I got a review from rhetoricfemme saying it would be nice to see each Host member reach out to Kyoya and I really like the idea, so that's the direction I'm going in.

~KKHKK~

It was an unusually chilly morning and Kyoya walked briskly through the cement courtyard, shoulders hunched against the cold. The students around him were chattering and laughing, but Kyoya couldn't comprehend how they could be enjoying themselves so early in the morning. It was starting to hit him now how little sleep he had gotten and paired with the cold it felt like an effort to merely make it to the building, let alone spare time to pause and chat.

Looking around at the students as he walked, Kyoya felt a pang of- something- in his gut. They may be wearing the same clothing and they may both come from privileged families but on the inside, Kyoya knew he was nothing like the other students. Even among friends he felt lonely. Kyoya shook away the thought, burrowing his hands deeper in his pockets and noting the stinging it caused. His own company was all he ever needed, anyway.

"Kyoya-sempai, wait up!"

Kyoya paused, looking over his shoulder to see a set of Hitachiins heading his way. When they got a little closer they greeted their Shadow King with matching grins.

"Morning Kyoya- cold one, isn't it?"

Kyoya adjusted his glasses, replying with a simple 'hmm'. Seemingly undeterred by his less-than-enthusiastic hello, Kaoru asked

"We're looking for his Highness, have you seen him?"

Hikaru added cynically

"Yeah, he must've skipped the decaf today or something 'cause he's already up to antics this morning…"

Kyoya lifted an eyebrow, eyeing the twins.

"Complaining about antics? That's ironic, coming from you two…"

Hikaru rolled his eyes, but his twin crossed his arms skeptically.

"Hey, Kyoya, you didn't answer my question! Are you hiding the boss from us?"

Both twins were eyeing him distrustfully now, and it was Kyoya's turn to roll his eyes.

"I haven't seen Tamaki at all this morning. Now I must get going, I have duties in the morning as class representative…"

The twins were always so lively, Kyoya found them difficult to spend much time with. After all, the pair always seemed to do and say whatever they feel, and always let their emotions out while he never reveals what he is thinking or feeling and always keeps everything to himself. Kyoya and the twins are polar opposites, and it is painfully obvious when they are alone together.

Alone together.

What a perfect way to describe his loneliness, Kyoya mused. Even with his friends he felt alone.

Hikaru sighed dramatically, hanging his head.

"Kyoya-sempai, you are just too responsible for your own good…"

"Yeah, now how will we find Tamaki! He stole my gloves, I'll freeze out here if you don't help us!"

Kaoru added, pressing a hand to his forehead in dismay and dramatically stumbling back into his brother's arms. Hikaru clutched his brother close, looking as if he may cry as he peered down at his mirror image.

"No Kaoru, don't die on me!"

Kyoya pressed a finger to the bridge of his nose as he realized people were beginning to stare, before reaching into his coat pocket with a sigh.

"Cut it out, idiots, before you draw in a crowd. Here."

He held out a pair of black leather gloves.

"I'm not using my gloves, so you may borrow them."

The twins blinked, obviously surprised by the offering.

"Oh, well- I guess that works, too…"

Kaoru finally piped up, taking the gloves from his sempai. Kyoya peered at the twins, observing their odd reaction.

"What, is something wrong with using my gloves?"

They shook their heads together.

"No, we just didn't expect you to lend them to us!"

Kyoya rolled his eyes, turning back towards the school and grumbling

"You two make me sound like a monster…"

"Aw, but monsters don't lend people their gloves~"

Kaoru sing-songed, linking arms with the dark haired teen and looking up at him innocently.

"Yeah," Hikaru mirrored, cuddling up to his sempai, "you must really like us, mommy~"

Kyoya quickly shrugged them off, adjusting his glasses once more.

"You two are just as bad as Tamaki; why don't you go bother someone else?"

But the twins only shrugged and shared a grin, before turning arm-in-arm to go.

"Fine, go do your class rep. stuff, overachiever~"

Kaoru teased, waving over his shoulder before Hikaru paused.

"Oh, by the way- boss said that we should have a meeting before the club opens, today."

"I bet it's about birthday plans for you, so you have that to look forward to~"

Kaoru added, flashing a grin. Kyoya blinked in genuine surprise.

"My birthday?"

The twins blinked back at him, surprised by his reaction.

"Your birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?"

Kyoya furrowed his brow.

"Why would you know that…?"

The twins laughed together, before turning to go again.

"Now you're making us sound like the monster- of course we remember your birthday! Seeya later, sempai!"

He watched them go, too deep in thought to notice the cold. Sometimes the twins were almost too difficult to interoperate; why on earth would they remember his birthday? They had nothing to gain from it… But now, of course, they had gained his attention. Kyoya's feelings seemed to churn in his stomach uneasily, and he seemed to dance between feeling flattered and feeling guilty. Hikaru and Kaoru trusted him, were nice to him, even knew his birthday- yet were blown away when he did something as little as offer his gloves. Were little gestures like that really so nice, or was he just too cold to expect things from? Maybe Kyoya was a monster.

"All you do is cause problems and bring shame to this family!"

Kyoya shook his head and quickly continued up the steps, finally entering the school and welcoming the warmth it held. This was no time to let his control waver- the twins had caught him by surprise, but his walls were too thick to be penetrated so easily. Knowing his birthday was all fine and well, but Kyoya was not going to let himself find false comfort in something so trivial. Hikaru and Kaoru didn't really know him or what he was hiding beneath his sleeve, and if they did they wouldn't want to be his friend.

As close with him as his friends seemed Kyoya knew they could never really be close as long as he wore his mask, but it was better that way. One unguarded conversation with the twins, and now he felt like a monster! Why deal with that pain? Kyoya knew from experience that the closer someone is, the easier it is for them to hurt you. Keeping everyone at a distance keeps Kyoya in control. Shutting everyone out keeps him from getting hurt.

And I'm happy.

Kyoya mused as he entered his classroom, offering polite greetings to his fellow early-comers.

I'm lonely, but I'm happy.

Kyoya paused a moment at his desk, setting down his bag. No, they wouldn't believe it unless he believed it.

I'm happy.

~KKHKK~