Disclaimer: I do not own "Ouran High School Host Club" or any of the characters in this wonderful manga/anime in any way.

Shelter in the Storm

Previously in chapter thirty five: He had intended to confess to her again, this time when she was not in a coma or asleep, and tell her after she had accepted his confession. That was not to be, now that she was with their senpai. So he had not found a good time to tell her that her debt was cleared. He probably wouldn't tell her now anyways, since it really didn't matter. She used the club time to spend time with her boyfriend.

Chapter Thirty Six

After another dance Takeshi paid the bill and the two left the restaurant but did not get into the limo. They walked, instead, to a park that was across the street. They strolled quietly, walking hand in hand in the evening air. They passed a street vendor with flowers, so Takeshi bought Haruhi a bouquet. It was a very pleasant evening, as the walked in peaceful silence, just enjoying each other's company. It was Takeshi who broke the silence. "Haruhi?" I don't want to ask, but I have to know. It's killing me.

"Takeshi?"

"Do you have feelings for Kyoya?"

"Takeshi, you should know that I care about all of my friends."

"I meant deeper feelings. Should I worry about him taking you away?" I guess the best way to find out is to ask directly.

"Only if you push me away first. Why do you ask?"

"I saw how he looks at you. And I know that he confessed to you first, but you never answered him. I guess I was just a little bit worried. Something that he said to you as he kissed your cheek after your dance tonight had you shocked. He has a tendency to get what he wants, and everyone knows it." I am worried that he is going to take you away from me. He doesn't back down when he wants something, and I don't know if I could go toe to toe with him in anything except a martial arts contest. They stopped walking as she moved in front of him.

"He may have confessed, but I never answered him because I was never awake when he confessed. How can I answer something that I have never heard? And what he said to me that may have made you think that I was shocked was nothing that you should worry about. Yes, if I didn't care for you, then you might have had reason to be concerned. But then again, if I didn't care for you, I wouldn't have accepted your confession. I couldn't play with a friend's heart like that. Just like I don't play with Kyoya-senpai's heart. I have let him know in no uncertain terms, that I am with you and only you. Don't misunderstand me. I do love senpai, but not to the extent that I love you. I can honestly say that if you had never confessed, but senpai had done so while I was awake, then I might be with him now. But I am glad that you confessed. Nothing else could have made me happier at that moment." She tiptoed to place a kiss on his cheek. "I am not one of those flighty girls like we host at the club. I don't flit from one boy to another like some social butterfly. You're the one that I am with, no one else. No one is going to steal me away, and I won't leave unless you push me away. OK?"

He cupped her face in his hand as he bent down and gently placed a kiss on her lips. It was soft, sweet, and tender. That was the only answer she needed. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he moved his arms to encircle her petite waist. The intensity of their kisses grew as Takeshi's inner voices waged battle with one another. We're in public! We shouldn't be doing this. But she responded. It doesn't matter, I'm older, I should know better. If she is uncomfortable, she will stop. But what if someone recognizes her. Like who? Like someone who knows her father. Oh yeah, I doubt he would be happy to know that while he entrusted his daughter's care to me, I am here making out with her. No, he wouldn't be happy with that, would he? But it's dark, no one will recognize us. But is that the way I want to repay Ranka-san's trust in me? At least we're not in the privacy of one of the bedrooms at home; after all there are public laws to keep things in check. But I shouldn't be relying on other's laws and rules to keep myself in check. It's not like I'm having full blown intercourse with her right here in the middle of the park. Maybe not, but how would Ranka feel if he walked up and saw what I was doing to his daughter right now? Eh, maybe…

Takeshi's mind trailed off as Haruhi broke contact. She pulled back from him and blushed furiously. She was looking at her feet, unable to look him in the eyes. "Haruhi, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"No. I… it's just… well... I… I liked it, but we have someone watching us." He looked down and saw a small child no older than 3 staring up at him. "I didn't think it was appropriate behavior in front of someone so young."

"You're right." He squatted down to the little boy and asked, "Where's your parents, little one?"

"I dunno."

"Who are you here at the park with?"

"I dunno."

"Do you know where you live?"

"I dunno."

"Maybe we should go to the police call box and report this, what do you say?"

"I'm not supposed to walk on the path without holding someone's hand."

Haruhi stepped in, "Well, why don't we all three go to the police call box together. You can hold both of our hands, so that no one gets lost on the way, ok?"

The little tyke smiled and nodded as he reached up to take the hands offered to him. It was well past dark by this point, but the trail lights were on, granting enough light to safely walk the path. The three received many double takes as they walked along, with murmurs of, "What a cute family." "You can see how much they all love each other." "How precious." However, the most annoying comment that they overheard was, "Aren't they too young to be starting a family?"

The threesome finally found a police call box and contacted the authorities. About nine minutes later, a very frantic young mother and two police showed up at the call box. In the mean time, however, a shaved ice vendor passed by, so Takeshi bought all three a snow cone. As the police and the child's mother showed up, Haruhi was in middle of wiping the little boy's face of the dripping syrup as he was giggling and telling the two young adults about the baby sister or brother he was going to get in two months time. Takeshi once again saw in that little scene, his future. When the young boy saw his mother, he ran to hug her. She thanked the couple for taking care of her son as they parted ways and wished them luck in their future. "Surely you two will make wonderful parents some day as well."

Haruhi instantly replied, "Oh, we're not married."

"I'm sorry. I just assumed… I mean you two definitely look very much in love, like newly weds."

"No, it's ok. We've only just started dating," she countered.

"But someday… in the future, you can rest assured, that I will be asking her to marry me."

"Eh Takeshi, let me get out of High school first," she laughed.

The young mother looked at the couple and smiled, "Give it time. Don't get in too big of a rush, because I can tell that you two will be together for a while. Don't laugh at second sight. Just accept that I can tell that you two are defiantly going to be together for a while… happily together at that. But I have to go get a certain young man in the bath and ready for bed before his father gets home. Thank you again for taking care of Hikari for me. And good luck!" She took her son's hand and they left. Takeshi called for the limo to pick them up and they headed back to the house.