Author's note: Welcome to chapter 27, dear Reader! Ohmygosh, I am just beyond thrilled with how much support this has gotten lately! I love dear Reader! Thank you all for sticking with Sky (and me!) this long!
Triggers: Nope! This chapter is nothing but fluffy sweet fluffs. Seriously, it might make your teeth ache.
Special shout-out to xstrawberrysugar for giving me about a zillion reviews and some AMAZING ideas!
I don't anything Ouran-related, no matter how many stars I wish on and coins I chuck in wishing wells.
-The next morning-
For the second time, Sky awoke in the arms of her darling wolf. She grinned to herself. I could definitely get used to this. Takashi seemed to still be asleep, but after the previous morning, she couldn't be sure. But it didn't matter so much, just so long as he continued to hold her close. She reveled in the warmth of his embrace, and the intoxicating and utterly masculine scent as she snuggled back against his chest.
Since he was - possibly - still asleep, she indulged herself, running her fingertips lightly back and forth along the arm he had curled around her waist. Every single thing about Takashi fascinated her. He was all hard, toned muscle, product of years of kendo, not to mention carrying Honey around all the time. But she had never known anyone so very gentle. Even when he held her tightly, his grasp was always tender, as if she were a porcelain doll. Not that he treated her as if she were fragile and would break any moment. No, no, her wolf was just naturally gentle.
There were still moments, such as this one, that completely amazed Sky. Just a few short months ago, she was still terrified and broken, unable to even think about being near anyone male. And now here she was, waking up in the arms of one of the physically strongest people she'd ever known. No fear, no trepidation, not even the slightest hint of anxiety. All she felt in this moment was perfect happiness, safe and warm in the protective embrace of her wolf.
"Thinking too loud again."
Sky giggled and squirmed in his grasp, turning to face him with a pretty little smile. His lips quirked up in the barest hint of a grin, despite the early hour, and he reached up to trail his fingers through the disarray of rainbow hair. She closed her eyes and sighed quietly, leaning in to his touch. The sound warmed his heart, and his smile bloomed in full as he leaned down to place a soft kiss on her cheek. The gentle contact earned a radiant smile from his beloved, and she snuggled closer.
"I'm sorry if I woke you up, mo mac tíre."
"You didn't."
He sat up and pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms firmly around her. She leaned in and nuzzled softly against his neck, eliciting a quiet hum of satisfaction. She grinned, awed that she could be the cause of such a lovely sound. With a content little sigh, she curled her arms around him and held tight, nuzzling more.
They stayed curled up in bed for several long, wonderful moments. Takashi kept one arm securely around Sky's waist, the fingertips of his free hand trailing slowly up and down her back. A delightful little tremor ran through her at his touch, and she raised her head to brush her lips softly over his cheek.
"I wish every morning could start like this."
Before Takashi could answer, Sky's phone chirped. She growled quietly in annoyance and reached for it. Who the hell is texting me this early? She snatched the phone from the table and glared. Her expression cleared after a second, and she shook her head lightly as she read the text from Kyoya.
Sorry if this wakes you, Pixie, but I thought you should be warned. Tamaki is headed to your house, I couldn't stop him.
She groaned and raked her fingers through her hair. She read the text to Takashi, then typed out a quick reply.
Thanks for the heads-up, I'll deal with him.
She tossed the phone back on the bedside table, rolling her eyes. Damned over-dramatic Tamaki. Probably thinks I'm dying or some shit. She stifled a yawn and laid her head on her wolf's shoulder again, unwilling to get up. She spoke lightly as she wrapped her arms around him again.
"If he makes a scene, I just might have to maim him a little bit."
Takashi laughed softly and shook his head. Since Sky didn't seem inclined to get up, he settled his back against the headboard and held her close. He was half-tempted to drape the blanket over them for the dual purpose of hiding her bruised knee and preserving her modesty. None of the others had seen her in shorts, after all. After a swift but intense internal debate, he decided against it. If Sky was worried, she would have gotten up to change before now.
"Just don't hurt yourself in the process."
Sky snickered quietly. She raised her head to grin at him.
"I could just chuck the lamp at him. I wouldn't even have to get up that way."
Takashi shook his head at Sky's violence. She giggled and adopted an innocent expression, though she knew he wouldn't fall for it.
"Ok, so I'm a violent little psychopath. You love me anyway, right?"
Her tone was joking, and a pretty little smile graced her lips. He reached up to cradle her cheek in one hand and nodded slightly.
"Of course."
Sky's smile grew bright, and she leaned in to nuzzle his cheek. Before anything else could be said, however, a soft knock could be heard. She rolled her eyes with a frustrated little growl. The door opened slightly, and one of Mother's maids stuck her head in.
"Miss Pixie? Young mister Suoh is here, and he's very adamant about seeing you."
"Yeah, ok, send him in."
Tamaki rushed in, a flurry of movement that had Sky groaning quietly. She wondered just how he could be so very hyper when it was so very early in the morning. Maybe she should have Kyoya demand a drug test...
"Pixie darling, I was so worried! I hardly slept at all, worrying about my precious little unicorn! How is your poor knee, are you alright? Shall I have Kyoya call in a team of doctors for...for... Oh... Um... I..."
She glanced up as he suddenly trailed off. His eyes were huge and shocked, and kept darting between Sky and Takashi. His face got so red, Sky was shocked that he didn't literally burst into flames. She let out a little snort of laughter and threw a pillow at the blonde.
"Oh, for God's sake. Get your brain out of the gutter, Tamaki."
He squealed and jumped back when the pillow hit his face, then just stared in shock for a moment. He stammered, unable to say anything coherent. Sky rolled her eyes and huffed out a frustrated breath.
"Dude. Seriously, knock that shit off. Drag your brain up out of the damned gutter already. If you don't chill out, I'm going to have to get up and kick your ass. And I really don't know if my knee can handle that right now."
At that moment, the petrified blonde's eyes landed on Sky's knee. It looked truly horrendous. Slightly swollen, dark blue and purple, edging dangerously close to black in spots. Tamaki's embarrassment fled, overpowered immediately with concern. He rushed over and fell to his knees beside Sky's bed, eyes glistening.
"Oh, ma cherie..."
Sky's anger dissipated at the genuinely worried tone. She kissed Takashi's cheek softly and slid over to sit on the edge of the bed.
"It's not as bad as it looks, chardonneret. There's no need for tears, I really am alright."
Ruffling Tamaki's hair, she gingerly set her feet on the floor. When that motion caused only the slightest twinge, she decided it was safe enough. She stood and tugged the dramatic blonde to his feet. He opened his mouth to speak, no doubt some sort of protest, and Sky shook her head at him.
"Seriously. I'm fine, Tamaki. See? I can stand, I can walk. It looks bad, but it's not, I promise."
Tamaki looked apprehensive for a moment, but then a quiet sigh of relief poured from his lips. He put his arms around his friend and hugged her fiercely.
"I'm sorry, ma cherie. I was just so worried that you were more injured than we knew. But I know Mori-senpai wouldn't have let you avoid the hospital if you were."
Sky shook her head and embraced the silly blonde, patting his back soothingly.
"You're right about that. I know you were worried, chardonneret, so I'm letting you off the hook this time. But next time, how about calling or texting first, 'kay? Showing up unannounced so early is likely to get you in trouble."
The last was said with a bit of a smirk, causing Tamaki to pale slightly. He wondered if perhaps his sweet little unicorn was like Kyoya and Honey-senpai when it came to being woken early. He gulped and took a couple steps back, eyeing the tall girl apprehensively. Sky snickered quietly and flapped a hand at him as she sat back down beside her wolf.
"Chill. We were already awake, you're not in any trouble."
"I don't know about that."
Takashi's words were quiet, and only Sky caught the slight hint of laughter in his tone as he slid an arm around her waist. Tamaki, on the other hand, issued a tiny squeak of fear and hurriedly took several more large steps backward.
"I... I... I..."
Sky burst into delighted giggles as Tamaki stammered and stuttered. His huge violet eyes darted between the couple, completely baffled and utterly shocked when his senpai started laughing as well. Mori-senpai was laughing! Tamaki felt faint all of a sudden.
"I... I think I'll be going now... You just, um, you just... You get some rest, ma cherie. I'll see you both at school tomorrow, alright?"
With a swift bow to the older teens, he fled, grateful to escape with his life. Sky's giggles finally tapered off after a minute, and she snuggled up on Takashi's lap again. His arms came around her waist, holding her close as she laid her head on his shoulder. She sighed softly and nuzzled against his neck, wishing there was no need to move and begin the day. After a few minutes, she reluctantly admitted that staying in bed was no longer an option.
Takashi watched carefully as she strode to her closet, then nodded, satisfied. Her knee didn't seem to be giving her any trouble, so he saw no need to try to keep her off of it. With a small smile, he stroked one hand down her hair and planted a kiss on the top of her head before heading off to his usual guest room.
A/N again: See? Fluffy fluffs are fluffy! Sky needs a few days for her knee to heal before things get dramatic again. But don't worry, the fluffs won't last forever!
