Lady Grey
Chapter Fourteen: Give the Devil His Due
As a man, Kyouya Ootori had never been out on an official, legitimate, one-on-one date. He never had the need to, or the real desire to, not really. He had better things to worry about, more important matters to tend to.
But that was a life he had left behind.
This was the life of Kyouya Ootori, youngest child and daughter of the Ootori Family, and Yoshio's shining star. So that life, Kyouya was going to lead.
He-...she... had no other choice.
At the moment, Kyouya was sitting in her room, staring towards the vanity mirror as she sat poised in front of it. She was wearing a pearl necklace that sat just above her collar bone, matching post earrings, and a plain black cocktail dress with a gentle texture that flared out the faintest, along with black heels. Simple. Plain, simple. She thought she would feel nervous, but at the moment, Kyouya, staring at a face with carefully done makeup by a maid of the house and black hair curled around delicate cheeks... she felt nothing.
Just idle emptiness.
It was Saturday night, almost seven pm. She and Kaoru had been 'official' for two weeks, but their courtship with one another was being kept under wraps. There were many reasons. Kaoru was still a member of the Host Club, and Kyouya brought up the point that it would potentially effect he and Hikaru's joint appeal. Second of all, she stated she didn't want her father knowing she was dating, as she didn't know how 'he would take it'. Kaoru understood. He didn't mind, and even stated 'it could be fun, sneaking around'.
Sneaking around...
Ever since the Monday she and Tamaki had returned from their yacht trip, the blond had been trying even harder than normal with his Kingly airs with the Host Club clients, as if he needed their attention. Haruhi had unfortunately gotten most of the flak, having to stave off their President as he attempted to shower even more obnoxious affection on his 'Daughter'. When Haruhi told him to go bother someone else, Tamai had become addled with woe. Hikaru had very unhelpfully told him to 'go to Mommy'. Tamaki only seemed to recluse himself more into whatever world he had created for himself in the meantime.
Kyouya was not going to treat him any differently. She wouldn't cave to whatever antics Tamaki was getting into.
She and Kaoru, however, had begun to open up far more dialogue than normal. Kaoru was incredibly charming when he wanted to be, in a different way than Tamaki. He was level-headed, probably as a way to help balance the more fiery Hikaru. Kyouya could understand that. She was level-headed as well. It helped to balance out Tama-
She set her jaw.
A maid called up the stairs to the loft area that Kyouya's bedroom area was at. "Kyouya-sama, Hitachiin-sama is here to see you."
"Tell him I'll be down shortly." Kyouya rose from the vanity area, picking up her Prada handbag. The dark-haired woman looked at herself in the mirror for a moment, before heading down the stairs.
It was time for her date.
Kaoru was waiting at the foyer. The redhead was waiting, playing with his smartphone, hand crammed casually into his pocket. He was wearing a pair of stylish black jeans, shiny dress shoes with a silver buckle, and a grey, long-sleeves shirt with silver, glittering stars across it, and a black vest with grey pockets. When he heard the clicking of heels, Kaoru looked up—he straightened up a bit at Kyouya's approach.
"...Hey," He let out, and Kyouya paused a bit in front of him. Kaoru's gaze swept over her. "You look great. It's nice to see you out of the Ouran uniform once in awhile."
"It's good to be out of it." The boy's uniform, she recalled, had been exceedingly more comfortable. Though the dress part was nice and breezy. She didn't comment on Kaoru's appearance. He had enough adoring fans at school to do that.
"Ready to head out?"
Kyouya nodded. "Yes, let's go."
Kaoru nodded. He held out his hand to her... and Kyouya looked down at it.
"You'll let me hold your hand once in awhile, right?" And Tamaki held out his hand to Kyouya again. "As friends, of course."
...As friends...
Kyouya took Kaoru's hand instantly. She squeezed it, and Kaoru's ears began to color pink as Kyouya, almost in defiance to the memory of Tamaki, stepped closer to him.
A voice called out to her from the back of the foyer.
"...Imouto?"
Kaoru and Kyouya both looked back. Standing at the back of the foyer, in dim lighting, was the second oldest brother Akito. He was holding some books, heading back to his room. The young man stared at the two, looking confused.
Well, shit.
"Yes, Oniisan?" Kyouya asked him. She didn't let go of Kaoru's hand. Akito's gaze slipped down to it, then back up at her.
"...Are you... going out?"
"I am," Kyouya stated, and she added, "On a date. I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell Otousama."
"Oh, no, no. Of course not." Akito shook his head, looking at Kaoru. "...He's... one of the Hitachiin Twins, right?"
"Yeah, one of them," Kaoru spoke casually, and he started to look annoyed at being held up with idle conversation. "We're heading out, now."
Akito shot him a look, but shrugged his shoulders, ultimately. "...Don't stay out too late."
"Goodbye, Oniisan," Kyouya replied back. She and Kaoru headed out, exiting the Ootori Estate. There was a limo waiting for them down the steps. Kaoru held Kyouya's hand steady, helping her down the stairs in her heels.
"He's cheery," Kaoru commented snidely. Kyouya glanced over at him, and the redhead, spotting her look, tried to take back the awful tone. "Uh, I mean-"
"You're fine. Akito can be a little strange." The driver opened the door for them, and Kyouya stepped in. She smoothed down her short skirt over her bottom, but she could almost feel Kaoru's eyes wandering. The two slid into the limo together, the chauffeur closing the door after them. "Are you going to tell me what you have planned? Or do you plan on keeping me in the dark?"
"About that," Kaoru stated, and he leaned back, getting comfortable in the limo. "I got a date planned... but I think the fun going to be less that we're doing stuff, but how that's all gonna play out."
Kyouya arched a brow at him from across the seat. "Care to explain?"
There was a smile on Kaoru's face. The redhead seemed to dance on the thought for a little bit as the limo headed to whatever destination he had planned, before he finally spoke.
"I'm about... 99.99999% sure that Hikaru and Mi'lord are tailing us," Kaoru finally admitted, and Kyouya's eyes widened. She turned to look into the back window of the limo, but she could only see another pair of headlights following them in the dark. "...I don't really know whose idea it was, but it doesn't really matter, I guess. Point is...
"They're following us."
Kyouya understood now. Sure, they were being followed. Kyouya wouldn't be surprised if the rest of the Host Club had been dragged along... minus Haruhi, of course. She wasn't the type to allow herself to butt into other people's business. However...
Did they just want to spy on them?
...Or were they going to try and ruin things?
It didn't matter; Kyouya didn't like it either way. However, judging by the look of Kaoru's face, he was finding it hilarious. The dark-haired woman looked away from the window, to Kaoru.
"I've learned the best way to do deal with Tamaki is to ignore him," She stated. A grin practically split Kaoru's face in half at that.
"So you're saying we just have a great time as planned and everything else will fall into place?"
"Precisely." They had the upper hand. Kyouya wasn't going to let them pull any sort of stupid prank on them... and, if it was a show they wanted, she'd give them one. She had already made her decision.
She was going to do things her own way. She didn't need to be beside the King to be a Queen in her own right. She was Kyouya Ootori.
But even so, she could still vividly recall ice-cold water, the glowing light of the moon, Tamaki's hand grasping hold of her arm and pulling her from the depths of the water...
Kaoru was talking, but Kyouya barely heard any of it, looking out of the window of the limousine in contemplation. When they arrived to their destination...
Kyouya was perplexed as she stepped out of the car. It wasn't a restaurant, or a movie theater... in fact, it just looked like a modern office building. Only a few of the lights were on—mostly at the bottom level. Kaoru slid out of the car behind her, smiling when he noticed the confused look on Kyouya's face.
"Where are we?" Kyouya inquired, looking up at him. Kaoru put his hand in his pocket.
"Well, I thought dinner and a movie was a little cliché," He answered, and he gestured for Kyouya to follow him inside. "I wanted to do something interesting."
Kyouya didn't comment. She followed along, watching everything unfold. Security let them into the building, and Kaoru led Kyouya past an empty concierge desk and into the office building. They walked down a bland, white-tile hall with framed prints of famous pieces of art and photographs. Down a few more halls and empty rooms, and finally, Kyouya could hear people talking. Quite a few, a decent crowd. They came to some double doors, and Kaoru paused in front of them. Loud music was playing, muffled by the heavy doors.
"This is it," The Hitachiin twin stated. Kyouya looked to him again.
"I'm not going to have to start running, am I?"
Kaoru snickered a bit. "That depends. Do you hate modeling?"
"...What?"
Kaoru opened the doors.
Inside, several people were walking around, setting up camera equipment and hauling dresses. Bright makeup studio vanities with several bulbs of lights were lined along the wall. A large buffet table with food spread out was to the back. A large photoset with various backdrops was in the back, shined on with huge box lights. Kyouya's expression was open as Kaoru led her inside.
"You know my mom is a famous fashion designer," Kaoru stated, and Kyouya nodded mutely as he continued, "And I noticed you've actually worn some of her stuff—like the bathing suit you wore to the beach. So, I thought...
"You're always the one behind the scenes of the Host Club," Kaoru replied. He paused, put a hand lazily on his hip. "You set everything up for us, so we all look good in front of Ouran Academy and our clients and stuff. Without you, Boss's club would have gone bankrupt and stupid by now.
"So it's your turn." And Kaoru gestured towards the set-up. "...You should be the star. And I brought all of my mom's newest stuff, too, to try out. What do you think?"
Kyouya's eyes continued to change focus as she concentrated on this, that, and the other. A buffet of various foods instead of a traditional dinner, her own photoshoot of entertainment. It was true. Kyouya had sat in on several photoshoots of the boys in order to be sure the product came out nice, that they weren't being completely unruly, to enjoy their company and the antics of the Host Club she held so close to her heart... but this? This was...
Thoughtful. She never would have guessed this, not in a million years.
So this was what it was like to be courted.
Kaoru was waiting for Kyouya to answer. She was the toughest judge. Kyouya looked to Kaoru.
"...Won't this be boring for you?" She inquired honestly. "...I'm not saying it's bad. It's incredibly creative and thoughtful. But..."
"Oh, trust me," Kaoru stated, and he grinned. "I love this kind of stuff. It will be plenty entertaining for me. I'll be playing the part of your official stylist, after all."
"Ah. Well then. By all means." And Kyouya gestured towards the set-up. "...Please. You first."
Kaoru beamed. He led Kyouya first over to the main racks of clothing, smiling the entire way. He was incredibly thrilled. It was rare when Kyouya dressed up along with the rest of the Host Club... and while it was fun knowing Haruhi was being pulled into the antics, the fact all of her clothing had to be suitable for a boy was starting to become sort of a drag (literally... hahaha!). Kyouya, on the other hand...
She was fashionable, in a classic way. Kaoru was a bit envious of Tamaki, who was Kyouya's best friend and thus, saw her on many more occasions outside of school than he did. The Suoh Family and the Ootori Family also had business dealings and on good terms. The Hitachiin Family, while influential, was just not even close to the same field. As for the King himself, well...
The redhead watched as Kyouya idly sifted through some of the outfits on display.
Kyouya was the Shadow Queen, the one who really pulled the strings when it came to the Host Club. She was with him now, and Kaoru had noticed the odd strain between the two. Did that mean...
...He was the real King, now?
There was a small smirk on his face. But it wiped away as Kyouya looked over to him. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Doesn't every girl wanna be a model at some point?" Kaoru asked. Kyouya blinked languidly at him.
"...Not particularly."
"Oh?" Kaoru took Kyouya's hand. He moved her over to one of the vanity's setting her down in the chair by the shoulders. He leaned over her, taking her chin into his hand, tilting her face up. He pressed the side of his head against hers, glancing into the mirror along with Kyouya. Milk-tea and sweet honey eyes stared back. "...But you're so beautiful.
"It's a pain in the ass to cater those plain-jane girls day-after-day all the time... but I'd always serve this face."
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER YOU CONINVING-"
From outside of the building, peering through a window up high, Hikaru slammed his hand over Tamaki's mouth. The blond made a noise, kicking his feet. Mori blinked bored as Honey rode atop his shoulders, peering inside.
"Shut up, they'll hear you!" Hikaru hissed back. Probably not, with all of the crew walking around inside, and the sound of club music playing, but still. The other Hitachiin twin was not about to underestimate Tamaki's vocal capabilities. Tamaki pushed Hikaru's hand away from his face.
"We have to get in there somehow!" Tamaki proclaimed.
"But there's security everywheeere," Honey lamented form his place on top of his cousin's shoulders. "If Takeshi and I cause a ruckus, Kaoru-kun and Kyo-chan will know we're here."
"Yeah," Mori responded with a nod of his head.
"Ergh!" Tamaki's eyes narrowed. He closed them, trying to formulate a plan. "There's got to be a way to get inside without rousing some sort of suspicion...! There's no telling what that little Devil is going to do to Mommy!"
"What the hell is your problem?" Hikaru snapped back, and Tamaki looked over to the other twin. "It's not Kaoru that's going to be the problem! There's no doubt Kyouya is the one that's a man-eating black widow!"
"Who are you calling a man-eater?!" Tamaki shouted at him, and the two suddenly butt heads with each other, undecipherable words flying out of their mouths. Honey and Mori glanced to each other, before Honey cleared his throat.
"If you two keep arguing, we'll be out here all night," Honey replied simply, and the two boys stopped shouting, looking over at the older student. "We need to put out heads together and think of a way inside, quick!"
"You're absolutely right," Tamaki stated, and he rose to his feet fully. "...And I think I have an idea!"
Lady Grey.
Flashing lights were everywhere, and the stage was hot, but Kyouya had to admit to herself... this wasn't a bad idea at all.
At first, she'd been unsure about the whole issue, but Kaoru had brought up some sensibilities about having a photoshoot. If she ever needed a headshot for school, or even photos for campaigns or events for the Ootori Group, why not have lots of flattering pictures to choose from? Kaoru was also a magnificent makeup artist and stylist. He fit her into incredible dresses and work-attire ensembles that were both fashion-forward and practical... perfect, for an Ootori.
The cameraman was complimenting her with nearly every shot, telling her she was a natural. Kyouya idly wondered if he was being paid to say it, but it didn't matter, did it? It was giving her ideas for the Host Club as well, though she wasn't sure if Kaoru would like his date idea being used for profit.
Kyouya stepped off of the stage, and Kaoru went up to greet her.
"He's right though," Kaoru spoke. "You do look good."
"Just good?" Kyouya asked, and Kaoru's expression turned into a smirk.
"...Hot," He replied instead. Kyouya had enough humility to flush, just a touch at the cheeks.
The redhead led her back to the vanity. Kyouya started snacking and the two began talking idly, about school and the Host Club while she relaxed. After about five or so minutes, Kaoru segwayed into the final piece.
"You said I could choose whatever I wanted for the last one," Kaoru reminded.
"Yes, as long as it's not lingerie, of course," Kyouya stated, and she offered Kaoru a small smirk in return. "Not on the first date."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Kaoru answered airily. He headed off, Kyouya taking a drink of orange juice. Kaoru returned with a dress, and Kyouya's eyes wandered over to it.
The dress was mostly black, but there were sensuous splashes of purple in addition to the dark hues. Black tulle and lace sprung from the back and trailed down to the floor, almost like a peacock's feathers while rested. A large purple ribbon was flush against he back, long tails trailing down along with the dress. The front was short, much like a skirt, in purple that flared out as well with black ruffles underneath as a petticoat. The top was wrapped in purple with black jewels across the heart-shaped bust, and the shoulders were complimented with large, thick bows with fluffed up tulle shooting out at the sides. Kyouya's expression was priceless: wide and open as she looked at the elaborate attire.
"Pair it with some black pumps, opera-length gloves, and the tiara I got goin', and you'll be a real Shadow Queen," Kaoru stated proudly. Kyouya's ash-brown eyes lifted up to him.
"You want me to wear that?"
"You won't?"
"That's not..." Kyouya trailed off, staring at the outfit. She sighed, plucking it from Kaoru. "Fine." She rose, heading towards the changing room. Kaoru smiled after her... but his expression settled for a moment.
He just had the strangest feeling...
Nothing had happened yet. Had he been wrong about Hikaru and Tamaki following them? He was almost a little disappointed. He'd hoped something from them would make the evening a little more interesting... not that he wasn't having fun, but... still...
He wondered what that feeling was.
Kyouya returned, but Kaoru was nowhere to be found. Some crew members came up, telling her they'd help her out with the makeup and the rest of the accessories, and Kyouya was swept into being primped for the last photoshoot for the night. She was going to be tired after this. A good tired, of course, but she hadn't been expecting to be running around so much. Her mind idly wondered where Kaoru had run off to... but she figured he'd show his face again sooner or later.
One of the lights in the back of the stage toppled over, causing people to look back towards the set. The crew members to the back called out they would handle it, and everyone went back to their business. However...
As the two men moved around back...
Honey's hand flew out of nowhere. The small boy chopped one of the stagehands at the back of the neck, effectively knocking him out. Before the second man could call for help, Honey had given him the same treatment, and both men fell to the ground behind the backdrop. Tamaki and Hikaru poked their heads up from where they were both dressed in security guard attire, sunglasses, caps, and bright, reflective vests included, the word 'SECURITY' stretched out in black bold font on the back.
"Good job, Honey!" Tamaki hissed from his place. He and Hikaru's hair was stuffed under navy blue baseball caps with the security logo on them. Mori began peeling off one of the men's crew member shirts, pulling it on over his own shirt. Honey nodded his head, giving them a thumbs-up and a wink.
"Takeshi and I will take care of everything here!" He chirped out. Tamaki and Hikaru glanced at one another, giving one another a nod of the head.
"All right, Mi'lord, try not to get in my way," Hikaru stated. Tamaki glared at him from behind dark sunglasses.
"Excuse me? Don't get in my way, you demon-spawn!"
Mori was setting the light back up before anyone noticed the commotion. Honey peeked around, gesturing for the other two to leave.
Tamaki and Hikaru slipped out, into the crowd of the available photoshoot crew.
Kyouya had made her way onto the stage. Her glasses were gone, this time replaced with intricate make-up in hues of purple, black, and forest green. Dark red lipstick was on her lips. A glittering tiara sat on top of her black hair, and the accessories Kaoru had suggested were now in place. The dress showed off Kyouya's long legs. One of the stagehands helped her onto the set—simple, to show off the outfit. A lavish throne set atop of a tall, seven-foot file of human skulls and bones, and a plain, deep grey background. Kyouya took a seat on the throne primly.
The cameraman called out to the light crew, before taking a few test shots to adjust his camera settings. Kyouya's picture flashed on the screens that showed off the current photo from the bluetooth capabilities on the camera. There were several gasps from the crew, and Tamaki and Hikaru both looked over to the display.
Strong shadows pushed against the backdrop, creating a curling, almost lethal-looking image behind the beautiful queen. Tamaki halted in place, his royal-blue eyes going wide as he gazed at the picture that had everyone raving around him. In the image, his best friend's eyes were incredibly clear. They'd always been hidden behind glasses, but their intense gaze and dazzling color forced their impression on the blond King.
Had Kyouya's eyes always been that color?
...Had her lips, now colored in red... always looked so full?
Tamaki's attention was ripped from Kyouya's glamour shot when Hikaru yanked him off to the side, away from where they were standing. The blond was about to yell at him for jerking him about, but he realized the reason for their sudden retreat: Kaoru was approaching them, heading to the stage.
He was dressed up, too.
While Kyouya was the epitome of her given title, the Shadow Queen, Kaoru strode towards her casually, confidently, in his own chosen attire. It was a stark, blood-red suit, with a black collared shirt and white tie. His red hair was styled, a little more wild than normal, and someone had upped the special effects on him, creating small, little reddish-black horns that seemed to magically protrude from the corners of his forehead, flush against the hairline. Shiny white dress shoes with a winged tip matched the tie.
Hikaru and Tamaki peeked from behind a light fixture.
"He looks good..." Hikaru commented, more to himself than to Tamaki. Tamaki, on the other hand...
Silence.
The blond remained silent as the scene before him unfolded. Kaoru paused before Kyouya, and he offered her a grin. Kyouya looked down at her from atop the throne that was situated on a pile of bones. She crossed her legs, and Kaoru's gaze wandered to Kyouya's hips as she sat.
"A little Devil?" Kyouya inquired, and she swore, for a moment, she was actually flirting. Kaoru made a sweeping bow towards her.
"Well, the Boss is always calling me that. Who better than to be by the Shadow Queen's side?" He asked. Kaoru waited a beat, wondering if Kyouya would answer him otherwise, but Kyouya remained tight-lipped, silent. The redhead smirked a touch, straightening himself out. "D'you like it?"
"It's fitting," The dark-haired woman answered back.
"Guess that's more of a yes than anything."
The cameraman called out to them, setting them to look over. Kyouya glanced at Kaoru. "Since you're the one who dressed me like this, you must have an idea."
"I do," And Kaoru started posing for the cameraman at the foot of the throne, smiling. "Watch and learn."
"He's touching her!" Tamaki hissed nearly ten minutes later when Kaoru had moved atop the pile of skulls and bones. The redhead was leaning over Kyouya, tilting her chin up, leaning in close to her face. Tamaki stamped his feet a little. "He's going to defile her! He's going to defile my Mommy with that dirty little mouth of his!"
"Will you calm down?" Hikaru snapped, but it was apparent he wasn't in any better mood than Tamaki was. He was watching his twin and Kyouya with amber eyes anxiously. Tamaki started scrambling inside of his pockets, pulling out his smartphone. He yanked it to his face after speed-dialing Honey.
"Yep?" Came Honey's cheerful voice.
"That devil Kaoru is going to take our Mommy's innocence!" Tamaki half-screeched into the phone, and a couple of people near them glanced over towards the two 'security guards', but ultimately let them be. "You have to do something to stop them!"
"Hmmm..." Honey let out thoughtfully. The noise from the crew members could be heard in the background. "Takeshi and I could maybe make a distraction!"
"Yes! Anything!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"Okaaaay~!"
Tamaki heard the line cut off. He looked back up to the studio set, where the cameraman took a step forward, towards Kyouy and Kaoru. He held up his camera.
"Oooooookkkkaaaayyyy," The cameraman replied in slow-motion, and his hands left behind images of themselves as they painstakingly slowly moved into position. "Noooowwww..."
Actually, the above and the following were Tamaki's senses going into slow-motion. What he was seeing was affecting him in an emotional, mental, and potentially spiritual level. If one could see the handsome Host Club King's eyes, covered by sunglasses, they would see his royal-blues were wide as saucers, pupils dilated. His mouth was gaping.
"Booooothhhhh offfff yoooouuuu shooooouuuuld kiiiiiissssss..." The cameraman insisted. Slight spittle flew from his mouth as he hissed the word 'kiss', gleaming in the light. His fingers readjusted themselves on the camera. His clothing fluttered, along with brown hair as he got into the position he wanted to capture the moment. Kyouya's hair, black as ink, fluttered around lovely, curved cheeks, her milk-tea eyes glancing up at Kaoru with a bright gaze. Kaoru's own evil, beady eyes turned towards Kyouya, and fire smoked around him and smoldered in his gaze—lust, I tell you, lust!–and his groping, ill-intended hand grasped hold of Kyouya's chin, tilting her face us. Her long, coy lashes bat once against her face as she gazed up at the sinning twin.
Once again, Tamaki was being over dramatic about the entire affair. But the feelings scrambling about inside of him were real enough, panicked and desperate.
Hurry, Honey!
That's when it happened. Across the stage, Tamaki saw a large skull rolling across the floor. His expression brightened, waiting for the unexpected to happen, for the diversion from the kiss to take place.
The skull slowed to a stop. A crew member kicked it out of the way of the scene, so it wasn't ruining the picture, and it bumped and bounced away. Nothing happened.
Nothing happened.
"Are you kidding me?!" Tamaki shouted as the skull rolled towards he and Hikaru. "That was supposed to be the diversion?!"
"Mi'lord, do something!" Hikaru yelled back. Tamaki, in his haste, snatched up the skull in his hands. He grasped hold of it tight, before kicking his leg up into the air, rearing his hand back as if a pitcher at a baseball game, and he was about to score the game-winning strike.
"I'M NOT GIVING UP MOMMY'S INNOCENCE SO EASILY!" Tamaki exclaimed, and with all his strength, he flung the skull right at the stage. It hurdled towards the set at seemingly 100mph, a fast ball jettisoning to it's final destination. It flew past several crewmen, papers flying into the air, drinks spilling, people diving out of the way to not be hit in the face. Kyouya and Kaoru both happened to look over at the same time, swearing that-
"Tama-" Kyouya began in confusion, but she didn't finish his name, if he even was there.
The thrown skull connected with the set—against the pill of skulls. It knocked about three of them out of their place, but that was all it took.
Kaoru's eyes went wide as he tumbled down first, rolling down the pile of skulls and bones. Kyouya let out a noise of surprise, and she grasped hold of the sides of the throne as the foundation holding it up shook. Everyone started shouting as skulls and bones began rolling off of the set, across the concrete floor.
"The set's falling!" Someone called out.
Kyouya felt the throne tilting to the side. She tried to lean the other way to balance it, but she knew her fate—and it was going to be really, really painful. She was going to fall. She was going to fall off a seven-foot mountain of skulls and bones. What if the throne landed on top of her? It was hundreds of pounds!
Only one word for this situation.
"Shit." Kyouya let out as the throne jerked to the left suddenly. On the floor, Kaoru was sitting up, shaking his head out. He looked up to see the heavy throne tilting to the side, and his eyes widened.
"Kyouya!" Kaoru exclaimed. Across the room, Tamaki was shouting the same name.
"KYOUYA!" Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap- what had he just done?! Tamaki took off across the large room towards the set. Hikaru was right on his heels.
The throne fell over. Kyouya tumbled right out of it, and grunt of pain leaving her as she crashed face first into the pile of bones, rolling. She only rolled for a couple of feet, flopping on her back against the bottom of the pile. Her eyes went wide as she saw the throne falling right at her face, ready to crush her head in. She threw her arms up to shield herself-
-Only for someone to grab her by the ankles. She felt herself get yanked back, and the throne landed with a heavy crash where she was laying, one of the arms shattering on impact. The hands were on her shoulders now, holding her tight. Kyouya's eyes opened, and...
Tamaki stood twenty feet away, Hikaru holding him by one of his wrists. The two watched as several crew people rushed forward towards Kyouya and her savior-
Kaoru.
"You okay?" Kaoru let out, looking down at her. Kyouya stared up at him with a wide, open expression. The youngest Ootori nodded her head.
"...I'm fine." The two stared at each other, before a laugh broke out between them.
...Something else broke. Tamaki felt it, somewhere inside of him... and it was strange feeling, because, because...
He didn't know if it was correct or not... to feel this way. The blond briefly recalled images of his mother back in France, of his Grandmother denying him entrance to the main estate, of Kyouya grabbing him by the collar two years ago, shouting about how lucky he was to not be born as the last child...
"A relationship with them is impossible."
"How is it impossible?!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"They don't love me back," Kyouya answered.
"But look at you!" The blond let out, and Kyouya just watched at the man gestured wildly with his arms. "Look at you! You're Ootori Kyouya! You're the Shadow Queen! You're smart! You're clever! You're beautiful! How could they not?"
Kyouya stared back at him. She blinked her eyes lazily once. Twice. And then...
"I don't know," She stated, and she turned, heading to the door. Kyouya opened it, before looking back at Tamaki. "...You tell me."
...'You tell me'.
"Boss," Hikaru hissed, and he tugged on Tamaki's arm. "We gotta get out of here." When Tamaki didn't answer him, still staring out towards his twin and Kyouya, Hikaru yanked on him again. "Boss!"
"Huh?" Tamaki looked back to Hikaru. He could see Honey and Mori towards one of the emergency exits, waving them over. Right. They were undercover. Kaoru and Kyouya weren't supposed to know they were even there. Tamaki shot one glance back towards the stage, but both he and Hikaru took off, escaping along with the rest of the Host Club.
The crew started cleaning up the area. Kaoru began to help Kyouya up, slowly to her feet.
"Oh man, you busted your face," Kaoru let out, and Kyouya lifted a hand to her face immediately. She had landed on it, and it did feel incredibly swollen. "I think you might of gotten a black eye."
"We'll see in the morning," Kyouya let out in a weary tone of voice. Her left eye was already red. Kaoru helped her back to the vanity area to it her down. "Thank you... if that throne landed on my face... I wouldn't have one."
The two didn't talk further about the incident. After getting dressed in their original attire, the two headed back to the limo, heading back towards Kyouya's house. There was silence as they sat together for a few minutes... but...
Kaoru leaned over. He wrapped an arm around Kyouya's shoulders. Kyouya, who'd been deep in thought, glanced over.
"Is this okay?" He asked her.
There was silence for a moment. Kyouya's thoughts were a whirlwind of emotion. Perhaps Tamaki had been right. Perhaps she shouldn't be dating Kaoru, that this was a bad idea. She didn't have strong, romantic feelings for him... she didn't feel the same way about him as she did Tamaki. Kyouya was certain she'd never felt the same way about a person as she did Tamaki, ever. She wasn't sure if it was possible to. Tamaki had changed her life, twice over, and that was why...
"It's fine."
She had to let him go.
In another limo, in another drive, while the Host Club talked animatedly between each other, Tamaki was silent, looking out the window in thought. He had been on the same brainwave has his best friend, the two within heavy contemplation.
He couldn't save her.
In fact, he'd caused the danger. He'd put her in danger. Had he ever done that before to her? To Haruhi? Tamaki had felt that same rush he felt when he took after Kyouya on the deck of the yacht, but there he'd been the hero, the savior, the one she had held onto, came after to thank him. In reality, Kyouya was always the hero, the unspoken one. She planned everything, she made sure all of his plans and dreams went off without a hitch. She listened to his every childish whim, even when she was annoyed by his antics. If he needed an idea, she turned the gears. When he strove to do something bigger, greater, bolder—who was there?
His family—the one he had made at the Host Club. Mori, strong and silent but always there, Honey, cute and deceptive but capable and kept everyone happy and together (and oh, all his cake!). Hikaru and Kaoru, those little tricksters, fiends they could be, but they were his friends ultimately. They lit up the party and brought excitement and a dash of chaos.
Haruhi, his lovely Daughter, so smart but cynical, go good with the ladies and a wonderful voice of reason. Ah, how he adored her, how he attempted to bring her out of her shell and wear cuter and fashionable things! If she was a little more girly, a little less common and incredibly uncultured, and so heartily ignored all of his Fatherly love and attention he tried to give her...
But those thoughts gave him pause, because all of those things: more cultured, more fashionable, would wear lovely things... a voice of reason, smart and bright...
All of those things he wanted Haruhi to be... wasn't that already...?
Tamaki felt his heart churning inside of his stomach, an empty pit. Kyouya had been acting so strange, only for him to find out her father had been pressuring her into marrying so soon. Even with all of that, she still kept her grades perfect, still managed the Host Club... she was nothing short of amazing. Haruhi, in all of her intelligence, yes, she was also amazing, but Kyouya was a different kind. Haruhi didn't have to worry about the painful pressures of her family, about who she was going to marry, how she had to look that day in case the right or wrong person saw her, of managing a high-revenue Club on top of whatever obligations Kyouya must have had (as all families had their secrets).
Why hadn't she told him? Did Kyouya not trust him? She had yanked her hand away when he tried to hold it, slapped it when he re-demanded it of her. She hadn't told him about the issue with that girl Hana, either, not until it had landed on his lap. Weren't he and Kyouya supposed to be best friends? Isn't that what she said to him? If they were best friends, then why didn't she tell him what was going on with her and her father? Why had she kept him in the dark?
"You're my best friend," The black-haired youth stated finally, and her voice was clear and controlled. "I don't want anything to tarnish that relationship."
Tamaki found himself home soon. The blond buried himself into bed. His head hurt. He didn't want to think anymore. Overwhelming was a good word for it.
Had be become so absorbed with everyone else in the Host Club... that he had forgotten to pay better attention to his own best friend? In fact...
Has he ignored her in favor of... another woman? Did he like...?
Tamaki's dog, Antoinette, hopped onto the bed behind him with a bark, landing with a soft plop into the covers beside him. Her presence sufficiently interrupted wherever his thoughts had been going. Her wet nose and pink silk ribbon rubbed against his cheek. Tamaki looked over at her, a smile lifting on to his face as he lifted his arm, dragging the dog into him. "Ah, come here, Antoinette..."
It didn't take long for Tamaki to fall asleep afterwards. His dreams were strange... and though he would hesitate to call them nightmares per se... it wouldn't bee too far off from the truth. In them, he was chasing Kyouya as she ran away from him in a lavish wedding gown. She was smiling, rare as it was. It wasn't a beautiful smile.
But only for the fact she wasn't smiling because of him... but someone else.
Another chapter complete! Who knew it would be out so soon? Thank you so much for saying with me for so long.
If you liked this chapter (or just anything about this story), I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and other such things. Reading the reviews from last chapter really pumped me up the entire time I worked on this, and I hope I can keep it going more steadily with your encouraging words!
Also! If you'd like, please check out my new Tamaki x Kyouya story I have put up, Le Portrait du Companion, rated M! Something for the more adult crowd!
Please Review!