DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club or any of its characters. I do NOT gain any profit from this fan-fiction. It is strictly for my entertainment and anyone who enjoys reading it!
CLAIMER: I OWN my OMC Kiyoshi Touma.
WARNING: This is a SLASH / MALE x MALE / YAOI fan-fiction. If you do NOT like same-sex relationships, then this story is NOT for you. Slight AU.
BETA READER: None, so there will be some mistakes that I miss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Enjoy.
.:oOo:.
"Kasanoda."
At the nonchalant call of his name, Kasanoda Ritsu tensed before slowly turning around to face the speaker. He was just about to step past the Academy gates to enter the property when he was stopped. Chin length layered pitch-black locks were carefully styled to look windswept and steel gray orbs locked unflinchingly with Ritsu's naturally hard gaze. Ritsu blinked, suddenly taken aback at the vaguely familiar stranger. Amaranth brows furrowed as Ritus tried to recall a name to the face focused so intently on him. The raven shifted his weight to one foot while tucking his free hand into a pocket of his uniform slacks. His other hand was holding a brown school bag that most likely held the same items Ritsu's did.
"Touma?" Ritsu murmured as memories from childhood drifted to the forefront of his mind.
The raven smiled and Ritsu felt his lips twitch in the unfamiliar motion of a smile in return.
"About time. I was beginning to think that you'd forgotten about me," Touma Kiyoshi voiced, his tone and body language relaxed.
"You're back," Ritsu greeted, his smile coming easier now as he ignored the eyes glancing their way as more Academy students began to arrive. "When did you get back from Australia?"
"Hm…a week ago," Kiyoshi stated, taking a step closer to his childhood friend.
Ritsu huffed a breath, finding himself having to look up to meet Kiyoshi's gaze. The raven was just as tall as Morinozuka-senpai. Turning on his heel, Ritsu fell in step with Kiyoshi as they made their way into the main halls of Ouran Academy. Their light conversation was halted when Ritsu reached his classroom and found that Kiyoshi kept walking. Kiyoshi paused and tilted his head until he was looking at the redhead. Kiyoshi grinned.
"I'll be in 3-A. Let's catch up after class," Kiyoshi voiced steadily, giving a parting wave to Ritsu before making his way upstairs.
Ritsu spotted something strange curved around Kiyoshi's ear as the raven turned, but shook the thought away. He watched Kiyoshi until he vanished up the stairs and around a corner. Ritsu blinked, suddenly becoming aware of the stares and hushed whispers. Squaring his shoulders, Ritsu stepped into the classroom and proceeded to ignore everyone inside.
.:oOo:.
Having managed to avoid all of the curious questions from his fellow classmates, Kiyoshi made his way towards the cafeteria in hopes of running into Ritsu once more. They had a lot to catch up on, having not seen one another since he was twelve and Ritsu ten. Kiyoshi thought back to his sudden move to Australia to live with his aunt and uncle on his father's side. Although, the reason behind his relocation did not make the move all that surprising.
Losing his hearing because of some low-grade explosives used during an altercation between the Kasanoda family and one of their enemies would cause any parent to fear for their child's safety. Glancing around the cafeteria as he stepped inside, Kiyoshi absently wondered if Ritsu even remembered that fateful day that changed the lives of the Touma family; the reason for the family business changing from biotechnological research to advanced technology development and manufacturing of hearing aids.
It did not bother him…anymore, that he was unable to hear anything below the sound of a car horn directly in his ear without his hearing aids. Kiyoshi had been angry for the longest time, having his life change with him and his family having to adapt…but then he was scared. It was with the help of his aunt and uncle that Kiyoshi learned to accept his loss of hearing, gaining the confidence and determination needed to overcome his fear of the unknown.
"Touma-chan, hello!"
Steel gray orbs flickered down and locked onto large brown eyes practically screaming with happiness. If not for the fact that the small blonde standing before him was wearing the same uniform as his own, Kiyoshi would have automatically assumed the boy has yet to reach his teenage years.
"I'm Haninozuka Mitsukuni, but you can call me Honey. This is my cousin, Morinozuka Takashi. It's nice to meet you," The blonde introduced himself along with his cousin standing right beside him.
Kiyoshi could practically see the pink flowers popping up around Honey's smiling face while the shorter male clutched a pink bunny to his chest. Kiyoshi looked up and met Morinozuka's eye-level gaze, the two being the same height.
"Aa, it's nice to meet you both as well," Kiyoshi finally replied and introduced himself. "Touma Kiyoshi."
Kiyoshi caught sight of familiar red locks from the corner of his eye and turned his head to see Ritsu entering the cafeteria with a short-haired brunette. Before he could excuse himself, a small hand with a surprisingly firm grip grabbed hold of his sleeve.
"Would you like to eat with us, Touma-chan? You can meet the rest of our friends," Honey asked, tilting his head in a way that indicated the blonde knew that he looked cute doing so while pointing to a table Ritsu and the brunette had just sat themselves at.
Kiyoshi nodded his agreement.
"I don't mind. I actually know Kasanoda already," Kiyoshi stated, walking with them to the table where a set of twins, a raven with glasses, and a blonde with amethyst eyes sat waiting.
It took no time at all for everyone to introduce themselves and Kiyoshi found himself smiling for the second time that day.
.:oOo:.
"You know…the Host Club could use a Bad-Boy type," Ootori Kyoya spoke up from across Kiyoshi, everyone having found themselves gathered in the gardens for a round of 'Commoner' games.
It was during a game of Kick-the-Can that the Host Club discovered Kiyoshi. Two weeks have passed and Kyoya felt as though he had gathered as much information on Kiyoshi that he could without actually having to interact with the other raven. Now, he wanted more information and in order to get that, what better way than to have Kiyoshi join the Host Club?
"No thank you," Kiyoshi declined, his tone empty as he remained entirely focused on a file containing information on the family company.
The data on a new model was showing inconsistencies and Kiyoshi's father wanted to see if his son could pinpoint the issue. Accepting the challenge, Kiyoshi has been studying this file for the last two days, using previous models for comparison.
'The metal alloy used to transfer energy from the battery source to the device remains the same, but for some reason the new integration of lithium is not working to full capacity,' Kiyoshi mulled silently, his brows furrowing.
He absently cupped the side of his face, his pointer finger gently tapping the area beside his ear where his hearing aid rested.
"Why is he ignoring us, Mommy?" A voice whined, barely going noticed by the raven lost in thought.
'With a change in energy comes the need to adapt the transferring alloy,' Kiyoshi concluded, sliding the file shut and pulling out his cellphone.
Kiyoshi tapped a quick message to his father with his conclusion. The reply was almost instant.
'Now, which alloy would you use?'
Kiyoshi withheld a sigh, having expected nothing less. He made a note to do further research tonight after dinner. Gathering his things in order to make it to his next class, Kiyoshi paused at the strange sight of Suoh Tamaki crouching nearby growing ominous looking mushrooms.
"Ignore him. He does that sometimes," Ritsu spoke up, having been with the others when Tamaki and Kyoya approached Kiyoshi regarding joining the Host Club.
Ritsu's words only seemed to make Tamaki crouch lower.
"Cultivating mushrooms?" Kiyoshi stated, unsure if he even wanted to know.
Tamaki stood with a flourish, suddenly over whatever mood he had apparently been in.
"Touma Kiyoshi, join the Host Club and become the Bad-Boy type," Tamaki said with a handsome grin, running a hand through his blonde locks.
Kiyoshi stood up and shouldered his bag.
"No, thank you. Ritsu, I'll catch you later," Kiyoshi gave his parting good-bye, making to walk off.
"I don't see why not. You'd make a pretty good bad boy, considering you have ignoring people down pat," One of the twins called out, freezing Kiyoshi's next step.
"Hey!" Ritsu and Haruhi shouted together in defense of Kiyoshi, Ritsu's hands fisting as he glared at Hikaru, not that he knew which twin it was.
Kiyoshi did not bother turning around completely, only sending a chilling glare at the twins from over his shoulder. Kyoya's arms were lowered, for once not writing in his ever-present notebook and even Tamaki seemed angry over Hikaru's words.
"Has it ever occurred to you, Hitachiin that maybe I didn't hear them?" Kiyoshi hissed quietly with a sneer. "Of course not, that would mean you would have to stop obsessing over getting people to notice you in order to notice anything about anyone else."
Kiyoshi walked off as Hikaru's face flushed red; whether from anger or embarrassment, Kiyoshi did not care.
.:oOo:.
Sitting slumped down at his desk, Kiyoshi rested his chin on his closed fist with his elbow propped up on his open math book. Half-lidded steel orbs glanced over at Honey who had stopped deliberately in front of Kiyoshi. Seeing that he had his attention, Honey spoke.
"I'm not making excuses for Hika-chan, but the new design you're wearing makes it hard for anyone to notice, especially if they had no prior knowledge of your history."
A raven brow rose at Honey's words and Kiyoshi suddenly had a face full of pink bunny.
"You can hold Bun-chan until class ends. He makes everything better," Honey told him, quickly settling 'Bun-chan' on Kiyoshi's lap before storming off to his desk at the back of the classroom where Mori waited.
Kiyoshi inwardly groaned, knowing Honey was right. He would need to apologize. Just before the teacher was due to arrive, a shadow cast over Kiyoshi and he looked up to see who else wanted to speak to him. His expression blanked at the sight of one of the Hitachiin twins. If he had to guess by the regretful look on their face, Kiyoshi would say it was the twin who had spoken earlier.
"Touma-senpai, may I speak with you for a moment…in private?" Hikaru asked quietly, his eyes focused just above Kiyoshi's steel gaze.
Seeing no harm in listening to what the redhead had to say, Kiyoshi stood up to follow the younger male out of the classroom.
"A confession?"
"Eh? What will Kaoru-kun think?"
"Love triangle!"
Hikaru's shoulders remained tense as he led the way to a nearby classroom that was currently empty. He waited until Kiyoshi stepped inside before closing the door behind them. Leaning up against one of the desks, Kiyoshi rested his hands on the desk's surface and waited.
"I want to apologize," Hikaru voiced, making an effort not to start pacing back and forth. "I really didn't mean…I'm sorry."
"I accept your apology and I want to give you my own. I should not have said what I did about you seeking attention. It was uncalled for," Kiyoshi stated, straightening up and running a hand through his hair.
That action gave Hikaru a glimpse of Kiyoshi's hearing aids. Catching the direction of those amber orbs, Kiyoshi exhaled slowly before stepping over to Hikaru…well, he kept calling the redhead in front of him Hikaru in his mind.
"Are you Hikaru?" Kiyoshi asked, his eyes roaming over the shorter male's features and comparing them to what he could recall of the other twin.
Amber orbs widened and Kiyoshi watched in astonishment as a flush dusted across Hikaru's cheeks.
"Ye-yeah…how'd you guess?" Hikaru asked after confirming Kiyoshi's inquiry.
Kiyoshi contemplated on whether or not he should say. Not seeing any harm in it, he shrugged.
"It's the look in your eyes and the way you hold yourself."
Hikaru's lips parted in surprise.
"Anyway, I should get back to class. Sensei should be there now," Kiyoshi stated, going around Hikaru and leaving.
Hikaru stood still for a moment longer, stunned. He expected Kiyoshi to say it was the way the twins parted their hair or the fact Hikaru made sure to stand on Kaoru's right side most days. No way was he expecting Kiyoshi to say what he did.
'What does he see when he looks into my eyes? How do I hold myself that's different from Kaoru?' Hikaru wondered, barely aware he had left the room and was making his way back to his designated classroom.
.:oOo:.
"Hikaru…"
"Hm?" Hikaru hummed, glancing up at Kaoru as he finished buttoning the last of his costume for today's club session.
His brother's brows were raised and curiosity filled identical amber orbs.
"You're rather distracted today. Are you still upset about what happened the other day with Touma-senpai?" Kaoru asked softly, loosely crossing his arms over his chest.
"No…no, we apologized to each other. I told you this already," Hikaru voiced, his own brows furrowing in confusion.
Kaoru sighed.
"Then what is it? You've been…distant since leaving to go talk with him," Kaoru pointed out, his mouth forming a frown.
It was unlike Hikaru to be distant from Kaoru. The two did everything together. Kaoru did not even realize where Hikaru had gone since he had been speaking with Haruhi at the time. When he had noticed Hikaru missing, it was only Haruhi's gentle prompting for him to stay that Kaoru eventually waited for his twin's return.
"I've just…got a lot on my mind lately, is all," Hikaru murmured, looking away from Kaoru, before glancing back.
Hikaru reached up and cupped Kaoru's face, leaning in close while trying to take in all of the details of Kaoru's face.
"O-oi, what are you doing? We're not in front of any customers, you know?" Kaoru stuttered, trying to lean back from how close Hikaru was.
"Oh?" Hikaru questioned, a brow lifting as he began to smirk. "So, I'm only allowed to show my love for you if someone is watching?"
Kaoru gapped and Hikaru laughed at his brother's expression, releasing his grip.
"Kidding, I was trying to find something," Hikaru stated, finding humor in teasing his twin.
"Mou, you were starting to freak me out," Kaoru huffed, before smiling. "What were you looking for?"
"…" Hikaru muttered something under his breath and Kaoru's brow twitched.
"Could you repeat that?"
"I was trying to see the expression in your eyes…to see how it differs from mine," Hikaru repeated himself just above a whisper, as if embarrassed for even saying such things.
Kaoru scratched the side of his face in thought.
"Does that have something to do with Touma-senpai?" Kaoru asked and watched in fascination as a pink hue began to dust Hikaru's cheeks. "Oh man, do you have a crush on Touma-senpai?"
"What? N-no, I—!" Hikaru cut himself off, realizing his voice was loud.
His flush deepened and Kaoru smiled. Placing his hands on Hikaru's shoulders, Kaoru gave a comforting squeeze.
"You know I don't mind if you do, Hikaru. I think it's nice that someone managed to catch your attention," Kaoru told him sincerely.
Growing conversation from the others drew the twins from the changing rooms and they stepped into the main room where the other Hosts were talking with an early arrival. It was only when Hikaru and Kaoru stepped closer, did the twins realized that it was Kiyoshi who had accompanied Ritsu to the club that had everyone's attention.
Ritsu and Kiyoshi were soaked from head to toe and Kiyoshi was fiddling with two small devices with a look of frustration on his face as he sat at one of the smaller tables in the room. Rain pelted against the windows and Hikaru realized that Kiyoshi and Ritsu were probably outside when the sudden rainstorm struck. It was Kyoya who got the frustrated raven's attention, having knelt down in front of Kiyoshi and nudged his knee.
Did you bring a spare? Kyoya signed effortlessly.
Hikaru's eyes narrowed on how easily Kyoya fell into using hand signing, not at all surprised the Vice President knew how…but for some reason the knowledge irritated Hikaru. Kiyoshi shook his head 'no', his fingers curling around his damaged hearing aids. Kiyoshi exhaled, his shoulders slumping.
Classes are almost over with for the day. I'll just head home early. Kiyoshi signed back just as quickly.
"What did he say?" Hikaru found himself asking, having stepped over to stand just behind Kyoya's crouching form.
"That he's going to head home since classes are almost finished," Tamaki answered, earning a few surprised glances from those who did not know Tamaki and Kyoya had taken a lot of the same classes, including how to sign.
You should stay. We have spare uniforms you and Kasanoda can borrow. Kyoya signed before standing up. "Hikaru, Kaoru, please grab two of the spare uniforms for Touma-san and Kasanoda-san."
Kiyoshi stood up and came face to face with Ritsu.
"Sorry, Touma. I had no idea it was going to rain today," Ritsu apologized, having asked the raven to accompany him to the Gardening Club that day for a look-around.
Kiyoshi shook his head, patting Ritsu's shoulder as if to say it was not Ritsu's fault. It seemed to ease the redhead's guilty expression.
"Come and follow us so you can change out of those wet clothes," Kaoru called out even as Hikaru grabbed the sleeve of Kiyoshi's soaked uniform and giving it a tug to follow.
Hikaru let go only after the two older students started following him and Kaoru to the changing rooms. Inside his own changing room, Kiyoshi removed his tie and blue blazer before placing the wet items on the back of a chair. Undoing his belt, Kiyoshi unsnapped his slacks before tugging his white dress shirt free. As he tossed his dress shirt over his blazer, Kiyoshi caught Hikaru's reflection in the mirror and turned around.
Hikaru gulped, the sound going unheard by Kiyoshi, but steel orbs spotted the motion of the redhead's throat. Amber orbs were staring wide-eyed at Kiyoshi's exposed chest and Hikaru's fingers tightened on the folded clothes in his arms at the sight of water droplets falling from damp raven strands and trailing down, down, down until being absorbed by visible portions of Kiyoshi's boxers. Kiyoshi held out a hand for the clothes and his movement seemed to snap Hikaru to attention.
"Sorry!" Hikaru exclaimed, shoving the dry clothes into Kiyoshi's waiting grasp before bolting from the changing room.
Kiyoshi blinked before setting the clothes down on the available stand and picked up the plush towel Hikaru had grabbed for him as an afterthought. He dried as much of his damp hair as he could before finishing changing into the dry uniform. Stepping out of the changing room, Kiyoshi ran his fingers in his hair and slicked the somewhat still damp strands back before tugging his blazer straight.
The excited squeals and heartfelt gasps went unheard by Kiyoshi, but he saw the flushed faces and heart-shaped eyes of female students filling the room. Walking over to where Ritsu sat, Kiyoshi disregarding the strange females and opted to grab his cellphone and send a message to his father regarding some upgrades to the new product. After today, there was no way around it. He wanted some waterproof hearing aids.
A small saucer containing fluffy white meringue covered in berries and drizzled with milk chocolate was set down in front of him. Kiyoshi glanced up from his phone to see one of the twins walking away. Spotting the other twin, Kiyoshi immediately knew that it was Hikaru that had just given him a dessert to eat while waiting. Picking up the fork that came with the saucer, Kiyoshi brought a bite of the dessert up to his mouth before his eyes locked onto Ritsu.
What? Kiyoshi mouthed to the redhead who was glancing back and forth between him and Hikaru, who was now being hugged by Kaoru.
Ritsu pointed at Kiyoshi and then pointed at Hikaru, before holding both palms up as if asking what that was all about. Kiyoshi shrugged, taking a moment to enjoy his food.
.:oOo:.
Hikaru bit the tip of his thumbnail as he stared across the room where Kiyoshi sat reading. He wanted nothing more than to go over there and join Kiyoshi on the sofa, to lean against the raven's side and just…just what?
"Ugh," Hikaru groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face in frustration before turning on his heel and trudging to the back of the Host Club's rooms.
Kaoru watched his twin disappear, the impromptu card game he was playing with Haruhi and Tamaki fading away as he contemplated what to do about Hikaru's hesitance on confessing to Kiyoshi. The unofficial new member of the Host Club sat oblivious to Hikaru's plight, having not noticed the other's growing affection.
"Kiyo-chan, Hika-chan went to grab more cake for us. Do you mind helping him bring everything out?" Honey voiced with a glowing smile as he clutched Bun-chan to his chest, the blonde bouncing in his shoes in excitement.
Kiyoshi nodded, having looked up at Honey when the blonde had initially grabbed his attention. Closing his book and setting it aside, Kiyoshi stood and made his way towards the back where the Host Club's kitchen was. Kaoru stared at Honey, catching the mischievous glint in the third year's childlike gaze. Kaoru's lips twitched upwards and he moved his attention back to the card game. It appeared that he was not the only one trying to figure out a way to get Hikaru and Kiyoshi together. Kaoru just hopes that Hikaru understands the sentiment and takes the chance given to him and confess.
.:oOo:.
Kiyoshi paused in stepping into the kitchen, spotting Hikaru slumped against the island counter and picking at a slice of cake with his fork. A sigh escaped Hikaru, the sound unheard by Kiyoshi but the motion of the auburn male's body speaking loudly enough. Kiyoshi walked over and sat down beside Hikaru, quickly grabbing the other's attention as wide amber orbs locked onto curious gray.
"Is everything okay, Hikaru?" Kiyoshi asked, placing a comforting hand on Hikaru's forearm.
Hikaru swallowed, feeling the heat of Kiyoshi's hand seep through the sleeve of his uniform blazer and warming him. Hikaru bit the inside of his cheek, glancing down at where Kiyoshi's hand rested before looking up through thick lashes. Kiyoshi's brows slowly rose at the rosy hue growing on Hikaru's cheeks.
"I want…Will you—. Touma-kun, I need to…," Hikaru trailed off, the nerves fluttering inside his chest causing his words to leave him.
"Hikaru—hmph," Kiyoshi grunted as Hikaru caught him in a kiss, cutting off whatever the raven was about to say.
Opening his eyes, Hikaru quickly broke away at the sight of stunned surprise filling Kiyoshi's eyes. Hikaru covered his mouth with his free hand, his other having turned over to lace his fingers with Kiyoshi's.
"Sorry—!" Hikaru's exclamation stopped when Kiyoshi leaned in and slanted his mouth over Hikaru's, returning the other's kiss.
Kiyoshi's free hand rose until he was caressing the side of Hikaru's neck, his finger tips brushing against soft auburn locks. Hikaru sighed, parting his lips and accepting Kiyoshi's motion of deepening their kiss. Heat flooded Hikaru's face and warmth pooled deep into his abdomen. Shifting closer, Hikaru fell against Kiyoshi's chest in a silent request to be held. Kiyoshi's larger form did just that, his arms going around Hikaru and pulling the younger male as close as possible.
Hikaru's heart raced and he swears Kiyoshi could feel the thump, thump, thump of it against his own. As the need to breath hit them, they slowly pulled away enough to be able to look into each other's eyes. Kiyoshi cupped the side of Hikaru's face, his thumb brushing the smooth skin of Hikaru's cheek. Taking a chance to say what he attempted to just moments before, Hikaru spoke.
"Kiyoshi-san, will you go out with me?" Hikaru asked softly, almost hesitantly.
Kiyoshi read Hikaru's lips and grinned.
"Yes," Kiyoshi answered, before catching Hikaru in another kiss.
Cheers and murmurs of 'about time' went ignored as Hikaru drowned himself in everything Kiyoshi, his fingers tightening in raven locks as he pressed himself closer.
.:END:.