The din of indistinct chatter rose up around Haruhi, who was leaning idly against her table. Club hours had been underway for some time now, and from various tables, the Hosts were entertaining guests… Except for Kyoya, who opted out of hosting under the guise of finishing work. (Read: He became the unholy offspring of Satan himself, and promised death upon anyone who disturbed him. Everyone had enough self-preservation not to protest).
She envied his skills.
Greatly.
At this point, she wouldn't be joking when she said she would kill to sit tucked away in that secluded corner, only occasionally conversing with the girls waiting for their slot.
Haruhi, despite outing herself as a girl to the rest of the school (because, really, it was so troublesome having a host-wide kidnapping staged every time the guys accidentally referred to her with female pronouns), still found herself being requested. She and the Hosts had thoroughly discussed the move beforehand and were all prepared for her returning to her previous errand runner status if need be, so Haruhi had been pleasantly surprised when she had been accosted and forced down on the seat by her usual customers.
Normally, she and the girls would make small talk, or she might aid with difficult homework. She even tutored some girls there, and offered advice to those struggling with all kinds of problems.
Contrary to what she expected, her grand reveal didn't actually cause much backlash at all.
Sure, most were more than a little shocked. Others were angry, which was to be expected. But when Renge of all people loudly pointed out that Haruhi herself had never technically lied about her gender, she just didn't ever bother to correct those who had assumed she was male, most of the strife died down. Besides, it was hardly as though there were rules prohibiting the inclusion of a female host.
She still received the occasional glare or spiteful comment, especially as she chose to continue wearing the male school uniform. (Aside from the price of a female uniform costing more than her apartment's mortgage, her current attire was exceedingly more comfortable than the garish yellow monstrosity). Even then, the brunette took it all in her stride, selectively pretending not to notice how a certain demon-like friend of hers would clear up those little misgivings fairly swiftly.
Currently, she found herself with no customers.
It had been a terribly slow day to begin with, making Haruhi regret even bothering to wake up in the morning. (Of course, it wasn't like her whole education depended on her actually attending or anything).
Swamped in almost a week's worth of work, Haruhi would much rather be buckling down at home behind her desk, but no, apparently every divine being was against her today. Because here she was, trapped and utterly bored out of her mind, yet if she even dared to try and study while hosting hours were in session, she'd end up with a fate far worse than death.
She gave a little resigned sigh, and then whisked herself into the back room to brew a fresh pot of tea, systematically visiting each table in turn to refill their cups.
It was better than mindlessly lingering around, she figured.
Her first stop was with the two eldest members of the club. They were, as always, her safest bet. Somehow Honey managed to find the breath to flash a smile with the brightness of a supernova and thank her in the middle of whatever gripping story he was re-telling.
Mori, ever the silent one, displayed his gratitude by inclining his head slightly, grey eyes soft and warm. Though his lips only twitched upwards the slightest amount, the movement was easy enough for her to spot.
Honey, observant as ever, had noticed her tension. While the guests were distracted by a rare moment of speech from Mori, his fingers fleetingly pulled at the edges of his lips, mouthing a cutesy little "Smile for me?"
She did, and he seemed satisfied that she wasn't upset, because he let her move on.
Setting towards Hikaru and Kaoru, she had to force herself not to roll her eyes. As usual, they were partaking in their twincest shtick, their clutch of girls eagerly lapping up every moment. Honestly, the popularity of those two really bewildered her sometimes. She could hardly see what was so appealing. Nonetheless, she pushed away her thoughts.
Those little devil twins, she knew, were most likely going to try and use her to antagonise Tamaki. Try being the operative word, which is why she headed for their table regardless.
She was not putting herself on a platter for them. Any and all possible forms of death would be downright merciful compared to that torture, and while there was the occasional episode in her crazy-ass life that had her patience falling to an all time low, she was fairly certain she hadn't quite reached that point.
Yet.
There was still time, after all.
Luckily for her, she was well aware that her safety was assured solely due to the presence of the Shadow King, who had halted work and was watching her every movement. He had already deduced her plans, it seemed, and sought to squash the wildfire before it even started. The instant either twin even attempted something potentially unbecoming while in the company of guests, they would notice Kyoya's positively feral expression and electively decide it was in their best interests to leave her be.
In theory, at least.
They could prove to be rather unpredictable at times.
Thankfully for her and whatever semblance of patience she had left, Hikaru's eyes held a devilish spark for a grand total of half a second, before the ominous intent was detected. He whipped back around like his life depended on it, (which it did), voice just a tad higher than usual, leaving an oblivious Kaoru utterly bemused.
Haruhi, finding this utterly hilarious, lingered even longer than necessary, enjoying the way he insistently avoided eye contact with her, lest he unwittingly unleashed the Shadow King's wrath. After warding off numerous attempts to get her to cosplay in the past week alone, revenge came in the form of this cruel and unusual punishment, which she certainly was not above exploiting.
After several extended moments of suffering, Haruhi moved on, satisfied for the time being.
Tamaki was next.
The blond self-proclaimed prince was talking in an animated fashion.
The blond self-proclaimed prince was talking in an animated fashion. Tamaki was a hand-talker. She's only really noticed it recently, but he tended to accentuate his words with all these gestures that became more wild the more excited he was.
At that moment, he seemed relaxed, so she approached.
She'd barely made it two steps in his direction before he whipped around, eyes locking on her figure, making a move to stand up. At that point, Haruhi seriously began pondering whether he had some kind of Haruhi-Radar programmed in his head that alerted him whenever she was near.
Haruhi, wisely, decided to hop aboard the Nope train to FuckthatVille, and promptly changed direction.
Fearing the fourth infamous glomp that week, she changed her focus to Kyoya, (it would be a cold day in Hell before she called for Mori-senpai's help again after Tamaki became a little too clingy for her taste), who was typing once more, a pronounced crease of concentration between his brows.
"Would you like tea, senpai?"
Yes, she was stalling.
Sue her.
Tamaki was acting like a kicked puppy and that was really not something she wanted to deal with right now.
"What kind is it?"
In that moment, she wanted to bow down and worship the ground Kyoya Ootori stood upon. Not only had he noticed her evasion tactics, but he was willingly aiding her.
(Kyoya's been replaced by an alien clone. Pass it on).
"Chamomile."
Interest piqued, Kyoya lowered his screen, giving her his undivided attention. An impressive feat, in itself. She could count on one hand the amount of times he's done that before. "That would be nice."
The alien clone theory became all the more plausible when he actually physically passed her the saucer and cup, rather than making her lean across the table to collect it herself. She filled the cup to the brim, watching the steam rise in dramatic swirls.
Kyoya, probably thinking he was being subtle, was watching the blond out of the corner of his eye, gaze just to her side.
Haruhi handled the fragile china like it was a newborn baby, waiting until the exact moment she was certain Kyoya had a firm hold before letting go. Only, she very quickly found herself secured there by a gentle hand around her wrist.
"... Senpai?"
His eyes left her disarmed, dissecting every section of her face. "How much sleep did you get last night?"
Well, there went the alien replacement theory. Only her Kyoya could possibly be that observant. She hardly even had bags under her eyes, goddamn it. They were subtle enough that even Tamaki's Mama Bear instincts hadn't kicked in. How could he, out of everyone on this entire planet, Middle-fucking-Earth and bloody District 12, possibly see them?
But of course, he was Kyoya, house of Ootori, first of his name and determined heir to the throne, proud conqueror and most extra of them all.
"Enough." She replied, grudgingly.
"Define enough."
Kyoya wasn't forcing her. A shocker, really. Because, of course, he was such a heartless bastard in reality. Sarcasm aside, if she wanted to, she could have very easily decided not to answer and tugged her arm free. Instead, she allowed her shoulders to relax, exhaling heavily. "I was a little restless. I woke up once, maybe twice, but I can still function just fine."
"Nightmares?"
"Nightmares." She confirmed, quietly.
"Do you… need to talk about it?"
Kyoya, honestly, looked as though he would rather down a bottle of cyanide, so she decided to give him an out. "I think I'll be alright. They weren't that bad. I can't really remember them, anyway."
The raven-haired boy accepted this with alarming ease, likely because he regretted offering in the first place. Kyoya and emotions didn't exactly mix well together. "That's good to hear. You should relax tonight. Read a book maybe, but I'd advise avoiding anything that's stressful."
"As lovely as that sounds, it's not really an option for me." Haruhi said, with an offhand, almost sheepish shrug. "I'm way too behind at the moment, especially because of yesterday. Dad had me talking to the police for quite a while after you left. I'm practically drowning in everything I still have to do."
Kyoya considered her words for a moment, taking a delicate sip of his tea. "While that may be true, it'll be no good if you overwork yourself, will it?"
Like he could talk, she scoffed, internally. The sharpening of his gaze was almost enough to make her believe he could hear her thoughts. If so, this was her, changing her mind.
"Wouldn't you rather have the energy to commit yourself fully to whatever task you choose?"
It should be illegal for him to be so logical.
"Well, I suppose you're right." She mused finally, absently tapping a finger against her chin as she mulled his words over. "I'm not really going to get much work done like this, anyway. I'll only end up re-doing it."
It probably wasn't the answer he'd been looking for, but she'd agreed nonetheless.
Evidently he'd decided to take that as some sort of victory.
"If you still find yourself feeling tired and overworked tomorrow, I'll excuse you from Hosting. It wouldn't be too difficult to convince Tamaki that you were feeling under the weather and went home. Keeping that idiot and the twins in check wouldn't be especially hard if I enlist Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai to help."
She blinked, pleasantly surprised. "You'd really do that?"
"Of course. With your current level of health, your hosting skills would be subpar at best." Haruhi rolled her eyes. Of course he'd say that. "Take a warm bath and drink some calming tea before you sleep, that should help, even if only a little."
The brunette hummed in acknowledgement, smiling when Kyoya released her. Admittedly, that suggestion did sound very appealing. "I'll be sure to do so."
Disguising their not-so-secret conversation by taking a long sip of tea, Kyoya nodded with satisfaction. "You're getting better."
"It's only natural." She replied, with a chuckle. "It's hard not to pick up a few things around here."
"I'll say." He smiled pleasantly, stealing a glance at his watch, and giving a small hum. "Time really has flown by. It's already time to close."
Kyoya took up the role of making the announcement to the occupants of the room, his charming host smile in place. With reluctance, the girls filtered out in dribs and drabs, calling dramatic farewells to their favourite hosts as they went. Hikaru and Kaoru started a competition out of blowing increasingly more extravagant air kisses in their wake, which very quickly became less about the girls and more about each other.
She expected nothing less from them at this point.
Haruhi, for one, couldn't have been more pleased to see them go. The sooner the guests left, the sooner she could clean up and leave, hopefully before she got pulled into another of the twin's antics.
The moment the doors closed, Kyoya's expression schooled into disapproval. Without even the need to turn around, he just knew she was edging towards the nearest table. Seeing his face, she froze, guilty. "I need to clean up."
"Do you now?"
A trap, if she ever saw one. "Well, who else will?"
Her arms were crossed, looking smug at how she'd left him floundered, if even for a fleeting, barely noticeable moment. "Someone else."
"That's not very specific. Do you actually have someone in mind?"
She was frowning.
So was he.
He thought he could win.
How utterly foolish of him.
"Tamaki and the twins." He said, finally. "They caused quite a ruckus earlier, it's only suitable punishment."
"You're going to trust them to clean. Together?" She didn't suppose she looked entirely convinced by the idea. Spoiler: It's because she wasn't. "That's a disaster just waiting to happen. Do you want everything to break?"
"Don't concern yourself with it. I can't allow such a waste to occur, so I will supervise them."
Haruhi bit back a snort. "Rather you than me."
He said nothing, only escorted her to collect her belongings. Likely to make sure she was actually leaving, rather than to be chivalrous. They left the back room side by side, Kyoya holding her bag hostage, chatting animatedly. As they headed for the door, Tamaki stared at them as if they'd both suddenly sprouted another head.
In an instant, he'd appeared beside them, (Tamaki can apparently teleport now. How she dreaded this new development), gaze locked on the petite brunette. "Where are you going?"
"Hell, obviously."
Both boys stared at her for a moment, before Kyoya chose to clarify. "Haruhi is heading home."
"Why do you ask?" Haruhi added, as an afterthought.
"But— But you never go home this early!"
She shared a secret smile with Kyoya. "I have some things I need to do, Tamaki-senpai. I'm heading out early today."
Tamaki was wearing that look again. The one that made her feel like she'd brutally murdered his entire family. "You can't leave now," he whined petulantly, which directly translated as I wanted to spend more time with you, so you have to stay.
As he was unwittingly blocking their path, it wasn't exactly like Haruhi could slip past him. And with the fuss he was making, it was only a matter of time before the devil twins spotted an opportunity for mischief. Evidently having similar thoughts, Kyoya addressed the blond with a bored tone. "Tamaki, are you aware that you blocking the door is a fire hazard? Imagine what would happen if one were to break out. Do you want Haruhi to suffer?"
The instant he sprang away, wailing incomprehensibly about wanting to 'save' his precious 'daughter', Kyoya shoved her bag at her and Haruhi darted forward, tossing a quick farewell over her shoulder.
Tamaki's loud cries followed her as she jogged down the corridor without looking back.
Unlocking her door, Haruhi toed her shoes off, setting them neatly out of the way. There was no point, since her father would most likely throw his shoes messily on top, yet she did so nonetheless, in the hope that one day he might follow her example… And she was supposed to be the child here.
Finding her phone was practically the equivalent of going through Narnia, with all her books crammed in her bag. She'd felt it vibrate at some point during her commute, but hadn't had the energy to begin the hunt on a moving train.
Luckily, it wasn't too important. Just Kyoya asking her to let him know that she got home safely. It was a relief to know that he hadn't offed himself due to Tamaki's incessant fretting yet. Taking pity on the boy, she typed out a quick reply where she teased him for succumbing to the said blond's dramatics, and then went to start her chores.
With the laundry sorted and packed in the washing machine, Haruhi was brewing some cocoa in the kitchen when her phone buzzed.
Three words, brimming with exasperation.
Kyoya: You owe me.
The pain in the text was so vivid that she could almost feel it through her phone screen. Rolling her eyes, she had to bite her lip to prevent herself from shooting back a playful demand for him to add it to her debt. However tempted, she knew that right now, Kyoya would only take it as an invitation.
Still, that didn't stop her from replying coyly.
Haruhi: What happened to that thoughtfulness from earlier?
There wasn't even enough time for her to put her phone back down. Already, it had received another message. Apparently Kyoya was resorting to the old faithful "Messaging Over Line— don't disturb unless you actively wish death" tactic to deter Tamaki from clinging.
Kyoya: It's now non-existent. Just like my patience.
Haruhi: You had patience to begin with? Shocking.
A cool breeze entered through the windows as she opened them each in turn. It was refreshing, smelling faintly of freshly cut grass and flowers.
After changing into casual clothes— loose fitting shorts and a flowy top that was exceedingly comfortable, (one of the only gifts from the twins she was willing to wear), Haruhi rifled through her bookcase, only pausing when her phone vibrated once more.
Kyoya: Admittedly, it's not my most prominent quality. Especially now.
Haruhi: Try not to kill any of them, alright?
Kyoya: It's becoming increasingly more difficult with every passing second. If I discover I went to all this effort for nothing, I will not be pleased.
She shook her head, unable to resist teasing him.
Haruhi: When are you ever?
Haruhi: And have no fear, your struggle was not in vain. I'm relaxing, just like you said.
Tucked up on her couch, with a good book and a warm drink, Haruhi managed to read an entire chapter before bothering to check the device once more.
Kyoya: For some reason, that doesn't exactly reassure me. Don't tell me you're in the midst of cleaning your entire apartment.
Haruhi: What would you do if I said I was?
A pause.
Kyoya: Commit mass murder.
She honestly wouldn't be surprised if he followed through with that threat. If she were in his position, she'd definitely be at the end of her tether by now.
Haruhi: I'm reading Pride and Prejudice. Is that relaxing enough for you?
Eyes straying to the worn, much loved paperback novel, Haruhi smiled, flicking to the next page. It had been her mother's, the name inked delicately onto the front page. Reading it always made her feel connected to her mother, as if she'd left a piece of her soul beyond, bound into those very pages. She could almost imagine her voice, bouncing along every character, the light in her eyes and brightness of her smile, so incredibly eager to share her treasure with Haruhi.
Her phone lay discarded at her feet, yet she had no time to lose herself in the tale before it was chiming again.
Kyoya: I wasn't aware that you liked English Classics.
Haruhi: The Shadow King was unaware of something? The world must truly be ending.
The boy didn't respond for almost half an hour. Haruhi, who was totally engrossed with reading, didn't even notice until she finally received a reply, noting how much time had passed with slight surprise.
Kyoya: Tamaki has officially been ended.
Haruhi: Somehow, I'm not surprised.
Haruhi: What'd he do this time?
Kyoya: His hit-list consists of several very expensive tea cups and an antique stool.
His irritation was practically tangible. She pitied him and the giant headache he must have by now as she bustled around the kitchen to start the preparation for dinner.
Haruhi: Didn't I warn you not to let him clean up?
Kyoya: Don't rub it in.
She squinted at the screen.
Haruhi: You didn't actually kill him, right?
Kyoya: Of course not. His death would be a terrible blow to the Host Club.
Haruhi: And you obviously couldn't allow that to happen.
Kyoya: Naturally.
Haruhi choked back a snort at that.
Kyoya: However, he is paying for a replacement and his next themed idea will be coming from his own pocket. I believe that should be enough incentive for him not to be so careless in the future.
Haruhi: Looks like I'm not the only one who needs to relax. Take some aspirin and rest up a little. —Because he would surely need some after whatever fresh Hell he must have experienced in Music #3— And try not to stay up until ridiculous O'Clock again.
Sometimes he worried her just as much, if not more, than she worried him, with his relentless stubbornness and disregard for anything he didn't deem important (which, alarmingly, had previously included his own health).
Kyoya: Noted.
A pause, where she could see him typing, deleting and re-typing a message.
Kyoya: Let me know if anything happens. You're free to call if you have any worries.
Her gaze softened.
Haruhi: I'll be sure to do so.
Haruhi: Thank you, Senpai.
Kyoya: Any time.
A/N: Here it is, the second chapter! Damn, it's been exactly a year since I first posted this, that's so spooky. I probably shouldn't be updating yet, considering I've still got some of the hardest chaps left to write (and a whole lot of editing to do!), but hopefully I'll have them done when the time comes to post them.
My update schedule will be once every two weeks on the weekend (Sat or Sun, again, I'm indecisive), as I love to procrastinate, and likely won't finish the remaining chapters quickly enough if I have a weekly schedule.
I also want to say a big thank you to everyone who supported the first chapter, reading each and every review really made my day, so thank you so much! The same goes for the favourites and follows, seeing someone new who liked this fic always gave me a smile.
Feel free to comment anything you might like to see added. I have a basic storyline plotted out, so some might not be able to be worked into the plot, but there are several vague chapters that are lacking linking ideas, so you never know.
It's like 11 at night here though and I'm pretty tired so I haven't proof-read this as well as I should've. I apologise for any mistakes, but I should've corrected most of them by now.