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"Kyoya I- I don't know what... Is this because of what Akito said?" Kyoya turned his head away from her, loosening his grip. "No, well kind of, but I'm not lying if that is what you think." Haruhi gripped his hand before he could pull it away. "No, no Kyoya I didn't think that I just... I don't know what to do."
Kyoya eased his hand out of her grip and twisted his body away from her as he sat up in stony silence. What had he possibly expected? Her to declare her love back? This is Haruhi for God's sake; he had moved too soon and made her feel awkward. 'It won't be long now before she changes her mind about this whole relationship. I pushed too hard, why would I even say something like that? I should ju-'his thoughts were cut off by a pair of soft, warm lips pressing against his cheek.
"I can't say it back yet but... I really like you Kyoya, a lot; I just need to figure out if that is love. I think it is but I want to be certain. Thank you, for telling me." Again her lips pressed to the smooth side of his face, bringing him further out of his brief funk. She was like a balm to his pains. She got up and walked to his door. "I have a bit of work to do, mainly studying but I need to get it done. Bye." Kyoya tilted his head to look at her, "Haruhi, you can do that in here you know, all my books from last year are still here." "Yeah, no I can't do it in here. I really can't."
Kyoya felt puzzled; did she not think his books and notes would be enough? Was there something wrong with them? "Why on earth not Haruhi?" he was rewarded with a vivid blush staining the girl's cheeks as she muttered, looking at the floor. "What was that Haruhi?" "I said you're a distraction. I can't... I can't concentrate when you're around. Bye Kyoya."
Nothing could have stopped the smile that spread on his face as she shut the door. She found him to be a distraction, that had to be a good sign... even if it deprived him of her company for an hour or two. Besides maybe a little distance would do them both some good. He glanced at the clock. It was getting late and he still hadn't eaten but, he found, he wasn't hungry. Just tired. So very tired.
With a sigh he heaved himself up the stairs to his bed and flopped down with a sigh. Sleep came easily to him that night, with a smile on his face at the thought of his girlfriend down the hall who felt that he was a distraction to her studying.
Next morning
Kyoya threw an arm over his eyes, he wasn't happy this morning. Everything ached and he felt actually ill for the first time in a long time. He felt woozy as he tried to sit up and worse when he lay back down. Groggily he reached across to his bedside table to grab his clock, 4:26am, Kyoya groaned and threw the offending time piece away from him and reached across again, this time to retrieve his phone. He pressed the number in for the kitchen and waited for an overly bright "Hello young master, how may we help you?" "I'm ill."
That was it, that was all he needed to say and so he hung up. He pulled his luxurious duvet tighter around him as he felt a chill running through his body. This was not right, Ootori's don't get sick, this must be Haruhi's fault. She has brought her nasty, commoner germs into the sanctuary of his room and the second he was well again he would kill her or disinfect her, whichever came first... or both.
He was so lost in his thoughts, and trying to ignore the constant throbbing in his pounding head, he barely noticed the terrified maids scuttle in with the doctor who was on call that evening. Sometimes there were perks to owning one of the world's largest medical companies however, taking a look at the sorry excuse of an on-call doctor that had been sent to him, this was not one of them. The sweaty, balding man worked quickly to alleviate his bosses son's pains as Kyoya worked equally hard to not let the man's acrid, musty scent clog his over sensitized nostrils. He had to fight hard against his gag reflex as doctor Craine leant over his face, his damp armpit unfortunately hovering over Kyoya's clammy face.
"Master Ootori, you appear to have the flu, or flu like illness. You need to get your sleep sir, I'm going to give you a tablet that should ease your slumber somewhat. I'm prescribing bed rest and fluids for at least the next three days if not the rest of this week and next to make sure you are in top form."
"I can't miss over a week of school, its Tuesday for god's sake. I have 100% attendance! I can't miss; I have to gkk-gkk- go to school. My father-"Heaving coughs caused his speech to break up as the older man loomed over him with the offending pill. "Will be informed of your condition, you simply cannot go in sir, I can't allow it. Rest now sir, I'll fill in the forms and have someone check on you in the morning."
Kyoya sank defeated into his pillows, the darkness of his room felt unbearable all of a sudden, he felt nervous, afraid.
"Kyoya?"
The small voice that penetrated the thick blackness was like honey to his aching ears. The nasal Doctors', on the other hand, was not. "You can't be in here young lady, Mister Ootori is sick. I must ask you leave immediately." "No!" Kyoya shouted... or as close to shouting as one could get with a sore throat. Both Haruhi and the Doctor jumped at the gravelly snarl from the bed, both turned to look at him wide eyed. "She stays, you leave." "But Sir I-" "Kyoya its fine-" "Now."
Hastily the Doctor packed away his equipment and rushed past a startled Haruhi as she made her way up to the ill man's bed. "Kyoya I should go." Even in his sickened state he could see her bloodshot eyes and the tell tale swelling of the eyelids that pointed to one thing, Haruhi had been crying... that or she had allergies... in which case it pointed to two things but he would still put his money on the first.
"What's wrong Haruhi?" His question was rewarded with fresh tears pouring down her alabaster cheeks, when had she gotten so pale? "I-I was going to ask if I could stop in here tonight but the doctor's right. You need your sleep." Kyoya threw the corner of the quilt back to expose the bed to her. "Come here."
It took a moment's hesitation before she ran the remaining distance between her and the bed and slipped in. She curled up into his chest as his arms came to rest protectively around her. "What's the matter?" Her reply was muffled as she pressed herself closer into the part of his shoulder where it met his neck, her heated breath skittered over his cold skin. "I didn't hear that Haruhi."
"Today is the anniversary of my mum's death."
"Oh."
It was all he could mange, what could he say? He wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulled her closer to his chest as his hand gripped the back of her head firmly but gently. His fingers stroked her ruffled hair by the side of her face whilst his thumb brushed away the stray tears.
Time passed quickly and slowly, minutes ticked into hours into seconds. He held her for moments and decades. Whispering to her over and over "I love you."
He couldn't see the clock but he knew it hadn't been more than half an hour since she had crawled into his bed, "Haruhi?" "Hmm?" "What would you have done if I hadn't been here? What do you usually do?" He felt her shift in his arms so that she was nestled more comfortably against him before she answered, sighing as she did.
"Usually I sleep in the same bed as my dad, I would have tonight but he's taken on an extra shift at work and he was needed tonight so... I'm sorry Kyoya, I tried to stop in my own room but I couldn't. I hadn't realised you were ill. I'm fine now, thank you." And with that she made a move to get out of the bed but he pulled her tighter against him.
"Haruhi, never apologize for needing me. I... understand how hard it can be... being on your own. I don't want you to suffer in silence when I am only a few doors down." She snuggled back into his warmth, inhaling the sweet, spicy musk that was solely Kyoya, "You won't always be a few doors down Kyoya. Me and dad will have to move out eventually. I just didn't want to be a bother to you." "Why?" "Well, I feel like I'm asking a lot of you lately and I-" "No I mean why do you have to move out?" Haruhi's eyes skittered to his face in the darkness. "Kyoya... we can't stay here forever. It's just not practical." "Why isn't it? You may not be close to school but you can always get a lift with me. The distance to your father's work is a lot closer and if he wants a lift he can have one with pleasure."
"And if we break up?" Kyoya stiffened slightly, "I'm not saying we will Kyoya but it's a possibility. Would you still be happy with me living in your house and giving me lifts everyday then?" He sighed knowing he had been defeated, any argument he gave to her wouldn't pack the same punch as her blunt logic. "Fine, get your own place, but that doesn't mean I won't still be here for you. I-I- I" His speech became no more than a yawn as the pill that the bumbling doctor gave him started to work.
"It's all right Kyoya, I understand." He hummed in response as his world began to become fuzzy at the edges. "Kyoya," "Uggh"
And then it was there, barley a whisper on his feverish skin, but he heard. He heard it as clearly as if she had screamed it for all to hear.
"I love you."
He was desperate to reply, to say anything but his traitorous body refused to listen to him. Gently he drifted off into an easier sleep than he had before, with Haruhi's warmth by his side.
Ranka Pov
I was hoping beyond hope that Haruhi had managed to settle, the bar had called me in last minute and I'd barely had time to send that text telling her I had to work. I heaved the heavy crate of glasses up onto my chest to carry them out of the empty bar and into the kitchen.
Today wasn't a good day, I had never imagined it would be but I hadn't been on the ball. I shouldn't have come into work, I should have told them I was ill or sick or the truth. The bosses have always been very understanding about this time of the year. It's always hard with the anniversary being so close to Christmas. All night he had been focused on worrying about Haruhi, his regulars had been very worried about him which did lead to him getting far more tips than usual but he had been off his game, if there was an issue it would be with the bar tender.
I may, or may not, have hit him after him making a horrible comment about my sweet Haruhi. Dirty, disgusting, vile man. Implying that my baby is a slut, that she is stupid and as if that weren't bad enough he then started telling people that my little girl had feelings for her daddy that she shouldn't. That was what did it. I don't think I have ever moved as fast in my life, I flew across the bar and hit him as hard as I could in the face. Over and over I hit him, eventually the manager managed to drag me off.
I would have been fired if my regulars hadn't spoken up for me, the managers like me you see, whereas that twat was on his last warning. So that it didn't look like I was getting out of it completely un-punished the manager said I had to clean up and lock up, fine by me really since I'm getting paid over time for it, if this is punishment then I wish they'd punish me more often. Some days I hate this job, others I love it and, as I began counting out the tips I decided even with everything bad that had happened, today I loved it.
Unknown Pov
The bar was empty when I got there. Smoke was giving the room a grungy look where the decor screamed class. I saw the man sitting at one of the tables in the darkest corner of the room, his long, dark hair obscuring his view of me as I tiptoed slowly around to him.
It was as I saw him counting out a pile of money that an idea came to me, why settle for just having my cake when I can eat it too? I felt in my pocket for the thin, smooth object. It felt cold in my hand which was good. He wouldn't know what hit him.
The closer I got to him the more excited I got. He had no idea I was there and that made it so much better. I can already hear his scream of surprise and I have to fight so hard not to laugh. If I laugh I'll give the game away.
I'm so close to him now that if I breathe his hair would move, how has he not noticed I'm here? Carefully, so I don't alert him I'm here, I slip it out of my pocket and, with a burst of ninja like speed I hold the edge of it against his throat.
The shriek he omits is so much better than I had imagined. I savour it before leaning down to his ear and in the harshest whisper I can manage, I don't want him recognising my voice.
"Hand over the money punk."
He is shaking as he complies, I can see he's fighting not to swallow against my weapon of choice. I couldn't stop it then, the laughter burst out of me and I couldn't breathe. Ranka span around to look at me, wide eyes gaining recognition and face flooding with a pinkish hue.
"Damn it Lizzie!"
"Hahahahaha, Oh uncle Ranka, you should have seen your face. Oh god, I can't breathe."
"Good, I hope you choke." He said it with a smile, clearly not that cross with me. "What was-"He stopped himself short of asking and gestured at his throat. I showed him my thin wallet that I had previously pressed on his throat.
"You are evil." "Genius?" "No, just fucking evil. Well since your here you can help me clean up." I turned away from him to look at the empty club, "I don't know uncle RaRa, what's in it for me?" "I won't wring your sodding neck for nearly causing my premature death." I pretended to ponder it for a moment, "Hmm, seems like a fair offer."
We stacked stools and glasses in silence for half an hour; the quicker we were done the quicker we could leave.
"How is she?" "She's better, thank you." "Good, is she sleeping?" "I assume so, I'm here aren't I." "You know what I meant." "Hahaha, it's ok I'm only kidding. Yes she is sleeping better and no she isn't on her own before you ask. She has someone with her now and he can take good care of her when I can't." "That's good, really good. I'm glad, is he-" "No."
The conversation died down after that, the unfinished question hovering in the air between us but it didn't matter.
We grabbed a quick coffee before we went our separate ways, him to the home where he was a guest and me back to the tiny little flat I had rented less than two days before. As I went I couldn't help but worry about Harruhi, was she really ok? 'I would never want her to... enough of that, I'll call her tomorrow to see how she is and then i will have to work out how to surpries her... theres no way I could do mugger twice... or could I, hmmmm.'
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Hey guys, I just wanted to say a massive, massive thank you to everyone who reviewed. You can't imagine how much what you guys said meant to me after getting that horrible review. Honestly you guys gave me the will to finish writing this chapter and not throw in the towel because of the one bad review. I know that sounds quite dramamtic but it did really upset me quite a lot. Fanfic is my safe place, its where i go and what i do when i cant cope with the real world and lets face it who wants the real world over some of the fantastic stories that are out there.
I really wanted to start up the chatting again this chapter but unfortunatley time is against me but i promise to be there next chapter and as usual if you want me to reply for deffinate to your review put 'respond' or 'reply' somewhere in it and hopefully i'll get the hint. There is every chance i'll just reply anyway but there you go.
Sooooo please leave a review or pm me if you have any questions, like it love it hate it let me know.
Happy christmas to everyone and a happy new year if i dont put up another one before then =D
Wp2 xx