Emi POV

I had to admit that I was feeling much better after dancing. I felt confident and energetic, and ready to take on the world.

Backstage, I pulled off the outfit I had worn specifically for that dance routine, and pulled on my regular street clothes, jeans and a sweater. My boss had already approached me and told me I could leave early today since I had done an extra performance and I was more than ready to be away from the creepy customers. Overall, I was pretty glad that the Host Club had insisted on me dancing.

I shook my head fondly as I recalled the surprise glomp that had clued me in to the fact that the entire Host Club was in the Rusty Dove. I honestly hadn't expected my new friends to ever see me at work and I was feeling more and more apprehensive as the post-performance adrenaline wore off. There were very few people in my life (really only Avery) who knew I had this bolder, dare I say, sensual, side to me. Growing up in a small town made it so that I was stuck with being labelled as the shy and innocent kid and changing that label was near impossible when everyone already had certain expectations. Not that I necessarily wanted to change my label entirely. I honestly was a shy and quiet person and I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. But I also didn't want to be stuck as just one thing forever… Then I went to my first university and I had thought I'd be able to change all that. Turned out it was hard to be open enough with people to let them see that I was multifaceted. It just felt safer, more comfortable to be the shy girl. And now, here I was in Japan with new friends who were somehow peeling away my layers and it was a bit scary.

Stepping out of the staff room with my bag, I made my way over to the sofas that held the members of the Host Club. As soon as he spotted me, Tamaki rushed forward, clutching me to his chest and whirling around ecstatically.

"Daddy has such a talented daughter! Your dancing is truly beautiful! A sight to behold!" he sang, heedless of the fact that he was crushing me.

"T-Too… much," I managed to squeak dizzily. I was immediately removed from the golden retriever's grasp by Mori, who I thanked gratefully. I shot a thumbs up at the security person who had started approaching in concern at seeing one of the workers being manhandled. She backed away, but not without eyeing him suspiciously. To be fair, he did look odd, now spinning around in circles by himself, still mumbling.

I smoothed down my hair as I caught my breath and waited for the room to stop spinning. I heard a low whistle and looked to see the twins clapping lazily. "Well you definitely didn't disappoint! That was quite the show," Kaoru said.

I found myself sandwiched between the two as they draped their arms across my shoulders and looked down at me. "Yeah, maybe we'll have to hire you… privately," Hikaru purred, eyes glinting with mischief.

I heard a low growl in the background as I flushed in embarrassment. "Er… thank you, I guess? But, uh, you know I don't really do what you're thinking of… not for money at least." I had slipped in the last part in a sudden bout of cheekiness, and as a sort of payback for the way the twins were teasing me.

The growling was suddenly replaced by a choking sound and I looked around in concern, my gaze stopping on the spluttering form of Honey.

Was he the one who was growling? That doesn't seem like him...

"Uh, Honey? You good? Are you choking?" I asked in alarm. His face was all red and his nose was even bleeding slightly.

I looked around for Kyoya, beginning to wonder whether he'd have to do some sort of first aid, when Honey finally cleared his throat and answered, "I-I'm okay Emi-chan! I was just surprised!"

I tilted my head, feigning confusion, "Surprised about what?"

He opened his mouth, but didn't respond. He began turning red again, the crimson colour staining his cheeks contrasting sharply with his blonde locks. The twins tittered mockingly, whispering loudly for all to hear, "Pretty sure he was surprised by you implying that you do private dance shows…for free."

It was my turn to blush. I was now regretting my spontaneous decision to try to tease them back by being bluntly honest.

"T-that's not what I meant!" I exclaimed earnestly as I searched for an alternate explanation. "I- I just meant that- that sometimes I dance like that when I'm by myself, for fun you know? Or to practice!"

I held my breath as there was a pause and exhaled in silent relief when this answer seemed to be accepted. Whew, dodged a bullet there!

"Hem hem," Kyoya grabbed my attention by coughing into his fist politely, "As…informative as this has been, I believe Emi's shift is over and I have matters to attend to elsewhere."

Kaoru snickered quietly, "Yeah, if by 'matters' you mean your latest boy-toy."

I stared in astonishment as the feared Shadow King's cheeks took on a pink hue for the most fleeting of moments. If I hadn't already been looking at him I probably wouldn't have noticed it at all. And a moment later I doubted I had even seen any pink at all as he appeared as politely blank as usual and casually strolled towards the exit as though nothing had happened. It was only the amusement in Mori's eyes that told me I hadn't imagined the whole exchange.

With a parting squeeze of my shoulders, the twins followed Kyoya toward the exit, waving over their shoulders as they went.

Haruhi stepped up next to me and patted me on the shoulder, "Great dancing Emi! And thanks for putting up with all of these idiots." With that she roughly grabbed Tamaki's arm and dragged him bodily out of the building.

"…Thanks?" I answered, too late.

I looked towards the remaining hosts, feeling awkward suddenly. "Uh, well, I guess we should get going too, huh?"

They both nodded, though Mori's nod was significantly more sedate. Honey was quick to bounce forward, grabbing my hand and pulling me outside as his cousin followed behind us. Before I knew it I was seated in their limo, Honey still holding my hand.

"Oh, uh, you don't have to drive me… I can just walk home…," I stammered, feeling my stomach roll over at the mere thought of walking alone in the dark. But I felt simultaneously embarrassed at the idea of imposing on their thoughtfulness.

Dark grey eyes became piercing as Mori answered with a simple, "No." He reached over to knock on the partition separating the back of the limo from the front, and a moment later the vehicle was in motion.

I gaped at the outright refusal, not having expected such assertiveness from the gentle giant. I turned my disbelieving gaze toward Honey who giggled, then shook his head.

"We're not going to let you walk home alone in the dark! We wouldn't be very good friends if we did, ne Takashi?" he said, big chocolate eyes and warm smile chipping away at my resolve. His artfully tousled blonde hair, the slender frame that belied the magnitude of his strength, and the warmth of the hand that was holding mine all made my stomach flutter with what I could only assume was anxiety mixed with a bit of attraction.

Maybe a lot of attraction… Stop! Do NOT go there! He's your friend! A very attractive one, but a friend nonetheless.

I shook my head in an attempt to clear it, "Uh, um, I really appreciate it, I do! But I'm going to have to get used to walking home again at some point…"

"No," Mori said, eyes staring into mine intently for a moment before he returned to looking out the window.

"…Huh? What d'you mean 'no'?" I asked incredulously, whipping my gaze between him and the smallest host.

"No," he repeated, this time not even bothering to look away from the window.

I looked to Honey, seeking an explanation. Well two explanations really. First, I wanted to know what had gotten into his cousin, and second, I wanted to know how he thought he could stop me from walking home.

"Heheh~" he chuckled awkwardly, his free hand carding through his hair in a motion that quickened my heartbeat. "Takashi promised Avery-chan that you'd be safe, and the Morinozukas and Haninozukas always keep our promises. And…," he leaned towards me conspiratorially, "Takashi really likes Avery-chan so he's extra determined."

I made a concerted effort to ignore the heat I felt creeping up my neck at his proximity and focused on his words. Mori made a promise to Avery? That's… kind of sweet. I'm so going to have to talk to Avery about this.

I looked towards Mori, where he was pretending to ignore us. I knew he was pretending because his cheeks were actually pink at having his crush revealed. Well I guess he's not tired anymore, I thought in amusement, otherwise I'm pretty sure he'd be smirking right now instead of blushing.

"Uh, well, that's very sweet of you Mori, and I appreciate your dedication to keeping your promise to my best friend… But how do you propose I get to and from work if not by walking?"

Honey giggled, then answered for his cousin again, "Mm well you'll use the limo of course!" The 'silly Emi-chan' was left unsaid but was very clear nonetheless.

I was beginning to think my jaw might become permanently unhinged with how often I found myself picking it back up off the floor. I freed my hand from Honey's as I gesticulated somewhat wildly in negation, and assumed his pout was due to my denial of his overly kind offer.

"I can't use your limo! That's way too much! I work three times per week! I can really just walk you know, I've done it before and I can do it again. I- I just have to face my fears and then it'll be fine," I exclaimed, vehemently asserting just how very much I didn't need them to go out of their way every week.

The quiet giant turned his attention back towards me, softened eyes and gentle words stopping me in my tracks, "So you are scared."

Fuck, I didn't mean to say that!

"N- I mean- T-That's not- That's besides the point! I'm perfectly capable of walking home and as shitty as it is, this is just sort of part of being a woman… It's not something I can avoid forever…," I answered haltingly, looking down at my lap as my fingers picked at a loose thread on the knee of my jeans.

Honey's small and soft, though slightly calloused, hand reached over and covered mine, stopping my fidgeting instantly. I looked up and found myself immediately drowning in the swirling depths of chocolate that were his eyes.

Hmm, I wonder if he's ever hypnotized someone with those eyes of his…

"Emi-chan, what you said may be true… but just because you're capable of facing something on your own doesn't necessarily mean you should. And… we're not saying you should avoid ever walking on your own. Just…it's only been a couple of days. If you have the option to do things more safely, shouldn't you?" he said, speaking gently but seriously, thumb rubbing along the back of my hand as he did so.

Damnit why does he have to be so rational? And how am I supposed to think of a counter-argument when all my attention is on the way he's touching my hand?!

I hesitated, "…Well…. I…" I shook my head, trying and failing to find a rational argument to back me up, the right sequence of words that would convince them.

"If you had the power to offer your friend a safer alternative… if it was Avery who had the option to take a ride home rather than walk home alone in the dark, wouldn't you want her to choose the ride?" Mori asked measuredly, patiently. He stared at me, waiting for my response.

I felt my shoulders slump in defeat as I acknowledged that they'd out-rationalized me. "…Yes," I whispered, "I'd want her to just accept the offer."

Honey cheered and hugged me excitedly, "Yay! So you'll use the limo whenever you need to get home after work, right?"

"Erm… I-I guess? If you're really sure it's okay! I wouldn't want to inconvenience you or your families! And-and only if you'll let me pay you back somehow," I answered carefully, pulling back from his hug slowly.

"Don't be silly Emi-chan! We have lots of limos so it's no trouble! And you don't have to do anything for us either."

I straightened my back and shook my head emphatically, "No. If I'm going to take you up on this offer then I insist on at least doing something for you in return."

The two oldest hosts exchanged glances, seeming to have a whole conversation without ever opening their mouths. Honey turned back towards me and shrugged, "Alright Emi-chan!"

Mori cocked his head pensively, "What would you propose you do?"

I paused, wracking my brain for some way I could pay them back. What was something I could offer to two very rich families that they didn't already have or couldn't easily obtain?

"Um… I could clean for you? Or- or cook? Bake?" I suggested feebly, wincing at the realization that I had very little to offer in return.

"Well you could but…we already have maids and chefs," Honey countered, tapping a finger to his chin thoughtfully.

"Um, well, I can teach piano or guitar but I don't know how that would be useful to you…," I stated regretfully.

"…Hmm," he hummed, a faraway look in his eyes. Suddenly, his eyes cleared and he slammed his fist into his open palm, eyes sparkling, "Well, maybe Hika-chan and Kao-chan were on to something! We could hire you to dance!"

There was a moment of silence as Mori and I digested these words. Then I was choking on the air I'd been breathing, thumping my chest as I sputtered. I heard an odd gurgling sound coming from Mori and looked to see that his face was completely red and displaying the most emotion I'd ever seen at one time. He was staring at his older cousin, completely aghast.

Honey tilted his head, looking between us with a perplexed expression on his face, "Huh? What-,"

I watched, sucking air into my poor oxygen-deprived lungs, and saw as blood rushed to Honey's face and his eyes widened drastically, nearly popping out of his head.

"N-no! Not like that! I didn't mean we would hire you as- as a p-private dancer!" he denied, waving his arms around frantically, Usa-chan flying through the air with each wave.

Mori cleared his throat, a strained version of his usual stoic expression pulled into place, "What then?"

"U-um I was just thinking that we could hire Emi-chan to teach some of the younger students at the dojo…," Honey started, his colour starting to return to normal, "In class, they were talking about how dance can help improve coordination!"

I practically sagged in my seat in relief, then perked up as I considered his idea. It actually sounded like something that would be really rewarding and fun.

"Uh, actually, that sounds really great! I can start whenever you need me to," I told him, fighting the urge to fan away the remaining heat in my cheeks at the whole debacle.

The sparkle returned to Honey's eyes and his ensuing beam nearly blinded me as he bounced in his seat. "Great! You can start next week then!" I nodded in agreement, reaching my hand out to Honey to shake on it.

Mori reached across the limo and ruffled Honey's hair, then reached over to pat me gently on the head, smiling approvingly.

With that settled, a comfortable silence descended upon the limo. As the vehicle smoothly moved through the night, I slowly leaned over so that my temple was resting against Honey's shoulder.

"Thank you," I whispered.