Hi people, thank you those who reviewed, here's the chapter two hope you enjoy and review^^

Disclaimer: I do not own OHSHC

Chapter Two

Can't Stand It

Their heart, so fragile holds the deepest secrets.

"I thought you weren't coming until later in the week?" Those were the first words that came from Haruhi's mouth. She couldn't help but berate herself for asking about business the second she saw him, but she also couldn't help but thank Kaoru for bringing her here.

"Did you want me to come later in the week?" Kyouya stared at her.

"No of course not." Haruhi found herself walking quickly across the room, almost a jog in haste to meet him. Within seconds she had collided with him. Her hands gripped the back of his shirt in earnest. Haruhi buried her head in his chest.

Kyouya's hands settled around her shoulders and one rested on her head, his fingers entangled in the thick brown tresses.

"Quite happy aren't you?" He sounded tired.

Haruhi quickly let go of him, one hand moved down his arm to take his hand.

"Sorry Kyouya Senpai."

"Just what are you saying sorry for?" Kyouya pulled her closer to him, his free hand made its way around her waist; he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Nothing, I guess." Haruhi smiled up at him.

This was most alert Haruhi had been since she'd arrived, this meeting was purely unexpected. He had become such significant part of her, just a size or two bigger than the rest of the Host Club, but still smaller than her father and mother. She didn't think of it as cliché in the least. That was what everyone thought until they actually experienced it. Everyone who searched and found someone who had a profound influence and respect on and for you. That's what Kyouya had for Haruhi, and that's what Haruhi could clearly see. Five years ago, Haruhi could seldom imagine a future without Tamaki Senpai playing a bigger role in her life than he was then. And the day he told her he loved her, was the day she thought that future could be real. But, less than three years ago, Haruhi had learned that she'd changed and the man she saw in her future now was the man sitting next to her.

"So? Why did you come early?" Haruhi leaned up against his arm.

"Certain things went better than I thought." Kyouya said into her hair.

Haruhi shifted so she could look up at him properly. Just to look him in the face. Haruhi stared up at Kyouya's messy black hair, tired eyes and comforting half smile.

"Have you told Hikaru yet?" He asked.

"I planning to today, but this meeting got in the way." Haruhi half smiled.

"So, how's Kaoru?"

"Fine, I guess."

"You?"

"Good, what are you getting at?" Haruhi looked at him, her head tilted.

"Haruhi Fujioka, will you marry me?"

Haruhi's heart may have metaphorically stopped functioning, but her mind was whirring, spinning, losing all coherent thoughts. What was she supposed to say? She'd never thought hear those words out of anyone mouth, much less Kyouya Senpai. Usually, Haruhi had imagined that every woman would say yes almost hesitantly then surely the next. Haruhi couldn't help but think that was how every proposal went.

Haruhi's mind blanched.

"Come again?"

Kyouya looked up at her with the most boyish and anxious expression she'd ever seen. "Really Haru-"

"Sorry Senpa-" Haruhi cut in, her words jumbled "I mean yes Kyouya!"

Haruhi extended her hand, slow and timid. Kyouya met her halfway, his hands felt warmer than usual, maybe a little sweaty also.

"Is this real?" Haruhi said as he slipped the ring on. It looked…old. Beautiful and aged.

"Of course Haruhi what do you think-"

"That's not what I meant, "Haruhi said hurriedly. "Are you, an Ootori, nervous? I thought you've made business deals with some of the biggest companies in the country, but can't even propose to your girlfriend without sweating a little?" Haruhi looked into his face a smirk on her face along with the deepest blush he'd ever seen.

"It's a natural occurrence when someone is about to something like this." Kyouya now held her hand in his. He stood up, now towering over her.

"Don't worry about it, Kyouya." Haruhi squeezed his hand back with assurance. "I don't mind this side of you at all." She smiled up at him. That long forgotten smile. So reminiscent of the Host Club, the other members, all the ridiculous things they were up to, and of Tamaki.

Kyouya leaned downward, "Should I kiss you now or wait until wedding day?"

He never got his answer. Haruhi had already met him halfway, on sheer nerve; she met his lips, her face burning hotter than ever. The kiss was careful, quick and simple.

Kyouya had thought this would never happen; him being the first of his brothers to propose to someone. He guessed that this would never have happened if he'd only focused strictly on business, no personal life whatsoever. Now that he looked back at everything leading to this moment, he found it positively easier to do now than he had earlier. Kyouya's nerves when it came to having to ask his father's permission to marry in the first place. Then asking Haruhi's father himself for her hand, and lastly having his father award him for being the first son to ask for permission to marry with the ring of his deceased mother. The white gold band, with the cushion shaped diamond set neatly in the middle; Haruhi could just see the everlasting beauty of it.

When she thought about it, this was the same ring Kyouya's father had bought and gone down on won knee in front of his wife. But then again, Haruhi knew that that was only a possibility, what if it had been an arranged marriage?

Back then, five years ago, when she'd thought that this partnership was nothing short of impossible, Haruhi's flushed when she realized she was the one that put this whole relationship into action.

OOOOOOOO

The first few weeks of their stay in the Untied States was nothing short of silent. Kyouya was always gone in the morning when Haruhi would wake, she was sure it some kind of class he had that early. Haruhi would stumble to his room, and slowly push open the door, only to see his messy bed, empty; and unorthodox room, books and clothes scattered. Haruhi had always imagined his room to be clean, not a hair out of place. Occasionally, if she had time, Haruhi would wander back into his room and clean up a little. Even it meant just placing his books in a neat pile or folding his clean clothes and dumping the dirty ones in the laundry basket.

Communication came slowly, stemming from Kyouya's small thank yous when he noticed Haruhi had tidied up his room. She had come to expect it late at night when Kyouya had left his room, for a little food after working and studying hours on end.

"So, how's school?" He sounded like a parent asking their child after their first day of school. It had been three weeks since Haruhi had started her senior year at a local High school. She thought he'd never ask, Haruhi thought he didn't care in the first place.

"Different." Haruhi said as she flipped a page in her chemistry book.

"Hmm." Kyouya would mumble going about his business.

Most of their conversation went along the same lines until one Saturday when Haruhi finally chose she was comfortable around him enough to talk to him more freely.

"Finally, the weekend." Haruhi plopped herself down onto the couch. The only things on her mind, food, chores, and Kyouya among other things. Her eyes shifted from the food on her plate to Kyouya who sat in a desk on the other side of the room, his fingers moving swiftly against to surface of the laptop with small clicks.

"Aren't you going to eat anything?" It was just like Haruhi to ask him about food.

"Hmm," He looked up at her, his eyes looked tired and slightly red. "When I finish this paper." Kyouya finished shortly.

"Okay." Haruhi went back to her food.

A few hours passed, on the television a show on chemical reactions played faintly in the background in fast English as Haruhi switched between looking at her book and the screen.

Kyouya's sudden presence behind her caused Haruhi to slowly turn her head, even though she already knew who it was, she couldn't help but look.

"What?" Kyouya sat down next to her, a plate of food in his hand.

Synthesis Reaction.

"Did you make this Haruhi? It's really good." Kyouya ate another spoonful.

"Yeah," Haruhi slightly smiled. She looked over at her plate…empty. She knew she'd only made enough for two, so she was sure Kyouya had taken the rest.

"Is that all?" Haruhi questioned looking towards him, and his plate.

"Yes, did you want some more?" He held the plate towards her.

"No no no, that's yours Senpai." Haruhi held her hands up, her palms facing him in rejection.

"Haruhi, it's the least I could do, since you made it." Kyouya gestured the plate to her. "It's fine, it's just us here, and I have some more studying to do anyway."

Haruhi took the plate hesitantly, afraid her might have dropped in her lap, had she not taken it. Her spoonfuls were quick and rushed. She swiftly returned it to the table in front of Kyouya.

"Come here Haruhi." Kyouya gestured towards himself.

"What?" Haruhi said from where she was, which was on the other side of the couch which they both were sitting on.

"Just what is so frightening about me, that you won't come over here?"

"Nothing at all Senpai, just that-"

"Just what?"

Haruhi didn't have an answer to that question, she stood up walked a few steps then planted herself next to Kyouya. Far enough to be able to scoot away if need be, but close enough to smell the gentle but robust scent of him. He smelt good.

They continued like that for the next week or two. Haruhi sat next to him on the couch every Saturday after homework, and just watch the television and eat together. They sat closer than normal, closer than acquaintances would, but far enough to not be anything more than friends.

Decomposition Reaction.

One year had passed, and one weekend, Kyouya wasn't there. Haruhi had already settled herself down on the dark blue cushion that sat next to the one he usually sat on. She couldn't believe it, they'd come so far from sitting next to each other so awkwardly, and there was, not being there. It became a kind of weekly procedure for Haruhi. Leaning on his arm and Haruhi's occasional cuddling into his side when she got tired. Well, it couldn't have been too out of the ordinary, it was her first year in college and Haruhi finally had first hand experience on the importance of homework and how much of it there really was.

Haruhi stood up, maybe tonight wasn't a good night to wait for him, she went back to her room, the door stood slightly open incase she saw him wandering down the hallway to the couch. But he never did that night.

Exchange Reaction.

That was just one of many nights Kyouya didn't show up; Haruhi had come to expect it. Maybe he just didn't want to that anymore. What it her fault? For doing what? Maybe she was over analyzing things. Haruhi never spoke to him about it, she was usually the confronting type, but around Kyouya she was reduced to nothing more than an immature little girl; afraid to confront someone as manipulating as him. Just what was she thinking, Haruhi had come to think that Kyouya was never manipulating, maybe she was just mad at him.

Haruhi would not cry. Her father had always told her, "Why cry because of a boy, that's their mission, to make you feel bad and blame the problem on you."

Why did she care so much about him in the first place? Kyouya was just a boy. A boy with extraordinary lineage. This was the first time in her life after years of dressing like a boy, that she felt utterly and infallibly like a weak, powerless, girly girl. Didn't she have any more control than he did? This relationship was crumbling before her. The thing Haruhi couldn't seem to find out was why it was in the first place. Since when did she care at all about him? Well, then again of course she cared about him; he was a friend and a helpful one at that. But, how much did she really care about him. Haruhi liked him.

Maybe Haruhi liked him a little more than what she previously thought.

"Haruhi." The name tasted unnaturally sweet on his lips. What he wouldn't give to literally taste those lips and confirm his suspicions.

"Kyouya Senpai." Haruhi looked at him as he approached the couch Haruhi was sitting on. Specifically the one they always sat on together. She looked a little lonely there in the couch by herself.

"I have no excuses for all my recent absences to our daily procedures, Haruhi. Just, business with my father, he about decide who gets the business. At this rate, I might be passed." Kyouya said casually.

Haruhi stayed silent.

How foolish Haruhi thought she was to think that the reason for his absences was her? Kyouya just had a few issues to work out with his father that's all it was. Those problems had arisen quite often since he entered college, or moved away. She didn't know which it was. The fact that Kyouya might be passed as the next owner wouldn't leave her mind. Maybe it was due to Kyouya leaving in the first place, his father could no longer decide his every move.

"I'm sorry Senpai." Haruhi mumbled.

"For what?"

"It's my fault Senpai, I was being foolish, I thought the reason you no longer came was because of me." Haruhi's eyes reddened, her face flushed, and her eyes threatened to tear. Kyouya approached her; he sat down next to her. In his usual spot, the one he'd occupy on all those endless Saturday nights, the one he'd occupy so often. His presence there stood quite soothing to her.

"Just what to do with you," Kyouya smiled slightly, his arm snaked its way around her shoulder, Haruhi leaned down onto him. Kyouya's shoulder was a little bony but comfortable all the same. Haruhi's hand rested in her lap. Maybe this was what she really sought.

Kyouya. The cool type.

He adjusted after a few minutes. Kyouya now faced her, his arm dropped from her shoulder, skimmed down the length of her arm and rested on her waist.

Kyouya sighed, "I am absolutely certain that my feelings for you are not strictly platonic." His voice stayed sure and solid the whole time, Haruhi could tell he really meant it. He sat there staring into her eyes, awaiting her response. Kyouya looked into her eyes, the deep brown color, the emotion he could easily see through them. He lifted his other hand up to his face and slid his glasses off then placed them on the table next to them.

Kyouya leaned down slowly until his lips touched hers. The smallest of touches and Haruhi felt an eruption of heat on her face and in the pit of her belly. Kyouya felt an uncomfortable fluttering in his stomach, though the feeling was oddly satisfying. If he was going to house with Haruhi for a few more years, he might as well accept the feeling.

"K-Kyouya Senpai." you just stole my first kiss, was what Haruhi would have liked to have finished her sentence with.

Technically, her first kiss wasn't stolen, it was her second, and she let him take it. The feeling was still quite new though this was her second. And this kiss felt nothing like the first. This one left her head in a flurry, and her senses temporarily blurred. The pit of her stomach burned with the intensity of a furnace. And her cheeks felt like they were swelling with heat and not the stinging. She didn't particularly enjoy the feeling, but it felt like it happened accordingly.

"What is it?" He had pulled away; he was still close, close enough for Haruhi to smell the faint calming scent of him, the hot breath aimed at her cheek.

"Surprised is all." Haruhi chuckled a little. Maybe this wasn't that bad.

Haruhi wondered what it would have felt like had Tamaki been her first official kiss. Maybe he could have been. Sometimes she wished he was. To be the princess on the pedestal, something she'd always thought of as inconvenient, now seemed slightly appealing, though at the time still inconvenient.

"Haruhi?"

She blinked at him, her face still burning. "Senpai…."

"It's okay Haruhi, if my advances are rejected, I can live." Kyouya reached for his glasses, slid them on and began to lift himself from the couch, he breathed deeply, his face in an unnoticeable frown, seen only by those who really knew him. His glasses, occasionally shielded his eyes from onlookers, the only one being Haruhi.

"Kyouya, it's fine." Haruhi was lost for words. "I don't know exactly what to do a situation like this, but I'm not rejecting you." Haruhi averted his eyes. Face burned hotter. She didn't know if she could ever get used to this feeling of pure humiliation.

"Well, I'm going to bed Haruhi," Kyouya said nonchalantly he leaned back down and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight Haruhi."

"'Night Senpai." she watched him leave; she went back to her studying the second she heard the door of his room creak closed.

OOOOOOO

The hours passed like those late nights studying endlessly for a final the next day. Their conversations just like the ones they used to have, discussing Tamaki's ridiculous antics, things Kyouya's father had told him, and their bizarre studying habits. They conversed like the marriage proposal hadn't happened. Those hours soon came to an abrupt stop when Kyouya mentioned he had a meeting with his father in a few minutes and asked Haruhi if she'd like to come along. Haruhi graciously declined, she'd decided to wait to meet him when she was ready.

"So you called my father and asked him if you could marry me?"

"It is the responsible thing to do right?"

"I guess so, I've never had to do it," Haruhi said "so, when did you ask him?" Haruhi said curiously.

"A few hours before you arrived this morning." Kyouya smirked.

Haruhi looked astounded, her father had known that morning when he came to pick her up. That morning? She couldn't believe it. No hints no nothing? Damn. What a bad time for her father to finally learn to keep his mouth shut.

Kyouya turned his head and squinted out the window. "Kaoru's here to pick you up," Kyouya glanced down at the watch on his wrist. "Are you sure you don't want to accompany me to my father's meeting?"

"I'm sure."

"Do you want me to escort you down there?" Kyouya stood up.

Haruhi thought about it, then again she led up here by Kaoru in a blindfold, maybe he should? She didn't exactly know the layout of his house.

"Sure."

The house was made up of warm grey colored walls, beige colored carpet and stylish layout. Haruhi stood at the top a handsome stairwell, the handrails were polished wood held up by looping iron. She stepped slowly down them admiring the tidy living room and spotless kitchen. Kyouya followed behind her. Haruhi had to wonder just how Kaoru got her up the stairs without tiring her out; maybe she too focused on the blindfold and what was at the end of that pointless treasure hunt. Once at the bottom, she could see Kaoru standing at the doorway and mischievous grin on his face that told her he knew what happened and that he knew it before she did.

"Hey Haruhi, Kyouya Senpai," Kaoru waved at them. "I guess you declined meeting Senpai's father Haruhi?"

Haruhi grinned stupidly. Haruhi walked across the flat and joined Kaoru at the doorway.

"Bye Senpai," Kaoru waved. "Haruhi and I will see you later."

"Bye, Kyouya." Haruhi stopped before the honorific slipped out of her mouth. His reaction was miniscule if not anything at all.

"See you Haruhi." Kyouya melodious voice reached her as he turned to walk back up the stairs.

The car was quite luxurious even though she had to wonder where he parked this thing when he went home.

"I called one from the estate Haruhi," Kaoru said from next to her. "So, does it feel to be off the market?" Kaoru smirked.

"That's not funny Kaoru." Haruhi didn't like to think about it, the fact that in a few months or so her new name will be Haruhi Ootori. The name was the cause of the sudden fluttering in her stomach and the instant heat on her face.

"Sorry Haruhi, but seriously, congratulations." Kaoru smiled humbly.

The ride was nothing short of awkward. For Haruhi that is. A majority of the ride consisted of Kaoru making marriage jokes and telling the hundred rules of being the wife of a future business head. Not to mention the unspoken until now rules of being a commoner turned rich. Maybe being married wasn't all it was cracked up to be nothing special in the least. Would she be reduced to nothing more than a housewife? Well, that was what Haruhi always saw on those cliché television shows. Surely the life of a business wife would be much more fulfilling than one of a normal wife.

The sun already begun to set, it was more than halfway down, or rather, the earth had moved counterclockwise enough to cover more than half the sun in its distant horizon. Though, she hadn't been there long, she could just tell this was not the way back to Kaoru's house.

"Kaoru, where are we going?"

"Tamaki Senpai's house."

"Why, does Kyou-"

"Haruhi, he doesn't know," Kaoru sounded solemn. "All I know is that Tamaki Senpai just called me on the way here, and told me he wanted to see you if possible."

The rest of the ride brought back that feeling of anxiety and being unprepared, the same feelings as the ones on the way to Kyouya's house, just without the blindfold and the sensation of going into the unknown. The slightly gravely road suddenly switched to a smooth paved one, and Haruhi knew they were there.

The car turned smoothly and slowed to a stop in front of the house.

"Kaoru, does Senpai know?"

"No, not that I know of, right now it's only us, Kyouya and your fathers."

"Why do you think he called so abruptly?"

"He wants an answer."

"To what….," it was no longer a question, the whole conversation with him before she had left rushed back to her. "What do I do Kaoru? I'm not ready to tell him."

"I wish I could help, I don't know what you could do either, I can't come inside with you, Tamaki only asked for you."

"Since when did that make a difference?"

"Go Haruhi, I tell you later, don't worry, just be honest, I sure that won't be problem for you, and don't worry," Kaoru repeated. "I'll be here when you leave."

"Thanks Kaoru, I'll try." Haruhi said bluntly before reaching for the handle to the car door.

Haruhi stumbled up the steps and was greeted by a butler, a man with a kind face and combed back gray hair.

"Miss Fujioka, I presume?"

"Yes…." Haruhi walked through the threshold of the doors, the butler neatly closing the door behind her and following her in.

"This way Miss Fujioka." his voice was curt but kind. "Mr. Suoh has been expecting you."

Mr. Suoh. Just the way he said it, it sounded so formal, not the way his servants usually sounded.

Haruhi quickly followed the butler up a flight of stairs and down a long hall, the side lined with rooms and a bathroom or two, so caught up in the layout of Tamaki's house; she kept walking, even past the butler when he stopped.

"Excuse me Miss Fujioka, this way."

Haruhi backtracked; there she stood, right in front of a door, pure white with the words "Office" printed in neat cursive golden letters.

"Right through the door Miss Fujioka."

With sweaty palms, Haruhi pushed at the handsome door. It opened slowly, prolonging her feeling of anxiety to see Tamaki. Haruhi looked around; she couldn't see anything, not the sturdy polished wood desk, the vivid red threadbare carpet, or the light red curtains, none of it. The only thing Haruhi could see was herself running towards him and wrapping her arms around his back and snuggling her face into his chest. He had certainly grown since she had left, he was still quite lean, but Haruhi could feel the movement of muscle in his back as Tamaki's arms circled around her.

"Haruhi." He whispered, he lifted her head with his hand and stared at her for a little bit, before taking her back closer and kissing her forehead. Haruhi blushed. "Haven't seen you in a while." he grinned.

"Tamaki Senpai, I never thought I'd actually miss you." Haruhi smiled up at him. Tamaki winced at Haruhi's brutal comment. He knew her enough by now to know that that was just the way Haruhi worked. He let go of Haruhi and she stepped back the only thing connecting them was their hands. Tamaki looked down at them.

Haruhi followed his eyes to her hands and she inwardly smacked herself, what was she supposed to do now? Kyouya didn't want to tell anyone yet, and frankly neither did she. The polished ring stood out obviously on her left hand ring finger. Just the way the gem was placed and the aged beauty of it anyone could tell it was an engagement ring and not just some random piece jewelry she'd put on that morning. And most everyone knew she didn't usually wear jewelry in the first place.

"So, who's the lucky man?" Tamaki looked down at her then to her left hand that he held. Haruhi stared at the ring on her hand then into his face, the look on his face was falsely cheery but crestfallen.

"Are you okay Senpai-"

"I didn't have a chance in the first place did I?" Tamaki cut in. "Well, in the meantime, I should give Kyouya my blessing." He ran his hand through his hair.

"How did you know?" Haruhi said, a look of shock consuming her face.

"Believe it or not Haruhi, you'll be surprised to know that know our Kyouya a lot better than you think I do." Tamaki said, his voice had a tone of playfulness. "Oh the sorrow of it! Better than friends but not lovers, the sins a man must face!" Tamaki swayed in front of Haruhi. While Haruhi held the distinct look of someone leave from the worst movie she'd ever seen.

"I never doubted your connection to-"

Tamaki got in close, a hair's breadth away from touching her nose with his own. "So, when's the wedding?" He said abruptly.

"We don't know yet Senpai-"

"Because I'll want the sweet flowers of spring, gourmet food for catering, maybe the twins could, no not those little devils. Maybe Yuzuha could- no let's have Hani Senpai as ring carrier! Haruhi, Haruhi- let's have the wedding in France! Unless this is your wedding ring and you neglected to invite us to your private wedding?"

"Senpai, he proposed to me just a few hours ago." Haruhi blurted out, Tamaki outpour of ideas was too much for seeing him for the first time in five years. Tamaki's smile faded rather quickly.

"What did you just say?" It took a moment for Tamaki to register the words. "Wait Haruhi," his hand grasped her shoulders. "You've got to say no, refute him!" Haruhi's eyes widened.

"Why?" Haruhi's brows furrowed, she stared at him with a furtive look on her face. "I thought you wanted the best for me and Kyouya Senpai?"

"Of course I do, that's why I'm telling you this." Tamaki said shortly. "Because it's in your best interest to reject this proposal and move on."

"You were the first person I thought would understand this Senpai, I thought you would actually encourage this!"

"Haruhi listen!"

"I'm done listening Senpai." Haruhi turned to leave. Tamaki didn't stop her.

The second the door closed behind her, Haruhi's stomach flipped and her face was burning. Ignoring the butler, she quickly walked back to the door, the house was nothing but a bad memory, I could have been a memorable one but she was too optimistic than she was usually. Haruhi grabbed onto the handle of Kaoru's car door and it whooshed open.

"Haruhi! Something bad happen?" Kaoru didn't expect her to answer. He put his arm around her and she didn't object. "He's been stressed lately."

"How do you know?" Haruhi said softly from next him. She was furious. Words couldn't begin to describe what she was feeling, her reaction to all the Tamaki had said. Haruhi said nothing more.

"Maybe it's his wife."

Hope you enjoyed. Please review, they are appreciated. ^^