I know the title is kind of suggestive, but the rating is still T! Don't pass up this chapter just because the title makes it sound... xD
I rumage through my suitcase, which sits open on the floor, and explain my version of truth or dare to the club. I pull out a pair of yoga pants and turn to face them.
"So," I begin, pulling the pants on under my shirt, "no skipping. All questions and dares are final." I grin at the boys and take my place among the circle. My gaze is met with looks of surprise, awe, and excitement. Hikaru and Kaoru give one another an evil smile, Honey grins cutely, Mori's face is stony as ever, Haruhi seems slightly annoyed, and Tamaki's eyes are wide as a child with a new toy. I find myself beaming with joy. I've never played games like this with anyone but my sister and my maids as a kid. I'd never really has anyone else to play with.
"Who starts?" Tamaki asks.
"You, boss." Kaoru says.
"Yeah, it was your idea." Hikaru explains.
"Very well," Tamaki ponders. "Honey, truth or dare?"
"Truth!" The small boy singsongs. I tell with one glance that Tamaki is going to take this seriously. He gets up and inspects Honey, tilting his head from side to side, running Honey's blonde hair through his long fingers, holding the boy's arms out to the side. Finally, after a very intense and awkward scrutiny, he gasps.
"Honey, sempai, is your hair naturally blonde?"
The small boy's eyes widen to an almost frightening diameter. "Nope!" He says after half a second, back to his normal chipper attitude.
"I knew it!" Tamaki says accusingly.
"Wait, then what's-" Kaoru starts.
"-Your real hair color?" Hikaru finishes. I look at Honey out of the corner of my eye.
"Black, like Takashi."
"Really?" I blurt out. "Why did you change it?"
"It's just cuter this way!" He explains with a smile that warms my heart. I smile back at him.
"Okay then, Honey, it's your turn." Tamaki says.
"Aki-chan!"
"Uh," I say stupidly, surprised. "Dare?" It's the first thing that pops into my mind and I instantly regret it.
"Eat some cake with me!" I let out a sigh of relief as I remember who I'm dealing with. A couple slices of cake are brought up and I take my second bite as Honey finishes his whole piece. I put the plate on the floor and stretch out on my stomach. Through a mouthful of the sweet chocolate dessert, I continue the game.
"Kaoru," I say, pointing with my fork at the twin who's lounging against his brother's shoulder, "truth or dare?"
"Dare," he says with a challenging smile. I sort of hoped he'd pick truth because I have a question that I've never been brave enough to ask. So I just rephrase the dare.
"I dare you to tell me whether or not your whole brotherly love thing is an act." I can feel the tension in the room. The whole club leans closer to the twins, who wear matching looks of amazement and are gazing at one another. Kaoru looks ready to crawl into a hole and disappear, and Hikaru seems conflicted on whether to laugh or be equally as embarrassed. I have to wonder though: are they embarrassed for one another or themselves?
"Well, um..." Kaoru begins, voice cutting through the tension. Hikaru gives him a look, but Kaoru continues. "Sometimes."
"Oh," I draw out the word, smiling at the twins' matching blushes. Hikaru throws his arm around Kaoru and the latter rests his head on his twin's shoulder. I kick my bare feet in the air, already loving this game. Hikaru whispers something in Kaoru's ear, and the younger twin grins.
"Haruhi, truth or dare?" Kaoru asks. Haruhi groans.
"Truth. You guys are not ordering me around."
"Aw..." he drawls, thinking. His eyes light up and he glances at his twin. They both grin and ask in unison, "Who in the whole host club would you date?"
"How about..." she brings her knees up to her chest. The whole club holds their breath. "No one." Haruhi finally says.
"You have to pick!" Tamaki whines. I take another bite of my remaining cake.
"If I had to pick, It would probably be Kyoya-senpai," she says thoughtfully. My stomach tightens and I choke on my cake. Tamaki gasps, wails, and retreats into a corner. I try not to look at any of the hosts by taking up the last sliver of my cake and leaving the room.
"Where are you going, Aki-chan?" Honey asks.
"Cleaning up," I mumble. As soon as I'm out of sight, I race down to the kitchen and drop off my plate. Then, refusing to go back to that dangerous game, I wander into the dining room. My bare feet are cold on the tiles and the sound of the door closing echoes through the large room. I pull a chair out and lower myself slowly into it. I sigh and cross my legs, propping my knees on the arms of the chair.
My thoughts drift back to Kyoya, no matter how many times I try to force them away. His onyx eyes full of all-knowing mischief, his ebony hair in stark contrast with his pale skin, his glasses reflecting light and obscuring his eyes. Then, I remember the feel of his hands on mine, his lips pressing against my cold skin, saving me, and as of a few minutes ago, alone in my room. I can't help but blush, but I also feel an unwelcome blossom of anger. I stare at my bare feet, soaking in the silence of the empty room. I find myself muttering my poem under my breath. The words fly through my lips and into the vast space beyond, offering a comforting warmth.
"I don't mind you being in here, but could you please keep it down?"
My heart skips a beat and I nearly fall out of my chair. I didn't notice him. I'd assumed he'd gone back to wherever his room is to sleep.
"Sorry, I didn't see you. Do you ever sleep?"
"Of course."
"It was a rhetorical question," I mutter.
"I know," Kyoya retorts.
"For the record," I say after a short pause, "I'm not planning on holding what you did against you. We're still friends. Just don't think you can do it again." I slide my eyes up to meet his. He doesn't look sorry or guilty, just surprised. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and break eye contact just as his cell phone rings.
"Hello? Tamaki? Yes. As long as you're paying. Okay." He hangs up and glances at me. I cock my head to the side and raise an eyebrow at him questioningly. Kyoya only smiles at me.
Shoutout to PandaCracker for her inspirational ideas (like... all of the questions...).