Episode: The Sun, the Sea and the Host Club
Kyoya's room. Due to a thunderstorm, Haruhi is in a wardrobe. Tamaki is outside of it.
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With Haruhi huddled into a closet, and Tamaki stuck outside of it, understanding dawned on him. You're always by yourself, all alone in your home. You never call us for help, even though we're so close.
"I get it," Tamaki assured. He finally managed to tug the wardrobe doors open, and looked down on Haruhi. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, her arms held them there, and her head was tucked in too. "I understand now, Haruhi. I'm sorry I acted the way I did. You grew up without relying on anyone else, but not anymore."
She finally dislodged her head to look up at him. "You can come out now," Tamaki offered.
Another boom of thunder reared its head, and Haruhi launched herself into Tamaki's arms. He lifted his arms to wrap around her petite frame. Her whole body was shaking violently. He didn't know what to do to help her so he just hugged her tighter. "You don't have to be afraid; I'll always be here for you, Haruhi. I promise that you'll never be alone again." Haruhi's hands clenched into his shirt even tighter. One of his hands hands came up to pet her hair. He hoped it was a calming gesture.
"Kyoya's family owns this place and they only buy the best. No part of this storm is going to be able to harm you. It can't reach you here," Tamaki tried to reassure her, but he didn't think it was a fear of harm. It was more like fear of the sound. That gave him an idea.
He brought one arm back in between them, and then forced it under her arm. It was no easy task with how rigid her death grip on him was. He bent down slightly and placed his other arm under her legs. Standing up, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
She hadn't expected the sudden move, and her panicked jump should've sent her toppling to the ground. Tamaki, however, was prepared and just held on tighter. "It's okay, Haruhi. I won't let anything happen to you. Trust me." She snaked her arms up around his neck to steady herself, and closed her eyes, leaning into him in acceptance.
He walked to the bedroom door and, very carefully, managed to get his hand on the knob and the door open. He didn't bother to close it behind them. Tamaki carried her down the hall, cursing the large windows lining the wall, letting in each flash of lightening. Making it to his own room, he gently closed the door, thanking his past self for having closed the curtains already. He didn't know if he would be able to manage that without putting her down, and he definitely couldn't do that.
In the corner of his room sat a black, baby grand piano. Walking over to the bench, he carefully sat down, arranging Haruhi in his lap. Thunder rumbled through the room again, and she tightened her arms around his neck. She used them to pull herself into a more comfortable position and leaned her head against his chest, trying to focus on his steady heartbeat which she so desperately wished her own would replicate.
Her shaking was evident as ever, but Tamaki thought it had waned slightly. He was pleased that he must be doing something right.
Gently, he began to play a soft melody. Every stroke was meticulous in his effort not to jostle Haruhi. It wasn't long before she pried herself away from Tamaki's body to survey where the sound was coming from. She hadn't even realized they were in a different room.
"Where are we?" She inquired, eyes following Tamaki's hands as they danced across the keys.
"My room," he answered softly. He didn't want to ruin the tone of the music by being too loud or abrasive. "I'll have to thank Kyoya later for having a piano moved in here for me."
She was watching the piano intently, captivated by the arrangement. The storm had almost been forgotten when another crack of thunder brought her back to reality. She clutched back onto Tamaki, and he was proud of himself for only stumbling over a couple notes because of her hasty actions.
When he was finished with one piece, he moved onto another soft rhythm, feeling that higher tempo songs would be counterproductive. Haruhi calmed down again, daring to look back over at the piano. Tamaki was saddened when she loosened her grip and sat up slightly away from him again. He loved having her against him.
"What are you playing?" She asked, her voice betraying her fear.
"Some of my compositions," he supplied, and paused to gauge her reaction. "Is that okay?" He didn't want to do anything that would upset her. "I can play something else..."
"No, don't." She turned to look up at him, a small smile gracing her lips. "It's beautiful, senpai. Thank you."
His answering smile was dazzling. She likes my music! He tamed his inner excitement, attempting to remain calm for her. "Just relax now, Haruhi," he directed. To his astonishment, she listened.
Haruhi snuggled back into his chest, closing her eyes. One arm wrapped around his side and clutched the other to herself. His arms couldn't wrap around her, busy as they were, but she still felt his warmth cocooning her.
Everything was Tamaki. It was there in Tamaki's room, at Tamaki's piano, listening to the music that Tamaki poured his soul into, and nestled into Tamaki himself, that Haruhi was finally able to calm down, and eventually, fall asleep.
