So I know I haven't written in forever but I do promise there is a perfect excuse for this one. Lets just say that if you hated bad grammar and terrible spellcheck, you would've hated the way I tried writing this over the summer. It severely bummed me out, and although you may hate me for this next chapter, I want you to know I do appreciate all the constructive criticism I can get. It helps me write better chapters for your enjoyment. Thanks!

Hikaru was ecstatic. It isn't everyday the girl of your dreams likes you and instantly becomes your girlfriend! That is until he woke up.

Kaoru had left and sent him the text but Haruhi just fell asleep shortly after he told her the bad news. He watched her until her breathing became steady and slow. Once he knew she was asleep he tried desperately to go to sleep as well. Only drifting off when he thought of how it could've gone if he wasn't so cowardly.

He woke up feeling groggy and didn't want to move when he heard his phone vibrate beside him on the dark oak nightstand that sat by Kaoru's and his shared bed. He rolled over slowly as not to wake the sleeping girl beside him. For someone who was all about deadlines she sure slept soundly. He looked over his shoulder quickly to make sure she was, in fact, still asleep. He found exactly what he expected. One arm slightly bent at the side of her head, and the other at her side. She made no sound other than steady and slow breaths that told him she was still sound asleep.

When he looked at her wrist lying by her head he saw something gleam. It was a small charm bracelet he and Kaoru had bought her for Tamaki's extravagant Christmas party gift exchange. Most of them got her cute outfits (mostly dresses) but when Hikaru spotted that bracelet he knew it was perfect. When she had opened it her face lit up and she looked at us saying it was too much and that it must be very expensive.

She wasn't wrong. It was made of pure imported silver and you could order special charms for it. He took the liberty of choosing three small roses. Each rose was a specified color of blue, orange, and pink to represent the three friends.

He saw the chain as the bond keeping them together. He'd never seen Haruhi wear it since it was given to her. Of course he shook it off as her being cautious as to not wreck it. He hadn't noticed her wearing it last night. He wondered why he hadn't noticed.

He realized he'd been staring to long and rolled over slowly and checked his phone. It was yet another text from Kaoru.

Sooooo…..How did it go! Did you guys have fun with your alone time dear brother? Choose your words carefully because Tamaki is trying to sneak a peek at my phone. ;)

Why the hell was he with Tamaki? Reading the text made him remember his sweet dream and bury his face in a pillow letting out an audible grown. Hearing a sudden rustle he looked up. Whoops he forgot she was there.

She opened her eyes slowly and blinked to adjust them to the bright sunlight leaking through the window. When she caught sight of Hikaru looking at her she blushed slightly. "What? Do I look weird?" She took her hands and fixed her hair while wiping the side of her mouth checking for any sign of what he was staring so intently at.

"No." Hikaru said still gazing at her. "You just look different when you're sleepy." She gave him a confused look. "Different bad or…" she drifted off waiting for an indication of what he meant.

"Different good. Cute actually. Kind of like a child. I don't know exactly, but you seem less serious. Like you're not trying so hard to put on a thick façade of some kind." She gazed at him wondering where that came from. "I'm not sure what happened to Hikaru, but you can tell him he can come back now." She said chuckling. Hikaru smiled. "I'm serious. You know I am related to Kaoru right? I can say smart and meaningful things." She chuckled once more. She started stretching and the bracelet came back into view.

"Hey Haruhi." She stopped stretching and gave him her attention. "When did you start wearing the bracelet we gave you? I've never seen you wear it before." At this acknowledgment she blushed slightly looking away. "I just thought that it was such a kind gift that I shouldn't let its beauty go to waste." She was lying, and she was very bad at it. You could almost tell in the way she wouldn't look him in the eye, or the way she had the slight twitch in the corners of her mouth like she desperately wanted to tell the truth.

"No. Tell me why you suddenly decided to wear it." He sat up and inched closer. She continued to act like she was just looking out the window. "No reason. I actually have been wearing it a lot. You just can't see it." He was so close now. "Oh really. Why cant I see it." She turned her face suddenly and he was grinning only mere inches away. She got nervous and burst out. " Because I only wear it at night!"

He backed up surprised by her sudden out burst. "What?" He said simply as she blushed fiercely with an unsure look on her face. "You heard me." She said as she went to stand up. He wouldn't let her. He grabbed her waist and pulled her back. Surprised she let out a gasp. He held her back to his chest leaning over her shoulder. He wasn't messing around though and looked at her seriously. "I really want to know why though and will take drastic measures if necessary." She didnt want to stay and find out what the drastic measures were and wiggled around to break free. "I wont tell you." She said still trying to pry him away from her.

He sighed. "Fine, then you've left me no choice." He loosened his grip and Haruhi was slightly afraid of what he was going to do. He raised his hands, and with the speed of a snake, he struck. They were back on her sides, this time tickling her. She started laughing and wiggled around trying to free herself but found she had no way out. "Sto-haha-no please-haha-ok ok- haha-I'll tell you." He stopped and grinned. This is the response he wanted. "OK but you have to promise you wont make fun of me." He gestured to the bed with his hands. "This is a judgment free zone." She smiled.

"Ok so I wasn't sleeping very easily when tests came around." Hikaru gave her a confused look this time. "But you're such a good student." Haruhi nodded at this statement. "Yes, but I'm at Ouran on scholarship which means if I don't make and keep all A's I'm done and I started stressing out. Then my dad went out and splurged to buy me new clothes. Along with also pretending to be a guy most of the time it was pretty hectic." Hikaru had never seen Haruhi like this. He knew grades were important to her but he never thought about all she really deals with.

"I noticed the box sitting on my desk when I was cleaning my room and opened it. I didn't plan on wearing it a lot because it was so nice a gift." Hikaru watched her and nodded his head when she looked at him to let her know he was listening.

"But for some odd reason I put it on and just looked at it." She gave him a serious look then continued. "Then I realized that no matter how hectic things around me, I have you guys. You guys make me feel stable like I always have a place to go. Even when Tamaki has some wacky scheme or if I have to fall off a bridge to get him to come back." Hikaru chuckled and Haruhi gave a sweet smile. "I'll always have you all to make me feel protected." She looked down and played with the charms between her fingers. "Like a princess." Hikaru gave her a long stare. "So after I started wearing it, it helped me sleep easier. I passed all my tests and now I just sleep with it on like a habit I can't break." She met Hikaru's gaze now. "So in a way, if it wasn't for you and Kaoru I might not have passed."

She gave him a sweet smile. "Thank you Hikaru." He kept his gaze fixated on her. She looked up and met his gaze. They slowly inched closer though neither moved their eyes from one another's. Hikaru knew he couldn't do this when she so nicely told him her truth. He tried to make himself stop but he couldn't. Haruhi noticed the mixed reaction in his face and moved away leaving an awkward silence hanging between them. Hikaru noticed her and broke the silence. "I'm sorry Haruhi."

She looked back at him. She knew this was the perfect moment to confess her feelings and hope not to face rejection. "So Hikaru there is something else I think I can only talk to you about." Hikaru chuckled. "So I'm the only one who knows that the bracelet is your Usa-chan." Haruhi gave him an irritated glare. The moment was lost for confessions. She just wanted to punch him. "No it just comforts me and helps me sleep." Hikaru grinned. He knew just how to poke her buttons. "But technically I was the one who picked it out which means that I give you comfort." She chuckled. "Yeah laugh it up, I don't care. I does mean a lot to me." Hikaru noticed she didn't deny his previous statement. Of course she still didn't know what Tamaki had told him. He's sure that if and when she does that Haruhi wont be too happy with Tamaki or maybe even himself.

So eventually they both got up and dressed. Haruhi of course made him leave the room entirely not trusting him. Sadly she was probably right but in his defense she was adorable.

Then they went to Hunny's to pick up Kaoru. Kaoru got in and noticed they weren't acting lovey lovey and immediately knew Hikaru wasted his chance. They dropped off Haruhi and went home to talk about what happened.

"So you didn't confess?" Hikaru shook his head. "You didn't kiss?" Hikaru shook his head. "You didn't even talk after I left!" Hikaru shook his head. Kaoru put his hands on Hikaru's shoulders. "You do realize I was trying to help you guys be in a situation where it was easier to confront each other with your feelings!" Hikaru scowled. "Yes I do but I did have a pleasant dream that ended the way it was supposed to." Kaoru clapped sarcastically. "Ok so basically nothing happened then." Hikaru shook his head once more. "No the next morning we almost kissed." Kaoru gave him a surprised look. "So…WHAT HAPPENED!" Hikaru couldn't wait to tell him the success of getting her the bracelet.

After the relay of events Kaoru looked once again surprised. "Wow I thought when you got that thing it was too forward and stupid but apparently she likes you more than I think." Hikaru got a bit flustered. "Yeah when she said she wanted to talk to me about something else I called the bracelet her Usa-chan." Kaoru stopped and glared at his brother. "You what?" Hikaru chuckled. "I told her it was her Usa-chan it annoyed her so mu-" Kaoru hit him "You idiot! You stopped her when she might have confessed!" Hikaru was confused. "Think about it Hikaru! What did she say before the stupid Usa-Chan joke! What was the atmosphere! She knew her chance and you destroyed it you numbskull!" Hikaru thought back and he realized he fucked up. "Shit." He mumbled under his breath.

He got up and got his coat on. "Where are you going?" Kaoru asked as Hikaru fumbled around with his shoes. "Downtown." Kaoru was confused. "What's downtown?" Hikaru turned back. "Comfort food." He walked out the door leaving a confused Kaoru there. "Don't eat away your problems Hikaru!" He wasn't sure if he heard him but he didn't care. Sometimes he wondered why he even dared try with his brother. He flopped back on the bed. He needed a nap.

So there it is Ladies and Gents. Do you hate me? Haha the magnificent author thanks everyone for reading so far. Your support and motivation keeps me writing. Thanks again!