The Lost Bet.
Oh, I have no idea how Kyouya's brother actually is, or how he acts… so I just let him do whatever suited my story best. So, he may not be 'Ootori-like' but screw that. 'Kay? –sweet smile-
Chapter Three: Day Three and the Host Club.
About scandalous outfits in the Host Club, jealousy and an exhausted Kyouya.
His alarm went of too soon. He always hated his alarm clock. He always had the urge to smash it against the wall, but when he felt how the comfortable warmth started to move away, he wanted to torture the lifeless object.
"Kyouya-senpai…" the whisper came and he could feel how Kaoru pushed himself up. "We have to get up."
"Don't want to," he groaned back, turning around and grasping Kaoru's wrist, pulling him back.
Kaoru felt his cheeks flush the brightest pink ever as he was pressed against Kyouya's chest. Another arm wrapped around him and pulled him even closer. Kyouya's eyes were still closed, and he felt so warm, Kaoru felt like an idiot for talking about school. All he wanted was to just close his eyes again and fall to sleep.
"They'll find us," he warned, with the last of sanity in his mind, Kyouya's scent and warmth taking over. "And they think I'm a girl."
Kyouya sighed, slowly turning over and falling off the bed in a rather ungraceful matter. Pulling the blanket in his fall, Kaoru let out a yelp at the sudden cold. Kyouya shivered, as he silently brought his hand to his forehead and noticed cold sweat staining it. He sighed.
(I knew I'd get sick.)
His head ached and the world turned a little. Kaoru crawled off the bed, a little worried since all that Kyouya was doing was staring in some point in the distance.
"Are you okay?" He asked, leaning close, pressing a hand softly against his forehead. "You feel hot."
"I'm fine…" Kyouya was able to mutter.
He got up and took an unsteady step forward, before he straightened himself. A sneeze followed, and he frowned. He didn't need this. He didn't need to be sick.
"This is all your fault," he groaned, his head ache only increasing.
With slow, measured steps he walked to the bathroom as Kaoru just got up, got in his uniform and slipped outside. As discreetly as possible he sneaked further from Kyouya's room. He walked into the kitchen and immediately he got a job appointed. He was getting used to it quiet easily. After some time he found himself all alone in the kitchen, remembering that after all Kyouya didn't eat his cake and went searching for it. A sigh escaped his lungs. He wanted to see Hikaru. Badly.
"Kaoru?" he heard a voice.
He turned around and saw Akito standing in the door way. He gave him a charming smile and Kaoru smiled back shyly. He didn't know why it was, but Kyouya's older made him feel tiny and fragile, even more then Kyouya did. A weird kind of awkwardness grew even more when Akito slowly walked up to him and Kaoru could almost feel his eyes swaying over his body. It was like he was being undressed by the dark gaze and he swallowed tickly.
"Are you getting used to it?" Akito smiled to him.
"A-Ah, y-yeah… sure…" Kaoru gave him a weak smile back, as he took some few steps back, until he couldn't get any further anymore.
His back was touched the wall, and immediately a hand was placed next to his head. Looking up at the taller man, he never felt so small and trapped. An awkward, warning voice screamed that he had to get away, just run or something like that, but he couldn't move. His smile faded and all he did was staring in the black eyes that were the ones of hunter who eyes his prey.
Kaoru had to hold back a shiver when he realised he was that prey.
"If there's any kind of problem, you could always talk to me," the hunter said.
The prey simply smiled. "I… I'll keep that in mind…"
Akito leaned even closer and Kaoru's mind screamed for action, but nothing moved. What did he have to do? What could he do? Instead of looking disgust, he felt his cheeks heat up and he knew he was blushing furiously. Great, that was just the reaction he didn't want to have. He closed his eyes like a little girl who wished the monster underneath her bed would just disappear, but he could feel how he still moved closer.
"Kaoru, if you don't hurry up, you'll have to walk to school," a cold voice cut through Kaoru's mind.
His eyes snapped open and he found Akito leaning back, as if he did nothing. In a fast movement he turned his head and saw Kyouya standing in the doorway. Kyouya's lips were pressed in a tight line, his arms crossed over his chest and even the look in his eyes was so supposedly cold and hard Kaoru felt like disappearing by just looking at it. He wanted to apologize, but instead he found his head dropping low, eyes to the floor, and his feet moving forward without any thought.
So much for not getting involved with Kyouya's family. So much for not doing anything stupid anymore.
Kaoru practically fled away and hurried to the door. Kyouya looked over his shoulder until Kaoru was no longer in his eyesight, turned around and asked, cold: "What do you think you were doing?"
"Just getting to know her a little better," Akito grinned.
Kyouya's eyes narrowed. He knew his brother all too well, he knew about the one-night stands with practically every maid in the household. He wasn't deaf and every girl was gossiping about it every moment of the day. He never minded it, never cared… but the thought of Kaoru added on that long list of forgotten girls, made him feel sick. First of all, there was the issue of Kaoru not really being a girl and if he somehow ended up in his brother's bed –willingly or unwillingly- that 'secret' would be discovered and he had to go to the trouble of making up excuses. Second, it was wrong. It was plain wrong and disgusting.
No one had the right to touch Kaoru. No one.
"Awh, what's with that cold look," Akito provoked him even more, before standing up. "You want her too? She's pretty isn't she, lovely outfit."
"I'm not as disgusting as you," the cold answer came, "stay away from her."
"You're absolutely no fun," he grinned back.
"Isn't there anyone else you can do inappropriate things with?" lips parted, then were pressed in the firm line again immediately.
"I think I had them all," a shrug, "some twice even. But if she's only here for a week, I'll have to be quick, don't you think so?"
"You're a disgusting person," Kyouya turned away and walked away, biting his lip to keep himself from running back and hitting his own brother in his face.
It was disgusting. It was wrong. It was such a disgraceful thing and he would never let him do that Kaoru. He wouldn't let anyone do such a thing to Kaoru. He didn't care what happened to other persons, but that would never happen to Kaoru. He wouldn't let anyone use Kaoru as a toy.
He sighed. Why was he getting so worked up? All he needed was to make sure Kaoru didn't end up in his brother's bed, and that was not because he'd be sickly jealous if anyone else than him touched Kaoru like that, but just because everyone needed to think that Kaoru was girl.
It was not even a hard thing to do, Kaoru wasn't that dumb anyway. For four more days, it was nothing he should even think about.
Four days. Over four days Kaoru wouldn't be around anymore and the house would be empty again. Over four day's he'd be alone again, with only the thought of warmth lingering around.
"Kyouya-sama?" a voice asked and he looked up.
"Yes Manako?" he asked, looking at the girl.
"Kao-chan is waiting outside already, if you were looking for her," she smiled. "Won't you be late for school?"
"Ah yes, thank you," he answered politely.
He walked away, but then stopped in his tracks, turning around again.
"Manako, could you do something for me?"
"Anything you say, Kyouya-sama," she answered back.
"Kaoru… Could you make sure Kaoru is never alone with my brother, please?" he turned around again, so she couldn't see his eyes when he added: "you're probably aware of my brother's… habit with new girls and I would appreciate it if such a thing did not happen to Kaoru. So… If you could look after her a little."
"Naturally," she answered.
"Good," Kyouya said back, then walked outside.
Manako turned around, a happy smile on her face. She practically hopped around as she exclaimed in the now empty room: "He's so adorable when he's jealous! I've got to tell Kao-chan when she comes back! It's love! Real love!"
The empty room replied by being even emptier when the overly happy girl went to do her tasks.
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
Kaoru waved happily when Kyouya came out of the door. Kyouya didn't even look up, and Kaoru felt a little disappointed, but maybe Kyouya was still waking up. He hoped he didn't make him angry again. Well, it wasn't like he was the one who started talking with Akito, it wasn't like he was the one who tried anything. But still…
He opened the door for Kyouya and to his happy surprise that earned him a little smile. Kyouya got in and Kaoru followed that example, pulling the door closed. While the car was driving, Kyouya didn't say a word.
"Er… I'm… I'm sorry…" Kaoru said, looking out of the window awkwardly.
"Again?" Kyouya didn't look up from the papers he was studying, "you seem to regret a lot of things."
"Well, I thought you were a-"
"I don't care what you do with my brother," and it sounded so cold Kaoru found all the words inside him freezing.
"I pissed you off, didn't I?" he sighed, fidgeting a little.
"No, you did not. Like I said, what you do with my brother is none of my concern," a short silence. "Just be aware that he thinks you're a girl and it won't be such a good thing if he finds out your not."
"Okay… just know I didn't do anything and he started it all, so don't be mad, 'kay?"
(Can't you just shut up about it?!)
"Seriously, I despise people who make me repeat the same thing over and over again. Aren't they smart enough to get it by the first time I say it?"
(Don't be so damn annoying!)
"But you are angry! You're so cold and mean and you answer so pissed off!"
(Shut up. Just shut up.)
Kyouya turned away, looking outside the window. So what if he was angry? He just didn't like the fact that it showed, that he was obvious, his intentions clear. And he certainly didn't like the fact that he knew he wasn't, but it was just that the twin noticed the subtle things.
"Believe me, Kaoru Hitachiin, if I was angry, you wouldn't even be sitting there on this very moment," he had to keep himself from spitting every word out.
Kaoru kept silent for a while. After a moment of complete, awkward silence, Kyouya looked back, as if to say that he 'won', but Kaoru just smirked and whispered: "Kyouya-senpai is cute when he's angry."
Instead of narrowing his eyes or looking away again, Kyouya just shook his head, as if he was trying to teach something to a child that just wouldn't listen, when he answered: "and Kaoru is annoying. Always, actually."
Kaoru gave him a 'hurtful' look.
"Here, your uniform," Kyouya said calmly, as he handed him over a little bag.
"I have to change here? In the car?" Kaoru said, almost like a spoiled brat who had to eat vegetables he didn't like.
"There's no necessity for you to do so. If you rather change in school after walking all the way to the restroom in such an outfit, I won't mind," Kyouya answered, looking at the boy and giving him one of his you-better-do-what-I-say smiles.
"Okay, okay… I get the point!" Kaoru said back childishly, an exaggerated smile rolling over his lips.
Kyouya chuckled and couldn't help but tell him, slightly mocking: "I won't look."
Kaoru gave him a deathly glare and Kyouya smirked in response. He then turned away his head, looking outside the window, or at least pretending to.
Little did the Hitachiin twin know that he was being watched nonetheless, since Kyouya just watched his reflection in the window.
Kaoru loosened the apron, neatly laying it next to him. A thoughtful look spread over his face, but then he started working himself out the black outfit. The way Kaoru was squirming to get the clothes out, made Kyouya's face heat up again, but he kept gazing calmly out of the window, not even the slightest twitch giving the thoughts who were dancing in his head away.
Oh, how easy it would be to push that squirming, innocent boy on the backseat and help him get rids of those clothes. How easy it would've been to make him moan, if he only gave in to his instinct.
But he couldn't do that. He could never do that.
(I won't be able to handle the pain.)
The dark outfit finally found its way over Kaoru's head and he reached over for his uniform T-shirt.
(I wouldn't be able to endure the pain if he rejects me.)
The T-shirt and violet blazer went really well, but Kaoru seemed to be already completely discouraged by even the thought of getting the pants on. Kyouya smirked a little, but he knew it wasn't noticeable.
(I don't want him to tell me I'm not good enough.)
So for now, Kyouya was okay with just watching. He wouldn't act upon the thoughts, knowing all he would receive would be a slap in the face and a horrified boy and most definitely not the daring, willingly reactions in his mind. Fantasies were for little children, those who didn't know what happened in the real world. Kyouya was smarter than that.
No, Kyouya wasn't a person to get dumped. It just wouldn't suit him, to be rejected in such a painful way.
But looking didn't hurt right?
Even if it would, Kyouya wasn't so sure if he really could stop looking, even if he wanted to. Kaoru leaned with his shoulders against the backseat, his hips lifted upward, writhing and squirming to get the cursed piece of clothing over it. He finally succeeded and he sighed, closed the zipper and fell back.
"Done!" he exclaimed happily.
"Should I compliment you now?" Kyouya said back cynical. "Why is it that you always say everything as if you've just done something extraordinary?"
Kaoru pouted, crossing his arms over his chest, glaring at the other boy.
"Why is it that you always have to sound so damn… damn…" he was searching for the right word.
"So what?" he said back, almost provoking to say something he wouldn't like.
"Pff, I won't even tell you!" Kaoru stuck out his tongue: "since you're so mean!"
"If you had no intention to tell me from the start, why saying something about it?"
Kaoru sighed.
"Kyouya-senpai."
"Hm?"
"You're a damn complicated person."
Kyouya chuckled a bit, looking sarcastically at the other boy, who just gave him a grin and a shrug. The car stopped and in an instant Kaoru was out the car, opening the door for Kyouya again, before he even had a change to react. He shook his head slightly, sighing at the hyperactive boy, getting out of the car.
(How can he be so happy in the morning?)
Kaoru smashed the door closed again, turning around. Happily walking, almost running, Kaoru made his way to the large door. Kyouya just followed in his steady, graceful way, however his head hurt by every step he took and he wished he could just go home.
But if he went home now, Tamaki would screw up with the accounts of the Host Club. He'd miss several tests, too much school work.
No, he couldn't go home.
Kaoru's happy voice flew through his pained head in a fluent rhythm and Kyouya was sure he was talking to him, but he wasn't really paying attention. He just nodded sometimes, but it seemed to be enough, because Kaoru kept on talking.
The voice stopped suddenly.
"HIKARUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!" the happy voice pierced through the air, and Kyouya cursed the boy for being so loud.
"KAORUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" an answer was yelled back and when Kyouya looked up the two 'separated' twins were embracing each other tightly.
And Kyouya felt disgust. Unconsciously his fingers clenched around the fabric of his pants. What was that about? First Kaoru was talking to him and then suddenly…
Ah.
(That's right.)
The grip on his clothes loosened.
(I'm nothing to Kaoru. Once he finds Hikaru I'm forgotten.)
He knew that. He knew that very well. Kaoru didn't even look back anymore, when he just followed Hikaru into the building, laughing happily.
And Kyouya was left alone. All alone.
(Then why does it feel this weird?)
He sighed, and watched silently how Kaoru's back disappeared out of his sight. There was nothing to worry about. He already knew that he'd be forgotten when Hikaru appeared in sight again. He already knew that, God, he was even counting on it. It was in all his calculations, the most natural thing.
And still he didn't like it all.
It felt weird and… a little painful. It felt painful to be second place to someone who could act as if…
Act.
It was still an act. Kaoru didn't care about him at all. He didn't need Kaoru to care about him. He didn't need Kaoru at all. He didn't need this painful feeling, this nagging emptiness, the feeling of being left alone.
He really didn't need to get hurt all over again.
"This really doesn't have to be this hard," he whispered to himself.
"Now, where is Tamaki? At least that idiot will make me think of something else."
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
He knew he would regret 'searching' for Tamaki, even though he couldn't help seeing the boy because they were in the same class. Luckily, class started and Tamaki's idiotic blabbering had stopped.
All Kyouya really wanted was to just concentrate on class, on the talk about history, about whatever was going on, but he just couldn't. The only thing that kept popping into mind was that same statement over and over again.
(I don't want to be second place to Kaoru.)
He looked at his book, not even trying to act as if he was paying attention.
(I don't want Hikaru to be better then me.)
"Ootori-san, are you okay?"
Kyouya looked up immediately; pulled out of his thoughts so sudden he looked a little bewildered, which caused the teacher to look weird. He brought a hand to his forehead and answered: "Yes, I'm fine. I only caught a cold."
"Ah, if you're not feeling well you could go to the infirmary," the teacher suggested nicely.
"That won't be necessary," Kyouya reassured him.
Tamaki gave him a look as if Kyouya told him he was going to die, but Kyouya just simply ignored him. Trying to concentrate as much as he could, he found it getting harder and harder to just keep his eyes open. His head felt like it was going to break and every word was like a smash with a hammer on his breakable head.
This was such a mess.
He was tired and his head hurt. Only the thought of Tamaki's dramatic yelling after class was enough to make him cursing Kaoru for doing this to him.
But… It was wrong to blame Kaoru, right?
After all, Kaoru never chained him there or blackmailed him to be there. Kaoru never commanded him… rather, it was his own choice. He himself had asked Kaoru to watch the stars together.
He sighed.
Why was this all so complicated?
It didn't have to be like this. There was nothing more to it. He asked Kaoru to watch the stars together because… because… he felt sorry for making him look so sad in the morning? Because he wanted to see Kaoru smile again?
Either way, it didn't matter. It was not as if he was going to die from this little cold. It was not as if anything changed at all. It was not as if he actually cared.
It was not that he fell in love.
It all just didn't matter and he just had to stop thinking about it.
There was no necessity in thinking about it anymore. There was no need to think about Kaoru's words over and over again. It was not like Kaoru even meant those things.
Kaoru was a part of those mischievous Hitachiin twins and all he did was probably to trick him in some kind of sick and twisted joke. There was no honesty in his moves at all. He was now probably laughing his ass off together with Hikaru about whatever kind of reaction he gave.
The thought of Kaoru only pretending made him somehow sad or something that could be describe as such and he didn't like it. He sighed another time, concentrating on the exercises in his book.
He coughed a few times, his head pounding by every heartbeat.
This was such a complete mess.
The day never went on so slowly for Kyouya. Every second seemed an eternity and for some reason –the headache most likely- Tamaki's screams seemed that much louder.
Torture.
Hell.
And amidst all the horror, pain and hell, there was only one person that kept popping in his mind.
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
The wind was cool and for the first time in the day it was perfectly silent. Kyouya looked at the blue sky, not one cloud staining its breathtaking beauty.
It was lunch break and he had finally found some peace. His lunch laid untouched on his lap, but he felt too sick to even think about eating.
He took a deep breathe, closing his eyes for a moment. His headache had only increased during the day and had reached the point he honestly believed his head would crack and shatter in thousand pieces anytime now.
It was warm and the sun danced on his face. He focused himself on the complete silence, banning every annoying thought out of his head.
"Eh? I thought Hikaru and I were the only ones who had the key to the roof!" a voice intruded his silent world.
Kyouya's eyes shot open. He didn't even bother looking around to confirm it was the person who he thought it was.
Why was Kaoru here?
"Tamaki had one and he accidentally forgot it at my house. Since he never asked the key back, I just kept it with me," he said.
"Ah," Kaoru walked towards him and sat down.
"It's a nice place to eat here," Kaoru said after a short silence.
"It sure is," Kyouya answered back.
Kaoru smiled to him and searched for his lunch in his brief case. Kyouya watched him search for a few moments, before he looked back to the deep blue sky and asked: "why did you come here?"
"I was searching for you."
A weird, but happy and warm feeling welled up in Kyouya's chest, but he simply frowned and asked: "is there something you need from me then?"
"Eh?" Kaoru looked up.
He laughed a little.
"Nope, not really."
The lunch was found and he closed his briefcase.
"Then… Why?"
Kaoru shrugged, flashing him a big smile.
"I just wanted to keep you company. And also, if I'm not with Hikaru, then he'll have to talk with Haruhi –"
"- Ah, so it was all for Hikaru in the end," Kyouya muttered, more to himself then to Kaoru.
"Not really," Kaoru shrugged again. "I wanted to see if you were okay. Tamaki said you looked like you were going to faint every moment."
Kyouya chuckled.
"I can assure you that's not the case."
"But you haven't eaten," Kaoru pointed at the untouched lunch.
"I'm not hungry," Kyouya shrugged.
"I'm sorry for making you sick."
Kyouya looked at Kaoru. A thoughtful look spread over his face and Kaoru felt a little blush creep up his face now he was stared at so intently. After a few moments Kyouya averted his eyes back to the blue sky.
"You should stop apologizing to me all the time," a small laugh escaped his lips and if Kaoru hadn't know better he would've sworn it could be described as 'nervous'.
"Eh?"
"You wouldn't apologize to Tamaki. I don't think you'd apologize to Haruhi, or anyone else for this. So… Don't apologize to me either."
He shrugged.
"I don't like it. It's not like I'm such a horrible person I'd get mad at you for every single thing you do."
Kaoru looked at the ground, poking his food.
"If you smile for the rest of the world, then…"
The world had never been so quiet in the short silence that followed, before Kyouya continued:
"… Smile for me too."
Kaoru looked up, flashed him a grin and a peace sign and laughed: "Sure!"
And then it was gone again. The tension and magic in the air, was all replaced by Kaoru's happy laugh. He quickly started talking about something that had happened in the class and Kyouya just listened.
It was nice not to be so alone anymore.
It was nice to talk to someone about completely irrelevant things.
It was nice to have a friend like Kaoru.
And on that moment, Kyouya decided that whatever it was he felt when he was around Kaoru, he was happy that he felt it.
Maybe, sometimes, a wish would come true and last for ever.
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
Kaoru sighed, lifting up another box. It was heavy and filled with tableware for the Host Club. New tableware that was. As Kyouya's maid, Kyouya had giving him the task, while smiling evilly, to get all the boxes to the Host Club.
Why was it that Kyouya loved torturing people that much?
He gave the raven haired boy a nasty glance. Kyouya looked up from his table. They were the only ones there already, since Tamaki had to go and see his father for some matter, Hikaru had chased Haruhi to the library –and Kaoru was sure that was not because Hikaru liked books so much- and Honey and Mori just weren't not there yet.
He almost tripped and sighed again.
"Why do I have to do this again?" he thought out loud.
"It saves us money," Kyouya answered.
"You just enjoy seeing me die here," Kaoru said, while he placed the box with a loud bang on the table.
"Your struggling is indeed pretty amusing," Kyouya smirked. "But let us say the fact that we save money with this is the main reason."
"You won't fool me," Kaoru joked back, turning around.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," the answer came back.
Kaoru's arms felt sore and his back hurt. He took a deep breath, picking up the last box and struggling his way to the table. It seemed an eternity and he was so absorbed in his work, he didn't even notice two black eyes staring at him.
"Done!" the younger boy exclaimed happily.
"Good," Kyouya answered shortly, "you can take everything out and place it on the table now."
"And you're just going to sit there and stare at me?" Kaoru grinned back.
Kyouya looked back at his laptop.
"I don't stare," he said. "I watch."
"You stare!" Kaoru shouted, and while he started unpacking the boxes, he hummed: "Kyouya stares. Kyouya stares, Kyou-chan stares."
Kyouya just rolled his eyes slightly and ignored the singing boy. Kaoru concentrated on his work, still humming about a staring Kyouya.
"What's the cosplay theme today?" he asked, when his humming was ignored.
"Hospital, and such things. Hikaru made your outfit, it's there somewhere," he said, motioning to some place a little further.
Kaoru nodded, all the cups already out of the box. He walked over to the place where the outfit lay, and picked it up.
"Wha-?!" he screamed, eyeing the thing. "Kyouya! I don't want to wear that!"
"Hm?" Kyouya looked up, stopping with the typing momentarily. "Is there something wrong?"
"Just look at it! Look!" Kaoru practically smashed the thing back in Kyouya's face.
Kyouya blinked a few times. The fabric felt soft between his fingers, and it looked white. He didn't really see what the problem until he lifted it up and –
Cough. Cough.
"That's pretty short," he commented dry.
"SHORT?!" the twin shouted, his face as red as a proud tomato. "That won't even reach half-way my thighs!"
Kyouya could already imagine it. He shook his head lightly and looked up.
"Well, for any complaints you should go to Hikaru. I didn't make the outfit," he said dismissing.
"I don't want to wear it!" Kaoru said, crossing his arms.
"You'll have to," Kyouya sighed. "There's nothing else to wear."
"I'll just wear my uniform!" Kaoru argued.
"No, you won't," Kyouya smirked. "I'm telling you to wear it. You're still my maid, so I can tell you to do whatever I want."
Kaoru pressed his lips in a thin line. He couldn't believe this. He was shaking from anger and really had to keep himself from hitting the still cool boy.
"Fine!" he snapped, snatching the clothes out of his hands.
Kyouya looked at the shaking boy, suppressing a smirk.
"PERVERT!" Kaoru shouted, before he disappeared in the room they always used for changing.
Alone now, Kyouya laughed a bit. He heard the door opening again and he quickly hid his laugh with a cough, returning his attention to his laptop.
"Where's Kaoru? I thought he was with you?" the familiar voice of Hikaru sounded through the room.
"He's changing," Kyouya said, not looking up.
"Oh, 'kay," Hikaru said.
"Nice outfit you made for him, by the way," Kyouya commented nonchalantly.
Hikaru laughed.
"Huh? What's with the outfit?" that was Haruhi's voice.
Kyouya shrugged, as if it was nothing important. Hikaru just laughed louder, telling her she'll see. Kyouya didn't listen to the rest of their conversation, not really interested at all. It was just something about homework.
After some time Hikaru walked over to the place where Kaoru was still hiding, asking: "Are you almost ready? Haruhi needs to change too."
"I'm not coming out," came the insulted voice.
Kyouya stopped typing, looking at the door. Haruhi just frowned, still not getting what was going on.
"Oh! Come on, it's probably not that bad," Hikaru said, chuckling.
"It is, Hikaru. I'll kill you. I really will! I hate you! How could you do that to me! Make Haruhi wear it or something!"
Haruhi twitched. Even though she didn't know what kind of clothing it was, she was pretty sure she didn't want to wear it.
"But Haruhi won't look as cute as you in it! Just come out!" Hikaru tried.
"Noooooo!" the shouted answer came.
"Kaoru," Kyouya meddled in the conversation. "Come out. Now. Haruhi needs to change."
There was silence for a while, and then the door slid open. Slow, very slow. Hikaru looked full with anticipation to the door and Kyouya found himself looking at it with a certain amount of curiosity too.
A leg covered in high, white socks was visible, and soon followed the rest of Kaoru's body. Kyouya felt his face heat up and averted his eyes quickly back to the screen of his laptop.
"You're so cute," Hikaru laughed.
"… I hate you," Kaoru answered, clearly embarrassed.
Haruhi gave him an understanding look, since –really- she knew how bad it felt to have someone put you in clothing you didn't want to wear. And with this outfit, she could feel his embarrassment even more.
He was wearing a white dress, not even halfway his thighs. It had to be almost two hands above his knees the fabric ended already. He wore red, high heels, going with two little red bows on the straps, keeping the dress on his body.
The dress was low cut, and two red stripes ran over his chest. Two other red stripes elegantly accentuated how slim he was, by running over his side. The end of the dress was frilly and a wavy, red line was just under his hips.
A little nurse-hat was on his head, almost as if they were replacing the 'usual' cat ears.
"Did it have to be so short?" Kaoru bit.
"Uhm… You see… I made this little mistake while sewing it, so I had to cut it shorter," Hikaru said, so obviously lying Kaoru shot him a nasty glare.
Kyouya tried to look away, but he found his eyes going back to the cross dressing boy every time. Kaoru was constantly pulling the fabric a little further over his legs, which only caused it to hop up a little more. Kyouya swallowed thickly.
Why was everyone trying so hard to torture him?
"Oh come one! Even the fangirls will think this is too much!" he turned around. "Can't I wear something else? The girls won't like it!"
Kyouya looked up, blinking a few times.
"There's nothing else for you to wear," he shrugged, trying to sound indifferent.
"So?! Haruhi didn't cosplay with the tropical theme in the beginning either!" Kaoru mowed with his arms in the air, the dress hopping upwards.
Kyouya looked away.
This wasn't fair.
This really, really wasn't fair.
He was already so proud of himself that he didn't molest the boy where he stood, but did everyone really have to push him to the point of fantasising over the boy when he was talking to him?
Stupid hormones.
Stupid Hikaru.
… Or maybe not stupid Hikaru.
"I believe that was a completely different situation," Kyouya shrugged. "And I think there are a lot of girls who'd like to see you cross dress, actually. Renge told me it's a quite popular thing."
"Pervert! Pervert! Pervert!" Kaoru shouted, turning around.
Kyouya leaned back, sighing.
"Could you please stop saying that?" he asked.
"No!" Kaoru sat down in a velvet couch, the indignity clearly readable in his face.
"And what if I tell you to stop?" Kyouya smirked. "You can't disobey me for this week."
"As if someone can disobey you at all!" Kaoru leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're still a pervert."
Hikaru looked from Kaoru to Kyouya and then back to Kaoru.
"What did he do?" he asked.
"Everything," Kaoru answered, still glaring at Kyouya, who just gave him a smirk.
"I didn't do anything," Kyouya said innocently. "May I remind you it was you who wanted to sleep with me?"
Hikaru's jaw dropped.
"Doesn't that make you the pervert?" Kyouya added, looking back at his screen.
"WHAAAAAAAAA-!!" Hikaru screamed, hysterically pointing at Kaoru.
Kyouya just smirked, typing further as if there wasn't anything going on.
Haruhi twitched again, covering her ears.
"YOU SLEPT WITH KYOUYA?!"
"Well, yes… but…"
Thud.
Kyouya looked at the unconscious twin in the floor and gave Kaoru a cold look.
"You better wake him up before the Host Club starts."
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
"Kaoru…"
Blush.
"You're so cute like that…"
Dark eyes burned through his back.
"H-Hikaru… Don't say that! This is so embarrassing…"
The auburn haired boy was pulled closer to his mirror image.
Dark eyes narrowed, lips pressed together in a straight line.
"You weren't so shy last time…"
Grin.
Squeals.
Dark eyes filled with disgust, hands shaking. Looked away, pretended not to care.
"But that was you! When you're the only one watching… I… I don't really… mind…"
Fainted fangirls.
Pulled even closer, closer, closer.
His lips were brought to the slightly younger blushing teen, as he whispered only for him to hear: "Kyouya-senpai seems to be having a hard time... I think he's jealous…"
"Hikaru!"
Honest shock.
Fangirls on the edge of their seats.
"It's not like that!"
What did he say? Burning question in their eyes. What did Hikaru say to Kaoru that he seems so embarrassed about?
Hikaru just gave Kaoru a grin. Kaoru had practically jumped up, looking from his brother to…
The eyes of the fangirls followed the direction of his eyes, stopped, and squeals were heard when the direction of that shy look went to Kyouya.
"What did he say?" a girl asked.
"N-Nothing!" Kaoru said, as he took a deep breath and sat down.
"Kaoru, you don't have to be so shy… It's okay if they know right?"
"Kaoru-kun, were you looking at Kyouya-kun right now?" another girl suddenly asked.
Eyes widened.
It was like that single question had sounded so loud all other sounds had vanished. Even Tamaki had stopped dead in his sentence and every girl's eyes were directed at Kaoru.
Kyouya pretended to be completely oblivious, but there couldn't be a person who was dieing more for the answer.
"W-w-w…" Kaoru stuttered, looking at Hikaru.
Help me…
"Eh? You must've seen that wrong," Hikaru tried to help his twin.
Kaoru just nodded, thanking Hikaru in all silence for not torturing him.
"After all, the only thing you need to look at is me, Kao-chan…" Hikaru whispered, leaning closer.
"H-Hikaru!" the other blushed in response.
"Kyaaa!"
It must've been on that moment Kyouya decided he didn't like this feeling, which he couldn't help but name 'jealousy'. Why was he feeling that anyway?
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
The customers had left already, but the sound in the Third Music Room hadn't vanished in the least. Honey's happy, cheery, high voice could be heard babbling about something.
Hikaru and Tamaki were busy harassing Haruhi, who just ignored them both and tried to pack her stuff.
And Kaoru was just laughing with Haruhi's dry reactions.
Kyouya looked up, his eyes automatically going for Kaoru. His head ache was killing him and he wanted to tell Kaoru they really had to go home, but when he watched him laugh so happily, he quickly dismissed the thought.
Kaoru looked over his shoulder, giving Kyouya a small smile before returning his attention to Haruhi and Hikaru.
Honey and Mori shared a thoughtful look, before the insanity continued.
"But Haruhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-" Tamaki screamed. "You can't do that to daddy!"
Kyouya glanced up and watched Tamaki retreat to his corner of Woe.
(Tamaki's such an idiot…)
Haruhi just ignored him as she put her math book in her brief case.
(I honestly can't believe he didn't notice he's in love with her yet.)
Kyouya stopped typing for a moment, watching Haruhi leave. Immediately when the door slammed close, Tamaki jumped up and screamed: "I'll bring you home, my lovely daughter!"
(He's jealous when someone comes close to her. He wants to be with her all the time. And he's even more hyper active and happier when around her, its so-)
The door slammed close a second time and Kyouya felt his heart twist.
(... Obvious …)
He looked up, standing up.
"Kaoru, we'll be leaving too."
(I'm just as much as an idiot as Tamaki…)
"Haaaaai!"
(I only want to be with Kaoru.)
He shut down his laptop and put his stuff away quickly.
(I only want to make Kaoru smile.)
He looked at Kaoru to check if he was ready.
"Bye Hikaru!" Kaoru shouted, as he jumped towards Kyouya.
"Byeeeee!" Hikaru shouted back, waving insanely fast.
(Today is was actually… really jealous… despite the fact I knew it was all just an act.)
The door of the Host Club was closed another time.
(So… Does all this mean… I'm in love? With Kaoru?)
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
It was silent in the car, that completely silence only disturb by Kyouya's coughing now and then.
He brought a hand to his forehead. It felt like it was burning underneath his palm. He sighed.
"Are you okay?" a concerned voice came.
He looked up, weakly, trying to hide it as he answered: "I'm fine."
Kaoru blinked a few times.
"Once we're at your home, you should really go straight to bed," he said. "You look like you're going to die."
Kyouya gave him a small smile.
"Don't count on that," he answered.
The car stopped. Kaoru got out –already changed back into his maid outfit- running around it and opening the door for Kyouya.
Kyouya got out the car and Kaoru smashed the door closed, causing Kyouya to wince at the painfully loud sound.
"So-" Kaoru started to say, but when thought back, he stopped dead in his sentence.
Kyouya just ignored him, his head killing him too much to even react. It was like his legs moved as automatic.
He had never been so happy to push that door open and be in that gigantic house that had never been 'home'.
Kaoru quickly followed, trying to be as silent as he possible could. He closed the door again.
"Kyouya-kun?! I was so worried!"
Fuyumi rushed towards Kyouya's side and Kaoru couldn't help but frown. How could such a girl be family of Kyouya?
"Fuyumi nee-san…" his voice sounded almost pained.
"Oh my! You look terrible! Are you sick? Don't die!"
Kaoru winced. She made him think of Tamaki a little too much.
"Nee-san…" Kyouya repeated, but he didn't get any chance of protesting when Fuyumi grabbed his arm and dragged him upstairs.
"You're going to sleep now! I can't believe you went to school!" she continued ranting.
Kyouya was too tired to protest, so he stumbled after his sister. Kaoru watched them leave, blinking a few times. He heard Fuyumi's rambling voice dying and soon he found himself all alone.
"KAO-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
Someone tackled him and he smacked against the ground. Kaoru blinked a few times before realising who jumped on him.
"Manako?" he asked.
"Haaaaai!" she cheered, still sitting across his chest. "I have to tell you something! It's wonderful! It's so great! You really have to know! Aaaaah! He was sooooo cute! Adorable! Cute! Wonderful!"
"… Could you please get off me first?"
"Ah?"
"Please?"
"Sure!" she jumped off him.
Kaoru got up, dusting his clothes.
"So," he started, "what was it that you wanted to tell me?"
Manako starting jumping up and down as she exclaimed: "Kyouya-sama was jealous!"
It took Kaoru a few seconds to get the meaning of that. When it sunk in, he just stared at the girl blankly. He was almost afraid to open his mouth and asked: "What do you mean?"
"I mean he asked me to keep an eye on you so you won't get it on with his brother! He never asked that before! Never! Never!" the girl looked at him with a big smile.
"Do you know what that means, Kao-chan?!"
Kaoru looked at the ground. He shrugged.
"You must've misunderstood that. There's no way Kyouya-sama would be jealous over m-"
But that would perfectly explain why he was so pissed this morning.
His eyes widened.
And it would explain that weird look he gave me in the Host Club earlier…
Manako nodded in full excitement when she saw Kaoru finally started to understand. The new maid was blushing furiously now.
"Then… What does that mean?"
Manako shook her head.
"That means he loves you, silly!"
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
He looked so fragile, with his eyes closed and his face glowing, Kaoru believed he wasn't looking at Kyouya anymore. He stood in the doorway, a cup of hot mint tea in his hands –they told him Kyouya asked him to bring him that-.
Slowly and silently closing the door behind him Kaoru walked towards the bed, walking on his tiptoes to not wake him up.
He placed the cup on his night table noiselessly.
Kyouya made a soft noise of discomfort in his sleep, moving a little and Kaoru almost held his breath to be as silent as he could possible be.
"That means he loves you, silly."
He wished she never said that. It wasn't possible anyway, right? Even if Kyouya was somehow jealous –which just had to be an understanding- there was no way he would love him.
Kaoru's eyes softened as he watched Kyouya sleep. His hair was messy and cold sweat made it stick to his forehead. Slowly sinking to his knees, noiselessly, soundlessly, Kaoru's hand brushed away a few locks of soft, black hair.
"So, do you love him too, Kaoru?"
Kaoru felt how Kyouya's forehead simply burned underneath his hand. He almost felt sorry for making him this sick. Maybe he shouldn't have asked him to out so late. T
The cup of tea spread a pleasant mint scent around the room.
Kaoru brought his hand back to his rightful place and stood up, still carefully not to make any sound.
"Hm… I think… I…"
He closed the door behind him softly.
"Goodnight Kyouya-senpai," he whispered for no one to hear. "Please get better soon."
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
"Hikaru?"
"Kaoruuuuuu!"
"Hey..."
"Heeeeey!"
"Uhm... Hikaru..."
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
"Eh? Eh? For what? What did you do?"
"I fell in love."
X - - :……………………………………..…..: - - X
Omigosh! What's this? Yes people! IT IS A FRIGGING UPDATE FROM JAZYRHA! I know, I've neglacted this story for such a long time! I'm so thankful for all your reviews! They got me writing again! I know this chapter wasn't that good. Hey, at least they both realised they're in love XD
I'll promise I'll update sooner next time!
Please be so kind to review again. All those lovely reviews I got are the only reasons I actually started to write again. I completelty forgot about this story! But I'll be nice and writeif you be nice and review XD
Okay. So now I want to shamelessly advertize: Go to my profile and click there on the link to the forum SHINE. They have an awesome KyouKao fanclub! It's really fun there! So just take a look. Kay?