"Ky-Kyoya! You're going to kill me!"

"Nope."

Haruhi had awoken long ago. She had been content to lay still for about an hour, but she had neglected to take her contacts out before falling asleep, and she could barely keep her eyes open from the dryness.

The night before, their antics having finally caught up to them, the pair quietly moved some sofa cushions onto the floor, threw some blankets over it, and, after deeming it acceptable, fell on to their makeshift bed without a second thought. They were both asleep before their heads hit the cushions. Somehow during the night, Kyoya had managed to attain a vice-grip on Haruhi with both arms and legs. When she woke up that morning, she was surprised, but it quickly turned to amusement. She didn't mind the closeness, and found herself quite comfortable at the contrast between the cold room and Kyoyas overheated body. He mumbled in his sleep once or twice. Haruhi couldn't help but smile a little at how calm and relaxed the normally tense and business-like Kyoya Ootori was at that moment. Amused as she was that he was a cuddler, she really did have to take the contacts out. She had heard many times not to sleep with them in, and she was starting to worry that they would be stuck there forever, blinding her. The moment she tried to slither out of Kyoyas arms, however, his vice-grip turned into a death-grip, crushing Haruhi and causing her to yell out.

"Don't be silly, no ones ever died of strangulation," Kyoya mumbled. Despite the veins bulging from the effort in his arms, he looked quite peaceful and still very much asleep.

"That's insane and you're insane for saying that! Get off- GAH," His grip managed to tighten even further, constricting Haruhis lungs.

"C-can't brea-... Let GO!" With a final effort, Haruhi thrust her body upwards, managing to move about an inch. That inch allowed some more air into her lungs, but she was still very much trapped. She flung her body upwards again and again, inching her way up slowly like a desperate caterpillar. She had barely managed to travel a few more inches in about five minutes. All the movement roused a reluctant Kyoya from his sleep. He grumbled and relaxed immediately, sending Haruhi a bit too far. Her top half thudded on to the floor. She laid there for only a moment catching her breath, and then her annoyance reached its peak.

"What the hell was that for you jerk?"

"Nope."

Kyoya had already rolled over and fallen asleep once more.

Haruhi grumbled a bit before raising herself up off the floor, snatching her backpack up, and making her way to the bathroom, still barely being able to see.

By the time she had managed to remove her stubborn contacts, she had relaxed completely. Her thoughts turned to what happened the night before. Everything seemed like a blur, but she was fairly certain as to what exactly had happened. What was nagging her was why it had happened. She knew it couldn't be avoided, and sooner or later they would have to discuss it. She decided she'd have to make it sooner rather than later, and to bring it up the first chance she got. Determined, she looked into the mirror at her frazzled, bespectacled face.

Lucky I thought to pack my glasses with me, I wouldn't have been able to see a thing all weekend.

She shuddered at the thought before opening the bathroom door and returning to the main room.

By the time Kyoya woke up completely, Haruhi was sitting at Kyoyas desk next to his laptop, legs crossed and sipping coffee. She was staring into her cup in-between sips, swishing around the contents slowly. Kyoya watched her for a while, taking a strange sort of satisfaction in knowing that she had no idea she was being looked at. He was still feeling ready to pass out at any moment, and cursed his aching back. He hadn't woken up so uncomfortable in a very long time. Kyoya forced himself to sit up and clear his throat before speaking.

"Haruhi, did you look in that by any chance?'

She was slightly startled at his sudden speech, but she looked positively delighted. Kyoya put his glasses on, looking at her without expression.

"Hey, good morning, or uh afternoon I guess. I made you breakfast a while ago, but I put it in the fridge so you'll have to nuke it, I hope that's ok. Also I-"

"Haruhi, my question."

"Eh? Oh you mean your laptop?"

Kyoya nodded.

"Kyoya-senpai, there's something I think you should know about me. I have this thing about dying. It's something I'd rather avoid for as long as I can. Does that answer your question?"

"... So you didn't look in it?"

"Uh uh,"

"Well that's good to hear." He popped his neck, and sighed when the circulation came back a little. His back was really killing him. "The battery died while you were making dinner yesterday, it's good to see you didn't waste your time with it." He stood up and stretched.

"What? Why even bother asking in the first place?"

"Actually, breakfast does sound lovely right now. If you'll excuse me..."

Haruhi muttered under her breath, but otherwise said nothing. She glanced into her coffee again, before looking back at the laptop in front of her. She waited until after Kyoya was out of the room, then leaned back in her chair so she could see into the kitchen. Kyoya had his back turned to her and was looking at the microwave, tapping his foot. As quickly as she could, she opened the laptop, pressed the power button, and waited with bated breath. She sighed when nothing happened, snapping the top closed.

Damn rich bastard...

The day started to drag on much the same as it had on Friday. Haruhi figured that things would be more pleasant now, but things had only gotten more tense between the two of them. Kyoya sat in an armchair and occupied himself with writing in his little book. He looked at her intently every time she walked around, but otherwise remained focused on his writing, never making a sound besides the scratching of the pen. Haruhi tried making light conversation, but attempt after attempt was answered only with nods and grunts. Haruhi figured his silence was her cue not to speak unless spoken to, and took to trying a more physical approach. She draped herself across the armchair in front of him in her attempt to get a response out of him, but to no avail. She eventually settled with grabbing a textbook and devoting her attention completely to studies. She could wait, she was patient.

An hour dragged by, and Haruhi was shuffling lazily through the text, having lost all motivation to study slightly more than a dozen minutes in. The minutes seemed like hours to Haruhi as she tried to think of something, anything, to say to get a response out a Kyoya. Tossing aside her previous resolve, she spoke with an abundance of cheer in her voice.

"Hey so, looks like the snows clearing up. Maybe they won't have to dig us out of here after all."

"Mmm," Was the only response offered. Haruhi persisted, dropping most of the cheer.

"Sooo... whatcha been writing in there all this time?"

"Nothing of importance."

Ah hah! He lives!

"Oh? If it's not important can I see?"

"Uh uh."

"Why?"

"Private, confidential, none of your business, etc."

Haruhi pursed her lips and rested her head on the arm of the chair.

"That's not a response Kyoya. Besides, I've seen a lot more of the private you than whatever is in that book."

Kyoya twitched, but smiled.

"That's hitting below the metaphorical belt."

"It's getting a response out of you isn't it?"

"What kind of response are you looking for, exactly? Since we're talking about belts and things below them you're forcing me to assume the worst..."

"I didn't know you were a pervert."

"If I recall correctly you're the one that started it off, I take no blame here."

"You're the one that started everything off."

Kyoya didn't respond right away.

Ah, so we've come full circle...

"Jokes and metaphors aside, I've been meaning to talk to you. In all seriousness, if you please."

Haruhi fidgeted where in her seat, flipping a page in her textbook.

So here it is... Better sooner then later, after all.

"Uh yeah, about that. I uh..."

"Haruhi, if you regret it, I would have no objections." Kyoya never looked up from his writing,

Haruhi had to think about it for a moment. Kyoya sniffed.

"Not regret, I don't think that's it. I'm just... curious."

"Ah?"

"Well... why?"

"What do you mean?"

Haruhi took a deep breath before continuing.

"I mean, what's the benefit? What's the catch in this that I'm missing? You've made it clear before that you wouldn't get anything out of being with me, so what happened to change that last night? I need to know if I'm just a thing to you. I don't mind it either way, but I think at this point I have a right to know what's going on in your head. I don't mean to nag, but I think it's important."

Haruhis textbook had fallen on her chest while she spoke, and Kyoya had set down his book and pen gently beside him.

It's funny how you dance around the word 'sex' like that. Are you really that hurt? His voice was smooth when he spoke.

"That's a lot of questions to answer at once Haruhi... Not all of them have answers right now. I have my own reasons for doing what I did, but I'm afraid I can't properly explain those right now. I'll tell you eventually, I promise. However, I can tell you that you are not just a 'thing,' to me. I find a great deal of importance in what happened with us, but as to why... I implore you to have patience with me."

Haruhi thought for a moment, taking in the information. She noticed how he managed to say nothing at all with so many words, but she found herself oddly touched at the information he did come forth with. She smiled a little.

"I wasn't sure that you cared..."

"I thought I showed, quite sufficiently, that I care. I can see I'll have to try harder,"

"Not necessary, Kyoya,"

"Ah, I beg to differ, it is quite necessary."

Suddenly he was right next to her, his face inches from Haruhis. She blinked, then turned her head, lifting her textbook once more and burying her face in it. "I'm not that easily manipulated."

"If that was true, we wouldn't be in this situation right now would we?" He smirked and pat her head. She smacked his hand away.

"I'm not a dog you know."

"Oh I wouldn't be so sure, you seem to obey without much hassle. Now if only I could teach you to roll over and beg..."

"You're a sick person you know that?"

"I'm merely calculating the fringe benefits."

"Of what? No wait, actually, don't answer that, I don't want to know."

Kyoya chuckled and stood up. He walked back to his chair and rested his chin on his knuckles, smiling.

"I think I should be asking you the same questions from earlier, actually. I would take this opportunity to tell me exactly what is going on in your head."

Something about his host-voice being present when asking so much of Haruhi suddenly tinged Haruhis thoughts with a little drop of venom.

What the hell does he expect me to say? That last night changed my life, that I've been secretly in love with him and now is my chance to show my true colors? Wow, you're so kind Kyoya, I should be thanking you, in fact, for giving me such an amazing opportunity. Cause my feelings obviously matter so freaking much to you.

Haruhi looked at him without expression. She looked tired.

"Honestly, I don't think about my motivation, nor do I have any reasons for having... Having sex with you. You told me what would happen, so I just made a decision and went with it. I accept the consequences. There's little to no chance of me getting pregnant, I know you don't have any weird diseases, so I have no worries. I have nothing to gain, I have nothing to lose. It just happened. The thing is, you're my friend, and something of a coworker. It puts us in a weird position... Er, so to speak."

Kyoya smiled at her joke, but his eyes were downcast.

"That's a dangerously light attitude to take towards something like this, that's a good cause for worry. You surprise me though. You sound a lot like me there, Haruhi. I didn't know you had it in you." The humor was there, but it was mixed with the sound of disappointment.

"Eh well, I guess you're rubbing off on me, I'm sorry to say,"

Kyoya leaned back into his chair, running a hand through his hair as he spoke.

"Yes... Yes that's something I advice you to not let happen. I quite like you the way you are, frankly. That aside, there is the matter of us being in that coworker situation. I can say with a good amount of certainty that a few certain people would not take too kindly to the knowledge of our... Closeness."

Haruhi raised an eyebrow at him. She was finding it hard to stay angry at him.

"You remember me mentioning that a few certain people would love to be in a similar situation with you, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Well, what exactly did you think I meant?"

Haruhi knocked her knees together, curiosity replacing any ill feelings.

"I thought you meant the guests. That's what I meant when I said the same thing about you."

"Hmm. Flattered as I am, you misinterpret me. There are several guests that would be ecstatic, but that's obvious to anyone, and applies to us all. No, I meant some of the other hosts."

Haruhi, formed a slight 'o' with her mouth.

"What you mean... Hikaru? But you say some..."

"Yes, Hikaru is one, I'm glad you picked up on that. There's a few others that display more than friendship towards you. Myself included. I'd personally like to believe I'm at a distinct advantage by jumping the gun the way I have, however..."

"Uh, really?"

Kyoya shook his head.

Oblivious as always. No wonder so many boys get hurt by this girl. I wonder if she even thinks I...?

"Well, I wouldn't bet too much on my assumptions, even though my assumptions are rarely wrong, but I feel confident when I say a good three members display an unusual amount of affection towards you. You're an interesting girl, winning peoples affections with so little effort... 'Natural' truly defines you. Would you like to know who?"

Haruhi felt surprised. She hadn't even considered that anyone would actually show attraction to her besides Hikaru, and that didn't even feel entirely real. But then again...

"I think I know who," She said slowly, putting herself into a more natural sitting position as she did so.

"Impressive, do tell."

"Uh well, Hikaru, I know that," she held up one finger, "Maybe... Kaoru. Yeah I guess I can see that. The only other person would be..." Haruhi dipped her head in thought, tapping two fingers on her lips. Then a look of surprise, then shock, then horror crept over her face.

"No way..."

Kyoya crossed his legs, then smirked.

"Tamaki? It isn't Tamaki... It's Tamaki?"

He crossed his other leg, still smirking.

"I... Wow. Weird."

"Interesting perspective."

"How do you know?"

"Oh, I saw this happening the moment he discovered your true gender. It wasn't until very recently that he started realizing it himself though... Why, he called me just the other night, telling me the most fascinating things about you..."