Dedicated to Aiyaki because your review made me smile :)
Lunch was an interesting affair. Haruhi would rebuke or flat out insult Tamaki, making the blonde sulk in a corner to cultivate fungi, something Jun appreciated but Hideo did not. Hana had tried to keep up with Honey's pace of eating until she turned green and flew out of the room to promptly vomit everything up. Takashi, who's taken a shine to the girl, flew out the door after her with Honey in tow who was still chowing down on cake.
The twins made it a personal goal to fluster Jun as much as possible but stopped when a looming Hideo smiled serenely down at them, nonchalantly cracking his fists that were clenched tightly at his side.
There was light banter between the friends and questions for a quiet Merry, mostly about the house's history and how she was enjoying Ouran despite transferring so late in the year.
Then the distinct sound of a thunder clap rattled the mansion windows, forcing Haruhi to jolt in shock and start to shake.
"I don't recall seeing any storm clouds earlier. It must have formed rather quickly," Merry hummed before glancing at her guests. "Is Haruhi-san alright?" she asked lightly, worry tinging her voice though not for the currently shaking high schooler. She flicked her gaze to Hideo who nodded and bolted out the door.
"She's scared of thunder," one of the twins piped up from his position at Haruhi's shoulder.
Another loud clap rumbled around them and Haruhi curled into herself, pressing her hands against her ears with a whimper.
"Is there somewhere we can take her?" Tamaki asked, scooping the girl into his arms.
Merry nodded. "You can use one of the guest rooms. If the storm worsens you're all more than welcome to stay here. Jun-san? Please show Tamaki-san to the Bougainvillea Suite, and make sure to gather extra blankets as well."
Jun nodded and gently ushered Tamaki out of the kitchen, the twins following closely behind.
As she rose from her seat, Merry's gaze slid to Kyoya. "Are you not going with them?"
"They seem to have everything under control for now. I shall check on them soon."
Merry hummed noncommittally as Hideo appeared in the doorway. "Is she alright?"
"Yes, but she's asking for you, Ma'am."
"I'll see to her now. Honey-san and Takashi-san?"
"They have been directed towards Miss Haruhi's suite for 'moral support,' Ma'am."
"Thank you, Hideo-san. Please show Kyoya-san to the guest rooms and update me on the current weather report. We may be having guests tonight," she said, sweeping past a nodding Hideo. "Please excuse me, Kyoya-san."
Once out of sight, Merry began to run, sprinting up the grand stairs and down the hallway to her bedroom. She burst through the double oak doors just as another boom of thunder shook the windows, a soft cry coming from the child-sized lump underneath her bed covers.
"Hana-chan?"
Brown locks peeked out from the sheets, followed by a sniffling, tear stained face. "Mer-anek-eek!" She cut off at another clap of thunder.
Merry closed the door and rushed over, gathering the child in her arms and rocking her gently, whispering soothing words into her hair as the storm began to pick up.
"It's alright, Hana-chan. I'm here."
"According to the weather reports Hideo-san gave me, the storm will be severe, though short. It is expected to be clear by early tomorrow morning," Merry explained quietly to a straight faced Kyoya standing just outside the Bougainvillea Suite door. The twins and two cousins had already been showed their rooms by the butler who left them to explore on their own. Haruhi had a death grip on Tamaki as they huddled underneath a mountain of blankets with the guest-bed's four poster curtains drawn, cutting them off from the rest of the world.
Jun had taken a sleeping and exhausted Hana off Merry's hands, retiring for the rest of the day with a quiet reminder about the cold stew in the fridge for dinner.
"It is too dangerous to go out in this weather," Merry said. "There are plenty of rooms. Make yourselves comfortable and don't hesitate to ask either myself or Hideo-san for anything you need during your stay. As long as it is reasonable, of course."
Kyoya nodded silently, eyes never once swaying from the bed he knew Tamaki was in, cradling a scared Haruhi. He pitched his voice low enough to only be heard by Merry. "Thank you, Merry-san. Do you have backup generators in case of a blackout?"
"Of course," she nodded. "Are you going to tell Haruhi-san you love her?"
He whipped his head around to face her so fast his neck cracked. "I beg your pardon?"
Merry shrugged, turning her gaze towards the poster bed. "It's a simple question, Kyoya-san. It's not obvious," she added on, sensing his well-hidden unease. "You're quite a subtle person, though others think otherwise. It's not so much what you say to her, but what you go out of your way to do. You're more patient with her, looking into her eyes whenever you are in deep conversation and your smiles are more genuine. Your actions go beyond the boundary of friendship."
Kyoya pushed his glasses up his nose, plying on a smirk, neither accepting nor denying her claims. "You seem to observe me quite a lot, Merry-san."
"I observe a lot of things," she replied. "I don't feel the need to repeat the friends and enemies quote to you, Kyoya-san."
"Ah, of course. After all, we aren't friends."
Merry's lips quirked. "Of course not. That would simply be bizarre."
"Unimaginable."
"Impossible."
"Unfavourable."
"Unbearable."
"Interesting."
She finally faced him, the lightning from outside flashing across her smiling features. "Interesting indeed. Lucky we are not friends, ne?" She chuckled and turned on her heel, leaving Kyoya to his thoughts, unable to look towards the poster bed anymore.
Merry glanced up from her perusal of the darkened sky outside as Hideo appeared. She'd made her way down to the kitchen with the intent to fill her belly but the lightning dancing outside had caught her attention. She pulled away slightly from the window. "They are opting to eat in their rooms?" she asked, referring to the Host Club.
Hideo nodded as he began to assemble a number of dinner trays to be sent to their guests. "Yes, although Mister Honey demanded some more of Jun's cake and brownies," he replied somewhat dryly, placing a whole iced chocolate cake on the counter. Luckily Jun was insightful and well prepared.
Merry chuckled. "Jun-san's baking is delicious so I don't blame him."
"Indeed," the butler smiled, deftly folding some fabric napkins into delicate swans. "Jun and Hana-chan have settled into their rooms for the night. Mister Tamaki requested some music to be played in their suite to help soothe Miss Haruhi's nerves."
Merry nodded. "The record player in my music room should do."
"I shall come to your suite to move it after I have tended to the guests, Miss Merry."
"No need. I've moved it before and I can do it again. Make sure our guests are settling in alright."
Hideo looked a little unsure but nodded, placing the trays onto a kitchen trolley for easy transport. "Of course, Miss Merry. If you'll excuse me."
He glided from the room, leaving Merry alone to stare out at the flashing thunderclouds.
Her cell phone rang, vibrating against the table top. She flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"Miss Merry."
She unconsciously sat a little straighter, demeanour becoming more subdued and unfailingly polite. "Hello Ran."
"I trust that your revision for the upcoming exams is going well."
"Yes it is, however I'm still reviewing my History notes."
"I see." A slight pause. "And your guests are not distracting you?"
Merry's eyes narrowed slightly. "No, they are not. I have a number of my school peers staying overnight. A storm-"
"Yes, I know. Jun had the decency to inform me of the current situation in your stead."
"I apologise. I was otherwise occupied."
"Understandable, though I hope it does not happen again, Young Miss."
"I'll make sure of it."
"Good." Ran sighed a little. "Everything I have been hired to do is for your own benefit, Miss Merry. Understand that."
"I do, Ran." A pause. "How is Kyoto?" With my father.
"Kyoto is the same as it has always been. The reason for my call is that your father is going to hold a conference call with you in three days' time. Ten o'clock sharp."
Merry felt herself numb a little bit. "I accept."
"The call is not a choice, Miss Merry. You will answer it. Your grandparent's are also going to be present."
She almost dropped the phone, face paling. "They are back in the country?"
"Of course not. They will be calling from their villa in London."
"Oh."
"Do not reply with one word answers, Miss Merry. It is unbecoming."
"My apologies, Ran. Do you know what the call will be about?"
"I do not pester Mr Watanabe with questions I have no right to ask."
"Of course," Merry replied, stamping down on her bitterness. "Is there anything else you needed to relay to me, Ran?"
"No. That is all. Have a pleasant night, Miss Merry. I shall see you tomorrow afternoon."
"Goodbye, Ran."
The dial tone sounded as she pulled her cell away, staring at the screen blankly for long moments.
She placed it back on the table with a little more force than necessary, apprehensive rage rising like bile. She wanted to break something, but she squashed down her emotions like she'd practiced. Her self-preservation instincts also helped.
Jun would have her head for real if she messed up the woman's kitchen.
Again, sorry if some characters seem a little OOC!
Review if you want to! (^.^)