Oh hai guys! I'm sorry for not posting in a while. I was taking a break and to be honest, I had writers block. I'll try to post more frequently from now on! Thank you for your patience and support. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights are reserved for the owner and creators of The Ouran High School Host Club.

The Wedding

Honey-senpai's wedding ceremony was an intimate but elegant affair. It was held on shrine grounds and the only ones outside of their immediate family were those of us from the host club. Tamaki had even flown in for the weekend.

We all stood respectfully behind the kneeling couple as they they were wed. Honey-senpai was the happiest and most serious I had ever seen him before. Tamaki and Haruhi had not spoken much since Tamaki's arrival but they were standing side by side. Both were unwilling to look at each other. Tamaki out of pain. And Haruhi out of displeasure. Haruhi had grown less sad about the end of their relationship and grown angry. She had become disdainful before she finally accepted the end with a twinge of resentment.

As we were proceeding behind Honey-senpai and his new wife, I caught Tamaki staring heart broken at the back of Haruhi. I could tell by the way his fingers twitched, all he wanted to do was reach out and touch her. He respectfully kept his hands at his side. It tugged my heartstrings to see him in pain but I couldn't find much sympathy when I remember how much he hurt Haruhi.

At the reception, they kept things civil but didn't talk directly to each other. The reception was extravagant and Western. Everything was decorated in shades of blush, soft yellow, and cream. There were twinkle lights strung through the trees and bushes of the gardens. Everyone from Reiko-senpai's side of the family was there and anyone with ties to the Haninozuka or Morinozuka family came out of the woodwork.

Many of the business tycoons had shown up for the reception as well and I took the opportunity to network. Honey-senpai and his new wife looked radiant. Hopeless in love. The secret romantic in me swooned watching them on the floor during their first danced.

The reception was fading out. People had slowly trickled out and headed home. I felt a tug at my tuxedo tails. I looked down to see Honey-senpai was standing behind me. He looked more grown up than I had ever seen him before. He was smartly dressed in a sleek black tux and blush tie. His exterior finally represented the intelligent man lurking behind the cuteness.

I bowed to him and congratulated him. I told him sincerely how gorgeous Reiko looked. He smiled at me and took my hand. He led me outside into the summer night where we chatted for a while.

"Your guests are probably wondering where you're at." I finally said after we caught up.

He told me that they could wait and looked at me seriously, "Kyoya-chan. I'm not sure why Tama-Chan and Haru-chan decided to break up. Hika-chan and Kaoru-chan tried to convince me that you had something to do with it. But I don't think you did."

I nodded silently and looked up at the stars. I knew the Hitachiin twins were still smarting over losing Haruhi. I just didn't think they would have the gall to accuse me of hurting Haruhi, even if it was indirectly. I held my hands together before replying.

"I tried to prevent it, actually. I just wanted Haruhi to be happy."

He gave me a knowing look, "You know Kyoya-Chan. Everyone would support you if you went followed your heart. I know that the twins are suspicious but they wouldn't want to see you unhappy."

I shook my head and opened my mouth to protest but Honey-Senpai spoke first

"We all know how much you care for her," he said simply, "and we all know how much you've been denying yourself. But Tama-Chan chose. And he chose wrong. But that's not your fault."

"I know," I bowed my head, "but I couldn't do that to Tamaki. He's like my brother."

"He is your brother. You've always been there for him. You've done so much for him. He'll come around eventually."

"Haruhi isn't ready."

"Yes she is." he shook his head, "Stop making excuses. I see the way you look at each other. Longingly. And like you're both in pain."

I looked at my senpai. He was staring at the stars. His face full of confidence and wisdom. His amber eyes meet mine.

"I just want you to be as happy as I am." He flashed me a charming host smile but there was a deeper look of knowing in his eyes.

xxx

Tamaki was staying with me while he was in town over the weekend. He was staying in the guest bedroom next to my room. I paced my room in a Tamaki fashion while I debated on what I should do. I thought about my friendship with Tamaki and wondered if it was worth sacrificing for something I didn't even know was a sure thing.

Something clicked in my head, though. I realized that Haruhi was worth anything. Even if it was my pride. Even if it was my heart. She was worth losing Tamaki.

I inhaled deeply as I stopped at the window. I looked out and dreaded the conversation I was going to have to have with Tamaki. I decided not to push it off any longer. He was leaving tomorrow and I didn't want him to leave with this being the last thing he hears. I sauntered over to the room next to mine and tapped on the door.

Tamaki answered the door in a stripped, powder blue pajama set. The sadness in his eyes clouded over with excitement to see me. He embraced me in his arms and welcomed me in. He patted next to him over the covers draping the bed. I stayed standing.

"Listen Tamaki." I started slowly.

Seriousness invaded his face once he realized the gravity of what I was about to say.

"You know you're like a brother to me."

"I am a brother to you." he corrected me.

"Yes," I said snapping, "and that is something that I cherish deeply. Something that I would never want to lose. But I think that our friendship is about to be put to the test."

His eyes knitted together in confusion.

"I love Haruhi." I finally blurted out ineloquently.

I had never seen him lost for words. But he couldn't muster anything to say to my confession. He folded his hands together and looked down at them as tears began to flow down his cheeks silently.

"Tamaki," I sat down next to him and patted his back, "I don't want to hurt you. I never meant to. I'm sorry."

He looked up at me betrayed and with anger in his watery eyes, "If you didn't want to hurt me then you wouldn't do this. If you were sorry you would stop loving her!"

I looked at him appalled. Suddenly everything that I ever wanted to say to him came flowing out of me without filter, "Stop loving her? You really think I can just stop? I've tried, Tamaki. I've loved her since we were in year two! I watched her fall in love with you. I went and STOPPED you when you wanted to leave for France. I found your mother for you. I agreed to watch over Haruhi even when it pained me to do so. I told you not to break her heart. But you did. You hurt her Tamaki. You had her. You would still have her. But you decided something else. And I get it. I really do. But you cannot fault me for following my heart after denying it so much for you."

I was inches from his face by now. The rage was slowly falling out of both of our faces as we kept eye contact.

"Tamaki," I said calmly, "I'm sorry. I would feel the same way if the roles were reversed. But I've thought about it. And Haruhi is worth everything to me."

He didn't look at me in the eye, "Kyoya. You deserve to be happy. But you can't expect me to be ok with this."

I nodded my head and looked at the oriental carpet design in between my feet. I knew that I couldn't ask Tamaki to be ok with me chasing after the woman that he loves. But I couldn't help but think about the times I dealt with him dating the only woman I will ever love. My eyebrows furrowed.

"I understand. But you do realize that the past three years I have watched you love and date and be with Haruhi. Right? You do understand that I have never felt this way about anyone else? I guess I just expected you to be as ok with it as I was."

He shook his head stubbornly, "But you decided to let her go for me."
"You decided to let her go for your mother."

We sat in silence before he finally said something.

"I can't stop you," he sighed, "but I also can't stop the way that I feel. I'm not ok with this. Yet. But I will try to be. For you, Kyoya."

I felt a weight lift off my chest. This was the best outcome I could have hoped for.

I tried to look Tamaki in the eyes but he wouldn't raise his face to meet mine. I gently patted his back.

"Tamaki," I said holding the door, "I would never do anything to hurt her."

He silently nodded his head and I shut the door behind me.

xxx

Tamaki and I said a very short goodbye the next day. He was salty, but he understood my standpoint. I could tell he wasn't willing to except my feelings for Haruhi, yet. But he was trying. That was all I could ask.

He hugged me goodbye before he got into the car I called to take him to the airport

watched as his black car drove off down the long, curvy driveway. I turned around to go back into the house and saw my father standing in the doorway. His eyes followed me up the stairs. I ducked in the door hoping for a quiet get away.

But he stopped me just before I reached the foyer stairs.

"Son," he said commandingly, "let's talk."

I reluctantly followed him into the parlor room that I found Haruhi in on Christmas Eve. We both sat across from each other stiffly.

My father cleared his throat before he spoke, "I think it's time to talk to you about your future in this family."

I rolled my eyes, "I thought I made it clear that I was going to forge my own future."

He nodded, "I respect that you want to forge your own way with your own company. But I would like to talk to you about becoming the head of the Ootori family when the time is right."

I looked at him perplexed, "But what about Yuuichi-senpai and Akito-senpai?"

He pursed his lips, "While I am proud of both of their accomplishments, your mother and I feel that your achievements outshines both of theirs. Outstanding performance that deserves to be acknowledged."

I was shocked into silence. This was something that I had always hoped for but never thought was possible to reach. No one ever expected the Ootori's third son to become the patriarch.

"Now," he said defensively, "that's not to say this doesn't come with conditions. The first being your company continues to be a success. I also want you to become to figure head of the Ootori Group once you've graduated from university. You are already the financial proprietor so it is only logical for you to become the face as well. You eldest brother will be the CEO but I want you two to jointly hold all the press conferences and so on together."

I sat silently as I took in everything that he was saying.

"You will also need to have dinner with your mother and me once a week prior to your control as well as after until we both feel like you would not benefit from our wisdom. Most importantly, though. Before you take over as the patriarch, you need to be married to a woman we approve of. A patriarch should have a strong matriarch to help with the burden."

I crossed my arms at this, "I will not agree to an arranged marriage."

"I don't expect you to." he said factually.

I raised my eyebrow, "You don't?"

"I full confidence that you will pick a suitable partner. I don't even expect her to be wealthy. You've made it clear that you do not need to marry into an elite business family to create connections."

I sat back unsure of what to think of all this. I adjusted my glasses and recrossed my arms over my chest. I couldn't help but feel like he had some ulterior motive. Whatever it was, it was working to my advantage.

"So you're saying that I can marry for love?" I asked questioningly.

"Yes." He adjusted his glasses too.

I realized where I got the habit from.

"And there's nothing else you want from me?"

I clicked his tongue, "Actually there is one thing."

I groaned knowing this was too good to be true.

"I want you to bring that Haruhi-chan over for dinner soon. I find her positively entertaining."