Despite Haruhi's protests that she was 'just fine, really' she was carried the whole way home in Mori's arms – a situation that made it difficult for her to think straight. Once they all made it back to her house, though, she felt almost regretful when the tall host set her down. To hide her unruly thoughts she offered drinks to everyone, and with Honey on her heels wandered into the kitchen while Mori, Hikaru, and Kaoru flopped down in the living room.
"Haruhi?" Honey asked as they worked together, her getting drinks for everyone while he pulled out some snacks they'd apparently bought earlier when they'd gone for breakfast.
"Yes?" she replied, turning to face him. Even though he wasn't quite her height, his bearing in that moment made her feel almost...delicate. He reached for her hand and she was struck once more by how right it felt when their fingers intertwined.
"How are you doing? I didn't want to ask with the others around." His eyes were warm, concerned, his gaze washing over her like a comforting breeze. She smiled.
"I'm fine today, Hon-" He raised an eyebrow and she amended what she was about to say, flushing a light pink color. "Mitsukuni. Really. Yesterday, well – it was just what I needed. Thank you."
"I said yesterday I would be here for you, whatever and whenever you need. I meant it. You're important to me, Haru." His large eyes held hers captive and his thumb had begun a gentle stroking motion across the back of her hand, something she found both soothing and – dare she think it? - even a little arousing. She rushed to speak.
"I let my dad know. You know, that I told you."
"Was he okay with it?" She flushed deeper, refusing to tell him about Ranka's reaction to her time spent with the older host and everything he'd insinuated.
"He was fine," she said quickly. His eyebrow raised again, this time accompanied by a smirk.
"Someday you're going to tell me what that blush is all about."
"Not likely," she muttered.
"You will," he said with cheeky confidence, his demeanor playful. She could no more have not responded than she could have hit him.
"What makes you so sure?" she asked, shocked at herself for...well, flirting with him. He took a step closer, eyes gleaming.
"I can be very persuasive," he murmured, blinking slowly. Her heart fluttered and she swallowed hard.
"Did you two get lost in here?" Kaoru's voice rang out as he wandered into the kitchen. Seeing how close the two were, how Honey-senpai's fingers were caressing Haruhi's, the blush on her cheeks that hadn't faded – Kaoru came to a complete stop and stared. Haruhi began to stammer.
"Oh, no - no, we were...just -"
"- getting snacks too!" the elder host chimed in smoothly, though he squeezed her hand before letting go. With one fluid movement Honey scooped up the plate of dessert cakes and walked towards the door.
"Give Haru-chan a hand with the drinks, won't you Kao-chan?" he said over his shoulder as he exited the kitchen. The redhead walked over to where Haruhi was pouring tea and propped one hip against the counter, regarding the still-pink girl with speculative eyes.
"Did I interrupt anything?" he asked quietly, brushing his fingers against her hair.
"No, you didn't," she said, not meeting his eyes.
""Hmm." He scooped up all of the full cups and turned on his heel, leaving the flustered girl to make her way out to join them when she was ready. A few seconds later she wandered in and sank gratefully into a chair. She was surprised to see Mori and Honey sitting on the floor, her father's chess set between them. The room was quiet and she sat and watched them play, turn after turn passing while she relaxed. This does explain why Kaoru came into the kitchen alone, she thought to herself. Aloud, she spoke to the two players.
"I didn't know you guys played chess." Mori nodded silently as Hikaru replied.
"I enjoy a good game, and so does Mori-senpai, but these two -" he gestured at a cheerfully eating Honey and his own quiet twin, "- don't have the heads for it." Haruhi made a soft sound of agreement.
"My father loves to play, but I never really got interested. He'll be happy someone is getting some use out of the old chess set."
"Who's using my old chess set?" Ranka was just walking in the door and spoke before he saw the collection of visitors. "Oh, hello boys!" he said cheerfully. "My my, Haruhi, you're certainly popular this week. Kyoya-san last night, and now the rest of the Club. The only one I haven't seen is Suoh." His voice had taken on a more restrained note as he looked around, seemingly expecting the Host King to pop out of thin air.
"That's because he made Haru-chan angry," Honey said innocently. Immediately Ranka's behavior changed from slightly apprehensive to downright protective.
"What did he do?" the okama said quietly, menace in his voice. Haruhi hurried to reassure him.
"Really, Dad, he was just being himself – you know, annoyingly overprotective." Ranka relaxed marginally, remembering the talk he and his daughter had recently had.
"I see. Well, I'm going to go get changed. Would you all care to stay for dinner?" he asked the hosts.
"Unfortunately, we have to be home tonight. Mother is having some photographers over to take some pre-release shots of her new line and since she volunteered us to model it, we've got to be there." The twins were genuinely sorry, though Haruhi had the secret suspicion that at least some of Hikaru's sadness could be attributed to the fact that he'd just been thoroughly trounced by Mori. The tall host packed the chess set away as Honey spoke.
"Takashi is training tonight, and I thought I'd get in some practice too," the loli-boy said apologetically. "But thank you for the offer. Besides," he continued with a smile, "we've monopolized all of Haru-chan's day. It's only fair she has her evening to spend with you." Ranka caught the undercurrent in the small host's statement and was nearly overwhelmed with gratitude. He nodded his thanks and Honey blinked in return. Haruhi was the only one who caught the exchange and she felt such a wave of warmth for her friend that it made her sigh. A short time later goodbyes had been said, hugs had been given, and Haruhi closed the door behind her departing boys. Ranka had already headed to his room to change and shower so she took the time to clear the dishes and change into her comfortable sweatpants and t-shirt.
"So how was your day? Did you get everything you needed?" Ranka's hair was damp as he pulled it back into a ponytail before sitting down on the couch and patting the seat beside him. Haruhi joined him and leaned against his side, closing her eyes and relaxing.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I got everything for my trip now."
"I was surprised Kyoya-san wasn't here. The twins said he'd be going with you." Haruhi remembered their small deception and decided to go along with it, not averse to a white lie or two to keep her father happy.
"He was going to but we all thought it better that he went to Tamaki-sempai's house and kept him occupied. As far as Tamaki-senpai knows, I'm not going on the trip, and Kyoya-senpai is better than anyone at keeping him distracted." She shrugged and felt him nod.
"Makes sense," he murmured. "So where's all your new gear?" She explained their plans and told him a few anecdotes about the experience of taking four rich bastards to a 'commoner's store' that had him chuckling.
"Then we had lunch at Carrie's – oh, she says hi, that she wants you to call her, and that she wants her damn skirt back." Her father laughed again and Haruhi settled more comfortably against his side, happy that they had an evening to themselves. She pointedly refused to ruminate on how many more they may or may not have.
Author's note: Is it wrong to be incredibly attracted to Haruhi's father? He's just...yummy.