effloradox

[effloradox]

Day 31: The Hitachiin Twins + "How can you be this cheery? We haven't even had breakfast."

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Birthday's aren't a big deal in your household. You've never felt like it was a neglected day, it's more that you don't really see the point in celebrating it beyond just a general acknowledgement of the day.

It's something that both fascinates and infuriates your best friends.

Maybe it's because they share a birthday, and are just generally more comfortable in the spotlight, but the fact you don't really celebrate your birthday confuses the twins to no end. It's also never stopped them from making a big deal of your birthday regardless of how much you protest them doing so.

When they'd asked you to stay at theirs the night before you hadn't really questioned it. Sleepovers were pretty common amongst the three of you just it hadn't seemed particularly suspicious.

In hindsight, you definitely should have known better.

"How can you be this cheery? We haven't even had breakfast." You mumble your words into your coffee, made just how you like it, suspicious eyes barely visible over the rim of the mug.

"C'mon (Y/N)." They whine at you.

"It's your birthday. Someone has to be in a good mood." You're not sure how they've managed it, but their kitchen is filled with birthday banners and balloons. There's a not-so-conspicuous pile of presents in the corner of the room as well, but the twins had insisted on breakfast first.

"And we all know you're never in a good mood this early in the morning." Hikaru has a point but it doesn't stop you from continuing to scowl at him. The two of them just laugh at you, taking another sip of their coffees.

"I'm guessing this isn't the end of it?"

"Of course not!"

"It's barely 8am. There's still 16 more hours of your birthday left to celebrate." You sigh, but they know there's no malice in it. You're long used to being treated like their favourite toy. There's quiet between the three of you as you enjoy your coffees.

"Thank you for doing this." There's a hundred unspoken words in the air between the three of you. It's something of a comfort to know that they understand every single one of them. They descend upon you without a word, arms wrapping around you like they have countless times before.

"Don't go getting soft on us!"

"Don't worry Hikaru, I'm sure by the end of the day they'll be back to wanting to kill us."

[effloradox]

[effloradox]

Day 30: The Hitachiin Twins + "Here we are, home sweet home."

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When the first summer break of your university career rolls around, you don't expect it to go any different to how all your other recent summers have passed. Splitting your time between your home and your friends homes, maybe a trip or two further afield (Tamaki mentioned something about Florence that had caught your attention).

That's when you had the rug pulled out from under you.

All in all, it hadn't been a particularly long discussion as to where you'd be spending your summer. Your parents had been in touch to let you know they'd be in Europe for most of the summer months; your mother had a string of prior commitments that required her attendance and your father dutifully went along with her.

The offer for you to join them in Europe hadn't been extended so, to save you spending too much time alone, the twins had offered you a place at their home. You'd been hesitant at first until you'd received a particularly insistent phone call from Yuzuha Hitachiin telling you that 'of course you were welcome to spend your summer with the twins, that it'd be good for them and for you, don't be a fool' and that was the decision made.

Most of your belongings were going into storage over the summer so the three of you only had a suitcase and a bag with you, all safely stowed at the front of the train. The first class service had been particularly nice, though you expected nothing less.

Most of the train journey home was done in silence. Not an uncomfortable silence, but one that exists through years of knowing someone and being comfortable around them. Hikaru sits across from you, curled up under his jacket, seemingly asleep. Kaoru is next to you, his iPod on the table in front of you, the two of you sharing an earbud each. You don't know the song you're listening to, but you know he loves this album (even if he'd never admit it) so you hadn't hesitated to play it when it was your turn to choose a song. The smile he'd sent your way had been so incredibly fond it had been all you could do to settle yourself against his shoulder, hiding from the weight of his gaze.

Their driver had been waiting for the three of you at the station, punctual as ever, and then you were off for the drive to their home. It's more lively than the train journey, the excitement of summer finally starting to hit the three of you.

There's no reverence within you towards the Hitachiin's mansion anymore. When you'd been a child arriving at the front door for the first time it had towered over you, a representation of all the expectations resting on the three of you. Now it felt almost as close to home as your own family mansion did. Too many sleepovers, too many family meals, too much shared history existed within its walls for you to fear it.

The three of you are bundled out of the car by the Hitachiin's head maid with the instance that your bags will be brought to your respective rooms, and then the three of you are left alone.

There's a moment when the three of you visibly relax, the weight of everything finally leaving you now you're finally alone. No more expectations, no more family pressure, just you and your best friends and the freedom of a summer without limitations.

It's a magical feeling.

"Here we are, home sweet home." Hikaru announces with a flourish, turning on his heel to face you and his brother. The smile he sends you is mirrored on Kaoru's face and you're sure it's on your face as well. In sync like always. "What should we do first?"

[effloradox]

Day 29: The Hitachiin Twins + "Just stay here."

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Time has a funny way of slipping away when you're with the twins. You spend time with them expecting only to stay for a few hours only for time to slip through your fingers in the blink of an eye. You'd only come round to work on your Conversational French assignment with them and it's with a jolt that you realise you've spent over ten hours at their home. It breaks the gentle haze that'd settled comfortably over the three of you as you check your watch to make sure you read the time correctly.

"I should go." The two of them blink at you, confused that you've just stopped a rather interesting conversation about the not-so-private romantic affairs of some of your classmates, school work long since forgotten. They both tilt their heads in a way that reminds you of the way cats behave.

"Why?"

"I need to be up early in the morning."

"Just stay here." They both gesture vaguely in the direction of their room. You take a moment to consider their offer, thinking about what you have planned for the next day.

"Can't. Early morning business meeting."

"Boo." You smile at them, but they can see just how tired you are. Your movements are sluggish as you gather your things, and it takes a great deal of effort for you to rise.

There's a shared awareness about all of your futures. There's businesses to inherit, work that will be passed down to all of you. It's just how your lives will play out. That doesn't mean you can't resent it on occasion though. You'd love nothing more than to spend the night like you have a million times but all of you know you'd be missing the morning meeting. It wouldn't be the first time but you could do without the lecture from your parents if it happens again.

There's been a lot of early morning business meetings in the last few months. Trying to do business with companies that are 16 hours behind your timezone is difficult at the best of times but when the deals require being on call with different people from multiple continents it's meant you've been preparing for meetings that start at 4am sometimes.

Your grades haven't slipped so you know your parents aren't too concerned, but it doesn't take a genuis to realise you're getting tired. You don't notice the way the twins look at each other, too busy trying to stay on your feet. They walk you to the front door like always, their hugs lingering only slightly more than usual.

"Come to the club tomorrow?" Your mid-way into your car when they speak and you slowly turn to them, blinking at them.

"I always come to the club?"

"We have a surprise planned for you." Their tone give nothing away and a prickle of suspicion grows in your mind.

"Well now I'm worried. You're not dying are you?" The two of them fall against each other dramatically, their hands reaching to rest against the part of their chest where their hearts are.

"You wound us!"

"Have a little faith!"

"I'm too tired to argue my case. I'll see you in the morning."

[effloradox]

Day 28: Haruhi Fujioka + "As cliche as it sounds, it's okay to not be okay. Give yourself time."

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Haruhi Fujioka is a strong person. It's what she's known for around Ouran. Unflappable in the face of pretty much anything, she's faced a lot of crazy situations and come out on top of them.

Sometimes grief hits her like a tidal wave though.

You can tell something's wrong with her as soon as you lay eyes on her. She looks weary, like she's barely slept in days, and she doesn't respond when you call her name, even when you're basically stood next to her. If she notices how much you're staring at her, she doesn't comment which makes you even more concerned.

It's not hard to get Kyoya to switch your appointment at the host club to be with Haruhi rather than the twins. You know they've noticed something's wrong with her too so they don't press you. It takes her a few moments to process that someone's sat across from her and she blinks slowly at you when she finally notices you.

"What's bothering you? You've been off all day." Your tone is firm but non-confrontational, or at least you hope it is. You watch her carefully as her eyes quickly survey the room. You immediately realise that maybe this is a conversation best had in private.

"Why don't we take a walk? Get some fresh air." You see the look of apprehension growing on her face and do you best to soothe her anxieties. "I promise we'll be back before your next appointment." You watch as her eyes drift behind you to Kyoya, who must nod his approval as she rises to her feet and then the two of you are walking out of Music Room 3.

The two of you walk in silence until you come across an empty classroom, which you choose as the safest place to talk freely. It's only then that she finally tells you what's wrong.

"It's coming up on my mother's anniversary." You curse yourself for not thinking of that sooner.

"Oh Haruhi. I'm so sorry."

"I'm trying to push through it but sometimes it's so hard." Her voice shakes as she speaks, tears forming in her eyes. Part of your heart breaks at the sight.

"Sometimes things aren't alright, and they're not gonna be okay for a while. And that's alright." You pull her into your side gently, pulling a tissue out from...somewhere and offering it to her. She takes it with a trembling hand. "As cliche as it sounds, it's okay to not be okay. Give yourself time."

"Thank you."

[effloradox]

Day 27: Tamaki Suoh + "You look wonderful."

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Tamaki Suoh has had some crazy ideas in the few years you've known him. It's just how his brain works and you try your best to roll with his more unusual ideas.

This one might be the craziest idea yet though.

You understand his concern that the Lobelia girls could tempt Haruhi to go to their school instead of Ouran. Lobelia's reputation almost matches Ouran's and, whilst she doesn't seem the type, you just know Haruhi would thrive in that environment.

Convincing most of the hosts to dress up as women to try and convince Haruhi to stay is definitely one of the most insane things the hosts have done for Tamaki. They'd (almost) all seemed fairly eager to find some ballgowns and get all dolled up.

Tamaki had enlisted your help immediately, citing a lack of experience in applying make up that you could help him with. It's common knowledge that you and the twins have worked with some of the make up artists your mothers have connections with so it made sense for you to help out where you can, especially since you won't be part of the actual convincing.

"Do you really think this will work?" Your focus is on making sure his eye shadow is blended perfectly, meaning his eyes are closed for the time being. The lack of watching eyes makes you bold with your questions.

"Honestly I'm not sure. But I think it would be nice to show we support her in all aspects of her life, don't you agree?" You let out a soft hum of agreement, swiping another layer of shimmery eyeshadow over his eyelids.

"I'm surprised the others agreed. Well, most of them." Takashi had refused to wear a dress. You didn't fully blame him.

"We'd all do anything for her. Don't you feel the same?" His tone is gentle, like the statement isn't a loaded one. It makes you pause for a second, brush hovering over Tamaki's face. It's almost surprising how quickly Haruhi has found her way into the heart of everyone in the host club, yourself included.

Sometimes it scares you a little.

"Your make up is finished." Tamaki doesn't comment on your avoidance of his question, you're guessing he expected you to do so, electing to stand up and look at himself in the mirror.

"Well? How do I look?" He twirls in front of you, the layers of the dress twirling around him. It brings a fond smile to your face.

"You look wonderful."

[effloradox]

Day 26: Kyoya Ootori + "Look, I'm not coddling you, I'm just trying to help. I want to take care of you cause I, y'know, care about you."

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Kyoya Ootori doesn't get sick. Ever. His family's health care is the best in the world, he has access to the most advanced medicine in the country, and his immune system is impeccable; so no. He doesn't get sick.

It's unfortunate when he wakes up with a pounding headache, a sore throat, and a blocked nose. He's not sick, but the physical symptoms he's experiencing are enough to send him into a sour mood, something he teeters on the edge of most days anyway. He's quiet through his classes, only speaking when absolutely necessary, and during host club hours he sits in a corner, focus solely on his laptop. He's barely paying attention to the spreadsheet in front of him, only looking away when a voice cuts through his attention span.

"Kyoya?" He's surprised to see you when he looks up, especially since you're sat down across from him rather than standing waiting for him to tell you to sit. It's not like you. You always wait for him to invite you to sit.

"How long have you been sitting there?" You glance down at your wristwatch.

"About seven minutes. You didn't notice me come over?" He stares at you for a moment before adjusting his glasses, a nervous habit of his you've picked up on over time.

"I'm sorry to say I didn't." There's quiet between you for a few moments.

"Do you want something? I know you're sick so I could make you some tea?" Something shifts in the air in your words as his eyes narrow at you.

"I don't need to be coddled." His words are harsh, a contrast to how he usually speaks to you, and it visibly takes you by surprise. You try to work out where you've gone wrong for his tone to turn so icy in a matter of seconds. His focus shifts away from you and the typing resumes on his laptop. It's a clear dismissal if you've ever seen one. It takes you a few minutes to calculate the best way to respond to him.

"Look, I'm not coddling you, I'm just trying to help. I want to take care of you cause I, y'know, care about you." Your words bring an end to the typing as he finally looks at you. You're avoiding eye contact with him, hands twisting around the fabric of your uniform and it shifts something within him. He doesn't want you to feel like that around him, he realises.

"I suppose it wouldn't be the worst idea to have some tea." It's a concession you didn't expect him to give you and you can't help but smile softly as you stand up to go and get the tea. You've just turned away when he speaks again. "Thank you, (Y/N)."

He ignores the way his chest feels when you smile at him like that.

[effloradox]

Day 25: Mitsukuni Haninozuka + "Stay still, I'm trying to hug you."

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Mitsukuni Haninozuka is a very physically affectionate person. He has been since he was a child, and he doesn't see it changing any time soon. Most people in his life are just used to it, or they get used to it by proxy of being around him for enough time.

He expects that you will be no exception to this rule.

From the time he's spent around you, you seem perfectly fine with physical affection. Most of the time the twins are basically joined to you at the hip, never more than an armstretch away. You spent most of your time being passed from one pair of arms to another without complaint. Honey expects you to be the same with everyone.

It surprises him when he sees you flinch away from a particularly zealous hug from Tamaki.

It wasn't even like Tamaki had tried to sneak up on you. He had approached you from the front, arms outstretched and intention clear, when you'd flinched back from him. The blonde had taken it in his stride well enough, apparently used to this reaction from you, but it left Honey intrigued. He watches you around school over the next few days and sees that, if someone approaches you, you tend to find a way to avoid them touching you.

It interests him.

He decides the only way to try and see where he stands is to actually hug you. If you react badly then he'll re-evaluate but he's sure he'll be fine. You're clearly okay with the affection from certain people, he just hopes he's one of them.

The next time he sees you at the club, he runs over to you just like he always does. He makes sure to do everything that he would normally do before he throws his arms around you. You react instantly, clearly uncomfortable with what's happening but he persists. You twitch in his arms, clearly trying to break his hold on you in the politest way possible.

"Stay still, I'm trying to hug you." You go still in his arms for just a moment but it's enough. His grip around you turns steady as he holds you to him, safe in the knowledge that you won't push him away for the moment. It takes a few seconds but you settle into his hold, the tension seeming to seep out of you all at once. He knows he's succeeded when you finally speak.

"This is nice." He can't help but smile at your admission, feeling a wave of joy as he feels your arms tentatively wrapping around him in return. The two of you stay slightly on the spot until Honey finally lets you go.

You both ignore the betrayed cry of Tamaki coming from somewhere in the club room.

[effloradox]

Day 24: Takashi Morinozuka + "It's okay, I think I can walk."

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Takashi Morinozuka is an incredibly observant person. It's partially a result of his silent disposition, and partially just how he's always been. It rears its head more for his friends than for strangers, mainly for Mitsukuni and, more recently, for you.

Everything had been going like normal at the host club when Mori had heard a sharp noise of pain coming from somewhere in the room. It didn't take him long to spot you on the ground, hands gently pressing against your left ankle. He was out of his seat without a word, heading straight over to your side. He was only vaguely aware of the confused noises some of his guests were making at his sudden departure but he can't find it in himself to mind much.

"What happened?" His voice takes you by surprise, you hadn't even noticed him walking over to you. You blink up at him.

"I tripped." You shrug slightly as you speak, hand still gently prodding your ankle. It doesn't go amiss to either of you that there's nothing in the area you could've fallen over. There's a suspicious lack of the twins around you that makes Mori suspect that they were the cause of your fall but he can't prove anything and the cause isn't important right now. He extends a hand to you, pulling you up once you've taken his hand in yours.

"Need some help?"

"It's okay, I think I can walk." You gingerly try and put some of your weight onto your sore ankle and immediately you realise it was a bad idea. A bolt of pain runs through you and you can't help but yelp as you lift it back into the air. You're too busy looking at your ankle to see the look of concern growing on Mori's face.

"Infirmary. Now." There's no room for debate in his tone. Before you even know what's happening, he has an arm around you, supporting your weight, and has started striding towards the door of the host club. You try your best to ignore the concerned and confused shouts coming from your friends and classmates as the two of you disappear theough the door.

The walk to the infirmary is done in silence, the only occasional noise comes from you when you accidently apply too much pressure on your bad ankle. Mori doesn't leave your side until you're safely in the hands of Ouran's nurse team, all of whom are quick to reassure him that you're in good hands and they'll take great care of you.

He still doesn't like leaving your side. The final thing he says as you disappear behind the infirmary door is that he'll wait there for you, however long it takes.

[effloradox]

Day 23: Kaoru Hitachiin + "I actually do care about what you think. You're probably one of the only people whose opinion matters to me."

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Kaoru Hitachiin doesn't like being on his own. Even at the age of eleven he's decided he doesn't enjoy how being on his own feels. He wasn't even born on his own, the feeling is completely foreign to him.

His brother was otherwise occupied with their mother to finish his application to Ouran's Junior High School, leaving him alone. It only takes him a few seconds to decide to search you out since he knows you're here somewhere, waiting for your appointment with the Chairman. It doesn't take him long to find you, sitting alone in a classroom. There's books all around you and you seem completely entranced by whatever it is you're reading.

"What're you reading?" You jump at his voice, eyes flashing up to regard him. "Sorry. Thought you heard me come in."

"It's okay. Just reading up on Shakespeare and his life." He casts his mind back to the list of readings needed for that class but draws a blank on anything relating to that topic.

"Is that part of our assigned reading?" You almost turn bashful at his question.

"No, actually. But it's worth a read to give wider context to the required readings."

"How so?" You wait for a moment before you start talking, taking a few beats to steel yourself before you settle into your topic. It's clear you know exactly what you're talking about and Kaoru thinks it might be the longest he's ever heard you speak for unprompted. You seem to be equally aware of that fact as you start to lose momentum, words coming to a grinding halt.

"Sorry, I'm rambling. You probably don't care about any of this." You laugh as you speak, a soft airy sound, but there's a nervous energy to it that Kaoru finds he doesn't like. You watch as his brows furrow at you. You've been friends for a few years at this point but you're still quiet, content to observe your surroundings rather than speak your mind about them.

It's something he and his brother want to change about you. Sometimes it just feels like you need a gentle push so that you actually speak your mind. It's something he's happy to give you.

"I actually do care what you think about. You're probably one of the only people whose opinion matters to me." You blink at him for a moment before you nod slightly.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. So go on, how does all of this apply to the required readings?" He takes a seat a few desks away from you, eyes never leaving yours as you start to speak again.

[effloradox]

Day 22: Hikaru Hitachiin + "I guess I always kind of knew? It just wasn't that important until I got older."

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Hikaru Hitachiin isn't known for being particularly accommodating. Him and his twin have a reputation for being aloof and standoffish around school and that's how they like it. Not when you're concerned though.

Everyone knows they have a soft spot for you.

When you come out, they're the first people to defend you against anyone. They so much as hear a whisper of a bad word against you and they're quick to retaliate in whatever way they deem necessary. That doesn't mean they fully understand everything though. Hikaru wants to fix that.

He spots his opportunity when he's alone with you for the first time in forever. You'd been over for a sleepover when Kaoru had felt ill so he'd gone up to bed early, leaving the two of you alone. Your idle chat continues, something about school he's not really paying attention, until Hikaru blurts out a question.

"Can I ask you something?" You blink at him, and an air of caution grows between you. Hikaru doesn't ask permission to ask questions. Ever.

"Sure."

"When did you know?" He speaks so quietly that it takes you a few beats to actually process what he said. You tilt your head in confusion.

"Know what?"

"About you." A look of realisation grows on your face as you understand what he's asking. You take a few moments to find the words.

"I guess I always kind of knew? It just wasn't that important until I got older."

"What's it like?"

"I don't know. When I was in Paris helping with fashion week, I met a man with these big scars on his chest and he looked so happy. He said they helped him to be authentically him. I think it's kind of like that, but also not. Not sure if that makes sense."

"Kind of." The two of you sit in silence for a few minutes, the only sound the quiet noise your shirt makes as you tangle your hands around the fabric.

"Can I ask you a question?" He nods at you. "Does it bother you?" There's an anxious look in your eye that upsets him. He pulls you into his side, keeping an arm wrapped around you.

"You're our best friend. You don't have to be anything you don't want to be." You seem to relax when he speaks, settling yourself into his side. The two of you stay like that for some time, breathing slowly syncing up.

[effloradox]

Day 21: Haruhi Fujioka + "Let me do this for you. Please."

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Haruhi Fujioka isn't one to be scared easily. She's fought adversity constantly through her life and she'll continue to do so for as long as she's able, just like her mother did. That doesn't mean she can do it on her own all the time though.

When one of her classmates comes up to her hissing that he knew her secret and was going to tell everyone, she didn't know who to turn to. It had been purely by chance that you'd spotted her not long after the confrontation and had immediately known something was wrong with her. It had taken her a good few minutes to even process that it was you speaking to her.

She'd told you what had happened when you asked, mind still a bit of a blur, and you'd told her not to worry, that you would handle it. A day later you pulled her into an empty classroom, your eyes steely and your expression grim.

"Let me do this for you. Please." The intensity in your eyes should scare her. Sometimes Haruhi forgets the power you can wield without so much as lifting a finger. It's not something you do very often and for good reason. She's seen what happens to people who cross any of the host club members, it isn't pretty. Usually it's Kyoya that deals with them though. As far as she's aware, you've never dealt with anyone personally.

There might be a reason for that.

As you flick through the (extremely classified) academic records of the boy who threatened her, it occurs to her for the first time that maybe there's a reason you and Kyoya get on so well. You're silent as you scan through the pages, only stopping when you see something that interests you.

"There's enough here for the chairman to have grounds for expulsion. I'll speak to Kyoya about it. Shouldn't take more than a few weeks. I'll see to it that he doesn't say anything in the interim." You close the folder, seemingly satisfied for now. The fire in your eyes hasn't dimmed in the slightest.

"You didn't have to do this for me." Seeing that her words do nothing to settle you, she takes a step towards you and takes one of your hands in hers. The gesture seems to bring you back to yourself as you slowly blink at her. She smiles at you, giving your hand a squeeze.

You finally soften at that, the situation seemingly resolved in your mind. You interlace your fingers with hers, grateful for the physical contact.

"You're my friend, Haruhi, I would do anything for you."

[effloradox]

Day 20: Tamaki Suoh + "It's the first day, you're not going to be perfect."

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Tamaki Suoh loves spending time with his friends. It's good luck that most of them are in the same club as him so he sees them most days of the week anyway, but making time to spend with you is always high on his priority list.

A painting class had sounded like a fun idea at the time. He'd seen the posters for it dotted around the halls of Ouran and his mind had jumped to you immediately. He knew you liked painting and it seemed like something you would enjoy doing. He'd ripped one off the wall without even thinking about it, hunting you down to rope you into coming with him. You'd been surprisingly enthusiastic about going so it was decided.

It's only as the two of you are walking into the room that Tamaki remembers that his art skills are non-existant.

He tries to downplay the sudden remembrance, nodding along with whatever you were saying, but dread has started to worm its way into his mind. He knows you're good at art, he's seen some of your work before, but do you think he's good at art? Has he unwillingly led you astray, making you think he's equally as skilled as you?

He hopes not.

The teacher walks into the room, bringing an end to your conversation, and his opportunity to tell you he's terrible at art. She moves a table into the centre of the room, putting a bowl of fruit on top of it. She starts talking, something about the first class just being a way for her to gauge where everyone's skills are up to. There's all different kinds of paints and art equipment in the room, and you're all invited to choose your preferred medium.

His painting is a disaster.

The teacher won't say anything because she's employed by the school, but he knows well enough. He feels the weight of a few of his classmates' judging stares when they come over to look. Yours, on the other hand, is a triump of pastels and charcoals. People keep coming over to compliment you but you seem to look straight through them. You come over to him, casting an eye on his painting.

"I'm sorry that I'm not very good at this." Tamaki speaks before you get the chance. You seem upset at the implications of his words.

"It's the first day Tamaki, you're not going to be perfect." He goes to speak again but you cut him off. "I'm just here to spend time with you. We can work on it together if you want?" He's quick to accept your offer of help.

[effloradox]

Day 19: Kyoya Ootori + "I like being alone, but I'd rather be alone with you."

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Kyoya Ootori is not a sentimental man. He's a man that can easily be perceived as having a detached personality and he plays into that more than people tend to realise.

That's why it's sort of honoring that he allows you join him in these moments.

It's not a particularly intimate setting, but the two of you have found a comfortable middle ground spending time together in Music Room 3 in a shared free period. What started in unusual circumstances has blossomed into an unconventional friendship.

There isn't much talking done and that's just how you both like it.

Something's been bothering you recently though. It's something small but it seems to have snowballed in your mind into a much bigger problem. It's been worrying you that maybe you've misread some signals, misunderstood some subtleties, and you're not as welcome to spend that time with him as you'd initially thought. It's sort of shaming that you've been losing sleep concerning yourself that you've been imposing on Kyoya's peace and he's been waiting for you to realise your error.

Your anxiety has left you fraught with nerves, though if Kyoya notices he doesn't comment when you sit across from him. It doesn't take long for your anxiety to bubble over and the words come tumbling out.

"Do you ever wish I didn't come to the club during your free periods?" It's a thought that's plagued for longer than you'd care to admit to him but you've always been too scared to vocalise it. You're not entirely sure what possessed you to ask him now but as the words hang in the air, time seeming to slow to a stop in the silence.

You'd be half convinced that he hadn't even heard you except for the change to his typing. Most people probably wouldn't notice but you've spent so much time with his typing acting as white noise that you notice the hesitation in his usually confident typing instantly. You could cut through the silence with a knife.

When he finally makes eye contact with you it stills your heart once again. True eye contact with Kyoya is an exceedingly rare thing and it makes you freeze every single time it happens.

"I like being alone, but I'd rather be alone with you." He drops his gaze back to his laptop, resuming his almost forgotten work. What he doesn't see is the fond smile that makes a home on your face in the aftermath of his confession. Your heart settles itself in your chest, safe in the knowledge that you're welcome here with him.

[effloradox]

Day 18: Mitsukuni Haninozuka + "We can go home, if you want?"

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Mitsukuni Haninozuka loves his naps. He's well known for taking an afternoon nap nearly every day, to the point that he starts to get tired automatically when the clock starts approaching 2pm. In a way he was lucky that he usually had a free period around that time during his school days, it meant he was free to have a quick nap in the clubroom as often as he felt he needed one (which was every day). He was usually so good at avoiding plans that would interfere with his unconventional sleeping requirements.

Maybe it was a bad idea to decide to meet you for coffee at 1pm. It had sounded so fun when you suggested it!

He'd been fine for the first forty minutes, as lively as ever, but his energy had started to dwindle as the clock ticked ever closer to 2pm. Even the super sugary coffee he'd ordered hadn't helped him.

He thought ordering a sugary cake would work as a miracle cure, even just to cheer him up mentally, but by the time he'd ordered it and brought it back to the table, his eyes had already started to droop again. You'd taken a sip of your coffee, eyes trained on him. He wanted to act like everything was fine but there was a strange look on your face that made him think he wasn't fooling you.

"We can go back home, if you want?" You speak softly, like you don't want to offend him. He blinks at you, eyes taking a second to focus on you. He falls into the wide eyed act in an instant, a reflex after months at the host club.

"Why would we do that?" He tries to sound alert but he knows he's going to fail when a yawn tries to force itself out of his mouth. He tries to stifle it but he can tell you know what he's doing when a knowing look grows on your face.

"This is like the fifth time you've yawned in two minutes." Your smile is patient with a sparkle of amusement in your eyes. Honey wants to smile back, to respond with a joke but he's just so tired. He sighs, an apologetic look settling on his face. You notice his deflating mood instantly.

"I'm sorry. I thought I'd be able to stay awake." Your expression softens at the disappointment in his voice. Guilt curls in your chest, knowing you'd been the one to suggest the time of your meeting. You reach across the table, taking one of his hands in yours. You wait for him to make eye contact with you before you speak.

"Let's go, yeah? We can always reschedule for another time. Maybe just not around 2pm next time." He nods at you, smiling gratefully. He squeezes your hand in thanks, smile widening when you squeeze back.

[effloradox]

Day 17: Takashi Morinozuka + "I like seeing you smile."

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Takashi Morinozuka is not the kind of man to speak his mind. His thoughts are very rarely spoken aloud so you make a habit of paying attention when they are revealed to you. It's feels like something of an honour when he entrusts you with some of his thoughts.

It's not often that the two of you spend time alone together. It's bad luck that most of the time, the two of you have contrasting schedules so, when you have a shared opening, it's important that you take advantage of it.

The coffee shop the two of you always meet at is a personal favourite of yours. It's never particularly busy when you're there and a few of the batistas know you by name given how often they see you. They greet you with a smile as you order your usual and a black coffee for Mori and it's only a few minutes before you're heading back to your table, coffees in hand. Mori takes it with a quiet thank you and the two of you sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes, enjoying your drinks.

Talking with Mori has always come easily to you. After becoming accustomed to his silence, it's easy to talk to him. You've never felt judged by him when you've spoke to him in the past and it's been nice to have a friend you can speak to without worrying about his thoughts.

It had been a while since the two of you had spoken so you'd been quick to fall into telling him everything that had happened to you recently. Most of the stories involved the twins, naturally, but you know he doesn't mind much. He's as much their friend as he is yours so, in a way, catching up with you means catching up with them.

You'd been midway through a story involving an embarrassing situation between Hikaru and one of the girls in your class when your train of thought was interrupted by something funny Kaoru had said at the time. You'd smiled to yourself at the memory before noticing the shifting expression of Mori. Your head tilts to the side slightly in a silent gesture of curiosity.

"I like seeing you smile." He speaks quietly, like he always does, but his words send a rush of warmth through you. You find yourself speechless for the first time in a while as a bashful smile creeps onto your face. Praise of any kind is not something Mori gives out freely and it feels like something of an honour to be on the receiving end.

You carry on with your story, your soul feeling lighter than it did before. It's nice.

[effloradox]

Day 16: Kaoru Hitachiin + "Do you think we're friends in every universe?"

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Kaoru Hitachiin doesn't tell a lot of people how much he loves star gazing. It's not an easy thing to do where he lives, too much light pollution, but sometimes, when he's away from home, it's a welcome relief to look at the sky and see an expanse of inky blackness dotted with normally hidden stars. It's become something of a tradition for the two of you to wake up late into the night, take a blanket and find a quiet spot in a garden if the two of you are travelling together so you can enjoy the stars together.

That's how the two of you find yourself lying on the grass in the rental house's garden, a comfortable silence between you and a newfound admiration for the sky. It's the best view of the sky you think you've ever had. You'd tried to drag Hikaru out of bed, telling him as such, but he'd refused, grumbling that you better not wake him when you came back so the two of you left him there.

Kaoru had been telling you about some of the constellations that had been visible at first, all the myths and legends deemed important enough to have stars named after them, then the two of you decided to make your own. They'd started nice but had turned into silly stories quite quickly.

It had dissolved into fits of laughter and what you can assume will become more inside jokes you'll laugh about for the next few weeks. The last residuals of the laughter feel like they're bouncing around your chest, lifting your spirit and leaving you feeling warm inside. He's quiet beside you, and you assume he's coming up with another fake constellation for you.

"Do you- do you think we're friends in every universe?" Kaoru's voice comes out as a whisper and brings you crashing back down to earth. It takes your brain a few seconds to fully register what he just said but you're quick to push yourself up onto your elbows to look at him. He's still lying down, eyes focused on what few stars you can still make out in the sky.

You wait for him to elaborate, or to explain himself, but he doesn't speak again. His eyes remain firmly in the stars, like he's searching for the answer to his question there.

You reach out to him, finding his hand in the darkness and entwining your fingers with his. He exhales softly next to you, almost like an invisible weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

You briefly wonder how long he's wanted to ask you that question. You don't even have to think about your answer.

"Yeah. I do." Your eyes flicker to his face, heart settling at the smile that's resting there. He gives your hand a squeeze before launching into another explanation about the constellations, this one about two friends.