HIII :D
I'm so happy to be BACK. ERMMPH.
I missed you all so much :DDDD
-group hug-
RIGHT. SHIVER. ELLIOT MINOR.
It's a play on words, in a very strange and warped way. It refers to the biology term, Homeostasis, which means the state in which humans stay the same. The body does this using negative feedback, so when the body is too hot, your brain creates a negative feedback which causes you to shiver. If too cold, the negative feedback would be to sweat.
So, the Host club is searching for a way to revert things to the comfortable state –eg: 'What do we do now, do we wait and sweat it out? Or do we focus on the shiver?'
They aren't sure if they should do one extreme or the other – ignore it or fight it. In either case, they have no choice, as the residing power is in Rose's hands.
I own nothing but my dearest Rose, and those affiliated with her past. OOKAI TO THE STORY!
---
Day One
"Rosa-kun, wake up..."... Only one person called her by that name.
Could it be? Had it all been a vivid nightmare, and she would awake, preferably at some point after Christmas Eve and before New Year's? She dared herself to entertain this thought. She could wake, see Hikaru, and he would explain some story that ended in him finding his way to her room. Then, she would nestle into his chest, after so long of missing that mischievous grin, she would feel it radiate from his lips. Which, quite cheerfully, she would smother. Shortly following this, she would allow him to drag her around whatever he found amusing that day, and hold onto his arm happily as they contently trudged through the shops. Kaoru could come too, so long as he kept his mouth firmly away from his brother's.
She missed him TERRIBLY.
"Rosa-kun, time to wake up!"
No. Wrong voice. Wrong language. Wrong person.
Damn.
She allowed herself to open her eyes at last, and Alexander peered at her curiously.
"Tired?" He smirked. She glared.
"I always fall asleep when I'm travelling."
"You nestled up to me." He raised an eyebrow, a victorious smirk on his face. She scowled.
"Ew, gross... Last time I was on a plane it was Hika I cuddled up to..."
He frowned.
"Stop talking about him."
"Why the hell not? I love him. I'll talk about him for the rest of your god damn life."
"And when I die?"
"I'll taste the world of freedom once more."
"Assuming I die before you." He retorted, and she smiled in a big way.
"That's it! Suicide!"
"Seriously?"
--
"Hikaru, stop brooding."
"Hikaru, get out of bed."
"Hikaru, go wash up."
"Hikaru, eat something."
"Hikaru, I told you to stop brooding."
"Know what Kaoru? Shut up."
Kaoru responded by hugging his twin tightly.
--
The ribbons were pulled tighter, and she hissed in discomfort, turning to glare at the oblivious tailors, pins in their tightly lipped mouths and pencils balanced neatly behind an ear.
"She's rather busty, we can get more cleavage out if we-..." Rose winced. "... tighten it like this, don't you think?"
"We still want her to look elegant, not like a whore." One commented, and they all hummed.
"I want to breathe girls." Rose snapped, and they jumped at the sudden speech.
"Sorry Miss Cooper." They flocked her, loosening and adjusting the ribbons at her back. They carelessly tugged soon after, and Rose yelped.
"Problem?" Rose glanced to the door, and smiled another fake smile.
"No Mother."
The ribbons were pulled tighter.
--
(Kaoru POV)
I was in silent awe as I gazed at the photograph again.
They were both pretty, it was clear to see. The elder girl, looking about twenty five or six, had the most striking look, with piercing white blue eyes, and iron straight blonde hair, stopping dead at her shoulders. Her skin was tan, her smile was perfected and coy, and her long, angular body lent itself to modelling like a calculator would to maths. She stood over the younger girl, arms flung around her shoulders in a backwards, sisterly embrace, resting her head on the others shoulder.
The other, who was a little shorter, but not much, was just as lovely. Her wild wavy locks of chocolate brown hair flew everywhere, her fringe fluffed around her head prettily. Her eyes were wide, and the most stunning shade of green he had seen. She was not poised and perfect. Her cheeks were flushed with laughter, her mouth wide, pale face nestling into that of the elder girls, nose crinkled slightly. She was slim, yes, but had the forbidden curves that stopped most from modelling. None the less, there was a sweeping beauty that she gave, so natural and innocent, reflected in those beautiful, emerald eyes.
Yes, the Lilly held the elegance, but the beauty lay within the Rose.
...
I ruined it, didn't I?
Everything Tamaki told me, now she's gone, I realise I could have made it so much easier. I would do the same for Hikaru, just as she did it for Lilly. Just this one photograph she forgot, she left in the guest room, displays everything I needed to know.
That look on her face when she told Hikaru she didn't love him- it was a reflection of how defeated she was.
I know that now.
"Hikaru, I'm going to the wedding."
"... I thought you might."
--
Day two
"Haruhi, are you packed for England?" Ranka peered around his daughter's bedroom door, to see a crumpled mass on the floor. "H-haruhi!"
He sped to her side, lifting her slightly, to see her eyes brimming with tears.
Ranka panicked.
Haruhi never cries.
"What is it sweetheart? Did that fool impregnate you? I swear to god, I will tear out his liver and feed it to him!"
"R-rose is gone." She mumbled tearfully, pulling away. "She... she was the only person who could read me. Not even the host club could... I'm... I'm almost scared without her. I'm not crying because I miss her, I'm..."
"I'm crying because I depend on her, and I... I don't like depending on her."
--
"So, you're making alliances with politicians?" Kyoya's father nodded. "Very well. I assume you're packed."
"I am. His daughter attended Ouran High School for some time; I got to know her quite well. I intend to make a good impression on her father; he controls all English Japanese relations."
"I'm impressed. Have a good trip."
--
"I can't WAIT to get to England! First thing I'm going to do is try a KFC. I hear they're famous for their legendary blend of spices!" Tamaki burbled down the phone. Rose giggled, drawing her knees to her chest.
"I'll treat you all to a big fast food then. You'd love it." She asked quietly, rocking slightly. She had become more comfortable speaking Japanese than English, and she found herself prizing every second on the phone to her 'father'.
"Sounds excellent my darling little girl!" He cooed, and she laughed silently. "You've grown up to be such a lovely little angel!"
"T-thanks Daddy." She found herself laughing – hard – for the first time in a long time.
Tamaki soon joined her (though clueless to why they were laughing) and as they settled, a comfortable silence resonated.
"Daddy? How are Hika and Kaoru? I'm guessing they aren't coming..."
"They are coming, Kaoru insisted it to Hikaru because, well... I... I told Kaoru everything. I tried to tell Kyoya but you already told him, and..."
"You told?!"
"Rose, listen. Kaoru needed to know. He knows not to tell Hikaru until after the wedding."
"..."
"He said he'd talk to you tomorrow."
"Okay."
--
Day Three
The host club gathered, piece by piece, at Kyoya's household.
"No twins?" Haruhi dryly commented, glancing out at the streets.
"Are you surprised?" Kyoya retorted, gesturing for them to leave as to enter the Ootori private plane.
"Yes, I am." Tamaki announced, looking alongside Haruhi. "Extremely so. Kaoru would come now he knows, and Hikaru... wouldn't see any other option."
"You finally told them apart?" Haruhi laughed lightly. Tamaki grinned.
"Guess so."
They trudged towards the docking station, and Tamaki spared one last glance backward.
"Hikaru et Kaoru... c'est trop mauvais." He mumbled softly. "Elle vous aime tant... beaucoup trop. Tout ce que je peux dire est que je suis si désolé ça devait arriver à vous, et pour elle. Et quelle que soit, indépendamment de ce qui se passe en Angleterre, je sais que Kaoru, vous serez toujours être son frère, et Hikaru, vous aurez toujours être l'amour de sa vie."
"W-wait!" He somewhat heard Kaoru's windswept cry. "I had to drag Hikaru out of bed, sorry we're late, just HOLD IT!"
"They're here!" Tamaki called through the plane, and Haruhi sighed in relief. "Hurry guys! Il n'y avait m'inquiétait garçons..."
"What did you say?" They chorused, despising the lack of their native tongue. "Are you speaking in English to piss us off?"
"French, actually." He grinned. "Let's go! Rōzu will be worried."
"Rōzu?" Haruhi rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"
"Well, she'll prefer it to Rosemarie Knife, I'm sure." Kyoya quipped, and Hikaru exhaled shortly.
--
"When do your friends arrive at the hotel?" Alexander asked, conversationally, as they sat down for lunch.
"Soon. I'll be departing for the hotel after I've eaten." She responded calmly, taking a mouthful of salad, the taste displeasing her greatly.
"Why did you order a salad?" Paddy snorted, giving her a look. "You hate it."
"I know." She shrugged. "Just reminds me of someone."
--
"Roosseee!" She jumped slightly from the lobby couch, before smiling slightly. "How's my daughter doing?" He leapt at her, hugging her in what he thought was a fatherly manner.
"Gerroffffff..." She grumbled, hiding her joy at seeing him. "I'm... okay. Living with it."
"We missed you!" He cooed. "Didn't we everyone?!" He turned to the slightly travel sick Haruhi, who stumbled forward and gave her a hug.
"I did." The commoner mumbled. Rose smiled knowingly.
"No you didn't. You were more worried than nostalgic."
"Stop doing that." She proceeded to sit down, to attempt to straighten her head. Kyoya walked forward.
"Rosemarie-san."
"Kyoya-senpai."
"I'm afraid my position has not changed."
"I'm well aware. I'll learn to live with it one day."
"Brave of you."
"Stupid of me."
"... Fair enough."
Kaoru, who had previously been in debate with his brother, now shot forward and grabbed Rose by the shoulders.
"'..."
(Rose! Oh my god, I need to talk to you right now – or I never might actually find the time to tell you; if I don't tell you, bad, bad, bad things will happen. I think... anyway, it might do some good.... but oh my god, come now!)
"Kaoru, my ears hurt..."
"COME WITH MEEEEEEE!"
And so, she was dragged away, while Hikaru stood gawping.
--
"This is my suite." She explained to the foaming at the mouth twin. "I have no actual home here – the one I lived in was sold. I will move in with Alexander after the wedding, and spend all day every day at wedding prep, so I'm never really here, but... here it is."
She had the penthouse suite.
The one Kyoya was desperate for.
She was good.
"So what did you desperately need to see me about? I know Tamaki has told you." She shuffled, quite awkwardly. Kaoru dove at her, giving her a bone-crushing hug.
"I'm so sorry... I had no idea- and, and I just made it all worse, I can't imagine what you're going through, but... Oh Rose..." She sniffed dejectedly into his shoulder, shuffling a little.
"It's fine." She responded meekly, pulling away, arms wrapped around herself. "I have bigger things on my mind. I just... I can't lose her, y'know?"
"Yeah. I do. But sometimes... you have to give up people you care about."
"It's different than separating from your best friend, or giving up the girl you're crushing on because she's in love with your brother."
Kaoru's eyes widened.
"You know?"
"... She'll die if I don't."
"You know?"
"Yes, Kaoru, I know."
"... b-but..."
"You don't feel for me that way, even though you have trained yourself to think you do." She sighed slightly, before sitting down. "I hate that I know you and Hika more than you do yourselves. I hate that you don't know your own feelings – the real ones – and I hate that you need me to tell you. But I have too. Because if Kaoru is the big brother for Hikaru, who is the big brother for Kaoru?"
She smiled.
"I guess we'll have to change that to big sister, won't we?"
--
Tap.
Tap.
"Kaoru?" Hikaru sat up from his lounging position on his bed, and the door opened a crack, Haruhi peering inside. "Oh. Hey Haruhi."
"Hello Hikaru." She greeted, stepping inside. "I came to see if you were alright. I'd be feeling pretty lousy if I was you."
"Hm." He hummed in reply, lying back again. "Kaoru's been talking to her for a long time. Do you think she's told him the real reason?"
"... If she has, he won't tell you." She sat on the edge of his bed, and he smiled at her. She was surprised how... calm he seemed.
"I know. There will be some big reason and if I know it'll make it worse." He scrunched his nose. "Or something." This was followed by a short laugh, which made Haruhi smile.
"Mm. So... you don't hate her?"
"No. I could never hate her. I..." he hesitated. "... No matter what, I will always love her. But... I just don't understand." Again, he scrunched up his nose, and sat up to speak to her properly.
She paused, but forced herself to bring up 'that moment'. "I know. But at the ball-!"
"She was looking at Alexander when she said it." He grinned, locking his arms behind his head.
"What?"
Rolling his eyes, he spelt it out. "She. Was. Looking. At. Him."
"R-really?"
"She must have known I'd notice. She looked away, towards him, feigning embarrassed timid-ness. She's always been easy to read for me." His smile softened into a fond nostalgic look, and rested his head in his hand.
"That's how you know something big is going on?" She was surprised, Hikaru had never seemed as deductive as this before.
"Yeah. I actually felt a bit better after the party. I know she didn't lie. I just... miss her. I feel awfully guilty after kissing Kaoru like that... but, it did what I wanted it to do."
"Which is?"
"It made her angry at me. And... It'll be easier for her." He smiled. "I always hoped she was still in love with me."
--
"Kaoru... you don't love me. You don't love Becca. You don't love any girls at the moment – in face, you never will." She smiled, wrapping her arms around him fondly. "You're just confused, because you think you should."
"Rose..." he didn't like this. He wasn't all that clueless, he did know.
"One of the reasons I'm so mad at Hika for that kiss, is because it will have been more uncomfortable for you than you let on."
"Rose, stop it." His eyes were wide, and he backed away, almost frightened.
"Has Hika not figured it out? Well, he has been a bit preoccupied, so I suppose it's to be expected, but I thought better of him..."
"Rose, please!"
"You do know, don't you?" She smiled in a small way as he struggled away from her, and sat on the floor in denial.
"I'm NOT! I can't be! I... I like you, so I'm NOT!"
"Kaoru, you're acting like a child. We've been over this..."
"Rose, don't say it..."
"Kaoru, please, even if it's just to me, admit it. And you'll feel so much better about it."
"Rose, NO!"
--
"So, will you go to the wedding then?" Haruhi asked cautiously, as if expecting him to wail.
--
"Kaoru... please..."
--
"No, I don't think it's appropriate. Do you?" He shifted uncomfortably, a flash of unease crossing his eyes for a moment, and Haruhi nodded.
"I understand. It's harder than you're letting on, isn't it?"
He laughed.
"A little. But as much as it hurts... I know that... if I just knew..."
His collected exterior began to crumble.
"Hikaru...?!"
"Haruhi... I... I..."
And he dissolved into tears.
--
"Fine! Fine- you really want to hear it? Okay, whatever, I'm GAY."
A small silence settled between them for a moment, before Kaoru exhaled heavily.
"I'm gay. I'm gay. I, Kaoru Hitachiin, am gay."
The silence resumed, as Rose shuffled across, and wrapped him in a hug.
"I'm proud of you." She smiled, nestling into his neck, and he laughed a short, breathy chuckle, before wrapping his arms around her.
"Thank you... thank you so much..."
BEEEEEEP
They both yelped, jumping to their feet in surprise at the intercom. Rose ran at the door, pressing a button next to the handle.
"Yes Ms Kurcher?" She asked politely.
"Message for you on line seven, ma'am."
"Thank you."
She released the button before sighing.
"Message." She laughed awkwardly, and Kaoru nodded. "Am I alright to...?"
"Go ahead." He nodded, and she smiled gratefully, going to the dressing table, and taking the phone from it.
"Hello, this is Rosemarie Cooper..."
"N-number..."
...blip...blip....
"The line's dead!" she exclaimed, jumping slightly. "Spooky. It just said number..."
...
"Wait... what line was it...? Ur, seven... number seven... Ah! Kaoru, can you see my Ipod anywhere?"
And that's chapter 20!
In case you didn't realise, this is the timeline in days.
Ball (previous chapter). Tamaki tells Kaoru and Kyoya the whole truth about Lilly, but Kyoya already knew because Rose told him, while asking him a favour, which is denied. Rose is forced to say 'I don't love you'
(This chapter)
1
Rose leaves for England/is fitted for her Wedding Dress. Hikaru is dealing with his emotions in a bad way, getting it out of his system. Kaoru realises that he has made thing really hard for Rose, and finds a picture she forgot in the guest room.
2
Haruhi realises that Rose was the first person who could really read her, like she could the host club, and that she depends on her. Kyoya lets his father believe that it is purely a business trip. Tamaki and Rose have a conversation over the phone, in which Rose shows that Tamaki is a fatherly figure to her, by referring to him as 'Daddy' in English, and asks after the twins. He reveals that he has told Kaoru the situation, and that he wants to talk to her.
3.
The host club leave for England. The twins are late, and Tamaki speaks something in French, that the author is proud to say she wrote herself, so there may be mistakes. I won't say what yet. Haruhi and Hikaru have an in-depth chat about Rose, while Rose helps Kaoru admit his... sexual orientation ;)
YAY KAORU!
:3
Ur, yeah. Number Seven. :D Discover (why the love hurts) Elliot Minor.
Cool. :D
Review please?
Peace and love
x