I found a receptacle for my trash and then checked on the caterers. Finally, I made my way back to the crowd and –seeing Haruhi now in Mori's arms—asked one of my regulars for a dance. She agreed, her blush gratifying. I chatted and danced with several partners, always aware of Haruhi's whereabouts.

As Tamaki was finishing a dance with her, I checked with the maestro to be sure all was well and made a request of him. As the final strains of the song concluded, I crossed through the couples to interrupt. With a bow to Haruhi I asked, "May I have the next?"

She managed to grin and blush together, and my pulse responded by tripping happily. Tamaki released her and gave me a mock serious look. "Behave! Daddy's watching you," he warned, and pranced off to entertain a trio of admirers.

I watched him go, shaking my head. I felt Haruhi take my hand, returning my attention to her. "Shall I lead?" she asked with a wry look.

A laugh burst from me. "I think I'll handle that tonight." I swept her close as the maestro obliged me with a waltz. Her dainty form fit perfectly against me, and when she laid her head against my chest all was right with the world. I could hold her like this forever.

But then again… the solitude of the shadows seemed very attractive all of a sudden. I nonchalantly guided her toward a break in the wall of onlookers. When I drew us to a halt she looked around in confusion as she realized we had left the dance floor. I dropped her hand but kept my arm around her waist as we ambled toward the clock tower. "Do you mind?" I asked.

"No," she said, leaning into me.

We rounded its corner and I leaned back against the bricks, taking both her hands as I pulled her in front of me. "Are you having a good time?"

"Yeah," she admitted. "It's all super… glitzy… over the top, but… " She allowed a small smile. "It is really nice." She took a breath and looked nervous. "Especially being here with you."

This sent my heart hammering again. "Haruhi," I whispered and pulled her into my arms. Her courage never ceased to amaze me.

Her hair tickled my chin, and I felt her small hands wrapping around my lower back. A nearly full moon cast its silver light over us like a blessing. Classical music drifted softly on the air as we lingered.

"Your heart is beating really fast," she mumbled against my shirt.

I gave a half-chuckle. "I can't imagine why," I teased, sliding one hand up to play with her hair.

"Haruhi," I began, grateful she couldn't see my face. "When we all thought Tamaki was engaged to Lady Éclair and planning to dissolve the host club, you seemed distraught." I hesitated. "I assumed it was because you were in love with him."

She pulled back to see my face. "Of course, I love Tamaki," she said frankly. "Don't tell him that, by the way," she smirked.

"We all love Tamaki," she explained. "But not the way I l…" She swallowed and averted her eyes. "But it's different with you," she finished quietly. She hid her blush by pressing her cheek against me again, holding me tighter to express what she couldn't say.

I knew what she stumbled over. Love. It was there, for both of us. But it was too early to say it. In time, on another heavenly day. After we'd been together awhile, learned how to live in one another's worlds, how to keep our host club family intact with this new dynamic… then one day it would come out.

I could wait. The future looked fun, full of surprises—just the way I liked it.

A shadow crept over my face as a cloud obscured the brilliant moon. "You're different for me too," I said.

EPILOGUE

The following afternoon I sprawled on the sofa in my room. I picked up my cell from the table for the third time, took a deep breath, and made the call.

He picked up on the second ring. "Ranka-sama," I greeted him heartily. "How are you?"

"Kyoya-kun? What a lovely surprise! I was so pleased when I came home to find Haruhi in such good spirits again. It's a good thing your host club is back on track now, isn't it? I don't know what's wrong with that Tamaki Suou… "

I decided to cut him off before he got too animated. "Excuse me, Ranka-sama, but I'm calling with some news."

"News?" Confusion laced his tone. "Is it about Haruhi? Because she's right here. Or she was…" I heard anxiety enter his voice as he called for her.

"Yes, I'm afraid it is about Haruhi. There's been an accident."

"An accident? Haruhi!" he called more insistently. My eardrum was throbbing.

"Yes, Ranka-sama," I said calmly. "I accidentally started dating your daughter."

Silence.

More silence.

Then a small whine. "But Kyoya, how could you?" The phone clattered and I heard receding footsteps. "Haruhi!"

THE END

This was my first fanfiction story ever! I hope you enjoyed reading it

half as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for sharing my world for awhile. -DT