"How long?" Kyoya asked his breakfast companion calmly, sipping his morning coffee.
"How long what?" the vivacious Host King responded, reaching for his own cup in between bites of toasted baguette.
"You said you'd been thinking about...us for a while. How long?" The dark one kept his voice even despite the almost imperceptible pause in his sentence. Tamaki's face took on a thoughtful expression.
"I'd say since, oh, about a week or so after we met."
Kyoya choked on his coffee.
Instantly a very concerned blond was beside him, rubbing his back gently while he caught his breath. Incredulous storm-dark eyes stared out from behind protective lenses into lilac ones full of love and lingering doubt.
"You were thinking about...well, that, even then?" The Ootori son seemed so uncharacteristically flustered that Tamaki couldn't help but laugh.
"Not sex specifically, no. But I did wonder what it would be like to hold you, or kiss you." He grinned at his friend's baffled expression. "Kyoya, I'm French. Love, lust, passion, emotion – it's all a part of who I am. And you were so staid, so hard to excite, that I found myself questioning what it would take to slip inside those walls you hide behind." By the time he finished talking Kyoya was breathing normally again.
"So I was, what, a challenge?" Despite the calm, collected tone Tamaki knew his best friend was hurt and rushed to reassure him.
"Not a challenge, never that. You are attractive because you hold yourself apart from everything and everyone. Each time we were together I could see so many things swirling in your eyes, though you've always tried to hide them. I just..." He trailed off, looking at the floor. "I just wanted to be in there too. To be someone, something important to you. Someone you would allow to see the person you hid behind the mask of your father's youngest son." He looked back up, eyes honest and sincere. "Kyoya, I would never do anything to hurt you. You're my best friend. You're my first lover. But it's more than that. I don't want to picture my life without you in it in some way. And even if all we end up being is friends, I can't say I regret anything that's happened. I don't regret last night. But I won't push myself into your bed or your heart. I would be honored if you would allow me in, but the choice is yours. I'll always be here for you, whatever you decide." With that he went back to his breakfast, leaving a slightly shell-shocked Shadow King to his completely chaotic thoughts.
Breakfast passed in silence, not even the servants speaking as they cleared away the dishes. Tamaki, sensing his friend needed space and time to deal with everything, stood and left the room for his sitting room and his piano. Despite the air of certainty he tried to portray to Kyoya the princely one was far from confident. He knew that their lovemaking the previous night was not something either of them had planned on; neither was it something either was prepared to deal with casually. He sat down and stretched his fingers before letting them stroke the ivory keys.
Music flowed effortlessly from subconscious mind to hands, taking life from the delicate balance of hammer to wire. He paid no attention to what he was playing, letting his fingers dance to whatever tune they wanted while he sorted through his thoughts. He'd told Kyoya the truth. Even if his companion wanted to forget that their night ever happened, as long as they remained friends he'd be happy. A part of him wondered what the future would be like if by some miracle everything worked out well. And in the middle of this, he pondered on the subject of his darling Haruhi as well.
It never crossed his mind that many people would disagree with the idea that one could be in love with more than one person. In Tamaki's mind not once did he question the possibility. He loved Kyoya with his whole heart. He loved Haruhi completely as well. He saw no conflict, and likely would have been confused if anyone had pointed it out. That being said, he allowed himself to play his music, letting his Mind Theater run wild with images of a fanciful future shared with the two people he loved most. Simple scenes, like walking with Haruhi and Kyoya through a commoner's park while the kids darted back and forth in play, their daughter's chocolate hair and violet eyes shining in the dappled sunlight as she played tag with her dark-eyed brunette brother – the warmth the thought of a loving, caring family with them fueled the tunes he was playing, giving them a mellow, yet joyful tone that filled the morning with happiness.
Since Haruhi had the deciding vote for shopping, she chose a store close to home. As such it was an unusual group that descended on the local outdoor outfitter's store – a childlike blond boy clutching a fluffy stuffed bunny; a tall, imposing young man carrying a slender, slightly embarrassed-looking teenage girl; and two mirror image rascals that seemed to enjoy tormenting the aforementioned girl in between winking and flirting with the shop's female patrons and employees as well as each other. Megumi watched the energetic five as they strolled through the doors, giving them a moment to look around – and herself a moment to observe the admittedly good-looking cavalcade before she straightened her uniform and walked out on the sales floor to greet them.
"Good morning! What can I help you with today?" Up close she could almost feel the waves of sensuality and mischief coming from the red haired twins.
"Good morning indeed, princess," they said in flawless unison, amber eyes glinting. A lesser woman might have been flustered, but Megumi wasn't the youngest of four – and the sole female – for nothing. Seeing the only girl in the group roll her eyes, she laughed and addressed her first.
"I bet these two are trouble," she said amusedly. She was happy when the brunette laughed wryly in response.
"You have no idea," the girl said and Megumi laughed along with her at the indignation in the boys' eyes as they sulked. Pleasantries begun, she introduced herself and the girl responded in kind.
"So what kind of gear were you looking for?"
"I'm going camping for four days," Haruhi said as the tall guy set her carefully on the floor. Megumi noticed the bandages on her leg and understood why she'd been carried. "But it's been a few years and I no longer have any of my supplies, so I'm looking to replace them."
"Not a problem. Starting from scratch can be daunting, but I get the feeling you're looking forward to this." Megumi was pleased to see her customer nod.
"I truly am. An escape is just what I need right now," she finished, a bit of melancholy slipping into her voice. The raven-haired salesclerk was a bit shocked to see that the only one of the group that seemed to hear the sad undertone was the small blond kid who reached over and squeezed the girl's hand briefly. Wondering what Haruhi could be looking to escape from, Megumi shook her curiosity to the back of her mind and led the group through the store.
It turned out to be the most unusually entertaining sale she'd ever had. The five were obviously very close to one another as their words and actions made clear. Equally as blatant was the affection and protectiveness they all felt for Haruhi.
"Haru-chan! You need this!" the little boy said with a triumphant smile as he held up a triple-insulated fleece lined sleeping bag.
"I don't think I'll need anything that heavy," Haruhi said gently.
"But...what if you get cold?" he insisted, wide eyed.
"We'll be happy to come keep you warm," the rascally duo insinuated, each wrapping an arm around the exasperated girl.
"No way in hell, you two. Now, get off." Megumi had to give her credit – Haruhi seemed to manage her little group of fellows effortlessly, reigning in the exuberant boy with a few well-placed words, corralling the ginger pair with ease when they got too rambunctious. The tall, quiet one seemed almost to be a bodyguard of sorts, walking just behind Haruhi, ready to carry her if she had problems walking (which only happened once) or to ensure her safety (like when a random shopper accidentally knocked over a tall floor display, catching the heavy wooden structure with one-handed ease and setting it upright again).
"Look, Haruhi! You should get this!" One of the twins was pointing to a four burner propane stove/grill combo.
"Why on earth would I need that, Hikaru?" she asked, amusement in her voice.
"To cook dinner," the other twin chimed in. "What else would you use a stove for?"
"What I meant was why would I need a stove when I'll have a campfire? I can cook my dinner easier on that than having to haul along something that's almost as big as my kitchen stove." It was funny how quickly they deflated only to get excited about something else a few moments later. Megumi couldn't hide her smile as she watched her group and it seemed like it took no time at all for Haruhi to make her choices, all the while fending off some of the more ridiculous suggestions with sometimes no more than a raised eyebrow or a look. But it wasn't until Haruhi pronounced herself content that the biggest shock hit.
For orders this large Megumi was used to arranging payments and such, so it came as no small surprise when, after announcing the total price (and pretending to ignore the way that the girl was the only one to even blink at the figure) she was handed a credit card by the little boy.
"This is on all of us, Haru-chan," he explained to the girl beside him. "The others will reimburse me later, don't worry."
"Are you sure?" she asked quietly. He nodded, reaching out to grab her hand with his free one.
"Absolutely," he assured her.
"You bet," chimed the mirror images.
"Hn," came the assenting sound from the tall one. It was then that Megumi looked at the name on the card.
"Haninozuka?" she whispered in disbelief. Of course she knew the name – everyone did. Which meant that the charming little boy she'd taken for a child was the eldest son one of Japan's premier families. She panicked, thinking frantically over the entirety of their interactions to make sure she'd not inadvertently done or said anything that might have caused offense. If her boss got wind of her treating the Haninozuka heir with too much familiarity...she needed this job.
"Is everything okay?" the blond boy asked. Megumi blinked, flustered.
"Yeah – um, I mean, yes, Haninozuka-sama," she stammered knowing her embarrassment and worry was plain. To her surprise he grinned at her.
"Megumi-chan, no need to be so formal! I liked you more when you were joking with us." Wide hazel eyes looked up at her. "So relax, okay?" She gulped, nodding, and tried to not freak out. In the next moment a snippet of the conversation Haruhi was having with the twins caught her ear.
"...your mother is an amazing designer, but I don't really think camping on a beach requires a whole new custom Hitachiin-designed wardrobe."
"Aww, but Haru, she's been wanting to make you some clothes for so long..."
Large hands gently lifted Megumi and stood her back on her feet gently, and it was only then that she realized she'd slumped to the ground.
"Mori-senpai, is she okay?" Haruhi had noticed the lack of color in the salesgirl's face and rushed over. "Megumi?" she asked, placing one hand on the dazed clerk's shoulder.
"I...I'm fine, really. I'm so, so sorry. I'll just go and run...I mean, process the card...the payment..." She stumbled off to the register, mind still blown that she had the scions to not one but two near-royal families shopping in her store. Her dazed mind locked onto the fact that if those were the Hitachiin twins, and the other was Haninozuka Mitsukuni, then it went to say without a doubt that the tall silent one had to be the Morinozuka heir. Okay, so three insanely famous families. It made her wonder just who Haruhi really was to have such an entourage. She took a little longer than was absolutely necessary, using the extra few seconds to try and calm herself. One of her coworkers asked her if everything was okay but she could only nod. After a few deep breaths she felt as ready as she would ever be so she came back around the counter and walked over to her customers.
"All set," she said brightly, pleased that her voice didn't sound as shaky as she felt.
"Thank you so much, Megumi," Haruhi said. "I hope this bunch of brats didn't cause you too many problems."
"Oh, not at all, really. You were all more than kind."
"Yay!" squealed the young Haninozuka before he turned to his friend. "And now it's lunchtime, right Haru-chan?" Megumi noticed that Haruhi's smile seemed to come more easily, less sarcastically with they shorter boy, and once more wondered who the girl was that had managed to befriend such an elite group.
"I am a bit hungry," she mused, turning back to Megumi. "So, let me give you my address for the delivery -"
"Don't be silly, Haru," one of the twins spoke up, followed quickly by the other. "We're going to have one of the servants come pick everything up. Kyoya figured it would be easier than risking the Boss seeing all this stuff at your house." Haruhi sighed in fond exasperation, looking to Megumi with a wry smile.
"Never mind, I guess," she chuckled. "Anyway, thanks again, so much. You made this day a lot easier than I'd feared it would be."
"Really, it was nothing," Megumi insisted.
"It was everything. I can't imagine how long this would have taken if I'd have had to find everything by myself and keep these guys in line."
"Hey!" exclaimed the redheads in mock insult. "We were perfectly well-behaved -"
"Yeah, sure, nope," Haruhi cut in with practiced ease, and Megumi couldn't stifle a giggle. "See what I mean?" Haruhi finished with a laugh.
"Yes I do. Well, it truly has been a pleasure to help you today. Please keep us in mind if there is anything else you need, now or in the future."
"I'll do that," Haruhi said firmly and with fond goodbyes they left the store, the girl pulling a cell phone from her pocket as the door shut behind them. Unmindful of the few remaining customers or her coworkers, Megumi slumped down into a nearby display camp chair. One of the stock boys came over.
"Are you okay, Meg? Who were those people?"
"The heirs to the Haninozuka, Morinozuka, and Hitachiin lines," she murmured wearily. He let out a low whistle.
"No shit? Wow. Who'd have thought we'd ever see their kind in our little store?"
Megumi said nothing – there was nothing to say.