I didn't think my penthouse would be such a marvel to these guys. They were just as loaded as I am (with the exception of Haruhi). Somehow, they had to have known. Kyoya hacked into my records. He knows the kind of cash I'm sitting on. Still, they all looked around here like they fell through the fucking looking glass. Was this peek behind the curtain really that spectacular? I'm sure it's not too different from what they're used to. It's just a penthouse.

"You live here by yourself, Rei-chan?" Honey asked, his legs dangling over my couch.

"It's just me here," I confirmed, "You guys were just here yesterday."

"But we were busy," the twins whined, dazzled by what they saw.

"That changed nothing," I rolled my eyes, "I haven't done much more unpacking. The only thing different was that I cleaned up some things. Other than that, it's the same penthouse you were in yesterday."

"Still," Tamaki added, "It is quite the spectacle, Rei."

"Thank you," I took a sarcastic bow, "Was this seriously why you guys wanted to come over? So you could gawk at the shit I have?"

"Not entirely," he admitted, "There was one other reason."

"And what's that?" I threw myself into my chair, nestling down into it.

"Well…" Tamaki took a seat on the arm, getting in my bubble. I shoved him out of said bubble and he took a much more appropriate seat on the other couch, "How did it go with Kasanoda last night?"

"Seriously?" I groaned.

"I told you," Haruhi chimed in, "I told you he'd ask questions."

"I know," I grumbled, "I've been around the host club long enough. I should've known Tamaki can't keep his nose in his own damn business."

"Come on, Rei," Tamaki begged, "Tell us!"

"Yeah, Rei," Hikaru took Tamaki's old seat.

"Tell us!" Kaoru took the other side. Why the fuck do people not understand my bubble? If I'm close enough to slap the shit out of someone, they're too close.

"You know…" I hid a smile from them, "You're lucky you guys caught me in a good mood today. How do you think it went?"

"We had horribly," the twins hummed.

"I thought it went really good!" Honey sang.

"Mmm…" Mori agreed with him. I think. I'm still trying to get his grunts down. They're their own language.

"I thought one of you would've left early," Kyoya added.

"I hoped for the best," Tamaki admitted, "But you're both kind of powder kegs."

"Damn," I giggled, "A lot of negativity in this room."

"So?" Haruhi asked, already knowing the answer, "It went well?"

"So well," my body went limp, "We had a good night. That's for sure."

"Details, Rei," Hikaru demanded.

"You can't leave us hanging like that," Kaoru laid his head on my shoulder.

"There's not much to tell." Or, to put it much simpler, there's not much I want to tell you, "We went to a concert in Shinjuku. We had our fun there. Then, we went for pancakes afterward. I ate myself into oblivion. Then, we came back here. My dad called. I went to bed. Details."

"That's it?" Tamaki gave me a look.

"That's it," I nodded, leaving out the look on Ritsu's face when he saw me on the other side of the door. The way he held me when I started crying at the concert. The electricity in the kiss we had on the roof. And in the elevator.

"Well," he slumped down, "That was a lot of work for nothing."

"Cheer up, Tamaki," I gave him a little kick to the shin, "Don't be like that. It wasn't for nothing."

"Really…?" Tamaki looked up from his knees, "Then, is there something you're not telling us?"

"If it makes you feel any better," I carefully treaded the waters, "It got really sweet by the end of the night. Hell, he damn near stayed here last night."

"Excuse me?" he gasped, "What was that? Because if I didn't know any better, I'd think you just said that you nearly had a boy stay here last night!"

"Jesus Christ, Tamaki," I laughed to myself, "My own dad wouldn't be losing his shit like you do. Although, when I come home with a tattoo, he might have something to say about it, but at the end of the day, he won't care. It's my body and I can do with it as I please. But you did hear me right. Ritsu almost stayed here last night…"

"Ritsu?" Tamaki's spiral only got worse, "So, now, you two are on a first name basis?"

"Kyoya," I wondered, "Do you have any sort of tranquilizers for him or do I need to call someone?"

"Sorry," Kyoya shrugged, "I'm all out."

"Dammit," I pushed myself out of the chair, "Looks like I'm going to have to pull a few favors. But we're going to have to wait a couple days before they get here. The only dealers I know are in our territory in the Bronx. I don't have much for connections here yet."

"I could make some calls," Kyoya suggested, "But I'd have to go through more red tape than what I'd like, so it seems we're in quite the bind."

"Haruhi," I asked while Tamaki hyperventilated in the corner, "Do you think you could smack some sense into him?"

"I got it," Haruhi insisted, giving him a poke to the shoulder, "Senpai? Are you going to make it?"

"Reila," Tamaki pulled himself together, "I forbid this relationship to go on any further."

"Excuse me?" I shot him a glare, "Forbid all you want, Tamaki. You're not going to stop me. Ritsu didn't stay here last night. He probably would have, but toward the end of our date, he got too embarrassed, so he left."

"What got him so embarrassed?" the twins wondered, fully invested.

"His own boldness," I smiled, remembering our moment on the roof, "It lasted a couple seconds, but I think he blacked out after that. It was actually kind of cute to see him all flustered."

"Wait a minute," Tamaki came down from his high horse, a smug grin on his face, "Did you say it was cute?"

"It was," I awed, "You should've seen him."

"Men," Tamaki declared, "Emergency meeting!"

"Yes, sir!"

All of the beloved morons gathered on the other side of my living room. Why? I may never know. Although, I had a sneaking suspicion that I'd find out soon enough. I've never felt so fucking weird in my own house. Making out the assorted whispers was too much and quite frankly, I didn't feel like dealing with it. Chances are, it'll have something to do with me, but for now, let's let the sleeping dogs lie while I stare up at my ceiling, pretending not to give a shit.

"So, Rei," Hikaru snuck up on my left side.

"What are you doing today?" Kaoru hit my right. And if they keep doing shit like that, they're both going to get punched.

"Nothing," I reported.

"So, then…"

"No," I stopped them both before they could go any further, "My plans are nothing. That doesn't mean I'm free to do something, because I plan on doing absolutely fucking nothing. I'm going to sit my ass in this chair or possibly even on my roof and let the world happen around me. Will I end up taking a nap in an unorthodox location today? Probably. I've done everything I wanted to already today. I got my groceries. I took a shower today. For the rest of the day, I'm doing nothing. Well…Until tonight anyway. Aside from that, I'm doing nothing. No host club shenanigans. No dealing with my driver. I'm going to have a quiet Sunday. I'll do whatever you guys want me to on Monday, but today is my day, dammit."

"What are you doing tonight?" Honey wondered. I can't blow him off like I do the others. He's too sweet and I feel like if I poke at his heart the wrong way, it'll implode on itself. Or I'd have Mori to answer to. He seems pretty protective over his little buddy. Granted, I can kick Mori's ass, but that doesn't mean I want to.

"I got a date," I might as well come clean. They're exhausting and I didn't want to be worn down any more than I have been.

"With…?" Tamaki listened closely…getting a little too close. And if he didn't get out of my face…

"With Ritsu," I shoved him off me, "If that's alright with you. And if it's not, that's too fucking bad."

"Yay!" Wow. He changed his tune quickly, "No! Go ahead! Please! Be my guest!"

"I'm so glad I have your permission, Tamaki," I rolled my eyes, "Because all I ever wanted was your approval."

"Am I detecting a note of sarcasm?" Tamaki asked.

"You're about to detect my foot going in your…"

"Rei," Kyoya cut me off, "Forgive the intrusion, but he's fragile. Please don't."

"Fine," I let it go, "Look, guys, it's been real. It's been an absolute reluctant pleasure. I hate to kick you out, but get the fuck out of my penthouse. It's Rei's quiet time."

"Doing what?" the twins asked.

"Knife throwing," I grabbed my knife off the kitchen counter.

"Really?" they almost looked like they didn't believe me.

"Really," I opened it up, spinning it around my fingers, "I'd show you, but I'm sure Daddy would be pissed if we didn't get the security deposit back."

"You're serious…?" Tamaki froze.

"No, dumbass." These were the idiots I hung around. And I don't even know how it happened, "I already told you. I want some quiet time before I have to deal with you guys on Monday and I'm going for ramen in a few hours."

"Fine," Tamaki allowed, "I'm assuming you'll be at the host club tomorrow, Rei?"

"I will be there," I promised, "Who knows? It may actually be fun."

"I have been doing well in the advertising department," Kyoya admitted, "You already have quite the client list, Rei."

"You're shitting me."

"Not in the least."

"Dammit," I mumbled to myself, "Alright. I'll see you guys Monday."

"Bye, Rei!"

As the last one walked out, I shut my front door behind them. Holy mother of hell, they're exasperating. I had to hand it to them, though. They are relentless. Like a bad rash, but I think I'll keep them around. Who knows when I'll need a patsy? And Tamaki seems like he'd be a good patsy. He's pretty, but he's not very bright, so the chances of him realizing he's being used for nefarious gains? Slim.

I wasn't joking, though, when I said I wanted to do nothing for the rest of the afternoon. It won't be until later when I go to the ramen shop. I'm sure I could sneak in a nap. No one would know. Even though, knife throwing did sound like fun…No. Naptime. But just to be sure, I had to ask. Much to my lazy chagrin, I got up and grabbed my phone off the nightstand and opened up a text message.

Did we decide on a time for ramen last night?

-RM

Beep!

Well, isn't someone an eager beaver on his phone.

Not that I know of.

Seven?

-RK

I checked my clock on my top menu bar. 4:38…

Seven works.

See you then.

-RM

Beep!

Enjoy your nap. :)

-RK

How the fuck did he know I was about to take a nap? Because why else would I be asking about time? It's the ramen shop. It's not like I'd need much time to get ready. Hell, I wasn't even changing clothes. Why should I? Like I said, it's the ramen shop. That wasn't one of those places where fanciness was necessary. I just wanted a bowl of ramen to warm the inside of my tummy and a Ritsu to warm the inside of my heart. Goddamn, Rei. This dude's made you soft.

"Rei…" I felt a nudge at my shoulder, "Reila…Wake up. I'm starving."

Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Ritsu standing over me, his face dimly lit by the neon signs outside. All the different colors bounced off so nicely. Like the puddles in Williamsburg I fell so in love with, "How in the fuck did you get in my house?"

"Your door was unlocked," he sat down, "You know, for a young girl living on her own here, that's awfully dangerous."

"You think so?" I dug in the chair cushion, a bright blue handle in my grasp, "Because I'd love to see someone come in here and try to fuck with me."

"I underestimated you," Ritsu let it go.

"You should know better," I rolled back into the chair, burying my face in the pillowy back.

"No, no," he grabbed my arm, "Get up, Rei. I'm fucking starving and I'm sure you're hungry, too."

"Come on, man," I groaned, already feeling myself slide off the chair, "I just woke up. Cut me some slack. Besides, I thought we were meeting at the ramen shop."

"I thought I'd come and get you," Ritsu wasn't letting me go no matter how hard I tried getting out of his grasp, "Looks like I made the right call or who the hell knows how long I would've been sitting there by myself?"

"Fuck off," I fell onto the floor, resting my head on the seat, "You deal with the shit I dealt with today and not want a nap."

"What did you deal with today?" he asked, helping me back up.

"Groceries, cleaning, and the host club," I showed him my middle finger, "Right here, buddy. Right here."

"Anyone ever tell you that you're kind of bratty?"

"All the time." In one fell swoop, I found myself going from the floor to laying horizontally on Ritsu's shoulders. That was enough to wake me up, "Hey! What the fuck, Ritsu?! Put me down!"

"No," Ritsu shot me down, holding my flailing body to the best of his ability, "I asked you nicely. I told you to get up. What did you do? You tried going back to sleep. I'm fucking hungry and you and I had a date."

"That doesn't mean you need to carry me!" I screeched, "Put me down or so help me God, I'll kick the shit out of you!"

"Where are your shoes, Rei?"

"FIRMLY AFFIXED IN YOUR FUCKING SKULL!"

"You are a scrappy one, aren't you?" Ritsu found my black sandals by the door and put them on my feet, doing his best not to drop me, "Come on. You ready?"

"Yeah," I pouted, still on his shoulders.

"If I put you down, do you promise me you won't try to kick my ass?"

"Yeah…" I settled down.

"You get a little cranky after a nap?" Ritsu assumed.

"Only when someone wakes me up," I explained, "If I wake up on my own or because of an alarm, I'll be fine."

"Noted," he put me on my feet and picked the lobby button, "You want to walk to the ramen shop or should we take the bike?"

Once the wind hit my face on the way out the door, I started waking up some more, "It's a nice night for either one."

"You did just wake up, though," Ritsu pointed out, "It's your choice."

"We can walk," I decided, hoping that night air will reinvigorate my spirits a bit. Although, tripping over myself wasn't exactly the best thing to do.

"Jesus, Rei," he caught me, "Did you start drinking early?"

"I don't know what's with me," I rubbed my eyes, regaining my balance, "I'm not usually this out of it."

"Be careful," Ritsu took my hand, holding me steady.

This was nice. My equilibrium could be a tad bit on better kilter, but other than that, this was nice. Besides, Ritsu could hold me up. If he could have me on his fucking shoulders, he damn well better be able to hold me up. As much as that was bullshit at the time, being up there was strangely freeing. It would've been nice to know it was going to happen, but it's happened. When we got to the ramen shop, the owner had already recognized us and started our order while we nestled into our booth.

"That felt like too much work for ramen," I laid my head on the table.

"It's a block away, Rei," Ritsu teased, "Are you sure you're ok?"

"I'm fine," I brushed him off, "So…Are you going to ask or should I?"

"Ask what?"

So, that's how we're doing it, "What are we doing about tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure," Ritsu blew bubbles in his drink, "Is this…you and me…Are we a thing?"

"I don't know," I thought for a moment, "Are we?"

"I like you," he shrugged, "You like me or you wouldn't have jumped me in the elevator."

"But is that something we'd tell other people?" I wondered.

"It's none of their business," Ritsu grumbled, "But…I mean…It'd be ok with me."

"Like you said," I decided, "It's not their business. Besides, I'm a host. That'd kind of shatter the illusion."

"I'm dating a host," he let out a heavy sigh, "Eww…I'm dating a host. That's not something I'd ever think I'd say."

"Ha, ha," I jabbed, "You're dating a host."

"I can also undate a host real quick," Ritsu threatened, already regretting his decision.

"Are you kidding?" I giggled, rolling my eyes, "You like me and you know it. It's just me. I'm not even that good at being a host. It just kind of happened. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not even a host."

"So," he wondered, "What do we do when the host club clientele finds out you're not a dude?"

"That's not my problem," I shrugged, "They were the ones that made assumptions."

"My god," Ritsu let out a little gasp, "I think I like you."

"I think I like you, too," I smiled, "That doesn't change the fact that you're dating a host."

"Listen, you little shit…"

"Relax, Ritsu," I settled him, "I just like pushing your buttons."

I really did. Something about watching the vein stick out in his forehead tickled me to no end. We can just call it payback for the little stunt he pulled in my living room. And once the two of us slurped down our ramen, we ended up in front of my building again, leaned up against Ritsu's bike. Goddamn, she really was a beauty, wasn't she?

"Hey, Rei," Ritsu swung his leg over his bike seat, "Can I ask you a favor before you go back inside?"

"What?" I cocked my head to the side, "Not walking a girl home?"

"I walked her to her building," he shrugged, "Doesn't that count for something?"

"And they say chivalry is dead," I teased, "What's the favor?"

"Do you…" Ritsu started turning red again, "Do you think I could get another kiss before I go?"

"Only if it's in my elevator again," I smirked.

"No," he put his foot down, "Out here. Just before I go."

I leaned into him and put my lips on his, trying to recreate the lightning in a bottle the elevator kiss was, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night," Ritsu smiled a bit.

"Night…"

And just like that, I watched his taillights turn the corner. There he goes. It's too bad he's not crashing with me again, but I understand. We do have class tomorrow…

A/N: I. Love Tamaki turning into Rei's dad. It's fucking adorable. Speaking of fucking adorable! There's something special about Ritsu carrying Rei on his shoulders. I love him. I love her. And I'm about to catch a movie, so if this is a tad rushed, I'm sorry, but you know where to leave any questions, comments, or concerns. So, I'll see you next chapter. xx