Step #6
Sing A Lullaby
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When he and Kaoru were younger, they had a butler that they always demanded to sing them a lullaby. That butler had been a professional jazz singer before he came to work for them. He had had a beautiful voice, but age had affected it, causing it to not be as powerful and gorgeous as it once had been. But the lullaby stuck with Hikaru and Kaoru, whispering the words to one another when the butler could no longer sing. That butler was their favorite (besides their conniving nanny) and that man had been there with them for as long as Hikaru could remember. He had put up with their pranks, even laughed at them, and was always at their side, making sure they didn't get into too much trouble. His voice had been low with a jazzy undertone when he sang to them at night. Then, he would tuck them in, and dim the lights, leaving them to slip under Mr. Sandman's spell.
Hikaru lay on his side, clutching the sheets underneath him, staring into the darkness. It surrounded him, engulfing him in a shadowy shroud. He could smell Nathan's Old Spice cologne, the aroma of Tide detergent on the pillowcase, and the pine needle-scented candle that burned slowly on the nightstand. He could hear the deep rumble of Bing Crosby in the living room and he could hear the cars below passing by. He couldn't see much of anything, but he could make out the silhouettes of different objects around the room, and the flickering of the candle flame behind him gave the room a warm glow. The sheets beneath his fingertips were fuzzy and probably 100% cotton. And he could taste blood in his mouth, his tongue running over a sore in his mouth that he most likely got from biting the inside of his cheek accidently while he was asleep.
He didn't know why he had been thinking about that butler. He had been thinking about how empty the bed was and how he wished Kaoru was next to him, comforting him through these troubling times. Then, thoughts of Kaoru reminded him how they used to sleep in the same bed when they were kids, and how they would snuggle up against one another. That led to the silk sheets that used to wrap tightly around them at night and how those sheets were always tucked over them by one person: their butler. So that's how he got to the thoughts of his butler? Huh, he had a long thought process...
The song switched in the living room. It was still Bing Crosby, but Hikaru recognized the song.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush, don't you cry.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
"That's an Irish lullaby." Hikaru sang softly, singing a duet with Bing Crosby.
"Over in Killarney, many years ago. My mother sang a song to me in tones so sweet and low."
Just a simple, little ditty in her good old Irish way.
And I'd give the world if I could hear that song of her today.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush, don't you cry.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral
"That's an Irish lullaby." Hikaru whispered.
His butler's lullaby...
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"Hey, get up. Breakfast is ready." a woman said, shaking him.
He swatted her hand away, pulling the covers over his head. His attempt to try and get rid of the rude woman was all in vain, however, for she just grabbed the sheets, and ripped them off of him. It was warm in the house, but the absence of the sheets caused him to shiver. He could smell the delicious aroma of eggs, bacon, and something sweet...waffles, the sweet aroma belonged to waffles. Below them, he could hear the muffled sounds of people talking, laughing, and the clinking of glasses when they set them down. Hikaru groaned as he opened his eyes, the sun's rays that streamed through the window blinding him.
More shaking and the woman said, "Get. Up. Now. Breakfast is ready. By the way, dad has a proposal for you."
Hikaru sat up, rubbing his face slowly. There was sleep in his eyes and he rubbed it away, golden eyes making their way to the rude woman. His gaze met the glare of none other than Tara's younger sister and Nathan's second oldest daughter, Megan Alexander. She was tall, like most of the people in the Alexander clan, and she had the same beautiful blue-green eyes as her father and sister. She, however, looked more like her mother, with reddish-brown hair and a more slender, womanly body, unlike her sister. Hikaru had to remind himself that this woman was just as vicious as Tara, even if she didn't possess violent tendencies. Megan had a bite worse than a snake and she had venom that was more potent as well. The Alexander family was known for their outgoing, highly-opinionated women, just like his family, with his mother, grandmother, and sister.
Megan pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, reminding him of Kyoya. "You should get down there before your food gets cold."
"Yeah, I will, just let me get ready first."
"You have ten minutes. If you're not down there, I'm coming up and dragging you down there."
"Yes, ma'am." When in the presence of an Alexander female, always say 'yes, ma'am', and she'll let you live a little longer.
Megan left the room, leaving Hikaru to his own devices. He wondered if Nathan would care if he borrowed some clothes. The door to the bedroom opened again, Megan sticking her head in to say, "Oh, and dad doesn't care if you borrow his clothes, and he said you can use whatever you want in his bathroom." And the door closed once more. Hikaru found it creepy how she came in and answered his thoughts. Tara did mention something about Megan having the freaky ability to do such a thing.
Kaoru...can you feel my pain right now? We still have that twin telepathy, right?
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"Hikaru, you're disgusting, you know that?"
"What? Why?"
"The amount of syrup you're using...gross..."
"You put mustard on your waffles..."
"That's normal."
"No, that's disgusting."
"No, that's normal, like me."
"Cass, there is no part of you that's normal. You're more...abnormal."
Honestly, he found the woman sitting next to him quite annoying. Cassidy Blair, the handywoman of Alexander's Café. There was truth behind his words, though; there was no way you could describe this girl as normal. For one, her dress code was atrocious. She loved polo shirts and beanie hats, wearing one of each every day. Megan had once told him that Cassidy's closet was full of nothing but polos, plus a couple of jackets. Cassidy's hair was dyed a flaming red with blazing orange and yellow tips. In the sun, it looked like her head was on fire, but you could only see this if she removed her hideous beanies. Then, there were her eating habits. She liked mustard on her waffles, chocolate syrup on her hamburgers, and orange juice in her Frosted Flakes. He was a bad dining companion? Ha, they've never met Cassidy then. Cassidy Blair, more or less, had the personality of a child. She snickered at crude humor, liked to give wet willies, and asked too many questions, usually questions that hit right on the mark of somebody's issues. Maybe she was a child with a large amount of perception? She was surely a child with high intelligence. Cassidy was currently attending New York City's university and trying to earn a degree in engineering. Her goal: To enter the Airforce and work on airplanes, her obsession. Maybe the military could whip her into shape...
Nonetheless, she was annoying.
"Hey, nice shiner... Can I poke it?" Cassidy asked, her finger getting closer and closer to his eye.
He swatted away her hand. "No, you can't poke it."
"Can I poke his shiner?" a young woman across the table asked, a goofy grin spread across her features. Hikaru stared at the woman across from him, eyes narrowed.
Natalie Northwick, janitor of Alexander's Café. While Cassidy looked like a child, but had the brains of a genius, Natalie possessed the body of a goddess, but was empty upstairs. And it was completely and totally obvious that she harbored a crush on Hikaru. She was always looking for a reason to touch him- put her hand on his shoulder, pat his hair affectionately, hug him to death, the ways were endless. Plus, she was a total goof. She laughed at anything, even serious matters, and he could never figure out if she was just laughing to lighten the mood or she was laughing because she had no idea what was going on. And she had a loud laugh, a laugh that had enough power to burst someone's eardrums. Hikaru found her annoying as well, especially when she clung to his arm and dragged him everywhere.
"Does...um...does your eye hurt? Do you need...uh...ice?" a small, weak voice to his right questioned.
Kyle Henderson, waiter of Alexander's Café. If he had been a Host, he would've been labeled the Shy, Sweet, and Sensitive type, and he would've been wildly popular. He talked in a small voice and always seemed to have a blush on his cheeks, spreading out to his ears. He was medium-height with light brown, wavy hair that swooped down in front of his large, blue eyes. He was a klutz, too. Combine that with his personality and looks and you had an instant hit amongst the ladies. Women at the café loved to coo over him, especially the older ones, and they babied him to the max. The kid had no backbone, though, and he apologized too much and forgave too easily. But somehow, Hikaru couldn't believe this when it finally dawned on him, Kyle had managed to capture the heart of Megan Alexander, the vicious viper of the group. How she fell for a baby like him, Hikaru didn't know. Hikaru didn't like him; reminded him too much of Arai, Haruhi's old middle school friend. He should get over that...
"Hey, Luke, put away the comic, and join the conversation." Megan said, taking a sip of her orange juice.
"It's not a comic, it's manga."
Wow, the guy talked. Luke Bennett, one of the chefs at Alexander's Café. He was a silent otaku; Hikaru liked that Luke didn't squeal like Renge or try and change people's personalities like they were toys. During every break, Luke had his nose buried in a manga volume, and he always had on an anime shirt of some kind. Like Cassidy, he wore a black beanie over his black hair everyday, and Hikaru noticed that Luke had a habit of pulling it down just before his dark eyes when he was embarrassed, sad, or serious. He was known as the shadow of the group, Luke always lingered behind them. One of Luke's talents, which Hikaru hadn't had the chance to experience yet, was wood-working. Megan had mentioned something about the boy being a pro in his shop and Luke was attending college to be an architect. Luke wasn't annoying at all.
"Hikaru, do you want more syrup? That bottle's almost out." a woman between Megan and Natalie asked.
"Oh, uh, no thanks. I'm good."
Angela Carnegie, another chef at Alexander's Café and easily the most stunning in the group. With her sleek, black hair, flawless, dark skin, and perfect smile, she could've become a model with no problems, but she had other plans. Angela was interested in photography and was taking classes in college so she could become a professional. Hikaru had flipped through some of her scrapbooks and she was good at what she did. Hikaru connected with her the most out of everyone in the group. They both liked art and she made him feel warm, but he wasn't interested in her romantically. He enjoyed being just friends, but he regretted the fact he never contacted her. He should do that more...
There were whispers around them and they all seemed to be about him.
"Oh, look at that handsome man over there. I bet he has a beautiful girl in his life."
"Check out that total hottie over there! He's just my type!"
"Mom, what would you do if I came home with a man as sexy as that?"
Hikaru glared at Cassidy when he heard her snicker. "Who could ever be attracted to you? You're cranky."
Hikaru opened his mouth to say something, but Megan replied, "Tara told me that he and his brother used to do...twincest."
"Twincest? What's that?" Oh God no, don't answer Angela's question.
"Incest, but with twins." Now Luke was annoying.
"Ohhh, so that's why he doesn't have a girlfriend. He's gay." Cassidy was about to get punched.
"Who's gay?" someone from behind them asked.
They all looked over to see who their visitor and Hikaru's eyes widened to the size of saucers. Salem Warsaw, Cassidy's surrogate father. If there was anyone in the world Hikaru despised most, it was the man right in front of him. He was sarcastic, cold-hearted, and liked to mess with people's minds. For a long time, Hikaru figured him for a sociopath, but Salem had one person in his life that he cared for most: Cassidy. That childish girl had successfully managed to bury a hole under his skin and stay there. He cared for her and her only, and he had no shame in hurting others. Cassidy had tried on many occasions to find him a woman, but like Hikaru, every woman that Salem dated ended up emotionally scarred. Unlike Hikaru, however, Salem liked being alone. Salem was, for the most part, a snake.
"Hikaru and he has a thing for his brother." Cassidy answered.
"Huh, figured him for a queer. Hikaru, by the way, I'm not available." Salem said with a sneer.
"I'm not gay..."
"First step is always denial. Hey, do you know what brand these jeans are? They're really comfortable."
"Oh, those are Prada."
Salem lifted an eyebrow, "Second step is having an extensive knowledge of designer clothes. Fruit..."
"I am not gay." Hikaru hissed.
"Ooo, attitude. Kyle, don't you like them feisty?"
"U-uh, um...I w-wouldn't k-know..." Kyle sputtered out.
Now, Megan jumped up, slamming her fists against the table. The motion attracted a lot of attention. "Don't say that, Warsaw. What about you, huh? Too ashamed to admit that you prefer companions of the same gender rather than the opposite? Is that why you don't have a woman in your life?"
"Uh, no. I actually don't prefer anyone. But, enough about me, what about you, Meg? There must be a reason behind your vicious nature. Not gettin' any? Is Kyle not good enough?"
Megan growled, her face turning a dark scarlet. Hikaru couldn't help but notice that Kyle's was turning the same color.
"Ah, it seems I hit the mark. Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but duty calls. Also, Fruitcup-" Hikaru assumed it was him he was referring to by the way Salem stared directly at him. "-Nathan wants to have a word with you. He's in the back." Before Salem walked away, he caught sight of Cassidy's plate, and grimaced. "What the hell are you eating?"
"Mustard and waffles." Cassidy replied.
"You have fucked up taste buds." And he left after saying, "C'mon, fruitcup. The Big Boss is waiting."
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"So, you want me to be a waiter?"
"Yep. Kyle already attracts a lot of customers due to him being such a cutie-pie. You, however, will attract the younger ladies."
"I feel like a Host again."
"And that's exactly why I want you to do it. You already have experience, but you're going to be paid because of it."
"Oh, you don't have to pay me. I'm already rich; I just want something to keep me occupied."
Nathan sent him a doubtful look, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure."
A dark-skinned man that was standing beside Nathan laughed, "Hey, mon, can I have 'is paycheck t'en."
Simon Carnegie, second-in-command, as well as the father of Angela. He had a great sense of humor, a friendly disposition, and always had a smile on his face. He was originally from Jamaica, but met a tourist, and started a relationship with her. That tourist was his wife today with almost thirty years behind them. Simon's Jamaican accent had faded a long time ago, but he still talked like he had on the island. Out of all the adults, Hikaru liked Simon the best, tied with Nathan of course. Angela had definitely inherited his personality.
Nathan returned the laugh, "I'm actually a bit relieved he didn't want a paycheck. I'm saving up as much as possible for the expansion."
"You're expanding?" Hikaru asked.
"Yep. I'm hoping for a restaurant. I have so many people coming in everyday that I have to turn some away. I can't have that."
"Tara never mentioned anything."
"That's because she didn't know. I decided just recently and I haven't told anyone but the staff."
Something buzzed in Hikaru's pocket and he slipped out his phone.
Red Hue: Message from Ripley Barrett.
A warm feeling spread through him when he read those words. Nathan cocked an eyebrow, "What's up?"
"I just got a message from a friend of mine."
Hikaru didn't notice the smile that Nathan sent in his direction. The blonde man remembered something his eldest daughter said to him the night before. Something about how happy Hikaru looked whenever he got a message from a woman off of Red Hue named Ripley Barrett. Tara had said that she loved seeing that smile on Hikaru's face. Nathan knew of the young man's situation with Haruhi and how his heart had broken in two.
"You can go upstairs and talk to her if you want. Come down around eleven and tell me whether or not you want the job."
Hikaru did just that. He went upstairs, plopped himself down on the couch, and allowed himself to relax.
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Dear Hikaru,
Are you okay? Oh my gosh, I can't believe that happened! How's your face? Does it still hurt? Good for Tara! We all rooted for her when I read aloud that she punched him in the face. Did she knock him out? I hope she knocked him out. I love it when bastards get punched in the face. And dude, are you going to move to another apartment because if Psybro (that's what I'm going to call him) is staying with that girl, then wouldn't he keep harassing you since you insulted his sister? Or learn karate or tai kwon do or something so you can whoop his ass the next time he lays a hand on you. Whip out nunchuks and smack him in the face...like Mikey from Mutant Ninja Turtles. My brother suggested shooting him and getting it over with, but I said that you didn't possess two acres of land to bury the body, so that idea was shot down. Plus, you probably don't own a gun, am I right?
...reading this, I realized I ramble, even in my writing.
From,
Rip B.
P.S. My friend fainted when I told her you and your brother went all the way.
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Dear Rip,
Yeah, I'm okay now, and my face is feeling fine. I'm staying with Tara's dad for right now so things can settle down. I'm not sure about the whole moving away thing yet. Maybe him living with her isn't permanent. By the way, I love the name Psybro for him. Better than the Brute or Fucktard (Tara's name for him). What are the Mutant Ninja Turtles? Sounds kind of stupid... I like how your response to your brother didn't include me being possibly arrested, but your answer was about burying the body. And no, I don't own a gun.
I like your rambling.
Five questions thing again:
1. What are your roommates' names?
2. What are you doing for Christmas?
3. What do you want for Christmas?
4. Which shoe do you put on first?
5. What are you scared of?
From,
Hikaru H.
P.S. I laughed for a very long time when I read that. How long was she out?
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Dear Hikaru,
My roommates' names are MJ, Dawn, Renee, and Erika. Dawn's the twincest lover. And she loves how you've crossdressed. For Christmas, I think we're going to have a big get-together with our families, and then I'm going to my aunt's. I want joy and peace in the world... Ha, whatever, I want Halo 4. Master Chief over A Peaceful World. I really need to get my priorities straight. Um, I put on my left shoe first. And I have some rather childish fears: bugs and the dark. Renee tortures me by turning off all the lights every night. Scary...
1. What do you miss most about being a kid?
2, 3, 4, & 5. Answer your questions.
By the way, I'm glad you're okay. It made me very happy reading that!
From,
Rip B.
P.S. She was out for a good five minutes, muttering things about 'twins' and 'sexy'. I think she was imagining it.
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He had butterflies in his stomach when he read that she was happy he was alright. He even felt his face grow a little warm. Did she already care about him or was she just being nice? He wanted her to care about him. He wished he could've seen her reaction when she read about him getting beat up. He pictured her gasping and covering her mouth with her hand, fearful for him. He liked the feeling of having someone scared for him.
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Dear Rip,
I miss sleeping in the same bed as my brother and I miss my butler singing 'Irish Lullaby' to us every night. I'm probably going to watch the Christmas Day Parade and then do nothing. What I want? I want Kaoru to come visit me. I miss him a lot. I wish he'd just come live with me. And I guess I'm scared about losing my friends and family. Other than that, I feel like fear gets in the way of adventure.
1. What did you do growing up that got you in trouble?
2. If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?
3. Are you a touchy-feely person?
4. Have you ever had a crush on a cartoon/video game character?
5. Have you ever walked out on a movie at a theater?
From,
Hikaru H.
P.S. That is too funny.
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Dear Hikaru,
Honestly, I never really did anything bad. There was the razor strap hanging on the wall, a warning for all four of us to behave. I guess I got in trouble for fighting with Mark (Joey and Quin were the ones that fought with each other) and I mouthed off a couple times. Other than that, nothing. The title of my autobiography: 'The Many Minds of Me and How To Deal With Them'. No, I'm not a touchy-feely person; I don't hug my friends that often. Weirdly enough, I hug my friends, but not my best friends. I know my friends don't know I don't like hugs and I don't want to be rude by rejecting their hugs, but my best friends know me well enough that I don't like hugs. And I have had crushes on make-believe characters, lots of them. No one in real life interested me. Yes, I have walked out on a movie- Watchmen.
1. Are you a window or aisle person?
2. Pet peeves?
3. Optimistic or pessimistic?
4. What's the biggest mistake you've made?
5. Have you ever written a love letter?
I 'awwwed' at all your answers for my questions. We all think it's adorable how you miss your brother so much.
And don't spend Christmas alone! If you do, we'll all kidnap you and bring you over here to celebrate!
From,
Ripley B.
P.S. Dawn wants to know if you were seme or uke. I can't believe we're having this conversation...
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Dear Rip,
Aisle person, especially when someone I like is sitting in the aisle next to me. My biggest pet peeve is when people do romantic things in front of me. That's when I feel most lonely. Pessimistic. I've never written a love letter, but I want to. Mind if I send one to you?
I have to go now. I finally have a job! A waiter at Tara's dad's cafe. I have to dig up my old Host skills and put them to use again, but this time there won't be any brotherly love.
I'll try and message you later.
From,
Hikaru
P.S. Seme.
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Steps to being a good Host:
1. As you set down glasses, make sure you cushion the bottom with your pinky so that it doesn't clink.
"One ice tea for you with lemon, two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice, and a tall glass of chocolate milk for the beautiful, young lady beside her equally beautiful mother." He set down each glass as carefully as he could. Hikaru remembered another pet peeve he had and that was when waiters and waitresses plopped glasses down in front of him, resulting in a rather loud thud. He remembered the beginning days of the Host Club when Tamaki would drill meaningless ways in he and Kaoru, such as the pinky-cushioning thing. Now, he couldn't bear to watch someone allow their glasses to be set down too hard. From his pouch pocket, he pulled out a single rose, and bent slightly down so that he was closer to the lanky, chicken-legged nine-year old. He handed her the rose, sending her his best smile.
2. Have roses handy and tell them that their beauty is far greater than any flower you've seen.
"For you," he said, sending her his signature smile.
He watched as each female's faces turned a deeper hue and the girl accepted the rose carefully, looking like she didn't want to break it. Before Hikaru accepted the job, he had run to the nearest flower shop, and purchased several dozen roses. If he was going to be acting like a Host again, he was going to present his young customers with flowers, just like they used to do. Tomorrow, he was going to present pansies to his customers, telling them how he hoped they would never forget him, just like he would never forget them and their beauty.
"My dear," Hikaru said, tilting his head to the side a bit. "Your beauty is far greater than any rose I've ever seen." He then sent a smile towards the girl's mother. "Not a surprise though, her mother is just as beautiful." Pleasant gasps escaped each woman and the eight-year old was speechless.
Wasn't it kind of creepy that a man in his twenties just commented about how their daughter was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen?
3. A side glance is always effective.
Another one of his customers was chatting excitedly to her friends, not noticing the lone twin that slowly approached her from behind. She finally did notice when he came in from the side, eyeing her with half-closed golden orbs. "Can I get you anything? Anything you desire?"
"Oh...um...n-no thank you. I'm s-set." He was about to walk away when one of her friends said, "Can you get me some more tea, please?"
He bore his eyes into the woman's when he turned to her, grabbing her outstretched glass, making sure to brush his long fingers against hers.
"Of course. How can I say no to a beautiful maiden such as yourself?"
Every one of those old hags blushed. He still had it.
4. If one of your customers is bold, be bold right back.
Bold was the only way to describe one of his customers. She was attractive and had a sultry air to her.
"Is there anything I can get you?"
Her smile was seductive and she cupped her chin with hand, red-painted talons displayed prominently against her creamy skin.
"I would like a platter of you to go." She was a vixen.
He shot her a wicked smile. "Only if you like your food extremely hot."
5. Capture the hearts of your older customers.
"...my mother was always away so my brother and I were neglected as children, causing us to become extremely close. I miss my brother everyday and I wish I had some company. I feel...I feel like a part of me has been ripped away. But we both have always wanted a mother-figure in our lives."
How he got onto this topic, he didn't know, but the women in front of him all had looks of pity.
"That's so...sad..."
"We'll come visit you every day."
He gave them a warm smile, "I would love that very much. Thank you."
Suck on that, Kyle.
...\~/...
"Hikaru, do you know how many customers have come up to me, begging for reservations?" Nathan exclaimed.
"I don't know, but I feel like you're going to tell me."
"Twenty-eight and that's only at lunch time! Add that with Kyle's success... You guys are my secret weapon!"
"I didn't exactly like the style I was using. I felt too much like Milord."
"I don't care! You are awesome, Hikaru! Oh, do you think Kyoya would host the next time he and Tara come down?"
"He might, I don't know. He'd probably find ways to make you more money."
"Tara told me all about the Host Club and how successful you guys were." A gasp. "What if I started my own Host Club?"
"Only if you could find handsome men with entirely too much time."
"Megan could hook me up with people. What types would there be? Ooo, I'm so excited!"
"I can see that...
"Just think of all the cash I would be raking in!" Nathan took Hikaru by the shoulders, turned him around, and started pushing him towards the kitchen doors. "Get back to work and go be your awesome self, Hikaru!"
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"So, Fruitcup managed to attract the ladies, huh? Can't say I'm impressed. Women seem to like gay men." Salem said, throwing cards down on the table. Simon banged his fist against the table, frowning towards Salem. Nathan threw down cards as well, smirking when he beat Salem's set. Hikaru didn't have a very good hand so he just laid something down.
"Lay off of him, Salem. And why are you so persistent on him being gay? Hoping he is so you can have a partner."
"Mariah, you're just agitated 'cause he is gay, aren't you Fruitcup?"
"I'm not gay..." Hikaru growled.
The two other members of Nathan's staff had appeared, having shifts only during dinner time. There was Mariah Fairgood. She was serious, quiet, and had a distinct hatred for Salem, so she and Hikaru already had something in common. She was passionate about cooking though, reminding him much of Tara.
"Well, I think he's cuter than a speckled pup! Not as cute as my little Kyle though!"
Then, there was Kristine Henderson, the mother hen of the group, as well as the mother of Kyle. She was probably the reason why the kid had no backbone; she babied him every chance she got. She was overprotective of what Kyle did and called him every five minutes (no kidding). She even gave Megan a long list of his allergies and his likes and dislikes when the others all went out. And she was one of those parents that always had to compare her child to others. Like today, when Nathan told her that Hikaru was bringing a bunch of customers, Kristine retorted that Kyle had been doing a fine job already, and she sent a sour look in Hikaru's direction. Forget Salem being the most hated; Hikaru hated Kristine the most.
"Cute? He's thin, lanky, and has no muscle. He's a wimp." Salem responded.
"Well, I think he's handsome." Mariah said, her face emotionless. Hikaru felt accomplished getting a compliment from her. She wasn't easily impressed.
Salem snorted, "Only if you consider shrimpy handsome."
"How about you get that stick out of your ass..." Hikaru muttered, throwing his cards on the table.
"Hey, where are you going?" Nathan asked.
"Bed."
...\~/...
Dear Ripley,
You are so lucky you don't know Salem Warsaw.
From,
Hikaru
P.S. He's an unbelievable ass.
...\~/...
Dear Hikaru,
I guess so, considering that's the only thing you said. What's up?
From,
Ripley
P.S. We all run into them once in awhile.
...\~/...
Dear Ripley,
He kept on calling me gay and now my nickname with him is Fruitcup. Annoying...
From,
Hikaru
P.S. He's the King of Ass Mountain.
...\~/...
The door to Nathan's bedroom creaked open and Nathan popped his head in. Hikaru was on his back, arms stretched above him, staring at his phone screen. He ignored Nathan when the man came towards the bed, hands shoved in his pockets. "Hey, do you want to go to your apartment and pick some stuff up? You're going to be staying here for awhile, right?"
Hikaru just stared at his screen. "Right..."
"Well, let's get going. It's getting late."
...\~/...
He wished he had just rejected Nathan's offer on going back to his apartment. When they stepped up on his floor, the two immediately knew there was trouble. Hikaru stopped in front of his door, which had been kicked in, the doorframe in splinters, the door itself cracked. The doorknob had been busted out and it was laying on the other side of the floor. Hikaru nudged the door open with his shoe and frowned at what he saw inside.
His whole apartment had been trashed.
The couch looked like it had been sawed in half, the cushions on the floor with large rips in them. His lamps knocked over with the light bulbs broken on the ground with little shards decorating the dark wood; his coffee table looked as if someone had stomped on it, breaking it in two; his TV had a hole in the screen, cracks splaying out from around it; his Xbox had been broken to bits; books had been ripped in half and thrown around the room; and pictures had been taken from their frames and burned, little ash piles spotting the ground.
Hikaru fell to the ground, Nathan at his side.
"I hate my life..." Hikaru mumbled, clutching his hair in his fists.
"We'll call the police. They'll find out who did this."
"It was Psybro."
"...what?"
"Psybro. The one that did this-" He pointed at his face. "-to me. He trashed my place."
Nathan was silent and he patted his shoulder, going further into the apartment to see what other damage had been done.
Hikaru's pocket buzzed and he took his phone out, smiling when he saw that it was another message from Ripley.
Dear Hikaru,
This may be a bit too soon, but could you give me your address? We all want to send you a Christmas present.
From,
Ripley
P.S. You don't have to if you feel uncomfortable.
He sent her it.
So, here's chapter 6. Personally, I don't like the quality of this chapter, but I've been really distracted lately. And I threw an OC bomb in there so I apologize for all the new faces. I hope you enjoy my OCs though. And we had some more Hikaley action in there. The next chapter's going to be the Christmas chapter and there's going to be familiar faces! One of them you probably won't be expecting...