Okay, as promised, I will explain why 'If I never knew you' fits with the last chapter. Sigh. Bored.
It's a song about how one person changed a girl's outlook on life, and how everything is great with them, because they understand the true meaning of love. That is what Rose realises Hikaru has done for her after everything with Alexander. She says 'I love you' without 'I think' at the beginning. However, she needs affirmation he feels the same, and requests he says 'I love you' out loud.
Blah blah blah.
I own nothing.
Chapter 15! If you forgot, this if no one guesses the John and Edward reference in the 12th chapter by the time I've finished and posted the next chapter... then no one won. :O So sad...
So yeah. Enjoy :D
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"Kaoru..." Hikaru nudged his brother's sleeping face. "Kaaaoooruu..."
"I will hit you."
Ah. Not so sleeping.
"Someone's grumpy!" Hikaru pouted, before poking his brother's nose very deliberately. Kaoru scowled.
"I swear to god..."
"Plaaay with meeee!" He cried, shaking his younger twin restlessly, who sleepily glanced at the clock.
"It's ten in the morning. It's also Sunday. Go back to sleep, or call Rose, because I like to enjoy my time like a normal human being." He said, rather snippily.
"But that's the thing, I'm completely wide awake, bored shitless, and Rose is at church until noon!" The elder of the two whined, and took to shaking his sibling once again.
"Rose is Christian?"
"I asked her about that. She started raving about how she was 'Anglican' and it should be referred to that way. I was a little intimidated. That's why she and Becca were late to the park too. Rose forced Becca to go to church with her."
"I always wondered about why she insisted on praying before she went to sleep when she came round."
"Uh huh. Now play with me!"
"God damn it Hikaru!"
-
It was New Years Eve, and Becca was due home. The host club faithfully escorted her to the airport, and after a bone crushing hug from Rose, a timid hug from Haruhi, a devouring hug from Tamaki, a nod from Kyoya and a double bear hug from the twins, she was on her flight to England.
"Are you okay Rose?" Haruhi broke the unsure silence between them. The only remaining English native shrugged.
"I suppose. I do miss her a lot when she isn't around, but there isn't much I can do." She sighed, leading the group out of the airport dejectedly. "I'm glad she spent Christmas up here though. It wouldn't be the same without Becca's Mega mix of Awesome."
"That's a shockingly crap name." Hikaru giggled.
"I was nine!" Rose snapped. The older twin quietened. "Anyway, we text all the time, so it's not like I can get rid of her."
"So how come she didn't spend Christmas with her family?" Kyoya sniped, cutting through the conversation sharply. "I would assume that it is customary even in England to spend the Holidays with family."
"Well, it is." Rose half smiled. "However, when you're without family it gets tricky. She lives at the Children's Home down town from where I used to live, and there they give every child who lives there some form of skill, like Music lessons, or Karate Classes. Becca chose the dance classes, and we met when I started a month after she did. I think I was eight at the time."
"I... didn't know that. What happened to her parents?" Kaoru frowned, concern clouding his eyes.
"They sexually abused her when she was five or six years old. She still remembers it." She mumbled, looking down. "It took her a while to admit it to me. We had been best friends since the day we met, a-and it was five years after she told me. It's horrible, knowing that something like that happened to someone I care so much about... but I know she's strong enough to get through it."
"That's sweet."
The group froze at the new voice, unfamiliar to all but two.
"Well, quite." Rose's frosty reply stung her throat and she felt the twins move either side of her as she turned around.
"I remember when we were such great friends Rosy." Alexander laughed, with a strangely calm expression. It just scared Rose more. "What happened?"
"... We weren't friends. It was kind of an arranged marriage?" She was slightly unsure of herself as he suddenly laughed an uncharacteristic laugh.
"Yes, but you and I both know we had deeper feelings then that. It's just a shame you moved, we'd be married by now!"
Rose's face contorted to one of confusion and disgust.
"Are you drunk? Or... high?" She asked rather shrilly. She was incredibly uncomfortable.
"No no. Your father wanted to see me for a meeting of some kind, and I thought I'd say hello to my old best friend!" he grinned sloppily, before frowning. "Although I did see you with a boy two days ago- oh, it was YOU! You must be Hikaru Hitachiin's brother, I met him at the Japanese English relations ball."
Hikaru rolled his eyes.
"I am Hikaru." He stated coldly. "It's called hair dye. That's my brother."
"OH! I didn't recognise you with the hair, I apologise!" Alexander beamed innocently. "I should have realised from the way you were all over her like you were at the ball- Rosy! What an adorable necklace!"
The host club just watched the conversation in shocked silence, divulging the hidden snide comments underneath the cheery tone.
"Urh, thanks." She mumbled, hand to the back of her head. "It was a gift."
"From Hitachiin I expect!" Alexander laughed heartily. "Trying to steal my girl are you?" He pulled Rose into an affectionate embrace.
"Pardon? I'm not your girl, thank you very much!" She struggled in his grasp, and Hikaru had a face like a slapped behind. "Let go of me! And stop calling me Rosy!"
"If you wouldn't mind letting go of her now? Yeah, thanks." The elder Hitachiin hissed, pulling her out of his grasp and behind him. "I don't know what game you're playing, but stay away from her!"
Alexander frowned.
"You mean... you don't know?"
Silence.
"Know what?" Rose's eyes were wide and confused, unsure of what was to come.
"Oh! Mr Cooper hasn't told you yet, sorry!" He grinned again, ruffling her hair. Hikaru batted his arm away. "I'll mention to him to talk to you, I'm sure you'll be thrilled! I shouldn't ruin the surprise, see you later!" He turned to leave, letting Rose relax a little, until he turned back around a different, more Alexander like intimidation etched in his face. "One more thing Hitachiin. Don't be so sure she's yours."
They waited until he was completely out of range, before Rose burst out laughing.
"He's actually gone mental. This is hilarious!"
"Glad you think it's funny. I don't." Hikaru muttered, shuffling off. The rest of the host club followed after. Rose paused, before running to his side.
"Hika, calm down. It might be a load of talk." She gripped him arm to get his attention.
"I don't think so." He grunted in frustration. "What does your Dad need to talk to you about? And what was with his attitude? He was so excited I might call it camp – so not like him. And he was totally hitting on you! I thought he didn't like you anyway. Besides, he was the one who-"
"Shut up Hika." Rose cut him off. "He can't do anything." He stopped walking, grabbed her wrist and pulled her to face him. The others backed away slowly, sensing an argument.
"He just did! How are you so nonchalant about this!? Do you not care that he's got something planned?! Just two days ago, you were telling me you were shit scared of something like this happening!"
"I still am!"
"Well here it is. And you don't give a damn!"
"I do give a damn; I'm just not letting it get to me!"
"Why the hell not!?"
"Because..."
"Well?!"
...
"Because I know you won't let him hurt me again."
Her final answer was soft and meek so only Hikaru could hear it; she looked down, her hair covering her flushed face like a veil.
"Ever since you said that, I-I've not been worried, or scared, because I trust you. I know you'd save me."
The silence echoed between them for a moment, and just when Kaoru was about to sneak over to break the tension, Hikaru pulled her into a hug, unexpectedly, purely on impulse. She sniffed slightly in his shirt.
"Sorry. I'll be more wary." She mumbled into his chest, and he laughed softly.
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have panicked like that."
In the corner, Tamaki and Kaoru were 'awwh'ing at the sight, Kyoya looked as though he might be ill, and Haruhi?
Just rolled her eyes.
--
"Do you want to come in for a bit guys?" Rose smile nervously as the Hitachiin limousine pulled up at her house. They had given her a lift back and she had noticed one little detail.
"What's wrong?" Kaoru leant over his brother to see her. She coughed.
"Well, that's his car." She pointed briskly. "And you can see him through my Dad's study window- He's waving. My lord."
"We can spare five or ten minutes!" Kaoru said cheerfully. Hikaru beamed.
"Sounds good." The three piled out the limo, the twins on either side of the nervous girl. Hikaru waved back to Alexander in a sarcastic manner, making Rose laugh, when her father came to the window, and raised an eyebrow. The twins affirmed themselves by each slinging an arm around her shoulders. She grinned at her father innocently, and he shut the curtains.
"Sociable." Hikaru dryly commented.
"To the extreme." Kaoru giggled. Rose laughed at the two, and the front door swung open before they could reach it.
"Rosemarie. I have something to discuss with you concerning-..." Her father began to reach for her wrist to pull her inside of the building and into his study.
"It can wait. I have guests." She edged away, smiling her 'dazzling photo shoot' smile. He scowled, and placed his hands firmly on either side of her face, shocking the twins.
"This is of great importance!" He scolded, eyes wide. "More important than you running around like a whore with these infidels!"
"Excuse me?!" She pulled away from his grip, eyes flashing with white fury. "I'll ask you not to insult my friends – and, as a matter of fact, my boyfriend."
Mr David Cooper was silent for a moment, digesting this new piece of information. She took the opportunity to storm past him, dragging the twins with her. Alexander stepped out in front of them, smiling joyously.
"Rose! How lovely to see you again." He grinned down at them, being a good bit taller than the twins.
"Sorry, but there's somewhere she needs to be. Away from you." The twins chided, lifting Rose (who squeaked, but then started laughing) and prancing away with her held between them.
-
"What are you going to do?" Kaoru frowned, as they sat in her room, her again on the bed, the twins on the sofa. She too, frowned, and thought for a moment.
"Well, I'll probably be right in thinking that he'll be staying here for the next few nights." She scowled, pulling her legs round so she was sat cross legged. "I'll just have to live with it."
"Stay with us." The two boys chimed, but she shook her head.
"I should get it over with. I'll have to face it eventually." She declined, sighing.
"You should see what's happening. Why they want to talk to you. Now." Hikaru instructed, pointing at the door. She shook her head again.
"... If it's alright, can I stay with you just for tonight, let my Father cool off after I told him I was no longer 'available' as it were... and I can find out tomorrow?" The boys nodded, Hikaru looking slightly abashed.
"That's what you were fighting about?" He frowned.
"No, I said it and he went into a silent shock." She laughed nervously. "I'd stay away from him if I were you..." Hikaru paled, much to Kaoru's amusement.
"Err... so you're coming to ours for the night?" He hastily changed the subject, which didn't go unnoticed by either party in the room.
"If that's okay..." She felt slightly awkward and intrusive, but they assured her it was fine, and they'd be back to pick her up in half an hour. They left – presumably to warn the maids and get them to set up the guest room – and Rose fell back onto her bed, a heavy sigh pushing through her teeth. She enjoyed the lethargic feeling for a moment, before pulling herself up, and packing her overnight bag.
-
"Hey Kao, when we go to get her, can I go on my own?"
"... Surre... can I ask why?"
"Not yet. I want to test if it works first."
"What are you...!"
"Shhh."
"Hikaru-!"
"SHHH!"
"Why are you-!"
"SHHHHHHHHH!"
"... You're doing it on purpose."
"Took you long enough."
"That's mea-!"
"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
-
"Oi! Juliet!" And a small ball of paper hit her window. She laughed, and moved out to the balcony, leaning over the edge to see Hikaru waving cheerily. "You coming or what?"
"I'll be right down!" She called, before she turned to the balcony door to see – guess who – Alexander, blocking her exit.
"Now where oh where are you going princess?"
She paled.
"U-um... Hika-kun!?" She backed away from him, leaning against the balcony wall with her bag firmly over her shoulder.
"Going out?" He sneered, placing a finger under her chin tauntingly. She looked down, away from him, but he guided her face up again to face his. Hikaru was going mental from the courtyard below. She couldn't hear. She was frozen to the spot, petrified. "Shame. I thought we could catch up a little, you know, old friends and all." Her breath hitched as he put his other hand on her head, rubbing her hair between his fingers. "You think so?"
She finally moved, shaking her head desperately. He tutted.
"Hey, Hitachiin!" He called down to Hikaru over her shoulder, before pulling her into his chest and side stepping, so Hikaru had the perfect view of the two. "You still sure she's yours?"
"Positive. Let go of her!" Hikaru cried, attempting to scale the height from the limited resources the wall offered. Alexander smirked.
"Really?" He laughed, forcing her face upward again. She audibly whimpered, eyes watering. She tried to pull away but he was far too strong. "Rosemarie... shush... I'm just trying to show you how much I love you..."
She gasped, and he took the opportunity to force his mouth on hers, holding her so tightly she couldn't breathe. She vaguely heard something fall – presumably the dark haired male attempting to rescue her. Twisting her head to the side to break the kiss, she called out to Hikaru again, almost screaming.
"JUMP DOWN!" He yelled, fist clenched. She inhaled slowly.
"Would you? Do you trust him to catch you?" Alexander hissed in her ear, before pressing his lips to her cheek.
"E-easily." She stuttered, before driving her knee up in between his legs. He recoiled sharply, lying back against the door to her room, and she pulled herself over the railings, lightheaded and dizzy, balancing on the edge of the balcony. "H-Hika?" She squeezed her eyes shut in a moment of trepidation.
"I'll catch you, just fall backwards!"
Even though he was yelling, and the distance swallowed the sound, it felt as though he had whispered each word carelessly in her ear. Keeping her eyes shut tight, she stepped backwards, and screamed.
"Oof!" Hikaru fell back with her weight, and the two lay on the floor of the courtyard, her eyes still clenched and her face streaming with hot tears. "I've got you. Come on, we better go." She nodded mutely, and they stood, his hand firmly locked in hers. They could still hear Alexander's taunting laughter as they began to leave, and then her father swung the front door open again.
"Hell..." she breathed softly, and Hikaru gripped her hand tighter.
"Just run." He hissed, and the two fled together, out the grounds and out to the street.
"W-Where's Kaoru?" She gasped, as he pulled her along determinedly.
"Home." He said sharply, as they rounded a corner, and finally stopped for breath, gasping and spluttering for breath.
"Hika, I... thank you..." She exhaled heavily, and he gave her a quick, one armed hug, before lifting her onto his back without her consent, and effectively 'piggy back' carried her all the way to the Hitachiin Residence.
-
Rose got a single text off Becca that evening. No matter how many times Rose rung, or messaged back, she got no reply.
'Number six'
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Annnd, that's the slightly short chapter 15 :) Hahaha
So, Alexander loves Rose? Is anyone not surprised?
Hmm... What next, I wonder...
(Number six = We the kings – Check Yes Juliet. See what I did there?)
Review?