CHAPTER 54
Kaoru is still awake.
He doesn't even have the luxury of tossing and turning – it's been two and a half hours of lying as straight as a corpse in a coffin.
He wonders what everyone else is doing, whether they are asleep. He weighs the pros and cons of getting up to read his novel, ultimately concluding that there is an unacceptable level of risk that one of the other two occupants of the house will see the light through the gaps and decide to come into his room.
Tamaki-san's company is fine, but it's unlikely to be him. Hikaru had mentioned that Tamaki-san goes to bed early and sleeps till daylight, whereas Kaoru knows that Kyouya-san is a seasoned night owl.
It would be awful if Kyouya-san interprets it as an invitation to join him.
Not that, you know, Kaoru is waiting or anything.
Poor Hikaru's probably having a rough night too, having to share a room with Haruhi. Now that's awkward. Hopefully their trip will produce some results – some form of consensus about how to take the next step in their messy love triangle. They can't hang in limbo forever.
… How inappropriate would it be for Kaoru to go to Kyouya-san's room instead?
Tamaki-san's playing a game with very high stakes. Kaoru is beginning to realize that he's really quite reckless – he won't manage without a sensible partner. No wonder his relationship with Hikaru was incendiary and short-lived. They are too volatile to be stable.
… Appallingly inappropriate! What sort of guest accosts their host to molest him?
Kyouya-san's apartment is lovely. It's in the heart of the city but sufficiently high up that the sounds of the street are negligible. The interior design is in perfectly good taste, if a bit severe and plain for Kaoru – if he lived here, he'd –
No.
Melon-ballers! Toffee apples are always annoyingly huge and unwieldy for people wishing to appear elegant on their dates. He could scoop small balls from the apples and dip those in toffee.
Is Kyouya-san awake too? Kaoru can't hear anyone moving in the house. Maybe Kyouya-san isn't the type to need much in his relationships. Has he been in any? Kaoru can moderate his expectations only if he knows –
Circus top cupcakes. Dual-colour striped icing with traditional carnival flavours? Ice cream Drumstick cupcake.
Would it be too forward of him to state his own expectations?
… Caramelized nut cheesecake. Popcorn cheesecake.
Actually, it would be unspeakably worse if Kyouya-san came in, chatted, and left. Oh god, that would be hideous.
If Hikaru is having difficulty falling asleep, Kaoru can message him!
I can't sleep, Hikaru. TnT I miss you but I hope you're already asleep and not missing me too.
The reply is instantaneous.
What are you kidding of course I'm still awake omg you know there's only one bed in the room and i am FREAKING OUT!
Kaoru's useless fingers are taking a long time to bash out his return message, and his phone rattles again and again with alerts.
AND HARUHI SAYS SHE WANTS TO TRY A THREE PERSON RELATIONSHIP WTF WHAT DO I DO KAORU HELP ME
I CAN'T THINK.
i don't want to go back to the hotel room TnT
Kaoru's jaw drops.
:O Then how?!
OMG. Srsly?! That's good, isn't it?!
Wait, where are you now?
outside. haruhi went for her bath and i fled, duh.
Go back, idiot!
i'm in the lift now. god i hope she's asleep OTL
She'd better be! You guys have got a long day tomorrow! Just sleep too, okay? Deal with everything else tomorrow! (; -_-)
you're one to talk! why are you still up? make kyouya-san go to sleep too if he's bothering you.
He's not. We aren't in the same room.
oh, so that's why you can't sleep HAHAHAHA (^ ω ^)
F you. You can solve your problems yourself.
NO kaoru don't leave meee! okay omg i am at the door. ugh i wanna throw up or die.
SHE'S ASLEEP *\O/*
O. she put the extra pillows in the middle of the bed.
Great, go clean up and try not to disturb her. Goodnight, Hikaru. It'll be fine, you'll see.
night, kaoru. you go sleep too, i know you've been thinking way too much. i love you.
.
07/12/12
