Author's note: Welcome to chapter 12, dear Reader! We've come so far together, there's no turning back now! Strap in, hold on tight now!
Trigger warning: Only the tiniest warning for this chapter. Sky has a nightmare. But not to worry, most of the chapter is happy fluffy times! No tissues needed!
I still don't own the Hosts, darn it all. Reviews are always welcome!
-Bedtime, hours later-
Sky tried to stifle a yawn as she led her boys down the hall. It had been a long day, and she was looking forward to stretching out in her soft bed with her fuzzy blanket. And not that she'd admit it to a bunch of boys, but her favorite stuffed toy, too. It was a soft gray wolf that Mother and Father had given her the day her adoption was finalized.
She opened doors to several guest rooms and ushered the lads inside. She couldn't help the little giggles that bubbled up at Tamaki's pout when Kyoya refused to share a room with him. He kept whining and pouting until Kyoya gave his famous Shadow King glare. Tamaki gulped and went pale, but wisely decided to drop the subject. He kissed Sky on the cheek and scampered off to his room with one last tiny whine directed at his scary friend.
Kyoya took the room next to Tamaki's, but only after making sure he could lock the crazy blonde out. Sky pulled her friend in for a hug before he could escape to his room for the night. He smiled fondly at the girl and stroked her hair softly.
"Goodnight, Pixie, my dear."
"Goodnight, little owl."
Honey was still bouncing around, full of energy, happy that Takashi had agreed to let his cousin share his room. The little blonde was literally running circles around everyone. That is, until Takashi picked him up and tucked him under one arm, causing a little peal of giggles that ended with a yawn. Sky thought that even his yawns were adorable, and couldn't help plucking him out of her tall friend's grasp. She hugged Honey tightly, despite the pain it caused in her shoulder.
"You're too adorable, Honey. But it's time for sleep now."
"Aw, but Pixie-chan!"
"Nope. No 'buts', little bunny. To bed, now, if you please."
"Aw. Ok, ok. Goodnight, Pixie-chan!"
He, too, kissed Sky on the cheek. Then he leapt from her arms and straight into his cousin's. Takashi held the little blonde in one arm, reaching out with the other to pat Sky on the shoulder. They nodded silently at each other, and he disappeared into the room he was sharing with Honey.
Sky turned to the twins with a little yawn. Kaoru had his uninjured arm around his brother's shoulders, and both looked just as tired as she felt. She rubbed her eye and gave them a little grin.
"So, little monkeys, do you want separate rooms, or are you sharing too?"
The brothers exchanged a small glance, and Hikaru spoke while Kaoru tried to stifle a yawn.
"We always share."
"Aw, that's so sweet."
"Really?"
"Well, yeah. I've always been an only child, so I don't know what it's like having any siblings at all, let alone a twin. But I think it must be nice to have someone right there all the time, so you don't have to be alone. There have been times I've woken up from wicked nightmares and wished I had someone to curl up with, feel safe and comfortable with."
"So… You don't think it's weird?"
"Weird? Hell, I'm jealous!"
The twins shared another glance, then turned back to Sky with identical devilish grins. Kaoru spoke this time, his voice tinged with humor.
"Well, if you're jealous, you could always share with us, Pixie. There's definitely room for three here."
Sky snickered and shook her head. She was glad to hear the teasing note, but she was far too tired to reply in kind. She patted the twins on their silly red heads.
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think so. It's far too late, and I am way too tired for your games. Go to bed and get some sleep, silly monkeys."
The brothers wrapped their arms around her and hugged her tight, each giving her a swift peck on her cheek. She grinned and hugged her boys close for a moment, then nudged them into their room with a little laugh.
"Bed. Now."
"Goodnight, Pixie."
With another little smile, she shut the door to the twins' room and made her way back down the hall to her own. She shuffled in and lightly kicked the door closed. It had been a very long day. She wandered over to the dresser and fished some comfortable pajamas out of the drawer, smiling at the photograph of her parents.
"Well, Mommy and Daddy. I think today went very well, don't you? My boys know everything, and they're still here!"
She couldn't help the radiant grin that spread at the happy thought, and she started humming to herself as she went into her bathroom to change for bed. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and stopped. Studying her image closely, she recalled Tamaki's earlier remark. Try as she might, she just didn't see her Mommy's beauty in the face before her. True, she had gotten the same long lashes and full lips, and the fair skin certainly didn't come from Daddy's Native roots. But still, she couldn't see that same beauty. Tamaki was probably just being nice.
She shrugged and changed into her pajamas, still humming to herself. Her shoulder ached, and she reminded herself that she would have to take it easy tomorrow. Which means don't pick Honey up again, dumbass. She shook her head at herself and flipped the lights off, then shuffled to her bed in the dark. At long last, she stretched out under the blankets with a little sigh. Hugging her stuffed wolf close, she finally closed her eyes, her heart full of happiness.
-A few hours later-
Sky jolted awake, ripped from the nightmare by her own thrashing. She bolted upright, gripping her little wolf tightly in trembling arms. She wanted to turn a light on, but couldn't make her muscles work properly. She sat in the dark, clutching the toy and rocking back and forth as quiet sobs fell from her lips. Tears fell freely, coursing down her pale cheeks. It's ok. It's not real, he's not here, you're ok. You're ok, no one's going to hurt you, you're fine. It's ok, it's ok, it's ok.
After a few moments, she was able to reach out and turn the bedside lamp on, gasping in relief when light flooded the room. Her weeping had finally started to taper off into little whimpers. She still rocked slightly, clinging to the stuffed animal that had seen more than its fair share of tears from the girl. Suddenly there was a soft knock at the door, and it opened slightly. She whipped her head up, and her trembling increased. Oh God, now what?
"Sky?"
Sky hurriedly wiped her tears away when Takashi appeared in the doorway. Shit! Too loud, way to go, stupid ass. She sniffled and offered a rueful little smile, but her tall friend didn't smile back. He wore a concerned frown as he slowly approached. Sky sighed quietly and gave a little shrug, then winced and swore at the pain in her shoulder.
"It's fine. I'm fine. Just a nightmare. I'm sorry if I woke you up."
"You didn't, I was getting a drink when I saw your light was on."
He gave her a little questioning look, and she patted a spot on the bed and nodded. He sat beside her, and she tucked her legs under her, reaching up with her good arm to rub her eye. He noticed the trembling and the way she held her arm gingerly, and knew she was in more than one type of pain. He set his glass of water on her bedside table and moved to sit behind her. She was confused for a second, until his large, warm hands landed on her aching shoulder. His touch was gentle, and she was comforted even before the pain began to recede. Her sore muscles loosened, and she relaxed, content with his tender ministrations.
After a couple minutes, she turned and put her arms around him in a tight embrace. He shocked them both when he pulled her onto his lap, gathering her tall frame in his arms and holding her close. Sky was startled, but there was no fear. She sighed softly and cuddled close, resting her head on his broad shoulder. They stayed that way for several minutes before she picked her head up and stifled a little yawn with the back of her hand.
She laid her hand on her friend's cheek and offered a small, but genuine, smile. She was thrilled when he smiled back lightly, just one corner of his mouth curving up in reply. She started to speak, to thank him, but he shook his head.
"I'm just glad I was here to help. What do you usually do when you have a nightmare like that?"
"Um. Usually I just, uh… Heh. Most times, I just end up crying myself to sleep. And if I can't sleep, I get up and do anything to take my mind off it. I'll go work in the studio, or start baking or something. There have been several mornings that Mother and Father think they've walked into a bakery instead of our kitchen."
Takashi chuckled softly and nodded, not surprised. He reached up to stroke Sky's hair softly, glad to see her feeling better. He glanced down and noticed the little stuffed wolf, and picked it up to have a closer look. Sky saw the curious look, and grinned just a little.
"Wolves have always been my favorite animal. Mother and Father gave me this one on the day that my adoption was finalized."
"How sweet."
Sky laid her head back down on her friend's shoulder, drawing more comfort from his warm embrace. She yawned a little before speaking again.
"It really was. I know how lucky I am to be blessed with such wonderful parents twice. Mommy and Daddy gave me everything they could, and they told me every day how much they loved me. I never had to wonder. And now I have Mother and Father, and they love me too. Sometimes I think Mommy and Daddy sent them to me, because they have so much love to give."
Her voice was growing softer, but there was no sadness there. She was just steadily getting drowsier, happy and content in her friend's arms. She didn't realize just how tired she was, and closed her eyes without thinking, nuzzling against Takashi's shoulder.
"And now I have my boys, too. I don't know how I managed without you guys. Especially my brave, strong wolf. I love my wolf. So much…"
She was out like a light, and so didn't see the blush that crept up Takashi's cheeks. He held her like that for a few minutes, making sure she wouldn't wake up before he moved. He set her down gently and laid her head on the pillow, then tucked her stuffed wolf under her arm and pulled the covers up to her shoulders. After the tiniest hesitation, he bent and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. His voice was so soft, she might not have heard him if she was awake.
"I love you too, Sky."
