This time, all the hosts were traveling together – an event that had Haruhi simultaneously amused, annoyed, and thoughtful.
So just like normal then, she chuckled to herself.
The limo was full of boisterous laughter, Kaoru having decided there was only so much embarrassment he was willing to endure at the hands of his brother before retaliating in kind. At the moment the younger redhead was regaling their friends with a tale wherein Hikaru had done something with a bowl of pina colada glaze and a pair of socks. She'd missed most of the story as she'd been woolgathering but there was no way she could miss the sight of the amber-eyed eldest twin turning the same color as his hair and sputtering wildly.
"You are so paying for this when we get home," he finally growled, his gaze shooting daggers at his smirking brother. Kaoru was content to simply sit there and grin amongst the laughter of their friends. Conversation slowly faded after that until the ride was soft and cozy, and in the new calm Haruhi knew that this was a moment she would always remember. The sheer flood of warmth and emotion she felt threatened to bring tears to her eyes again and she swallowed hard to cover it.
She was saved, however, by the arrival of the car at the airstrip. Once it came to a stop, everything was hustle and bustle as the hosts made their way out of the wheeled transport and meandered up to and into the winged one. She found this plane to be just as comfortable as the one that had brought her to the island a scant four days ago and in short order she was reclining easily in her seat and listening to the boys' happy chatter as the metal bird taxied down the runway and eventually became airborne. Once at proper altitude and having the pilot's permission to move about freely, she gladly joined them all on the bench seats in the back to talk and laugh. Eventually, though, it was Kyoya whose somber tones drew everyone's attention.
"Things are going to be different when we get back," he said quietly. Around him the hosts nodded one by one, after which he continued.
"There are a few big issues we will all be facing. Some of them we will be able to exert some control over – others will unfold as they will without our choices or input. And most of these will be quite difficult."
"Kyoya's right," Tamaki said softly, "but we need to remember that we – that none of us are alone. We are the Host Club. We are a team."
"We are a family." She hadn't meant to speak out loud but she knew as soon as the words left her mouth that they were not only true, but that nothing could ever change them. The smiles, the glimmers in their eyes – all of that spoke more of her boys' agreement than any words could have ever conveyed. Impulsively she held her hand out to rest in the air in the center of the group. Swallowing a lump in her throat she smiled and spoke once more.
"I'm so lucky to have you. All of you."
Tamaki's hand reached, met, closed over hers, his touch warm and solid, his voice without artifice and all the more beautiful for that fact.
"We're lucky to have you too, Haruhi." He looked around. "I never thought that moving to Japan would be such a blessing, but I know now that my life would never, could never be complete without each and every one of you."
"I've learned so much about myself, about life, from everyone," Honey said sincerely as his hand found theirs. "I will always treasure our family."
"As will I," Mori said, dark eyes full of affection as he placed his hand over their three.
"Without all of you we'd still be locked in our own little world," Kaoru admitted quietly.
"And even though it's been strange and sometimes downright difficult learning to open up, we...we are really grateful to have met you all," Hikaru finished, their hands moving in sync to join the group. After a moment, everyone turned to Kyoya. He seemed thoughtful for a short time but when he finally spoke it was without masks, without hesitance, without fear.
"Had anyone told me that there could be people that would make me believe in a world more fulfilling than my upbringing had taught me I would have laughed at them. And I am so very happy to know that I would have been wrong." With that his hand joined the group, grasping theirs, and Haruhi knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that, come what may, everything would be alright in the end.
The rest of the flight was uneventful; the hosts piled into the limo as soon as they arrived and by unspoken agreement all six guys accompanied Haruhi to her home, the entire group walking up the stairs chatting and laughing. Snorting in amusement at something Tamaki had said, Haruhi reached to her pocket to get her house keys. She didn't stand a chance. Before she even grasped the keyring the door was flung open and she was yanked into her father's embrace.
"Haruhi!" he squealed happily.
"Hi Dad," she murmured against his shoulder, wrapping her own arms around his waist. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, honey," he said softly. The two stood there for another moment before letting go, and Ranka held her at arms length to look her over in a manner so reminiscent of Carrie that the female host chuckled.
"Really, Dad," she said, shaking her head, "I'm okay. Still in one piece and everything."
"I can see that," he said with a jovial smile. "And you've got a bit of a tan! I guess your boys took care of you then?" It was a question asked of Haruhi, but his eyes had shifted to play over the rest of the Host Club members that were still arranged in a loose group near the railing.
"Yes they did," she agreed with a grin.
"Actually, I think one might say that we all took good care of each other," Tamaki piped up happily. A second later, as seven sets of eyes turned to him with varying expressions, the blond King realized how unintentionally suggestive his words could have been taken, and he turned tomato-red even as he tried to stammer out a clarification, embarrassed and earnest gaze fixed fearfully on Ranka.
"I mean...well, not like that – not Haruhi, though...wait, I...no...I'm so..."
The explosion of laughter from the twins and after a few seconds even Tamaki joined in, face still reddish but violet eyes gleaming with the humor of the situation.
"Come on, everyone, let's go inside. I've got tea and snacks ready and you can all tell me about your vacation." One by one the grinning group wandered into Haruhi's house, taking seats on furniture and floors and, at Ranka's insistent urging, began helping themselves to finger foods. The okama dropped cross-legged onto the floor and poured tea for everyone, making sure they were all provided for before sipping from his own cup. While he was occupied with the task Haruhi took the time to ask the question that had been plaguing her since he opened the door.
"Dad, why are you wearing a suit?"
The redheaded man looked discomfited for a split second before shrugging and tossing out a glib smile.
"I had a little meeting to go to and only got home a little while ago. I decided to get some snacks ready and forgot to change." Sensing that she wouldn't get any further answers from him at this moment in time Haruhi gave in with a small shake of her head and a sip of her tea.
"But enough about that – how was everyone's vacation? Was it fun? What did you do? Was it beautiful and sunny and wonderful?" The hosts smiled as the gregarious crossdresser rambled on, asking question after question without giving any of them a chance to get a word in edgewise. Several long and involved moments later he finally seemed to run out of steam and fall quiet, giving the amused group the opportunity to speak at last. Haruhi mentioned the book she'd gotten to read and thanked him for it, bringing a delighted smile to his face and prompting him to admit he already owned several more books by the same author and that she was more than welcome to read them whenever she wanted. The twins brought up the game of Truth and its soggy consequences, though they left out the sobering final question and the responses it evoked. Ranka understood without being told and didn't pry, instead choosing to chime in with his own favorite scent (warm ginger cookies).
Honey talked animatedly about all the fun they'd had waterskiing, while Tamaki extolled the tales of surfing as well as eagerly expounding on both Kyoya's and Mori's heretofore unknown skill in the two activities – much to the obvious chagrin of both parties. Though the senior stayed quiet, only a very pale tinge of a blush and a slightly turned head giving poof of his discomfort at such blatant praise, Kyoya was not nearly so kind, choosing instead to retaliate. The Shadow King, smirking wickedly, was more than happy to regale Ranka with the description of Tamaki's less-than-stellar surfboard performance. As everyone burst into renewed laughter Ranks asked about his daughter's skill level, and seemed quite entertained as the slightly sheepish girl explained how she'd only been a hidden voyeur to her friends' escapades until the last day.
Eventually, though, the boys knew they had to head off for their own homes and families, and one by one they stood up. Haruhi climbed to her feet as well, facing her friends.
"I'm really glad I went," she said with a warm smile.
"So are we, Haru-chan!" Honey happily replied, joined in agreement by the voices and nods of the other hosts.
"Thank you, Ranka-sama, for allowing us to steal Haruhi away for the weekend." Kyoya addressed the older man with a respectful bow. Ranka bowed in return before snatching the black-haired boy into a hug. The surprised expression on the Shadow King's face made Haruhi chuckle, but after a moment the younger male tentatively returned the embrace.
"No, Kyoya-kun," Ranka whispered, "thank you for giving her a chance to escape, if only for a few days. Thank you all," he said, raising his voice to include the entire roomful of hosts, releasing Kyoya only to move onto the next one. Honey hugged the okama back eagerly.
"We were just glad we could all share this time together," he chirped. Ranka turned to hug Mori who as usual said nothing but didn't hesitate to return the gesture. The twins took the initiative and caught Haruhi's father between them in their trademark double hug, making the man laugh. And then there was only one more left. Ranka turned to Tamaki and the room fell silent.
"Suoh," he said calmly, his even tone giving no indication of his mood. The blond gulped at the redhead's steady gaze but visibly gathered himself and cleared his throat. After a moment he spoke, his voice deferential and slightly hesitant but firm all the same.
"I want to apologize to you," he said quietly.
"Concerning?" Ranka asked, facial expression still bland.
"My behavior towards Haruhi...and towards yourself as well." He took a deep breath, obviously intimidated, but the lack of open hostility from the man in the suit seemed to give him courage.
"I've often acted as a – well, as an idiot to be honest. Calling Haruhi my daughter, acting as though I was her father. The truth of the matter is," he sighed softly, "Haruhi already has a father, one that means more to her than any words could ever say. And it's taken me a while...and a lot of help...but I finally understand. It was impolite – borderline insulting, really – for me to appoint myself to such a position simply to hide from my own feelings of inadequacy.
"You and I – well, we didn't get off to the best of starts, and for that I apologize as well. It was never my intention to cause problems or to give you reasons to distrust me, and I am truly sorry if by words or actions I have brought you discomfort or caused you to feel angry.
"I hold your daughter in the highest regard, sir – we all do. And each of us would bend over backwards to make her life easier. But I've learned that it needs to be by Haruhi's definitions and not my own. I realize that words are simply spoken, but I ask for the chance to redeem myself in your eyes as a trustworthy associate and possibly friend."
It seemed to Haruhi that all of the air in the room stilled, that every breath paused, awaiting what seemed tantamount to final judgment. After the frozen moment had stretched like taffy Ranka took a step towards the golden-haired host. One more step brought the two men face to face.
"Haruhi is my daughter." The crossdresser's voice was solid, but not truly threatening, and Haruhi found herself waiting on his next words, as did everyone else present.
"In time you will learn the fear, the joy, the complete and total loss of reason and force of utter protectiveness that comes with having a child. There is nothing I would not do, no line I would refuse to cross to see to it that my daughter is safe and happy. To have someone attempt to step in, no matter how casually or unintentionally, is nothing short of intolerable.
"That being said, however," he continued in a slightly more mellow tone, "I understand that friendship and loyalty carry their own fears and strengths, that a bond between friends holds its own urge to protect, to nurture and to cling. And I can easily understand how – in someone hiding from themselves – the two spectrums can be confused.
"Tamaki," he said calmly, and no one missed the deliberate use of the younger man's given name, "I can see in your eyes that you have carried a slew of burdens, and that you are slowly learning to walk the path between the boy you are and the man you will become. You are fortunate to have a group of friends to walk their own paths beside you, to help you find your way and to allow you to help them in turn. I would – I do – trust each and every one of you to treat my daughter well. As such, though there is nothing you really need to apologize for, I will accept it anyway. On one condition."
The entire group, still stunned to silence by the normally frivolous-seeming transvestite's sudden rational and mature soliloquy, waited with wide eyes and bated breath for him to continue. None waited more attentively than Tamaki himself.
"Anything," the blond said earnestly, violet eyes sincere.
"Very well. My condition is this: that you listen to Haruhi. Don't just hear her words – actively make the effort to comprehend what she is saying and act accordingly. If you promise me that then I will gladly grant you the forgiveness you feel you need so badly."
Tear-filled lilac eyes met serious brown ones as Tamaki nodded solemnly.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
"You're welcome," replied Ranka, and he reached out to hug the precocious Host King. There were smiles all around as the two embraced, but none so big as the one that graced Haruhi's lips. For the first time in forever she felt like her family was complete.
Author's note: I know it's been a long time, and I hope that you will all forgive me. I've had a really rough patch - between depression, family issues, writer's block, work, and a hundred other things, I've had many days, many months, where I couldn't tell if I was coming or going - hell, there were sometimes I questioned my very existence. Maybe in a few weeks I'll feel up to a bigger explanation. There is a lot in my brain that I desperately need to get rid of, and I feel it will be best if I write it all down, but I'm not quite ready for it yet. I haven't forgotten any of you, however, nor have I forgotten my stories. But it's so hard to write coherently sometimes when all you want to do is crawl under your bed with a stuffed animal and a pillow and not emerge for weeks at a time. I'm slowly filtering things back to where they need to be though, and I'm hoping this is a good sign. If I were a little older I'd be able to blame it all on a mid-life crisis, but those usually involve sports cars and younger women - and I hate sports cars, so that's out. Still, it's good to be back, in whatever capacity, and I'm optimistic that, after a little bit more shakiness, I'll be able to wrap myself back up in my writing and start giving new life to these stories again. At any rate...yay new chapter! :)
Thank you all so much for sticking with me. It's a light in the darkness, let me assure you. And hopefully soon I'll be burning again and able to add my own light to the glow.