"I'll be waiting,"
Kaoru smiled, walking out of the shop. He thought about going home, but that would have resulted in arriving late at the coffee shop. Kaoru took out his phone, looking through his contacts. His eyes glanced over Haruhi's name.
'Hey, Haruhi. Mind if I come over? -Kaoru' He already made the decision to visit Haruhi, no point for her to object. He walked street after street. He was near by Haruhi's house.
'Yeah, drop in anytime, - Haru-chan' The text was sent 13 minutes late, but that was okay. He could already see her apartment. He walked up the stairs of the second floor, walking down the terrace. Kaoru knocked on her door, waiting a few.
"Oh. Hey, Kaoru. You came a bit earlier than expected.." Haruhi opened the door wider for Kaoru to walk through.
"Yeah. I was in the area." Kaoru took off his shoes, replacing them for slippers.
"Coffee shop?"
'Yeah.." Kaoru laughed lightly, rubbing his head.
"Do you want some tea? I was making some for my dad and myself.." Haruhi walked through the door, into the kitchen.
"Oh, no. I'm good, had a cappuccino at the shop. So how you been?" Kaoru wanted to make small talk.
"I've been alright, I'm taking care of my father right now.." Haruhi stared in the direction of her dads door.
"Rough night?"
"More like morning. He didn't get home till 5am." Haruhi sauntered into the kitchen, Kaoru following after her. "He should be waking up soon for his shift." Kaoru nodded, looking at the time. It was just after 4pm. "Do you want anything to eat? I can make something for you if you're hungry.."
"Uh, as enticing as it sounds, I'm passing."
"..Hm, did you come here for a reason?" The small smirk playing at her lips, Kaoru chuckled sheepishly.
"Uh, well.. Kinda?" giving Haruhi an awkward glance, "Yeah.." he sighed in defeat.
"What's it about?" She grabbed a mug for herself and poured some tea in it.
"Not really what's it about, more who's it about," Kaoru looked away, wincing slightly when the metal spoon tapped the sugar into the mug.
"Tamaki?" Haruhi took a glance towards Kaoru, seeing a slight blush forming on his cheeks.
"More or less, hehe," Kaoru looked over to Haruhi, seeing her staring intently back at him.
"What about Tamaki?" She smiled, motioning for her friend to follow her into the sitting area. They both sat on their knees, across from each other on the low table.
"Well, I kinda sorta like him?" Kaoru pitched his voice, making it sound more of a question rather than a statement. "I don't know how to deal with it. It's usually the other way around, with a girl, too."
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure breaking a girls heart is the way to do it." She sent a playful glare, earning a laugh that had bubbled in Kaoru's throat. "Honestly, just tell him. That's my advice, take it or leave it. It's not like he isn't going to say no."
"You're real funny, Haruhi. He will say no. I'm meeting up with his after his shift ends. Which is at 6."
"You have lots of time left, why don't we play a game of cards?"
"I only play bullshit or war. Your pick." Kaoru beamed.
"War it is," Haruhi stood up walking towards a shelf that had random items on it. She opened a small drawer, picking out a deck of cards. She sat back down, taking the cards out of the box. The brunette had begun shuffling the deck. "I've only met Tamaki 4 times. I've seen the way he looks at you, it's cute, really."
Kaoru looked down at the table, where his cards were being tossed over to him, face down. The way he looked at me?
After placing down card after card, with Haruhi slowly getting back all the cards, Kaoru spoke up, "How does he look at me?" Haruhi looked up, biting her lip as she thought back.
"Uh, it looks sort of the way you look at Hikaru and they way Hikaru looks back at you. Without the mischievousness."
"So he looks at me like I'm his brother..?" Kaoru stated, rather confused. Haruhi laughed.
"Not like that. In adoration. He looks like he would praise you and bow down to your feet. I'd sorta say that he likes you, too. In the romantic way."
They both looked down at their current card that were placed in the middle of them. Both of them the same numbers. Kaoru's 5 of Spades, and Haruhi's 5 of Diamonds. They both looked at their hand, placing three cards face down. Determination in both of their eyes, both figures wanted to win the war.
Haruhi was first to place down a card. 8 of Clubs. Kaoru looked at her nervously. He hoped he got a card higher than that. He placed down a card, with his luck, both good and bad. He had placed an 8 of Diamonds. He mentally cursed in his head. Both players put down another three cards, face down. Luck was on Kaoru's side, having an Ace as his next card. He won this war and took all the cards and put them in his pile.
"Darn.. Looks like you would win this." Haruhi stared at her decreasing pile of cards.
They both chatted not often getting into wars with each other. In the end, Haruhi won. She grabbed cards, facing them all one way before sliding them back in the small box. The brunette looked at the time.
"Do you want some water before you leave?" she stared at her friend, a genuine smile across her face. Kaoru stared at the time. It was quarter passed 5. He looked at her friend, nodding with a smile. They both stood up walking through the small arch way into the kitchen. Haruhi looked in the fridge, grabbing her friend an unopened bottle of pure spring water.
"Thanks, Haruhi," he opened the bottle, taking a swig. They stood in the kitchen, both silent.
"So will you tell him?" Haruhi asked, a wondering glint in her eyes. Kaoru cleared his throat before answering.
"Possibly. Maybe. I don't know. If it comes up, then yeah. Sure." Kaoru shrugged, staying oblivious to the blood rushing to his cheeks.
"I still think that you should tell him."
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"In a platonic way," Kaoru laughed, shaking his head.
"Right. Me. Platonic."
"You never know."
"Yeah, well I better get going. I'll see you at school tomorrow." Haruhi smiled, watching her friend put on his shoes.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Kaoru waved bye and walked out of the door, the door shutting lightly behind him.
He was nervous. He was walking towards the same way he had came from. Kaoru hoped that the walk there was shorter than the walk to Haruhi's.
Time seemed to dread on for Kaoru, he quickened his pace, hoping that he wouldn't be late. He turned a corner, seeing that his destination was just a few streets away. You didn't know how many times Kaoru wanted to run across the street when the sign had said stop.
Finally, he had reached the coffee shop. The one coffee shop that he loved. His face brightened up when he saw Tamaki working the cash register. Tamaki's eyes glistened when he caught sight of Kaoru.
"Hey! Kaoru! You're early," Tamaki smiled, Kaoru looked at the time, all the while the smile never leaving his face. He was just about 10 minutes early before the violet eyed males shift ended.
"I'm sorry, do you want me to come back again in ten minutes?" He laughed. Tamaki gave a small laugh.
"Alright miss, that will be $4.29," The lady at the register gave changed to Tamaki. "Thank you, come again!" The woman smiled, slipping a thank you towards Tamaki.
"And no. More time with you. It's always the best." Tamaki gave his best charming smile, leaning over the desk towards Kaoru. "Come back here," Kaoru nodded, blush still evident on his face, walking through the door-gate that Tamaki opened for him. "You can sit right there if you want," The blond pointed to a chair that was off to the side.
"Alright," Kaoru sat himself, leaning himself against the counter top. The palm of his hand propped up against his cheek. He stared at Tamaki, who was wearing a white button up top. Sleek black pants, and an apron that hugged his front. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off his ivory skin.
Tamaki had been busy with orders, taking just a little over 5 minutes preparing the drinks for customers. He handed a coffee cup to a male, with proper manners being tossed back and forth.
Kaoru stood up as soon as Tamaki opened the little door gate for him. He walked out, Tamaki following close behind. "Okay, Honey, I'll see you tomorrow!" Tamaki called to the back, "See ya tomorrow, Mori-sempai." Tamaki waved over to the stoic male, who had came out from the back to take over the cash register.
"Hm," he nodded. Tamaki grabbed his coat off the coat hanger and slipped both his arms through the sleeve.
"You ready?" He asked Kaoru, who nodded, "Cool." Tamaki gave Kaoru a lopsided smile. Kaoru opened the door, holding it open for the blonde walking behind him.
"Do you have anything planned?" Kaoru asked, he didn't really know what to do before he told Tamaki about his affection for the blonde.
"Not really, I was hoping something spontaneous would happen. Seems to always happen," Kaoru laughed lightly. They walked down the street, out of the area. Both hoping for something to happen. "Did you want to go anywhere?"
"I don't, actually. I didn't think I would have to plan anything." Kaoru's mind went into thought, was there anywhere special that he liked to be?
"Of course not, dear, that's my job-"
"Well, it looks like you didn't do a good job," Kaoru smiled over to Tamaki, who chuckled at the statement. Tamaki knew Kaoru was pulling on his leg. It was so nice to joke around with someone who wouldn't take it in a bad way.
"What should be open at 6?" Tamaki wondered, "I'm thinking of the shop, but if we go back there, i might have to work. So work is a no-no right now." Right now is all for you, Tamaki almost added.
"There's always something to do at town centre," Kaoru added, shrugging his shoulders. It would be public, though. Kaoru wasn't too fond of crowded places.
"Do you want to go there?"
"Not really,"
"Then why'd you say?"
"Just a suggestion." Tamaki stared at the golden brown eyes male, laughing and shaking his head.
"You're impossible." They both continued on walking, seeming to come up with ideas on what they should do. They passed by a small park, maybe 10 metres in length, and 8 in width. The smallest park they had both seen. There was a small stage that was against the wall of a five storey building. Picnic tables were lined up by the sidewalk, and in front of the stage, a small empty area for people to look towards the stage. They sat down at on of the picnic tables, across from each other.
They weren't even a mile away from the coffee shop and they decided to settle with this cute little showing area/park. There weren't many people out. Maybe in the buildings across the street, but barely anyone outside.
Tamaki smiled over at Kaoru, giving a soft look. "I heard that my boss might give me a raise," Kaoru glanced up, taking in his words.
"Really? Thats great! How long have you been working there?" Kaoru leaned over the table, putting his chin in his hands.
"Yeah, it really is. I've been working a little over 2 years there. Honey and Mori helped me out with getting the job." Kaoru loved the far away look in the blondes eyes. There would always be some sort of shine to them every time he recalled something.
The redheads lips curved upward, he loved everything about the man in front of him. Sometimes, he would catch Tamaki slipping to French, and it was foreign to his ears to hear another language. So unique and interesting. Tamaki was unique and interesting.
They both talked, shared laughters. Occasionally, people walked by. Greeting the two with a smile and carried on their merry ways. Tamaki was in the middle of telling Kaoru about his mother, who was back in Paris, when his phone started to ring. Kaoru looked at the caller ID, swiping the phone to answer the call. He told Tamaki that it was his brother.
"Yes, Hika?" He shot Tamaki an apologetic look, he listened to the other.
"When are you coming home? Mom wanted to say something important at dinner, but you weren't here and we have to wait til tomorrow." Kaoru can hear the anxiousness in Hikaru's voice. "Or you know, whenever she can have dinner with us again," Kaoru wondered what she wanted to say.
"Sorry, Hika.. Do you think you know what she was gonna say?"
"Sounded like something important. Anyways. When you coming home? We have school tomorrow and its almost 9pm. You hear that?" Hikaru's asked, a source of curiosity in his voice.
"Hear what?"
"The sound of your alarm clock going off before you even get home." Kaoru had to laugh. His brother was ridiculous, and bad at jokes.
"I get it, I get it. I'll be home soon."
"Where are you anyway?" Kaoru can hear Hikaru muttering curse words, and the sound of automatic guns going off. "Dammit.."
"I'm with Tamaki.." Kaoru looked over to Tamaki, who eyes were locked o the phone. The violet eyed male looked up to give a smile to the redhead.
Over the line, snogging kissing noises could be heard. Kaoru blushed, "Hika! Stop that."
"Nope. That's my line whenever I ever catch you guys. Except Kao instead of Hika." Hikaru laughed.
"Can you leave me alone now? I'll be home soon. I'll call you when I'm on the bus."
"No can do, bro. I already sent a vehicle to get you. 'Reminds me, where you at? I only told the driver that you were at the coffee shop and never gave him an exact address of where your are now." Kaoru rolled his eyes, giving him the street names of his current location. "Alright, see ya later," the line went dead.
"Sorry about that," Kaoru looked up, Tamaki had been texting someone, a look of uncertain in his face.
"It's fine, but you have to go now?" Tamaki's face fell, but was brought back up the second if showed.
"Not right now, I have to wait a bit before my ride gets here." Kaoru smiled. "Do you need a ride home? It's a bit too dark out to walk home by yourself." Kaoru reasoned. He wanted to spend more minutes with the blonde. Tamaki wanted that, too.
"If you don't mind, then yes." Kaoru smiled. Tamaki had been texting his mother a good afternoon, and asked if she was feeling well. He had also asked for a bit of advice, which she greatly gave to him. Their conversation ended with Tamaki's mother bidding him goodnight and to sleep well.
"No I don't mind," Kaoru became silent, wondering if he should tell Tamaki now. Or to tell him later. He felt confidence at the moment, but it was slowly being pulled down.
"Kaoru?" Tamaki stared at Kaoru, who sported a small frown on his face. "You okay?" Kaoru looked at Tamaki and smiled.
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"Something on your mind?" Tamaki asked, genuine concern evident in his voice.
"Just thinking, I'm wondering what mom had to say. Apparently something important." Kaoru shrugged, hoping this would convince the male. Tamaki nodded. Kaoru didn't think he could tell him now. They both had such a good time. It should be the right time to tell him. Before the vehicle pulled up, which could be at any moment-
"Kaoru, I, uh, need to tell you something?" Kaoru snapped out of his trance. What could Tamaki want to tell him? He didn't want to get his hopes up, for he fears it might not even be the same thing he was thinking of.
"Of course, what is it?" Kaoru smiled, straightening his torso. He both kind of hoped it would and wouldn't. It was strange.
"I, uh, here." Tamaki was constantly stuttering, slipping over his words. He reached into his pocket and gave Kaoru a folded paper. "Maybe you can read it when you get home? Or read it now? It's up to you," This paper, that Kaoru had in his hands, could erase the uneasiness in his chest or it could worsen it.
Kaoru didn't know when to open it. He wanted to read it now, but he didn't want to read it in front of Tamaki. He didn't know if he wanted Tamaki to see any kind of expression he would bear if he read the paper. He didn't know what he was expecting to be written in the letter.
"Young Master Hitachiin?" Kaoru looked up to see a man in a suit bowing his head.
"Oh, right. Thanks for picking me up. You don't mind if we drop my friend of at his place?" Kaoru asked, smile pasted on his face.
"Of course not, Young Master." He smiled and motioned for both of us to the vehicle. The driver opened the door for both Kaoru and Tamaki. "I presume this is Young Masters friend, Suoh-sama?"
"Yep," Kaoru smiled brightly, proud that his driver had remembered his friends name. He could call him a friend, right? Crush, maybe?
The driver nodded, closing the door. A few seconds later, they had begun moving. Kaoru stared at the paper in his lap, eyes occasionally glancing to Tamaki, who had been watching, a tint of pink to his cheeks. That could mean a good thing, right? Kaoru wondered.
They had gotten to Tamaki's place without much interaction between the two. Kaoru had been fighting off impulse to open and read the letter.
"I'll see you next week hopefully?" Tamaki asked, a smile sitting gracefully on his lips.
"Yeah, of course, see you then." The blonde smiled and closed the door, walking into his small, in comparison to Kaoru's, house. It looked cozy. Kaoru sighed looking over the letter now. He could read it now, which he did. He unfolded it twice, turned it right side up and began to read.
'Listen, Kaoru, I have something to say,' the note said. Confusion began to set. 'I'm a bit nervous at what you would think about it, so here goes,'
The next line made Kaoru not want to read it. It was a love letter. He understood that much. He had been blushing so hard. 'Your hair, it shines like the prettiest copper anyone could ever have.' Kaoru had become red within minutes. No, seconds. He didn't want to keep reading, but he wanted to know what else Tamaki had written. 'Its soft to the touch, with the scent of lavender and cinnamon.' He almost cried out, in embarrassment, in pure joy. 'Your eyes, a rich sweet honey colour, they send little jolts of shivers when I look into them, they could slow down anyone's time. Only to stare into them for an eternity.' Kaoru read all the way to the bottom. He had to stop every now and then. He needed to control himself, else he would have a heart attack.
'Kaoru, to put it plainly: I'm head over heels in love with you. ~ Tamaki Suoh'
He almost screamed.
He heard a knock on the window, the vehicle stopped moving. The door opened and his driver escorted him out of the vehicle and safely into the house. He was in a daze, a smile plastered on his face. He felt like he wasn't walking, but floating. He looked in the dining room, no one was in there. He walked to the other side of the dining room, opening a door that lead to the kitchen. He needed to eat something.
There was a not on the counter, 'Kaoru, there's a plate for you in the fridge, heat it up in the microwave. Bed after that. Good night, momma' he smiled at the note and threw in it the garbage. He went to the fridge to retrieve his plate. He heat it up and ate it in the kitchen, leaning against the counter. His mind constantly kept going to Tamaki, and the note. He would constantly blush.
Now that he knew Tamaki felt the same. He wanted to call or text him. He wanted to tell him in person. He wanted Tamaki to know that he acknowledged the letter. He wanted to visit Tamaki. Tell him that he feels the same.
He smiled and it stayed that way for the rest of the night.
Kaoru hesitantly walked up to the coffee shop. He hasn't contacted Tamaki after he read the letter, he felt no need to. Now it was the next day and he was nervous. He was still in his school uniform, he had eagerly waited for school to end so he can go to the coffee shop and tell Tamaki.
Now he was beginning to regret that. Tamaki might not be in right now. He might not be working this day. He was at the side of the building, trying to muster up the courage and walk in there. He walked to the front, peeking his head through the window. He spotted Tamaki, he was grabbing the empty dishes the people left behind. Cups, mugs, spoons, knives, small plates, large plates, coasters and forks. There wasnt all that many dishes he needed to pick up. Kaoru took notice of the long face Tamaki had on. Kaoru but his lip, feeling guilty for not messaging Tamaki the minute he finished reading the letter.
Feeling his confidence boost, he smiled and walked in. Mori was working the cash register and took the first notice to Kaoru. He nodded and waved hello. Kaoru brought a finger to his lips and nudged his head to where Tamaki was. Honey walked out from the back to see this too. Kaoru walked up behind Tamaki, wrapping his arms around his narrow waist.
He felt Tamaki flinch. The blonde turned around, only to see a blushing Kaoru in his view.
"H-hi, Tono.." He smiled up at Tamaki. The blonde was late to react, he had his ivory skin turn red. Kaoru reached into his pocket, pulling out the letter Tamaki had given him last night. The blondes lips formed an o shape, breathing out a sigh.
Kaoru giggled. Bringing his lips to Tamaki's cheek.
Yes, he had grown to love this place, and a certain French- Japanese loving idiot, too.
-line break-
Well, there you have it. The final part. Originally, it was going to be ending where Tamaki would confess and have a big kiss, but this came to my mind and i just had to write it out.
Sorry for the lateness, my laptop gave up. I was lucky to have saved this chapter in the documents on this site. i've written a lot more, and im updating this via iPod, too. So it was just a bit of a challenge and the fear of constant crashing, which never happened so yay.
thanks for your reviews, and glad you waited this long.
Ps. Someone suggested that I could do so much with this, and i plan to. I will be working on it soon, and will start putting up chapters as soon as i could get myself a new laptop or computer . So thank you.