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Coffee Shops and Cameras

Chapter 24

"Are you seriously panicking?" I laughed, watching as Hikaru paced the living room once more.

He shook his head and swung his arms, "Pfft, no" he said.

I chuckled to myself and took another sip of my tea. We were currently waiting for the arrival of my father who was due any minute for the dinner Hikaru had invited him to. And even though this whole thing was his idea, Hikaru seemed to be on edge. I suspected this was because Dad almost skinned him alive the day before when he'd seen him devouring my mouth.

Hikaru was yet to tell me how his conversation with Dad managed to result in a dinner invitation, but honestly the fact that Hikaru had even entertained the idea made me smile. He was worlds away from the man I'd met all those weeks ago, that man wouldn't even share a carton of milk with me, now he was sharing his home, his meals and his company with both my father and I.

He continued to pace, nibbling at his fingers anxiously.

"Why are you so nervous?" I smirked and walked over to him.

"I'm not. I don't get nervous"

"Fucking liar"

"Fucking not"

I planted a chaste kiss on his lips, enjoying how the stress seemed to melt away from his posture. It was strange being so affectionate out in the open like this, sat in the family room where anyone could wander in. Hikaru's proposal not to hide our urges within the confines of the house had definitely thrown me aback slightly. The nature of our 'relationship' wasn't exactly sweet and innocent, and the idea of just simply being able to sit close to one another, or to hug or kiss made me more nervous than I'd expected. I didn't want any of Hikaru's family getting the wrong idea...

However, the moment we sat down to breakfast that morning Hikaru had no problem allowing himself to explore the freedom he'd desired, as he draped his arm around the back of my chair and planted a small kiss on my cheek with a grin and a sweet "Good morning". At first I could feel myself turning red with my blush, expecting to look up and see the entire Hitachiin family staring at us with utter shock. Instead, I found Yuzuha smiling warmly as she cut into her poached eggs, her husband also staring over at us indifferently - as if this was the most regular morning routine for us. And Kaoru...well, Kaoru was grinning like a child who'd just been surprised with Disneyland tickets. The day continued like this, Hikaru wrapping his arms around my waist from behind as I made tea - mid conversation with Yuzuha, a kiss here and there as we went over interview preparations with Kaoru, after a while it felt like the most normal thing in the world. I even began to initiate some of the affections. It was strangely intimate, it actually affected me on more than a physical level...I actually really liked being close to Hikaru in such an innocent way, it made me feel...comfortable, happy even. Like I was getting something more from him than just his touch, I could feel it in my chest, in my mind.

When did you get so mushy?

My cousin Mei had always joked about how I was allergic to romance. I'd always disliked public displays of affection, even with ex-boyfriends I didn't even like holding hands in the street, it made me feel so uncomfortable having other people see. Now look at me...

If Mei could see me now I knew she'd have herself a good laugh.

"Haruhi's dad is here! Haruhi's dad is here!" Kaoru's voice rang out from the foyer, followed by loud rampant footfalls as if he were a puppy greeting a guest.

Hikaru's eyes widened and I chuckled, "You'll be fine" I sighed.

The dinner was insane - I'm talking 10 star Ritz level. Even Dad looked confused by all the eating utensils laid out in front of him, he kept glancing over at me for moral support but honestly I didn't have any more of a clue what to do than he did.

You're guess is as good as mine Dad...

He polished off his tuna in record time though, his eyes bulging from his head in absolute astonishment as he went in for more and more. Perhaps I'd gotten too used to eating so well, because the tuna didn't especially blow my mind in the same way. My indifferent reaction saddened me for some reason, I wanted to be just as excited and amazed as Dad was.

For the entire meal the conversation was tame and friendly, nothing too spectacular. I expected that Hikaru was waiting for the ball to drop and for Dad to burst out with the interrogation, but as the courses moved on Hikaru seemed to relax into his seat, his concrete posture melting away with every bite as he engaged in friendly conversation with my father.

It was only when I leaned over to wipe away a cake crumb from the corner of his lip that Dad sat up straight in his chair, as if he'd only just remembered the reason he'd come over.

"Mrs Hitachiin-" Dad cleared his throat, "I mean, Yuzuha" he turned to where she sat beside him and offered her a smile, "About our children..."

"Dad" I warned.

"It's okay, I'm on my best behaviour" he chuckled, but I knew him well enough to see the secretive and invasive look he wore under that smile.

"I know, isn't it sweet" Yuzuha chirped up, "I don't think I've ever seen my Hika glow so much"

"Mom" Hikaru hissed.

"But...I have concerns" Dad replied, "I'm not exactly clear on...what exactly the nature of this relationship is. And that doesn't fill me with much confidence"

The statement made me pause my spoonful of dessert halfway to my lips.

You and me both Dad.

"I think it's best that we let them figure that out for themselves" Yuzuha smiled warmly, "As long as they're both happy I'm sure we'll all find out the conclusion soon"

Hikaru shifted nervously beside me, I shot him a questioning look. Was it the 'happy' part he didn't agree with, or the 'working out the relationship' part? His anxiety over either didn't make me feel too great. Was he unhappy? And exploring what we had...was that something he didn't agree with either? I knew the logistics of that wasn't exactly feasible, however deep down I was curious. After all I could feel the chemistry between us. He made me smile, he made me feel safe, he made me so happy that even when I was alone just thinking about him made me relax. In fact, I thought about him a lot. Like...really a lot. It was true, I did want to figure out what we had, and I did want to explore it further. But once again, realistically, we couldn't give each other what we both needed in the long run. Right?

Yes. Right.

"It's not just that" Dad sighed, "I'm not comfortable seeing my daughter all over the pages of magazines"

Once again Dad. You and me both.

Yuzuha cleared her throat uncomfortably, "I am sorry Ranka, I'm sorry you had to see all that. We're so used to it here that sometimes it's easy to forget that words can hurt"

"My daughter is being called a prostitute" Dad said bluntly.

"Can we please not use the 'P' word" I grumbled.

"But is it true? Are you two..." he trailed off, leaving the unspoken question hanging in the air.

I grit my teeth, painfully aware that I was sat around a full table consisting of my own father, Hikaru's twin brother, his mother, and his father - being quizzed on my sex life, "Hikaru isn't paying me for sex" I said plainly. Which was actually true, because I was having sex for free. Then again...I work for Hikaru's mother, who pays me a hefty amount of money...wait, shit, no. Haruhi you are not a prostitute for fuck's sake, "As much as I love a risqué conversation, maybe half way through my dessert isn't the best time?"

"I don't like seeing you in those articles" Dad breathed.

"Me neither" I mumbled, "But it's fine. We know it's not true so what does it matter?" I tried to rehash Hikaru's words, to convince myself that it wasn't a big deal. But once again Hikaru looked troubled, and it seriously wasn't sitting right with me. It wasn't just the nature of the conversation bothering him, he was used to confrontation. Even the day before when he looked scared out of his mind of my Dad, he still managed to keep his cool, he still managed to speak and stick up for us...he even managed to pull Dad aside to talk to him. Where was that confidence now? What was going on in that pretty little head?

When dinner finished up I took Dad aside, pulling him out into the courtyard alone.

"What the hell are you doing?" I hissed, dragging him further from the house so no one could hear us, "This isn't appropriate Dad, what were you thinking?"

He frowned and crossed his arms, "I was thinking about my only child and her wellbeing"

"You don't need to worry about my wellbeing. If something is wrong then I'll tell you"

"You didn't tell me you were screwing one of the Hitachiin twins"

"I'm 26 years old Dad! This whole subject is no one's business but my own!" I snapped, "Do you have any idea how embarrassed I am? His whole family is in there!"

"Okay fine, maybe it didn't go the way I'd planned, but I just want to be sure that you're not doing something you'll regret later"

"Even if I do, that's my mistake to make!" I was practically panting with how angry I was, "I live with these people Dad, how the hell am I meant to face them after that shit show?"

"Well it's a good thing you'll be back home in a few days then" he folded his arms over his chest and scowled. Then I realised something, something that honestly should have hit me in the face the first moment he'd blown up.

I sighed and closed my eyes.

This wasn't about the Hikaru thing, not entirely anyway.

This was about 'my new home'. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought about it sooner. It had been Dad and I for years, just me and him against the world in our little apartment. We'd barely spent a day apart, we would take turns cooking, had movie nights with popcorn, we would talk about work over glasses of wine, the apartment was always lively and warm. But then I moved here for work, and now it was just Dad. He'd come home from work to an empty apartment, dinners for one, no one to talk to, no one to say good morning to...just him. And I was here. Surrounded by an entire family, eating food prepared by a professional chef, sharing eggs and bacon with a fashion designer, and...falling for a model...

My heart was hammering.

I was showing this new family so much attention, but I'd neglected my own...We always talked about everything, and I never said a word to him about how mine and Hikaru's relationship had progressed. Instead he'd read about it in magazines, it was his only source of information about what was going on with me...

No wonder he wasn't too thrilled about buying him all that food. I'd basically rubbed my new life in his face.

"I'm sorry I haven't called a lot" I breathed, "I guess I...got distracted"

Dad's face softened. I could still see he was upset, but the anger was fading fast. I felt my lower lip begin to quiver, so I hid my face in his chest, welcoming in the big bear hug I'd always sought out when I was a kid.

"You're just like your mother" Dad chuckled, "Once she focused on something, that was it"

I laughed a little, "I'm not convinced. Mom wouldn't have been so selfish"

"You're not selfish little one" he sighed, "Just young"

"What's the difference?"

"The difference is you're head over heels for Hikaru Hitachiin, he's enough to distract anyon-"

"I'm not head over heels!" I gaped.

"Sure" Dad smirked, "So...is he as 'yummy' as you always said he was?"

I made a gagging noise, "Please stop"

"He must be pretty special"

I exhaled heavily.

It was true. He was special. Hikaru had somehow come to mean a lot to me, on so many levels and far beyond what we'd initially set out together. Day 1 we were sworn enemies, and now on Day god-knows-what – we were practically inseparable, mentally and physically. He was on my mind all the time, and little things like seeing him laugh or smile made me feel so...complete.

"He is" I admitted, "I wish I could tell you what was going on between us but honestly...I'm not sure myself"

"I know" Dad sighed, "He practically said the exact same thing"

"He did?" my brow furrowed, "When? What did he say?"

"Yesterday" he replied, "But I can tell you mean a lot more to him than he admits"

"How can you tell?"

"Well, it's not everyday you get invited on an intimate overnight trip to the country...alone..." he waggled his eyebrows but I was only left confused.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"The trip. To his grandmother's vineyard"

"What trip?"

Now Dad was the one who looked confused, "He hasn't told you yet?"

I made a gesture with my arms that told him – No, I have no fucking idea what you're talking about.

"Yesterday he told me he was taking you away for your last days together before the interview. He said it would help to get some one-on-one training in, but that smile didn't lie. He looked so excited to take you out there to see the place, he was telling me all about the vineyard and the views, even the little library his grandmother had – he knew you love to read. Men who don't care don't notice things like that little one"

My heart felt like it was swelling up. Had Hikaru really made arrangements to take us to his grandmother's vineyard? I remembered the way his eyes had lit up when he'd spoken about her, and it revealed just how much she'd always meant to him, and he trusted me enough to let me into that part of his life. He trusted me.

Don't cry woman, hold it in...

"Maybe he's nervous about asking" Dad teased, "Just please. Don't do anything that will hurt you in the long run. I'm still not happy about these articles, words like that could do some irreversible damage"

"I know Dad" I nodded slowly, still trying to process what I'd just been told. Hikaru hadn't mentioned a thing...although he had been so secretive about their conversation, "I trust him"

Dad left around 10 o'clock, and surprised me once again by giving Hikaru an actual hug. Hikaru seemed more shocked than anyone, but he couldn't seem to hold back that little smile and hugged my Dad back just as firmly. Later as I began readying myself for bed I couldn't help but compare him to the man I'd met almost a month ago. Who grimaced at a hand shake, he was now hugging my Dad goodbye with a heart-warming smile.

Damn I was good at this coaching gig...

"You look mouthwatering" Hikaru spoke in my ear as his arms wound around my waist from behind.

I blushed with a grin, "I see you're warming to my oversized shirts"

"Actually I think you'll find that this..." his fingers picked at the white hem that fell to my thighs, "This is my shirt"

"Oh is it?"

"I like seeing you in my shirts" he hummed, "Every inch of you wrapped up in my scent...like I'm claiming you"

"Careful Hitachiin" I smirked, "Your misogyny is showing"

"On the contrary Fujioka, because your scent is claiming me too" his nose trailed the length of my shoulder, causing goosebumps to erupt across my entire body, "My shirt smells like you"

I felt myself shudder, enjoying how close he was and the affect his lust soaked words had on me.

I turned in his arms and looked up at him, those dark desire-filled eyes stared right back. I knew what that look meant, and honestly all he had to do was say the word and I'd be on that bed so fast you'd have to give me an Olympic medal. But before that, I needed to find out if what Dad had said was true. I cocked my head to the side and smiled, "So, Dad mentioned something very interesting tonight"

"He did?" an eyebrow raised.

"Something about your conversation yesterday..."

I mean, I wasn't going to say it outright, he obviously had a reason for not saying anything. A blush surprised me as it rose to his cheeks and for a second I worried that maybe Dad had the whole thing wrong and actually Hikaru had no desire to take me away. But then he smiled sheepishly.

"Damn, I probably should have mentioned that it was a surprise" he breathed, "I hadn't even told Kaoru yet, he's got such a big mouth"

"Just like Dad then" I chuckled.

Hikaru stared at me thoughtfully, an effortless smile touching his face, "It was just an idea" he said, "I haven't been back there for years, not since the funeral. I thought about going back but...I always knew how ashamed she would be if she could see the kind of man I became...but you've helped me, more than I think I realised until a couple of days ago. I guess now I feel worthy to go back again, but I want you there with me..."

I couldn't find the right words to answer. He hadn't been back to see his late grandmother's home because of how much his attitude changed after Seika. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, disappointment in himself.

If I ever meet this woman I'm going to use her face like a tambourine.

But I could also see something else behind that disappointment. Something I could have mistaken for...admiration, and hope. And maybe something else...

"So...what do you think?" he asked, a hopeful look on his beautiful face.

I grinned teasingly, "What do I think? Hmmmm...what do I think?" I tapped my lips playfully.

A toothy grin tugged at his lips, "You want me to beg huh? You want me on my knees?" he dropped to the floor in front of me and grabbed my hands.

"What are you doing?" I laughed so loudly that it took me by surprise.

"Come away with me" he beamed, "Come and stay with me in a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere, with no air conditioning or internet, surrounded by grapevines and booze. Although, bare in mind that I'm used to getting what I want, so really you can only say yes"

I was smiling so widely my cheeks were hurting, "You have such a magical way with words"

"Is that a yes?"

I rolled my eyes, "What do you think?"

His grin spread impossibly wider. Quickly he rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around my hips, then lifted me off the ground, I squealed in surprise as I found ourselves at eye level.

"You're an angel" he smirked and rested his forehead to mine.

"And you're full of surprises"

"Kiss me" he beamed.

"You know you don't have to ask right?"

"I know" he said, "Did that sound like a question to you?"

"I guess not" I grinned before leaning in to claim his lips with mine. He hummed happily into my mouth, as if he were starved and this was his first taste of food.

My chest hurt as his declaration stuck with me. This had to mean something. Something more than just a bit of fooling around. If he just wanted sex we could do that here or at a hotel, but he'd invited me to a place that was special to him, and to take his first steps back there after so many years with me alone. He wanted me there. He trusted me that much.

I could feel tears building behind my eyes, tears I knew were the result of how loved I felt.

Hikaru made me feel...loved. How is that possible?

"Hey, hey, hey..." he shushed, pulling back to look at me.

I swabbed at my cheeks, wiping away the escaped tears that betrayed me. I plastered on a smile and let out a half hearted laugh, "It's nothing" I lied, "I just...haven't been on a mini-break in years"

The raised eyebrow told me he didn't believe me, but he didn't challenge it.

"It's not...weird is it?" he asked apprehensively and lowered me to my feet.

"What's not weird?"

He ran his fingers through his hair, messing up the efforts he'd made that day to keep it tame. He then walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, "I'm sorry if I've...come on a bit...strong" he said, "I just..."

I joined him on the bed, curling my legs up then laid down with my head in his lap, "The only thing that's weird is how much you're apologising" I smirked.

He chuckled dryly and began stroking a lock of my hair between his fingertips, "I guess I've grown up"

"I'm happy Hika" I exhaled with a smile, "This isn't weird. It's just...us" I shrugged, not sure how else to say it, "Are you happy?"

He looked thoughtful, "I am" he said, "Actually...I can't remember ever feeling this happy"

"Then stop saying sorry" I breathed, "I know we've been working to bring out more emotion and understanding in you, but that doesn't mean you need to stop being you. Where's that hot-headed asshole gone?"

He threw his head back with a laugh, "Oh he's still in here, he just doesn't feel the need to stir when you're around"

"I should open a school for spoiled rich boys. Clearly I'm a very talented coach"

"Hmm, the school might have a problem with you screwing your students" he winked.

"Ah but you see" I pointed a finger, "You're my golden boy, so only you get the 'teacher's pet' treatment"

"But what happens when I graduate?"

I opened my mouth to shoot back another lighthearted reply, but quickly paused as I noticed the look on his face.

Oh right...we only have a couple of days left until I go home...

Hikaru winced and placed a hand to his chest.

"Hurting again?" I questioned.

"Heart burn" he grumbled.

I nodded, he'd been having that a lot recently, but the look on his face told me there was more to it than he was saying. I raised my palm and cover his hand with mine, entwining my fingers with his.

"You know, just because the sessions end in a few days doesn't mean we can't still see each other" I said cautiously, not wanting to reveal too much, "It's not like there's a time limit"

He shrugged and slowly laid back on the mattress, I followed suit and rested my head on his chest.

"I guess I've just got used to this" he hummed, "Maybe too used to it"

"I know, me too. It's...been nice"

"Anyway" he sighed, "Are you really okay with coming on this trip?"

I smiled widely at him, "I'm ecstatic"

"Good" he chuckled, "You're going to love it"

"I can't wait" I planted a sweet kiss on his lips and I felt him relax under me. I could feel his smile and I sighed happily. Why did this feel so right with him? And why did the idea of leaving in a few days scare me?

I knew my feelings for Hikaru were becoming a lot less clear than I'd thought, and honestly it should have scared me. But for some reason it didn't. I...liked him. A lot. And the idea of seeing him more made me almost giddy with excitement.

"So, does this mean I get private tutoring once school is out?" Hikaru winked boyishly.

I rolled my eyes and tried not to grin.

"Anything for my favourite student" I chuckled.

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay on this one! If you follow me on twitter then you'll know that I'm moving house at the end of the week so it's been a little manic at my place! But I'm hoping to start writing 25 as soon as this goes out so it shouldn't be too long for the next update!

Please remember to Follow/Favourite/Review! I always appreciate the feedback and support!

Love y'all always,

Yuli xx