I don't own OHSHC

Just a little chapter for you guys, letting you know, that I am still alive. I will continue so just be patient. WARNING: This story is turning slowly into FLUFF! Gooood! I am such a fangirl!

CHAPTER 10

Treasure

Some time passed after THAT dinner and after THAT night. It seemed, to Kyoya's disappointment (even though, he was trying his best to NOT feel disappointed ), that Ayame was keeping her distance from him. She didn't display any action, which would somehow be related to the affection. Only thing she did, once in a while, was pat him on the shoulder, while he was working. The moment she did, he could feel that unfamiliar tension in his body and some unknown urge to turn to the source of that patting. Which was Ayame, but she was long gone, when he finally decided to turn and face her with his rare smiles. It bagged him. Yes Kyoya, it bagged you a lot! But he couldn't or wouldn't make anything that would indicate, that he was actually longing to touch her or even more…? Whenever these kinds of thoughts accured in his head, he would immediately try to push them away, but it was hopeless… He was doing all sorts of things to concentrate on his work, but he was a man after all and a man with a high self esteem, which was shaky right now, because he wouldn't succeed in one field: Field of love. He couldn't believe, that something like this would happen in his life. He was a host for God's sake and now he was acting like an inexperienced little kid. Which he was not. Kyoya Ootori was seriously confused. But not as much as his wife.

Ayame was swimming in the ocean of a confusion. After what she did that night she expected him to at least do the same later, or do something similar to that hug the night after, but he didn't. Did she overdo it? Yes… She thought… I overdid it… Maybe I hurt his pride doing it first? I mean he is a man right? Yes. Love turns people into non analysing, forgetful and stupid creatures. So Ayame decided to wait, to stop initiating and to help Kyoya regain his pride as a man. But this lead to nowhere: Kyoya was thinking, that she is afraid and shy to touch him, so he decided to play gentleman, and Ayame was sure she was doing him a favor. And all of this lasted the whole month and the tension between two started to grow into a size of a cosmic balloon: When they were eating it was as if the food was stuck in their throats, when they were driving in the car, none of them was able to touch an others hand, like they used to so long ago… It was sad…. And extremely funny to all the people in the mansion, especially maids who were giggling all over the place, while watching them eating in silence, with Ayame being clumsy with her fork and Kyoya forgetting, that newspaper isn't something to eat, even though it is placed on your plate.

It was a very important meeting and Kyoya was sitting right next to his father. While focusing on the diagrams, which was spread to everyone, he was trying to forget how lovely Ayame looked in that black dress, she wore yesterday for dinner.

"Ootori Kyoya-san, that red dot there…Uhm… Ootori Kyoya-san?" (I am not good with honorifics)

"Kyoya!"

He looked at his father's puzzled face and turned to Kotoko, his assistant.

"Uh, of course… That red… Yes, well, we were suggesting, that.."

Yoshio Ootori was watching his son, scanning every single emotion, that he had in his eyes a moment ago… He never saw his son like this. It only meant one thing: Woman.

After the meeting was over, Kyoya found himself sitting in front of his father.

"So, Kyoya…"

Kyoya looked at his father. "Yes?"

Yoshio cleared his throat. "I was wondering… Uhm…"

Kyoya blinked. He never heard his father saying Uhm or I was wondering…

Yoshio cleared his throat once more.

"Yes father?"Kyoya repeated. He was getting a very bad feeling about this.

"Well, I was wondering how is your relationship developing with your lovely wife? "

Developing? Relationship? With AYAME? Now it was Kyoya, who had to clear his throat.

It was as if he was trying to report his father about the contracts with other companies. "Uhm… We are very much in-"No, what was he saying? "We saw how benefitial this marriage is and we both are very satisfied. " Said Kyoya finally and very coolly.

His father's eyes were fixed on his. Kyoya couldn't tell what he was thinking. Yoshio Ootori was the only person in the universe, aside from Tamaki, whose thought were a very big mystery to him.

Finally his father sighed. "You know why we contacted the Polak family and why did they agree to our proposal?"

Kyoya was sitting, still. Of course he knew. Everyone knew. New hospital buildings, great contacts with Europe and the Middle Asia. He nodded.

"I know what you are thinking right now, but believe me… Take that as a little bonus."

Kyoya sat still. Listening carefully. Mr. Ootori turned around on his chair and faced Kyoya with his back. "What you are building and doing right now reflects your inner self. The fact, that you are able to actually make things work, is because of your inner state. When you are feeling stable, everything is going smoothly, when you are in a big mess, everything around you, everything, that you have built is ruined." He sighed again. Deeply this time.

"Do you think I would let some good for nothing person be around my son? I would not accept just anyone. The fact, that Ayame is a daughter of such a prestigious family is just a good thing. Not the best thing. Do you understand?" Yoshio turned around and pierced him, with his look. "The same goes for the parents of that remarkable young lady. I want my son to feel secure. I need for you to be able to actually work and with that young woman, I am sure, you will succeed. We were really lucky. So… Don't screw it up!"

Kyoya returned home late. When he stepped into the living room, he was surprised to find Ayame sleeping on the couch. In front of her on the table, design magazines and pencils were everywhere he looked. The fire in the fireplace was warmly winking at him. His eyebrow twitched. Why can't she work in her room…

Kyoya smiled a bit to himself. What a trouble… He stepped towards a couch and sat down in front of it. Looking at her sleeping face he felt satisfaction. She was peacefully sleeping, warmly and she was safe. His father's voice echoed through his head. Treasure it…

He moved his lips, so that he could taste the word: "Treasure…" It was so fitting. He moved his hand. The tense feeling that he was getting these days was now gone. The warmth from the fire place took it all away from him and gave him courage instead. His cold fingers touched Ayame's forehead lightly. Her lips parted a bit and for a split of a second, they formed a smile. Kyoya's heart skipped a beat, the same way, when she hugged him that night. He turned his face away from her. God… This is getting dangerous!

NEXT CHAPTER: Painting aaaaaaaand finally, maybe a kiss?