Chappy 26! Thanks to all the lovelies that reviewed; The Peculiar and skiddliebop! You guys rock! So I suggest you hold onto your feels for this chapter...just sayin'.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ouran High Host Club. I do, however, claim ownership of my OC(s) and plot.

"Briar! Heeeeelp!" Eyrie gave a little giggle when Briar rushed out of the house to see a mountain of shopping bags flowing out of the car. He sagged forward and his eyebrow began to twitch as grandmother and granddaughter walked arm in arm into the house. "Thanks!"

"She-devil!" Briar called into the house before starting to grab bags.

"Go to the study! They got here about ten minutes ago!" Marie called as she tried to take some of the burden from Briar. From the sounds of crashing and swearing, it didn't seem to be going well.

"'They'?" Tristezza asked in confusion, barely getting the word out before being dragged at an accelerated rate through the mansion. When they got to the study Eyrie flung the doors open to reveal the host club. Tamaki was sitting in front of Haruhi with tears at the corners of his eyes and the twins and Hunny were pouting. They all turned to looked at the door in surprise.

"Eyyyyriieee!" Tamaki cried, floating through the air with stars in his eyes, somehow managing to drag Haruhi with him. The twins and Hunny quickly followed, spreading there arms wide to embrace her. They all felt pleasantly surprised when she gave a happy smile and flung her arms out to receive them. Haruhi sweat dropped as she ended up in the middle of the group hug. The hugging hosts all began to talk at once.

"Eyrie! We didn't know where you were-" Tamaki began.

"We wanted to play!" The twins whined, trying to overlap Tamaki.

"We missed you Eyr-chan!" Hunny said at the same time. Eyrie's smile never left her face.

"I was having a girl's day with Grams and I missed you all too!" The hosts nearly keeled over at the radiance of her smile.

"Eyr-chan you look so happy!" Hunny gave a cute smile. "It makes me happy too!"

"Well that's just 'cause I have such amazing friends." Eyrie de-tangled herself and began skipping away. "I'm going to make dinner for everyone ok? Hold on a sec."

The hosts stared after her, light blushes coloring their cheeks before they looked around to give each other proud smiles. Eyrie went down the hall and into the kitchen. Her arms felt itchy and stung like no other from the hug but she couldn't get the smile to leave her face. Never in her wildest dreams had she believed that she could make friends as wonderful as the ones before; well not while she was being controlled by her father. She got in the kitchen and rolled up her long sleeves to begin.

Burgers I think? Yea that should do.

She was in the process of getting all the ingredients out when she heard the kitchen door swing opened.

"It seems that Akito's interest in winning you over has decreased considerably." Eyrie turned her head to give Kyoya a devilish smile. He leaned against one of the counters with an unreadable expression. "It would be an extremely foolish move to drive the second son away. His position-"

"Means absolutely nothing if he doesn't have the authority to back it up." Eyrie slowly turned from the spice cupboard and eyed Kyoya, smirking. "I don't care what position he is in because of birth. When he gets into the real world, with no Daddy to save him, he'll be eaten alive because he doesn't know how much people value 'interesting.'"

Kyoya raised a brow at her as the word he had practically made his own was thrown at him in a voice as practical as his own. How many times had he altered events, just to make them interesting? There were many people like that in the business world. Eyrie walked over with her arms crossed, stopping only when she was directly in front of him.

"You get it now yes? The business world is a dangerous place. It isn't for the weak of heart, doesn't matter if you're the first son or the fifth. They'll eat you alive. Somehow I can't imagine Akito being able to handle that." Eyrie looked directly into Kyoya's eyes as they stood toe to toe. She had unconsciously moved one hand on either side of his waist while she was speaking and she willed herself not to blush when she noticed, not breaking her gaze with Kyoya.

Closeclosecloseclose, Kyoya's normally level head was playing his thoughts in a rapid loop, his heart beating just as fast. The small girl in front of him continued to stare into his eyes and he tried to maintain some sembalance of control as he returned it. He kept his face unreadable. What is wrong with me? Why does this girl- this pawn- affect me like this?! It isn't like she means anything! I'm just using her to help myself...

Eyrie's heart raced and her mind seemed to flood. No freakin' way! I can't actually like this guy! It's an arranged marriage! Strictly business! It isn't like we really even talk...

After what felt like an eternity, Eyrie broke the stare and resumed preparing dinner.

"So, as you can see, I have no use for your brother. It wouldn't profit me at all to marry him." Eyrie busied her hands as she tried not to face him. After a moment of silence she heard his footsteps and was surprised to find that, instead of going to the door, he had come to stand right beside her. She opened her mouth to say something but her breath caught when he delicately lifted one of her arms. The touch sent a pinprick of pain up her arm and she look down to see that he was staring at her bandages. There were small lines and drops of red, along the otherwise pristine bandages, proof that she had re-opened her small wounds when she had given out hugs.

"What is this?" Kyoya asked softly, his eyes boaring into her's.

"It is a very long story. Eyrie said, yanking her arm away, cheeks turning pink. "Don't worry about it."

Suddenly the lights went out. Eyrie's body went completely stiff and Kyoya casually looked around the black space.

"Sorry everyone! My fault! I'll fix it soon!...as soon as I figure out how." Briar's voice rang out throughout the house. Eyrie and Kyoya could hear the hosts in the study, yelling and carrying on.

"Idiots." Kyoya said in an irritated voice and began walking. "I'll see to them and you see to-"

He had only gotten two steps before a hand shot out and clutched his arm with a surprising amount of strength.

"No." Kyoya looked at the dark space in front of him in amazement as a shaky voice sounded. A small bumped sounded from deeper into the house and the shaky voice let out a small whimper then hugged his arm. Eyrie shut her eyes tight as she stood close to Kyoya, practically toppling him over. He didn't say a word as she continued to hang on to him as if her life depended on it. "B-Briar can h-handle it. If Bear finds him th-then-"

Suddenly a big clatter sounded in a hallway not far from them and Eyrie practically snapped Kyoya's arm in half.

"FOR GODS SAKES BRIAR FIX THE DAMN LIGHTS OR I'LL MAKE A DRESS OUT OF YOUR SKIN!" Eyrie yelled and then buried her face in Kyoya's shoulder.

"Are you afraid of the dark Miss Eyrie?" Kyoya said softly, convincing himself that he was only being gentle so he could save his arm.

"S-shut up! It's completely rational! Some people are saved by their achluophobia! Basic human instinct." Eyrie's words were muffled as she continued to cling to him. She didn't move when he began to gently lead her over to a counter. There was a moment of awkward movement as they both tried to hop and sit on the counter. Eyrie giggled. "Maybe I should be glad the lights are off. That was probably really embarrassing."

Kyoya tried to shove down his laughter as he imagined what they would have looked like. The sound of an alarm going off sounded and then a distinct sound of locks falling into place.

"LOCKDOWN COMPLETE. PLEASE WAIT WHILE COMPUTER THREAT IS IDENTIFIED AND ELIMINATED." A loud computer voice rang out. They could both hear Briar outside with the electricity box.

"Damn it, you stupid piece of tin! I ain't no computer threat so you best open up! I am not becoming a dress!"

"Why does Briar sound...?" Kyoya began, searching for the word he was looking for.

"British?" Eyrie supplied. "It's actually cockney. But yea he's actually British. He just trained himself not to use the accent for certain reasons."

"What reasons?" Kyoya asked. He felt her shoulders shrug.

"Says it reminds him of home. I imagine that would be painful, your very voice being harmful to yourself." Eyrie tilted her head off to the side so he could hear her clearly.

"Why would home-" Eyrie began shaking her whole body the way one would shake their head.

"Noooot myyyy busineeeeeess!" She said and Kyoya rolled his eyes. "Don't roll your eyes or they'll get stuck like that."

"What?" Kyoya looked down at where Eyrie's head should be but could only see darkness. "How did you know I rolled my eyes?"

Eyrie began shaking with laughter. "Because that's what I would have done."

They settled into a moment of silence and Kyoya and Eyrie realized that their hearts were beating just as fast as before.

But it's different. Like... Eyrie began to muse.

Even though I'm effected... Kyoya leaned back slightly.

It's a part of me now. They both unconsciously scooted a bit closer to each other as their minds wandered, the silence like a soft blanket.

"You aren't scared." Kyoya said suddenly.

"Hm?" Eyrie brought her head up and propped her chin on his shoulder, her warm breath hitting his face.

"You nearly took my arm off before. You're more relaxed." Kyoya stated.

"Hmmm." Eyrie gave a small nod.

"Well are you going to say anything or just sit there and hum?" Kyoya snapped, the demon lord showing himself.

"Ok. Tell me a story?" Eyrie asked in a calm voice.

"The idiots have gotten to you. Even if we had the time I don't think-"

"What do you mean 'if we had the time'? Don't you know how this security system works?" Eyrie asked with surprise. When she was met with silence she sighed. "We're going to be stuck in here for about two hours before the computer asks for a key code that I can punch into the keypad in the wall. So Mister Ootori. I'm afraid you're stuck with me."

"Fine." Kyoya growled. "Once upon a time-"

"Nope." Eyrie interrupted.

"What?!" Kyoya practically gnashed his teeth.

"I want a story about you. I've heard all the rest." Eyrie put her head back down and tightened her grip on his arm. Kyoya sat in surprise until he finally decided to play along with whatever game she was playing.

"In my first year of elementary school the heir of a produce company was in my class. He was so convinced that the peel of an orange held as much vitamins as the fruit itself. Which isn't entirely true so I just couldn't let that go."

"Of course."

Kyoya ignored her. "So I simply went up and explained everything to the class, just to clear up whatever misunderstanding he had left. He still eats the peel along with the orange and for some reason he hates me. Always trying to beat me at things."

Eyrie began to giggle. "What a little know it all you were! Of course he wants to beat you!"

"I was simply stating the facts." Kyoya said coldly.

"Do you really think facts mattered to a little kid like him?" Eyrie asked with amusement. "Anyways. Would you like me to tell a story now?"

"Hm." Kyoya hummed in agreement and they continued like that for the remainder of the time. They never once scooted away from each other and continued to tell childhood stories. Suddenly a bright red light went up next to the door and they could see a screen and keypad clearly outlined.

"Oh! Our way out!" Eyrie exclaimed and skipped over, careful not to trip over anything.

"Wait how are you not scared?" Kyoya asked from the counter. He could see her silhouette, outlined by the keypad, turn to him.

"Oh. Well I know you're right there so...well, ya know as long as you're here I'm not alone right?" Eyrie went back to the keypad and quickly punched in the right numbers. Kyoya fought down a blush as he sauntered after her in the direction the others were. When they got to the study the host and her grandmother were all sitting there, calmly drinking tea with the staff.

"Oh Mistress! Tea?" Briar looked over to Eyrie and gave her a smug smile.

"What is going on here? Didn't the lockdown-" Eyrie was cut short when the everyone in the room besides Kyoya gave her an devilish smile.

"Dawling you've come so far in the time you've been here." Tristezza stated. "You learned to laugh and smile, and how to accept new friends. You've even accepted this marriage. And if it was what you wanted then I had to see to it that you made the right choice, I had decided that as soon as you told me. But you know what I found out? You had already made the right choice; no help from me at all! But, really dearest, you can be so stubborn. You never want to admit what's right in front of you. He is obviously your soul mate and you were too scared of that answer to try to truly get to know him, though you were, little by little. That process was far too slow for me so I decided to speed things up."

Eyrie stared at her grandmother with disbelief before glaring at Briar. "How did the lights go out?"

"I tripped and my hand fell on the electricity switch." Briar grinned like the Cheshire cat.

"And when you turned it back on it automatically put certain parts of the house on lockdown." Eyrie placed a hand on her forehead.

"Ok, now you know. So get married already, you aren't getting any younger." Tristezza insisted, fluttering her hands at Kyoya and Eyrie who both turned a bit pink.

"Grams he probably doesn't-"

"Eyrie has other-"

Kyoya and Eyrie snapped their heads to the side to stare at each other, their words overlapping each other.

"This is embarrassing." Eyrie mumbled, only loud enough for Kyoya to hear.

"Agreed." He whispered. Suddenly Eyrie fell to one knee and took his hand. "What do you thin you're doing?"

"Playing the part of the idiot." Eyrie's eyes sparkled up at him as she smoothed the smile off of her face. She raised her voice slightly. "Kyoya Ootori. I would like to ask for your hand in marriage."

The hosts practically swooned while Eyrie's staff clapped and laughed like fools. Tristezza had a ridiculously self satisfied expression adorning her face.

"Alright." Kyoya said, hoping to appear unaffected. This brought a round of boo's and shouts. Eyrie tried to hide her amusement as she quirked an eyebrow at him. He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I agree."

Oh holy hell, what did I do? What am I going to do?! Eyrie was now in her bedroom, staring at her ceiling as she replayed what had happened in her mind. The proposal, the time in the dark, everything. She shoved her face in a pillow.

"I can't believe I'm getting married." She mumbled into her pillow. She sat up and began to talk to her reflection in the mirror, hoping saying things out loud would help. "It isn't like I don't like him. He would be able to handle my family environment, he's handsome, kind, and a genius. But I'm just a toy. All I am to him is a plaything and I'm not sure if that will ever change. I don't know if I'll be able to bare it if it doesn't. He doesn't actually like me."

"She proposed." Kyoya stared at his ceiling before rubbing his hands on his face. "I mean, what am I supposed to do with that? Way to strip me of my manly pride! Is this what I'm in for" Not even like it matters. She just picked me because I can provide more assistance with her family problem. It isn't like she actually likes me."

This was a bit shorter than other chapters but tell me it wasn't worth it. If you're a Supernatural fan consider this me trying to give you a little cheer to briefly distract you from the season finale. I didn't actually see it but I have friends in tears so I'm guessing it was the usual emotionally scarring happenings. Good luck to all you! So, please review! Anyways, thanks for reading!