Disclaimer: La la la... huh? Oh, no, of course I'm not trying to sneak out the host club... these are just look alikes of course...
It was still akward. Of course it would be, but it still hurt a little. Hikaru was stiff and shot her curious glances during class. The normal mischevious energy was lacking. It was replaced by a listless aura. Tamaki was quiet. He could do no less than be the charming prince any starry eyed girl that crossed his path expected, but there was no glitter for his spectacled best friend. His huge violet eyes did not radiate their ususal light. Those clear windows to his soul only showed a clouded expression. Neither broken heart was looking forward to meeting for the host club; to finally seeing the new couple in the same room.
Hani and Mori made sure to finish early that day from Kendo and such. Naps would wait. They made sure to be almost as early as Kyouya at the 3rd Music Room. Tamaki strolled in next. He was smiling, but the tension was palpable. Haruhi walked in last, flanked by the twins. They were teasing her mercilessly about having to share "Kyo-kun's" heart with his bank account. But no matter the best intentions they all had at attempting to act naturally, the moment they all looked at each other the silence was absolute. You could almost hear Tamaki's heart re-break as he gazed upon his precious daughter. Hikaru's fists clenched and unclenched at the sight of Kyouya. Forgiveness is far easier said than done.
"Tama-kun, Tama-kun," Hani spoke at long last. "I'm pround of you for not chasing the twins even though they're hugging Haru-chan." Mori almost smiled at his cousin's attempt to break the tension and have things go back to normal.
A strange expression crossed Tamaki's face. "Let Kyouya save her."
Kyouya didn't even pause in the typing he had started as soon as Hani spoke up, merely raised an eyebrow. "What am I? Prince Charming? I thought I was known as the Shadow King." Tamaki looked shocked and stuttered, unable to understand someone not wanting to come to Haruhi's rescue. "Besides'" He pushed up his glasses for effect and letting his lips twitch up in a malicious grin, "it is most amusing to see her sweat. Right, Hikaru?"
That effectively broke the tension. Kaoru howled with laughter at Tamaki's distress and Hikaru chuckled, whispering to his two closest friends, "Advil. A whole bottle." As if the timing had been planned (though one must always wonder a little as to how far the Shadow King's powers truly extend) the clients started drifting in at that moment. The last tendrils of ackwardness remained, but not suffocatingly so. Just a constant reminder that though things seemed to be going on as normal, something had changed for good. Nevertheless the hosts were perfect that day. Kyouya's behavior had shown them that he hadn't changed overnight just because he had fallen in love. He was still the Shadow King, and Haruhi was still Haruhi, and the others took comfort in the knowledge that despite things changing their friendship would remain true. Little did they know that the afternoon's event had had an audience. Even Kyouya had trusted Ouran's ability to keep out the media, but a telescopic lens had captured the tense moments. The shadow behind the camera wondered just how much a heartbroken heir to the Suoh company, staring at Kyouya's rumored fiancee no less, would sell for.
"Haruhi! How was school dear?" Her brown eyes let the married woman know everything she wanted to know.
"How did you manage to escape your husband this time?" A male voice cut in sharply from behind Haruhi.
"Are you sure you weren't adopted?" The tomboy asked.
"Do you want some dinner?" Fuyumi asked, ignoring her brother.
Kyouya sighed. He had wanted to keep Haruhi to himself when he invited her home to work on homework, but he wasn't cruel enough to deny his sister the company she so desired. "Considering it is my home now, I do believe it is my place to offer her dinner." Fuyumi just flashed him a smile and began an animated conversation with Haruhi. Several hours later Kyoya had a sense of dejavu as Fuyumi attempted to fold his clothing, and yet Haruhi's infectious giggles reminded him that his sister and he were not the same as they once were.
"Didn't you promise to help her?" Kyouya was enjoying sitting next to Haruhi on the couch, and he was loath to release her, but Fuyumi was making a real mess.
"What am I? Prince Charming?" She threw back at him playfully. "Besides, it is most amusing to see her sweat. Right, Kyouya?"
There was a flash of glasses in mock threat. "I could just make you lose your scholarship for Ouran if you don't comply."
Haruhi grinned. "Thin even the Shadow King could withstand the wrath of the combined Suoh, Hitachiin, Morinozuka, and Haninozuka?" Kyouya's cool facade slipped, lips twitching up in amusement. He really didn't think he could stand up to them if they got angry enough. Haruhi stood with laughing eyes and knelt by Fuyumi to help her. As smart as any Otori, she picked up skills quickly, but it seemed "commoner" common sense was lost on her.
"No, you can't put the socks wth the shirts; they'll get wrinkled."
Kyouya sat back and enjoyed relaxing in the way he only could around such accepting company. For an instant he wished Tamaki was beside him as well, but his logical nature didn't allow him to spare the idea much thought. It would be some time before wounds would fully heal and his best friend could stand by his side as he once had.
A/N: Yes, I'm alive. Sorry, I have no valid excuse for taking so long to update...