Hikaru

This had to be a nightmare. There was no way that this was happening. He knew that he'd have to worry about this in the future if Haruhi and Tamaki were still together but now was way too soon. They were all still in college. Haruhi was only in her first year. There was no way she would agree to marry him this young...right?

"So, when do you plan on proposing?" Kaoru asked.

"I was thinking on our third anniversary. I know that's almost a year away but I was just too excited to keep it from you guys and thought you guys could help when the time is closer."

Everyone nodded their heads and agreed to help except for Hikaru, who was still shell shocked by the announcement.

"You're awfully quiet over there Hikaru," Kyoya said to break Hikaru out of his shocked state. "Don't you have something to say to Tamaki? Aren't you happy for him?"

"Uh...yeah," Hikaru cleared his throat, to try and hold back all the emotions that he was feeling all at once. "I was just thinking about if this is what Haruhi really wants right now."

"What do you mean?" Tamaki asked.

"Well, we are still in college, Kaoru, Haruhi, and I are only in our first year and are only nineteen. Granted, you did say next year, but don't you think Haruhi would want to wait until she's in law school to get married? You two are still very young."

"I kinda have to agree with Hika-chan." Honey chipped in, making Hikaru feel relieved that he wasn't the only one disagreeing with this. "It's up to you Tama-chan, but I think Haru-chan won't be the biggest fan of being married so early in life."

"They don't have to get married right away." Kyoya argued." Then they can be engaged throughout college and get married once they graduate." His glare fell on just Hikaru, "but of course you'd be the only one truly against the engagement."

Hikaru clenched his jaw as anger seethed within him. "What's that supposed to mean Kyoya?"

"Well, it's quite obvious why you want Tamaki to hold off the engagement. It's because you're still in lov-"

"Will you two stop fighting?" Kaoru scolded both of them. "This is a happy moment for Tamaki and it shouldn't be ruined by the two of you bickering."

They both didn't want to back down from their scowling match, but they both knew that Kaoru was right. This moment was about Tamaki and even though this topic pained Hikaru immensely, he needed to be happy for him. Even if it killed him to do so…

Haruhi

Haruhi finished dicing up an onion and added it into the pan of cooking Coq An Vin Blanc before mixing them around.

"Ooh, smells delicious." Anne-Sophie complemented as she came up next to her. "But you're missing the most important ingredient. Le Vin."

"Le Vin?"

Anne-Sophie held up a bottle of white wine with a bright smile. "You're can't have Coq An Vin Blanc without wine. It literally translates to roaster in wine." She poured half the bottle of the wine in the pan before covering it with a lid to let the chicken finish cooking.

"That sure is a lot of wine," Haruhi said.

"Don't worry, all the alcohol will be cooked out. So, that means more wine for the rest of us."

Haruhi's stomach slightly churned at the mention of drinking. She was still getting over her hangover this morning. Also, if she did end up getting tipsy again, who knows what she would admit. She wasn't even to ready to start that conversation.

"No thanks, I'm not much of a drinker." Haruhi politely declined.

"Aww boo," Annie-Sophie pouted. "But I guess the guys can help me split the rest."

"They guys?" Haruhi questioned.

"Yeah, the rest of your friends are coming over for dinner. Tamaki didn't tell you?"

"No, he did not." She huffed.

It wasn't that she was mad that the guys were coming over, but she would've liked a heads up. From how Tamaki had worded it he made it sound like it was just going to be the two of them and his mom. Now the entire group, but there wasn't anything she could do now.

'I guess it makes a lot more sense why we were making a big pot of Coq An Vin Blanc for seven people instead of three.'

Not shortly after dinner was ready, the guys arrived at the house. They all greeted Anne-Sophie by La Bise before sitting at the table, where Haruhi took her usual seat between Tamaki and Hikaru, but she immediately noticed that there was something wrong with Hikaru. He seemed sad, even though he wasn't trying to show it. It might've been hard for the guys to tell (well, besides Kaoru of course) but she knew Hikaru and it was almost as clear as day to her that something was bothering her.

She touched his knee to get his attention and mouthed 'Are you ok' Once he looked over at her.

His eyes darted at the other guys for a quick moment to make sure no one was watching them and glanced back at her before mouthing, 'I'll tell you after dinner.'

Haruhi just gave him a small nod before going back to eating her dinner. The dinner was quite pleasant, everyone joked and got along like usual but it seemed more lively than usual today. Probably because Tamaki's mother was just as jovial as him and it brightened the room.

After dinner was cleared away and they finished up eating dessert, Hikaru got up from the table and silently signaled to her that he'd be outside waiting for her when she was ready for them to talk before heading to the backyard. She let a few minutes pass so the guys wouldn't be suspicious before excusing herself from the table and headed out to the backyard.

"So, what's wrong?" Haruhi asked as she joined him at the railing on the porch. "Why are you so down?"

Hikaru remained silent for a few minutes before finally looking over at her. Even though he was still trying to hide all his emotions, Haruhi could tell he was clearly upset.

"Where do you see our relationship going?" Hikaru finally asked, taking Haruhi off guard.

"What?" She was only able to choke out.

"In a few years, if you and Tono are still together you two will most likely get married and by how fast he likes to go maybe even starting to have children, but where would I be put in the relationship?" He asked, his voice seeming to shake at the end.

Well, this wasn't the type of conversation Haruhi thought she would find herself in today, but now that he brought it up, she didn't know what to say? She obviously knew that the affair couldn't last forever and she'd either have to end things with Hikaru for good and be with Tamaki, or leave him to be with Hikaru. Which both options she didn't want to choose from.

"I'll be honest," she sighed as she lightly took a hold of the railing, "I haven't thought about it much." He just let out a small hum in reply. Obviously not really happy with her answer. She wanted to reach out to comfort him, but the voices of the guys making their way outside stopped her.

She gave him a small nudge to get his attention and motioned her towards the garden. "Come on, let's talk in there."

He nodded and followed Haruhi into the beautiful garden of the de Grantaine estate. For a few minutes, they just walked and took in the beauty of the garden, well Haruhi did while Hikaru continued to sulk. Whatever was on his mind must've really been bothering him.

Once they were completely out of sight from the others, she pulled him aside behind a tree just in case the guys came by.

She let out a small sigh before continuing where she left off. "Hikaru, I don't know what happened to make you this upset because it seems like you're refusing to tell me, but I want you to know that I do love you." Hikaru bit his lip and looked away from her, seeming to try his hardest to keep his composer. She gingerly placed a hand on his cheek to turn him to face her again and she could see the tears glistening in his eyes and she had to try her absolute hardest to keep her own eyes from watering seeing how hurt he was in this affair. They knew that breaking up wouldn't do anything for them and they'll just wind back up together a few days later. But sometimes she forgets how hard this relationship must be for Hikaru. They both love each other, but Haruhi also loved another and was officially in a relationship with him. She didn't want to put Hikaru through this pain, but this was the only way they could be together.

"Are you truly happy in this relationship Hikaru?" Haruhi asked. "Be honest with me. I don't want to keep putting you through this pain if you're really hurting in this relationship."

Hikaru stared into her eyes for a good long minute but seemed like he already had the answer to her question. He placed a hand on her cheek and gave a sad smile. "I'll be honest, I hate what we're doing for many reasons." He confesses. "Sneaking around people so we can be together, especially going behind Tono's back." Haruhi felt her heart hurt as she listened to him talk. Scared of where this was going, but soon the feeling vanished as his thumb caressed her cheek. "But I love you far too much that I can no longer be without you. The only reason why I put up with these shitty circumstances is that I get to be with you. I wouldn't do this for anyone else." He gave her a kiss on the lips before embracing her. "I love you."

She tightened her arms around him, letting a few of her own tears fall.

"I love you too."