Tales of the Stars

Book:1

Chapter 5

Kyoya adjusted his glasses and tried to sit up. An attempt to get some information ended with him on the floor and Staria on top of him. He wasn't necessarily complaining, but the fall had hurt a bit.

"Are you two alright?" Tamaki asked running over.

"Physically yes." Staria said pushing herself up off of Kyoya as carefully as she could, "My ego's pretty bruised though." She knew her face was beat red, but there was nothing she could do about it. She'd just gotten closer than she had planned to her new crush. Her senses were going a little haywire. She gladly took Tamaki's hand when he offered it, and fixed her dress with what little dignity she felt she had left.

"Let's take a break." Tamaki suggested, as he helped Kyoya to his feet as well. "I'll make us some tea."

"Sorry about that." Staria apologized to Kyoya as Tamaki went to the supply closet. She sat down on one of the couches. "You're not hurt are you?"

"Not really." Kyoya stretched a bit, making his spine pop.

"It sounds like your back is telling another story." she observed.

"It does that from time to time. You were doing quite well before the spill though."

"I got distracted. Guess I'm not coordinated enough to handle conversation while dancing yet." She mocked herself. She tried not to tense up as Kyoya sat down beside her and made himself comfortable, spreading his arms out over the back of the sofa. She'd gotten a nose full of his scent when her face was buried in his chest, and now she was a bit over sensitive to it. She was pretty sure it was just his body wash she smelled, but then again it might have been a faint cologne. Either way she was fascinated with it, and that was a problem at the moment. She didn't know if she could handle being close to him any more for the day. She wasn't the type to confess to a guy first. She knew it was old fashioned but she just couldn't see herself taking the lead in that way. She needed to find a way out soon.

Kyoya leaned back into the sofa and closed his eyes. He did hurt still but he wasn't sure if he wanted to use the guilt card to get information out of her. He pondered for a moment why he was hesitating at it. Usually it wouldn't phase him in the least, and he'd have the information he wanted rather easily. Maybe Tamaki's tenderheartedness was rubbing off on him more. He never thought of himself as evil, but he knew he had a more dark nature, than the rest of the club members. The twins would be close second. He took a glance at Staria when he felt her fidgeting. She was obviously antsy. Embarrassment could do that to you, but the fall wasn't that big of a deal. Why was she acting that way?

"Are you alright?" he finally asked, but didn't move from his spot. She jumped, as though he scared her out of her thoughts, and looked at him.

"Um, yeah, sorry I was kinda in my own little world." she laughed nervously. "I think I'm gonna go see if Tamaki needs any help." She jumped up, a bit faster than necessary, and scampered off. She was an odd girl. Odd, but entertaining.

Tamaki was purposely taking his time, wanting his friends to have some time alone. Staria had really grown on him in the past few days. She was genuinely a friend and he felt that a new relationship would be good for her. She needed to get over Gene before she ended up with serious psychological and emotional damage. The trouble was Kyoya. He'd never really shown any interest in dating at all. He saw most girls as idiot husband hunters or more recently as clients. He knew his best friend would never take the initiative, even if he was interested. He'd been shoved under his father's thumb for so long that all he did was study and network to prove himself in the future. He probably figured his family would just some day pick a bride for him and he'd settle for it. Kyoya needed a relationship he chose on his own, even if it was just for the experience of it. He knew he was going to have to push Staria. If she didn't move first nothing would happen. He had his work cut out for him.

"Need some help?" Staria popped up out of nowhere.

"Oh! Don't sneak up like that." Tamaki jumped but recovered quickly, "Why aren't you with Kyoya?"

"I thought you might need a hand."

"No. I offered so you two could have some private time." he hinted and Staria flushed again. "What? It's perfect. He's obviously hurt, at least a little, even if he won't own up to it. You can baby him a bit and melt some of that icy exterior."

"Tamaki!" Staria covered his mouth with her hands "Don't. Ok. I can't get closer to him. Not now."

The blond felt her hands trembling and pulled them gently down from his face. "Staria talk to me." He kept a hold of her hands, noticing they were cold.

"I can't. I'm not the type to make a move first, and Kyoya's not interested any ways. Aside from dancing, and that mishap, this is the closest I'll get to him. Don't press the issue please." She begged him.

Tamaki frowned, "Alright, I'm sorry. I'll let things be. But in all seriousness, are you feeling alright? You're hands are freezing." She was a bit flushed but that was more from embarrassment, he was pretty sure.

"I'm fine. My hands are always cold. Mom says I have bad circulation. I think I'm just a little cold natured." He felt her forehead any ways and frowned again. She wasn't as flushed any more but it was still warm and a tad bit clammy. She hadn't been dancing that quickly to work up a sweat. Staria batted his hand away.

"Can I help you with the tea or not?"

"Fine. Take the cups and saucers over. The water's almost boiled, then I'll join you two." Tamaki didn't get irritated easily but that day he was almost willing to make an exception.

Kyoya had shifted on the couch so he was sitting normally again. His back had stopped hurting and he was about ready to continue their lesson.

"Tamaki said the tea will be ready in just a moment." Staria said setting the cups out on the coffee table.

"Good, we can have our treat and then get back to work." He smiled though Staria still seemed flustered. He turned when he heard the door to the music room open. They weren't having a meeting today, and the club was closed, so no one should have reason to be there. The twins popped their heads in.

"So you are here." Hikaru said walking in.

"We were guessing you'd do your lesson on a non club day." Kaoru added.

"Staria, mom said to drop by this Sunday." Hikaru informed the girl, sharing a grin with his brother.

"She's got a show the day before so things will be slower then." Kaoru added.

"Alright. I'm sure the driver can drop me off." Staria flattened out her skirt as she sat down.

"Tamaki will probably insist on joining you." Kyoya commented.

"He has been rather protective hasn't he." The twins said as one.

"You guys are a little creepy when you do that." Staria watched the twins take over the couch across from her an Kyoya. "What kind of show is your mom putting on?"

"Some "Red Carpet Drama" type thing." Hikaru waved off the question. "It's all flashy over the top, not her usual chic style."

"I'd still like to see it." Staria wanted to see what kind of things the mother of these two odd balls could create. The younger boys exchanged a look.

"Well…."Kaoru started.

"Kyoya was going to join us any ways…." Hikaru continued.

"We suppose you could tag along if you wanted." they finished as one.

"Really? That would be cool." she was getting excited over the idea of actually seeing a real fashion show in person. Tamaki came over with the tea and nodded a hello to the twins.

"Go if you want Star. I'll be meeting with my father that day though, so I won't be able to join you. I'm sure Kyoya would be nice enough to escort you, since the twins will more likely than not be giving their mother an extra hand or two." He host king smiled pouring tea for everyone, having brought extra cups upon hearing the twins enter. He wanted to keep the twins from picking on her, but if he could get the would be couple some alone time then he'd make a sacrifice.

"Would you mind?" Staria tilted her head and looked up at Kyoya, not really aware of her own adorableness at the moment.

"I suppose it would make more sense to go together rather than trying to all meet up at the event. Just be sure you're ready to go." He wondered if Tamaki had taught her that trick or if it was just one of her quirks. Something about it made him not want to disappoint her. The car ride to the show would be an excellent opportunity to grill her for information again. Hard to escape a moving vehicle unless you're trained or have a death wish.

"Thank you!" Staria practically beamed. "This is gonna be so cool!" She took a drink of her tea. Pausing once it hit her mouth, she remembered she wasn't a fan of tea. The boys all looked at her as she made a funny face, debating on if she should just swallow it or get up and find a sink to spit it out in. Finally deciding spitting would be too rude she downed the disliked drink and pushed the cup away.

"Is it bad?" Tamaki asked, worried he did something wrong.

"No it's not that," Staria didn't mean to hurt his feelings, "I'm just not really a tea drinker. I wasn't thinking and it didn't hit me till well obviously too late. I'm sorry I shouldn't have spaced out and told you."

Tamaki just smiled. If she was distracted to the point that she'd forget what she did and didn't like to drink, then she had it bad. One way or another he wanted to make something happen, but it would take time.