Kyōya smiled as he remembered last week when Haruhi provided an entertaining little speech to the Zuka Club from Lobelia Girls' Academy about not intending to leave Ouran, ever. He had not one bit liked seeing them jerk her around and treat her like a stuffed toy; but ah, that was over with. Now he had to plan an invasion. Tamaki was being ridiculous, as per usual, but this would be a good chance to finally see Ranka-san and Haruhi's home. Once he had visited with everyone else, he could arrange visits without the group around, and spend more time with his beloved pet in a private place.

So he called up the rest of the Club, after he had called for a couple limos for the group to ride in, and they drove to Haruhi's small apartment home. Unlike the rest of the Club, Kyōya could function well in a "commoner's" setting, and he knew that the others (except possibly Honey and Mori) would make fools of themselves, so was mentally preparing for the entire trip to help her cope with it after the fact.

He sighed as Tamaki made a big speech to them about not insulting Haruhi; blatantly insulting her the entire time he was talking. She was right behind them, too, so it was useless for Tamaki to try and be "considerate". When they followed her up to her home, she sent him a pleading look, but he raised an eyebrow and shook his head lightly, so she pretended to use Honey's cake excuse to acquiesce to them coming in for actual tea, instead of a quick glance. Ah, this really was an invasion. Her home was cozy and quaint, but still comfortable. This would work.

Haruhi was irritated. Oh not that it wasn't about time, after about four months, for Kyōya-senpai to see her home, but that the rest of the group was here… grah, Haruhi wasn't happy with that at all. But she made them tea – and it was quite kind of Hikaru and Kaoru to bring her some so she didn't have to use her own – despite Tamaki's ridiculousness. She also enjoyed her cake with strawberries, despite not liking confections that much. She loved strawberries! And Mori-senpai had given her his from his cake as well, which was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture!

Ugh, it was not that Haruhi wasn't hungry – she was – but it was the fact that they just expected her to have something ready, which was… augh. So damn rude.

Of course, then Kyōya-senpai offered to pay for the lunch which Haruhi was secretly grateful for, even though she outwardly protested that it would be adding to her debt. Then he mentioned that it came out of selling material of her that meant it was technically her money being spent and she groaned inwardly; so cunning and clever! Damn but it was hard not to give herself away in this situation!

And of course, Tamaki was acting a fool. Like always. Oh well, she would go to the supermarket and make some food for them, but mostly so that she could cook something for Kyōya-senpai.

Ranka was not an idiot. Haruhi might not mind the position she was in, because she didn't care for the person pinning her down, but the blonde was not Honey-kun which meant that he was the "King" of the host club and he had a crush on her. He knew she didn't care because she wasn't attracted to him – his poor girl had a definite flaw with regards to her being totally unable to notice someone being attracted to her unless she was attracted to them back, and he strongly suspected that it was darling Kyōya-kun that her feelings veered towards. If the group of men on the stairs were any clue, he would be meeting his correspondent soon, and he would somehow find a way to invite him over for a visit – or several.

He met the Hitachiin twins before that however, and their indictment of Tamaki-kun meant that he could reasonably demean the fool who had a crush on his Haruhi. He knew it was filled with lies, of course, but hey, he was allowed to pretend to believe them. They were just trying to make everybody else look better and tease their "leader".

Then the absolute dumbass confessed "Fatherly" feelings, which was such a lie.

Then everybody sat around the table (except Tamaki-kun of course) and Ranka began identifying them; the look on Haruhi's face – and on their faces – was perfect.

Ah, but Ranka-san was a delight to talk to in person as well as through phone calls and texting. He was clearly disdainful of Tamaki, knew almost exactly what was going on, and was protective of his daughter. Kyōya spared a glance towards her and oh, how cute! She was blushing like usual, so sweet and subtle at the tips of her ears.

Then of course she yelled at Ranka-san for not telling her about talking to Kyōya, but he could tell that it was largely to keep up her persona, as it were. She didn't care; if anything she was pleased about it. Because this meant that he and she could come out with their relationship to her father, and he would be more accepting of it when he knew Kyōya already.

Ranka then told them about how self-sacrificing Haruhi was, and thanked them, which made Kyōya smirk slightly. Self-sacrificing yes; but also oh-so-obedient and good when not being like that.

And then they – of all things – ended up tailing Haruhi to the supermarket. Overkill? Yes. But still hilarious.

Ranka watched the byplay between his sweet, precious daughter and the rest of the Club members, and while the idea of his Haruhi being with that dumbass Tamaki-kun galled him to think about, he noticed within a couple of minutes that that was definitely not where her attention lay. Oh, no. His daughter's attraction and attention was geared towards his fantastic correspondent Kyōya-kun, and somehow, that didn't bother him one whit.

He would have to watch more to be sure, but as he saw Kyōya-kun discreetly adding the nicer cuts of meat to her bowl while they ate their stew pot, and Haruhi blushing her more subtle – and thus much cuter – blush, he realized that even if they weren't officially together, Kyōya-kun was caring for his daughter in a way she wouldn't let Ranka care for her any more.

Somehow, he wasn't surprised when, after everybody left, less than an hour later there was a knock at the door.

Kyōya stood at the door and smiled gently when Haruhi squeaked and called for Ranka-san. He smiled at Haruhi's father and asked, "I was wondering if it would be acceptable for me to take Haruhi out to dinner somewhere tonight?"

She blushed and protested softly – not with words but with a noise that said she felt Kyōya was going to spoil her and she didn't "need" it – before Ranka eyed him and opened the door wider. "Maybe. Possibly. First, why don't we sit down and talk."

"Of course." Kyōya took off his shoes and slid into a pair of slippers, before taking a seat at the table. Haruhi attempted to escape and make some tea, but Ranka called her back to the table when she was done, "No, darling daughter of mine. You will sit here as well. Make yourself some tea and come back."

He could tell that Haruhi wanted to protest, but after a look at Kyōya, who was silently telling her they needed to come clean to her father, she complied gracefully. Ranka chuckled, "Ah, not many people – if any – have been able to have that effect on her, Kyōya-san. Now, would you mind telling me exactly why you didn't inform me of your closer relationship with my daughter before now?"

Haruhi sat next to Kyōya and he patted her hand gently, making her cheeks redden softly as he said, "Tamaki does not and at the moment cannot know about us being together, although the rest of the club have figured it out. He doesn't realize his feelings, and is exceedingly jealous; we're basically waiting for the right time and while I have no doubt in your ability to keep a secret, Ranka-san, I also wanted Tamaki to experience your organic reaction to his behavior, thinking that it might help make things easier on Haruhi in the future."

Ranka looked thoughtful, then glared at the air before saying, "Easier, huh? Haruhi-chan, what does Kyōya-kun mean by that?"

She squirmed until he placed his hand on her thigh and tilted his head; she needed to get this out to someone besides himself. "Tamaki-senpai doesn't have any concept of personal boundaries, otō-san."

That was as good as they would get from her, so he clarified. "Haruhi is exactly right – Tamaki sees how physical everybody else is with her and assumes that it is similarly okay for him to treat her like his stuffed toy, and refuses to listen to her when she protests. Idiot that he is," he growled, "he doesn't realize that the others can tease her like that because they have no feelings for her and thus nothing is uncomfortable."

Ranka – for some reason – smiled at that and clapped his hands together. "Then it's settled! Haruhi-chan you're going out for dinner tonight. I have to work in an hour anyway, so this way you won't be home alone!"

Then he got up, pulled his daughter up, and pushed her towards her room, "Now; go get dressed, sweetie! Wear something nice!"

Then, once she was safely far enough away not to hear them, Ranka-san sat next to Kyōya. "How far, exactly?"

Kyōya complied – it was best to keep his pet's father on his side, or he could obstruct them very badly. "We've gotten fairly intimate. And before you can ask, Ranka-san.. I do love her. Which was a shock to learn about myself, but the incident at the beach rather made it impossible to ignore the fact that I am deeply and unfailingly in love with Haruhi and would protect her with my life."

Ranka smirked at that, before nodding. "Good. I thought as much but that you are willing to admit it is... Very good. She knows then?"

At Kyōya's nod he smirked again, "Very good. You have my permission to take things to their inevitable conclusion. No details though! I do not want to know how far you have gotten from this point on! Staying the night is allowed, even though otō-san mourns the loss of her innocence… well, she has a protector, and a lover, one that she chose, and that is important to me too. She lets you care for her, which is more than she's let me do in years."

Kyōya smiled and laid his hand atop Ranka's, "I promise to take care of and protect her with my all, Ranka-san."

"Good!" Ranka wiped his eyes – Kyōya had been kindly pretending not to notice the tears – and got up, puttering around the house in what was clearly a comforting routine.

"Thank you for understanding, Ranka-san." He commented softly. He knew that her father was protective, and was amazed that this was going so well.

"She chose you. She wants you. That girl has never wanted someone before. Who am I to deny her heart?"

Kyōya smiled softly. Well, that would be a good reason to accept him.