One chapter away from 30! Whaaaa?! Big thank yous to my reviewers, ERidg17, BloodLily16, JustACreepyFangirl, Square Root of Three, Sinnel, Abigail12600, and KayDizzle! You guys are the best of the best!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ouran High Host Club. I do, however, own my OC(s) and plot.
"You've never been on a date?!"
Eyrie shrank slightly as three pairs of eyes stared at her incredulously. Marie, her grandmother, and Camille (who was actually set up on the enormous webcam) had all decided that it was time to have some girl talk with Eyrie, who had nearly fainted when her grandmother jokingly started reciting the birds and the bees speech as soon as they settled down. Now they were sitting in front of the TV that held the image of her twin sister with snacks and other random items, like magazines, spread around them.
"Well its not like I don't have any experience. I mean, like k-kissing..." Eyrie blushed and shot her grandmother a look.
"No need to be embarrassed deary. You seem to forget that I have a live in lover. Just because you're my granddaughter, doesn't mean I'll suddenly find these things alarming." Tristessa said blandly. Camille snorted.
"Honestly though Sissy, why? I mean you're one hot babe; and I would know! Were the guys in your town idiots?" They could see Camille's entire room and the girl herself was lying on her stomach, in the middle of the bed, swinging her feet.
"Well you don't exactly become first-class dating material when the guys know you can whoop their ass." Eyrie rolled her eyes and the other girls laughed as they pictured guys trying to get the nerve to ask her out.
"But you said you've kissed and stuff. What's up with that? Like, tell us your first make out experience." Marie got comfortable and everyone looked at Eyrie expectantly.
"Well its kind of generic. I went to the movies with Zero and we just kinda...ya." Eyrie shrugged.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Zero? Like...Zero Zero?" Marie's eyes went wide.
"I haven't met him yet. Is he attractive?" Tristessa looked from Camille to Marie. Camille nodded slowly, holding her thumb up for emphasis. Marie pretended to fan herself as she nodded. "Oh. Well, in that case, I approve."
Eyrie laughed along with everyone else.
"But seriously. You've never been on a first date. I just can't believe it. I feel like there should be miles and miles of boys trying to ask you out." Marie waved her hands around.
"Well it would be inappropriate to accept at this point." Tristessa said in a mocking voice. Eyrie, Camille, and Marie all looked at some far off point and lifted whatever they had in their hand up to their mouth.
"Oh yea." Marie took a bite of a pretzel, Eyrie took a swig of soda, and Camille ripped into a Redvine, none of them realizing their unison.
"So it's too late." Marie said sadly.
"Why don't you ask Kyoya on a date?" Camille asked with confusion.
"Kyoya isn't that type. He's serious and a little cold. He would just see a date as a waste of time and energy. I wouldn't ask him anyway. He's too busy." Eyrie gave them a sweet, resigned smile before changing the subject. The other women noticed but decided not to dwell on the topic either, seeing it as Eyrie's decision. None of them realized that they had left the door to the living room opened.
The next day, at school, the most talked about topic was Ouran's newest host. Some of the girls were very supportive, while others were more bitter than ever. But, as always, Eyrie seemed to breeze through the day as if she were deaf to the insults and blind to the glares. But there was an infinite difference with the rumors today because the angry girls had lost one comrade in arms.
"You have no idea what you're talking about."
Tamaki, Kyoya, and Eyrie turned to look into the crowds that were gathered in the hallways, trying to find the source of the loud voice. Eyrie spotted her first. Ayame, face red and turned away in anger and disgust, arguing with two other girls who were just as angry.
"She's an attention whore! What is wrong with you? You should have been the first in line to say you were sick of her American ways!" One of the girls hissed. The halls were quiet now, no one daring to speak over a whisper. Kyoya pushed up his glasses as the trio of second years stood outside their classroom. Tamaki was staring at Eyrie, noting that she was taking an unusual amount of interest in this particular argument.
"Yea well, I changed my mind. People do that. Anyone who thinks that she's doing this for her own benefit is wrong." Ayame glared and practically gnashed her teeth. The other girls took a step closer to her, obviously intending to change her mind. Their eyes went wide and their jaws dropped when Ayame was jerked out of their line of vision and into the arms of a serene Eyrie.
"Excuse me ladies. I must apologize for the interruption but you seem to be hogging my assistant and a girl can get jealous." Eyrie gave and innocent smile as she led Ayame away. Everyone in the hall was staring when Eyrie threw an arm around a confused Ayame and began walking her to her classroom.
"What? Hey! I was talking to someone!" Ayame tried to twist and turn out from under Eyrie's arm but it was useless.
"And that conversation was going in circles. I was getting bored." Ayame sweat dropped.
"Sorry I wasn't entertaining while defending you." She mumbled.
"By the way. Don't do that."
"What?"
"Defend me. It won't end well for you. It's ok to have your own opinion of me but I don't want to see you in anymore fights. Got it?"
"But-" Ayame's temper flared but was abruptly cut off when Eyrie gave her shoulders a quick shake.
"No." Eyrie said firmly. The girl under her arm sighed heavily and slumped.
"What did you mean by assistant?" Ayame asked after a moment of silence.
"Well you'll need a job when you're out of school right? I'm going to be an even busier woman than I am now, when I'm older. I'll need someone willing to defend me to be by my side at all times. God knows I make some questionable decisions." Eyrie let out an unlady-like snort.
"So..." Ayame hesitated and stopped walking. "What...does that mean?"
"It means that you will have a stable, well paying job, for the rest of your life. If you want it. I mean, we are still in high school so it isn't like you have to decide right now or even next year. Its just that everyone here acts like their inheritance is tomorrow so I just figured I'd let you know now."
With that, Eyrie left Ayame standing in front of her classroom with a bewildered look on her face.
"Eyr-chan!"
Hunny and Mori walked over to Eyrie who was lying on the side of a fountain. She had her eyes closed and her head rested on her arms.
"Mm. Hello Hunny." Eyrie asked without opening her eyes.
"Whatcha doin? Why're you lying here?" Hunny sat down by Eyrie's head and Mori sat on the other side of him. "Are you not hungry? Everyone is waiting for you in the cafeteria!"
"Mm." Eyrie hummed.
"What're ya thinking about?" Hunny hung his face right over hers, curiosity making his eyes wide.
"I guess it isn't that important. Just someone I used to know." Eyrie opened her eyes and stared up at Hunny. He smiled and straightened, allowing Eyrie to sit up.
"Yea? One of your friends? Did they call you or somethin'?" Hunny grabbed the tips of his toes and began to rock back and forth.
"No...they haven't contacted me in a year. I was just wondering if I should even tell them about the engagement." Eyrie brushed off her serious expression when she saw Hunny's concerned look. She smiled and picked him up. "I'm hungry now. Let's go find everyone else."
"Ok!" Hunny smiled and scooted around till he was clinging to her back. Mori followed them closely and was surprised to find how easily Eyrie carried Hunny. As they walked through the halls she was trying to entertain the small boy by twirling and skipping, the movements so effortless that one would think she was weightless. It had never occurred to Mori that Eyrie might be physically strong due to her rather delicate appearance but when he thought back on it, he did recall one of her friends mentioning that she fought. He tried to imagine Eyrie taking out multiple opponents, like Hunny, and flinched when the image turned out to be all too easy to conjure.
Laughter tore through the halls of Eyrie's mansion. The hosts (mainly Tamaki and the twins) had insisted they come over after school to celebrate her first day as an official host. Tristessa had decided to go out for the day, to visit old friends, but Marie more than made up for the missing woman by being extra social. At some point the host sent Kyoya for more drinks, claiming that Eyrie shouldn't be working while they were here for her. Kyoya's eyebrow twitched as he entered the kitchen then began looking around. Briar and Bear seemed to appear out of nowhere, cornering him by the stove. He raised an eyebrow, not letting his calm mask slip for a second.
"You're taking her on a date." Briar glared at him with his arms crossed.
"Excuse me?" Disbelief leaked into Kyoya's voice as the conversation took a turn he wasn't expecting.
"You heard him. And what the hell do they teach you in whatever manners class you rich people take when you're kids? Who accepts a marriage proposal without asking their fiancée on a date?" Bear fumed, shaking his head and scoffing.
"I'm not entirely sure I'm following...?" Kyoya narrowed his eyes at the two very indignant, very burly, men in from of him. Briar clamped a hand onto the boy's shoulder, leaning in close.
"Eyrie. When you two get a moment alone, and you will get a moment alone, you are going to ask her to go on a date on the next day you guys are out of school. You're going to take her somewhere clique and fun, you're going to talk about useless things, then we're going to interrupt your first kiss on the front porch because that is how we get our kicks, and Eyrie is going to love it because it'll be one day to be a normal teenage girl despite the fact that her world was turned upside down two years ago. Got it now?"
Kyoya hid his confusion has he allowed himself to space out for a moment.
"I really don't understand...I don't think Eyrie is the type of girl to enjoy something so simple. A date for her would probably have to be elegant and elaborate so it could keep her interest." Kyoya pushed up his glasses, feeling confident in his assessment.
"Damn straight my girl deserves special treatment." Bear muttered.
"But that isn't the point." Briar swung an arm around Kyoya's shoulder, opting for a different approach. "You like her right? Want to know every side of her like no one else does?"
"I don't see how that is any of your business." Kyoya snapped, forcing down a blush. He threw Briar's arm from around his shoulders.
"Yea, whatever. But this is your chance to do that. How many of your little host friends have seen her enjoying something simple. It would be a new experience! You could...I dunno. Collect data, or whatever, on how she reacts to you." Briar shrugged and rolled his eyes. Bear pursed his lips and raised his brows, looking more intimidating than Kyoya would ever admit.
"So? Are you going to do it?" Both of the men leaned forward slightly.
"I believe it would make for an informative trip so I will agree to it. But you will have to answer my question." Kyoya looked up at them with emotionless eyes. The men nodded eagerly, Briar even going so far as to do a small victory dance. "Why do you both care so much that I ask Eyrie on a date?"
Bear and Briar stared at Kyoya as if he had questioned them in Latin.
"Because we want Eyrie to have happy experiences and we...well we want her to just be happy. She deserves it so...?" Briar said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"My girl deserves just as much, if not more, than what ordinary girls take for granted." Bear and Briar fist bumped as if they were mutually agreeing. Kyoya rolled his eyes and picked up his tray of drinks, the two slabs of muscle finally parting to let him past. Kyoya walked back to the study slowly, finally taking time to absorb what he had just agreed to do.
By the end of the night, Kyoya was the last one out the door. Eyrie raised her brows at him when he stopped in the doorway and stared at her.
"Yes?" She leaned against the door. He straightened his back and cleared his throat.
"You...The weekend is coming up." Kyoya's face was an unreadable mask as Eyrie's face showed her amusement.
"Yes. I'm aware."
"You-I...we...I want to collect data so you'll have to come with me. I'll text you the details." He turned quickly and hurried to his car. Eyrie sat there with a confused expression for a moment then finally closed the door.
"What just happened?" She asked Briar who was leaning on the wall, his arms cross and his face victorious.
"I think that was his way of asking you on a date." They started walking the halls of the mansion arm in arm.
"No." Eyrie shook her head forcefully. "Kyoya isn't that type of person. He wouldn't..."
Briar raised a brow at her staring at her with the expression of a true sass master.
"Oh yea? Asking you to collect data was about as real an excuse as when the high school delinquent says he was using self defense." Briar flopped on his back onto Eyrie's bed while she landed on her stomach next to him.
"I honestly believe that that is not the right comparison to use." Eyrie shook with laughter and Briar stuck his tongue out at her. They were silent after a moment and she began to blush. "I guess I wouldn't mind going on a date with him."
Eyrie tried to keep her voice unaffected but Briar smiled widely and playfully shoved her. They burst into laughter and began joking about various ways the date could go wrong. When Briar left he still had a smile on his face.
"Thank you."
Briar jumped away from Eyrie's door then slumped down against it when he saw Bear standing in the hallway, waiting for him.
"Jesus, you scared me." Briar put a hand over her heart. Bear walked up to him so they were nose to nose.
"Eyrie might defend you and befriend you but I don't like you. You might do what you can under the circumstances but she still ends up hurt when you make your reports to the master." Bear glared at him but instead of getting angry Briar looked away. He felt a lump growing in his throat.
"I know." He said hoarsely. Bear followed him with his eyes as the younger man walked away as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Kyoya nervously walked up to the door of Eyrie's house and knocked. It didn't help calm his nerves when Tristessa was the one to open the door instead of Briar.
"Well hello there deary." She grinned widely, a knowing look in her eyes.
"Ah. Miss Tristessa. I'm just..." Kyoya stopped when Eyrie's grandmother began giggling. She then reached out and dragged him inside the house, but instead of leading him to the waiting room she held onto him and talked right next to his face. He uncomfortably tried to shift the blocky package hidden in the folds of his outer vest.
"Don't try making excuses with me young man! Briar told me everything! And I have to ask you something, seriously, before my granddaughter comes out."
Kyoya nodded stiffly, preparing himself for a speech from one of Eyrie's many overprotective family members. Tristessa gave him a little space and eyed him sternly.
"Why on Earth did you use 'collecting data' as a term for going on a date? I thought you were more tactful! I mean of all the things you could have said!" Her body shook with laughter and her eyes overflowed with tears while Kyoya's face turned into a bland mask. He walked passed her and down the hall into the closest study, occasionally reaching into his vest to fix the position of the package he held.
He had just settled himself with his back to the door, looking out the window, when the door swung opened. He heard Marie whispering excitedly and his heart pounded in his throat when Eyrie's hushed voice shooed the maid out. His face slid into its usual cold mask. When he heard the door close once more he turned and nearly let the package fall from under his jacket. Eyrie was dressed in a super white tunic-like shirt that had a beautifully embroidered, equally white, conical corset over it, and black skinny jeans that clung to her like a second skin. Her hair was completely down, but he could see that small parts of it were braided and he thought he saw a couple beads here and there. The uncommon feeling of self-consciousness swept through him and he looked down at his own outfit.
He was wearing a collared, white dress shirt that had been rolled up at the sleeves and jeans that were comfortably fitting. Over his shirt was a buttoned up grey vest and over that was an unbuttoned, slightly larger, black vest that he was hiding the package in. His black dress shoes finished off the look, the same way Eyrie's white ballet slippers finished off hers. When he looked up their eyes met and he thought he would swoon like a girl when he notice the blush that began in her cheeks.
Have you ever shown that face to anyone else? Kyoya's eyes devoured her expression as soon as she averted her gaze in embarrassment. I don't think I would be able to take it if you have.
"I should change." Eyrie rubbed the end of her jersey length sleeve.
"Why?" Kyoya asked hoarsely.
"This outfit feels...out of place. It's weird." Eyrie continued to avoid his gaze as he strode over to her, stopping when they stood toe to toe. She felt his fingers delicately pick up a braid resting on her neck, his fingertips grazing her lightly. He felt a wave of satisfaction roll through him when she gave a slight jolt.
Now she knows how I feel when she gets handsy with me.
"It's fine...princess." Kyoya was surprised at how effortlessly the trademark host line fell from his lips. Eyrie finally looked up at him, her face showing him nothing now.
"We should go... collect data. Or whatever it was you said." She started to turn when Kyoya pulled the package out of his vest. Eyrie could tell by the shape that it was a book. She gently took it when he held it out to her. "What's this?"
"I believe opening it would give you the answer to that question." Kyoya pushed up his glasses. She gave him a sarcastic look and rolled her eyes before hesitantly tearing at the dull, brown paper wrapping. She gasped when she saw the cover.
"This...this is a first addition...it's...Sherlock Holmes! But...how did you even get this? No, never mind, don't answer that. But how on Earth-?" Eyrie looked up at him with eyes similar to that of a child on Christmas day. Her cheeks flushed with excitement and her ruby lips parted slightly. In contrast with her mostly white appearance, it almost looked as if her round eyes, full lips and red cheeks were floating on a pile of pure snow while her obsidian curls swirled around her in a never ending dance. Kyoya became momentarily lost in this analogy before remembering to give her an explanation. He quickly put on his cool act, looking away from her so he wouldn't be distracted again.
"The books you keep nearest to your bed have been used quite a bit and are also all Sherlock Holmes stories." He shrugged as if were no big deal. Eyrie beamed up at him, clutching the book to her chest tightly.
"I'm going to put this somewhere safe! I'll be right back!" She caught him by surprise when she gave him a quick hug then skipped from the room.
When Eyrie got to her room she leaned her back against the closed door and clutched her heart, trying to catch her breath. She clutched her eyes shut and she slid down until she was sitting on the floor.
"Hey, what are you doing in here? Why aren't you with your man?"
Eyrie felt as if she was struck by lightning when she opened her eyes to see that Marie and Tristessa were sorting her closet. Various article of clothing had been chucked to the side when Camille had rejected them as first date material, via Skype.
"Oohh is that from him?"
"What is it?! Lemme see!"
The two older women flopped onto Eyrie's bed, lying on their stomachs and grinning like school girls.
"He...gave me a book." Eyrie hugged the book gently with a soft smile. The two on the bed squealed and started talking a mile a minute.
"Oh, Marie, you haven't seen him in his outfit yet have you?"
"No! Why?! What am I missing?!"
Eyrie tuned them out and pictured Kyoya in his vest ensemble and wondered how she had been able to keep herself together. He had looked absolutely gorgeous, his hair looking as if he had run his fingers through it multiple times, the strangely seductive way he had looked at her when they had stood close together. She had never seen him with that look and had felt a moment of selfishness when she tried to memorize every detail of his face the moment he had grabbed one of her braids. She didn't know how she was going to handle being out with him tonight. Her heart was racing from his bold actions and being near him sent shivers up her spine. She almost hated him for being so unaffected by everything. Wherever they went today she was going to look painfully plain next to his dazzling beauty.
"Shouldn't you get back to him?"
Tristessa's voice cut through Eyrie's thoughts, making the girl jump into action. She placed the book gently on her bedside table then ran out of the room.
"So...data collecting huh?" Kyoya tried not to flinched when he turned to look into Eyrie's amused face. "What kind of data?"
Kyoya glared at her but she just grinned. He was surprised at how quickly she had managed to take back the reigns and become the one to initiate the moments of blush-inducing tension. He had managed to turn the tables when he went to pick her up but now it seemed like she had taken a moment to compose herself.
"It's obvious you know what I meant so I see no reason to play these little games and having me say it out loud." Kyoya pushed up his glasses.
"Well, yeah, but it's better when you actually say it." She leaned towards him. There was a moment of silence. Then Kyoya began to glare at her.
"This is a date. I have asked you on a date. Happy?" He snapped, crossing his arms and looking away, eyebrow twitching. He felt her sit back again.
"Yes, actually." His eyes snapped to the side, trying to see her out of the corner of his eye. Her words had been so soft that he wouldn't have heard her in a populated room but in the close quarters of the car he managed to pick it up. Her face held a serene smile. They sat in silence until the car pulled to a stop and Eyrie was surprised to see that they were being dropped at the entrance of a festival that was being held at the edge of the city. There were many people and the chatter and calls of the vendors filled the early evening air. Most of the girls were wearing yukatas and were on the arms of a boy. Those who weren't dressed in the traditional fashion were dressed in their best everyday clothing.
"My research shows that these things are very popular dating spots." Kyoya pushed up his glasses, both of them standing side by side since the car drove away. "I do not see the appeal but commoners do make up a majority of my research material."
"I see the appeal." Eyrie looped her arm with his and started pulling him along. "I've never been to one of these."
Kyoya tried to focus on her questions but she was clinging onto his arm and it felt like her touch was burning his skin. Every once in awhile she would stop and smile up at him, her enthusiasm making her eyes sparkle. A rush of pride went through him when he thought of how he had managed to get a reaction like this from her twice in the span of a couple of hours. For the remainder of the evening they hopped from vender to vendor, completely immersed in their own world. Eyrie continuously tried to coax a smile from Kyoya, making it a game. Every time she succeeded she would look up at him victoriously making Kyoya's heart race. Occasionally the comments of the people around them cut through their little bubble.
"What a stunning couple!"
"I know right?! They're gorgeous!"
"I wonder if they're here to draw in customers for the festival?"
"Is that girl supposed to be Snow White?"
As the evening came to a close Kyoya and Eyrie decided to stroll through the park nearby. A few other couples from the festival were also wandering around but it was otherwise deserted.
"Look!" Kyoya followed Eyrie's gaze up to the sky and saw millions of stars laid before them. "How pretty. Like fairy dust."
"Fairy dust? How would you know what fairy dust looks like?" Kyoya asked mockingly and Eyrie replied by sticking out her tongue and giggling. Then she flopped down on the grass, lying down so she could look at the stars.
"You're going to stain your shirt." Kyoya pointed out practically.
"I'll be careful." She smiled at him then patted the spot on her left. He sighed, as if resigned to the idea, and cautiously lowered himself. When he was all settled she grabbed his hand, flipped it palm up, and gently traced circles on it. It was strangely calming. "Kyoya?"
"Yes?"
"Did you have fun?"
Kyoya mulled it over for a moment.
"Yes, I suppose so. There wasn't anything special about it but I did enjoy not being forced to enjoy it with those idiots. It was different." Kyoya turned his face to her, her fanned out hair tickling his face.
"Mm. Thank you for taking me." She said, giving him a smile warm he thought that he would honestly melt into the ground. He suddenly felt frantic.
"Stop it." He snapped. Eyrie looked at him in surprise. "Stop making faces like that in public. I don't have enough access to my family's police force to keep all of Japan from trying to take you away."
Eyrie froze for a moment and stared at him with wide eyes. His anger began to die and he gradually became aware that he had let his cool façade slip for a moment. He opened his mouth to try and mend it, try and recreate the image of himself that he thought Eyrie preferred, when he felt a pair of slender arms wind around him.
"I swear, if you say something so cute to someone who isn't me-!" Eyrie buried her face in his chest, her hair spreading out to cover them both.
"E-Excuse me?" Kyoya stared at the top of her head. He was too stunned to lift his arms and hug her back.
"I thought you liked it better when I was a little bit distant so I didn't want to trouble you with affection. But I've never been to one of these and I got so excited that I forgot that I'm not really supposed to care."
"But...you would hug me...and when you were around the hosts..." Kyoya continued to stare down incredulously.
"Yea, that was the mysterious approach. Never knowing where I stood. With the hosts it's different. I couldn't help but want to smother them. But you aren't affected by anything. I wanted to get a reaction out of you." She lifted her face to pout at him. "Its really frustrating being the only one with sweaty palms and a heart condition."
"What?!"
"And now I'm telling you all this. You probably want to run home and avoid me right?" Eyrie's eyes turned sad and all at once Kyoya realized what had happened.
Eyrie had gradually begun to shed the unfeeling skin she had worn when they first met. At first it was small smiles and little laughs. She started talking more, teasing the customers. But the real changed had been for Kyoya's eyes only. She had hugged him and looked at him tenderly. She had even gone so far as to tell him she liked him. He remembered the night they had spent in the lock down at her house, how they had swapped childhood stories. He never heard her tell those stories to anyone else. She only told the other hosts what they asked for. Now she was holding him in the middle of a park after an evening of being the person she had only shown him in bits and pieces. He stared into the eyes that held both terror and affection as one of his hands reached up to stroke her hair.
"If my calculations are correct...you're stuck with me. I do believe we are getting married right? There's no getting out of this now." Kyoya twirled a braid around his finger, gently, then gave it a small tug.
"Ow! Jerk!" Eyrie glared at him but he was already staring at her with irritation written all over his face.
"And you need to pay more attention to context clues! I told you that I wanted to make you flustered as well." He looked away and Eyrie's eyes went wide when she realized that he was talking about what he said in the kitchen.
"I thought that just meant when I hugged you...?" She started smiling and Kyoya shut his eyes and turned his head away at an uncomfortable angle. "Mmm cute!"
"Gah shut up! And don't hug me so tight!" Kyoya gnashed his teeth at her but she just looked up and giggled.
"Sorry! Sorry!" She loosened her arms and laid her head down on his chest with a sigh. Kyoya continued to twirl one of her braids but used his free arm to hold her. The other couples slowly began to disperse but they stayed like that until the car came to pick them up.
Please review! Thanks so much for reading!
