Hey guys! Sorry this has taken so long. It's finals week, here at my jolly old university, so I've been really busy. Strangely enough, I have more free time this week than I did last week. That probably has something to do with the enormous projects I had due last week. Anyway, I should be posting another chapter in a few hours. It was going to be part of this chapter, then I realized how long it was, and figured I'd break it up. This also means that I'm definitely posting something now, just in case something happens and I don't finish the scene I'm working on.
For some reason, the driver from before demanded that I give him a name and some more story time, so he's in there. I actually like him quite a bit. I may try to include him in a future chapter. I am not making any more promises about how long this will be-I have no idea. I already feel silly enough writing a Halloween story at Christmas time, but I WILL FINISH, DANGIT!
Anyway, enjoy!
"So what are we doing today?" Kaoru looked at Hikaru expectantly. Hikaru had planned something with Hunny and Mori the day before, and the older boys were inviting Tamaki and Haruhi, so the twins couldn't just hang out and pull stupid pranks on people. Kaoru wondered if maybe spending so much time with Kyouya was making Hikaru feel lonely, so he didn't protest.
"Well, the last time I was with Hunny and Mori we talked about other American Halloween traditions. One of them is "pumpkin carving," and it sounded fun. You take the guts out of a large orange gourd, then you carve something pretty into the side of it. We have pictures and instructions."
"I've heard of this practice," Kyouya adjusted his glasses, "In the past, we considered carving pumpkins with the Host Club, but then we decided it would be too messy to expose the ladies to the innards of the pumpkins. Doing it with the club should be fun, though. We will need to wear clothes that can withstand the mess of the project."
Kaoru and Hikaru looked at each other. Then they sighed deeply before heading back into the closet again.
They emerged dressed alike but in different colors. Kyouya shook his head and smirked when he saw them in their shirts that had paint splattered a little too artfully on them to be accidental. He wasn't planning on changing-anything he changed into would be just as expensive to replace as his current outfit.
The trio decided to take the Hitachiin car, and the driver was the same as the one who drove them to the Ootori mansion two nights before. He wasn't sure whether or not to be happy when they remembered him.
"You! You're the one from before!" Hikaru grinned at him.
"He's great," Kaoru told Kyouya, "He's the one who drove us to your house the other day." He latched onto Kyouya's arm and rubbed his cheek against it. That night had been partly responsible for the way things now stood between him and Kyouya.
"Then I am indebted to you," Kyouya said, nodding at the overwhelmed man. "What's your name?"
"H-Hibiki Hansuke," the man stammered. He'd heard about Ootori Kyouya and how merciless he could be. Even though it seemed like the black-haired boy was pleased, one could never know.
"Well, Mr. Hibiki, thank you for taking care of my friends. If you are ever in need of a good hospital, please visit one of my family's. Show the people there this card, and you will receive priority treatment, free of charge." Kyouya handed a business card to the driver.
"Thank you, Mr. Kyouya," Hansuke examined the card politely before carefully placing it in his wallet. As they drove to the Morinozuku mansion, he tried not to be caught as he watched the teens.
This time, the twins did not sit next to each other. Instead, Kaoru sat next to the Ootori, and Hikaru sat across. Unfortunately for his curiosity, Hikaru was sitting in the seat facing forward, so Hansuke couldn't see what it was that made the older twin make such strange faces.
Of course, it was lucky for everyone in the car that the driver couldn't see, because Kaoru and Kyouya were sitting as close as they could, brushing thighs and shoulders at the slightest provocation, with hands clasped happily together. If poor Hansuke had seen this, he might have accidentally driven the limousine off the road.
Hansuke did catch a glimpse of some sort of odd affection between the Ootori boy and Kaoru when he opened the door for them and Kyouya unnecessarily grabbed Kaoru's hand to help him out. Then, he 'steadied' the youngest there by holding onto Kaoru's slim waist. Hansuke convinced himself he was imagining things, bowed to his bosses, and drove off.
Inside the mansion, the other Host Club members had already spread out drop cloths and gotten out their knives and other pumpkin-carving tools. When the final three arrived, Hunny, Mori, and Hikaru explained the process of carving pumpkins. Hunny seemed especially excited about the prospect of cooking the seeds with cinnamon-sugar.
After they opened the first pumpkin, the twins were less sure of the activity. The inside looked sticky and very orange. Haruhi, as practical as always, reached in and began pulling the gunk out of the gourd. Hikaru's nose wrinkled.
"Why don't we get the servants to empty them for us?" He suggested.
"No!" Tamaki jumped up, "We have to do this the same way American commoners do it. It's not that sticky, is it Haruhi?" Despite his insistence, he looked a little unsure.
"It's pretty sticky," she said, still methodically emptying the pumpkin of its guts. "And it smells funny. And squishy. But it's not that bad," she allowed, finally noticing the looks her friends and boyfriend were giving her.
"Maybe Hikaru is right," Tamaki began.
"You were so excited about this before," Kyouya reminded him, "Are you afraid of getting a little dirty? That's not very masculine, is it Haruhu?" The tomboy just blinked at him, confused as to why Kyouya was asking her, of all people. Tamaki began to flail in denial.
"I am masculine! I'll show you, Haruhi, how masculine I am. See! I'm not afraid of pumpkin guts at all." He began joining her in removing the slime. In his vigor, however, he began to splatter the orange substance everywhere.
"Good idea, Tamaki!" Hunny smiled pleasantly, "This will go so much faster if we work in groups. But Takashi and I aren't very artistic. Will you help us, Hikaru?"
"Sure, Hunny," Hikaru didn't understand why Hunny needed him, but he was willing to let Kaoru and Kyouya work together. He was happy that Kaoru was finally working to get what he wanted.
"So that means Tamaki and Haruhi will carve one pumpkin, Hunny, Mori, and Hikaru will carve another, and Kaoru and I will carve the final one. We can let the customers bid on the pumpkins, and whichever one sells for more, that team will have three days off from the Host Club." Kyouya offered them his smile, and everyone but Kaoru paled. Kaoru thought the smile was deliciously mischievous.
As they were elbow deep in pumpkin goop, Kaoru asked Kyouya why he offered that deal.
"Won't that mean losing business for the club?"
"Nonsense. The revenue from selling the pumpkins will more than make up for that lost during those days. If I didn't offer a reward, then they wouldn't put real effort into carving. Besides, if we win, then we can spend the three afternoons off together."
Kaoru looked over at Kyouya quickly, before averting his gaze and blushing. The situation between him and Kyouya was still a little unnerving.
Then he realized-he still hadn't confessed to Kyouya.
His hands stilled in the pumpkin as the thought hit him. After all of those kisses, he still hadn't confessed. He realized, of course, that Kyouya hadn't confessed to him either, but he didn't mind. Besides, this would give him the opportunity to plan the perfect scene to confess.
He jumped when Kyouya grabbed his hands and squeezed questioningly. Kaoru smiled shyly and continued emptying the pumpkin.
Once all three pumpkins were emptied, the groups gathered together again to watch Mori demonstrate on his group's pumpkin how to carve into it. Hikaru and Kaoru wondered aloud how safe it was to give Tamaki sharp objects.
"Fortunately," Kyouya cut into Tamaki's loud protestations, "Haruhi is familiar with using a knife, so she will be able to protect him somewhat."
"Mommy! You're so mean!" Tamaki cried, retreating into his corner of woe. Mori looked worriedly at the mushroom the boy was growing in his home.
"Idiot," Haruhi breathed, softly enough that Tamaki couldn't hear her.
Everyone went back to their own pumpkins, taking care that the others couldn't see what they were carving.
"So what are we going to carve, Kyouya?"
"Well, traditionally people carve scary faces into the lanterns, but for our clientele, I think we should go for something that is either pretty or cute."
"Hunny is probably going to carve something cute," Kaoru pointed out, "so something pretty? Hmmm..." He stared at the orange gourd, searching for inspiration on its ridged surface. Then his face brightened.
"Got something?" Kyouya's gaze hadn't left Kaoru's face.
"Do I ever," Kaoru said, grinning at Kyouya. Kyouya looked around to make sure they weren't seen before ducking in and tenderly kissing Kaoru's mouth. The younger boy's eyes fluttered closed in the soft embrace, staying that way a few moments after Kyouya lifted his head.
"W-what was that for?" Kaoru touched his own soft smile.
"Nothing," Kyouya looked smug, "I just felt like it."
Kaoru tried to ignore the fluttering in his stomach as he delineated his plan to Kyouya. They could carve a beautiful princess surrounded by flowers. The princess, however, would be silhouetted, so that whichever girl bought it could imagine that the carving was of her.
"It's good, right?" Kaoru looked at Kyouya worriedly. The expression was eased by a pale hand smoothing over his hair.
"It's very good," Kyouya assured him. "But I have something to add. For the flowers, why don't we carve seven of them? Each one will represent a different member of the club. Tamaki's will, of course be a rose. Hunny's will be something innocent, like a daisy. And so forth."
"You're amazing," Kaoru informed him. He handed his upperclassman a pencil and piece of paper. "Here, draw it out on this and then we'll use this to carve the pumpkin." Their eyes met and both smiled.
After several hours, all three groups finished their pumpkins. The results were all impressive. They turned off the lights during the showing of each one, so that the artificial candle inside could best display the artwork.
As expected, the team of three had a pumpkin that screamed cuteness. The carving was of a bunny, a kitty, and a chick playing together under a happy tree. Hunny, in particular, looked pleased with it.
Tamaki, who was sporting a band-aid on his finger, brought out his and Haruhi's pumpkin next. This pumpkin had a cornucopia carved into it, with all kinds of western foods pouring from it. Haruhi was drooling a bit at the sight of so much food, and Tamaki looked proud to have made her happy.
Finally, Kyouya and Kaoru brought out their pumpkin. It was intricately carved, some places left so as to allow just a small glow of light to shine through, contrasting with the fully carved out portions. The sillhouette of a princess shone in the middle, dressed in what could only be the Ouran uniform dress. Seven flowers framed her.
"The rose represents Tamaki, as it is his signature flower," Kyouya began, pointing to each flower as he mentioned it. "The daisy is, of course, Hunny, representing innocence. Mori's flower the gladiolus here, which represents strength. Carnations are common flowers, but hardy and lovely ones, so we chose this to represent Haruhi." She glared at him, muttering some insult about the wealthy under her breath. "Mine is the crocus, which can represent foresight. And the twins are the two orchid blossoms coming from the same stem. These flowers are rarely seen alone and can represent love and artful splendor."
"We might have gone a little overboard," Kaoru laughed, seeing everyone's overwhelmed expressions. "Kyouya is quite the artist."
"You seem determined to win your own competition, Kyoua. Why is that, I wonder," Haruhi mused to herself, looking at Kyouya interestedly. Hunny and Mori just grinned, knowing from before what was going on.
"What? Does Mommy want to abandon us? Is this the influence of those devilish twins?" Tamaki ran over to Kyouya and threw his arms around him. Kaoru tried very hard not to feel posessive, but that was his Kyouya, dammit. Stupid Tamaki should be hugging Haruhi, not Kyouya.
Haruhi caught everyone's attention when she gasped. Her eyes were wide as she looked between Kyouya and Kaoru. "Oh," was all she said, before blinking one more time, breathing deeply, and going back to normal.
"What? What does that mean? What's going on here?" Tamaki demanded, looking around at everyone.
"It's not my place to tell," Haruhi informed him, turning on the room lights and turning off the battery-powered candles in the pumpkins. Tamaki sulked before going back to Kyouya and begging.
"I'll tell you only if you promise not to be unreasonable." Kyouya's glasses glinted dangerously.
"Me? I'm never unreasonable!" The twins pretended to hide their snorts of disbelief.
"Are you okay with me telling him, Kaoru?" Uncertainty looked strange on Kyouya, and Kaoru felt a bubble of happiness rise inside him at the thought that Kyouya's uncertainty was because of him.
"It's fine. I mean, I don't mind at all. But only if you don't mind. If you don't want to tell him, you don't have to. And I won't tell anyone unless you want me to. But sometimes it's hard not to, especially when stupid Tono is hanging all over the guy I like and I want to tell him to stop because I like you, not him and I'm the one you've been kissing and he should leave you the hell alone. And..." Kaoru trailed off, just realizing how much he'd said in his nervous rant. Tamaki's eyes were impossibly wide and his mouth gaped.
"Mommy? You've been kissing Kaoru? But, but..." Tamaki didn't know whether he should be angry at Kyouya for kissing one of the children, or at Kaoru for kissing Mommy. He looked over to Haruhi for help. Haruhi just patted his arm before grabbing it and dragged him out of the room, presumably to explain that sometimes boys liked other boys and that was okay.
"We're leaving too," Hikaru informed the blushing pair, waving as he left with the university students.
Up next, you'll be able to read about Kyouya's reaction to Kaoru's little confession. I hope it's alright...kissing scenes make me nervous, but I love reading them, so I figure I should give others kisses to read as well!
As always, reviews will make me giddy for 12 hours, so if you feel like leaving a comment about the scene, the ridiculousness of the pumpkins (I do realize they're ridiculous, but my brain's in a weird place this week), or even some constructive criticism, I'd love to read it. Writing Kyouya in love is hard-he's so dern stoic.