thing is for sure," Removing his hand from hers, he placed one of his hands back on her cheeks and caressed it softly, enjoying the feel of her soft skin. "I love you." He finally said it… and it felt good. "And I think this isn't gonna go away soon."
Haruhi sat there, slowly processing the things that Honey confessed. "I…" Haruhi blinked. Words weren't coming out of her mouth. "I…" She trailed off again.
Honey chuckled, amused that he had somehow rendered the first year genius speechless for the first time. "You what, Haru-chan~?"
"…..I don't know what to say….?" She said in a small, hesitant voice. If Haruhi were as comical as the twins and Tamaki, she would've slapped herself so hard her brain would fall out from her ears. Emotions were running so high that her brain can't process anything. It was like the majority of her brain decided to shut down but a small portion of it was still working that it somehow processed the idiocy of her words towards the man in front of her.
The short man in front of her grinned, knowing that he was holding back the laughter that was threatening to come out because of her obvious blunder. "Then don't say anything, Haru-chan." He replied, softening his grin to a sincere smile. "You just have to think, that's all."
Haruhi's head tilted. "Think about what, exactly?"
Honey shrugged and started playing with her brown locks that were touching her shoulder. "The possibility of us, Haru-chan." He released her hair and slowly moved off from her lap. "But I do want to know something first." He stared straight right into Haruhi's brown orbs. "Do you love me?"
THIS IS IT HARUHI. IT'S YOUR TIME! YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS, HAVEN'T YOU?! Haruhi could clearly decipher what was being said inside her brain yet somehow her brain and mouth can't seem to cooperate well. "I…" She trailed off again, for the nth time. "I think I need time to think, Senpai." She admitted. She was starting to feel put together. She bravely set her eyes on Honey's. "I do love you – " Cue in the blush. That wasn't particularly hard. "- but it's just… I don't know, things feel like they're moving too fast and it feels like we're moving onto this new territory and I'm really scared."
Honey smiled. He understood where Haruhi was coming from. She grew up incredibly independent even when her father was still with her. She took the task of rebuilding their small family even when her mother wasn't there to help her anymore. She was so caught up with her numerous responsibilities that she didn't even have time for romance or other frivolous activities so he completely understood Haruhi's hesitance. He knew that it would take more than a simple 'Will you be my girlfriend?' for the genius brunette to crack and open to him. Good thing he was a patient man and was more than up for the challenge. You know what they say, nothing worth having comes easy.
"Haru-chan," He started. "I want you to know that you have all the time in the world to think. Don't feel pressured just because I asked you to be my girlfriend. Please, take all the time you need." He grinned at her, hoping to make her feel more at ease. "I'll always be here for you, Haru-chan."
Haruhi felt her heart soar at that. She loved the man before her yet she could feel her heart tremor at the thought of sharing her personal space for the first time. She needed the time to prepare mentally and physically. "Thank you so much, Honey-senpai."
Bouncing back to his usual childish behavior, he hugged one of Haruhi's arms. "Just call me Mitsukuni, Haru-chan~!"
There it was again.
Her own heart skipping.
Haruhi smiled. "Hai, Mitsukuni."
…
Mori stood up from his hiding place. He can finally sense the calm atmosphere between the two. Maybe now was a good time to finally let his presence be known? Swiping off the leaves that were hanging on his blazer, he made slow steps towards his two friends. Based from what he could see, it seems that they finally made a good conclusion on whatever serious topic they were having minutes ago. Honestly, he was oh so tempted to look for a hiding place that was close enough to hear their conversation. Yep, he wanted to eavesdrop.
Closing in on Haruhi and Honey's table, he schooled his face back to its usual blank expression and purposely stepped on a dried leaf to let them know that someone was coming.
The two teens turned their heads towards him.
"Haruhi." He nodded at the brunette who had a healthy flush and smile on her lips. "Mitsukuni." He said next at his cousin who was as usual waving at him happily.
As he got closer, he looked Haruhi and tilted his head.
"I'm fine now, Mori-senpai." She smiled. "I slept in late. Maybe my body just needed rest."
It always amazed him how this small girl in front of him could easily understand him so easily. It was one of the reasons why he liked her. The feeling wasn't exactly up to the point like Hikaru's, Tamaki's, and most especially his cousin, but it was more of like a familial feeling that made him want to protect her from all danger. She made a residence in his heart and in Mori's mind, it was irreplaceable.
He ruffled her hair which earned a pout from the small woman in front of him. "Take good care of yourself." He said in his usual deep voice.
"Don't worry, Haru-chan~!" Honey beamed at the brunette. "I'll take good care of you~!"
Haruhi giggled, feeling butterflies all over. "Mhm."
If it was possible, the intensity of Honey's smile grew even brighter.
Mori smiled.
It was good to see that his two special people were happy and that warmed his heart.
But at the back of his mind, he can't help but wonder:
What of the rest of the Host Club members?
…
There you have it! I know this chapter took quite a while to upload. Work has been driving me crazy and wouldn't let me sit down to work on this fanfic. Thank God for weekends.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
Ciao!
Nana xxx