a/n: Sorry about the late update- I've been working out the plotline for this on paper, and I'm almost done. I've also figured out that there is most likely going to be a sequel. Anyway, thanks to those of you who read and please remember to review!

The Angel in the Snow

Chapter 1: Day 1 – Arrival

Kyouya Ootori placed his book down upon the side table beside him and let out a sigh. Although he knew he must have imagined it, it almost sounded like his sigh had echoed through the entire house…but no, logically that was impossible. It had probably just come to mind because he was the only one in the house. Yes, his family had left yesterday morning, and in a strange fit of kindness, Kyouya had let the maids have a week off to be with their families. So Kyouya yawned and pushed his glasses up his nose as he tried to ignore the strange, empty feel of the house he had grown up in.

I should be happy: no noise, no distractions, no useless conversations…no father. This should be a dream come true… Kyouya shivered as he felt a draft pass in front of him. So…why aren't I enjoying this at all?

Of course, Kyouya found his mind drifting off into thoughts of the other host members, and what they were probably doing at the moment. The twins are probably up to their normal mischief…Hunny and Mori are probably sunbathing and eating something sickeningly sweet… Kyouya's thoughts came to a stop. Tamaki never said what he was doing over vacation. Kyouya rolled his eyes. Probably in France, flirting with every girl in sight…

Just as he was about to pick up his book again, Kyouya jumped as there was a loud knock at the front door. Who would be knocking? Father told all his associates that he would be away, so who…? Frowning, slightly annoyed, Kyouya got up from the sofa, and reaching the door, threw it open with the force that was so well known for the Shadow King.

Tamaki.

The blond prince smiled, and dropping his luggage, opened his arms wide. "Kyouya! I've come to save you!" Kyouya blinked and remained silent, trying to understand what Tamaki was saying. …why is he here…at my house…with luggage….? Realizing Kyouya wasn't going to hug him in joy, Tamaki dropped his hands and tilted his head, giving him a confused appearance.

"…Kyouya?"

"Why are you here Tamaki?" Kyouya asked, refraining the urge to face-palm. Tamaki looked surprised.

"Why Kyouya, you haven't realized it? I've come to save you from the horror known as a lonely Christmas!"

Kyouya continued to blink at Tamaki, still trying to comprehend his friend's actions. Tamaki continued on in his normal dramatic way of explaining things.

"When I overheard you saying to our lovely customers at the host club that you were spending Christmas all alone in your house, the image of you shivering by an undecorated tree brought tears to my eyes, and I vowed to myself that I would come and save you from your cold, lonesome prison!" Kyouya continued to just stare and blink at his overenthusiastic friend.

"And how, exactly, do you plan on 'saving me'?" Tamaki's smile, if possible, became even brighter.

"I'm going to spend the week with you of course! Nothing makes Christmas Christmassy like company!" Seeing the glowing pureness of Tamaki's intentions and realizing that if he refused his friend would be heartbroken, Kyouya sighed tiredly, and nodded once, pushing his glasses back up.

"Alright then." Tamaki, jumping in joy, glomped Kyouya in a giant, tight hug.

"Merci! Merci, mon ami!" Sighing, Kyouya extracted himself from Tamaki, and turned to lead him into the house. This is going to be one hell of a week…He thought silently to himself. …but, it might be nice having someone else around, even if it is someone like Tamaki. Grabbing his luggage, the blonde joyfully followed Kyouya into the house.

As Kyouya led Tamaki up the stairs he began thinking things through. The cooks are on break…what will we do about food? A thought struck him. Well, he is always claiming how he wants to try living the commoner life- takeout should work fine. I'm pretty sure there are some numbers for takeout in the kitchen…

As Kyouya reached the guest bedroom, he was faced with another problem…this one a little more perplexing. Taking in the absurd cleanliness and organization of the room, Kyouya let out another sigh.

Tamaki blinked in confusion as his friend halted in the doorway. "Kyouya?"

If I let Tamaki use the guestroom, the room will become messed up and disorganized…and then there is the laundry. When the maids returned they'd surely be able to tell that someone used the room…and Father said specifically that no one was supposed to stay during the week. I guess he'll have to share my room.

"We're going to have to share my room." Kyouya stated as he began walking to his room. "The maids would notice if the guest room is touched, so we'll just stay in my room for the week. We can rotate every night: one person on the bed and one on the couch." Tamaki smiled.

"Okay."

Upon reaching Kyouya's spacious bedroom, Tamaki dropped off his luggage, and the both headed back downstairs and into the living room. They both fell onto the plush black-leather couch and Tamaki turned on the TV. At the same time, both of their stomachs rumbled rather loudly. Tamaki laughed and Kyouya rolled his eyes.

"Kyouya, I think I'm hungry."

"I was thinking of takeout- interested?" Tamaki jumped up with glittering eyes.

"Ah, the food of the commoner! Can it be Chinese?" Kyouya stood up and walked into the kitchen, looking for the number.

"Yeah, sure." Finding the number, Kyouya quickly called and placed the order, then walked back to the couch. The weather on the news was on the screen, but Kyouya only paid half a mind to it as he waited for the food to arrive. "And the forecast for this week shows a rather large storm heading this way. There is a 90% chance that there will be snow further on in the week along with…" The doorbell rang, and Kyouya jumped up, and opening the door, paid the man and carried the food over to the coffee table in front of the couch. Tamaki had turned the TV off by then and was gazing out the window with a strange expression on his face.

Kyouya placed some of the takeout on a plate from the kitchen and placed it in front of Tamaki on the table. "Eat." Tamaki, waking up from whatever had occupied his mind, smiled at Kyouya.

"Thanks."

For a few minutes they ate in silence, then,

"Tamaki…does your family know you're here?" Tamaki slowly placed his chopsticks down on his plate and wouldn't look up at Kyouya.

"I didn't say specifically where I was going…just that I'd be staying with a friend." Hearing the tint of sadness in Tamaki's voice, Kyouya instantly wanted to ask more, but refrained, knowing that it'd probably just make the prince feel even worse. Kyouya inwardly shrugged, and opening the drawer in the table, he pulled out a pack of cards.

"Want to play cards for a while?" Tamaki, looking a bit happier after the change of topic, nodded enthusiastically.

They played cards for an hour, then decided they should get some sleep in. Trying to be considerate towards his guest, Kyouya let Tamaki take his bed while he slept on the couch.

"Goodnight Kyouya!"

"Goodnight Tamaki."

Pulling the blanket over him and placing his glasses on the table beside his couch, Kyouya sighed mentally. Yes…this is going to be a long week indeed…