Winner takes it all
A/N: I promised to post this ages ago, but things happened and I didn't. So here it is, a songfic sequel to Up and Down. I hope you enjoy it, and maybe feel led to leave a review. It would make me very happy.
The song is Winner Takes It All by ABBA. I know that it is a very old song, but it just kind of spoke to the idea for this story. What I am saying is that I don't own the song, I wasn't even alive when it was written. I also do not own OHSHC, or any of the recognised characters in this story.
I don't wanna talk, about things we've gone through.
Though it's hurting me, now it's history.
Haruhi looked up from the box that she had been buried in when her phone buzzed. 'What now' she thought as she picked it up. The caller image was of a stupidly grinning Tamaki, one hand resting on Antoinette and the other displaying the peace sign.
"Moshi moshi"
"Haruhi, it's daddy." The voice sounded just as excitable as ever. Haruhi pulled the phone a little way from her ear to prevent being deafened by his shouting.
She sighed, "I know that Tamaki, I have called ID like everyone else."
"Oh, my daughter is angry with me. What ever happened, daddy is sorry."
"I am not angry with you specifically, sempai. I'm just busy and would appreciate it if you would cut to the chase."
"Does a daddy need a reason to call his daughter when she has had her heart broken?" He spoke more quietly, but Haruhi wouldn't be much of a lawyer (in training) if she couldn't tell when someone was bluffing.
"Tamaki, I thought this 'daddy-daughter' nonsense would end when we both graduated. Now tell me what you want so that I can get back to unpacking." She felt it was best to end that particular train of conversation. She did not want to talk about Kyouya, especially to his best friend.
Tamaki's voice sounded smaller after being told off so sharply, "Well, you see, I am planning a get together. A host club reunion, please come?"
"No!" she interrupted him before he could give any more details.
"But Haruhiiii," he stretched her name into a whine.
"No! I am not going."
"It won't be the same without you there."
"No!"
"And there will be cake and you can have otoro and…"
"Tamaki, you cannot bribe me with sushi. I am not interested." As much as she like the stuff, it just was not a big enough bribe to face Kyouya on her own. Not while his abandonment was still so raw.
"But but…"
"I am going to hang up now Tamaki. Good bye." Without waiting for a reply, she matched the action to the words and snapped her phone shut. She put it down and returned to unpacking her kitchen.
She was just beginning to get back into the rhythm when her phone went off again. She bit down on the string of choice expletives when she saw the same picture as before. He is either really desperate or really persistent, or both, she thought as she pressed the red button to send the call straight to voice mail.
This process repeated itself four more times, on the fifth she barely looked, and was getting ready to cancel the call, when she noticed that the picture was different. This time it was Huni cuddling up to his Usa-chan and looking almost ridiculously cute surrounded by the cartoon flowers that Kaoru had photoshopped in.
She flipped the phone open and held it between her shoulder and head, continuing to organise her pots and pans.
"Huni, if you have called to…"
"Haru-chan!" he cut her off, "Tama-chan said you aren't coming to the reunion. Don't you love us anymore Haru-chan?" Tears were beginning to burble in his voice.
Haruhi sighed, "you are not being fair Huni. You know why I don't want to go." She shouldn't need to spell it out to them.
"But if you come we can eat cakes together, you, me and Takashi and… and I'll even let you have my strawberry!" He said that last part as if it was very hard for him to do. "And you can hold Usa-chan all night, he will protect you, ne Haru-chan."
As sweet as the older man was being, Haruhi didn't think that a stuffed pink rabbit would be enough to keep her steady the entire evening. She said as much and was about to ring off when Huni said "hang on Haru-chan, Takashi wants to talk to you."
Haruhi huffed, but couldn't respond further before there was a scuffling and the deep familiar voice was carried to her. "Hello?"
"Mori?"
"Ah."
"What did you want to say?" As much as she liked her tall former-sempai, she was beginning to find it a strain to keep the irritation out of her tone.
"I'll protect you. From everyone."
"Really?" She was caught off guard by how quickly this man that she had not seen in months had penetrated right to the core of her misgivings.
"Ah."
From anyone else, Haruhi would have needed more assurance, but she knew Mori. His words were few and far between, but they were carefully chosen and, unlike those of someone else she could name, could be relied upon.
While she thought this there was another scuffle and Huni's voice came back. "So will you come Haru-chan? Everyone wants to see you. We miss you. You'll be perfectly safe with us." His tone had changed and she knew that he was making his own promise to protect her. She was beginning to teeter on the brink of indecision, maybe it would be better just to go and get it over with.
I've played all my cards and that's what you've done to.
Nothing more to say. No more ace to play.
"Okay fine Huni, I'll do it." She let out a laugh that was edged with bitterness.
"Yay Haru-chan! We'll be there to pick you up at seven tomorrow evening! 'Kay bye"
Before Haruhi could respond, her ear was filled with a dialling tone. She sighed, 'Okasan, what have I gotten myself into?'
I was a fool, playing by the rules.
Haruhi stood in front of her mirror, examining her appearance yet again. She had done something today that she would never have believed herself capable of. She had tried on and discarded several outfits before landing on this deep blue dress that she didn't remember getting.
She had never generally cared about clothes but tonight was different. Tonight was the first night she would see any of them since she had moved out of Kyouya's home. Tonight she would need to pretend that she had everything together and that she was doing just fine. If she wore tracksuit pants and a jersey she might as well go all the way and paste a sign on her forehead that read 'I'm heading for a breakdown.' And she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing how well he had destroyed her.
The winner takes it all, the loser standing small.
Beside the victory, that's our destiny.
It had been a hard day for her. She had fluctuated on her decision at least three times every hour. But two anxiety attacks and five snotty tissues later she was finally ready. She wasn't calm, not really, but she had enough dignity left to fake composure and that would have to get her through.
She ran her brush through her hair yet again and once more changed her mind about the clips with the little blue flowers on them, sliding them back into her hair and fastening them into place.
Before she could agonise any further she heard her phone buzz, saw Huni's picture, grabbed her phone and her purse together and left her apartment; walking down the seven flights of stairs to get to the lobby.
Parked at the curb she could see some sort of sports car that looked completely out of place in her neighbourhood and which she could only assume was to be her ride. When she got closer she could see Huni and Usa-chan pressed up against the front passenger window, Huni waved excitedly the reached over and popped the back door for her. "Get in Haru-chan."
Haruhi took a couple of seconds to get her bearings before exclaiming in shock, "Mori, you drive?"
"Ah," was his only reply as he pulled away from the traffic.
"He learned because I like sitting in front; it's fun." the little blond all but squeaked. Then he paused and studied her, "wah Haru-chan, you look so cute. Doesn't she look cute Takashi?"
"Ah," Mori expertly overtook a slower car.
"Thank you, uh… you look good too." Huni's dark suit was expertly cut, even she could see that, and he would have looked dapper were it not for his tie which featured pink bunnies dancing across it.
Mori looked far more regular, in charcoal-grey slacks and a maroon button-down that could not hide how well muscled he was. There was a time when she would have felt guilty for noticing such a thing, but being dumped came with few enough perks that she was going to enjoy what she could.
The rest of the ride was filled with Huni's chattering to which Haruhi gave the occasional monosyllabic response. She was thankful for it, as it provided distracting background noise and kept her from thinking too much.
Too soon they turned off the road and through some big gates, driving up the sweeping driveway of the second Suoh mansion. They parked by the door and attendants sprung forward to open the doors.
I apologise, if it makes you feel bad.
Seeing me so tense, no self-confidence.
'Okay' Haruhi thought, 'deep breaths, one two, you can do this.' This mantra continued as she entered the mansion with Huni on one side and Mori on the other. It continued as they were lead through the house, and at the door of the receiving room it stopped, replaced by one phrase: 'it's now or never.'
The doors were thrown open and their names were announced with all the pomp that only Tamaki could think was a good idea, given that this was such a small gathering and they all knew one another.
Well, almost all. There were two unfamiliar faces, one was a woman with blonde hair and a gentle expression that Haruhi instantly guessed was Tamaki's mother. The other…
"Haruhi!" She felt herself suddenly sideswiped and lifted by a certain blond idiot who swung her around by her arms once before pulling her into a crushing embrace. "Daddy has missed his cute daughter!"
She struggled against the hold. "Tama-ki, can't – breathe. Let – go."
After one last tussle he held the girl back at arm's length and looked at her. "Haruhi," he said, suddenly serious, "have you been eating enough? Daddy's worried about you."
"We have spoken about this Tamaki," Haruhi gave him her version of the Shadow King Glare, "you are not my father." Tamaki's face cracked and he practically vanished, reappearing in a corner that bore the signs of past mushroom crops. He promptly started on another one, mattering that Haruhi was being 'mean' to 'daddy'
Before Haruhi could regain any semblance of composure the twins, who had obviously been lying in wait for Tamaki to find his corner, glomped her in unison. "Ha-ru-hi, don't worry. We'll protect you from that nasty pervy tono."
Haruhi found it much harder to free herself from two than from one and she threw a desperate glance over to Mori. He stood up without saying anything and placed a flat hand on each of the twin's heads, pushing until they were forced to release her, which they did, or risk genuinely damaging their arms.
"Thank you Mori" she said gratefully. The stoic man just smiled and went to sit down, dragging the twins with him by their jackets.
Haruhi took a deep breath, brushed her skirt to straighten it, and turned around. Her eyes immediately lighted on the one member of the former host club that she had yet to greet. "Ohayo Kyouya" she said in the best calm-voice she could muster.
Somewhere deep inside, you must know I miss you.
But what can I say, rules must be obeyed.
Kyouya had been working before she arrived. His fingers never still on the keys of his laptop. Part of him had dared to hope that he would not have to see her, that he would not have to sit through an evening of polite conversation and convincing acts when all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms. Another part of him, the treacherous part that he had thought was well under control, had been disappointed with every five minutes that passed without her presence.
The second her name was announced (seriously?) he had stopped typing and looked up. Before he could do more than notice her dress she had been attacked and his first instinct, one which he needed to crush, had been to go to her protection like he would have done before.
On the topic of that dress, was she trying to torture him? He would have recognised it anywhere, it was the dress he had bought her to wear to his father's sixtieth birthday nearly two years ago. He had thought she looked particularly breath-taking in it. Not that she didn't look better out of it…
'No, stop, don't go there Kyouya.' Those were not memories he could entertain now. Not when Kamiko was sitting next to him, her arm draped across his shoulders in casual possessiveness.
He had watched her the entire time but when she turned around, despite her unruffled tone, he could see that Tamaki had been correct, she looked strained and tired. Had she not been sleeping? Was she working herself too hard?
He voiced none of these questions, he had no right to ask her such things anymore. Instead he settled for what he knew he could do, as much as he didn't want to do it.
"Haruhi, this is Miyamoto Kamiko, my… fiancée." The pause was infinitesimal, but he still couldn't stop it happening completely. He still had not made his peace.
Does she kiss, like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same, when she calls your name?
She should have anticipated it, but hearing the words fall from Kyouya's lips so smoothly still felt like a blow. But after a moment her old Natural instincts kicked in and she dropped a small bow to the woman. "Hajinimashite Miyamoto-san."
Even if she had not been the cause of Haruhi's broken heart, Haruhi would have taken an instant dislike to this woman. She was wearing a black dress that looked like it was held on by double sided tape and the grace of God and her eyes were an unnatural ice-blue that could only come from contact lenses.
She had a glib little smile on her lips as she stretched out a hand lazily "a pleasure Haruhi-san, or should that be -kun? I've heard so much about you." Her voice was staccato, soprano like Huni's but lacking any of his good nature.
Haruhi couldn't stand looking at this woman, much less talking to her, so rather than rising to the bait, she turned to the other woman. "Am I correct in thinking that you are Tamaki's mother?"
"Indeed I am, Anne-Sophie." She held out a hand with a more genuine smile, her speech was strangely accented. "I too have heard much about you from René."
"René?" Haruhi tilted her head to the side in confusion (Kyouya had to stifle a smile at the adorable expression) Ha
Anne-Sophie smiled and indicated her fungiculturist son with one finger. Then she patted the seat beside her, finally inviting Haruhi to sit, which she did gratefully. "Now tell me, how did a girl come to join the host club?"
I don't wanna talk, if it makes you feel sad.
And I understand, you've come to shake my hand.
Kyouya had to work twice as hard to make it look like he was working at all. The entire time that he was typing up the report for next Monday's meeting he was also listening to Haruhi tell stories, minus a few pertinent details, to Tamaki's mother.
She stopped when she came to graduation. Did she not want to say it out loud? Not tell the story of when they had made their relationship official? Perhaps it was for the best, he had told the minimum possible to Kamiko.
He watched as Haruhi excused herself, claiming that she needed some air. He covertly kept her in sight as she disappeared behind the curtains that partitioned off the balcony. He returned to his work, thinking that maybe it would be easier without the distraction. He had been wrong.
He survived maybe another three minutes, 'oh fuck it' he thought 'if I am going to be weak, I might as well be weak and happy.' He muttered something to Kamiko about going outside to smoke, closed his laptop and followed Haruhi out.
He hadn't been lying and the first thing he did when he was on the balcony was to pull out his pack of cigarettes and lighter. Haruhi was leaning against the balustrade staring out at the night, the moon was almost full and it illuminated her with an ethereal nimbus of light. She didn't show any sign of hearing him.
"Lovely night, isn't it?" He asked with feigned casualness.
She started and turned to face him, "what are you doing out here Kyouya?"
His name, in her quiet voice, made him shiver. He was thankful that the night was cold and so she would likely attribute his slip to that. He took a drag, exhaling in a puff. "Isn't it obvious?" He couldn't take the distance between them, it made her look illusory, and so he moved to close it, standing next to her.
"When did you start smoking?" There was something under the question that sounded like irritation.
"A little over a month ago." He stated matter-of-factly, he wasn't going to tell her that he had started exactly five days after he had been forced to leave her.
"Well, it's a disgusting habit." She stated at the same moment that she snatched the offending object from between his fingers and threw it into the garden.
Kyouya was more amused than annoyed at her pettish behaviour. He flashed a slight, crooked smile. "You shouldn't do that you know, what if it started a fire?"
She had her hands perched on her hips, inadvertently drawing his eyes down "I don't care, they could put it out with the sprinklers.
Kyouya tutted in response. He couldn't trust himself to speak right at this second. It had been a mistake to stand so close. He should just go inside right now, cut his losses. But he couldn't bring himself to.
It would be like telling someone who had just been released from prison that they should go back because it was safer there.
He lit up another cigarette, mostly to give himself something to do. Drawing the smoke deep into his lungs and then exhaling to the side to prevent it clouding into Haruhi's charmingly outraged face. She lunged forward to grab this one too, but he was ready for her. He lifted it out of reach and caught her wrist in a vicelike grip. "I wouldn't" his voice was husky and raw and she was suddenly as aware as he had been of just how close together they were standing.
He dropped the cigarette and crushed it underfoot.
He closed his eyes and made a soft noise, somewhere in between a growl and a groan. It caught Haruhi off guard, "Kyouya?" she asked.
His name again, his brittle self-control finally snapped.
"Kyou – mmph?" her repetition was smothered by his lips.
The game is on again, a lover or a friend.
There was nothing gentle about this kiss, it was aggressive, demanding, desperate. And as much as she might try to fight it, it made Haruhi lose her head. She wrapped her arms around her neck and stood on her toes to get closer.
Neither of them noticed that Tamaki and his mother had started to play duets.
He lifted her as if she weighed nothing and perched her on the guard-rail, stoking down her legs, wanting her to wrap them around his waist. When she bit his lower lip teasingly he responded by touching his tongue to hers, revelling in the sweetness that he had never thought to taste again.
They were so completely absorbed by one another that they began to forget where they even were. Kyouya was beginning to get frustrated with the way her dress bunched up and formed a barrier between them. Blindly he fumbled with the zip, releasing it a little and ran his hand over the naked skin of her back.
Unfortunately for him this had the opposite effect from what he had desired. The draft distracted Haruhi long enough for her to snap back to her senses. She pressed against his chest to try get some distance, but he did not understand. He thought she was trying to get to his shirt buttons, he let go of her wrist to make it easier for her. Though he still did not break away.
Haruhi placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled away from him. "What you do to me," he muttered, his eyes still closed, and began kissing a line from the corner of her mouth, up her cheek, and towards her ear.
"What are you doing?" Her voice was breathless.
He smiled mischievously, he had probably smiled more in the last few minutes than in the last month put together. "I would have thought that was perfectly obvious." He leaned forward again but this time Haruhi placed her hand over his mouth and held him at bay.
"You know what I meant. Why this, why now? Your fiancée," her intonation made the word sound like a curse, "is right on the other side of that door."
He pulled her hand away, but held on to it. "I don't care," his voice was soft but vehement.
"You bastard!" With a sharp tug she freed her hand, forming it into a fist at her side. "What do you care about? You left me without a thought, and now you decide you want me back? It doesn't work that way!"
She slipped off the balustrade and ducked under his arm, escaping inside before he could recover enough to say anything in response. She was only half right, of course, it had nearly killed him to leave her and it got harder to stay away every day. But how was he supposed to say that? How could he tell her that letting her go had been difficult, that allowing it to happen a second time was worse?
He lit up again, taking a deep puff and dropping his head back as he exhaled.
She was gone again.
'What a royal fuck up.'
A/N: So I have decided to turn this into a collection of one-shots and whatnot all happening in the same universe.
Also, I just wanted to say, I was a little sad that the first part didn't get a single review. I am not the type of writer to hold a story to ransom until I get reviews; but when I get readers and none of them bother to review it is a little disheartening. I write fanfic to improve and to get anonymous review, and that flashfic was hard for me to write, I really wanted people's opinions of it. So please review and tell me what you think.
